The Frankford Gazette » News

Brightside Academy Hosts “Meet Your Legislators” Event for Parents and Students!

Pat Smiley — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:35:02 +0000

Our local Brightside Academy, located at 1627-29 Meadow Street, hosted a “Meet Your Legislators” event on Friday, 1/13/12, to bring our local legislators, parents and students together. Part of the program included a photo display of students’ concerns about our community. The students had been given disposable cameras to capture and record what they would like to change about Frankford. Students also prepared questions to present to the legislators. As I looked at the photo display, there were pictures of littered streets and abandoned buildings. We, too, share these young citizens’ concerns. Parents gathered in the meeting room of Brightside Academy, munching on provided snacks, to await the arrival of the legislators.

This was our first visit to Brightside Academy and we were warmly greeted and impressed with the brightly painted and decorated classrooms. This Brightside Academy is one of 30 academies in the city according to Davida Garr, Community Affairs Specialist. Brightside Academy is a part of many of our city neighborhoods and are reaching out to connect with their families and support the local communities. Early education and care are provided for children aged 6 weeks – 12 years. Academies are open year-round from 6 AM until 6 PM (may vary slightly by location). Juana Ramos, Area Business Director, explained that Brightside Academy opened in 1999 at this location. The name “Academy” is very important to staff as they provide an educational environment, work to enhance their own qualifications through staff development and work to reach higher levels in the Keystone Stars program. Keystone Stars is a PA Early Learning initiative that gives accreditation to day-care centers based on the highest performance level they achieve – Star 1 through Star 4.

I had a chance to speak with parents who are unanimously very pleased with this facility. They feel staff are pleasant, there is a family atmosphere and they recommended them highly. One mother has had three children in Brightside Academy and the oldest is now 11. We visited a class where a student was celebrating an 8th birthday and cupcakes had been shared!

State Representative Tony Payton arrived, as did City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. Unfortunately, State Senator Christine Tartaglione had a previous commitment. Students welcomed them and introduced themselves asking questions about litter, jobs and money for education. These future voters did themselves well!

The Northeast EARN Center (located on Frankford Avenue) had representatives and a table of information at the event. This agency provides support for those transitioning from welfare to work in northeast Philadelphia. You must be referred to them by your caseworker if you are receiving assistance from the Department of Public Welfare. If you have any questions or think you might be eligible, talk to your caseworker.

For more information, visit their website at Brightside Academy or call 215.289.0641 or 877.868.2273. Kudos to all those involved in this event! Our Frankford community is the better for them!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Frankford Revitalization

Gil — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:48:33 +0000

NEastPhilly.com has a two part article this week on Frankford Revitalization. It is written by Pamela Seaton and Kirsten Stamn, students reporting for Philadelphia Neighborhoods, the publication of Temple University’s Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab.

It is certainly worth reading since it covers just about everything going on in Frankford now. Have a look at part 1 here. Part 2 is here.

Hurricane Irene Flood Video of Pennypack Creek

Gil — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 03:21:45 +0000

This is from Fred Moore:

I was at Pennypack Creek and Frankford Ave at 8:30 AM Sunday. Missed the high water peak by about 30 minutes. Still plenty of water going under the bridge. I’d say it was about equal to – maybe just shy of Hurricane Floyd. About 2 feet from the top of the two larger arches. Appears to be less debris buildup at the bridge than with Floyd.

11 minute composite video from the railroad trestle at the back St Dom’s cemetery to just downstream from the 1697 King’s Highway Bridge at Frankford Ave. Including confused great blue heron.

Hurricane Irene in Frankford

Gil — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:05:26 +0000

I have to admit, I thought we might have made it through with very little damage in Frankford until I took the tour this afternoon. I first had a look at the water level of the Frankford Creek where it crosses Wingohocking Street. At 1 PM it was certainly higher than usual but not near flood stage.

Then I took a tour around the area. There was a tree down at Wingohocking and Castor on the corner of the golf course. There is another on Large at Adams in the parking lot of the pharmaceutical company. It crushed the fence when it fell.

The was another fairly small tree down at Kinsey and Hedge Streets. One of the homeowners said it fell at the beginning of the storm yesterday.

