Heads Up, Neighbors: May is “CCRA Month” | | |
Many local organizations are celebrating the onset of Spring, and CCRA is certainly no exception, as the month of May – CCRA Month – promises to be a month to remember.
Details to follow, but here’s a taste: The Rittenhouse-Fitler Historic District Anniversary Tour. A Bike Lane Sweep-Up. A Gala at the Academy for Vocal Arts. And… A Center City Pizza Walk!
Enjoy the April showers, enjoy the May flowers and, in about a month’s time, enjoy CCRA Month!
| | 22ND STREET BIKE LANE CLEAN-UP SAT. APRIL 5 | | |
Participate in the City’s Spring Clean-up Day by joining CCRA and Philly Bike Action to clean up the 22nd St bike lane! We’ll be meeting at the Grays Ferry triangle (23rd and South) at 11am and expect to finish by 1pm.
Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring brooms, rakes, and gloves, but such items will also be provided. Come on out, meet your neighbors, and help make our neighborhood a little more beautiful!
| | 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 new Merchant Partner Earthly Delights!
Curate Your Urban Garden with New 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? Make your outdoor space an Earthly Delight with Earthly Delights!
| | Go Downward Dog Instead of Down the Shore - Chill Out With Yoga on our Beach | | |
Calling all yogis. Thanks to the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, we can again delight with downward dog on the Schuylkill Banks “beach” at 25th and Locust, on Sat., Sun,. at 10 am, Tues. at 6 pm., starting back up on April 19. It’s a donation-based class.
BYO mat, water, props. Hats and sunscreen suggested. Namaste. Reserve your space here.
| | Dog Parks Are Getting New Turf | | |
The Friends of the Schuylkill River Dog Park have good news for our fluffy friends- new turf is in the house…well, coming soon. The large and small dog parks at 25th and Locust will be closed for turf replacement for approximately two weeks starting Monday, April 7.
In the meantime, please enjoy these nearby dog runs:
Seger Park – 11th and Lombard Street
Columbus Square Dog Park – 13th and Wharton Street
Mario Lanza Dog Park – 3rd and Catherine Street
Rob Stewart Memorial Dog Park – 21st and Winter Street
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | | Southeast Asian Market Returns to FDR Park | | |
What has become a mainstay of the incredibly diverse Philadelphia cultural scene, the Southeast Asian Market officially returns to its home in FDR Park starting on Saturday, April 5.
Last year, more than 70 vendors set up shop in the sprawling park at 1500 Pattison Ave. and Broad, offering a wide range of delectable delights created by Lao, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian vendors. In addition to the native dishes, you’ll also find culturally specific produce, clothing, and jewelry, as well as services provided by entrepreneurs speaking multiple languages.
More than just an outdoor venue for ethnic cuisines, for 35+ years the City’s Southeast Asian population has cultivated it into an open community space all their own, providing a cultural hub for social gatherings, sharing of ethnic cuisines and business opportunities through vending.
For a list of last year’s vendors, Park Map and other info, visit the Market's website.
| | April is Philly Jazz Month. Say No More. | | |
Philly is always a great jazz town, but it takes it to another level this month during Philly Jazz Month, the City’s annual April celebration of Jazz, co-presented by Creative Philadelphia and Mid Atlantic Arts.
Philly Jazz Month is more than a celebration—it’s a movement. With electrifying performances and dynamic educational programs, this citywide initiative unites communities, uplifts local artists, and keeps Philadelphia’s jazz heritage alive. Visit here to learn more.
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This month I thought why not write about something FUN! So I took a minute to think about what’s fun for me while walking through Rittenhouse Sq on my way to the office. What can I talk about that is relatable and real estate friendly?!
Instantly, DOGS entered my brain. First and foremost because I have one. His name is Monte and he’s, my heart. He brings me so much joy and comfort daily. Secondly, because they were passing me by frolicking with their humans without a care in the world (well maybe a squirrel or two, lol).
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When clients who are pet owners are looking to rent or purchase an apartment or condo on or around the Square, this seems to be their number one priority. Can I bring my furry friend? Fortunately, most high rises are pet-friendly!
Some residences offer convenient amenities for pet owners ensuring that their furry friends are well cared for. Some buildings have pet bathing rooms or stations. You can take your dog to a specific floor in the building and give it a bath! This keeps your personal residence clean, and the pups love it! Some buildings have dog-walking areas on the rooftop for those quick, in-the-middle-of-the-night visits outdoors.
Another wonderful convenience is doorpersons allowing access for your dog walkers while you’re at work! And let’s not forget that some staff of these luxury high rise buildings will even walk your dog for you, of course for a fee.
