Well, Summer’s gone, and with it the heat. Now we look forward to the lovely combo of warm days and cool nights.
Also to look forward to right about now is the Duchamp exhibit at the Art Museum, and the “Noguchi to Asawa” exhibit now at the Barnes. The two could not be more different.
Meanwhile, in sports…
The Phightin’s have their issues, Lord knows, but they’re a playoff battle-tested bunch, and a deep run into the playoffs would not be a surprise. (Nor would an early exit.)
Our Birds are off to a 2-0 start, and despite that success QB Jalen Hurts is once again the subject of fierce partisan debate. Another deep playoff run is likely here, too.
And then comes the big one: LeBron. Are you sure you’re ready for this? This is going to be like Babe Ruth and The Beatles are in town for the next two years, and they’re not playing anywhere else.
The Bron-Fest all starts Oct. 20, and where? Madison Square Garden. The Knicks get their championship rings, then get to go play King James and his new BFFs. Cannot freaking wait.
No, it ain’t exactly dull around here. Would you really want it any other way?
CCRA NEWS and EVENTS
An Exclusive Evening on Rittenhouse Square
Be among the few to step inside one of Rittenhouse Square’s most iconic homes.
On Tuesday, October 20, Bart and Jil Blatstein are graciously opening their home to CCRA for an exclusive VIP evening celebrating the upcoming 63rd Annual House Tour.
Guests will have the rare opportunity to tour the Blatstein Home and learn from the architect, Evan Litvin, who transformed the McIlhenny mansion into the modern masterpiece it is today while preserving sections dating back to the 1800s. Enjoy elegant hors d’oeuvres and champagne as you explore this remarkable home and toast our hosts.
This is the only opportunity to tour the Blatstein Home, as it will not be included in the tour.
Space is limited, so purchase your VIP tickets hereor click on the invitation which also provides all the details you need for the event. And join us for a very special evening on Rittenhouse Square.
Center City continues to be a major driver of Philadelphia’s growth. According to a new report from the Center City District, two out of every five homes built in Philadelphia over the past 18 months were in Greater Center City. More than 4,000 new homes have been completed, and Center City’s population grew by about 5% in 2025. With thousands more homes possible, it looks like Center City’s growth is just getting started!
If you subscribe to the Philadelphia Inquirer you can read more there. If not, you can read the highlights here.
Zoning Committee Report
On Tuesday, September 22, CCRA held its monthly zoning committee meeting. In case you missed it, view the report here.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.
CCRA Board Meeting, Tuesday, October 13, 2026
A note to all members: the October 13th 2026 monthly meeting of the board of directors of CCRA is graciously being hosted by the Union League of Philadelphia, at 140 South Broad Street. CCRA members in good standing are welcomed to attend.
Members wishing to attend MUST register in advance here, as we will be required to provide a list of attendees to the Union League.
Members wishing to attend should also note the Union League’s required business casual dress code, which is detailed below:
For men (12 years and older):
Tucked in collared shirt or turtleneck, slacks, or khakis. Shoe options may include: Dress shoes, suede or leather oxfords or slip-on loafers. White soles permitted.
For women (12 years and older):
Dresses, blouses, sweaters, skirts, slacks, or khakis. Shoe options may include: Dress shoes, suede or leather flats or slip-ons.
CCRA Trash Update: One Bin, A Lot Less Trash
Since January, CCRA’s Trash Committee has been working to address one of the most visible quality-of-life issues in Center City West: trash and litter on our sidewalks.
Our work has focused on understanding why litter accumulates and working with residents, property owners, property managers, the Department of Sanitation, SWEEP, and other partners to address the underlying causes.
One of the Problems: Recycling in Paper Bags
One important source of sidewalk litter is the way recycling is set out for collection. Philadelphia recycling should be placed loose in a sturdy recycling bin—not in paper bags. When recyclables are placed in paper bags, the bags can become wet, tear, or break apart during collection. Bottles, cans, and other recyclables can then end up scattered across sidewalks and streets.
This may seem like a small issue, but across hundreds of properties and multiple collection days, these individual bags can contribute significantly to the amount of loose material left on our sidewalks.
The solution is simple: put recycling directly into a proper recycling bin.
Please Read and Share
We encourage all CCRA members to read the recent Fitler Focus story, “One Bin, A Lot Less Trash,” which highlights this issue and the work being done in our community.
Please share the story with your neighbors, friends, property managers, landlords, renters, and local businesses.
Sharing this article helps raise awareness of the impact CCRA has in our community and the important work our volunteers are doing to improve quality of life in Center City West.
Thank you for helping spread the word about CCRA’s work and the difference we can make together.
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 PartnerOsteria Ama!
That Hot BYOB Osteria Ama is a Merchant Partner!
Perhaps you’ve heard the social media buzz aboutOsteria Ama, the fab BYOB at 1905 Chestnut, or maybe you’re hearing about it for the first time.
Either way, Osteria Ama is the real deal, and how lucky are we to have them nearby. Their artisanal kitchen serves up a succulent menu of scrumptious appetizers, pasta, meat and seafood dishes and yes, killer pizza, all in an ambience perfect for either a romantic date night or a big, big function. Did we mention that they are also caterers and experienced event planners?
But don’t take our word for it. See (and feast) for yourself.
