Grid Magazine July 2016 [#87]

BEER AND SPIRITS ROUNDUP Our picks for a seasonal six-pack, cocktail recipes from Madame Fromage and dining with Saint Benjamin Brewing Company PLUS

TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE PHILADELPHIA

WILL OUR BIKE LANES REALLY BE PROTECTED?

JULY 2016 / ISSUE 87 GRIDPHILLY.COM

MAPPING OUR CITY’S TRAILS WITH GOOGLE THE FREE LIBRARY, NOW ON WHEELS

THE PUZZLING POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Why are Harrisburg politicians letting our state fall apart?

PLANTING THE SEEDS OF WELLNESS. THE DELEMA G. DEAVER WELLNESS GARDEN AT LANKENAU MEDICAL CENTER

At Lankenau, we are committed to fostering a healthy and sustainable community.

In collaboration with Greener Partners, we have planted a half-acre, year-round, organic garden—the only one of its kind in the Philadelphia region. The Wellness Garden will serve as a source of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs for our community, and serve as a hands-on classroom for thousands of students. Because teaching children where wholesome food comes from not only encourages healthy eating habits, it plants the seeds of wellness for life.

MAINLINEHEALTH.ORG/LANKENAU

Greener Partners Connecting communities through food, farms & education

CONTENTS D E PARTME NTS

08 To-Do List Enjoying the early morning light and our city’s waterways should be a refreshing part of your July

10 Comings and Goings Find out which doors are opening and closing, and who deserves kudos

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Local brewers and nonprofits have come together to protect our watershed. Page 52

Opinion A local distiller sites his operations in New Hampshire to avoid the possibility of tainted water in Pennsylvania

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“A rising tide lifts all boats, and it’s certainly better if those boats are floating in clean water.”

Shop Local

—Steven Grasse, Tamworth Distilling, Opinion on Page 12

Refreshing cocktail recipes, our seasonal six-pack picks and more

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26

56

The Right Question

Homestead Acts

Will politics as usual ever get us to act on climate change?

Raising chickens isn’t much harder than having a cat. Just don’t keep them in the same place

28 The Big Picture Scholar Adrian Parr discusses whether “climate capitalism” is a revolution or just more of the same

55 Market Watch The corn is coming. Don’t be afraid to put some of those sweet kernels on your pizza

I NSI DE T H E I SSU E

58 Events What to see and where to go

64 Dispatch A young teen’s journey from appreciating nature in her native Canada to addressing the United Nations on climate change

SP ECI AL SECTI ON

Taking to the Streets

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On the eve of the Democratic National Convention, a march for clean energy will draw advocates from around the country to Philadelphia

Parks, Bikes and Trails There are more reasons than ever to get outside this summer

ON T H E COV ER

42 Sinking Ship Artist Joe Boruchow turns outrage into art

31 Back to the Future Ten years ago, Pennsylvania was a leader in alternative energy and cleaning up the state’s air and water. Today, even our moderate governor can’t get the Assembly to take action. What happened?

COV E R ART BY M ARIKA M IRRE N P HOTO G RAP H BY G E NE SMI RNOV

THE CLAY STUDIO PRESENTS

STILL DECIDING: A DECAL PARTY

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016 6:30pm – 8:30pm $30 members/$35 non-members

At this Hand Crafted event, participants will have the opportunity to choose their own political imagery to apply to a handmade cup made by artist Hope Rovelto. Join us and create your own memento of the 2016 presidential campaign while

sampling beer from a local brewery. Ticket price includes a cup to decal, which will be fired and available to pick up 2-4 weeks after the event.

Purchase at www.theclaystudio.org/events or call 215-925-3453.

610-705-3606 barbergale.com barbergale.prosite.com

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EDITOR’S NOTES

by

HEATHER SHAYNE BLAKESLEE

SWING STATE Pennsyvlania was once an environmental leader. We can be again

I

t was a heady time for the state’s environmental community eight years ago.

As I worked to raise money for green buildings and as an advocate at the Delaware Valley Green Building Council, I was a firsthand witness as the environmental and business communities made progress together in Pennsylvania and across the country.

With then Governor Ed Rendell and former Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty at the helm of our state, it seemed that everyone was working together envisioning a green future.

Across party lines, the Assembly was doing the work of attracting new jobs from renewable energy and cleantech companies. We had aggressive statewide goals for increasing how much alternative energy we used. We were investing in green stormwater infrastructure and continuing to take common sense actions like regularly adopting new building codes that called for greater energy and water efficiency standards. Foundations were aggressively funding groundbreaking work.

With wind in our sails at the state level and Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter striding into office on a solid sustainability platform, it seemed as though every day came with a political victory or an innovative collaboration among visionary leaders.

It should be no surprise that it was during this wave of progress and optimism that Grid magazine was born. I was thrilled to see it and was one of its first 10 subscribers.

But while progress has continued in our City, Harrisburg is grinding to a halt. Movement started stalling after a significant power shift in the Assembly on the heels of Tea Party activism nationally and the arrival of Gov. Tom Corbett. Now, we’re moving backward.

While the threat of climate change looms larger than ever, as our air and water continue to be degraded, Assembly members beholden to fossil fuel interests are routinely using arcane committee rules and mind-numbing procedural tactics to stifle dissent and systematically weaken regulations. Established

politicians are, against house rules, openly launching personal attacks on the floor of the Assembly against new legislators who dare to provide research on the health impacts of fracking, even when the regulations at hand were crafted under a Republican governor.

The foundations have abandoned their previous funding priorities, and advocates—more than ever—are underfunded and overworked.

There have always been detractors: The former chair of the Assembly’s Environmental Resources & Energy Committee used to keep a dart board in her office bearing a picture of the face of the executive director of PennFuture, a statewide environmental advocacy organization. But today, the number of detractors is overwhelming, and when it comes to attacking the environment, their aim couldn’t be more true—or less transparent to the public.

That’s why Grid’s cover story this month looks at the state of state politics, and we’re going to bring you ongoing coverage of what goes on in our state’s capitol. If we want Harrisburg to care about Philadelphia, we’ve got to care what goes on in Harrisburg. We’re going to help keep you informed and give you ways to take action.

While we will always be a magazine focused on and committed to the Philadelphia region, we are still all Pennsylvanians. Our state needs a new, more progressive wave of legislators to step up and serve without the muzzle of fossil fuel money keeping them from articulating a sane vision for our state.

That won’t happen without our help.

Pennsylvania is a Commonwealth state, founded with the intention of serving the common good and protecting our shared resources. A lot is at stake. As Pennsylvania goes, so goes the country—and so goes the world.

editor-in-chief Alex Mulcahy managing editor Heather Shayne Blakeslee heather@gridphilly.com 215.625.9850 ext. 107 copy editors Walter Foley Aaron Jollay Designer Marika Mirren marika@gridphilly.com 215.625.9850 ext. 112 writers Matt Bevilacqua Peggy Paul Casella Rekha Dhillon-Richardson Steven Grasse Anna Herman Alex Jones Emily Kovach Jerry Silberman illustrators Abayomi Louard-Moore Carter Mulcahy Mike Perry Kailey Whitman photgraphers Ryan Collerd Gene Smirnov

___________ sales & marketing manager Claire Margheim claire@gridphilly.com 215.625.9850 ext. 103 ad sales Boston Gordon boston@gridphilly.com 215.625.9850 ext. 100 distribution Megan Matuzak megan@gridphilly.com 215.625.9850 ext. 106 published by Red Flag Media 1032 Arch Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 215.625.9850

HEATHER SHAYNE BLAKESLEE Managing Editor heather@gridphilly.com

G R I D P H I L LY. C O M

die.com about Arts’ resh

st se

ming

phia.”

Cliveden of the National Trust and Automatic Arts Present

Home Entertainment Outside...

Inside...

“The best showcase for new performing arts in Philadelphia.”

— Phindie.com on Automatic Arts’ Nice and Fresh series

Food for Thought Living Kitchens at Cliveden

Supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage

with Beer!

Enjoy an evening of live theater, dance, and multimedia events at Cliveden

Inspired by Living Kitchens at Cliveden

Friday, August 5 Saturday, August 6

Pre-show 7:00pm Performances begin 7:30pm Cliveden of the National Trust 6401 Germantown Ave. Enter on Cliveden St. near Morton St.

$5/Person Admission Includes Beer!

Tickets at:

homeentertainment.eventbrite.com

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TO-DO LIST 1. enjoy the early sunrise

If you run or go to the gym after work when the weather is cool, consider getting up early to beat the heat and still keep your fitness goals.

4. stake out your fireworks spot

July Fourth will be the big display after the Made in America concert. If you don’t want to brave the crowds and you don’t have a roofdeck—or friends in high places—you can get your fireworks fix early. Check out the displays at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing after the July 1 Philadelphia Orchestra concert or after the July 2 U.S. Army Band performance.

2. change your

3. refresh your

You’ll probably be drinking more water during the summer months, so if you’re using a water filter, make sure you’re changing it more often.

By now, you’ve probably lost a few of those snapdragons that you bought to perk up the patio. Get yourself a new sixpack or two to restock.

water filters

5. go to the shore

flower annuals

6. buy an energy

Even if you only go down for the day, take advantage of the fact that a relatively short drive will put you face to face with the beauty, power and cooling breezes of the ocean.

efficient air conditioner

Start shopping now for an energy efficient air conditioner.

The shelves will start getting bare when the August heat hits, and you don’t want to be left buying an inefficient beast.

7. water, harvest, repeat

Remember that when you’re watering, it’s better to give your patio plants and garden a good soak a few times a week rather than a little every day. It will help the roots grow deep and create healthier plants.

If you’ve already planted leaf lettuce or flowers, keep up with your harvesting routine so that your plants continue to produce through the fall.

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IL LUSTRATIO N S BY M IKE PERRY

8. do a good turn The heat can take its toll, especially on the elderly, so if you know an older person on your block, make sure they are aware of the closest city cooling center.

9. set sail on

our waterways If you want to get out on the water to get wet or see the world from a different perspective, try heading down to Bartram’s Garden, where you can not only enjoy the grounds in their summer glory but also rent a kayak on the river.

10. plant your fall veggies

Kale, carrots, beets and chard can all be planted this month so that you have a bountiful harvest when the weather cools down. Get your starts from a local farm stand or try sourcing them from a local business that works with area farmers.

Choose clean, renewable energy.

InspireEnergy.com

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NEWS of Young Children. Austin spent nine years with the Philadelphia Youth Network, five of them as vice president.

Broad Street Ministry hired Michael J. Dahl as executive director. Since 2001, Dahl served in roles including managing director and general counsel for Pew Charitable Trust.

Rick Magder will head the Fairmount Park Conservancy, after 16 years in various roles promoting the national Groundwork movement, which elevates the connection among open space, waterways and urban renewal.

PHILADELPHIA FIRST IN NATION TO PASS SUGARY BEVERAGE TAX NORTH PHILADELPHIA’S PEACE PARK IS REBUILDING Peace Park—a garden and education space in the Sharswood neighborhood of North Philadelphia—began rebuilding June 15 on land donated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Lowe’s Home Improvement has provided funding, and PennDesign students donated labor.

Habitat for Humanity will serve as a main partner and also support a land-care program run by the Sharswood/Blumberg Neighborhood Advisory Committee. As part of the program, 40 qualified owners with low incomes in occupied homes in the area will also receive funding for repairs.

The resolution comes after a land dispute with the Philadelphia Housing Authority that displaced Peace Park from its original location.

URBAN CONSULATE LAUNCHES IN PHILADELPHIA Urban Consulate—a winner of the James L. Knight Foundation’s 2015 Knight Cities Challenge—launches its Philadelphia program this month with a salon at Le Meridien hotel. The monthly series, hosted by Michele Freeman and Jermaine Jenkins of the company Witty Gritty, is open to the public and aims to foster a dialog about innovations within the city.

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its programs, and hopes that the three cities taking part in the project so far—Detroit, New Orleans and Philadelphia—will share best practices and inspiration to become a “United Nations” for some of America’s urban centers.

5TH SQUARE AND BICYCLE COALITION HOLD RALLY FOR PROTECTED BIKE LANES On June 14, representatives from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and 5th Square held a rally in Center City to urge the city to continue its work installing protected bike lanes. Also present was City Deputy Managing Director Clarena Tolson from the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. Organizers gathered 1,000 signatures for a petition presented to Mayor Jim Kenney after the rally.

