If you’re looking for something to do with your little ones tomorrow, stop by the Lucien E. Blackwell Library (52nd & Sansom) for the “Little Dog Lost” storytime with local author and illustrator Monica Carnesi. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the Children’s Department.

Little Dog Lost is a picture book about the true story of Baltic, a dog who was lost on an ice floe in the Baltic Sea. As a special treat, Dandie and Gus, the library’s very own Certified Therapy Dogs (who are local West Philly residents), will be attending this storytime. Dandie & Gus visit the library once a month, and this month Gus (pictured) is also celebrating his birthday!

Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information about the author and “Little Dog Lost,” go here.

This second Friday, Feb. 10 is jam packed with exciting art openings in West Philadelphia. Check out the listings below and make your very own second Friday gallery crawl. From textiles to video installation to art by your next door neighbor, these shows promise big excitement with some local flavor.

Banished: Marie Alarcon

The AIR Gallery, 4007 Chestnut Street, 6-9 p.m. (Through March 2)

Banished is a curation of short video and installation pieces by 40th Street Artist-In-Residence Marie Alarcon that deal with transformation. Banished explores cathartic expulsion and violent removal, sometimes initiated by the subject, at other times imposed by another. One of the pieces, MAGIcicada, a 5-minute video, follows a magical ritual of transformation created through live action, animation, and video collage.  “She Lost Her Wings Before She Could Fly,” is a video of devotion in dreams. http://mariedaphnie.com

Textile Art: A Lifelong Collection

Art on the Avenue Gallery, 3808 Lancaster Avenue, 5-8 p.m. (Through April 7)

This unique collection of textile, garments and ornaments from Mexico, South and Central America, Asia and Africa has grown over 45 years of traveling, living and working in these parts of the world. The artistic talent exhibited in weaving, embroidering and sewing these artifacts is exquisite and each object has a story to tell. http://lancasteravenuearts.com

Carlos Urenia & Cloris Lowe

Correction: Opening Saturday, Feb. 11. Gallery 13 W, 4504 Regent St, 7-10 p.m. (Through April 13)

Two-dimensional/installation artist Ramon Carlos Urenia will present work along with woodworker and 3d artist Cloris Lowe, who will show sculpture from his One a Day Series (pictured left). Lowe explores construction and ownership through small found object sculptures made from household objects (superglue caps, playing cards, clothespins and more). Urenia layers paint on wood to address de-construction and abandonment, saying “My current work is a direct reflection of my environment, specifically the abandoned urban spaces and neglected commercial lots of Philadelphia and Brooklyn.” http://www.gallery13w.com

7th Annual Fun-A-Day

Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Avenue, 7-11 p.m. (Through February 11)

Organized by the Artclash Collective, a Philadelphia-based group of artists who organize free non-juried art projects and shows that aim to be fun, inclusive and participatory, the Fun-A-Day show features Philadelphia residents who created a work of art every day for the month of January. Come out to support your friends and neighbors as they display visual art, sculpture, installation, musical performance, and literary work.

The show opens on Friday, Feb. 10 from 7-11 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 11 there will be an open mic style reading for written work from 5-7 p.m., followed by the main show from 7-11 p.m.

http://www.studio34yoga.com/2011/01/art-7th-annual-fun-a-day-art-show-211-12/

– Emma Eisenberg

Hey West Philly beer lovers – let your voice be heard! The nomination round for the 2012 Drinker’s Choice Awards has opened today and you can nominate your favorite local bar, restaurant or beer in several categories now through Wednesday, Feb. 15. The Top 10 nominees in each category will move on to the final round, where the winners will be decided through popular voting. By the way, Dock Street Brewery is included in the list of the city breweries in the Best Local Beer of 2011 category (12-A).

For more information and to enter your nominations, go here.

Very unsettling news has come in from Jessica Baumert, the Executive Director of the Woodlands Cemetery. The cemetery has been vandalized several times this week. Approximately 25 headstones, mostly dating from the late 19th-early 20th century, were toppled with many of them broken as a result. The discovery was made Monday afternoon by one of the cemetery volunteers. The total cost of damage is approximately $15,000.

Anyone interested in donating toward the repair of these headstones can do so through the Woodlands website: www.woodlandsphila.org, or by mailing a check to the Woodlands at 4000 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104. If you are interested in learning more about other ways you can help, please e-mail info [at] woodlandsphila.org.

The Woodlands is William Hamilton’s former Schuylkill River Estate, transformed in 1840 into a “rural” cemetery that is still an active cemetery today. It is the final resting place of many of the city and region’s accomplished individuals including artist Thomas Eakins, abolitionist Mary Grew, financier Francis Martin Drexel and surgeon Samuel Gross. The 54 acre grounds are open dawn to dusk for the enjoyment of the public.

This came from a neighbor who lives near 50th and Catharine Sts.

“I found a dog today (at 11 a.m.) running down the street near my house at 50th and Catharine St. No collar, just a choke chain. The dog is male, intact, brindle and white possibly American Bulldog or Boxer mix. Very sweet and knows some commands. I walked it around the neighborhood, but no one seemed to recognize him.

I took him to ACCT at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia – no microchip. Because I already have 3 dogs at home, I couldn’t keep him and he’s now at ACCT under a 48-hour stray hold. If this is your dog, his number at the shelter is: A15383449. You can also call 267-385-3800 extension 0 to speak with someone.

If this is NOT your dog, but you’re interested – he’s amazing. Well-behaved and rides very well in the car, he’d be a great addition to any household. He will be up for adoption after his 48-hour stray hold is finished on Thursday 2/9/12.”

If you have questions, please email to: rachelprice707 [at] gmail.com

VIX Emporium (5009 Baltimore Ave) is inviting folks this Thursday, Feb. 9, for a custom jewelry making workshop with Sultana Aschim of Sultana Maria Jewelry. Everyone is welcome to bring a small memento and Sultana will make a charm necklace with it. She will drill a hole in your item or seal it inside a small glass vial, and attach it to your choice of chain.

If you don’t have anything to bring, you can create your own piece using only the components provided by Sultana.  She will also bring her full array of finished jewelry to use as design inspiration. This jewelry will also be available for purchase at a reduced price.

Sultana will be at the shop from 5 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served. No registration is required (it is first come first served) and there is no admission fee to shop the trunk show, but a custom piece costs $20-$40 depending on the complexity. For more information go here.