Take the Challenge: Run for the Board

24 Pages·2016·13.19 MB·English

The Shuttle
December 2016 Vol. 44 No. 12 Community-Owned, Open to Everyone
Take the Challenge: Members Hear
Run for the Board Financial News,
Ambler Update
by Sylvia Gentry, Weavers Way
Leadership Committee
by Mary Sweeten, Editor,
Weavers Way is looking for a feW Weavers Way Shuttle
member-owners to run for the Board of
Directors of the Co-op. The financial state of Weavers
Way is good — considering — and
With continued growth and the planned open-
work to open a third Co-op store in Am-
ing of the third Weavers Way store in Ambler, it
bler is coming together, General Man-
is an exciting time to be
BOARD ager Jon Roesser told Weavers Way
on Weavers Way’s Board.
members at the Fall General Member-
In addition, we are tak-
ELECTIONS
ship Meeting.
ing on a leadership role
in helping other commu- About 150 people gathered Nov. 13
nities in the region start at the Waldorf School in Germantown,
2017
food cooperatives, and admiring the renovation of the former
we are enjoying record St. Peter’s Church and chowing down
sales and profits. With the on a chili buffet masterminded by ex-
addition of Fresh Market and Acme in Chestnut ecutive chef Bonnie Shuman. As at the
Hill, we must meet the challenges these new com- Spring GMM, many members brought
petitors bring. Our sales have quadrupled over the their own plates and forks, while others
The Great Hall of the
last 10 years, and this brings us new opportunities newly renovated paid $1 to “rent” a place setting in sup-
and additional challenges. Waldorf School in port of the Environment Committee’s
Germantown provided Zero Waste effort.
Weavers Way Board members provide es-
a suitably majestic
sential leadership to this growing and vital effort venue for the Fall Board President Chris Hill ac-
to expand the cooperative economic model, pro- General Membership knowledged the mood, less than a
mote the values our co-op stands for and provide Meeting. At left, GM week after Election Day, in his open-
Jon Roesser displays
healthy food options for residents of Northwest ing greeting. “There’s a constant need
a proposal for the
Philadelphia and beyond. for communities like ours, more so
interior of the Ambler
than ever in the future,” he said. “In
The Board operates using Policy Governance. store.
a world that feels a little more fragile,
This leadership model results in the Board using
very little of its time making operational deci- Robert Leslie Smith photos
(Continued on Page 20)
(Continued on Page 21)
MM’’SS EERR We’ve Elected Thinking about making a member
GG NN
RR loan? The deadline is Dec. 9!
OO
CC To Stick to
Member loans will constitute an essential piece of the
overall funding of our third store. Your dollars stay in
Our Basic Values
the local community: providing jobs; strengthening
our local food system, including our regional farmers;
by Jon Roesser, Weavers Way and making Weavers Way a more resilient organization
General Manager today and in the future.
We’re offering two options, with a minimum of $1,000
Like you, i am recovering from post- (no maximum!):
election stupor and starting to take stock of
● 2.5% interest (per annum) for 4 years
our new world. And if elections inevitably result
MEMBER LOAN CAMPAIGN
● 4% interest (per annum) for 6 years
in winners and losers, for sure one big winner
has been the PA Wine & Spirits Shop, at least the The simple (not compounded) interest is to be paid at
one around the corner from me. The staff, well, the end of the loan period. Lenders must be Weavers
they’ve gotten to know me these last few weeks. Way members and Pennsylvania residents.
I’m coping in healthier ways too, primarily by Learn more and find out how to participate — visit
www.weaversway.coop/member-loans, or ask a cashier
taking a “news holiday.” No news, not even KYW
at any Weavers Way store.
Newsradio, a hard habit to break. So if Sarah Pal-
(Continued on Page 7)
HOLIDAY HOURS
All Weavers Way stores will be closed
Sunday, Dec. 25, and Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.
Stores close at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31.
We’ll be open regular hours Monday, Dec. 26,
and Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.
DETSEUQER ECIVRES EGNAHC
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2 THE SHUTTLE December 2016
What’s in Store at Weavers Way
Check It Out!
by Karen Plourde, Weavers Way The Deli Dispatch
Communications Staff
A chunk of local goodness from the Farm at
All Wellness & Good Doe Run.
Queen Alaffia bags & scarves brighten up the
‘Tis the season to put out
world in at least two ways.
the good stuff for family
and friends who visit. Deli
Managers Matt Budenstein
(Chestnut Hill) and Shawn
O’Connell (Mt. Airy)
suggest Bathed In Victory Hop Devil, a raw cow’s- Goings on in Grocery
milk fromage washed in beer brine from Chester
The Hill has a sleighful of sweet treats that are
County’s Farm at Doe Run. The beer, by the way, is
sure to please.
Victory Hop Devil from Downingtown. Need a second
choice? Cheeseheads Matt and Shawn also like Doe What’s your go-to taste of the season? Eggnog?
Run’s Hummingbird, a sheep-and-cow’s-milk cheese Gingerbread? Peppermint? Chances are you’ll find it
It’s always a bonus when gifting goes beyond the similar to a robiola. It has a thin rind and a buttery, featured in the holiday goodies in either store. Here’s
giftee to benefit the world. That’s the case with Queen herbaceous, milky-sweet flavor. a sampling of stock in the Hill: Oebel stollen, Taza
Alaffia bags and scarves, which offer splashes of chocolate bars and Mexicano discs, Valentino
wearable color and can be found Next Door. They’re Bulk & Beyond pumpkin spice panettone (and the original version
an offshoot of Alaffia, the body-care company born Delectables of the season from Marich. from Bella Famiglia), dark- and milk-chocolate
in West Africa and headquartered in Olympia, WA. gelt from Divine, and Anthon Berg mini chocolate
And blends for spicing your cider.
Queen Alaffia employs women who were formerly “bottles” filled with fan-favorite liqueurs.
