This Week October 23, 2025 | | CCRA’s House Tour was a “Home” Run | | |
Despite stiff competition from both the “No Kings” rally and the Philly Bike Ride, Saturday’s CCRA House Tour was once again a well-attended and most splendid way to spend a glorious autumn urban afternoon.
From all the unique and beautiful homes to the stunning St. Patrick’s Church to the awesome Armory, it was one visual treat after another, and the tourgoers were properly thrilled.
But the House Tour isn’t just an event about houses; it’s also a very social event, a great way to meet and greet fellow Center City denizens and hear their fascinating tales of how their remarkable homes came to be.
This was the 62nd CCRA House Tour. Many more, Please!
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A 10-foot long, 8-foot deep sinkhole has temporarily closed part of the Schuykill River between Race St. and JFK. All runners, bikers, and walkers plan accordingly and use caution. Click here to read more about the sinkhole.
| | Help Keep Our Trick-or-Treaters Safe | | |
The CCRA Streets Committee is seeking volunteers to help trick-or-treaters safely cross streets from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday, October 31st, along Delancey in Fitler Square.
Reflective gear and handheld stop signs will be provided. For more information, please click here to contact Cameron Dennis.
| | CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE: | | Merchant Partner Bennett Compost Turns Trash into Treasure | | |
CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we spotlight new Merchant Partner Bennett Compost!
Merchant Partner Bennett Compost Turns Trash into Treasure
Want to compost but don’t know how? No worries! CCRA Merchant Partner Bennett Compost takes all the guesswork and uncertainty out of it and makes it easy-peasy!
How does it all work?
Step 1: Bennett drops off one of their special 5 gallon buckets with a snap-on lid that keeps smells in and pests out.
Step 2: You fill your bucket with kitchen scraps and food waste.
Step 3: You leave your bucket outside in the evening before your collection day, and they’ll make sure it’s emptied in the morning.
Step 4: You tell Bennett what kind of soil you want.
That’s it! Food waste into compost! Just like that! What’s also easy? Getting the details. To do that, go here.
And, for CCRA Members, a one-time offer of 10% off 1-year membership for Bennett Compost (offer good for new customers only).
| | Join Us for a Community Shredding & E-Recycling Event | | |
CCRA and SOSNA are proud to partner with State Representatives’ offices for a community shredding and e-recycling event — a great opportunity to safely dispose of unneeded personal, financial, and confidential documents while going green!
Location: Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy (2000 Catharine St.)
Date: Sunday, November 9
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Electronics accepted (some items may include a small fee)
In addition to shredding and electronics recycling, the City’s Recycling Office will be onsite providing free blue recycling bins (one per household) and sharing helpful information about what can — and can’t — be recycled. Let’s work together to replace paper bags, upgrade to bins, and build a cleaner, greener, more sustainable neighborhood!
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | | Annual Turkey Drop on Tuesday, November 25 | | |
It’s that time of year again; time to donate frozen turkeys! The MGK Turkey Drop-off, presented by ACME Markets and CityTeam Philadelphia, is our city’s largest one-day gathering for collecting frozen turkeys to benefit families in need. The MGK team will broadcast live from the Kimmel Center, capturing the donations and the giving spirit. Activate your holiday spirit by donating a Big Bird to a family in need. Monetary donations online will support CityTeam Philadelphia, which provides holiday meals for disadvantaged families in the area. Learn more here.
When: Tuesday, November 25
Donation Locations: The Kimmel Center and Acme Markets
Time: Kimmel Center: 6am-noon, Acme Markets: 7am-noon
| | Project Home: Homelessness is Not a Crime | | |
Project HOME is an organization that fights against the criminalization of homelessness. Through their Homelessness Is NOT A Crime campaign, Project HOME champions solutions to homelessness that are rooted in evidence-based approaches, compassion, and recognition of common humanity. Cities hold the key to ending homelessness through supportive policies and resources, but they need community support to make it happen.
Learn more about Project HOME's mission here and find ways you can volunteer or make a donation to help build a future where housing is available to all.
| | Community News and Events | | Halloween Family Fun Saturday, October 25 | | |
The Rittenhouse Square annual Halloween Family Fun event is returning on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11am to 3pm. Bond with your family with face painting, pumpkin painting, games, balloon art, music, candy, Halloween inflatables for family pictures, and refreshments. More info can be found here.
| | Upcoming Halloween Horror Comedy Shows | | |
Trick, treat, or take a seat! The stage lights are flickering and the jokes are brewing. Don’t miss out on Crossroads Comedy Theater’s upcoming horror improv-live performances at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place. Check out performances, show dates, and details here.
| | Fall Festival at Schuylkill River Park | | The Philly Marathon is Eight Weeks Away | | |
Heads up! The waitlists for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon and the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon are now closed, but the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K waitlist is still open. Join over 30,000 athletes on a beautiful race weekend. Expect scenic views through Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River. Weave through the streets of our historic district and end your race speeding towards the steps of the majestic Art Museum.
Register here to be waitlisted. And even if you don’t make the cut, here’s an eight-week training guide to get you into shape for your runs around the city.
| | Chair Yoga at Markward Rec Center | | Sing Silent Night at the Kimmel | | |
Sing "Silent Night" at the Kimmel Center on a not-so-silent night. On Friday, December 12, 2025, singers of all ages and abilities will come together for the Silent Night Sing-in, a performance in the Commonwealth Plaza of the Kimmel Center.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this free event as a singer or listener. Diverse voices and backgrounds will create the best experience, so join in for this celebration. Get more details and register here.
| | Happenings in Center City District | | |
It’s officially spooky season! Whether you’re looking to enjoy a meal surrounded by larger-than-life decor or you want to indulge in Halloween-themed dishes, the options are plentiful. The Center City District has made it easy to explore all the fun here. You can also fuel your day the brew-tiful way with classic drip coffee or seasonal lattes, matcha, and more at these cafes.
| | Set in Philadelphia Screenwriting Competition | | |
Calling all screenwriters! The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia Screenwriting Competition is now accepting submissions. The program is open to all screenwriters, worldwide, who submit a feature-length screenplay OR an original TV pilot that can be shot in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. All genres are welcome.
Scripts are judged on their quality and the extent to which they project “shootability” in the region. Finalist Judges are high-profile producers, writers, and actors who have a Philadelphia connection. Ready to bring your story to life in the City of Brotherly Love? Submit here.
| | Voting Info: Be in the Know! | | |
Folks….it’s that time to do your civic duty and VOTE! Don’t know who or what to vote for? You need not wander the web….we’ve got the deets right here.
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Thursdays portend the relaxations of the weekend… but not quite. Need help getting your “chill” on? How about a little pre-weekend yoga? Join Philly River Flow on Thursdays at 6:30 pm at Trinity Memorial Church, 22nd and Spruce Streets. All levels are welcome to this donation-based class. Bring your own yoga mat, water, and a positive yoga vibe. Check availability and reserve a spot here.
| | 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. | | CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner. | | | | |
