Courses at WHYY's Public Media Commons

The Public Media Commons is a physical embodiment of WHYY's commitment to community engagement. It serves as a hub of media literacy for the Philadelphia area, a gathering place for educators, a hands-on learning environment for students and a venue for performers and lecturers. Select a course below for more information and to register, or view the current course catalog (PDF).

Arts Shuffle

WHYY's Arts Shuffle highlights what's going on in your area with a weekly selection of regional arts and culture opportunities. Plus, an in-depth listing in the NewsWorks entertainment gude. See what's new »

Events with You Bet Your Garden's host, Mike McGrath

---

June 9: 20th annual Earth Fair in Smithville, NJ

Historic Smithville Park; 803 Smithville Road in Eastampton, NJ

Mike returns to Burlington County's Annual Earth Fair, a great event that features vendors, entertainment for all ages, and kids' activities with an environmental twist. The event is rain or shine and runs from noon to 4 pm. Mike talks are at noon (organic lawn care) and 2 pm (compost). For more information, visit www.smithvilleconservancy.com.

Gardening events in the Delaware Valley

Deadline June 30: Call for Entries: 2013 PHS City Gardens Contest

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is now accepting applications for the 2013 PHS City Gardens Contest. The contest, started in 1975, celebrates the horticultural beauty and diversity of Philadelphia, while recognizing local gardeners for their skillful and inspired gardening.

Participants compete in a variety of categories. Individual gardeners may enter front yard or back yard gardens, vegetable gardens, and gardens grown exclusively in containers. Community gardeners may participate by entering vegetable and flower gardens, parks, and garden blocks. Other categories are children's garden or school garden, maintained primarily by children under adult supervision; greenest block in town, a tree-lined block where residents garden in their front yards; and urban farm, an entrepreneurial garden that grows and sells produce and flowers and donates a percentage to the local community. Categories introduced last year include green roof garden; rain garden; xeriscape garden; water garden/stormwater management; and garden featuring native plants, art in the garden, and recycled materials.

PHS believes that city gardeners deserve praise and support for their work. Winning gardeners and judges will be invited to an Awards Reception later this year to celebrate the high caliber of winning gardens within the city of Philadelphia. Photographs of the winning gardens will also be showcased at the event. The deadline for applications is June 30. For information, please contact Flossie Narducci at 215-988-8897, or fnarducci@pennhort.org, or visit www.phsonline.org.

---

April 1 - August 31: Big Bugs at Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

On April 1st, visitors to the Morris Arboretum may think nature is playing an April Fool's joke on them as Big Bugs spring to life all over the Arboretum's 92-acre garden. These amazing 'bugs' are the creation of Long Island sculptor, David Rogers and are actually immense garden sculptures made from materials like fallen hardwood trees, standing deadwood, and willow saplings. Imagine a 16-foot 1200 pound praying mantis, a parade of 25-foot long ants, a dragonfly with a wingspan of 17 feet, or a 4-foot spider spinning a 15-foot web, to name just a few of the Big Bugs. Morris Arboretum will host 11 Big Bugs installed throughout the Arboretum's garden from April 1st through August 31st, plus lots of bug-themed events scheduled throughout the run of the display. Visit www.morrisarboretum.org for updates and more details.

---

May 25 - Sept. 2: Around the World in an Afternoon! Morris Arboretum's Garden Railway

Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

This summer, Morris Arboretum's Garden Railway will transport visitors to the far ends of the earth without ever leaving Philadelphia. Spanning the globe, visitors will travel to 12 architectural wonders, astounding in their engineering achievements, cultural importance and overall beauty. Experience magical visits to The Great Wall of China (China), The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy), Haghia Sophia (Istanbul), Tikal (Guatemala) Maachu Picchu (Peru), Petra (Jordan), the Giza Pyramid and Alexandria Light House and the Sphinx (Egypt), The Eiffel Tower and the Arch de Triomphe (Paris), and the Easter Island figures (Chile), plus Philadelphia landmarks. Grand Opening activities will take place on Saturday, May 25 from 1-3pm. Take part in a fun kids activity and enjoy free ice cream (while supplies last) beginning at 1pm. Visit www.morrisarboretum.org for updates and more details.

