Need a roundup of the local news impacting Kensington?
Kensington Voice publishes weekly news updates to increase community information. There’s a monthly roundup in our print newspaper, too.
Here’s this week’s roundup below.
FREE ACTIVITIES: To browse upcoming programs at Kensington, McPherson Square, and Lillian Marrero libraries, visit freelibrary.org/calendar.
RIBBON CUTTING: Join Prevention Point Philadelphia and Mural Arts for the dedication of The Love Lot, an adjacent vacant space that has been transformed to provide art projects, overdose reversal training, and clothing distribution. The ribbon cutting will take place Tuesday, July 25 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 2910 Ruth Street. Click here to learn more about the Love Lot’s original location during the pandemic.
KV NEWSROOM: Impact Services celebrated the completion of an affordable housing project in a former carpet mill building near A St & Indiana Avenue with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Read more about the redevelopment here.
FILM SCREENING: Check out a film spotlighting the Kensington Storefront, an art studio and community space formerly by Somerset Station. The free screening will include live performances from Ursula Rucker and Miles Orion. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Prevention Point’s Love Lot.
FILM SCREENING: Join Friends of Hagert Playground for a night of family fun on Wednesday, July 26 at 2040 E. Hagert St. A story drumming and art session will take place at 7 p.m. followed by a screening of Disney’s Encanto at 8:15 p.m.
KV NEWSROOM: City Council’s Public Safety Committee hosted a meeting to hear testimony from several city leaders about Kensington’s open-air drug markets. Here is a recap of the meeting.
WOMEN’S WORKSHOPS: El Centro Integral de la Mujer Madre Tierra, Morivivi, Greenline Access Capital and Kensington Corridor Trust are collaborating for a day of workshops on topics such as financial literacy, community organizing, health, violence and more. The series will take place on Thursday, July 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register here.
FILM SCREENING: View films created by participants of the Delphi Summer Teen Media program on Thursday, July 27 at Taller Puertorriqueño. The free event will take place at 2600 N. 5th Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the screening begins at 6 p.m.
WELLNESS CLASS: Philly Counts will be hosting classes on hypertension and diabetes prevention and management. The free classes will take place on July 27 and July 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Episcopal Hospital on 100 E. Lehigh Ave. Register here.
PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS: Immortal Vision Studio is teaching a free photography class for youth on Saturday, July 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children must arrive with a guardian at 426 E. Allegheny Ave., Suite B. Register here.
COOKING CLASS: Avenues of Change will be teaching young chefs how to cook at a workshop on Saturday, July 29. The class will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at 1998 E. Sergeant St.
KV LAB: Miss Awilda’s Media Learning Lab is a safe, supportive space where people of all ages can access free computers, internet, creative software, and learning support. The lab is inside Kensington Voice’s office space at 3237 Amber Street, 3rd floor. It is open Monday through Friday from 10:30-2:30 p.m. Get a free membership by filling out this registration form. Questions? Email daisie@kensingtonvoice.com.
KV YOUTH PROGRAM: The Youth Voices Program is for youth grades 6-12, located at Kensington Voice’s space at 3237 Amber Street, 3rd floor. The program provides activities based on creative writing, poetry, visual storytelling, and more. The free summer program is Monday to Thursday, 1-5 p.m. To register, fill out this form. Questions? Email khy@kensingtonvoice.com.
KV NEWSROOM: Kensington Voice’s July issue is currently available. Pick up a newspaper at these locations before the August issue is released.
PLAY CAPTAINS: Teen Play Captains will be leading a summer of fun at two Kensington parks with activities such as games and relay races from July 17 to August 17. Sessions at McPherson Square Park will take place on Monday through Thursday between 11 a.m. to noon and 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Sessions at Hissey Playground will take place Monday through Thursday between 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CLAY, PLAY, READ: The Clay Studio will be leading art and literacy activities at Esperanza Health Center every Tuesday from July 18 to August 8 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free books and art kits will be provided. If interested, contact Anna at 215-302-3150 x297. Register here.
PLAY PARKS: Harrowgate Park’s Play Parks series has special activities throughout the workweek this summer. Soccer takes place Mondays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bucket drumming takes place Tuesdays from 2p.m. to 3 p.m. Playmobile and water activities take place on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A DJ and ice cream truck are available on Fridays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
COMMUNITY WEEKEND: CJ Wolfe Foundation and Immortal Vision Studio is hosting a community event on August 19 that will include a school supply giveaway, a food drive, sports tournaments, and more. Click here to volunteer, here to partner, and here to register for a specific program.
COMMUNITY CURATOR: Mural Arts’ Kensington Storefront is searching for community input on potential programs to be facilitated by the organization this fall. Three to five community curators will be selected and compensated to implement their program idea. Learn more and apply here by August 11.
VOTER REGISTRATION: You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at the Voter Registration Office at 520 N Columbus Blvd., 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19123. You can also call the office at 215-686-1590 to request voter registration applications by mail.
Please send any news or press releases to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Editors: Khysir Carter / Designer: Siani Colón
