Grid Magazine February 2013 [#046]

Susta i n abl e Ph i l a d elp hi a

FEBRUary 2013 / issue 46 gridphilly.com

Ca n a la n d ba

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No Vacancy

A second chance at a well-planned city

A

re you a good planner? It’s not my strong suit. I just don’t tend to look all that far into the future. Take our office, for example, and its hodgepodge of office furniture. There’s what we call the Majestic Desk, a Staples version of an executive desk that, at 23, I thought would give my work a sense of importance. Then there’s the cluster of decidedly less regal and more modern desks that were bought in a period of rapid growth, again from Staples.

Through the years we added a few simple (cheap) workstations for interns and part-time employees, and another desk here and there. And what are we left with? What Dolly Parton would call “a coat of many colors.”

If only I’d known from the get-go exactly how many people would be working in our office. I could have ordered a set of matching desks, hiring talented woodworkers like Bench Dog, Greensaw or Stable Tables to outfit our office with furniture made from salvaged wood.

So what does office furniture have to do with this month’s cover story (p. 18) on vacant land?

Forgive me if it seems like a glib comparison, but I can see my office landscape as a miniature version of a city’s evolution. Decisions are made at different times, often by different people, under quickly changing conditions. What seems like a good idea today can seem ridiculous tomorrow.

Here in Philadelphia, we’ve seen excellent (and often energy efficient) housing stock abandoned and neglected. Suburbanization and white flight conspired to turn once-vibrant sections of our city into shadows of themselves, leaving empty spaces where there shouldn’t be any.

The establishment of a land bank, which would make it easier to purchase abandoned real estate, gives the City a chance at something akin to a do-over, at least partially. Decisions can be made anew about how best to use the land, which amounts to 40,000 lots. Although the City is hungry for more businesses and tax dollars,

publisher

Alex Mulcahy 215.625.9850 ext. 102 alex@gridphilly.com managing editor

Liz Pacheco liz@gridphilly.com art director

Jamie Leary jamie@gridphilly.com designer

Danni Sinisi danni@gridphilly.com distribution

Jesse Kerns 215.625.9850 ext. 100 jesse@gridphilly.com marketing

Morgan Berman morgan@gridphilly.com copy editor

Andrew Bonazelli writers

Bernard Brown Grace Dickinson Marisa McClellan Courtney Sexton Missy Steinberg Leah Troiano Alex Zorach this is also a great opportunity for communities to decide what their neighborhoods need, and how they should look. And that, ideally, would include recognition of the hundreds of community gardens, like Central Club and Norris Square Neighborhood Project, who have profoundly improved their neighborhoods. It’s time they get the respect, and the land, they deserve.

photographers

Neal Santos Gene Smirnov Emily Wren Albert Yee illustrators

James Boyle Melissa McFeeters ad sales

Alex Mulcahy 215.625.9850 ext. 102 alex@gridphilly.com alex j. mulcahy, Publisher alex@gridphilly.com

published by

Red Flag Media 1032 Arch Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 215.625.9850 g r i d p h i l ly . c o m

Cov e r il lustratio n by m e l issa mcfeeters

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Design is a catalyst for strategic creativity and organizational learning. The UArts MiD program prepares students to use design in power ful ways that create meaningful change.

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Vinyl RecoRds

On the Record

Dear Grid,

My husband and I were moving recently and as “Green Novices” our first instinct was to just pitch things the old fashion way.

But one night with no cable, no internet, in a room full of empty moving boxes, I picked up a back issue of Grid and behold! There was a short section with information on how to donate vinyl and other items locally. My husband bookmarked the website that contained the addresses and took our unwanted items off to be reused. It was a great feeling knowing that they would be used to make something great! Grid is so much more than your average magazine! —lawanda horton

Everyday Hero E

ven in december, “Nature” Jack Marine’s Bala Cynwyd home is surrounded by dozens of pumpkins.

These former jack-o-lanterns, some of which are as large as 200 pounds, rest in Marine’s seven compost bins, undergoing a natural, three-month metamorphosis. Over time the pumpkins will become organic soil that Marine will use in his home garden to grow tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and yes, more pumpkins.

Marine has been collecting his neighbors’

fact Last year, 3.9 million vinyl records were sold in the U.S., the highest amoun t since 1991.

HVAC

1. When t

2. Making system w

With vinyl records making a resurgence, you might be thinking twice abo ut tossing those old 45s . But if you do tras h them, the landfill is not the best place. Mo st oldschool vinyl records are made with Pol yvinyl chloride (PVC). Wh en buried, PVC can leak dioxin, a toxic che mical that can con taminate groundwater. Sin ce dioxins are fatsolu ble, they concentrat e in human tiss ue. Additionally, chlorine production for new vinyl manufacturing rele ases more than 200 ,000 pounds of mercur y into our air, wat er and soil each year. Rec ycling vinyl bypasse s that chlorine use.

problem

EnergyWorks is a First, take your progr unwanted rtmGRID4 and Phil.75_ .5x4 adelphia Laycou ou rec ord s to loc al rec ord stores. If they have any value, you may wal k away with a few dollars. If not, recycli ng is a challenge since the options are lim ited. Philadelphia-b ased Vinylux (vinylux.ne t) has been recyclin g records into bowls, coasters and cloc ks (among other things) for 10 years, and is com mitted to working in Phi ladelphia. Vinylu x accept donations of clea n (no mold, please!) size 33 or 45 records. Arr ange for drop-off by contacting them at reco rds@vinylux.net . Here in Philadelphia, eForce Complia nce (3114 Gray’s Ferry Ave ., eforcecomplia nce.com) accepts vinyl reco Whenever the opportunity rds. And anothe for sustainable r option, although not in Philadelphia, is Recyimprovements Marine tends to step cling Services,arises, Inc., in Pottstown (365 Elm St., Pot tsto in. Whether it’s on his drive to his job teachwn , recyclingservices .org).

They acc ing science ateptBuerger records, Early Learning Center but it costs $8 per car his part-time gig at Sweet in Center City or to to enter the faci lity. However, the Greens—where he y helps to compost 90 peralso accept other cent ofmisthe business’ food waste—Marine is cellane ous recyclables, such as constantly skimming the streets for recyclable Tyvek envelopes, litter. candles and bat teries, making a It’s a tendencytrip Marine developed at a young there potentially more age growing worthwhileup .  in Erdenheim, where his father

solution

Meet “Nature” Jack Marine, Bala Cynwyd’s relentless composter

unwanted jack-o-lanterns for the past 10 years—not a glamorous task, but one he feels compelled to do since there is no formal composting center nearby.

“I was already composting so much and I noticed that people were throwing out pumpkins. I think something inside of me clicked and I said, ‘I’m going to take some of these pumpkins home and put them in my garden,’” explains Marine, who began by going door-todoor gathering gourds.

