CENTER CITY QUARTERLY
Newsletter of the Center City Residents' Association Vol. 7 No. 2 Summer 2017 Contents Our Greene Countrie Towne Our Greene Countrie Towne Singin’ in the Rain ...... 1 Gardens: Another Reason to Love Philadelphia ...15 Singin’ in the Rain City Lit By Bill West Summer Reading… ...... 2 Food in Bloom ...... 2 There was a knock on the door. I opened weighs about as much as a sumo wrestler. It’s Academic it, and there were two nice young men and Don't ask me how I learned this. Greene Towners Greening Center City ...... 2 my new rain barrel. They also had a bag TPS Students Get Lessons in Lobbying ...... 4 Clearing the Haze of the High School Maze ...... 4 with some tools and a few accessory parts. The rain barrels are part of a larger program Friends Select SummerSessions ...... 5 Fifteen minutes later the installation crew for stormwater management that emphasizes President’s Report was done with its work; we smiled and what is called green infrastructure, as Who Watches the Watchers? ...... 3 shook hands, and they left. opposed to gray infrastructure. Gray Town Square infrastructure means building new sewers Crosstown Coalition Update ...... 7 And I had a 55-gallon plastic rain and holding tanks and stuff, and pouring CCRA Sponsors DA Debate at Saxbys Co ee ...... 7 barrel hooked up to the downspout that huge gobs of concrete. Using concrete State of Center City ...... 10 drains my roof. Free rain barrel, free Zoning Questions Presented by Jeweler’s Row ..13 Continued p. 3 installation. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Living History An Awakening of Historic Proportions ...... 9 Horticultural Society. Make a Di erence to Our Neighborhood! ...... 9 Film Recounts Jane Jacobs' Urban Crusade ...... 10 So what do you do with the water in the Postcard from the Revolution ...... 11 rain barrel? Well, you can use it to water Dining Scene your flowers. Probably not a good idea to Outdoor Dining on the Schuylkill ...... 13 drink it – hard to know how many birds Out & About have been pooping on your roof. Celebration of Center City Living...... 14 CCCulture Artist Leslie Sudock Supports Studio for The main thing, however, is you're helping Adults with Developmental Disabilities ...... 15 the planet. Yes, who knew? The PHS is Summer Jazz Concert Series ...... 17 into green stuff. NextMove Dance Presents Companies from Europe, Africa, Asia and America ...... 19 If you've noticed that we seem to be To Your Health Yoga Practice Strengthens Mind and Body....17 getting more intense rainstorms in Shop Talk Philadelphia, and that there's more local Too Much Stu ! ...... 18 flooding – where the storm drains back up CCRA Merchant Members Discount Program ....19 into the street and create pretty little lakes What’s Going On at intersections – well, you're not crazy. CCRA Summer Calendar ...... 20 And one of the answers is the rain barrel. CENTER CITY RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Every 55 gallons in a rain barrel is 55 1608 Walnut Street, 12th Floor gallons that aren't gushing up through the Philadelphia, PA 19103 storm grate down at the corner. By the 215-546-6719 way, I call it a little blue rain barrel, and Bill West [email protected] it is. But it's not a toy. When it's full it They only come in blue, but you're free to decorate. 2000 block www.centercityresidents.org of Moravian. City Lit Summer Reading… Food in Bloom By Bonnie Eisenfeld By Bonnie Eisenfeld The Grid and the River: Philadelphia’s Center City resident Constance Kirker, Green Places 1682-1876, by Dr. Elizabeth co-author of Edible Flowers: A Global Milroy, explores the how and why of our History, gave a talk about her recent book city’s amazing heritage of public parks and at the Free Library, Philadelphia City the preservation of open spaces. Department Institute branch on Rittenhouse Square, Head of Art and Art History at Drexel in April. Kirker discussed the cultural, University, Milroy provides a thoroughly symbolic, and religious connotations of researched, illustrated narrative describing edible flowers; how they have been an cultural attitudes and political processes element of cooking in many of the world's leading to the preservation of Philadelphia’s cultures; and how flowers can be used in extensive open spaces. Philadelphia’s delicious and unexpected ways to enhance public parks cover more than 10,000 acres your food presentations.
and include woodlands, waterways, and Bonnie Eisenfeld historic properties. The book is available on Edible owers enhance the eye appeal of ordinary foods. Amazon and at the Free Library.
It’s Academic Greene Towners Greening Center City By Erika Goldberg, Greene Towne Garden Coordinator In 1966 Greene Towne Montessori This year, in addition School’s founding parents drew their to gardening and worm inspiration in naming the school from composting, Greene William Penn’s vision for Philadelphia Towne Kindergartners to be a “greene countrie towne.” Today, tended 16 street trees near Greene Towne students and parents the school. Before putting contribute to fulfilling Penn’s dream for a on their garden gloves and healthy, green city. heading out with trowels and garden forks, the Each year, during the days surrounding 5- and 6-year-olds shared Earth Day and Arbor Day, students engage their thoughts about why in activities that teach the importance trees are important and of caring for the natural environment. why we need to take care Throughout the week, parents, students, of them. and teachers work together to welcome a new growing season by planting, setting “Trees give us oxygen Erika Goldberg up worm composting, and caring for and clean the air.” “We Greene Towners are proud of their tree-tending skills. street trees in and around the school’s two breath oxygen so if there outdoor spaces. were no trees we wouldn’t have any air.” Students learned that trees “drink” water “Trees give us food: nuts, maple syrup, through their roots, difficult when soil Established by parent volunteers in apples, oranges, cherries, bananas, pears, in the tree pit is compacted. Students 2003, the rooftop container garden and avocadoes, mangoes and coconuts.” loosened the soil, allowing rainfall to courtyard garden provide our young city- “Trees are pretty and give us flowers.” reach deep into the ground for the roots dwellers the opportunity to grow flowers, “Trees give us shade.” “Trees give us to soak up. They spread mulch around the herbs and vegetables to enjoy. Since its wood and we make houses and beautiful trunks to help retain moisture and keep inception, the program has expanded to wooden toys and our play structure is roots cool during the hot summer. include tending street trees and worm made of wood.” “Our classroom furniture composting, keeping nearly 500 pounds and work is made from wood.” “They Kindergartners drew pictures and wrote of kitchen and paper waste from landfills give us paper so we can draw and write stories about the importance of caring for each year. Children from 18 months to stories and make crafts.” Trees also make trees. William Penn’s dream lives on in 6 years relish digging for worms, and homes for squirrels and chipmunks and Greene Towne’s students. squeal with delight when they find one. birds, “where they build nests way up high,” and “Cats like to climb trees.”
