New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop

by Kelly Amabile on

Looking for something completely wacky to do this New Year’s Eve? I’m sure we will all read about some outlandish
ways to welcome the new year over the next few weeks leading up to the big night. But in case you haven’t read any yet,
I’ll offer up one to get us started with the laughter. Actually, I’ve got not one, but TWO fantastic Pickle Drops for
you to choose from!

First up, the Mt. Olive Pickle Drop in North Carolina. The town
is home to the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, so of course it makes
complete sense for them to celebrate by dropping a three-foot lighted pickle at 7:00 EST on December 31. Uh, yeah…it’s
not weird enough to drop a pickle to welcome the new year, they also have to do it at midnight Greenwich Mean Time.
Very official these pickle guys are. Next up is the Dillsburg
PickleDrop in Dillsburg, PA, where they don’t make pickles but
I’m guessing they eat their fair share. These late-night pickle lovers start their party at 9 pm and Mr. Pickle decends
into the pickle barrel at midnight. Here are some photos.
I know you are just dying to go. Contain your excitement, please.

Now…just like my call for help on the ZooLights roundup,
I’ll be eternally grateful if you can find me another PickleDrop anywhere in this world…I sense a trend here, there has
to be more of these?!??!

NY Times on Tampa, FL

by Adrienne Wilson on

After a quick two day run in the big city last week I had never been happier to return to Tampa.
I’m just not cut out for the cold weather or the wind tunnels that act as NYC
streets. However sunny the weather may be, Tampa still kills my spirit. A city perfect for sport fanatics, cigar
aficionados, and home of some of the best Cuban sandwiches around is always lacking for me. I’m not wild about cigars
and pigskin is okay, but something I can’t quite place my finger on is missing. Yet, the folks at the NY Times managed
to point out some rather good
Tampa Bay finds should you have 36 hours to burn around town.

Just touching on a few of their picks I also find rewarding, every visitor should make special note to visit the
Big Cat Rescue. The home and sanctuary to some 150 exotic cats unfolds the
story of each one and the cats include African lions, pumas, ocelots, as well as lazy house cat. Another notable spot
is the restored 1926 movie palace called Tampa Theater, best for late
night flicks after a good round of tapas at Ceviche which gets a nod as well. And without the
beach, a trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete, but before heading to what’s said to be the nation’s best family beach
check the red tide status. If all is well and the sun is high and warm a ride down to
Fort DeSoto County Park should not be
missed.

See the NY Times full
list of action packed spots in Tampa and after reading this I guess, well, it’s not that bad.

Kava Bars

by Adrienne Wilson on

A friend of mine introduced me to ‘kava tea’ a couple of years back and just as my mind thought
to give him a ring to ask where I might find some myself, I stumble upon this article found
here at News Inferno. For those unfamiliar
with the calming effects a nice warm cup of kava tea brings or its origin, let me break it down real quick. kava is
grown in kava farms on the tiny little Republic of Vanatu out in the Pacific. Before it ever becomes tea, kava is the
crushed root of a pepper plant and has been used to relax the mind and muscles.  

Interestingly enough the drink and its increase on the social scene in non-alcoholic bars has
some officials worried. Bars have appeared in Florida, Oregon, and Hawai’i over the last couple of years whereas
countries including, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, Canada, Australia, and the UK have banned the sale of kava in all
forms. Signs of liver failure in addition to impairing drivers’ ability to operate motor vehicles are only a few
concerns. Hmm.  

I’m surprised to find that there are bars out there really serving it up. Check out
Nakava in Boca Raton, FL. Their tea lounge/bar seems like quite the happening spot for
a non-alcholic atmosphere. Other drinks on their menu include Yerba Mate tea, Noni Juice, and Kava Juice. If you’re
still wondering or just curious to know more about kava,
they have a very good rundown of the plant on their site. Here, I thought it was just a relaxing, warm, tea
beverage. Better get your sip before they try banning this one fully. And if what they say is true, just remember to
drink and drive responsibly.

Ristorante Lucia

by Adrienne Wilson on

Hungry in
Rhode Island? Got a craving for some pasta? Why not head to the Ristorante Lucia? Too many questions and not enough details? I’ll
stop, but you should certainly give the Lucia Italian Restaurant a shot if you happen to be the Newport area. Prepared
by Italian chefs, authenhere tic Northern Italian lunch dishes include Fusilli all’ Arrabbiata, Gnocchi alla Marinara,
and Farfalle al’ Ragu Bolognese are all priced reasonably as are items found on the dinner menu. Click here to see the dinner menu. Patrons can relax in Lucia’s
warm, cozy atmosphere located at 186B Thames Street, Newport, RI  any day of the week except Wednesday when the
restaurant is closed or call ahead for carry-out. With the exception of Wednesdays as well for carry-out.

Olvera Street

by Adrienne Wilson on

Some of
my favorite childhood memories always send me back to the cobble-stone walkways in the colorful village on Olvera Street filled with shops and scents drifting
from a Mexican restaurant or two tucked inside. Comprised of 27 historic buildings and a traditional Mexican plaza area
a trip to this part of Los Angeles, truly feels like a small trip out of the city. (A breath of fresh air when living in
a city like L.A.) Whether the family was heading there only for a bite of authentic Mexican food or to experience a
fiesta taking place, Olvera Street holds a special place in my mind. Although this was some time ago, the area has
continued to provide a unique historical experience for visitors and residents alike.

Las Angelitas, El Pueblo’s docent organization gives free
tours to groups Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10AM – 12PM. Brochures with information on all the historic buildings
can be used for self-guided tours, where with the right amount of time you’ll be able to stroll into tiny shops for
Mexican wares similar to those found in old Mexico. If you’re there for the food and the food only, have a bite for me.
Specifically the taquitos and extra guacamole. Please.

Olvera Street is only a stone’s throw away from Union
Station, La Placita Church, and one block from Chinatown.