There’s no shortage of chocolate
involved in the sex trade in Togo, and sales from the There’s plenty more where those came from — for
goodness from Marich of
handmade, one-of-a-kind bags and scarves provide now. Once holiday products are gone, they usually
Hollister, CA, all year long.
workers with ethical employment and fair wages. can’t be reordered. So if you see something, pick it up
But this time of year, there
(What’s more, Queen Alaffia scarves and purses will now. Hee haw and Happy Holidays from all of us.
are a couple of extra-special
be 20 percent off on Wednesday Stag & Doe Nights in
treats that find their way into [e-mail]
Chestnut Hill — which might free you up to contribute
Incredible Bulk bins in Mt. Airy,
some cash to Alaffia empowerment projects.
including chocolate cranberries
See alaffia.com/donations for info.)
and triple chocolate toffee. They bag and ribbon up
If someone on your list could benefit from
well, and of course, you’ll want to taste a few yourself
a better-smelling environment, consider
to make sure they’re the right
presenting them with a diffuser from
thing. Marich uses only Fair Trade
Spa Room, also available Next Door.
cocoa.
Models include the Aromafier Classic,
With chilly weather hitting us,
the Scentifier and AromaScape.
there are folks yearning for
Meanwhile, Across the Way has gotten
mugfuls of warm beverages,
a fresh injection of fun on its shelves
including apple cider. Knudsen,
thanks to a delivery from Archie McPhee, the
Wildwood and Simply Organic
novelty kingdom based in Seattle. You
mulling blends are now available
can find everything from stocking
in packages upstairs to dress up
stuffers like Instant Underpants to
that drink. With dashes of cinnamon, anise, cloves and
goofy ornaments to a unicorn-
citrus peel, they’ll nudge out
head squirrel feeder. Less wacky
the Grinchiness and make
but still fun are games for kids
room inside for a splash of
of all ages, including Yamslam,
holiday spirit.
Ring It! and Battle Sheep.
UUH Outreach: A Small Nonprofit
D O N A T E
That Makes a Big Difference Locally
Collections boxes will be at
both Weavers Way stores
by Roberta Balsam, for the Shuttle tice, equality and compassion in human
relations are foundational to our work. through Dec. 22.
Let the giving spirit spread like a Our neighborhood nurse, Sue Wortman,
Smaller serving size and
virus, infinitely touching the lives and our social workers, Laurie Laskey
reduced sodium items
of people you may never meet, across and myself, provide information and as-
boundaries you may never cross, in ways sistance to our clients on a variety of is- are preferred. Unitarian
you may never imagine.” sues such as decision-making support, Universalist House Outreach
access to entitlement programs, health
— Artist Matt Hogan helps older adults remain in
promotion, free blood-pressure screen-
This sentiment expresses the poW- ings, our small client-assistance fund and their homes.
er of the Unitarian Universalist House our annual holiday food drive — which is
Outreach Program’s annual holiday food where YOU come in.
drive, which is part of our broader mission UUH photo
We started our food drive in 2005;
to help Northwest Philadelphia residents
that year, we were able to distribute a few
aged 60 and over to remain independent in
bags of groceries to our neediest clients.
their own homes and community. ners, we were able to deliver 250 bags of cash gift directly to our organization. Ev-
We were encouraged by how the small act
groceries to people “aging in place” within ery penny donated to us goes directly to
The UUH Outreach Program was of delivering groceries during the holiday
our wonderful Northwest community. our clients, the older adults in your com-
created in 1999 by a private endowment season had such a large impact on the peo-
as a free service to the Northwest com- ple we served. We took photographs of The efforts of the UUH Outreach munity. And if you would like to take
munity. Eligibility criteria are deliberate- the delighted recipients as we unpacked Program are touching older adults in the your “giving spirit” a step further, consid-
ly inclusive: 60-plus, living independent- bags of groceries and brought some spe- Northwest community in profound ways. er volunteering to help get the food dona-
ly in our service area. That’s it. We are cial goodies into homes where sometimes This is well expressed in the words of a tions sorted, packed and delivered.
about including people, not ruling them even basics were unaffordable. past recipient, who said, “How beautiful For more information about UUH
out. Every year, our food drive has ex- is an unexpected kindness.” services or to volunteer, contact Erika at
The Unitarian Universalist princi- panded. Last year, Weavers Way agreed to Please help us continue to reach peo- 215-843-5881 or [e-mail].
ples of recognizing the inherent worth be a collection site. With the Co-op’s help ple in need by making a generous dona- You may also visit our website at www.
and dignity of every person, and of jus- and the help of our other community part- tion to our food drive as you shop, or a uuhoutreach.org.
December 2016 THE SHUTTLE 3
What’s in Store at Weavers Way
l
n
55
Because there’s nothing that can’t
THINGS
be improved by something you
bought at the Co-op!
Five Things is a service of Weavers Way.
You Can Only Get at Weavers Way Mercantile
Our seasonal marketplace in The Garage at 542 Carpenter Lane features
eco-conscious home goods, local handcrafts and holiday greenery in
partnership with the LandHealth Institute, through Dec. 31.
1
Fauna-friendly finds — Bird houses, bat houses, worm bins, a beneficial
insect hotel, even. Feeders aplenty from Nature’s Way and Perky Pet.
2
Pottery & ceramics — Pickling crocks, berry “baskets,” pots, dishes and
more handmade at Wissahickon Pottery in Roxborough, Six Senses Clay Studio
in Mt. Airy and Heirloom Home & Studio in Glenside.
3 Wonderful woodcraft — Planters, benches, accent tables and smaller items
by Ken Marini and Michael Farren in Mt. Airy.
Ready-to-fill — Bottles and jars for your homemade creations, from
4
Kilmer, Bormioli and Down to Earth, as well as canning kits for the ambitious
homesteader.
