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Frankford NAC Zoning Board Meeting for April

From Douglas Bryant, President of the Frankford NAC

The Frankford NAC Zoning Board meeting was held Thursday April 13, 2013 at Second Baptist Church of Frankford at 7:00 pm. There were two properties seeking zoning variances. The first property at 1728 Orthodox St was for the building of a vehicle and tool storage garage. The owner of the property explained that he needed a facility to store his work trucks, various tools and related work equipment. After much discussion the community members present rejected his proposal.

The second property discussed is located at 4731 Griscom St. The owner of the property was seeking a zoning variance to open a Crown Chicken fast food restaurant. Due to the amount of increasing negative activity in the area he was questioned extensively on issues regarding security, hiring intentions and hours of operation, particularly concerning the hours of operation. The community was unanimous in rejecting the proposal.

On Wednesday April 24, 2013 Wissinoming Civic Association and the Frankford NAC Zoning Board met at Wissinoming Presbyterian Church to hold a joint board meeting. The purpose of this community meeting was to discuss a new site development at Tulip St. and Harbison Ave. The developer Carl Freedman of FC Development Group is proposing a Retail Shopping Center on that site. The site is 12.5 acres which extends from Harbison Ave. to Sanger St. on Tulip St. The existing factories will be demolished.

The Shopping Center will be anchored by a 67,000 square foot Supermarket with Retail Stores, a Fitness Center, Restaurant and a large Gas station with a convenience store. Carl Freedman explained that Green Technology will be incorporated in the construction. This development will create 250 – 300 construction jobs and 400-500 ongoing jobs. Security was discussed and there will be cameras that tie into the Police Department. The property will have trees and 700 parking spaces. There will be community give backs to the community. The developer was concerned about being so close to the railroad tracks and will install a 6 ft. fence. The community was concerned about truck traffic on Tulip St. to the shopping center. The plan is to have trucks enter from Harbison St.

Although no formal vote was taken at this time, the proposal was well received by the community. There will be follow up meetings to discuss this project. For more information on the FC Development Group and their projects you can go to www.fcdevelopmentgroup.com .

 

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EPIC Stakeholders Meet for April

As usual, the NE EPIC Stakeholders meeting provided dinner and a full plate of information as well.

  • Doris Booker and Jennifer Selby reported on their attendance at the Frankford Civic and PSA1 meetings
  • Douglas Bryant, President of the Frankford NAC, reported on a proposed new shopping center to be built at Tulip Street and Harbison Avenue.   That is the large property that was, years ago, SKF.  The American Heritage FCU is on the Bridge Street side.  It will be called the Shops at Wissinoming and feature a large food market and numerous stores.  If all goes well we might see that open up in about two years.

    laverne andrews at epic

    Laverne Andrews at the NE EPIC Stakeholders

  • Simone Smith reported on the first week of the Citizens Engagement Academy which held its first session on April 24th.  It will run for 7 more weeks.
  • Laverne Andrews, a gifted communicator, presented for CAPE PA (Child Abuse Prevention Effort) a program on Communicating with Respect.
  • Cheryl Cutrona Esq. made a presentation of the Good Shepard Mediation Program.
  • CJ Waddy spoke about the Say Nooo to Strangers Foundation plans for National Day for Missing Children on May 25th.

The next meeting of the NE EPIC Stakeholders will be on May 30th at 5:30 PM at 2nd Baptist Church at 1801 Meadow Street.

 

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Coming Up in Frankford 4/27 to 5/24/2013

Sat Apr 27, 2013

8am    Healthy Trails 5k walk and run

Where: Friends Hospital

Description:

The inaugural Healthy Trails 5K run/walk in the Tookany/Tacony Creek Park will be

held on April 27th, 2013 with the start and finish line on the Friends Hospital Campus. This event will also mark the dedication of the new urban trail linking the Philadelphia park system  together. http://healthytrails5k.com/

 

10am    Clean Up Day Knights of Pythias Greenwood Cemetery

Where: 930 Adams Avenue

Description:

The Friends of Greenwood Cemetery is sponsoring the Clean-up ofhistoric Knights

of Pythias Greenwood Cemetery on Saturday, April 27,2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. TheFriends of Greenwood is a 501(c)3 charitable organization entirelystaffed by volunteers dedicated to the preservation of the cemetery’sgrounds, records and the historical buildings. Whether you have familyburied in the cemetery, love

history, or are a resident of thecommunity, we need your help. Even if you can only help for an hourthat’s great, every little bit helps. Bring gloves, wheel barrows, andrakes and wear

sturdy shoes. We will be picking up branches from thestorms, raking leaves, picking up trash, trimming, etc. Call FOG at215-533-2967 for more information. If you can’t make it then we arealso looking for volunteers for May 4.

 

Sun Apr 28, 2013

 

3pm    Frankford Chargers 45th Annual Awards Banquet Where: Romanos Caterering, 1523 E. Wingohocking St. Description:

Tickets $20 on sale at Gambrel Recreation Center Tues, Wed, Thursday from 6:

30PM to 8:00PM. Last date for tickets is April 19th.

 

3pm    Spring into Spring with Iqraa Cafe Where: Iqraa Cafe, 4663 Frankford Ave. Description:

Healthy eating, smoothies and an assortment of great vendors. For further

information call 215-288-8081.

 

Tue Apr 30, 2013

 

8am    Senior Breakfast

Where: Aria Health, Frankford – 2nd floor conference room

Description:

It’s time to take charge of your health and wellness! Aria will provide our

community seniors with monthly insightful tips and information on issues that are directly affection you and your health needs. Breakfast will be provided free of charge. To reserve your seat call 1-877-808-2742.

