This Week: November 18, 2021

Editor - Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer - Richard Vaughn

Design/Layout and Writer - Travis Oliver

Having Convictions

We’re going to go out on a limb here and make the bold assumption that our readership is acquainted with the fact of the recent convictions of union leader John Dougherty and City Councilmember Robert Henon. Johnny Doc and Bobby, as they’re better known, find themselves charged, tried and convicted on federal bribery charges.

As we’re neither judge nor jury, we’re in no position to assess either the guilt or innocence of the defendants.

But we can and do say that the convictions send a strong and clear message about how business is – and is not – done in the City of Philadelphia, with the hope that the possibility of lengthy prison sentences gives pause to the next individuals with some bright ideas about getting cute with the law.

CCRA News and Events

CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 23, 7 PM via Zoom

To attend the meeting click link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89311980153

View the agenda here.

Membership Update

Effective immediately, the membership level "Family" has been renamed to "Household Membership." When you sign up or renew your membership, your new membership card will reflect that change.

Office Closure

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, CCRA is closed on Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26. The office will reopen on Monday, November 29. The board and staff would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Since the office is closed, there will be no CCRA This Week published. The next issue is scheduled for Thursday, December 2.

Merchant Partner of the Week

Every week we spotlight a member of the CCRA Merchant Partner ‘Deals & Discount’ Program, which helps local Mom and Pop businesses get back on their post-pandemic feet by providing complimentary valuable advertising and exposure by encouraging support from CCRA’s highly-engaged (and growing) membership. This week we feature Center City photography emporium Photo Lounge.

Got Pix? PhotoLounge is the Photo Go-To

In a world where image is often everything, you can’t take a chance when you’ve got critical photos to print. That’s where PhotoLounge comes in.

An independent small business since 1997, PhotoLounge believes in its soul that photos should be beautiful, affordable, easy to make, easy to get and long-lasting, and they back that up every day with superior service and knowledgeable, courteous staff.

You name it, they do it: digital prints, reprints and enlargements, archiving, fine art printing and Giclee, film processing, design and print photo books, professional head shots, passport photos and more. The store itself is an eyeful, and worth the trip alone.

So go where the pros go: PhotoLounge at 130 S. 17th. And BTW: CCRA members enjoy 10% off excluding other sales or discounted items.

Clean, Safe, and Green

Heads Up: Road Closures for Phila Marathon Weekend 11/19 - 11/21

Because life is trade-offs, the return of the Philadelphia Marathon brings with it the requisite road closures, too many of which to list here, so for all the details sprint here.

Comments Wanted re Philly Tree Plan

The Philly Tree Plan will identify new ways to grow our tree canopy, which keeps our air clean, protects us from extreme weather, and keeps our communities healthy. To understand the Plan’s goals and recommendations – and to provide comments -- view the Philly Tree Plan Draft here. (Comment period ends Wed., Dec. 1.)

More is Better on the Schuylkill Banks

Nov. 6 saw the official opening of the latest piece of the Schuylkill Banks Trail, which now extends from the southern end of Bartram’s Mile to the vicinity of 61st St. in Southwest Philadelphia. Spanning an additional 1,800 feet south, the extension features a greenway, riverfront platform, and superb city views. To go there, go here.

Online Harassment of Women in Public Life to be Addressed at Dec. 2 Virtual Event

One of the more unfortunate aspects of modern life is the online harassment of women in public life. It’s a problem badly in need of a solution, and the Annenberg Public Policy Center and the National Democratic Institute aim to do just that with their Dec. 2 virtual event. For details and to register, please go here.

Useful links

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

QBIPOC Art Coming to a Storefront Near You

An extension of Visit Philadelphia’s popular Love + Grit podcast, the Love + Grit Storefronts Project transforms empty storefronts by turning them into art installations featuring original creations by

12 QBIPOC (queer, Black, Indigenous, people of color) artists that highlight 24 Black- and Brown-owned businesses adversely affected by COVID-19. Details can be found here.

Community News and Events

Century’s Longest Partial Eclipse of the Moon Begins 2:18 Friday

This Friday’s near-total lunar eclipse — the longest of the century and the first of this length in 580 years — is truly once-in-a-lifetime.

At 2:18 on the morning of Friday, Nov. 19, the full Beaver Moon will take place in a 97%-total lunar eclipse, according to NASA, meaning that nearly all of the moon’s surface will be shrouded in the Earth’s shadow. The eclipse will be about three and a half hours long, stretching from 2:18 to 5:47 a.m. EST. The Beaver Moon eclipse will peak at 4:02 a.m. EST, NASA reports and will be visible across North America. Details here.

All-Bach concert to benefit The Sunday Love Project performed by Midori

Join The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd St, on Monday, November, 22, 7:30 pm, and Music For Food for an intimate, all-Bach solo violin concert by the legendary Midori. All proceeds benefit The Sunday Love Project whose mission is to share food among the homeless, while simultaneously building community. This concert is part of Music for Food, a musician-led initiative for local hunger relief.

For more information: (215) 399-2342

Email: events@collegeofphysicians.org

Space is limited. Get your tickets here.

Post-Glasgow: Where to From Here?

You are invited to join The Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia and the Geographical Society of Philadelphia for a Nov. 22 Zoom discussion of the November Conference of Parties in Glasgow and predictions for future international climate policy. Registration for the event can be had here.

Deadline Extended for Service Academy Nominations

Rep. Dwight Evans has extended the deadline to Wednesday, Nov. 24 for students in the 3^rd Congressional District to apply for a nomination to one of the nation’s five service academies

(U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. (The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.)). For requirements, click here.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thurs. Nov. 25, 8:30 a.m.

The oldest parade of its kind in the country marks the official start to the holiday season with floats, bands, dancers, balloons, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

20th Street and J.F.K. Blvd down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. More details here.

Christmas Village Returns Thanksgiving Day

‘Tis the season, and with it returns the European-themed Christmas Village, held once again at LOVE Park and City Hall beginning on Thanksgiving Day. Where better to attack your Holiday shopping: over 100 vendors in booths and tents offering, well, you name it.

Plus food, plus drink, plus a Ferris wheel and a kiddie train.

All aboard? Go here.

Design Firm Chosen for Parkway Makeover

The City has chosen Design Workshop to lead the redesign of the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A landscape architecture and urban planning firm, Design Workshop Is expected to begin work on the redesign in early 2022, the goal being to make the Parkway more attractive to foot and bike traffic. Details here.

Holiday Benefit Concert at the Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq

The JMB Foundation for Women is holding its ninth annual Holiday Benefit Concert at the Phila Ethical Society on December 4th, 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations go towards the support of several programs for women in East Africa. Performers include Philadelphia’s own Curtis students and grads, Ruth Naomi Floyd, and others. For more information: j mbfoundation.squarespace.com

Now We’re Really Back: Mummers!

Say No More: The Mummers Are Back. After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, the Mummer’s Parade will be back on Broad Street on New Year’s Day 2022. A 120-year tradition, the parade kicks off at 9 am at City Hall and runs down Broad Street to Washington Ave. Details here.

Merchant Partners "Deals and Discounts" Program

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.

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 Rounds, Use code CCRATHEROUNDS to receive free membership

Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889)

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 - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their virtual concerts.

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

Branzino Italian BYOB, 261 S. 17th St (215-790-0103)

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