This week don’t miss the Second Friday on Lancaster Avenue, an event that fosters a great sense of community and showcases local talent and businesses in Powelton Village. Here’s what’s happening on the Avenue, from 34th to 45th Street, this Friday, from 5-9 p.m.:

The Community Education Center will be hosting a Summer Garden Series with an Open Mic Night, Poetry reading and performances (3500 Block). Green Line Cafe (3649 Lancaster Ave) will host a few acoustic players and free snacks. The 3800 block will feature music and Art by Emil Baumann and Jazz artist Alfie Pollitt at Art on the Avenue. The Make your Mark building (3861 Lancaster Ave) will be transformed to a small concert venue featuring performances by Drexel students. In addition to art and music, business owners will display their merchandise and food trucks and street vendors will be out on the sidewalk from 5-9 p.m. Please check the flyer below for Block by Block listings or visit the event’s Facebook page.

This information came from neighbor Samantha who lives at 48th and Springfield.

“A grey cat with white markings has been hanging out by my apartment building for the past few weeks: northeast corner of 48th and Springfield. I don’t see it everyday, but it was hanging around tonight (August 7). I have attached pictures, though they are not too good because the cat kept moving around.”

Here’s the cat’s description provided by Samantha:

Young, grey, cat – maybe around 6 months?
Unsure if male/female.
White markings: white stomach, white paws, white spot over right eye, white ring around end of tail.
A little scared/skittish, but can be called over with a little patience and seems very friendly; appears to have nice temperament.

The cat lives outdoors; Samantha cannot bring it inside. Also, the cat’s stomach is bulging (pregnant or FIP?).

If you have any information about this cat, please leave a comment below.

Update (08/08): Charlie is still looking for his forever friend. Please email Don at dkushon@gmail.com for more information.

Charlie is a 1-year-old, handsome, super smart, athletic, water-loving, 60 pound, pit bull terrier mix. He was found hanging out on his own and was brought to the shelter on May 15.

He already knows “sit, down, touch, and watch.” He loves running or hiking in the Wissahickon and if you give him a chance he will dive in the water. He will retrieve sticks and can catch a frisbee. He travels well in the car. He’s very good with other dogs, and his body language stays loose and wiggly when they are around. He did wonderfully in a play group with six dogs. Even though he has a lot of energy he is getting a lot of experience chillin’ with his human friends inside a home.

Since July 1 Charlie has been living in Center City with his pen pal Don who is fostering him. He’s getting a whole new experience now that is way different from life in the shelter. He has a crate that he sleeps in during the night and while Don is away during the day at work. He’s starting to get used to his new routine and becoming more relaxed.

Charlie doesn’t have any problems with food. He gently takes treats when they are given to him. He’s up to date on all his vaccines and he’s even been neutered and microchipped. He has some manners to work on and he’s enrolled in a basic manners class on Thursdays at 6pm that began July 12 and runs for 5 more weeks at a place in Chestnut Hill called Y2K9. Anyone interested in Charlie would be welcome to join him in class.

Some things he needs some help with is wanting to jump on people, being too mouthy and getting overstimulated with larger toys like a soccer ball. These behaviors will definitely improve with training, as his friends at the shelter think. If you are interested in Charlie and have other dogs at home, you can have a meeting with him so you can make sure you all get along. If you have children 8-years-old or younger, bring them to meet him too!

Charlie is looking for his forever friend and can’t wait to meet you. His adoption fee is only $25 and includes his neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. If you think you have a place in your heart for Charlie, please contact his pen pal Don at dkushon@gmail.com and arrange a meeting with him.

The Fall edition of the Go West! Craft Fest is scheduled for September 29 at The Woodlands (rain date – Sept. 30) and vendor registration is going on right now. The fest organizers would love to see some new faces, so if you are a local artist or crafts person and would like to become a vendor, fill out an online application that can be found here. The application deadline has been extended until Friday, August 10. Available tables are 6’x6′ ($40) and 10’x10′ ($60).

Each category of work has its own quota: jewelry, home goods, paper goods, bath & beauty, etc. and only works created by the seller are permitted. For more information, please email gowestcraftfest@gmail.com.

The Annual Giant IAC Rummage Sale is on Saturday, August 11 at the Calvary Church. Books, records, gently-used clothing, toys, games, housewares, small furniture and many other items will be on sale. Proceeds will help cover expenses for the IAC Solidarity Center office. See the flyer for more information.

Several West Philly community organizations are joining forces to throw a block party and street film festival this Saturday at the Haddington Memorial Garden at 54th and Wyalusing.

The Neighborhood Foods Block Party will feature a flea market, vendors, live music, spoken word performances, food and film screenings. The event runs from 4-9 p.m.

Community leaders from Haddington, The Enterprise Center and the Urban Tree Connection started the youth-driven Neighborhood Foods project to bring attention to urban farming operations and food justice issues. The organization uses urban farming to address problematic issues in the neighborhood, including crime and poverty.

A few highlights of Saturday’s event include:

• Performances by Ursula Rucker and Tim Motzer.
• Scribe Video Center outdoor screenings of short films.
• Dyana Williams will emcee.

For more information, check out the event Facebook page here.