American handcrafted jeans with Norman Porter Co.

A Stitch in Time by William Beisley With garment manufacturing in Philadelphia at an all-time low, a brand like Norman Porter Co. appears like a denim-clad apparition from the past.  The company’s jeans and other products have all been designed and produced with an almost bygone craftsman approach. Michael and David Stampler, brothers and co-owners

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Gone with the Wind: PECO Wind is defunct, but you can still buy local, renewable energy

story by Liz PachecoSince 2004, the PECO Wind program has allowed customers to purchase renewable electricity that supported wind projects in Pennsylvania. But as of December 31, the PECO Wind program ended, leaving 20,000 customers without service.
The good news for these 20,000 customers--as well as anyone interested in buying renewables--is that there are plenty of

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Re-Shop Flower Shop gifts recyclable bouquets to local sustainability heroes

Local artist Kathryn Sclavi sets up the Re-Shop Flower Shop with students the McVeigh Recreation Center in Kensington. | Photo by Michael Reali Last Wednesday, local artist Kathryn Sclavi braved Philadelphia’s rush hour traffic and the January cold in her ZipCar to pick-up flowers in West Philly. But Sclavi wasn’t going to a florist or

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Blight’s Out

story by Liz Pacheco | illustration by Melissa McFeetersWhen Mabel Wilson and her mother moved to Gray’s Ferry in 1929, her cul-de-sac block was lined with rowhomes. Soon though, many homes were abandoned and the City tore them down, leaving behind a block of empty lots. Looking at these new eyesores, Mabel

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9 mins read

From the Grid Office: New Year, New Website, New Issue

February 2013 / Issue 46Happy 2013! The past few weeks have been busy ones here at the Grid office, and we’re so excited to finally share what we’ve been working on. We’ve updated our website to make access to our print and online content even easier. Articles are now sorted by topic and can be

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