by Heather Shayne Blakeslee
His Story:
Diaz grew up in a public housing project in New York City, and made his way through St. Joseph’s University and then Temple Law. He was the first Puerto Rican to earn a law degree from the University and to pass the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, after which he became a Public
by Heather Shayne Blakeslee
His Story:
Kenney was born in South Philadelphia and raised by a firefighter and homemaker. He got his first union card at 17, and went on to get a degree from La Salle University, becoming the first person in his family to go to college. He’s served in City Council since 1991, and
2 mins read
by Heather Shayne Blakeslee
Her Story:
Abraham’s bio has a lot of firsts. She’s the daughter of first-generation Americans who lived “on the edges of poverty,” and was the first in her family to go to college; she got a degree from Temple University and went on to Temple Law School. She is the first woman to
2 mins read
Political progress has been made, but much work remains
Eight years ago, the new crop of mayoral candidates were like sustainability seedlings, just beginning to poke their soft green heads above the soil and move toward the light.
There were some unintended moments of comedy along the way. During a candidate forum, one of the candidates purported
6 mins read
Greensgrow may just have a place for you. | Photo by Bryn Ashburn Looking to do some good to help your community? By Jacqueline Klecak and Michael Iannucci Philadelphia is a city that offers many places to volunteer, all very different. You’re sure to find some that fit your schedule and align with your personal
More9 mins read
When he’s not working with the Fairmount Civic Association, Sam Holloschutz picks up trash at the wooded area near his apartment. | Photo by Stephen Dyer
A popular TV show awakens an environmentalist in Fairmount
Sam Holloschutz credits an unlikely source of inspiration for his devotion to sustainability: the TV show Lost. “Just seeing how beautiful Hawaii
2 mins read
A new effort brings the mysterious mussel back to a Philadelphia waterway
The lack of mussels in the Tacony-Frankford Creek made the stream a desirable target for the reintroduction of the hardy Elliptio complanata species. | Photos by Brian Rademaekers
When you think of mussels in Philadelphia, your first thought might be of ordering moules-frites, Belgium’s signature
4 mins read
In South Kensington, La Finquita farm offers gardening workshops to locals of all ages.
You don’t have to travel far from the city to find sprawling acres of fresh, homegrown produce
Philadelphia local communities have cultivated bountiful urban farms, most just a SEPTA ride away. Innovative agricultural ventures from Chestnut Hill to Kensington to South Philadelphia are
5 mins read
Compostable materials constitute approximately 23 percent of Philadelphia's waste composition. In the absence of a citywide food waste recycling program, all food waste is sent to the landfill. RecycleNOW Philadelphia says this is a missed opportunity because composting would help the city fulfill RecycleNOW’s zero waste vision and it could spur local, sustainable development. It’s a
More1 min read
Mark McGee organizes electronics recycling events several times a year. | Photo by Megan Matuzak
Mark McGee, Kensington's undisputed electronics recycling champion
The average American throws away approximately 62 pounds of electronics a year, says Kensington resident Mark McGee, citing a WHYY podcast on electronics waste. “I don’t think people realize there is a lot of toxic
1 min read