Two Salt and Pepper Deli workers, a 44-year-old man and a 41-year-old man, were attacked Sunday night at about 1 a.m. near their home on the 1100 block of S. 47th Street, according to police. The men had just finished working and were walking home to their apartment building when three males wearing all dark clothing stopped them as they entered the building. One of the attackers was armed with a machete while another male was armed with a handgun.

The attackers forced the victims into the apartment where one of the victims lives. The third robber handcuffed both victims when they got inside the apartment. The attackers took $800 from the 44-year-old man (his pay from work) and his Apple Macbook Laptop. After the robbers finished searching the apartment, they uncuffed both of the victims and fled. There were no injuries reported. All three suspects were wearing black masks and gloves.

CBS reports that one of the victims is Narom Uon, a cook at the Salt and Pepper Deli and his two daughters, a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old were witnesses to the home invasion. Reportedly, they were told to sit in the living room while the robbers were searching their apartment. Uon was interviewed on the local CBS station.

Dylan Moore, a neighbor and an amateur photographer, has dozens of great photos from last week’s Dollar Stroll. Here are a few of them. To see more photos, please visit Dylan’s Flickr page.

This grey, small, 1-year-old cat, named Sophie, went missing on Saturday morning near 43rd and Pine. She doesn’t have
a collar. She is very friendly and will probably approach strangers.

If found please call James at 515-490-4494.

A gun battle terrified nearby residents and damaged several cars early this morning near the corner of 49th Street and Warrington Avenue. No injuries were reported. Police report that at least 22 shots were fired at about 4 a.m., blowing the windows out of several cars. An investigation into the shootings continues, police said.

Many residents said they were awoken by what sounded like firecrackers – a series of shots in rapid succession. Residents said that it appeared that the shooters may have been hiding behind cars and exchanging fire.

Police found shell casings from .40 and .45 caliber weapons, indicating that at least two guns were involved.

Philly.com has photos here.

A judge on Monday sentenced the 19-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to robbery charges stemming from a gunpoint mugging and rape last year near 48th and Springfield to 6-12 years in prison.

Tyshanek Presley was also sentenced to 10 years probation. During the sentencing an assistant district attorney read a letter from residents who live near where the crime took place that detailed the impact on the victims and the community (see the letter below). About a half-dozen residents were in the courtroom for the sentencing, along with about 20 members of Presley’s family.

Community members showing up in courtrooms is still rare in Philadelphia, where fear of retribution has made many city residents reluctant to get involved in criminal proceedings. Town watch groups may help change that.

Earlier this month members of the West Frankford Town Watch were in court during the sentencing of a man convicted of straw purchasing guns, one of which was recovered at the scene of a shooting. The judge in that case issued a strong sentence despite the defendant not having any previous criminal record. Continue Reading

Seeds Gallery Grand Opening on August 11, 2012. (Photo by Jaap Veneman)

Tucked away near the corner of 50th and Baltimore is the new Seeds Gallery, which promotes artists from right here in West Philly. The gallery is small but spirited, containing work at last Saturday’s grand opening from artists and photographers including Charles Barbin, Bob Bruhin, Russell Brodie, and Jeremy Fahringer.

The gallery provides an atmosphere like your friend’s living room. It’s casual, the artists are friendly and are willing to discuss their work. The gallery is small, but intimate, allowing for you to appreciate all of the work without being overwhelmed by too much of it. All in all it’s a charming place to support local artists.

There will be a public open house on August 25 from 6-9 p.m. and another on September 16 from 4-8 p.m. The closing exhibit will be on September 29, 6-9 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to see these wonderful artists before they’re gone.

– Kelly Lawler