I was walking down the Avenue last week and saw the big “store closing” signs in the window of American Pants. Then heard at the Frankford Civic meeting that the Salvation Army is closing their facility and merging with another branch. Both are long term fixtures on the Avenue.
Category: Business
Frankford Health splitting from Jefferson system
From the Philadelphia Business Journal:
Frankford Health Care System and the Jefferson Health System signed a realignment agreement Thursday under which Frankford will remain “closely affiliated” with Jefferson, but will no longer be part of the system.
Based in Northeast Philadelphia, Frankford operates hospitals in the Frankford and Torresdale sections of the city along with a Bucks County hospital in Falls Township. Frankford is exploring building a replacement hospital for its Bucks County medical center in Lower Makefield.
The two organizations in a joint statement said, “The decision to realign came after thorough reviews by both organizations, which resulted in the determination that the [Frankford and Jefferson health systems] could best serve their respective communities as independent organizations which maintain substantial business and clinical ties. The realignment will have no effect on the services provided by Frankford Health Care System to its patients.”
The realignment requires regulatory approval and is not expected to become effective before the end of 2008.
The Philadelphia-based Albert Einstein Healthcare Network dropped out of the Jefferson Health System Sept. 30.
The remaining members of the Jefferson Health System are Main Line Health, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital.
Frankford Business and Professional Association
From the Northeast Times this week, a report on the annual luncheon of the Association at Romano’s. Among the speakers were Al Taubenberger, president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Mike Kowalski, liaison for the city’s business services; and Kevin Dow, deputy director of commerce for Neighborhood and Business Services.
Recognition went to Frankford Hospital vice president Nancy Cherone for her service to the Frankford community. She will be moving on to Frankford Torresdale. Also recognized for his contributions to the community was Matt Pappajohn of Pappajohn Woodworking “for his work to rejuvenate former Frankford factory locations, such as the Henry Riehl Building and most recently the old Globe Dye Works, bringing jobs and vitality back to the area”.
Read the entire story here.
PhillyCarShare
I’m not a big fan of cars. I appreciate them for what they are: a convenient means of personal transportation. I can actually remember what life was like before everybody had two cars. The streets were less crowded. Parking was not a hassle and lots of folks were on the El and trolley cars going here and there.
So we have a car but not two. That is sometimes inconvenient but when you look what a car costs, it doesn’t always make sense to have one to use once a week or so.
So when PhillyCarShare set up a pod in Frankord, I signed up right away just in case. The case came up today when I had to get to some appointments and didn’t quite have enough time to make the connections by the bus (I love the El but the buses are less fun).
You make your reservation either to phone or computer. I prefer the computer. When you sign up you set up a credit card for the billing and they send you a fob which is what unlocks the car when you get there. You say when you need it and the web site shows you what is available and where it is parked. I had a choice of getting the car at either Arrott and Griscom or the garage at the Frankford Transportation Center. I opted for Griscom Street because it was closer.
This is the pod at Griscom Street. There are two Toyota Prius there. I was relieved when my fob did unlock the car. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of starting the car because I had never driven one of those things before. Help is available on the emergency line and it must be common because they have a menu item for starting the Prius, The tank was full (gas is included in the price) so I took off at about 12:30 PM and was back at about 2:45 PM. Total cost was about $26.
For the occasional use, this is a bargain. This is not a plug for PhillyCarShare but it is a local company. Think global buy local.
Frankford is Waiting – Kung Fu Necktie
A while back I told you about the Old Penalty Box at Front and Thompson being turned into “The Fu”. Well apparently it’s full name is Kung Fu Necktie and it’s open. The crew in Northern Liberties is discussing it here.
Why should we care? Cause it’s (probably) a hip spot sitting under the el and it’s in Kensington. Kensington!!!!!!!! I don’t care what anyone says, Kensington sucks way more than Frankford. But it’s in the path of prosperity and things have begun to grow there. So we’re paying attention.
