We are passing along information about an incident that happened to a neighbor near 48th and Hazel this week. Police advise being cautious when using your cell phone in public.

Alissa was walking down the street with her baby daughter in late afternoon and talking on her phone (an iPhone) when a man ran up to her and grabbed her phone. Alissa wasn’t able to give a detailed description because it happened too fast. Here’s what she writes:

“I just wanted to let everyone know that my iPhone was stolen from my hand (while I was talking on it) on Tuesday, 6/12 on the 4800 block of Hazel Ave at 4:45 PM. The person who took it ran up from behind me, snatched my phone from my hand and continued running very fast. I was carrying my 1 year old daughter in a carrier at the time, so I was quite upset about it. The guy didn’t hurt me or my daughter. He did knock my glasses off, but I think that was accidental since he grabbed the phone when it was up against my ear. We are OK and we filed a police report, but they don’t anticipate finding him or the phone. The police were very responsive and helpful though. They came about 2 minutes after calling 911. We tried to track the phone, but he immediately turned it off and hasn’t turned it on since. I just wanted to give everyone a warning… Please be very careful with having your cell phones out when you are walking around.”

Phone snatching is on the increase around the city.

Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) and the American Dental Association are hosting “Give Kids a Smile Day” on Wednesday, June 20, when dentists across the city will be providing free dental care to Philadelphia children. PCCY has recruited two dozen dental sites that have created space for hundreds of children to receive essential oral health care services. The participating dental clinics in West Philly are Kids Smiles (two locations), Gentle Dental, and University Square Dental.

Participating dentists will provide free screenings, cleanings and sealants and some will also fill cavities.  Appointments are required.

To make an appointment for your child at the office closest to you, call PCCY at 215.563.5848 extension 32 (please do not call the dental offices directly). You will need to provide the following information: your name, your child’s name and age, a phone number where you can be reached between 9 and 5, and your zip code.

The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral on the corner of 38th and Chestnut Streets is offering free lunches for children up to 18 years of age (21 years if disabled) in its air-conditioned main church this summer. Lunch will be served from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays from Monday, June 18 to Thursday, August 9.

The lunches will offer children 1/3 of their nutritional requirements for the day, according to the Cathedral. There will also be simple art activities and games for kids.

The Cathedral is also looking for volunteers to assist with this program. You can work one day a week, one week, or come for several days. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Stacey Middleton at karolmel_2000@yahoo.com or Meredith Wiggins at dancingturnips@yahoo.com or 626-487-5929.

Contact the Cathedral at 215-386-0234 with any questions.

Found a very friendly young male cat near Locust Walk at 40th and Walnut on Friday, June 8. If you are missing a cat please email foundcat40@hotmail.com with a detailed description or photo if you have one.

Neighbor Emily emailed us with this information:

“Found this cute little bugger wandering the streets and crying on 6/11/2012 around 52nd and Hazel. Sorry for the blurry pic, he is such a cuddlemonster he won’t stay still! Male, not neutered, probably under a year old but may just be skinny. He is a sweetie-pie and not aggressive towards other cats. I would like to find someone willing to foster him or give him a forever home. I’ll probably only be able to hold onto him for maybe a day or two before I have to take him to the SPCA (I rent and am not allowed to keep him). Please email e.j.mattes@gmail.com for more info.”

Update (6/14): The cat has been found and returned to his home.

A male grey and white cat is missing from 48th and Kingsessing. He is mostly grey with some white on his chest and paws, neutered and larger than average. He answers to Brewster. He was last seen at 46th and Regent with an injured front leg.

If you’ve seen Brewster, please call Mike at 215 758 7506.