This Week: January 26, 2023

RIP Jerry Blavat

Philly is a less-rockin’ kinda town today with the passing of Jerry Blavat, “The Geator With the Heater”.

If you’re not from Philly it’s difficult if not impossible to understand who he was and what he meant. (It’s not like every city had one.) Words to describe the Geator fail, although they rarely did for him.

Yes, he was a big-time local DJ, and yes, he ran countless record hops and had a nightclub down the shore, but that only begins to describe His Geatorness. He was an always-on musical force of nature, truly a living legend. He loved us, and we loved him back.

As he loved to say: “You Only Rock Once!”. And Rock he did.

Thanks for everything, Geator. RIP.

P.S. Aside to our football team: WIN ONE FOR THE GEATOR!

Prizes for Casino Night

Who Doesn’t Want….

• A once-a-month, year-long STARR Restaurants dine-around?
• A luxe stay-cation at the Four Seasons?
• A dee-lish dine-around at Cook-and-Solo, or Vernick, or Schulson Collective?
• Lunch with legendary sportswriter Ray Didinger?

Play to WIN at CCRA’s CASINO NIGHT on Thursday, February 9! Head here for tickets before they’re going, going gone!

CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting

On Tuesday, January 24, CCRA held its monthly public zoning committee meeting. Three properties were on the agenda. You can view the report here. You can view the meeting here. 

The next scheduled zoning committee meeting is Tuesday, February 28.

CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we spotlight the destination Indian restaurant Veda.

Get Your Indian Cuisine On at Veda

Yes, there are plenty of choices when it comes to Indian food in Philly, but there’s really only one smart choice, and that would be Veda at 1920 Chestnut Street.

An upscale eatery with a modern vibe (and a large bar), Veda has a wide and tantalizing menu that will satisfy vegans, carnivores and everything in-between. Classic Indian dishes and clever new creations, numerous shareable plates, all presented beautifully. Never to be overlooked are the dessert and cocktail menus.

The service is gracious and friendly, and lest we forget: Happy Hours run from 5pm to 7pm, seven days a week.

So you really can’t go wrong at Veda, especially if you’re a CCRA member, as CCRA folk receive a 10% discount.

Only the Shadow Knows…..on Groundhog Day

Being city folks, we may not know what a groundhog looks like….thus, the photo here. But, we know when we’re ready for the cold of winter to end. So….come out to John Heinz Nature Preserve (it’s near the airport, urbanists!) and see if Tinicum Tim comes out of his burrow and sees his shadow. 

Join the naturalists on Sat., 1/28, at 10 am for a family-friendly walk to see if the groundhog peeks out. Then get warm in the Visitor Center from 10:30 am to 12 pm for crafts, music and snacks. You’ll also get to meet some live local animals from Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center. For a fun surprise, enjoy the Groundhog Shadow Reveal at 12 pm! Free!

A Show that Steps Forward in Time

The show 1776 is an old one. But the themes of liberty, justice and equality still challenge us anew today. 1776 comes to Philadelphia with a cast that reflects multiple representations of race, gender, and ethnicity. You may never think about our country—who we are and why—the same way again. Looking at the photo here, we’ll all have a voice at the table in this rendition. 

Brought to Philly’s Forrest Theater, American Repertory Theater at Harvard University/Roundabout Theatre Company presents our founding story in a new light. As described by Variety, this “... spine-tingling production brings critique front and center and infuses the story of the Continental Congress with 20/20 hindsight.” 

The Revolution wasn’t televised, but tickets are available here.

Bite Into West Philly’s Diverse Food Scene

Nearby West Philadelphia is one of the City’s most diverse neighborhoods, and that diversity is reflected perhaps most powerfully in its food scene. Whether your jawn is Jamaican, Ethiopian or good ol’ Soul Food, West Philly’s got it, and it’s got it good. Nosh the details here.

Let’s Go OUT Tonight

WOW. With close to 300 people “interested” in this local Facebook happening tonight, this event seems like THE place to be for our LGBTQ+ community at 6pm Thursday. Meet your gaybors at Chick’s Philly in Point Breeze for pizza, amazing specials, draft beers, and incredible food. More information here.

