The 15th District PSA (Patrol Sector Area) #1 meeting will be held at Aria Health, Frankford on Tuesday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m..  4900 Frankford Avenue in the 2nd floor conference room.  The public is invited.

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration
  When – Mon, January 18, 8:30am – 10:00am

  Where – St. Joachims, Church and Griscom Sts. Phila. PA 19124 (map)

  Description – The doors open at 8:30 a.m. Free to all Guest Speaker: Rev. Carlos M. Carrero, Sr. Frankford Group Ministry – Director of Emergency Assistance The Frankford Coalition of Neighbors is a non-profit organization working to improve relations among the diverse economic, racial and ethnic groups in Frankford, while promoting volunteerism and community coalition building. FOR INFORMATION or to volunteer CONTACT: Jennifer Powell-Folks at (215) 744-9170
• 15TH DIST Patrol Sector Area #1 Meeting
  When – Mon, January 18, 6pm – 7pm

  Where – Aria Health – 2nd floor conference room (map)

  Description – The 15th Police District is holding meetings next week with residents, businesses and community stakeholders to discuss issues in each of its three Police Service Areas. The PSA is a subdivision of the district, to which the same officers and supervisors are assigned on an ongoing basis. The goal of monthly meetings is to build a partnership between police and the community. PSA-1 covers the area from Bridge Street to the Frankford Creek and from Roosevelt Boulevard to the Delaware River. The community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in the Aria Hospital second-floor conference room, 4901Frankford Ave.
• Northwood Civic Association Meeting
  When – Tue, January 19, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map) The next general meeting of Northwood Civic Association will be held January 19, 2010, 7:00PM, at Saint James Church, Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. The public will be updated on the VOA property at 4871 East Roosevelt Boulevard. Any new business from the floor will also be taken.
• Italian Style Family Dinner
  When – Wed, January 20, 4:30pm – 8:00pm

  Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)

  Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner The Dinners will be served from 4:30 PM to 8 PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!
• Adopt a Park
  When – Mon, January 25, 6pm – 7pm

  Where – Second Baptist Church of Frankford, 1801 Meadow St, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When – Thu, February 4, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – Frankford Hospital – 2nd floor conference room (map)
• Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
  When – Sun, February 7, 12pm – 5pm

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

  Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM:

Captain Frank Bachmayer, 15th police district, held a town hall meeting at St. Joachims Tuesday night.  30 people attended the one hour meeting to get the latest news on the crime situation in the neighborhood.  As we have previously reported, overall crime is down in Frankford when compared with the same period in 2008.  This change is attributable to changing tactics in combating crime.  Violent crimes have shown the most decline with things like burglary being a more difficult situation to manage.

The issue of police response time was raised first.  Response time is based on what is going on at that time and what priority the incident is compared with other calls in line.  A disorderly crowd of teens will have a lower priority than a burglary or robbery.  In addition, the implementation of the Police Service Area (PSA) pilot project may impact on response times because officers are now limited to answering calls within their assigned sector.  Previously they were able to jump from sector to sector.

Several people raised specific questions about drug activity on their block.  Those issues were noted and a followup was promised.

A question was raised on when should a person call 911 versus calling the district directly.  If there is an immediate issue, regardless of what it may be, you should call 911.  This includes what some may think of as minor problems like truant high school students.  Call and let the police decide how to respond.  If they do not respond right away, the call will still be logged and a record of it will exist.  Call the district if you have an ongoing problem with a situation.  Drug sales on a corner day after day or prostitutes making a nuisance of themselves would fall into that category.

Toward the end of the meeting one person noted that all of the issues raised were essentially about quality of  life in Frankford.  While the crime rate continues to decline, the relatively minor issues take on major importance to people who are thinking of moving here or others thinking about relocating.   This was the best attended town hall meeting that I have seen.  The folks there were aware, concerned and reasonable.  They were not looking for miracles but they were looking for reasonable solutions.  The group lingered for a good ten minutes after the meeting broke up talking together and exchanging information and experiences.

• Parent Computer Expo
  When – Sat, November 21, 9am – 12pm

  Where – Frankford High School, 5000 Oxford Ave. Phila. PA 19124 (map)
• Fall For Your Park at Overington Park
  When – Sat, November 21, 10am – 1pm

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

  Description – Our next Friends of Overington Park event is on Saturday November 21, 2009, from 10am till 1pm. We will be planting a few trees, and racking up leaves, I hope some of your readers would like to attend. The event is called Fall For Your Park and will be going on around the city in over 60 parks. I hope to see you there.
• Town hall meeting
  When – Tue, November 24, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – St. Joachim’s church hall, Church and Griscom streets.Phila. Pa 19124 (map)

  DescriptionCaptain Bachmayer (15th District) invites residents from the district to share their concerns at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at St. Joachim’s church hall, Church and Griscom streets.
• Program at the Historical Society of Frankford
  When – Sun, November 29, 2pm – 4pm

  Where – Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Foulkrod Street, Phila. PA 19124 (map)

  Description – THE LENAPE TRADITION — Special Guest Program and Fundraiser Indian Cultural Museum of Allentown This interactive program and display will highlight the heritage of the Lenape people that were the first to inhabit the area that is now Frankford. In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, it is appropriate to remember and appreciate the people that once called Frankford home. Join the folks from the Indian Cultural Center in Allentown as they share information on their history and traditions. The Historical Society of Frankford is also mounting a small display of its own Lenape and other Northeast Philadelphia American Indian artifacts. Activities for all ages will be offered, so bring the entire family and support the educational outreach HSF has been doing for over 100 years to promote and preserve the history of Northeast Philadelphia. Special refreshments will be offered.
• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When – Thu, December 3, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – Frankford Hospital – 2nd floor conference room (map)
• DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? St. Joachim’s Christmas Event
  When – Sun, December 6, 3:00pm – 4:30pm

