Yesterday, Slate had a pair of articles on the complex—but essential issue—of patents for green technology. Its a dense read, but worth it for insights on how patent law, and the movement of intellectual property to developing nations, will effect green development.
Lisa Larrimore Ouellette makes the case that reforming the Bayh-Dole Act—a bill that allows (federally

Photo by Marisa McClellanThe asparagus has landed! Yesterday, when I walked by the Fair Food Farmstand, there they were—standing at attention in little bundles, thick and green and just the slightest bit purple at the tips. Now that local asparagus will be flooding farmers’ markets around the city, I’ll draw your attention to Marisa McClellan’s

Greensaw Design & Build will be featured tonight and Saturday in a 5-minute feature on MiND TV dubbed “Reclaiming Green.” You may remember Greensaw from Grid‘s House & Home Issue. The local contractors—led by Brendan Jones—are experts at working with salvage, and their results are beautiful.  8 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 8 p.m. Saturday, April

Plan on a late lunch tomorrow. In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Mayor Nutter, the Philadelphia Streets Department and the Mural Arts Program will debut 10 colorful new recycling trucks, add to the current fleet of beautiful beasts. The festivities will take place at 3 p.m. tomorrow in LOVE Park after an Earth

The arrival of spring—and a host of fresh, local ingredients—has gotten me pumped about cooking. Last night, I made pizza.
I use Jamie Oliver's recipe from Jamie at Home, a cookbook filled with simple, homestyle dishes that I love deeply. It's a big recipe—calling for seven cups of flour and two packets of yeast—but the upside

Mt. Airy’s Weaver’s Way is always available to spread the co-op love. On Monday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m., their leadership will speak on the subject in South Philly at the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center (SPOAC) at 1430 E. Passyunk Ave. at Dickinson. South Philadelphians itching for an opportunity to create more local food options in the

You might have noticed photog Dan Murphy buzzing around Grid‘s smashingly successful Anniversary Party at Yards Brewing Company. We’ve posted some of the pictures over at Flickr. Keep an eye out for Grid favorites and sustainability celebrities such as Happy Cat’s Tim Mountz, Hoots and Hellmouth, Nic Esposito, Fat Man of Fat Man Pottery, Sarah Van

Pedal your way to fresh butter on warm toast, literally.
Artist Tim Eads has built a pedal-operated butter churn that also generates enough electricity to power a toaster. On April 24 he’s giving you the chance to test it out yourself. Join Eads at FLUXspace for a reception and Butter Cycle Performance. He'll be giving viewers

Ok, the good stuff is rolling now: garlic scallions, ramps and, my new fleeting favorite, fiddlehead ferns. They got these wild little curly things in at the Fair Food Farmstand last week. Over the weekend, I had my first experience cooking them, and, last night, I had my second. (The season for these baby ferns

Hugh Lofting Timber Framing Inc. is constructing a new off-the-grid home in Annapolis, Maryland and it’s an eco-conscious family’s dream come true. The company’s description of the sustainable home is so poetic that I found myself lost in a daydream of calling The Spirit Residence my own—lounging in front of the sealed fireplace as I