This Saturday (Oct. 20), join your neighbors and friends for the annual late fall Community Cleanup. Residents are encouraged to step outside their homes, offices, or schools and pick up leaves and trash. You can also help clean up your nearby park, or empty lot.

University City District will be organizing a few focused efforts throughout the neighborhood and can assist anyone interested in participating by providing trash bags, brooms, work gloves, and trash pickup.

To sign up for the cleanup, please contact UCD at cleanandsafe@universitycity.org or 215-243-0555.

Reader Mike B. emails that while he was away between Oct. 5 and Oct. 9 his bicycle was gone from his front porch when he returned. Here’s the bike description, which Mike also put on the wall of the “Philadelphia Stolen Bikes” group on Facebook.

“Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike stolen from my front porch, 4400 block of Larchwood in University City, sometime between 10/5-10/9. The frame is gray/silver with chipped paint, with I think some old sticker residue. The tires are Schwalbe Marathons, and are pretty worn. There are two different styles of brake levers (one black, one silver), and shifters (right is a grip shifter and left is a trigger shifter), and the rubber grips are old and gummy. The saddle is black leather and foam, and is very worn (you might be able to read “Mikado” on it somewhere). It has a rigid fork and hardtail. It was locked with a cable lock (d’oh).”

This information came from a neighbor, Linda:

“This adorable little fellow showed up on the 4500 block of Regent yesterday [on Tuesday] and is still around. He is maybe 4 or 5 months old, has a new red collar but no tag/label. He is very sociable, fearless, loves attention and to be held. If an owner isn’t found, this babe will need a home to call his own. He’s making the rounds of the porches, but none of the residents on that block is able to take him in…. And he really wants in!”

To contact Linda, please email: lml3@verizon.net

Somebody near 43rd and Spruce is ready for Fall.

The next couple of weekends are packed with awesome events and activities for pets and their owners. Here are the details:

Saturday, September 29

Bark in the Park
Clark Park “B” (43rd and Chester)
2-3 pm
Friends of Clark Park are inviting dogs and their owners to join them in Clark “B” Park, near the bowl. There will be more than 25 doggie contests with prizes, a chance to meet the vet and all kinds of fun for dogs and their human friends. All are welcome.

“End of Summer” Sidewalk Sale
Baltimore Pet Shoppe, 4532 Baltimore Ave
11 am – 3 pm
Stop by Baltimore Pet Shoppe this Saturday to check on their “End of Summer” sale. Huge savings on pet toys, accessories and treats (30-75% off).

Sunday, September 30

Blessing of the Animals
St. Francis De Sales Church, 4625 Springfield Ave
Noon
Bring your little best friend to be blessed in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the friend of all of God’s creatures.

Saturday, October 6

Low Cost Dog and Cat Vaccine Clinic
UPenn Alpha Psi, 4002 Pine Street
10 am – 4 pm
Alpha Psi, the veterinary fraternity at University of Pennsylvania, is having a low cost vaccine clinic. Rabies and Distemper shots – $10 for both, microchipping – $20. Also, bring your dog or cat for a free physical exam by UPenn Veterinary students. If you have questions, email: upennalphapsi@gmail.com

Earth Cup Doggie Strut
Earth Cup Coffee, 405 S. 45th Street (45th and Pine)
Noon – 2 pm
The Annual Earth Cup Doggie Strut will feature tons of great stuff: Prizes for all participants, a doggie photo booth, nail clipping and info booth by UPenn vets, generous treats from Baltimore Pet Shoppe, best trick/costume competition, music and more! You can sign up at the cafe or just show up and sign up at the event. For more information, visit Earth Cup’s Facebook page.

Update (1:40 pm): The rusty water problem should now be resolved, according to a message posted on PWD’s Facebook page. PWD is advising their customers to flush cold water taps, starting with the lowest floors, until the water runs clear.

10:54 am: The Philadelphia Water Department has issued a rusty water advisory for the area:

“While Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) crews were performing maintenance on the water distribution system in University City, rusty water resulted in some properties in the area. PWD crews are in the area and are in the process of establishing the extent of the impact.  Crews are also taking water samples and flushing hydrants to correct the issue.”

PWD has not specified where exactly in the area this issue has been found.

The advisory states that rusty water is not a health concern, but it is not pleasant to drink and shouldn’t be used to wash laundry. Residents with health concerns, however, are advised to contact their health care provider before drinking or using the water. If you have questions, please call PWD’s emergency hotline at 215-685-6300. You can also find more information and updates on PWD’s Facebook page.

If you have been affected by this problem, please let us know in the comments where you are.