Temple Performing Arts Center is a stunner. Ever been? We’re thrilled to be in this inspiring space for TEDxPhilly: The City on Tuesday, November 8. Over 25 speakers and even more performers will take the stage to share with the audience some of the greatest challenges, innovations, concepts and realities that shape and are shaped by cities and their inhabitants.

All photos ©2010 Anne Todd

Since speaking at TEDxPhilly in 2010, Nic Esposito a farmer, community organizer, storyteller, and now, self published author(!) has been quite busy! His first book, Seeds of Discent which came out in April 2011, was cultivated by the community through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign. Parting from the typical political and instructive tone of the genre, this novel instead tells the human story of living sustainably.

Nic is already working on his next book focused on soil management and what he has coined “habitat change” which will “take these ideas a step further from global warming and focusing on the ideas of resource and soil depletion that are just as detrimental.”

Get Inspired and Check Out Nic Esposito’s TEDxPhilly 2010 Talk:

How do you sow the seeds of change? Nic Esposito speaks emphatically to the audience at TEDxPhilly about urban farming happening right here, right now. Nic has set up community gardens in West Philadelphia, where residents take control of their own food security and local economy through the production and sale of agriculture.

Nic has created a bunch of grassroots organizations in Philadelphia. We blame his green thumb. He co-founded Philly Rooted, which pretties up those pathetic empty lots. He also founded and runs Philly Corner Stories, helping Philadelphians tell their corner stories.

Wanna be on film?
The Free Film Collective and TEDxPhilly are looking for engaged Philadelphians who want to be filmed / photographed with the TED ‘X’ on October 7, 8, 9 & 10 in front of some of Philly’s most well-known landmarks. You’ll be featured in a short film and online. Is that you? It’s not to late, Sign up here! »

Call for Artists
We are accepting submissions to be featured in our printed program until October 10th. If you or someone you know creates artwork that relates to our theme, The City, then we want to hear from you! Read the full details on our blog »

TEDxPhilly Happy Hour
Wednesday, Oct 12 2011, 5:30p.m. – 8:00p.m.
You are cordially invited to a TEDxPhilly Happy Hour to celebrate our growing community, get psyched for the day, and mingle with one another (and a few speakers!) There will be special ticketing opportunities too. Discounts and other enticing incentives will be offered as well as drinks from our friends at DrinkPhilly!

Bring your friends, your pals, your coworkers, your compatriots — hell, bring your Mom! Tell them to bring their friends, colleagues, comrades, etc. We have a few treats up our sleeves and we want to share them with you AND your wallets.
Pass it on via the Facebook Event Page or Ticketleap

Sponsor TEDxPhilly
There are so many ways we can highlight your business or organization at TEDxPhilly! See our growing list of sponsors and learn more about how to contribute: tedxphilly.com/sponsors

Will we see you there?
Time sure is flying! We can’t believe it’s October already, and TEDxPhilly is just over one month away. We’re so beyond excited about this year’s speaker lineup. We’ll be confirming a few more, but check out our current list to date:
tedxphilly.com/speakers

We can’t wait to share the day with you, grab your ticket today!

Forbes Magazine recently featured Philadelphia’s farmers’ markets, particularly Headhouse Market, in an article titled The Summer Bounty from Farm to City. When it comes to local and sustainable food markets in America’s consumer culture, the numbers are astounding, with over 7,175 markets serving 125,000 customers annually.

These markets provide affordable, convenient and healthful access to fresh fruits and vegetables. They promote good health and nutrition…They also play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support the sustainability of family farms, revitalize communities and provide places for farmers and consumers to meet.

Rittenhouse Square Market, Greensgrow Farms and Fairmount Farmers Market were also highlighted as some of the best local and sustainable Farmers Markets which can be found every day of the week in many areas of Philadelphia. Will we see you at one this week?

Tyler School of Art at Temple University will be hosting a Feast of Forage with horticulturist Nance Klehm on Sept. 21. Considering the streets of North Philadelphia as a wild urban garden of edible and medicinal plants, Klehm will lead a walking tour of sidewalks, parking lots, and brown field sites where a smorgasbord of earthly delights are waiting to be harvested.

In related news, The New York Times wrote an article on the urban foraging debate in New York City’s parks. Access the article here.