Candles & soap — From The Benevolent Bee in Bala Cynwyd and Thankful
5
Sage Farm School in North Philly. (Stop by and say hi to Stephanie from
Benevolent Bee, your hostess at The Mercantile, along with Weavers Way’s own
Bettina de Caumette!)
Weavers Way
Hours: TUESDAY-SUNDAY, 11 a.m-7 p.m.
(CLOSED MONDAY)
4 THE SHUTTLE December 2016
Savor the Season
BEEF SEAFOOD
NATURALLY RAISED Live Maine Lobsters 1¼ lb lobsters for
Bottom Round Roast reg. $6.79 lb $6.49 lb steaming or broiling. Pre-order only. MP
Rump Roast reg. $7.59 lb $6.49 lb Frozen Canadian Lobster Tails
Bone-In Rib Roast $13.99 lb 4.5 oz tails. MP
Stew Meat reg. $6.99 lb $6.49 lb
Mexican Shrimp
Filet Mignon Steak
Large wild shrimp from a co-op of shrimp
or Roast reg. $24.99 lb $22.99 lb
boats that operate out of Mazatlan, in the
state of Sinaloa. Premium quality and
POULTRY
free of additives! Large $14.19 lb
Bell & Evans Cornish Hens $5.99 lb
Jumbo $16.99 lb
Naturally Raised Whole Turkey $2.69 lb
Black Pearl Shetland Island
Order online at www.weaversway.coop
Atlantic Salmon $15.29 lb
Koch Natural Boneless
Turkey Breast $6.99 lb Mussels, oysters in the shell or jar, crabmeat or any
D’Artagnan filet, steak or whole fish can be pre-ordered.
Rohan Duck MP
HOLIDAY HAM
Duck Breasts $16.45 lb
All Natural Spiral Cut Ham $5.99 lb
Our Phenomenal Party Platters
❆ ❆ ❆ ❆
Antipasto Classic Shrimp Cocktail Deli Meat & Cheese Ducktrap Nova Smoked Fish
❆ ❆
Fresh Mozzarella & Tomato Fruit & Cheese Grilled Vegetables
❆ ❆
Mediterranean Feast Dolmas & Hummus Veggies & Dip
To place an order, please call:
Chestnut Hill 215-866-9150 Mt. Airy 215-843-2350
catering menu
available exclusively at Weavers Way Chestnut Hill
HOT HORS D’OEUVRES PHYLLO PASTRY CUPS ENTREES
MINIMUM ORDER 15 Curried Mango Chicken Salad Cashews $2 EA MINIMUM ORDER 12 PEOPLE
Coconut Shrimp Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce $2 EA Salmon Mouse Dill Pickled Cucumbers $2.50 EA Honey Walnut-Crusted Lamb Chops MP
Grilled Polenta Wild Mushroom Ragout $2 EA Herb Goat Cheese & Pickled Beets $2 EA Mustard Sauce
on request Ricotta, Leek & Parmesan $2 EA Roasted Filet Mignon MP
Mini Potato Pancakes Sour Cream & Chives $2 EA Smoked Trout Salmon Caviar $2.50 EA Whole side only
Mini Crab Cakes Tartar or Cocktail Sauce $3 EA Greek Feta, Spinach & Pine Nuts $2 EA Marinated Hanger Steak $19.99 LB
Mini Spiced Chicken Quesadillas $2 EA Chimichurri Sauce
Lollipop Lamb Chops Garlic Tahini Sauce $3 EA SIDES Brandy-Glazed Boneless
Mini Spring Rolls Cilantro Chutney Roasted Seasonal Vegetables $8.99 LB Pork Chops $16.99 LB
25 for $10, 50 for $20, 100 for $40 Roasted Cauliflower & Fennel $12.99 LB Orange Pistachio Chicken Breast $18.99 LB
Mini Potato Samosas Cilantro Chutney Grilled Seasonal Vegetables $8.99 LB Grilled Lemon-Oregano Chicken $18.99 LB
25 for $10, 50 for $20, 100 for $40 Cheddar-Chive Twice-Baked Potatoes $6.99 LB Chicken Piccata $18.99 LB
SLIDERS Broccoli Rabe Garlic & Red Pepper $8.99 LB Whole Salmon $20.99 LB
Vietnamese Pork Spicy Asian Slaw $3 EA Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes $6.99 LB Cucumber Scales, Sour Cream
Cucumber Sauce
Black Bean Burger Vegan Spiced Aioli $3 EA Mashed Potatoes $6.99 LB
Pulled Chicken Barbecue Classic Slaw $3 EA Roasted Brussels Sprouts $10.99 LB Salmon Fillet $20.99 LB
Chef’s Choice Topping
Leeks & Shiitake Mushrooms
Classic Black Angus Burger Cheddar $3 EA
Roasted Asparagus, Artichokes Lump Crab Cakes $7.99 EA
Classic Turkey Burger Smoked Gouda $3 EA Tartar or Cocktail Sauce
& Hazelnuts $12.99 LB
Mini Corned Beef Reuben $3 EA Wild Rice $10.99 LB Panko-Crusted Pollack Fillet $16.99 LB
Grilled corned beef, sauerkraut and
Butternut Squash & Cherries Korean Vegetable Pancakes $10.99 LB
melted Swiss and Russian on rye.
