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Local Authors to Appear at the Free Library

Meet the AuthorsCJ and Chafik Waddy, local creators of U Noo Tito, Boy Hero, says No to Strangers will share their story at the Frankford Branch of the Free Library, 4634 Frankford Avenue on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 4:00 pm.  The father-son author-illustrator team from the Frankford section of the city will appear in costumed character, and children and their grown-ups are invited to participate in a read-aloud session.  The event is free and open to the public. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and autographing.  Call 215-685-1473 for more information.

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Our Frankford Library – A Treasure Trove on the Avenue!

The literal meaning of “treasure trove” from the old English is “treasure that has been found”. Have you discovered all that the Frankford Library has to offer? An Open House was sponsored by the Friends of the Frankford Library on Wednesday, October 26, to familiarize us with the services available at the Library. The Library, at Frankford Avenue and Overington Street, has been at its present location since 1906.

The Frankford Library provides students in grades 1-12 an opportunity to LEAP (Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program) ahead in their studies. This is a free, drop-in after school program that provides homework help and computer assistance to students. There are literacy enrichment activities for early elementary students. The LEAP Program operates four days a week, Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 PM – 6 PM and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 PM – 5 PM.

There are eight computers for the community to use and you can bring your own mobile devices to access the free wifi. This internet access provides a great resource for job-hunters and even for those updating their skills.

What can we do for the Library? We can become Friends of the Library whose mission is to support the Free Library of Philadelphia. Each branch has a volunteer group promoting cooperation and communication between the community and the Free Library. Note that today – not many services are free!

Check it out! For more information, visit the library Monday through Friday! Check out the website at www.freelibrary.org.

 

 

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Frankford Gazette Goes Into Print

The print edition of the Frankford Gazette hit the streets today.  You can find it at the following locations:

  • Quickie Mart Express – 4346 Frankford Avenue
  • Free Library of Philadelphia, Frankford Branch – 4634 Frankford Avenue
  • Sugar & Spice – 4801 Frankford Avenue
  • 7-11, 5028 Frankford Avenue
  • Holiday Thriftway – 5147 Frankford Avenue

So what does this mean?  We have a fairly large following here on the internet but we do not reach the folks in the community who are not connected.  That was until today.

This came about directly from the work of Jim Saunders from the City Managing Director’s office as a result of his work with PhillyRising.  He saw the need for a print newspaper and Patricia Coyne, of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations’ Community Relations Division (who is also volunteer board secretary for the Historical Society of Frankford suggested that some of us get together at her office to talk about it.  Tim Wisniewski, of the Frankford Special Services district talked to us last year about the need for a print newspaper and he also attended that meeting.  Within an hour, we had developed a plan and it became a reality today.  The final product was printed by the Frankford CDC at their office on Griscom Street and the papers were distributed by the Safety Ambassadors of the Special Services District.

Naturally the print edition is a little different than what we do online.  We are looking for advertisers to make it self supporting.  We are also looking for contributors of news, pictures, event reports and everything else that you want to see in a community newspaper.

When you child graduates from high school, send us a picture with the details.  If mom or dad comes home from deployment, let us know.  The school events that your kids are involved with are of interest to everybody.  We are also exploring ways to expand coverage to include some Spanish language reporting because we want to include all of the residents in our community.

Four years ago we started this web site because there was nothing else out there serving Frankford.  Most of the news that mentioned Frankford was negative.  So we wanted to focus some attention on the positive.  We will do the same with the print edition.  And did I mention that is is free?   You can see it at the locations listed above.  You can also download the pdf right here.

And if you are attending the special meeting of the Frankford Civic tonight, some copies will be available.

Thank you, Frankford, for your support.

 

 

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Summer Is the Perfect Reading Season at the Free Library of Philadelphia!

I received a flyer from the Free Library of Philadelphia about their summer reading programs. I remember, oh so well, my own participation in these programs as a young child. Such memories are lasting! The Free Library has reading programs for ALL ages! The theme for this year’s summer reading program is Discover the World @ Your Library. This link will tell you all about it. Check out the Frankford Branch website of the Free Library located at 4634 Frankford Avenue. When I did, I found out that the Philadelphia Zoo will be presenting a “Zoo on Wheels” Workshop about animals “Born in the USA” on Monday, June 20 at 4 P.M.

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Teen Tech Week Program at Frankford Branch of the Free Library

Teens – Create your own mini-documentary! Find out how at the Frankford Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 4634 Frankford Ave. on Thursday, March 10 at 3:30 pm.  Laura Deutch, of Messages in Motion will show you how to put together  a “video postcard”   based on your life and experience.  The workshop is free and open to teens age 12 and up.  Parents or guardians of participants are asked to sign a video release form (available at the library) permitting the organization to share their teen’s work.  To preregister (recommended) or for more information, call the library at 215-685-1473 or email baxterb@freelibrary.org.

 

 

Betsy Baxter

Library Supervisor

The Free Library of Philadelphia

Frankford Branch

4634 Frankford Avenue

Philadelphia, PA  19124