GREEN JOBS PHILLY NEWS is sent TWICE MONTHLY to 3,371 Philadelphia officials, organizers, businesses, jobseekers. SUBSCRIBE: paul5glover@yahoo.com

SOLAR TRAINING IN PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOLS “Solar States connects Philadelphia public school students to green-collar jobs, via a solar-energy curriculum. Students learn about the science, environmental benefit, economics, design & testing of PV panels. First program has begun at the Science Leadership Academy. Successful students will be offered jobs in installation, maintenance & other capacities. Student blog “We are currently looking for electrical engineers and experienced solar installers…”

PHILADELPHIA ONE OF FIVE GREEN COLLAR “SISTER CITIES”
We’ll be among the first cities to receive much of the $125 million Congress has provided via the Green Jobs Act for job training, according to Loreen Boles of PWD. Pennsylvania recently allocated $850 million for “renewable energy technologies, including green buildings, consumer rebates for energy efficient appliances, and $200 million for solar power.” Mighty oaks from acorns like these.

HIRE EACH OTHER!
Fewer new jobs and green jobs will come from large companies or government. They’re more broke daily. See the list of talented Philadelphia job seekers. There’s a lot of work to do, to make Philadelphia habitable. Find partners and begin meeting basic needs at less cost. Offer your green services free via greenjobsphilly.org

SALADACRES  will build hydroponic greenhouses here, to grow food year-round using geothermal and solar heat. Seeking investors. Their home station is Alberta, Canada.
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FIRST COMPOSTING TOILET in Fairmount Park
This waterless toilet is located in the WPA structure on Forbidden Drive near the Kitchen’s Lane entrance to Wissahickon Valley Park. Compost toilets produce safe, sweet-smelling garden soil. Says Maura McCarthy, Executive Director of Friends of the Wissahickon, “Eventually, we’d like to see six composting units in the Wissahickon. I know that Fairmount Park staff have seriously considered placing additional composting units is other parts of Fairmount Park.” 
—Best model is carousel toilet. Four chambers rotate to keep old and new manure separate. Hundreds of Philadelphians could be employed to make thousands of these. Benefits: reducing sewage in creeks, rivers and basements; reducing tax burden for sewage treatment; creating organic fertilizer for urban greening.
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GREEN ZONE RESOLUTION
—City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities and the Committee on the Environment held a hearing 10/28 to consider establishing zones where incentives would be provided for “renewable energy, green building design and construction, water conservation, urban agriculture, tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental strategies.”
—Testimony was gathered from 14 panelists. Mark Alan Hughes, Sustainability Director, suggested it might be better to encourage innovation citywide “anywhere that innovation might be proposed or feasible.” Councilmember Bill Green replied that their intent was not to restrain innovation but to “see what works, then roll it into the zoning code. These are incentives, not mandates.”
—Most candid was Philadelphia Gas Works CEO Thomas Knudson: “Half of our natural gas comes from the Gulf Coast, so every use of gas is sucking money out of this economy.” He urged Council to regard natural gas as a “transitional fuel” beyond which this city must evolve.
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POVERTY IS LACK OF NETWORKS MORE THAN LACK OF DOLLARS
Philadelphia has thousands of networks. Business, professional, technical, fraternal, neighborhood, church, union, electoral, senior, youth, racial, sexual, athletic, hobby, family, friends. Woven together they can become a powerful base of trust, trade and wealth. Here are some prominent samples. Please send more.
—ANTHILLZ.COM is a new Philadelphia business network that “encourages only trusted connections by requiring users to write recommendations for each other before they can connect.  This makes Anthillz a more reliable source of referrals and introductions.”
—The BUSINESS CENTER for Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise: youth entrepreneurship, enterprising women, virtual incubation, small business communiversity
—AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 
— PHILADELPHIA ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS seeks “Vibrant and diverse neighborhoods across Philadelphia that equitably meet the needs of all community members, preserve and enhance community assets, and foster a stronger city and region.”
—PHILLY NEIGHBORHOODS: PHILLYBLOCKS neighborhood organizing resources 
—WEST OAK LANE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 
—GREEN DRINKS of DELAWARE VALLEY meet, greet, toast new green friends 
First Wednesdays 6-8pm at Earth Bread & Brewery 7136 Germantown Ave.
First Wednesdays 6-8pm at Standard Tap 2nd & Poplar. These are part of an international movement
—GREATER PHILADELPHIA ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK lists hundreds of area environmental organizations
—PHILLY NEIGHBORHOODS ONLINE  Their green page: http://www.phillyneighborhoods.org/Clean_and_Green/clean_and_green.html
—PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS 
— PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOOD INTERFAITH MOVEMENT 
PHILLY EVERYBLOCK 
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TOOLS

