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Exercise Like an Acrobat at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet From humble beginnings and moving to a brand new location in Mt. Airy, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts held an open house to invite their new neighbors and curious onlookers to see the magic happen. Inside the church and school, 28,000 square feet will be available for classes, training space, performances, private sessions, rentals and weddings, special events, birthday parties, office space, staff lounge and kitchen, student lounge, storage and more. The 5,000-square-foot sanctuary features a 40 foot high ceiling, stained glass windows, a viewing gallery and additional space for new trampoline classes. Under the sanctuary rests a 5,000-square-foot gymnasium with a 17 foot…
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Discover the Fine Art of Making Limoncello While Eating Amazing Italian Food at Osteria
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet Made with the simplest ingredients and a wee bit of testing plus patience, Limoncello is a drink most willingly embrace. Delicious and versatile enough to combine into cocktails and even desserts, Osteria’s Sommelier Frank Kinyon showed his eager students how practically anyone can make this refreshing liqueur with a surprising ingredient – Everclear grain alcohol! As Frank demonstrated, the students and myself were delighted to enjoy a full course of the best dishes Osteria had to offer. Some were made from family recipes and it was easy to taste the love and tradition in every morsel. Along with each course, a regional Italian wine…
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Saint Benjamin Brewery Offers Craft Beer with a Side of History
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet If you drive a bit past Temple University’s Main Campus, you’ll come to a brewery and tap room that’s within the Kensington section of the city. Saint Benjamin Brewery offers modern brewing techniques and also holds onto history that reaches back to the days of prohibition while presenting both distinctive and magical craft brews along with a menu of tantalizing food. The brewery is nestled within the middle of the street and it was also previously a historic carriage house and stables of the defunct Theo Finkenauer Brewery. Sadly, that brewery is now an empty lot. Fear not though because Saint Benjamin has all…
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2017 Great Chefs Event Continues to Give Back with Marc Vetri and Alex’s Lemonade
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet Where can you taste a little bit of the best cuisine from the finest area restaurants while helping out the renowned Vetri Community Partnership and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation? There’s no other event like The 12th Annual Great Chefs Event where 1,200 food-loving philanthropists gathered for the culinary event of the year. Urban Outfitters, Inc.‘s corporate location at the Philadelphia Navy Yard was the place to find hand-selected chefs to raise money for an excellent cause. More than 40 spectacular chefs and over 1,000 attendees packed into the Urban Outfitters headquarters for a night full of delectable dining and generous donations. The event raised more than…
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Taste and Tour at Philadelphia Distilling’s New Location in Fishtown
Photos, story by Dana Prophet Gaining popularity in the 17th century and still going strong today, gin lovers can tell you they appreciate the herbal flavors derived from juniper berries and citrus that make a wonderful array of cocktails. In the past, gin was once used for medicinal reasons. As you devour a cocktail, tell yourself that you are indeed “drinking to your health”. Now you no longer need to rely on imported gin, we can covet our own hometown made, award-winning Bluecoat® American Dry Gin. Philadelphia Distilling relocated to a prime location in Fishtown much to the praise of anyone who truly appreciates a classic cocktail such as Gin…
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Back to School to Solve the Food and Wine Pairing Puzzle at Drexel’s Center for Hospitality
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet Most people choose a wine that’s their favorite, suggested by a server or sommelier, or whatever is on sale. What most amateur oenophiles don’t know is that the meal’s components (sauce, protein, sweetness, and/or acidity) will affect the taste of the wine. Hannah Bellemare (formerly Dalälva) teaches lovers of wine the intrinsic properties of how one wine should be enjoyed with what type of food. Hannah is a Gastro-Sommelier who currently runs Dalälva Wine Tastings & Consulting in Philadelphia. More than a flow chart of what works and what doesn’t, students learn that where a wine comes from makes a difference as much as how it vinified. Although you…
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Navigate Towards the Moshulu Ship to Discover Martin Miller’s Gin
Photos, story by Dana Prophet Make some room, high-shelf gin. There is new and major contender in town. Martin Miller’s Gin is here to change your preconception of how gin should taste. Held at Moshulu at Penn’s Landing, the Martin Miller’s Gin Launch made believers out of the doubters and gin fans like myself discover this amazing elixir made into enticing cocktails. Like most amazing things in life, Martin Miller’s Gin was created out of necessity. The gin’s namesake and inventor, Martin Miller weary of lackadaisical gins wanted to show the world how it was done. Martin and his two friends gave themselves a challenge to produce the finest gin in the…
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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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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…