Page 2 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 CCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President’s Report Charles Goodwin ...... President Charles Robin ...... Executive Vice President Who Watches the Watchers? Barbara Halpern ...... Vice President Quis custodiet ipsos Planning Commission (PCPC). The builder is Emmeline Babb ...... Vice President custodes? – who watches free to ignore both the RCO and the PCPC but Frank Montgomery ...... Vice President the watchers? – is a often takes reasonable suggestions to heart. Harvey C. Sacks ...... Vice President question debated since Finally, in Philadelphia, certain land-use issues Philippa Campbell ...... Secretary Plato’s Republic (or so (putting something on the sidewalk, closing Dawn Willis ...... Assistant Secretary says Wikipedia), which an unused street) require a City Council (oddly enough) predates Matt Schreck ...... Treasurer ordinance. Sometimes, builders try to avoid Juvenal’s satires – the Matt Fontana ...... Assistant Treasurer the variance process (and the risk of potentially usual source of the Charles Goodwin interminable court proceedings) with a request DIRECTOR (term ending) quotation – by four or five CCRA President to the district council member for legislation. Guy Aiman (2019) Daniel Keough (2019) centuries. It’s really two CCRA is fortunate that our two council Wade Albert (2018) Dilek Karabucak (2018) questions: who should watch the watchers; members’ response to such a suggestion is to Janet Bender (2018) Fran Levi (2017) and who does watch the watchers? Elena A. Cappella (2017) Philip McMunigal (2017) tell the builder to work with CCRA. CCRA is one of the watchers. Who Ellen Chapman (2017) Jacob Markovitz (2018) CCRA faces a simple problem: public watches us? Becca Fischer (2019) Lauren O'Donnell (2019) participation in this vehicle to gather David Gerson (2019) David Rose (2018) The answer to the should question is you. public input can be thin on occasion. The Samuel Gordon (2019) Jennifer Tintenfass (2019) Often, the answer to the does question is overwhelming majority of CCRA members Richard Gross (2017) Mark Travis (2017) that there can never be enough. People are quiescent. Victoria Harris (2018) Ben Waxman (2017) think we speak for you; do you know Optimists would say that CCRA does so COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS what we’re saying? good a job speaking for you that (almost) no MANAGER Travis W. Oliver In Philadelphia, “Registered Community one complains. Pessimists would say that Organizations” (RCOs) like CCRA provide we’ve been written off as hopeless. Cynics HOUSE TOUR CHAIR community input to government land-use would say that no one cares. The comments Kathleen Federico decisions in three ways. First, applicants for on Plan Philly and elsewhere suggest we’re COUNSEL zoning variances must present their plans at a imperfect. CCRA’s growing membership Stanley R. Krakower public RCO meeting – our zoning committee suggests we do something right. Both facts meetings – for comment. The RCO then suggest that the cynics are wrong. ZONING CO-CHAIRS (sit on Executive Committee) makes a recommendation to the Zoning We are fallible trustees for this community. Charles Loomis Board of Adjustment (ZBA), the city board Tim Kerner You need to inform us. You need to speak that hears variance requests. The RCO’s out. We’re only as good as you make us. PAST PRESIDENTS (active) recommendations carry weight with the You need to come out to meetings and speak Margaret Mund Eugene Dichter ZBA, but aren’t binding on the ZBA and can for our community. Unless you do, you Jeff Braff Samuel Weinberg serve as the basis for an appeal. Adam Schneider Wm. J. D. Jordan may commit the future of our community to Vivian Seltzer Lenore Millhollen Second, for major projects that don’t need individuals who may be completely unaware Pamela Rosser Thistle Kristin Davidson variances, RCOs must convene a meeting for of your concerns. George R. Brodie, Jr. public input. The RCO then offers suggestions We are a vehicle. You are the driver. Where to the builder and to the Philadelphia City CENTER CITY QUARTERLY are you going? Nancy Colman ...... editor Bonnie Eisenfeld ...... contributing editor Bill West ...... production editor Continued from p. 1 Donna Strug, Andres Nicolini ...... photographers to deal with all the rain that's on the way Two more things. First, the information Cover Photo Credits: (1) Didier Phillispart (2) Emily Grant would cost a couple of bazillion dollars. sessions also have a road show. If you're (3) Nancy Colman (4) Bonnie Eisenfeld Green infrastructure costs a lot less. Green in a community group that would like the infrastructure means blue rain barrels. Horticulture Society to visit you with a Newsletter Ad Rates Powerpoint presentation and a bunch of 4 Issues Members Non-Members All set to get your free rain barrel? Well, sign-up sheets, contact Rosemary Howard, Full Page $ 1,350.00 $1,425.00 hold up. You've got to get yourself educated assistant program manager: ½ Page $ 750.00 $ 825.00 ¼ Page $ 375.00 $ 450.00 first. Go to the website (http://www. [email protected], 215-988-8767. 1 Issue Members Non-Members phillywatersheds.org/whats_in_it_for_you/ Full Page $ 450.00 $ 475.00 residents/raincheck) and sign up for one Also, the program does a bunch of stuff ½ Page $ 250.00 $ 275.00 of their information sessions. Don't worry. beyond rain barrels like rain gardens and ¼ Page $ 125.00 $ 150.00 You'll actually learn stuff. I know I did. And permeable pavers. These will cost you For information and deadlines, please call at the end you can fill out some papers and money, but the prices are very attractive. 215-546-6719. schedule your installation.
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 3 It’s Academic Clearing the Haze of the High School Maze By Fran Levi CCRA’s Education and Family Committee presented “The High School Daze” – an informational program to help parents plan for their children’s high school application process – on Thursday, March 30, at Trinity Memorial Church. Committee co-chair Judy Heller introduced a diverse panel that provided a comprehensive overview including understanding their child’s development, identifying educational opportunities, and navigating the various application processes, like guiding their child through visiting and selecting a high school.
Discussing “seventh- through ninth-grade development markers,” Kathryn Snyder, Donna Strug a board-certified art psychotherapist and From left, panelists Kathryn Snyder, Eileen Dwell, Anne Hall and Tina Kluetmeier, and Education and Family Committee Co-chair Judy Heller. licensed professional counselor stated, “By seventh grade, attendance, behavior and Eileen Dwell is a member of the Education multitude of considerations when evaluating grades begin to matter.” While parents should and Family Committee and has been a the various high school options available to consider what is important to their child, panelist at previous school daze programs. your child. She believes, “Shadow days are “parents have to be the auxiliary brain for A retired Philadelphia public and suburban wonderful!” When visiting schools Dwell their children.” Snyder reminded parents elementary and secondary school principal, suggested some questions that should be that there is a “slot for every child,” and Dwell supervises Temple University student asked. Do they have A.P. classes, drama, opportunities for change if their child is not teachers as well as subbing as a Philadelphia etc.? How available do teachers make happy with their high school choice. School District principal. She explained the Continued p. 5
It’s Academic Friends Select SummerSessions: Where the City Meets Your Kid By Desiree Harmon, SummerSessions Director and Middle School Dean
New this year, Friends Select has expanded its SummerSessions Program to include three course tracks: FSS City Academy, FSS City Lab, and FSS City Institute. Themed “Where the city meets your kid,” the program runs from June 12 through July 28, and is available to all incoming middle- and upper-school students, and faculty.
The course offerings for students provide an opportunity to stay engaged with academics, sports and various aspects of Center City Philadelphia Friends Select School over the summer. Through the course Friends Select School's SummerSessions provide a summer learning experience inspired by its Center City location. “Humanities in the City,” faculty will learn how to use local resources to faculty in and outside of our community,” one step closer to being a private school enrich the humanities classroom. says Michael Gary, head of school at with a public purpose.” Friends Select. “My goal is for Friends “We are excited to grow our upcoming Select’s education to be as accessible to For more information and to register, visit summer program to include students and as many as possible, and this will bring us friends-select.org/summersessions
Page 4 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 It’s Academic TPS Students Get Lessons in Lobbying By Matt Eskin, Assistant Head, The Philadelphia School In early March, 10 middle school students from The Philadelphia School had the opportunity to meet with staff at Senator Casey's and Senator Toomey's Philadelphia offices. They lobbied Senator Casey to continue to press assertively for pay equity for women, and they asked Senator Toomey to live up to his campaign promise to expand the reach of background checks for gun purchases.
Their visits were the culmination of a 10- week middle school elective course called “Let’s Go Lobbying,” which was created in recognition of the fact that the nation's fervent political climate had not escaped our students and classrooms. Surrounded by young people whose voices are missing TPS middle schoolers meet with sta ers at Sen. Casey’s Philadelphia o ce. from American political discourse, the teachers decided to develop a course that in teams of five. While teachers designed discussed how seriously and respectfully would empower students to confidently the “architecture” of the elective, their presentations had been received. They and knowledgeably share their concerns students were responsible for setting up also had an opportunity to brief Mayor with the policymakers who are influencing appointments with their senators’ offices; Kenney the following day, when he visited their futures. identifying and researching an issue the class and recommended issues he of concern; interviewing guest experts would like them to research and present to “The overarching idea,” said teacher (lobbyists, legislators and civic leaders) to state representatives at the State House in Jake Hunter, “is to have the students – as learn lobbying techniques and to identify Harrisburg, where they were to spend a day non-voting yet well-informed, concerned issues; and preparing, role playing, and in late May. minors – understand that they have a right presenting their request for action (orally and obligation to participate in political and in writing) to the senators’ staffs. “We plan to keep this class going year discourse, and that their concerns and after year,” says teacher Lois West, “and opinions deserve consideration by our After their 30-minute meetings with we hope we can work with other local nation’s elected officials.” Senator Toomey’s PA Director, Colonel schools to empower as many Philadelphia Bob DeSousa, and with Senator Casey’s middle schoolers as possible to make their The students – sixth-, seventh-, and Field Representative, Geoffrey Mock, the voices heard.” eighth-graders – worked collaboratively students reviewed their experiences and
Continued from p. 4 themselves to students? Do students work should be A’s and B’s with maybe one C. who attend Philadelphia public and charter in cooperative groups? Parents, she said, Attendance records should reflect no more schools, Kluetmeier explained how she and should understand “nothing is perfect, but than five excused absences. Behavior is her husband attacked the decision-making children are more resilient than you think.” important, and the student should not have process. “In eighth grade our children had any suspensions. PSSA test scores are to write down what they wanted in a high Anne Hall worked in urban education in important. Hall’s advice: “Be on top of school. For both of our children the social San Francisco and Oakland, California, things. Preparation is very important.” piece was very important to them, and we before moving to Philadelphia in 2003, recognized this.” where she earned a Master of Science in Tina Kluetmeier, also a member of the Psychological Services at the University Education and Family Committee, is Following the panel’s presentations, of Pennsylvania’s School of Education. an education consultant with over 20 members of the audience asked Since the fall of 2004, Hall has been the years’ experience with community-based questions. Several parents expressed their school counselor at Independence Charter organizations and universities in the United appreciation for the program, which they School. She emphasized the four important States and abroad. With first-hand knowledge said helped relieve some of the stress they factors that parents and students should of “navigating the high school maze” as felt about planning for their child’s high be aware of by seventh grade. Grades the parent of an eighth- and 10th-grader school experience.
