Now that the Shamrock Shuttle and Erin Express have come and gone with few problems, the Mayfair Business Association is looking forward to some successful springtime activities.
The Mayfair Art Initiative will continue with its Third Thursday programs on March 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Headquarters, at 7213 Frankford Ave. Artwork and photography will be on display. Refreshments will be served.
Headquarters owner Bill Becker offers art classes for $60 a month, with a $10 supply fee for arts and crafts for youngsters. Classes meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Beginners, intermediate drawers and anyone 3 and older are welcome. Call 215–941–8604.
The Mayfair Farmers Market, co-sponsored by Republic Bank and the Mayfair Community Development Corporation, will open for the season on Sunday, April 21.
The market will be open along the 3500 block of Ryan Ave. for 13 Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the spring through the fall.
The Mayfair Fallen Heroes Run and the Mayfair May Fair are both scheduled for Saturday, May 18, and sponsorships are available.
The fifth annual run/walk takes participants around Lincoln and Pennypack Park. Proceeds benefit Hero Thrill Show Inc., which provides college scholarships for the children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
This year’s event will be in memory of police officer Chuck Cassidy, who was shot to death in 2007 when he interrupted an armed robbery at a West Oak Lane Dunkin’ Donuts.
The May Fair features sidewalk sales, live music, military vehicles and more along Frankford Avenue. The 15th Police District Advisory Council will be holding its annual community day at the same time, and the Philly Pretzel Factory, at 7366 Frankford Ave., will have a block party to celebrate its 15th anniversary.
In other news from the March 7 meeting, held at the 3rd Fed Bank branch at Roosevelt Boulevard and Unruh Avenue:
• The district office of state Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172nd dist.) invites calls from citizens and business owners who might have unclaimed property being held by the Pennsylvania treasury.
Each year, the state treasurer’s office receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property, such as closed bank accounts, uncashed checks, lost stocks and bonds, contents of safe deposit boxes, proceeds from the demutualization of insurance companies and expired gift cards.
Items that go unclaimed must be turned over to the treasury, which estimates that 10 percent of Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property.
For more information, call Boyle’s office at 215–331–2600.
• The next National Small Business Weekend will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 5–7.
The initiative promotes shopping at small businesses on the first weekend of each month. More information is available at nationalsmallbusinessweekend.com
• Some business owners objected to their property assessments under the city’s new Actual Value Initiative, citing inconsistent figures.
Antoniette Montgomery, owner of Torresdale Flowers, estimates that her annual property taxes will rise from about $3,000 to $4,500.
“We have the same buildings and same square footage, but no one was assessed the same,” she said about the businesses on her block.
Grey Lodge Pub owner Mike “Scoats” Scotese will pay more than his neighbors under the proposed figures.
“I’m appealing. I’m not paying it,” he said.
• Jason Vizirov introduced himself as the owner of the newly opened First Class Pharmacy, at 7316 Frankford Ave., next to Family Dollar. He’s been in the pharmacy business for a decade. The store is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The pharmacy offers free prescription drug deliveries. Anyone transferring a prescription from another pharmacy will receive a $5 store credit. Customers can call ahead for refills.
• The business association plans to meet with officials of St. Hubert, Father Judge, St. Matthew and Blessed Trinity schools to learn more about the state Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which gives tax breaks to businesses that make donations to scholarship organizations. The organizations pass on that money to schools, which put it toward the tuition of needy students. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215–354–3034 or twaring@bsmphilly.com
