This Week February 19, 2026 | | |
On the evening of February 9th, CCRA was proud to co-sponsor a forum among the candidates for the PA 3rd Congressional District (the seat currently held by retiring Congressman Dwight Evans). The forum, held at the Church of the Holy Trinity, was extremely well-attended and most informative.
Even more informative, here are deadlines to know:
- May 4: Last day to register before the Primary
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May 12: Last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot
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May 19: Last day for county election office to receive completed mail-in and civilian absentee ballots (must be received by 8 P.M.)
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May 19: General Primary
| | Wanted: CCRA Board Member Candidates | |
CCRA is looking to fill several Board seats for our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. Board members generally serve a term of 3 years. The Board is a working Board. We are seeking CCRA members who have a passion for living in “CCRAville;” are interested in issues of quality of life and community service; and are committed to active Board participation.
Successful candidates must serve on at least one committee and agree to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in our Board Pledge, which includes devoting at least four hours per month to CCRA activities, not including time spent attending, and preparing for, monthly Board meetings. Click on “About Us” on CCRA website for a list of active committees.
Interested members are encouraged to forward a Statement of Interest that includes a detailed summary of your qualifications to be a CCRA Board member (e.g., relevant experience and skills, activities on other boards, etc.) by Monday, March 16 to: centercity@centercityresidents.org, with "Board Candidate" in the subject line. A resume or CV also would be helpful. (And we welcome your suggestion of any CCRA member who you believe would be an asset to the Board. Be sure to include their email address and/or phone number.)
| | Nearly Three Hundred Attend PA 3rd Congressional Candidate District Forum | | |
On February 9, nearly 300 people filled the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square for a forum that featured six of the candidates vying for the Congressional seat now held by U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-PA, who is retiring. District 3 covers roughly half of Philadelphia and includes areas of West and North Philadelphia and most of Center City. Given the historical voting patterns of the district (it is the most Democratic district in Pennsylvania and the U.S.) the winner of the Democratic primary on May 19 is likely to be the winning candidate in November. Evans won re-election in 2024 unopposed.
The forum was sponsored by CCRA and PoliticsPA and was broadcast on Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) and through the Fideri News Network. The candidates were questioned by PoliticsPA Managing Editor, Steve Ulrich; CCRA Executive Vice President, Gina Ceisler Shapiro and Dick Polman, political opinion writer with PhillyDaily. Democratic candidates participating in the forum were (in alphabetical order):
- Morgan Cephas, current State Representative (since 2017), Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation (since 2023) and Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus.
- Pablo McConnie-Saad, Ph.D. in public policy, former Treasury Department employee in the Biden Administration implementing parts of the Inflation Reduction Act. He is a first time candidate for public office and resides in Bella Vista.
- David A. Oxman, M.D., Jefferson Health intensive-care physician and professor. He is a first time candidate for public office and resides in Bella Vista.
- Ala Stanford, M.D., University of Pennsylvania professor and founder of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium and two private health practices. She also served as a regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Biden Administration. Stanford is a first time candidate for elected office. A Philadelphia native, she recently moved back to the city.
- Sharif Street, current State Senator (since 2017), former Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, (2022-2025) and U.S. Senate Candidate in 2022. He resides in North Philadelphia.
- The lone Republican candidate appearing at the forum was Alex Schnell, a business analyst working in partnership with the Philadelphia Parking Authority. He is a first time candidate for public office and resides in Philadelphia’s Ninth Ward.. He is the endorsed Republican candidate
- (Democratic candidate State Sen. Chris Rabb was scheduled to participate but was unable to attend because of a last minute family emergency.)
Before candidate questioning began, CCRA President, Nathaniel Margolis, spoke briefly stressing the local nature of politics and the importance of providing a forum to present the candidates and their positions to residents of the district. Terry Tracy, founder and publisher of Broad & Liberty and CEO of Fideri, also stressed that the forum would be focusing on issues of local interest and the importance of a free and independent press in presenting the candidates’ positions on the issues. To see a summary of the questions, answers, similarities, differences and challenges for each candidate, click here.
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On Tuesday, February 11th, Representative Ben Waxman held a discussion about Smoke Shops in the area with leaders of local groups. He discussed upcoming proposed legislation, how NYC has managed its legislation, and different steps we can take to influence the outcome in Philadelphia’s City Council. Attached is a Power Point which summarizes the discussion and possible steps forward.
Please feel free to contact Representative Waxman with your ideas or concerns.
| | Upgrades to Our Infrastructure: Market Street Bridge/19th Street Trolley | | |
Market Street Bridge:
The Market Street Bridge is undergoing significant rehabilitation to repair deterioration in the superstructure, deck, and sidewalks, upgrade utilities, traffic signals, and lighting, and restore any damaged elements tof the bridge’s historic character. The full project will take about four years to complete. This is the first major work on the bridge since the bridge was built in 1932.
From August 2026 to October 2027, the bridge will be fully closed to vehicle traffic; detours on Chestnut (eastbound) and Walnut (westbound) will be in place. At least one sidewalk will remain open during this time to allow pedestrian access.
From October 2027 to October 2028, the bridge will be open to vehicle traffic with one lane each way. Full lane access is expected to be restored in October 2028.
Also, the portion of the Schuylkill River Trail beneath the bridge will be closed for three months in winter, currently scheduled for December 2027 to February 2028. Detours for bike and pedestrian traffic will be established.
Work has already begun on the west side of the bridge. South 30th Street, from Market to Chestnut will be closed until March 2026.
Full details on the project can be found here. Details on the impacts to the River Trail can be found here.
19th Street Trolley:
SEPTA will be upgrading the 19th Street Trolley Station starting in August 2026.
SEPTA will be installing elevators from street level to the east and west platforms, making the station ADA accessible. Also, canopies over each of the four existing staircases will be added, to shield them from the rain.
Inside the station, platforms will receive new flooring, new lighting, security enhancements, and additional waterproofing.
The project is expected to be complete by December 2028.
Alex Roederer, Board Member; guest writer
| | CCRA Board Presentation from The Welcoming Center’s President and CEO. Anuj Gupta | |
 | | At the CCRA February board meeting, the CCRA Board of Directors heard from guest speaker Anuj Gupta, President and CEO of The Welcoming Center. The Welcoming Center is a Philadelphia-based non-profit whose mission is to welcome immigrants as neighbors and leaders within our Philadelphia communities. The Welcoming Center focuses on creating pathways for economic growth while strengthening our communities, by opening doors of opportunity for immigrants of all backgrounds, education, and skill levels. At the CCRA board meeting, Anuj shared information about the critical role immigration plays for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania as a whole in helping our city and state flourish. Since peaking at Two Million residents in the 1950’s, Philadelphia has experienced a stark population decline due to urban exodus and a pause in immigrants using Philadelphia as a destination. In recent years, that trend has reversed; Philadelphia has started to experience population growth once again, largely as a direct result of immigrants settling here again.
In 2001, the Welcoming Center was founded as a vital contributor in the effort to reverse this population decline. Mr Gupta outlined the variety of programs offered by the Welcoming Center to better equip our growing immigrant population with the skills, connections, and opportunities to enable them to thrive in the Philadelphia workforce and help our city flourish.
He also shared that as Center City residents, the most important action we can take to help immigrants now is to patronize immigrant-owned businesses, both within Center City and in our neighboring communities. To learn more or to get involved with the critical work of the Welcoming Center, take your own journey to their website here. For up-to-date information about some of Philadelphia’s immigrant-owned businesses, check out @immigrantmarche (powered by the Welcoming Center) on Instagram.
Watch the video here.
Lexi Chavin, Board Member, guest writer
| | CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE: | | |
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 Merchant Partner Earthly Delights!
Curate Your Urban Garden with Merchant Partner Earthly Delights!
Just because you live in the City doesn’t mean you can’t also have a beautiful outdoor space, right? Do you want it both ways? Of course you do!
Green spaces provide a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the city. They connect and ground us to the natural world. Owned and operated by Carrie Borgenicht and with over twenty years of experience in urban gardening, Earthly Delights designs and plants stunning gardens filled with flowers, shrubs, vines and even ornamental trees.
Whether you use your garden for entertaining, for meals, as a play space for your children, or for the pretty view from your kitchen window — Earthly Delights works with you to maximize the aesthetics and functional use of your outdoor spaces.
And, for CCRA Members only, they offer a Free onsite garden design consultation (a $100 value)! So why delay? Start the season early!
Make your outdoor space an Earthly Delight with Earthly Delight!
| | Get Rooted in Fun: The 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show is Bloomin’ Brilliant | | |
Get ready to blossom with excitement because the Philadelphia Flower Show is returning for 2026. While we all know and love this iconic annual event, this year’s theme, "Rooted: Origins of American Gardening," promises a fresh celebration of the cultural traditions and personal stories that connect us to the earth.
Mark your calendar for February 28 – March 8, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Most days the show runs from 10 am to 8 pm (closing at 6 pm on the final Sunday), making it the perfect post-work stroll or weekend excursion for those of us living right downtown.
