P'unk Avenue Window

This month’s Junto is on Free Beer.

We will be drinking multiple beers that were brewed for the event by Chris Matta and Howard Ross and we will be talking about that process.

However, the free beer movement is about more than beer. It is really about Open Source using free beer as a metaphor or a manifestation of the process. Playing with the “free as in free speech, not as in free beer”.

We have 3 panelists to discuss beer, speech, and open source.

Howard Ross is a web developer and co-founder of Grainstar Brewery, a local homebrewing operation that was started two years ago in South Philly.

Rob Hall is an Adobe Community Expert specializing in the Flash Platform, and is manager of the Philadelphia Flash Platform Adobe User Group.

Tom Boutell is a developer here at P’unk Avenue. His open source projects include the GD Library and the PNG Image Format. He has a background in software development and long experience with the web. Tom created the original WWW FAQ, which continues to be a frequently-consulted “how-to” resource for web developers. At RealNetworks (then Progressive Networks), Tom was instrumental in the creation of RealAudio 1.0, the first streaming audio solution for the web.

Moderators will be Kelani Nichole and Alex Gilbert.

Come drink the beer brewed for the event. We will provide tomato pie.

Please bring something to share, if it is not too much trouble.

This Friday I have an opening at my friend Zoe’s boutique. I’ve been drawing my personal documents (the intricate ones with security patterns and laser-printed black letter). I have a folder full of these important personal things, they stay in that folder until I need one of them to apply for a new document.

I’ve started to treat the drawings with more care than my diploma, they become precious squinting over them. It’s a fun project.

The opening is 6 - 9, Friday June 20th, the show will be up for a month. Come drink some wine, and eat some dessert.

When we got back from SXSW this March we felt even more inspired to collaborate with people doing inspiring things in Philadelphia. One of the first things we did was contact Far and Vanja of The Hacktory to brainstorm on this topic. When we got together Vanja mentioned the idea of coordinating an Ignite event.

We all knew immediately that Ignite would be a great way to bring together a diverse group of inspiring people in one fell swoop.

The basic format is that approximately 20 people speak on a topic for 5 minutes. They prepare 20 slides that rotate automatically after 15 seconds. It should keep things lively. And if the talks are not lively enough, it is happening at Johnny Brenda’s where plenty of libations will be available.

Speakers include: The iSepta guys, Kristin Thompson, of the Future of Music Coalition, NO CARRIER, 100K house, Pete Tridish of the Prometheus Radio Project, Alex Hillman of Indy Hall, and several more. The speakers are all doing exciting and inspiring things in Philadelphia.

Everything happens on June 11th. Doors open at 6pm. Speakers start at 7pm.

We hope you can make it.

P.S. We will not hold a Junto in June. Consider this our June Junto on speed.

This May’s Junto will explore the dynamics of Creative Communities. The panelists are John Freeborn, one of the founders of the gallery and art collective Space 1026, Olive Prince, dancer, choreographer and part of the Choreographers Project at Susan Hess Modern Dance, and Sara Selepouchin, Etsy Teams Coordinator.

I will moderate the discussion which will begin at 7pm. Food and drink at 6pm.

On April 1, 2005 we registered punkave.com.

In honor of our 3rd birthday, please join us for some cake (or mini cannoli) and some beer/drinks.

April 1, 2008, 6pm

P’unk Avenue
1168 E. Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19147

For those who might have missed it, there’s a recap of the most recent Junto gathering over at the Junto site. Trying out a new format was an exciting experiment. We would love to hear any feedback from those who attended.

Today the great Fork You folks brought a mobile kitchen, two George Forman grills, and a whole lot of fun to P’unk Ave’s studio. They made some of the most incredible panini I have ever tasted. In preparation for filming, Marisa carmelized onions, roasted red peppers and grilled mushrooms. Combined with some fresh and delicious ingredients, these grilled masterpieces satisfied the entire studio audience.

We enjoy sharing our space with people telling stories and communicating ideas. Fork You is a great cooking show. Take a watch of some of their previous episodes, I am sure you will agree.

Can’t wait for them to release this one.