Iov

Kauffman’s

ad and grandfather practiced composting in their MON–SAT 8–6 Re & SUN 9– ww w own gardens. Soon after his son and daughter were born, Marine began teaching science to young children. In 1995, he turned his backyard garden into a classroom for neighborhood youth and offered “KinderGarden”, 10 weekly summer sessions on organic gardening. Since then, Marine has taught science classes at various schools and summer camps throughout Pennsylvania—even starting his own youth program, “Science with Nature Jack”—earning his nickname along the way.

In his teaching and all his sustainable practices Marine is always looking to protect the environment. “If we don’t become stewards of the earth,” he says, “how are we going to change this planet for the better?” – Missy Steinberg

Know an everyday hero in the sustainability community that should be recognized? Please send nominations (for yourself or someone else) to getinvolved@gridphilly.com.

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Saturday, January 26, Noon to 4 pm at all of our Weavers Way locations

• Local vendors sampling glutenfree products • Weavers Way wheat-free housemade products

• The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness will be here to answer questions and give out information.

• Chestnut Hill hot bar will feature • Raffle baskets of gluten-free goodies to benefit the National wheat-free items Foundation for Celiac Awareness

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VISIT

www.PhilaU.edu/greengrid

Energy

Gone with the Wind PECO WIND is defunct, but you can still buy local, renewable energy

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ince 2004, the PECO Wind program has allowed customers to purchase renewable electricity that supported wind projects in Pennsylvania. But as of December 31, the PECO Wind program ended, leaving 20,000 customers without service.

The good news for these 20,000 customers--as well as anyone interested in buying renewables-is that there are plenty of affordable options. Be careful though, not all alternative energy programs are created equal. Just because a utility company operates locally doesn't mean their electricity suppliers are local. It's not uncommon for wind and solar energy to come from outside the state, even the other side of the country.

Energy Audit Contest Are you ready to take the next step in making your home more energy efficient?

Let Grid and EnergyWorks help you get started. Each month we’re giving away one free energy audit. A $400 value!

To enter, visit gridphilly.com

Don’t throw it all away!

Here are five green energy suppliers operating in Pennsylvania: »» Clean Currents, cleancurrents.com »» Community Energy, communityenergyinc.com »» Energy Co-op, theenergy.coop »» Green Energy Collaborative, citizenpower.com/GEC »» Washington Gas Energy Services, wges.com

The average person throws away 1600 pounds of garbage each year.

The average Bennett Compost customer throws away less than half that.

Our weekly pick-up of food scraps and other compostable material helps you reduce your impact. Simply place our bucket outside your home or apartment, and we’ll take care of the rest.

For more information, check out PennFuture’s Energy Center (pennfuture.org). There you can find out how to buy clean, renewable energy and browse a list of green energy suppliers in Pennsylvania. Another helpful resource is ChoosePAWind (choosepawind.com).­ — Liz Pacheco

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BUSINESS Must-Haves from the Pennsylvania cornerstones General Store

70 YEARS

25 YEARS

5

YEARS

Cope’s Dried Sweet Corn Baked, stewed or creamed, this Pennsylvania Dutch classic delivers a toasted sweet corn flavor.

7.5 oz., $5.25

cornerst

Mike Holahan founded the Pennsylvania General Store in 1987.

Burnt Cabin Pancake Mix A three-grain pancake mix from Western, Pa. 16 oz., $6.29

Basket Case

70

Local food products' longstanding champion by courtney sexton

W

hen you think of local food, fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat probably come to mind first. But what about the family-run, small scale packaged food businesses that call Philadelphia home? For 25 years, The Pennsylvania General Store at the Reading Terminal Market has been the one-stop shop for buying these regional treats.

Store founder Mike Holahan’s foray into selling local foods was inspired by a family picnic. “I was heading to a football game with my father and I had packed two box lunches using food from different vendors around the market,” says Holahan. “That was when the idea was born to deliver box lunches to offices in the area.”

In June 1987, he hand-delivered his first box lunch to a law firm. The lunches were made with foodstuffs from various market vendors. “We were really doing locally produced lunches before we even thought of it as that,” he says. “I was just using the resources that were here.”

That Christmas, with the help of his then-girlfriend Julie (now wife and business partner), Holahan added gift baskets filled with local specialty items, like jams and honey, to his box lunch operation. “That was when we came up with the idea to sell local products,” he says. “This was the 80s, and no one really had a sense

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Neuchatel Truffles Made in Oxford, Pa. by fourth generation Swiss chocolatier Albert Lauber. 2-piece box, $3; 4-piece box, $5

cornerstones

of what that meant [to source locally].”

Soon, Holahan was spending Sundays visiting small farmers markets and independent grocery stores to find locally made products. Eventually, the gift basket and mail order business grew so large that Holahan sold the boxed lunch venture and opened a retail outlet at the Reading Terminal.

Twenty-five years later, the store is still a go-to source for goods made in the Philadelphia region.

The store sells well-known treats like TastycakesYEARS and Peanut Chews, but their shelves also stock Pennsylvania Dutch delicacies and an impressive variety of local handmade and bar chocolates. While the Internet has given people better access to these products, Holahan, who’s also a two-time president of the merchant’s board at the Reading Terminal, says that the store’s location has been critical to the business’ success.

“We survived because of the people who supported us,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s always about relationships. A place where you feel like you’re in relationships with people is where you want to be. And that’s why Reading Terminal Market is different. This is the life I’ve chosen.”­

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Pennsylvania General Store, 51 N. 12th St. (inside the Reading Terminal Market), pageneralstore.com

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Caramel- and cookiecovered Granny Smith Apples Made in-house, apples are dipped in caramel and rolled in crushed Sweetzel’s Spiced Wafer Cookies. $3.99

Emily Dorn founded VIX Emporium with her husband Sean five years ago.

The Primex Garden Center family from left to right: Danny Ginsberg (manager), Katelyn Green (greenhouse staff consultant), David Green (co-owner) and Joan Lagan (co-owner).

Garden City

Cornerstone business changes with the community When Bill Green started Primex Garden Center in 1943, his business was predominantly a wholesale agricultural distributor, serving farmers in then-rural Glenside, Pa. Seventy years later, Green’s grandson, David, his wife Joan, and their son-in-law Danny are running a different kind of business at Primex, but one that’s proven to be as equally important to the community.

“We’ve changed with the area,” says Green, acknowledging Glenside’s progression into a densely populated suburb. In the mid-80s, the Greens built a greenhouse where a corrugated shed once stood. They purchased more property, added parking and, in 1995, built a second greenhouse. “[We have taken] little steps and larger steps to accommodate customers,” says Green, “moving away from farming equipment and in the direction of gardening and nursery.”

No longer a rural feed mill operation, Primex now serves backyard gardeners.

