What makes a Very Kensington Christmas? Original art and wares from local vendors available at the neighborhood’s beloved urban farmer’s market, Greensgrow Farms.
Our very talented friend and client Rebecca Jacoby will be selling brand new drawings and assorted older work on paper.
For a full list of participating vendors, visit Inliquid.
Everything at the event will be priced under $199. Shown: Seussland 2, Ink & Marker on Paper, 14″ x 11″, $110
These days, there’s no need to travel that far to find a local farm. In fact, you don’t even need your car and you’ll be a block away from the Market-Frankford Line’s Dauphin train station. Kensington’s Emerald Street Urban Farm is throwing its 2nd Annual Farmraiser and Neighborhood Cookout on Saturday, September 18 from 2 pm to 9 pm. The event is sponsored by the East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA). All proceeds benefit the farm’s goal to supply the neighborhood with fresh vegetables.
Now, unlike a traditional farmraiser, this event will have pizza from the farm’s new cob oven and a full lineup of Philly bands:
Via Motive
TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb
Sour Mash
Ross Bellenoit
Toy Soldiers
Put on your favorite pair of boots, some trusty denim and flannel, and come see how Kensington raises the farm roof.
When you’re out and about this First Friday, take a break from art for a minute and turn your attention to food. The Kensington Community Food Co-op will be launching their membership campaign with a party at 2205 Frankford Avenue from 6 – 10pm. Take in 4 local bands and plenty of local beer all for the cause of local food. The KCFC will be discussing their project and membership opportunities. There is a $5 suggested donation. From the KCFC:
“Wouldn’t it be great to be just minutes from your favorite grocery store? Wouldn’t it be great to completely trust that your store has your best interests in mind? Wouldn’t it be great to have regular access to local fresh and organic foods at an affordable fair price? It will be great! A handful of your neighbors, people not much different than you, came together in 2008 with the mission to open a member-owned cooperative grocery store in the Kensington area.”
The Co-op is finally coming to fruition. See for yourself this Friday and lend your support, Kensington.
“Give the people what they want” is a phrase quoted by the Kinks back in the day, but these are words that ring true for the rental market in Philadelphia. At least for the rental market for homes, apartments, and condos located in the zip codes 19123, 19122, and 19125.
We’ve been studying the demands of renters in our Philadelphia Real Estate Market and the message that these consumers are conveying to us is clear as day. Renters looking to live in the Northern Liberties, Fishtown, and Old Kensington neighborhoods are looking for the same things buyers are looking for and they are not taking NO for an answer.
Here is the winning recipe for an A+ rental property in the districts we are discussing.
- High functioning Kitchen and Baths with a fully outfitted appliance package because these renters work hard, play hard, like to cook, entertain, and they demand a touch of luxury.
- 2-4 bedroom accommodations because Renters have roommates to share living space and cut living expenses.
- More than 1 bath is a huge plus and renters are willing to pay more for that feature. Both female and male renters require more out of their bathrooms such as storage for toiletries and lots of space if they need to share the bath with a roommate in a multiple gender household.
- Near public transportation is a big benefit. Therefore, if you are an investor, consider buying property close to the El stops, bus stops that run into Center City or to the Universities. Public transportation within a few blocks of your subject property is important.
-A clean, secure, no maintenance yard is a real plus for those with pets and for trash storage.
Renters want all of this for from $900 to under $2,000 per month depending on location and space.
If you are an investor or home owner thinking about renting your property in Northern Liberties, Fishtown or Old Kensington, it is important to Plan Ahead.If you can provide even a few of the things listed above, you will have less vacancies, increase the quality of tenant, get more money from your rental, and your property will rent faster.
The days of slapping paint on the wall and hanging a sign in your window are over. If you need assistance renting your property please contact us. We list rental properties.
This week, if you’re wandering around Fishtown, you may notice a few changes taking place. That’s because Frankford Avenue is currently undergoing some streetscape improvements. The major street, known as the Frankford Arts Corridor, will still be open to traffic, but some parking lanes will be closed. From Palmer Street to York Street, $3 million of city and federal funds will be spent to improve the lively arts mecca. New trees will be planted and sidewalks and lighting will be repaired to make your leisurely strolls a bit safer. We’re quite familiar with the one-of-a-kind bike racks that Frankford Avenue is known for, but they’ll be adding even more to encourage the many bike riders that populate the Avenue.
One notable change to the area that will bring some attention to the Berks El Station and Frankford Avenue in general, is the completion of New Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School, which Brownstoner Philly has reported will open this fall. What this means for local teenagers is that they’ll have another high school to choose from that focuses on creative development. Many Fishtown teens currently travel throughout the city to their secondary schools – now there’s an option that will mean less time en route to their academic destinations. The school building will also meet LEED standards, which we could all learn from.
The shad fish is a rich part of Fishtown history. ShadFest is more of a neighborhood celebration and environmental forum. One day, we know that Fishtown will be long remembered for its burgeoning folk and indie scene, and so, the April 24th festival will not be without fine, fine music. Sponsored by WXPN, the 2010 lineup is absolutely rockin’. The following bands and entertainers have signed on to play and our first to-do is to bop your head to at least one of them.
There will be plenty of shadfish on the grill from Johnny Brendas and veggie-friendly fare from Cosmic Catering. Grab something hot and something cold, find your spot on the grass, and remember how great life in Fishtown is.
Educational kiosks, craft vendors, and a moon bounce will be on site for fact-finding, treasure-hunting, and play. You should visit at least 3 of these before you even think about taking the kids to the moon bounce:
Historian Ken Milano will be giving tours of the park with a solid dose of history. Follow him around so that you can impress your friends with your deep arsenal of local facts. Or even to bone up for a scavenger hunt later?
Work in some extra interactive fun and join the Kenzinger Challenge Run or the Cell Phone Scavenger Hunt. The 3.1 mile scavenger run will loop through Fishtown and Kensington bars, where runners will gather souvenirs and fill out a questionnaire. The scavenger hunt is less drinking, more texting and also sends you to Fishtown and Kensington locations. You can register for the run at the ShadFest site. You can sign up for the scavenger hunt at the NKCDC site.
And why not ride your bike there? There will be valet bike parking from Neighborhood Bike Works all day.
The bright text on the flier immediately draws the eyes. It says Help Wanted, but it’s not a job ad.
It’s a scavenger hunt. It’s a community adventure. It’s a chance to really connect with your neighbors.
As part of this year’s Fishtown Shadfest (which we had an excellent time at last year), the NKCDC is organizing a neighborhood scavenger hunt that explores the work history of Fishtown, Kensington, and the waterfront. They’re calling it Help Wanted, and they want you to try to complete it. You can register now by contacting helpedwantedhunt@nkcdc.org. They will choose teams and where your team starts based on an assigned occupation. It sounds mysterious and random, right? It also sounds like a serious amount of fun.
The challenge involves a cell phone, which will be used to text clues and riddles to teams. Your team will then be sent off into historical Kensington and Fishtown, searching for the answers. You’ll eventually be led to a final location, where prizes will be awarded to winners. The two-hour quest is entirely free. Anyone can participate and families can sign up as teams, with a limit of 15 participants per team. We wish you luck and hope you know your neighborhood quite well. You’ll need to.
NKCDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the East Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Their mission is to strengthen the physical, social, and economic fabric of the community by being a catalyst for sustainable development and community building.
This is a great site and community that gives you updates and keeps you in the loop about whats going on in your neighborhood. Check it out!