The 4400 block of Chestnut Street is developing a nice inexpensive African/Middle Eastern restaurant scene. The northwestern bookend of the block is the Pakistani kabob spot Wah-Gi-Wah (“spectacular” in Punjabi). The block’s culinary fulcrum is the Ethiopian cafe and restaurant Kaffa Crossing and now on the eastern end of the block is Al-Khartoum Echo Restaurant, a recently opened Sudanese joint.

Al Khartoum maintains the block’s reputation as a solid place to go for inexpensive curry (lamb or chicken, $5.99), shish tawook ($6.99) and kufta ($6.99), but the more adventurous might dip into the Sudanese fare. Examples include molokhia, a stew like dish made from molokhia leaves and a generous amount of herbs and spices usually served over a bed or rice ($5.99).

It appears that there are several options for vegetarians, including staples such as falafel and okra, but you’re advised to ask about most dishes, because many use a meat stock.

Another restaurant, which looks like it will specialize in gyros, appears close to opening next door to Al Khartoum, so the food choices on this little stretch of Chestnut will likely grow even more this summer. Maybe some day it will get its own “stroll.”

One of the coolest events in West Philly and something many of us have been looking forward to all year is finally here. The first Dollar Stroll of the season is taking place tonight on Baltimore Avenue between 41st and 52nd Streets, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dollar Stroll means $1 deals on some popular items from local shops, cafes and restaurants (see the full list of participating businesses on the flyer below).

Local food vendors are lining up to showcase what they are good at and to satisfy every taste and preference in food and drink, from vegan to carnivore and fruit juice to beer. We figure that for about $6 bucks you can get dinner, desert, a couple of beers and about a dozen tunes (see below).

Worthy of special mention is that besides $1 deals you’ll be able to pick up a free-download card with an access code to download the “West Philly Mix Tape” featuring tracks by 11 West Philly bands, including West Philadelphia Orchestra. Download cards will be available at many of the participating locations.

And finally, $1 food and drinks are great, but don’t forget to stop by Curio Theatre to pick up tickets to their 2011-12 preview shows. This local gem put up some hugely popular performances this past season.

Bartram’s Garden is offering a half-price membership at the Seed Saver level as part of a community outreach effort. A $50 membership is now $25.

As a Seed Saver member you are eligible for 15 free-admission program passes to tours of this national historic landmark house and garden and for monthly educational programs (valid through June 30, 2012). Passes are transferable so you can share them with friends and family. Bartram’s Garden members also receive discounts on Garden Shop and plant purchases and invitations to plant sale previews.

The offer expires June 30. For more information call Alison McDowell at 215-729-5281 x103 or email: amcdowell [at] bartramsgarden.org

Due to the heat, the School District of Philadelphia has announced that all of its schools will close at 1:30 p.m. today.

Here is the statement from the District:

Due to extreme heat and humidity, all School District of Philadelphia schools will close early today, June 1, 2011.  According to the National Weather Service, the combination of temperatures in the mid 90s and high humidity could create a situation in which heat illness is possible.  The District is taking this excessive heat warning seriously by closing schools at 1:30 p.m. today.  At the 1:30 p.m. dismissal time, routine transportation will occur for students.  The heat advisory in effect until 8 p.m.

The general public and media are urged to monitor the District Web site at www.philasd.org for any updates. Updated information will also be posted on the District’s Information Hotline at 215-400-INFO (4636).

Our first Adopt-a-Pet, a sweet pit bull mix Ruby, has found a forever home. West Philly resident Alon Abramson, who organizes a local runners group called West Philly Runners, adopted Ruby last week after reading about her here. He says Ruby will be joining him on runs around the neighborhoods.

Reader Lulu Todorov, who does volunteer work for the PSPCA’s Animal Care and Control Team, was a great advocate for Ruby. Abramson wrote us that her description of Ruby “was really accurate and helped me with the selection.”

Adopt-a-Pet runs twice weekly, with a cat on Monday and a dog on Wednesday. This week’s cat is Demona and the pooch will be up later today.

Today’s pet is Demona.

Demona is a 6 year-old indoor cat. Her owner is moving soon and looking for a new home for her cat.

Demona likes scratches behind the ears, lazy afternoons in the sun, gourmet catnip and playing hide and seek between the shower curtains. Dislikes: other cats, dogs and sitting on laps.

Demona needs to find an owner who will give her the attention she needs to deal with her weight problem. She cannot be around other cats, as she might eat all of the food.

To set up a meeting with Demona, please contact her owner at demonathecat [at] gmail.com