The big tree on the corner of Dyre and Frankford on the hospital property is down and blocking Frankford Avenue.

Another big tree on Oxford Avenue between Dyre and Oakland fell back against the big single home that it has been guarding all these years.

Finally in the 4700 block of Oakland a tall tree fell and landed on one car while damaging another. Traffic is blocked there also.

This morning Joe Menkevich sent me these pictures of the home at the corner of Arrott and Horrocks.

I guess it could have been much worse. You can see some of the pictures below. Click on the image to see it full size.

Summer Is the Perfect Reading Season at the Free Library of Philadelphia!

Pat Smiley — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:01:33 +0000

I received a flyer from the Free Library of Philadelphia about their summer reading programs. I remember, oh so well, my own participation in these programs as a young child. Such memories are lasting! The Free Library has reading programs for ALL ages! The theme for this year’s summer reading program is Discover the World @ Your Library. This link will tell you all about it. Check out the Frankford Branch website of the Free Library located at 4634 Frankford Avenue. When I did, I found out that the Philadelphia Zoo will be presenting a “Zoo on Wheels” Workshop about animals “Born in the USA” on Monday, June 20 at 4 P.M.

The Mayor Has Spoken! What Do You Think?

Pat Smiley — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:03:47 +0000

Tonight, Mayor Nutter addressed the citizens of Philadelphia regarding the $645 million deficit in the School District’s budget for the 2011-2012 school year. Listen to his address here. Because you are reading this, we know you are concerned, too! What do you think?

It All Adds Up For Frankford High School Math Teacher!

Pat Smiley — Fri, 13 May 2011 03:13:14 +0000

Here at the Frankford Gazette, we applaud all those who choose to teach! Dedicated teachers are inspiring dreams and shaping the future! We would like to especially congratulate Mr. Linwood Stevens, a Math Teacher at Frankford High School, who was one of the recipients of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

The Lindbacks wanted to promote teaching excellence so they established a foundation which awards distinguished teachers in our area. Mr. Stevens received his award on May 10, 2011. Perhaps some of our readers are familiar with Mr. Stevens. We would love to hear from you!

Are You Concerned About School District Budget Cuts and Your Child’s Education Future?

Pat Smiley — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:20:35 +0000

If you are a loyal reader, you are knowledgeable about Frankford and current events. Across the country, funding for schools is decreasing dramatically. The School District of Philadelphia has released its budget for the 2011-2012 School Year. You can read the Budget in Brief. This budget reflects a loss of $600 million or, roughly, 20% of the School District’s budget. Here is an article about the first budget hearing at Meredith School. To be fair, we at the Frankford Gazette will give you both sides of an issue. Just as school districts are preparing bare bones budgets throughout the commonwealth, PA Department of Revenue has projected an April surplus of $506 million in its collections, more than 6 times what was projected. This may help to ease some of the drastic cuts.

However, parents need to demand a top-rate education for their children and they need to express their desires at one of the upcoming community budget meetings – see the flyers below! We have encouraged all parents to get involved in their child’s school and to ensure that their child gets the education they are deserving of – it’s the greatest, greatest gift you can give your child! Education enables and empowers us to reach our potential and fulfill our dreams! Isn’t this our greatest wish for our children? Plan to attend a meeting – take your friends!

Frankford’s Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! The Promise of Hope!

Pat Smiley — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:00:26 +0000

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday morning over 200 people from the Frankford area gathered to remember and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to continue working towards his dream of all of us joining our hands as “brothers and sisters”. Honoring Dr. King reminds us of our own call to serve, to show “true compassion … and a revolution of values” as we need more than ever, compassion, understanding and justice for each American. This was the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration and this event had taken place at St. Joachim RC Church in previous years. This year, Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO,Principal, and Founder of Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, invited the community to use the school’s facility at 4256 Paul St. for the celebration. Besides George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Dr. King is the only one to be honored by having a federal holiday named after him. At 8:30 AM, the school’s cafeteria was filled with people from the many different