Community Protests Prompt Septa’s Delay

of “Bus Revolution”

Community action prevails! To allow more time for community feedback, SEPTA has postponed changes in bus routes until 2024. At a City Council hearing Monday community members weighed in, claiming SEPTA wasn’t communicating the changes well to the public nor giving proper notice of the hearings. Most notable were the elimination of Route 12 and changes to Route 42. You can contact City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and City Council Members-at-Large here, as well as Septa here.

Families Have Fun at Dinos After Dark

In Dinosaur Hall at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission, a family-friendly atmosphere, and the “Dino Draft” Beer (and Food) Garden. Get a close-up look at the towering 42-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex and dioramas from around the world. Friday, January 27 from 4-8 PM. Suggested donation: $10 per person. Find more information here.

Get “Organized” at Free Organ Day at the Kimmel

There’s no musical instrument as powerful as a big honkin’ pipe organ, and you can experience the largest such beast in a US concert hall – with the Philadelphia Orchestra – for free and for over *six* hours at Verizon Hall on Saturday, Feb. 25. You’ll hear organ music for jazz, ballet, classical, opera, and the unique experience of "Organ Pumps," where audience members can lie onstage and feel the powerful vibrations of the organ. Catch those good vibes here.

Birds in Flight: Pop-up Bar, Tailgate Party

When you’re one win away from the Super Bowl, it’s time to pull out ALL the stops, which among other things in these parts means a pop-up Eagle bar and a big-time tailgate.

Normally Tinsel on S.12th is a Halloween and Christmas pop-up. But not now. Now it’s all Birds all the time, with memorabilia, art installs and cleverly crafted cocktails. Pop over here for all the highlights. And as for tailgating, it’s gotta be Cav’s, right? Say no more; just go here.

Happy to see Mae West

Use this special deal to celebrate the many trailblazing funny ladies like Mae West, Moms Mabley, Sophie Tucker, Pearl Williams, and so many more. Follow the rise of embattled women from risqué vaudeville into mainstream culture, AND, if you go Friday, Sat. or Tues (Jan 27, 28, 31) get TWO FOR ONE tickets from selected seating using promo code BROADS2FOR1. If you’re gunnin’ for Mae West, look in your pocket here.

Shining a light on Ukraine at Penn TONIGHT

The Alexander Hamilton Society at Penn is hosting Dan Fata from the Center of Strategic and International Studies for a moderated dialogue and discussion led by Alex Weisiger, a Political Science Professor at Penn, on the topic of The Russia-Ukraine War and the Role of the United States at Perry World House from 4:00 to 5:30 pm THIS EVENING - Thursday, January 26th.

Topics include competition between the U.S. and Russia, the trajectory of U.S. positioning in Europe, the influence of NATO, U.S. support for its allies, and Ukraine's military strategy. Free and open to all who are interested.

Would you please support our local merchants and save money too? These local merchants will provide a deal or discount to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification.

The River Boat Tours, Schuylkill River & Walnut St (215-309-5523)

The Rounds, internet only

Veda Modern Indian Bistro, 1920 Chestnut St (267-519-2001)

William Schwartz Jewelry, 1831 Chestnut St (215-665-8115)

Alimentari Restaurant at Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor

Astral Artists, 1500 Walnut St. (215-735-6999)

12th Street Catering, 3312 Spring Garden St (215-386-8595)

Blue Sole Shoes, 1805 Chestnut St (215-496-9244)

City Fitness, 2101 South St & 1819 JFK Blvd (609-254-9048) 

Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St (215-665-9220)

Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)

Excursions from the Square, (215-732-8487, 215-738-4500)

Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)

FrameWorks Studio & Gallery, 2103 Walnut St (215-567-6800)

Loews Hotel Philadelphia, 1200 Market St (215-627-1200)

Kimmel Cultural Campus, 300 S. Broad St (215-893-1900)

Liberty Pet Vets, 265 S. 20th St (888-458-8587)

PhotoLounge, 130 S.17th St (267-322-6651)

Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St (215-735-6311)

Seafood Unlimited, 270 S. 20th St (215-732-3663)

The Bake Shop on 20th, 269 S. 20th St (215-644-9714)

The Philadelphia Orchestra, One S. Broad St (215-893-1955)



CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner.