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This Week: Sept 16, 2021

Editor - Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer - Richard Vaughn

Design/Layout and Writer - Travis Oliver

Sansom St. Shooting


By now, you’re likely familiar with the shooting that occurred in the early hours over the weekend at 18th & Sansom Sts.


What is known is that a 29-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds across the body, was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.


The victim has not been identified, nor have any arrests been made—no word of witnesses or a possible motive.


CCRA has been in touch with the PPD; we are told that it was a fight over a woman and that it is considered random, also that there is CCTV of the incident and that arrests are to be expected.


While it’s not unreasonable to be concerned given the City’s current homicide rate, there is currently no evidence to suggest that this is anything more than the type of incident that can happen anywhere.


We would urge residents to continue to use their street smarts, follow this story closely and: If you see something, say something.

CCRA News and Events

CCRA Board Meeting


On Tuesday, September 14, CCRA held its first board meeting of the fiscal year. Many items were discussed including:


CCRA Green Taskforce Proposes 4 Initiatives


Citing Center City West’s growing environmental challenges, the CCRA Green Taskforce proposed four initiatives at its Board meeting on Sept. 14. In brief, the initiatives are:


  • Reverse decline in Center City West’s tree canopy
  • Promote best practices for reducing stormwater runoff
  • Work with a large local property owner to advocate for the planting of trees and addressing stormwater issues
  • Work with CCRA Communications Committee to disseminate environmental info


The complete text of the initiatives can be found here.


Mid-City Y Apartments Upgrade & Renovation


At the CCRA Board meeting on Sept. 14, the operators of Mid-City Y Apartments provided a presentation of their upgrade and renovation. Mid-City Y is a subsidized housing project located at 2025 Chestnut St.; their presentation can be found here.


Additional materials such as minutes from the Annual Meeting and previous board meeting can be found on our website.

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Sunset over Philadelphia, Tuesday, September 14

Photo credit: Benjamin Zuckerman

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 Dom’s Shoe Repair.


Dom’s Shoe Repair: A Shoe-In


Ever have a beloved pair of shoes you wore to death and which pained you to toss? Or a pair of boots to die for that simply went the way of all flesh? Or sandals, too? We’ve all been there. It’s painful.


The next time that happens, though, you need to get that footwear to Dom’s Shoe Repair at 203 S. 20th St. The man may not quite be a miracle worker, but he’s close. Stories abound of how he’s taken lost causes and restored them to their former glory.


And no, it’s not just about the shoes (nor boots, nor sandals).


Dom’s has been known to resuscitate handbags in dire straits, plus there are even urban legends about him making watchbands good as new. All of which is done with Honesty, Humor, and Hospitality.


Need more? How about a 10% discount to CCRA members? 


(FYI: The discount may not be combined with other sales or discount programs)

Clean, Safe, and Green

Schuylkill River Park Community Garden flooded by Ida 


Areas of Center City left underwater in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida include the Schuylkill River Park community garden. While gardening activities had been winding down before the storm, the river dumped several feet of water and a thick layer of silt on end-of-season produce. The garden steering committee has directed gardeners to dispose of all affected plants and is busy gathering information about possible soil contamination and remediation. Organizations offering guidance include Penn State Extension Services, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. The goal is to restore the soil so that gardeners can be confident in its safety next season. Once procedures are in place, several cleanup sessions will be scheduled. 

Useful links

Community News and Events

Avenue of the Arts Returns to In-Person with a Bang (Actually, several Bangs)


Putting the last 18 months waaay in the rear-view mirror, the Avenue of the Arts returns this Saturday with a vengeance, in the form of a FREE, multi-cultural, many-location event.

Called “Arts Launch 2021: A Return To In-Person Arts”, it takes place all over the Kimmel Cultural Campus and features performances from across the artistic spectrum and then some.

The lowdown is here.

Rejoice! The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show Returns at Last This Weekend


After a painfully long pandemic hiatus, the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show returns, at last, this weekend, and fittingly enough the weather couldn’t be better. Some stats: Over 90 years in existence (the oldest outdoor art show in the country), over 140 exhibiting artists from across the country, six exhibitor categories, and – no kidding – over 20,000 visitors expected. Read all about it here.

I Scream, You Scream….


You know where we’re going with this, right? Well, first, we’re going to 119 S. 13th St, the site of the first Philly location for Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, which opened here in August. Then, sometime in 2022, we’ll head to new Van Leeuwen installs in Fishtown and Rittenhouse Square. They offer both dairy and vegan delights, and one of their specialties is – wait for it – Mac & Cheese ice cream. Here’s the scoop.


The Ethical Society invites you to join us for the United Nations International Day of Peace and 11th anniversary Peace Day Celebration


Giant Peace Dove, music and featured speakers in Rittenhouse Square - Tuesday, September 21, 11:15 a.m. Free.


Virtual program offerings Wednesday, September 15 to Tuesday, September 21. Indoor events at The Philadelphia Ethical Society have been canceled because of COVID.

More Info
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Merchant Partners "Deals and Discounts" Program


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.


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 and Gallery, 2103 Walnut St, (215-567-6800)

Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479)

Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)

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

Mlkmn, - Use code CCRAMlkmn to receive free membership

Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)

Photo Lounge, 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)

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)

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