West Philly Local reader Alexandra reports that two bikes were stolen from her porch on the 5000 block of Cedar Ave on Friday night (between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.). She wanted to alert West Philly residents about it and hopes they will be on the lookout for the bikes.

“I am hoping that people will bring their fancy bikes inside and not leave them on porches like we did,” she wrote in an email. A police report was filed about these missing bikes – if someone sees them they can call the police, or call Alex directly at 301 502 4820.

Here’s the description of the bikes:

– A handmade mountain bike – metallic orange paint, a little dinged up. Women’s small-medium sized frame. Large black bike seat, new-ish tires. This bike has lots of sentimental value to its owner because her brother made it for her from scratch.

– One year-old KHS 2011 Urban Xcape medium frame women’s bike. Black. There was no bike seat because it had recently been stolen off the bike at another location.

Architect Cecil Baker discusses a proposed building plan for 4224 Baltimore Avenue at the previous community meeting on June 18, 2013. (Photo by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local)

The third and final community meeting on the widely publicized and discussed residential development project at 4224 Baltimore Avenue is scheduled for this Wednesday, July 24. Residents are invited to meet with the development team from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the International House (37th and Chestnut, 2nd floor).

Architectural plans based on input from the previous sessions will be unveiled and residents will get a chance to learn about next steps in the development process. A couple of different designs were discussed during the last meeting. The land owners have provisional permission to build a 92-unit residential building on the site, which is across the street from Clark Park. Community input could help shape the project’s final design, which could include underground parking and ground-floor commercial space.

Community members were asked to provide their input on the project website and in a series of public meetings. Wednesday’s meeting is another opportunity to view and comment on the project.

This cat was found lying on the edge of the Clark Park bowl on Thursday, July 18. She was severely lethargic and dehydrated, according to a neighbor, Bethany, who found her. The cat is now in Bethany’s house and is doing better after a little air conditioning, food, and water (see photo). She is not microchipped, and looks like she has been outside for a while, but doesn’t look like a stray  – she is very friendly.

If you recognize this cat as a stray or someone’s pet please contact Bethany at: bethany.lucas@gmail.com. If the owner is not found, Bethany says that she will not be able to keep her in her home, so if anyone is interested of taking care of her please let Bethany know.

We’ve been getting reports of a power outage near 46th and Farragut between Spruce and Locust Streets. A neighbor, Christina Bach, tweeted today: “51 residents of S. 46th St without power since 9:45 p.m. last night. We are sweltering!”

West Philly Local reader Ellen Liebman whose friend Christina lives on that block sent in a note that PECO is finally on scene. We are trying to contact them for more information about what’s going on.

“It seems to be underground, so they are just going to be digging holes in everyone’s back yard until they find the problem,” writes Ellen. “They have already spray painted the lines. Christina had to take her three dogs in her car to a friend’s house, but she can’t stay overnight. No one has been in contact about a place to shelter – and taking three dogs to a hotel is a challenge.”

UPDATE (5:20 p.m.): About 100 customers are experiencing a service interruption due to some issues with underground equipment and cable in the area, according to PECO spokesperson Liz Williamson. “Crews have been working to make repairs to both the equipment and the cable and we anticipate having power restored to those customers by this evening,” Williamson said in an email. But some neighbors affected by the outage were told that the power should be back by midnight.

We’ve also received a report from a resident near 57th and Market who says her power has been out since 8 p.m. last night. “This is a mess! Every time we call, there’s a different reason why the power is out and a different projected time as to when our power will be back on,” Lori Coleman posted on the West Philly Local Facebook page.

UPDATE (7/19/13): The power near 46th and Locust was restored on Thursday around 8 p.m.

This cat seems to be lost and looking for its owners around 44th/45th and Osage, according to residents who live on that block. A neighbor, Andrew, writes that the cat is “good with humans, seems relatively well fed, and is jumpy in the outside, so my only guess is that this is an indoor cat that has lost his way.”

If you are its owner, please email Andrew at: werdnaphila@gmail.com for more information.

Photo by West Philly Local reader Jazmin Idakaar.

It’s scorching in Philadelphia and many residents are looking for ways to cool off. Unfortunately, some ways of cooling off can be costly. An illegally opened fire hydrant caused a water outage on Tuesday, July 16 near 52nd and Locust Streets. The break disrupted water service for some fifty properties in the area for 11 hours (11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.). and then took hours of clean-up. West Philly Local readers reported lots of water coming out of spots along the street at 52nd & Locust after the break.

“When you open a hydrant illegally, you run the risk of bodily harm, possibly death, property damage and situations like this, where you have a water main break and people on the block with no water,” John DiGiulio of the Philadelphia Water Department told ABC.