Youth from the University of Pennsylvania’s Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (AUNI) are hosting the 13th Annual “Rooted in Community” national food and justice conference this week, July 27-31. More than 100 young people from across the country have come to build a youth-led food justice movement.

The conference includes a community outreach event on Friday, July 29. Community members are invited for a potluck dinner from 6:30-8 p.m. at the University City High School garden (3601 Filbert St.). Attendees are expected to bring a dish to feed 20 people.

AUNI was created by Penn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships and works to improve community nutrition and health through implementing a set of programs and activities in specified neighborhoods.

Today’s dog is Desi. She’s a very sweet pup. She is on the little side – weighs only about 35 lbs. She was found as a stray on the streets of Philadelphia and now temporarily resides at PSPCA’s Animal Care & Control Team (111 W. Hunting Park Avenue).

Desi is a low-medium energy dog. She needs walks and/or a yard to romp in. She is currently learning some commands at the shelter such as “sit,” “down” and “paw.” She loves treats so it makes it pretty easy to train her.

Desi loves people and would really like to live in a home with a family that loves her. She loves to snuggle!

If you are interested in Desi and have small children, please bring them to make sure Desi is a good fit for everyone in the family. Please also bring proof that you are allowed to have dogs/cats at your home if you rent or be prepared that the adoption staff will call your landlord before approving your application.

She’ll be spayed, up to date on shots and microchipped before she leaves the shelter. If you want to meet Desi call: 267-385-3800 or stop by the shelter.

ACCT is open 365 days a year. Adoption hours are: Monday to Friday: 1 – 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10 – 5 p.m. Afterhours by appointment.

UPDATE: We searched the list again and discovered that there are four more locations in West Philly to be considered for closing. They are: 30th Street Train Station, West Market, Kingsessing, and West Park (5300 W. Jefferson).

Earlier today USPS announced that it would study approximately 3,700 post offices across the country to determine if they should be considered for closing due to insufficient revenues.

14 Philadelphia post offices are on that list. Only one, Overbrook (658 N. 63rd St.), is in West Philly. There are five post offices serving the University City, Spruce Hill, Walnut Hill, Squirrel Hill, Garden Court, and Cedar Park areas: at 2955 Market Street (30th Street Train Station), 3000 Chestnut Street (Philadelphia), 228 S 40th Street (University City), 5011 Sansom Street (West Market), and 5311 Florence Avenue (Kingsessing). Those are all safe for now.

FYI, one of the offices to be considered for closing is Philadelphia’s historic Ben Franklin Post Office. Read more about it here.

Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF) is taking place this week, July 27-31, at several city venues, including West Philly’s The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street), which will host a series of events starting Thursday, July 28. This year’s festival’s theme is Healing & Joy, celebrating the healing and creative arts.

On Thursday there will be a free clothing and book swap from noon to 5 p.m. Women are encouraged to bring gently worn clothing and books for others to take and enjoy.

On Friday and Saturday there will be day-long events with a wide range of scheduled music performances, workshops, lectures, presentations, fashion shows and exhibitions from noon to 11 p.m. (both days free until 8 p.m., with some exceptions).

Finally, on Sunday, July 31, there will be another all-day event starting at 11:00 a.m. with music and dance performances by a variety of artists. Highlights of this day include dance classes by Shandra Staley – modern dance class at 1 p.m. and African dance class at 3 p.m. ($8 in advance; $10 at the door), and stage performances by Zoe Flowers and O, at 6 and 7:05 p.m. respectively.

For more information about the schedule and participants visit the festival’s schedule of events page.

Today’s cat is Sonny, a 12-week-old orange tabby kitten.

Sonny is a very sweet and cuddly kitten. He purrs readily and loves to be petted. He is also playful, and enjoys chasing toys or wrestling with other kitties. Sonny is very gentle and would make a great companion for families with kids or other cats.

Sonny currently lives with his foster mom and three other cats, but his foster mom is moving cross-country in a couple of weeks, so he really needs a permanent home. Sonny is fostered through PAWS (www.phillypaws.org) and his adoption fee ($75) covers the cost of his microchip, shots, and neuter, which have all been taken care of at the PAWS Spay, Neuter, and Wellness Clinic.

To meet this adorable kitten please send an email to Sonny’s foster mom at: kathleenharbin [at] gmail.com.

A neighbor Tiffany spotted this black & white cat at Clark Park yesterday, July 24. She writes:

“I spotted this cat at Clark Park at 8:00 p.m. Sunday. He/she followed me home, and I gave him/her some food. The cat is pretty jumpy to sounds outside, so I think it is not just a stray kitty. I can’t let him/her in for the night, but if this is your kitty, it has been spotted and was last spending time at 46th and Chester at 8:40 p.m. Sunday.

Very friendly but chased a dog down on the sidewalk.“