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Snake Guru Saving all the Creepy, Crawly Critters in Arizona
We recently met Nicholas Massimo, 36, from Phoenix, Arizona, who is a herpetologist and owner of Snake Guru, LLC. A herpetologist is an expert in biology of reptiles and amphibians and follow careers in teaching, research, conservation and zoo-keeping which is the end goal for the Snake Guru. What happens if you find a rattlesnake during your midnight munchies? Nick also offers 24/7 professional reptile relocation and removal services in Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding cities. Let’s deep dive into this interesting world of Arizona’s own Crocodile Dundee with a question and answer session below! Q: How did you get into being a “Snake Guru”? A: I have over 15 years…
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Float Through The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler As part of a girls getaway to The Cassara Carlsbad in San Diego, California, my college bestie and I met up for a flower-filled feminine rendez-vous with the key highlight of visiting the glorious Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. And part of that experience includes being dropped off by the hotel shuttle right in front of the entrance to the flower fields even though it is walkable from The Cassara. It was still humid, cool and misty, especially for this Phoenician but not enough to need a sweater which worked perfectly for our pretty, flowing dresses and my curly hair. There are 55…
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Pennsylvania Longwood Gardens Hosts Rotary Club’s Gatsby Garden Party
Iconic Gatsby font brings Art Deco elegance and style to the gala invite. “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit; stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, and there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life…
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Philadelphia Flower Show’s The Garden Electric Shines at Pennsylvania Convention Center
The 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show returned to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the first time since 2020. “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” — Luther Burbank Story, photos by Sharon Kozden It was 72 degrees in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania today! That declarative statement warrants an exclamation point because I’m writing on a November day. I’ll take it. Not a cold-weather fan. The temperate temp has perfectly set the scene for my scribbling, as I’m recapping the 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show on the eve of the 2024 Show theme’s announcement. The Philadelphia Flower Show a.k.a. “America’s oldest and finest exhibit…
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Take a Hike and Be Amazed at the Sonoran Desert in Arizona
Story, photos by Jason Nugent Often when people think of deserts, the image that comes to mind is one of a vast, barren landscape with nothing but sand for as far as the eye can see. As someone who has spent time in deserts around the world and has seen that specific view first hand, I’ll be the first to admit that I thought that the landscape surrounding Phoenix would be similar. Boy was I wrong. The Sonoran desert surrounding Phoenix is home to one of the most vibrant, lush landscapes in the Southwest United States. If getting out and appreciating that appeals to you, then I urge you to …
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Explore Spiritually Uplifting Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler When you move out west and your high school friend suggests a weekend birthday escape to Page, Arizona, the only answer is hell, yeah! The drive from Phoenix should only take about 4 hours but in my world of scrambling to get out the door early on a Thursday, I had my Google maps set to no highways and it took me like 6 hours, past some sort of water dam around twisting, winding roads and snow capped mountains. I had no clue where I was, barely had cell service as I was on the phone working out transitioning the blog URL names and Google…
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Twinkle, Twinkle: Era Contemporary Showcases Stargarden Exhibit at Da Vinci Art Alliance
Era Contemporary announces exhibit with beautifully rendered photograph. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden When Jessica Libor, artist, graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and director of Era Contemporary, “a pop-up art gallery that showcases artwork by living artists who display a unique vision and a focus on magical realism,” recently called for submissions, artists delivered. The exhibit, entitled StarGarden was held Friday, September 1st at Philadelphia’s Da Vinci Art Alliance. Curated by Libor, it fused the sublime mystery of the celestial night sky’s cosmos with the tangible beauty of floral and fauna on magical terra firma. So when Cassie Hepler called for a writer and photographer to cover the event, my shooting star-swift affirmative response confirmed my presence at…
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‘Tis the Season for Modeling, Photography Scammers and Catfishing
By Cassie Hepler One thing a lot of people ask me as an established model/actress/photographer and vetted journalist is how to spot a scammer. Well, fortunately for you, I have been getting hit hard lately. And the scams are getting more and more complex with legit looking websites, one person who got targeted by scammers even had to put a disclaimer on his website and even friends trying to sell off their beloved vintage furniture for a move cross country are getting hit. I’ll break it down for you so you can see the email/text pattern (there is never a direct phone call made, red flag number one), the horrible…
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‘A Moment of Zen’ exhibit at The Bazemore Gallery truly is a zen experience with Inna Race of Belarus
By Jill Beckel Saturday, June 13th was a special evening for The Bazemore Gallery with The “A Moment of Zen” exhibit featuring artist Inna Race of Belarus. Located at 4339 Main Street in Manayunk, The Bazemore Gallery is described as “a boutique art gallery.” The owner Lenny Bazemore loves introducing visitors to mid-level and well established contemporary artists. The Bazemore Gallery strives to “exhibit and sell original works of art which create synergy in the home and in the work place.” Visitors of the gallery perused around the exhibit enjoying light snacks of wine, fruit and cheese. Inna, dressed in a beautiful silver sparkly cocktail dress, was very friendly and gracious.…
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The Man Behind the Camera Lens: Who is Hugh E. Dillon?
by Cassie Hepler Every event you go to in the city, there is a mysterious man in black snapping photos of guests like the Philly paparazzi. Explore Philly wanted to learn more about the man behind the lens with a little one-on-one Q&A session. Read on to learn who he is, how he got so fabulous and how to make sure you end up in Philly Mag. Congratulations on your photography exhibit, Chat Snaps, at the Comcast Shops! It was a pleasure to look at your photography. Q: Which one is your favorite and why? A: My favorite photo is the one of the skateboarder at Love Park. I took…