In case you missed it, here's a recap of our August 2014 e-newsletter, which hit your inbox Monday morning. Not on the list? Get there by clicking here.
Hot Ticket: The fourth annual South Philly Garden Tour!
We're so excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for the South Philly Garden Tour, our most popular event (and biggest fundraiser) of the year.
This year's tour, a walking exploration of our neighborhood's most beautiful, lush, quirky and/or fascinating outdoor spaces, will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, 1-4 p.m. From Second to 10th streets, Fitzwater to Moore, you'll get an exclusive look at your neighbors' incredible private gardens and gorgeous community spaces — all while doing what we know you love best: supporting the Co-op!
Tickets are just $20 in advance ($25 at the door). Get yours today, and stay tuned for more information about participating gardens, after-party and more!
P.S. We'd like to give a special shout-out to this year's amazing list of Garden Tour sponsors! Big thanks to: Chipotle // South Philly Co-operative Workspace // Skout Media // The Campaign Group // Passyunk Post // Urban Jungle // Koliyan/Peddler Coffee // Green Mountain // Philly Home Girls // Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox and Roach // Saul Ewing LLP // Sb1 Federal Credit Union // Generation 3 Electric // Occasionette // Weavers Way Coop // Little Baby's Ice Cream // Valley Green Bank // Fireball Printing // Posey Booth // Sullivan Owen // Black Bird Pizzeria // Industry Bar // Graham Bailer Architecture // Wake Up Yoga // Swarthmore Co-op // Project PLAY // Fitness Works // Kermit's Bake Shoppe // Soom Foods // Mariposa // Jigbee // The Wishing Well
Staff Announcement: Michael Lane, Outreach Coordinator
Big news! We've officially hired a South Philly Food Co-op Outreach Coordinator, whose job it will be to work with the Board and committees to continue to expand our memberships; and recruit and oversee our volunteers.
Get to know Michael Lane, who comes to us with tons of experience and a great eagerness to help us grow:
Since 2006, Michael has operated his own consulting service, I’ll Grant You This (IGYT), which provides fundraising, development and marketing services to nonprofit organizations throughout the region. As a consultant, Michael has been engaged to assist with grant writing, develop capital campaigns and create corporate sponsorship and planned giving programs, marketing strategies and targeted special events.
Michael has also taught grant-writing and capacity-building classes and boot camps; prior to forming IGYT, Michael served as executive director of Nexus/Foundation for Today’s Art, Philadelphia’s first nonprofit artist cooperative. In his decidedly non-linear career path, Michael also served as director of artist relations at The Franklin Mint.
Originally from Montana, Michael received a B.A. in art history from Indiana State University and an M.A. in art history from Temple University's Tyler School of Art. In his off hours, Michael enjoys traveling, reading (particularly history and bios), trying to teach himself to cook, biking and playing a ruthless game of croquet.
This Thursday: The Skinny on Fats
Combat the dog days of summer … with fats! Join us this Thursday, August 8, 6:30-8 p.m. for Eat and Learn: The Skinny on Fats, an opportunity to gain valuable food knowledge, take home recipes and, best of all, leave with a belly full of chocolate mousse, chips + guacamole, pumpkin seeds, grass-fed butter and other delicious, nutritious fare.
At this healthy-fats chat, Co-op member and certified health coach D'Arcy Webb will explain how fats can actually be a secret weapon for eating healthfully and feeling satisfied, not deprived. You'll learn about some good-for-you fats that make meals a pleasure; find out how to prepare some of D'Arcy's favorite guilt-free indulgences; and take away some great tips and recipes for your own table.
And did we mention the chocolate mousse?
Tickets are only $5 for Co-op members ($10 for not-yet-members) — get yours in advance or RSVP online and pay at the door.
Let's hear it for the board! Let's give the board a hand!*
We'd like to give a big virtual round of applause for our newly elected (or re-elected) Board of Directors members: Jessica Calter, Angel D'Ippolito, Alison Fritz, Anna Kisiel, Josh Richards, Anna Shipp and Matt Stern, who are already doing an amazing job of helping us move toward our ultimate goal of opening a member-owned and -operated grocery store in and for South Philadelphia!
And if you missed the news at our last General Membership Meeting, our bylaws were recently amended, so take a moment to check out the changes and stay up to speed.
*Not pictured: the board.
Odds + Ends
New to yoga? Our Shop South Philly partner business Wake Up Yoga has just the solution for those who've let intimidation stop them from giving group yoga a try: the 8-Week Brand-New Beginner Series at Wake Up's South Philly location. Get your ohm on!
The Garden Tour needs volunteers! Our biggest fundraiser of the year is just over a month away, and we need YOUR help to make it a success. We need help all day on Sept. 6 (rain date: Sept. 7) — from the setup to the after-party and everything in between. Learn more about what shifts we need covered by clicking here. Thanks for your help!
Bring the kids: Looking for a free Saturday-morning activity for the whole family? Check out our food-oriented fun in the neighborhood at Gold Star Park's Kids @ Play series! Toys, group activity and a healthy snack will be provided. Join us on the 3rd Saturday of every month on Wharton Street between Sixth and Seventh streets. Next Date: August 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m.