Community Event

Mon., Mar. 16 at 7 p.m.

what

Inside Our City’s Jewel: Balboa Park

where

Kensington Community Church

details

Join us to hear from Katy McDonald, President and CEO of Forever Balboa Park. Katy oversees Forever Balboa Park, the conservancy which manages restoration projects, maintains the urban forest and gardens, as well as organizing volunteer programs. Join us to find out more about the inner workings of our city’s jewel.

Katy brings more than 30 years of expertise in nonprofit leadership to her role as president and CEO of Forever Balboa Park. She has worked with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

R.S.V.P. by calling or texting (619) 252-5267 or (619) 876-1878

Community Event

Sat., Feb. 7, 2026 at 9 a.m.–noon

what

Ward Canyon Beautification

where

3905 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

details

Learn More

Community Event

Monday, January 19, 2026 at 7 p.m.

what

What’s Up Kensington/Talmadge 2026

where

Kensington Community Church

details

Hear what’s going on in our vibrant community. Updates from Ken-Tal Planning, KNH Library, Franklin School, Neighborhood Watch, SD Police Liaison Officer, Adams Avenue Business Association, Kensington Fire Safe, Kensington Talmadge Business Association, Neighbors for a Better San Diego and Historic Kensington.

Call or text (619) 252-5267 or (619) 876-1878 with your full name and number of reservations.

Community Event

Friday, November 28, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.

what

Holiday Tree Lighting 2025

where

Kensington Park

details

Once again, the Kensington Talmadge Community Association invites you to join us for the annual tree lighting in Kensington Park. The tree will be lit at approximately 5 p.m. on Friday, November 28. Complimentary refreshments will be provided to launch the holiday season at 4:30 P.M. We will serve hot chocolate compliments of Ponce’s, and cookies compliments of Kensington Cafe.

Bring the family and enjoy a festive community celebration! After the lighting, walk over to the Autism Center to see David Urban’s alpine village display in the window.

Community Event

Monday, October 20, 2025 at 7 p.m.

what

The Playwrights Project

where

Kensington Community Church, Lander Hall

details

Join us to learn about Playwrights Project, a local nonprofit that teaches playwriting in schools, community centers, jails and prisons to inspire individual growth and community connection. Executive Director Cecelia Kouma and an alumni of the program will share writing from a variety of settings and invite conversation about creating safe spaces for sharing creativity and insights.

Text or call (619) 876-1878 or (619) 252-5267 to RSVP.

Community Event

Tuesday, August 5 at 5–7 p.m.

what

National Night Out

where

Kensington Library Park

details

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Bring your family and friends for a night of free ice cream provided by the Kensington Talmadge Community Association and live music by Stan Sewitch and the Blue Hooz Band. The Kensington Normal Heights Library will be there as well as SDPD Officer Josh Cummings, KSAC Litter Pickers and Kensington Fire Safe and more! Meet your neighbors for a night in the park!

Community Event

Friday, July 4, 2025 at 11 a.m.

what

Fourth of July Parade

where

Talmadge Traffic Circle (4900 Adams Ave)

details

Join your neighbors at the Talmadge Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4th at 11:00 a.m. at the Talmadge Traffic Circle (4900 Adams Ave).

This annual summertime celebration brings the Talmadge community together to commemorate our nation’s independence with festive family-friendly fun! It all begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Talmadge Traffic Circle where there will be a brief ceremony followed by a mile-long walking parade with scores of neighbors showing up with their scooters, strollers, skates, pets, and lots of red, white and blue!! This event is hosted by the Kensington Talmadge Business Association and participating businesses will be hosting tables with freebies and giveaway.

