Calling all Frankford artists, Philly’s Open Studio Tours has registration open until June 1, to get involved in opening up your work space for tours.  Studios east of Broad Street are set for tours October 15th and 16th.  Frankford artist Jason Roberts  and various residents at the Globe Dye Works participated last year.  They were mistakenly located in Port Richmond, grrrrrh!  Register here.  I would love for the public to check out Mezalick Design, located under the El, this year.

Back on May 6th we posted about the Frankford Civic meeting and the complaints about the 4700 block of Griscom.  It did not take long before things started happening by way of the Frankford CDC cleaning up and sealing 4728 Griscom Street.  It had been an ongoing concern to the CDC (which owns the building) but what made it more of a problem was that a squatter had taken possession of that building.  Squatters are difficult to deal with but the opportunity presented itself and possession of the building was secured.

The alley between 4728 and the building next door (4732-34 Griscom) which is owned by the city was also cleaned.  The pictures below show what was done.  Now the challenge will be to keep it that way. We’re hoping some concerned residents will come to the PSA1 meeting on Tuesday May 22nd to talk to the police about the problems they are having on the block.

Hello Frankford Garden Club members.  We are meeting this coming Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the Wissinoming Park playground.

• We need to set a schedule for our summer garden visits
• We have to get City Garden Contest information.  Who wants to be in the Contest?   Who wants to be a Judge?
• Pick a trip to go on!
• Report on our very successful Plant Sale (Sandra is bringing irises for all who want them)

If you have not joined yet, it is never too late! You can join anytime. The membership form and description of what we do are linked here and here.

Hope to see you at the meeting.

The Pennsylvania SPCA is partnering with Exploring, a hands-on career shadowing program for teens and young adults, to offer a new volunteer program for teens interested in learning more about careers in the field of animal welfare.

“We are excited to work with the Exploring organization to offer this valuable program to the public,” said Marc Peralta, chief operating officer at the Pennsylvania SPCA.  “This program will complement our vibrant adult volunteer program, and is a great way for students to learn about different careers in animal welfare while performing valuable volunteer work at the Pennsylvania SPCA.”

Young people ages 16-20 are invited to attend an open house of the new Animal Welfare Post 1867 (350 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia) on Wednesday, May 23 from 4 to 6 p.m.   Teens under the age of 18 should attend with their parent or guardian.  Following the open house, participants will take part in a six-week educational series from 4 to 6 p.m. every other Wednesday through August 8 (except July 4). Each session will feature a different topic in animal welfare and introduce participants to various careers including animal care attendant, veterinary medicine, humane law enforcement and animal training among others.  Following the educational session each week, students will have an hour of hands-on volunteering activity working alongside the staff of the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Exploring is a hands-on shadowing program for teens operated through the Learning for Life program of the Cradle of Liberty Council Boy Scouts of America. Some of Philadelphia’s most visible businesses volunteer their efforts and knowledge and invite students to come to their offices behind the scenes and learn the details of pursuing an education and career in their specialty fields.  Exploring is open to all interested students in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware counties.

Space is limited.  To learn more about the Animal Welfare Explorers Post 1867, contact Tiffany Minicozzi, Exploring & Learning for Life Executive, at 484-654-9223 or via E-mail at tminicozzi@colbsa.org or visit the Web site www.careerexploring.org.

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About the Pennsylvania SPCA:

Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA’s lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call 215.426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.

About Exploring:

Exploring is a hands-on shadowing program for teens. Some of Philadelphia’s most visible businesses volunteer their efforts and knowledge and invite students to come to their offices behind the scenes and learn the details of pursuing an education and career in their specialty fields.  Exploring is open to all interested students in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware counties. To learn more visit www.careerexploring.org.

• Northwood Town Watch
  When – Sat, May 19, 9am – 10am

  Where – Knights of Columbus, 5323 Oxford Avenue (map)

  Description – New members invited to sign up if you missed the first meeting last Tuesday.
• 15th District PDAC Community Day
  When – Sat, May 19, 10am – 2pm

  Where – Frankford and Cottman Aves.

• 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.
• Frankford Youth Rally Sponsored by NE EPIC Stakeholders
  When – Fri, June 1, 10am – 3pm

  Where – Large and Wakeling St. (map)

  Description – Food, Games and performances – Healthy relationships, violence prevention, health and wellness, HIV/AIDS awareness, drug and alcohol awareness, summer youth employment, college resources
• Health Fair
  When – Fri, June 1, 11am – 2pm

  Where – Aria Health Parking Lot

• Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
  When – Sun, June 3, 12pm – 5pm

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

  Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: With the 71st PV at the Angle at Gettysburg by Dan Cashin
• Friends of the library meeting
  When – Wed, June 6, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

  Where – Frankford Branch Library Meeting Room (map)

  Description – Topics to be covered will include the book sale, and summer programs
• Friends of Overington Park
  When – Wed, June 6, 7pm – 8pm

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

  Description – Come out and discuss our park and what we an do to make it a safe and pleasant place for everyone. If it is raining that day then the meeting will be held at the Frankford Historical Society.
• POETICISM
  When – Thu, June 7, 3:45pm – 4:30pm

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

  Description – Listen to, create,critique and share your words. Presenter: Jaamil Kosko, founder, Philadiction. Ages 12 and up. 215-685-1473 or baxterb@freelibrary.org to register
• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When – Thu, June 7, 7pm – 8pm

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

• Community Planning Meeting
  When – Tue, June 12, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

  Where – St. Martin of Tours School, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd. (map)

  Description – Review input from the first community meeting. Hear draft recommendations for the plan.Work with City Planning Commission staff to determine future development scenarios.
• Historical Society of Frankford program
  When – Tue, June 12, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

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

  Description – SPRING TEA – FLAGS OF THE CONFEDERACY PHILADELPHIA FLAG DAY ASSOCIATION – Michael C Axelrod, Vice President – Frankford provided more recruits for the Civil War than any other town of its size in America. Learn more about this “War Between the States” through a display and presentation of Flags of the Confederacy. This is our traditional Spring Tea, so bring refreshments to share.