Entertainment
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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…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
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…
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Run, Don’t Walk to theVillage’s Third Annual Health and Wellness Fair
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “To be a consistent winner means preparing not just one day, one month or even one year – but for a lifetime.” – Bill Rodgers I’m one of those runners who registers for a race but come the morning of (typically a 6:00 a.m. or earlier call), decide instead I’d rather be breakfasting leisurely in some charming café. That said, during the 16-plus years I’ve been running competitively, I missed few actual races (either because of crappy weather or the rare injury). Otherwise, I always managed to rise to the occasion, to show up. That’s exactly what I did on the morning of October 21st, when theVillage hosted its It Takes theVillage health and wellness…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Rejuvenate at Hofsas House and Walk the Wine Trail in Fairytale Town Carmel by the Sea, California
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler In a fairytale land far, far away (or nearby depending on where you live), there was a small, picturesque town in Northern California called Carmel-by-the-Sea. It had rolling hills and sharp winding roads where women were advised not to wear heels higher than an inch or so due to the fear of falling down. A short walk towards the Pacific Ocean leads you to the beach where locals had built massive bonfire structures, waiting for that perfect moonlit night. And in this fairytale land, there was a Bavarian style bed and breakfast getaway, the Hofsas House, owned by the Theis family and now celebrating seven…
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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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Travel to Hong Kong, Your Gateway to China
Story, photos by Kelly Kusumoto Have you ever thought about a trip to China but found yourself intimidated by the cultural differences or the language barrier? It can be daunting, but there are a few things you should know before skipping Hong Kong for Europe… again. Hong Kong is where East meets West. Only in Seoul and Tokyo will you find places in the Far East as open to us Westerners as Hong Kong. But unlike South Korea and Japan, Hong Kong was once under British rule. From 1842 to 1997 (with a Japanese WWII interruption), Hong Kong was a British colony. That means many of its inhabitants speak English.…
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Balboa Supper Club and Stateside Vodka Perform a Festivus Miracle!
Photos, story by Meg Arbo Ah, Festivus! The holiday for the rest of us! Who would have thought that everyone’s favorite Seinfeld episode (OK, top five episodes) would actually generate a holiday? Balboa Supper Club certainly knew it was the way to go and celebrated with a seasonal five course meal. When Explore last met up with Events & Catering Manager, Jonathan Kennedy, he described Balboa as only a passionate artist can. “Imagine walking into a room not knowing anyone and after breaking bread and enjoying a few courses of delicious food, leaving that night with new friends. That is what our supper club experience is like! We believe in the…
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Get Shredded with Bouldering and Top Rope Climbing at Philadelphia Rock Gym
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Imagine a world with no rock climbing gyms. Well, that used to exist. But in Philly, we are luckily spoiled. Founded in 1994, the first Philadelphia Rock Gym was built by two college friends, Greg and Matt, who had a vision to bring their passion and enthusiasm for climbing back to their hometown and to make a living doing what they loved. By taking the smart step of bringing climbing inside and available rain, snow or sunshine, they became one of the first indoor climbing centers in the U.S. Now these guys dominate Philadelphia and the suburbs with rock climbing gyms in East Falls, Oaks, Coatesville…
