Walls and Windows by Heather Shayne Blakeslee We’ve long debated what makes us human. But as our understanding of other species becomes richer and more complex, brick by brick we’re dismantling the imaginary wall that separates us from the natural world. We’ve learned that we are not the only species to have verbal language (whales),
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Local designers want to manufacture in Philadelphia—but it’s not always possible. by Justin Klugh An idea is born anywhere: scribbles on the back of a napkin, a daydream during a webinar, panicked fumbling for a bedside notebook in the middle of the night. While cleaning out her mother’s belongings after her passing, Maddie Flanigan found
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Solar Program Extends Registration Through OctoberSolarize Philly, the Philadelphia Energy Authority’s first initiative to get more homes powered by the sun, has extended its signup period by one month, to Oct. 31. The program launched in April and has signed up more than 1,600 households to receive solar installations from three companies vetted by PEA:
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‘Shop Local’ isn’t just a slogan. Our survival depends on it. Illustration by Jameela Wahlgren Question: Why should I “Buy Fresh, Buy Local”? The Right Question: What is a local economy, anyway? Most of us tend to think of “the economy” as the process of exchanging our money for goods and services, and of receiving
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Why do we still not see black Americans as having a connection to the environment? illustration by Abayomi Louard-Moore Interview by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Carolyn Finney’s book “Black Faces, White Spaces” is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand all of the ways in which African-Americans have been prevented from owning, accessing and
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NextFab’s expansion is also an evolution from makerspace to incubator By Danielle Corcione Entrepreneur Jessie Garcia walked into Philadelphia-headquartered makerspace NextFab with an idea, and walked out with her company, Tozuda. A former student athlete who knew the risks of repeated head injuries, Garcia developed a small sensor that can be attached to any type
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The Kamihira gallery straddles the line between art showcase and makerspace Photo by Megan Matuzak By John Henry Scott Artist Tosh Kamihira opened the Kamihira gallery and store at Frankford and Sargent last year, and since then has sought to be “an outlet for local makers.” It’s not uncommon for people with a fine art
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As we move further along into a federal administration that is hostile to policies such as the Clean Water Act and efforts such as the Paris climate agreement, the role of states and populous cities becomes ever more important. Last year was, again, the hottest year on record, and climate projections for Philadelphia tell us
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Editor’s note: The September issue of Grid went to press before the events of Hurricane Harvey. Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragedy in Houston. “Philadelphia is the new Houston” doesn’t have the same ring to it as “Philadelphia is the new Silicon Valley,” although we’re of the opinion that Philadelphia is just
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Philadelphia’s food scene is one of the best in the country, and we could go on and on about our favorite places to eat. From the outstanding locavore choices to the ever expanding vegan and vegetarian options—not to mention more local beer and finely distilled spirits than you can shake a martini at—we are now
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