Home of the week

The Frankford home of the week is at the corner of Horrocks and Foulkrod Streets. A nice three story single with unique look and I kind of like that fence going all around the property. Reminds me of the one I stood on as a child trying very hard to climb over. You have to be careful of those points.

Fire in Frankford

News reports today of a fire in the 4700 block of Worth Street. A father and son burned critically. A firefighter and another passerby suffered smoke inhalation.

From CBS3.com:

A firefighter is recovering after he rushed into a burning home in the Frankford section of Philadelphia in order to rescue a father and his young son.

The fire on the 4700 block of Worth Street started on the kitchen stove after something that was cooking caught fire officials said. The flames spread quickly throughout the home, trapping a 3-year-old boy and his 43-year-old father inside.

Philadelphia fireman James Babst, 41, was on his way to work around 4:45 p.m. Sunday when he passed the burning home. He stopped his truck and joined neighbors, who were breaking windows of the home.

Read the entire story here. We wish them all a swift recovery.

Historical Society of Frankford

A very important event is coming up next month.

The Historical Society of Frankford presents…

Support the HSF Building Renovation Project with Frankford’s Legendary Jazz Drummer Butch Ballard and his Trio
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:30 pm
Complimentary Wine and Cheese!
$20 General Admission/ $18 for Students & Seniors/ $15 for HSF Members

To purchase tickets:
Please mail your check or money order payable to:
The Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124
*Please include your name, address, phone numbers, & email address. Tickets available at the door but limited Seating.

For questions or concert information call 215-743-6030
www.historicalsocietyoffrankford.org

Thank You to THIRD FEDERAL BANK for sponsoring this event!

Next week in Frankford

• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When Thu, Apr 3, 7pm – 9pm

  Where Frankford Hospital - 2nd floor conference room
  

Northeast history center

From the Northeast Times:

Excitement is building around the Center for Northeast Philadelphia History. Local historians held their third meeting at the Historical Society of Frankford last week to discuss the project that would preserve and promote the history of Northeast Philadelphia.

When asked if there is a defining line for what might — or might not — be considered historical, Harry Silcox, retired Lincoln High School principal, historian and co-director of the project, said that while most people think of history as when George Washington walked down Bristol Pike, to Silcox "it’s yesterday."

The session also included discussion of the history center’s Web site. The site will feature information, photos and links to each neighborhood, an overview of houses of worship, parks and watersheds, along with information related to sports and the history of ethnic groups and religions in the region. The historians discussed ways to get the community involved, as well as the benefits of undertaking possible partnerships with other organizations.

Read the entire story here.

Another day in the city

From CBS3 today:

A suspect is in police custody after a brief standoff following a bomb scare in the Frankford section of the city Thursday.

Philadelphia Police were called to the 5200 block of Marlow Street after reports of man constructing bombs in his home.

The suspect's girlfriend told authorities she smelled some type of accelerant and that there were bomb making materials in the home.

The Bomb Squad was called to the home as a precaution.

Read the entire story here.

SCRUB

I started this out thinking it would be titled "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" but I'm not really that mad. SCRUB is the Society Created to Reduce Urban Blight. The subject arises because once again I found one of these signs on my street. I take it as a personal insult and generally rip the damn things down as soon as I can. However the genius who put it up did such a good job that I did not have time to get my ladder up there and unscrew it from the utility pole for several weeks.



Now it has grown on me so that I've decided to see how the city enforces it's laws since these things are clearly illegal. Each sign can result in a $75 fine and there are at least 4 of them in a three block area that I have documented.

SCRUB has gone to court against the giants who have despoiled our city with blight and I asked their advice. They promptly invited me to supply locations and I went one better and took pictures and addresses. SCRUB will submit them to L&I and we will see how the system works.

In the meanwhile if you have any on your street and would like to add them to our collection, take a picture and email it to us.

It's not the big things that kill the neighborhood, it happens piece by piece. Rebuilding the neighborhood happens the same way, one step at a time.