Don’t miss the last chance to tour Mariposa Food Co-op‘s new store (4824 Baltimore Ave). It’s six weeks into construction and is on track to open in January. This Sunday, Oct. 16, everyone is welcome to attend the final in a series of open houses that will include visiting the new co-op building, checking in on construction progress, chatting with members and staff, and some seasonal snacks. The open house hours are from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more information and RSVP visit this page.

Next Sunday, Oct. 23, Mariposa invites neighbors to celebrate Food Day and enjoy a delicious three-course dinner with seasonal and local ingredients, prepared by La Nena Cooks‘ guest chef. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 and all proceeds will go towards the Mariposa expansion. Space is limited so RSVP here: Food Day Dinner for Mariposa.

This week’s featured dog is Sandy, a one-to-two-year-old pit bull terrier mix.

She is pretty much the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet. And she’s not too shabby in the looks department either! She has a brindle coat, white markings on her face, and adorable little spots that her Pen Pal (that’s her special friend at the shelter who comes to hang out with her) refers to as her freckles. She has lively, bright eyes and a really friendly smile.

She already knows “sit,” and her Pen Pal is teaching her “down,” “stay,” and “give paw.” She’s a really smart girl and very treat-motivated, so she should learn those commands in no time! Besides, she really wants to make her people happy.

Sandy would love a nice, warm home where she can sit with you on the couch and give you gentle kisses! If you have a dog, that’s no problem — Sandy is not very picky about her friends. But you should probably bring them down to the shelter to meet her just in case to make sure that they get along. Sandy also loves kids and all people. She just needs someone to love her back.

A few days ago Sandy was featured on NBC 10’s Dog Day Saturday.

Sandy is available for foster or adoption at the Philadelphia Animal Control shelter (ACCT) at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. For more information email her Pen Pal at: meredithkleiber [at] gmail.com

Do you have something super heavy in your house or garage that you want to pick up or move, but don’t know how? No worries – neighbor Douglas Pugliese has donated a heavy-duty lifting engine crane to the West Philly Tool Library. The engine hoist can lift up to a two-ton item on its hydraulic arm and can move it around on heavy-duty casters. Doug, who is a West Philly Tool Library member, used the equipment once or twice and doesn’t need it anymore.

We’re told that the crane can even lift something high enough to get into the bed of a pick-up truck.

Now many folks can use this tool through the library’s low-cost tool rental or for free if you are a member. Think about how many things you can do with it! Anyone have a cow they need to move?

We received this information from one of our readers.

“We live on the 4700 block of Hazel Ave. For the past few weeks, we have seen a young calico cat (we think female) on our block (see photo). She has a collar, appears in good general health and is friendly; we assumed she belonged to someone on our block. The past few days, we noticed she has an eye infection which is getting progressively worse… Anyone knows anything about this cat? (does she actually belong to anyone? Is she being treated?)”

If you know who this cat may belong to, please email Heather at: heather.simoes.torpey [at] gmail.com

Don’t miss this pretty amazing exhibit at Green Line Cafe on Locust (4426 Locust Street). The cafe has launched the Screens ‘N’ Spokes art show that benefits multiple sclerosis research and the cycling team that promotes the cause.

The exhibition features a very cool selection of screen prints by a variety of North American artists who created their work especially for this cause. The prints can also be viewed and purchased on Etsy. All of the proceeds from the sales will go to the National MS Society.

Here is some more information on the Screens ‘N’ Spokes project and the people behind it.

Update (10/12/11): Sashu has been adopted!

This week’s featured cat is Sashu, an 8-month-old calico kitten. Sashu is currently being fostered through the PSPCA by West Philly resident Chris who is trying to find a good home for her.

Sashu is an incredibly affectionate kitten and is very very people oriented. Although she is young, she uses her litter box like a pro. She loves attention and is constantly purring. She would adapt very well to any situation given her outgoing personality. She was just spayed and is up to date on her vaccines.

Please contact Chris at christopher.torre [at] gmail.com if you would like to meet her. He lives at 40th and Pine, and will be happy to meet you somewhere if that is more convenient for you.