Photos and illustrations by Marika Mirren How Does Your Garden Grow? by Brion Shreffler Turning the corner of South 10th and Christian streets in Philadelphia, heading north into the Bella Vista neighborhood, a newcomer out on a jog might be caught off guard by the fiercely squawking green parrot taking umbrage at their swift passage.
MoreIce Storm by Heather Shayne Blakeslee In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo made a gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., as a sign of the close relationship between Japan and the United States. For centuries, the Japanese have revered the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms, which bloom in early spring and
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Illustration by Marika Mirren The Everyday Activist essay by Derek Dorsey I work in the music industry. I’ve booked thousands of shows and promoted scores of festivals—and have spent an untold number of late nights watching everything from folk to hip-hop. Outside my home in Kensington, the sound of children playing down the street has
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Illustration by Corey Brickley Goodbye to All That interview by Heather Shayne Blakeslee According to landscape planners Claudia West and Thomas Rainer, we should all be saying “goodbye to the real estate industry, good taste, designers’ egos, eco-evangelism and the horticulture industry.” Their book, “Planting in a Post-Wild World,” is a joyous ode to the
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Photos courtesy of Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival Reel to Real by Nancy Chen Last year was, again, the hottest year on record. And yet, at a moment when environmental concerns at home and around the world seem to be mounting, President Donald Trump is following up on his campaign promises to repeal environmental regulations and
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Herb Heaven by Lauren Johnson When it comes to gardening, herbs do so much more than add culinary flair. Not only do they add kick to a dish, they offer health benefits for us and our environment, as well. The Pennsylvania Herb and Garden Festival, held in York, kicks off its 19th year this spring.
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Chestnut Hill Looks to Next 20 Years as Philly’s Garden District by Lauren Johnson In an area teeming with natural, architectural and cultural attractions, the Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival, held this year on May 7, offers a unique chance for visitors to experience it all in full bloom. Not only does this one-day
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Photo courtesy of Carnaval de Puebla/Philatinos Radio Carnaval de Puebla Canceled by Nancy Chen Carnaval de Puebla, among the most prominent public celebrations of Mexican culture in Philadelphia, will be canceled this year. Organizers stated via the Carnaval de Puebla Facebook page that they took action because of the climate of uncertainty for members of
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Illustration by Jameela Wahlgren Keeping Our Connection to Sun and Seed by Ryan Kuck Every year come tax time I have to pause for a long while when the 1040 asks for my occupation. At first the mild rebellion of writing “urban farmer” was alluring, imagining that someone in some deep office had to scratch
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Farm Stand to Table by Emily Kovach Sitting alongside the stellar produce at the city’s farmers markets, you’ll find some of the best artisan food in the Philadelphia region. Headhouse Square2nd & Lombard Weighing in at over 40 vendors, this bustling Sunday market is one of the largest in Philadelphia. Located under the historic Shambles
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