Category: Features

Posted on by

Better Know a Frankford Business: Jahi’s Next Level Barbershop

When was the last time you needed a haircut? Maybe you need one right now?

Well, you should take a stroll down to 4422 Frankford Avenue and introduce yourself to one of Frankford Avenue’s long-time barbers, Jerry Ivy, who has been running Jahi’s Next Level Barbershop since 2004. However, this Frankford native has been cutting hair on the Avenue since 1995. He’s loved being a part of, and serving, the Frankford community for all of these years, and aims to use his store as a vehicle for giving back to his neighborhood.

Jahi takes pride in his business and thinks of it as an extension of himself – he strives to create a friendly, relaxing atmosphere full of good conversation and laughs. And it’s certainly inspired a lot of customer loyalty; he even has clients who have gone bald come back to the shop just to support him! Most of his clientele has stuck with him since 1995.

Perhaps Jahi has created such a special shop because of his own life history. He spent sixteen years in jail, from his teenage years in to his thirties. He takes those experiences with him everywhere he goes, and they have made him positive, focused on doing the best job he can, and determined to treat people the way he would like to be treated.

So go talk to Jahi – you’ll learn a thing or two about living a good life, and get a great haircut while you’re at it. He’s open from 9:30a to 6:00p from Monday through Wednesday, 9:30a to 8:00p on Thursday and Friday, and 8:30a to 8:00p on Saturdays. Call 267-249-8667 for an appointment – and be sure to check them out on the web here and here.

 

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Frankford Murals Reveal the Heart of its People

The design of the first three of the five mural locations in Frankford have been unveiled and the results, as judged by the residents at the meeting, are stunning.  The hours of interviews, meetings, walking the neighborhood etc. have clearly made an impression on the artist, Cesar Viveros.  He has tried to incorporate the wealth of history, tradition, hopes, values and dreams of Frankford into the project.

So if you were standing in Womrath Park you would be able to see all three of these murals.  If you are coming up from Center City on the El, you will also be able to see the murals.

There will eventually be documentation to explain what the images in the mural portray.  At the meeting, not everyone had heard about Lydia Darragh or the Frankford Advice, two of the more interesting historic stories involving Frankford.

The slide show below gives you a quick view of the before and after views.

[fg_youtube]http://youtu.be/K3hsEtkFvnY[/fg_youtube]

The thumbnails below will give you a more detailed closeup view of the murals.  We still need the last two mural designs to be finalized and production will begin shortly.  The community will be invited to participate in the paining of the art work.  This is a unique opportunity to witness history close up.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by

Northwood Civic Doubles Membership

The Northwood Civic Association meeting ran overtime with a full plate of issues on Tuesday, June 19th.  Joe Krause opened the meeting.  It was noted that membership has doubled in the Civic Association in the last few months.  The minutes from last month were read and a verbal treasurers report was given.

1142 Kenwyn Street (Kenwyn and Horrocks)

1142 Kenwyn Street

The Northwood Civic board took emergency action after last months meeting when residents reported that the property was open to vandals and attracting problems. They cleaned it up and sealed it with new locks.  The realtor who is handling the property has been advised of the deed restriction so that it does not become a rental.

4834 Penn Street (Penn and Harrison Streets)

Although this property is not in Northwood, it is too close to ignore.  A population of 36 men in drug recovery only one block from Frankford High School is intolerable.  Jason Dawkins, of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez staff, discussed the issues and strategy that the councilwoman’s office will be taking to oppose the use of this property for a drug rehab.  Northwood Civic will work with Frankford.

5030 Oxford Avenue Sheriff Sale Delayed

The property had been listed for Sheriff Sale but it is off the list.  The owner says they have a possible renter.  More news on that issue next month.

949 Foulkrod Street Deed Restriction Violation

949 Foulkrod Street

The Board has surveyed the Northwood deed restricted area and found some owners in violation of the restriction.  However, the most significant violation is an owner who is renting a single family home to multiple families.  The board recommends that the Civic file suit against the owner for compliance with the deed restriction.  There will be a Northwood Civic meeting on July 3rd at 7PM at St. James for the specific purpose of having a membership vote on the issue.  All voting members are urged to attend.

Northwood Town Watch

Tom McAvoy, President of the Town Watch, reported the they are still organizing and are looking for new members.  At present they will be the eyes and ears for reports of problems.  No patrols will be undertaken at this stage.  The email for the Town Watch is nwtownwatch@hotmail.com.

Report on PSA1 Meeting

Frank Bennett reported that the board attended the PSA1 meeting in May.  He noted that the answer to why there are no patrols in Northwood is that the police are too busy answering calls to do much patrolling.  He noted that in some parts of the city, neighbors have organized to hire private security companies to provide that service.  If enough households got together, it could be cost effective.

Thanks to Joe Menkevich

Frank Bennett went on the record with a thank you to Joe Menkevich for all the work he has done in the last few weeks on the deed restriction in Northwood.  His research has been extensive and invaluable.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic will be on July 3rd at 7Pm at St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Ave. and Pratt Street.

 

 

 

Posted on by

Health Federation of Phila Gives Parents and Young Children An “Early Head Start”!

Courtesy of HFP Early Head Start Program

I received an education last week when I went to visit the Health Federation of Philadelphia’s Early Head Start Program at 4606 Frankford Avenue. I was there to speak with the staff and learn about their unique program. Continue reading Health Federation of Phila Gives Parents and Young Children An “Early Head Start”!

Posted on by

Phila2035 Meeting Number 2

A rainy night on June 12th at St. Martins on the boulevard was the site for meeting number 2 planning session for the Lower Northeast District Plan of Phila2035.  This was kind of a continuation of the work done at at the first meeting.  The pdf linked here is a good summary of where the meeting was heading.  The first meeting produced issues.  The second meeting was to refine approaches to addressing those issues. Emphasis is on what is doable in the current fiscal environment.  Pie in the sky projects with no support are out.  Practical things that can be done are in.

My pet project is the Frankford Greenway which would run from Juniata Park at the golf course to Torresdale Avenue with a green open space along the creek with a trail is matched up against spending some money on recreation centers.  So we have to decide how much to dedicate to each.  Where will that money do the most good.

There are other examples in the pdf linked above.  The results of the work groups pictured below are back with the city planners and they will reveal the final plan for our approval at the big meeting at the Globe Dye works on August 7th.

The techies are really getting into this planning thing.  If you see one of these signs asking you a question, it is serious.  Text back your opinion and it will count.