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Kensington news brief: Heitzman Rec, library events & the Philly mayor’s race

Need a roundup of the local news impacting Kensington? 

Kensington Voice is publishing weekly news updates to increase community information. There will be a monthly roundup in our print newspaper, too.

Here’s this week’s roundup below.

HEITZMAN REC: After over a year, Heitzman Recreation Center reopened last Tuesday following the City’s Rebuild project. The rec center has a new HVAC system, multi-sport mini pitch, outdoor adult fitness area, playground, and ADA-accessible restrooms. The renovations included the gym and multi-purposes rooms.

MAYOR’S RACE: Former District 7 Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez dropped out of the mayor’s race on Sunday due to campaign financing, reported The Inquirer. Quiñones-Sánchez released a proposal, “Agenda Latina,” asking the remaining candidates to address the needs of the city’s Latine community. For more information about the announcement and candidates, visit Billy Penn

FREE ACTIVITY: This Thursday at 4:30 p.m., Claymobile is doing a pop-up ceramics studio at Lillian Marrero Library. Space for this program is limited and registration is required. For more information, call 215-685-9794 or email HoskinsonK@Freelibrary.org

TEEN SUMMER JOBS: McPherson Square Library’s “Teen Summer Job Fair” will be at the park this Thursday, 2:30-5:30 p.m. There will also be free food and music. Click here to read our preview of the event.

FREE ACTIVITY: McPherson Square Library will host a “Chicken Storytime” by the playground this Friday at 2 p.m. in partnership with Hart Lane Farm’s Jessica Shoffner. 

FREE ACTIVITY: The Kensington Library is hosting an “Afro-Poetry Workshop with Blew Kind” this Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. As part of National Poetry Month, the library welcomes poets of all ages to learn about a poet of the diaspora, new techniques, and more. 

KENSINGTON VOICE: Student participants from the Youth Volunteer Corps of Philadelphia and We Love Philly address plastic pollution by reusing the material. YVCP students make products out of recycled plastic at their workshop in the Kensington shipping container designed by We Love Philly. Click here to read the full story. 

FILING TAXES: The federal and state tax deadline is next Tuesday, April 18. Several neighborhood organizations like Ceiba and Congreso offer free tax preparation services to low-income filers. To apply for an extension to file your tax return, click here

FREE DISTRIBUTION: The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank’s Monthly Distribution Day is next Wednesday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MaKen North Building (3525 I St.) along Venango Street. They will distribute diapers, wipes, period products, and adult incontinence products on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment or registration is required. For more information, call 215-919-8500.

KENSINGTON VOICE: We are excited to launch our second art contest, “My vision for Kensington.” This contest is an opportunity for residents to share their neighborhood vision with City Hall. A $375 top prize will be awarded to each category. Enter by May 5. For more information, click here

KENSINGTON VOICE: The 2023 primary election is on May 16. We’ve published three election resources: how to register to vote, how to apply for a mail-in ballot, and 5 things you need to know about the Philly primary election

Please send any news or press releases to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.


Editors: Siani Colón Designer: Zari Tarazona