Grid Magazine

#002 March 2009/Circular Economy

From the Editor: Creative Change

When the New Kensington CDC was faced with mountains of garbage being dumped on their neighborhood’s vacant lots, they came up with an ingenious idea: plant trees around the perimeters of vacant lots. Just the presence of trees stoically standing guard proved discouragement enough for would-be garbage dumpers.

March 1, 2009

1 min read

#001 February 2009/Energy/Environment/GridPhilly

The Energy Issue

Philly runs on uncertain energy. It’s hard to imagine, but our electricity actually costs less than it could. Currently, our bills are lowered through rate caps applied by the state. On December 31, 2010, those caps expire, prices are expected to spike and no legislation is in place to protect us.

February 1, 2009

1 min read

#001 February 2009/Energy/Environment/Farming/Food

Waste Not!

Biogas technology will save Philly some serious money
by Matt Jakubowski
Biogas isn’t sexy. There are no sleek silver solar panels, no turbines on a windswept hill. It’s a part of your regular routine, but we’re only beginning to tap into its explosive potential. Biogas generation, the unmentionable alternative, uses methane, a potent greenhouse gas that

February 1, 2009

2 mins read

#001 February 2009/Community/education/Race and Equity

Girl’s Best Friend

Around 3 p.m., the girls trickle through the front door of a former upholstery shop. From public and private schools in Germantown, Mount Airy and beyond, they arrive in pleated skirts and blue jeans. Yvonne Haughton welcomes each by name as they shed jackets and knapsacks before helping themselves to pudding and hot chocolate.

February 1, 2009

2 mins read

#001 February 2009/Community/transportation

Flash of Hope

An ode to Frankford Ave. And the Elby Nathaniel Popkin
The third-floor factory window frames the view, the restive city in the side-glance of the winter sun. Here’s a swollen plume of white smoke and the granite-colored river, and the Betsy Ross Bridge in the muted but improbable green invented by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Amtrak flies

February 1, 2009

2 mins read

#001 February 2009/Design/Energy/Environment/GridPhilly

Redesigning the Friends Center

Renovations of the Friends Center, the first facility in Philadelphia to get its heat from deep-standing column wells (six holes drilled between 1,000–15,000 feet into the earth’s core), are nearly two-thirds complete.

February 1, 2009

1 min read

#001 February 2009/Energy/Environment/GridPhilly

Conserving Our Future

Liz Robinson talks about Philly’s energy problems and a different path forward
Liz Robinson has been helping Philadelphia conserve energy since 1979. As Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency, an energy nonprofit that services low-income residents, Liz has worked on the EnergyEfficiency Resource Standard, which instituted early efficiency measures for Philly’s affordable housing. She also

February 1, 2009

3 mins read

#001 February 2009/Circular Economy/Environment/GridPhilly/Water

Simplify: 3 Easy Ways to Live Greener

Fluid Needs
Make your water coolerAt first glance, the office water cooler looks innocuous, especially if you forego the dumpster-bound plastic cup and refill your (Philadelphia Phillies, 2008 World Champions) glass instead. However, there’s one key wasteful component unaccounted for: energy consumption. Yup, those heavy jugs need to be manufactured and then carted around town by

February 1, 2009

1 min read

#001 February 2009/Cooking

Iron Chef: Fishtown

Why a cast iron skillet is all you’ll ever need
Several years ago, I moved into an old house in Madison, WI and found a cast iron skillet in the basement. Raised by Teflon lovers, I was wary. It took a graybeard neighbor—a kind of cast iron prophet—to convince me I should try it. “You

February 1, 2009

3 mins read

#001 February 2009/Community/Publisher's Letter

From the Publisher

I know I’m not supposed to play favorites, but of all the pieces in our inaguaral issue, I like Destinee-Charisse Royal’s piece on For My Daughter Library the best. Before I explain why, I’d like to give a little love to some other stories, too, so they don’t get jealous.Our cover subject, Mike McKinley, surfs,

February 1, 2009

2 mins read

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