It can be easy to get discouraged these days. Everywhere we look, there are signs of a struggling planet and, often, it’s difficult to see a clear path to an effectual response. 2022 may well eclipse recent years as the hottest on record. Rainfall has alternated between being absent or violent in Pennsylvania, one of
MoreIllustration by Kathleen White What’s in a name? When it comes to businesses that want to do good, common misconceptions abound: that nonprofits are not businesses, that cooperative businesses are not run for profit, and that all businesses must maximize profit above all else. Any company, theoretically, can do good. The reverse is also true—not
MoreIllustration by Kathleen White Serious Business by Hannah Waters Every moment of every day, even as you read this magazine, a dizzying array of scientific gadgets collect data on our planet’s environment. More than 3,000 ocean floats measure the temperature and saltiness of seawater to depths of 6,500 feet. Instruments at the top of 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
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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 Mike L. Perry The Makers are Coming Interview by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Fifty years ago, factories were busily producing products that America was exporting around the world. Since then, we’ve outsourced much of our making and doing. “Makerspace” is a catch-all term for places where inventors, tinkerers and hackers—makers all—can gather. These collaborative
Moreby Hannah Waters As the November chill sets in, it’s tempting to turn on the heat, lock the doors and curl up under a blanket for the long winter ahead. The reasons to go into an early hibernation practically invent themselves: it’s too cold; bundling up is too burdensome; the couch cushions are too alluring.
MoreArtist: Hope Irion | Age: 24 | Profession: Art Therapist My ceramic work and motivation to create are based on my desire to find the balance between beauty and utility: I aim to produce beautiful objects that can be used and appreciated by others. In both art and therapy, one fuses
MoreA robot made on a 3D printer at NextFab studio | Photo by Addison Geary 3D printing is a breakthrough but also creates unwanted material by William Beisley The 3D printer was first patented in 1986 by Chuck Hull, co-founder of 3D Systems. The initial purpose of the machine was to expedite labor-intensive and costly
MoreOn the Make by Alex Jones Janell Wysock designs and makes knitted and woven garments. For most of the year, she’s a one-woman shop, using a combination of machine knitting and by-hand techniques to create one-of-a-kind pieces. However, demand from local and regional boutiques outstrips her ability to produce finished garments, and cash flow issues
MoreCo-working for Carvers by Matt Bevilacqua Walk into the front office of Philadelphia Woodworks and you will come across shelves full of handmade bowls, clocks, candlesticks, chessboards, reusable wine corks and even kaleidoscopes. All are made from wood, and not by professionals. Tucked into an Umbria Street warehouse at the foot of Manayunk’s Germany Hill,
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