Jenkintown Community Alliance A unique community of shops and neighbors.

Bring your friends and family to the Jenkintown Holiday Celebration on Wednesday night, December 6, 2006 for a heartwarming community event.

Jenkintown Tree Lighting?
Welcome the Jenkintown Mini Singers as they kick off the festivities at 6:30PM in Town Square. After their performance, a special guest of honor will arrive on a roaring fire truck. Santa, right here in Jenkintown. Children will then have time to visit with Santa as the entertainment continues with holiday favorites performed by members from The Immaculate Church Choir. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided to keep everyone warm and happy. The tree lighting event is sponsored by the Jenkintown Recreation Board.

Snowflake Treasure Hunt?
During this mirthful night, the JCA invites you to our Snowflake Treasure Hunt, sure to bring out the holiday spirit in everyone! On December 6, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM look for “hidden” snowflake ornaments in participating Jenkintown shops and eateries. Once you or your child finds the snowflake your passport will be stamped. Collect three stamps and enter the passport at the JCA booth in town square during the tree lighting event. Later that night passports will be drawn for a gift basket and Jenkintown Gift Certificates. Passports are available at participating stores and at the JCA booth. Be our guest as stores invite you in to shop, sample chocolates and have wine and cheese, courtesy of Cabot Creamery, and find those elusive?snowflakes. Happy hunting!

Ease Holiday Shopping?
Throughout the season, visit Jenkintown’s most unique local businesses for one-stop shopping and holiday cheer. Find that “someone special” something special! Choose from one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, clothing, home interiors, housewares, art supplies, works of art and more! Having trouble with your shopping list? Jenkintown Gift Certificates are available on line at the JCA web site (www.jenkintown.net), the Jenkintown Library and Blue Body and Home in December. Select stores will be open late on Wednesday to accommodate hectic schedules. Also, there will be no need to feed the meters, parking is free on Wednesday nights and weekends in the borough through out the month of December

American Financial Reality has declared Friday, December 8th, 2006 “Bring A Toy To Work Day,” at their Jenkintown office; a day-long celebration of the company’s national Toys for Tots Campaign. In the spirit of the season, AFR invites you to drop off a new unwrapped toy at their lobby at 680 Old York Road. Members of the United States Marine Crop will be on hand to help collect donations from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. The ceremony is designed to highlight the work AFR is doing to collect thousands of toys for underprivileged children in communities across the country. Donate now and help Toys for Tots deliver toys to children in need. For more information contact American Financial Realty at 215-887-2280.

In the holiday spirit, Jenkintown borough council voted to provide free parking on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays through the festive season. In an effort to attract shoppers to Jenkintown, the borough moved forward with new parking initiatives. Under the new holiday program all parking meters will be free on Wednesday evenings after 5 pm and on Saturdays from Thanksgiving through January 2nd.
“We are delighted with the borough’s efforts. We want to support the borough, the businesses, and our residents to work hand in hand to showcase our unique and varied shops and restaurants” says Jenkintown Community Alliance’s Executive Director, Linda Kligman. “Creating an inviting seasonal spirit helps our town get deserved recognition as a destination for holiday shopping, and the borough has just taken an important first step to help our image.”
According to Jenkintown’s Borough Manager, Edwin Geissler, in addition to offering free parking on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays, the borough has opened up more than 30 new public parking spaces. “Our goal is to make it convenient for people to shop in Jenkintown during the holidays” says Councilwoman Sandra Goldman.

The JCA strives to bring more customers to existing businesses, identify and attract businesses that will thrive in our unique down town, and champion the revitalization of Jenkintown. While the Jenkintown Borough is in the legal process of creating the designated Business Improvement District (BID), the Jenkintown Community Alliance is going through its own developmental process to reorient its tactics to better serve Jenkintown’s businesses. “We need to refine our approach to accomplish these goals” explains Linda Kligman, JCA’s new Executive Director. “Moving from a member-based alliance to an entity that is representing a varied business community, the business improvement district has an obligation to involve and honor hundreds of property and business owners, and work with the borough council to support a coordinated approach to its economic development.”

In its inaugural year as a BID, the JCA plans to:
• Work in tandem with the borough to identify parking enhancements, and signage strategies
• Create a retail map of Jenkintown businesses for local and regional marketing purposes
• Develop vacancy listings and strategies to attract desired retail and restaurants
• Harness the energy of local residents, business and property owners, and regional experts who wish to volunteer on promotions, economic development, event, and other committee

“The establishment of a BID is a strong step towards growth in Jenkintown.” Jenkintown property/business owner Kevin Supka said. “It is the embodiment of business, retail, and residential commitment to the growth and prosperity of the town. We are on the move in Jenkintown and I look forward to improving the business district. We’ve come a long way!”

The BID is funded in large part by property-owners assessments. As a nonprofit entity the JCA will continue to leverage funds from the state, the borough, and private sources in order to implement a five-year business improvement district plan.

The Drake Tavern will be hosting a benefit for the Tuffy family on Saturday, November 18 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Rory Tuffy is a young Jenkintown Police Officer who recently lost his wife due to illness. Rory is now alone in raising their two small children. The Drake Tavern, faithful to its commitment to the Jenkintown neighborhood and life, is organizing a fund-raising event to help the Tuffy family. There will be a $30 cover charge at the door which will go entirely to the Tuffy Family. The Drake will provide a free barbecue for all. Please come out to lend your support. The Drake Tavern is located at 304 Old York Road.