Best Family-Friendly Resorts Around The Country
September 25, 2012 by
If you’re planning a vacation with the whole family, you need to make sure that your destination has activities for adults and kids alike. Thankfully, there are a number of awesome resorts that have something for everyone. Here are five of the best.
The Inn At Schoolhouse Creek
This awesome Mendocino Coast bed and breakfast is set in some of the most gorgeous country in California. With nine acres of lush gardens and forests, lodgings are split up across a number of cottages and cabins. It’s the perfect mix of pampering and wilderness.
Beaver Creek
Winter vacations are magical at Beaver Creek. Widely regarded as the best family ski resort in the country, this Colorado paradise features a wide selection of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Outside of Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida, this is a destination for any family that loves the wild kingdom. The hotel replicates the thatched-roof look of an authentic safari lodge, and the surrounding park boasts wildebeest, giraffes, and more.
The Breakers
Florida luxury is everywhere at this sumptuous Palm Beach resort. Even better, it boasts tons of activities for kids to do at the attached kids camp, from arts and crafts to outdoor fun. Spend the days doing grown-up activities and then get the whole family back together for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants.
Enchantment Resort Mii Amo Spa
Located two hours north of Phoenix in the striking town of Sedona, this is one of the most beautiful resorts in the country. A huge range of activities are available, from hikes in Boynton Canyon and Native American art classes to spa-style pampering.
Love Downton Abbey? Check Out These Other Shows
August 28, 2012 by
Fans of Downton Abbey may find themselves looking for new outlets while anticipating for the next season's arrival. Give any of these shows a try, though, and you may find some new favorites while you wait
Upstairs/Downstairs
One of the best loved series in British television, this classic has had a recent reboot that is sure to satisfy Downton Abbey fans. This story of a family and their servants in a London townhouse is sure to ease your Downton Abbey withdrawal.
Sherlock
This modernized version of the classic British detective story is a thrilling update on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's characters. Headed by Benedict Cumberpatch and Martin Freeman, this new incarnation brings the world's greatest detective to contemporary audiences with ease.
Middlemarch
George Eliot's masterpiece is given the full BBC treatment in this immaculate adaptation. Over seven stunning episodes, the lives of numerous residents of a fictional English town intertwine to create an unforgettable and immensely rich story.
Doc Martin
After unfortunately developing a fear of blood, a brilliant vascular surgeon relocates as a General Practitioner in a quiet Cornish town. Both funny and moving, the doctor's interactions with the community make the show a wonderful treat to enjoy.
Titanic
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes is a writer on this four part series about the sinking of the RMS Titanic. With big budgets and dozens of characters, this show promises to be a memorable collection of stories taking place during the ship's tragic maiden voyage.
Have You Tried These Five Unusual Foods?
July 24, 2012 by
With global cuisine now available in a wide variety of forms, there are several unusual ingredients and preparations that any adventurous eater needs to try before they die. If you’re putting together a list of must-try foods, add these five items.
Durian is one of the most popular fruits of Southeast Asia, with a uniquely creamy texture and deep, complex flavor. The main reason you don’t see it much in the United States is because of its odor, which is incredibly pungent. It’s certainly off-putting, but if you can get past it the flavor is amazing.
Miracle fruit is another very interesting plant, hailing from Africa. This odd little berry packs a potent dose of an enzyme that briefly changes the way you taste other foods, removing the tongue’s ability to taste sour and bitter flavors. So eating a lemon after a miracle fruit just gives you an unusual citrus sweetness.
Escargot is one of the most revered dishes in French cuisine. And yes, it’s snails, served in their shells. But once you get over the yuck factor, they’re amazing, buttery packages of rich flavor.
Fugu, the Japanese puffer fish, needs to be prepared by an expert before it is served, as the poison glands inside the fish’s body can paralyze or kill a human being. The flesh itself is light and delicate.
If you’ve never sampled caviar, widely known as one of the world’s most decadent foods, you owe it to yourself to set out a simple brunch of the powerful, flavorful fish eggs atop blinis or small toasts.
