There are a couple of things we wanted to mention as the weekend rolls in.

There are only three days left for University City Dining Days when you can enjoy dinner at 27 area restaurants for three fixed prices: $15, $25, and $35. The annual Dining Days will run through July 27. More info and the list of participating restaurants is available here.

The second concert in the 40th Street Summer Concerts series is scheduled for this Saturday, July 26. Bring your blanket or chairs to the lawn behind the Walnut Street West library at 40th and Walnut and enjoy live music by Avalon String Band and the fusion act – Raphael Xavier W.O.R.X. Meets Bobby Zankel & The Warriors of the Wonderful Sound. The show, which begins at 6 p.m., also features free treats from Ben & Jerry’s and face painting and balloon animals for kids.

The next 40th Street Summer series concert is on August 30, featuring Nation Beat. More details are available here.

West Philly Tool Library staff (Photo courtesy WPTL).

West Philly Tool Library (WPTL) is Philadelphia’s only library that lends tools to community members, both individuals and organizations. WPTL’s members borrow tools for home repairs, construction projects, gardening and even creating art. Recently, the tool library has announced some big plans that include increasing the number of members in more neighborhoods and their access to most needed tools and expanding their education and outreach programs.

Sounds great, but the problem is that WPTL can’t meet this demand without community help. Their current memberships fund only 34 percent of their annual operating budget of $40,000. So an online crowdfunding campaign was launched to help them make ends meet.

WPTL is currently raising $10,000 through Indiegogo and has already raised over $3,000. The money donated through this campaign will help the following projects, according to the campaign page:

• Increase availability of the tools they can’t keep on the shelves, like table saws, weed whackers, tile saws, and cordless drills
• Develop a robust education program to ensure that community members have the skills they need to properly leverage their tools
• Develop programs to reach into the neighborhoods they don’t fully serve

For more information and to donate, click here.

If you want to learn more about how to become the tool library member, visit this page.

Earlier this week we reported about the plans to install new benches inscribed with Charles Dickens quotes at Clark Park. The work began today and is expected to take two days.

Photo: The old benches are being removed near the Dickens statue at 43rd and Chester.

Cedar Park residents can now check out and try the loopy chairs. Since last fall, the loopy seating structures, a new type of social seating called Looped In, have been moving around various neighborhoods in the University City area and recently were installed in front of Dock Street Brewery (50th and Baltimore). They will remain in this location until early September, according to University City District.

Theo.

Theo is a beautiful black male pit bull terrier looking for a new home. He’s only 9 months old. He was surrendered to the local animal control last week by his owner.

What makes this dog stand out is the fact that his owner obviously loved him very much and wants to make sure he finds a loving new home. He/she wrote a detailed letter about Theo (see below) describing everything he likes, dislikes, etc. Most people who surrender a pet do not even want to fill some basic information out, according to volunteers who work at the shelter.

Theo is available for adoption or foster care.

If you’re interested in meeting Theo please note that all resident dogs and family members need to come to ACCT to meet him before he can go into foster care or be adopted. Theo will be neutered, vaccinated and chipped before going to a new home.

Here’s more information on the ACCT shelter and its hours:

Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia
111 W. Hunting Park Avenue
(267) 385-3800 | phone
(215) 261-6092 | fax
info@acctphilly.org

Adoptions Hours: 1 – 8 p.m., weekdays; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., weekends. Email: adopt@acctphilly.org

Foster Care Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., everyday. Email: foster@acctphilly.org

The 2014 West Philadelphia Block Captains Forum will take place August 2 at Boys’ Latin School (5501 Cedar Ave) and registration is open until Monday, July 28. The forum, organized by The Partnership Community Development Corporation (TPCDC), is a great networking and skill-building opportunity for local block captains, filled with useful free workshops , such as Crisis and Emergency Management, Crime and Safety, Community Organizing 101, Vacant Lot Management and more.

Breakfast and lunch will also be served at the event. Click here to download the registration form. Note: only official block captains can attend this event.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Leon Robinson at the TPCDC Neighborhood Advisory Committee office at: 215-662-1612 ext. 24 or stop by the office located at 4020 Market Street.