• Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
  When – Sun, September 5, 12pm – 5pm

  Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Celtic Music of the Civil War Andy Redmond – 79th New York ‘Cameron Highlanders’
• Friends of Overington Park
  When – Tue, September 7, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – CORA Neuman Center at 1000 Orthodox Street (map)

  Description – Come out and discuss our park and what we an do to make it a safe and pleasant place for everyone.
• Frankford Business and Professional Association Meeting
  When – Wed, September 8, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

  Where – Aria Health 2nd Floor Conference Room – (4900 Frankford Avenue) (map)

  Description – The Frankford Business and Professional Association will be holding a general membership meeting Wednesday, September 8 at 12:00pm at Frankford Hospital conference rooms 1 & 2 (4900 Frankford Avenue). At this meeting the Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Streets will be there to speak about Frankford and our efforts to become a Litter Free Zone. We will also be discussing many of the exciting upcoming events we have planned. Lunch will be provided so please RSVP as soon as possible. Theresa Hanas, FBPA Secretary
• Frankford Community Garden Maintenance Meetup
  When – Thu, September 9, 6pm – 8pm

  Where – Corner of Oxford Ave. and Foulkrod St. (map)

  Description – Gather together with your friends and neighbors to maintain and improve this garden spot in Frankford.
• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When – Thu, September 9, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – 2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
• Historical Society of Frankford program
  When – Tue, September 14, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

  Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – FRANKFORD CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL In preparation for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War (2011-2015) research has begun on the CW veterans interred in Frankford’s Cedar Hill Cemetery. Learn of the all-volunteer effort to install individual gravestones involving the Sons of Union Veterans, CW re-enactors, Masons, SW Roundtable members, and others – and how you can be a part of this effort to preserve the history of Frankford and the nation.
• Sidewalk art contest for kids and pet event
  When – Sat, September 18, 10am – 1pm

  Where – Overington Park, Leiper and Orthodox Streets (map)

  Description – We will be holding a sidewalk art contest for kids. If adults would like to show off their skills with chalk they are welcome to come. There will be prizes for the kids and refreshments for all! Thanks for your support. Also, A veterinarian and a team of volunteers will offer low-cost vaccinations and microchips to pet owners (both dogs and cats). They will also give out info about spay/neuter, pet care, leash laws, etc. They will give out vouchers for $40 spay/neuter and vaccinations for pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Also, they have leashes and collars they will give people.
• Northwood Civic Association Meeting
  When – Tue, September 21, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
• Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
  When – Thu, September 23, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

  Where – Edmunds School, 1197 Haworth St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – The ultimate goal is to create a process that enhances the community’s ability to solve issues surrounding truancy, domestic violence, child safety and substance abuse.
• Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’
  When – Sun, September 26, 12pm – 4pm

  Where – Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library, 4278 Griscom St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’ General Meade’s Famed Warhorse Returns Home to Post #1 Ceremony at 1:30pm Refreshments & Beverages Tours & Talks Parking at St Joachim’s R.C. Church lot on Griscom St. Please R.S.V.P. to: garmuslib@verizon.net or call: 215-289-6484
• Unlitter Us Rally and Fair
  When – Fri, October 1, 11:30am – 12:00pm

  Where – outside of Holiday Thriftway (5147 Frankford Avenue) (map)

From the Notebook on the opening of the Mastery Charter Smedley Elementary School (1790 Bridge Street):

By 8:30 in the morning on September 1, all of the fourth and fifth graders at the new Mastery Charter Smedley Elementary School in Frankford were assembled in the sweltering cafeteria for a combination PowerPoint presentation and pep rally.

“On the screen, you see a big eraser,” preached Brian McLaughlin, Smedley’s energetic new principal who, at 27, is just a few years removed from a stint as a Teach for America corps members at Stetson Middle School.

“I want you to think of all the things from last year that may not have been things you liked,” said McLaughlin. “We’re going to erase those right now.” Photo: Benjamin Herold
Taking a breather on the first day back to school.

Mastery opened Smedley, Mann, and Harrity Elementary schools on September 1, and Young Scholars Charter School opened Douglass Elementary on August 31. For both, the focus of the weeklong head start is establishing a new school culture and new expectations.

The education of these children is the only hope we have.  See this link on the dropout rate in Philadelphia.

From the Philadelphia Business Journal:

Kathleen Kinslow will take over as president and CEO of Aria Health in November.

Kinslow is currently CEO and executive director of Pennsylvania Hospital. At Aria, she will succeed Roy Powell, who stepped down from the posts in February after 14 years to lead Aria’s effort to expand in Bucks County — where the health system is seeking to building a new hospital in Lower Makefield.

Kinslow joined Pennsylvania Hospital in 1992 as director of the school of nurse anesthesia. She continued up the management ranks serving as vice president of clinical services/chief nursing officer and chief operating officer before becoming CEO and executive director.

Read more: Kinslow named CEO of Aria Health – Philadelphia Business Journal

The Frankford Civic Association meeting has been rescheduled from September 2nd to Thursday September 9th.