If you’re like us, you’ve adopted crime-fighting, ass-kicking alter egos to help you navigate the wild world of Penn. we at street have found ways to apply those super personas to saving the world. As you embrace your inner environmentalist, social activist, healer or animal lover, there is ample opportunity to explore the superhero within. Throw on your skintight suit, flex those pecs and follow these guides to saving the world.
Superman Fighting Crime Against Humanity Between taking midterms and Spring Flinging, it can be easy to forget that humanity’s plights trump that bio midterm curved around a C+. So if you are feeling like a greedy, unappreciative villain after your anemia deemed you unfit for the blood drive and your crappy dancing skills would be best left untaught to small children, we can help. For those whose alter ego’s kryptonite is injustice and inequality, these fair-weathered spring months present the perfect chance for you to fight for your fellow citizens. On Saturday April 11, don your cape and fly through Philadelphia’s Walk Against Hunger, a six-mile run around the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, if your superhuman abilities are needed elsewhere (or those months sans Pottruck have started to catch up with you), then take a one-mile stroll at the event to support the cause. You can also take a pointer from the “Man of Steel” himself and sport your cause on your chest. Sites like speakupdesigns.com and thehungersite.com allow you to ask others to “support your rack” and “cultivate peace,” while giving back to the greater good. All are noble thoughts if you want to help ward off societal ills, so extend those metaphorical muscles and stand up for what you believe in. —Sarah Kinosian
Mr. Fantastic Retail Therapy for the World's Ills We non-pre-med students often are left to feel like a less-worthy breed. While our friends in Orgo are working toward a goal that involves finding a cure for cancer, we are studying the principles of retailing, with hopes of one day teaching Cosmo readers the proper way to shape an eyebrow. But don’t feel too guilty! Despite not knowing the difference between meiosis and mitosis, there are still a number of ways we can help reach a cure. For athletically-inclined among us, Penn Dental is organizing the 1st Annual Oral Cancer Walk on Saturday, April 18. Free oral screenings, refreshments, and live entertainment will be provided after the 3.1-mile walk. If shopping is more your cardio of choice, there are also various fashion products the proceeds of which are donated to cancer research. Try this Ralph Lauren polo shirt at Net-a-Porter, available for $75 (all of which goes to affiliated global charities). Or, if you’re in the market for jewelry, Helena Ficalora, the designer behind the ubiquitous gold charm initial necklaces, offers a 14K pink gold charm and chain, available on her website; 20% of the proceeds go to support breast cancer. —Courtney Guth
To register for the Oral Cancer Walk, visit http://www.oralcancerwalkphilly.org Visit net-a-porter at http://www.net-a-porter.com Check out Helen Ficalora’s website at http://www.helenficalora.com
Catwoman On the Prowl for Animal Protection On those lonely Monday nights when your roommate’s holed up in Van Pelt and you’ve exhausted your TV options, what’s better than cuddling up with a furry feline (or a cuddly canine, for that matter)? Alliteration aside, pets serve as companions to a number of Penn students, and adopting an abandoned dog serves a purpose beyond picking up chicks by walking it on Locust. While Campus Apartments may have banned pets larger than goldfish, you can support our friends in the Animal Kingdom without having one of your own, thanks to the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (aptly abbreviated PAWS). Le Virtu Trattoria (1927 E. Passyunk Ave.) is exhibiting and selling animal photography by Ruth Savitz and Christopher Woods until May 4, with proceeds going to benefit PAWS. If you’re looking to adopt, PAWS is holding cat adoptions from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday this month in three Philly locations. —Annette D’Onofrio
The Incredible Hulk The Jolly Green Giant Saves the Earth If you’re like the Incredible Hulk and are desperate to keep our Earth green, fear no more: spend these sunny days browsing Philadelphia’s many eco-friendly shops and restaurants. Fun finds such as Eye’s Gallery (402 South St.) feature eclectic homemade gifts of which even the Hulk would approve. With the arrival of spring, we can also think outside of the environmentally unfriendly box by reducing our waste, recycling old essays and reusing our water bottles (as Fling flasks). —Jessica Goodman