Mushroom-Leek Risotto Cakes $5.50 EA
SKEWERS SALADS Black Bean Burger $5.50 EA
Chicken Satay Peanut Dipping Sauce $2 EA MINIMUM ORDER 12 PEOPLE Spinach-Parmesan Stuffed
Stuffed Dates Goat Cheese, Wrapped in Bacon $2 EA Caesar Salad $4.95 PP Portobello on request $14.99 LB
Gochujang-Marinated Grilled Shrimp $3 EA Crispy Romaine, Grilled Chicken, Aged Peanut-Crusted Tofu $10.99 LB
Teriyaki-Sesame Salmon $3 EA Parmesan, Herb Croutons, Caesar Dressing Asian Dipping Sauce
Chili-Glazed Cocktail Meatballs $2 EA Kale Caesar Salad $3.50 PP Grilled Asian Eggplant $7.99 LB
Scallions & Peppers
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
COLD HORS D’OEUVRES Mixed Green Salad $3.50 PP Three-Cheese Polenta $6.99 EA
MINIMUM ORDER 15 Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Chickpeas, Black Bean & Corn Salsa
Carrots, Peppers, Red Cabbage Chickpea & Butternut Squash
CROSTINI
& Balsamic Vinaigrette Pancakes $10.99 LB
Smoked Salmon $3 EA
Spinach Salad $3.50 PP
Red Onions, Capers & Dill Cream LASAGNA
Bacon, Toasted Walnuts, Red Onion,
House-Roasted Filet Mignon $3 EA Dried Cherries & Balsamic MINIMUM ORDER 1/2 PAN
Pickled Onion & Horseradish Cream Vinaigrette on request (SERVES 12-15)
Wedge Salad $3.50 PP Beef $65 Turkey $60 Vegetarian $55
Wild Mushrooms & Leeks $2 EA
Crispy Romaine, Bacon &
Truffled Goat Cheese
Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing = vegan PP = per person MP = market price
Eggplant Caponata $2 EA
We use Bell & Evans chicken and Aspen Ridge natural beef.
Weavers Way Chestnut Hill 8424 Germantown Avenue Weavers Way Mt. Airy 559 Carpenter Lane
December 2016 THE SHUTTLE 5
What’s in Store at Weavers Way
Local Vendor Spotlight
Valley Milkhouse Creamery
by Matt Budenstein, Weavers Way With this incredibly high-quality, grass-fed
Chestnut Hill Deli Manager milk, she creates French- and Dutch-style
cheeses that suit her milk and aging facili-
We are lucky to be alive for the ties perfectly. Out of her wide selection, we
local cheese movement! In the not- carry:
so-distant past, most U.S.-made cheese came Clover — A fromage blanc with or without
from factories in the Midwest. Now South- herbs.
eastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding
Witchgrass — A bloomy rind pyramid
area has exploded, with a plethora of cream-
made in the style of a French goat cheese
eries coming into existence in just the last 10
called Valencay.
years, and you can find almost any style of
Blue Bell — Her firmer take on a French
cheese being made within 100 miles of here.
classic blue.
One of my favorite newcomers is Ste-
We also carry her incredible hand-
fanie Angstadt of Valley Milkhouse Cream-
churned butter.
ery in Oley, Berks County.
She has many more cheeses on her ros-
After leaving a position in the financial
ter and you are more than welcome to spe-
world, Stefanie decided to follow her pas-
cial-order anything from her list with a short
sion and try her hand at cheesemaking. While
lead time. (Visit www.valleymilkhouse.com
looking for a place to get started, she met the
for the most current list.)
owner of Covered Bridge Farm and quickly
discovered that his farm was situated on the I recommend taking home some Clo-
same exact land her German ancestors settled ver without herbs and rolling it in your favor-
300 years ago. ite spices. For a holiday feel, a bit of nutmeg,
clove, cinnamon and allspice would do the
Located only 50 miles northwest of
trick. With warm bread and some hard apple
Philadelphia, Stefanie’s creamery is situated
cider, your family and friends are sure to feel
in the heart of some of the most fertile land in
the holiday cheer. Similarly, Stefanie’s luscious
our region. Covered Bridge Farm is made up
butter mixed with your favorite herbs or cinna-
of multiple independently owned operations
mon and sugar will impress even the most dis-
that also includes a CSA, an organic tomato
cerning guest.
farm and a farmstand that sells products from
a dozen Oley Valley producers. Look out for her cheeses on special in
December at both stores. A local cheese is Matt Budenstein photo
Stefanie uses milk produced nearby at
the perfect thing for your holiday table. Stefanie Angstadt, in yellow hat, gets an assist in the cheese room from a visitor,
Spring Creek Farms in Berks County, and
Philadelphia chef Elaine Gardner. That’s cow’s milk feta in the foreground.
Dutch Meadows Dairy in Lancaster County. [e-mail]
Baking all-natural
BULK BEANS treats with extraordinary
ORGANIC
Breakfast Blend | Breakfast Blend Dark | French Roast ingredients and a dash of
Guatemalan Medium | Guatemalan French | Espresso Blend
Mexican Vienna Roast Coffee | Cafe Peru French | Love Buzz
whimsy for 30 years.
Colombian | Ethiopian | Black Silk Espresso | Rabble Rouser
P6 May Day Blend | P6 San Fernando Meduim
$9.99
Sale reg $11.99
Nov. 30, 2016 - Jan 3, 2017
If the weather outside is frightful
And you’re wondering if the Co-op is open … Call us!
Mt. Airy: 215-843-2350 Chestnut Hill: 215-866-9150
6 THE SHUTTLE December 2016
Editor’s Note
L • E • T • T • E • R • S
by Mary Sweeten, Editor,
Weavers Way Shuttle
Crowdfunding Campaign For C.W. Henry Schoolyard Renovation
WoW, What an election. can
you believe all the great stuff that Walking through the hallWays of c.W. henry. use the space after school hours. To this end, we’ve set up a
visitors to this vibrant K-8 Philadelphia public school crowdfunding campaign, through Dec. 3, at www.crowdrise.com/
happened?
see evidence of a community that goes above and beyond to cre- c-w-henry-playground-project1. Donations to this campaign will
● Despite zillions of dollars poured
ate an engaging space for student learning. Artwork lines the demonstrate the community’s grassroots support as the PTA ap-
by the beverage industry, voters in
hallways. Melodies flow from both the music room and the gym- plies for grants and other opportunities for funding. The PTA is
San Francisco, the East Bay cities of
nasium. Students can be found typing away on Chromebooks, also seeking donors of matching funds, to help motivate addi-
Oakland and Albany, and Boulder, CO,
sprawled around rooms reading, Skyping with experts within tional contributors.
