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A Lot to Be Thankful For!

Yesterday I had the idea to put down some of the things I am thankful for. Of course, there were things to do to get ready for Thanksgiving but I started making my list as I went about my preparations. I am thankful to live in a country where we are free – free to be who we are and free to work towards who we want to become.

Courage, the Turkey

Courage, the Turkey, is Pardoned!

We have dreams – Langston Hughes knew so well “that if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” (Taken from the poem, “A Dream Deferred”.) And, like Courage, the turkey pardoned by President Obama, we are pardoned for yesterday’s mistakes as we make a fresh start each and every day. I am thankful that my husband is always able to see the better side of me. I am so lucky to have him!  I am thankful for the relationship I have with my son. I am thankful that my daughter-in-law is always smiling and has brought more smiles into our lives. I am thankful for the rest of my family and their families for sharing the ups and downs of life with me. We are in this together. I am thankful for my mother and mother-in-law who show me every day that you can grow older with grace and patience. I am trying to learn those lessons now. My friends are other sources of thankfulness because of their constancy and support. I am lucky to have them as examples of caring and generosity.  I am thankful for my faith that lifts me up and helps me be aware of others, rather than just myself, and encourages me to reach out to them. Today is Thanksgiving! We are reminded of all that we can be thankful for this day as we share it with family and friends. Being thankful is something to express everyday – yes, things could always be better or different, but being thankful reminds us of what we have today! And, today is very precious, as Courage knows, because that’s all we can really count on! What are you thankful for?

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Sixers to honor Frankford Hometown Hero

Sixers to honor Janice Gillyard as Hometown Hero: in the Spirit of Alex Scott this Friday

Philadelphia, Pa. – November 25, 2009 – The Philadelphia 76ers and Eastern University will present Janice Gillyard with the “Hometown gillyardHero: In the Spirit of Alex Scott” Award for her work making healthy and affordable foods available to struggling families by founding the Faithfully Fresh Community Produce Market. The market provides fresh fruits and vegetables to inner city Philadelphia neighborhoods with nothing being sold over $2.

“The ‘Sixers Hometown Hero: In the Spirit of Alex Scott’ program serves to recognize people within our community who make a positive impact,” said Senior Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price. “By honoring the Hometown Hero recipient’s efforts in front of our fans, we hope to inspire others to make a difference within their communities as well.”

Operated out of Allen M. Stearne Elementary School in Frankford, Gillyard has enlisted the 6th grade classes at the school to help run the market. Through their work, the students have learned values including entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community involvement.

Through Gillyard’s efforts, she has not only provided an essential community service, but has also taught her students the importance of healthy living and volunteer work.

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Town Hall Meeting

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.

town hall meeting crop

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.

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People Doing Good in Frankford

Sometimes I have to look around for good stories to tell.  Often when I find something, the people involved just don’t realize that they are doing somethings special.  It’s that way with these two groups this Thanksgiving.

Jeanna Goodwin and her guys, of New Desires Recovery housing, have been making up Thanksgiving baskets for the last few years and distributing them to families in need.  They did it again this year.  With the help of the West Frankford Town Watch and the Frankford Civic Association they found some families who needed some help and visited them Tuesday night with a Thanksgiving gift.  I heard about it and thought you would like to know.

baptist cropThe Second Baptist Church, at Mulberry and Meadow Streets was a beehive of activity tonight.  They were getting ready to serve Thanksgiving dinner to up to 75 people tomorrow.  It is an outreach program that has been going on for the last 18 years.  Ava Miller and Lynne Fant along with Paulette Millerwere cooking up a storm.  Anyone who needs a meal is welcome to come at no charge of course.