What began as a small salvage business in 2016 has grown into a community cornerstone. George Mathes’ Thunderbird LLC now unites Kensington through vintage treasures and local events.
Marta Linero, a dancer with Colombia’s Son Las Américas, performs a traditional Barranquilla folk dance from Colombia’s Caribbean coast during Feria del Barrio at Taller Puertorriqueño on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Coming up this week, Richmond Library is being visited by some scaly friends, we found another Thanksgiving food giveaway and more events are underway. Check it out below.
Check out our Facebook and Instagram profiles to find anything that doesn’t make it in the newsletter this week.
Recent News
Photos of Kensington: Celebrating 41 Years of Feria del Barrio
Feria del Barrio returned to North 5th Street between Huntingdon and Lehigh avenues on Sept. 7, filling the block with salsa, bomba, and cumbia for its 41st year. The annual festival celebrated Latinx culture and community with live performances, local vendors, and family-friendly activities organized by Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM), Congreso de Latinos Unidos, HACE, Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas, and Taller Puertorriqueño.
The Small Business Storytelling Project is a collaborative initiative produced by Kensington Voice in partnership with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) and funded by LISC Philadelphia. The project aims to highlight and support local entrepreneurs and small businesses in Kensington through original reporting and photography.
Last week, we published a story about Thunderbird LLC, a company that embraces the Kensington community through its vintage thrift shop and by hosting local events. Check out this story and our other Small Business Spotlights here.
News Tips
Do you have a story idea or free activity we should share with our readers? Email editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Want to write an op-ed? Hit up that same email with your ideas!
Free Activities & Events
Nov. 17
Business taxes workshop hosted by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Revenue at Concilio (141 E. Hunting Park Ave.) at 9 a.m. Experts from both departments will give a presentation and answer questions about new changes to Business Taxes in the City. Visit this link to register and learn more.
One-on-one job assistance at Lillian Marrero Library (601 W. Lehigh Ave.) from 2 to 4:30 p.m. A Community Workforce Connector will offer folks individualized support with résumé development, career counseling, and more.
Nov. 18
“Snakes Alive” event at Richmond Library (2987 Almond St.) at 4 p.m. Snake expert Scott Prior will introduce his snakes to attendees, share interesting facts about snake behaviors and habitats, and more.
PA state housing action plan information session hosted by NKCDC at The Kensington Community Engagement Center (3000 Kensington Ave.) from 6 to 8 p.m. Orlando Almonte from the Office of Governor Shapiro will inform attendees about how the State is coordinating efforts to address housing across the Commonwealth. Followed by an interactive activity to envision how affordable housing can be funded by the Commonwealth.
Nov. 19
Hub4Health resource fair hosted by Esperanza Health Center at the CORE (3222 H St.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The fair takes place every third Wednesday. There will be free food, clothing, housing resources and more.
Nov. 20
Legal information session hosted by NKCDC and Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts at The Kensington Community Engagement Center (3000 Kensington Ave.) from 12 to 1 p.m. Legal experts from Community Legal Services Philadelphia will discuss the necessary legal papers one should have in their possession in case an unexpected event, such as illness, accident, or death, occurs. Following the discussion, the experts will also be on-site from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. to provide free legal support to income-eligible community members with issues such as criminal records, wage theft, employment discrimination, and more.
Nov. 22
Turkey giveaway at Boost Mobile (3847 Aramingo Ave.) from to to 4 p.m. Visit this link to reserve a spot.
Weekly Events
Mondays and Fridays
Mothers Helping Mothers Women of Power Group supported by Mural Arts and NKCDCmeets at the CORE at Esperanza Health Center (3222 H Street)) from 12:30-2:30 p.m. to heal from trauma related to gun violence and overdose. Email Brenda Mosley at byfaithenternal@gmail.com to learn more.
Tuesdays
Free yoga class hosted by Yoga 4 Philly at The CORE Fitness Center (3222 H. St.) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. No registration is required.
Wednesdays
Free writing group hosted by new board game cafe BUBS at 102 W. Berks St. from 6 to 8 p.m. The writing group is for individuals who require a space to write without distractions. Attendees set a goal, focus for 45 minutes, and then engage in peer-to-peer conversation about their writing.
Monthly Community Meetings
East Kensington Neighbors Association meets every third Monday in person at the Philadelphia Brewing Co. (2440 Frankford Ave.) at 7 p.m. Contact info@ekna.org for more information.
Harrowgate Civic Association meets every first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Heitzman Recreation Center at 3631 Amber St. Contact harrowgatecivicassociation@gmail.com for more information.
Kensington Independent Civic Association (KICA) meets every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Harrowgate PAL Center at 851 E. Tioga St.
Port Richmond Neighborhood Action (PRNA) meets every third Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Block Church, 2537 E. Monmouth St. For more information, email portrichmondna@gmail.com. *There are no monthly PRNA meetings in January, November or December
Somerset Neighbors For Better Living meets every first Monday of the month (except holidays, when it meets the following Monday) online via Zoom. Contact phillysnbl@gmail.com.
South Port Richmond Civic Association meets every second Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Veteran Boxers Association Ring at 2733 E. Clearfield Street. Click here for more information.
Jobs
Educators for Education is hiring Safe Path Monitors for schools across the city. The job offers pain training, holidays and weekends off, and requires applicants to be 21 years or older. Visit this link to apply and learn more.
Every Good Gift, a faith-based organization, has part-time jobs available for single mothers. Single moms with a child under age 2 may bring their baby to work with them. Paid positions involve sewing and assembling gift products, and training is provided on the job along with computer skills and a job preparedness curriculum. For more information call 215-429-3750
Services
City of Philadelphia has a list of free food sites across the city. The list includes sites that provide free food for households, students and older adults. No ID or proof of income is needed at the food sites. Visit this link to find a food site near you and learn more.
Khysir Carter is a multimedia journalist, writer, and editor from Kensington who covers community stories, builds local partnerships, and engages youth in finding their creative voice through writing and multimedia.
