Education
-
Musical Memphis, Tennessee Resurrecting into its Glory Days
Story, photos/videos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) The irony of getting off the old school Greyhound Bus from Clarksville to Memphis, Tennessee with its shiny, new marble polished floors and then stepping into a Mercedes Benz did not sneak past me. For me, getting a smidge of work done on the spotty Wifi was better than driving although a bit longer (3 hours versus 5 on the bus). I was reminded that some things never change since college and that I am still not a fan (big surprise there). However the journalist in me still likes mixing and mingling with all walks of life and hearing the strange stories that…
-
Gertrude’s Fine Dining Tickles Tastebuds in Breathtaking Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler The first time I visited Desert Botanical Garden was during a life-changing Visit Phoenix press trip that inspired me to move to Arizona. When I mentioned this magical place to my mother that showcases the Sonoran Desert and its botanical gardens, she had no clue it existed as she lived here before I was a glint in anyone’s eye and I’m assuming somewhere that was all desert straight out of Looney Tunes. However unlike the cartoons, the Sonoran Desert is home to about 100 species of reptiles, 20 amphibians, over 350 types of birds and 60 mammals. Fast forward to modern day and welcome to…
- Day Trips, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle, Travel
Make the Most of Your Visit to Los Angeles, California
Visiting Los Angeles, California can be overwhelming. It’s a tremendous city, but there are so many tourist attractions of all different kinds that it’s difficult to fit in everything you’d like to see and do on a single trip. If you’d like help narrowing things down though, here are eight places in the LA area that are definitely worth your time. 1. The Original Farmer’s Market It may not be the traditional headline tourist attraction, but one of the most pleasant things you can do on your trip is spend the day sampling delicious food at the Original Farmer’s Market at Third and Fairfax. The market’s local vendors, such as Du-par’s…
-
Fall in Love with Whistler in British Columbia, Canada in Autumn
Story by Rachael Hopwood, photos courtesy of Tourism Whistler The Canadian resort of Whistler has a lofty reputation as a world-famous winter travel destination and thanks to warm days and an abundance of outdoor activities, summer proves pretty popular too. But what about fall? Largely forgotten by many considering a trip north, the months of September through to mid-November are something of a hidden gem. Sitting perfectly between the crowds of summer hikers and hoards of winter skiers, pleasant temperatures and stunning scenery are just two reasons to consider an autumnal visit. Whistler is a resort community in the province of British Columbia, Canada, about 78 miles north of Vancouver…
-
Visit Philly’s Overnight Hotel Packages Offer Sizzlin’ Stay & Play Deals
The iconic and stately Bellevue Hotel is a must-stay destination when visiting Philly. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden You’ve got to check out Visit Philly‘s packages! Seriously. Unless you enjoy doing your own travel planning and research, let Visit Philly do the legwork for you. Visit Philly’s Overnight Hotel Packages have you covered with overnight accommodations at the city’s top-notch participating hotels, meals at its finest restaurants and a list of recreational, entertainment and educational perks to complement and enhance your stay. Concerned about hotel parking? Don’t be: it’s covered as well. On arrival, check your ride and let participating hotels pick up the parking tab. Talk about value-added … that’s…
-
Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee Shows the King’s Impressive Wealth
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler You’ve heard the king of rock and roll countless times. Now get a glimpse inside the place that Elvis Presley called home: Graceland. I’ve always loved Elvis and his music. He was devilishly handsome until he got overly chubby (insert sandwich joke here). He was a rebel in a time of conformity and decadence. He gyrated his hips and made women go crazy (and probably some closeted gays too at the time). But a lot of the country at the time wasn’t ready for him or where his music originated from: African Americans. So the music scene needed a poster boy of sorts to allow other types…
-
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival Represents Fragility, Beauty of Life at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Philadelphia
Feast your eyes on this explosion of cherry blossoms and breathe in gratitude for nature’s spectacular gifts. “The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.” – Homaro Cantu Story, photos by Sharon Kozden I remember the moment in high-definition clarity. My face (as I type this) is cherry-blossom pink because a faux pas I made over a year ago was recalled for the purpose of this article’s opening (what I won’t do for…
-
Workhorse Brewing Company, a New Hidden Gem in the Philly Suburbs
Story, photos by Jill Beckel Workhorse Brewing Company is the newest brewery to open up in King of Prussia, PA. Located at 250 King Manor Drive, it is truly a hidden gem in the Philly suburbs! We recently went on a Workhorse Brewing Company tour led by Dan Hershberg, co-founder and CEO of Workhorse Brewing Co. We remembered talking with Dan a few years back when we did a story on his popular Philly T-shirt business, Philly Phaithful (read the full article here). Workhorse Brewing Company was four years in the making. Dan came up with the idea of starting a brewery with his friend, Nate Olewine (brewmaster), while they…
-
Visit California Wineries the Classy Way with San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour
Story, photos/videos by Cassie Hepler Did you know that San Diego, California wineries are the original real deal booze in the valley? Everybody talks about Napa Valley being the first but that’s just not true! It all began in sunny San Diego with those horrible jug wines, which now have a private label for some of their fancier brands. That was just one of the interesting facts we discovered on our San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour with total chill Californian tour guide Diana. Another tasty morsel of information is that California produces 90 percent of the wine for the United States which is mind boggling! To be immersed in…
-
Mayor’s Masked Ball at Philadelphia’s Convention Center Raises Over $760,000 for UNCF
Philadelphia’s Convention Center boasts escalators of amusement park-ride proportions. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Galas and balls may not be everyone’s (as the Brits say) cuppa char. I, however, would be hard pressed to decline an invite to either. That said, and while the prospect of a evening at home in my comfies, chowing Chinese takeaway and watching a flick in the cuddly company of my fur babies is a thoroughly enticing one, an occasional night on the town offers a desirable change of pace. I relish an opportunity to bust out the glam finery of cocktail dresses and gowns, wield a…
