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.

Betty is an 8-year-old Doberman Pinscher/Pit Bull Terrier mix who was found wandering the streets of Philly and brought to ACCT. Since Betty is in such great shape, aside from some wear and tear caused by living on the streets, it is believed she once had a place to call home. However, no one ever came looking for her, so she needs to move on to a new family.

The problem for Betty is that the shelter is once again full, so to make room for the new arrivals, choices have to be made and that does not give the older, longer term, or sick animals much of a chance. So, sadly, Betty, who now has a cold, does not have much more time to wait for that special someone to walk through the door and totally fall in love with her.

Betty loves attention, belly rubs, and has no issues with basic or advanced handling. She also has no food issues. She showed no interest in the cats at the shelter, but she should be the only dog in the home. Please consider saving Betty Spaghetti’s life by fostering or adopting. Her adoption fee is only $25 which includes spay, shots, and microchip. Please share for Betty because sharing saves lives. Please don’t delay.

Let’s make today Betty’s last day living at the shelter, not her last day of life, by finding her a great forever home where she will be loved and happy for the rest of her days.

Betty is located at ACCT, 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. Adoption hours are 1-8 Monday through Friday and 10-5 on weekends. If you are interested in fostering, please contact nsmith [at] pspca.org or jsweeney [at] pspca.org.

This week’s featured cat is Haile. She is available for adoption through Project MEOW.

It’s not known how Haile got the burn scar on her back leg (she had it when Project MEOW pulled her from ACCT), but hopefully that hasn’t kept people from seeing just how wonderful this girl truly is. She’s a laid back, playful and lovable kitty who would make the very best Valentine for many many years.

Haile is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, FIV/FeLV negative, flea treated, and de-wormed. You can see her at Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave) and fill out an application to adopt or email projectmeowadoptions [at] gmail.com to meet this lovely lady calico.

If you want to start or join a town watch group on your block and missed the town watch information session earlier this month, here’s another opportunity.

Next training will take place on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Renewal Presbyterian Church (47th and Cedar). Patty Bulack of the Cedar Park Neighbors Watch group will be there again to share her experience. Also there is a strong confirmation from Tara Smith, the official trainer from Town Watch, that she will be present this time.

Neighbors are welcome to come and discuss how town watch group members are working together. If you don’t think you can participate in the collective town watch efforts, you are welcome to come and learn about how to be safer.

For more information please contact Patty at: pbulack [at] gmail.com.