About 1,500 cheering Barack Obama supporters packed the Bobby Morgan Arena at the University of the Sciences on Thursday for a rousing get-out-the-vote speech from First Lady Michelle Obama.

Obama was preaching to the proverbial choir in West Philly, a longtime Democratic stronghold. And her speech, aimed at rallying campaign supporters, even felt like a Sunday morning sermon. Obama punctuated a few of her most resonant points – on things like universal health care and education equity – with “Can I get an Amen?”

Obama’s day-long swing through eastern Pennsylvania will also take her to Montgomery County and Bethlehem to help keep Pennsylvania behind President Obama, who won the state in 2008.

“It’s all on the line,” she said. “Everything is at stake. That’s why we’re here.”

Update (08/08): Charlie is still looking for his forever friend. Please email Don at dkushon@gmail.com for more information.

Charlie is a 1-year-old, handsome, super smart, athletic, water-loving, 60 pound, pit bull terrier mix. He was found hanging out on his own and was brought to the shelter on May 15.

He already knows “sit, down, touch, and watch.” He loves running or hiking in the Wissahickon and if you give him a chance he will dive in the water. He will retrieve sticks and can catch a frisbee. He travels well in the car. He’s very good with other dogs, and his body language stays loose and wiggly when they are around. He did wonderfully in a play group with six dogs. Even though he has a lot of energy he is getting a lot of experience chillin’ with his human friends inside a home.

Since July 1 Charlie has been living in Center City with his pen pal Don who is fostering him. He’s getting a whole new experience now that is way different from life in the shelter. He has a crate that he sleeps in during the night and while Don is away during the day at work. He’s starting to get used to his new routine and becoming more relaxed.

Charlie doesn’t have any problems with food. He gently takes treats when they are given to him. He’s up to date on all his vaccines and he’s even been neutered and microchipped. He has some manners to work on and he’s enrolled in a basic manners class on Thursdays at 6pm that began July 12 and runs for 5 more weeks at a place in Chestnut Hill called Y2K9. Anyone interested in Charlie would be welcome to join him in class.

Some things he needs some help with is wanting to jump on people, being too mouthy and getting overstimulated with larger toys like a soccer ball. These behaviors will definitely improve with training, as his friends at the shelter think. If you are interested in Charlie and have other dogs at home, you can have a meeting with him so you can make sure you all get along. If you have children 8-years-old or younger, bring them to meet him too!

Charlie is looking for his forever friend and can’t wait to meet you. His adoption fee is only $25 and includes his neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. If you think you have a place in your heart for Charlie, please contact his pen pal Don at dkushon@gmail.com and arrange a meeting with him.

2-year-old male orange tabby cat “Nana” was last seen on July 30 near 45th and Larchwood.

Duke is a 1 to 2-year-old young terrier/pit mix who needs a home where he can cover and then learn to be the best dog he can be! Duke is playful with toys but he’s not very good at giving them back to his human friends! He’ll need some basic training to help him learn that he can trust his human friends and play with toys nicely with them. He has several volunteers working with him to learn to trade a tennis ball for another ball or for a treat, but since he has come down with a cold his learning has been slowed.

He lived in a home previously, but was surrendered to the shelter because his owners didn’t have the time to get him through his puppyhood. Duke can be rambunctious at times, but all it takes is a few minutes of walking or playing fetch and he settles right into being a normal, happy, loving dog. He has met some other dogs at the shelter and was totally appropriate and friendly with them. If you have dogs at home please bring them along to meet Duke to make sure they’ll be the best of friends.

Also if you have cats please feel free to ask about getting Duke a cat test to see if he can live with them.

If you have questions about Duke or want to learn more, please feel free to contact his human friend at bragan.jen@gmail.com or contact the shelter where he is currently living directly.

Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT)
111 W. Hunting Park Avenue
(267) 385-3800 | phone

Adoptions
Hours: 1pm – 8pm, weekdays; 10am – 5pm, weekends
adopt@acctphilly.org

Foster Care
Hours: 9am – 6pm, everyday
foster@acctphilly.org

Update: According to Sateesh Daniel of the West Philadelphia office of Organizing for America, all the tickets for Michelle Obama appearance at the National Constitution Center are already gone at his office.

Michelle Obama is speaking on Wednesday at the National Constitution Center. Tickets for the event are first-come, first-serve. They will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at five Organizing for America offices in the city.

For those in West Philly, the best bet is the office at 209 S. 52nd Street.

The doors to the event will open at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
 

The School District of Philadelphia has announced early dismissal today due to excessive heat. All public schools will close at 1:30 p.m.

The early closure includes early childhood programs. Routine transportation will be in place at the 1:30 p.m. dismissal time. All after-school programs are also canceled. Staff will remain in the buildings until all students are picked up. For more information visit the District’s website at www.philasd.com or call the Information Hotline at 215-400-INFO (4636).