NEW LEADERS APPOINTED IN TOP NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS In June, Paul Steinke was named the new head of the Preservation Alliance. He served as the general manager of the Reading Terminal Market for 13 years before running an unsuccessful campaign for City Council.

Carol Austin, formerly the vice president of the Philadelphia Youth Network, was named executive director of the Delaware Valley Association for the Education

A controversial sugary beverage tax has passed in Philadelphia City Council. Opponents framed the bill as a grocery tax that would hurt poor Philadelphians. Advocates stressed that the tax would support underfunded city programs, an argument that eventually held sway.

The Sustainable Business Network took an early stance in favor of the tax, stating on their website, “The Mayor’s proposal will lead to the upgrade of dozens of City recreation centers, libraries, and parks, creating safe spaces where residents can learn, play, and lead active lifestyles. ” Once implemented, the law will impose a tax of 1.5 cents on beverage distributors for every ounce of a beverage that contains sugar or artificial sweeteners. The average sixpack of soda will now cost about $1.08 more.

According to NPR, Mayor Jim Kenney has calculated that plan will raise $400 million over the next five years.

IMPACT100 GIVES GRANTS TO SUSTAINABILITY AND ART ORGANIZATIONS Art-Reach, CASA Philadelphia, and CASA Youth Advocates of Delaware County each received a project grant of $100,000, plus an operating grant of $6,667 from Impact100, a philanthropic organization composed of, and funded solely by, women.

Art-Reach connects underserved audiences, including residents with disabilities and low incomes, and provides discounted tickets to cultural events for disabled people who otherwise might not be able to attend.

CASA Philadelphia trains and supports volunteers to serve as court appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes, placed in the foster care system and under the supervision of the Department of Human Services.

INVENTORY OF PHILLY STREET TREES UNDERWAY A digital inventory of Philadelphia’s approximate 150,000 curbside trees will soon be searchable and open to the public through the same cloud-based mapping system used for the city’s massive street mapping data.

The city will utilize Cyclomedia, a “geospatial information system,” and employ two technicians to keep track of the health, size and species of each plant; one goal of the program is to prevent roadside accidents by keeping a tab on dead and unhealthy trees that might fall over.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUND RECEIVES GRANT The Sustainable Energy Fund, a nonprofit that assists energy users in overcoming educational and financial barriers, received two grants in June totaling $100,500 from West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund. $20,000 of the sum will go toward funding Energypath 2016, the state’s largest energy conference, which will be held in State College on July 28 and 29.

COMMUNITY CALLS FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF PHILADELPHIA ENERGY SOLUTIONS At a June 21 board meeting in Port Richmond of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, community activists from Action United and Green Justice Philly called for Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) to be disqualified from the list of contenders to expand the Southport Marine Terminal.

Advocates are citing the fact that PES has been in “significant noncompliance” with EPA environmental regulations as one of the reasons that PES should not be considered for the project, which would expand the terminal’s operations for the first time in 40 years.

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EDITOR IAL

The Spirit of Philadelphia Clean water is what our history is built on. It’s also our future by steven grasse

I

was born and raised in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia is where I live now. I’m raising a family here. I run a creative agency here. I’m a lifelong student of our city’s history and lore. I love it.

But there’s no need to bury the lede: Fracking is bad, and it’s bad for business in Philadelphia and across the state.

Here’s why.

When I decided to open my distillery, I

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made sure to put it as far away from Pennsylvania as possible. Why? Because we’re making spirits, and the No. 1 ingredient for good spirits is pure water. No. 2 is grain, ideally grown in healthy soil. Tamworth Distilling is based in New Hampshire because it’s surrounded by the untouched land of the White Mountains, because it sits on one of the purest sources of fresh water in the country, and thanks to topography—not

politics—there will never be fracking in the Granite State, because you can’t frack granite.

As a result of my decision, Pennsylvania lost jobs and business: not only the half-dozen employees of the distillery, but the many local farmers who supply our grain and other ingredients, the bars that serve our products, and the hotels and restaurants that welcome our visitors.

IL LUSTRATIO N BY CARTE R MULCA HY

Lawmakers who defend fracking do so on the grounds that they’re keeping energy jobs in the state—but why are these jobs somehow more valuable than the ones that are being driven out by pollution and ruined natural resources? As a business owner and a Pennsylvania native, I have a stake in our economy. But in my opinion, the best way to ensure the state’s continued economic health (and growth) is to invest in the right kind of jobs: those that don’t pollute the environment, but instead enrich their communities.

When a local business hires local employees, uses locally produced ingredients or materials and sells its product to other local businesses, everyone wins. A rising tide

lifts all boats, and it’s certainly better if those boats are floating in clean water. Pennsylvania’s natural resources have a value that is much greater than that of any fracking interests. We have to think long term, to our kids and our grandkids, and how they’ll make the best of what we leave them.

If you want to see how closely business and environmental interests are tied, take a look at the completely original culinary and booze-infused history of America that all started here in Philadelphia.

William Penn could have created his “Greene Country Towne” anywhere in his ’Sylvania, but he pitched his tent here because we’re smack dead in the middle of two major tributaries that, at the time, were a

continually renewing resource of food and fresh water (as well as being the ideal way to ship goods to and from the Old World).

Read that again: The Schuylkill River and the Delaware used to be a source of clean water and healthy fish that had only one head and two eyes. A century ago you could pull a 100-pound sturgeon out of the river and feed your whole block. In 1890 there was an oyster bar on every corner because the Delaware Bay was considered one of the oyster capitals of the world.

Our city is currently experiencing a food and drink cultural renaissance. We are highly regarded as a top-tier foodie destination.

We have great restaurants, great food, great beer and great distilleries, and they all require one thing: clean water. Yet we’re left with no real guarantee that some shortsighted politician won’t allow the extraction of natural gas out of some hapless community in Delaware County and wind up poisoning the entire city. While fracking remains legal in Pennsylvania, anywhere can be the next Flint, Michigan.

If Pennsylvania’s politicians continue to allow barely regulated fracking in the state, they are going to lose more businesses like mine that would have loved to create more jobs here, as well as crucial tourism dollars.

The same goes for our neighbors in New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie has been fighting tooth and nail to put a pipeline through the Pine Barrens, the largest parcel of undeveloped East Coast land, which stretches from Virginia to Massachusetts, and sits on top of one of the greatest sources of pure water in the country.

Put simply, fracking isn’t only a problem for the environment: It’s bad for the economy and businesses like mine. And the solution isn’t complicated, in fact it’s insanely simple: Stop doing it. Ban it. Vermont has, and now New York has, and those states are experiencing a vibrant agricultural economy as a direct result.

Good food and good drink require good water. When you ruin that, you’re disrespecting people. You’re telling them: Hey, eat poison. Drink poison.

So don’t do it. It’s really that simple.

Steven Grasse is the CEO of Quaker City Mercantile, which handles accounts for Hen� drick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum and Art in the Age. His first distillery, Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile, is located in New Hampshire.

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Did you know that one of America’s largest trail networks is in your backyard? Greater Philadelphia is the proud home of the Circuit Trails, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails that is growing in size each year. The Circuit Trails connect our local communities, providing endless opportunities for recreation and commuting. So whether you bike it, walk it, or run it, the point is — just enjoy it.

Discover 100s of miles of happy at circuittrails.org Ben Franklin Bridge Trail is just one of the many trail segments in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that make up the Circuit Trails.

The riverside walkway in Bordentown, NJ is part of the Circuit Trail network

BIKES, PARKS & TRAILS ⁄ This summer, a host of exciting new programs and initiatives are hitting our city’s streets, parks and extensive trail system, all beckoning us to get out of the house—and our cars.

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BIKES, PARKS & TRAILS ⁄

Pick a Lane

Philadelphia gets started on a protected bike network—almost

by MATT BEVILACQUA

L

ast year, a road rage incident on Pine Street showed the danger that can erupt when drivers fail to stay clear of bike lanes. Ron Deets, a cyclist from South Philly, told reporters that when a car veered into his lane and cut him off, he tapped the side of the car to alert the driver to his presence. The driver then tailed Deets, bumped his rear wheel and eventually got out to confront the cyclist. A video shared with local news stations at the time shows the driver dragging Deets across Pine Street before releasing him.

It was an extreme case, but local cyclists can tell you that cars travel, stop or park in bike lanes on a daily basis. Now, the city is taking steps that will, in theory, prevent this from happening. In March, it landed a $300,000 grant to install protected bike lanes on about a dozen streets in Center City, South Philly, West Philly and the Northeast.

A “protected” bike lane is one with a physical barrier between cyclists and car traffic.

(Don’t confuse them with “buffered” bike lanes, which use only paint markings to denote a few feet of extra space between bikes

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and cars.) Barriers can range from simple posts along the length of the lane to heftier things like planters, curbs or even parking spaces.

“They make a huge difference,” says Patrick Miner, a Camden resident who often bikes to his job in Center City at SEPTA. “Experiencing them on Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, they make a huge psychological difference for the bicyclists and the motorists.”

For now, the city has opted for flexible plastic posts, due to their low cost and the size of the grant. Originally, it had requested about $589,000 from the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for the installation of 15 lanes spanning 27 miles—a move in line with the 30 miles of protected lanes that Mayor Jim Kenney pledged during his campaign. The initial $300,000 came from TAP’s regional program, although city officials expect another $200,000 from the state program later this year.

Most of the routes slated for TAP improvements, like Pine and Spruce streets, have existing bike lanes. A handful, such

as a proposed lane on Race Street, will be new infrastructure altogether. But the exact placement and length of the future protected bike network remain unclear.

“We can’t commit to a mileage until we know how much money we have,” says Jeannette Brugger, pedestrian and bicycle program coordinator at the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, which will implement the lanes with the Streets Department. “That, along with the unique circumstances of each corridor, will determine the final length to be funded.”

By “unique circumstances,” she means things like loading zones, space for horse carriages and the city’s informal practice of allowing churchgoers to park in bike lanes on Sundays. Indeed, Acting Streets Department Commissioner Mike Carroll worried some cycling advocates when he told PlanPhilly in April, “We can accommodate some use of the curb for other purposes by virtue of the way we space the delineator posts.”

The issue for advocates is what the city really means by “protected.”

“If the protection is still going to accom-

Blazing a Trail Philly is the first major U.S. city to map its trail network with Google

Protected bike lane at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh

modate loading, unloading or temporary parking, I would argue that’s not really a fully protected bike lane,” says Sarah Clark Stuart, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. “It’s something a little bit less, and it should probably be called something different.”

It bears mentioning that the first truly protected bike lane in the city, separate from those covered under TAP funding, is slated to open this summer on Ryan Avenue near Pennypack Park. A parking lane will divide it from car traffic.

Still, Stuart called the rest of the proposed lanes “a very good first start,” adding, “this is probably the best the city can do in the short term.”

Brugger says the engineering details for each street in the protected network will come up during the design phase, after the city secures further funding. When asked about the possibility of more robust barriers like planters, she strikes a vaguely hopeful note.

“We have a lot of issues to figure out in the city before we get to that point,” she says.

“The protection, and upgrading that protection, is our ultimate goal... We will likely choose a few spaces that make sense, but not in the near term.”

Conor Michaud tries on the Google Trekker camera system at the Belmont Plateau

T

he nooks and crannies of Fairmount Park will soon be documented in the same detail as the Street View tab on Google Maps. The tech giant has lent the city one of its Street View Trekker backpacks, a 50­pound, 15­ lens camera system that looks like a robotic lollipop and will take a constant stream of panoramic snapshots as hikers collect information on 200 miles of trails. Close­ups of the historical houses and public art pieces within the park will also be included in the undertaking, organized by Fairmount Park Conservancy and Parks and Recreation.“We made an ambitious plan to cover as much area as we can,” said Tim Clair, interim executive director of the conservancy. “We wanted to capture areas of the city even longtime Philadelphians may not realize exist.” The city is expected to launch the new footage publicly in 2017.

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BIKES, PARKS & TRAILS ⁄

Parks on Tap

A rendering of the Schuylkill Banks Parks on Tap location at the Walnut Street Bridge

Mobile beer gardens raise funds for conservation

W

ho would have thought that when the city loosened its liquor regulations in 2012, it would promote family friendly parties and some much-needed revenue for the parks system?

Over a dozen parks this year will raise money for Parks and Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy through all-ag-

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es events inspired by the big, successful pop-ups at The Oval on the parkway. But Parks on Tap, which began in late June at Schuylkill Banks and will end in early October at Lemon Hill, will be more low-key.

