If you're walking through Center City (or a handful of other neighborhoods) tomorrow between 9 am and 5 pm and come across a parking space that's just a little more organic, or even a little crazier, than you might expect, you'll know you're in the midst of the second annual Park(ing) Day in Philadelphia.
The initiative aims to "reclaim parking spots and transform them into engaging, people-friendly public spaces for one day!" Last year, the first year Park(ing) Day was celebrated here (it started in San Francisco in 2005) there were 25 spaces decorated and otherwise upgraded to make statements of one kind or another about public space and the greening thereof. This year it's 30 - while still not a huge percentage of the total spaces in town, that's "170 square feet of public space."
The Park(ing) Day Philadelphia site has a map of the spaces and more info on the project. It will be good to see Philly parking spaces generating smiles and provoking thought instead of generating/provoking fights with our infamous Parking Authority. And it will be good to see more green around town - if only for a day.
ALSO: You may remember the Earth to Philly post, White House farmer's market? Do it! Well, they took our advice and did it! And the first one is tonight! Fantastic. If you're in or arounjd DC, check it out and let us know how it goes!
The experts at Philadelphia's Energy Coordinating Agency answer your energy questions in our regular feature Stay Warm, Stay Green. Send in your question or questions to energy@phillynews.com.
Look for Jenice Armstrong to supply tips on green living as well as occasional columns on the subject of Green. She also blogs at Hey Jen.
Becky Batcha stays tuned for the here-and-now practical side of conservation, alternative energy, organic foods, etc. - stuff you can do at home now. Plus odds and ends.
Laurie Conrad recycles from her ever-growing e-mailbag to pass along the latest travel deals, fashion statements, household strategies, gadgets, cool local events and other nuggets of interest to those who appreciate a clean, green world.
Vance Lehmkuhl looks at topics like eco-conscious eating, public transportation and fuel-efficient driving from his perspective as a vegetarian, a daily SEPTA bus rider and a hybrid driver, as well as noting the occasional wacky trend or product. Contact Vance with your 'green' news.
Ronnie Polaneczky sees the green movement through the eyes of her 12-year-old daughter, who calls her on every scrap of paper or glass bottle that Ronnie neglects to toss into the house recycling bins. Ronnie will blog about new or unexpected ways to go green. She also blogs at So, What Happened Was...
Sandra Shea and the DN editorial board opine on any green-related legislation or policy. And we'll pass along some of the opeds on the subject that people send us.
Jonathan Takiff will be blogging mainly about consumer electronics - those things that we love to use and that suck too much energy. He'll spotlight green-conscious gizmos made in a responsible fashion, both in terms of materials used and the energy it takes to run them.
Signe Wilkinson draws the comic strip Family Tree, which follows the Tree family as they try to live green in the face of nattering neighbors, plastic-wrapped consumer products, and the primal teenage urge to spend vast quantities of money on hair care products of dubious organic quality.
In addition to these updates from our newsroom bloggers, watch for an occasional feature, Dumpster Diver Dispatches, from Philadelphia's original "green" community of artists, the Dumpster Divers. You'll learn about creative ways to reuse and recycle while you reduce, and about the artists who are making little masterpieces from what others throw out.
Sept. 17: A head start on cold season
Oct. 8: Help with fuel bills
Oct. 29: Last-minute ways to winterize
Nov. 19: Budgeting for the big bite
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