Kelsy Chauvin

With so many potential benefits and ways to experience, cannabis keeps surprising us. Oregon's Tweedle Farms is now offering something new to many consumers: non-psychoactive flowers.

First, let's rewind. Years ago, many considered hemp and marijuana to be the same thing. Though both derived from the cannabis plant, the big difference is THC. Marijuana contains THC, the primary psychoactive compound that results in the marijuana "high." With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD became a buzzword for health and wellness, with the promise of pain relief, better sleep and reduced stress...

For Delicious Experiences, the possibilities for cooking, mixing, eating, and drinking entirely online are only just beginning.

Nearly eight months into the coronavirus pandemic, the physical world still remains mostly locked down. But the virtual world continues to open up. Founders Inbal Baum and Tal Ater launched their latest venture in August 2020 after a timely stroke of business savvy. The married duo saw their Delicious Israel food tour bookings plummet last spring once COVID-19 struck...

Last year, Wisconsin State Assembly candidate Jessica Katzenmeyer awoke from a three-day coma caused by a sudden, severe respiratory infection. She recovered and was released from the hospital a few days later, only to be slapped with an $80,000 medical bill.

"Eighty thousand dollars to save my life," she says.

During her recovery, Katzenmeyer found herself wanting to heal more than herself — and kept returning to the idea of running for office...If Katzenmeyer wins the battleground district in November, she will be the state assembly's first out trans member within a major swing state.

By Kelsy Chauvin and Matthew Wexler
You had to stay home, Now you want to travel. When you're ready, We're ready. (Sponsored by Orbitz.)

Pride on the Half Shell in Providence
Seafood lovers, rejoice! Fall is here, which means Rhode Island's extra-yummy cold-water oysters are back in all their briny glory. In Providence, travelers will find tantalizing choices for bivalves all over town, especially in Federal Hill, home to fresh-catch restaurants like Providence Oyster Bar and Capri Seafood. Better still, they're...

You had to stay home, Now you want to travel. When you're ready, We're ready. (Sponsored by Orbitz)
by Kelsy Chauvin
Summer 2020 is a road-trip kind of season. Across America, travelers are taking to the beaches, mountains, lakes, and forests to catch up on fresh air and nature. To help you refresh and decompress the gay way, we've compiled this tip sheet for your very own LGBTQ mini-break from five major U.S. cities. Gas up the car, pack up your travel cooler, and let's roll...

Travelers thirsting for faraway discoveries may delight in channeling their cravings directly into cocktail glasses. In my home, we've practiced the "art of the pour" to conjure sunny beaches of the Caribbean (Pina Colada), the agave farms of Mexico (Margarita), the salty harbor of Oakland (Mai Tai), and the rosy side of Minneapolis (Cosmopolitan).
Alas, no beverage tastes quite as good at home as in the actual destination. But it sure is fun to try! Here's a shortlist of classic drinks to...

Marijuana plants are finicky. They need the perfect amount of sun and water, plus mild temperatures. Their soil must be balanced with the right nutrients, and there shouldn’t be too much humidity. Then, even once the plants grow several feet tall, they may turn out to be male, which is helpful for plant reproduction, but not for bearing buds rich in THC and CBD cannabinoids. This sort of knowledge is the foundation of Erich Pearson’s work. Pearson, 43, is founder and CEO of SPARC, a cannabis ...

Let’s start with a little geography. Jackson is a city, and it’s located at the south end of Jackson Hole valley in northwest Wyoming. The valley marks the southern end of spectacular Grand Teton National Park, which begins at the southern end of Yellowstone National Park—America’s first national park, covering 3,500 square miles in three states (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho).

For today’s travelers, Jackson is a dreamy destination to nestle yourself in nature. By day, discover all manner of adventure and recreation. By night, stroll around the rustic-chic town square, dance to live music...

(by Kelsy Chauvin)
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, can seem almost miraculous. It can ease general aches and chronic pain. It can help relieve symptoms of common health problems like inflammation, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. For many, it's also a welcome, natural alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Unfortunately, many CBD manufacturers don't always deliver quality, traceable products.

Enter Cristina Madruga, EVO3's executive vice president and master cannabinologer. Madruga ensures that Houston-based EVO3 produces reliable CBD oils and topicals from hemp seed to consumer use...

You might be tempted to compare Kansas City to other towns, but the truth is, it’s one of a kind. KCMO—that is, Kansas City, Missouri—is locked right in the middle of America. (And shouldn’t be confused with smaller “KCK,” or Kansas City, Kansas, across the Kansas river.)

Just as the city’s central coordinates suggest, Kansas City is a hub for everything from agriculture and transportation, to gastronomy, arts, and culture. It’s surprisingly diverse and progressive, yet it’s proud to be a heartland city sprung from old-west traditions.

The Gilded Age left its mark on Newport like nowhere else in America. There are mansions, yachts, and a polo club, not to mention St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where Jacqueline Bouvier married then Senator John F. Kennedy in 1953.

Yet, this coastal Rhode Island city has the everyday charm of a quintessential New England hamlet. Natural scenery is picture-perfect even in winter, though summer sun makes the shoreline sparkle as it summons weekend visitors for seafood and local brews.

Across the Sakonnet River (really a tidal strait), Newport gives way to more nature in historic Little Compton...

Omaha’s story goes back more than 250 years, beginning with the Omaha and Ponca Native American tribes, through the region’s 1804 explorations of Lewis and Clark, and on through the industrial booms of the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Through it all, this heartland city has been a hub of invention and commerce. Omaha was built on railroads and breweries, stockyards and agriculture, and iconic American products—from boxed cake mix, TV dinners, and Raisin Bran; to the classic pink hair curler and “top 40” radio. That business zeal is still going strong in Nebraska’s biggest city. These days...

In Charleston, the history is as deep and rich as a serving of homemade perlou. And just like the famous Lowcountry rice dish, the city’s flavors get more interesting with every bite.

Charleston has long drawn travelers to its balmy terrain along the mid-Atlantic coast. In fact, it drew some of the very first cross-Atlantic travelers—English colonists, who established “Charles Town” back in 1670. The roots of their influences remain, as do traditions of African Americans, whose Gullah culture is distinct in the region and infused into local food, farming, crafts, and music.

They call Oklahoma City “the modern frontier.” It’s a nice concept, inviting travelers to summon the homesteading spirit of the Great Plains as they savor 21st-century culture. And it’s remarkable how the contemporary part of OKC keeps its cowboy roots kicking. A weekend getaway allows enough time for a snapshot of the Oklahoma state capital, featuring Americana like chicken-fried steak and Route 66, plus surprises like incredible Vietnamese restaurants and a world-class arts collective.

It may be the year of social distancing, but for travelers, it's a time to bring destinations home. For fans of big flavor, Chicago restaurants are just the ticket. Americans hankering for Chicago's iconic dishes, classic seasonings and sweet treats can opt for long-distance delivery to reconnect with the Windy City's best bites. Here's a rundown of our favorite eateries ready to ship their legendary creations to your front door...