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Prior to 6:40 on Tuesday evening it didn’t look good for the local nine. The Phillies were 1-3. The beloved New York Mets were 3-1, as was the rest of the National League East. The Phillies pitching staff had given up more runs than any team in baseball.
There was more. The top four of Phils’ batting order was hitting a combined .124, Harry Kalas’ widow was raging at the franchise, and 3B Alec Bohm had sued his parents. Clearly, the End Times were nigh.
Was it too soon to panic, with 98% of the season remaining to play? Of course not; this is Philadelphia.
But then… a Painterly masterpiece (pun intended). 5.1 innings pitched, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 8 K’s.
It’s a long season, my friends, with more than a few downs and yes, ups.
Fasten your seatbelts, and see you at the Bank!
| | The 250th Celebration: Should We Stay or Should We Go? | | |
Have you been wondering how welcoming 1.5 million visitors to our city this summer affect our daily life? So has CCRA.
And that is why CCRA is hosting: The 250th Celebration: Should We Stay or Should We Go?
When: April 9th at 7pm
Where: Philadelphia Ethical Society on Rittenhouse Square
The panel discussion, moderated by Larry Platt of The Philadelphia Citizen, will include Kathryn Ott Lovell, President; CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation; Philadelphia250, and senior SEPTA, FIFA, and City officials. They will answer our questions about public safety and emergency planning, SEPTA service and transportation logistics, trash collection, and how Center City residents can participate and make the 250th historic for everyone.
Join us on April 9th and get the answers.
The event is FREE for CCRA members, and just $20 for non-members. But if you join CCRA now, you can attend this information-packed event for free. If you have any questions, email centercity@centercityresidents.org.
We're looking forward to seeing you on April 9th!
And remember, pre-registration is only suggested, not required.
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The CCRA plays a vital role in Philadelphia’s development by evaluating zoning variance applications. Below is a recap of our most recent session:
The owners of a single family home requested a variance from the zoning code prohibition on Visitor Accommodations (an Airbnb) in RM1 zoning districts. The Committee voted to oppose the application. Following the meeting the applicants notified the Zoning Board of Adjustment that they are withdrawing their application.
To see the full opinion of CCRA’s Zoning Committee, investigate further here.
| | Zone In on CCRA’s Zoning Committee | | |
Do you love this neighborhood? Do you care what it develops into? If so, join fellow Center City residents on CCRA’s Zoning Committee. Responsibilities include meeting once a month and reviewing zoning cases. Relevant background or knowledge in a related field such as architecture, real estate law, development or preservation is preferred. What is required is a true interest in Center City's “built environment” and a willingness to engage in productive, focused discussions. We provide information on zoning (e.g., what the Committee can and cannot address) to new members of the committee.
To apply, please send your resume and why you are interested to zoning@centercityresidents.org by April 30.
We look forward to hearing from interested residents.
| | Save the Date: Your Chance to Hear and Question the Mayor | | |
Mayor Cherelle Parker is hosting a public budget town hall on Thursday, April 23. There will be a Q&A portion, as well.
Mayor Parker holds these in each city council district. Although we don’t have all the details yet, we hope you’ll save the date on your calendar. Parker will talk to us all about everything from public safety to potholes to the pension fund and details of her $6.29 billion budget proposal.
Here are the details we know so far:
Mayor Budget Town Hall
1100 Poplar Street
April 23, 2026
6 - 8:30 pm
| | Frameworks Studio Brings the Art of Framing | | |
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 the Rittenhouse framing emporium Frameworks Studio.
Frameworks Studio Brings the Art of Framing
Frameworks Studio at 21st & Walnut St., is not just another framing house. How so? Well, for one, the framers are artists themselves, complete with Fine Arts degrees. For another, there is an active on-site gallery which offers seasonal exhibitions featuring the works of local artists.
And finally, as a CCRA Merchant Partner, FrameWorks offers CCRA members 10% off on all framing. So do please stop by at 21st & Walnut and say hello to FrameWorks!
| | Spring into Action: MLK Drive is Open for the Season! | | |
If you heard an extra chorus of bicycle bells this past weekend, here’s why: as of last Saturday, Martin Luther King (MLK) Drive has officially reopened for its beloved seasonal recreation program! For those who missed the kickoff, don't worry—you can head out this coming weekend to enjoy traffic-free access for walkers, runners, and cyclists on the scenic stretch between the East Falls Bridge and Eakins Oval.
