In case you haven’t already heard … tonight is the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll in West Philly. This thing (as the lines at participating shops and restaurants last month showed) has gotten big. People are coming from around the city.  Our insider advice? Get there early. It starts at 5:30 p.m.

Here’s a story from 6ABC last night:

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has sent a letter to Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and Penn President Amy Gutmann to draw attention to the enrollment cap at the Penn Alexander School (4209 Spruce St.).

SHCA board members agreed last month to draft a response to the enrollment cap that would demand that children who live within the school’s boundaries be admitted to the school. The thrust of the letter includes that request. It reads:

“Any child living in the catchment area has the right to attend Penn Alexander and should have that right guaranteed from first grade through eighth grade.”

See a copy of the letter below.

 
Penn Alexander letter

Pssst. Do you like Indian food? The no-nonsense, $5 kind served as a Bollywood film plays nearby. If so, read on.

Philly.com includes a profile today of the backroom bistro at Rice & Spice, the unassuming international grocery store at 4205 Chestnut St. Mosey past the stacked bags of rice and spices to the rear of the store and you will find one of those hidden West Philly gems (And, believe me, I understand that writing this helps “unhide” it. Blame philly.com.)

Writer James Osborne talked to a number of customers for his story, many of them students who craved familiar food.

“It’s close to how you get food at home,” said Sachin Sachdeva, 27. “That’s the selling point. That, and it’s relatively cheap.”

Read the full article here.

Today’s kittens are an adorable brother and sister pair, Johnny and Cherry.

The kittens were rescued from the streets of West Philly. Too young to fend for themselves, they were lucky to find a rescuer to take them in. Now they’re looking for a place to call home forever — preferably together.

Cherry (girl) and Johnny (boy) are both active, playful, and mischievous kittens who will keep you entertained for hours. Once playtime is over though, they’re just as happy to curl up and cuddle with you.

These kittens haven’t spent any time around dogs or kids yet, but they should do fine. They would probably do best in a home with older children.

Both kittens are spayed/neutered, FIV/FeLV negative, up to date on vaccinations (FVRCP and rabies), and received flea/parasite preventative medication and treatment as needed. Adoption application and $85 adoption fee (per animal) are required. Adoption application is available online at www.citykitties.org.

If you would like to meet Johnny and Cherry, stop by the Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave). The kittens will be in the shop window until Saturday, July 9, and will be moving back to foster care after that.

If you missed the summer’s first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll or want to enjoy it again don’t miss the event tomorrow, July 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Last month’s Stroll was a huge success. It brought enormous crowds of neighbors and visitors who strolled to over 15 Baltimore Avenue locations for deals and treats of all varieties, each for only a buck. Participants included Green Line Cafe, Baltimore Pet Shoppe, Dahlak, Desi Village, Milk & Honey, the Gold Standard, and even the Curio Theatre.

Tomorrow’s Stroll will probably be as crowded as the previous one, so come early in order to avoid at least some of those lines.

Here’s a nice video from last month’s Stroll put together by the UCD:

This came yesterday, July 3, from neighbors Marilyn and Dick:

As some of you know our 14 year old in-house only cat managed to escape late night or early this morning. He is a tuxedo cat – mostly black with white marking on middle of face, chin and feet. He weighs about 13 pounds. His name is Theo (although he doesn’t often answer to his name). He is very shy – I expect he is hiding somewhere close by. If you see him (or can trap him), please call us any time. 215-901-3470 (c) or 215-748-1376 (h). Lost near 46th and Osage.

Update (July 14): Theo has been found and is back home.