August 2007 Vol
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August 2007 Vol. 36, No. 8 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119 phone: 215-843-2350 · fax: 215-843-6945 www.weaversway.coop Manager’s Energy Efficiency and the Green Life at Re-examining Corner the Co-op the Role of Pop-up Ideas... by Steve Hebden PHOTO BY Committees by Stu Katz, Board President by Glenn Bergman Late November S of last year, all six TEVE The board is re-examining the role I am always amazed at the way an H organization takes on new ideas or meth- display refrigeration EBDEN committees play in the Co-op and wants ods of doing business. Sometimes these compressors were input from members on some ideas being ideas are planned out in a business plan moved from the considered. Historically, Weavers Way or strategic plan, but often it is an idea basement of the Co- committees were responsible for certain that just “pops-up.” I call it managing op up to the roof functions that, over time, have become the “pop-ups.” It is a way of managing ideas and a new deli walk- responsibility of our general manager. Yet, that just pop up, knowing when an idea in box was installed our bylaws have not kept pace with these has “legs” and if it fails it will not ruin in the basement changing roles and responsibilities, result- the organization. It is an idea that has a space they had occu- ing in some friction and confusion be- potential positive outcome (meets some pied. One of the pre- tween and among the committees, the form of an organization’s mission or fits dicted benefits of GM, and the board. Board members find into planning), and if the idea does not this move was that it increasingly difficult and unproductive COMPRESSORS BEING MOVED FROM THE BASEMENT TO THE work, the worst it can do is put a small our energy usage to carry out their responsibilities to moni- (BTUs) and energy bump in the road. ROOF LAST NOVEMBER. tor the operations and functioning of the costs would go I thought I would give a few of these committees and the GM. down. In the old set- pop ups that have taken place over the After much discussion, we have con- up, heat from the compressors made its could be expected (in similar weather last year: cluded that a significant change in the way way into the rest of the building. Unless conditions as January through May of Standing in front of the meat case the 2006). Projected over the entire year, that committees are organized and function other day, a shopper came up to me and you were a barefoot shopper, you would- amounts to $1,865 of the store’s $31,000 within the Weavers Way governance struc- asked me why we package the meats that n’t have known that the floor above the annual gas and electric bill. This improve- ture is necessary. At the same time, the already come in Cryovac plastic, in addi- compressor room near the ice cream dis- ment is all the more amazing in light of board recognizes that such changes may tional plastic and Styrofoam. I looked at play was usually very warm And since it’s the fact that we added a big piece of elec- cause some members who have devoted the case. I remember having had a dis- no shoes, no service, there’d be no ice cream for you either. tricity-consuming equipment (the base- long hours to serving on Co-op commit- cussion about this before. Then I said, “I ment walk-in). And here’s another bonus do not know why we do this. Perhaps Well, there’s good news: the predicted tees to feel displaced or unappreciated. We savings in energy usage has come to pass. — because the refrigeration equipment do not take such changes lightly and want because we always have done it this way.” will run cooler and more efficiently, it will I knew, even before I was finished speak- From January through May 2007, we have to do whatever we can to involve members used 5.9 percent less energy (as measured last longer. Another factor in our recently (continued on page 4) in BTUs/degree day), or $839 less than (continued on page 4) (continued on page 4) Down on the Farm Weavers Way Film Series Presentation: Knee High by the Fourth of July Rebuilding New Orleans PHOTO BY PHOTO BY by Larry Schofer Passion and ration — that’s L ARRY S OL how I would characterize Paul S L CHOFER EVY Mack’s presentation on his week of rehabilitation work in New Orleans this past February. Passionate in his desire to help the displaced, but coolly ration- al in his analysis of the prob- lems that this population faces. A member of Weavers Way, Paul traveled to New Orleans as part of a group of volunteers coordinated