Arts & Entertainment: Rock To The Future Providing More Than Music Education to Philly Youth
When Rock to the Future was started seven years ago, it had one clear goal in mind. The Kensington-based non-profit wanted to provide Philly youth an opportunity to learn instruments with after-school programs and summer camps, but the work has gone further than teaching children ins and outs of rock ‘n’ roll. “We saw the need in […]
Kensington: Getting Under The Skin Of Jake DelBene
Myke Chambers carefully selects the tattooers he wants working for him at his shop, Seven Swords Tattoo Company in Kensington. “Getting a tattoo is an experience people will remember for the rest of their lives,” Chambers said. “I feel it’s our job to not only give them a great tattoo, but also a professional and pleasant experience.” […]
Northwest Philadelphia: Jumpstart Germantown Looks to Revitalize the Community One Property at a Time
Jumpstart Germantown is a redevelopment program that was established in April, 2014 by Mount Airy real estate developer Ken Weinstein. The organization tackles the problems of blighted properties in the Northwest by training a new generation of developers how to invest in and revitalize real estate. “I liked taking junk, something like old buildings, and doing […]
Kensington: Artists’ Space Aims To Provide Unique And Challenging Programming To Community
Hidden within a corner of the historic Viking Mill in Kensington is an artists’ space that member Terrill Warrenburg said is named for “the post-World War II period in Germany, a time where artists were able to freely expressive themselves and creatively flourish.” “The original founders of Little Berlin wanted to tap into that ‘anything goes’ […]
Kensington: Musician Works to Help Band Earn Spot in Philadelphia Scene
In the madcap world of the Philadelphia music scene, Tom McHugh earned a spot in his band under the most unusual circumstances. “I actually auditioned via Craigslist,” the 22-year-old guitarist said. “The original guitarist, unbeknownst to me, ended up being my girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, which was pretty awkward when we all found that out.” McHugh has […]
Kensington: Skate Shop Owner Makes A Difference Through Community Work
Pete MacKay, 31, owns and operates Shallow End Skate Shop, located at 2557 Amber St. in East Kensington. The shop and the brand he co-owns, Gnarhammered Skateboards, have become fixtures in the Philadelphia skateboarding community in a short amount of time. Through tireless hard work, MacKay is using this “clubhouse that I made reality” to […]
Kensington: Boxing Holds on to Legacy Despite Influence of MMA
Boxing in today’s Philadelphia is not what it once was. On Dec. 10, 1968, Joe Frazier defended his world heavyweight title against Oscar Bonavena inside the city’s Spectrum. The 3-1 favorite, Frazier, won by unanimous decision after 15 rounds. With 10,000 spectators watching the fight, the excitement of boxing in Philadelphia was at an all-time […]
Kensington: Timoteo League Coaches Leading Players in Positive Direction
Timoteo continues to grow. The Timoteo Flag Football League began in 2005 when three churches decided to create an outlet where the youth of Philadelphia could learn leadership skills. The three churches, Bethel Temple, Light House and Urban Hope recruited 12 men to coach six different teams. The board chose the name Timoteo because the name […]
Kensington: Handball Brings Hope
All year round and no matter the weather, Kensington echoes with the unmistakable “plop” sound of a rubber ball bouncing off concrete. Handball is being played, and the 100 block of West Berks Street is where Towey Playground is found. Here stands one of the many handball courts in North Philadelphia, a hallmark of the community where […]
Kensington: Quieting the Madness at McPherson
Walking into the McPherson Square Branch library, adult and teen librarian Chera Kowalski sees many things. The outside of the library, where the use of drugs is a daily occurrence, and the inside, where the people of Kensington are capitalizing on the resources of the library. Kowalski, 32, facilitates many of these resources as she and […]