Suburbs
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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…
- Architecture, Beach, Day Trips, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Nature, Restaurants, Suburbs, Travel, Weddings
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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Cafe Lift Elevates Narberth, Pennsylvania’s Food Scene
Café Lift make its Narberth debut in former Royal Bank building. “So what’s the deal with brunch? I mean that if it’s a combination of breakfast and lunch, how comes there’s no lupper, or no linner?” – Janeane Garofalo Story, photos by Sharon Kozden I don’t often “do brunch.” As a runner, I can’t really wait until that mid- or late morning time frame (typically comprising brunch hours) in order to refuel. That said, I haven’t been running as much of late because I’m organizing a 5K; it’s my inaugural experience as a race director. Not logging extended miles means I can wait longer before breaking the fast; ergo, I…
- Day Trips, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Restaurants, Style, Suburbs
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…
- California, Day Trips, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Fashion, Fitness, Food, Latest News, Nature, Restaurants, Suburbs
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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Xolo Tacos in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Dishes Out Delicious Mexican Food
Double-duty welcome! Story, photos by Sharon Kozden I had a hankering recently for something with a bit of spice and sizzle. I found my hanker-worthy sizzler of a dinner with a platter of fajitas at Xolo Tacos, billed as a Taqueria and Tequila Bar in beautiful Bryn Mawr, PA. Did I mention it was my birthday dinner? I’m one of those birthday- and anniversary-specific divas, who believes in maximizing celebratory antics. And if the day falls on a Friday or a Monday, I’m in heaven, anticipating a three day- and night-long event. I know someone who refers to her special day as “Birthday Month.” Girlfriend’s got me beat. Naturally, I…
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Round of Applause for Bravo! Cucina Italiania in Lehigh Valley Mall, Pennsylvania
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden While June 6th is known far and wide as the anniversary of 1944’s “D-Day Invasion,” it’s overshadowed each year in my family by the occasion of my mother’s birthday. She turned 91 this year (her longevity secret’s a secret!), and I was pleased that she could accompany me to Bravo! Cucina Italiana for a celebratory dinner. The day was a hot one. Consequently, I was concerned the heat would cause appetite suppression, resulting in side-salads-as-entrée orders rather than the anticipated chow-down with gusto. But no worries necessary as, once inside, the cool air hit and the foodie fest was on! Bravo! Cucina Italiana is a…
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Membership Not Required at Springfield Country Club’s Tavola Restaurant
Enjoy the country club’s 6,000 square foot-expansion (all outdoors!) of Tavola. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” – James Beard Within the past year, I’ve become a country mouse, who doesn’t much get out and about to country clubs. I’m so country, in fact, that local honey is produced by honeybees on the property where I live. Hens lay eggs. Doves coo. Woodpeckers peck. Trees hang low with fruit. All number of critter sounds abound, while cars pass infrequently along a quiet, solitary road. I even have a screen door that can slam. Still, when my editor offers an assignment, I’m at the…
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Meet the Inspiring Boss Babe Behind PNPK Wine Bar and Restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ
Story, videos/photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) Once upon a time there was a restaurant called Grape Bistro in North Scottsdale. And most people still remember that wine bar and were sad to see it close. Fast forward to present time and Grape was revamped and renamed like a Phoenix rising through the ashes into something even better thanks to owner Kellie Pruitt. PNPK opened in March 2018 and is named in honor of closeby Pinnacle Peak Mountain. Located on the Southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Pinnacle Peak at 23335 N. Scottsdale Road, the space is deceptively huge – 2,600 square feet and you can bring Fido too while you chill…
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Scotland’s Glenmorangie Whisky Launches Spicy Spios at Holt’s Cigar in Philadelphia
Story, photos by Meg Arbo (unless otherwise noted) Earlier this year, Glenmorangie proudly launched Spios, the ninth offering in their Private Edition series. The event was given the due it deserved and celebrated in fine style at Holt’s Cigar in Philadelphia. But this occasion was so noteworthy that other cities got in on the party, too, via closed circuit TV making this launch truly international. Scotch aficionados from Vancouver, Calgary, San Francisco and Miami all awaited the tasting eagerly. The tasting itself was lead, virtually, by Dr. Bill Lumsden and Brendan McCarron all the way from Scotland. Is it bad that I was thrilled that the Philadelphia party seemed the…