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 5 OCF REALTY WELCOMES NEIGHBOR AND CCRA MEMBER ANDY NICOLINI
Whether you ere selling, buying, downsizing to e condo, or simply went to heve e friendly conversetion ebout selling before you buy or your home’s current velue, be sure to contect your neighbor, Andy Nicolini
Center City Homeowner Block Ceptein Community Gerdener 484.483.3114 CCRA volunteer & [email protected] pest boerd member Se heble espeñol
OCF Reelty specielizes in zip codes, not doller signs. This community-centric epproech combined with our Neked Philly blog end OCF Cooee Houses, is whet mekes OCF Reelty one of the most innovetive, epproecheble end trensperent reel estete ooces in Philedelphie.
1936 WASHINGTON AVENUE • PHILADELPHIA, PA 19146
Page 6 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Town Square Crosstown Coalition Update By Steve Huntington, Crosstown Coalition Chair Crosstown Fosters Grass Roots based RCOs open their “organizational Update: Billboards on the Parkway Legislation membership” to “residents, property owners, If no news can be taken as good news, it In the last issue of the Quarterly, the business owners or operators and/tenants” appears the Crosstown efforts, encapsulated in Crosstown heralded the passage of Coalition- within the declared boundaries of the RCO. a March 15 letter to the Inquirer, have stymied initiated legislation – Bill 160825 – an the placement of ads as large 1200 square feet, ordinance handed up from the grass roots of Crosstown PREVAILS on Electric on two Ben Franklin Parkway buildings. The the Crosstown’s 23 neighborhoods, not passed Charging Stations proposal has not resurfaced since it originally down from the polity to the people. In another first, the Crosstown prevailed appeared last November. in a sharply contested Council vote on Bill It’s happened again. Introduced by 1700930’s moratorium on sidewalk-mounted, Crosstown Candidate Questionnaire Councilman Bobby Henon (who also plug-in, vehicle-charging stations, which, prior The Coalition has distributed questionnaires introduced the aforementioned grass roots to the enactment of the moratorium, provided to the political candidates running for bill – thank you and thank you again!), Bill vehicle owners with 24/7 exclusive use of office over the last three election cycles. All 170285 actualizes an RCO (Registered adjacent curbside parking spaces. Thirty-five responded. In March the Crosstown presented Community Organization) request presented of 59 registered charging stations are from a questionnaire to the 10 individuals appearing by Crosstowners in personal visits to 13 three zip codes – 19130 (14 permits), 19147 on the May 16 ballot – the three seeking Council offices last summer. Currently, (11 permits) and 19106 (10 permits) – and their party’s endorsement for Controller, and political wards and civic associations none are registered in communities where the seven candidates in the District Attorney may qualify as RCOs. Even so, wards are on-street parking is not at a premium, such as primary. As of this writing, seven candidates exempted from six rules requiring that East Falls, Mount Airy or Chestnut Hill. have provided responses. The replies are neighborhood RCOs (like CCRA) ensure distributed to each Association and placed on community representation and due process The Bill, cosponsored by Councilmen David the Crosstown website. – publicly announced, open, regularly Oh and Squilla, passed after the Crosstown scheduled meetings; member-elected voted to support its passage, 14 to two with Third Annual Education Summit leadership, etc. four abstentions. The Coalition hand-delivered For the third consecutive year, on April letters in support of the Bill to each Council 29, the Coalition hosted a forum – this The Bill applies these six rules to all RCOs chamber, and CCRA former President Jeff year on the 42nd floor of the Comcast – civic associations and wards alike. Further, Braff presented the Crosstown position in Center – for Friends of Neighborhood the Bill addresses the problem presented by City Council on April 7 immediately before Education (FONE), providing workshops residents who wish to work within a ward Council voted 11 to six in favor of the Bill. on how to build community support for RCO but are politically registered either as The 11 council people who voted to support local primary schools. independents or as members of a party other the bill: Bass, Blackwell, Clarke, Greenlee, than that of the ward. The proposed legislation Henon, Johnson, Oh, O’Neill, Parker, Sanchez requires that both wards and community- and Squilla.
Town Square CCRA Sponsors DA Debate at Saxbys Co ee By Daniel Keough, Government Relations Committee Six Democratic candidates for the Office listened to the candidates discuss of Philadelphia District Attorney convened issues including civil forteiture on Saturday morning, April 15, at the of property; cash bail and how headquarters of Saxbys Coffee at 2300 to eliminate it; the opioid/heroin Chestnut Street, to debate tough questions problem (a one-year increase for a tough job. Former Philadelphia Daily of 30 percent in Philadelphia, News and Philly Mag editor and current resulting in 900 deaths in 2016); co-founder of Philadelphia Citizen Larry and this question submitted by an Platt moderated. audience member: how to reform the administration process of the All candidates were invited; Jack O'Neill, district attorney's office to benefit
Joe Khan, Larry Krasner, retired judge the community more effectively. Albert Wade Teresa Carr Deni, Michael Untermeyer and DA candidates attending the forum, from left: Larry Krasner, Teresa Carr Deni, Joe Rich Negrin attended. About 40 people Khan, Rich Negrin, Jack O'Neill and Michael Untermeyer, and moderator Larry Platt.
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 7
At The Philadelphia School depth of understanding comes from exploring and discovering, from making mistakes and achieving success. Students benefit from a school community that recognizes the richness that arises when people of different cultures, histories, and worldviews teach and learn from one another. It is the place where students say, “Here I learned to be the best possible me!”
