This Week September 25, 2025 | | |
Newest of the new around town is the long-awaited Calder Gardens, described by the New York Times as an “ennobling fun house, with a zest for drama”. Unusual both in its design and by the fact that it’s dedicated to a single artist, Calder Gardens is a Parkway pearl.
Also new is the fact that the MLK Drive Bridge along the Schuylkill has reopened after being closed for over 2 years. It connects Eakins Oval to MLK Drive, and is now open for runners, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
What else is new? Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll read all about the latest Philly eateries. And, for many of us, this past Tuesday marked the beginning of a New Year!
Who says you can’t teach an old town new tricks?
| | Volunteer for the CCRA House Tour and Enjoy a Free Ticket! | | |
We are still seeking volunteers for the CCRA House Tour on Saturday, October 18th, from 1-5 pm to help make this event a success. By volunteering, you'll not only make a difference but also receive a complimentary ticket to explore some of the most beautiful homes in our neighborhood.
Excited to be part of this memorable day? Volunteer as a docent, and explore the historical homes in the neighborhood. Sign up here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Travis Oliver at centercity@centercityresidents.org or call him at 215-546-6179.
Don't want to volunteer, but still go on the tour? You can purchase a ticket to the tour here, visit Rittenhouse Hardware at 2001 Pine St, or stop by Robin Apartments at 2003 Chestnut St.
We look forward to seeing you there!
| | The Great Pine Street Sweep | | |
Join Center City Residents Association and Philly Bike Action to clean up the Pine St bike lane on September 27th! We'll be meeting at Carlisle and Pine at 10 am (just west of Broad) and work our way west on Pine, to 22nd Street.
Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring brooms, shovels, and gloves, but materials will also be provided.
Come meet your Center City neighbors, and help make our neighborhood a little more beautiful! RSVP here.
| | Let’s Talk Trash! A New CCRA Committee | | |
The CCRA Streets Committee has spun off a new group dedicated to one of Philly’s most persistent challenges: trash. Citizens have consistently cited litter and waste as a top concern, and it’s time we tackle it head-on.
Introducing Let’s Talk Trash (a.k.a. Trash Talk)—a committee created to focus exclusively on street and sidewalk cleanliness.
Chaired by: Harvey Ostroff; joined by a dedicated team composed of fellow CCRA Board Members Duncan Atkins, Jessica Kohles, Molly Farrell, Larry Goldberg, Alex Roederer & Kevin Blake.
We warmly welcome CCRA members to join as well—your voices and ideas are essential. If you live in CCRAville, you know how quickly sidewalks, trash cans, and even front steps can collect debris. Torn paper bags scattering recyclables, overflowing containers, and wind-blown litter are more than just an eyesore—they affect our entire community. This committee is for you if you’re frustrated by the mess and ready to brainstorm creative, practical solutions. Together, we can make a visible difference in our neighborhood.
Interested in joining or “talking trash” with us? Reach out today to Harvey Ostroff and help shape a cleaner, greener CCRAville.
| | CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE: | | Sing Out to CCRA Merchant Partner The Academy of Vocal Arts! | | |
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 The Academy of Vocal Arts!
Sing Out to CCRA Merchant Partner The Academy of Vocal Arts!
CCRA is thrilled to have as a Merchant Partner none other than the Academy of Vocal Arts! For those not yet familiar, the AVA is not only a private, post-baccalaureate opera school, but it is also the only tuition-free institution in the world devoted solely to operatic training and performance.
And get this: upcoming on Saturday, October 4 at 7:30 pm is their annual vocal competition, the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, at the Kimmel Center. The CCRA discount knocks $20 off the ticket price.
CCRA Discount Code: CCRA2025
Ticketing Page: https://avaopera.org/event/giargiari-bel-canto-competition-25-26/
Or purchase by phone: Ensemble Arts Philly: 215.893.1999
So don’t delay – get your AVA tickets today!