They stock rare gardening supplies and employ horticultural experts. The center offers seasonal workshops, like fall vegetable planting and terrarium building and supports local organizations, such as Seeds for Learning, the Lancaster Farm

Fresh Cooperative and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Green City Teachers. Their summer “Share the Harvest” program invites customers to donate excess produce to Philabundance, a food bank and hunger relief organization.

While Primex continues to expand, they’ve taken special effort to support the growing number of customers committed to organic gardening. Green sees this as a continuation of the work that Primex has been doing all along. “I’ve been doing this for 40 years,” says Green, “people need to garden. That’s why we still exist. There’s something about gardening, something about it that’s in us that makes us want to do it.” — ­ Courtney Sexton Primex Garden Center, 435 W. Glenside Ave. primexgardencenter.com

West Philly Local An emporium of locally made gifts Neighborhood pride is alive and well in West Philadelphia thanks to VIX Emporium. Their “West Philly is the best Philly” logo, designed by local tattoo artist Justin Turkus, has developed a following, appearing on sweatshirts, tshirts, notebooks and even aprons. The West Philly logo products are just one example of the unique, handmade items sold at VIX, which was opened five years ago by husband-wife team Emily and Sean Dorn.

Before VIX opened, the building at 5009 Baltimore Avenue was abandoned, although the space had a rich retail history. In the 1930s, the Grumbine sisters from Lewiston, Pa. opened a millinery there; the custom-built wooden display cabinets and printed hatboxes still remain. The Dorns initially started VIX as a consignment shop, but transitioned into retail as more crafters asked to sell their work there.

Today, the store sells items from more than 100 different artists and craftspeople. “[VIX is] a great resource for local artists and for neighbors to find gifts,” says Emily, an artist herself. “I called it an emporium, not a boutique, not a gallery… but a gift store of all descriptions.” Now celebrating their fifth anniversary, VIX continues supporting local merchants, selling gift items like jewelry, pottery, handmade soaps and stationery. They host small workshops and artist launch parties, and help organize the “GO WEST! Craft Fest” annually at the Rotunda, which features local handmade wares. This February look for a new Valentine's craft market VIX is hosting at 30th Street Station. —Courtney Sexton

VIX Emporium, Tues-Sat., 5009 Baltimore Ave., 215-471-7700, vixemporium.com

F e b ruary 20 13

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Green living

Against the Grain Shiny furniture without the fumes

W

hen the time came to purchase a dining room table, I fell in love with a piece made from stunning, richly grained mango wood. The table was an extravagant purchase, so I listened very carefully while the salesperson recited care instructions. Then I dutifully purchased the recommended furniture polish.

As soon as the table was delivered, I lovingly polished it from top to bottom. However, the polish had a lingering smell. After the job was finished, I decided to read the ingredients.

The ingredients weren’t listed; instead, there was a warning: “Vapor harmful: Use only with adequate ventilation.” Then, at the bottom of the can: “Contains solvents which can cause perma-

by leah r. troiano

nent brain and nervous system damage.” (Insert heavy sigh.)

As I walked around my house, opening windows to vent the fumes, I decided to find a way to safely remove the polish and still keep the surface protected.

Luckily, a quick search provided an easy and inexpensive alternative. The best part: I had all the ingredients in my house and you probably do, too! leah r. troiano, a certified cancer support educator, works with people who have cancer or would like to prevent cancer. Videos on how to make the products featured in this column can be found at cancerhealthandwellness.com . Contact Leah at Leah@CancerHealthandWellness.com .

Going green can put the green back in your wallet.

Households that use public transportation save on average more

HOW TO

than $8,000 a year.

make YOUR OWN FURNITURE POLISH ¼ cup white vinegar

1 Tbsp olive oil

7 to 10 drops lemon or pine essential oil (optional)

→→ Add vinegar, olive oil and essential oils to the spray bottle. →→ Shake well. →→ Wipe the surface free of any large bits of food or heavy dust. →→ Spray mixture on a small surface area. →→ Rub mixture into the furniture, working your way over the entire surface.

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Clean spray bottle

Clean cotton cloth (an old cotton T-shirt works well)

* The vinegar cleans and the olive oil

moisturizes. Strained lemon juice can be substituted for the vinegar, but leftovers should be tossed after each use (the olive oil can go rancid). When using this or any new product, always test a small inconspicuous area for adverse reaction before using.

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13

food

The Wh ol e Foo d

Russet Potatoes Thi s spu d’s for you story and photos by

grace dick inso n

for The gardener

T

he Russet is our country’s favorite potato. Roasted, fried, boiled, baked, there’s really no cooking method that doesn’t yield a tasty result. In America, we find Russets as potato chips and French fries. They arrive mashed with milk and butter at our holiday tables, and foil-wrapped as a dinnertime classic finished with a generous dollop of sour cream.

The word “Russet” translates to “rough”—a name undoubtedly indicative of its skin, not taste. Their muddy, sandpapery surface is a stark contrast to the starchy, white flesh hidden inside. As this month’s chef Mitch Prensky of Supper points out, Russets Nutrition 101 can be used for more than classic comRussets have a drier flesh than other fort foods. His Italian-inspired recipe potato varieties, a result of their takes advantage of the potato’s natural comparably high starch to low sugar ratio. They’re an excellent source flavor, enhancing it with anchovies and of vitamin B6 and vitamin C—each leeks. But whether you’re adding some potato has roughly 35 to 50 percent unusual ingredients, or simply butter of the recommended daily value. and salt, this hardy vegetable can lend Russets also have four grams of fiber warmth all winter long. (more than a quarter of your daily grace dickinson is a food blogger, photo enthusiast and recipe creator.

These passions are brought together on FoodFitnessFreshAir.com , where she chronicles her experiments in the kitchen.

value), and a decent amount of protein for a vegetable (five grams).

For optimal nutritional value, be sure to eat the skin, which holds most of the nutrients.

What to look for Choose potatoes that are firm to the touch. Steer clear of soft, wrinkly skin, and avoid discolored spots, though a few eyes—or small, circular crevices—per potato are okay.

Just be sure the eyes aren’t sprouting or taking over the surface. Also, don’t worry about dirt; it’s simply a remnant of the potato’s former home.

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F ebruary 2013

While Idaho wins the award for growing the most Russets, the crop can fare rather well in Philadelphia, too.

Sally McCabe, a project manager for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, says the key is acidic soil. “When the soil’s acidic, you get less scab,” she says, referring to the black spots Russets are inclined to develop. “They really like a 6 to a 6.5 pH level.” McCabe, who has been gardening for 50 years, uses pine needles to increase acidity in her raised beds. But there are other options. “What I see a lot of people do is to add coffee grounds to acidify the soil. People will say add peat moss, but peat moss is a nonrenewable resource, so I don’t recommend that.”

Once harvested, potatoes should be stored at 50 to 60 degrees.

