You can run, but can you Hog n’ Jog?

With National Ice Cream Day around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with a jog?

This year’s Jog n’ Hog lands on July 15th and for readers who do not know, it is a 4 mile run with a break halfway through for a quart of Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream. The fitness and food combination event is happening at Shady Brook Farm. Participants should be prepared to run on dirt roads. Racers are also asked to bring one non-perishable food item for the Bucks County Housing Groups Penndel Food Pantry.

Along with the main event, there is a child-friendly version of the Jog ‘n Hog for participants under the age of 13. Simply replace the 4 miles with 200 yards and the quart of ice cream with three ounces of ice cream, and you’re all set! (more…)

Super Bowl Guide 2012: Party, Planning, & Catering

The 2012 Super Bowl will be broadcast by NBC on February 5^th.  The Official Game Time is 6:30 ET.  We’ve put together a list of some of the best spots in Bucks County to watch the game or have your party catered.  Whether you’re a Giant or a Patriot, there are plenty of options for making this year’s match-up one to remember! (more…)

Fencing for Fitness: A Challenge for the Body & Mind

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Happening Kid: Owen McKenna

With experiences under his belt like representing the U.S.A. in the Pan Am fencing tournament in Mexico and living in Finland for a month in an effort to inspire world peace, it’s hard to believe that Owen McKenna is just 11 years old.

Owen, a student at Germantown Academy and fencer at the Bucks County Academy of Fencing, is December’s “Happening Kid” of the month.  We were honored to get the chance to ask him a few questions about his impressive experiences and aspirations for the future:

BH: What is your favorite subject?

OM: My favorite subject is history.

BH: How did you begin fencing & what do you like about it?

OM: When I was very little I loved movies about knights and sword fighting.  When I found out there was sport with swords in it, I wanted to try it.  I finally got to start fencing when I was 6.  I love everything about fencing but especially that it is both a mental and physical sport. (more…)

On the 2nd Day of Christmas: Celebrating Classic Gifts with Guy’s Bicycles

This month, Bucks Happening is celebrating the holidays by bringing you the 12 Days of Christmas! Each weekday from December 1st through December 16th, we’ll cover something amazing about the holiday season in Bucks County- sites to see, happening holidays events, the best local gifts, and all sorts of other goodies.

One lucky little girl's 1st bike!

No matter how many electronic gadgets and gizmos exist for children, there are few things better than a brand new bike sitting under the tree. Whether it’s a toddler’s first bike, complete with training wheels; a “cool” BMX (Bicycle Moto Cross) bike for your pre-teen; a comfort bike for your loved one to cruise down the shore in the summer; or gifts for the hard-core cycling enthusiast, the repeat winner of “Best in Bucks” Guy’s Bicycles, located in Feasterville, has had Bucks County’s biking needs covered for 40 years.

Bikes For Kids:

Purchasing a bike for your kid is no ordinary purchase- it requires expertise, proper assembly, and quality materials…after all, your kids will be spending hours flying around the neighborhood at high speeds on it!  Some important things to consider: (more…)

Zorro, Muskateers, & Puss in Boots: Get a Taste of Fencing

Not since the days of Zorro has the public been so excited about the classic sport of fencing. Emulating the popular Shrek-spinoff character, Puss in Boots, as well as the latest blockbuster version of the classic Three Musketeers story, it’s no surprise that there were so many sword-yielding Halloween costumes in 2011.

Rather than limiting the duels to play-time, however, parents may want to take this opportunity to encourage kids to explore their interest by enrolling in a local fencing course, such as one of the Bucks County Academy of Fencing’s November Taste of Fencing Courses in New Hope.

Children AND adults alike are welcome to sign up for one of the Taste of Fencing courses at BCAF. Whether capturing a child’s imagination, giving young adults an enjoyable after-school activity, or bringing adults on an active adventure, fencing will teach many valuable lessons in: (more…)

Catch the big game: Football Bars in Bucks

Here are some local football hot spots:

• Green Parrot Irish Pub: 240 N Sycamore St. Newtown. Featuring the NFL Ticket, with every NFL game imaginable, as well as the College Football Package and The Big 10 Network, the Pub at The Green Parrot is the area’s go-to total sports pub. They also offer Setanta Sports TV for soccer, rugby and Australian Rules football as well as other hard to find sports. Their pub and outdoor patio features 20 flat-screen HDTV’s. Try out their brand new breakfast and stay for the games!
  
• McStew’s Irish Sports Pub:  5316 New Falls Road Levittown. McStew’s is Levittown’s biggest sports bar with 40+ TVs, including 15 HD as well as the NFL Sunday ticket.  You can enjoy one of their 15 beers on tap and on Monday nights McStew’s All You Can Eat Wings and Pizza for $4.99.
• Stephanie’s:  29 South Main Street in Doylestown.  Not only one of the best beer bars in Bucks, Stephanie’s also boasts 15 HDTVs along with the NFL Sunday Ticket.  With seven 50″ HDTV’s you’ll never miss another sporting event. Check them out for specific Monday night specials. (more…)

Racing Around Doylestown Arts Fest

You won't want to miss this Arts Fest!

Mark your calendars; September 17-18th is the annual Doylestown Arts Fest and Univest Bike Race (read more about this major professional cycling event on Montco Happening). This 50 mile race circles beautiful downtown Doylestown and is described as “short circuit, fast-action racing.”  While watching the race, stroll through Doylestown’s Annual Art Festival which is held in unison with the race.

Doylestown Arts Festival has a list of over 150 exhibitors that include food, jewelry, clothes, pottery, photography, murals and even fun for the kids.  The streets of Doylestown will be shut down so everyone can walk through the scenic festival. (more…)

Irene Destroys Bucks County Academy of Fencing Facility

It is with regret that we are sharing the below letter from our friends at the Bucks County Academy of Fencing, explaining the devastating flooding from Hurricane Irene that is forcing them to temporarily close their Lambertville facility.  Local husband & wife owners, Mark Holbrow & Lisa Martini, have taught the community to fence for thirty years, recently expanding to a second location in Hatfield.  We look forward to their speedy recovery.

If anyone is able to offer help in finding a temporary location for fencing classes or any assistance in rebuilding, please contact BCAF at lisa@bcaf.com. (more…)

Do You Know a 7th Grader Who Wants to Go to the YMCA for Free?

Central Bucks Family YMCA, a cause-driven organization for Youth Development, will offer free membership to all students in the seventh grade at private, public and home-schools in the Central Bucks area beginning September 6, 2011. The goal of the initiative is to encourage youth to make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors in order to succeed in school and life.

7th grade is a critical time in a young person’s life. It’s a time when they get exposed to increased risk factors. Risk factors are conditions or influences that have been shown to increase the likelihood for unhealthy behaviors including substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out and violence. Through the YMCA’s positive, proactive and strength-based approach, they aimto buffer young people from the effects of risk exposure by providing them with opportunities to be involved in, and contribute to their community, their school, and their peer group in meaningful ways. (more…)