What’s going on in Philly and beyond? Here’s our weekly recap of news you should check out.

Ideas to steal: The Philadelphia Citizen shared how a New Orleans nonprofit transforms vacant lots into playgrounds, and contemplates if Philly could replicate PlayBuild.

Keep up the fight: Join L’tter (not a typo) Free Philly for a campaign kickoff to reduce plastic bags on Monday at Church of the Advocate.

The Debate: City Council approved a bill that would ban cashless stores, awaiting Mayor Kenney’s signature. According to PlanPhilly, the debate is about discrimination in a city where the poverty rate is 26%, and bill opposition worried about the city being left behind as the world moves digital. The other debate about th sustainability of credit vs. cash remains unsettled.

The Animals are all right (and popular on our FB page): As Congress debated over a manufactured crisis, one clear winner came out of left field: Elephant seals. A northern California beach was closed during the government shutdown, and elephant seals reclaimed their land by knocking down a fence. At least they may start offering nature guided visits to the seal colony in the meantime.

Attend: There’s still room in our climate report event on Tuesday night. Read the details & RSVP on Ticketleap.

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher