With the summer fast approaching, many parents are now searching for information on day and residential camps available in our area, so we are trying to keep our Summer Camps page constantly updated as we get more information. Recently, we have updated the page with three more camps, two in Philadelphia and one in Poconos with transportation provided from a pick-up location in Philly. To see our list of summer camps, go to: https://www.westphillylocal.com/summer-camps-2013/

If you’re a camp owner, staff member or counselor and would like to share information about your camp with West Philly residents, please drop us a line at: editor@westphillylocal.com

FYI, on Saturday, May 4, there will be a 5K walkathon through West Philly (starting in Clark Park, circling Kingsessing and Malcom X Park, and ending at the Calvary Center) to honor the leadership of women and girls and to support the wonderful West Philly-based girls’ leadership Camp Sojourner. The walkathon begins at 10:00 a.m. and is followed by a celebration at Calvary (48th & Baltimore) from 12:15 to 2:00 p.m. To register online go to: stayclassy.org/GLC.

This is a family-friendly event and even if you can’t walk, you’re welcome to come to the celebration event and support Philly girls and women.

There is also a chance to help another great local camp. You can combine your love of sports and theater by participating in the Curio Theatre Summer Camp Scholarship fundraiser. If you buy tickets for the Phillies/Marlins game on May 2, 2013, 7:05, net proceeds will go to support the Reuben Mitchell Scholarship Fund. Individual tickets are $32 (or 4 for only $100.00!) For more information contact Lewis Mellman at lewismellman@mac.com or call 267-252-6648.

These middle-aged sweethearts have a lot to offer their prospective new families, including: the promise to catch on to housebreaking quickly, the ability to recognize the difference between their toys and your shoes with just a little guidance and most importantly, unconditional love and gratitude for saving them!

Pete is a 5-10 year old American Bulldog mix who was surrendered to the shelter because his owner fell ill and could no longer care for a pet. Pete isn’t letting his new life in the shelter phase him too much, mainly because he’s getting lots of attention from his new staff and volunteer friends. Pete is a big, tall guy, weighing around 80 pounds, but it appears as though his big, kissable head accounts for a fair amount of that weight.

Pete has quickly become a favorite at the shelter because of his low-key, easy-peasy demeanor. Despite his size, he’s pretty easy on the leash. While he loves to spend time with his human friends, Pete also did well when meeting other dogs at the shelter. He was tolerant of pushy, goofy play styles and was comfortable spending time with other low-key dogs as well. Pete has reportedly lived with other dogs AND cats in his past home. He’d be a great addition to any family looking for a big, easy-going companion. Interested in meeting him? Grab your resident dogs and stop by!

If you you searching for a sweet easygoing dog who is past all that “puppy” nonsense then Nikol is your girl. She is a full-figured, middle-aged girl who is looking for love and a forever family. She’s a low-key sweetheart who would enjoy curling up with you on the sofa on a cold day, or hanging outside with you enjoying the sunshine.

Nikol very much enjoys going for long walks to explore the great outdoors! She loves attention and will let you pet her for as long as you are willing. She is also very tolerant of her penpals putting her in costumes. Come meet her and maybe you will fall in love with her just like her volunteer friends. Bring the whole family, including any children and resident dog(s), if you have them at home already, so everyone can meet her at the same time to see if she is the right match to be a part of your family.

Interested in fostering or adopting one of these great dogs? They are currently residing at ACCT Philly located at 111 W. Hunting Park Avenue. For more information, click here: http://www.acctphilly.org/.

Tyga is a 1-2-year-old female pit bull terrier mix. She adores humans and looks forward to being the love of your life. Tyga is currently nervous around other dogs, but is learning how to play appropriately, with the help of her human friends. Unfortunately, Tyga must go to a home with no cats. She is microchipped, up to date on her shots and will be spayed when you take her home.

This is just one of the many wonderful dogs in urgent need of adoption, foster care, or rescue at Philadelphia’s animal control shelter, ACCT.

You can stop down and meet them, and after filling out an application with shelter staff, interact with them 365 days a year at the shelter: 111 W. Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia. Please check www.acctphilly.org for hours. To check the status of an animal, call 267-385-3800, or email acctpetfinder@gmail.com.

This black and white cutie is somewhere between one and two years old, and was transferred into ACCT Philly by one of their rescue partners. He has some basic commands mastered, so it seems that at one point he may have had a family. He’s looking to get back into a home so he can work on ‘snuggle’ with his new family.

Buckley is a young boy with some energy to burn. But, he also likes to sit in the lap of his human for some quiet time. Buckley knows “sit” and is starting to figure out “down.” He enjoys playing with toys (stuffing-free please) and running around the play yard. Buckley is learning to walk like a good boy on an easy-walk harness (it helps to reduce the amount of pulling that he does on a traditional leash and collar) and will check in with his human to see if he’s doing a good job.

Buckley is eager to meet new dogs and with slow introductions does very well with them.

If you are interested in meeting this sweet boy, head on down to ACCT with your family (and your dog if you already have one). You can find him at 111 West Hunting Park Avenue. Buckley is part of the Pen Pal Program at ACCT and has two volunteers dedicated to finding him a great home or foster care. His Pen Pals also spend quality time with him trying to keep him as stress free as possible. Buckley’s Pen Pals also work on teaching him to be the best dog he can be, socializing him with people and other dogs, teaching him some basic commands and giving him plenty of snuggles. If you have any questions about Buckley or adopting from ACCT, please email his pen pals: larakelly@comcast.net or katherine.ACCT@gmail.com.

Chili is one of the ACCT shelter pups that have a cold and need a warm couch to recover. She is an extremely sweet middle aged gal looking for a new forever home. She came to the shelter as a stray so now she’s ready to hop into your home and love you forever!

Chili also has an adorable and awesome personality. She’s about five-six years old so she’s the perfect age for you if you are looking for a chilled out middle aged dog who wants nothing more than love and affection. She is full of personality and she always has a smile on her face. She is very well behaved and she is happy to do whatever you are doing, she’s just a go with the flow type of dog.

She’s easy to handle and she walks well on the leash. She is a dog who will be happy to go on a walk with you, go out to lunch with you, play with toys by your feet, or curl up in your lap. She really loves making new friends, especially people friends.

You might chuckle at her because she has a sausage-like body and a small head but it’s what makes her adorable! She could stand to get in better shape but it’s nothing a proper diet and some walks won’t fix! Chili loves her treats and also really loves to play fetch with a tennis ball and she doesn’t mind it when you take it from her to throw again. She did well with the dogs she has met so far at the shelter, especially ones who are chill and mellow like her.

Chili is a fun girl to be around and she can’t help but make everyone around her smile, so bring her home and she’ll make you smile every day. If you want to find out more information about this dog or if you would like to meet her you can email her two friends who hang out with her a lot at: Always8bball@aol.com or Anastasiam1981@yahoo.com.

Filmmaker and West Philly resident Angelo Leotta has recently made a film about Philadelphia. The film, which is a time lapse short, also features some scenes in West Philly. There’s something mesmerizing about it that makes you watch it again and again. Nice work, Angelo, and thanks for sharing it!

Time Lapse: Philadelphia from Angelo Leotta on Vimeo.