Toolbox for Sustainable City Living by Scott Kellogg & Stacy Pettigrew, South End Press  
—This is a rare useful book on the green shelf. Recognizing that government, finance, and consumer culture have led us into crises bigger than they can solve, the authors explain neighborhood-initiated “radical sustainability” in their “do it ourselves guide.” To the extent that centralized city systems for food, fuel, water, mobility, heating and cooling have become expensive, unreliable, or undemocratic. “Toolbox” shows how to take power home again. Greatest emphasis is upon most basic needs: urban agriculture, water conservation, passive solar heat.
—They challenge comfortable notions. “Many of the tools and technologies proclaimed as ‘sustainable’ such as solar panels and hybrid vehicles are extremely expensive, making them inaccessible to the average person.” Preferred are tools that are low-cost, made of local salvage, easy to use and replicate. These will generate green jobs that directly lower living costs. Authors likewise assert that gentrification is not green, because neighborhood stability is essential to an ecological society. As well, they believe that we cannot shop our way to safety, with green consumerism.
—The most radical of sustainability, beyond the scope of this book, though, will entail weaving green neighborhoods together with trollies rather than cars, orchards rather than streets, ecolonies rather than rowhouses. A vastly different future awaits, ready or not. This book enables everyone to pitch in.

EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT 
“The most successful strategies developed in culturally diverse communities around the country:”
• Ensure that new investments benefit all community members;
• Link urban-core residents to regional economic opportunities;
• Expand access to affordable housing for buyers and renters;
• Integrate strategies to avoid gentrification and displacement; and
• Help people get mortgages and business loans, build savings, increase income and accrue home equity.
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PHILLIES ARE WORLD CHAMPION GREEN POWER PURCHASERS
Citizens Bank Park will be powered with 20 million kWh of Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Certificates (RECs). This holds the record in professional sports for the largest purchase of 100% renewable energy. The Phillies are among the top three purchasers of green power in Philadelphia.

EX-MAYOR FREES CITY FROM CARS to benefit business and public, speaks at Temple

MILL CREEK FARM NEEDS HELP 
Land which has grown organic food for the neighborhood is at risk of being taken for development. “We are trying to get the title transferred from the City of Philadelphia to the Neighborhood Gardens Association (NGA).” Send a message to Councilwoman Blackwell 

GREAT GREEN PENNSYLVANIA JOBS VIDEO by Pennfuture 
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EVENTS

VEGAN BRUNCHES, at BrioVim first Sundays, 11am-1pm.  “Eleni Solomos - an amazingly talented vegan and raw foods artist - will conjure up the menu. The meal she has planned for Sunday, November 2, 11am-1pm, totally blows our minds.” $10. What’s a vegan?

11/3-7 ADVANCED SOLAR PV DESIGN AND INSTALLATION “This class is designed to upgrade existing skills and prepare eligible participants to take the NABCEP certification exam.” Eagleview Corporate Center, 737 Constitution Drive, Exton, PA. 

11/8 GREEN BABY 101,The Reiki School and Clinic, 525 S.4th St, #248, 10am-noon, Sliding Scale $20-30, RSVP 

11/8 ORCHARD PLANTING in Strawberry Mansion at Woodford Mansion, 33rd & Dauphin, East Fairmount Park. 11am-1pm. (rain date: Nov. 9).  Kid-friendly, food, free coloring posters (while supplies last) (215) 229-6115 or woodfordmansion.org Volunteers and neighbors plant dozens of new fruit trees and berry bushes.  Designed by landscape architect Phil Forsyth, of the Philadelphia Orchard Project http://www.philllyorchards.org

11/9 GLOBAL WARMING: MAKING THE TRANSITION TO A JUST AND SUSTAINABLE WORLD, Beth David Reform Congregation, 1130 Vaughans Lane, Gladwyne: 215-836-5978 RSVP  Speakers: Dr. James Hansen, renowned NASA scientist; -Dr. Mark Alan Hughes, Director of Sustainability for Phila,; Lexi Schultz of UCS; Joe Manko of Beth David

11/14 NET IMPACT CAREER EXPO: The Sustainable Advance 

11/15 ZERO WASTE FORUM, Academy of Natural Sciences, 9am-noon. “A Forum Celebrating the Future for Recycling in Philadelphia.” Mayor Nutter speaks at 11:30am.

