Illustration by Corey Brickley Greater, Better, More Beautiful by Michael A. Nutter I have spent my whole life in Philadelphia. This is my place in the world. As my two terms of mayor come to an end, I think back to the Philadelphia I knew as a child and as a young man in the
MoreDivided We Fall by Heather Shayne Blakeslee An organizing meeting with Action United in Southwest Philadelphia started out peaceably, but suffered from continual disruption from the chief of staff for State Representative Jordan Harris’ office. On the evening of Nov. 17 at Grace Christian Fellowship Church, about 50 people—largely composed of community members and community
MoreIllustration by James Heimer Stars, Stripes and Sea Level Rise by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Your book is titled The United States of Excess: Gluttony and the Dark Side of American Exceptionalism. What is “American Exceptionalism”? RP: It’s the assertion that America is very different from other advanced industrial countries because of our unique history as
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Photo courtesy of Kenney 2015 Power Shift by Heather Shayne Blakeslee On Nov. 3, the day before Mayor-elect Jim Kenney officially won his post, he started his public appearances for the day at South Philadelphia’s Barbacoa, the former spot of Vegan Commissary at 1703 S. 11th Street. The tiny restaurant was filled with a few
MoreIllustration by Max Gordon. Money Matters by Pamela J. Rich-Wheeler The barriers small businesses face are many, no matter where they are located, and one of the biggest is lack of access to capital. This is a particular problem for minorities and women who do not often have the luxury of wealth transfer as a
MoreClimate Change, Inc. by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe (R), one of America’s most influential climate science deniers, famously threw a snowball on the floor of the Senate this past February, his way of calling for calm amid what he calls climate change “hysteria.” It was a publicity stunt that is, unfortunately, emblematic
MoreMorro Castle Smoked PorterForgotten Boardwalk Brewing Co.Smooth maltiness anchors deep smokiness, with rich roasted coffee and tobacco on the nose. On draft and in growlers at the brewery and various local bars.Cherry Hill, N.J. Bon Annee Belgian Specialty AleSaint Benjamin Brewing CompanyA New Year’s beer with gooseberry, light fruit and white wine flavors made with
MoreStartUp PHL Grants $104kStartUp PHL, a city initiative to endorse and fund entrepreneurship in Philadelphia, has awarded $104,000 in grant money to six diverse organizations. Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, who was granted $20,000, will convert land at 6th and Susquehanna streets into a pop-up marketplace. Corzo Center for the Creative Economy at the University of
Moreby Peggy Paul Casella Brussels SproutsThe Brussels sprout plant looks like a lanky sea monster: Its thick spine grows straight up from the soil, covered with mini-cabbage “eyes” and dozens of leafy arms. Though the leaves are also edible, like those of fellow Brassicas, the sprouts are the most commonly eaten part of the plant.
MoreNothing but Fruit by Lindsey Walker Apple butter—a sweet, spreadable concentration of apple cider and apple sauce—is a centuries-old method of preserving fresh fruit that serves our appetite for local food and creates almost no waste. It’s “a simple food done incredibly well,” says Michael Holahan, who co-owns the Pennsylvania General Store with his wife,
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