What Are Your Favorite Movies Set In Philadelphia?
May 22, 2012 by
The City of Brotherly Love has been the setting for a huge variety of films. Here are some of the best films set in or around Philadelphia:
Rocky
Rocky is the reason you’ll always see someone running up and down the Philadelphia Museum of Art's steps. Writer and star Sylvester Stallone is a Philadelphia native, and this is a Philly story through and through.
Blow Out
This remake of Antononi's Blow-up stars John Travolta as an audio producer searching for the perfect sound who accidentally stumbles upon crime and conspiracy.
The Sixth Sense
Most of M. Night Shymalan’s films are set in his hometown of Philly, and his first and best is no exception. This film features numerous Philadelphia street scenes, and a notable scene is shot at St. Augustine church at 4th and Vine.
Trading Places
This classic comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd as two very different men who exchange lives takes place entirely in Philadelphia. From social clubs on Rittenhouse Square to the underbelly of the city, this movie covers it all.
12 Monkeys
The protagonist of 12 Monkeys spends much of the film jolting back and forth between a postapocalyptic Philadelphia and a 1990s version of the city just pre-apocalypse. It's interesting to see both in this surreal sci fi film.
Must-See Movies Coming to Theaters in March
February 28, 2012 by
This March, a variety of must-see films will arrive in movie theaters. Here are five that everyone will be talking about:
Dr. Seuss's The Lorax
The creators of Despicable Me bring animated life to one of Dr. Seuss's most beloved characters. Danny DeVito provides the voice of the Lorax, a forest creature who speaks up for the trees against those who would chop them down.
John Carter
Andrew Stanton directs this adaptation of the famous sci-fi novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The story revolves around a Confederate captain who, mysteriously transported to Mars, becomes embroiled in a major conflict there.
21 Jump Street
Rebooting the television series that brought stardom to Johnny Depp, this updated version stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. They'll bring some comedic flair to this tale of undercover cops trying to break up a drug ring.
The Hunger Games
These books have a huge following, and they're looking to expand the devotion to the big screen. Jennifer Lawrence stars as a young girl embroiled in a dystopian reality-show focused on teen gladiators battling to the death.
Wrath of the Titans
Perseus (played by Sam Worthington) wants a quiet life after the events of Clash of the Titans. When weakened gods lose control over angry Titans, however, it is up to him to once again go into battle for the future of humanity.
Five Great Visual Artists You Should Know
January 18, 2012 by
Have you ever found yourself fascinated by a painting, drawing, or sculpture, eager to learn more about visual art but uncertain of where to start? A great way to get your feet wet is to become acquainted with the work of these five celebrated artists:
Salvador Dali
This Catalan artist (1904 – 1989) was a major figure in the movement of surrealist art, and his work continues to have a far-reaching influence in the contemporary art world. Dali’s paintings are known for their highly innovative content, vibrant colors, and use of visual symbolism. Learn more about him here.
Pablo Picasso
It would be impossible to talk about modern art without mentioning Spanish-born artist Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) prominently in the discussion. Known as one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th Century, he is famous for having set in motion the Cubist movement. Click here to learn more about Picasso.
Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh (1853 – 1890) was a post-Impressionist Dutch artist known for the emotional charge, visionary originality, and roaring color palette of his paintings. He is considered one of the main forerunners of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Though he died at age 37, he left behind a huge body of work that has influenced generations of artists. Click here to learn more about Van Gogh.
Claude Monet
This French painter (1840 – 1926) is known as the father of the Impressionist movement in modern art. His paintings are famous for their emphasis on capturing movement, adapting unusual visual angles, and showing how light changes over the passage of time. Learn more about Monet by clicking here.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) was an Italian Renaissance artist gifted with genius in many areas, including painting, sculpting, engineering, architecture, and invention. His primary area of accomplishment was in the realm of painting, where he produced work that is widely considered some of the greatest visual art of all time. Click here for more about da Vinci.
Hey Residents, Read All About It!
March 4, 2011 by
Check back for helpful information about pop culture, recipes, health and fitness, and much more! Thanks!
Equal Housing Opportunity