TAKE A TOUR Small group tours available most Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 AM To reserve a place, contact us at 215.545.5323 x 222. 2501 Lombard Street | Philadelphia, PA 19146 215.545.5323 tpschool.org
A progressive independent school educating children in preschool through 8th grade
Page 8 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Living History An Awakening of Historic Proportions By Dane Wells Shock waves ran through Philadelphia when and support for the Historic Commission. data from three cities, it provided the most Horsham-based developer Toll Brothers A bill has been introduced in City Council complete empirical validation to date of announced they had purchased a group of to increase funds for the Commission by Jacobs' long-respected, but largely untested buildings in what is known as Jeweler’s Row, charging fees for historic reviews. There is hypothesis: That neighborhoods containing with the intention of demolishing them to an effort going forward to develop training in a mix of smaller buildings of diverse build an apartment tower. They had every learning how to write nominations for ages support greater levels of positive right, for the zoning code allows them to build the Register. economic and social activity. (link: http:// high density, and Jeweler’s Row had not been www.preservationnation.org/information- placed on the City’s Historic Register, which So why should we care about Historic center/sustainable-communities/green-lab/ would have provided some protection. Preservation? What follows is an update of oldersmallerbetter/report/NTHP_PGL_ an earlier Quarterly article, which, in light OlderSmallerBetter_ExecSummary.pdf) This episode, which, as of this writing of recent developments, has even more is still being played out, was a rude meaning today. I think many of us in the Rittenhouse-Fitler awakening. Paul Steinke, the new Director Historic District, which includes most of of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Why Preservation? CCRA, would agree, and the Jeweler’s Row Philadelphia, swung into action with Historic preservation is not just an scenario is proof. Historic Preservation is petitions and legal efforts. The issue was not exercise to save a few buildings for in our best interest – individually and as a just the destruction of an important historians and preservationists to admire. community. If it doesn’t add appeal or part of the historic cityscape. Equally In addition to saving historic and iconic value to your property, it certainly stabilizes important were other areas and buildings structures for posterity, this process of value. Time and again it has proven to be potentially left vulnerable due to the retaining blocks of older, smaller, mixed- a wise investment. Let’s look at some of 2012 zoning mapping. vintage buildings can help cities achieve the reasons. sustainable development goals and foster It is well known that numerous important great neighborhoods. Community Branding historic buildings are not listed on the City Sophisticated companies put a lot of thought Register. For several years, a valiant group Jane Jacobs’ 1961 book, The Death and and resources into creating a brand; it is of volunteers have been working to list Life of Great American Cities, launched a good for business. Cities and neighborhoods additional buildings, to supplement the national conversation. Jacobs asserted that can brand also, albeit differently – think city’s understaffed Historic Commission. urban renewal, popular in the 60s, replaced of San Francisco’s “Painted Ladies,” and Obviously more help is needed. richly textured streets of small, mixed-age Jeweler’s Row. A community’s brand helps buildings with blocks of much larger new attract good investment and ownership, Pip Campbell, Chair of CCRA’s Historic structures, drained life from neighborhoods, and steer decision-making by community Preservation Committee, and others, have and deadened urban centers. Jacobs leaders to benefit the area. It also gives been working with the Preservation Alliance observed that “Cities need old buildings so us a sense of place, connecting us with and other organizations to find ways for civic badly it is probably impossible for vigorous our heritage. In cities like Charleston and groups to participate in this designation effort streets and districts to grow without them.” Savannah, blessed with good historical (see sidebar). Mayor Kenney has appointed fabric, preservation has played a significant an Historic Preservation Task Force The National Trust for Historic Preservation role in community branding. Jeweler’s comprised of community representatives and in 2014 released Older Smaller Better, a Row is famous – even a tourist attraction City employees, and promised more funding report by Preservation Green Lab. Using Continued p. 10
We Can All Make a Di erence to Our Neighborhood!
A majority of CCRA’s footprint is protected historically through the City-designated Rittenhouse-Fitler Historic District. However, many blocks were not included in the Ritt-Fit District and, like Jeweler’s Row, remain unprotected historically. Members of CCRA’s Historic Preservation Committee are launching an initiative to identify properties to recommend to the Philadelphia Historic Commission for designation. With the assistance of historic-preservation experts, volunteers from our neighborhood will be trained to survey neighborhood streets and visually identify potentially historic properties, as well as to prepare drafts of designation nominations. We plan to start with blocks of Chestnut, Sansom and Walnut Streets, from Broad to the Schuylkill River. If you would like to participate in these efforts or just want to learn more, please contact Pip Campbell through CCRA or via email at [email protected]. We need lots of help, and welcome anyone who is able to contribute, even if just for a short time. – Pip Campbell, Chair
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 9 Continued from page 9 – and the density of the trade is great for be observant, clever and resourceful. Preservation is very “green” business. It is one of a wide variety of tools Regrettably, many builders, contractors and The Older Smaller Better study also makes available to neighborhood organizers; good developers are more comfortable with a a strong case for the sustainable aspect preservation is not exclusive to big fancy simple, formulaic approach to their work. of historic preservation. First and most buildings and rich neighborhoods. There are, however, those that enjoy the obviously is the fact that a lot of material is challenges of preservation; to find them kept out of landfills. Preservation work is Stupid-neighbor insurance in Philadelphia start with the Preservation more labor-intensive than new construction, Suppose your next-door neighbor builds Alliance (www.preservationalliance.com), or and this means more jobs in the local something really atrocious. Conventional ask an architect with preservation experience. economy. Also, more supplies tend to be wisdom says your property value will local, sometimes from nearby salvage drop. In a sense, your foolish neighbor But my building isn’t historic yards – again, a boost to the local economy. has unwittingly robbed you of asset value. Not all buildings in an historic district need Furthermore, maintained historic areas have Historic-district management seeks to avoid be historic, and different levels of historic better day-to-day economic statistics than this by setting guidelines for everyone to importance can be assigned to those that other areas do. follow. Consider them insurance, protecting are. In fact, a little variety on the block is a your property’s value against the errant nice feature. Also, only in some rare cases Most importantly, as the report notes, decision of a neighbor. Now I wouldn’t call do historic commissions care what you do good preservation is a “gift to the street” Toll Brothers stupid, but if their priorities inside a building; it is what is seen from that benefits the neighborhood as well as could be called self-interested, is the the street that counts. That said, if your the property owner. It creates a finished community left in the dust? building has a lot of interior historic fabric, building that you and your neighbors can be removing or spoiling it may decrease the proud of for years to come, and it is doing Stable, if not rising, building values building’s value for the next buyer. If you real good for the neighborhood, not just Communities with good architectural fabric must remove historic interior fabric, then creating eye candy. (be it big and fancy or small and simple) seem at least consider selling or donating it to a to rebound from downturns faster and better number of specialized salvage companies or Stay tuned… than similar areas with bland or repetitive organizations that can give it a new life. You may be able to help the Ritt-Fit design. We can see that right here in Center District avoid a Jeweler’s Row disaster. City. Preserving the distinctive character of A clever architect can design a modern infill There are areas we should be worried our urban center can act as a buffer against building to complement historic neighbors, about in our neighborhood. Contact Pip the more drastic boom-and-bust cycles that which actually may be better than trying Campbell at [email protected] if you are have plagued other cities subject to rapid, to imitate them. Historic guidelines are interested in helping. unregulated overdevelopment. This is one often skeptical about making things look reason we all have an interest in maintaining like something they aren’t. Well designed, our historic fabric. modern infill is preferable to phony historic. This writer is carefully watching the Bart Film Citizen Jane Knee-jerk builders and developers don’t Blatstein renovation of the old McIlhenny Recounts Jacobs’ like it (it doesn’t fit their formula) Mansion on Rittenhouse Square; perhaps Preservation is not easy; one must this will be a successful mix of new and old. Urban Preservation
Just because it is old, does it mean it Crusade is important? To mark the 100th anniversary of Jane The State of There are different levels of historic – some Jacobs’ birth, the documentary Citizen buildings, usually specifically “listed,” built Jane: Battle for the City was released Center City by a notable architect, or with a special in April in theaters across the country to broad critical acclaim. The film Paul R. Levy, president of the Center history, might require very exacting and traces her evolution as an advocate for City District, describes the amazing well-researched historic preservation. historic preservation and thoughtful, growth and density of restaurants, Other buildings might just “contribute” human-scaled urban planning, and arts, visitors, hotels, and jobs in Center to the overall context of the district, and a details her long and often bitter City Philadelphia in his article, "The more casual level of preservation might be rivalry with philosophical foe Robert State of Center City," published in acceptable. In the case of Jeweler’s Row, Moses. Scranton native Jacobs the Philadelphia Inquirer, April 16, for the most part, it is not the quality of takes on other male powerhouses of 2017. http://www.philly.com/philly/ the architecture that is important; it is the grand-scale modern development opinion/20170423_The_state_of_ history and the density of the trade. like Philadelphia’s Edmund Bacon, Center_City.html The most important concept is that the in a time when women were scarcely To read the full report, "State of Center building blend in and complement the acknowledged — much less validated City, 2017," visit: http://centercityphila. block, and that it not detract from the — for their professional or intellectual org/research-reports/socc standards of the historic district. Not every accomplishments. – Bonnie Eisenfeld building has to be a showplace. —Nancy Colman
Page 10 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Living History Postcard from the Revolution By Bonnie Eisenfeld Editor’s Note: By now, the long-awaited opening of the Museum of the American Revolution has been well publicized – the pomp and circumstance surrounding its public debut on the 242nd anniversary of the “Shot heard `round the world,” with dignitaries cutting ribbons and making speeches, and historic re-enactors marching in full regalia. But we offer here another perspective, that of our longtime writer and contributing editor Bonnie Eisenfeld, whose unique evaluation gives us a compelling reason to explore this latest treasure in Philadelphia’s historical trove.