 

Wed May 1, 2013

 

6pm    Citizens Engagement Academy

Where: St. Marks Church – 4442 Frankford Ave.

Description: Week 2, Community Safety – Town Watch Integrated Services

 

7pm    Friends of Overington Park Where: – Overington Park, by the tool shed Description:

–  Come out and discuss our park and what we an do to make it a safe and

pleasant place for everyone.

 

 

Thu May 2, 2013

 

7pm    Frankford Civic Association Meeting

Where:

–  2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124

 

Sat May 4, 2013

 

11am    Frankford Murals Paint Day

Where: St. Mark’s Church,

Description: This is the last opportunity for residents to make history and paint the murals.

 

Sun May 5, 2013

 

12pm    Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House Where: 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 Description:

Presentation at 1:30 PM: GAR Decorations Day Traditions and Customs by Dr Andy

Waskie

 

Wed May 8, 2013

 

6pm    Citizens Engagement Academy

Where: St. Marks Church – 4442 Frankford Ave.

Description: Week 3 – Nuisance Properties, District Attorney’s Office

 

Thu May 9, 2013

 

7pm    Neighborhood Advisory Council Meeting

Where: 2nd Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow St.

 

Fri May 10, 2013

 

10am    Cookology Class

Where: Peter Bressi Northeast Senior Center 4744 Frankford Ave.

Description:

A certified Dietitian will be whipping up some delicious, nutritious treats, for all to sample!

 

Sat May 11, 2013

 

All day    Love your park day

Where: Wissinoming Park

Description: Cleanup and planting day.

 

10am    Annual Day-Before Mother’s Day Plant Sale Where: Frankford Library, 4634 Frankford Ave Description:

In front of the Frankford Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library – Great Prices for

Great Plants from a local family-owned NJ nursery, All proceeds go to support the Frankford Garden Club

 

Tue May 14, 2013

 

7pm    PSA 1 Meeting

Where: 4900 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia., Pa

Description: Lt. Burton/ Frankford Hospital 2nd Fl.

 

 

7:30pm    Historical Society of Frankford program Where: 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 Description:

Penn’s Landing: Philadelphia’s Lost Waterfront by Harry Kyriakodis, Author and

Historian.

 

Wed May 15, 2013

 

6pm    Citizens Engagement Academy

Where: St. Marks Church – 4442 Frankford Ave.

Description: Week 4 – Sanitation Responsibilities, Streets Department S.W.E.E.P. Division

 

Sat May 18, 2013

 

10am    2nd Annual perennial sale

Where: Overington Park

 

Mon May 20, 2013

 

1pm    Movie Matinee

Where: Peter Bressi Northeast Senior Center 4744 Frankford Ave.

Description:

You pick it, we play it! Popcorn and beverages served . For more info, contact Jim at 215-831-2926

 

Tue May 21, 2013

 

7pm    Northwood Civic Association Meeting

Where: St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street.

 

Wed May 22, 2013

 

6pm    Citizens Engagement Academy

Where: St. Marks Church – 4442 Frankford Ave.

Description: Week 5 – Clean Ups, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services

 

Thu May 23, 2013

 

1pm    Nutrition Bingo

Where: Peter Bressi Northeast Senior Center 4744 Frankford Ave.

Description: Always a big event! Please contact Elizabeth for more info at 215-831-2926

 

Fri May 24, 2013

 

11am    Senior Fair

Where: Peter Bressi Northeast Senior Center 4744 Frankford Ave.

Description:

Come join our huge Senior Fair sponsored by the Office of State Rep James Clay

Jr.. We are having a BBQ and live entertainment, with over twenty community and health providers present to provide information and perform screenings for Osteoporosis, High Blood Pressure, and other health aliments.

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Today is Luther Holcomb Day

From John Buffington of the Historical Society of Frankford:

The Board of Directors of the Historical Society of Frankford, in the City of Philadelphia, wish to express our deep sorrow to the families of the three people murdered in the course of the assault on the Patriots’ Day celebration in Boston and the MIT security officer who apparently fell to the same killers.  We hope for healthy recoveries for all of those maimed or wounded, and send our best wishes to their families as well.

Patriots’ Day is a celebration of the devotion of the heroes of Lexington and Concord.  Because this year’s event was so tragically marred, and because we so admire the resilience of the citizens of Boston, and because there are plenty of American sacrifices for freedom to celebrate in addition to those particular skirmishes,

WE HEREBY DECLARE  April 26, 2013, to be LUTHER HOLCOMB DAY.

On April 26, 1777, Luther Holcomb spotted British troops advancing on Danbury, CT, to destroy a Continental ammunition cache.  Luther mounted his horse, rode to a hilltop, and when the enemy were just within earshot, shouted “Halt the whole universe!  Break off into kingdoms!”  Which he followed with gesticulations deploying phantom troops on the other side of the hill.  British General Tryon, somewhat confused, halted his troops long enough to allow the evacuation of Danbury.  (Thanks to Lt. Col. Horace S. Mazet, in Yankee Magazine, 1976.)

So we urge our fellow Frankfordians to raise a glass, a prayer, or a meditation, whichever suits, on the 26th of this sad month, in honor of Luther Holcomb, Benjamin Rush, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, William Dawes, Jack Jouett, Lydia Darrah, Crispus Attucks, Nathan Hale, and everyone else before or since who has hazarded life, fortune, and/or sacred honor to secure American freedom; religious, racial, and ethnic tolerance; pluralism; female emancipation; universal education; a progressive tax structure, and all of the other values of the Enlightenment that our assailants hate.