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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage

    Pennsylvania SPCA Gives Something to Bark About at 10th Annual Bark & Whine Gala

    May 15, 2023 /

    Beautiful gala program design befits a decade’s worth of honoring advocacy. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “… Home … and further joy will be surely there: Supper waiting full of the taste of bone. You throw up your nose again, and sniff, and stare For the rapture known Of the quick wild gorge of food and the still lie-down While your people talk above you in the light.” Of candles, and your dreams will merge and drown Into the bed-delicious hours of night.”  — From “Dog” by Harold Monro Reading the above excerpt from Harold Monro’s poem brings me closer to understanding a dog’s life. The power of the written…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Elvis is Alive at Wild West Town Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood

    August 11, 2023

    EXCLUSIVE: Vanderpump Rules stars Jax Taylor and Tom Sandoval talk Lisa Vanderpump, Scheana’s Wedding Dress and the up coming “Brutal” Reunion

    February 24, 2015

    Lehigh County Humane Society Holds First Annual Garden Party at Bell Gate Farm

    February 1, 2022
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Mayor’s Masked Ball at Philadelphia’s Convention Center Raises Over $760,000 for UNCF

    May 29, 2019 /

    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…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Experience Luxury at Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose CA, the Only Boutique Hotel on Santana Row

    October 19, 2017

    Best Hidden Gem Hiking in Las Vegas, Nevada

    March 16, 2026

    Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee Shows the King’s Impressive Wealth

    July 11, 2019
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    JDRF Celebrates Hope with One Promise Gala at Loews Philadelphia

    August 1, 2018 /

    Tres elegant and sparkling program design. “Diabetes is a lousy, lousy disease.” – Elaine Stritch Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Diabetes IS a “lousy, lousy” disease. In fact, I might add a third “lousy” to that statement to further drive home the message and truth. I once recall thinking – if I had to endure and manage a physical-health issue – type 1 diabetes is the single most awful disease that I’d never want to have. So many checks and balances to regulate insulin levels … a seemingly all-consuming daily, no let-up effort. It’s heartbreaking to imagine little ones in particular having to self-monitor and perform such necessary measures to…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Step Into Art Deco Opulence at Loews Philadelphia Hotel

    September 2, 2024

    What Makes Online Casinos so Popular Among Modern Players

    December 1, 2025

    Explore the Largest Medieval Gothic Palace in the World at Palais des Papes in Avignon, France

    January 12, 2026
  • Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Fox 29’s Karen Hepp’s Tasty Talks Rocks at Yangming in Bryn Mawr, PA

    July 17, 2018 /

    Karen Hepp is on point with Yangming owner Michael Wei.  Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.”  -Barbara Bush “What preys on my mind is simply this one question: what am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way?”  – Vincent van Gogh Tasty Talks. Sounds, well, tasty. Tasty and talk-y. But what, really, is a Tasty Talk? I would soon find out…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Universal Horror Unleashed Haunts Las Vegas at Area 15 Entertainment District

    October 20, 2025

    Eat and Drink Your Face Off in San Antonio, Texas While Exploring the City

    July 20, 2017

    Enjoy Caribbean Sea Views in Every Room at AVA Resort Cancun, Mexico

    August 4, 2025
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Connect to Conquer: Philadelphia’s Union League Hosts YBConnected’s Charity Event

    June 27, 2018 /

    Let’s get this (benefit) party started! “The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water and food.” – Dean Ornish Story, photos by Sharon Kozden YBConnected – why be connected, indeed? It’s a timely and provocative question, particularly in these often (in so many ways) “trying” times. It saddens me a bit that, when I initially think of connection, what first comes to mind is social media – connected with others in virtual reality. Then again, I’m probably not alone with this sign of the times, which is precisely why I’m enamored with YBConnected‘s philosophy. To wit: “We believe the efforts you spend…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    The Modern Day Wife hosts What She Said Miami, Florida Style

    July 7, 2025

    First Tonino Lamborghini Store in the United States Opens in Las Vegas, Nevada

    May 7, 2020

    Mark Calderon of Color Me Badd Talks I Love The 90’s Tour, Lip Sync Battle, Taylor Swift and More

    October 28, 2016
  • Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Non-Profit Portraits for Good Inspires Pet Paintings With Proceeds to Charity

    April 25, 2018 /

    Photos by Alix Greenberg, story by Tiffany C. DuBois Explore friends, meet a remarkable lady named Alix Greenberg. She is the founder and president of Portraits for Good, a non-profit organization that allows people to pick a portrait that is already done, or commission a portrait and part of the proceeds benefits the charity of their choice. Below is my interview with Ms. Greenberg and I hope you enjoy it! Q: I know that you have a master in portraiture, do you occasionally mix your formal education with your painting? A: I have a Master of Arts in Modern Art, Connoisseurship, and the History of the Art Market – I received my…

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    Tiffany Dubois

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    8 Budget Hacks for Last Minute Getaways

    August 11, 2025

    Zarwin Baum’s Fashion Touchdown Raises over $130,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters

    January 25, 2017

    Online Dating Abroad Without the Hassle

    February 9, 2026
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Run, Don’t Walk to theVillage’s Third Annual Health and Wellness Fair

    March 14, 2018 /

    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…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Cheerio! Exploring London, England a Second Time Around

    January 14, 2020

    Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA Electrifies Audiences Under the Big Top in Oaks, PA

    January 16, 2019

    A 300-Day Nomad’s Guide to Why Slow Travel is Superior

    February 16, 2026
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Cultivating Leadership: Union League of Philadelpia Hosts The Germination Project’s 2017 Draft Day Gala

    December 7, 2017 /

    “People always say that I have all of these projects, but I really only have one project, and that’s our region.” – Ajay Raju Story, photos by Sharon Kozden The Union League‘s Lincoln Hall was the place to be, where The Germination Project‘s 3rd Annual Draft Day Gala was held. The assemblage included an impressive roster of notable community members as well as an equally diverse lineup of awards, inductions, presentations, performances and more. The gala, chaired by Executive VP and Provost JoAnne Epps of Temple University, introduced (in athletic-draft fashion) the 17 most recent inductees to 2017’s Germination Project’s Fellowship Class as well as the presentation (by Craig Snyder, President and CEO, World Affairs…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Escape to a Private Island in San Diego, California at Loews Coronado

    December 30, 2024

    Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots to Visit this Fall

    September 8, 2025

    A Unique, Online Gift Guide for Last Minute Holiday Shoppers

    December 11, 2018
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Get Licked at Ritz-Carlton’s Aqimero ‘Yappy Hour’ Benefit During Dog Days of Summer

    August 15, 2017 /

      Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Welcome to the dog days of summer. The Ritz-Carlton’s Aqimero Lounge hosted their inaugural Yappy Hour to benefit Hemlock Edge Rescue, a non-profit organization “dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned and abused animals”. As I made my way to the iconic hotel on one of the hottest days to date, I pondered the dog days of summer phrase.  Its perception as we know it – one of listless and seemingly catatonic canines stilled by heat so sultry and oppressive – allowed me to feel at one with man’s best friend. I ascended the Ritz-Carlton’s steps, panting and tugging my dress loose from sticky skin as sweat rivulets collected…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Pennsylvania SPCA Gives Something to Bark About at 10th Annual Bark & Whine Gala

    May 15, 2023

    Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Stages American Bandstand Themed Fall Ball

    January 10, 2018

    Bourbon Master Lifts Spirits at Loews Philadelphia’s Bank & Bourbon Restaurant

    May 28, 2020

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