School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman stepped down today. The school district statement is embedded below.

Ackerman took over as superintendent of the city’s public schools in June 2008 and her contract was due to run through 2014. Ackerman’s contract will be bought out for $905,000. Some $500,000 of that money will come from the School District and $405,000 will come from anonymous private contributions, according to a District statement.

Graham reports that a national search will be conducted for a replacement. More details about Ackerman’s resignation and the financial terms under which she left will likely be disclosed at the Aug. 24 meeting of the School Reform Commission.

Residents are still trying to sort what happened at the corner of 46th and Walnut last night at 9 p.m. when as many as 20 police cars responded to a vehicle stop. Witnesses allege that police used excessive force on a 21-year-old man who they say was partially blind. That man and two police officers were hospitalized, according to a report in the Philadelphia Daily News.

The Daily News reports that people began throwing bottles and flower pots at police from nearby windows and balconies. One bottle reportedly struck a police officer in the eye.

Both the police officers and Holloway were reported to be in stable condition this morning.

We are trying to get more information on this story and we will post it when we do.

Below is a video recorded on a mobile phone. The visuals are unclear, but the audio is clear and includes expletives.

This week’s dog is Petey. Petey (or Sweet Pete) is the sweetest pup at the shelter. He was adopted and then returned after a short while because the family’s youngest child ended up being very allergic. Poor Pete needs a second chance!

Petey’s just a little boy – about 6-12 months old, with a soft, handsome, brindle coat. Although nervous, Petey loves being around people, and seems to thrive on all the hugs he’s getting from his volunteer friends.

Petey did extremely well on his behavioral evaluation, in spite of his fears – he becomes highly engaged around food, but had no problems with his food being taken away from him. He’s interested in toys but isn’t quite sure what he’s supposed to do with them – nobody’s ever played with him before.

His ideal home would be one with a kind human who can show him how much more fun life is when there’s lots of toys to play with. Petey was also great when tested with other dogs – he did best with a calm male who seemed to bring him out of his shell and engage Petey’s playful side. Petey showed a mild interest in cats – nothing alarming, and can be retested with cats at your request.

All in all, Petey’s a young pup with lots of potential that really needs to get out of the scary shelter – maybe you can be the one to help Petey blossom.

Please come meet him today – Petey currently resides at the PSPCA’s Animal Care & Control Team (111 W. Hunting Park Avenue). Phone: 267-385-3800. ACCT is open 365 days a year.

This month’s installment of Sustainable Saturdays, the West Philly local food series, will take place this Saturday, August 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The theme is “From Seed to Compost” and features workshops on composting, mushroom growing, homebrewing, seed bomb building and more.

Here are some details:

9 a.m. – Composting Workshop | Woodlands Community Garden (Woodlands Cemetery, 4000 Woodlands Avenue )

Learn about how to reduce the amount of material that you send to the landfill, while creating compost for your garden in just a few months. 25 free composting bins will be raffled off to participants.

10:30 a.m. – Make Your Own Worm Composting Bin Workshop | USciences’ Rosenberger Hall (43rd Street between Regent Square and Woodland Avenue)

Learn about compost worms, keeping a worm composting bin, and using worm castings (aka worm poop) in your garden. By the end of this class you will have built your own worm composting bin and be ready to use it in your home. Worms will be available at the event for $20/lb. When registering, please indicate if you plan to take a worm bin home and purchase worms. RSVP at http://wormcompostingbin.eventbrite.com

Noon – Growing Mushrooms | USciences’ Rosenberger Hall (43rd Street between Regent Square and Woodland Avenue)

Learn about low tech do-it-yourself methods of growing edible mushrooms which are particularly well suited for tight urban spaces.

2 p.m. – Homebrewing 101 + Mead and Soda Fermentation Workshop | USciences’ Rosenberger Hall (43rd Street between Regent Square and Woodland Avenue)

Learn all aspects of making your own beer, mead (a fermented honey drink), and fermented soda from start to finish. Also brewing, kegging, bottling, ingredients and equipment.

3:30 p.m. – How to Build a Seed Bomb | USP Lower Mill Creek Garden (43rd Street between Chester Avenue and Regent Square)

This DIY Seed Bomb Workshop is presented by the staff of Bartram’s Garden. Made of clay, compost, and seeds, these pocket-sized concoctions can bring vegetative life to vacant lots and otherwise blank urban spaces. You’ll also learn more about the common weeds in our midst, and Bartram’s Gardeners will be on hand to answer your burning plant-related questions and dish out gardening advice.

The last Sustainable Saturday will take place September 17. Stay tuned for more information.

This black tortoiseshell cat ran away from her owner two weeks ago. She was last seen a week and a half ago, around 43rd and Larchwood Ave.

She has a black coat with golden spots all over and a huge golden patch on her stomach. She is very friendly and will not bite or scratch if you approach her.

Please reply to this Craigslist email address if you see her: comm-cd79p-2551634558@craigslist.org

Neighbors are welcome to share their concerns about crime and other neighborhood issues at a community meeting with Lt. Brian McBride and Sgt. Ron Washington of the University City section of the 18th Police District. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow, August 18, at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore Ave.).

Meetings with McBride are held on the third Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the large classroom on the lower level.