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Not to be a noodge, but it’s never wrong to be reminded of the wisdom of thinking globally while acting locally.
Local action can take many forms, depending on one’s proclivities. One can be a strong supporter of the arts, and act locally accordingly. Those with a business bent can go out of their way to support local Mom and Pops, in particular CCRA’s stellar Merchant Partners.
And those willing to go into the weeds and get their hands a little dirty can take part in any one of CCRA’s many committees or, more broadly, join the CCRA Board itself, with all the opportunity to effect change that it offers.
Ball’s in your court, which is how you like it, right?
| | 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.)
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Early College Charter School opening at 1420 Pine Street. | |
Why this is a big deal: It's not your average school. It’s a specialized model focused on fast-tracking students into college credits and vocational careers through impressive local partnerships.
CCRA Membership Advantage:
- Get the facts before the general public by attending CCRA’s board meeting on Tuesday, April 14. Details to follow.
- Preview their curriculum ideas and anticipated community impact.
- Join the conversation on how this shapes our neighborhood. It is an exciting opportunity for students, teachers, and new student talent internships and relationships for our local businesses.
We’re working on getting more "deep dive" information to share with our members in advance of the April 14th meeting.
For now, mark your calendars. We’re expecting a full house of neighbors in the room for this discussion! For more details about the school, click here.
| | A Tree Grows in Philadelphia | | |
We are called Tree Tenders, not tree planters for a reason! CCRA Tree Tenders were out this month pruning the trees we planted three to five years ago. We also will be planting soon. Property owners with space for a street tree may apply for a free tree to be planted this coming fall.
Complete this form to apply!
| | Come Help Spruce Up Our Bike Lanes (Free Exercise Included) | | |
Join with Philly Bike Action and Center City Residents' Association (CCRA) to clean up the Spruce St bike lane in Center City West. We'll be meeting on March 29th at Noon at the southeast corner of 15th and Spruce, and work our way west on Spruce, to 22nd. Attendees are encouraged to bring brooms, shovels, and gloves, but materials will also be provided. Come on out, meet your Center City neighbors, and help make our neighborhood a little more beautiful!
Please RSVP (optional) to help us plan!
| | The 250th Celebration: Should We Stay or Should We Go? | | |
Thursday, April 9 | 7-8:30 pm
The Philadelphia Ethical Society | 1906 Rittenhouse Square
As Philadelphia prepares to welcome a million+ visitors to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, how will the festivities impact daily life for City residents? With festivals, commemorations, concerts, and major sporting events including the FIFA World Cup, 2026 will be a historic summer for Philadelphia. But yet, CCRA wants to know what plans have been made to maintain daily City services and keep disruptions to a minimum.
CCRA is hosting a panel discussion with Catherine Ott Lovell who is spearheading Philadelphia250 along with SEPTA, FIFA, and City leaders.city. Topics will include:
- Public safety and emergency planning
- SEPTA service
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Trash collection
LOOK FOR REGISTRATION and MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, INSTAGRAM & Next NEWSLETTER!
| | 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 Eazy Computers & iPhone Repair!
Tech Troubles? Take it (to) Eazy!
Technology is GREAT…. when it works. When it doesn’t, well…. the word ‘homicidal’ springs to mind. But no worries! Merchant Partner Eazy Computers & iPhone Repair has your back. Located conveniently at 2005 Chestnut, Eazy does it: Computers (Windows and Mac), smartphones, tablets… even game consoles. And not only are they hyper-local, but they’re friendly, they’re fast, and they totally get it: They understand your problem.
And as a CCRA Member what you need to understand is that all CCRA members are entitled to a 10% discount on all repairs.
So don’t let the Tech Blues get you down: Take it (to) Eazy!
| | What’s New on the Banks? The 2025 Annual Report is Here | | |
The Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC) has released its 2025 Annual Report, and the headline news is the successful completion of the Christian to Crescent section, which finally connects our Center City trail to the newest bridge in town. In its very first weekend, this new stretch saw over 20,000 trips, proving just how much we love our green space.
And if you like fun facts, how about these tidbits from the report?
- There were 1.8 million user trips recorded in the Center City section of the trail alone
- The SRDC maintenance teams and a dedicated army of volunteers logged over 3,700 hours.
- Last year saw nearly 3,000 neighbors participate in 34 kayak tours, 27 riverboat tours, and 8 movie nights.
- They’ve been busy repairing 100-year-old bulkheads near the South Street Bridge and upgrading trail lighting from Market to Locust Street with new solar and LED fixtures.
As Center City residents, we are the primary stewards and "power users" of this urban oasis. Taking a peek at the annual report is a great way to see how the trail is growing and how you can get involved—whether through volunteering or simply enjoying the many miles of completed pathway.
You can find more details and project updates in the full 2025 Annual Report.
| | Clean Water Advice from Philadelphia Water Department | |
Good for everyone: Flush your pipes. Flushing helps reduce lead exposure from a property's plumbing. Run cold water for 3-5 minutes after long periods of non-use (more than 6 hours). This clears out water that's been sitting in your pipes. It's a simple, effective, and low-cost way to reduce potential exposure to lead.
Enjoy tips like these? Sign up for the Lead Plumbing Information topic.
