Sometimes you hear a story about someone who has faced adversity and not only risen above their challenges but done something good because of them. Stories like that are inspiring, and have a way of putting things in perspective. In my eyes this is one of them.
Alex Elman lost her sight at 27 years old due to complications from diabetes. Her loss of one sense helped heighten another – taste. She discovered she possesses an exceptional palette for wine tasting. Read on after the jump!
Typically, we see lots of new companies giving momentum to the green movement – which is why when Philly’s oldest pub goes green, it’s even cooler. 150-year old McGillin’s Olde Ale House (13th & Drury) recently chose to switch from traditional light bulbs to energy-
efficient LED lighting to both reduce their carbon footprint & energy costs.
McGillin’s has already started their switch to completely LED lighting that lasts up to 50 x’s longer than their current lighting (90% less energy than traditional bulbs), saving the pub’s electricity costs by more than 25%. Besides reducing fossil fuels, McGillin’s efforts to go green include strict recycling practices and focusing on local draft beers instead of choices bottled and shipped long distances.
Chris Mullins, co-owner of McGillin’s says,
While venue hunting for my wedding, I had a moment of pure disappointment while discussing stemware (of all things.)The wedding coordinator at an unnamed venue in South New Jersey informed me that they only use plastic cups for all beverages served at the open bar. What?! I’m certain my disapproval showed on my face, as the wedding coordinator announced she would direct this part of the conversation at my fiance.
Here’s the thing… I’m not trying to call any friends or family out but our crew will certainly toss back a few spirits at the wedding. Let’s say we invite 150 people and each guest enjoys 3 beverages during the 5 hour reception – that’s 450 cups! (Assuming that people don’t reuse their previous cup and I certainly wouldn’t expect them to remember to do so.)
So, suffice to say that place was out of the running. As mentioned here re: save the dates my fiance and I – like many GPB readers – are trying to keep waste at a minimum.
This interaction got me thinking …When it comes to your food and bar menu what are the best options?
Here’s a few tips:
Did you know tea is the second most consumed beverage next to water in the US?
If you’re a tea drinker you probably know its health benefits are numerous. Most teas contain high levels of antioxidants. And, tea has been said to help lower bad cholesterol and may even help heart disease.
How can you make a good choice even better? Here’s 4 ways to green your tea habit:
Tomorrow night head to Green Drinks for a mid-week brew. (Come on you deserve it!)
The first Wednesday of the month Green Drinks hosts a get-together to connect green communities. This month another location has been added:
Want to grab a drink this Wednesday evening after work and meet local green friends?
Green Drinks has 4 locations in the Delaware Valley/Philadelphia area for people who have green interests or work in the environmental field to meet up for informal sessions and drinks. Expect a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. Catch up with green friends or network with new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network.
Green Drinks occurs the 1st Wednesday of each month from 6-8 PM ET at the following locations:
