Articles Written by Julie Hancher

There's a lot of talk about plastic pollution in our oceans and by plastic bags, but what is anyone doing about it? The 5 Gyres Institute is launching a Last Straw Plastic Pollution Solutions Outreach Tour, conducting beach & watershed cleanups all over the East Coast from Boston to Charleston. The 1400 mile bike tour is hitting up major cities to discuss problems (and solutions!) for the plastic plague. The 5 Gyres tour is coming to Philly on October 15 - and you won't be bummed out by their visit. (Find out more about the awesome upcoming visit and how YOU can win free stuff, after the jump!)

Who's the best spokesperson for the environment? (Besides GPB...) Celeb power dominates influencing audiences both young and old. Founded in 1989, the nonprofit Environmental Media Association connects today's hottest celebs power to environmental awareness, spreading the green message through TV, film & music. They network with producers, writers  directors and many more to incorporate environmental messages in your everyday entertainment. The 22nd annual EMA awards (find out more about these special awards & see the interview clip, after the jump!)

Did you know that Americans use an estimated 500 million straws every DAY? That would fill 46,400 large school buses (just of straws, sans kids) each year. Crazy, right? Plastic straws are used for 5 minutes (or an hour max) and although some are recyclable (as typically #5 plastic), most people don't. Plus, people typically use straws in restaurants and you don't know what happens to those straws behind closed doors. (Hint: trash?) You know what they say, a second on the lips, forever on the landfill. (Or, something like that. right?!?) Next time you're dining out, (Find out more info & ideas, after the jump!)

While complaints about the Barnes moving from Merion have mostly calmed down, the Barnes Foundation is continuing to make news! This time, their new(ish) Philly home received a great GREEN honor today: LEED Platinum. The Barnes is the 1st art & educational institution to achieve the LEED platinum status from USGBC (US Green Building Council). They also have a piece of the Big Apple (literally.) How did they accomplish such a task?

I'll admit it, personal hygiene products stress me out. Why do they have to make shampoo, body wash, shave gel, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and every other product in an unidentifiable (most likely) plastic where I don't know if it can be recycled or not? More importantly, what do I do with those empty tubes of DO for the BO? (Find out what to do with those tricky buggers, after the jump!)

Ready to sit on your butt outside tomorrow? Good news, we have a day JUST for you! Friday, September 21 is Park(ing) Day Philadelphia! This day is designed for you outdoorsy types that (Find out about this glorious day and how you can participate, after the jump!)

It's back! My approximate (no chef training) half-assed recipes are back with a vengeance! I've been cooking up a storm with my CSA shares and had a little Asian inspiration last week when I started feeling under the weather. This week's recipe brings you back in time but in a much improved fashion: Ramen Soup. Forget those .49 cent box wonders we relied on for nutritional value in College. After trying authentic Ramen in Fukuoka, Japan, I could never go back to the instant water variety. And for years, I couldn't find a satisfaction in the city of brotherly love. Yet always being a trend-setter,  Ramen is infiltrating Philly in a  huge way. But what if you want to try Ramen from your own kitchen? This recipe uses some of your finest (fall) CSA veggies for a hearty (and filling!) soup. Plus, I'm 5% Asian (accurate by blood test!) so it's at least 5% authentic. Julie's Half-Assed Ramen (or Udon) Japanese-ish Soup: (Check out the recipe, after the jump!)

Happy Friday! With the Philly Fringe Fest back in town and warmer (yet more crisp) fall temperatures, lots is going on in Philly (and around) again this week! Check out what you may have missed (plus a few sweet things to do this weekend!):

The Philly Fringe Festival is back and playing local artists with cutting edge theatre performances & diverse cultural experiences. I kicked off my Fringe Fest experience with Of Plastic Things & Butterfly Wings, an environmentally themed performance. Centered around a