Events

Consider getting a rain barrel? Not sure of the benefits or how to use it? Rain barrels save water, help storm water run-off and make watering your plants SO much easier. And with the daily monsoons we've been experiencing, there's lots of FREE water falling from the sky to use. But there's more to it, and there's an exhibit where you can find out more right in Philly.

The weather is warm and what a better time to meet up with green comrades? The Philadelphia Environmental Meetup is hosting the Philadelphia Navy Yard Summer Market and Follow-Up tour. As they say on the meetup website: (Find out more, after the jump!)

Are you a new parent still trying to sort through the cloth diapering dilemma? Are you a not-so-new parent but new to biking with your children? Are you simply bike-curious? The Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia is hosting a meetup for parents (new, long-time, or expecting) interested in bicycling with their kids. The workshop will address tips, equipment, helmet fitting, and other elements of biking with wee ones.   Find out more, after the jump!

Attention foodies and food-lovers: The 3rd annual Philadelphia Vendy Awards want you to judge the best of Philly food trucks. OK, they already have a judge panel. But you can pick your own favorite as you taste your way through each truck for the People's Choice Award. The Philadelphia Vendy awards are coming up on this Saturday, June 8th from 2-6 PM at Penn Treaty Park (1341 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125). Awards include Best Dessert, Messy yet Tasty and People's Choice Awards. Find out about the Vendy Awards and how YOU can win a free pair of tickets, after the jump!

Not enough sustainable art in your life? Revive, an art show featuring over 5,000 square feet of recycled and upcycled art, is happening at Hancock Garage on June 8 at 7:00 p.m. All 16 artists were required to use at least 50% recycled/upcycled materials. Find out about the artists and why you should attend, after the jump!

Don't leave your helmets at home! Tomorrow is the annual National Bike to Work Day - which is also a favorite in Philly. The League of American Bicyclists started Bike to Work Day in 1956 in hopes of showing the power of the bicycle. Riding bicycles is a healthy alternative mode of transportation and can save some gas money - and you know prices at the pump aren't getting any cheaper. Join Mayor Nutter in his 6th year and other public officials as a participant of this widely celebrated day of exercise. Here's a preview of the morning schedule for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17:

Looking for something to do tonight? Night Market Philadelphia hits Fairmount Avenue between 19th and 22nd Street from 6 to 10 p.m. for a night of food, music, and art to kick off The Food Trust’s 2013 festival season. The Food Trust is dedicated to (Find out more, after the jump)

Who loovveeesss your Philly parks? We're in the midst of the 2nd annual Love Your Park Week, designed by the Fairmount Park Conservancy & Philadelphia Parks & Rec to celebrate our city's diverse parks. From May 11 - 18, Philadelphia hosts service projects, events, education programs, family activities & more. Festivities kicked off on Saturday with the Love Your Park Service Day, where hundreds of residents volunteered in their neighborhoods. With over 70 events, there's something for music lovers, art lovers, nature lovers, yogis and more. (I personally love a good ol' glass of wine & several plates of cheese in front of me in Philly parks, which I plan on doing again sooon enough...) How can you Clean, Green & Celebrate Philly Parks? Find out, after the jump!

With Earth Day coming up on Monday, we have a guest post about an event to challenge your bottled vs. tap water knowledge. Elizabeth Kobert is a local coordinator for Think Outside the Bottle. She is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania. What do water and national parks have in common? They're both priceless public assets that should be free and accessible to all! We are challenging national parks to Think Outside the Bottle and (Find out more, after the jump!)