Tag: frankford cdc

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Frankford Special Services District Meeting

The Frankford Special Services District (FSSD) held a public board meeting Monday, February 1st at St. Mark’s church.

The first order of business was election of officers for the coming year.  Chairman will be Jim McCarthy.  Vice chair is Tony Stephens.  Secretary is Liz McCollom-Nazario and Treasurer is Paul Mundy.

Tim Wisniewski, Executive Director of the FSSD discussed the mailing made to the businesses in the area concerning future initiatives of the FSSD.  Wisniewski reported that by far the most significant request was the reintroduction of the Safety Ambassadors on the Avenue.  A discussion followed on how that might be funded.  See the video for part of that discussion.  Possible use of Welfare to Work participants was raised.  Although the cost of their employment would be free to the FSSD, there would still be training and uniform costs.  It was agreed that at least one paid supervisory person would have to be employed no matter what the source of the funding for the remainder of the staff would be.

The board discussed the ongoing issue of trash and what is often “short dumping”.  People from outside the area are dumping household trash into the receptacles on the Avenue.  Even though they are emptied daily, they are often overflowing.  Strategies for prevention and prosecution of illegal dumpers were a hot topic.

There are positions open for three new board members.  Applicants are encouraged to obtain an application via the FSSD web site.

Wisniewski noted that he is about to send final notices to the business owners who are delinquent on their tax payments to the FSSD.  Failure to pay will result in a lien being placed on the owner’s property.

Public board meetings will be held quarterly for the remainder of the year.  The exact dates and times will be published in the Northeast Times and the Frankford Gazette.

Jorge Santana, Chief of Staff for State Rep. Tony Payton mentioned that their office is building a database of Frankford Businesses.  Theresa Hanas of the Frankford CDC said they also collect data from businesses in Frankford.  The FSSD is collects data.  A discussion took place on how the CDC, FSSD and Rep. Payton’s office might work together to share data.  That is a significant turn of events if you have been in Frankford for any length of time.

Mike Thompson on the staff of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission spoke about the various plans still on the boards even though there is no activity on them at this time.  That would include Transit Oriented Development and the Frankford Creek Greenway.

The next meeting is scheduled for May at a date and time to be announced.

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Looking Good and Doing Good at Tanika’s Top Notch Unisex Salon!

This Good Looking Salon Offers To Make You Even More Good Looking!

Tanika’s Top Notch Unisex Salon won the Frankford CDC’s Holiday Contest for Best Decorated Business on Frankford Avenue! Congratulations, Tanika, and this is a well-deserved award. If there were a Valentine Day’s Contest, the salon would win again – hands down!

Have you noticed the brightly decorated and inviting Tanika’s Top Notch Unisex Salon at 4844 Frankford Avenue? We have and we visited there on Wednesday to interview the owner, Tanika Jamaladdin. Immediately, you are impressed with this young woman who obviously enjoys her craft and is proud of what she has been able to accomplish. She should be!

Born and raised in Frankford, Tanika began her career in hair styling when she was 14 years old by helping her mother, Anisa, at home – a block away from her shop. Later, Tanika attended Gordon Phillips Beauty School and honed her skills participating in a clinic assignment at the Empire Beauty Salon.

Tanika Jamaladdin

Opening her shop a year and a half ago was the realization of a dream for this young entrepreneur. Inside the shop, it is immaculate and well-kept. You are immediately welcomed and all of her staff are friendly. Business has been good and Tanika is expanding with the addition of a barber and two stylists. Tanika’s Top Notch Unisex Salon provides services for both men and women. Here is a price list as well as some of the services that are offered. Many of her customers are from the local area, and, of course, they become repeat customers. Tanika’s Top Notch Unisex Salon is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM until 7:00 PM! Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcomed!

In addition to her Salon, there is another cause dear to Tanika’s heart! She started a drill team, FKD Top Notch Steppers Drill Team! Having been part of a drill team herself, Tanika offers that same opportunity to boys and girls ages 12 – 16. Many positions are available and the drill team practices at Gambrel’s Recreation Center at 4800 Ditman Street, Mondays through Fridays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM! You can find additional information here!

For hair styling that is “Top Notch” or to be a “Top Notch Stepper”, Tanika is the one to call at 215.288.8100!

Tanika, we wish you continued success and we thank you for your committment to Frankford and our youth!

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New Philly Media Outlet Metropolis Produces In Depth Expose On Frankford

We got an email from Mike  Newall a month ago looking to do an interview a couple weeks ago for a story about crime and development in Frankford for a new Philly-centered news website called Metropolis.  Inside his four part series he scored some notable misses(like Friends restaurant was opened for under a year, it was Mozaic that opened during a so-called reneasance). Anyways check out all of his piece, it’s nice to see Frankford get some in depth attention.  Although it does make me cringe when the title of part one is “The Frankford Story: In a Free Fall”.  It’s like he asked someone from Mayfair for the title.  If he had come in and done just that story it would have been the regular bullshit that Frankford gets from the area media.  I am so sick of hearing where Frankford has been.  Yes it sucks.  I know how awesome it used to be.  Try telling me why it sucks now and point out some things I can do to start changing it.  So this bastard spends the next three articles doing just that.  It is by far the most comprehensive report on the past, present and future of this neighborhood I have ever seen.  And it’s a testament to this so-called “media revolution” that it should come out of a web based outfit as opposed to print. If paper and ink are too valuable to waste on forgotten places like Frankford, then let the printing presses die.