“Parks on Tap is meant to be much more intimate—smaller,” said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell.

Plenty of nonalcoholic drinks will be avail-

able at each location.

Amenities will be managed by Avram Hornik of FCM Hospitality, who is admired by park officials for having safely and successfully conducted beer gardens since the city has allowed them.

“Avram has been an innovator in this area,” said Ott Lovell, “and he really invented the beer garden in Philadelphia.”

Morris

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BIKES, PARKS & TRAILS ⁄

The Free Library’s new mini lending library is on wheels

Books on Bikes

New library-on-wheels makes its rounds

C

hildren’s librarian Link Ross won’t shush you at her next event—she’ll be asking for your library card amid the hustle and bustle of a public park, riding her mobile library.

“It sort of looks like an old-fashioned ice cream vehicle,” said Ross, who rode Philly’s first Book Bike at Clark Park on June 2. “The idea is to reach people at public events who might not necessarily walk into their public library.”

The Free Library of Philadelphia commissioned local company Haley Tricycles to make two Book Bikes, which have built-in shelves and unfold into a display of selections that can be lent to library members on the spot.

“The pre-existing bike culture in Philadelphia was helpful in getting this off the ground,” Ross said.

A Book Bike, along with an accompanying librarian, can be requested for public events through the Free Library, and events will be posted on their website.

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Find them at your park: Food Trust Market, 52nd Street and Haverford Avenue July 6 at 1 p.m.

Clark Park Farmers Market July 7 at 3 p.m.

Dickinson Square Park Story Jams, 4th and Tasker streets July 13 at 10 a.m.

Shakespeare in Columbus Square Park, July 14 at 6 p.m.

P HOTO G RAP H BY M ARIKA MI RREN

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Picturesque routes from Montgomery County, along the Schuylkill River to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and back out, through the scenic countryside of Southeastern PA. A fully supported ride with SAG, breakfast at the Start, pizza bash at the Finish, rest stops, and 23-mile, 43-mile, 67-mile, and 102-mile options.

For more information and to register visit: sceniccentury.org.

BIKES, PARKS & TRAILS

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Trails Program Closes the Loop Connecting our region’s trails system is also forging community

by ALEX JONES

A biker enjoys the Tacony Creek Trail

T

he city of Camden sits adjacent to affluent communities in New Jersey and across the river from its sister city of Philadelphia, but, as one of the poorest cities in the country, it remains a world away.

The Circuit Trails network could help change that. Once complete, it will be the nation’s largest network of multipurpose trails, connecting and expanding 300 or so miles of trails in the Philadelphia metro area. Fifty new miles are currently being built, but the project is a long-term, collaborative one: The vision is for at least 20 new miles to be built each year, with 750 miles of interconnected trails once it’s completed around 2038.

Camden native Olivia Glenn, the South Jersey metro regional manager at the New Jersey Conservation Foundation who also serves as the New Jersey vice chair of the Circuit Trails Network, has high hopes for what that means for her city.

“The [Circuit Trails] is a network that serves everybody, from some of the poorest to the most affluent neighborhoods—that’s really important to me, personally,” Glenn says. “That makes it a really important asset to our region.”

Nearly 80 percent of the population of Philadelphia’s five-county metro area and the corresponding counties on the east side of the river—Camden, Gloucester, Burlington and Mercer—live within two miles of the Circuit Trails.

Glenn says that collaboration among regional organizations makes the region’s goals for transportation, accessibility and sustainability much more achievable.

“You don’t optimize your success when you have one municipality or one trail group fighting over the same pot of money as another,” she says. “It’s brought us all together to look at building the 750-mile network in a really strategic way.”

More than 65 groups, including the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the New

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Jersey Conservation Foundation and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, are working together to achieve their goal, rather than competing with each other to fund individual projects.

This top-to-bottom collaboration, from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to municipalities and nonprofits, has changed how trails projects are conceived and funded: Now, they’re planned with the same consideration as roads and highways—and they’re viewed as just as important.

“We’re thinking about [multipurpose trails] as something we need to have, and we’ll plan for them accordingly and fund them accordingly,” says Patrick Starr, executive vice president at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Pennsylvania vice chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition.

And the Circuit Trails isn’t just about commuting and recreation. Environmental and social benefits, such as watershed protection and urban youth education, are being encouraged as a component of the

A bike rack at Grays Ferry Crescent

Circuit Trails by funders such as the William Penn Foundation. Research from the nonprofit Alliance for Biking & Walking shows that strong trails networks can improve health outcomes, attract residents and tourism, increase property values and raise awareness of local waterways. “[The Circuit] gets people to experience the out of doors and enjoy nature,” Starr says. “Even though we live in a crowded metropolitan area of 5 million-plus people, we get to have quiet, intimate experiences outdoors because of some of the trails and the way they’re located.”

EXPLORE THE RIVER At Bartram’s Garden, you can access one of Philly’s greatest natural resources, the Schuylkill River. Enjoy free kayak and rowboat rides every Saturday from our new Community Boathouse, go fishing, or have a grand time exploring our gardens and trails.

Visit our website to find special kayaking benefits for Members.

5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143 • 215-729-5281 • Take the #36 trolley.

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July 29-30, 2016 Grange Fairgrounds 169 Homan Lane Centre Hall, PA 16828 farmfest.paorganic.org Speakers, Music, 5K Run, Kids’ Activities, Organic Food Court, Browsing Barn and Exhibitors, Family Arena, Overnight Camping

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Friday 9:30 am - 10:30 pm Barn Dance & BBQ Farmer Appreciation Day PCO Annual Meeting

Saturday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm 5K & Family Fun Run Moshannon Group Sierra Club Summer Picnic and Film Screening

Oh sure, millions of people have walked, biked and hiked along the scenic trails of the Wissahickon Valley Park. But now, you can be the first to say you’ve done them all.

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Take the All Trails Challenge and claim bragging rights. This new event runs (walks or bikes) from August to November.

Learn more at

fow.org

Let’s be friends.

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the RIGH T QUE STION

Politics as Usual No matter your political party or country of affiliation, when companies own our infrastructure, they hold the power by jerry silberman

Q

uestion: What political program will best help limit the effects of climate change?

The Right Question: Why should we think politics is a way to address climate change at all?

Politics comes to us from Aristotle, who attempted in his treatise titled “Politics” to determine the best way to govern a citystate, surveying the history and world experience available to him. In Aristotle’s world, the inequality of people was a basic assumption: Some people were born to be slaves; men were destined to rule over women; elite “citizens” governed, to the exclusion of tradesmen and small farmers.

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Citizens also had access to society’s surplus, which, in the absence of fossil fuels, were minuscule compared with ours, but still substantial enough to sustain intense intellectual activity within a small elite—and to build architectural monuments we still revere.

Today, the English translation of Aristotle’s “Politics” is in the public domain and can be downloaded by anyone reading this column. In his day, only a few copies of his work, laboriously copied by hand, were available to members of his class and were preserved through the generations in part by luck and in part because of the discipline of devoted preservationists. Now, in stark

contrast, billions of words hit print (or cyber print) each day, virtually all of them destined to be forgotten within the lifetimes of those writing them. Our society is aggressively ignorant of the past, and also in our conviction of superiority to all that has come before us.

Today, politics refers to the methods of exercising power in the realm of government, and the means of achieving a position to exercise such power. Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman (deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia) are all politicians, and even bin Salman, born into the family that is absolute ruler of the world’s richest petro state, still had to engage in politics to ensure his position.

So, how much power do they have? How much real choice in public policy? To which citizens are they accountable if they seek to remain in their position? Finally, how do the answers to these questions affect their ability to respond to climate change?

Economic power in the modern industrial world is extremely centralized, which is only possible with an enormous communications and transportation infrastructure.

Military might, the ultimate symbol of state power, both protects and is entirely beholden to the corporate-owned and centralized infrastructure: Lockheed Martin and a handful of corporations dominate weapons production; AT&T, Verizon, IBM and a few more own the computers that keep the internet going; the pipelines and railroads that move oil and gas around the country are all privately owned, such as CSX, which runs oil trains into Philadelphia.

Obama, Putin and bin Salman, by different mechanisms, are dependent on the tiny global elite who hold economic power through ownership of the infrastructure.

They don’t necessarily perceive this as dependence because of their shared values, and because the dependence is mutual. The legitimacy of the state, which Obama, Putin and bin Salman all symbolize, is essential for business as usual to continue.

IL LUSTRATIO N BY ABAYO M I LOUARD-MOORE

Corporations such as Aramco, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Apple, Nestlé and GE each have a greater direct impact on the world economy than most countries. Collectively, they sustain the global infrastructure across political boundaries and exist symbiotically with Obama, Putin and bin Salman.

According to Aristotle, politics is about managing relations between groups of people who have some common interests.

Today, politics, in its many varied faces, serves one goal: to maintain the economic stability of the world on behalf of the profits of its corporate sponsors. Follow the money, and seemingly irreconcilable differences in political systems fade into a sideshow. An example: ExxonMobil continued its joint exploration work with Russian fossil fuel companies without interruption by the U.S.urged boycott of Russia after the Ukrainian debacle began.

The system is showing severe strain as a result of increasingly scarce resources and its own byproducts—pollution and climate change. It remains intact because the values that serve to entrench the power of economic elite—perpetual growth, consumption as the key index of human achievement and faith in technology to solve any problem we conceive of that interferes with the first two—continue, surprisingly, to be widely believed by masses of people to whom they bring neither power nor happiness.

Repudiating these values means repudiating “politics as usual,” regardless of the system, or the party, or the country. Neither Obama, Putin nor bin Salman will distance themselves from those values, despite the different narratives they offer on climate change. Neither will Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump.

There are other core values around which we must build our lives and societies if we are to mitigate climate change: reducing consumption, shrinking our population and working toward a steady state economy at a level consistent with the annual solar budget. Until significant numbers of people withdraw from the current value system and support for the economic powers that foster them, competing political programs will not offer effective strategies to minimize climate change.

Jerry Silberman is a cranky environmentalist and union negotiator who likes to ask the right question and is no stranger to compromise.

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the BIG PICTUR E

The Body Politic If capitalism is making us sick, is there any way it can cure us? interview by heather shayne blakeslee

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n her book “The Wrath of Capital: Neoliberalism and Climate Change Politics,” scholar Adrian Parr explores the interconnected nature of capitalism, political power and the systemic abuses foisted upon people and planet when the accumulation of money, power and possessions is our primary motivation.

You write early on in the book, “The more leaders in the sustainability movement proclaim that the only realistic way forward is to hop into bed with the free market, the more the formal structure of the opposition is compromised.”

AP: The way in which a capitalist system works… is inherently violent. It’s premised upon exploitation, it’s premised upon oppression, it’s premised upon private property relations. And it’s a system that really also only works as long as we’re advocating for endless economic growth.

So, I’m saying that that system is part of the problem with environmental degradation... With climate change, a lot of the solutions that we’re trying to come up with are actually part of that model. ...

The thesis put forward, say, by someone like Paul Hawken, the “natural capitalism” thesis, the “greening of the economy” idea, the idea of cradle to cradle—that we can keep going the way we’re going and producing endless commodities just as long as they can be produced in a way that’s more green friendly... I think it’s just a displacement activity. I think it makes us feel good, but we don’t produce any real change.

When I’m avidly recycling things in my home, hauling the bin out, I’m doing all those things because we should do those things, but I have no illusions around the fact that that in and of itself is not going to really produce the kind of change that we need.

What is the alternative in your mind to that structure of capitalism?

AP: I think we need to start experimenting with more collectivist ways of living with one another—and there are lots of really

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interesting examples of that out there in the world at the moment… After the housing crisis, there are a lot of examples of people recognizing that they can’t necessarily afford to buy a home… So, they’re collectively coming together and purchasing a property with other people, and it’s making the whole system much more affordable. I used to squat many, many, many years ago, and it’s the same kind of thing: The property was abandoned, no one was using it, [it] was falling apart, and we moved in, and we looked after it, we took care of it, we all helped out to do the things we had to do in terms of upkeep, and in my view that was a winwin. Instead of having the whole building fall apart, we made good use of it, and why not? Then you have collective models that are really flourishing in Detroit, for example. And they’re dealing with issues around food scarcity, but also issues around massive urban shrinkage, as a result of the deindustrialization, so on and so forth, at the end of the last century.

I’m glad you’re talking about Detroit, because that’s a city that came to mind when you were talking about the housing crisis.

There’s so much housing stock there, and

also many, many people who are homeless, which is a lose­-lose rather than a win­-win.