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | | "Walk The Line" in Fairmount Park | | |
On Saturday, October 4, the Fairmount Park Conservancy is hosting "Walking in William Still's Steps," a free, 3.5-mile guided hike in West Fairmount Park to honor the "Father of the Underground Railroad."
Starting at Ridgeland Mansion at 10 am, the hike will visit significant sites like Boelsen Cottage, Belmont Mansion, and the former route of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, offering a unique exploration of the Underground Railroad's history in Philadelphia.
The event includes a community conversation after the hike with light refreshments, and visitors are welcome to bring their own bagged or box lunch. The tour will be led by historic storyteller "Conductor" Dee Patterson of UGR3DAY Underground Railroad Experiences. Click here for more info and to register in advance (it’s free, but space is limited).
Meanwhile, in advance of the walk, a free screening of “North to Freedom” will be held. You can also register to watch a free virtual screening of North to Freedom, an original documentary from WSKG Public Television and filmmaker Brian Frey, which primarily examines the important role of the Underground Railroad during the years leading up to and during the American Civil War. The screening is virtual by zoom on Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 7-9 pm. More info and registration is here.
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Immerse yourself in traditional Latino music, poetry, and dance as Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade 2025, featuring approximately 1,500 marchers, floats, and more. It takes place this Sunday, September 28, in the heart of the city at Eakin’s Oval on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The event runs from 12 noon (start time for the parade) to 6 pm.
Click here for more information.
| | Give Some Love on a Sunday | | |
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 7:30 pm, in Curtis Institute of Music's Field Concert Hall (1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia), renowned violist Kim Kashkashian and fellow musicians from Curtis will perform on behalf of the musician-led initiative, Music for Food, in a concert to benefit the life-changing work of The Sunday Love Project.
The October 14th musical evening features an array of distinguished faculty and students from the Curtis Institute of Music. The program includes Jessie Montgomery’s programmatic and nimble, Strum for String Quintet; Győrgy Kurtág’s Signs, Games and Messages for solo viola (showcasing eight Curtis viola artists); and Brahms’s iconic Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34. Following the concert, the audience is invited to meet the musicians and enjoy treats in the Bok reception room.
Minimum suggested donation is $35 ($10 for students). All proceeds benefit the transformative work of The Sunday Love Project.
To register: Focus on good vibes and get tickets to the performance here.
| | Community News and Events | | Two Great Reasons to Visit The Rosenbach | | |
Embrace the fall spirit with a visit to The Rosenbach Museum and Library (2008 Delancey).
Their Fall Open House Halloween inspired book tour kicks off the season on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 12:30 pm. Create your own personal experience with a self guided tour, or a hands on experience with a tour guide. Leave The Rosenbach with important knowledge regarding the craftsmanship of books, and the techniques that are still used today! Register here for the open house tour.
Bibliophiles: learn about the creation of books on a Behind the Bookcase Tour (Friday, September 26, 2025 at 2 pm), focusing on a time when books didn’t yet have front or back covers! This tour takes place on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 2 pm.
| | See How Preservation Works at Conservation Center Open House | | |
Ever pass by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts location on South 23rd St. and wonder what they do inside? Now’s your time to find out.
Since 1977, the Conservation Center has preserved our world’s cultural heritage. Join them for their Open House to explore behind the scenes, meet their expert staff members, and see fascinating projects being preserved in their state-of-the-art lab—from rare books, photographs, and priceless documents. Learn how their preservation team supports cultural institutions nationwide, and enjoy engaging activities and hands-on demonstrations that make conservation both educational and fun. Details found here.
| | A Crafty Event Coming To Rittenhouse | | |
The 2025 edition of the Rittenhouse Square Fall Fine Craft Show is coming October 10–12 . . . where else but around the perimeter of Rittenhouse Square Park. If you’ve never been, check out this web page to preview the artists and some of the stunning works that will be on display and available for purchase.
Presented by Rose Squared Art Shows, the event features over 150 artisans displaying works in various fine crafts, including ceramics, jewelry, glass, fiber, wood, and photography.
