Shop at the Co-op!
We've been following the progress of the Kensington Community Food Co-op and we are happy to report that you can now shop there, this Thursday and Saturday! If you have not signed up to become a member, you can do so through the website.
Thursday June 9th (2-6PM) Palmer Park Farmer's Market - Frankford Ave and Palmer St.
Saturday June 11th (10AM-2PM) Emerald Street Urban Farm - Emerald St and Dauphin St.
Stock up on: granola, canned tomatoes, almonds, raisins, beans, oats, curry, pasta, popcorn, quinoa, rice, and more!
Related:
Food Co-op Comes to Kensington
[image via KCFC]
It’s a Kensington Double Date: Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby and Trenton Ave Arts Fest
It seems like these two events have been going on forever, but it's only year six for what is possibly the most bizarre weekend event that Fishtown and Kensington has to offer. That said, we would not miss it. If you ever had any question that Philadelphians are a creative force to be reckoned with, this is 100 proof.
Related:
A Giant Caterpillar in Old City
Go for the Glory at the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby
Giving Back to the Community – Kensington South Neighborhood Association (KSNAC)
We are proud to announce that we have expanded our giving back to the community program to include the
Kensington South Neighborhood Neighborhood Association(KSNAC). What this means is that for every house we sell in Kensinston South (Old Kensington). whether we represent the buyer or seller, we personally donate a fixed percentage of our real estate commissions directly to the neighborhood association.
Buyers and sellers love the program because they know that their neighborhood receives an immediate benefit from the real estate sale.
Earlier in the year, we announced the initiative for Northern Libertiesin "Giving Back to the NLNA" and have received immense positive feedback from that. It only made sense to expand the program.
We had lunch with Erika Tapp who heads up the KSNAC and it is amazing how much this neighborhood organization has grown in such a short period of time. Being that it is one of our favorite areas for first-time homeowners to purchase and investors to do rehabs or build homes or seek out an investment property, we see this area as one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in all of Philadelphia !
We personally own several investment properties in Old Kensington so, yes, we are invested in the area. Definitely check out their website often and sign up for the email updates if you live in the neighborhood to keep up with all of the activities and updates.
It sounds like one of the ideas they are kicking around is changing the name of the neighborhood since "Kensington" covers such a vast area and in some circles, has a negative connotation. If you have read our blog, we recently did a "Kensington for Dummies" series that covers the confusion of all the "Kensington" areas. Thus, I would definitely support a name change for this thriving area.
To wrap up, after working like maniacs, we are thrilled to give back and are quite fortunate to be in a position to give back to the community. We hope that our leadership inspires other business folks to do the same. Most neighborhood associations desperately need it as they operate on a shoe-string budget. Or if it is not a donation, then look to give back in the form of service. Get involved. Show up and participate. Every neighborhood needs support !!
It is the individual neighborhoods that make Philadelphia the amazing City that it is !
A Veggie Garden and Mural for Kensington CAPA High School
Kensington Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) High School is working with Delaware Valley Green Building Council and Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to celebrate Earth Day this year at their new LEED Platinum school. To celebrate Earth Day and do their part in becoming environmental stewards they are planning an "Earth Day of Service" on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 8am-4pm.
What's better than getting our kids to eat more veggies? Having them involved in growing them.
Help Kensington CAPA and the DVGBC and Mural Arts Program make it happen. You can back the project via Kickstarter by pledging a $10 donation and you have 8 days left to do so. The project will only be funded if they can reach their goal of $3,500 by April 29. So why not help some local students design and create a vegetable garden to beautify their new LEED platinum school and the surrounding Kensington neighborhood?
Best of luck, guys! We hope to see the garden and mural soon.
Kensington for Dummies, Part II.
We're back to clear up your Confused-by-Kensington-itis. We discovered the ever-confouding West Kensington in Part I and now we're going to finish up with Kensingtons both Old and New.
Below West Kensington, you'll venture into Old Kensington, which borders Northern Liberties and is commonly referred to as Northern Liberties by those who are afflicted with Confused-by-Kensington-itis. We're all guilty of this at times -- Northern Liberties clicks with people who are new to the area and is closer to Center City. If we say "Old Kensington", sometimes it's harder to get people interested!
But Old Kensington is one of the coolest fringe neighborhoods in Philadelphia, and if you take a walk over there, you'll see why. Home to Crane Arts Center, some of the best taquerias in the city, and with more of an industrial vibe - it truly feels like it's on the brink of something big. The borders for Old Kensington are N. 6th to Front Street, and Girard Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue. It covers just about 2 miles and is almost a square.
View Old Kensington in a larger map
East Kensington (also referred to as "New") is what's left - East of Frankford Avenue to Memphis Street from Lehigh Avenue to York Street. It's a much smaller area and this is where the term Port Fishington comes up, because it's bordered so closely by Port Richmond and Fishtown. At 1.5 miles, East Kensington is tiny, another reason it often gets overlooked and misnomered to death. We could argue about it all night, but if you go east of Memphis, you're in Fishtown, and if you wander a little further north past Lehigh Avenue, you're on Port Richmond land.
View East Kensington in a larger map
And remember - You can always go ahead and ask your grandfather who grew up in Kensington. Whatever he says is probably true!
Now that you're in the know, pick a section of Kensington and go check it out for yourself! If you're looking for something cool to do, you can catch up on our Kensington posts for more ideas.
Related:
Kensington for Dummies, Part I.
Kensington for Dummies, Part I.