Part 2 covers the crime and drugs. Crime reporting to me is generally sensational, but tell me everything you can come up with about the drugs, especially about the drug rehab houses which he talks at length in part 3.  I think the more residents know about how they open up and operate, the better prepared they are to fight it.

Part 4 is my favorite and most important to helping understand what’s going in Frankford now.

Here’s a quote from the piece about the political infighting I always considered too nuanced to even try bringing up:

Factions at war

It’s civic and business organizations are beset by nasty political fighting. Frankford has had had three city council representatives in the last four years – Rick Mariano, Dan Savage, and now Maria Quinones-Sanchez. All three have tried to stuff the boards of the local organizations with their own followers and now it’s all a big mess.

The Frankford Civic Association has had some recent success in fighting the zoning of recovery houses. But the civic consists almost entirely of Savage supporters seemingly more focused on winning the former councilman his seat back than taking bold action for Frankford. For her part, councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez has been no great friend to civic association, seemingly putting politics above constituent need.

“The political fighting is destroying the neighborhood,” said Rita Lugrine, a member of the Frankford Community Development Corporation.

But at the end of the day, what am I, a lone resident, able to do to help?

“We’ve been telling the community folks, pick a parcel of land, come up with an idea, shop it around to developers,” said Michael Thompson of the City Planning Commission.

I’m gonna think on this one, I’ll get back to this.

Overall I’m a huge fan on this piece of reporting, if this is how the future of reporting is going to be, it’s going to be an exciting time, not just for Frankford, but for any forgotten section of Philly. Mike Newall is a Philadelphia reporter who writes about neighborhoods. Yeah he does.

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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Overington House Bake Sale
    When-Sat, June 20, 8am – 3pm
    Where-Overington House – 1528 Overington St, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description-Bake sale
  • Super multi family multi block yard sale
    When-Sat, June 20, 8am – 3pm
    Where-4600 block od Griscom St Arrott to Orthodox and 1500 block Overington St. (map)
    Description-Super multi family multi block yard sales spots available! Fee: free for residents of block or $5.00 donation requested to benefit Overington House Inc. for non resident spaces first come first serve. Special features: 50-50 raffle, FCDC Festival at Overington Park going on at Lieper and Orthodox on this date, hack sack demonstration, face painting, close to El, Arrott St terminal, voter registration table, business card exchange table, free item table and more things will be added by then. Items for sale include new and used items, clothing, shoes, appliances, plants, used furniture, toys, books and other variety of items. Any other blocks interested in joining in feel free!
  • Frankford Festival
    When-Sat, June 20, 11am – 4pm
    Where-Overington Park, Leiper St. and Orthodox St. (map)
    Description-Moonbounce, Dunk Tank (Featuring Representative Tony J. Payton, District 179 as the target) Petting zoo Rock Climbing Wall (Army National Guard) Face painting contest (St. James Church) T-shirt stamping and painting contest Northeast Philly Idol contest Gardening Demonstration (Frankford Garden Club) Gardening Hands-on activity Flea Market – Friends of Overington Park
  • Gambrel’s Wet & Wild Summer Splash Off
    When-Fri, June 26, 12pm – 4pm
    Where-Gambrel Recreation Center, 1900 Wakeling St. Phila. PA 19124 (map)
    Description-Office of Councilwoman Maria D. Quinones Sanchez & Gambrel’s Advisory Council invites you to Gambrel’s Wet & Wild Summer Splash Off Councilwoman Sanchez and other community residents celebrate the Grand Opening of Gambrel’s brand new Playground and Spray Park! Food, Fun and Games for Everyone! See what activities and programs your recreation center has in your community. Highlights – ribon cutting of Playground & Spray Park – Face painting – Potato Sack Race For more information call Jason Dawkins at 267-992-0729
  • Word of Faith Christian Center Annual Fair
    When-Sat, June 27, 12pm – 3pm
    Where-Word of Faith Christian Center, 4355 Paul St. Phila. 19124 (map)
    Description-Word of Faith Christian Center, will hold their annual fair on Saturday June 27th from noon to 3:00 PM at the church at 4355 Paul St. Phila. 19124 Basketball tournament, children’s play/skit, face painting, dunk tank,(State Rep. Tony Payton, or a representative), will be inside, moon bounce for younger children, aerobics instruction, Health& wellness tips presented by physicians from a local hospital for children, and adults, children’s dental information. “Jewels” the clown will entertain, as well as a local drill team, and a Latin musical group. Gospel rap will be performed by our very own “100 FOLD” group.Gently used clothing for all will be given away. Food will include hot dogs, pretzels, water ice, bottled water. The event is totally free of charge. All are welcome.
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When-Thu, July 2, 7pm – 8pm
    Where-Frankford Hospital – 2nd floor conference room (map)