“The root cellar would be the ideal place,” says McCabe. “If not, you should choose a location to store them that’s somewhere between hot and cold so they don’t get soft or sprout prematurely.”

Favorite way to eat: “Baked in the oven… with butter. The potato was invented [as] a vehicle for butter.”

from The Farm

Mary Butler, farm manager of Blue Elephant Farm in Kennett Square, Pa., says potatoes are one of the most reliable crops to grow.

“The biggest factor is the soil,” says Butler. “You need a moist soil, but not too wet or soggy. If the soil’s waterlogged, we just won’t plant right away.”

Potatoes prefer cool weather, so once spring arrives it’s best to get them into the ground as soon as possible. Generally, Butler will plant potatoes by St. Patrick’s Day, but if it’s a cold and wet spring, she’ll wait a bit longer. Russets need 80 to 115 days before harvesting, depending upon how hot and wet the summer’s been. “The time to pull them out is late August or early September,” says Butler. “When the vine above the ground starts to die, that’s typically the sign that the Russets are ready to be dug.”

Favorite way to eat: “After they’re just dug. I like to boil them that night and serve with mint and butter.”

for The kitchen

Chef Mitch Prensky opened Supper with his wife, Jennifer, in 2007. Not long after, the restaurant partnered with the owners of Blue Elephant Farm (see page 9), to deliver a true farm-to-table experience.

Prensky now gets 85 to 90 percent of his produce, including a quarter-acre worth of potatoes, from Blue Elephant.

While Prensky sometimes features fingerlings, reds and other potato varieties, the Russet rarely leaves his menu.

“The good thing about the Russet is that it’s hardier,” he says. “It stands up to that slow cooking we do with duck fat to make our fries.” Duck fat fries are a signature staple on the Supper menu.

For Prensky, Russets are his go-to potato. “It’s one of those working-man ingredients, almost like having carrots, or celery or onion,” he says. “People kind of overlook [the Russet] because it’s everywhere, but without it, there are a lot of things that couldn’t happen. For a potato, it’s a terrific starting point because it’s a canvas that also has a great flavor to it on its own.”

For the following recipe, the potato canvas is enhanced with Bagna Cauda, an anchovy and olive oil-based dip.

Traditionally, Bagna Cauda, which means “warm bath” in Italian, is a dipping sauce for vegetables, but Prensky loves its rich flavor and uses it for marinating everything from potatoes to chicken or steak.

Supper, 926 South St., supperphilly. com

from the kitchen of Mitch prensky

Sm oky Roa ste d Rus set Pot ato es wit h Bag na Cau da and Gril led Lee ks (Serves 4) 3

large Russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 cup olive oil, plus more to coat 2 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp liquid smoke 1 bunch (4 medium) leeks 6 garlic cloves, chopped 1 lemon, zested 8 anchovies, chopped 1 Tbsp ground black pepper Salt

Fresh herbs, optional

For the potatoes: Preheat oven to 425° F. Rub Russets with olive oil to coat, and season with salt, pepper and smoked paprika.

Transfer potatoes to a lightly greased baking sheet. Place in oven and roast 12 to 18 minutes, or until fork tender. Remove from oven and set aside in a mixing bowl.

For the Leeks: Cut the leeks in half, then into 4-inch pieces. Wash thoroughly in a bowl of water.

Season leeks with salt, pepper and olive oil. Grill leeks on a hot grill or grill pan until slightly charred and tender. Cut into 2-inch lengths and add to potatoes.

For the Bagna Cauda: In a saucepot, add 1 cup of olive oil, garlic, anchovies, lemon zest, pepper and a pinch of salt. Place on low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not let garlic brown.

To Finish: Toss potatoes with liquid smoke and then, leeks. Add warm Bagna Cauda dressing. Place in a serving bowl and top with fresh herbs (such as sage) and lemon slices, if desired. Serve warm as an accompaniment to grilled steak, chicken or dish of your choice.

for The pantry

Potatoes are an absolute boon to home gardeners and food preservers.

They can be stored straight from the soil, frozen for easy use or pressure canned for an instant mash.

Russets like a cool, dark place with just a little bit of air circulation. Try tucking an apple into the bag with the potatoes to help prevent age-related wrinkling.

For ready-to-use potatoes, peel, chop, then parboil for 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and pack into bags.

Squeeze out air and freeze for up to one year.

To can, blanch potatoes, pack into jars, and process in a pressure canner (see the National Center for Home Food Preservation, nchfp.uga.edu, for more details).

—Marisa McClellan Learn more about food preservation at McClellan's blog foodinjars.com

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17

Blight’s Out Can a proposed land bank stir development in Philadelphia’s 40,000 vacant lots while respecting community needs? story by Liz Pacheco illustration by Melissa McFeeters

W

hen mabel wilson and her mother moved to Gray’s Ferry in 1929, her cul-de-sac block was lined with rowhomes. Soon though, many homes were abandoned and the City tore them down, leaving behind a block of empty lots. Looking at these new eyesores, Mabel decided to do something.

“They began to use that lot for youth activities, vacation Bible school and community meetings,” explains Mabel’s son Stanley Wilson, pointing to a grassy lot across the street from Central Club headquarters, which was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1947. Under Mabel’s care, the empty lots became an unofficial community center. She offered classes in skills like typing and sewing, hosted picnics, and organized arts and crafts for neighborhood kids. She also planted gardens and taught how to grow vegetables, fruits and flowers, creating an edible urban oasis.

Mabel passed away in 2010 and since then Stanley has run the nonprofit. But now, due to Philadelphia’s laws on vacant land ownership, Mabel’s work and legacy are in jeopardy.

According to the City, the lots Central Club uses are still vacant, and the organization must own the land to continue their work.

Unfortunately, gaining ownership is a complicated process. In 2010, Central Club succeeded in acquiring eight privately owned lots, which also came with decades of tax debt. If the debt isn’t paid, the organization could lose title to the land and see the parcels go to sheriff’s sale.

Central Club’s story has become all too familiar in Philadelphia. There are currently 40,000 vacant lots in the city. They plague every neighborhood, encouraging blight and crime, and draining City funds. However, with so many lots ownership is difficult to track and the purchasing process so complex that people wait years, even decades to acquire rights; sometimes they don’t get them at all.

But there is good news. Philadelphia has found a potential solution.

This past October, Pennsylvania passed a bill that allows cities to create a land bank— a single entity that would organize, track and sell City-owned vacant property. The land bank would also be able to take ownership of privately owned, tax-delinquent property, like the lots Central Club uses, without a sheriff’s sale. Proponents of the bill are excited; a land bank could bring order, efficiency and transparency to the process. However, granting power to a single entity could potentially exclude important stakeholders, like urban gardeners and local nonprofits, from discussions on how vacant property should be used. In the meantime, the current system remains in place and the future of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods hangs in the balance.