AP: Yeah, and I think what stops [us] is: We keep trying to squeeze everything into this capital relation around property relations—around privatization. So if we can’t privatize it, or sell the property to another property owner, then we just leave it there to rot, and that’s a deeply troubling way to address some of these issues. And it’s also not thinking about the ways in which environmental, social, economic, cultural and political issues are all interrelated phenomena. And I think we have to be very careful of trying to artificially extract the environmental issues from all those other issues.

You also mention that foreign investment and infrastructure, especially in places where they may not have the capital to invest themselves, has the potential to essentially be a new form of colonialism.

Africa, for instance, has the potential to be a solar powerhouse—but who owns the structures, who owns the patents?

AP: Yes, I spent a lot of time in Africa working with water issues there—there are whole sections of the African continent there that are being handed over to

“I think we need to start experimenting with more collectivist ways of living with one another.”

IL LUSTRATIO N BY CARTE R MULCA HY

European entities to set up solar panels to power the energy needs of Europe… and that’s just one example of that. So, what’s also difficult, tricky, in African countries, is—as a result of the residues of colonialism—you’ve ended up with a system that’s incredibly corrupt, that lacks transparency, that’s filled with bribery. So, you have these really powerful socio-economic elites in positions of incredible power, and they’re able to line their pockets, but the average person in Africa is living in abject poverty. I’ve spent a lot of time in the slums of Nairobi. Most of those people don’t reap or sow any of the benefits of these new initiatives.

You believe that corporate entities are gradually increasing “their monopoly over life systems.” We’re talking about really basic things like water.

AP: Two companies own 70 percent of the globalized private water resources around the world. ... It would cost about $30 billion to provide everyone in the world with access to clean water. And currently, people are spending $100 billion a year purchasing bottled water. So you get a real picture of these kinds of distortions that are occurring throughout the world.

And of course, the world banks—a third of their water supply lines to our underdeveloped countries comes with the condition of privatizing their water resources. So that’s just putting them in a terrible stranglehold.

So, it’s these kinds of initiatives, where people have a gun that’s put to their head, governments have a gun that’s put to their head… they’re already in a disadvantaged situation, and it’s all premised upon the supposed benefit that comes with a system of privatization, which I really don’t think is the way forward.

It also affects clean air—at the top of the list of things we can’t live without—the United States is exporting its pollution to China and to other countries.

AP: Meanwhile, [it] floats back over the seas, to the West Coast, where L.A.’s now alarmed… It does bring home that fact [that] we’re all in this together, and we’ve got to cooperate… Cooperation inherently means that we’re collaborating with one another…

We’re working as equals in the pot together… a collectivist approach. So, we’re fooling

ourselves if we try to define cooperation as another system premised upon property relations and privatization. Those two things are a contradiction.

You make a radical proposal at some point: What if we didn’t clean up disasters? From an advocacy standpoint, people don’t respond to anything but a disaster. We’re not hardwired to do it.

AP: I like this question. I followed public opinion [after the BP oil spill], and for the first time in U.S. history public opinion dramatically shifted—environmental concern had to be ahead of issues of oil security... I started looking at all of the advertisements of BP and just looking at the newspapers—and what we were being consistently presented with was the cleanup. That was the dominant message that was getting out, and there were huge amounts of money from BP for rebranding itself—and I thought, “Oh my goodness gracious me, it’s only taken them three months to shift popular opinion back.”

And it still hasn’t finished being cleaned up.

T HIS EXC ER PT ED INT ERVIE W H AS BE E N E D I TE D FO R CLA R I TY

The problem is, everyone has been presented with this idea [that even] the worst oil spill in U.S. history can be cleaned up.

And that is so troubling to me, that we’re so quick to forget. … We’re not just fickle.

We invest our energy in things that make us feel better… If we can recognize that that’s what’s going on, then maybe we need to feel bad for longer periods of time, because that seems to be the only thing that actually motivates us and stirs forth a collectivist impulse to say, “No! Stop.

Enough’s enough.” When things change slowly, people are slow to change. When things change dramatically, people kind of rally around and they overcome their differences, and they recognize things that they share in common. And that is what’s required to produce real change.

--------------------------------------------------A native of Sydney, Australia, Adrian Parr is a professor at the University of Cincinnati, where she is director of the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center. In 2013 she was appointed co­� -chair of Water Access and Sustainability at UNESCO.

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THE POLITICS OF »»»»»

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the climate change issue

CAPITOL OFFENSE Pennsylvania was once a leader on climate change, clean energy and green jobs. But even with a moderate, pro-business governor in Tom Wolf—the morass of politics in Harrisburg has slowed progress to a halt.

by MATT BEVILACQUA

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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf

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the climate change issue

L

eanne Krueger-Braneky knew that Harrisburg would be tough, but she didn’t know just how tough. When the newly elected state representative was sworn in last August, the budget was already two months late. It wouldn’t pass until the following March.“I’ve had colleagues from both sides of the aisle pull me aside and tell me that this is truly the worst they’ve ever seen it,” says Krueger-Braneky, a Democrat who represents Delaware County’s 161st District in the state House. “So I came in during a particularly intensive period in modern history in the Legislature.”

Soon, she’d learn that the same kind of governmental morass extends to other issues, including a major part of her platform: the environment. For eight years, Krueger-Braneky served as executive director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, which supports environmentally friendly businesses and business practices in the region. She hoped that by heading to the Republican-controlled General Assembly as a green-leaning Democrat, she could use her office to promote a message of sustainability statewide.

Then she came up against a web of opposition so deep-seated and far-reaching that it exceeded even her expectations.

“I’m very surprised to see people arguing against things such as clean air and clean water,” Krueger-Braneky says.

“Those are things that I sort of took for granted as basic human rights, and yet they both really seem to be under attack in Pennsylvania right now.”

In a state where the oil and coal industries have dominated for generations— and where the natural gas industry has grown into a powerhouse over the last decade—pushing for any kind of environmental policy has long been a challenge. But several factors coalesced in recent years to make the politics of climate change in Pennsylvania a politics fraught with deadlock, dead ends and disorganization.

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caucuses after President Obama’s election swept hardline conservatives into the Pennsylvania Legislature, and pushed moderates out. That coincided with the discovery of harvestable natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, which lies beneath much of western and northern Pennsylvania, prompting a boom in hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) in those areas.

And Democrats, already weakened in Harrisburg due to gerrymandering, have been unable to muster a pro-environmental coalition powerful enough to counter several years’ worth of deregulation and tax breaks for oil and gas companies.

Even Gov. Tom Wolf, a moderate, business-friendly liberal, can’t seem to push through any policies at all, let alone those addressing climate change.

“We’re in a position today where, even though we have a Democratic governor, we have overwhelming majorities in the Legislature that don’t want to do anything on climate and clean energy policy,” says Matt Stepp, policy director at the environmental advocacy group PennFuture.

This is all very frustrating for Pennsylvanians trying to push an environmental agenda. That frustration manifested in May with a mini-scandal in the capital.

John Quigley, former secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), resigned from his post following an irate email he fired off to environmental advocacy groups the previous month.

In the wake of legislators voting on

April 12 to reject oil and gas regulations that had been four years in the making, Quigley scolded the advocates for failing to show up or put pressure on their lawmakers.

“I’ve slept on this but can no longer hold back,” Quigley wrote. “Where the [expletive] were you people yesterday?

The House and Senate hold Russian show trials on vital environmental issues and there’s no pushback at all from the environmental community?”

Insiders told reporters that Quigley had long alienated both state legislators and potential allies in the governor’s office, and that the email was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” But for Quigley, who served as secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources under former Gov. Ed Rendell, the mounting disappointments of the last few years must seem especially bleak given that, in the first decade of the 2000s, Pennsylvania actually did make a lot of progress toward protecting the environment.

The good old days Looking back today, it’s hard to believe that Harrisburg managed to pass hefty climate change regulations and clean energy policies during a window that lasted roughly between 2002 and 2010. Before then, the coal industry exerted much of the same kind of influence on the Legislature as the fracking industry does today.

As Stepp puts it, “Whatever’s the fossil fuel industry de jure oftentimes dictates environmental policy.”

But as the coal industry declined in the early aughts and Rendell occupied the governor’s seat, the state passed things like the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, which requires electric companies to generate or distribute a certain percentage of energy from wind, solar or other alternative sources, and the Alternative Energy Investment Act, which established a fund for supporting renewable energy. In the same period, it adopted policies that protected state forests from fracking and mandated electronic waste-recycling programs. The DEP’s Growing Greener grants helped to fund projects around the state, and the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority invested in big projects, including for Philadelphia, where a grant helped build an innovative geothermal well system at Friends Center in Center City.

This era of progress ended with the Tea Party Caucus, a far-right response to Obama’s election that cut short the legislative careers of many Democrats and moderate Republicans across the country while pulling sitting Republican lawmakers rightward. The election of former Gov. Tom Corbett gave newly galvanized conservatives in Pennsylvania an ally in the executive office.

“A lot of the climate and energy work stopped. A lot of the conversations ended there,” Stepp says. “The pool of moderate members willing to negotiate and build consensus on this issue has become very, very small.”

What emerged was a tendency in Harrisburg to view all regulation as inherently anti-business, especially given the economic promise of the Marcellus Shale, which spans from West Virginia through Pennsylvania and into New York state. Last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration named it the most lucrative gas field in the country, having produced more than 2.8 billion cubic feet of gas in 2013. While New York banned fracking last year, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have taken advantage of the site. According to the

Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-Pa.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, oil and gas jobs in Pennsylvania rose by nearly 260 percent between 2007 and 2012, from nearly 8,000 jobs in 2007 to nearly 21,000 in 2012. For comparison, that’s about the number of people employed in West Philadelphia by the University of Pennsylvania.

What these numbers don’t reflect, however, is the industry’s volatility. The steep drop in global oil prices over the last two years has led to a slowdown in natural gas drilling, which hit record lows this past winter. For some fracking towns, the promise of the boom days has given way to bankruptcies and layoffs.

Recent reports have found that foreclosures, for instance, are up in Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland counties in western Pennsylvania.

Still, fracking’s rise, taking place mostly in towns and counties that struggled following decades of deindustrialization, encourages conservative lawmakers to oppose any sort of regulations that could be interpreted as hampering the indus-

try. It also puts pressure on left-leaning lawmakers to keep quiet about them.

“There is just not the type of policy support for environmental issues coming from the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania as I would have hoped,” says Brian Sims, a Philadelphia Democrat who was elected to the state House in 2012.

“Not only is there a very powerful, very wealthy far-right opposition to environmentalism, there is [also] very passive, very marginal support on the left for environmental legislation.”

Money from oil and gas interest groups certainly plays a major role. Officially, the industry has given more than $11 million to the campaigns of elected Pennsylvania officials since the late 1990s, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. Records show that campaign contributions from the industry have risen steadily over subsequent election years, going from about $480,000 in 2000 to $1.3 million in 2006 to more than $2.7 million in 2014.

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contributions from the industry. With PACs funneling many more dollars into Pennsylvania campaign coffers, lawmakers are beholden to anti-regulation conservative groups without on-paper ties to oil and gas. For instance, the free-market PA Future Fund ranks consistently as one of the biggest spenders in the state, accounting for almost $7.8 million in campaign contributions over the last 15 years, of which $7.1 million went to Republicans. Its name frequently shows up on lists of top donors to House Speaker Mike Turzai, House Majority Leader David Reed and Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati.

Along with this established, deep-pocketed support comes the kind of political strategy that’s well-organized but obscure and largely free from scrutiny.

“A lot of the narrative has largely been focused on ways of delaying action,” Stepp says, meaning that lawmakers frame their opposition to environmental initiatives using opaque procedural tactics: shifting regulatory oversight from the governor to the Legislature, for instance, or delaying a policy by extending its review period in the General Assembly. This serves to complicate the process, denying the public the kind of broad, easy-to-follow narrative that tends to accompany social issues like gay marriage or abortion.

“The public largely doesn’t care about process issues,” Stepp says. “They’re very arcane, they’re hard to talk about.”

Krueger-Braneky, who sits on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, sees the results of this strategy firsthand.

“In a legislative climate where so many good bills go to committee to die,” she says, “really the only things that are moving quickly seem to be handouts to oil and gas companies or to special interest groups.”

