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As an
alternative to scratching travel plans, people of all ages are increasingly
finding value in affordable, international volunteer programs. For a safe, all-
inclusive, well-prepared journey, travelers turn to Cosmic Volunteers for an
enriching, life-changing experience.
Cosmic Volunteers is a Philly-based non-profit organization that offers volunteer and internship programs abroad in China, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam. The business sets itself apart from other organizations by offering a unique combination of affordable program fees, trustworthy staff and advisors, and diverse programs. Cosmic Volunteers sends hundreds of volunteers abroad each year to work at schools, hospitals, newspapers, orphanages, HIV/AIDS clinics, women's groups, and other organizations who ask for assistance. Volunteers come from all walks of life, ranging in age from high school to retirees, and most programs do not require special skills or experience. The program fees cover volunteers' meals, accommodations, orientation, most in-country transport, and 24/7 guidance and support provided by program coordinators in each host country. The program's staff has been on-the-ground in all program countries as volunteers, students, and interns, so they can answer pre-trip questions, provide in-country support with confidence, and be with the volunteers every step of the way. For more information about Cosmic Volunteers, call (888)-813-0248 or visit cosmicvolunteers.org. |
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Don't miss the grand opening of
Mainline Green Home, Fri., Sept. 12 from 5-8 p.m. The event will feature local
wine and hor d'oeuvres, live music, and trunk shows by local vendors.
Mainline Green Home specializes in eco-friendly children and baby products, organic home cleaners, repurposed art, eco-friendly gifts, and more. The shop is the perfect place to find bridal, shower, baby, and housewarming gifts to and from the ecologically and socially conscious. Mainline Green Home will have a children's play habitat so kids can have fun and stay occupied while parents shop for toxin-free, organic, and responsible toys, books, games, and gifts. Mainline Green Home will sell a wide variety of hard-to-find and exclusive lines, including Clementine Art Kits; Helen & Riegle handbags; Vinylux home accessories and journals made by hand from repurposed vinyl records; Folkmanis' award-winning puppets; Caldrea cleaning products; Laptop Lunches, Naked Bee all-natural skin care; English Retreads handbags and accessories, Resource Revival home accessories made from recycled bike chains and gears; Can You Dig It organic clothing and accessories for babies and children; Rock Candy organic cotton baby blankets; and Global Crafts/Fair Trade recycled bags, totes, home accessories, greeting cards, and art pieces from developing nations. Mainline
Green Home |
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Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly" winner Equilibrium Pilates
has a fabulous new batch of apprentices who are quickly on there way to becoming
certified Roman's Pilates instructors. While in their current apprentice stage,
one-hour private lessons are only $25. I have watched Senior Instructor Brie
Adina Neff work with all these girls and can vouch for a fabulous workout with
these Pilates gurus-in-training.
Also, the six-week beginner's workshop begins September 17 at 7 p.m. Space is very limited for this affordable introduction to the method. Contact the studio at (215) 923-3669 to learn more. Equilibrium
Pilates |
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Two Great
Green Events in September
Join GreenLine Paper, Mainline Green Home, and Equilibrium Pilates at the third Annual GreenFest Philly, Sun., Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This one-day street fair is free to the public and takes place at 2nd & South Streets in Philadelphia. More than 200 exhibitors and 20,000 people are expected at the area's largest environmental event. Activities include vegetarian food, sneaker recycling, live music, kids stuff, bicycle valet, yoga, local produce, "Sweet Green" organic dessert contest, composting and recycling, Eco Exchange Fashion Show & Clothing Swap, Water Quality Symposium, and Eco-Film Forum. This year's theme is water so grab your reusable water containers and fill up at the no-waste drinking water stations. A full line-up of activities can be seen at greenfestphilly.org. EcoFare takes place Sun., Sept. 28 in at Kerr Park in Downingtown, Pa. EcoFare is designed to advance and promote environmental causes through green living. Highlights of the day include hybrid cars on display and available for pre-order, a concert for a Green Earth featuring some of Philly's top rising stars (Sisters3, Cheers Elephant, Drink Up Buttercup, The Sermon, Lauren Adams, When Cars Ascend), an organic food concession area, green friendly exhibitors and vendors, games with prizes of value donated by local businesses, and a town-hall discussion focused on eco-accountability. All proceeds of EcoFare will go toward bettering MPG standards in America and America's 10-Year Green Energy plan through EcoFare's steering committee. For more information, contact Tim Sadler 2008 Philadelphia Hero Thrill Show
The 2008 Hero Thrill Show is designed to raise money for the education of
survivors of deceased police and fire personnel killed in the line of duty in
Philadelphia. This year's event will be held Sat., Sept. 6, from noon to 5 p.m.
outside the Wachovia Spectrum Complex, 3601 S. Broad St. Families can enjoy an
old-fashioned carnival midway complete with amusements, games, dunk tanks,
clowns, and face-painting. The musical entertainment features Charlie Gracie,
Cintron, The Accords and The Destinations headlining "The Sound of Philly,"
extravaganza under the direction of WOGL Radio personality Bob Pantano. Feast on
Philly food favorites including funnel cakes, cheese steaks, water ice, soft
pretzels and more. Tickets are available at comcasttix.com. Shameless Self-Promotion for My Recently Dusted Off Guitar So here's the scoop: I spent my teenage years as a singer/songwriter chick in the vein of Juliana Hatfield, waiting for the world to discover me in my bedroom. Then I got a bit, well, distracted, and let the guitar collect dust for an entire decade. I suppose I'm reaching some sort of almost-30 crisis, because I've spent the past few months revisiting my former self and cranking out new tunes with the aid of modern technology and a Myspace page. At the Yelp Elite event in July, I tuned into my Weird Al Yankovic side and performed a satirical song about Facebook, Myspace, Yelp, and all the other glorious social networking sites which have become crucial to our existence. I am unabashedly proud of my silly little song and welcome all YouTube views to help launch me into the superstardom of, say, Lonelygirl15. More Blogroll Additions Attending Sustainable Business Network meetings always opens the door to interesting local people doing amazing things. One such company I encountered is Eco-Libris, which allows people to "balance out" their book purchases by paying plant a trees. The trees, which cost one dollar per book, are planted where they provide value for both the environment and the local communities. For each book you receive the Eco-Libris sticker, made from recycled paper and designed to put on the cover of the books you balance out to show your commitment to sustainability and responsible use of natural resources. Other wonderful finds this month include the mitzvah-centered Simplewaystohelp.com and Globalgirlfriend.com, which sells only affordable, women-made, fair-trade, eco-friendly goods. The site directs the charity royalty from each purchase to the Campaign for Female Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women. |
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