One of the major highlights is the "The Forest Floor" Entrance Garden. This sprawling creation draws on global influences, from the serene calm of a Japanese Zen garden to the misty magic of a Scottish forest. Expect bold stonework and captivating water features crowned by a massive, twisting root structure that illustrates how American gardening has evolved through a beautiful tapestry of cultural inspirations.
New for 2026, the show introduces a reimagined layout organized into five core experiences: SEE, SHOP, MAKE, LEARN, and PLAY. Whether you want to craft a floral crown on Artisan Row, take a wellness break during "Blossom & Breathe" on March 4th, or bring your pup to Fido Friday on March 6th, there is truly something for everyone.
As Philadelphia celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence, this year’s show is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on our shared gardening legacies. Gather your friends and family, and get ready to be "Rooted" in a truly unforgettable experience right here in our backyard!
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | | Pandas and Performances Toast the Chinese Lunar New Year | | |
Philadelphia ushers in the Chinese Lunar New Year with two free incredible events. The characters from “Kung Fu Panda” will take you on a magical journey to Panda Village in “Dream Works Po’s Awesome Lunar New Year Adventure,” playing through March 6 in the Universal Sphere at the Comcast Technology Center’s upper lobby, 1800 Arch Street. Attendees will be able to digitally create their own sky lanterns as part of this cinematic experience. Click here to reserve seats and for more information.
On Feb. 21, from 5-7 pm, City Hall’s Dilworth Park, 15th Street and Penn Square, will toast the Lunar New Year with several performances of Chinese dance, opera and music. There will be a traditional red envelope giveaway to the first 100 attendees, who will be blessed with wishes for luck, happiness and good fortune.
For more details, click here.
| | Black History Month; Friday Nights at the PMA | | |
The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is holding “Friday Night After Hours” events celebrating the history of Black American art and music during February, Black History Month. Attractions include dancing to the Indigo Ensemble; a pop-up sketch session led by Philadelphia artist Oluwafemi Olatunji and the Philly Drawing Club; a communal art-making project inspired by Ethiopian American artist Julie Mehretu’s prints and a “community tabling” featuring local community organizations, businesses and art institutions. The events, scheduled from 5-8 pm, will be staged in the PMA Main Building’s Great Stair Hall and Balcony, Gallery 251 and the Forum Balcony. Food and snacks will be available for purchase. There is no admission for PMA members; non-members may purchase tickets for “pay what you wish” admission.
To purchase tickets and for more information go here.
| | Community News and Events | | The Art of Living Long: Take A Deep Breath at the Mütter | | |
Looking for a mid-week plan that’s a bit more "intellectual happy hour" and a bit less "same old, same old"?
Our neighborhood’s favorite cabinet of curiosities, the Mütter Museum, is hosting a fascinating lecture-performance titled "The Art of Living Long" this Thursday, February 19, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
This isn't your average history talk! Artist and Professor Vanessa Damilola Macaulay will be leading a creative exploration of the spirometer—that little device used to measure lung capacity. Through a mix of video, performance, and research, she’ll be diving into the surprising ways that something as simple as "breathing" has been interpreted throughout medical history and culture.
The evening promises to be thought-provoking and immersive, rethinking how we measure and hear the human breath. It’s a perfect chance to see the Mütter’s mission of "lessening human misery" through a modern, artistic lens—plus, there will be beer and wine available for purchase to keep the conversation flowing!
The Details:
- Where: 19 S. 22nd St. (right in our backyard!)
- Tickets: $15 for general admission; $10 for students.
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Pro Tip: If you are a Mütter Member, be sure to sign in when registering to snag 20% off your ticket!
| | From PhilHarmonia with Love, Trinity @ 22nd | | Romance Book Club Event Featuring Amy DuBois Barnett, Author of If I Ruled the World | | |
On February 24 at 6 pm, the Center City Barnes & Noble (B&N) (1708 Chestnut), will host a book-club style discussion of the recently published novel, If I Ruled the World by Amy DuBois Barnett. The book has been described as DuBois-Barnett’s “fast-paced, juicy debut novel about the world of hip hop music and the glamorous magazine scene in the late 1990s, written by the ultimate insider.”