Clean lots, safe communities While vacant lots are spread throughout the city, 75 percent are concentrated in the second, third, fifth and seventh districts, which are largely in North and Southwest Philadelphia. Of these 40,000 lots, 10,000 are publicly owned, mostly by four City departments: the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Philadelphia Housing Authority, the Department of Public Property and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation. Each agency has its own rules and policies for selling land parcels. The remaining

75 %

are OF VACANT LOTS in concentrated

North and SouthWest Philadelphia

Above & Below: Inside the community gardens of the Norris Square Neighborhood Project. The nonprofit, which was founded in 1974, is still struggling to gain ownership of the vacant lots they've been gardening on and using as public community space for the past 25 years.

“

The value of that land is not having the City hold it. The value of the land is that [it] gets redeveloped and put back to active use for the City.

“

Anne Fadullon F E B RUARY 20 13

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40,000

VACANT LOTS

30,000 PRIVATELY OWNED

$$$ $2 MILLION UNCOLLECTED PROPERTY TAXES

$20 MILLION +

10,000 PUBLICLY OWNED

$ $$$

$

$35 MILLION

POTENTIAL TAX REVENUE

$180 MILLION POTENTIAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Maintenance Fees

30,000 lots are privately owned. Each year, vacancies cost the City at least $2 million in uncollected property taxes and more than $20 million in maintenance fees. If developed, it’s estimated the lots could generate more than $180 million in economic activity and $35 million in new tax revenue.

Economics aside, managing vacant properties could mean a lot more for communities. Dr. Charles Branas, an epidemiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, has been studying the effects of vacant properties by tracking the work of Philadelphia LandCare—a City-funded program run by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). The program works on a piecemeal level, cleaning and greening individual lots that have violated City codes. In studying almost eight million square feet of vacant properties transformed

by LandCare, Dr. Branas found that in some areas residents were less stressed and exercised more. More significantly though, he found that in all neighborhoods where the program had operated gun violence decreased.

“If you’re walking down the block and five of these [lots] have been done, it’s a pretty big visual shift,” says Dr. Branas, who notes that these aesthetic changes provide fewer places for illegal guns to be hidden. “We think that really has a shift in the opportunity for gun violence in the surrounding space.”

In the LandCare program, PHS chooses lots in neighborhoods with a poor or declining real estate market that show promise because of their relationships with community organizations or 20

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F EB RUA RY 2013

local institutions. “The way that we view our lots, reduce crime and develop a more positive program is that it’s not a clean-up program, but public space for residents. a community development program that will “When people wouldn’t go into Kensington,” expand the opportunities for investment in the says McGowan, “we made something beautiful.” neighborhoods of Philadelphia,” explains Bob Today, NSNP has six culturally themed gardens Grossman, director and co-creator of the pro- that attract visitors from all over the world. Their gram. PHS also operates a Community Land- largest garden, Las Parcelas, was built on 21 rowCare program in which community organiza- home lots formerly used by drug dealers as an tions enter into a contract with the City to enlist open air market. Las Parcelas now hosts garneighborhood residents in dens, a fully functioning cleaning and maintaining kitchen, a chicken coop vacant lots. Over the proand various community gram’s 12 years, more than spaces, including La Casi10 million square feet have ta, a small home that repbeen cleaned. resents life in Puerto Rico While the PHS proin the early 20th century. gram is making progress NSNP has been using in cleaning up vacant the Las Parcelas lots for lots, there’s another, less more than 25 years, yet formal movement to revidoesn’t have full ownertalize these spaces: urban ship of the land. “In everygardening. thing but the deed they’re “We have used our garours,” says McGowan. dening as a way of manag“[For] more than 10 years Councilwoman María ing vacant land within the we’ve been working on community,” says Reed these lots the City considQuiñones-Sánchez Davaz McGowan, execuers us responsible for, but tive director for the Norhasn’t passed on the title ris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP). The to yet.” In fact, the City administration fully supnonprofit, located in a primarily Puerto Rican ports NSNP’s work; Mayor Nutter has visited neighborhood in North Philadelphia, was found- multiple times and recognized the gardens as ed in 1974 with a mission to provide community models for other communities in Philadelphia. members with a space to grow produce and cel- The delay is a result of the vacant lands ownerebrate their culture, but also to clean up vacant ship process.

“

I think it’s a game changer, similar to what tax abatement was at a time when we needed to stir development.

“

STRUGGLES WITHIN THE SYSTEM If a lot is privately owned, applicants must first find the owner. This alone can be very timeconsuming because ownership records are often missing or inaccurate. Applicants can then file what is known as an expression of interest and wait to see what happens; there’s no timeline for processing lot ownership requests.

This summer, purchasing publicly owned land did get a little easier thanks to the Redevelopment Authority’s new “Front Door” policy.

Under this policy, individuals can make a single application for purchase. The policy includes a new online map (phila.gov/pra) that shows what properties are available for purchase, and reinstated the side yards program, which allows residents to purchase adjacent lots for one dollar, plus transfer expenses. Despite these improvements, applicants must still deal with individual agencies once through the “front door.”

“There’s not a plan for [vacant land redevelopment] at the city level, it’s being created as it’s going along,” says McGowan. “We may be informing process at the same time as we’re struggling with the process. And I think it’s just hard because people don’t know what to do.”

Central Club has found itself in a similar, although perhaps more dire, situation. Despite decades of work, the nonprofit is being asked to pay backdated taxes or rescind their rights to the land. “Without Central Club [the lots] would’ve been blighted. They would’ve been seized for short dumping or drug activity, or they wouldn’t have even been demolished,” says Amy Laura Cahn, a lawyer at the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia who specializes in defending the interests of community gardeners.

In the 80-plus years Central Club has been operating, there has been no violence on the block. “We still have youth activity going on here because is there is absolutely nothing in this community,” says Wilson. “There is no recreation center. There is actually no senior citizens center.” Even newly formed community organizations ask to use the Central Club lots for youth activities, says Wilson.

Despite the positive and long-standing relationship the organization has maintained with the community, they’re now struggling to keep ownership of the land. Since Central Club has been a nonprofit since 1947, they’ve had some success in gaining retroactive exemption for the taxes they inherited. However, the lots are still at risk of going to sheriff’s sale.

Cahn works with both NSNP and Central Club. Part of her job is to make sure these organizations maintain the rights to land they’ve occupied for decades. In Philadelphia, gardeners have done work that would have cost the city millions. They’ve cleaned and greened vacant lots, providing positive community spaces, educational opportunities and affordable food access.

Yet, explains Cahn, gardens are still considered an “interim use” for vacant lots, eventually to be

replaced with a commercial property or housing development.

“The City hasn’t recognized gardening as something that needs to continue,” she says, noting that buildings are still considered the best use of land. There are currently 350 known gardens in the city on 750 vacant parcels. Of those 350 gardens, 70 are in jeopardy of losing their land. With a land bank, gardeners could more quickly and easily obtain the rights to land, protecting their efforts for the long-term; no more sheriff’s sales or developer threats.