So, if you have a pet or are thinking of getting one, rest assured there are many options in the CCRA district for pet-friendly residences.
| | Community News and Events | | René Izquierdo: A ‘Note’-worthy Night of Guitar Magic | | |
On Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 pm, Cuban-born virtuoso René Izquierdo will bring his exceptional talent to the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia (201 S. 21st Street).
This is a unique opportunity to hear one of the world’s leading classical guitarists live. Known for his technical brilliance and emotional depth, René's performance will be intimate and captivating. Whether you're a classical guitar enthusiast or new to the genre, this concert promises to strike a chord with everyone. Get tickets here now.
| | Naudain Collective This Weekend | | |
It’s time for the Spring Show at the Naudain Art Collaborative, which was established in 2016 by a small group of Philadelphia artists seeking a connection to, and an outlet for, sharing their work with the wider community. This upcoming exhibit features some new works by local artists Karuna Krisna and Mark Willie.
Meet the artists in a salon setting this weekend, April 5th and 6th, from 12-5 pm. at the Ageless Gardens Gallery, 2503 Naudain Street, Philadelphia, the home studio of Bhavisha Patel, the organizing force behind the formation of the Collaborative.
| | You’ll Be Glad You Took a Walk! | | |
Philly is mural-ly the place to be this spring. The city’s streets double as an open-air museum, showcasing everything from towering tributes to hidden gems. Start your artistic adventure at 1234 Ridge Ave, where the iconic Dr. J mural soars sky-high. Then, discover an untitled collage at 1200 Christian Street, a striking mix of color and texture.
Take a walk on the wild side in Rittenhouse Square, where animal sculptures turn the park into an urban zoo-topia. Visit 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd, where Jacques Lipchitz’s Government of the People stands as an abstract tribute to democracy and unity.
Head over to Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square, where cascading water and sculpture create a quintessential scene. And, of course, no art-filled stroll is complete without a stop at The Thinker, perched thoughtfully at 22nd and Ben Franklin Parkway. For details and photos of this, and so much more, check out Billy Penn’s DIY tour here.
So lace up your comfiest shoes and let the artful charm draw you in.
| | If Weird Is Your Thing, Something Odd Is Coming To Philly. | | |
The World Oddities Expo (WOE), a self-described “peculiar paradise where weird thrives,” is coming to the Philadelphia Convention Center for two days, April 5-6. The mega-convention features artists, vendors, performers, educators, and guest speakers to create a macabre and magical experience for the curious-minded. Among the activities listed by the event organizers are:
- Live entertainment from music performances, artists, burlesque, and more!
- A large oddities showroom floor packed with peculiar items like taxidermy, insects, macabre art, jewelry, home decor, and more
- The Oddity Ink Parlour featuring on-site talented tattoo artists from all over the country.
- A hands-on butterfly pinning work workshop
- Oddity speakers on a variety of interesting topics
General admission is $20 with accompanying kids under 12 for free. VIP tickets are also available. To learn more and purchase tickets, go here.
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The Philadelphia Historical Society recently added several properties to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, highlighting lesser-known aspects of the city's heritage. One right here in River City: the S.S. Kresge Store at 1520-22 Chestnut Street, built in 1934, and designed by an influential Philadelphia architectural firm with an Art Deco style.
Additional notable additions include Fishtown's Penn Treaty Park and the historic Rotunda theatre at 4014 Walnut St. These designations aim to preserve these sites' architectural and cultural significance, ensuring their stories contribute to Philadelphia's rich historical narrative. For more details, click here.
| | It’s “Showtime” at SpringFest! | | |
With PFF SpringFest, the Philadelphia Film Society presents a mid-year survey of the freshest cinematic marvels from the international festival circuit–from American indie darlings and eye-opening documentaries to acclaimed foreign titles.
Each film will be having its Philadelphia premiere, ensuring that SpringFest attendees will have an early jump on the films destined to dominate cinephile conversations in the months to come. It all runs from April 17th through the 24th at the Film Society. View the details here.
| | April Plant Swap at South Street Pop Up | | |
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Pop-Up Beer Garden at South Street is again open for the season, and with it comes their opening special event: a free Plant Swap for residents. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 8, from 6-7 pm at the Pop-Up Garden’s location (South and 15th Streets).
Bring plants, plant cuttings, or any garden-related items (i.e., books, tools, vegetables from your garden, etc.), meet fellow garden enthusiasts, and go home as a new plant parent. It’s a one-for-one exchange; if you bring five items, you'll go home with five new ones.
Plant experts will be on hand to help identify unknown plants and special plant society guests will be there with demonstration specimens and seasonal plant favorites. Reusable bags and recycling containers from Solo Real Estate will be provided to take your new plants home. Click here for more info.
| | 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. | | | | |
