Day Trips
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Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA Electrifies Audiences Under the Big Top in Oaks, PA
Vibrant background colors and name-zapped graphic create visually arresting poster. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden (event photography courtesy of Cirque du Soleil) Step right up! It’s showtime, folks. Over the summer, the circus came to town at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. The renowned Cirque du Soleil arrived with its Under the Big Top production of VOLTA, and Oaks was woke! For some time preceding Cirque’s descension at the Expo Center, the locals and passers could witness the construction progress of a large tent (one that seated 2,500). People were talking. Something grand-scale was in the offing. A big deal in little but mighty Oaks. Word of…
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Philadelphia’s Bellevue Hotel Hosts Historic Hotels of America Reception
The event’s venue is the only Philadelphia hotel on the National Register of Historical Places and was awarded the distinction in 1977. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Philadelphia’s iconic Bellevue Hotel (also included on the Historic Hotels of America registry) hosted 14 other such accommodations winners from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for what was billed as a Philadelphia and Media Marketplace Luncheon. How does a single location, specifically the Bellevue’s 12th floor’s conservatory, fit ’em all in? Simple: these 15 lodging gems located across the country sent their very best representatives along with the necessary items to create alluring table scapes filled with theme-related décor, pamphlets and other…
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Tropicana’s Chelsea Tower Brings Atlantic City, New Jersey Good Luxe
If asked what I thought of The Chelsea Tower, I’d imitate this gesture. The place rules on many levels. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden For someone who adores the ocean, I spent but a single day and night down the shore this summer. Sad but true, yet what a memorable evening it was! I was among other media folks at the advance preview party to debut Tropicana’s Chelsea Tower, the erstwhile Chelsea Hotel, which closed in December 2016 and re-opened to the public as The Chelsea Tower just in time (and with grand fanfare) for Memorial Day 2018 (official public opening date was May 25th). The hotel acquisition by Tropicana…
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Animatronic ‘Xtreme Bugs’ Invade Philly’s Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
Sleep tight! Not on your life with this bed bug … imagine that bite. “All the winged creatures I have loved!” — Victor Hugo Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Back in the day, I recall hearing terrifying reports of killer bees on the loose and headed in our country’s direction. Alerts about their imminent arrival were as ubiquitous throughout my youth as were Judy Blume YA (young adult) books. My vivid imagination even decided these bees were specifically targeting me. I envisioned a swarm descending without warning and when least expected. Ironically, I have no idea to this day if those dang bees ever did come ’round. Just when I…
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Sit Back and Relax with a Fun Night Out at Movie Tavern in Collegeville, PA
Photos, story by Jill Beckel Sick of doing the same thing weekend after weekend? Then you’ve got to check out the Movie Tavern! The Collegeville, PA Movie Tavern includes everything for the perfect date night or a night out with friends and family. All you have to do is buy your movie ticket at the counter once you arrive and then choose your seats. We chose to see Ocean’s 8 starring eight actress powerhouses. Once seated, you can press the button on your arm rest for service and your waiter or waitress will come right over to take your order! The Movie Tavern’s drink and food menu was large and we had a hard time…
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Concord, California Offers Country Cool Coastal Vibes in Small City Setting
Story, photos/video by Cassie Hepler All I knew about Concord, California before this visit through the tourism board was that is was a San Francisco suburb style city in Northern California. But Concord has its own pulse and rhythm that is relaxing and refreshing. There seems to be that unhurried city pace the country offers but somehow still maintaining a city full of activities for those inclined. Arriving straight from the Goddess Ganja Getaway in Pescadero, CA, I was feeling a bit crunchy. I didn’t wash my hair for a couple days as it was super cool in the mornings and didn’t pack enough layers to keep my core solidly warm…
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Award-Winning Treno Pizza Bar Features Fantastic Pig Roast in Westmont, NJ
Eye-catching sign’s arrow with nostalgic design directs me in can’t-miss fashion. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden There will be pig. Pork talk. Porcine photos. After all, it was a pig roast I’d attended. Just sayin’ because I’d shown a friend my snap of the roasted pig, and her less than enthusiastic reaction made me realize there may be others similarly sensitive or put off, and who don’t realize (despite the telling title) that this review is about a pig roast. Okay then: disclaimer- and spoiler alert stated right off the bat, I can proceed. On an August evening, I nipped over the Ben Franklin Bridge and made my way to…
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Hike Point Lobos State Park in Monterey, California Where Land Meets Sea for Spectacular Views
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Park by the road. That’s the best advice I can give you and best of all, it’s free. Also, get there early or it won’t matter anyway as the park will be packed. Point Lobos State Park in Monterey, California is a scenic coastal area featuring a variety of sea animals and wildlife, hiking, diving and a whaling museum. Point Lobos has been named “the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world” and “the crown jewel of the state park system.” It has diving unmatched on the California coast (check out the Point Lobos State Reserve website for maps and dive site videos), great hiking,…
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Escape to Valley Kitchen at Carmel Valley Ranch Resort for Otherworldly Cuisine
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Tucked away in the lush forests of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Carmel Valley Ranch resort enjoys luxury and simplicity. And the attached California casual dining spot, Valley Kitchen, offers the luxury of simplicity. Plus the food doesn’t get any more local than this. The fun, vibrant restaurant embodies the unique values, spirit and tastes of the Carmel Valley Ranch experience. Think fields of lavender, fresh honey and even it’s own small batch winery. Inspiration comes easy with the breathtaking natural surroundings to the local gardens, orchards, pristine oceans and neighboring vineyards. Designed by Rodrigo Vargas Design at the resort’s social hub and heart, Valley Kitchen…
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Philadelphia’s 2018 Flower Show Just Adds Water
“Flowers rewrite soil, water and sunshine into petal’d poetry – Terri Guillemets Story, photos by Sharon Kozden There’s just something so wrong about attending the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 2nd, while the single most bad-ass storm of winter, 2018 had its ‘old man’ expressing rage like rarely before. A 30-year resident of Philadelphia stated it was the worst he’d seen in his entire time there. And that’s all I’m going to say about it because, let’s face it, we none of us want to recall its downright meanness. We’d much rather enter the Pennsylvania Convention Center and meander about, while waxing hopeful about spring being eminent. Agreed? Seems this…
