The next couple of weekends are packed with awesome events and activities for pets and their owners. Here are the details:

Saturday, September 29

Bark in the Park
Clark Park “B” (43rd and Chester)
2-3 pm
Friends of Clark Park are inviting dogs and their owners to join them in Clark “B” Park, near the bowl. There will be more than 25 doggie contests with prizes, a chance to meet the vet and all kinds of fun for dogs and their human friends. All are welcome.

“End of Summer” Sidewalk Sale
Baltimore Pet Shoppe, 4532 Baltimore Ave
11 am – 3 pm
Stop by Baltimore Pet Shoppe this Saturday to check on their “End of Summer” sale. Huge savings on pet toys, accessories and treats (30-75% off).

Sunday, September 30

Blessing of the Animals
St. Francis De Sales Church, 4625 Springfield Ave
Noon
Bring your little best friend to be blessed in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the friend of all of God’s creatures.

Saturday, October 6

Low Cost Dog and Cat Vaccine Clinic
UPenn Alpha Psi, 4002 Pine Street
10 am – 4 pm
Alpha Psi, the veterinary fraternity at University of Pennsylvania, is having a low cost vaccine clinic. Rabies and Distemper shots – $10 for both, microchipping – $20. Also, bring your dog or cat for a free physical exam by UPenn Veterinary students. If you have questions, email: upennalphapsi@gmail.com

Earth Cup Doggie Strut
Earth Cup Coffee, 405 S. 45th Street (45th and Pine)
Noon – 2 pm
The Annual Earth Cup Doggie Strut will feature tons of great stuff: Prizes for all participants, a doggie photo booth, nail clipping and info booth by UPenn vets, generous treats from Baltimore Pet Shoppe, best trick/costume competition, music and more! You can sign up at the cafe or just show up and sign up at the event. For more information, visit Earth Cup’s Facebook page.

Drexel University officials have announced that the school will use a $10 million donation to build a community center that will offer residents in Powelton Village and Mantua a host of services, from free legal and health clinics to art programs and advice for small businesses.

Two properties and a former elementary school on Spring Garden Street between 34th and 35th streets will house the center, which will occupy about 29,000 square feet.

Drexel President John Fry told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he wants the center to help Drexel become the most civically engaged university in the country. Dana Dornsife, a 1983 Drexel graduate, and her husband David donated the money for the project, which will draw on faculty and student expertise to help address issues in the surround neighborhood.  The Dornsifes are based in California.

The center is expected to open in 2014.

The annual tour of artist studios and workspaces around Philadelphia, POST-2012, begins this weekend, with tours of venues west of Broad Street taking place October 6-7. West Philadelphia is again well represented, with over 20 artists participating in the event. This is a unique opportunity to visit the artists and their studios. Also stop by the community partner venues which will host POST exhibitions. Self-guided tours are free and open from noon to 6 p.m. Visit this page for more information on the participating artists and venues.

Also, please visit Green Line Cafe‘s website for more information on POST exhibits taking place in their three West Philly locations (43rd and Baltimore, 45th and Locust, and 37th and Lancaster). Artist Kelton Bumgarner sends invitation to neighbors to come to Green Line at 43rd and Baltimore this Saturday to check out his exhibit (reception is from 5 to 7 p.m.). “I have only been in West Philly for a short period of time (2 years now) and would love to meet some more of the community, have a couple drinks, and talk about some art!” he wrote.

Finally, the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program is introducing their new resident artists on both Saturday and Sunday. Everyone is welcome to meet Fatima Adamu, Mike Harpring, Diedra Krieger, Thomasin Parnes, and Celestine Wilson Hughes at their studios at 4013 Chestnut St. and at the A.I.R. Gallery (4007 Chestnut St).

Here’s a list of places where you can watch tonight’s debate between the Republican challenger Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.

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Four more cheers: Debate Watch Party with Chili

5011 Larchwood Avenue
8:00 – 10:00 pm
Complimentary Vegi Chili will be served. Feel free to bring some toppings.
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Democratic Party Debate Watch Party

Mill Creek, 4200 Chester Avenue
8:00 – 11:00 pm
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Red, White & Blue Coffee & Cocktails Debate

Cafe Rue 52, 503 S. 52nd Street (52nd & Larchwood)
8:30 – 10:30 pm
Complimentary coffee & cocktails.
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Garden Court Watch Party

Garden Court Plaza, 4701 Pine Street
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
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Debate Watch Party and Phone Bank

Reed’s Coffee & Tea House, 3802 Lancaster Avenue
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
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The Debate Watch Party and Phone Bank

THIS AND THAT, 3856 Lancaster Avenue
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Refreshments will be provided.
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Drexel University Debate Watch Party

Nesbitt Hall, Stein Auditorium, 3215 Market Street
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Pizza will be served.
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UPenn Graduate Students Debate Watch Party

Penn Law School, Gittis 213, 3501 Sansom Street
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
For Penn grad students only.

Update (1:40 pm): The rusty water problem should now be resolved, according to a message posted on PWD’s Facebook page. PWD is advising their customers to flush cold water taps, starting with the lowest floors, until the water runs clear.

10:54 am: The Philadelphia Water Department has issued a rusty water advisory for the area:

“While Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) crews were performing maintenance on the water distribution system in University City, rusty water resulted in some properties in the area. PWD crews are in the area and are in the process of establishing the extent of the impact.  Crews are also taking water samples and flushing hydrants to correct the issue.”

PWD has not specified where exactly in the area this issue has been found.

The advisory states that rusty water is not a health concern, but it is not pleasant to drink and shouldn’t be used to wash laundry. Residents with health concerns, however, are advised to contact their health care provider before drinking or using the water. If you have questions, please call PWD’s emergency hotline at 215-685-6300. You can also find more information and updates on PWD’s Facebook page.

If you have been affected by this problem, please let us know in the comments where you are.

A series of free health-minded events is scheduled in various locations around West Philadelphia from Oct. 1 through mid-November as part of “Health Awareness Season” sponsored by State Sen. Anthony H. Williams.

“A healthy lifestyle is something we can all strive toward, whether we resolve to make better food choices, exercise more or maintain regular check-ups with our physician. We don’t have to make huge changes, but even little lifestyle improvements make a major difference,” Williams said. “These events will help folks learn new forms of exercise while having fun, all for free.”

Registration is not required and there will be free giveaways at the events while supplies last. Here are the details:

– Learn what it takes to keep a body fit with a personal trainer, who will be available from 7 to 8 p.m. every Monday from Oct. 1 to Nov. 5 at Sayre Morris Recreation Center, 5835 Spruce St.

– Have fun and get the blood moving with great music and line dancing from 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday from Oct. 3 to Nov. 7 at SOCCA, Turner School, 5900 Baltimore Ave.

– Discover the Latin dance-inspired, calorie-burning workout Zumba from 6 to 7 p.m. every Thursday from Oct. 4 to Nov. 1 at Kingsessing Recreational Center, 4901 Kingsessing Ave.

For more information on these events, call Desaree Jones at 215-492-2980 or e-mail djones@pasenate.com.