Illustration by Julia Tran 1. Say hello to your local farmersIt’s that time of year again when the farm stands are back across the city. Get back in the habit of a weekly trip to your nearby market. 2. Clean up the creekMariposa Food Co-op, Philadelphia Water, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and United By Blue
MoreEnvironmental Groups See Bleak Outlook for Clean WaterA 16-state comparison and analysis by PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center gave Pennsylvania a grade of “F” when it comes to preventing lead in drinking water in the commonwealth’s schools. When 40 schools were recently tested in Philadelphia, 14 percent exceeded the EPA’s lead action level limit of
MoreSpring’s First Stalks by Brian Ricci Oh, April! Named for Aphrodite—the goddess of love— how I’ve missed you. With April’s return we mark the re-emergence of foodstuffs green, delicate and delicious. I’m thinking of the first cuttings of fragrant chervil, peppery watercress and chlorophyllic fiddlehead ferns—but at the top of my list stands the first
MoreAll About the Eggs by Anna Herman These longer days bring a promise of renewal and warmth—the promise of plenty—and have been cause for celebration in most cultures throughout history. As a sure sign of rebirth, the egg—a natural wonder—became an important symbol of this happiness and joy and fertility that heralds spring’s arrival. Eggs
MoreSweet Spring Onions by Christina Pirello While many of us can’t imagine anything more alluring than the taste of sautéed onions, sometimes we want something less intense—but that still hints at onion flavor. In this case, scallions, green onions and spring onions are often our alliums of choice. But what are spring onions—and are they
MoreWe’re Hiring an Advertising and Distribution Associate______________________________________________ Grid is has the soul of an alt-weekly, and is a change agent in the form of a monthly magazine. We reflect the best of the Philadelphia region: our social entrepreneurs, food innovators and wellness advocates, our makers and doers, artists and activists. Our priorities and politics are
MoreIt’s Time to Start the Seeds by Laura Everard When it comes to growing your own plants from seed, know your growing conditions, pay attention to the plant’s specific needs—and keep experimenting. The joy of starting seeds indoors comes in part from watching those small green shoots work their way out of the soil when
MoreIllustration by Heather Franzen Rutten Second Act essay by Angela A. Bey The 100-year-old brownstone of John M. Patterson Elementary School in Philadelphia held my first-grade classroom. I remember everything vividly—dried-up Crayola markers, paint-chipped walls and photocopies of “Hooked on Phonics” workbook pages. My peers walked in close-knit groups down the halls, and certain
MoreChildhoods Lost and Found by Justin Klugh The Raymond Rosen housing projects at 22nd and Diamond streets in North Philadelphia were an unsettling place to be a child. Built in 1954 for residents with low incomes, they were in time swallowed by drugs, crime and disinvestment, all of which served as the backdrop for Connie
MoreDrum class at Northeast High School Students participate ata community workshop celebrating and exploring food from many cultures atNortheast High School Hafez Kotain instructing a drum class at Northeast High School Teacher Jay Fluellen in his music classroom at Northeast High School Students participate ata community workshop celebrating the diversity of food from many culturesNortheast
More