Jorge Santana, Rep. Tony Payton's Chief of Staff

There were about 30 people last night at the Northwood Civic, which had been rescheduled to avoid next weeks election day.  The focus was on quality of life issues as follows:

• The Civic is going back to court on the issue of enforcement against 950 Fillmore Street and the addition to the home at that location.
• Residents of the 1100 block of Herbert Street have complained about one occupant of that block operating a business selling automobiles.  There are as many as 11 cars parked on the street.  The owner is moving tags from one to the other to avoid detection.
• Illegal day cares continue to be a problem.  Some are offering care for as many as twelve children around the clock.  There are safety as well as traffic and noise issues.
• Barry noted that the Frankford Civic voted to not support the zoning application of the Bridge to move onto the property at Adams Avenue.   Northwood will maintain its support for the move.
• They will continue to work on the VOA group home by talking with the owners.
• Members voted to approve attorney’s fees for the Bridge zoning hearing and the case for 950 Fillmore Street.
• The Civic is looking to apply for a grant from the Preservation Alliance for demolition of the garages located Rutland and Fillmore Streets.  There were severely damaged in a fire.  Looking to make improvements to the nearby tennis courts at the other end of the block at Rutland and Harrison Streets.
• Barry will be meeting with the Principal of Frankford High School today to discuss the problem with students roaming through the neighborhood and getting into trouble.  He is looking to having a similar discussion with the Principal of Emunds in the future.

Jorge Santana, Tony Payton’s Chief of Staff, announced that he will be leaving his position with Tony at the end of the week.   Jorge has been at almost every Northwood meeting and Barry noted that he has been invaluable to the Civic with his assistance in every way possible.

The next Northwood Civic meeting is scheduled for June 21st at 7PM.

Last night I stumbled upon Pressure Cooker on Netflix.  The documentary nominated for 2010 Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking Emmy is about Frankford High’s culinary arts teacher, Wilma Stephenson, as she prepares her students for a culinary showdown that provides college scholarships to the best of the best.  It was really neat to see Frankford showcased through the whole film.  As the students and their teacher often talk about their life, personal and history through car rides, you’re constantly treated to views of Frankford.  Although it kind of looks urbanly rough.  It’s available both to Netflix subscribers both as a mail order DVD and as a “Watch Instantly” video stream to your TV [Pressure Cooker at Netflix].

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”

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year! Feliz Navidad! The School District of Philadelphia is inviting you to a a presentation by Les Brown, renowned speaker, and a free continentatl breakfast on Saturday, January 8, 2011! This is one new year’s resolution you should most definitely keep! Details are below!

• Frankford Parks Group
  When – Mon, November 22, 6pm – 7pm

  Where – Second Baptist Church – 1801 Meadow St. Phila. PA 19124 (map)
• Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
  When – Thu, November 25, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

  Where – Aria Hospital’s Frankford Campus (4900 Frankford Avenue) in the 2^nd 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.
• Longwood Gardens Trip
  When – Fri, November 26, 1:30pm – 9:00pm

  Where – Longwood Gardens (map)

  Description – The Frankford Garden Club is sponsoring a Trip to Longwood Gardens for the Holiday Experience – Sing-a-Longs, Gospel Choir, Lighted Trees, Fountains, and more Poinsettias than you have ever seen in a gorgeous display of Holiday themed gardens in the Fabulous Longwood Gardens Conservatories. Friday, November 26, 2010 We will be Leaving via Yellow School Bus from Frankford (at the Corner of Griscom and Orthodox Streets) at 1:30 pm, we will be back in Frankford by 9:00 pm Frankford Garden Club Members – $5 / person – includes both Admission and Bus Guests (non-members) – $12 / person – includes both Admission and Bus Please call or email ASAP to Reserve your seat! Janet Bernstein at 267-982-9620 or jamberstone@gmail.com or Johnnie Mae Parker, 215-537-0145
• FRANKFORD HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION BANQUET!!!
  When – Fri, November 26, 7pm – Sat, November 27, 12am

  Where – Colleen’s at the Savoy Caterers, 1444 Rt. 73 North, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 (map)

  Description – Calling all graduates! Come and enjoy an evening of fun and reminiscing with fellow grads of the Red, Blue and Gold on Friday, November 26th, 2010 at Colleen’s at the Savoy Caterers, 1444 Rt. 73 North, Pennsauken, NJ 08110, 856-317-1000. Enjoy dinner, dancing and live music featuring the “FM Band.” GROUPS OF 10+ ORDER TICKETS NOW!! DON’T WAIT!! The cost is $60.00/person. Price includes cost of history/program book. Open seating, Cash Bar. (When purchasing multiple tickets for a table of special friends, please attach their names & graduation year to the order form.) Visit our website at frankfordalumni.com to download an order form now. For more information: Terry Tobin Treasurer 215-331-3644
• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When – Thu, December 2, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – 2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
• Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
  When – Sun, December 5, 12pm – 5pm

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

  Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Victorian Christmas Customs Jane Peters-Estes
• Endangered City
  When – Fri, December 10, 6pm – 10pm

  Where – Globe Dye Works (map)

  Description – A benefit for the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia http://gedoproject.blogspot.com/
• Historical Society of Frankford program
  When – Tue, December 14, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

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

• Christmas Caroling
  When – Fri, December 17, 7pm – 8pm

  Where – Overington Park (map)