OK, honestly we thought Philadelphia2035 was going to be kind of corny – an online game where players answer questions about everything from the kind of zoning they want in their neighborhood to what kinds of stores they would support. But it turns out to be interesting, mostly because you can see the way others from the neighborhood are thinking about these issues. The big bonus is that you can help raise money for a local cause.

Basically, it’s an inventive way for planners to get public input – in this case from people living in the University/Southwest planning district – while giving a little something back.

Here’s how it works:

• Click on the link and take a minute or two to make an online profile.

• Proceed to the first “mission.” There are three missions in all and each includes about a dozen questions. The current mission lasts another six days and you can leave and come back to the game and it will remember where you were. So you could do just a couple of questions a day.

• Answer questions and explain your choices (these explanations are what makes the game interesting). Example: Do you wish your neighborhood had more shopping? Which of the following would you like to see added to your neighborhood? (everything from a hardware store to a Target is included).

• When you complete and post your answer you get some virtual coins (more on that later).

• You can also read replies from others playing the game and comment on their replies. Example: “For everyday errands in the neighborhood, it’s difficult to find a post office (or post box!), hardware store supplies, and sometimes even groceries. I would not advocate for big box stores (such as Lowes or Home Depot) in the neighborhood, but more small businesses and selection would be ideal. Smaller specialty grocers would also be a great thing to have more of in the neighborhood.”

For those of you who want a little more room to sound off, there is a “soapbox” area where people are raising questions about public transportation and even public toilets. Example: “I believe they provide a valuable service, but the trolleys along their surface routes cause persistent traffic issues. Isn’t there a better way?” Gulp.

Once you finish you can donate your coins to the cause of your choice. So far the Greening Lea initiative is the runaway leader. Other causes include Neighborhood Bike Works, the Kingsessing Recreation Center and the University City Arts League.

Clark Kent.

Many of our readers might remember a series of stories we published in the fall of 2011 about Clark Kent, an abandoned and starved cat found in Clark Park and rescued by our reader James. That story and the following stories were shared hundreds of times on our blog and by other media and animal rescue organizations, prompting people from all over the world to donate thousands of dollars for the cat’s expensive treatment (Clark Kent suffered from a severe kidney condition because he accidentally ate pieces of metal rummaging through garbage while trying to survive on his own for many days).

Unfortunately, Clark Kent lost his battle with the disease on Friday, as City Kitties, a local cat rescue organization announced on their Facebook page.

“He went peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, almost a year to the day after his adoption. We are thankful to everyone who allowed us to provide him comfort during the time he had left. We are especially grateful to Jackie for providing him with love, care and a wonderful home. RIP little guy,” the announcement reads.

Although we’re sad that Clark Kent wasn’t able to make it, it is comforting to know that he received so much support and had someone who loved and took care of him at the end of his life.

CommunityCam maps public and private security cameras in the city.

Using surveillance videos in solving a crime has become a common practice for law enforcement officials since many businesses, organizations and individuals now install security cameras as a safety measure. But what about simple folks who need this information but don’t have access to it? In an effort to help residents prevent and solve crime, VideoSurveillance.com has recently rolled out the CommunityCam program that maps public and private security cameras throughout Philadelphia. The program is first launching in our city, with a goal to eventually expand nationwide.

Anyone can use the map either for locating cameras that may have captured a criminal activity or for choosing a safer walking route. The map is crowdsourced so any resident, business owner, neighborhood group, or government organization can add locations of surveillance cameras to help their neighbors.

“Unfortunately, information about security cameras has not been made available to the public so someone who has been hurt, wronged, or worse does not have access to all the resources that could help make things right. With this effort, we hope that neighbors will start working together to help each other and to make all cities and towns safe,” said Josh Daniels, President of VideoSurveillance.com.

A neighbor, Stephanie, said that the program is interesting, too, because it’s crowdsourced – so neighbors and residents can help each other out. “As a young(ish) single woman, new to Philadelphia, this makes me feel more secure,” said Stephanie.