all approved taxes on sugary beverages.
their units of study or working with the farmer educator in the The working plan, greenlighted by the School District, in-
And while we’re at it, Cook County
organic garden. cludes goals to increase safety, add play structures to serve the
commissioners passed a soda tax — or,
But little of this vibrancy is reflected in the broken asphalt full student body, and beautify and green the schoolyard with
as the Chicago Tribune prefers, a “pop”
of the lower schoolyard. permeable surfacing. Information, updates, and other ways to
tax — on Nov. 10.
help can be found on the PTA website: www.cwhenrypta.org/
Henry parents and staff want to remedy this by creating an
● California voters also upheld a statewide
schoolyard-project.
outdoor play and learning environment that serves the 500-mem-
ban on single-use plastic grocery
ber student body as well as the many neighborhood families who Leah Corsover, C.W. Henry PTA Vice President
bags. And believe it or not, in a little-
noticed (by me, anyway) roll-call vote
in October, the Pennsylvania House of A Hearty Welcome from a 40-Year Ambler Resident Looking Ahead to Jan. 16,
Representatives killed a bill that would
have banned stores from charging for We Were thrilled to receive our first copy of the shuttle in november. it MLK Day of Service
bags. Can a do-over on Philadelphia’s is the first concrete sign that we are potentially joining Weavers Way, an organization
single-use bag law be far behind? that truly welcomes all of our people engaged in a very worthwhile cause. Join us on monday, Jan. 16, as
hundreds of volunteers gather at the
● Massachusetts banned inhumane I respond in particular to Larry Schofer’s thoughtful concerns about extending
Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511
confinement of food animals. OK, Weavers Way to Ambler and I wish to share a perspective.
Lincoln Drive, to celebrate Dr. King’s
that was Massachusetts. But even It was only through the Shuttle that I learned about the Election Eve Community legacy. There will be a short worship ser-
in Oklahoma, voters smelled a rat Prayer Service at Summit Presbyterian on Greene Street. I was moved to attend this vice, and then participants will head out
and dumped a “right to farm” ballot gathering and met a gentleman who introduced me, and now countless others, to the to participate in more than two dozen ser-
question that probably was really beauty of Wendell Berry’s “The Peace of Wild Things,” Mark Nepo and so much more. vice projects in either the church or other
intended to block environmental A new friendship, a bridge to an expanded community. parts of Germantown and Mt. Airy.
regulation of farmers and ranchers.
Certainly, after the election, the concept of building and expanding community has More details will follow in the
● Recreational marijuana was approved a whole new meaning to those of us who care about our unity as Americans where all Shuttle in early January. Questions?
in Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada and are welcome, respected and valued. Contact Judi Morrow, USG liaison, at
California. Even Arkansas and Florida Ambler has been our home for 40 years and what we love about it is that we know [e-mail].
approved medical marijuana.
our neighbors and all are welcome here. We enjoy gorgeous diversity and we live in Please mark this date on your calen-
● And finally, this analysis from my pals harmony. dar and join us this year!
at Politico’s agriculture desk. (Love
We welcome the progressive influences from our Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill neigh- Judi Morrow
you guys!) ELECTION CEMENTS
bors, and I pray that we are all alive to the need to expand our sense of community in
LARGEST GMO-FREE ZONE IN
the wake of so much division across the country.
THE U.S. GMO opponents slipped Co-op Hours Opportunity!
Marilyn Frazier
in another win Tuesday: Sonoma
County, Calif., located just north of Had enough stocking and mop-
the Bay Area, passed a ban on GMO ping and bagging and wrapping?
crop cultivation. . . . Added to existing Looking for something different to ful-
bans in adjacent counties, Sonoma’s fill your member work hours? The Mid-
prohibition completes the largest GMO- Atlantic Food Co-op Alliance is looking
free zone in the U.S. “Because Sonoma for someone or two to update our mem-
County connects Marin County to ber list. The job involves making phone
Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity, the calls, sending emails and adding infor-
ban’s passage creates a 13,734-square- mation to an existing spreadsheet encom-
mile zone where genetically engineered passing about 40 food co-ops in the Mid-
plants cannot be grown, the largest Atlantic region.
such area in the United States,” the
MAFCA is an informal group of co-
San Francisco Chronicle wrote.
ops that exists for the mutual benefit of its
Let’s keep America great, OK? members and the communities where we
live. Our purpose is to grow the cooper-
[e-mail]
ative economy, provide education about
co-ops and build a sustainable and equi-
The Shuttle is published by Weavers Way
Cooperative Association. table system of local production, distribu-
Statement of Policy tion and consumption of healthful food.
The purpose of the Shuttle is to provide To learn more about the work oppor-
information about co-ops, healthy food and
tunity, contact me at wasserkrug@gmail.
other matters of interest to Weavers Way
members as consumers and citizens. com. And to learn more about MAFCA,
Weavers Way members are welcome to submit visit www.mafca.coop.
articles (approximately 500 words) and letters
Sue Wasserkrug
to the editor (200 words) on subjects of interest
to the Co-op community. Editorial copy is due
the 10th of the month before publication, e.g.