Several impressions came to me as I visited the new Museum of the American Revolution twice in April – press preview and members’ preview. I noticed the Nancy Colman contrast between learning history in school by memorizing significant names and dates in a textbook, and experiencing history visually and with a bit of chaos. This dramatic diorama depicts captured Colonial soldiers forced to ght against their former comrades by their British captors. In my history textbooks, white men seemed to be the only participants. At the At the time of the Revolution colonists realize that we were not all in agreement museum I learned that women, people of were not all of one mind that the American about everything that happened. Will color, and Native Americans participated colonies should separate from England. students even be required to read history in the Revolution. In our classrooms, the Enslaved people and native nations were in the future? Will they get all of its Revolution was over by a certain date not in agreement among themselves about contradictions or will it be packaged into in the school semester. The museum’s whether to support the British or the neat linear events? I hope they will get a introductory film tells us that the American colonists. Did we learn that in school? Hard nice museum dedicated to the survival of Revolution lasted eight years and is still to say, with all the flag-waving and whatnot. democracy, as beautiful as the Museum of moving forward, its principles being the American Revolution. embraced by segments of the American I realized that someday, our times will population and nations around the world. be history. People of the future may not Bonnie Eisenfeld Museum of the American Revolution Museum of the
Broadway star Sydney James Harcourt, of the original cast of Hamilton, backed up by students from the Philadelphia High School for the Items in the gift shop with quotations from Abigail Adams. Creative and Performing Arts, treats the crowd to a spirited selection of tunes from the hit show at the opening ceremonies. Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 11 Searching For A GreatGood Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Company?
REASONS TO CALL US FOR ALL CENTRAL A/C ANY ANY YOUR PLUMBING, HEATING TUNE-UP & COOLING SERVICE DRAIN PLUMBING, * PROUD MEMBER 1.REPAIR GUARANTEE If a repair fails during $89.00 CLEARED OR CENTRAL A 53 Point Professional the first year, we will repair it again for FREE A/C SERVICE 2. JOB DONE RIGHT We will fix it right the first Tune Up For Your Central $199.00* time Or You Don’t Pay Air Conditioning system 3. NO SURPRISES GUARANTEE We will give $55. you a price up-front before starting the work. that Guarantees your A/C Once we start the job the price will not change, against breakdowns this Winner OFF 2009-2015 even if it is more work than we anticipated. summer or it’s FREE Limited to members of 4. FAIR PRICE GUARANTEE No need to shop Center City Residents Assn. around. Our pricing is from our Flat Rate Book. *SYSTEM MUST BE FULLY OPERATIONAL May not be combined with any other offer. If ever in doubt, always ask your contractor to TO PERFORM TUNE UP *Does not apply to main sewer or water lines show you their flat rate book to show how they arrived at the price. 5. SECURITY GUARANTEE Our technicians are background checked, drug tested, uni- formed and wear company identification so you never worry about who is working in your home. www.calljg.com 215-383-2957
CACIO E PEPE
BEET & GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLI, BASIL BUTTER
WEDDINGS, PARTIES,and more! LIVE ACTION STATIONS FAMILYSTYLE DINING REHEARSAL DINNERS PRIVATE EVENT SPACE
BEEFSTEAK TOMATO & BURRATA SALAD DIBRUNOCATERING.COM | 215.665.1659
Page 12 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Town Square Of Edmund Bacon and Jane Jacobs: The Zoning Questions Presented by Jeweler’s Row By Steve Huntington The debate surrounding the 29-story tower ultra-dense zoning classification is but the latest the city from the sidewalk, through the proposed for Jeweler’s Row, in the 700 block of chapter in a half-century debate between two eyes of an urban mother raising children Sansom, raises two types of planning issues – schools of urban design. Top- down planners in in the colorful chaos of Greenwich Village historic preservation and zoning; the Jeweler’s the mold of Philadelphia’s Edmund Bacon and in the 50s. She viewed with suspicion Row plot is zoned CMX-5, the highest-density New York’s Robert Moses advanced sweeping “urban renewal” schemes, concluding that category, so that the zoning question as to the visions of urban renewal, and bottom-up “renewed” neighborhoods based on planner’s merits of changing the current low-rise/mid-rise planners exemplified by Jane Jacobs – whose sketchbooks lacked the liveability of crowd- streetscape to 29 stories would exist even if the 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great sourced communities grown organically. A block lacked its colorful historic past. American Cities – extolled the chaos and Jacobs acolyte walking the lively sidewalks of serendipity found in the urban status quo. Chestnut or Walnut or Sansom between 15th Not surprisingly, Paul Steinke, Executive and 19th, with their hodgepodge of residential, Director of the Preservation Alliance of Top-downers espouse the pyramid theory, retail, office, low-rises and high-rises, would Greater Philadelphia, called Jeweler’s Row asserting that density should be maximized suggest that the CMX-5 zoning overlay “a wake-up call” to a “planning and zoning in the city’s core and diminish as distance contradicts the urbanist’s version of the apparatus” he described as “out of sync with increases from the core. Per the pyramid theory, Hippocratic oath: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” contemporary needs in a historic city.” The the as-built environment adjacent to the City Jeweler’s Row zoning issue is particularly core is a place holder for urban expansion Both approaches have earned critics. Top- timely in view of the Association’s current – as the City grows, so low-rise, less-dense downers are accused of creating empty dead efforts to revise CCRA’s zoning map, which development adjacent to the core disappears. zones (Bacon’s Penn Center and its West currently designates as CMX-5 our section of The pyramid theory explains why CMX-5 Market extension at 6 pm). Bottom-uppers are Sansom Street from 15th to 19th, along with development is mapped out for low-rise seen as encouraging not-in-my-backyarders, the parallel blocks of Chestnut and Walnut. buildings in CCRAville: the Brooks Brothers impeding market forces supporting density, store on the 1500 block of Walnut Street; Di thereby inflating downtown living costs and If Jeweler’s Row had been zoned to reflect Bruno Bros. on the 1900 block of Chestnut; driving out the middle class. (Contrast prices the current streetscape, the replacement or the Joseph Fox bookstore at 1724 Sansom. in mega-zoned San Francisco, Boston and buildings would have been capped at 60 feet, Pyramid-plan proponents assert that the Washington D.C. with the affordability found not 350 feet. The CMX-5 zoning classification City’s core, invariably the center of the urban in less-regulated southwestern cities like permits a floor-area ratio (FAR) of 12 – if the transportation scheme, is best suited to handle Houston and Phoenix.) building footprint comprises the entire lot, high-density development. In Philadelphia, City the construction may rise 12 stories. With If truth resides somewhere between the Hall is at the heart of the core, at the confluence bonuses for amenities such as public art and two approaches, then the ongoing zoning- of subways, trolleys and commuter rail. So for underground parking, the FAR can increase remapping process in CCRA land presents those who subscribe to the pyramid theory, an to 16. Where the building’s footprint does not a dilemma. Should the zoning envelope excellent case can be made for replacing CMX- consume the lot’s entire surface, as with the encourage the placement of dense high-rise 5 on the blocks in CCRA land adjacent to City Jeweler’s Row tower, the height can nearly projects in the serendipitous mix found on Hall from 15th through 19th on Chestnut, double the 16-floor-bonus limit. Chestnut, Walnut and Sansom west of Broad? Sansom and Walnut – each zoned CMX-5. If not, which of these blocks should be The discrepancy between the low-rise Where Bacon and Moses perceived cities protected by a zoning envelope that reflects storefronts found on Jeweler’s Row and its with an aviator’s overview, Jacobs saw the current as-built streetscape?
Dining Scene Outdoor Dining on the Schuylkill Chef Jose Garces’ newest restaurant, 24, built with the Center City West neighborhood in mind, offers a casual setting with an energetic approach to Garces’ signature brand of Latin-inspired hospitality. Located at 2401 Walnut Street, 24 is ideally situated to serve nearby residents, employees and students. The menu focuses on wood-fired pizza, pasta and other Italian specialties at affordable prices. 24’s patio overlooks the Schuylkill River Banks, with sweeping views of the University City skyline. The outdoor space can seat up to 40 guests, and includes a standing area with a drink rail. Aperitivo Time is 4:30-
6:30pm on the patio, with complimentary snacks, $9 select pizzas, $7 cocktails, $6 wine, and $5 beer. Martin Buday The restaurant is open 8am - 9pm, Sunday through Thursday; 8am - 10pm, Friday & Saturday. Eat in or 24’s patio overlooks the Schuylkill River Banks with take out. Website: www.24Philly.com; Phone: 215-333-3331; Instagram/Twitter: @24phl sweeping views of the University City skyline.
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 13 Out & About CCRA Celebrates Center City Living with Tribute to Green eld’s Dan Lazar CCRA’s annual Celebration of Center City plays the classic rock of the 60s through the Living, held May 15 at the Academy of Vocal 80s, with a bit of Motown, Soul, Blues and Arts, offered members a festive way to support Country Rock thrown in. our neighborhood public school, Greenfield Elementary, with a fun take on the theme Along with raising some money for CCRA “School House Rock.” Dan Lazar, principal and the kids of Greenfield, partygoers of Greenfield, was the recipient of this year's got schooled in the finest wines, with Lenora Berson Community Service Award. complimentary pourings from Moore Bros., and munched on snacks and desserts from Celebrants rocked out to music by Stone Di Bruno Bros. Age, a local group that graduated from the garage band of its school days and now As those of you in attendance can attest, CCRA had a terrific party on May 15. CCRA is donating 15 percent of the ticket revenue ($1,560.75), as well as all decorations (30 composition books; 288 pencils; 200 pieces
of multi-colored pastel sidewalk chalk; 30 Donna Strug glue sticks; 12 multi-colored plastic sand Green eld School principal Dan Lazar was this year’s Lenora Berson buckets; and 12 multi-colored wooden rulers) Community Service Award recipient. to the school. Construction Co., Firstrust Bank, and First
Donna Strug CCRA wishes to thank: Gold Level Sponsors Presbyterian Church; and In-kind Sponsors Celebration attendees enjoy wine tastings compliments of Moore AT&T and Brandywine Realty Trust; Bronze AVA, Di Bruno Bros., and Moore Brothers Brothers Wine Company. Level Sponsors Boyds Philadelphia, Clemens Wine Company.
LOC SHOP AL
This winter take advantage of the fresh produce, meats, dairy, seafood, spices & baked goods that the Reading Terminal Market has to offer.
Diverse. Charming. Inspiring. Delicious. Shop Reading Terminal Market. All under one roof.
READING TERMINAL MARKET 12th & Arch Streets Philadelphia, PA 19107 215•922 •2317 ReadingTerminalMarket.org
Page 14 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Our Greene Countrie Towne Gardens: Another Reason to Love Philadelphia By Bonnie Eisenfeld
“When the world wearies and society fails to Arboretum, Philadelphia satisfy, there is always the garden.” Zoo, Shofuso Japanese — Minnie Aumonier House and Garden, The Woodlands, and Wyck Over a period of five years, Greater House. The Pennsylvania Philadelphia Gardens has been working hard Horticultural Society is also to brand Philadelphia as America’s Garden a member. For information Capital. Thirty gardens are members of on Greater Philadelphia Greater Philadelphia Gardens, including two Gardens, go to: that were named among the top gardens in americasgardencapital.org/. the nation. USA Today Readers’ Choice 2016 survey ranked Longwood Gardens the best We know that walking is botanical garden in the U.S., and FlipKey by good for physical health, Courtesy of Bartram’s Garden Courtesy of Bartram’s TripAdvisor ranked Chanticleer one of but its effect on mental Enhancing Philadelphia’s claim as America’s Garden Capital is historic Bartram’s Garden, which the top botanical gardens in the U.S. health may not be as widely o ers bird-walk tours, one of many programs held among 45 acres of woodlands, meadows, worth traveling for. known. A 2014 research farmland and Early American buildings. In April, the Schuylkill River Trail marked the opening of study conducted by the Bartram’s Mile, another link in the chain that will join the Schuylkill Banks to Bartram's Garden. The 11-county Philadelphia area claims to University of Michigan Plans call for eventually extending the Schuylkill River Trail to Fort Miin, down by the airport. have more gardens within 30 miles of the Health System found city than anywhere else in North America, that group nature walks are linked with Gardens, Philadelphia’s public gardens, according to Susan Crane, a member of enhanced levels of mental health and well- arboreta, and historical landscapes attract an the Marketing Committee for Greater being. Researchers partnered with academic estimated 2.5 million visitors annually. In Philadelphia Gardens and Director of organizations in the U.K. and studied nearly 2016, one-third of garden visitors came to this Marketing for the Morris Arboretum of the 2,000 people from the Walking for Health area from out-of-town and, on average, stayed University of Pennsylvania. program in England. two to three days. The total economic impact of the gardens is estimated at $256 million Eight of the member gardens are located Walking also contributes to the health of the per year and 1,500 jobs. The full report is within the city of Philadelphia: Awbury economy. According to an October 2016 available at: http://americasgardencapital.org/ Arboretum, Bartram’s Gardens, Centennial economic-impact study by Econsult Solutions, economic-impact. Arboretum Horticultural Center, Morris commissioned by Greater Philadelphia
CCCulture Textile Artist Leslie Sudock Supports Art Studio for Adults with Developmental Disabilities By Bonnie Eisenfeld
Textile artist and SAORI ® weaver Leslie SAORI ® weaving is free-style hand-weaving, Sudock, of Philadelphia’s Ready to Hand originated in 1968 by Japanese artist Misao Studio, organized an exhibition in February Jo. The Ready to Hand studio and gallery, with the Naudain Street Art Collaborative on 22nd Street, teaches classes for adults and to raise funds for the Center for Creative children. www.readytohand.org
Works, an art studio for adults with Bonnie Eisenfeld developmental disabilities in Wynnewood, Textile art is available for sale at the Ready to Artist Leslie Sudock with some of her work. PA. Textile art, drawings, paintings Hand studio, and all sales year-round benefit and sculptures by disabled artists were the Center for Creative Works' special-needs every week. Those wishing to volunteer or exhibited and sold at the Naudain Street artists. Ready to Hand continually raises donate funds, please contact Leslie Sudock: exhibition. Proceeds from sales helped to funds to purchase equipment to enable more [email protected] purchase a SAORI ® loom with adaptive special-needs artists to participate at the aids for people with physical disabilities Wynnewood location, and will be establishing Sudock’s studio will be open on Sunday, at the Center’s Wynnewood location. a SAORI ® weaving program at that facility. October 15, during the Philadelphia Open www.centerforcreativeworks.org/ The Center needs community volunteers Studio Tour. She exhibits with the Naudain to assist weavers who come to the studio Street Art Collaborative.
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 15
Riverfront is a community of friends living cooperatively in an intergenerational building. Members reside in their own spacious condominiums, and share in private community spaces, where they enjoy weekly dinners, discussions, exercise, and entertainment.
