West Philly artists –  there’s still time to apply for the Lancaster Avenue Arts project.

Lancaster Avenue has been selected by The City of Philadelphia as a ReStore Corridors Through Art location. From September 30 – November 30 qualified artists can use vacant storefronts for their installations. More than a dozen locations are on the list.

Applications are accepted until August 8. Artists working in any medium are welcome to apply.

To see the list of available storefronts and to apply go here.

A 39-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint on the 200 block of S. 46th St. last night and this time it was not a BB gun. The man was shot in the foot when he resisted, according to police.

The victim told police he was walking along 46th Street between Spruce and Locust Streets near his home at about 10:45 p.m. when he was approached by two males ages 18-20 who asked him if he had a light for a cigarette. One of the young men then drew a grey handgun and demanded the man surrender his belongings. They took his wallet, which contained $70 cash and some credit cards, and searched through his pockets.

At one point, he told police, he resisted and the man holding the gun said, “This gun’s not fake,” and shot the man in the foot. Police found a shell casing near the scene but did not release the caliber of the gun.

The unidentified victim was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and was in stable condition this morning, police said.

The incident was the latest in a string of gunpoint robberies in the area involving young men in their late teens. Some of those robberies have been committed with BB guns, some of which police have recovered. Also, a few victims in recent days have successfully fought back against would-be robbers. But police are asking people not to take chances. Here is a comment by Southwest Detective Joe Murray on the recent rash of gunpoint robberies.

Police supplied descriptions of the two suspects:

• Black male, dark skin. Height: 5-1 to 5-5. Thin build, closely cropped hair. Wearing a black t-shirt with white stripes.

• Black male, light skin. Height: 5-10. Thin build. Longer hair. Wearing a tan t-shirt with a tie-die pattern on it.

This morning a crew from the University City District began installing the city’s first “parklet,” a wood and metal platform complete with tables, chairs and planter boxes at 43rd and Baltimore designed to reclaim parking spots for more leisure space.

The platform, which extends six feet into the street and is the length of two parking spots along 43rd Street in front of the Green Line Cafe, essentially widening the seating area of the cafe, although you won’t have to buy anything to sit there. Oddly, the spot chosen for the first parklet is about 50 feet from an actual park – Clark Park – which was recently renovated to add additional cafe-style seating.

The parklet will occupy a parking spot where a Philly Car Share vehicle was once parked. That spot will be moved up 43rd Street.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the parklet will be at 43rd and Baltimore at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Parklets, which are designed to be temporary and portable, have become a fairly common site in many cities. They are designed to extend pedestrian space in busy urban neighborhoods and encourage people to drive less (presumably by making parking spots harder to find?) and slow down the spread of asphalt.

The parklet is a cooperative effort with the City of Philadelphia and the University City District and with money from a William Penn Foundation grant.

Today’s cat is Frank, a very handsome one year-old Lynx point Siamese, or perhaps a Siamese/tabby mix.

Frank was named after the most famous Frank of all (Sinatra!) because of his bright blue eyes and striking good looks. Whatever his lineage, he has the energy of a Bengal! Frank can be the sweetest and most loving kitty you’ll ever meet: He will wander over to you, walk all over you and almost swoon with purring.

Frank is young and very full of energy. He chases and wrestles with his foster brothers, and they chase and wrestle back. He knows how to play nice. He would do best in a home with another young, energetic cat with whom he could wrestle.

Frank is neutered, FIV/FeLV negative, up to date on vaccinations, and received flea/parasite treatment/preventative as needed.

For more information on the adoption process or to fill out an online application go to: www.citykitties.org. Adoption fee is $85 to help subsidize the cost of veterinary care.

Ramadan starts today and while we are happy that our Muslim friends and neighbors get to observe this holy month of fasting and prayer, we’re sad that a few of our favorite food spots will be closed or have their hours drastically curtailed.

Saad’s Halal Restaurant, for example, is closed this month. The following is a short list (for now) of Ramadan hours for neighborhood food spots. We will keep adding to it. If you know of any to add, please drop a comment below.

• Saad’s Halal Restaurant (4500 Walnut St.)

Closed for the entire month.

• Manakeesh Cafe and Bakery (4420 Walnut St.)

Opens at sunset each night. Each night includes a signature dish. See the Ramadan menu here (Facebook page).

• Kabobeesh (4201 Chestnut St.)

Open regular hours. Free Iftar, the fast-breaking meal, for those fasting for the month.

• Wah Gi Wah (4447 Chestnut St.)

Open regular hours.

With folks getting bent out of shape these days for the environmental unfriendliness of even small things – like the sleeve on your coffee cup – how is it that the Yellow Pages still exist? We came across this stack on Spruce Street near 46th.