CCRA Newsletter

Weekly E-Newsletter

Our Sponsor:        William Penn House    Robin Apartments

News and Updates

Fun times at the CCRA Meet N Greet Last night, a good crowd of over 50 members went to the new Alimentari restaurant, above Di Bruno Bros., at 18th Chestnut. For 2 hours, our members and guests enjoyed good food, drinks, and each other's company. A few our Board members introduced themselves and got to know our neighbors and new members.  Big thanks to Di Bruno Bros. and their staff for offering us the space and delicious food. And a HUGE thank you to all who attended and showed support for CCRA. Be on the lookout for the next Meet N Greet.

Get Your Tickets to the 61st Annual House and Garden Tour for Sunday, April 26, 1-5pm Photo courtesy of Ben Zuckerman There's no lovelier time in Center City Philadelphia than spring - and no better way to experience Center City's charm than our annual Center City Residents' Association (CCRA) House and Garden Tour offering tour-goers the opportunity to step inside the private homes and gardens of some of the city's most stunning properties. Now in our 61st year, the Home and Garden Tour will include a mix of condos and townhomes, a museum, and several elegant gardens including a rooftop garden above a busy shopping district and a fairytale-like secret garden tucked away on a quiet side-street just a block from Rittenhouse Square. Tickets are available now.  For group sales, call Travis Oliver, Operations Manager at 215-546-6719 .   As always plan your day to end with dinner at one of the participating restaurants offering 10% off the bill for all attendees. For information on sponsorship, click here.  If you would like to volunteer for the Tour, click here to sign up.  Every volunteer will receive a complimentary ticket.  See you there!

CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting Tuesday, February 25, 7pm BEX, 1 Commerce Sq, 2005 Market St. To see what properties are on the agenda, click or tap here.

Last Chance to Join/Renew with CCRA in order to Qualify for Di Bruno Bros. Discount   There are many reasons why you should join CCRA, but a good reason is to get a discount at Di Bruno Bros. Di Bruno has graciously continued its membership discount program with CCRA. Di Bruno Bros offers a 10% discount to be used at the Rittenhouse Square location on 1730 Chestnut St.  If you renew your membership by the end of February, you will be on the list to receive their discount.   In addition, the Di Bruno Bros. discount can be used at their new restaurant, Alimentari, on the 2nd floor.   Now is a great time to renew your membership to receive this and others benefits offered by CCRA with your membership. To join or renew your membership, visit our website.

The Center City Foodie - Leo Levinson   Condesa 1830 Ludlow Street   Hidden away behind the tall buildings of Market Street is one of Philadelphia's more interesting new restaurants, but you have to find it first. Even when you think you're close, at Ludlow Street and 19th, you'll feel unsure because the entrance is actually down Ludlow behind Ye Old Cleaners or walking west, past a few "spas", and we're not talking the Canyon Ranch kind. But once on Ludlow Street, you'll notice Condesa's distinctive architecture, looking more like a retro California 50's lounge, than a cantina. It is fitting that Condesa's remarkably nuanced gourmet Mexican food is served in this comfortably contemporary setting devoid of cliched stucco finishes and Day of the Dead memorabilia.  To read the full review, click here. Leo Levinson GroupLevinson 255 S. 17th St., Suite 2809 Philadelphia, PA  19103 Phone:       215-545-4600 Fax:           215-545-1400 Email:        Leo@GroupLevinson.com Website:     www.GroupLevinson.com           Blog:  www.admusings.com

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Would you like to be a member of CCRA?  It's easy to join.  Visit here to sign up.

Community Events

Curtis Institute of Music Orientation Session Curtis Institute of Music is looking for volunteers to be tour guides, greeters, hosts, and other tasks. If you would like to volunteer, please attend the Curtis Institute of Music Volunteer Orientation Session on Tuesday, March 3 at 4:00 pm, at Curtis Institute of Music, 1616 Locust Street, Locks Boardroom, first floor. This is the first ever Curtis Institute volunteer orientation advertised to the community.  If interested, please register at: https://info.curtis.edu/volunteer

Spring Recital at the Academy of Vocal Arts Forgotten Opera Excerpts by Jules Massenet (1842-1912) March 3 and March 5, 2020, 7:30 PM Pianist and Music Director: Audrey Saint-Gil  Resident Artists performing: Aubry Ballarò, soprano Claire de Monteil, soprano Yihan Duan, soprano Emily Margevich, soprano Renée Richardson, soprano Alice Chung, mezzo-soprano Chelsea Laggan, mezzo-soprano Anne Marie Stanley, mezzo-soprano Oliver Sewell, tenor Eric Delagrange, bass Both performances are held in AVA's Helen Corning Warden Theater at 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale through the  AVA website or by calling 215-735-1685

_Meeting at the Beach_ oil on canvas_ 20 x 24 in._ by Philip Cohn 97 Year Old Area Artist Shows Paintings and Etchings at the Twenty-Two Gallery  Philip Cohn, studied at both PAFA and The Barnes Foundation in the late 1940's.  His life in Philadelphia, coupled with his international studies, have given him a worldly foundation for his subjects.  He is master at portraying the human condition. Since 1948, Philip Cohn has had many solo and group exhibitions through the years.  His work has been exhibited in many local art establishments including the Woodmere Art Museum, The Hahn Gallery, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Widener University Art Museum, Chestnut Hill Gallery and PAFA.  He is widely collected both publicly and privately.  Mr. Cohn will join Twenty-Two Gallery, 236 S. 22nd St., for an opening reception on Friday, March 13th, from 6 to 9 pm.  All works will be on display and for sale through April 5th, 2020.

Saturday Kids Art Class at Markward Beat cabin fever and get out of the house with our new Saturday kids art classes at the rec center. 9:30 - 10:45am kids ages pre-school through 1st grade. Buy a season pass or 5 pack class drop in. Register here.

For more information about neighborhood events, check out CCRA's Community Events Calendar

Useful Links  Business Member Directory Community Calendar Crime Reports from 9th District Crime Reports from 17th District Zoning Reports

CCRA Merchant Member Discount Program Support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount (described here) to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification. Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311) Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215.546.7889) Alimentari Restaurant at Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor  Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their concerts. Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, (uses separate card, see info here) Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098) East West Acupuncture, 419 S. 19th St (415-758-1057) Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937) Home Helpers Philly, 1835 S. Broad St., Ste 2 (215-334-2600) Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479) Jason Matthew Salon, 1735 Chestnut St, 2nd Fl (215-665-8030) Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769) Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554) NextMove Dance - Get $10 off  Dance Performances with your CCRA Membership.  Members use  promo code SAVE10. Philly Foodworks - Use the code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on delivery charges. Photo Lounge 1909 Chestnut Street (267-322-6651) Twenty-Two Gallery, 236 S. 22nd St, (215-772-1911) Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St. (215-840-3577) Rim's Dry Cleaners & Tailors,2203 South St. (215-546-1889)

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