Also this issue: The Stratford 4/Ester Drang -A.D. Amorosi Dig for Treasures -Kristina Weise Cinco de Mayo cooking demo/Big City Ball/Cultural Treasures -Brian White

May 1- 7, 2003

mixpicks

Fab Rats

by Paul Burress

For centuries, rats have been seen as verminous creatures who caused disease, made the subject of species bigotry (in phrases such as "you ratted me out") and viewed as just plain disgusting. To Maria Pandolfi, though, it appears rats have received a raw deal. Along with partner Gregor Majeske, Pandolfi started Handsomboy Designs, which makes hip and fashionable pet supplies for animals of all sizes. Naming the venture after her favorite pet hairless rat, Pandolfi first began creating carriers for her furry friends in time for a trip she was planning. Handsomboy will be sponsoring Fab Rats, Philadelphia’s first rat art show and beauty pageant. In addition to a catwalk show of fancy rats strutting their stuff and the latest in pet chic, there’ll be appearances by Elizabeth Fiend (from the DUTV show, Big Tea Party) and representatives from the North American Rat & Mouse Club and Animalearn, an anti-vivisection group who will be giving out "rat packs" of games and rat posters for the kiddies. For the organizers, Fab Rats is a great way to educate people about myths and truths about the rat community; facts about their high intelligence -- believed to be about the same as cats -- are often overshadowed by the belief that they carried the plague (when, in fact, the rats were the proverbial "wheel men" for the carrier fleas). All proceeds raised from art sales, donations and raffles will go to the Morris Animal Shelter and Animalearn.

Fab Rats, Fri., May 2, 5:30 p.m., free ($3 entry fee for rat beauty pageant), Bone Jour Pet Supplies, 14 N. Third St., 215-917-4261, www.handsomboydesigns.com.