Sometimes eating locally isn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Recently, in Portland, OR, there was a throw down over some non-local pigs at Cochon 555, a national culinary contest, involving Eric Bechard, a farm-to-table restauranteur. From the New York Times: “I get there and I get the flier and I’m immediately sickened because I’m seeing ‘local,’

Ever hear of a green cleaning party? Well, according to this Philadelphia Inquirer story, the concept is in use out in Minneapolis. Basically, six women got together to party, and instead of pizza and beer, they bring baking soda, olive oil, borax and white wine, and then created various cleaning products out of the ingredients.

Dwight Eschliman for The New York TimesIn honor of the heat wave, check out this story from New York Times Magazine on Jake Godby, proprietor of Humphry Slocombe in San Francisco. Godby is doing some strange stuff with ice cream. His most popular flavor is “Secret Breakfast,” a mix of Jim Beam and toasted corn

Mt. Airy has a new Farmers’ Market this year, hosted by Farm to City, Valley Green Bank and Lutheran Theological Seminary. Running Tuesdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the plaza at 7300 Germantown Avenue (across from WaWa), the market features vegetables, fruit, flowers (from Love ‘n Fresh Flowers, profiled in April’s Grid), pastured meats,

A couple of North Philadelphia artists are proving that you can make something out of nothing. This inspiring Philadelphia Inquirer story tells the tale of Pedro Ospina and his partner Betsy Casanas who built the “Children’s Garden” in North Philadelphia in May 2009. Their organization, the Semilla Arts Initiative, has a mission to revitalize communites

If you love lavender, then you’ll love this Inquirer article on Patti and George Lyon’s local lavender farm. Located outside of Doylestown, the Peace Valley Lavender Farm entices 10,000 visitors a year—and that number continues to grow as organic farming (and lavender) become more popular all over the country. Most appealing about the story is the Lyons’ approach to life. They

Happy Fourth of July! In honor of the holiday, check out Marisa McClellan’s excellent summer BBQ recipes from this month’s Grid. Hitting the Jersey Shore? Read about Avalon’s The Diving Horse. (They’re hosting a special “Dune Burger” event on Sunday.) Staying local? Check out these urban hikes from Billy Brown.

This week, The New York Times‘ travel blog shines a light on Pennsylvania wines: Though less known for its wine than heavyweights like Napa Valley, Pennsylvania has arrived.  In the last five years, the number of wineries in Pennsylvania has grown to more than 130, and the number of visitors has doubled, to one million last

Congrats to Michael Dolich and the whole Four Worlds Bakery team on the arrival of their brand new signage at the Woodland Avenue storefront. Dolich tweeted the picture along with this update: “New storefront sign went up; planning soft storefront opening for mid or late July.” For more on Four Worlds Bakery (and their tremendous

Team director Simon Hauger at the wheel of the team’s Ford FocusUnfortunately, the dream has come to an end.  The West Philly Hybrid X Team (profiled in July’s Grid) has been eliminated from the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize Competition. Both the team’s cars failed to reach the mileage standards in the “knock out” round