Grid Magazine

#009 November 2009/Bicycling/Farming/Food/gardening

Feature: A Bike with Petals

On a roof or in a yard, Grace Wicks grows gardenersby Char VandermeerIt was easy to pick Grace Wicks, sole proprietor of Graceful Gardens, out of the horde of stern-faced suits bustling by the Four Seasons Hotel in Center City. She was the one wearing a great big grin and carrying a giant green gardening

November 1, 2009

2 mins read

#009 November 2009/Community/Farming/Food/gardening

Feature: A Fresh Start

Prisoners and community gardeners help feed Philadelphia's hungry by Natalie Hope McDonald
Adjacent to a soccer field in fairmount park, in view of what’s left of the Delaware River’s wetlands, the Philadelphia Prison System operates eight correctional facilities for men and women along State Road.

November 1, 2009

6 mins read

#009 November 2009/GridPhilly

Philadelphia, The Once and Future Workshop of the World?

Once known as the Workshop of the World, Philadelphia lost 400,000 manufacturing jobs over the last four decades. But according to the Emerging Industries Project (a report presented by the Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia’s Green Economy Task Force), there is potential to redevelop local manufacturing in a more sustainable way.

November 1, 2009

1 min read

#009 November 2009/Culture/Fashion

Cover Story: Upstairs Downstairs

Sa Va Fashion Brings buying local to a new levelby Lee Stabert
Upstairs from a posh center city boutique is a small garment factory. There is a hefty metal cutting table along the right wall and a couple rows of sewing machines. There is a machine that folds collars, and one that attaches clasps to pants.

November 1, 2009

5 mins read

#009 November 2009/Design/Green Building

Architecture: What is a Green Roof?

by Claire ConnellyPhiladelphia continues to receive national recognition for its progressive green initiatives. We’ve been ranked one of the 10 greenest cities in the nation and are making strides towards the top of that list. One notable facet of this citywide greening process is the growing number of green roofs sprouting up on both public

November 1, 2009

1 min read

#009 November 2009/Cooking/Food/Guides

How-To: Cook Dried Beans

Preparing dried beans in three easy stepsby Ed CoffinDried beans are low in fat, high in protein and fiber, and incredibly inexpensive. What keeps most of us from enjoying them is the time and preparation required to make them edible. Fortunately, the process can be simplified into three easy steps that will have you eating

November 1, 2009

1 min read

#009 November 2009/Circular Economy/Guides/Recycling

Recycling Challenge: Your Computer

Two organizations ready to rid you of your Commodore 64by Samantha Wittchen
Let’s be honest. Did you purchase a Gateway 2000 back in 1991 because you simply couldn’t resist those Holstein cow spots on the packaging? And now where is it? If you’re like many Americans, it’s probably waiting for a better home in a corner

November 1, 2009

1 min read

#009 November 2009/Environment/Urban Nature

Profile: For the Birds

The Audubon Society's Keith Russell tracks migrating birds felled by windowsby Bernard Brown
Keith Russell shows me two white-throated sparrows and an ovenbird, all dead, at 5:30 a.m., when I meet him at 19th and Market. Russell, the Pennsylvania Audubon Society’s Fairmount Park Outreach Coordinator, had found the three migrants just on his walk over from

November 1, 2009

1 min read

#009 November 2009/Climate-Change/Energy/Environment

Energy: US Carbon Emissions Are Down–Now It’s Time to Get to Work

When we look back on 2009, we might realize that this was the year America started on the path to a sustainable future. There are finally a number of positive developments, and every week brings more good news. Carbon emissions are declining in the US—in fact, they’re down 9 percent since 2007! Electricity sales are

November 1, 2009

1 min read

#009 November 2009/Bicycling/GridPhilly/transportation

New Business: Philly Electric Wheels

Wheels that won’t make you tired—unless you want them toThere was a collective sigh of relief from Philly’s bike commuters when extrawide lanes were painted on Pine and Spruce Streets. Traveling across Center City for work or pleasure is now a lot easier!

November 1, 2009

1 min read

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