Events

Last night, I visited the Philadelphia International Flower Show Media preview to check out Hawaii: Islands of Aloha, our theme for 2012. Once again, I was blown away by the displays that all perfectly embodied Hawaii... Although I haven't been to the islands for 20 years (true story), I was transported as soon as the orchid lei was placed around my neck.  The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society implemented a setup with incredible scenes, design & an authenticity which will impress all attendees, both old & new. One of the most impressive changes is spreading out the main displays across the Convention Center Floor (versus in previous years, the displays are typically all on the east side of the room bunched together.)  Also, the marketplace is rearranged from east-west (vs North-South Lanes), which will definitely give Flower Show attendees more space to move around and not bump into the usual crowds. The moment you walk into the showroom, digital waves with turtles, surfers, schools of fish & other marine life lead you into the various displays... (See tons of pictures & more of the sneak peek, after the jump!)

The Greater Philadelphia Historic Home Show will take place March 9 -11, and there’s plenty for green-minded antiquity lovers. Among the most noteworthy is LimeWorks.us presentations on the importance of proper repairs for vintage masonry. Andy DeGruchy, a local mason and LimeWorks.us business owner with over 30 years of masonry experience, will lead the demonstration and discussion. He’ll discuss fatal mistakes many homeowners make when attempting to repair their 18th, 19th and early 20th century homes using harmful Portland Cement. Read on for details!

I was pretty psyched to see the Philadelphia Auto Show… not because I wanted to see the rich, expensive cars I could never dream of affording… but because I've received many updates from corporate car brands to test-drive the latest and greatest green models. So how did everything pan out?  With the Grammys on Sunday and Oscars fast approaching, I wanted to share my winners for green themes at the 2012 Philadelphia Auto Show: (What are you waiting for? Click here! I know you're dying to know...)

Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative (LFFC) is looking for volunteers to host weekly Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) deliveries of fresh, organic produce to neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area. Members purchase a subscription to receive a box of fresh, high quality produce from a local farm on a weekly basis. Hosts can help support local, sustainable family farmers and widening access to local products directly to the Philadelphia community. (Find out more, after the jump!)

Main Line Chamber of Commerce Go Green Committee is taking action to help area businesses learn about sustainable practices and resources, and how saving energy, saves money. Ardmore law firm, Silver & Silver is the lucky recipient of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce 2012 Green Makeover award. Find out more info on the award here. On February 1 Go Green Committee co-chairs, Roderick Wilson of Wolfson Architect and Beke Beau, a popular Main Line makeup artist , joined by a team of local business people will set up shop in Silver & Silver’s 100-plus-year-old shop to film an on-air energy audit.

Can Philly benefit from an urban farming movement? A screening and discussion of the documentary Urban Roots is being hosted by the Westphal College (Drexel University) to explore this possibility.  Urban Roots follows urban farming in Detroit, Michigan, where local farmers healed their communities by growing local food.  The film's discussion (including panelist and director Mark MacInnis - full panel list below), following the film will focus on how Philadelphia' urban farming can assist our local community - and how you can get involved. Find out when, where and how to get involved after the jump!

Want the best of the tropics with a twist of mad-artist-cutting-off-his-ear? The Philadelphia Flower Show's escape to "Hawaii: Islands of Aloha" is far off (March 4-11), but tempting us with early sales combined with the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Van Gogh Up Close collaboration. Depending on your price range and what you want, the packages differ. Here's a breakdown of how you can get the most bang for your buck:

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!

September is chock-full of green events! Greenfest Philly returns to our lovely city in Headhouse Square (2nd St btwn South & Pine) on Saturday, September 10th, 2011! Greenfest Philly educates the public on how to be more sustainable in their daily lives (just like us at GPB!) Urban Green Partnership passed the torch to the Clean Air Council to organized the festival. Highlights of the festival include: