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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
    When – Thu, July 22, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Where – Edmunds School, 1197 Haworth St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – The ultimate goal is to create a process that enhances the community’s ability to solve issues surrounding truancy, domestic violence, child safety and substance abuse.
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When – Sun, August 1, 12pm – 5pm
    Where4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Wicked Women of Winchester Jerry Holsworth
  • Frankford Special Services District Board Meeting
    When – Mon, August 2, 8:30am – 9:30am
    Where – St. Mark’s Church, 4442 Frankford Ave, Griscom Street entrance. (map)
    Description – Open to the public
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When – Thu, August 5, 7pm – 8pm
    Where2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
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Safety Ambassadors Return to Frankford Avenue

Safety Ambassadors and their supervisor

The Frankford Special Services District today announced the return of the Safety Ambassador Program to the Frankford Business Corridor, starting June 24, 2010.

The Safety Ambassador Program, which was a part of Frankford in the late 1990s, will consist of uniformed personnel patrolling Frankford Avenue with the goal of increasing commerce on the Corridor.
Ambassadors will help shoppers with concerns such as directions, bus schedules and escorting. In addition, they will visit every business on the Corridor weekly to check-in and see if the business owner has anything to report. Along their routes, Ambassadors will report quality of life concerns such as graffiti and potholes, and will reinforce the safety of Frankford Avenue by documenting and reporting all suspicious activity. “It will be great for shoppers and business owners to have an extra set of eyes on the Corridor,” said Gilbert Pons, owner of Gilbert’s Upholstery.
This program has been tried and tested in many business corridors across the country, including Frankford Avenue, and has been effective in reducing crime and making shoppers feel safer and more welcome.  The Frankford Special Services District (FSSD) has been focusing on this project since it surveyed the businesses at the beginning of the year and received an overwhelming support for safety initiatives.
The FSSD is proudly reinvesting in the community it serves by hiring for these newly created jobs from the local EARN Center, and purchasing its uniforms from Cramer’s Uniforms, both of which are located on Frankford Avenue.  The Ambassadors will patrol Frankford Avenue from the Frankford Terminal to Womrath Park. They will be on duty five days a week from 10-6pm.
Shoppers and business owners are welcome to approach Ambassadors with their concerns or call 267-777-SAFE to speak with them over the phone. Any questions about the program can be directed to Tim Wisniewski, the Executive Director of the Frankford Special Services District, at 215-535-2637.
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Safety Ambassadors to Return to Frankford Avenue

Tim Wisniewski, Executive Director of the Frankford Special Services District,  announce the resumption of Frankford Safety Ambassador program at the Northwood Civic Association meeting last night.  They should be out on the street by the end of the month.

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Frankford CDC

Tracy O'Drain, Marie Delaney, Dan Lodise and Rita Lugrine board members

The Frankford CDC held a public board meeting at the Frankford Library on May 25th.  The board laid out their program of work for the next year.  It is clear that the CDC, while still hampered by the debts of the past, is dealing with those problems and has turned the corner and is looking toward the future with optimism.

This board is active and engaged and has a vision.    It was therefore somewhat disappointing that so few from the community attended this public meeting.  This is a brief listing of some of the tasks listed for the next year:

  • The CDC will continue to work on Economic & Community Development within the constraints of the current economic realities.
  • Facade Improvements to the Commercial Corridor have been ongoing with some significant progress visible on the Avenue.
  • They are using the Transit-oriented Development plan as a general blueprint for the future development.
  • They will get back into Residential Rehab when it financially responsible to do so.
  • They are going to establish a plan for Marketing Vacant Properties.
  • Work is being done on the Branding of Frankford.
  • Work with the Public Parking Authority to ease parking issues along the business strip.
  • Organizing Commercial Corridor Block Captains.
  • Producing a Frankford Businesses Brochure.
  • Establishing a Community Website.
  • Special Events will be publicized in the future.

