GOING TO THE DOGS: Avery Shoemaker of Wyndmoor hosted a puppy birthday party in July for her one-year-old puppy, Mickey. She invited back three brothers and one sister to help celebrate. From left to right are Leo, Buddy, Oliver, Mickey and Margot. They had races, games and even homemade doggy treats, The kids are (from left) Mason Rose of Wyndmoor, Francis Maderia of Wyndmoor, Richard Smith of Flourtown, Carlin Rose of Wyndmoor, Avery Shoemaker of Wyndmoor and Cassie Dunne of Wyndmoor.

ARABIC LANGUAGE CAMP AT SPRINGSIDE: Al-Bustan Camp is an Arabic language and Cultural Day Camp. Campers and counselors from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds came from a range of Philadelphia neighborhoods and suburbs to participate in this fifth summer program at a new location, Springside School in Chestnut Hill, from July 3 to 28. (It was previously held at Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill.) This year’s theme was Egypt, as seen through the life story of Egyptian singer, Um Kulthum, who grew up in the Nile delta and defied gender barriers to gain her fame in Cairo and around the world. Nadia (left) and Alexandra (right) play the tabla, an Arabic hand drum, at the end-of-camp performance on July 27 at Springside.

NEW CHEF AT CAFETTE: John McLaughlin (right), former chef at Rembrandt’s in Fairmount, became the executive chef at Cafette, 8136 Ardleigh St. in Chestnut Hill, in late April. Seen with John are Tim Cunningham, sous chef (center) and Michael Donato, cook. At Cafette guests can relax and enjoy a casual lunch in the sunshine or bring a bottle of wine for an evening lit by candles and twinkling lights. Of course, Cafette also offers indoor seating in their intimate Art Deco-inspired dining rooms. The menu offers healthy home-cooked, modestly priced comfort food. Specials change daily to reflect the season and chefs’ inspiration, and vegan and vegetarian selections are always available. Cafette, a BYOB, is open seven days a week. Call 215-242-4220. (Photo by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.)

LEAH IS FIRST-RATE: Leah Datskow, who has worked at Alison at Blue Bell for the past two years, grew up at Johnson Street and Walnut Lane in Germantown and then lived in Lafayette Hill. She attended Germantown Friends School for 12 years and then went to Johnson & Wales Culinary School in Rhode Island. She was an assistant manager at Stephen Starr’s Continental before coming to Alison’s. Leah has an extraordinary knowledge of the menu at Alison’s and how every dish is prepared. “It’s easy to sell the food,” she said, “when you are so confident about the quality.” (Photo ©2005 Courtney Grant Winston.)

NURTURING KIDS THROUGH MUSIC: Sally Weaver, the founder and director of Sally’s Music Circle (with clown’s nose), will be teaching at the Plymouth Meeting location during the fall season. Since 1998, Sally’s Music Circle has been nurturing the children in the area through the joy and fun of music. However, this is the first time that Sally herself will be joining the team of instructors. The 45-minute classes include singing, guitar playing, bouncing and dancing, shaker eggs and rhythm sticks as well as special treats like balls, scarves and surprise “visits” from different instruments. For more information, visit www.sallymusic.com or 610-642-9400. (The woman next to Sally is Lynn Ernst, of Narberth.)