Today’s dog is Desi. She’s a very sweet pup. She is on the little side – weighs only about 35 lbs. She was found as a stray on the streets of Philadelphia and now temporarily resides at PSPCA’s Animal Care & Control Team (111 W. Hunting Park Avenue).

Desi is a low-medium energy dog. She needs walks and/or a yard to romp in. She is currently learning some commands at the shelter such as “sit,” “down” and “paw.” She loves treats so it makes it pretty easy to train her.

Desi loves people and would really like to live in a home with a family that loves her. She loves to snuggle!

If you are interested in Desi and have small children, please bring them to make sure Desi is a good fit for everyone in the family. Please also bring proof that you are allowed to have dogs/cats at your home if you rent or be prepared that the adoption staff will call your landlord before approving your application.

She’ll be spayed, up to date on shots and microchipped before she leaves the shelter. If you want to meet Desi call: 267-385-3800 or stop by the shelter.

ACCT is open 365 days a year. Adoption hours are: Monday to Friday: 1 – 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10 – 5 p.m. Afterhours by appointment.

Philadelphia photographer Joseph Minardi has a new book out on the architects and architecture of West Philly.

Historic Architecture in West Philadelphia, 1789-1930s includes more than 500 images of the buildings and houses we walk by every day. The book chronicles the transition of West Philadelphia from open farmland to the streetcar suburb. It also includes vignettes of the architects who helped shape the area, from Powelton Village to Cedar Park.

Minardi is the 2007 recipient of the Preservation Initiative Award from the University City Historical Society.

The 192-page book retails for $50 from the publisher here. It is also available at a significant discount at Amazon here.

If you pick it up, stop back and drop us a comment below with your impressions.

Here is some more information on yesterday’s announcement that the U.S. Postal Service will begin considering closing thousands of post offices nationwide, including several in West Philly.

Just to recap, the West Philly locations under consideration include:

• 30th Street Train Station
• West Market – 5011 Sansom
• West Park – 5300 W. Jefferson St.
• Kingsessing – 5311 Florence Ave.
• Overbrook – 658 N. 63rd St.

Post Office officials said no final decision on closures will be made before December.

One way that the Post Office will compensate areas affected by the closures will be small retail locations called Village Post Offices that will be located in pharmacies, grocery stores and other large retail locations. These could include collections boxes, stamps, pre-paid Flat Rate boxes and envelopes and, in some locations, post office boxes.

But that leaves many questions about mail service. It’s clear that many post offices will be closed. Around here, we are wondering how much pressure this will put on the post office near 40th and Locust (228 S. 40th). The big, shiny new main post office at 30th and Chestnut will likely get more action too.

UPDATE: We searched the list again and discovered that there are four more locations in West Philly to be considered for closing. They are: 30th Street Train Station, West Market, Kingsessing, and West Park (5300 W. Jefferson).

Earlier today USPS announced that it would study approximately 3,700 post offices across the country to determine if they should be considered for closing due to insufficient revenues.

14 Philadelphia post offices are on that list. Only one, Overbrook (658 N. 63rd St.), is in West Philly. There are five post offices serving the University City, Spruce Hill, Walnut Hill, Squirrel Hill, Garden Court, and Cedar Park areas: at 2955 Market Street (30th Street Train Station), 3000 Chestnut Street (Philadelphia), 228 S 40th Street (University City), 5011 Sansom Street (West Market), and 5311 Florence Avenue (Kingsessing). Those are all safe for now.

FYI, one of the offices to be considered for closing is Philadelphia’s historic Ben Franklin Post Office. Read more about it here.

Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF) is taking place this week, July 27-31, at several city venues, including West Philly’s The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street), which will host a series of events starting Thursday, July 28. This year’s festival’s theme is Healing & Joy, celebrating the healing and creative arts.

On Thursday there will be a free clothing and book swap from noon to 5 p.m. Women are encouraged to bring gently worn clothing and books for others to take and enjoy.

On Friday and Saturday there will be day-long events with a wide range of scheduled music performances, workshops, lectures, presentations, fashion shows and exhibitions from noon to 11 p.m. (both days free until 8 p.m., with some exceptions).

Finally, on Sunday, July 31, there will be another all-day event starting at 11:00 a.m. with music and dance performances by a variety of artists. Highlights of this day include dance classes by Shandra Staley – modern dance class at 1 p.m. and African dance class at 3 p.m. ($8 in advance; $10 at the door), and stage performances by Zoe Flowers and O, at 6 and 7:05 p.m. respectively.

For more information about the schedule and participants visit the festival’s schedule of events page.

Today’s cat is Sonny, a 12-week-old orange tabby kitten.

Sonny is a very sweet and cuddly kitten. He purrs readily and loves to be petted. He is also playful, and enjoys chasing toys or wrestling with other kitties. Sonny is very gentle and would make a great companion for families with kids or other cats.

Sonny currently lives with his foster mom and three other cats, but his foster mom is moving cross-country in a couple of weeks, so he really needs a permanent home. Sonny is fostered through PAWS (www.phillypaws.org) and his adoption fee ($75) covers the cost of his microchip, shots, and neuter, which have all been taken care of at the PAWS Spay, Neuter, and Wellness Clinic.

To meet this adorable kitten please send an email to Sonny’s foster mom at: kathleenharbin [at] gmail.com.