Here’s how you can use CommunityCam:

– Visit http://www.videosurveillance.com/communitycam

– Navigate the map using the directional arrows

– Click the blue balloons to see addresses for and types of cameras

– If you have an outdoor surveillance camera, you’re encouraged to add it to the map.
 

So in case you hadn’t noticed there is a food truck – sorry, “mobile food” – revolution happening around the country. Mobile food has become serious business. If you ever thought about starting a mobile food business you need to get to a free day-long workshop at Penn Law School in a couple of weeks.

The Mobile Entrepreneur Workshop will feature guidance on financing a business, copyright and trademarks, regulation and licensing and managing risk and growth. Penn Law’s Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic and the Philadelphia Mobile Food Association are sponsoring the workshop, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 16. Even lunch is free. But there is limited space and an RSVP is required.

For more information and the full schedule, visit the workshop’s Facebook page here or call 215-898-8044.

Philadelphia has more homicides per capita than any big city in the country. Guns are used in most of those murders. More than 100 people were shot in December in the city. A “conversation and exploration” will be held beginning at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 3, at The Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore) aimed at figuring out ways to curb gun violence.

Speakers at “Addressing Gun Violence in Philadelphia: A Conversation & Exploration” include Erica Atwood, a community engagement specialist with the Mayor’s office, and Daniel O’Brien, the assistant managing director of Philly Rising.

Free childcare will be available at The Calvary Center from 1-2:30 p.m. Write wpmf  -at- wpmf.org to sign up for child care.

Kol Tzedek Synagogue, West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship and Calvary United Methodist Church are sponsoring the event.

Several second through sixth graders from four West Philly schools are members at the Minor Threats chess club. The kids are trying to get to the State and National championships this spring. 

The Minor Threats is a chess club based at S. Weir Mitchell Elementary school at 55th and Kingsessing and consists of 2nd-6th graders from four different schools in West and Southwest Philly. Their coach and school teacher, Jason Bui, would like to take this talented and hardworking group of youngsters to two important upcoming competitions – the State Championships in Carlisle in March and Supernationals in Nashville, Tenn. in April. But traveling to and competing at these events require some funding which the club doesn’t have. So the Minor Threats are seeking community support. A total of $5,000 is needed to take the kids to both events.

Here’s what Jason wrote in an email:

“This has been an exciting year for the chess club. The kids have worked very hard. They have attended eleven tournaments around Philadelphia so far this school year. They have won 19 individual trophies, medals, and awards. They have won 3 team trophies. Now they want to prove themselves on the state and national level. They will not be able to do that without your help.

We need $1,300 to take 13 kids and 4 parents to the State Championships in Carlisle, Penna. for two nights in March. Most of the kids will compete in both the K-6 under 800 section on Saturday and the K-9 under 1,000 section on Sunday. Last year 105 of the best K-6 chess players in the state played in these two sections. I took four fairly inexperienced students there. We missed winning a team trophy by 1 point. This year the team is much more prepared. They have been practicing and studying for months.

We need $5,000 to take 9 kids and 4 adults to Supernationals V in Nashville, Tenn. for four nights in April. Every four years the elementary, middle school, and high school national chess championships are held at one location. This event is called Supernationals. The Minor Threats will compete against hundreds of the best K-6 chess players in the country. Based on their accomplishments at local tournaments they stand a good chance to bring home some trophies and glory for the team.

Your donation will make a huge impact on the lives of inner-city youth who are eager to achieve great things through chess. A $20 donation would pay for a hotel room for one child. A $50 donation would pay the Supernationals tournament entry fee for one child. A $100 donation would cover one child’s expenses for the State Championships. A $200 donation would pay for one child’s bus ride to Nashville. A $1,000 donation would cover one child’s expenses for the Supernationals.”

If you want to help the Minor Threats club, please send cash or a check made out to S. Weir Mitchell School with “Chess Team” written on the memo line. The school’s address is: 5500 Kingsessing Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143. Jason has also set up an online fundraising page. Please go here to donate.