Construction workers began taking the scaffolding off St. Francis de Sales domes on Monday. The dome renovation project, which began in August 2010 and cost $2.5 million is almost over. The scaffolding should be completely removed by Friday. The dome renovation is only the first phase of a multimillion St. Francis de Sales renovation project.

Today is a Small Business Saturday and everyone is encouraged to support small businesses by shopping locally.

We have a lot of great businesses in our neighborhood, so please consider supporting them today. Do your grocery shopping at the Farmer’s Market, Mariposa or Milk & Honey. Have a pet? You can buy your pet supplies at Baltimore Pet Shoppe. Want a new book? Stop by Bindlestiff Books (Facebook link). While shopping, don’t forget to refuel at one of many awesome local cafes and restaurants.

Finally, consider buying your holiday gifts at local shops. VIX Emporium has a very nice selection of handcrafted holiday gifts and today you can get a free “West Philly” tee or tote with a $100 purchase. Also, American Express card holders will get a special credit on their account when they use the card at any of thousands of participating small businesses, including VIX. VIX Saturday hours have been extended until 7 p.m. and the store is now also open on Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. until Christmas.

The little orange tabby cat that a West Philly resident found lying half-dead in a gutter earlier this week is a fighter. That’s why the folks at The Cat Doctor, who have performed a blood transfusion, rid him of a nasty flea infestation and detected a piece of metal lodged in his colon, have named the cat “Clark Kent.”

The staff at The Cat Doctor are reporting that Clark Kent is recovering, though he still has a long road to get back to full strength. His temperature has risen from a low of 90 degrees when he was found (102 degrees is normal for cats) and he received a blood transfusion from another cat, Diamond, who is one of the house cats at The Cat Doctor.

“If he would not have had that he probably would have died,” said The Cat Doctor’s Lori Horwedel.

Horwedel said Clark Kent is still sleeping on a warming blanket to keep his body temperature up. But he is eating and interested in his surroundings.

“He’s bright and alert this morning,” she said. “When I opened the door (to his cage) he tried to jump out.”

Clark Kent was found in a gutter near Clark Park. He had obviously not been eating well (doctors suspect the piece of metal they found was part of something he tried to eat). He had no collar but he did have a microchip that included information on the people who adopted him. When someone from The Cat Doctor contacted the owner, who adopted him about six months ago, the woman’s mother said they put him outside because they thought he was sick. Enforcement officers from the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) are investigating.

Clark Kent has gained scores of fans worldwide in the two days since he was found. The West Philly-based feline rescue group City Kitties has received donations from Germany, Australia, Ireland and 30 U.S. states that will more than cover Clark Kent’s sizable medical bills.  Now City Kitties is asking those interested in helping to donate at the PSPCA website and choose “humane law enforcement” when asked where they want their donation directed.

One of the two men who died during the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday was a University of Pennsylvania senior.

Jeff Lee, 21, of Cerritos Calif., died soon after crossing the finish line of the half marathon, which preceded the full marathon race. Lee was a nursing and business major.

G. Chris Gleason, 40, of Clifton Park, NY died about a quarter of a mile before the finish of the full marathon on Sunday. Gleason was an experienced triathlete and marathon runner. Philly.com has a story about him here.

Penn students gathered to remember Lee on campus yesterday. The Daily Pennsylvanian has a report here. The Channel 6 report is below.

On Thursday, Nov. 17, a large rally is planned to start at 4 p.m. near City Hall followed by a march at 4:30 p.m. The march is going to cross the Market Street Bridge next to 30th Street Station. The purpose of the rally, organized by Fight for Philly, is to draw attention to the poor state of many Philadelphia bridges (including the Market Street Bridge). The protesters will demand more jobs by calling for structurally deficient bridges to be rebuilt.

If you want to help make banners and signs for tomorrow’s protest you can do it from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Calvary Church (48th & Baltimore). Both talented and not so talented folks are needed. For more information call 610-931-2615 or email: PEACE[at]peoplesmail.net.

The annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association will take place Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Spruce Hill Christian School (42nd and Baltimore Ave.). All are welcome.

Dr. Lisa Bell-Chiles, the principal of Lea Elementary School, is the featured speaker. You will also hear an update from the parents group Advocates for Great Elementary Education (AGREE), which is dealing with the enrollment cap issue at Penn Alexander.

There also will be reports on the Association’s activities and finances for the year, and election of new officers and 10 board members (all are running unopposed). Ed Halligan will be the new president, succeeding Mark Wagenveld.