PRIDELY ~ Springfield MA

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TOP 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Next International Trip

OVERPACKING OVERSPENDING

NOT ENOUGH RESEARCH CARRYING VALUABLES

NOT NOTIFYING THE BANK

Whether it’s your first international trip or your fifth, traveling is all about discovering the unknown. It’s no surprise that there can be problems along the way. Extra planning and learning from these common travel mistakes can help you focus on enjoying your trip without worrying.

Mistake #1 is overpacking - too many packed items can be hard to organize and be uncomfortable to travel with. Mistake #2 is overspending - sticking to a realistic budget and leaving room for unexpected expenses is always best.

Mistake #3 is not doing enough research - it’s always safe to do extra research when traveling abroad including weather, laws, and international costs. Mistake #4 is carrying valuables with you while exploring - pick pocketers are notorious for targeting tourists, so keep your valuables locked away safe in your hotel if possible. Most importantly, mistake #5 is not notifying your bank of your international travel plans - otherwise, your debit or credit card may be blocked due to “unusual activity” unfortunately if you don’t do this ahead of time.

Restaurants

Theodore’s

Blues, Booze, and BBQ

Funky BBQ joint with quirky decor hosting national & local blues acts

Tuesday through Saturday.

201 Worthington St, Springfield, MA 01103

Phone: (413) 736-6000 | Web: theodoresbbq.com

Nosh Cafè and Restaurant

Eclectic from-scratch with locally sourced ingredients include fresh seasonal produce, coffee, & New England breweries.

1341 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103

Phone: (413) 391-7948 | noshspringfield.com

Red Rose Pizzeria

Down-to-earth pizzeria, run by a brother-sister pair, serves pies, salads & other Neapolitan fare.

1060 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103

Phone: (413) 739-8510 | Web: redrosepizzeria.com

Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?

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Pho Sàigòn

Relaxed, family-owned outpost for the eponymous soup, plus a full menu of Vietnamese classics.

400 Dickinson St, Springfield, MA

Saray

Comfy, family-owned, halal joint offering Turkish dishes & homemade desserts.

1374 Allen St, Springfield, MA

Student Prince Cafe

Family-run spot, serving German food & beer, with a huge collection of steins in the bar.

8 Fort St, Springfield, MA

EAT

Counter-serve outlet for breakfast and coffee, sandwiches, soups and salads.

609 Page Blvd, Springfield, MA

Bueno Y Sano

Low-key, family-run chain outpost specializing in health-conscious burritos, tacos & salads.

415 Cooley St, Springfield, MA

Vinh Chau

Family-owned, no-frills Vietnamese eatery offering pho, clay pot dishes & bubble teas.

409 Dickinson St, Springfield, MA

Taste Of Lebanon

Middle Eastern & Mediterranean classics along with a few American dishes.

553 Main St, W Springfield, MA

Bamboo House

Compact, unassuming option fixing up an array of familiar Vietnamese & Chinese fare.

676 Belmont Ave, Springfield, MA

Sunny Side Up

Informal eatery offering breakfast & sandwich options, many with a Polish twist.

46 Morgan Rd, W Springfield, MA

Soc Trang

Family-run eatery focusing on traditional Vietnamese dishes, plus tropical fruit smoothies.

113 Vermont St, Springfield, MA

Mar 17

Theodores, St. Patricks’s Day Show

We are changing gears with some Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day. Reubens and Corned beef sandwiches for lunch with the addition of Corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Learn more at theodoresbbq.com.

Apr

7-10

Festival of Flowers

Tour the arrangements throughout the museums and stop by the outdoor bar and appetizer stations. Enjoy live music by Chris Eriquezzo of Quiet Houses, watch as florists create designs using surprise materials, and make your own bouquet. Food and entertainment included; cash bar. Visit springfieldmuseums.org.

Apr 10

Vegfest 413

Come eat, drink, learn ,explore healthy alternatives, and have a great time. With healthy options and over 20 vendors, you can’t go wrong. Get your tickets and learn more at vegfest413.com.

May 14

World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast

The breakfast table will stretch down Main Street to Court Square. There will be three cooking tents, four ticket tables, 12 beverage stations and more than 300 volunteers. Besides a hot hearty breakfast with great tasting pancakes from Performance Food Group, Carando Classic Italian bacon, H. P. Hood orange juice and milk, and coffee, there will be lots to experience. Learn more at springfielddowntown.com.

Jun 4

Springfield Pride Parade

At the Springfield Pride Parade, we walk together in a community-driven movement of support, inclusivity, and public recognition to remind our LGBTQIA+ youth that they are safe, they are loved, and they are not alone.