by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, PAUL MACK (L) WITH MARGIE EGGERSON, A DIS- in this case through the Unitari- PLACED PERSON FROM NEW ORLEANS NOW LIVING WITH HARVEST KICKING INTO HIGH GEAR, THE CO-OP FARM IS BUSTLING WITH an Universalist Church of the IN PHILADELPHIA. MARGIE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN VOLUNTEERS HARVETING CROPS AND GETTING THEM READY FOR SALE. Restoration on Stenton Ave. at THE POST-PRESENTATION DISCUSSION. Gorgas Lane. The presentation by David Zelov, Co-op Farmer As we move towards August, farm and it is churches who have sponsored was sponsored by the Education Commit- “Knee high by the fourth of July.” If activities have shifted to mostly harvest- people to help those who want to return tee of Weavers Way. we were growing corn it certainly would ing. David Siller and I are still pruning to New Orleans. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita occurred be at least that, but alas, we are not. The and tying tomatoes, weeding, and seeding Some of the most impressive pictures in the summer of 2005. Why is New Or- rest of our crops, however, are knee high some of the shorter season crops that we were those of the insides of homes, where leans still such a mess? or more, and in the case of the squash, so do multiple plantings of during the year people left their stuff expecting to be back Using pictures he took of individuals big that we’ve lost a cooperator in there — lettuce, scallions, beets, carrots and in a few days — dishes in the draining salad greens. But it’s the harvesting that and homes, Paul reviewed the geography for three days (sorry, it still only counts as rack, pictures on the wall. Now, however, we seem to be spending most of our time of the city and the devastation that certain a two-hour shift). it is all covered in mold. Mold, dust parti- areas suffered. Much of the work seems to (contiunued on page 5) be inspired by faith-based communities, (continued on page 7) Weavers Way Cooperative Association Presorted Standard Save the Date 559 Carpenter Lane · Philadelphia, PA 19119 U.S. Inside: POSTAGE Saturday, Oct. 20 Product News 3 PAID Philadelphia, PA General Membership Sandwich Schedule 18 Permit No. 2658 Meeting Co-op Runners Club 20 Meet, Greet, & Eat Suggestions 20 “Past Meets Future” details to follow And of course... scads more PAGE 2 THE SHUTTLE AUGUST 2007 Editor’s Note Have You Visited Ned Wolf Park Yet? by Jonathan McGoran Ronda Throne-Murray One of the ways co-ops PHOTOS BY differ from for-profit businesses is the Ned Wolf Park is one of over 80 city-owned parks that are democratic way we govern ourselves. being tended by volunteer coordinators who donate their time R From time to time, that governance needs organizing volunteers, material and cash donations to improve ONDA a fresh look, and the board is seeking in- community life in their neighborhoods. We have been very for- T HRONE put from members as they re-examine the tunate in our neighborhood that many continue to have an role of committees at Weavers Way. interest in this park and contribute time and money to this proj- -M URRAY Frankly, I think they’re rushing things. A ect of improving it. committee has already been formed to By the time you read this, the Ned Wolf Park sign will be look at this, and it’s only fair that we wait prominently visible at the intersection of McCallum and Ellet until they deliver their findings. I’m refer- streets. The sign was made by local furniture craftsman Jack ring, of course, to the Ad Hoc Committee Larimore and his family. Regional woodworkers and craftspeople Committee, formed in 1978. It’s findings know Jack’s prominent reputation in the Philadelphia crafts should be ready sometime next year. The movement. We feel lucky and proud to have the sign he made year after that at the latest. for us and are confident that we have the finest park sign in the Another way co-ops differ is in how city. we view competition. We are sponsoring a Just beyond the sign, I hope you enjoy the flowering plants farmer’s market, right across the street. that have been giving a show for several weeks now. Ned Wolf Whole Foods is launching a hostile take- Park continues to make strides but still has issues that we are over of rival Wild Oats. The bid will likely trying to figure out how to resolve. I will say more on that later. be thwarted, however, in part because Recently donated work on the park includes Co-op staffer Whole Foods Chief Executive John Mack- Steve Hebden’s efforts at eradicating the poison ivy without the ey and other top executives said they were use of pesticides.