Culture
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Barrel’s Fine Food: A South Philly Family Food Tradition
Story by: Maureen Cunningham / Photos: Provided by Barrel’s Most Delaware Valley natives alive long enough to remember life before not only smartphones, but also cell and/or car phones, knows that South Philadelphia was always renowned for delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Long before the hipsters invaded the diverse neighborhoods that border Center City below South Street (Washington Avenue or Tasker Street, depending on who you ask), appetites have been whetted just walking down the street on any given Sunday by the aroma of gravy (yes, I said it) wafting out of homes. Ensconced in this tradition on the corner of a tiny street of row homes on 1725 Wolf Street is…
- Culture, Day Trips, Education, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Fitness, Health, Latest News, Nature, Science, Travel
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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East Coast Hollywood: Philadelphia Film Society Screens Oscar Awards at Prince Theater
While not the Emerald City of Los Angeles, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection reps the 90th Academy Awards as only Philadelphia can. Kai-Kai’s inaugural stay at a pet-friendly hotel. My baby lives the luxe life! Story, photos by Sharon Kozden None in Philadelphia will forget the snow and wind-storm of March, 2018. I lost power for six days and had to locate (in order to cover this event) a pet-friendly hotel, hence the unexpected snap of a kitten. Thanks to the pet-friendly (at no extra charge!) The Windsor Suites for accommodating Kai-Kai Kozden, my beloved Maine Coon kitty, pictured at the hotel with Benjamin Kutner-Duff, who fell…
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Pretty in Pink at Philadelphia’s Morris Arboretum’s Cherry Blossom Festival
“To see the cherry hung with snow.” — Alfred E. Housman No explication necessary. Poet Housman here nailed it with the “hung with snow” phrase. Loveliest of trees, the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bough, And stands about the woodland ride Wearing white for Eastertide. – Alfred E. Housman Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Slowly but surely, “I’ve been turning Japanese, turning Japanese, I really think so.” This transmogrification began at least a decade ago, when one day I awoke, surveyed my surroundings and determined that the sheer volume of what my mother calls dust-catchers (read: tchotchkes) had to be jettisoned–stat. I set to divesting myself of…
- Architecture, Art, Culture, Day Trips, Dessert, Drink, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Music, Restaurants, Suburbs, Travel
Escape to Foodie Paradise at Bucks County Restaurant Week in Washington House Hotel
The Washington House Restaurant’s prix fixe menu tantalizes in its choices. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Going to a restaurant is one of my keenest pleasures. Meeting someplace with old and new friends, ordering wine, eating food, surrounded by strangers, I think is the core of what it means to live a civilized life.” –Adam Gopnik I’m not sure why it took so long for Bucks County to establish a restaurant week comprising all of its towns. I’m just glad that 2018 was its inaugural year and that I was a part of it. Hopefully (and judging by what I tasted and witnessed), it’ll become a tradition for the ages.…
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A Night of Fashion Muses at French Bistro aMuse at Le Méridien Hotel in Philadelphia
Story, photos by Jeni Ferrell On one of the many cold days of the winter season, we ventured out decked out in my finest sweater dress and high boots to view the collection from Naveda Couture at Amuse restaurant in the elegant Le Meridien Hotel. I brought my gal pal date, Alana Jones, to enjoy the fine food and drink while listening to the DJ spin hyper hits. Against the soft periwinkle glow, the restaurant created an energetic yet calm vibe that served to be a perfect way to wind down on a chilly Friday. We nestled in a small dining room off of the main area where the show…
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The Place to ‘Vie’ was Philly Wine Week’s ‘Opening Corks’ Event
Hip hip valet (parking)! “The best way to learn about wine is in the drinking.” – Alexis Lichine Story, photos by Sharon Kozden I don’t do beer. Exception: when at Citizens Bank Park, cheering on the Phightins’. Neither is hard liquor my cuppa char. Exception: Margaritas. I just like reading drink menus’ whimsical “drinks with names” (as I call them) – creative descriptions of specialty cocktails. Same with cookbooks. Not being a cook doesn’t stop me from appreciating the photos, asides and foreign-sounding ingredients. So no brew. Nothing hardcore. What remains? WINE. Now we’re talking! Wine is in a glass (and a class) by itself, as was the 5th Annual…
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Philadelphia International Airport Lands American Express’s Prestigious Centurion Lounge
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “To the great city of Philadelphia, I am so grateful to bring this back home to you.” – Chef Michael Solomonov, on being named best chef in the country at the James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago, 2017. AMEX’s Centurion Lounge tapped Mike as its menu man. The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection was recently honored in becoming one of only nine airports in the world to offer travelers a uniquely unique and unforgettable way to hang before, between or after flights. On October 19th (prior to an official October 31st opening), media were invited to preview American Express’s Centurion Lounge and to witness what was in store exclusively for AMEX…
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Helpusadopt.org Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Making Family Miracles
Who wouldn’t be hard pressed to avert his or her eyes from this clearly radiant and innocent child? “However motherhood comes to you, it’s a miracle.” – Valerie Harper Story, photos by Sharon Kozden I’ll just come right out and say it: I can’t take much. In other words, I’m highly sensitive, which can be a double-edged sword of both blessing and curse. I’m told that I feel too much yet wouldn’t have it any other way. Surmising that the Helpusadopt.org 10th anniversary Family Building Benefit at the Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova might require less eye make-up for an evening out (lest the waterworks flow), I played it sparingly. And…
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Drive a Boat in Lawless Lake of the Wild West in Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler When London Bridge Resort reached out for a tour of now nearby to me Lake Havasu City, AZ, it was a no-brainer. Sparking turquoise water flanked by majestic copper canyons? It’s like a photographer’s dream so of course I was all in! One tourism tweet later on Twitter, I was connected to the lovely Jillian Danielson who is an amazing storm chasing photographer who also owns the well-known Lake Havasu go-to guide, River Scene Magazine. Lake Havasu City is in western Arizona about four hours west of Phoenix, AZ and near the border of Eastern California. It’s known as a base for trails in the…
