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Dinosaur Bones and Big Eats at the Philadelphia Restaurant Festival
Story, photos by Elizabeth Coffey As one walks around the Academy of Natural Sciences, the scent of delicious food in the air, it’s difficult not to do one’s best Tyrannosaurus Rex impression. I, the casual omnivore on the prowl, walked into 2016’s Philadelphia Restaurant Festival with anxious anticipation, looking forward to all of the delights that would dance upon my tongue that evening. In front of the bones of one the late Cretaceous period’s biggest meat eaters was Modelo serving up some of its best brews; a dark beer, a light beer, and a beer infused with tomato. Deeper inside the museum, local restaurants and establishments put their best food…
- Charity, Dessert, Drink, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Health, Latest News, Restaurants, Weddings
Let Them Eat Cake 2016 Gets Animated from Dr. Seuss to Looney Tunes
Story and photos by Dana J. Prophet Once again it’s that time of year for Let Them Eat Cake. This event stands out because it’s Philadelphia’s premier wedding cake design competition open to both culinary professionals and students. Proceeds from this event benefits City of Hope‘s cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS research. Held at the Loews Hotel’s Regency Ballroom on March 28th, as usual the theme’s competition goes beyond the previous year’s theme. City of Hope – In Animation allowed cake artists go above and beyond the dreams of any bride. There were cakes designed as favorite cartoon characters to cakes with moving toppers. Ticket holders travelled from table to table tasting delectable cake and viewed…
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Keeping the Community Thriving, The Garces Foundation Presents `Think Local, Give Local’
Story and photos by Dana J. Prophet On a beautiful crisp March evening, well-dressed men and women gathered to Philadelphia’s Loews Hotel to celebrate and raise funds for The Garces Foundation Benefit. All of Chef Jose Garces’ famed restaurants and other local dining venues convened to raise money towards the continuous of the prestigious program. Decked out in cocktail attire, attendees were welcomed to table upon table of delicious cuisine. With one ticket, you can try scrumptious highlights from all the best restaurants in Philadelphia. Do you appreciate cocktails made from local spirits? The night’s benefit was the best place to find elixirs to appease the beer fanatics, gin enthusiasts, whiskey fiends, and…
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Manatawny Still Works Rum Batch Tiki Party Kicks Off Spring Season with High Spirits
Photos, story by Christine Tarlecki Trimble Manatawny Still Works just released their 3rd Rum Batch and celebrated with a huge Tiki Party on a sunny Saturday at the end of March. Steel drums, cocktail classes, tastings and food by Oscar’s Catering really set the Spring spirits high. Inside the cavernous room, the sounds of the tropics mingling with the chatter of excitement for the party, bartenders discussing drinks and the clink of glasses. Plus, the first round was on the house! VP of Sales and Marketing Randy McKinley took us on a tour and we tasted all of the fine crafted spirits while the steel drums washed over the crowd. The Tiki Party…
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American Idol’s Taylor Hicks Talks Acoustic Tour and New Television Show “State Plate”
American Idol favorite Taylor Hicks is bringing his acoustic tour to a city near you. Prior to taking the stage here in New Hope, PA, he chatted with Explore NJ about everything from his thoughts on American Idol’s farewell season, to what he likes doing in his spare time. Our interview is posted below. Enjoy! WHAT: TAYLOR HICKS PERFORMS NEW HOPE, PA WHEN: APRIL 24, 2016 WHERE: NEW HOPE WINERY TICKETS: VIP $75 – STANDARD $35 TIME: Doors Open at 5pm, Showtime 6pm WHITNEY: Tell us about the New Hope, Pennsylvania on April 24th? HICKS: Well, I’m kind of doing an acoustic tour. I’m playing really small venues. I wanted…
- Charity, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Fashion, Food, Latest News, Restaurants
THE Party: An Aptly-Named Event For Organ Donors are Heroes
Story and photos by Tori Radday. Recently, I attended THE Party at the Hyatt at the Bellevue Philadelphia and within the first couple minutes of arriving at the glamorous event, I discovered why it had earned the title of THE Party. The elegant ballroom glowed with enchanting lights as DJ Eddie Tully spun the hottest tunes. Acrobats high in the air, dolled up showgirls and vocals by Jessy Kyle provided entertainment. Top restaurant food stations lined the ballroom and several open bars kept the guests happy. For those of you who are unfamiliar with THE Party, THE party is a yearly event presented by Organ Donors Are Heroes. The event supports…
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Opening Night of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts: The PIFA Gala
Story and photos by Brittany Harlow The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, (PIFA), just kicked off its little over two week long celebration on April 6th with the PIFA Gala, hosted at the Kimmel Center. The event boasted a red carpet cocktail hour, formal dinner, and a night of innovative and exceptional art performances. The performances included Academy Award winning songstress and American grassroots artist, Rhiannon Giddens and band, large scale and choreographed puppeteering by the French art performance company Compagnie des Quidams’, and live dancing music by upbeat, African-inspired but Brooklyn-native, 12-piece ensemble band, Antibalas. The evening began to an unfortunately dull start. Although the red carpet, cocktail hour and…
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Saving Furry Friends While Dancing the Night Away at the Annual Morris Animal Refuge for FurBall 2016
Story and Photos by Dana Prophet On March 19th, lovers of animals and devotees of The Morris Animal Refuge‘s dressed in 1950’s dresses and leather jackets to celebrate the love of the four-legged friends and everything MAR stands for. This year’s event took us and the Old Pine Community Center back in time to Prom Night in the 1950’s. It wasn’t just an excuse to wear your hair in a beehive or pompadour, it was to honor people who sacrifice their time to benefit The Morris Animal Refuge and raise funds to allow the organization to do their great works for our canine and feline friends who need a home. Check…
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YB Connected Gets Green with Grow Your Own – Cultivating a Leadership Ecosystem at Philadelphia Union League
Story, photos by Deja Cromartie YB Connected hosted an amazing networking soiree at the Philadelphia Union League in March. The event supported the Germination Project, which is an organization that has “a mission to create a self-sustaining, and perpetuating ecosystem for Philadelphia’s next generation of leadership.” Utilizing the region’s current leaders, the Germination Project seeks to catalyze and energize the crème de la crème of ambitious young men and women. This group is brought together by the following : their talent, drive and commitment to putting their gifts into service for the benefit of our city. Philadelphia’s best and brightest are invited, regardless of circumstance, into a committed and empowered fellowship–bestowing…
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I Am Now Part Robot! Scoliosis Fusion Surgery a Bionic Success
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Well, it is now almost 2 months since I was sliced and diced at Jefferson Hospital on Feb. 12, 2016 around 9 a.m. Three days before surgery, I was told by my employer to use up my vacation days and then go on unemployment. So much for that plan of being supported and having nothing to worry about but recovery. But this is the rhythm of my life. My life has never been easy and deep down, I had a feeling it was too good to be true. Too late to file for any disability claim, I just focused on the task at hand: mentally and…