The Frankford Special Services District (FSSD) has deployed a “Detail Team,” a new beautification program for the Frankford Avenue Business Corridor. The team will be responsible for a range of tasks, including graffiti removal, pressure washing the sidewalks, sweeping litter and planting flowers.

The Detail Team has been trained to identify small details along the Corridor that most would overlook, for instance a 2-inch sticker on a stop sign, or a graffiti tag on a parking meter. Rather than reporting every small detail to various city agencies, the Detail Team will take action itself, providing quicker and more scrupulous service to the Business Corridor.

The Detail Team was inspired by the Broken Windows Theory, which states that maintaining urban environments may prevent further vandalism and more serious crime. The program has started on the 4600 block of Frankford Avenue and will expand outward one block at a time. Each block that the program has ‘reclaimed’ will be given top priority and immediate cleaning. In doing so, the FSSD is sending a message: that these blocks are looked after and that vandalism and graffiti are not worth the time. Eventually, this message will encompass the entire Business Corridor.

The program currently employs three Detail Team Members operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm. The team works in conjunction with Frankford’s Safety Ambassadors, a program started by the FSSD in June 2010. Businesses, shoppers and residents can report graffiti, trash, vandalism, and just about anything else on the Business Corridor to 267-777-SAFE and the Detail Team will be dispatched.

Old Baldy was finally at home and on view yesterday at the Grand Army of the Republic museum on Griscom Street.  The Inquirer did a nice job of covering the story.  You can read it here.

Thanks to Joe Menkevich for the tip on the slide show below.  The GAR Museum is another one of Frankford’s treasures.

• 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
• Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
  When – Thu, September 30, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

  Where – Aria Helath, Frankford Avenue, 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.
• Unlitter Us Rally and Fair
  When – Fri, October 1, 11:30am – 12:00pm

  Where – outside of Holiday Thriftway (5147 Frankford Avenue) (map)
• Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
  When – Sun, October 3, 12pm – 5pm

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

  Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: “Civil War Spies and Guerillas” Dr Sid Copel
• Friends of Overington Park
  When – Tue, October 5, 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 Civic Association Meeting
  When – Thu, October 7, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – 2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
• Pasta Dinner
  When – Sun, October 10, 12pm – 4pm

  Where – St. Joachim Roman Catholic Church 1527 Church Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)

  Description – St. Joachim’s is having a Pasta Dinner on Sunday, October 10 from 12PM to 4PM. Dinners include: Pasta, meatballs or sausage, salad, rolls & butter, desserts and coffee, tea or iced tea. All this for $10 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Take out is also available!
• Historical Society of Frankford program
  When – Tue, October 12, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

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

  Description – BREWERIES of FRANKFORD, KENSINGTON & BRIDESBURG Rich Wagner Master Brewers Association of the Americas www.pabreweryhistorians.tripod.com PHILADELPHIA BREWING COMPANY OKTOBERFEST LIBATIONS Raise one up for these three industrial River Wards, where breweries quenched the thirst of thousands of workers and shipped beer throughout the world. Schmidt’s and Gretz were two of the last breweries to close, while those of John Fritsch and John Grauch in Frankford never made it past prohibition. Rich Wagner has been studying the history of this area’s brewing industry and has researched brewing from colonial times to today’s craft brewing industry.
• Frankford Community Garden Maintenance Meetup
  When – Thu, October 14, 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.
• Northeast Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
  When – Sun, October 17, 1pm – 2pm

  Where – Holy Family University – 9801 Frankford Avenue (map)

  Description – NORTHEAST HALL of FAME Holy Family University – 9801 Frankford Avenue Inductees: Benjamin Rush, Robert Purvis, Butch Ballard, Sister Mary Scullion, Special People in the NE (SPIN) .  Tickets $25.00 available from Holy Family University.
• Northwood Civic Association Meeting
  When – Tue, October 19, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)

You are invited to attend “Back to School Night” at Frankford High School on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 from 6 PM to 8 PM! Educating our young people is a priority for all of us! Here is more on what is sure to be an informative and interesting evening! See you there!

Philly.com via Everyblock reports a shooting happened at 11:50, either AM or PM on the 1500 block of Church Street at Penn.  The nugget reports AM but it’s 11:47 AM right now and I don’t think they’re predicting the future.  I’m guessing 11:50 PM last night since the same piece says the victim was pronounced dead a short time later at 12:44 AM.