Spin, Dance, & Kick for a Cure

Earlier this year, Optimal Fitness in Newtown, PA began to take action in the fight against cancer by selling merchandise to benefit Fox Chase Cancer Center.  This Saturday, October 9th, they’re taking a more active approach with Fitness For a Cure! From 8am to 1pm, both members and non-members are welcome to sample a variety of fun exercise classes including belly dancing, disco-inferno, spin to the oldies, fit-2-strip. Each class requires a $5 donation (day pass for $20), all of which will go to the Fox Chase Cancer Center.  Join Optimal Sport Health Club this Saturday; it’s fun, affordable, good for you, and most importantly, going to a great cause!   (more…)

Happy Trails at Honey Hollow

Honey Hollow, New Hope

Ever since discovering the 60 acre Honey Hollow, home to the Bucks County Audubon Society, I’ve been wanting to explore their trails.  After finding my way back to the park, hidden deep into the back-roads of New Hope, I set out on my run through the beautiful grounds.

The peaceful park is much less inhabited than the other local parks like Tyler or Core Creek; in fact, I didn’t pass one other person during my run around 5pm on a Wednesday.  Everywhere I ran, there were small scenic paths breaking away from the main drag to try.  The slightly hilly paths throughout weave through flower beds, tree farms, and streams.  Terrains vary from grass to dirt to rock so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and watch your step if running and bring a mountain bike if biking. (more…)

Doylestown comes alive with the Doylestown Arts Fest!

You won't want to miss this Arts Fest!

Spend this weekend in the heart of  Doylestown enjoying a free festival with tons of things to see and do, and we mean tons! September 11th & 12th from 10am-5pm, the streets of Doylestown will turn into a festival where you can experience the work of more than 150 exhibitors. Also, you can take part in the Extreme Scavenger Hunt, which takes place both days. We promise, it won’t be like any scavenger hunt you’ve seen before. But that’s not all, you can also watch the Univest Bike Race on Sunday! What more could you want?

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What’s Happening the last week of summer?

The Bucks Happening team is sad to say this will be the last what’s happening of summer! But of course we have pulled together all the events and activities going on this week. You can check out our special Labor Day Guide for all the holiday happenings this weekend.

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Taking a stab at Fencing: Part 2

Last Friday, the BH team and I got to go to the Bucks County Academy of Fencing in Lambertville, NJ.  We had been looking for a unique and equally challenging athletic experience and after coming across the Academy, our search did not need to go any further.  I was extremely interested in trying my hand at something new.  Head Fencing Master Maestro Mark Holbrow, a 36 year veteran of the sport, offered to teach me some of the basics.  As a former collegiate soccer player and lifelong hockey advocate, I was confident that I would be able to learn the ropes fairly quickly.  Easier said than done. (more…)

Take a Stab at Fencing: Part I

Ashley, Tina and Eric at BCAF!

Sure, we’ve all heard of fencing, but do you really know what it all entails? I thought I did, but boy was I pleasantly surprised! This past week the Bucks Happening team visited the Bucks County Academy of Fencing located just over the river in Lambertville, NJ. So why is it called Bucks County Academy of Fencing (BCAF) if it is not in Bucks County? Well, BCAF was originally opened in New Hope in 1981 but moved to a much larger facility in 2003. Since then, BCAF has become the largest privately owned fencing academy on the east coast.

The academy offers a wide variety of levels from beginners to competition training programs. With over 200 students BCAF continues to provide a program of group and individual training, paired exercises, footwork/conditioning sessions and practice bouting.  Fencing classes are open to anyone ages eight through adulthood. BCAF even has students over the age of 70! This is a great sport for all ages and does not take as much as a toll on your body compared to physical contact sports. Fencing not only strengthens your fitness abilities but also your self-discipline and mental agility.

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Ride for the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey (BIANJ)

The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey is a non-profit organization that brings together people with brain injury, their families and friends, and concerned allied health professionals to improve the quality of life people experience after brain injury.  The organization has long held their Walk for Thought fund-raising event in Paramus, NJ. This year they are adding a charitable bike ride called Cycle for Safety in Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, NJ.

This ride will be held Saturday, October 16. There are routes for everyone (10, 25, and 50 miles). They have a first class group, G4 Productions organizing. This group is bringing the 2012 Giro D’Italia to American soil!! (more…)

Save Your Skin with Sun Threadz

Not many people think about their clothing every time they step outside and its lack of protection from the sun. One Yardley resident, Colleen Dougherty Bronstein, wanted to change this after she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 1999. Immediately after this life changing diagnosis she came up with the idea of Sun Threadz, clothing made from 50+ UPF protection. These clothes promote sun protection and allow people to enjoy the outdoors without the worry of developing melanoma. (more…)

Be Fit & Be Happy with Yoga in the Park

I love how after a great yoga class I feel both powerful and peaceful. It’s an incredibly inspiring feeling, something I also experience while enjoying the great outdoors. Well, now every Saturday in Bucks County, you can have both!

Local yoga-instructor Felice Towey is offering yoga in Tyler Park every Saturday at 8:30am!  The group gathers in a spacious meadow near the Boat House, eager for a fantastic work out in the peaceful outdoors.  When we stopped by last Saturday for Felice’s “Giving Back to the Community Day” (which offered a free class!), temperatures were beginning to soar. However, that did not effect the enthusiasm of the group.  Instead, Felice motivated them by focusing on the cleansing benefits of sweating. (more…)

Hacking it in Bucks

Hacking it in Bucks

I love golf – yes, quite simply that means that I love regularly putting myself through four plus hours of failed attempts at putting a tiny rotund projectile in a tiny hole 400+ yards away. Not once, not twice, but 18 times. It gets worse. Inevitably, after every round, I extend the four hours to endless hours of mental racing wondering what titanium hollow technology, ten layered soft feel ball or high priced golf Zen master can help my hopeless cause. I’ve even wondered whether I should ask my saintly Italian mother to put in some prayers to a higher power. The only thing that still makes me believe I am sane is that there are a lot of you out there just like me, or are we all insane? (more…)