Dr. Ayesha Imani, Sankofa Freedom Academy

organizations, churches and neighborhood who came for a free, cooked breakfast (by Ken’s Catering) and to participate in a program honoring Dr. King’s life that showcased the many talents of our area youth. There was a feeling of anticipation and excitement as we waited for the program to begin. Sponsored by the Frankford Coalition of Neighbors (FCN) with support from area organizations, this celebration, according to Jennifer Powell-Folks Executive Director of FCN, brings “Frankfordians together to sit with each other and talk with each other”. Jennifer reminded us that “grassroots people can make a difference” and that it is important that elected officials hear our views on what matters most to us. The mission of FCN is “… to improve relations among the diverse religious, economic, racial and ethnic groups in Frankford, while promoting volunteerism and community coalition”. At the end of this article we will provide contact information for two of community groups if you would like to get more involved. Also, be sure to check out the links of the various performances.

The program began with a song entitled “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. The Frankford Friends School Choir sang and played bells to accompany this song. We have links to all the performances at the end of this article. This song is commonly known as “The Negro National Anthem”. We were welcomed by Janet Bernstein, a member of FCN and the Frankford Garden Club, who asked us to reflect what each of us can do to continue Dr. King’s work. The beautiful table centerpieces were provided by the Frankford Garden Club with assistance by the Frankford High School ROTC (FHS ROTC) members. FHS

Jennifer Powell-Folks, Frankford Coalition of Neighbors

ROTC “presented arms” and we listened to the National Anthem. They also treated us to a drill team performance. Reverend Laurie Ann Rookard of the United Methodist Church gave the invocation and blessing. Breakfast was then served – buffet style. Following breakfast, there was an acknowledgement of the local dignitaries in attendance. Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez and state Representative Tony Payton, Jr. were among the notables. Both were thanked for their active support and advocacy for our community.

The poetry performances by Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School students were very, very moving to all. These poets are wise beyond their years and offered us a chance to see the dreams of a life they envisioned for all. Listening to these young people, Dr. King would know his message has not been forgotten. Kimberly Washington, the Northeast EPIC coordinator, explained that her organization needed more involvement from area residents. Many of the civic groups in Frankford participate in this organization but the voices of those of us who live here, the residents, needs to be more vocal and active. The next meeting of the EPIC Stakeholders is Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health – Frankford. Please make sure your presence and voice are there!

A liturgical dance was performed by the Treasures from Heaven of the Campbell AME Church. This Church on Kinsey Street is over 200 years old and the second oldest church in the Philadelphia conference. There was a free will offering to help defray costs of the breakfast. Northeast Boys and Girls Club marched and stepped lively to drums which accompanied the drill team’s performance.

Dr. Imani explained the development of freedom schools (Wikipedia reference which references the Philadelphia Freedom Schools based on the Children’s Defense Fund model). More information is also found here on the Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School web site. Reverend Rookard closed the program with a benediction.

How Can You Get Involved? Bring a Friend! Explore and Use Your Talents for Frankford!

Frankford Coalition of Neighbors
Jennifer Powell-Folks, Executive Director
c/o Campbell AME Church
1661 Kinsey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215.744.9170
email: FrankfordCoalition@Prodigy.net

CORA Services Northeast EPIC Stakeholders
Kimberly Washington, Esq.
email: KWashington@coraservices.org
Next meeting: Thursday, 1/27/11 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health, Frankford

Contributing Organizations besides those already mentioned: Aria Health, Frankford Campus; Fruit of the Vine United Methodist Church; Mater Dolorosa RC Church; Friends of Wissonoming Park

You are able to share in and relive this celebration by clicking on the following links:
MLK Day at Sankofa
Frankford Friends School Choir
Frankford High School ROTC Drill Team
Sankofa Essay and Poetry Readings
Campbell AME Church Liturgical Dance Performance
Northeast Boys and Girls Club Drill Team
Sankofa Freedom Academy “Something Inside So Strong”

Lot’s of goodness going on at our NEW message board!

Jim — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:31:33 +0000

Apparently there was a murder at Penn and Arrott on Christmas eve that the media failed to report
I found maps of what was Frankford Country club. Both on the footprint of Northwood and centered no where near Frankford at Levick and Summerdale
We’re discussing Kensington’s [probable] turnaround
I broke the news of where the Globe Dye Work’s metalworker Jason Roberts bought his own building