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | | Ever Seen A Grammy-Award Winner Perform? Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conducts Curtis Symphony Orchestra | | |
Grammy-award winner Yannick Nezet Seguin will conduct the Curtis Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring William L. Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, that blends African American spirituals with classical symphonic tracks and was premiered in 1934 by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski, conducting. The program also includes Wagner’s Rienzi Overtures led by a Curtis Institute Fellow and orchestral songs from Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Youth’s Magic Horn) performed by members of the Curtis Opera Theater.
For tickets go here.
| | Read, Connect, Celebrate: The Queer Comics Club | | |
If you love reading and discussing queer literature, the Queer Comics Club is hosting a monthly book club on Saturdays, March 7 and Saturday, April 18 at 12 pm at The Free Library of Philadelphia's City Institute (1905 Locust St).The group explores graphic novels and manga centering queer stories from queer authors. Open to all ages and no tickets required.
For more information, click here.
| | Community News and Events | | Experience Music Magic Tonight with Amy Williams and Morton Feldman | | |
Acclaimed pianist Amy Williams will perform Morton Feldman's "Triadic Memories," a profound meditation on memory and perception,” on March 5 at 8 pm at Trinity at 22nd (2212 Spruce Street). The event is presented by Bowerbird, a Philadelphia nonprofit organization that presents concerts, exhibitions, and other programming focused on music and related art forms.
For tickets go to this website.
| | Celebrate St. Patrick's Day the Philly Way | | |
Grab your green and head to the streets! The St. Patrick's Day Parade is right around the corner. The city has been marching on St. Patrick's Day since 1771, making it one of the oldest parade traditions in the country. This year's celebration takes place on Sunday, March 15. The parade starts at 11am and runs from 16th & JFK Blvd. down Market St. wrapping up at 6th Street. Admission is free.
Go here for more details.
| | Don't Miss Out: Meet NYT Bestseller Author Rebecca Serle | | |
New York Times best selling author, Rebecca Serle will be discussing and signing her new novel Once and Again on Thursday, March 12 at 6 pm at Barnes & Noble (1708 Chestnut Street).
The novel follows three generations of women, each of whom was born with the gift/ability to turn back time — but just once in her life.
Tickets for seated admission, a space in the signing line and a copy of the book are available for $29.16. Go here to register.
| | Caring Neighbors Save Lives | | |
Calling All Those Interested in Learning CPR. The Free Library of Philadelphia at the Philadelphia City Institute (across from Rittenhouse Square) is hosting a CPR class on Thursday, March 12 at 3 pm. In this class you will learn CPR and other life saving techniques (although no certifications will be given). Registration is required.
View the website here to register and learn more about this and other upcoming CPR classes.
| | Get Your Green On: The Erin Express® Returns to Rittenhouse! | |
Dust off your favorite green attire and prepare for a Philadelphia tradition six decades in the making. On Saturday, March 14, 2026 (noon - 8 pm), the legendary Erin Express® St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl will once again transform the streets of Rittenhouse and beyond into a sea of emerald celebration.
The Erin Express® is one of the nation’s longest-running St. Patrick’s Day events. This isn't just a bar crawl; it's a piece of Philly lore. This year's iteration promises to be bigger than ever, featuring over 30 participating locations across the city.
Participants who purchase tickets will enjoy:
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No Cover Charges: Gain free entry to all 30+ participating venues.
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Exclusive Swag: The first 1,000 crawlers through the door receive an official Erin Express® T-shirt.
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Drink & Food Specials: Enjoy themed discounts at various stops along the route.
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Entertainment: Live DJs and festive beads to keep the energy high all afternoon.
How to Join the Luck
Check-in locations will be officially announced one week before the crawl. To secure the best pricing, organizers recommend buying tickets early as they typically sell out as the holiday approaches.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the "Express" or a newcomer looking to make your own story, March 14th is the day to celebrate our city's vibrant spirit. Sláinte!
Event Details at a Glance
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When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
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Time: 12 pm – 8 pm
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Kick-off Hub: Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse (1913 Sansom Street)
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Requirement: 21+ with valid ID
| | Celebrate Bach’s Birthday with a Special Concert | | |
First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (201 S. 21st Street) is holding a three hour concert to commemorate the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach on Saturday, March 21 beginning at 3 pm. Included among the Bach compositions to be presented will be two recently discovered works that will be performed by Balint Karosi, first prize winner of the 2008 J. S. Bach Competition in Leipzig, and a complete version of the Goldberg Variations.
The music will be performed on the church’s 1783 Eben Organ and period instruments including the traverso (Baroque flute) and harpsichord. Tickets are $20.
Go here for more information and to purchase tickets.
| | World Premiere Play - Philadelphia Theatre Company | | |
Philadelphia Theatre Company’s upcoming world premiere of Wilderness Generation has been named a “Top Show to See This Spring” by The New York Times—placing the company on the national stage for one of the most anticipated new plays of the season. Performances run April 10 – May 3, 2026 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. If you already have tickets, you’re set to see one of the most recommended productions of the spring.
From Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames, Wilderness Generation follows four cousins reuniting at their family home in the Tidewater South, where laughter, memories, and long-held secrets rise to the surface. Sharp, funny, and deeply human, this heartfelt new play explores legacy, healing, and the enduring bonds that shape us.
To learn more, or purchase tickets, click here for a path through the Wilderness.
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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. | | | | |