Dec. 10 for January. SHUTTLE LETTERS POLICY
No anonymous material will be published, and
The Shuttle welcomes letters
all submissions must include an email or phone
number for verification. The Shuttle retains the of interest to the Weavers Way
right to edit or refuse any article or letter to the
editor. Submit to [e-mail]. community. Send to editor@
Articles and letters express the views of the weaversway.coop. The deadline
writers and not those of the Co-op or its Board,
is the 10th of the month prior to
unless identified as such. Brian J. Foley, Attorney at Law
Advertising publication. Include a name and
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December 2016 THE SHUTTLE 7
MM’’SS EERR Post-Election, a Commitment to Our Basic Values Join us for a
GG NN
RR
OO MEMBER FORUM
CC (Continued from Page 1) ries. There was a crackle in the air. This No- you should know that one of the Interna-
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.
vember, a very different mood has set in. tional Cooperative Principles states: “Co-
in’s our next Secretary of Defense, I 555 Carpenter Lane
won’t know. Do me a favor, don’t tell me. The Co-op is, of course, non-partisan. operatives serve their members most ef-
(adjacent to the Mt. Airy store)
I’m glad for that. Everyone, regardless of fectively by working together through
A happy consequence of my news holi-
political affiliation, is welcome to shop at local, national, regional and international
day has been getting reacquainted with my
our stores. Everyone is welcome to join, structures.”
living room bookshelves. It’s been fun re-
too — membership at Weavers Way is open
reading William L. Shirer’s “Rise and Fall of Anyone who thinks that the ostenta-
to all.
the Third Reich,” Arthur Koestler’s “Dark- tious flaunting of personal fortune and the
ness at Noon” and the 1948 World Book En- But if you’re shopping at Weavers accumulation of wealth for the purposes of
cyclopedia. (Remember Rhodesia?) Way, here are a few things you should self-aggrandizement are virtuous pursuits
understand:
should know that we have built a dynam-
And last night, after perusing the
Anyone who thinks climate change is ic, growing, sustainable business based not
shelves, I found myself flipping through
a myth should know that the Co-op sup- on profit, but on meeting the needs of our
my old Basic Catechism. Don’t tell me you
lost yours? ports tough environmental regulations. Our members.
Mission Statement explicitly says: “We
For you non-Catholics, Basic Cate- I could go on.
work to sustain a healthy planet and pro-
chism is the book the Church gives chil- mote environmentally sound products and The documents I mention — the In- Donate to Rico’s Family
dren preparing for First Communion. Es- practices.” ternational Cooperative Principles, the Through December
sentially, it’s a kid-friendly field guide to
Weavers Way Mission Statement, the Co-
Anyone who thinks we should build
the Catholic universe — a how-to manual op’s Ends and even our Product Philoso- Weavers Way has set up an
walls to keep people out should know that
for getting into Heaven, heavy on virtues one of our Ends states: “Weavers Way will phy — all guide us as we run the Co-op, account for donations to the
fundamental to being a good person. family of Chestnut Hill meat-
have a welcoming culture that values diver- day in and day out. Read them for your-
Of course, the juicy parts are all about sity, openness, inclusiveness and respect.” self at www.weaversway.coop/about. They cutter Rico Stevenson, who died
those behaviors that are sure to land you in are the foundation for why and how we do in July. He and his wife, Tyronda,
Anyone who thinks we should register
left four sons, MarQuel, Anrico,
Hell: The Seven Deadly Sins. what we do.
people, or round them up and kick them out
Dymere and Logan, ranging in
As I brushed up on these turpitudes, of this country should know that our Mis- Or maybe what we need is a Co-op age from 19 to 5.
words started jumping out at me: Mean- sion Statement also says: “We embrace di- Catechism, a little how-to guide for get-
Donate online at www.
ness. Immorality. Selfishness. Vindictive- versity and seek to reflect that diversity in ting into Co-op Heaven (where, I hear, you
weaversway.coop/rico, at the
ness. Vainglory. Avarice. Anger. our membership.”
can always find a parking spot, the lines are
register or by mail to Stevenson
Whoa. Sound like any recently elected Anyone who thinks people should be short and they never run out of apple-cider
Fund, Attn. Finance, Weavers
presidential candidate? Turns out my book- banned from entering this country because doughnuts). Way Co-op, 559 Carpenter Lane,
shelves aren’t a perfect refuge for how I’m of their religion should know that our Mis-
And as for the next four years, we’ll Philadelphia, PA 19119. Make
feeling these days. sion Statement says we will “maintain wel-
checks to Weavers Way, with
get through them together, cooperatively.
I started working at Weavers Way in coming stores which operate in an atmo- the notation “Stevenson Fund.”
It’s what we do.
November 2008. Those were heady times sphere of trust and respect.” Note that these are gifts, not
See you around the Co-op.
at the Co-op: Barack Obama had just been Anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to charitable donations, and are
elected and the Phillies won the World Se- bully and belittle those who disagree with [e-mail] not tax-deductible.
8 THE SHUTTLE December 2016
We dig what we eat.
For Our Youth Programs & More, 2016 Was a Year of Firsts
by Jackie Schrauger, in real-world situations, while earning money and
Food Moxie Program Director building their resumes.
We established a preteen group for Garden
Here at food moxie, We pride ourselves Club, our program for young people at Stenton Fam-
on digging deep into our programs, challeng- ily Manor. As a result, Garden Club members ages
ing ourselves to identify ways to enhance our offer- 10 and older have gotten the chance to work on more
ings so they best meet the needs of those we serve. In complex projects — like pickling and operating the
2016, this took the form of adding new components weed whacker — exploring age-appropriate academ-
to our work — a year of firsts! ic concepts in the process. They’ve also had space to
We hosted Gather for Good, our first-ever teen ur- come together without their younger siblings, build-
ban agriculture conference. Designed by Saul High ing community and relishing the chance to chat,
School students from our out-of-school-time pro- laugh and spend time with friends.
gram, as well as summer interns we hosted through We started doing home visits with Hope Kitchen
the Philadelphia Youth Network, the conference was families once they transition out of Stenton. Meeting
a huge success. Close to 80 people spent the day in their own homes, we’ve helped them meal-plan and
talking about food and environmental justice, div- stock their pantries, and offer support as they develop
ing into workshops, engaging with guest speakers into home cooks. In combination with the “Fresh Start”
and sharing delicious food. This was a great chance kit of key tools for home cooking (chef’s knife, spic-
for like-minded teens to come together to explore is- es and spice rack, cutting boards, measuring cups and
sues they’re passionate about. We were thrilled to be spoons, and much more) earned by all Hope Kitchen
joined by the Public Interest Law Center of Phila- graduates, these home visits help ensure that they are
delphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Agricul- able to apply what they’ve learned as they head into
ture, the Philadelphia Water Department, the Attic’s this next chapter of their lives.
