Grid Magazine

#028 July 2011

Dispatch: Money Down the Drain – How I learned to say goodbye to half-hour showers.

I distinctly recall my sister pulling back the shower curtain and telling me that my dad was seconds from exploding. I was in elementary school and had developed a habit of falling asleep in the shower every morning—staying in there for easily half an hour. I used to stay up all night knowing I could

July 1, 2011

2 mins read

#028 July 2011

Never Too Late to Learn

In a city as bike-crazy as Philadelphia, even occasional riders take for granted that everyone knows how to ride a bike. But just as there are many people who never suited up for swim lessons, there are many adults—myself included—who never wobbled their way off training wheels. If you never felt the urge to learn,

July 1, 2011

1 min read

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The Last Mountain: Doc displays hidden secrets of Big Coal in America

The Last Mountain, a documentary directed by Bill Haney, will make you mad. You will step out of the theatre ready to write a letter to the government, and spend the night researching how to get involved in this issue. This is how you know a documentary is effective. The film focuses on the terrifying

July 1, 2011

1 min read

#028 July 2011

NBW Goes to Washington

Last summer marked the first ever Ride of Dreams, a 240-mile bike ride from West Philadelphia to the state capital in Harrisburg and back to raise funds for Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW), the Philly-based nonprofit that teaches urban youth the benefits and joy of cycling. This year, NBW will ride from Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Avenue;

July 1, 2011

1 min read

#028 July 2011

Connecting the Dots: Expanding lanes and trails is part of a grand design.

“How can we all coexist on these very skinny streets?” asks Rina Cutler, Philadelphia’s deputy mayor for transportation and utilities. “We don’t have room to add more, so we have to make better use of the streets. For me, it’s less about biking, [and more about] creating complete streets and giving people choices.”

July 1, 2011

1 min read

#028 July 2011

The Audacity of Hops: You, too, can grow beer’s signature ingredient.

When you think of hops, you think of beer. After all, the viney, aromatic plant is what makes beer taste like beer: Without the distinctive bitterness, your favorite brew would taste like alcoholic pancake syrup.
But if you think about where they come from, you probably don’t think of Philadelphia.

July 1, 2011

3 mins read

#028 July 2011

Drink Responsibly! Could Hawthornes’ patent-pending growler system be the most sustainable way to quaff your brew?

Fact: You want to be the dude who shows up to a house party with a delicious, fresh growler of beer. Why? A 64-ounce glass jug under your arm not only suggests that you are dedicated to the success of the evening, but also that you care about the way beer tastes. It says you’re

July 1, 2011

2 mins read

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WAKE UP CALL: Start your day right with GRID’s grab bag of sustainability news

Throw some bulgur burgers on the grille | Image via thedailygreen.comFrackity-Frack Don’t Come Back New York may ban fracking in the NYC and Syracuse watersheds, as well as all state-owned land. An executive order prohibiting fracking issued last year by former NY Gov. David Paterson is set to expire today, but the Dept. of Environmental

July 1, 2011

1 min read

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The Uniform Project: Take the Little Black Dress Challenge!

In May of 2009, Sheena Matheiken was bored with her corporate job and wanted to step out of her 9-5 and be inspired. She came up with the idea to wear a “little black dress” everyday for a year, 365 days. The challenge was that she had to make every outfit look unique, and use only vintage

July 1, 2011

1 min read

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ACT LOCALLY: GRID’S Round-up of local events and newsy bits

In celebration of the International year of Forests declared by the United Nations, Philadelphia will be hosting a screening of two forest documentaries at Liberty Park.6/30 Mugshots Fairmount celebrates 7th Birthday
Happy Birthday to one of GRID’s favorite coffee shops, Mugshots in Fairmount. Join the fun today and help them celebrate their 7th birthday with sweet

June 30, 2011

2 mins read

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