Ducking the federal push for clean energy One case that illustrates how state lawmakers can thwart environmental policy is the ongoing saga around the 36

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Clean Power Plan. President Obama introduced the plan last August, giving states a 15-year timeline to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by at least 32 percent. First proposed by the EPA in 2014, the initiative would require states to file compliance plans with the agency and keep it abreast of their progress.

Last October, however, 26 states sued the EPA, charging that it had overstepped its authority in carrying out the plan. A number of industry groups have added their names to the complaint. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the Clean Power Plan, pending judicial review. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the case in June, and whoever loses is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

Matt Stepp, policy director, PennFuture

Pennsylvania is not among the coalition of states challenging the policy. In fact, the Clean Power Plan has an ally in Gov. Wolf, who directed his administration to move forward with the mandate despite the stay. This doesn’t mean the state will file an official compliance plan with the EPA anytime soon—that will have to wait until the higher court hands down its decision. But it does mean that Harrisburg is thinking of ways to reach its 2030 targets regardless of what happens at the federal level.

“We will continue to work with states

that want to work with us on a voluntary basis,” an EPA spokesperson writes in an email. “Many states have asked us to also move forward with our outreach and to continue providing support and developing tools.”

Still, lawmakers in Pennsylvania have mobilized to block implementation of the Clean Power Plan (or, really, any policy that resembles it). In doing so, they have reverted to the same behind-the-scenes, procedural tactics that characterize so much of their opposition to environmental issues.

In October 2014, while still governor, Corbett signed a law mandating that before the DEP can send its draft of a compliance plan to the EPA, it must first receive approval from both chambers of the General Assembly. Known as Act 175, this law gives opponents in the Legislature a say in the details of the DEP’s plan, along with a chance to delay its submission until the agency concedes to their demands.

That is, if they act fast enough. Under the current version of Act 175, if the General Assembly fails to vote on the plan by the EPA’s deadline, then the draft will be automatically approved and sent on to Washington. (Bear in mind that the initial deadline, June 15, 2016, is now moot because of the stay.) The DEP would have to submit its draft to the General Assembly at least 100 days before that date, but some legislators don’t believe that gives them enough time.

Among them is state Sen. Don White, a Republican representing the 41st District, just to the northeast of Pittsburgh.

In February, he introduced a bill that would extend the General Assembly’s window for approval to 180 days.

“Basically, what his bill does is update Act 175 to be more reflective of the schedule that is now not as certain as it was prior to the Supreme Court ruling,” says Joe Pittman, White’s chief of staff. “Because that time frame has changed, those dates no longer comport with any future implementation there would be.”

While Democratic Sen. Greg Vitali— whom Sims calls the “one very well-

Rep. Don White, R-Pa.

to achieve—give the General Assembly 180 days to approve or disapprove of the DEP’s compliance plan. Wolf vetoed that version of the budget.

The ascendency of natural gas July will bring tens of thousands of visitors to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention, and while you wouldn’t have known it from listening to the Republican primary debates, climate change is playing a major role in the latest contest for president. Bernie Sanders has made it a central issue of his campaign, calling for a federal carbon tax and a nationwide ban on fracking, among other environmental initiatives.

Though much less zealous than her opponent, presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton at least acknowledges climate change as a problem worthy of government intervention and has vowed to stay the course set by President Obama. Namely, that means reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the Clean Power Plan.

What if the Supreme Court upholds the ban, and the Clean Power Plan fizzles out anyway? Trends in the power industry indicate that Pennsylvania might be able to stay on target, at least on paper.

“Even if there wasn’t the Clean Power Plan, when you look out over the next couple of decades, we know for sure

known environmentalist in the capital”—tried to shorten the review period outlined in White’s bill, his amendment failed and the original legislation passed both houses of the General Assembly.

The bill now heads to Wolf’s desk.

White’s office has framed his bill as a simple matter of logistics, but the senator has gone public with his concerns about the Clean Power Plan itself. His district is home to three of the four largest coalfired power plants in the state. Much of the job growth associated with fracking has happened in Allegheny and Indiana counties, the latter of which falls within White’s district.

“It’s a significant economic engine for our communities,” Pittman says.

“We’re very concerned that if our power plants are unable to comply, not only are

“A lot of the narrative has largely been focused on ways of delaying action.”

— MATT STEPP, policy director, PennFuture

those jobs in jeopardy, but also the jobs associated with the production of coal and the maintenance and upkeep of the power plants.”

During last year’s nine-month budget stalemate in Harrisburg, members of the Legislature tried to add a provision to one of their budget proposals that would have done what White now seeks

that we will continue to see cheap and abundant natural gas,” Quigley told Grid a few weeks before his departure from the DEP. “That is already impacting Pennsylvania’s power situation.”

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the climate change issue

244 million in 2013. Much of that was due to the scaling back of the coal industry, which saw its own emissions drop from 141 million metric tons in 2005 to 106 million in 2013—the lowest since the administration started keeping records in 1980. At least 200 coal plants shut down nationwide between 2009 and 2015, many of them in Pennsylvania. Should this trend continue, more coal operations across the state will likely close their doors in the coming years.

While coal has diminished, natural gas has flourished. And to Quigley, its ascendance suggests that Pennsylvania will be able to reach its emissions goals even without much government help.

“What is happening right now—competitive market forces and the price of natural gas—[it] gets us into compliance for probably at least the first five years of the plan,” he said.

Beyond emissions, however, tapping the Marcellus Shale raises questions of its own. Perhaps even more so than air quality, fracking has become the hot-button energy debate in Pennsylvania, with some hailing it as a job creator and a saving grace of the power industry, and others voicing concerns about water contamination and methane pollution.

Nominally, the Wolf administration supports fracking and has not moved to prohibit the practice, except for issuing an executive order banning it from state parks and forests. (His predecessor, Corbett, had lifted the ban, which

Rendell first imposed in 2010.) Wolf did attempt to place a 6.5 percent tax on extracting gas from the Marcellus Shale, but the General Assembly didn’t approve it. Opponents framed it as a revenue issue, arguing that it wouldn’t meet expectations for plugging gaps in the state budget. Pennsylvania remains the only state without an extraction tax on natural gas, although it does charge a per-well “impact fee.”

Then there are the governor’s efforts to regulate methane emissions, a byproduct of fracking. In January, he tasked the DEP with goals for reducing methane leaks at oil and gas wells. Predictably, this drew criticism from the industry.

Opposing lawmakers again turned to procedure: To avoid talking about the substance of the regulations, they could cast the policy wholesale as an example of government overreach.

Too small an army Most notably at the state level, the Wolf administration tried to expand Chapter 78 of the Pennsylvania Code, which governs oil and gas wells. As defined by the DEP, “unconventional” wells require drilling into impermeable rock (such as shale) and often rely on fracking to extract the gas. Under the proposed additions to Chapter 78, unconventional sites would be disallowed from storing their waste in ground pits. They would also have to vandal-proof their tanks and report their monthly waste to state

authorities.

Advocates had been pushing for updates to the state’s oil and gas regulations since 2012, when the Corbett administration signed a previous version into law.

By a 3-2 vote, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission approved the new rules in April. They then headed to the General Assembly, where committees in both the House and Senate voted to block them. Among the things that opposing lawmakers called into question: typos in the text of the bill and questions about the legality of the DEP’s procedure.

After the hearings were over, Quigley sent the email that ended his career at the DEP. What does it mean for Pennsylvania that some of the most stringent environmental regulations in years could die in committee with very little public outcry and result in only some tabloid-ready headlines about an expletive laden email? As the Legislature prepares to debate yet another state budget this summer, mere months after resolving the previous year’s stalemate, it’s unlikely that too many lawmakers on either side of the aisle will stick their necks out for the latest fracking regulations or climate change bill.

“There’s not enough of us, and I think that’s part of the problem,” Krueger-Braneky says. “There are very few legislators willing to take a public, outspoken stance.”

“There are very few legislators willing to take a public, outspoken stance.”

— REP. LEANNE KRUEGER-BRANEKY, D-Pa.

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Talk About a Revolution Philadelphians are already taking to the streets, and during DNC, the whole world will be joining us

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n early May, approximately 300 people gathered near the intersection of 28th Street and Passyunk Avenue.

Some were Philadelphia locals, but many traveled from around the state, arriving via yellow school buses commissioned by Action United, a 6-year-old advocacy group focused on the interests of Pennsylvanians with low incomes. The crowd, amid giant paper sunflowers, ate water ice and soft pretzels purchased from a cart, watched a Germantown-based drill team perform, and—in the shadow of a CSX oil train stopped on the elevated tracks next to the Schuylkill Expressway—called for a reversal of plans to expand the South Philly oil refinery. If you missed the Philly Thrive March but are ready to take action, join in these two upcoming events during the Democratic National Convention.

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March for Clean Energy

Truth Booth

The March for a Clean Energy Revolution, which has been endorsed by hundreds of organizations including various chapters of 350.org, the Green Party and the Sierra Club, will meet at City Hall at noon July 24—the eve of the Democratic National Convention—and gradually move toward Independence Hall while rallying for a 100 percent renewable energy future.

The official website for the march advocates for policy makers to invest in renewable energy systems such as wind and solar to create living wage jobs, avoiding the hazards of hydraulic fracturing and ending the disproportionate burdens placed on marginalized communities who live in, or near, high-pollution areas. Anyone can join the march. Find out more at cleanenergymarch.org.

An inflatable video-recording booth shaped like a cartoon speech bubble will come to Philadelphia’s Eakins Oval during the DNC. Visitors are encouraged to record two-minute videos that begin with the words “The truth is…”

The interactive media project was organized by the San Francisco-based Cause Collective—a team of artists, designers and ethnographers who create public art. During the life of the project, they have collected over 6,000 statements with the booth, which has traveled through Ireland, Afghanistan, South Africa and various locations in the U.S. If you’d like to be part of the project, you can make your own statement between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on July 26 while the convention is taking place.

P HOTO BY RYA N COLLERD

Protesters in South Philadelphia call for a future free of fossil fuels

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Art That Hits Home Artist Joe Boruchow takes on the culture of consumption with his piece “Vivere”

by HEATHER SHAYNE BLAKESLEE

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ncome inequality and pollution in Philadelphia might not seem like they would serve as inspiration for the city’s creatives, but celebrated Philadelphia papercut artist Joe Boruchow has been doing political work for years. He routinely draws attention to what he sees as the unchecked greed of capitalism and the bloody freakshow of American politics.

One of his latest works is “Vivere” which depicts the super yacht of Philadelphia Energy Solutions CEO Phil Rinaldi sailing away from the city amid the polluting stacks of his refinery, with nothing but bones left atop rooftops.

While vivere—the name of Rinaldi’s yacht—means “to live,” Boruchow, who lives in South Philadelphia, doesn’t mince words about what a possible expansion of the refinery’s operations would mean for his city.

“Making Philadelphia a petrochemical manufacturing import/export hub is not a good deal for the citizens of Philadelphia,” Boruchow told Grid. “The companies involved belong to an opportunistic religion where not making maximum profit is the greatest sin. They have mastered the art of externalizing costs to the poorest and least represented.”

Boruchow took his inspiration for the piece from a quote from Rinaldi that he found on the luxury yachting and lifestyle website superyachts.com, in which Rinaldi described the process of outfitting and customizing his 116 foot Italian-made vessel. A used version of Rinaldi’s yacht currently retails for over $9 million.

“A mega yacht not only represents your tastes, but is also, and most of all, a way to express yourself, to show who you have become over the course of your life,” Rinaldi told the website. “I wanted the vessel to reflect my personality as far as possible.”

“A mega yacht not only represents your tastes, but is also, and most of all, a way to express yourself, to show who you have become over the course of your life. I wanted the vessel to reflect my personality as far as possible.”

—Phil Rinaldi, CEO, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, regarding his mega yacht, the Vivere

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O P P OS ITE PAG E “V IV E RE ” BY J O E B O RUC HOW

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2016 CLEAN AIR COMMUTE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR Clean Air Council chose Yards Brewing Company as Clean Air Commute Employer of the Year for offering indoor bike storage, showers and locker facilities, and pre-tax public transportation benefits to its employees. These sustainable commute options, along with Yards’ many other programs that focus on sustainability, help improve Philadelphia’s air quality for everyone.

For more information on how you can access or offer sustainable commutes, visit cleanair.org/cleaner-commute-philadelphia

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Beer and Spirits by emily kovach

Imbibe in the 215 Philadelphia is fast approaching its golden drinking age. The city has been known as a beer town for a very long time: Breweries lined our streets in the 1800s, dive bars anchor our corners and—more recently— outdoor beer gardens and rooftop bars foliate the concrete jungle.