Participating Local Businesses & Their Giveaways:

• Megan Beauvais: Popsicles & Small Flags
• Dynasty Dance: Free Dance Classes
• Vitae Medicine: Discount Coupons & Snacks
• Edward Jones: Pompoms and Temporary Tattoos
• Castro Group Real Estate: Candy
• Kensington Tech Coach: Cracker Jacks
• Gem Coffee SD: Watermelon & Ice Tea
• Sonia Hyncik – CRUISE PLANNERS: Candy, Stickers, Keychains, Coloring Books & Crayons
• Susan Tutors: Jewel color ballpoint pens and discount coupons for tutoring

Find more details including the parade route at https://kentalbiz.org/event/talmadge-fourth-of-july-parade-2025/

Community Event

Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7 p.m.

what

A Feast of Words with Richard Lederer

where

Kensington Community Church, Lander Hall

details

Best-selling language author and U-T language columnist Richard Lederer will serve up a veritable banquet of words, from a brief history of English to rib-tickling bloopers and puns.

He is a founding co-host of “A Way with Words,” broadcast on KPBS. Dr. Lederer is the author of 65 books about language, history and humor.

Be prepared to laugh and learn!

R.S.V.P. by phone or text (619) 876-1878

Community Event

Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

what

4th Annual Earth Day

where

Kensington-Normal Heights Library Park

details

Thanks to all for another wonderful Earth Day Community Celebration! On April 12th, nearly 400 community members enjoyed a fun day celebrating our planet and learning how to “Help our Changing Climate.” 

Special thanks to our amazing Exhibitors, Partners, Sponsors and Volunteers! KTCA looks forward to seeing you all again next year for our 5th anniversary Earth Day event. 

Enjoy this highlight video:

Celebrate Earth Day with your Neighbors!

Join our 4th annual Kensington-Talmadge Earth Day on Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. (with library story time at 10:30 a.m.) at the Kensington-Normal Heights Library park.

Exhibitors will share hands-on activities and information on “Helping our Changing Climate” including creating fire safe communities, nurturing native plants and bees, growing healthy food, minimizing plastic waste and more.

Enjoy free ice-cream, enter the raffle for free trees, and pick up our first-edition Earth Day tote bag.

Featured performances by Ballet Folklorico Raíces from Rosa Parks Elementary School and Israel Maldonado, Acoustic Guitar.

Special Thanks to our Ken-Tal Earth Day Sponsors and In-Kind Donors:

• Tristani Real Estate
• Adams Avenue Business Association
• Kensington Talmadge Business Association
• Gary and Zoraida Payne
• TransPak
• City Farmers
• Native West Nursery
• Tree San Diego
• GEM Coffee
• Pappalecco
• Ponce’s
• Stehly Farms
• Hoover High School Upward Bound Volunteers
• Kensington-Normal Heights Library

Exhibitors include:

• KTCA Earth Day: Tree Raffle, Tote Bags, and Event Information
• KTCA: Ice Cream
• Kensington Fire Safe
• SDG&E: Wildfire Safety and Emergency Preparedness
• Ocean Connectors & Earthwell: Plastic Waste Impact on the Environment
• Kumeyaay Nation (Tipey Joa Native Warriors): Kumeyaay Culture featuring Native Plants
• Historic Kensington Park Trees
• Master Gardener: Ask a Master Gardener
• Foodshed Coop: Fighting Climate with your Fork
• San Diego Bee City USA: Native Bee Pollinators
• Art FORM: Buzzing and Bee Art
• Art FORM: Sustainable House Models created with Franklin’s 5th Grade Students & Friends of Franklin Foundation

Visit Kensington Talmadge Business Association members offering Earth Day Specials:

• Earthwell Refill: Visit their Earth Day booth to enter the raffle for a beautiful stained glass Kensington sign. Two additional in-store entries are available with a $5 purchase. Winner will be announced 4/13.
• GEM Coffee: Pick up a voucher at the Earth Day Info Booth for a Buy 1, Get 1 free drip coffee.
• Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant: Support Art FORM by ordering a La Tierra cocktail to-go in a reusable mason jar and get $2 off their new Ensalada Fresca!

Download the flyer here.

Community Dinner

Monday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP by Wednesday, March 5

speaker

ShotGun Tom Kelly

where

Kensington Community Church

dinner

Cupid's Catering