What qualities would you like to see in the next school superintendent?

As the search continues for a replacement for Arlene Ackerman, the School District of Philadelphia is holding a meeting tonight at West Philadelphia High School to get community input on the search. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Penn Project for Civic Engagement.

Tonight’s meeting is the first of three this week across the city dealing with the superintendent search. Meetings will also be held Wednesday at Strawberry Mansion High School and Thursday at Edison High School.

Are you single, between 25 and 35 years old, looking for a partner and love reading? Then this event may be for you. On Monday (Feb. 6), come to the Walnut St West Branch Library (40th & Walnut) for the Literary Speed Dating event. You are encouraged to bring a book you love, hate, or just want to use as an ice-breaker.

Mingling and light refreshments start at 5:30 p.m. and speed dating begins at 6:00. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. And please arrive early, as no-shows and late arrivals will forfeit their place on the registration list to those on the waiting list.

To register, please email Dan at ryand [at] freelibrary.org.

NOTE: This event is for straight singles. A similar event for gay singles is taking place tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Independence Branch.

A reader found an all black short haired female cat on Thursday (Feb. 2) night at 46th and Springfield. She is small and lightweight, very quiet and well behaved, with golden eyes. The cat was wearing a pink collar so it looks like she belongs to someone or did at some point.

If you are missing this lovely kitty, please email to: sydneypz [at] gmail.com.

Police confirmed that two brothers, 19-year old Kenyatta Lloyd and 17-year old Marquis Lloyd from the 5200 block of Webster Street, were arrested in connection with three recent robberies.

Police say Kenyatta was arrested on January 26 for his involvement in a gunpoint robbery on January 9 on the 4400 block of Osage Avenue. The victim, a 25-year old man, was approached by three males, one of whom pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded his belongings. The robbers took the victim’s phone, ID and $40. Marquis Lloyd was also charged in this incident.

Marquis is also charged with two other similar robberies. One was on January 8 on the 4600 block of Larchwood Street and involved a 31-year old male. The second was on January 18 on the 4700 Springfield Avenue when a 32-year old female was robbed at gunpoint.

Marquis Lloyd is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses. Kenyatta Lloyd is charged with aggravated assault, robbery, theft, and weapons offenses.

Earth Cup Coffee (45th & Pine) is making some homey improvements. Word comes from owner Natasa Borcanin that the coffee shop has gotten some additional indoor custom-made seating (pictured) and a greater variety of light food fare, such as Hale and Hearty soups, stews, grilled cheese sandwiches, bagels, and pastries. All this, of course, to compliment their growing coffee and tea choices. The shop is now offering more than 20 varieties of coffee blends from all coffee growing continents and always has three espresso blends on tap.

Musicians have been stopping by too. Recently two local artists performed at the cafe – Sharedae and Debbie Valentina. Also a special guest from Chicago’s music scene Obisoulstar played an acoustic set of original songs.

To celebrate the Earth Cup improvements, Natasa is inviting everyone tomorrow (Feb. 4) to enjoy tunes by DJ Rod Bell (10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Also there will be some specials this Saturday and Sunday. For more information and photos, check out the Earth Cup’s Facebook Page.

Friends of Clark Park are hosting Charles Dickens’ 200th Birthday Party this Sunday (Feb. 5) and everyone is welcome to attend this fun and free event. The celebration begins at 2 p.m. in Griffith Hall of the University of Sciences (43rd & Kingsessing), across the street from Clark Park. The party will feature dramatic readings, music and refreshments.

One of the party guests is British folksinger David Jones who will perform a medley of songs popular in England during the time of Dickens. Curio Theatre’s Jared Reed will present a scene from his adaptation of A Christmas Carol. The list of performers also includes The Kingsessing Morris Men with their sampling of English morris dancing and Frank Chance, Ceil Mann and Curio Theatre’s Paul Kuhn reading from David Copperfield, The Pickwick Papers, and Great Expectations.

The bronze Dickens statue was installed in Clark Park in 1901 and was the only statue of him in the world for over a century. It’s become a good tradition for neighbors to meet on or near his birthday to commemorate the statue’s special role in the neighborhood’s history.