This is a reminder that PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) is offering free spay and neuter surgeries to low-income residents of the following zip codes: 19143, 19145, and 19146. This offer is only valid until November. Residents can call 215-298-9680 or email: clinic@phillypaws.org to make an appointment. The spay or neuter surgery is completely free with an ACCESS card, or any other form showing low-income. See the flyer below for more information.

The purpose of this post is not so much to reveal the name of the neighbor whose life tragically ended last Monday after he jumped from his fourth floor apartment window, but to honor his memory.

Thomas Meyer, a Philosophy professor at Temple University and Penn graduate, will be greatly missed by his friends. One of them is Michelle Wallhagen who met Tom at grad school. This is what she wrote about Tom and their friendship:

Within five minutes of meeting Tom Meyer, I knew I’d never meet someone like him again. We were both starting graduate school in philosophy. Tom’s commitment to the importance of philosophizing as a way of life was immediately striking. It lent a magnetic intensity to everything he did.

Students were enchanted by him. He fulfilled their expectations of what a “real” philosopher should be like, with his brooding manner and eccentric mannerisms. And he sought to reveal to them the heart of philosophy–that the seemingly simplest questions are crucial to understanding the world and one’s place in it.

Too often brilliance and integrity do not go hand in hand, but in Tom’s case they did. When my heart was broken, when breast cancer came calling, he didn’t try to fix my pain, he walked through it with me.

He played a central role in the happiest day of my life as the minister (internet ordained) at my wedding. He was perfect for the part, earning the nickname “The Jedi” by my fiancee’s friends.

I will miss Tom’s droll humor, his sudden flashes of insight, his eccentricities, his philosophical brilliance, his vulnerability, his loyalty. But most of all, I will miss his ability to listen. He knew how to genuinely listen–not simply waiting for his turn to speak, but seeking to understand another human being’s experience of life.

Parents began lining up outside of the Penn Alexander School this morning, a full 24 hours ahead of registration for grades 1-8.

Ten people were in line as of about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, some  sitting in lawn chairs and under tents. One parent even admitted scouting out the spot along the school fence on Locust Street between 42nd and 43rd streets from her car as early as 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. The registration line has become a late-August fixture since the School District of Philadelphia said last year that no spots were guaranteed in the school, but have remained secretive about how many spots were available in each grade.

School officials have also remained tight-lipped about how many spots are available in each grade, leaving parents new to the neighborhood or those returning from long-term absences for things like sabbaticals from university jobs hanging on rumors. That has prompted many parents to wait in overnight lines to register.

Registration at Penn Alexander and Henry C. Lea Elementary starts tomorrow morning. Registration at most other West Philly schools will begin Aug. 20. Click here for more information on registration.

Police are still searching for a man who is wanted in a string of armed robberies around West Philly last week. He allegedly robbed a laundromat and nail salons along Chestnut Street, according to Det. Joe Murray of the Southwest Detectives.

The man is described as a black male about 20-30 years old and about 5-feet, 7-inches tall with short hair and a short beard. He has exhibited violent behavior during the robberies, Murray said.

Police are looking for him in connection with the following crimes:

• During mid-afternoon on July 30, a worker at the Emerald Laundromat said a man had been sitting on a chair in the establishment for about 30 minutes before the man pulled out a small black handgun and stuck in the worker’s neck and demanded money. He fled with $350 from the register.

• On August 2 at about 11 a.m., a man entered the Myly Nail Salon at 6214 Landsdowne Ave. with a black handgun and demanded money. The man took an envelope from the counter with $100 along with a cell phone. Police say the man held the gun to the salon owner’s head and said: “Shut up, do you want to die?” He then fled the store. Continue Reading

This cat is missing from the 4900 block of Hazel Ave. She was last seen on Thursday afternoon. She is extremely social, loves “talking,” and cuddling with people. Her name is Katla (say “Kaht-lah”), but she also responds to kitty.

If you’ve seen her, please contact Charlotte at 859-536-1699.

The West Philly Tool Library is celebrating a new grant with a barbecue and you are invited.

The cook-out will be Saturday from 12-2 p.m. at the West Philly Tool Library at 1314 S. 47th St. (near 47th and Woodland). The cook-out is a way of thanking everyone who voted in the State Farm “Cause an Effect” grant program. West Philly Tool Library and Neighborhood Bike Works were both awarded $25,000.