Explore with Cassie
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Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Stages American Bandstand Themed Fall Ball
“The whole American pop culture started in Philadelphia with ‘American Bandstand’ and the music that came out of the city.” — Daryl Hall Story, photos by Sharon Kozden I’m old enough to remember “American Bandstand.” Dick Clark emceed a bunch of kids dancing around and rating records. It was then how we discovered the cultural zeitgeist of music, fashion trends, hair styles–you name it. That the program originated in Philadelphia meant little to me then, as the radius of my existence was probably ten miles in circumference. Now that I live in Philadelphia’s suburbs, it’s a point of pride and a great factoid with which to impress a random stranger…
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Behind the Scenes Tour at The Divine Lorraine Where People are Already Living
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Have you ever noticed the old background photo on the Explore-Philly website? Well, it is not from the top of the Divine Lorraine but the brother building down the street, the Beury Building (also known as the boner building because of the graffiti words sprayed on it). That same day, another adventurous photographer and I attempted to enter the then-abandoned Divine Lorraine. However, it was a concrete fortress. “We learned people were sneaking in through the Annex building in the back,” said Christopher R. Cordaro, Vice President of EB Realty Management Corp. There was one guy who did – and broke so many bones falling down an elevator shaft…
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Discover the Fine Art of Making Limoncello While Eating Amazing Italian Food at Osteria
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet Made with the simplest ingredients and a wee bit of testing plus patience, Limoncello is a drink most willingly embrace. Delicious and versatile enough to combine into cocktails and even desserts, Osteria’s Sommelier Frank Kinyon showed his eager students how practically anyone can make this refreshing liqueur with a surprising ingredient – Everclear grain alcohol! As Frank demonstrated, the students and myself were delighted to enjoy a full course of the best dishes Osteria had to offer. Some were made from family recipes and it was easy to taste the love and tradition in every morsel. Along with each course, a regional Italian wine…
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Explore With Cassie as I Move Out West!
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler My plans to post on this blog monthly have sadly fallen by the wayside since summer as my life has been in overdrive with travel, writing for Metro Philly and Metro US, modeling, blogging for my other babies Explore-Philly.com and Explore-NJ.com and then some! I’ll try to do an epic recap of highlights here so you can follow along and see what I’m up to nowadays. As soon as I got back from the San Antonio press trip, I began writing freelance with Metro Philly and soon thereafter Metro US. As I continued to write for Metro, a lot of travel trips were happening as…
- Dessert, Drink, Education, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Restaurants
Fairmount Park Conservancy Presents Flavors of the Season at Historic Philly Houses
Mama said punch you out! Manatawny Still Works struck seasonal gold with this winter. “For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home. – W. J. Tucker Story, photos by Sharon Kozden ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Fairmount Park’s historic houses, the aromas were wafting, from simmering punch to braised beef short ribs – with no signs of either mouse or grouse. The stockings really were hung by the fireplaces with care. And while there was no actual “Visit from St. Nicholas,” the comestibles and beverages included in December 10th’s Flavors of the Season event delivered (as…
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Tune Into the Sounds of the Season at Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses
“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart … filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” – Bess Streeter Aldrich Story, photos by Sharon Kozden They came. They toured. They listened. On December 2, in what was part of a 16-day seasonal presentation called A Very Philly Christmas, Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses came alive with the sounds of music during The Sounds of the Season. Philadelphia was well represented by its diverse musical culture and community, which included Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Choral Arts Philadelphia, Clef Club of Jazz, Opera Philadelphia and PlayOnPhilly.…
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Vault Brewing Company Expands Bank Brewery to Yardley Warehouse
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Located in the suburbs of Philly, the Victorian town of Yardley in Bucks County houses Vault Brewing who does not consider themselves a bar, a pub or even a traditional brewery. Entering in the “faux vault entryway,” you’ll notice you may have entered an old school bank except that the entire brewery and wood-fired kitchen oven are completely open to view. The brewery that once sat directly behind the bar is now expanding down the street and up the hill. The décor is a combination of regal bank, stark industrial, old-world and modern. What is not modern is there are no TVs, pub traditional menu items and no pop or rock…
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Piazza Gains Solid Urban Village Brewery with Killer Fresh Food
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler It seems the Piazza at Schmidt’s in No Libs is undergoing some sort of resurgence. With that massive FREE dirt parking lot, it makes it that more accessible for hipsters and visitors alike. Where King’s Oak and a medley of other restaurants attempted a go at success, now stands Urban Village Brewery. But don’t worry all you foodies, winos and cocktail lovers, they’ve got you covered too. Boy do they ever! And if you need a clog-your-arteries burger, Wahlburgers is across the street or if you need tacos or the Chronic pulled pork/mac-n-cheese sandwich is on the other side at El Camino Real. A self proclaimed “neighborhood…
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Saint Benjamin Brewery Offers Craft Beer with a Side of History
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet If you drive a bit past Temple University’s Main Campus, you’ll come to a brewery and tap room that’s within the Kensington section of the city. Saint Benjamin Brewery offers modern brewing techniques and also holds onto history that reaches back to the days of prohibition while presenting both distinctive and magical craft brews along with a menu of tantalizing food. The brewery is nestled within the middle of the street and it was also previously a historic carriage house and stables of the defunct Theo Finkenauer Brewery. Sadly, that brewery is now an empty lot. Fear not though because Saint Benjamin has all…
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Feast Your Eyes and Soothe Your Spirit on the Fresh Foodie Trail in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) Let’s talk about good karma, shall we? Once upon a time before threats of hurricanes, this travel writer was on a press trip to Visit San Antonio, Texas and met a fellow foodie, travel and fashion influencer from Ontario, Canada named MoVernie on the MOVE. Our mutual love for connecting others lead him to helping me meet the wonderful team at Visit Phoenix which then led to this press trip… where a friend had moved six weeks earlier and my favorite uncle had recently relocated from Colorado. Always one to kill two birds with one stone, it was a week-long plus one…
