Pssst. Do you like Indian food? The no-nonsense, $5 kind served as a Bollywood film plays nearby. If so, read on.

Philly.com includes a profile today of the backroom bistro at Rice & Spice, the unassuming international grocery store at 4205 Chestnut St. Mosey past the stacked bags of rice and spices to the rear of the store and you will find one of those hidden West Philly gems (And, believe me, I understand that writing this helps “unhide” it. Blame philly.com.)

Writer James Osborne talked to a number of customers for his story, many of them students who craved familiar food.

“It’s close to how you get food at home,” said Sachin Sachdeva, 27. “That’s the selling point. That, and it’s relatively cheap.”

Read the full article here.

Today’s kittens are an adorable brother and sister pair, Johnny and Cherry.

The kittens were rescued from the streets of West Philly. Too young to fend for themselves, they were lucky to find a rescuer to take them in. Now they’re looking for a place to call home forever — preferably together.

Cherry (girl) and Johnny (boy) are both active, playful, and mischievous kittens who will keep you entertained for hours. Once playtime is over though, they’re just as happy to curl up and cuddle with you.

These kittens haven’t spent any time around dogs or kids yet, but they should do fine. They would probably do best in a home with older children.

Both kittens are spayed/neutered, FIV/FeLV negative, up to date on vaccinations (FVRCP and rabies), and received flea/parasite preventative medication and treatment as needed. Adoption application and $85 adoption fee (per animal) are required. Adoption application is available online at www.citykitties.org.

If you would like to meet Johnny and Cherry, stop by the Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave). The kittens will be in the shop window until Saturday, July 9, and will be moving back to foster care after that.

The West Philly Tool Library is hiring a paid Tool Coordinator. The job hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Here are the job responsibilities:

• Maintaining and basic repair of tools

• Keeping the Tool Library organized and clean

• Accepting tool donations

• Checking tools in and out to members of the community and performing simple bookkeeping

• Maintaining computer database that tracks tool use and member information

• Collecting late fees

• Maintaining a culture within the Tool Library aligned with its mission and goals

• Promoting the Tool Library and recruiting volunteers

• Communicating with the Steering Committee about areas for improvements.

The requirements are:

• Commitment to promoting community in West and Southwest Philly

• Basic knowledge of tools with a desire to learn more (strong knowledge of tools and basic home repair preferred)

• High level of organization

• Attention to detail

• Excellent communication skills

• Familiarity with computers and databases (experience with Google docs and WordPress a plus.)

This position is for eight hours per week and pays $12.00 per hour. They are looking for someone who is committed to the project and reliable about running the Tool Library independently and promoting its membership within the community. They want to hire for this position as soon as possible. Please send your cover letter and resume to the attention of Benjamin White at: benjamin [at] westphillytools.org.

For more information, please stop by the Tool Library (1314 S. 47th St.) or visit their website at: www.westphillytools.org. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.

If you missed the summer’s first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll or want to enjoy it again don’t miss the event tomorrow, July 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Last month’s Stroll was a huge success. It brought enormous crowds of neighbors and visitors who strolled to over 15 Baltimore Avenue locations for deals and treats of all varieties, each for only a buck. Participants included Green Line Cafe, Baltimore Pet Shoppe, Dahlak, Desi Village, Milk & Honey, the Gold Standard, and even the Curio Theatre.

Tomorrow’s Stroll will probably be as crowded as the previous one, so come early in order to avoid at least some of those lines.

Here’s a nice video from last month’s Stroll put together by the UCD:

This came yesterday, July 3, from neighbors Marilyn and Dick:

As some of you know our 14 year old in-house only cat managed to escape late night or early this morning. He is a tuxedo cat – mostly black with white marking on middle of face, chin and feet. He weighs about 13 pounds. His name is Theo (although he doesn’t often answer to his name). He is very shy – I expect he is hiding somewhere close by. If you see him (or can trap him), please call us any time. 215-901-3470 (c) or 215-748-1376 (h). Lost near 46th and Osage.

Update (July 14): Theo has been found and is back home.

Speaking of Clark Park … it is bound to see a lot of use this holiday weekend. Some rumbling has started about people and pets being on the grass, which is starting to turn a little beige. The Friends of Clark Park posted signs near each entrance to the park asking folks to “give the grass a chance” for “several weeks.” But just today we saw a couple of parties there and lots of loungers, kids, etc. having a good time on the new sod.

We were hoping to start a conversation about this here. What should the rules be about the new grass at Clark Park? Would you be offended if you were asked in person to stay off the grass?

If that topic doesn’t float your boat, maybe you could share your thoughts about the changes at the park. We heard someone this morning say that the tables and chairs give it a “Europeany plaza” feel. Is that good or bad?

Leave a comment below.