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Explore Down the Shore at Long Beach Island’s Daddy O Hotel in New Jersey
The Daddy O is a boutique-style hotel mere steps from the beach in Long Beach Island, NJ. “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.” ― Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea Story, photos by Sharon Kozden What I did on my summer vacation … not much. I wanted to do a lot, but the heat, oh the heat. This year, it was just…
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Amina Slays Southern Cuisine with African Influences in Old City, Philadelphia
Story, photos and videos by Cassie Hepler I dub Amina Philly as Philadelphia’s best soul food, hands down! Located in Old City, this vibey space has seriously next level flavors that will leave you licking your fingers and hungry for more. It really is a #findyourtribe space that is Black owned and run by Felicia Wilson with Chef Darryl Harmon formerly from Fairmount Water Works leading the outstanding flavor train. I went in on a Thursday night in not the best mood and by the time I left, I was laughing, tipsy and stuffed silly with Southern Cuisine with African influences. This takes putting the South in your mouth to…
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All Aboard the Moshulu, the World’s Oldest & Largest Tall Ship with Restaurant in Philadelphia
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler The last time I visited the Moshulu Philly, it was to attend the launch of The Deck Philly which was in 2017, right before I moved to Arizona that New Year. Since then a lot has happened including Covid knocking out a ton of amazing restaurants and locations across Philadelphia which I’m discovering as I’m digging through archives on Explore with Cassie (formerly Explore-Philly.com) and having to throw in the digital trash sadly. The timing of all of this is very odd or maybe serendipitous, a lot of photos that are not supposed to be attached to the old site are somehow breaking…
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Build a Glamping Dome in Your Backyard with Phoenix Domes
Story by Cassie Hepler The price of housing is outrageous all across the United States. This is a not-so-fun fact we all feel from greedy corporate entities and our own government squeezing citizens for every last dime through creeping to 40% taxes on everything you do, eat, drink and where you live. I’m very goal-oriented and have been speaking to a number of think-outside-the-box brands over the years trying to find a solution to the housing madness. Fortunately, Arizona is pretty lax about additional living structures and especially now that the city of Phoenix has approved casitas in your backyard, glamping domes are a very cost effective way to secure…
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Pennsylvania Longwood Gardens Hosts Rotary Club’s Gatsby Garden Party
Iconic Gatsby font brings Art Deco elegance and style to the gala invite. “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit; stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, and there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life…
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Philadelphia Flower Show’s The Garden Electric Shines at Pennsylvania Convention Center
The 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show returned to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the first time since 2020. “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” — Luther Burbank Story, photos by Sharon Kozden It was 72 degrees in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania today! That declarative statement warrants an exclamation point because I’m writing on a November day. I’ll take it. Not a cold-weather fan. The temperate temp has perfectly set the scene for my scribbling, as I’m recapping the 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show on the eve of the 2024 Show theme’s announcement. The Philadelphia Flower Show a.k.a. “America’s oldest and finest exhibit…
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Philly’s Landmark Americana Tap and Grill Delivers Good Grub
Façade of Landmark Americana Tap & Grill’s City Line locale in the heart of St. Joseph’s University campus. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden When life gives you lemons, add drinks, wings and ribs! – In part, me. Just sayin’ before you read on … with apologies to Clement C. Moore ‘Twas the week before Super Bowl LII, when all through Landmark Americana Tap & Grill’s City Line location, all the sports’ fans were stoked and rocking the house. The wings were outstanding, all chicken, little bone, and my ten were divided between sauces mild with spice bite and honey barbeque sweet. The wings were all nestled, snug in their sauce, while not overly so…
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Zarwin Baum’s Fashion Touchdown Raises over $130,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Having raised over $130,000 this year in support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, the annual Zarwin Baum Fashion Touchdown show was the place to be inside The Ballroom at the Ben. The night featured a fashion show by the wives of Philadelphia Eagles players who strutted down the runway in the Nicole Miller 2016 Holiday Collection, and their athletic hubby’s raffling off their signed jersey’s as well as looking dapper in custom-made suits by Robbini Bespoke and shoes from ToBox. FOX29’s Good Day Philadelphia Anchors Mike Jerrick & Alex Holley hosted the event and singer Michelle Bonilla sang her hit “Just The Way You Are”. Athletes in…