The timing couldn’t be better for your holiday planning. Starting tomorrow, the Drive will begin its first extended holiday stretch of the year for Good Friday and Easter weekend. The gates will close to motor vehicles at 7 a.m. on Friday, April 3, and remain closed until 7 a.m. on Monday, April 6, giving us three full days of car-free pavement to enjoy the spring blooms.
For the rest of the season, the standard schedule remains in effect: the road belongs to the people every Saturday at 7 a.m. through Monday at 7 a.m. While there are a few exceptions for major events like the Roots Picnic in May and the Regatta in October, the city has confirmed that the recreation program will run all the way through the Thanksgiving holiday on November 29.
Whether you’re training for a race or just looking for a peaceful stroll along the Schuylkill, this 1995 Philly tradition remains one of our best local perks. Just remember that if you spot any issues with the gates or closures while you're out there, you can give the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems a heads-up via email.
For a full list of this year's holiday closure dates and event exceptions, you can find the official city announcement here.
| | Spring has Finally Sprung | | |
We’re here to plant a seed. Use Almanac’s first and last frost date calculator and search by zip code so you know when to get to work on your window boxes, tree boxes and/or garden. The last spring frost day means it’s time to start planting those outdoor plants and the first fall frost date marks the end of warm-weather crop season. Remember, timing matters when it comes to cultivating your garden. The more you know the more your garden grows.
Go here for the frost calculator and suggestions for how to make your garden grow.
| | Seeding the Future: The Confluence Film Festival Opens Tonight | | |
Looking for the perfect way to kick off Earth Month? Look no further than the Academy of Natural Sciences. Starting tonight, Thursday, April 2, the third annual Confluence Film Festival returns to the Parkway. This year’s theme, "Seeding the Future," showcases a powerful collection of films from regional creators that explore our complex relationship with the natural world and the local Philadelphia landscape.
The festivities begin this evening at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway with an Opening Night Party from 5pm to 6:30pm, followed immediately by the first screening and an interactive Q&A session. If you can’t make it out tonight, don't worry—the series continues every Thursday through April 23. Each week features a unique program curated by local cultural heavyweights including BlackStar Projects, cinéSPEAK, and the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival.
A full 4-day festival package is available for $40, though you can also purchase tickets for individual evenings if you prefer to pick and choose. Academy members should be sure to sign in to their accounts to receive their member discount at checkout, and students can snag $6 tickets on-site with a valid ID. Except for tonight’s early start, subsequent Thursdays will begin with a reception at 5:30pm and screenings at 6:30pm.
Grab a seat, meet the filmmakers, and see how Philadelphia is "seeding the future" of environmental activism through art.
For the full lineup of films and to secure your tickets, visit the Academy of Natural Sciences event page.
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | | Rosenbach to Host Event on Early Hebrew Books | | |
On Thursday, June 25, at 6 pm, the Rosenbach Museum continues their Behind the Bookcase series of tours, which focus on unparalleled access to see, and even touch, rare and important items not usually on view to the public. This particular tour focuses on 18th century Jewish life in NYC and New England and will enlighten you about the first Hebrew language instructor at Harvard University, a descendant of Portuguese Jews forced to convert during the Inquisition. You’ll also get a chance to peek at Dr. Rosenbach’s treasures of Early American Judaica.
Space is limited for this in-person event, so register here.
| | Community News and Events | | |
On Sunday, April 12, from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m., the Philadelphia Ethical Society (1906 Rittenhouse Square), in partnership with Join Philly and City Cast Philly, will host the Philadelphia Activities Fair at which representatives from more than 40 groups, ranging from hobby clubs to civic organizations, will be available to answer questions about their groups’ activities and how to get involved.
The event is free. For more information and a list of the participating organizations go here.
| | New Local Building Makes Interior Local Register | | |
The Main Banking Hall of the former Fidelity Philadelphia Trust Company Building at 123 Broad Street recently was nominated for inclusion on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, marking only the sixth time in the Register’s 70-year history that a building’s interior has been so nominated.
