Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA

Help Silver Lake Nature Center, a 253-acre "natural treasure" in the heart of the southern portion of Bucks County, maintain their grounds and building at Volunteer Work Days on the first Saturday of each month from 9 am-2 pm. Give them four hours of labor, and they'll give you lunch! Call (215)785-1177 to register.

Friends Meeting House, 4th and Arch Sts., Philadelphia

Sustainability has become a by-word in so many conversations about the environment, buildings, and how we plan for the future. In a three-hour workshop, architect Jason Kliwinski will explain what sustainability means in the built environment and provide an understanding of the relationship between preservation, adaptive re-use and sustainability for those who are puzzling through the "new" approach to construction and making our homes more environmentally sound. Call (206) 202-2883 or e-mail for information. $20.

Gershman Y, Broad and Pine Sts., Philadelphia

Economic and employment issues loom large over the 2008 elections. Steven Greenhouse, labor and workplace reporter for The New York Times, and author of The Big Squeeze, will discuss the changing environment for workers, the contracting middle class, and how increasing pressure on American employees is affecting politics and economic development in 2008 and beyond. Ticket includes light brunch. $20 - $25. Call (215) 446-3021 or register online.

White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia

Author, Mark Winne, who wrote "Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Tabel in the Land of Plenty," will tell the story of how we get our food, from low income families at food pantries to the more comfortable classes, who are increasingly seeking out organic and local produce. Winne has dedicated his professional life to finding local, state, and federal solutions to America's food disparities. Join Winne for a three-course dinner at 6 pm; discussion at 7:30 pm (free if space permits.) $38/person with tax and gratuity. Call (215) 386-9224 for reservations.

Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia

"Fulfilling a Prophecy", organized by Penn Museum and the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, features never-before-displayed objects from the private collections of Lenape people in Pennsylvania, in addition to historic and contemporary photographs, and archaeological objects from the collections of Penn Museum. Ancient masks, dolls, jewelry, and other traditional arts, as well as a number of once-secret family heirlooms from the 1800s, await you at this extraordinary exhibit that has just started its year-long run. $8 adults; $5 children. For information, call (215) 898-4000.

University of Pennsylvania, 3403 Walnut St., Room 329-A, Philadelphia

Since 1987, every U.S. President has proclaimed German-American Day on October 6 to recognize the substantial contributions that German immigrants have made to the United States. In celebration, a lecture "German American Women's Activism: Constructing Gender Roles and Ethnic Identity" will be given by Dr. Anke Ortlepp, Research Fellow, German Historical Institute in Washington, D.C., at the University of Pennsylvania's Max Kade German Center. A reception will follow the discussion. FREE. Call (215) 947-5490 for information.

Essene Food Market and Cafe, 719 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia

Eric Chung of the Clean Air Council will discuss how transportation has a significant, adverse impact on our regional air quality. While it is sobering news, Chung will offer ways that we can make a positive difference. FREE. For information, call (215) 922-1146.

Congregation Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA

The Art of Memory is an interactive community-based installation created by internationally-recognized artist, Michele Brody. For more than six months, Brody researched the communities of Elkins Park and East and West Oak Lanes seeking background and learning about the people who enriched the area. She recorded interviews with residents and business owners and explored the North Broad Street site of the former home of Congregation Temple Judea. Check out this glimpse of the past.