This Week: December 9, 2021

Editor - Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer - Richard Vaughn

Design/Layout and Writer - Travis Oliver

Tune In, Turn Off, Log Out

Remarkably enough, we now find ourselves in the thick of the 2021 holiday season. (Really? Yes, really.)

If there was one thing that the pandemic taught many of us, it was to perform a long-overdue re-think on what’s really important and then hopefully to act on it, to put it into practice.

And so, what better time than now, as things will soon begin to wind down and we’ll be spending time with friends and family.

And maybe, just maybe, tune out and turn off the endless chatter from social media and alerts to your phone.

Instead, perhaps ponder the deeper things, like one’s mortality, the true concept of justice, and who the Eagles quarterback should be.

CCRA News and Events

We Asked; You Answered

Thanks to all our readers for submitting responses to our request for sidewalk bicycling incidents.

We received more than 30 replies! As a result, we already have identified other local groups who can help us make our city sidewalks safer. Santa says safe local sidewalk shopping to all.

Greetings to William Penn House!

It’s soon to be a New Year, and with it comes your January annual High-rise membership renewal. Only this year we’ve made it waaay easy. How easy?

On the CCRA website, go to “Membership”, then “Join New Membership – Resident App”. Then scroll down to “Hi-Rise Member”. Select that, click “Next” and proceed from there to the Application process. That’s it! Do it today before you forget!

Looking forward to our continued WPH partnership and collective voice for better Center City living. Contact Travis Olive r if you have any questions.

Are you looking to volunteer?

Members: these organizations are looking for volunteers. Although some were from Thanksgiving, they could use some help throughout the holiday season. If you have the time and would like to lend them a hand, check out the list.

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 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 folks receive a 10% discount.

Clean, Safe, and Green

Our Clean, Safe, and Green Appeal has begun!

As part of your year-end giving, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to CCRA's Clean, Safe, and Green Campaign so that we can continue to carry out our Sidewalk Cleaning and other programs for another year.

The Clean, Safe, and Green Program is one of CCRA's most important neighborhood beautification efforts. We contract with the Center City District for $29,000 a year to come through our area on trash day and pick up litter that remains on the sidewalks after Streets Department crews have taken garbage and recycling. We also keep the neighborhood green by planting trees for those who would like one.

CCRA is extraordinarily proud of the Clean, Safe, and Green Program because it makes our neighborhood a better place to live and work. However, we cannot afford to maintain this effort without the generous support of friends like you.

Thanks for your support of CCRA and season's greetings to you and your family. Click the " Donate Now " link below to contribute today to CCRA.

Donate Now

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

Taney St. Rename Proceeds with “LeCount”

Led by Fitler Square Neighbors Association, our community has been going through the process of changing the name for Taney Street. The rename effort moved closer to fruition recently when over 600 residents voted to rename the street after 19th-Century education and equality activist Caroline LeCount, widely considered as “Philadelphia’s Rosa Parks”. Caroline LeCount was a teacher for 50 years who pushed for the rights of Black students and teachers and who fought to have a law repealed that prohibited Blacks from riding streetcars.

CCRA has been an active partner in advancing the name change, and now you can, too.

In your own voice, please write a letter (include your full name and street address) that can be emailed or sent as a PDF to: info@renametaney.com. For more on Ms. LeCount, go here.

Restoration Begins on Marian Anderson House Museum

Thanks to funding from various sources, restoration work has begun on the Marian Anderson House Museum that saw significant flood damage in 2020 when both the basement and first floor of the South Philly Martin St. rowhome (where the famed opera singer and activist lived) were flooded, causing much damage to both the building and much of its historical contents.

Full restoration is not expected until the middle of 2023. Details here.

Vote Here for Social Innovation Awards

It’s a fast-paced world we live in, but where’s it going, and who’s driving? Social Innovators, that’s who.

The 2022 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards celebrates Greater Philadelphia Social Innovators. Driven by the belief that the potential for good ideas to inspire more good ideas cannot be underestimated, the theme of the Awards this year is “Achieving a More Just Society”.

To find out more and to help choose this year’s Award-winners, please go here.

Useful links

Community News and Events

Are We Back? Yes and No

While there is no doubt that Center City is returning to normal, where we exactly are now is not an easy picture to describe, which is where the Center City District (CCD) comes in with its Winter 2021 Newsletter, which is chock-full of salient data points, such as:

Citywide employment remains 69,000 short of pre-pandemic levels
Pedestrian traffic in October 2021 was 75% of that of January 2020
84,000 workers remain absent from Center City each day

For the full Newsletter, please go here.

$19.2M Targeted for Center City

More than $19 million in state grants has been awarded for redevelopment projects in Center City, state Rep. Brian Sims announced this week. Recipients included the Broad Street Ministry, Curtis Revitalization, and the Drexel Medical Campus. A full report can be found here.

Enjoy Mid-Day, Mid-Week Advent Organ Meditations at Holy Trinity

Everyone can use a time-out as we power our way through the holiday hustle, and what better way than to relax in a beautiful church while listening to equally beautiful music.

The church in question is Holy Trinity -- right on the Square -- and the music of the moment is “Advent Organ Meditations”, as led by Trinity’s new music director Donald Meineke.

It’s every Wednesday, from 12:15- 12:45pm, right smack dab in the middle of the week, from now through Christmas, as Trinity continues to reopen its doors with wide-open hearts.

Find that Perfect, Unique Gift at Fleisher’s “Handmade”

Holiday shopping got you painted in a corner? Fear not, as Fleisher Art’s annual creative market can save the day. Called “Handmade”, it offers over 20 vendors providing distinct and affordable holiday gifts, all in Fleisher’s historic sanctuary at 719 Catherine St. The date? Sat., Dec. 11. The time? 11a-4p. The details? Here.

Hit Up the Liberty Flea Market for Vintage and Artisan Merch 12/18 & 12/19

Dec. 18 and 19 are the dates, 10a to 5p is the time and the Bok Boy’s Gym at 1901 S.9th is the place for one of the top Vintage and Artisan vendors in the Philadelphia area. We’re talking antiques, home decor, furniture, vintage clothing, hand-made artisan goods and yes, some truly superb food! Admission is $5, 12 and under free; proof of vax required. The whole story can be found 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.

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)

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

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