• Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
  When – Sun, May 6, 12pm – 5pm

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

  Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Exhibits a collection of Civil War Swords by Jim Mccoy of the Union League
• Historical Society of Frankford program
  When – Tue, May 8, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

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

  Description – The NATURAL HISTORY of FRANKFORD – Dr David Hewitt, ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES – An important aspect of an area’s history is its natural history. Take a look at Frankford’s urban ecology through the eyes of this Academy of Natural Sciences Botanist.
• Friends of the Library Meeting
  When – Wed, May 9, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

  Where – Frankford Branch Library Meeting Room (map)

  Description – Topics to be covered will include the book sale, and summer programs
• Garden Club’s Annual Day-Before-Mother’s Day Plant Sale
  When – Sat, May 12, 9am – 10am

  Where – In front of the Frankford Branch of the Free Library, 4634 Frankford Ave, (map)

  Description – Once again, it is time for the Frankford Garden Club’s Annual Day-Before-Mother’s Day Plant Sale! Come early if you want the best pickings! We will have Hanging Baskets for $12 4packs and flats of marigolds, impatiens, coleus, and more potted Geraniums, Patio Tomatoes and more These are great plants, grown by a local family-owned nursery, for great, low prices! Frankford Garden Club members will be on hand to answer questions and offer gardening advice. All proceeds benefit the Frankford Garden Club
• Circle of Honor Re-dedication
  When – Sat, May 12, 12pm – 2pm

  Where – Cedar Hill Cemetery (map)

  Description – There will be a re-dedication ceremony for 33 newly installed Federal military gravestones for the Union veterans buried in the “Circle of Honor” surrounding the monument. This is the culmination of phase 1 with the repair, cleaning, sealing, and preservation of the monument itself designated as phase 2.
• Northwood Civic Association Meeting
  When – Tue, May 15, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
• Tony Payton Presents a Senior Fair
  When – Thu, May 17, 10am – 3pm

  Where – Bressi Northeast Senior Center, 4744 Frankford Ave. (map)

  Description – The event is free and includes prizes, music, food and Zumba classes. There will be lots of useful information on local and state programs that are geared towards seniors, and more importantly, it’s a chance for me to hear directly from you about what’s on your mind. In addition, local and state agencies will be present to talk to seniors about their services and hand out information. Workshops will provide information on safety, health, finances and seniors’ legal rights. For more information, contact my constituent service office at 215-744-7901. Please spread the word to your friends!
• Homebuyer and Seller Seminar
  When – Thu, May 17, 6pm – 8pm

  Where – Frankford CDC, 4900 Griscom Street (map)

  Description – What to pay for a new home. Financing options, credit repair and more. Call 215-743-6580 to sign up. Sponsored by Century21 Advantage Gold
• PSA 2
  When – Thu, May 17, 7pm – 7pm

  Where – WIISSINOMING RECREATION CENTER (CHELTENHAM & HAWTHORNE) (map)

  Description – PSA 2
• Perennial Plant Sale
  When – Sat, May 19, 10am – 1pm

  Where – Overington Park, Leiper and Orthodox Sts. (map)

  Description – We will be planting our flower beds, seeding the beds and giving away seed packs to our volunteers. We are also having a perennial plant sale at the same time in the park. We will be selling plants gathered by our members, the Frankford Garden Club, and anyone else who would like to donate their overflow of plants. As we get closer I might have more information on what plants are available.
• Summer Camp Expo
  When – Sat, May 19, 2:00pm – 3:30pm

  Where – Gambrel Recreation Center – 4800 block of Ditman Street (map)

  Description – PhillyRising will be hosting a Summer Camp Expo at Gambrell Rec Center.The expo is an opportunity for parents to find out about summer camp providers in their neighborhood. It is provided as a service to the public; there is no cost to providers for hosting a table and no cost to residents to attend.
• JAMES GALWAY
  When – Mon, May 21, 4pm – 5pm

  Where – Frankford Branch of the Free Library, 4634 Frankford Ave (map)

  Description – JAMES GALWAY will bring his reptilian friends to the Frankford Branch of the Free Library, 4634 Frankford Ave on Monday May 21, 2012 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Come and see Mr. Galway’s snakes, lizards and other reptiles, ask him questions, and even hold a snake if you want! Free, fascinating and fun for the whole family. Call 215-685-1473 or email baxterb@library.phila.gov for more information.
• PSA 1
  When – Tue, May 22, 7pm – 7pm

  Where – FRANKFORD HOSPITAL / 2ND FL CONFERENCE ROOM (4900 FKD AVE) (map)

  Description – PSA 1 PROGRESS, CONCERNS, ACTION PLAN
• Discover the history and process of paper making
  When – Wed, May 23, 4pm – 5pm

  Where – Frankford Branch of the Free Library, 4634 Frankford Ave (map)

  Description – Discover the history and process of paper making and try it yourself at the Frankford Branch of the Free Library. Presenter Richard Aldorasi is an artist, educator, and founder of the Philadelphia Handmade Paper Company. Free; recommended for ages 12 and up. Call 215-685-1473 or email baxterb@library.phila.gov for more information.
• Filling in the Blanks and Connecting the Dots
  When – Wednesday, May 30, 2012

  Where – Campbell AME and 2nd Baptist Churches (map)

  Description – First Annual Frankford Freedom Fighters Event
• Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
  When – Thu, May 31, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

  Where – Aria Hospital’s Frankford Campus (4900 Frankford Avenue) in the 2nd floor meeting room. 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.

Coming up in May:

Friends of Wissinoming Park got their wish.

Saturday April 28th was a beautiful day to get out into the park and the park was crowded with bargain hunters when I got there about 10AM.  I didn’t have much time to browse but I did get some pictures.

EPIC Stakeholders meeting had a heavy dose of financial education last Thursday night.

Gonza Graham

The meeting was moved from Aria Health to the Sankofa Freedom Academy for this meeting which began at 5:30 PM.  Featured speakers were Gonza Graham from the National Motor Club and Erin Montrose of Pathways PA.  Mr. Graham gave a presentation on the National Motor Club and it financial benefits.  Ms. Montrose spoke on the basis of savings and investing.  She got into retirement planning and saving options for education and home ownership.

Erin Montrose

Leon Brantley spoke on the First Annual Frankford Freedom Fighters event being lead by NUAMVAW (Neighbors United American Member Veterans and Warriors) which will be held on May 30th.  There will be more from Leon in a future post here about that event.

The next Northeast EPIC Stakeholders meeting will be held on May 31st at a time and place to be announced.

Pete Specos of the 15th PDAC watches as another gun is inventoried

There was a major haul on Saturday at St. Joachim’s as 33 weapons were turned in for Shop Rite gift cards.

It was one of the most successful days in quite some time as officers from the 15th Police District spent Saturday morning in the O’Kane Room at St. Joachim Parish hall.  11 rifles and 22 hand guns were exchanged for a gift card from the Shop Rite at Frankford Avenue and Knorr St.

Kudos to the Pastor, Father Steve Wetzel, at St. Joachim,  Pete Specos of the 15th PDAC (Police District Advisory Council), Shop Rite and the officers of the 15th District for getting these weapons off the street.