To learn more about availability or to be on the Priority Wait List, contact us at [email protected] or call 267-639-5257 ______Friends Center City – Riverfront 22 S. Front St. Phila., PA 19106 www.friendscentercity.com
We Are Now Serving Your Philadelphia Neighborhood STRENGTH TRAINING • Companionship • Personal Care • Homemaking • Errands & Appointments • Medication Reminders • Trained & Insured CARDIO YOGA • Meal Preparation • Background Checked Call for your FREE C.A.R.E. Assessment. WEIGHT LOSS (267) 499-4700 HEALTHY EATING www.synergyhomecare.com RITTENHOUSE AREA
Page 16 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 To Your Health Yoga Practice Strengthens Mind and Body By Cathy Layland “It’s the most peaceful time of my week.” to age, injury, or just the nature of your body – to achieve the goals of the class or the “Aches and pains used to haunt me – now it’s important to find a teacher experienced and teacher? Or, do you feel comfortable, are you they’re few and far between, and I have the skilled in working with those needs. There are encouraged, to make every class your class? means to help myself.” many ways – keep searching until you find the one that’s right for you. In our classes we have a saying: Striving does “The top shelf of my kitchen cabinets is within violence to the body and disturbs the spirit. reach again, and it’s easier to look over my Make it a priority to attend a weekly class With slow, deliberate movement, focused shoulder when merging into traffic.” or two. This will be the foundation of your attention and intention, breathing your way “I feel stronger. I feel limber. I’m comfortable personal path to well-being. Practicing on your toward a posture or an adaptation of a posture, in my body.” own, between classes, exponentially increases you give your body the time and space to the benefits. Certain postures and movements recover its capacity. Moving gently and firmly “I can get down on the floor to play with my will resonate, prompting a sense that “this towards a harmony of suppleness and strength, grandchildren… and I can get up again!” is really good for me right now.” So you’ll you discover wellsprings of energy and There are as many reasons to do yoga as there fit this one posture or movement into your develop a balanced way of being. By merging are variations on the theme. We all know the day – maybe every day, maybe a few times a the body and the mind, the soul follows. In this directives: week. After a while, another will call to you, way of practice, the goal is never a posture. healthy eating and you’ll add it to your “me” time. Before The goal is to find something in the spirit of regular exercise long, you’ll have a “must-do” set that’s exactly the posture that meets your needs: to adapt it, some sort of personal practice to relieve suited to your needs. to take from it, never to force yourself into a tension and stress shape or movement, but rather to explore what healing therapies to increase overall health But don’t get stuck! Allow your personal it has to offer. Make it yours. and well-being practice to evolve over time. Some themes will work for a long, long time, others for just Late Spring, with fresh air and long sunny In today's busy world, it can be difficult to find a while; and then one day you’ll realize it’s days, is the perfect time to begin a new yoga time to take care of yourself, and to decide done its job, and another will take its place. practice. Why not start today? Find the style, among the various types of yoga available. Make it yours; allow it to change with you. and the teacher, that’s right for you! What’s most important is to find a style – and a teacher – you like, so that weekly yoga classes Also important is confidence in your teacher: Cathy Layland specializes in customizing are a joy and not a chore. Are you athletic, Does she display knowledge, not just of practices for individuals. always looking for a physical challenge to postures and sequences, but also of the human ([email protected]; push your limits? There are numerous classes body – the anatomy and physiology of how 215-327-4007.) She currently offers gentle, offering that kind of practice. things work, and of the human spirit – the mindful yoga, chi kung and tai chi at heart/mind/body/soul connection? Is he “in Balance Health Center on 20th Street near But if you are looking for a more gentle tune” with his students and does he easily Sansom. (www.balancehealthcenter.com; experience, then seek a teacher who suggests, adapt the work for individuals’ capacities? 215-751-0344) “Less is more,” and “no-pain, no-gain is a lie.” Do you feel you are striving to meet an If you have physical limitations – whether due expectation, that you are there to perform, CCRA Business CCCulture Members Directory CCRA invites you to become a Business Summer Jazz Concert Series Member, and publicize your business or The Free Library, Philadelphia City Institute branch on Rittenhouse Square, will host organization in our Business Members its third annual summer jazz concert series every Monday in August from 6:30 to 7:30 Directory, published in alternating p.m. in the meeting room, lower level (no elevator). For more information, please stop issues of the Center City Quarterly, and by the Reference Desk, or call 215-685-6621. weekly in the CCRA eNewsletter online. Updated listings are available anytime August 7: The Fisher Brothers August 21: The Daniel Bennett Group on the CCRA website. If you don’t see August 14: The Dayen Hall Quartet August 28: Hidden Treasures Jazz Group a category for your business, we will The Philadelphia City Institute branch invites you to receive a free online newsletter, listing create a new category for you. lectures, discussion groups, concerts, movies and other events and programs for adults, teens To become a Business Member, to get and children at this location – free and open to the public. Also included are announcements your business listed in the Directory, to about closings and other news. Go to https://libwww.freelibrary.org/locations/philadelphia-city- place an ad in the Center City Quarterly, institute, click on the blue “newsletter” icon, enter your email address, and click “sign up.” or for more information, please go to –Bonnie Eisenfeld www.centercityresidents.org.
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 17 Shop Talk Too Much Stu ! Where to Sell or Donate Things You Don’t Want By Bonnie Eisenfeld You have seen articles about how to get rich Finding special niches for selected books opportunities for children, at 2001 Market quick. But most of us could use one about can be fun to do if you have the time. I Street, accepts musical instruments. Call how to get rid quick. Everyone talks about donated a collection of books by H.L. 215-829-9522. https://musicopia.net/ decluttering. How many people actually Mencken to the H. L. Mencken House in instrument-donation/ do it unless they have to move? If you are Baltimore, and I donated a collection of serious about purging, but don’t know what books on alternative medical care to an Tools: If you have tools in good useable to do with all that stuff, read on. integrative-medicine M.D. Hardest to get condition, you can donate them to the West rid of were textbooks older than two years, Philly Tool Library at 1314 S. 47th St. Call To move resalable items out quickly, call in but eventually someone from Craig’s List 215-833-3190. an eBay agent, who will photograph, price, came and got them. post and ship items on eBay for you and take Historical photos and documents: a commission, sometimes up to 45 percent. Clothes, Accessories, and Jewelry You can even donate old family photos An experienced eBay agent knows what Career Wardrobe, 1822 Spring Garden and documents (if no one in your family will sell and what won’t. (If you have very Street, accepts women’s and men’s clothes wants them) to the Historical Society of valuable items, call in an auction house.) suitable for office wear, and uniforms Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St. All photos for women in medical and service fields. must be labeled with names and dates. If you want to donate items and it’s Shoppers can purchase clothing at 50 to Call the Director of Archives and inconvenient for you to carry them, 70 percent off retail. Call 215-568-2660. Collections Management at 215-732-6200. Amazon offers the Give Back Box – http://careerwardrobe.org/donate/clothing- https://hsp.org/ http://givebackbox.com/amazon – a donations/donation-guidelines/ free shipping label you can paste onto a Selling or donating items online: You can shipping carton; fill the carton with “gently The Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad sell or donate many items through Craig’s used” clothing or household items, take it Street, accepts certain clothing which they List. https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ to the U.S. Post Office, or give it to your give to people in need. Call 215-735-4847. This method works especially well for free mail carrier. It will go to Good Will or one http://www.broadstreetministry.org/ items (look for the Free section). You post of their other partner organizations. your items on Craig’s List along with your If you have valuable jewelry, you will email address which they anonymize. You Local churches and similar organizations probably want to compare offers on can include preferences in your post such collect items for their annual jumble Jewelers’ Row. Consignment stores accept as “I want to donate this item to a non- sales and books sales but you don’t have good clothing, accessories and jewelry for profit organization or a school.” to wait. If you want to deliver items in resale, and you will get a percentage of the person, there are places in the city ready to sale price. Thrift stores accept clothing, When you get responses, you can choose accept items all year. It’s best to call ahead furniture, and household items to resell, which person to give the items to and tell to check on what specific items fit their using the proceeds for their causes. A them when and where to pick