Are you afflicted with Confused-by-Kensington-itis? Do you find yourself asking "What is Kensington"? We hear this question from buyers, sellers, and Philadelphians from all over and we hear it OFTEN. Not many people can decide on the boundaries, exactly which part of Kensington they're visiting, or if they should just pretend it's Fishtown or Northern Liberties.
Even Kensingtonians themselves are not always sure where exactly they are.
Old Kensington, New Kensington, East Kensington, West Kensington, Kensington South, Port Fishington. There's so much Kensington out there that we decided it was time. Time for what? Kensington for Dummies.
Kensington is a section of Lower Northeast Philadelphia with the boundaries of Lehigh Avenue to the North, North 6th Street and Germantown Avenue to the West, York Street, Norris Street, and Frankford Avenue to the South and East (that sounds confusing but we'll break it down for you below). It's safe to refer to this entire area as Kensington if anyone asks. Remember to K.I.S.S. - Kensington is Simple, Stupid!
Kensington was a manufacturing center in the 18-and-early-1900's and was a hub for the textile industry.
Kensington can be broken up into 3 main areas: West Kensington, Old Kensington, and East or New Kensington.
Now let's start West and go from there:
West Kensington covers a significant chunk of land at 3.72 miles around. Think Lehigh Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue, and N. 6th and Germantown Avenue to Frankford Avenue. The West is generally residential these days, but you can still see the many factories of its early years, that have recently been converted to stylish lofts for local artists -- our favorite woodworking genius has set up shop there.
View West Kensington in a larger map
Ready to move on to the rest of Kensington? Let that sink in and check in with us tomorrow for Part II.
What’s New in New Kensington?
New. Sometimes there's nothing else like it, whether it's the smell of a new car or your first run in a new pair of sneakers. When you're buying a home, features like a new roof or new windows and an updated bath and kitchen really make the difference.
2074 E. Cumberland Street is your chance to start anew in New Kensington, a 3 Story 4 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath home offered below appraised value. In an exciting neighborhood where new ventures are appearing every day, we present to you a golden opportunity.
The New:
- New roof with downspouts & capping
- New Front Door w/ Self-Storing Storm Doors
- New Energy-Efficient Windows
- Recessed Lighting
- Ceiling Fans
- Hard-wired Smoke Detectors and In-Wall Adjustable Lighting
- Remodeled baths. Main bath has a restored and resurfaced ball foot tub and 4ft wide stall shower.
- All Electric w/ Brand New EnergyStar Hot Water Heater, Kitchen Appliances, and Hydronic Baseboard Heaters. Baseboard heaters save money & energy by heating only the rooms you need.
- New flooring throughout
The Extras:
- Extra room behind kitchen (option to create home office or breakfast room).
- Rear yard offers deck w/ optimum privacy & a lawn to bury your feet in.
- Extra closet space
- For buyers' peace of mind, this property includes a sellers-paid 1 yr AHS Home Warranty.
- Located blocks from Frankford El, steps from major bus routes, minutes from I-95.
Come see for yourself why you should try on something new in New Kensington. For more information, please contact the Somers Team.
Support Community Food and Dance with a Night Out at the Co-op
If you live or work in the Kensington or Old Kensington neighborhoods, come show your support for two local co-ops at this joint fundraiser: the Kensington Community Food Co-op and Mascher Space Dance Co-op.
Enjoy food, wine, and performances by local dance artists and musicians in the historical loft space.
Night out with the Co-op at Mascher Space Dance Studio
Thursday, November 11th, 7:00 - 9:30
Mascher Space Dance Co-op, 155 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Tickets are only $10 and space is limited, so buy your tickets in advance HERE.
Read more about the Kensington Community Food Co-op:
Hey Kensington, Get your Limited Edition Reusable Bag by Supporting Community Food
Ready for a Farmraiser Hoedown in Kensington?
Food Co-op Comes to Kensington
Hey Kensington, Get your Limited Edition Reusable Bag by Supporting Community Food
Now there is extra incentive to become a member of the KCFC (Kensington Community Food Co-op). If the Co-op reaches 100 members, it will qualify for new levels of grant support. So how badly do you want a co-op in Kensington? The next 30 members who join will receive a limited edition re-usable grocery bag screenprinted by high school students in Norris Square. The next 10 members who join will receive extremely limited edition hand-painted versions of the grocery bags. And before you know it, you'll get to use this very bag to shop at your neighborhood co-op. Sounds like the right idea to us!
To become a member, visit http://www.kcfoodcoop.com/membership. You can pay with credit card, PayPal, or check. Just fill out the membership application form, submit your payment and you are the newest member! Or bring a check or cash to one of the KCFC's tables. Saturdays at Greensgrow in October, or this Saturday at Girard Fest.
Related:
Food Co-op Comes to Kensington
Riverward Restaurant Week: Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhoods
Have you dined in the River Ward lately? The restaurants of Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond are teaming up for a week of special menus that define the flavors of these neighborhoods.
We all know that sometimes the only way to understand a region is to dine where they dine and to brush elbows at the table next to them. So whether it's the pierogies of Port Richmond or the sinus-clearing Pho soup at Thang Long Noodle in Kensington, you can learn something about the people who live there and maybe even find a true gem that you'll return for.
Between October 3rd and October 10th, the following restaurants will featured prix fixe menus or special samplings of their cuisine. Do not miss out.
Green Rock, 2546 E Lehigh Ave
Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave
New Wave Café, 2620 East Allegheny
O Reilly’s, 2672 Coral St
Starboard Side, 2500 E Norris St
Sketch Burger, 413 E Girard Ave
Thang Long Noodle, 2536 Kensington
Related:
Meet Port Richmond’s Pierogi Lady: Nicole Yates of Polish Goodness
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