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

  Description – St. Joachim’s is presenting the biggest Christmas event ever! It will be held in the Church on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM. Join us for an afternoon of music, fun, drama and prayer. Free admission. 3 pm to 4:30 pm with refreshments following. Invite your friends and neighbors!
• Historical Society of Frankford program
  When – Tue, December 8, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

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

  Description – MUSEUM and MEMBERS SHARE HOLIDAY TREASURES — Historical Society of Frankford Volunteers and Members. HSF’s Museum and Library has items in its collection that were likely holiday gifts or accessories for past Frankford families. You may have an item that your family has used or a special holiday gift that has been enjoyed over the years. Bring them to share with our members and volunteers as you get an insider’s view of some of HSF’s special items. Educational holiday crafts for the children will be offered, so bring your young people to this festive meeting. And feel free to bring a dessert as we gather to enjoy our traditional holiday sweets buffet.
• Frankford Garden Club trip to Longwood Gardens
  When – Sat, December 12, 3pm – 9pm

  Where – Bus departs Griscom and Orthodox Streets (map)

  Description – Trip to Longwood Gardens on Saturday December 12- $5 for Garden Club members, $12 for adult guests, $6 for children guests! The Bus will leave from Griscom and Orthodox Streets at 3:00 pm, arriving at Longwood around 4pm – we will return by 9pm

• Tom Judd is having an open reception
  When- Fri, November 13, 6pm – 9pm

  Where Globe Dye Works (map)

  Description – Philadelphia based artist Tom Judd is having an open reception this Friday at the Globe Dye Works from 6 PM to 9 PM. According to Mr Judd’s biography, he’s done a lot stuff around Philadelphia. From murals on the street to walls for local restaurants. Some of his stuff has been added to the Philadelphia Museum Art’s permanent collection. I hope we get something like Tijuana Weekend.
• Frankford Garden Club
  When – Sat, November 14, 10am – 12pm

  Where – Wissinoming Recreation Center (map)

  Description – This Saturday From 10AM to 12PM we will be making autumn arrangements for the Vitas Hospice in the old Frankford Hospital (now Aria) We will meet in our new Home at Wissinoming Recreation Center Enter the driveway on Cheltenham Street between Charles and Frankford Avenue (one block east of Frankford Avenue – go past the Frankford Transportation Center at Bridge and Pratt, up the hill, and turn right onto Cheltenham Avenue at the traffice light – then turn left into the driveway about a block down – you are allowed to drive up the red brick road to the building !
• Northwood Civic Association Meeting
  When – Tue, November 17, 7pm – 8pm

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

  Description – AGENDA: • Terry Tobin, director of New Frankford Community Y, will make a report on the possible future of the now closed facility. Accompanying him will be officers of the company planning to buy the facility. They will make a presentation and take questions. • The membership will be updated on the progress of the various zoning battles the Association is currently engaged in. • Any new business will be accepted from the floor.
• Italian Style Family Dinner
  When – Wed, November 18, 4:30pm – 8:00pm

  Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)

  Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner.  The Dinners will be served from 4:30 PM to 8 PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!
• Solar Power Workshop
  When – Thu, November 19, 6pm – 8pm

  Where – Location TBD (map)

  Description – Rep. Payton is hosting a series of workshops on solar power to help you become a part of the solar revolution. Three solar professionals will present their services and general information about the benefits of solar energy. Rep. Payton’s staff will also present on solar rebates and tax incentives available on solar purchases. Presenters include: Rene Ermilio, Helio Power Systems Micah Gold-Markel, Solar States David Blumenfeld, Urban Eco Electric Jorge Santana, Office of State Rep. Tony Payton, Jr. For more information about any of these events, please contact Rep. Payton’s constituent service office at 215-544-7901.
• Parent Computer Expo
  When – Sat, November 21, 9am – 12pm

  Where – Frankford High School, 5000 Oxford Ave. Phila. PA 19124 (map)
• Fall For Your Park at Overington Park
  When – Sat, November 21, 10am – 1pm

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

  Description – Our next Friends of Overington Park event is on Saturday November 21, 2009, from 10am till 1pm. We will be planting a few trees, and racking up leaves, I hope some of your readers would like to attend. The event is called Fall For Your Park and will be going on around the city in over 60 parks. I hope to see you there.
• Town hall meeting
  When – Tue, November 24, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – St. Joachim’s church hall, Church and Griscom streets.Phila. Pa 19124 (map)

  Description – Captain Bachmayer (15th District) invites residents from the district to share their concerns at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at St. Joachim’s church hall, Church and Griscom streets.
• Program at the Historical Society of Frankford
  When – Sun, November 29, 2pm – 4pm

  Where – Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Foulkrod Street, Phila. PA 19124 (map)

  Description – THE LENAPE TRADITION — Special Guest Program and Fundraiser Indian Cultural Museum of Allentown This interactive program and display will highlight the heritage of the Lenape people that were the first to inhabit the area that is now Frankford. In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, it is appropriate to remember and appreciate the people that once called Frankford home. Join the folks from the Indian Cultural Center in Allentown as they share information on their history and traditions. The Historical Society of Frankford is also mounting a small display of its own Lenape and other Northeast Philadelphia American Indian artifacts. Activities for all ages will be offered, so bring the entire family and support the educational outreach HSF has been doing for over 100 years to promote and preserve the history of Northeast Philadelphia. Special refreshments will be offered.