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Next week in Frankford

  • Spaghetti Dinner
    When-Sat, Nov 1, 4p – 7pm
    Where-St. Joachim’s Church – Church St. and Griscom St. (map)
    Description-On Saturday, November 1, 2008, St. Joachim’s Church will have a Spaghetti Dinner in Fitzmaurice Hall from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. So mark your calendar and join us for an enjoyable dinner. The cost is $8.00 for adults; $3.00 for children 4yrs to 12 yrs. Any donations of cakes would be greatly appreciated. There will also be a 50-50 and Harvest Chances.
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When-Sun, Nov 2, 12p – 5pm
    Where-4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description-Presentation at 1:30 PM: The Presidential Election of 1864′ Presented by Mr. Tom Moran, historian Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 1:30PM Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Civil War Museum & Library 4278 Griscom St Philadelphia, PA. 19124 tel: 215-289-6484 web: www.garmuslib.org e-mail: garmuslib@verizon.org FREE & Open to the public!
  • Historical Society of Frankford Open house
    When-Sun, Nov 2, 1p – 4pm
    Where-1507 Orthodox Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Election Day
    When-Nov 4, 2008
    Where-Various polling places (map)
    Description-We are a swing state, so every vote counts.
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When-Thu, Nov 6, 7p – 9pm
    Where-Frankford Hospital – 2nd floor conference room (map)
  • COMMUNITY PRAYER SERVICE
    When-Sat, Nov 8, 3p – 4pm
    Where-FRANKFORD MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Corner of Dyre & Oakland Streets (map)
    Description-LET’S SHOW OUR SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS OF THE 15TH DISTRICT PLEDGE TO BE A PRAYER ANGEL FOR AN OFFICER VOLUNTEER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRAYING FOR AN OFFICER’S DAILY SAFETY. INFO WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SERVICE. COMMUNITY PRAYER SERVICE PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR POLICE
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Office of Neighborhood and Business Services

Diane Prokop of the Northeast Times this week brings us an interview with Kevin Dow, the newly appointed deputy director for the city’s Office of Neighborhood and Business Services.  So what does this have to do with Frankford.  Well, read the entire story here and you will find out.

Ever wonder how the city evolved into what it is today.  Believe it or not but somebody actually planned it that way.  OK not every single brick but the broad strokes.  Looking back, some of it worked and some didn’t but there was a plan.

Dow will work to bring that same ease of service to community organizations as they move forward with plans for their neighborhoods.
“Plan and develop from the same blueprint. The idea is to bring it all together with a strategic approach and engage neighborhoods in the same type of process,” Dow said.
Frankford residents have heard all about plans for their neighborhood’s comeback and don’t necessarily want to hear about another.
Previously the vice president of community affairs for the northern region of Wachovia Bank, the Fairmount resident has worked with more than 300 organizations, including the Frankford and Kensington CDCs, as well as Impact services and Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement, giving him a bit of understanding about the history of the many Frankford plans.
“There just needs to be one plan,” Dow said. “Having several plans doesn’t allow for coordinated action. With all going after the same resources, you dilute those resources to prevent having any significant impact.”
That’s a claim also heard by many in Frankford’s large non-profit pool.
The latest plan for Frankford is the Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI). The project assessed the potential for commercial revitalization around the Frankford Avenue transportation corridor. Dow believes that its key components (which can be found at http://www.philaplanning.org/plans/tod.html) can be incorporated in an overall community plan.

Frankford is a transportatation hub and that gives us a unique niche in the city.  The plan referenced above is designed to take advantage of that niche.  What we need is leadership to finalize a plan and leadership to ensure that it is implemented.

Don’t focus on what Frankford is not today.  Look at what Frankford can be tomorrow.  it’s the final game of the World Series, “you gotta believe”.

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Frankford Business and Professional Association

From the Northeast Times this week, a report on the annual luncheon of the Association at Romano’s.  Among the speakers were Al Taubenberger, president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Mike Kowalski, liaison for the city’s business services; and Kevin Dow, deputy director of commerce for Neighborhood and Business Services.

Recognition went to Frankford Hospital vice president Nancy Cherone for her service to the Frankford community.  She will be moving on to Frankford Torresdale.  Also recognized for his contributions to the community was Matt Pappajohn of Pappajohn Woodworking “for his work to rejuvenate former Frankford factory locations, such as the Henry Riehl Building and most recently the old Globe Dye Works, bringing jobs and vitality back to the area”.

Read the entire story here.

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Impact of aviation on Northeast Philadelphia

Dr. Harry C. Silcox and Jack McCarthy bring us this final installment on the history of avaition in Northeast Philadelphia in the Northeast Times.  It puts into context some of my childhood memories of driving up the Boulevard and stopping at the airport to look around.

The proposed Lincoln Airport was something new to me and adds to the picture of the development in that area.  I believe the boulevard was the route of the old Lincoln Highway which was the first national highway.  It was the perfect place to put what they wanted to become a major airport for the future.  However, those plans did not come to be.  Read the entire story here and thanks harry and Jack.