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Frankford at the Philly Film Fest

From the Allentown Morning Call:

Pressure Cooker: On the menu is a tasty documentary, in the ”Spellbound” tradition, which tracks a handful of Frankford High School students as they compete for scholarships to culinary colleges. Under the guidance of Culinary Arts instructor Wilma Stephenson, the kids learn life lessons at the same time they’re slicing and dicing. Screens 6:30 p.m. March 28, The Prince, 4:45 p.m. March 29, Ritz East 1 and 7:30 p.m. April 4, Black Box at Prince.

See the entire festival schedule and ticket information here.

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First Day of Spring

From Jack Hohenstein, resident Haiku master:hohenstein026

March thaw melts the snow.

It’s no time to go walking

With holes in your shoes.

Another Winter passes…

Imagine yourself

A flowering tree, working,

Waiting for April.

and Spring

The brisk May wind blows.

Last year’s leaf at Kerry’s feet

Waits to be noticed.

From One Temperature by Jack Hohenstein.  Copyright 2005 Jack Hohenstein, Published by Full Court Press, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

There are copies of Jack’s book available at the Free Library branch in Frankford.  Also interesting is that Amazon has not picked up Jack’s book but does carry a game invented by Jack.  You can see it on our bookstore page.  He is a multi-talented individual.

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Next Week in Frankford

  • Book signing
    When-Sun, March 22, 1pm – 4pm
    Where-Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description-Historian Harry C. Silcox will sign copies of his new book, “Remembering Northeast Philadelphia”
  • Fund Raiser Benefitting the Philadelphia Police K9 Unit
    When-Sun, March 29, 1pm – 5pm
    Where-7500 State Road, Philadelphia, PA (map)
    Description-Fourth anniversary fund raiser Rain or shine $3.00 pulled pork and chicken sandwiches All proceeds will be donated Meet and greet with the K-9 dogs Free samples, face painting, cotton Candy and more Bring the family for an afternoon of food and fun
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New Desires – Recovery Housing

You hear a lot about recovery houses in Frankford but I had never visited one so I asked Jeanna Goodwin, president of New Desires Inc., if I could stop by and talk to her.  Tuesday morning we sat down in the twelve foot high ceilinged front room of New Desires on Leiper Street and I asked some questions.

New Desires was founded by Jeanna’s father, the late Fred Courduff, about 12 years ago.  He didn’t set out to start a recovery house.  It evolved from his desire to help others find the path to recovery that he, himself, was on.  New Desires now has two houses, both on Leiper Street, serving about 30 residents.

What does New Desires do?  They provide a place and structure for people who are trying to get their lives back together and move away from addiction.  They come voluntarily and stay as long as necessary. They are not committed by the judicial system or anything like that.

New Desires, Inc.’s Residential Recovery Houses are community based, peer-group oriented, residential facilities that provides food, shelter, and recovery services in a supportive, non-drinking, drug-free environment for alcoholics and other drug addicts. Services provided by our recovery house include individual and group recovery planning, alcohol and other drug recovery education, group support, recreational activities, and information about and assistance in obtaining health, vocational, and other community services.

Some residents stay on more or less permanently as they might in one of the other boarding houses you find here and there in Frankford.  Of course they are free to leave at any time and some do.  A supervisor is always on duty to ensure that the program is being followed and the rules are enforced.

Jeanna co-founded the Frankford Recovery House coalition a few years ago to attempt to unite the legitimate recovery houses in the face of unfavorable publicity.  There are five organizations within the coalition at present.  Jeanna is well aware of the problem caused by recovery houses that merely take a check and provide no services to their residents.

new-desires-recovery-team

Jeanna - President, Steve - Housing Supervisor and John also on staff

This is not an endorsement of New Desires but rather an attempt to understand what we are talking about in regard to recovery houses.

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Frankford CDC Board Meeting

The Frankford CDC held a public board of directors meeting Tuesday night at Frankford High School.  Visitors attending the meeting were met at the door by the members of the Frankford High Junior ROTC and directed to the 2nd floor library.

The CDC is emerging from a period of rebuilding from financial setbacks that threatened its existence.  At this point the financial issues are being dealt with and the board is looking toward a brighter future.

cdc-board-and-staff

You can find much more information on their website than I can pass on here.  I met with Tracy O’Drain Monday morning to talk about the CDC and where it stands today.  We chatted for about 90 minutes on the second floor of that building at 4900 Griscom Street.  She has a great view up there.  Tracy has her hands in a lot of different pots but is primarily responsible for business development.  You can expect to here more news from the CDC on a more regular basis.

New to add to your calendar is the date for the Frankford Festival which will be June 20th.  The location is now moving back to Overington Park.  More news will be forthcoming but think talent contest.