LGBTQ Youth Center, The Food Trust, Philadelphia
To those who’ve supported us along the way
Parks and Recreation, and more!
— be it financially, through supply donations or by
We added paid internships to Hope Farm, our spending time with us — we thank you. Here’s to
program at Martin Luther King High School for digging even deeper in 2017!
young people with autism and intellectual disabil-
[e-mail]
ities. Since the start of summer, Kendall and Den-
zel have joined us at our weekly farmstand, helping
with everything from setting up to selling produce. Denzel, left, and Kendall helped run
the Food Moxie farmstand at the
This has enabled Kendall and Denzel to take some of
Chestnut Hill store this season.
the skills they’ve developed in class and apply them
Santa Claus
Morris Arboretum
is Coming to
Mt. Airy!
Holiday Garden Railway
All are invited to visit
with Santa at
Rothe Florists
on Friday December 9th,
from 6 ~ 8:00pm
Providing Holiday decorations for Generations!
7148 Germantown Ave.,
Mt. Airy • (next to FitLife)
215-247-0833
www.rotheflorists.com
*
November 25th - December 31st When you need flowers,
think Rothe’s!
Open daily 10am-4pm
*The Arboretum is closed December 24, 25 & January 1
Up-to-the-minute Co-op news...
like us on Facebook.
Friday Night Lights
Five Fridays in December - 4:30-7:30pm
Advance ticket purchase required Now accepting all major credit cards.

Holiday Shopping? A Morris Arboretum
Gerard A. Plourde
gift membership gives all year long!
Attorney at Law
Wills n Estate Administration n Real Estate Transactions
Veterans Matters n Individual Income Tax
www.morrisarboretum.org
Misdemeanor Criminal Matters n Small Claims Court
100 E. Northwestern Avenue ∙ Philadelphia Kgplourde@gmail Phone [phone]
Consultations at your location Mobile [phone]
December 2016 THE SHUTTLE 9
An offshoot of Weavers Way Co-op An oWffes dhiogo wt ohfa Wt weaev eearts. Way CoA-no poffshoot of WeaveWrse W daigy wCho-aot pwe eat. An offshoot of Weavers Way Co-op
It’s the Most
Why I Give
TerraCycle Time
Of the Year
Sharat Somashekara
TerraCycle, an international
program that takes items
Al ong-time supporter of Weavers that are difficult to recycle, is
Way and Food Moxie, I was recently
offering a 100-point bonus 608 Carpenter Lane
asked to join Food Moxie’s Board of Direc- for all shipments received 215-843-8289
tors. As someone whose career has involved in December. Since Weavers foodmoxie.org
agriculture, food security and city greening, Way very kindly turns their Executive Director
I was happy to join on and hope to contrib- TerraCycle points into cash JILL FINK [e-mail]
ute to the organization’s communications, for Food Moxie, that means Program Director
fundraising and personnel transitions. more money to fuel our JACKIE SCHRAUGER [e-mail]
farm, nutrition and culinary Development & Communications Manager
Why do I give? It would be a massive
RACHEL REYNOLDS [e-mail]
education programs!
understatement to say that some of our Phil- know where they fit in, how their contribu- Development & Operations Associate
adelphia neighbors lack access to basic nu- tion matters and what constitutes success. TerraCycle is also giving extra ANGELA FARANDA [e-mail]
tritious food and economic agency. In fact, points for Colgate Oral Care Youth Education Coordinator
Fully knowing that the efforts of Food
roughly 26 percent of our neighbors live at product containers, Clif Bar TARA CAMPBELL [e-mail]
Moxie and community organizations can-
or below the poverty line, and many more wrappers and Wellness Natural Farm Educator
not stem the tide of citywide poverty, Board MELISSA POWELL [e-mail]
are on the edge. So many of our kids don’t Pet Food bags. A complete
members, staff and volunteers nevertheless Nutrition Educator
see a reasonable future that involves up- list of what is being collected
understand the immense value of contrib- MERCELYNE LATORTUE [e-mail]
ward mobility. In light of waning federal is available at the dropoff
uting to the lives of individuals. When one
and state support, traditional means of ad- locations — Weavers Way Next
family experiences social support, enjoys a
dressing food security and poverty more Door in Chestnut Hill and 555
healthy meal or engages in gardening, their
broadly require constant innovation. This is Carpenter Lane in Mt. Airy.
potential to thrive increases.
where small nonprofits such as Food Mox-
ie fit in and play a vital role. Through pro- It’s not that anyone can wave a mag- Give $2 to Food Moxie!
Every 2nd Tuesday Every Month
gramming at Stenton Family Manor, Mar- ic wand and fix systemic problems. The
When you shop at the Co-op on the second
tin Luther King High School and Saul High support provided by Food Moxie can be Tuesday of the month, please consider adding
School, Food Moxie’s crew supports and thought of as a single ingredient in a com- $2 to your total bill to support the programs
and services of the newly renamed Food
inspires students and families around food, plicated recipe that requires years of disci-
Moxie! Your support enables us to provide a
gardening and environmental stewardship. pline to execute, with the end goal being the wide range of farm education and nutrition
programs to local families.
Food Moxie Executive Director Jill Fink growth and development of a new genera-
runs a tight ship in which all stakeholders tion of thriving Philadelphians.