11/16 “Women Leaders for People, Profit, and Planet” 6pm, Greenable, 126 Market Street. $15/adult; $5/children under 12. RSVP 206-202-2883 weareboost.org

11/22 VEGAN THANKSGIVING FEAST at BrioVim 5-8pm. At a loss for what to bring? If your last name starts with: A-G: appetizer; H-M: side dish; N-S: main dish; T-Z dessert
Everyone is encouraged to bring a beverage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
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“SMOOTHSIMS” is WINNER of $10 gift certificate from Infusion Coffee & Tea  Reply to paul5glover@yahoo.com to claim. Winning emails are selected randomly from subscriber list. GREEN BUSINESSES are invited to provide gift certificates ($10+) in exchange for links.
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MINI-EDITORIAL

—Regardless who wins the Presidential election, an organized public has tremendous power. Pushing officials to do good, and preventing them from doing damage, is an endless process. Popular movements, not presidents, established this nation, freed slaves, established the eight-hour day, secured votes for women, civil rights, and Social Security.
—Harness our roaring World Series celebration to universal health care, for example, or an end to subprime evictions, and government will follow.
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BACK ISSUES
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YOUR LETTERS

“Thanks for putting together this newsletter! It helped me get a job! (I went to the creatAdelphia job fair!)” –Laurie Elder
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“Ok, so I am getting your green jobs newsletter and I see that I can contact you for help in my green business “LYFVE (‘life’).  Well, here’s the deal. I need some commission-based sales people to promote SMACKS, our line of healthy snacks for children. Our target is families, schools, after school programs and such - the goal is to replace the unhealthy snacks with nutrient providing natural SMACKS. Any ideas at free marketing?” –Faith, Chief Cook & Mom
—[REPLY] This sounds very good and should take off. Can you send your list of ingredients? First we need to contact the school district’s purchasing office.  We need to see which local sourcing has taken place. Then find other local food businesses like yours which have been accepted or rejected by the District.  Then campaign for local sourcing. Combine this with listing the unhealthy stuff sold currently and their ingredients.  Then show how you can deliver quality for the same or lower price per pound. This is a recipe for news stories.
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“Your website– GreenJobsPhilly.org– is a fantastic resource for connecting our citizens to Green Jobs. I commend you on your work and am pleased to see that it serves a vast array of employment skill sets and opportunities. Our creativity in the face of impending environmental degradation can, as you rightly acknowledge, positively transform our economy and our community.
—”I have pledged to become an emerging leader on the environment and energy conservation so I was pleased to learn about our mutual interest in creating green jobs. You may be aware that City Council recently passed two resolutions that seek to promote developing a Green Collar workforce in Philadelphia. GreenJobsPhilly is a key component of that city-wide effort and I look forward to following your progress.” –Councilwoman-at-large Blondell Reynolds Brown 
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“Thought you’d know how one would find a listing of vacant lots in northwest area. I’m thinking that one lot could serve as a test site for composting organic waste. I’m proposing this at next week’s Sustainable Mt. Airy mtg.  Your ideas welcome!” –Lynn
—[REPLY] Good idea! There is no need to remove fallen leaves and vegetable scraps from any neighborhood. They should become soil again, the food of food. Here is a map of NW vacant lots.
 You can enlarge it for greater detail. Brown lots are vacant.
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“Do Philadelphians get tax credits for installing solar panels or wind turbines?” –Rasheen Crews
—[REPLY] Yes. There’s federal, state and private funding. See pasolar.org AND pennfuture.org
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“I am starting an energy auditor business. I am familiar with the BPI and RENET certification requirements but I have yet to get a cost estimate on the equipment. Do you know where I can find this info? I will go to the link you provided to find finances for this business venture.” –Myreon
—[REPLY] Check think-energy.net/tools.htm then search eBay. Also:  dentinstruments.com/AboutUs.htm
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“I purchased ‘Green Jobs Philly’ today and find it to be very helpful personally and professionally. I followed the advice on your website greenjobsphilly.org in that I submitted my contact information so that I may be called to volunteer with various organizations.
—I am looking for any advice you may be able to provide that enable me to begin a green career. I am an economist/project manger/consultant/adjunct professor/analyst with 13+ years experience. I am attaching my resume. Again, any help or advice you can provide would be very appreciated.” –Colleen Scott