The exterior of 123 Broad Street was added to the Philadelphia Register in 1973 and the National Register in 1978. The building currently houses a branch of Wells Fargo Bank. The nominated room is an example of the Classical Revival style of early 20th century banking institutions and features an ornamental plaster coffered ceiling and stained glass windows including History of Philadelphia which depicts historical figures and events.
For more information, including photos of the building’s interior, take a quick look.
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The Friends of the PCI invite you to join the Book Swap.
Where: Philadelphia City Institute Library at 1905 Locust Street on Rittenhouse Square in the Community Room
When: Saturday, April 11
Time: 1 pm - 3 pm
Admission: Book(s) to Swap. No more than 5.
Here’s how it works: Bring a book(s) – take a book(s). Chat with other book lovers.
Guidelines for books that will NOT be accepted:
- No textbooks or medical books
- No topics that are outdated, such as computer, finance, technical.
- No books with writing within pages
- No books that are tattered or discolored by age
- No travel guide books
- No language other than English
Please join us and support our wonderful PCI library!
| | Parks on Tap: Coming to a Park Near You | | |
Philadelphia’s traveling beer garden (Parks on Tap) will return on April 8 to the Azalea Garden (in Fairmont Park between Boathouse Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art). Parks on Tap is a partnership between the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and FCM Hospitality and features a pop-up beer garden at a different city park on dates through October 11, 2026. Proceeds will benefit the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the participating parks. Hours are Wednesday - Friday, 4 to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 10 pm.
Most importantly for our neighborhood, Parks will return this year to the Schuylkill Banks on Wednesday, April 29 to Sunday, May 3 and Wednesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 5. For more information on schedule and locations of the hosting parks go here.
| | Espresso Yourself: The Philly Coffee Tour Comes to Rittenhouse | | |
Calling all caffeine connoisseurs! If your morning doesn’t truly start until you’ve had your first sip of a craft brew, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25. The Philly Coffee Tour is bringing its curated caffeine journey to our neck of the woods, offering a deep dive into the "energy, creativity, and charm" of the Rittenhouse Square coffee scene.
The tour kicks off at 11 am at Rittenhouse Square (1800 Walnut Street) and runs until 1 pm. This isn't just a quick caffeine fix; it’s a four-stop guided experience where you’ll enjoy unique beverage tastings at each location, learn about the intricate roasting process, and pick up some fun historical facts about the neighborhood as you walk.
There are two ways to join the fun:
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Standard Tickets ($40): Includes the full four-stop tour, all tastings, and expert insights into the roasting world.
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Signature Tickets ($60): Includes everything in the standard package plus a signature Philly Coffee Tour logo tote bag and an exclusive digital guide to the organizers' top 20 favorite coffee shops across the city.
Whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer to Center City, this is a fantastic way to discover hidden gems and support the local roasters who keep Philadelphia buzzing. Spots tend to fill up quickly for these curated walks, so if you're interested in sipping your way through the square, you’ll want to grab your tickets soon.
For more details and to book your spot for the April 25 tour, head over to the official event page.
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Neighbors: You don’t have to travel all the way to The Magic Garden at 10th and South St. to show your visitors impressive and unique works of art by Isaiah Zagar, Philly’s own highly productive, visionary, and fearless mosaic tile creator who died this year, just shy of his 87th birthday.
During two renovations of Seafood Unlimited, in 2001 and 2012, owners Judi and David Einhorn commissioned Zagar to create a huge mosaic tile wall mural in the restaurant and bar. The theme? The Sea, of course! It's a great place to enjoy his art, and delicious seafood, drinks, and congenial hosts. Located in the Rittenhouse section of the neighborhood at 270 S 20th St. Enjoy happy hour specials, as well!
| | Get Impressed by the Impressionists | | |
Admission to the Barnes Museum will be free on Sunday, April 5 (as it is on all first Sundays of each month). Activities at the Museum on that day will include art activities led by teaching artists from Fleisher Art Memorial’s Color Wheel, a scavenger hunt exploring the Museum’s collection and an interactive story time.
Additionally, April is Philly Jazz Month and on April 5, the Barnes will host two performances, at 1 pm and 2:30 pm, by Equinox, an instrumental quartet of students from Philadelphia’s High School for the Performing and Creative Arts. Although admission to the performances is free, capacity is limited and registration is required.
For more information and to register, explore here.
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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. | | | | |