Our evolution as a libations-loving city continues at a rapid clip. Centuries-old blue laws are loosening, new breweries and distilleries are breaking ground, wine bars are springing up, and hundreds of yearly events (have you recovered from Philly Beer Week?) help introduce curious Philadelphians to the makers behind their favorite drinks.

Hear that? That’s the sound of a thousand stainless steel cocktail shakers, echoing across the land. Here’s what’s fresh on the local beer and spirits scene this summer.

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Spirited Away Philly’s Madame Fromage delves into the world of craft cocktails

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enaya Darlington is known for her work in cheese: She is the author of Di Bruno Brothers’ “House of Cheese” and writes the blog Madame Fromage, an online curd chronicle. Darlington, a Fishtown resident, has just released a drinks book, “The New Cocktail Hour: The Essential Guide to Hand-Crafted Drinks” (Running Press, 2016), written in collaboration with her brother André Darlington, a food writer based in Madison, Wisconsin. This ambitious recipe book covers all things shaken, stirred and strained with clear instructions, beautiful photos and copious tasting notes to boot. We caught up with Darlington the morning before she was to depart for a press tour to promote the new book.

How did this project come about?

We’ve always liked writing together—as kids we co-wrote a family newspaper on a typewriter. So this felt like a long time coming. We first pitched a cheese guide with

wine, beer and spirits pairings to Running Press, but what they wanted was a cocktail bible. We are cocktail enthusiasts, so we spent the next year working together via Skype or Google Hangouts.

Were there challenges collaborating with a sibling?

I expected there to be more challenges, but we really relished the experience. From years of reading and writing together, we developed a shared voice. When we look over passages, we can’t remember who wrote what.

It seems like a fun project to, you know, “research.”

We read as many cocktail books as we could, going back to early editions, like “The Savoy Cocktail Book” from the Savoy Hotel in London. We wanted to know the history. Then we drank our way through 500 recipes! I had to get over the idea that I was sending a lot of spirits down the

drain… sometimes the recipes just weren’t right.

Did you have any revelations while writing the book?

One revelation was how good tiki drinks are. I don’t like sweet drinks, and I’d always thought of them as something in a hotel bar with a plastic umbrella. You throw eight ingredients into a shaker and think, “This can’t taste good.” But what you pour is complex, aromatic and wonderful. That really made my head spin.

Any advice on how to build a home bar on a budget?

We put a spread in the book about how to host a party with three bottles: gin, bourbon and Campari. That can be your whole summer. I also love having a bottle of absinthe. Crème de violette is something else I’ve had fun with, as is chartreuse. I think of the bar as a library, where you’re slowly collecting things.

Guinness Punch Serves 4 • 12 ounces (335 ml) Guinness or other stout • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk • 1/2 cup (120 ml) sweetened condensed milk • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 cup (240 ml) ice • Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish • Cinnamon, for garnish In a blender, combine stout, milk, condensed milk, and vanilla and ice and pulse for 10 to 15 seconds, or until well combined. Serve in chilled rocks glasses, garnished with cannamon and nutmeg.

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P HOTO G RAP HS BY JASO N VARN E Y/P HOTOS COURTESY O F RUN N IN G PRESS

Boulevardier Makes 1 • 2 ounces (60 ml) bourbon (Buffalo Trace or Four Roses) • 1 ounce (30 ml) Campari • 1 ounce (30 ml) sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica) • Orange twist, for garnish Stir the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass if you’d like it up, and in a rocks glass if not. Garnish with an orange twist.

Opposite page: the Guinness Punch.

This page: the Boulevardier

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Grid’s Seasonal Six-Pack Check out these local beers for summer heat survival

Summer Paradise

Solaire Reserve

Berliner-style weisse ale Manayunk Brewing Co. Made with Styrian hops, this beer maintains a nice balance of mild spice, citrus tartness and apricot sweetness. The low ABV makes for easy afternoon sipping.

Saison Forest & Main This highly regarded craft brewery in Ambler excels in farmhouse style beers, and Solaire may be one of their finest. Made with malted spelt and wild yeast, this straw-colored saison is crisp, dry and easy drinking, with notes of citrus, grain and pepper.

Juicebox IPA

2SPILS

Mandarin orange IPA Søle Artisan Ales Bursting with citrus freshness, anchored by deeply aromatic Azacca and Simcoe hops, and redolent with stone fruit and pineapple sweetness. This beer is beach-ready.

Keller pilsner 2SP Brewing Co. Just in time for the stifling heat of midsummer, this Aston-based operation is putting up a fresh batch of its unfiltered pilsner.

Because it’s unfiltered, the beer has a hazy golden color and nice body, but is clean on flavor: grassy, lemony and, according to a brewery insider, “completely sessionable.”

Yards Pynk

Grisette Summer Ale

Tart berry ale Yards Brewing Co. Light-bodied and rose colored, Pynk is brewed with more than 3,000 pounds of fresh raspberries and cherries in each batch. Released each July, Yards donates $1 from each case and 5 cents from each glass of Pynk to research and awareness around breast cancer.

Belgian-style farmhouse ale Sly Fox Brewing Co. Because this beer is made with wheat as well as barley, it brings a lightness to the flavor profile.

It's named for the gray dresses worn by the French women who would provide beer to the men leaving the mines for the day in the late 1800s, but there’s nothing drab about the flavor: Think herbal, dry, refreshing.

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A Watershed Moment Local brewers donate money to keep our drinking water clean

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o make great beer, you need great water. That’s why Sly Fox Brewery, Victory Brewing and Saucony Creek Craft Brewery have all crafted special beers, and plan to donate a portion of their profits to watershed protection groups. Recipient organizations are

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the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

Pictured above from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is Senior Coordinator Tom Davidock (seated), Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company (right) and Brian O’Reilly of Sly Fox Brewery (left).

If you’d like to support the program, you can do your part by drinking Victory’s Headwaters Pale Ale, Saucony Creek’s Stonefly Pale Ale and Sly Fox Brewery’s SRT Ale, or by donating directly to the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

P HOTO G RAP H BY G E N E SMI RNOV

A short ride from the city for a wine tasting at the winery.

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The Saint Benjamin’s Taproom in Kensington

From Tap to Table

The Saint Benjamin Brewing Company team now has a room of its own

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or two years, Saint Benjamin Brewing Company has been working out of their brewhouse on an industrial-meets-artist-lofts stretch of North 5th Street. They’ve been kegging Philly favorites—try the Inca India Cream Ale and Wit or Witout—for wholesale to area bars.

But this past May, owners Christina Burris and Tim Patton went into the bar business themselves. Just in time for the muchhyped Craft Brewer’s Conference, they opened the big, beautiful wooden doors to their brand new taproom, a place they hope will become both a neighborhood hangout and a destination for thirsty tourists.

While the space—about 50 seats, including a long bar—retains some of the raw aesthetic of the building (unfinished textured walls, high ceilings and exposed brick), it brings some polished touches as well: gorgeous light fixtures, sleek barstools and the coolest ceiling fan you’ve ever seen.

“We’ve been in brewery taprooms that are just echoey warehouses with polished concrete floors,” Patton says. “It serves the purpose of making money, but it’s not gonna be anyone’s favorite bar.

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Brewing Soon

~

We didn’t want to do that... we wanted this to really feel like a Philadelphia bar.”

With 12 taps, a hand pump, a menu of creative bar fare (trust us—the deep-fried Cajun peanuts are a must), and a bring-your-ownvinyl records night, it truly does feel like a well executed craft beer bar. A look through the giant glass windows behind the bar is a good reminder that the beer on offer is made onsite and tastes incredibly fresh.

The brewery itself, which went through a major overhaul in January, has expanded from 400 barrels per year to a target of 4,000 for 2016. While Saint Benjamin produces large quantities of its core offerings, head brewer Andrew Foss loves to try special releases, like Baxter’s Best, a dark extra special bitter, brewed with unfiltered tap water in celebration of the Philadelphia Water Department’s five year stormwater management plan. This beer, which is named after the water treatment plant where Saint Benjamin gets its water, seems to represent the company’s brewing ethos: reinterpretation of historical styles with creative twists, all while commemorating the city of Philadelphia.

Brewery ARS in South Philly Fraternal twins Sean and Andy Arsenault, avid home brewers since 2007, are putting the finishing touches on their new space at 1927 W. Passyunk Ave. The 1,700-squarefoot double-wide garage will be split between a brewery and a tasting room. The tasting room, open Friday through Sunday to start, will serve Brewery ARS beers from eight taps and snacks from various local food trucks. The brothers, who describe their operation as “Rock and roll punk rock American craft beer” funded the buildout through fundraising and crowdsourcing. They hope to open in late summer or early fall of this year.

Brewery ARS co-owners Sean and Andy Arsenault

P HOTO G RAP H O F SAIN T B E N JAM IN S TAP RO O M BY M ARIKA MI RREN

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MAR KET WATCH

Mad About Maize The crop of summer sweet corn has arrived by peggy paul casella

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ost experts agree that the wild ancestor of corn (or maize, as it’s called in other countries) can be traced to Central and South America about 70,000 years ago. After it was domesticated around 7500 B.C., it became a mainstay of the ancient Native American diet and remains a staple crop today with a variety of applications—from enjoying as is to manufacturing into syrups, whiskey, cornmeal, flour, oil, laundry starch and animal feed. The sweet variety we know as corn on the cob has plump, off-white and/ or yellow kernels. As soon as it is picked from the plant, its sugars begin to convert to starch, so the sooner you can get it after harvest, the sweeter your corn will be.

Whenever possible, buy fresh corn at your local farm stand or farmers market, and look for ears with vibrant, tightly wrapped husks and snug rows of kernels that come all the way to the tip.

Sweet Corn Pizza with Basil–Garlic Scape Pesto Makes one 12-inch pizza

Ingredients yy 1/2 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves, plus a handful for garnish yy 1/4 cup finely chopped garlic scapes (from 3 scapes) yy 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for finishing yy Flaked sea salt and freshly ground black pepper yy 1 (14- to 16-ounce) ball pizza dough yy 1 cup fresh sweet corn kernels (from 1 large ear) yy 2 tablespoons minced red onion yy 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. Place pizza stone/steel (if using) on a rack in the middle of your oven. If you plan to use a baking sheet instead, simply place a rack in the middle of the oven (you do not need to preheat the baking sheet).

Preheat the oven to 500 F or as hot as it will go.

2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the 1/2 cup of basil, garlic scapes, olive oil and a big pinch of salt. Process until the mixture forms a smooth paste, and stream in more oil as needed to reach your desired texture. Taste the pesto and add a few grinds of black pepper and more salt if needed.

3. Gently stretch or roll the dough into a 12-inch disk. If using a pizza stone or steel, dust a pizza peel generously with flour or cornmeal. Place the dough disk

on the prepared peel. If using a baking sheet, spray it with cooking spray before placing the dough disk on it.

4. Spread the pesto evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Scatter on the corn and onion, and sprinkle the feta over all.

5. If using a pizza stone or steel, increase the oven heat to broil. Slide the pizza from the peel (or inverted baking sheet) to the hot stone/steel and broil for 5 to 7 minutes until the crust is crispy and the cheese begins to brown. If using a baking sheet, do not increase the oven to broil. Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes, then drizzle with a little olive oil and season with a pinch of salt. Tear the remaining basil leaves and scatter them over top.

Slice and serve.

Peggy Paul Casella is a cookbook editor, writer, urban vegetable gardener, produce peddler and author of the blog Thursday Night Pizza.

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HOM E STEAD ACT S

Backyard Birds It’s illegal to raise chickens in Philadelphia—but easier to raise a flock than you might think by anna herman

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ackyard chickens have a long history of coexisting with humans in cities, towns and villages worldwide. The 1917 Poultry Gazette ran the following ad: “Even the smallest back yard has room for a flock large enough to supply the house with eggs. ... They require little attention only a few minutes a day. ... A chicken in every yard!”

Chickens require little more than any household pet. Food, water, and a place to keep warm, dry and safe from predators. A sturdy modified shed, doghouse or playhouse lined with some combination of straw, hay and pine bark bedding is perfect for a small flock.

As long as there is a way in and out for the chickens, a way to clean out the coop and an easy way to collect eggs, you are all set. Do-it-yourselfers can find many plans online for coops and runs, and there are numerous places to buy a kit or preassembled unit nearby.

