Update (03/14): The dog has been reunited with his family.

This sweet pup was found at 49th and Catharine this evening. No collar. He is very sweet and well socialized. He is safe with a neighbor but can only be there for a few days.

If anyone knows him or can provide foster care after the weekend, please email Tara at: PJPorches [at] gmail.com

The 5th Annual Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarship Fundraiser supporting West Philadelphia youth’s pursuit of higher education will take place on Sunday, March 25, from 4-6 p.m. at Dock Street Brewery.

There will be free beer and pizza, a silent auction, and live music by The Wayside Shakeup The Old Fashioneds.

Tickets are $40 and are available here. For more information, email: scholarships [at] cedarparkneighbors.org

Enjoy a lot of chili and help a local pottery studio this Sunday, March 18 at University City Arts League’s annual Chili Bowl fundraiser. The event will be held from 1 – 5 p.m. at 4226 Spruce Street. Here’s how it works.

You can eat all the chili you want, just pay for the hand-crafted chili bowl made by Arts League potters. You can also vote for the best chili maker among neighbors (there will be an amateur competition between about 10 neighborhood residents).

It is a really fun event, with music and raffles, so make sure to bring your kids. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the Arts League. If you’ve never been there before, you are welcome to take a look around or you can even get a tour.

Yards Brewery will be providing beer for the event. A bowl plus all you can eat chili will be $20. For more information, visit ucartsleague.org or call 215-382-7811.

 
Neighbor Sara found this very friendly and healthy cat around 46th and Kingsessing. The cat had almost been hit by a car. Sara took her to a vet to look for a microchip but she does not have one. If this is your cat, please email Sara at: adoptfosters [at] gmail.com

Another gourmet food cart is coming to West Philly. If you happen to be in Clark Park and vicinity tomorrow, check out Kung Fu Hoagies, a vegetarian sandwich and noodle bowl cart, which is launching there this Saturday (March 10) at 10 a.m.

Kung Fu Hoagies is a product of partnership between two guys – Paul Davis and Steve Renzi – and was inspired by Davis’ love of kung fu (he’s a martial arts practitioner), as City Paper reports.

The starting menu is all vegan, including a traditional banh mi ($4), an orange BBQ vegan beef hoagie ($5), and coconut lemongrass beef and sesame peanut chicken noodles (both $5). For the complete menu and other information, visit the Kung Fu Hoagies Facebook page.
 

 
Mayor Michael Nutter revived plans yesterday to renovate West Philadelphia’s landmark Provident Mutual Life Insurance Co. building at 46th & Market into a new, “state of the art” police headquarters. The sprawling 86-year old building, which sits on 15 acres, has been partially vacant since 1983 when the company abandoned it and was featured on the endangered properties list.

“This is a smart consolidation which will allow us to sell existing assets, create new opportunities for development at those sites, and revitalize part of West Philadelphia much in need of investment,” Nutter said during his annual budget speech during a City Council meeting yesterday.

Under the plan, the building would also host the City morgue and Health offices.

The move would leave the current headquarters, the aging “roundhouse” near 7th and Race streets, empty. Its sale could help offset the renovation of the Provident building.

The plan, which would have cost about $70 million, was originally proposed in 2008 but was shelved due to the recession, Philly.com reports. The cost of the current renovation project will be determined during the design process in the next year. The building renovation may take up to two years.

The city is also building a juvenile detention center on five acres at the site.