Around Philadelphia

Alli writes about UBB approved Hidden Gems in Philadelphia and across the country. She loves talking to new people as much as she likes discovering new experiences. She can be reached at [email protected] and hopes you’ll reach out to her!

At UBB, we’re all about that moment when you discover something new, something old, or something entirely unexpected.  Our team makes a point of seeking out these experiments, so we thought, “Hey, why don’t we share it with our community? And an idea was born: UBB Approved Hidden Gems.

UBB Hidden Gems must live up to three strict criteria.

First, an experience must in some way have to do with supporting pro-ocean movements.  This category is wide, as everything from eating organic to drinking sustainable wine to fishing (the old fashioned way) can be ocean-friendly.

Second, it must be hidden. Hidden could mean that it’s so new (in the case of our first Hidden Gem) that you might not have found it on your own, so old that you didn’t even know it existed, or so well camouflaged that only eagle eyes could see it.

Third, and most importantly, it must be totally cool, totally fun, and totally brag-worthy. If we don’t think it’s worth it, you won’t hear about it. But if we do talk about it, you’ll know that it’s worth checking out.

Alli writes about plastic and its effects on the health of the oceans, its inhabitants, and people. She can be reached by email at [email protected] and loves talking to people as much as she hates plastic.

Amy Gutmann, president of the University of Pennsylvania in UBB's hometown of Philadelphia, was interviewed back in August by Inc. Magazine. Though UBB and our founder are both products of Temple University, I happen to be a grad from the other side of town, so news from Penn is always near and dear to my heart.

Inc. reporter Leigh Buchanan interviewed President Gutmann about what managers should expect from the millennials, also known as Gen-Y.  For starters, she says that "One of the characteristics of millennials, besides the fact that they are masters of digital communication, is that they are primed to do well by doing good." She goes on to talk about pro-bono work, which was once the unwelcome province of lower performing employees at large firms is now in such high demand that the crème de la crème of employees enjoy the opportunity of giving back.

Mike writes about transportation and emerging technology, focusing on the longterm affects they have on our environment and our oceans.  Feel free to send him an email at [email protected] - he loves to talk to about anything involving cars and would love to hear about your garage-built Electric Vehicle project!

I don't know about you, but I would love to have a sweet title before my name.  And I'm not talking about Dr., PhD, M.D. or anything like that.  How cool would it be if people called me Ambassador Cangi?  Ha, it has a nice ring to it.
Now, you too can be an ambassador with the help and training of our friends over at Pennsylvania Environmental Council.  PEC just launched their Tidal Delaware River Ambassador program and they are looking for enthusiastic leaders to help lead the way.  River Ambassadors will help educate people about the Tidal Delaware River through trips, tours, and activities in and around the Delaware River.  Some of the possibilities include hosting a kayak trip, conducting a sail boat tour, or even hosting a river cleanup (This is our favorite option!)