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Recipes: Spears of Joy

Asparagus signals the arrival of springby Marisa McClellan, foodinjars.com
Each spring, I celebrate the arrival of local asparagus. Those fat, green-verging-on-purple stalks mean that the season of verdant abundance has arrived. I binge on the stuff—much like my beloved grandmother Bunny did before me—buying armloads of asparagus, slightly fearful that it will disappear before I’ve had

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3 mins read
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Energy: In Hot Water

A guide to upgrading your hot water heaterby Samantha WittchenAccording to Energy Star (energystar.gov), in 2009, 14 percent of a household’s annual average energy costs went to heating water. If you have an old, inefficient water heater, that number is probably higher.

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2 mins read
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Recycling Challenge: CDs

Recycling your old compact discsby Samantha Wittchen
The Challenge: The day when your tower of compact discs goes the way of the 8-track is rapidly approaching. With the increasing ubiquity of digital music, we are certainly in for a major influx of CD-related trash to our landfills.

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1 min read
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Gardening: Shoots & Ladders

Happy together: Companion planting can increase the yield and the health of your urban gardenby Char Vandermeer
It’s time to dust off those planters, rinse out the watering cans and get some dirt under your nails. If your garden looks anything like mine—a sea of containers atop a South Philly roof—then you’re constantly struggling to maximize

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1 min read
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Local Business: Handcrafted Heaven

Nice Things Handmade carries on a tradition in South Phillyby Claire Connelly
Saddened by the recent closings of some of Philadelphia’s favorite specialty shops, Elissa Kara made a bold move. In February, the local artist and restaurant veteran opened Nice Things Handmade, a boutique gallery on booming East Passyunk Avenue.

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1 min read
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News: Tree Trim

Fairmount Park cuts down trees to make way for meadowby Cassie CumminsUsually when you hear about someone cutting down trees, it’s a bad thing. Not in this case: Fairmount Park’s Houston Meadow Reclamation and Management Plan is using the systematic removal of trees to restore a valued ecosystem, and return breeding birds to a beloved

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1 min read