The show will be held from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, rain or shine.
| | Hot Off the Stove: New Restaurants in Philly | | |
Those hot summer nights have given way to some cool Autumn evenings, so take the chill off with something Hot Off the Stove at one of Philly’s newest 2025 restaurants. Check out these three new eateries in our neighborhood, and wander to some of the others, to walk off, ahem, the few extra pounds you might have eaten.
Here are some local highlights from Visit Philadelphia….
Borromini on Walnut Street
Say hello to Borromini, a stunning new addition to Rittenhouse Square’s dining scene. The 16,000-square-foot restaurant spans two floors, featuring 320 seats, a hand-painted fresco, a marble staircase, and an outdoor patio overlooking the Square. Named for the 17th-century Roman architect, Borromini brings upscale Italian dining to life with a menu crafted by a powerhouse team of chefs from Stephen Starr’s circle. Guests can dig into about a dozen pastas (including a showstopping 100-layer lasagna), an array of meat and seafood entrées, and seven indulgent desserts—paired with a wide selection of Italian wines and cocktails.
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Kissho House on Locust Street
A Rittenhouse Square brownstone has recently been converted into Kissho House, a new spot for Japanese dining. The downstairs sushi counter offers a 90-minute omakase with 20 pieces of sushi, much of it sourced from Japan’s well-known markets. Upstairs, the focus shifts to robatayaki—seafood, meats, and vegetables cooked over a charcoal grill and ordered à la carte.
Shay’s Steaks and More on Sansom St.
Cheesesteaks are serious business in Philadelphia, and a new spot has joined the lineup. Shay’s Steaks and More offers classic steak sandwiches alongside cold-pressed juices, fresh salads, breakfast items, and late-night favorites. One signature option is the “Shaygel” — chopped ribeye with Cooper Sharp cheese and a fried egg, all served on an everything bagel.
Yo readers… we can’t keep up with all the new stores and restaurant openings happening locally. So… shoot me an email if you find something new that’s worth sharing. We’re counting on you!
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The TED Talk Democracy Speakers Series comes to the Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, on Oct. 14, with a program featuring bold thinkers and doers who will discuss how to build a society with educational and economic opportunities for all, while protecting our safety and dignity.
Slated to speak are Michael Tubbs, who will share his experiences about growing up amid poverty and violence; Amanda Renteria, a digital public servant; and Eric Liu, a civic educator. The event, which starts at 5:30 pm, is free, but the deadline to RSVP is Oct. 3.
To register and for more information, click here.
| | Discover the Remarkable Anna Wilstach Oct.18 at Trinity At 22nd | | |
You might not know the name Anna Wilstach, but you probably have benefited from her generosity. When she died in 1892, she bequeathed her fine art collection and $500,000 ($17,749,890 today) to what is now the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it is a foundational part of their collection. Her instructions on the use of her gift were clear: Her artwork had to be available for the public to see and enjoy.
In 1873, Anna funded the construction of Trinity Memorial Church at 22nd and Spruce streets, in memory of her deceased daughter Anna Gertrude. For 150 years, the church has been a mainstay of the neighborhood, hosting a weekly fresh food bank, concerts, a nursery school, a polling place, yoga classes, meeting rooms, a shelter for homeless men, and more, as well as worship services.
To learn more about this extraordinary Gilded Age woman, register for our free symposium. She lived well but suffered heartbreak. She demonstrated compassion for mankind and was ahead of her time as a woman and a philanthropist. To register, go here.
| | Automated Speed Enforcement Comes to Broad Street / Route 611 | | |
Big changes are here! As of September 15, 2025, the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) camera program officially expanded to Route 611, the entirety of Broad Street.
On other roads where ASE cameras have been installed, pedestrian accidents have dropped by 50%. The Bicycle Coalition has fought tirelessly for years for this change, and now their efforts are paying off.
Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit within the first 60 days will receive a warning. After November 14th, drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more will be fined. This expansion represents a significant step forward in making our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
Learn more 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. | | | | |