FOUR TIPS to help you boost your retirement savings

1. CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR 401(K)

If you happen to have the benefit of a traditional 401(k) plan through your employer, you may be able to contribute pretax money. This can be a huge advantage to your retirement savings plan.

2. OPEN AN IRA

It is a good idea to establish an individual retirement account (IRA) to help invest in your future. You can do either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. Take some time to research both options and see what’s best for you.

3. AUTOMATE YOUR SAVINGS

A good idea to help you increase your savings even more is to set automatic payments each month. This will help you grow your money without even having to think about it.

4. SET A GOAL

Understanding and planning ahead of time how much you may need in the future not only can help you better understand why you’re saving, but it also can make the process more rewarding.

6 Most Profitable Blog Niches

Making money online with a blog has never been easier.

There are so many areas you can explore when developing content for a blog. Making a profit from doing this is definitely possible, but it is essential to make sure you are creating high-quality content to help you monetize. Here are some quick tips and ideas to help you get started.

1

Don’t overestimate the value of digital marketing in today’s businesses.

SEO, email campaigns, social media, and influencer marketing are just some of the broad range of strategies used in digital marketing.

2

Digital Marketing Blogging for Profit

There are many valuable ways to write and help people make money online.

Some of these blog topics include freelance writing, working as a virtual assistant, and even starting your own online business.

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Come for the live music, games, floats, food from local vendors, giveaways and a block party. Visit www.springfieldprideparade.org m=for more info.

Jul 17

Springfield Indie Soul Festival

It’s going to be a full day of music, art, dance, food, and words.Get your tickets today. Find us on Facebook for details.

Aug 12-13

Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival

The festival brings diverse people of all ages together outdoors in the heart of Springfield to enjoy the rich sounds of jazz, blues, gospel, funk, Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa and more from top tier performers. Visit springfieldjazzfest.com.

Sep 9-11

Springfield MA Greek Festival

Since our festival is one day this year make sure to come on by! The day will be full of Greek food, music, dancing, market place, beer garden and more! Complete details at greekboston.com.

Oct 21-22

Downtown Springfield Harvest Fest

Fall brews, Fun eats, something for everyone in Downtown Springfield for Harvest Fest! Friday night enjoy live music by Malado and fall brews by White Lion Brewing. Pick your own pumpkins and other fall activities on Saturday with the whole family! Visit springfielddowntown.com.

Nov 25 - Dec 11

Festival of Trees

Trees are donated and decorated by businesses, civic and social organizations, schools, hospitals, families and individuals. Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a tree! Learn more at massmutualcenter.com.

TRANSHEALTH NORTHAMPTON

Adult and pediatric primary care, mental health, gender-affirming hormonal care and community support for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. Call 413-341-9400 to schedule an intake appointment. Email: info@transhealth.org | WeB: transhealth.org

TAPESTRY LGBTQ HEALTH CARE

Provides services specifically for the LGBTQ+ community including gender affirming hormone therapy, PrEP HIV prevention medication, support and links to other LGBTQ+ specific services, education, peer support groups and LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention and resilience workshops. Call (413) 586-2016 for information or an appointment. Web: www.tapestryhealth.org/lgbt-health/

SAFE HOMES

We are Safe Homes, a program supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) young people, and their straight allies. The group is led by youth peer leaders, professional staff, and volunteers who offer support, resources and opportunities for socialization in a safe and nurturing environment. safehomesma.org

SPRINGFIELD PRIDE

At the Springfield Pride Parade, we walk together in a community-driven movement of support, inclusivity, and public recognition to remind our LGBTQIA+ youth that they are safe, they are loved, and they are not alone. springfieldprideparade.org

COOLEY DICKSON HEALTH CARE

We are dedicated to the inclusion of LGBTQ people in all aspects of our services–for patients, families and employees. We promote LGBTQ health equity and access to care through staff training, specialized services in transgender health, inclusive patient policies, and affirming benefits for our employees. cooleydickson.org

RAINBOW ELDERS

Rainbow Elders offers opportunities and information to build connections and find resources to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, asexual, aromantic, and agender elders, as well as their allies, and educational outreach to agencies, businesses, and the community at large. Web: lifepathme.org

3

Health

& Fitness

Online fitness classes have become more and more popular over time.

There are many areas of fitness content to include such as workout videos, fitness courses, and one-on-one training sessions.

4

People are constantly seeking ways to manage their money better.

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People love to learn about quick and easy meals and diets.

Getting creative with this is the fun part as you can put own twist on popular dishes or share innovative recipes.

6

Finance & Investing Food Recipes Self Care

There are so many beneficial topics to create content on inlcuding routines, stress management, mindfulness, and journaling.

Now more than ever, people are tapped in to their mental wellness.