It’s always nice to read something that makes you feel genuinely hopeful: This New York Times online column on homelessness did just that. Writer David Bornstein discusses the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a program that aims to place 100,000 chronically homeless people into permanent supportive housing by July 2013: It’s the human welfare equivalent of NASA’s race to put

Grid‘s own Marisa McClellan is deep into the annual Dark Days Challenge over at Foodinjars.com. Here’s how she describes it: Participants from all over the country (and world) prepare at least one intentionally local meal per week during the winter and blog about it. The goal is to prove that it’s possible to eat locally,

People all over the world join hands, start a love train, love train… Remember that adorable video of the Canadian couple getting engaged on one of Mural Arts’ Love Letter Tours? Inspired by that event, Mural Arts and SEPTA are now offering one lucky couple the chance to be married on the Love Train by Mayor

We’re in the final stretch of 2010—and with that comes a final look back before trudging forward into 2011. Both TreeHugger and Grist are re-capping the year, with a focus on the environment. The sites both acknowledge the BP oil disaster as the 2010 environmental event that will go down in history, but Grist takes

Shot Tower Coffee in Bella VistaThis past weekend, I checked a few things off my to-do list: visit 1 Shot Coffee‘s new No Libs location (and sample those baked eggs with tomato sauce); stop by my neighborhood’s new Shot Tower Coffee (6th and Christian); and watch the Eagles humiliate the Giants. Check, check and check.

We’re milking this year’s holiday cheer for all it’s worth—and that means we’re going to share as many local gift ideas as possible. Next up, a gift certificate from Harvest Local Foods. (You might remember them from last year’s Farmbook.) The cards range from $25 to $200, and can be used to purchase absolutely anything

Somehow this escaped our notice until last week: A few months ago, at GreenFest Philly, Grid was interviewed by the pair behind frequency555.com. The couple, John Shimkus and Dana Lagomarsino, are traveling the country covering sustainability and health.  Click here for the full list of Pennsylvania profiles.

Remember Taryn Zychal from last year’s January issue? She’s the girl behind Recycling Zychal—rescuing one broken umbrella at a time from the landfill, and transforming them into functional accessories for guys, gals and furry friends. She is also one of ten finalists in a contest to win the Stoli Vodka “originals contest,” and $25,000. Take a

The day we’ve all dreaded since this post appeared has finally arrived: Philly Brownstoner has gone black. You will be sorely missed. Thanks for the linkage.

Things like this make me feel like everything is going to be OK—beautiful, thoughtful public space for the city alongside an underutilized natural resource. Click through to uwishunu for more details on the Race Street Pier and some spectacular renderings. On Tuesday, Philly Brownstoner had a shot of some initial construction.  Via Philebrity, who win points