-
Piazza Pod Park Opens in Philly’s Northern Liberties, BEBOT Towers Over Fun-for-All Hot Spot
Piazza Pod Park in Northern Liberties is officially open. Robot Bebot looms large. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Remember when the now infamous Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty arrived on the scene in late 2018? Gritty, he of the bugged-out eyes and shaggy orange fur recently made room for the new kid on the block-one Bebot, an imposing but welcoming robot from Burning Man that towers over the Post Brothers’ latest creative use of community space (dubbed Piazza Pod Park) in Northern Liberties. The Mod Pod. I remember that television show. Tee. At 33 feet high and weighing in at 13,000 pounds, Bebot’s jolly wave greeted the public on June 8th’s grand…
-
Mayor’s Masked Ball at Philadelphia’s Convention Center Raises Over $760,000 for UNCF
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…
-
Experience Best of Times, Wurst of Times at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant in Phoenixville, PA
Foodies will pretty much follow anything that leads to food. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Achtung! Attention, that is and full disclosure: I’m apparently intolerant of craft brews, which I discovered at the wurst of times, namely Oktoberfest. This would ordinarily be of no concern; however and just prior to learning of my sensitivity to these more potent beers, I accepted an assignment at Phoenixville, PA‘s Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. Did I mention the event was a celebration of Oktoberfest (clearly not a big month for beer consumption)? To compound the irony, I reside in Phoenixville, where such boozy establishments saturate the Borough. Since I’d never encountered an issue…
-
Hotel Adeline Adds Boutique Flair with Secret Speakeasy to Scottsdale, Arizona
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler My East Coast crew is always asking me where to stay when visiting sunny Arizona. Now I finally have a place to direct people who like to play, stay and enjoy Cambelback Mountain views at all times in Scottsdale, Arizona! Enter Hotel Adeline, which revamped and opened in January 2017, ironically the same time I moved across the country. Formerly a Days Inn, then Clarion Inn, and lastly Scottsdale Inn, the 4.5 acre property underwent a $12 million renovation. With a gated car valet (or open guest parking in the front), you don’t have to worry about your car which is nice. Just park and play!…
-
Eat Clean and Think Green at honeygrow in King of Prussia, PA’s Town Center
The eatery’s façade of brown, vertical and wooden planks exudes an all-natural vibe. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden My dietary habits at times leave something to be desired. While I continue to progress toward healthful eating, all that’s often needed is the siren call of buffalo wings, Chinese takeaway and fried chicken for the temptation to be too great, and I cave. When invited to try honeygrow in King of Prussia‘s Town Center, my curiosity trumped any hesitancy. Would honeygrow be my culinary nightmare of only nutritious food? Since I’ve graduated from sugary carbs to scrambled eggs or yogurt for breakfast, I felt significantly prepared to take my work-in-progress self…
-
Chow Down Casual Comfort Food at Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille in North Wales, PA
Lighting paints the bar’s liquor bottles green or “greene,” as it were. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden What do you do when you don’t feel like dolling up for a four-star restaurant experience, yet you also don’t want to hole up at home with takeaway, and the effort involved in cooking a meal is just too daunting? What works for me is what lies between, namely a sports-bar and grill’s casual dining experience. No primping necessary. It’s doubtful anyone would even notice if I wore jammies, as so many sports-bar enthusiasts are typically tuned into some sort of game on one of the plethora of televisions lining the bar area…
-
Step Inside Philadelphia’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Fishtown
Media members (and other invitees) check in for the May 2nd preview ahead of Restore’s official May 30th opening. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Cannabis be true? While never imagining I’d find myself in the vicinity of a medical marijuana dispensary, that’s precisely where my Uber driver deposited me on the evening of May 2nd, when Restore Integrative Wellness Center hosted a VIP preview party to introduce members of the media, politicians and business owners to Philadelphia’s first such “house of well repute” located on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia’s Fishtown. Finally and at long last (Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, on April 17, 2016),…
-
Three Time James Beard Award Winner Chef Sherry Yard Tantalizes Tastebuds with Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Located right next to the new, pimped out iPic Theaters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Tanzy restaurant also had a makeover recently. Award-winning Chef Sherry Yard, Chief Operating Officer for iPic® Theaters and Tuck Hospitality Group, is proud to introduce the new Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale. Presenting a new menu featuring garden-fresh ingredients and handmade dishes inspired by bold flavors and delicate techniques, Tanzy’s offerings are complemented by Executive Bartender/Corporate Sommelier Adam Seger’s innovative beverage program. Tanzy’s artisanal Italian concept remains the prominent backbone of the restaurant’s new menu, which features time-tested classics alongside original new dishes, all of which are handmade under Yard’s direction by Tanzy’s Corporate…
-
Bizet’s Opera ‘Carmen’ Seduces Crowds at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music
There’s no missing exactly who and what have arrived. Vive le stage drop! “Love is a rebellious bird that no one can tame.” – Georges Bizet, Carmen, Act I Story, photos by Sharon Kozden – cast photos provided by Steven Pisano for Opera Philadelphia How is it possible I’ve lived so long without attending an opera? My only awareness of opera came when Glenn Close’s bunny-boiler character in “Fatal Attraction” was obsessed with “Madame Butterfly.” Then there was the ‘Til Tuesday “Voices Carry” video, where Aimee Mann won’t hush-hush at another operatic-looking performance. Yep: my vast store of knowledge in all things opera is formidable, I know. I just always…
-
Blown Away by Bank and Bourbon’s Fine Dining at Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, PA
Photos, story by Lauren Aynn From the moment you enter Bank & Bourbon, you know you are in for a first class experience located inside Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. Upon entering for the first time, I was in awe of the atmosphere they have created. From the wooden beams and exposed pipes on the ceiling, to the tufted leather banquettes, Bank & Bourbon offers up a space filled with a rustic, yet modern opulence. The bar itself features a “bourbon barrel-aging program for unique house-aged cocktails and liquors” as well as a list of craft beers and wine. Also for the coffee lovers like myself Bank &…