And while you’re there, don’t forget to take advantage of the 10% CCRA Member discount on dining in!
Community News and Events
Music To Our Ears
Yannick leads Bernstein and Brahms from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27. “Fifty-five years after Leonard Bernstein’s MASS – a fierce theatrical cry for peace – premiered at the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and eleven years after Yannick led The Philadelphia Orchestra’s only performance and recording of the work, the Orchestra reveals the stunning musical heart of this transformative masterwork in a new orchestral arrangement.”
The performance in the Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center opens with Braham’s First Piano Concerto performed by Alexander Kantorow, the winner of the 2019 Tchaikovsky competition Gold Medalist and Grand Prix winner.
For more information and to purchase tickets go here.
Neighborly Music
Artists from the Curtis Institute of Music will perform chamber music works by Debussy, Chopin and Ravel and Schumann’s monumental Piano Quartet on Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 pm at Curtis’ Field Concert Hall.
As part of the Center City District’s Arts on Center Stage series, dancers from the School of Philadelphia Ballet and Philadelphia Ballet II will perform on Thursday, October 1, from 5:30-7 pm in front of City Hall. The program is free; seating is limited and guests are encouraged to bring their own blanket or chair.
Discover all the details and plan your visit here.
A Comical Night at the Theater
Performing live at the Miller Theater on Friday, October 2 at 7:30 pm is Comedian Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite, The Maria Bamford Show, etc.). Bamford explores personal and experimental comedy about mental illness and is the first female comedian to have two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials.
Show Your Support For Breast Cancer Awareness in October
Join Barnes and Noble for their in-store event (1708 Chestnut) discussing Beyond The Pink. From author and board certified oncologist Eleonora Teplinsky, M.D.,Beyond The Pink: Navigating Life, Health, and Breast Cancer, explores the daily challenges of breast cancer previvors, survivors, and thrivers.
This event is free and begins at 12 pm on Friday, October 2. Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot here.
Fall For The Rittenhouse Art Show
The always popular Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Craft Show will return to the Square on October 9-11. Featuring crafts by over 150 artisans, including works in ceramics, jewelry, wood, glass, fiber, digital art and photography, admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine. Hours are 10 am - 6 pm Friday and Saturday and 10 am - 5 pm on Sunday.
For more information and glimpses of the artists’ works go here.
Walk the Schuylkill River
Who doesn’t love a nice walk? How about a nice, long Schuylkill Banks Walk with stops included to explore a museum, a garden, and new pedestrian bridges?
On Saturday, October 10 enjoy a 15 mile walk from 30th Street Station to Prospect Park. The walking group stops at the Penn Museum for the Philly 250 exhibit about Native North America and a visit to Bartram’s Garden and John Heinz Wildlife Refuge for a look at nature in our city.
This walking event will begin by meeting at The Porch at 30th Street Station at 10:30 am and end at 5 pm in Prospect Park. Return back to Center City by train.
The event is free to all but get your ticket and reserve your spot here. Learn more about this event here.
Center City Underground Concourse Survey
The Center City District (CCD) is soliciting community input as it explores ways to reimagine the Center City Underground Concourse “as a more vibrant, welcoming and useful space for the thousands of people who use it everyday.” CCD have developed a short survey that you can access here to provide your feedback, including ideas for the future of the Concourse.
A New Spot to Add to Your Neighborhood List
Love discovering local restaurants? Add Carolyn’s Modern Vietnamese to your list. Located at 20th and Walnut, this welcoming spot brings together flavors and inspiration from Vietnamese heritage, Louisiana soul, French café culture, and beyond.
The idea is simple: a place that feels like home, "wherever home is for you." Sounds like a good excuse to grab a table and see what’s cooking.
The Fire Department Wants You To Know They Provide Free Smoke Alarms and Installation
Do you need a new smoke alarm? The Philadelphia Fire Department provides free smoke alarms and installation to Philadelphia residents. This is a helpful resource if you have an older alarm that needs replacing or you’re looking for a way to make your home safer without the added expense.
Scan the QR code on the flyer to request a free smoke alarm and installation, or call 311. Help spread the word to neighbors who could use this free service!
“Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America” is a Don’t-Miss at the Barnes
The art and design on exhibit at the Barnes Foundation’s “Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America” is extraordinary enough, but set as it is in the context of the World War II incarceration of Japanese and Japanese-Americans, this makes for one very powerful and highly nuanced exhibition.
From Isamu Noguchi’s iconic furniture to Ruth Asawa’s inventive wire sculptures, the work of the six artists on display here is most extraordinary. This is nothing less than a don’t-miss.
The exhibit runs from September 20 through January 10.
Want To Run? And Raise Money For The Fairmount Park Conservancy?
Philadelphia Marathon Weekend returns Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22. Join the Fairmount Park Conservancy charity team and help raise money for our parks. By joining the charity team, you’ll get the chance to run the half marathon or full marathon and the opportunity to raise money for keeping Fairmount Park safe, clean, and wonderful.
The application to join the team is open until Friday, October 16. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis so apply now. If accepted, you will have 48 hours to pay the registration fee ($50 for the half marathon and $100 for the full marathon) and complete your registration.
Please check out the link here for more information on fees, fundraising, and deadlines as they are crucial to joining the team and running the race.
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.