Developer wants and community needs

“

There’s not a plan for [vacant land redevelopment] at the city level, it’s being created as it’s going along.

“

Reed Davaz McGowan

Although discussions began in 2008, Philadelphia’s land bank bill was first proposed in February 2012 by Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez and Councilman Bill Green. Simultaneously, a bill was presented on the state level by Rep. Paul Taylor (R-Phila.) that would provide authorization for city-level land banks.

“I think it’s a game changer, similar to what tax abatement was at a time when we needed to stir development,” says Quiñones-Sánchez.

“Land is the biggest asset or tool we can bring to a redevelopment strategy, and so the ability to manage what we have and proactively create

pipeline projects and the ability to get a hold of these 30,000 privately held vacant and blighted structures, is huge for a city like ours.”

Under this legislation, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation would transfer their properties to the land bank, and the City could take ownership of tax-delinquent, privately owned properties. An overall governing agency hasn’t been chosen, but there would be a board that hopefully includes development experts and community representatives. The

NT O R F A G ND BUILDIN A L T N A C VA DOOR TO

P H D C

PHA

P R A

DPP

Publicly owned vacant land is mostly held by four City departments: the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA), the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), the Department of Public Property (DPP) and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC). This summer, the RDA implemented a new “Front Door” policy that allows individuals to make a single application for purchasing publicly owned vacant land. While this has improved the process, once through the “front door” applicants still need to follow the policies of the individual agency that owns the land.

F E B RUARY 20 13

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21

2008

land bank promises the organization and efficiency that has so long eluded the vacant land process—a change that could give the 40,000 vacant lots real potential.

It’s not just urban gardeners welcoming the begins land bank possibility of a land bank; the development comdiscussions. munity has shown their support as well. “The value of that land is not having the City hold it,” says Anne Fadullon, vice president of the Philadelphia Business Industry FEBRUARY Association. “The value of the land is that [it] gets redeveloped and put back to active use for the City.” The association, whose members include builders, deproposed on state and velopers, materials companies and real estate agents, city levels. among others, is frustrated with the current system’s MAY ability to stymie new development.

“Our key goals [for] the land bank,” says Fadullon, “are to make sure that it’s transparent and predictable.” They hope the land Amy Laura Cahn bank will clearly define implemented by who’s involved in reviewing Redevelopment an ownership request and Authority. put a specific timeline on the process, allowing Includes online development projects to be approved and built more quickly. map and dollar However stakeholders outside the private secside yard policy. tor have other concerns. “Some people feel very, very strongly that affordability and accessibility [should] be built in the legislation,” says Quiñones-Sánchez. “If in fact the City wants to create a sustainable city for everyone, then we have some realities—poverty. And we want to ensure that everyone, rich or poor, can live in any part of the city.” She believes the land bank should create a on state level. planning process that ensures affordability and accessibility everywhere.

A hearing for Philadelphia’s bill is tentatively set for February 5, and there is optimism that it will pass. But while City Council is necessary to pass this bill, they could also be the biggest obstacle to its success. If individual Council members hold too much power in making land bank decisions, there would be little opportunity for other stakeholders, like those in urban agriculture or nonprofits, to be heard.

“It could work. I’m hopeful,” says Cahn.

“But I think it’s a question of priority setting… heduled.

We need things that are community driven. We tenative hearing date sc need things that provide green space and food.

We need affordable [housing]. We need all of these things. So there needs to be a vision of not just how we get the land sold, but how we want our city to look.” 

“

COUNCILWOMAN ~ QUINONES-SANCHEZ

Without Central Club [the lots] would’ve been blighted. They would’ve been seized for short dumping or drug activity, or they wouldn’t have even been demolished

2012

LAND BANK BILL

2012 “FRONT DOOR” POLICY

“

OCTOBER

LAND BANK Bill passed

2012

FEBRUARY

2013ia

Philadelph LAND BANK BILL

22

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urban naturalist

by bernard brown

EXPLORE

Awbury Aboretum A perfect place to sharpen your tree recognition skills

F

or at least 10 years I’ve been trying to learn more about trees. Back when I lived in Atlanta, I resolved to identify the trees growing in a large wooded park near my home. I bought a Peterson field guide and got to work. I did okay with the big differences between, for example, the oaks and the ashes, the maples and the magnolias, but I had had little patience for the finer points. Was that an iron wood or a hornbeam? If it meant I had to count the scales on their itty-bitty buds, it was too much effort for a reptile and amphibian guy (herper) like me.

I took this as a personal shortcoming. No one was stopping me from picking up my guidebook and a magnifying glass and getting to work. Year after year I was too lazy to teach myself. So when I recently learned I’d made friends with a botany nut, I resolved to convince her to teach me.

Awbury Arboretum was a perfect place to start. The property was originally owned by the shipper Henry Cope in the 1800s. Cope was the uncle of herpetologist/paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope, enforcing my conviction that this was the place for a herper like me to learn about trees.

Trees are everywhere at Awbury, of course, and many were labeled! My friend Ali and I sat with our guidebooks (I brought one; she brought four) and Ali’s magnifying loupe, a handheld magnifying lens [figure 1]. We made guesses at tree species then, checked our work against the tree labels.

When trying to name trees, leaf shape can be helpful, but it can also be a crutch. You can get pretty far with the branching and leafing 24

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F EB Rua ry 2013

Figure 1

Figure 2

RESOURCES

Identifying Trees: An AllSeason Guide to Eastern North America

by Michael D. Williams [stackpole Books, 416 pp., $29.95, March 2007]

An easy-to-use-guide that’ll help you know what you’re hugging, even in winter.

A Field Guide to Eastern Trees (Peterson Field Guides)

by George A. Petrides [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 448 pp., $20, July 1998]

More detailed, but also more technical and less accessible.

Leafsnap: An Electronic Field Guide, free for iPhone and iPad A mobile app that uses visual recognition software to identify leaves. Also has games that sharpen your tree-identification skills.

upcoming events JanUARY 21

FebRUARY 9

FebRUARY 9

Secret Garden Volunteer Day

Lecture: African American Heritage Plants

Beekeeping for Families

Help clear and clean Awbury’s Secret Garden for the 18th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service.

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free To register, email volunteer@awbury.org , or call 215-849-2855 x25

Chris Bolden-Newsom, community organizer, food justice and food system educator, will talk about traditional African and African American plants that have impacted the national and global food system. 1-3 p.m. $5 For more information and to register, visit awbury.org or call 215-849-2855

Learn how your family can become backyard beekeepers!

Select a hive style, choose your breed of bees, and discover other tips to raising a successful colony.