Friday, Dec. 2 Friday, Dec. 9
and
5-9
pm
At Greene & Carpenter Mt. Airy
in
OPEN LATE
:
High Point Café, The Nesting House, Big Blue Marble Bookstore,
Philadelphia Community Acupuncture, Sage Integrative Health
Center, Donegan Studios, Weavers Way Across the Way
and Weavers Way Mercantile.
PLUS
Discover more than 20 vendors hosted by
High Point Café and Weavers Way Mercantile showing
BEAUTIFUL, USEFUL, HANDMADE
& LOCAL GOODS!
• Jewelry • Books • Fiber Arts
• Pottery • Toys • Antiques & Vintage
• Woodwork • Cards • Decorative Arts
• High Point’s • Herbal Soaps & Salves • Holiday Greens
Homemade Candy • Beeswax Candles & Floral
Enjoy Live Music & Festive Nibbles
While You Shop!
10 THE SHUTTLE December 2016
Looking Back (the Bear) & Ahead in the Park
The Grand Opening
banner — and the
welcome mat — are by Erin Mooney, for the Shuttle WEC’s capacity for programming.
out at Mt. Airy Art
Next year, we’ll tackle some long-needed
Garage’s temporary
store at 6622 The Wissahickon is heading into Win- repairs resulting from erosion around the For-
Germantown Ave. ter, after a lovely fall with rich colors and bidden Drive Trail. We’ve selected Riverlogic
warm days. At Friends of the Wis- Solutions/AKRF to conduct the
sahickon, we’re ready for winter,
construction work and begun the
Michael Albany photo
too, a time to reflect on our accom-
permitting and design phase of this
plishments of the last year and to
extensive project to repair three
make plans for 2017.
partial collapses along this popu-
It was a big year for the Wissa- lar trail in the park — near Valley
hickon Valley Park. For many, 2016 Green Inn, Mt. Airy Avenue and
will go down as the “year of the Kitchens Lane. Stabilizing the trail
bear.” You may remember that in May, a young to keep it from eroding further and restoring the
Mt. Airy Art Garage Pops Up
black bear was seen wading across the Wissa- streambank habitat will help improve the water
hickon Creek. Wildlife officials tried to locate quality of the Wissahickon Creek.
the bear, but it was never again seen in the Wis-
We also got into the book business with
by Haley Velletri, for the Shuttle sahickon. Days later, there were reports of a bear
the publication of “Good Night Wissahickon,”
in Chester County, but it was not determined if it
a children’s book about a family exploring the
Despite being forced to relocate at the end of summer 2016 was the same animal.
to another location, the Mt. Airy Art Garage is continuing to deliver
We were busy that week
programming during this next year and a half of transition to a new perma-
— our Facebook page became
nent location. Partnerships with neighborhood organizations, schools and
a clearinghouse for bear-relat-
community members are showing us the way forward — new ways of
ed news and FOW was quoted
thinking and looking at what we do and how we deepen our commitment
in all sorts of press. Our prima-
to community and persevere in our mission. Mt. Airy USA has become a
ry concern was safety — we
key partner, as have Lutheran Theological Seminary, Emlen and Houston
were grateful park users were
schools, and a growing list of others. The future is bright!
safe — but at the same time,
And now we have a flagship pop-up location at 6622 Germantown Ave.! we were able to raise aware-
Stop by the Handcraft Gift Shop, our new hub for anyone who wishes to de- ness and educate people about
light in original fine art and handcraft by local artists. We can even point out bear behavior.
our new permanent home that will eventually be built right across the street.
We launched the high-
We’re here to tell you we are back in action, popping up all over the ly successful “All Trails Chal-
community this fall and winter! Looking to collaborate with other quilters lenge,” asking park users to
or photographers? It’s happening monthly at the Innovation Hub at 6700 raise money for the park by
Germantown Ave. — an awesome, creatively stimulating co-working space. exploring all 50 miles of park
FOW photo
trails. Over 200 people have
MAAG will also be hosting our eighth annual Holiday Art Market at Lu-
Wintry Valley Green Inn and Wissahickon Creek can’t be far off.
risen to the All Trails Challenge
theran Theological Seminary, 7301 Germantown Ave., for two weekends —
and we’ve been amazed at the
Saturday and Sunday Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 16-17, from noon till 6 p.m.
level of support! We’ll bring it back in 2017, so
We currently have artists in residence at Emlen and Houston. We have wonders of the park. If you’re looking for a hol-
plan to make the All Trails Challenge one of your
launched the Community of Pride Mural Project, in which students will iday gift for pre-schoolers or their parents, it’s a
New Year’s resolutions!
explore the question “What Makes Your Proud?” and express that visually. great gift. You can buy a copy here: www.fow.
The restored Wissahickon Environmen-
Our goal is to deepen a sense of community spirit and pride, using art as a org/good-night-wissahickon.
tal Center is looking fabulous. FOW received
means of communication. Those drawings will be incorporated into murals
As always, FOW is made up of people who
a Grand Jury Award at the annual Preservation
in each school.
love the park. We’re grateful for your support
Alliance Achievement Awards in June for the
Want to know more, join a class or exhibition, or help with future of our work and wish you and yours a healthy,
work on the WEC. The restoration included re-
MAAG projects? Visit MAAG in person at 6622 Germantown Ave., or happy 2017 filled with good times in the Wissa-
pairs to the main building and construction of a
online at mtairyartgarage.org. You can also follow MAAG on Facebook, hickon. To become a member or to give the gift
new porch, which provides a visual reference to
Twitter and Instagram. Track the tag #MAAGPopsUp to find out when of membership, visit www.fow.org.
the famous tree that once grew through its roof.
MAAG will be near you!
The new porch also offers handicapped-accessi- Erin Mooney is the publicist for
Haley Velletri is a MAAG board member. ble outdoor classroom space that greatly expands Friends of the Wissahickon.
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