Are you a runner or considering becoming one?  Here are some like-minded people who can help you get started or keep you going. Clark Park Track Club welcomes people of all ages and skill levels to join them for runs around the perimeter of Clark Park (o.5 mile loop).

The club was founded in the winter of 2010 by neighbor Janine Schwab to provide a safer environment when running in the dark during winter months. But soon Janine saw other opportunities for the club to flourish, including a chance for parents to run in the park while their kids play at the playground.

Now the club meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. in the winter) at the #13 trolley shelter (43rd & Chester) and as many as 10 people have shown up for the 1-4 mile runs. The club is looking to grow so that they can accommodate different paces for partnering. Right now paces range from sub-elite to turtle. Rollers and walkers are welcome too.

The club doesn’t have a website yet, but you can visit their Facebook page.

Another West Philly running club, West Philly Runners, is also open to runners of any experience level. They meet each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. outside of Abyssiania at 45th and Locust. Runners usually do a 2-, 4- or 6-mile pre-planned route around the neighborhood.

The club is not affiliated with any of the universities but students are welcome. Those who take part are also invited to convene at Fiume (above Abyssinia) for a post-run beer or two.

The 22-year-old legally blind man who was involved in a scuffle with police Friday near 46th and Walnut has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, wrecklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Witnesses say that police used excessive force to subdue Darrell Holloway after he and two other men were stopped at about 9:30 p.m. A bystander was also charged in the melee, which sent Holloway and two police officers to the hospital.

Police stopped Holloway, who had no criminal record, and the other men for a “narcotics investigation” and Holloway soon began to “punch the officers in the face and body,” according to a police report. The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that Holloway was “known” to police officers.

Witnesses say several officers struck Holloway with batons and flashlights. In a shaky cell phone video of the incident, bystanders can be heard shouting to police that Holloway was blind.

Holloway, who lives on the 5600 block of Pemberton Street, lost his vision four years ago after he was shot in the face, his family told the Daily News.

Holloway was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and later released. Two officers were hospitalized as well.

A 20-year-old woman, Nicole Boyd, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime after she allegedly threw a flower pot at police from a second floor balcony.

Holloway and Boyd were released after posting bail. Both are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Sept. 6. Police would not say if an Internal Affairs investigation has been initiated.

School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman stepped down today. The school district statement is embedded below.

Ackerman took over as superintendent of the city’s public schools in June 2008 and her contract was due to run through 2014. Ackerman’s contract will be bought out for $905,000. Some $500,000 of that money will come from the School District and $405,000 will come from anonymous private contributions, according to a District statement.

Graham reports that a national search will be conducted for a replacement. More details about Ackerman’s resignation and the financial terms under which she left will likely be disclosed at the Aug. 24 meeting of the School Reform Commission.

Residents are still trying to sort what happened at the corner of 46th and Walnut last night at 9 p.m. when as many as 20 police cars responded to a vehicle stop. Witnesses allege that police used excessive force on a 21-year-old man who they say was partially blind. That man and two police officers were hospitalized, according to a report in the Philadelphia Daily News.

The Daily News reports that people began throwing bottles and flower pots at police from nearby windows and balconies. One bottle reportedly struck a police officer in the eye.

Both the police officers and Holloway were reported to be in stable condition this morning.

We are trying to get more information on this story and we will post it when we do.

Below is a video recorded on a mobile phone. The visuals are unclear, but the audio is clear and includes expletives.

This month’s installment of Sustainable Saturdays, the West Philly local food series, will take place this Saturday, August 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The theme is “From Seed to Compost” and features workshops on composting, mushroom growing, homebrewing, seed bomb building and more.

Here are some details:

9 a.m. – Composting Workshop | Woodlands Community Garden (Woodlands Cemetery, 4000 Woodlands Avenue )

Learn about how to reduce the amount of material that you send to the landfill, while creating compost for your garden in just a few months. 25 free composting bins will be raffled off to participants.

10:30 a.m. – Make Your Own Worm Composting Bin Workshop | USciences’ Rosenberger Hall (43rd Street between Regent Square and Woodland Avenue)

Learn about compost worms, keeping a worm composting bin, and using worm castings (aka worm poop) in your garden. By the end of this class you will have built your own worm composting bin and be ready to use it in your home. Worms will be available at the event for $20/lb. When registering, please indicate if you plan to take a worm bin home and purchase worms. RSVP at http://wormcompostingbin.eventbrite.com

Noon – Growing Mushrooms | USciences’ Rosenberger Hall (43rd Street between Regent Square and Woodland Avenue)

Learn about low tech do-it-yourself methods of growing edible mushrooms which are particularly well suited for tight urban spaces.

2 p.m. – Homebrewing 101 + Mead and Soda Fermentation Workshop | USciences’ Rosenberger Hall (43rd Street between Regent Square and Woodland Avenue)

Learn all aspects of making your own beer, mead (a fermented honey drink), and fermented soda from start to finish. Also brewing, kegging, bottling, ingredients and equipment.

3:30 p.m. – How to Build a Seed Bomb | USP Lower Mill Creek Garden (43rd Street between Chester Avenue and Regent Square)

This DIY Seed Bomb Workshop is presented by the staff of Bartram’s Garden. Made of clay, compost, and seeds, these pocket-sized concoctions can bring vegetative life to vacant lots and otherwise blank urban spaces. You’ll also learn more about the common weeds in our midst, and Bartram’s Gardeners will be on hand to answer your burning plant-related questions and dish out gardening advice.

The last Sustainable Saturday will take place September 17. Stay tuned for more information.

This black tortoiseshell cat ran away from her owner two weeks ago. She was last seen a week and a half ago, around 43rd and Larchwood Ave.

She has a black coat with golden spots all over and a huge golden patch on her stomach. She is very friendly and will not bite or scratch if you approach her.

Please reply to this Craigslist email address if you see her: comm-cd79p-2551634558@craigslist.org