Additional dates: Feb. 16, 23 and Mar. 2, 9, 10 a.m-12 p.m. $90 adults/$75 children 10+ For more information or to register, visit awbury.org or call 215849-2855

*All events are held at Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd.

patterns—are the leaves (or where they’re attached) set opposite each other, or do they alternate? Bark can also reveal a lot, as can the buds that will unfurl into next year’s leaves, even in autumn.

However, those buds can be painfully tiny.

At about a quarter inch we needed a magnifying loupe to tell the black cherries (pointed bud scales) from choke cherries (rounded bud scales).

For differentiating black and red oaks, the leaves are similar, but bark is different—ridges on the red oak’s bark [figure 2] sort of run together.

Birches make it a little easier. Here’s a river birch [figure 3] with its beige bark peeling in

obvious, ruffling curls.

During winter months, tree identification can focus on the micro scale, but visitors to Awbury can also take in the macro in these months. The arboretum boasts grand old lindens and beeches, the second largest river birch in Pennsylvania, and landscapes ranging from wetlands and meadows to forests and English parkland. bernard brown is an amateur field herper, bureaucrat and founder of the PB&J Campaign (pbjcampaign.org ), a movement focused on the benefits of eating lower on the food chain.

For more on Awbury Aboretum, visit awbury.org

Figure 3 PHOTOs by Jen B r it to n

FEB Ruary 20 13

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25

JAN

Lush Landscapes for Small Spaces

Learn to design even the smallest outdoor spaces at this presentation by Dr. Mary McKnight, Montgomery County Extension master gardener.

12

→→ Sat., Jan. 12, 9:30-11 a.m., $10, Fairmount Park

Horticultural Center, N. Horticultural Drive and Montgomery Avenue. For more information, call 215-471-2200 x100

JAN

Winter Tree Identification

Embark on a winter hike to learn how to indentify common Pennsylvania trees without their leaves. Light refreshments provided. Dress for the cold weather.

13

→→ Sun., Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., $5 members/$10

nonmembers, Bucktoe Creek Preserve, 432 Sharp Rd., Avondale. To register, visit tlcforscc.org

jan 14 15 16 17

jan

27-30

2013 Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care

A 30-hour course for land care professionals and environmental educators on organic land care principles, practices, design and maintenance. Curriculum based on the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s Standards for Organic Land Care. →→ Mon., Jan. 14-Thurs., Jan. 17, $550, Pennsylvania

Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th St., 5th Floor.

For more information, visit organiclandcare.net/ education/accreditation-course

2013 Delaware Estuary Science & Environmental Summit Discover and share environmental projects and cutting-edge research affecting the Delaware River and Bay at this three-day event on “Weathering Change – Shifting Environments, Shifting Policies, Shifting Needs.” Hosted by Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. →→ Sun., Jan. 27-Wed., Jan. 30, The Grand Hotel, 1045 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ. For more information and to register, visit delawareestuary.org

jan 16

A Discussion on GMOs and High Fructose Corn Syrup

Peace Warden, master herbalist, will talk about GMOs, how they were first engineered and what to look for at the local supermarket. →→ Wed., Jan. 16, 6-8:45 p.m., free, Essene Market

and Cafe, 719 S. 4th St. For more information, visit

jan 15

Sandra Steingraber: Our Water, Our Health: Are We in Danger?

Sandra Steingraber, environmentalist, author and cancer survivor, will explore the links between human health and environmental toxins, especially those found in our water. →→ Tues., Jan. 15, 6-8:30 p.m., $10 members/$15

nonmembers/Drexel students free with ID, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. To register, visit sandrasteingraber.eventbrite.com

essenemarket.com

jan

Secret Garden Volunteer Day

Help clear and clean Awbury’s Secret Garden for the 18th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service.

21

→→ Mon., Jan. 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., free, Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd. To register, email volunteer@ awbury.org , or call 215-849-2855 x25

jan

24

Homestead Series Part 1: Basics of Beekeeping

Join Lower Merion Conservancy’s beekeepers to learn the basics of beekeeping and why bees are important pollinators. Supplies information and rules for beekeeping in Montgomery County will be covered. →→ Thurs., Jan. 24, 7-8:30 p.m., $10 members/$20

nonmembers (pre-registration required), Rolling Hill Park, 1301 Rose Glen Rd., Gladwyne. To register, visit lmconservancy.org

jan

Wildlife in Winter Series: Part 1

This three-part series will discuss the changes an animal must make to ensure survival during winter months. Part 1 will focus on hibernation.

27

→→ Sun., Jan. 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., $5 members/$10

nonmembers, Bucktoe Creek Preserve; 432 Sharp Rd., Avondale. To register, visit tlcforscc.org

26

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27

Sustainability Expo and Film Series: The Greenhorns

jan 31

Local award-winning gardener Peter Grove will teach how to create a simple, but highly effective, purely organic, low-cost vegetable/flower garden. →→ Thurs., Jan. 31, 7-8:30 p.m., $10 members/$20

nonmembers (pre-registration required), St. Paul’s Lutheran, 415 East Athens Ave., Ardmore. To register, visit lmconservancy.org

feb

Pennypack Farm & Education Center kicks off their fourth annual sustainability expo and film screening with The Greenhorns, a documentary on America’s youth farming community.

Homestead Series Part 2: Planning a Vegetable Garden

feb

→→ Tues., Feb. 12, 6-9 p.m., $10 single tick-

et/$24 for the series, Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler. For more information and to buy tickets, visit amblertheater.

12

org/pennypack

Green Drinks

Join South Philadelphia Green Drinks, a chapter of Delaware Valley Green Drinks, the first Wednesday of each month for an evening of networking with sustainably minded individuals from the community.

6

→→ Wed., Feb. 6, 6-8 p.m., Bridget Foy’s, 200 South St. For more information, visit greendrinks.org

feb 7

Homestead Series Part 3: An Egg-cellent Way to Eat Local Eggs: Raising your Own Chickens

Learn the basics of backyard chicken keeping, like housing, feeding, cleaning and predator management, as well as rules for keeping chickens/laying hens in Lower Merion Township. →→ Thurs., Feb. 7, 7-8:30 p.m. $10 members/$20 non-

members (pre-registration required), Ludington Library, 5. S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr. To register, visit lmconservancy.org

feb

feb 9

Lecture: African American Heritage Plants

Kristen Lacey, a Philadelphia Extension master gardener, will show how to improve a garden’s ecosystem by planting native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials.

9

→→ Sat., Feb. 9, 9:30-11 a.m., $10, Fairmount Park

Horticultural Center, N. Horticultural Drive and Montgomery Avenue. For more information, call 215- 471-2200 Ext 100

Dock Street Brewing Co. and University City District host the ultimate celebration in “drinking local.” Sample West Philadelphia homebrews, enjoy light snacks from Dock Street, and vote for the “People’s Choice Award.”

→→ Sat., Feb. 9, 1-3 p.m., $5, Awbury Arboretum, 1

→→ Sun., Feb. 10, 1-3 p.m., $8, Dock Street Brewing Co., 701 South 50th St. For tickets, visit westphillyhomebrewing2012.eventbrite.com

Awbury Rd. For more information and to register, visit awbury.org or call 215-849-2855

feb

30th Street Craft Market

VIX Emporium hosts a Valentine’s show featuring 30 local artists and craftspeople. Expect Philly-made jewelry, hand knits, prints, glassware, ceramics and more, all in America’s third busiest railway station.

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tion, North Waiting Room. For more information, visit mad.ly/c1a863

feb

Beekeeping for Families

Learn how your family can become backyard beekeepers! Select a hive style, choose your bee breed, and discover other tips to raising a successful colony. Additional dates: Feb. 16, 23 and Mar. 2, 9

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→→ Sat., Feb 9, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., $90 adults/$75 chil-

dren 10+, Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd. For more information or to register, visit awbury.org or call 215-849-2855

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february 20 13

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2nd Annual West Philly Homebrew Competition

Chris Bolden-Newsome, community organizer, food justice and food system educator, will talk about traditional African and African American plants that have impacted the national and global food system.

→→ Sat., Feb. 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free, 30th Street Sta-

Native Plants for Urban Spaces

feb

feb

Homestead Series Part 4: For the of Cheese; An Evening Out 14 with the♥Experts of Cheese, Wine and Chocolates A local and delicious way to spend Valentine’s Day, this workshop will teach how to pair cheese, chocolates and wine. Plus watch a home cheesemaking demonstration. →→ Thurs., Feb. 14, 7-8:30 p.m., $30 members/$40

nonmembers (21+ only, pre-registration required), carriage house of Fred and Nancy Bissinger, Villanova. To register, visit lmconservancy.org

Bryn Gweled Homesteads Cooperative Living Since 1940

Inclusive, multi-generational community in wooded lower Bucks County. Homes available.

Gardens and livestock possible.

Easy commute to Center City. www.bryngweled.org 215-355-8849 — Ask for Gary

7 days a week, 8am to dusk | 215.978.0900 | cell 610.324.5256 Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row | Philadelphia | cosmicfoods.com

the pre-Finished Hardwood specialist since 1985 Environmentally-Friendly Wood Floors, Naturally Buy from a local Philly homeowner and SAVE!

(800) 363-6881 Materials

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25% off Your Purchase

Environmentally-Conscious Attorneys at Law SMALL BUSINESSES . LITIGATION CONTRACTS . WILLS Providing lower prices through our PAPERLESS and SHARED OFFICES 2917 Harper Street | Brewerytown, Philadelphia (215) 327-2900 | econsciouslawyers@gmail.com

The Beauty of Going Green...

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SHOP • Donate • Volunteer Open Wednesday Through Saturday, 10am to 5pm 2930 Jasper Street Philadelphia, PA 19134 215.739.9300 www.habitatphiladelphia.org restore@habitatphiladelphia.org

Featuring New & Gently Used:

• Furnishings • Appliances • Cabinets and Counters • Hardware and Plumbing • Doors and Windows • And Much More!

Bicycle Repair Kater Street Bicycle

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Pavers •• Fire Pits •• Veneer •• & More

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www.foreverstone.biz

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609 S. 16th Street 215.545.1711

The Corner Of 16th & Kater f e b ruary 20 13

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Invasion of the Delicacies!

Sometimes the best weapon against alien invaders is a light vinaigrette by alex zorach

I

like to eat invasive plants. Sounds scary, right? Invasive species are plants or animals that have been introduced from other regions, accidentally or on purpose, and have negative impacts on local ecosystems.

Whether or not you realize it, you have probably seen many invasive plants— they’re in gardens, vacant lots and even between cracks in the sidewalk.

People are sometimes skeptical when they see me picking berries or gathering leafy herbs from an overgrown area. “How do you know that’s not poisonous?” they ask. But other people are curious, and some share information on where to find the best berry bushes or herb patches.

As I learned to identify more plants, I became

appalled at how many around us were invasives.

But with this distressing news, I also discovered that many are edible. This is no coincidence; lots of invasive plants were originally introduced as food. Eating invasives is a logical way to control them: It turns a problem into a free, local food source.

I started out by plucking a little garlic mustard—a leafy herb—and picking Japanese wineberries, a relative of raspberries. Often, I’ve identified new edible non-native species, not by reading field guides or scouring botany websites, but by looking through the vegetables in ethnic groceries. I saw a vegetable labeled “xian cai” in an Asian grocery, and later found the same plant, a cultivated form of amaranth with red and green leaves, growing in my neighborhood.

My favorite invasive herb is perilla, or shiso in Japanese. Perilla, a member of the mint family, is abundant in Philadelphia, growing in flower beds, pots and the brick sidewalks of Center City alleyways. It forms huge patches in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and Cobbs Creek Park. Because it looks similar to coleus, a popular ornamental, gardeners often let it grow wild. I gather and dry large volumes of it for use in the winter.

While harvesting wild plants can be time-intensive, it’s more fun than work for me, and I’m saving money I’d normally be spending at the supermarket.

The process of seeking out plants to harvest is exciting, and helps me get to know the city’s wild areas. I don’t have a garden, so harvesting invasives has given me access to free, locally grown food that I would not otherwise have.

Several of my friends share my passion for eating invasives. Recently, a group of us gathered for a feast featuring as many invasive and non-native species as we could find. While we still needed to purchase a few staple foods, every dish featured wild harvested plants, and we had an abundance of green vegetables and herbs. The result was delicious.

Learning to identify edible invasives takes work, but for me, it has definitely been worth it. Eating these plants is a triple win: I’m accessing a free food source, exposing my palate to new flavors and perhaps more importantly, helping protect local ecosystems. alex zorach lives in West Philadelphia. He runs numerous websites, including RateTea, and is a co-founder of Why This Way, a consensus-run belief system and organization.

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il lustratio n by James Boyle

PRESENTS

Join us for one of the most anticipated annual nano-festivals in Philly!

January 25, 2013 6-9:30PM Power Plant Productions 230 N 2nd St, Philadelphia

BOLD BEERS Belly Warming Soups burly bearded men

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Get to know the faces behind your food.

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Chennery Fife

Master of Environmental Studies

Walk-In wednesdays

The Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory in Puerto Rico offers an ideal laboratory for determining whether variations in canopy-level ozone are natural or human-induced. For her MES Capstone project, Chennery Fife studied levels of ozone and determined the implications for policy directions in Puerto Rico and other tropical sites to prevent harm to rainforests.

Open information session for all LPS programs

Penn’s Master oF environMental studies PrograM combines classroom work with field experience and an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the environment. As a culminating exercise in the program, students complete an individual project that puts what they’ve learned in the classroom to work in the field. Their choice of final projects reflects the area of environmental work in which they intend to focus their careers.

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