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Get Licked at Ritz-Carlton’s Aqimero ‘Yappy Hour’ Benefit During Dog Days of Summer
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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Architectural Awards Wish You Luck, Ethos and Righteousness at Bok Building
Story, photos by Brittany Harlow This year, the Philadelphia Chapter of American Institute Architects hosted the Edmund N. Bacon Awards at architectural rarity, and recently repurposed former technical school, BOK, in South Philadelphia. At this event, Edmund N. Bacon, former city planner of Philadelphia, is remembered for his work and dedication to the city of Philadelphia. His success lives on throughout the city of Philadelphia in various projects surrounding community unity. Every year, the award is given to someone who models Edmund Bacon’s dream to unite communities through public space. The Rail Park teamed up with AIA Philadelphia for the event, and designed a student competition with this quest for…
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Changing Lives One Haircut at a Time with Haircuts for the Homeless
Story by Jill Beckel, photos by Joseph Berardi Explore Philly recently got a chance to talk with Joseph Berardi, a local Philly hair stylist, about his amazing act of generosity that soon turned into much more. Joseph works with his dad and brother at Richard Nicholas Hair Studio and was born and raised in Philly. We think that the world could use more people like Joseph. What inspired you to first give haircuts to the homeless? “I have a client that runs SREHUP, a Student-Run Emergency Housing Unit of Philadelphia, in Center City. One day we were talking, it happened to be near the holidays, and I thought it would be nice to visit the shelter and give out haircuts. I…
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Wine Loving Tria Taproom Adds Cocktails to the Boozy Menu
Story by Tiffany DuBois, photos by Eric Morales On a beautiful and warm afternoon, local Philly favorite Tria Taproom launched a new series of cocktails that will leave you feeling really good. The trio of Tria restaurants have always been known for their incredible selection of wine and craft beers but now they have thrown their hat into the cocktail ring with four new cocktails and all four were delicious. Your hardest decision will be which one to try first. I recommend you try them all but make sure you have a safe way to get home afterwards! Tria has always been in the forefront of being environmentally conscience. There…
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With Burgers, Wings AND Tacos, No One Left Hungry at This Year’s Burger Brawl
Photos, story by Jill Beckel On a hot and humid Sunday, the 7th Annual Philadelphia Burger Brawl took over the parking lot of Xfinity Live. Over 60 local Philly area restaurants competed for the title of best burger, best taco and (for the first time ever), best chicken wing! This year, Explore Philly was excited to be a part of the judging panel! When it comes to food, we are always more than eager to help out. We got to judge the first burger round. Each burger sample was judged on its taste, look, bun, meat and originality. All restaurants were kept anonymous so that the burger tasting would be fair.…
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Spring Was in the Air (and the Food) at the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party
Story, photos By Jill Beckel The 2017 Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party featured cuisine from Rittenhouse Row’s best restaurants, cocktails from their best bartenders, informal modeling of spring trends from Rittenhouse Row member boutiques and salons, and a silent auction with Rittenhouse Row experiences and merchandise. Located at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, food and beverages were provided by: 24 Wood Fired Fare, a.bar, a.kitchen, Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Baril, Ben & Jerry’s, Butcher and Singer, CODA, The Dandelion, D’Angelo’s, Davio’s, Devon, Di Bruno Bros., Garces Restaurants, Lacroix, Marathon Grill, Metropolitan Bakery, Mission Taqueria, Parc, Rita’s Italian Ice, Rouge, Schweid & Sons, Termini Bros. Bakery, Verts, Bar Volver, Wrap…
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Philadelphia Flyers: Here’s Hoping the Next 50 Years Starts Off with a Stanley Cup
Story by Kelly Kusumoto, Photography by Colleen Cahill The National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, but the Philadelphia Flyers are on the outside looking in. They just concluded their 50th season since entering the NHL and Explore-Philly was there to experience the last game of the season. The fans were decked out in orange and black. Flyers jerseys were everywhere. There was a definite sense of bittersweet pride for the home team knowing going into the game it would be their last and that the pure awesomeness of playoff hockey would have to wait until next year. That bittersweet feeling lasted pretty much the entire first period. The flyers played…
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American Jewish History Museum Debuts Impactful Exhibit ‘1917: How One Year Changed the World’
Story, photos by Tiffany DuBois The National Museum of American Jewish History debuted a special exhibit in mid-March called “1917: How One Year Changed the World”. The exhibition looks back 100 years at how three major events brought about political and social change that reshaped the role that the United States would play in the world. These events were America’s entry into World War 1, the Bolshevik Revolution, and the issuing of the Balfour Declaration. The exhibition tells the story of the year 1917 from the perspective of American Jews and what trials and tribulations they had to endure during this time in history. The exhibit itself is very moving…
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An Evening of Drag, Cabaret-Style at the William Way LGBT Community Center
Story by Jennifer Sharpe, photos by Philadelphia Gay Mens’ Chorus One fabulous evening of in March, the second floor ballroom at the William Way LGBT Community Center transformed into a dimly-lit cabaret club, festooned with feathers, sequins and plenty of gold lame. This evening was the Philadelphia Gay Mens’ Chorus (PGMC) Annual Drag Cabaret fundraising event. Held officially for the past 3 years, but unofficially for at least twice as long, this event has grown from its humble beginnings in various neighborhood bars to the glitz and glamour, standing-room only event we see today. This annual event raises funds in the thousands of dollars, managing to increase its amounts every year. A raucous and…
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Explore with Cassie Celebrates 2 Years of Exploring at Stateside Vodka in Fishtown
Story by Tiffany DuBois, Photos by Stephen Lyford Two years can happen in an instant for some people. It can change the direction that you take a company in, change who works for you, or how they critique your work or even what your logo looks like. Two years ago, a little blonde lady with the many titles of photographer, model, actress and writer named Cassie Hepler took her talents and made a lifestyle magazine that incorporates passion, numerous contacts and events that boggle the mind as far as the scope of what you see, hear, touch and taste. On Thursday, March 9th, 2017 Cassie Hepler’s blog baby, ExplorewithCassie.com celebrated their two-year anniversary.…