up. If you current needs, the hours they are open, and popular one in Center City is the Philly live in a building with a doorman, you current location. Things change. Aids Thrift Store at 710 S. 5th Street. Call do not even have to meet the person if 215-922-3186. you don’t want to. Just leave the package Books and Recordings http://phillyaidsthrift.com/ marked with the recipient’s name with Friends of the Free Library’s Book Corner, your doorman for pick-up. 311 N. 20th St., accepts used books, CDs, Furniture: Habitat for Humanity’s DVDs, records and VHS tapes. Call ReStore, at 2318 Washington Ave, a Through Craig’s List, I found a young 215-567-0527. Sales proceeds benefit discount home-improvement store, sells man who collects manual typewriters and the Free Library of Philadelphia. gently used furniture and home goods. teaches kids how to type. He wrote me a They offer free pick-up. Call 215-739-9300. thank-you note on the typewriter I gave Specialty books can go to targeted recipients. http://www.habitatphiladelphia.org/restore him. I also sold a stained glass window to If you have legal books, basic skill books, two very nice people who were converting or vocational trade books, Books Through Specialty items: Recently, I donated a box their house to a B&B. And I found a man Bars, at 4722 Baltimore Ave, collects books of odds and ends to Spiral Q, an organization who refurbishes old computers for use by a for prisoners. Call 215-727-8170. that uses reclaimed materials for community Federal program for ex-offenders. http://booksthroughbars.org/ art projects such as life-size puppet parades and theatre productions. Here is a link to their If you have tips for readers or questions Do you have books in Yiddish? The National page showing what supplies they need: http:// about where to get rid of certain items, send Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA, www.spiralq.org/supplies-equipment/ them to [email protected] collects them. Call 413-256-4900. http://www. and put my name in the email. yiddishbookcenter.org/ (The U.S. Post Office Musical instruments: Musicopedia, has a special rate for items sent to libraries.) an organization that provides music
Page 18 Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 CCCulture 2017-2018 Season Announced NextMove Dance Presents WOW, Featuring Companies from Europe, Africa, Asia and America at the Prince By Anne-Marie Mulgrew Expect to be wowed by the physicality and Recognized worldwide for his works for Rounding out the season are: Canada’s hip artistry of Algeria’s all-male Compagnie Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and sassy Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal Hervé Koubi, making its Philadelphia debut Philadanco and Cuba’s Malpaso Dance in the Philadelphia premiere of O Balcao (October 12-15). This troupe of 16 powerful Company, Ronald K. Brown, dance-maker de Amor by Itzik Galili (February 15- dancers defy gravity in a unique blend of extraordinaire, makes a rare Philadelphia 18); Company Wang-Ramirez makes its contemporary, hip hop, acrobatics, b-boying, appearance with Evidence/A Dance Philadelphia debut with Monchichi (March capoeira and martial arts in choreography Company (December 14-17). Brown’s 15-18); and Nai-Ni Chen with The Ahn inspired by Orientalist painting and Islamic choreographic talent blends African and Trio perform the full-length work, A Quest architecture in the full-length work, Ce que contemporary movement into a joyful for Freedom, with live music (April 19-22). le jour doit a la nuit (What the day owes celebration of life. MOMIX closes the season (May10-13) with to the night). its latest multi-media creations. Marking 20 years of bringing happy, fun One of the most respected companies in and innovative dance theatrics to the stage, Tickets can be purchased at the Prince America, the Paul Taylor Dance Company BodyVox performs Urban Meadows Theater box office, by phone at 215-422- (November 2-5), brings Taylor’s greatest (January 18-21). A compilation of its 4580, or online at http://princetheater.org/ hits in a once-in-a-lifetime program featuring greatest works, this full-length work features next-move. Performances are Thursdays at Esplanade, Company B and Arden Court. the Velcro superhero Captain Tenacity, along 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 2 and Audiences can experience the genius, humor with engaging films by Mitchell Rose. The 8 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm. For subscription and craftsmanship in works by America’s work of Artistic Directors Jamey Hampton information and additional information about iconic choreographer. “Paul Taylor Dance and Ashley Roland (who danced and the dance companies, contact NextMove Company is perhaps the most beloved and toured worldwide with MOMIX, Pilobolus Dance at 215-636-9000 ext. 109, or respected modern dance company in the and ISO) reflects their dance heritage in nextmovedance.org. Single tickets will be world, famous for Mr. Taylor’s wit, its sunny creations of distinctive vignettes that are both available in September. CCRA members can expansiveness, its all-American optimism…,” compellingly human and humorous. receive $10 off single tickets sales by using exclaims the Dallas Morning News. the code SAVE$10.
Shop Talk CCRA Merchant Members Discount Program Support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identi cation. Baril (formerly Crow & The Pitcher) Home Helpers Philly Raven Lounge 267 S. 19th Street 1835 S. Broad Street, Ste. 2 1718 Sansom Street (267-687-2608) (215-334-2600) (215-840-3577) Dance A liates Koresh Dance Company Rim's Dry Cleaners & Tailors $10 o Dance Performances with your CCRA 2002 Rittenhouse Sq. Street 2203 South Street Membership; use promo code SAVE10. (267-687-1769) (215-546-1889) Di Bruno Bros. Liberty Vet Pets Rittenhouse Hardware 1730 Chestnut Street 265 S. 20th Street 2001 Pine Street (215-665-9220) (888-458-8587) (215-735-6311) (uses separate card, check website for info) Nature's Gallery Florist Society Hill Dance Academy Dom's Shoe Repair 2124 Walnut Street 2nd & Pine (215-574-3754) 203 S. 20th Street (215-563-5554) Suga Restaurant (215-972-0098) Photo Lounge 1720 Sansom St. (215-717-8968) Eye Candy Vision 1909 Chestnut Street Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing 218 S. 20th Street (267-322-6651) 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889) (215-568-3937) Twenty-Two Gallery Astral Artists Philly Foodworks 236 S. 22nd Street Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 Use code "CCRA" to sign up for home delivery, (215-772-1911) at rate on all tickets to their concerts and get $20 discount on delivery charges
Center City Quarterly | Summer 2017 Page 19 CENTER CITY RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NON-PROFIT 1608 Walnut Street, 12th Floor ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE Philadelphia, PA 19103 PAID 215-546-6719 PHILADELPHIA, PA PERMIT NO. 05448 [email protected] www.centercityresidents.org
What’s Going On CCRA Summer Calendar – Hot Town, Summer in the City To get more news about events in Center City, sign up for (IN) Center City, the e-newsletter of the Center City District: www.CenterCityPhila.org/incentercity/signup.php Parks on Tap: Philadelphia’s traveling beer garden Bloomsday Fringe Festival 20 weeks at 20 di erent parks Readings from James Joyce’s Ulysses Thursday, September 7 to Saturday, September 23 http://www.parksontap.com/ Rosenbach Museum & Library fringearts.com Wednesday, May 17, to Sunday, October 1 2008 Delancey Place Wednesday and Thursday, 5 – 10pm Friday, June 16, 12 – 8pm Peace Day Philly Friday and Saturday, 1 – 11pm www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/ Granny Peace Brigade will sing songs of peace Sunday noon – 10pm bloomsday-at-the-rosenbach/ Ethical Society, SW corner Rittenhouse Square Closed Monday except some holidays Thursday, September 21 Bastille Day Festival at Eastern State Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show Penitentiary Schuylkill River Races and Regattas Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, 11am – 7pm Reenactment of the Storming of the Bastille Through end of November Sunday, June 4, 11am – 5pm during the French Revolution boathouserow.org/schuylkill-river-schedule 2027 Fairmount Avenue Philly Beer Week Saturday, July 15 Schuylkill Banks RiverBoat Tours Cruises Friday, June 2 – Sunday, June 11 Free (VIP tickets available online). Walnut Street Dock, east side of Schuylkill River http://phillylovesbeer.org/ http://www.easternstate.org/bastille-day Beneath Walnut Street Bridge www.schuylkillbanks.org/events/riverboat-tours-1 Odunde Festival Curtis SummerFest 23rd & South Streets Curtis Institute of Music Schuylkill Banks Events Sunday, June 11 1726 Locust Street www.schuylkillbanks.org/events/upcoming http://odundefestival.org/vendors.html Sunday, July 16 – Saturday, August 5 http://summerfest.curtis.edu/ Architectural Tours Little Friends Festival Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square Summer Jazz Concert Series www.preservationalliance.com/what-we-do/ Wednesday, June 14, 5:30 – 7:30pm Free Library, Philadelphia City Institute branch architecture-walking-tours/ friendsofrittenhouse.org/events/all/little-friends-festival Rittenhouse Square Center for Architecture and Design Meeting room, lower level (no elevator) www.philadelphiacfa.org/architecture-tours Ball on the Square Every Monday in August, 6:30 – 7:30pm Rittenhouse Square Wanamaker Organ Concerts Thursday, June 15, 7pm – midnight The Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy Macy’s, 13th & Market Streets friendsofrittenhouse.org/events/all/ball-on-the-square and International Piano Competition Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Curtis Institute of Music Noon and 5:30pm Young Friends Ball on the Square 1726 Locust Street Wednesday and Friday, Noon and 7pm Rittenhouse Square Tuesday, August 8 to Tuesday, August 15 Free. www.wanamakerorgan.com/events.php Thursday, June 15, 8pm – midnight https://pypa.info/ friendsofrittenhouse.org/events/all/young-friends- ball-on-the-square/