Photo by Marika Mirren Books on Bikes Children’s librarian Link Ross won’t shush you at her next event—she’ll be asking for your library card amid the hustle and bustle of a public park, riding her mobile library. “It sort of looks like an old-fashioned ice cream vehicle,” said Ross, who rode Philly’s first Book Bike
MoreA rendering of the Schuylkill Banks Parks on Tap location Parks on Tap Who would have thought that when the city loosened its liquor regulations in 2012, it would promote family friendly parties and some much-needed revenue for the parks system? Over a dozen parks this year will raise money for Parks and Recreation and
MoreBlazing a Trail The nooks and crannies of Fairmount Park will soon be documented in the same detail as the Street View tab on Google Maps. The tech giant has lent the city one of its Street View Trekker backpacks, a 50-pound, 15-lens camera system that looks like a robotic lollipop and will take a
MorePick a Lane by Matt Bevilacqua Last year, a road rage incident on Pine Street showed the danger that can erupt when drivers fail to stay clear of bike lanes. Ron Deets, a cyclist from South Philly, told reporters that when a car veered into his lane and cut him off, he tapped the side
MorePhoto by Ryan Collerd Talk About a Revolution In early May, approximately 300 people gathered near the intersection of 28th Street and Passyunk Avenue. Some were Philadelphia locals, but many traveled from around the state, arriving via yellow school buses commissioned by Action United, a 6-year-old advocacy group focused on the interests of Pennsylvanians with
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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Capitol Offense by Matt Bevilacqua Leanne Krueger-Braneky knew that Harrisburg would be tough, but she didn’t know just how tough. When the newly elected state representative was sworn in last August, the budget was already two months late. It wouldn’t pass until the following March.“I’ve had colleagues from both sides of
MoreBackyard Birds by Anna Herman Backyard chickens have a long history of coexisting with humans in cities, towns and villages worldwide. The 1917 Poultry Gazette ran the following ad: “Even the smallest back yard has room for a flock large enough to supply the house with eggs. … They require little attention only a few
MoreMad About Maize by Peggy Paul Cassella Most experts agree that the wild ancestor of corn (or maize, as it’s called in other countries) can be traced to Central and South America about 70,000 years ago. After it was domesticated around 7500 B.C., it became a mainstay of the ancient Native American diet and remains
More“Vivere” by Joe Boruchow Art That Hits Home by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Income inequality and pollution in Philadelphia might not seem like they would serve as inspiration for the city’s creatives, but celebrated Philadelphia papercut artist Joe Boruchow has been doing political work for years. He routinely draws attention to what he sees as the
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Illustration by Carter Mulcahy The Body Politic interview by Heather Shayne Blakeslee In her book “The Wrath of Capital: Neoliberalism and Climate Change Politics,” scholar Adrian Parr explores the interconnected nature of capitalism, political power and the systemic abuses foisted upon people and planet when the accumulation of money, power and possessions is our primary
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