Inquirer - Dianna Marder http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder RSS Feed for Inq Col Dianna Marder en-us Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:01:00 GMT Here come farmers to Convention Center http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120322_Here_come_farmers_to_Convention_Center.html Farmers are planning a takeover of the Convention Center Annex, the snazzy new part with the glass wall fronting Broad Street, for one day only on April 1. Bards makes sure it's a real Irish bar all year http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120315_Bards_makes_sure_it_s_a_real_Irish_bar_all_year.html There are basically two types of Irish bars, Michael Thompson says: "The college frat bars . . . and the authentic pubs where people go for conversation." Limbaugh lift for her book on food policy http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120313_Limbaugh_lift_for_her_book_on_food_policy.html Tracie McMillan is discovering the upside of being ridiculed by Rush Limbaugh. As a first-time author writing about food policy, McMillan, 35, was relieved to get a publisher and a small advance. A Feb. 20 favorable review in the New York Times, on the eve of publication, was nice icing. Fortune and fame would have been unreasonable expectations. Julie's tools http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120306_Julie_s_tools.html Mimi Robertson and Janet Freese estimate they've logged 65 hours so far cataloging the objects from their late mother's kitchen. The penny that proves a point about acting locally http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120301_The_penny_that_proves_a_point_about_acting_locally.html Think globally, act locally is a widely recognized slogan, but is it an effective course of action? Cary Beckwith of West Philadelphia says a recent change of policy by Trader Joe's stores offers proof positive that it can be. Homegrown menu http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120301_Homegrown_menu.html The four-course feast featured black-soybean soup with a ceviche of marinated raw beets, turnips, and rutabaga. Next, a salad of hydroponically grown butterhead lettuce with cornmeal croutons tossed in apple cider vinaigrette. Prodding Trader Joe's to act http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120223_Prodding_Trader_Joe_s_to_act.html Think Globally - Act Locally is a widely recognized slogan, but is it an effective course of action? Cary Beckwith of West Philadelphia says a recent change of policy by Trader Joe's stores offers proof positive. Learn what goes into creating a sustainable life http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120216_Learn_what_goes_into_creating_a_sustainable_life.html Even if you're too chicken to raise backyard poultry, there are plenty of reasons to attend the first Home-Grown Institute, March 24 and 25 in Chestnut Hill. Films on food good for us and Earth http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120216_Films_on_food_good_for_us_and_Earth.html Pennypack Farm and Education Center in Horsham sponsors its third annual film series aimed at engaging neighbors in discussion about environmental issues. Each movie delves into a different aspect of sustainability with a focus on how small changes can make a big difference to the world. London theater celebrity checks out Walnut's staging of "The Mousetrap" http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dianna_marder/20120207_London_theater_celebrity_checks_out_Walnut_s_staging_of__quot_The_Mousetrap_quot_.html Theater people want every performance to be memorable for each new audience. But the pressure really mounts when a theater celebrity is in the audience, as was the case Sunday when Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen flew in from London to see the Walnut Street Theatre's production of The Mousetrap.