There is enough room in a 4-foot-by-6foot coop to comfortably sleep six to eight birds, as long as they have about 10 square feet per bird outside to peck and scratch during the day. Chickens return during the day to their indoor nesting boxes to lay, and again each night at dusk to “go home to roost.” Chickens are especially vulnerable to nighttime predators. Consider an investment in a solar powered automatic door, or plan to be home at dusk to close them safely in. Chickens like to perch, and most would sleep high in a tree branch in the wild. Provide a branch, bamboo pole or large dowel inside the coop and within their run to serve this purpose.

Their daily portion of feed can be dispensed onto the ground, or in any of variety of feeders. Other daily chores include checking and refilling water as needed and—of course—collecting eggs. Chickens begin to lay when they are between 4 to 6 months old (they are called “pullets” until

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“Chickens require little more than any household pet. Food, water, and a place to keep warm, dry and safe from predators. A sturdy modified shed, doghouse or playhouse lined with some combination of straw, hay and pine bark bedding is perfect for a small flock.” then), and most will lay three to six eggs per week through much of the year.

Free range birds can make a mess of vegetable and flower garden beds, but with strategic fencing and row covers they can be allowed access from time to time. Alternatively, create a well secured “run”—a large, enclosed place to safely leave chickens outside all day. My run has hardware wire cloth buried around the perimeter, and walls and a ceiling made from chicken wire. Hawks, foxes, raccoons, opossums and many breeds of dogs will find a way to massacre your birds given a chance. Many dogs, however, can coexist well with backyard poultry.

Many breeds of ducks are also excellent egg layers and very hardy for winter. They are a bit messier and require the water to be changed much more often. I added an additional “nipple type” waterer for my chickens, so they wouldn’t have to put up with the dirty duck water, but they still prefer to share. I did put in a small pond in the run—not essential—but ducks sure do love to dunk (and it’s fun to watch). The ducks and chickens—raised together—are one flock and sleep and eat together.

Poultry owners should familiarize themselves with illnesses and possible disease transfer, and should take precautions with migratory birds sharing your chickens’

feed. Take special care not to spread disease to your flock by transferring contaminant on your shoes and clothes after visiting and interacting with other flocks.

In the winter, consider your siting; insulate with bales of straw and bags of leaves.

One winter when I was down to only one hen due to a series of hawk attacks, I resorted to providing my down vest to the shivering hen and she survived to lay again. Use an electric base for the water dispenser to keep the water just above 32 degrees—essential to ensure fresh water all day during cold winter months.

If possible, site your coop near your compost pile to streamline coop cleaning; they’ll love the access to food scraps and garden weeds along with the worms. City chickens need their coops cleaned often— especially in warm weather—for your neighbor’s sake if not yours. Rats and mice are an issue if easy access to stored or spilled chicken feed is not addressed.

Chicken owners—especially we scofflaws in Philadelphia—should do our best to model “best practices” and perhaps we can return to the happier days before 2004 when Philadelphians really could have a chicken in every yard.

Anna Herman is a garden educator who raises chickens, ducks, bees, fruits and veggies in her Mount Airy backyard.

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EVENT S

Herbalist Kelly McCarthy will lead an urban medicinal plant walk with the Jewish Farm School on July 7

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Summer Lawn Care

Urban Medicinal Plant Walk

Art After 5: Bakithi Kumalo

Sundays on Station with Sustainable Haddon Heights presents a demo on summer lawn care, with instructions on how to save time, energy and water—and how that benefits the environment. Participants can enter to win a reusable produce bag.

Herbalist Kelly McCarthy guides a walk around the neighborhood and teaches about the medicinal properties of plants. Plant identification and sustainable harvesting practices will also be covered.

This acclaimed bassist and composer—who was featured on Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album—presents an evening of South African-inflected jazz. philamuseum.org/artafter5

sustainablehaddonheights.org

WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. COST: $10 donation suggested WHERE: Jewish Farm School, 5020 Cedar Ave.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Station Avenue, Haddon Heights, N.J., adjacent to the farmers market.

J uly 6 Beautiful Bee Balm Research horticulturalist George Coombs hosts this talk on bee balm’s utilization in gardens, meadows and ornamental borders.

jewishfarmschool.org

Bassist Bill Booker and Trio at the West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series This is an ongoing educational and entertaining series about the all-American art form. malcolmxphl.org WHEN: 7 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine streets

South Philly Green Drinks Friends and neighbors gather for good, green conversation over frosty, local beverages at a family owned South Philly landmark restaurant. greenlimbs.com WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. COST: Pay as you go WHERE: Bridget Foy’s, 200 South St.

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J uly 9 Conserving Native Bumble Bees This annual celebration is one of the area’s premier events, attracting crowds of more than 100,000 people enjoying food, music and art. mtcubacenter.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. COST: $45 WHERE: Mt. Cuba Center, 3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, Del.

mtcubacenter.org WHEN: 10 to 11:30 a.m. COST: $25 WHERE: Mt. Cuba Center, 3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, Del.

WHEN: 5 to 8:45 p.m. COST: Free with admission WHERE: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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Spotlight Gallery Conversations: "Sunflowers" by Vincent van Gogh Art comes to life during this in-depth, in-gallery participatory conversation on the work of the master Post-Impressionist painter. philamuseum.org WHEN:11 to 11:45 a.m. COST: Free with admission WHERE: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival Kelly Gill of the Xerces Society will instruct the basics of bumble bee biology and habitat needs, which includes info on creating bumble-bee friendly gardens. downtownhaddonfield.com WHEN: July 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and July 10, noon to 5 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Kings Highway & Tanner Street in Haddonfield, N.J.

EVENT S Wineberry Harvest The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education needs help removing these invasive, yet delicious, wineberries from the forest. Take home a harvest and make wineberry pies, muffins and pancakes—or simply eat them fresh from the bramble. schuylkillcenter.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon COST: Free WHERE: Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

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Camp Make It & Bake It

Life on the Main Line

This five-day, half-day camp will instruct kids ages 6 through 11 how to bake and cook.

Activities include a camp journal, recipes to use at home and lots of tasty samples.

Explore how the Pennsylvania Railroad connected the Main Line towns in the early 20th century and learn about Chanticleer Garden’s transformation from private estate to public garden. A tour of the garden and the first floor of the Chanticleer House is included. pennhort.net/chanticleer

city-kitchen.ticketleap.com WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. COST: $250 WHERE: Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St.

Building with Biology Scientists and engineers from the University of Pennsylvania, the Wistar Institute, Dow Chemical and other partner organizations lead this hands-on discussion about the future of technology. fi.edu WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. COST: Free with admission WHERE: Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.

Kitchen Science: Hydration Station Ever wonder why athletes sometimes drink sports drinks with electrolytes? Kitchen Science will explain what electrolytes are and offer some tasty homemade hydrating beverages. fi.edu WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. COST: Free with admission WHERE: Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.

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Eat Healthy, Give Healthy!

Fresh Produce Food Drives Purchase extra produce at Clark Park Farmers Market July 9 and 10, and the Coalition Against Hunger and The Food Trust will bring that produce directly to pantries located near the respective markets.

J uly 13 P.M. @ Penn Museum Summer Nights Concert: The ’80s Revenge Bike on over and enjoy this rousing musical tribute to the ’80s—a decade that brought us the Rubik’s cube and Pac-Man—with this six-member ensemble. The museum galleries will remain open until 8 p.m., with a docent-led tour at intermission. penn.museum/summernights WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. COST: $10 WHERE: Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

‘Tartuffe’ at Morris Arboretum Enjoy theater outdoors as the Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company presents Molière’s classic comedy “Tartuffe.” The play pokes fun at both individual and societal moral smugness and reveals the outrageousness of hypocrisy. morrisarboretum.org

WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. COST: $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers WHERE: Chanticleer Garden, 786 Church Road, Wayne, Pa.

Gardening with Bats in Mind Bats are considered a gardener’s best friend; these little flying mammals are great hunters of insects. This two-hour event will discuss the eight species of bats native to Delaware, where they live, and how to include suitable shelters and landscape elements for bats within a particular backyard. mtcubacenter.org WHEN: 7:30 to 9 p.m. COST:$15 WHERE: Mt. Cuba Center, 3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, Del.

Plant Walk and Climate Change Monitoring Workshop Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry & Ecosystems Management division hosts this workshop in Haddington Woods. Open to all skill levels. Novice hikers, botanists and park lovers are encouraged to attend. treephilly.org WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Meet at the Bocce Court parking lot at Daggett and Vine streets

WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. COST: Pay what you will; free for members WHERE: Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

hungercoalition.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Clark Park, between 43rd and 45th streets

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EVENT S The class Exploring Ferns of Lancaster County will be held at Mt. Cuba Center on July 23.

Opposite page: a young attendee of the Tall Tree workshop at Schulykill Center for Environmental Education

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treatment and offer other advice on gardening and common insects. camden.njaes.rutgers.edu

Gratitude Migration: Summer Dream 2016 This event invites participants to explore music, dance, art, performance, technology, yoga and spirituality. schuylkillcenter.org WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. COST: $75 WHERE: Schuylkill Centerfor Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

From Plant to Paper, Paper to Book Paper artist Nicole Donnelly explores plant-based paper and bookbinding in this workshop on the process of making paper by hand, which starts by harvesting the plants. All materials and tools provided.

Registration required. schuylkillcenter.org WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. COST: $75 WHERE: Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park Under the summer sky, Bobby Zankel & the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound will showcase the more experimental side of large-ensemble jazz, touching on bebop, swing and avant-garde. cedarparkneighbors.org WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Cedar Park, 49th Street and Baltimore Avenue

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Beck Epoch An aerial dance performance of swinging, swimming, swiveling and suspension from Fairmount Park’s historic Strawberry Mansion Bridge above the Schuylkill River.

This show can be viewed from the banks of the Schuylkill for free, or viewers can rent a canoe or kayak and watch from the water. invisibleriver.org WHEN: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. COST: Free; $35 for a canoe or kayak rental WHERE: 2200 Kelly Drive.

J uly 16 Ricotta Lunch Class This hands-on class and Q&A includes a side-by-side demonstration of making ricotta two ways, followed by a ricotta dessert using the cheese made in class. shopcherrygrovefarm.com WHEN: 11 to 1:30 p.m. COST: $70 WHERE: Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence Township, N.J.

Plant Clinic Bring your plants, or a piece of a diseased plant, and Rutgers Master Gardeners of Camden County will identify and suggest

WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon COST: Free WHERE: Camden County Parks Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill, N.J.

Homemade Compost Tea Workshop Learn how compost tea adds life to garden soil and acts as an organic fertilizer through demonstrations and lecture. Receive practical advice on appropriate brewing times and leave with knowledge on how to enrich garden soil. mtcubacenter.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon COST: $30 WHERE: Mt. Cuba Center, 3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, Del.

Schuylkill River Arts Day SRAD is a performance festival for all ages celebrating the Schuylkill through dance and circus performances, interactive activities on and about the river, and local food. invisibleriver.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Mander Playground, 2140 N. 33rd St.

EVENT S

J uly 17 Morris Arboretum Grist Mill Demonstration Day Historic Springfield Mills at Morris Arboretum is restored and stone-grinding corn for meal and flour. Come and explore revolutionary technology, local history and a beautiful setting along the Wissahickon Creek. morrisarboretum.org

A Taste of Summer: Real Food Sweet Treats with Bold Flavor Join Food and Wellness Educator Lauren Nixon for a demonstration that will help you to place real, plant-powered food at the forefront of your mealtime. Participants will utilize local, seasonal fruit to create inspired sweet treats in under 15 minutes. morrisarboretum.org WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m. COST: Free with admission, $0-$17 WHERE: Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave..

Hear about the divisive arguments and decisions early Philadelphians made on this tour through Cedar Grove, Woodford and Laurel Hill. Please register online or by phone, at 215-235-7469. philamuseum.org WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. COST: Members $30; nonmembers $38 WHERE: Various locations throughout Fairmount Park

schuylkillcenter.org WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

Full Moon Owl Prowl Bucktoe Creek Preserve will host an educational search/discussion regarding its resident owls, which include the eastern screech, barred and great horned varieties. tlcforscc.org

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Bloomfield Farm, across the street from 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

Trolley Tours: Revolutionary Politics

ages playdate. Please dress for the weather— rain or shine. Registration requested.

J uly 21 Behind the Scenes at Chanticleer Garden Chanticleer Garden Head of Facilities Ed Hincken will instruct the public on how Chanticleer staff maintains water features, researches and constructs new buildings, and implements green design. This event will include discussion about the garden’s sustainable design features.