---

June 15 & 16: City Gardens Contest & People's Choice Tour

Wilmington, Delaware

We are taking garden inspiration to the people this June with the City Gardens Contest & People's Choice Tour. This FREE Wilmington-wide event features 83 gardens proudly displayed by residents, schools, churches, restaurants and community groups. The rain-or-shine tour runs Saturday & Sunday, June 15 & 16, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Guests say it's fun, social, and a unique opportunity to experience the sights and scents of dozens of private gardens in one weekend - and to talk directly to the gardeners who cultivated them. NEW THIS YEAR: guests enjoy weekend restaurant discounts at Toscana to Go, Extreme Pizza, Kid Shelleen's, Bain's Deli, Moveable Feast, Blue Parrot Bar & Grill, and Wilmington Wine Co. Show your tour map for promotional pricing. More information »

---

June 22: The Perkasie Garden Club Presents a Walking Tour

Perkasie, PA

The Perkasie Garden Club presents a walking tour featuring the quaint gardens of Blooming Glen. Saturday June 22 from noon - 4 p.m. Tickets are available at Agway of Dublin, Contemporary Gardens Supply, Perkasie Florist, Clair's Flower Shop, and Fredrick's Flowers. Day of tour tickets sold at 819 Blooming Glen Road (3 Room School House). Pre-purchase tickets are $15 and day of tour tickets are $18. Rain or shine. For more inforamtion, please call 215-453-8277 or 267-424-1315. perkasiegardenclub.weebly.com

---

June 26 & 27: How to Build a School Garden

New Foundations Charter School, 8001 Torresdale Ave (at Rhawn)

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will lead a Green City Teachers workshop in how to create a school garden. Designed for Teachers, Parents and other educators interested in school gardening, this 9-hour/2-session course will cover: how to design, build and maintain a school garden year 'round; relevant classroom activities; involving the community; getting the kids outdoors; and orking with administrators. Act 48 credit is available. Pre-registration is required. Fee for this nine-hour program is $50. To register, please visit http://phsonline.org/greening/green-city-teachers. For more information, contact greencityteachers@pennhort.org or call 215-988-8846.

---

July 16: How to Build a School Garden

Middlesex County EARTH Center, 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick

On Tuesday July 16th at 6:30 PM, Elijah's Promise Culinary School will host a Farm to Table event at the Middlesex County EARTH Center. The Farm to Table series shares the value of purchasing fresh, local produce, which reduces pollution from shipping. Attendees will experience methods used by chefs and taste dishes made with seasonal crops. The theme for the evening will be Ice Cream and Frozen Treats featuring seasonal produce and herbs. Attendees will first tour the EARTH Center's gardens, then experience the culinary techniques used to prepare seasonal produce. Some of the food prepared for tasting will be harvested from the EARTH Center's vegetable garden. The annual Farm to Table event focuses on supporting locally grown produce, which reduces pollution created by shipping food long distances. Buying Jersey Fresh produce also encourages growers to continue farming and preserving open space. Register by calling 732-545-9002 ext. 110 or by e-mailing btaylor@elijahspromise.net. The event will take place rain or shine. The event will take place rain or shine. To learn more about Elijah's Promise visit their website at www.elijahspromise.net.

---

July 17: Bug Crawl – Food & Drink Pairings for the 21st Century

Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

Bugs – it's what's for dinner at Morris Arboretum on July 17, 6-8pm as they host an evening of adventurous eating at Bug Crawl – Food & Drink Pairings for the 21st Century. Recent news reports have detailed the many benefits of insects as a food source, including their nutritious value that is high in protein. Bugs are also very plentiful, which makes them a sustainable way to feed the earth's growing population. Bring your friends and join Chef Josh Hunter of Company's Coming Catering to sample his tasting menu of gourmet delicacies that will include cricket fritters, teriyaki glazed hissing cockroach brochettes, and silk worm pupae summer rolls, served at several Big Bug stations throughout the garden. Learn the science behind this innovative cuisine as you sample these unexpectedly tasty selections. Guests will also enjoy beer and wine specially chosen to complement the evening's menu. Purchase your tickets online at: http://bit.ly/bugcrawl