The CDC will continue to sponsor the Northeast Philly Idol contest which is scheduled for October 16th this year.  The venue however is likely to move to the Devon Theater.  Further announcements will follow on the specifics.

Board members

Many of these tanks involve cooperation among the various groups in Frankford.  It is encouraging to see the Frankford Four working together to improve the future of the community.  Who are the Frankford Four?

  1. Frankford Community Development Corporation
  2. Frankford Civic Association
  3. Frankford Business and Professional Association
  4. Frankford Special Services District
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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Frankford Garden Club Meeting
    When – Tue, April 27, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
    Where –  Wissinoming Recreation Facility (map)
    Description – we need to iron out Plant Sale plans and plan more trips! Bring your ideas and a bite to eat. Coffee and tea provided by Nancy.
  • Groundbreaking of the restoration of the historic house at Greenwood Cemetery
    When – Fri, April 30, 10am – 11am
    Where – Greenwood Cemetery – Adams Avenue (map)
  • Frankford Special Services District Board Meeting
    When – Mon, May 3, 8:30am – 9:30am
    Where – St. Mark’s Church, 4442 Frankford Ave, Griscom Street entrance. (map)
    Description – Open to the public.
  • Rachael Ray Shines on Frankford High
    When – Mon, May 3, 10am – 11am
    Where – TV ABC (map)
    Description – Rachael Ray show comes to Frankford.
  • PSA 1 meeting
    When – Tue, May 4, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – Aria Health, Frankford and Dyre Streets, second floor conference room (map)
    Description – Patrol Sector Area 1 – bring your crime issues directly to the 15th district captain.
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When – Thu, May 6, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – Frankford Hospital – 2nd floor conference room (map)
  • Frankford Garden Club Annual Day-Before-Mother’s Day Plant Sale
    When – Sat, May 8, 9am – 10am
    Where – In Front of the Frankford Library, corner of Frankford Ave and Overington St (map)
    Description – We will have “Growing from Seed” Workshop at the Sale and at the Park VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
  • LOVE Your Park Day in Overington Park Planting, Mulching Flower Beds and “Growing From Seeds” Workshop
    When – Sat, May 8, 12pm – 3pm
    Where – Overington Park (map)
    Description – LOVE Your Park Day in Overington Park Planting, Mulching Flower Beds and “Growing From Seeds” Workshop
  • Historical Society of Frankford program
    When – Tue, May 11, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
    Where1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – FRANKFORD’s “SLOW FOOD” EFFORTS and LEGACY HSF Collections and Frankford Friends School Students HSF’s 2010 exhibit features aspects of food in Frankford and the Northeast. Frankford Friends School students have been researching food, urban farming (such as Kensington’s Greensgrow Farms — national leader in urban farming), and other aspects of slow food. View HSF’s display of historic food use, preparation, and storage items.
  • Happy Birthday Frankford High Open House
    When – Sat, May 15, 10am – 3pm
    Where – Frankford High, Oxford Ave. & Wakeling St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Join us for a full day of fun, food and reminiscing!! FHS students, staff and alumni are invited Be a part of the fun! Tours of the Building Memorabilia rooms Gathering spaces for clubs, teams, and music groups Frankford Souvenirs Tickets will be on sale for the 100th Anniversary Banquet November 26th Current
  • Italian Style Family Dinner
    When – Sat, May 15, 4:30pm – 8:00pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)
    Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner The Dinners will be served from 4:30 PM to 8 PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!
  • ANTIQUE (and COLLECTIBLE) APPRAISAL FAIR
    When – Sun, May 16, 10am – 3pm
    Where – Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – ANTIQUE (and COLLECTIBLE) APPRAISAL FAIR Annual fundraiser. Have your cherished items appraised by local appraiser/auctioneer Barry S Slosberg. Who knows — you may have a priceless treasure just waiting to be discovered! Cost: $8 per item; maximum 3 items per person.