—[REPLY] Your diverse background will suit you and Philadelphia well. All skills can be adapted to Philly’s green future. I’d recommend starting by imagining your green dream job. Consider which social changes you’d most like to promote, then get into networks of Philadelphians inventing solutions. Your resume shows special strength for curriculum development or training. You might start or join a business or nonprofit. Maybe partner with your fellow green jobseekers. And you’d make a fine PRAISE board member.
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“I spotted your Green Jobs book at my local coffee shop while I was on the run, and decided to copy down your email so that I could reach out to you.
 —”I have been in financial services and pharmaceutical marketing for the past few years, and I am seriously interested in transitioning to a “green” career.  Right now, I am trying to figure out how to break into the green space.  Aside from networking and attempting for find a green volunteer position, I am trying to figure out what else I can do to help facilitate that transition. 
—”Currently, I am looking for “green” companies in Philadelphia that I might become a part of, and that is proving to be quite the challenge.  If a green company is not a possibility, I am trying to identify a company where I might pick up some solid experience that I can utilize in the green space someday.  Ultimately, I would like to go to business school within the next few years and possibly focus on sustainability within business, but I would like more work experience first.
 —”Would you happen to know of any sources for green business career opportunities (companies, classes, people/professors to speak with, etc.)?  Any advice or information you could offer would be much appreciated!” –Kristen Snuck
—[REPLY] The direct route to finding green businesses in Philadelphia is via the Sustainable Business Network which has over 400 members. There are several hundred environmental organizations in Philadelphia, found via gpen.org/organizations.cfm Green Jobs Philly seeks interns and grants with which to fund them for networking.
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“The opportunity for change in Philadelphia– change that would be mutually beneficial for the environment and its residents– is evident most in neighborhoods struggling with abandoned homes and public housing. We should avoid the creation of high rise public housing, like the notoriously misguided Southwark towers, or suburban-style single residencies, like those which can be spotted just south of Fairmount Ave. and east of Broad St. Instead, we should concentrate on improving Philadelphia’s tried and true housing formula: the row home.
—”We will need to create sustainable homes that take advantage of architecture built to benefit from materials and construction. The 100K House Project, devoted to building sustainable homes for $100,000, should be seen as a model for this new age home. If Philadelphia Housing Authority was involved, the leverage of bulk-purchase could drive down the cost of these homes and materials. We must make sustainability an affordable and attractive option in poverty-ridden neighborhoods.” –Brian James Kirk 
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“I’ve visited the Green Jobs site; that’s a great service. I have a question for you: one of my youth programs is a Green Internship program for youth (usually late HS / early college). I am working with a young African-American man from North Philly, to put together some green possibilities for his internship. We help structure and monitor the internships, and also pay the youth a stipend for her/his service.
 —”I suggested that he explore the needs of his community (Fernhill Park) and see if there  is a group there which needs his energies. He could be a strong asset; he’s quiet, strong, steady—home schooled and has a good bit of time he can commit to a cause.  I also told him I’d get in touch with some of my contacts and see if there were needs in the ‘green’ community that he might help with.  I know this boy’s family; we set up internships for his older sister, he’s reliable.”  –Mark Birdsall
—[REPLY] There’s an active neighborhood association, plus two community gardens nearby. And since heating costs are sharply up– lots of folks will choose between heat and food this winter– your interns might consider building simple, inexpensive ‘heat grabbers.’  These convert sunny winter days into warm rooms, for maybe $30 of materials: boards, windowglass, sheet metal, black paint, screws.  More info: Google “heat grabber” + “Mother Earth News”
—Here’s background about Mark’s program: Food for Thought addresses youth eating habits and obesity. Three organizations combine: The Triskeles Foundation ’s Youth Experiential Learning Program (YELP), The Empowerment Group (Kensington), and the University Community Collaborative of Philadelphia (UCCP). Triskeles finds interesting internships for students. Empowerment Group teaches business skills to minority youth.
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“I love the work you do connecting information from many corners of the city. As public system resources are defined for green jobs, we will keep you informed!” –Meg Shope Koppel, Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board
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GOT NEWS? Send to paul5glover@yahoo.com

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