WHEN: 8 to 9 p.m. COST: $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers WHERE: Bucktoe Creek Preserve, 432 Sharp Road, Avondale, Pa.

Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park Keyboardist/pianist Glenn Bryan will bring his sharp, high-energy R&B, jazz and Latin music to this West Philly favorite summer event. cedarparkneighbors.org WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Cedar Park, 49th Street and Baltimore Avenue

chanticleergarden.org

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WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. COST: $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers WHERE: Chanticleer Garden, 786 Church Road, Wayne, Pa.

Urban Waters Teacher Workshop The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is helping educators explore the use of water in the city through tours of a wastewater treatment plant and the Fairmount Water Works. The event will include a discussion on Philadelphia Water’s Understanding the Urban Watershed curriculum and related materials. delawareestuary.org WHEN: 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. COST:$25 WHERE: Fairmount Water Works, 640 Waterworks Drive

J uly 20 Summer Book Discussion Sustainable Cherry Hill hosts “Eat Dirt” author Josh Axe in a discussion about why so many Americans suffer from celiac, Crohn’s and colitis. sustainablecherryhill.org WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Inkwood Books, 31 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, N.J.

P.M. @ Penn Museum Summer Nights Concert: Zydeco-A-Go-Go This ensemble’s funky New Orleans rhythm and blues and vintage Louisiana rock ‘n’ roll will be accompanied by a docent-led tour of Penn Museum at intermission. penn.museum/

Film Night: ‘The Real Dirt on Farmer John’ GMO Free NJ hosts a screening of this 2005 documentary exploring rural America, tradition, art and free expression. gmofreenj.com WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, N.J.

J uly 23 Exploring Ferns of Lancaster County The lower Susquehanna Valley has a variety of moist habitats for native ferns, and Mt. Cuba Center will host an educational trek through its own terrain. Information on transportation and carpooling are available through the organization’s website. mtcubacenter.org WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. COST: $75 WHERE: Mt. Cuba Center, 3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, Del.

Vocalist Shirley Lites at the West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series

Open Hive Days

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell hosts this ongoing educational and entertaining series about the all-American art form.

Apiarist Dan Borkoski from the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County will examine the busy, buzzy world of honeybees, and attendees will get a close-up

malcolmxphl.org WHEN: 7 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine streets

J uly 22 Tall Trees Nature Playdate Children and parents are invited to explore nature and art during this educational, all

summernights WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. COST: $10 WHERE: Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

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EVENT S Clark Park shopper and farmer. The event Eat Healthy, Give Healthy! will be held July 9 and 10

look at a hive during routine inspection to gain practical beekeeping knowledge. tlcforscc.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon COST: $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers WHERE: New Leaf Eco Center, 776 Rosedale Road, Kennett Square, Pa.

Explore the Circuit Ride: Locust Street to Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education Join Bicycle Coalition staff and members for a Saturday afternoon ride along the Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Registration is now open. bicyclecoalition.org WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. COST: Free for members; $35 for nonmembers WHERE: Locust Street and Schuylkill River Trail

Truck & Wine Festival Participating vendors include Farm Truck, Amanda Bananas, Empanada Guy, Sanducci’s Pizza Truck, and The Cow and The Curd. No pets, please. albavineyard.com WHEN: 2 to 7 p.m. COST: $10 for adults 21 and over; $5 for ages 13 to 20; free for children 12 and under. WHERE: 269 Riegelsville Warren Glen Road, Milford, N.J.

40th Street Summer Series Dendê & Band bring intricate, danceable rhythms such as samba, rumba and Afrobeat to a free, family friendly outdoor concert. Multi-instrumentalist PaPa Ed Stokes will also perform. universitycity.org WHEN: 6 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Behind the Walnut Street West Library, 201 S. 40th St.

J uly 24 Wacky Water Festival This new festival includes learning stations to hear about life in the water and creative uses for water in art projects. Food trucks at the event include the Meat Wagon, Oink and Moo, and Weckerly’s Ice Cream. tylerarboretum.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. COST: Free with admission: adults $11, seniors $9, kids $7 WHERE: Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Road, Media, Pa.

J uly 27 Make More Plants: Propagation Workshop Hands-on workshop teaching techniques for propagating different plants. Take home cuttings using plant material from the Barnes Arboretum living collections.

Registration will be taken by Barnes staff at 215-278-7200.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. COST: Members $81; nonmembers $90 (materials included) WHERE: The Barnes Arboretum, 300 N. Latch’s Lane, Merion, Pa.

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P HOTO CRE D IT: AL BERT YEE

EVENT S P.M. @ Penn Museum Summer Nights Concert: Magdaliz and Her Latin Ensemble Crisol Come dance to romantic Puerto Rican boleros, feisty Cuban sones and other music from Latin America and the Caribbean. The museum galleries will be open for touring during intermission. penn.museum/summernights WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. COST:$10 WHERE: Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

Late Night Wednesdays at Morris Arboretum with Geoff Hansplant Singer-songwriter Geoff Hansplant returns to the Morris Arboretum for a show blending original material with classics from country blues greats such as the Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, Blind Willie McTell and Jesse Fuller. morrisarboretum.org

Woody Plant Conference The Woody Plant Conference was created to prompt conversation about woody plants in the local landscapes among nursery and garden center personnel, landscape designers, horticulturists and gardeners.

Speakers this year include Sir Peter Crane, Rick Crowder, Paula Shrewsbury, Joseph Rothleutner and Todd Forrest. woodyplantconference.org WHEN: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. COST: $129 WHERE: Lang Performing Arts Center, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, Pa.

FarmFest

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WHEN: 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., both days COST: Adults $5; students K–12 $3; free for kids under 5 WHERE: Grange Fairgrounds, 169 Homan Lane, Centre Hall, Pa.

Voting with the Ballot Box Turtle

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Return to Roots Gathering A family friendly festival featuring two music stages and more than 30 workshops on yoga, meditation, hoop dance, conscious living, personal development and more.

Camping available. 2016.returntoroots.com COST: $89 to $235 WHERE: Indian Acres Tree Farm, 111 Tuckerton Road, Medford, N.J.

J uly 29 Art After 5: Joanna Pascale Sway to the rich jazz sounds of one of the premier vocalists on the East Coast.

7

BlackStar Film Festival Independent black cinema is honored through 40 films from five continents in a celebration that Ebony magazine has named “the black Sundance.” The theme for the festival’s fifth year is “migration,” an examination of the African diaspora through emerging and established filmmakers. blackstarfest.org

J uly 29 & 30 Horse-drawn hayrides, farm animals, keynote speakers, a 5K run and three stages of live music round out FarmFest, which promotes organic agriculture and sustainable living. farmfest.paorganic.org

WHEN: 3 to 4 p.m. COST: $13.95 WHERE: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

through

COST: General admission $12; students and seniors $8; members $6 WHERE: Various venues in University City

WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m. COST: Free with admission, $0-$17 WHERE: Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

An interactive and educational presentation about the voting process, demonstrated through the concerns most pressing to a local turtle. ansp.org

Aug . 4

J uly 30 Mozzarella from Scratch Learn the basics of using rennet to turn milk into cheese in a mozzarella-making demonstration, then stretch fresh curd into your own fresh mozzarella. Wrap up class with a cheese tasting and instructor-led comparison between fresh mozzarella and aged cheeses. shopcherrygrovefarm.com

Aug . 7 2nd Street Festival Northern Liberties will be filled with workshops, art, food, beer and live music all day, with a stated goal of encouraging a “safer, greener and happier environment for the city to appreciate.” 2ndstfestival.org WHEN: Noon to 10 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 2nd Street, between Germantown Avenue and Green Street

Aug . 12 Shooting Stars & S’mores Explore the spectacle of the Perseid Meteor Shower, while gazing at the planets and enjoying a campfire and s’mores. schuylkillcenter.org WHEN: 8 to 10 p.m. COST: $10 WHERE: Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

WHEN: Noon to 2 p.m. COST: $70 WHERE: 3200 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence Township, N.J.

Jazz on the Ave The 10th annual Jazz on the Ave music festival will stretch along five blocks on Cecil B. Moore Avenue. The festival will provide attendees with free health and wellness screenings and HIV/AIDS testing. Activities include clay sculpting, a moon bounce, face painting, mechanical bull riding, vendors, food and live entertainment.

WHEN: Noon to 8:30 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Cecil B. Moore Avenue between Broad and 17th streets

Aug . 13 & 14 Bug Fest Celebrate insects of all kinds at the annual Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Cheer on a favorite cockroach in the Roach Race 500, talk with academy entomologists, examine hundreds of live bugs up close and enjoy other fun activities. ansp.org WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. COST: $13.95 and up WHERE: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

philamuseum.org/artafter5 WHEN: 5 to 8:45 p.m. COST: Free with admission WHERE: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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DIS PATCH

The Right to a Future A teenage global activist fights for her generation essay by Rekha Dhillon­-Richardson

I

was raised along the stunning coastline of British Columbia, Canada, where I developed a deep respect for the natural world. I can remember many days spent hiking up mountains, exploring the coastal tide-pools full of life and being amazed by Earth’s wonders.

As a young person, I never could have imagined that six years later, at the age of 13, I would be standing before the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, Switzerland, speaking on behalf of children everywhere about how pressing the matter of climate change is to the successful implementation of children’s human rights. An internship at the David Suzuki Foundation, a Canadian environmental organization, and Justice for Girls, a Vancouver-based organization centered on girl advocacy and leadership, started my adventure when I drafted a written submission about this issue that they put forward on my behalf.

I was one of the only youths present, which really got me thinking about the role of youth in huge environmental issues.

My generation and those that follow will be the ones who are most affected by our rapidly evolving world, so we should have 64

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a legitimate and respected voice in change. I asked myself, “Why aren’t kids given more of an opportunity to voice their opinions regarding issues that deeply affect them?”

My experience at the United Nations inspired me to take action, to do something.

With the help and support of the Venture Incubator program in the Sands Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at SCH Academy, my school, I organized the first Girls Climate Summit in 2015. The mission of the summit is to strengthen the knowledge and leadership skills of young women who are passionate about the environment. Over the course of the event, middle and high school girls from the Philadelphia region came together to talk about specific climate issues and to cultivate leadership skills that would enable them to become environmental change makers in their own communities. It was an absolutely incredible and surreal experience to see my idea, once only a dream, come to reality. The second annual Girls Climate Summit this year was attended by over 70 participants from over 16 different schools in the greater Philadelphia area.

It is both vital and urgent that young people get involved in climate issues, because

we can bring a fresh, unique view that adults don’t always see. Our creativity and perspective is limitless, helping to bridge the gap between what was thought to be impossible and the possible.

The Girls Climate Summit has taught me that young people have the ability and passion to make an incredible difference in their communities’ environment. We have the power to create and sustain a movement.

It’s imperative that youth work together to imagine a different kind of world where balance is restored: A cleaner, healthier, more respectful place for the future generations that follow. And we need to bring this world into existence right now. This is the moment to stand and rise up. To be bold and to fight for what we believe is just for all people across the globe, not just those with access and privilege.

I will close simply by saying this: I encourage young people to use their voices.

Organize. Educate. Participate. The world needs to hear from us.

Rekha Dhillon-Richardson is a junior at SCH Academy and the founder of the Girls Climate Summit.

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Flying high and digging deep A Penn student discovers that harmony can happen when we let nature do its job.

Heather Kostick Master of Environmental Studies ’16— expected, University of Pennsylvania To read Heather’s tips on protecting birds and local species, visit www.upenn.edu/grid

“Birds are excellent indicators of how your ecosystem is doing,” shares Heather Kostick (Master of Environmental Studies, December ’16—expected), “If they can’t survive, we’re in bad shape.” Heather is an enthusiastic advocate for birds who is researching farming techniques that can make our planet a healthier, more habitable place.

While at Penn, Heather traveled the globe to learn about bird banding and sustainable agriculture. She befriended locals in Belize who specialize in growing coffee in the shade of native plants. There, she observed that “you get natural pest control from the birds that are coming for the bugs. There is also better water quality because the native plants are designed to put roots in that soil.”

Penn’s admissions staff is here to answer your questions face-to-face every Wednesday.

Walk right in.

Though native-focused and pesticide-free farming isn’t the cheapest solution, Heather believes it is key to positive, long-term change. “We have to stop thinking about two to 10 years from now. We need to start thinking 20 to 50 to 100 years from now. We need to leave this place better than it was left for us.”

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