The event is ticketed. A ticket entitles attendees to participate in a discussion of the book with the author, moderated by B&N’s store manager, and a signed copy of the book. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a ticket and for more information, go here.
| | Magic Goes to Pot at Plays & Players Theatre | | |
Magic reaches a new high when “Smokus Pokus” takes the stage Feb. 20, 8 pm, at the Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street. Billed as “The World’s Dopest Magic Show,” which Las Vegas Magazine says is “Guaranteed to blow your mind,” the program, for people 21 and over, will feature innovative magic infused with reality bending visuals, such as jars of buds, lighters and bongs. The show will enthrall all attendees, whether stoned or sober.
For tickets, which start at $40.25, and more details, click here.
| | Tempesta di Mare Concert, Trinity @ 22nd | |
Advance Tickets Available for June 13 TED Democracy Founding Futures Event
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Early-bird tickets are now available for the all day June 13 TED Democracy Philadelphia Founding Futures event at the Marian Anderson Concert Hall at The Kimmel Center. The event, sponsored by Visit Philadelphia and TED, will honor the country’s 250th birthday by featuring more than a dozen new TED Talks, interactive activations, performances, culinary pop-ups and networking opportunities focused on exploring the evolving story of democracy, its past and future, and asking the question, “how do we — together — create a future that is more just, inclusive, participatory, and resilient?”
To purchase tickets and for more information, step into the future here.
| | From Sizzle to Screen: Documentary & Unscripted TV Development Workshop | | |
From our friends at the Greater Philadelphia Film Office:
Have an idea for a documentary or unscripted series?
The Greater Philadelphia Film Office is now accepting applications for a four-week Documentary & Unscripted Television Development Workshop designed to help regional filmmakers and creators build the skills needed to compete in today’s television marketplace.
The program is a partnership with Big Picture Alliance and GroundFloor Studios as part of ongoing efforts to support workforce development and strengthen the region’s film and television industry.
Led by Emmy-nominated development executive Eric Neuhaus, the workshop breaks down how unscripted and documentary projects are developed, pitched and sold. Participants will leave with a polished pitch deck, sample sizzle materials, and a stronger understanding of how to position ideas for buyers.
The in-person workshop will take place March 21, March 28, April 4 and April 11, from 3–5 p.m. at GroundFloor Studios in Philadelphia. The program is free to apply, with a $150 fee for those accepted. Space is limited. The application deadline is February 27, 2026, and accepted applicants will be notified by March 6.
Questions? Email Nicole Shiner
To apply click here
| | Read and Learn: Listen to Authors Tell Their Story | | |
The Pyramid Club (1735 Market Street 52nd fl.) is hosting Voices of Inspiration: An Evening with Transformational Authors. On Thursday, February 26 at 6 pm enjoy TedTalk-style presentations and captivating storytelling from these three insightful authors:
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“Audacious Expansion: Breaking Free From Limitations to Create Your Ultimate Life” by Erika Rothenburg weaves together the author's own trauma leading her to find resilience through authentic narration and offering practical strategies for women to step into courage, confidence, and empowerment.
- “Meet Them Where They Are” by Jennifer Lynne Croneberger is a blueprint for leaders looking to become more effective leaders, create an inclusive “want to work” culture in the workplace, and practice empathy with team members.
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“To the Moon and Back: A Childhood Under the Influence” by Lisa Kohn chronicles the author's life growing up in the “70s in the East Village with her family in a cult, and ultimately confronting the after-effects of her childhood.
To learn more about the books and the authors, follow the respective links. To buy tickets to the event on 2/26, go here.
| | Kid-Friendly Basquiat Inspired Art WorkShop | | |
The Free Library of Philadelphia is hosting a Jean-Michel Basquiat Collage Crowns workshop. Located at the Philadelphia City Institute (1905 Locust St), learn about the life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, create a collage inspired by his work, and listen to Basquiat’s favorite music. The event is free and catered towards school-age and pre-school age children.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 25 at 4 pm. No reservations, no tickets required.
| | Coming to Philly: A New Exhibit Reframing the Lewis and Clark Expedition | | |
A new and exciting exhibit is setting up at the Academy of Natural Science. Be among the first to see Botany of Nations: Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery. Running from Saturday, March 28, 2026 until February 2027, it provides “a new perspective on the legendary Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery.” The exhibit focuses on indigenous knowledge revealed to Lewis and Clark, as well as the Native American botanical discoveries shared with them during their expedition. Museum-goers will learn how the Native American nations that Meriwether Lewis encountered shaped our understanding of some of our country’s oldest plant species.
Click here to learn more about the exhibit, prices and to register.
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Editor – Barbara Halpern
Lead Writer – Richard Vaughn
Writer – Marc Werlinsky
Writer - Bob Vogel
Writer - Terry Demchak
Contributor - Bonnie Eisenfeld
| | 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. | | | | |
