Stories

After last year's successful drive, Philly is kicking off their 2011 Bagged Leaf Drive this Monday, November 7th through Friday, December 16th. Collected leaves are used for composting, for beautiful benefits like fertilizing gardens & nourishing trees... and wayyy better alternative to face-planting in a wet leaf pile. (Not like I've done this…) Here's how to get your leaves collected:

Today is World Vegan Day - which makes the founding of the Vegan Society in the UK. Celebrations across the world from Sydney to the UK are taking place to recognize the meat-free lifestyle.  Locally, Vegan Tom Epler is walking between the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to New Hope to support injured and abused farm animals for a better life. You don't have to be vegan to take steps for a

Camphill communities in Chester County will host the fifth annual Camphill Challenge cycling event on Sunday, October 16. Camphill Special School, Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, and Camphill Soltane provide life sharing and educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In just five years the Challenge has grown from twelve cyclists to over 300! The bike ride begins and ends at Kimberton Waldorf School in Kimberton this year and offers 50, 25, and 10-mile courses for all ages and ability levels. Read on for more details!

Congratulations to Gladys P, the winner of our “What’s So Bad About Gasoline” book giveaway. Gladys commented: this would be a great addition to incorporate lesson plans for my art and ecology art lessons start ‘em up young… feed those...

As a thank you to our readers we’re giving away a copy of the educational and entertaining children’s book, “What’s So Bad About Gasoline? Fossil Fuels and What They Do ” What’s the occasion? Nada… we just like you! “What’s So Bad About Gasoline?” written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Paul Meisel is a worth-it read for kids with straight forward answers to the question’s title. Click through to read on!

“PA has to change its story. PA is in the process of being destroyed NOW.” –Filmmaker Josh Fox “Fracking” has been thrown around as a foreign term for natural gas mining. Definition: Short for hydraulic fracturing, “fracking” refers to the procedure of creating fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks to force them further open. The larger fissures allow more oil and gas to flow out of the formation and into the wellbore, from where it can be extracted. I attended a Gasland Screening last week at Franklin Commons. Although I had read about fracking prior, I didn’t know too much about the process. Luckily, the event organizer arranged two special guests to address the issue: PA Senator Andy Dinniman & Filmmaker of Gasland Josh Fox. Senator Andy Dinniman started off the session, (find out more, after the jump!)

Hi Green Philly Blog Readers! Only a few hours left! Please get your votes in! We’re a finalist in CBS Philly Most Valuable Blogger award in the Lifestyle/Family category! Please vote for us: You can vote daily until September 9th...

Rachael Kennedy recently completed her Low Car Diet with Zipcar, just like I did last year! We had a chance to ask her a few questions about her experience. She’s a recent Temple University graduate who moved to Philly last August. Just as she was going on her second year as a city-dweller and sick of the parking scene, she heard about Zipcar. The Low Car Diet seemed like a perfect trial period to go car-less. Now, for the questions: Green Philly Blog: How does it feel to be car-free?

Ever since I read the eco-thriller "Eye of the Whale", I've wanted to see whales in the flesh. The fictional novel is fascinating, as it’s full of true whale facts and habits. And I knew I HAD to see a little blowhole sooner than later... When I saw a Philly Dealyo deal for Whale Watching in Cape May, I was almost suspicious that whales wouldn't cross the dirty jersey seas. However, I was quite pleased to find out they did! Five of my friends from an Avalon shorehouse and I decided to embark on the 2.5 hour tour from Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center at 9:30 on Saturday morning. (Find out more & see sweet sea pics, after the jump!)