Month: January 2015

Categories
Philadelphia

Bernard Hopkins Takes The Cake Literally at his 50th birthday at Parx Casino #CakeFace

Bernard Hopkins celebrated his 50th birthday Monday night at Parx Casino (2999 Street Road, Bensalem)   

 Tuesday night Bernard Hopkins celebrated his birthday at Parx Casino
 Joe Conklin and Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins is preparing to blow out his candles for his 50th bday.
Bernard celebrated his birthday by shoving his face into the cake. #YOLO  

The event included live weigh-ins of
participants in a three-bout Tuesday night boxing card at 2300 Arena in
Philadelphia. The Tuesday night event was a production of Golden Boy and
Joe Hand Promotions.

 Mike Jerrick and Alex Holly, with Bernard Hopkins posing with fans. On Fox 29 Good Day Philly, Bernard announced that he would participate in one more fight before retiring.
 
All the fighters competing in the Tuesday night boxing including the
main event Philadelphia Featherwieght Eric Hunter (18-3, 9 KOs) and Rene
Alvarado (21-3, 15kos) of Nicaragua were on hand for their weigh ins.
 Featherwieght Eric Hunter
 Rene
Alvarado
Philadelphia Featherwieght Eric Hunter (18-3, 9 KOs) and Rene
Alvarado (21-3, 15kos) of Nicaragua 
  Lamont Roach Jr. (131.5lbs) vs Herbert Quartey (133.4lbs)
 Alex Holley, Mike Jerrick and Ray Martin

 

 

 

 First to hit the scales – Michael Perez (140.8lbs)
 who dropped his drawers to loose just that little bit more of weight
Michael Perez vs Miguel Acosta 
Last night Rapper 50 center came out to the fight to support Boxer Eric Hunter.
Categories
Philadelphia

Alicia DiMichele to Close Her Stores in Cherry Hill and East Passyunk

Alicia DiMichele opened her East Passyunk store “Addiction Boutique” in June 2013 to much fan fare, and among rumors that she’d be starring in the upcoming season of Mob Wives.

The store was a big success, as was her turn on mob wives. She was, and is a personable person, garnering many fans and supporters as they saw her life unfold on TV. Her business exploded, with fans turning into custormers who purchased bought into her brand of cutting edge, sexy, New York street fashion designs at both her east Passyunk and Cherry Hill stores, as well as online.

Alicia went through many life changes on just one season of Mob Wives, and decided it wasn’t how she wanted to live her life; she’s raising a family, running a business and Mob Wives took a lot of time away from the life she wanted to live, so she left the show. But the fans stayed with her, and she interacts with them everyday online which is really nice. I ran into her Saturday night at Hair of the Dog, she told me about her plans for the new year.

In 2015, she’s about to embark on another big move. She’s closing both her “Addicted” East Passyunk and Cherry Hill clothing stores, re-branding her company, launching a clothing line and


  opening a new store February 1 at the Promenade in Marlton called “Alicia DiMichele“.

Tonight see her at The Pool after dark where you can see her new spring new clothing line.

Categories
Philadelphia

Sylvester Stallone Runs Through Philadelphia – Creed Casting – Celebrity Sighting Tips

Sylvester Stallone Runs Through Philadelphia – The Actor is in town to Start Filming Creed, which starts filming next Monday 1/26/15. Last week he was at DIVE in Society Hill doing test shots for the upcoming follow up to the Rocky movie series. DIVE  is the Visual Effects and Picture Finishing division of Shooters Inc., a national leader in commercial production, postproduction and broadcast design.

Saturday night Sly stopped by D’Angelo’s for dinner at 256 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Several fans recognized him but he asked if they could wait til after dinner, at which time he posed with them outside the delicious Italian restaurant located in Rittenhouse Square. This photo will be added to the fame wall which already includes Robert DeNiro and Tommy Lasorda. You’ll recall that this was also a favorite dining place for Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus.

Creed is a story that finds Rocky Balboa acting as a trainer and mentor to the grandson of his fellow boxing alumni, Apollo Creed. But before we get into where else Sly went let me tell you who else is in this film so you can be on the look out for these celebs walking around town.

 Remember this guy from Ghost, he’s also one of the most prolific character actors in the biz. Did you know he was in Carlito’s Way and Boogie Nights. So be on the lookout for Luis Guzmán and tweet me your selfies to @IPhillyChitChat and I’ll print them here.
Sexy Tessa Thompson has been in a lot of our favorite TV shows like: Copper, Veronica Mars and Heroes.
Will Blagrove’s star has been on the rise for awhile now, but with Creed and the upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” with Ben Affleck, which will blow his career up.
 Michael B. Jordan or as Alex Holley likes to call him, her next husband. Jordan was in town in December doing his test shots at DIVE during that time. When he was here he could be found at Fox & The Hound. I hear he was really nice and posed with fans. He appeared on All My Children in 2006, overlapping in scenes with Will Blagrove, so look for them to hang out a bit. Jordon just finished shooting “The Fantastic Four” and has already been tapped for the followup sequel, so now is the time to see him up close and personal as his star is headed for the stratosphere, and in “Creed” he’s in the starring role as “Adonis Creed.”
 Speaking of stratosphere, Mrs. Huxtable Phylicia Rashad has just been added to the cast as Adonis Creed’s mom Mary Anne Creed. The chances of seeing her are slim as the last time she was in town filming the TV series “Do No Harm” for a whole season, she was low key. She did get her nails done at the same Sansom Street salon every week, and occasional grabbed a bite at a.kitchen, but otherwise there were very little sightings. Hopefully that changes this time.
 After leaving D’Angelo’s on Saturday night,  Sly and his friends headed to the 1925 Cocktail Lounge(formerly G Lounge). 
He and his friends hung out in the vault, which you will recall was christened by Meek Mills and Nicki Minaj last week.
The Italian Stallion is 68 years old.
 
 
Friday night he had dinner as Estia at Broad and Locust and posed with the banquet coordinator and manager. (A man after my own heart, a guy who likes to wear black, two nights in a row.)
The best photo has to be the one that showed up on Reddit.
The photo has over 1.5 million views since it was posted on Sunday. WOW. Rocky lives , he’s our hometown hero. I hope you get a chance to get a selfie with him.

Rocky 7: Creed – Trailer (2015) HD

Categories
Philadelphia

HAIR OF THE DOG 2015 GALA PHOTOS, AND LINKS TO COLUMNS

Saturday night was the 21st Annual Hair of the Dog Gala. This year’s event was definitely the best, and the party lived up to all the hype you’ve ever heard about the event and more. Dan, Rob, Buffy and Ryann all deserve a big Thank You and standing O for putting together a super party with lots to do and see.

Everyone took their dress very seriously and really looked stunning, they were hot, and happening, but I did include a few hot messes, see if you can find them.I worked ridiculously hard on this columns as it took about 15 hours to comb through the photos and find just the perfect 25 for each column; then describe them and write a column. PLEASE LIKE THE COLUMNS at Both PhillyMag and Philly.com Thanks (if you like them) Tickets range from $100 to $300 and range from GA which is still a really good deal, open bar, food, dancing, to $300 bottle service, a mini lounge area and top of the shelf food with prime rib, turkey, pasta and salad.

Thanks so much for allowing me to photograph you, sorry I do not send the photos out. If you don’t see your photo here, the next time I see you out mention that and you have a good chance of appearing in a future column. Also I will have one more column in Philly Style Magazine later this week with another 15 photos.

Saturday night’s Hair O’ The Dog Gala http://po.st/I6b18p  at Philly dot Com

Debbie Smith and DJ Paola Shea of CBS’s Big Brother

The photos I place on Philly Mag were more about the gorgeous and daring dresses that some of the ladies wore;

CHECK THEM OUT HERE

WHO WORE IT BEST, AND WHO WAS A MESS – leave me comments. Thanks.

Categories
Philadelphia

MURAL ARTS LOVE TRAIN IS LOOKING FOR A SAME SEX COUPLE TO BE MARRIED 2/8/15

Love
Train 2015: Mural Arts and Philadelphia Gay News are seeking
applications from same-sex couples to be married aboard SEPTA and to
receive a free reception at Loews Philadelphia Hotel! Write to us at
lovetrain2015@muralarts.org by January 26 and tell us why you want to be wed aboard the Love Train!

Celebrate the five-year anniversary of Mural Arts’ landmark Love Letter
project and marriage equality in Pennsylvania with the final iteration
of LOVE TRAIN on Sunday, February 8. For the first time ever, our
popular Valentine’s Day event will feature a same-sex marriage during a
privately chartered, slow-speed, guided Love Letter tour—and the lucky
couple could include you!

LOVE TRAIN 2015

Sunday, February 8, 2015
$35 per person, $60 per couple
Departs from 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia
Mural Arts celebrates the five-year anniversary of its landmark Love Letter project and marriage equality in Pennsylvania with the final iteration of LOVE TRAIN. For the first time ever, Mural Arts’ popular Valentine’s Day event will feature a same-sex marriage during a Love Letter tour. This special version of one of the Mural Arts Program’s bestselling tours will feature a privately chartered, slow-speed, guided ride amidst the 50 Love Letter rooftop murals along the Market-Frankford SEPTA line in West Philadelphia, painted by world-renowned street artist Stephen “ESPO” Powers and crew—great for Love Letter newcomers and repeat riders alike. The
Honorable Daniel J. Anders, Philadelphia’s first openly gay male judge,
will wed a lucky same-sex couple aboard the SEPTA train during this
one-of-a-kind ride. Book tickets to witness a landmark moment in Philadelphia’s LGBTQ history at muralarts.org/lovetrain2015 or 215-925-3633. Space is limited and tickets are nontransferable.
ITINERARY
11:30 am – Check in at SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street
All ticketed guests must check in with Mural Arts staff before riding the Love Train! Guides will escort guests to the “El” platform for boarding.
12 – 1:30 pm – Love Train 2015
Experience Love Letter from the Market-Frankford El, one of the most popular and talked-about projects in Mural Arts history, and be there as our happy couple is wed, in a ceremony performed by Judge Daniel J. Anders.
1:30 – 3 pm – Reception at Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Toast to the newlyweds and enjoy a catered reception from project partners Loews Philadelphia Hotel and Cakes by Maryellen. Love Letter books will be available for purchase and signings from artist Stephen Powers.
  

Partners:
Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Cakes by Maryellen, Yards Brewing Company,
SEPTA, William Way LGBT Community Center, Andre Richard Salon and media
partners Philadelphia Gay News, Wired 96.5FM.

Categories
Philadelphia

Rumored: Sweetgreen coming to Rittenhouse Square

I’ve heard from a couple people that Sweetgreen is moving into the Rittenhouse Square area

Into the former Dollar Plus store across from Boyd’s and next to 
the new Joan Shepp boutique location. See how things are changing and going upscale on Chestnut Street. It’s like a domino effect.

 Sweetgreen is a make your own salad place that is opening in center
city. Besides Saladworks, there aren’t a ton of salad specialty jawns … Sweetgreen sources local, fresh ingredients. They
offer signature salads like the kale chicken Caesar, and allow you to
also pick your own ingredients. All salads come with a piece of
delicious bread. (Kelly G on Yelp)
I’ve been watching the space for a while, and today when I went by they finally began to build it out. My sources tell me Sweetgreen should be open by the summer. Yum!!
Categories
Philadelphia

First Hand Account: Temple Student Falls From Building, Hits Pedestrian, and Dies

This is an extremely sad story, and one I can relate to as someone who is constantly capturing the sights of the City from every crazy angle. A Temple University student, now identified as Rebecca “Becca” Kim, was visiting friends at the Art Institute dorms at 16th and Chestnut Streets

 She loved the beautiful skyline and saw through the window a different view of the City. The only way she could capture it was to sit on the window ledge to take advantage of the full view.
That decision cost her her life last night. 
 There’s the tiniest of ledges to sit on as the window butts out like a bay window here, about 2 feet from the facade,  but as she struggled to get back inside with her puffy black coat on, she slipped and fell. The windows are on a spring mechanism, and perhaps that was one of the problems where she wasn’t able to get back inside as easily (but in reality it was supposed to keep you from getting out). But if you saw the ledge and you were young in love with your new City, adventurous, you might think you could do it, I could get a unique photo of Philadelphia, what could go wrong?

 The scene was very chaotic as I arrived within minutes of the women falling. I had been at 18th and Chestnut checking out a few potential stories. Traffic was backed up as it was rush hour. At first one police car was speeding down Chestnut Street at 18th where I was standing, then a volley of lights blaring was to follow. It was rush hour and it was amazing to see how the cars waiting at lights and backed up along the street found themselves moving to the side to let the officers through. I knew that since the police were making their way down Chestnut Street instead of Market, the emergency must be on Chestnut and fairly close, and since so many emergency vehicles were headed that way, my curiosity naturally took me there.

When I first arrived I wasn’t sure what had happened, nor did the small crowd on the corners. I tweeted out a photo for my followers to avoid the area as all roads were closed near the incident. Traffic was backed up in the area, and if you had been the unlucky ones to be behind this bus you weren’t going anywhere as he couldn’t make it between the fire engine and the parked car.

 When I arrived at the scene this is what I saw. The officers working feverishly on both women. It was very apparent that the women, who I later learned was the student, heart had stopped. They were doing CPR and press compressions over and over again. The police, and then the paramedics worked hard to save the young ladies life.
 Then the police put the crime scene up and a couple police cars parked right in front of the incident. I
 The crowd became aware that a women had either jumped or fell from the window onto a pedestrian walking by. 
A man points up to the window where she fell. The window was now closed as it was on a spring lock I was told by a witness in the crowd.
The info was stunning, and difficult to comprehend. 
After working on Rebecca Kim, the paramedics wheeled her to the ambulance,
 they continued to massage her heart as they transported her along the very crowded sidewalk.
and loaded her into the ambulance outside of Uniqlo. She was wearing a big, puffy, black jacket and grey sweatpants. She looked for the most part at peace.

  It was definitely very emotional for me. I did think about not shooting

the scene anymore, but I also felt it was news and necessary. I deleted
or didn’t submit any photos I thought were inappropriate, or cropped
them down just to capture the emotion on this officers face as they
loaded Rebecca Kim into the ambulance. It was obvious to me that she had passed away.

 They continue to attend to the pedestrian who was hit by a falling Rebecca Kim, then after an additional five minutes they moved her towards her ambulance. Note the regular clothed people on the left, they must have been witnesses as they were beyond the yellow police lines.

 As they wheeled her to the ambulance you can see her left hand is up, while she was being moved to the ambulance, she was moving her body and hands, obviously in a lot of pain.

 She had a pinstriped women’s suit on, and everything was ordinary for that night for the Thursday commute back home, until the sky fell. RIP Rebecca “Becca”  Kim. I immediately called my outlets and reported the story to them, Fox 29, Philly.com and PhillyMag.com
The UK Daily Mail picked up a few photos from my wireservice that I submitted and has a much more detailed story of Rebecca HERE.
Kim graduated last June from Wissahickon High School in the Philly suburb
of Ambler. She was a pre-pharmacy student at Temple, according to her
Facebook page, which was posted in an article where my photos appear in the NY Daily News
Categories
Philadelphia

Patti Labelle is Going To Be A Grandmother – Sunday Was the Baby Shower – I have the name of Her Grandbaby & Pixs

Patti LaBelle and family hosted a baby shower at Kevin Parker’s Ms. Tootsies on South Street on Sunday.

It’s her FIRST Grand Baby
and a little girl. She is over the moon in anticipation of being a grandmother.

The baby already named Gia Patricia Edwards – is due in February to her son and doughtier in law, Zuri Edwards (L in back) and Lona Edwards.
Jalil Rahman took the picture of Ms LaBelle and Whitney Thomas took the hanging photos. 
Categories
Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Style Magazine Holiday Party – Better Late Than Never, Right?

Last month, I was bombarded with parties. I kept putting this nugget on the back burner as I said there was so much to chat about, then I didn’t want to cover it during the holidays cause 1/3 of my readers would be wrapping presents, playing with their new IPhones or shopping for bargains.

Where did that leave it, lost in my abyss. I found it. I still have fun things to say.

PHILADELPHIA STYLE celebrated its 2014 Holiday issue on Tuesday,
December 16, 2014 at The Historic Down Town Club in Philadelphia with
Sports Illustrated star, Guess model and cover star, Samantha Hoopes. 

The VIP guest list including friends, family, Philebrities and the like to the swanky soiree. Even though nearly 800 people filled the two rooms of the newly renovated event space, it was the see and be seen event of the holiday party season and if you were there then you were lucky as it was a hard to get, with minimum party crashers making it through if your name wasn’t on the list.

 Rebecca Goodman, Jacklyn Rhoads, and Laura Krebs Miller
 Love American Style. Talk about internet stalking, I’ve been following the meeting, the dating and the falling in love of Jamie Reibenbach and Ian Larson. When I met him at the party I felt like a fangirl. OMG I love the pumpkin you got for Halloween, oh and your first Thanksgiving together was divine. She’s so lucky to have a guy that gives great foot massages, oohhh ahhh ohhh aah. No doubt I frightened him. With them is the Philadelphia Style Magazine’s editor Kristin Detterline with her friend Ken Martz.
Kristen Conrad, (r) Brown Forman and friends
Thomas Ashley, Invincible Pictures, Jen Sherlock, Public Relations and Andrew Greenblatt, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society
Alexander Mason Hankin,  Renee Dubyk and Kory Aversa
 The Season of Audi Cocktail Menu.
Songstress Jessy Kyle belting out a beautiful song to entertain the crowd.
The spread was the high quality seafood and Italian you’ve come to expect from the Cescaphe group.
If you look closely you can see my reflection and I don’t have a black shirt on.
CSN reporter  Molly Sullivan looking stunning on one of her last nights out as a single girl before officially changing her FB status to “in a Relationship” and Lauren Iske, Senior Director of Marketing & Promotions at Altitude Sports & Entertainment
 Melissa Leonard,  Eliana Raggio, Jill Rizen, Alisa Martino and Michelle Ranieri

 Melissa and the OSCAR nominated Bradley Cooper in NYC.
 Janice Waitkus, Lagos and her daughter Lauren Iannucci,Campaign Director, Light the Night (Dont forget The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® 2nd Annual Red & White Ball 3/21/15 and Raffle for a Mercedes Benz)
Sean Waters, Director at Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Michele Waters, Sofitel Hotel in Philadelphia
Lisa Gaudio (has been riding her horse through these cold winter days, and recently just added another beautiful Arabian mare to her family) and Jimmy Kazanjian (although happy for all of Philly’s great achievement, is proud of Chester County for being named one of the top 10 counties in the USA, where they live.)
CBS3’s Kathy Orr and Jessica Dean with Roberta Dranoff (center). It was at this party that developer Carl Dranoff was nice enough to tell me about the demolition party which will kick off his new SLS Hotel/Residential project at Broad and Spruce Streets. Each of his guests will take a sledge hammer to the building that is currently there and start the demolition. I’ll be among the swingers.)
Buffy Morgan Harakidas Director of Business Developments at Chorus Communications, Ryann O’Donnell  Business Development & Marketing Coordinator Chorus Communications, Jorge Bergara and Courtney Jones. (Don’t forget to get your Hair of the Dog tickets HERE. GA $119.00 w/open bar.)
Midora Middleton, who dances with the Philadelphia Dance Academy, captured the guests attention as she preformed a holiday number.

Samantha Hoopes and her parents, 
Theresa and Robert Hoopes

Samantha Hoopes, the latest face of Guess and newly minted star of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, talks about race cars, growing up in Doylestown, and her overnight success in the world of modeling.
Read
more at
http://phillystylemag.com/personalities/articles/how-samantha-hoopes-life-has-changed-since-being-in-the-swimsuit-issue#evVj1rcH6xTq2e2g.99

Jon Iwry and Chelsea Berish (Was excited about the NY Times article that put Philly #3 of the places in the world you must visit in 2015; she said “Thank goodness- an article that can appreciate Philadelphia for something other than cheesesteaks!”)
Doug Rosenblum, John Kushner and John Bolaris.
Lauren Colabelli and John Colabelli, Publisher of Philadelphia Style Magazine
Jenine Neff and David Neff
Elaine Graber and her mystery man who has enough confidence to pull off those pants.
Dr Jen Caudle (Has had a great year, she’s a regular on CBS3 and has done national spots on CNN), Gervase Peterson (Survivor: Borneo and Survivor: Blood vs. Water), Shelly Hoffman, CBS3 and
 
Gervase Peterson and Tony Bruno

Liz Maillie, VP Friends of the Rail Park and Michael Green, City Space reality and Board of Directors of Friends of the Rail Park
 Deneen Marcel, (you might have heard of her company Deneen Marcel Lashes , you don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy long, lushes lashes.) Iozis Simms, Stephanie Humphrey and Alexis Pena looking fashionably smart at the soiree.
 Mia Silveio and Alexmil Reyes
Tammi Toliver,  Makeup Artist Fashion Facez Artistry @ Le Rêve Spa and Terri Matthews, ‎Founder & CEO at Jaden’s Voice (seems to be the “It Girl” on everyone’s list lately.)
Jeff Sevag, Kristy Sevag and their pal Drew Colibitz.
Categories
Philadelphia

The Best New Year’s Party of 2014 to Help You Decide in 2015

Midway through January and I have something to say about New Year’s Eve, I did do a fun column at Philly.com, but what I didn’t do was really give my opinion on each party. Plus having gone to 3 parties I took a lot of photos that folks wanted to see still.

Normally on New Year’s Eve Mike and I have a party at our house, invited a few friends and catching the fireworks from our balcony; this year I decided to head out to the two hottest parties I’ve heard about in the past, as well as the new party at the newly renovated Down Town Club at 6th and Chestnut.

I was really excited to see the party held at the Piazza,

Hey NYE Philly has held a party at the Piazza for the past few years. It’s always been well attended, but this year they did a few new things as well as added a few more people on the organizational side.

For the price of your ticket you received an open bar and props.
Which really added to the ambiance.
The entire Piazza was tented over and heated.
With temps in the teens it was a little chilly for these gals
  but as the night wore on, no one was feeling the chill.
I thought this party was perfect if you were going with a bunch of friends, or even just a couple friends. But the crowd seemed to run 21 – 25 years old for the maximum enjoyment.
Also the two eateries on the Piazza were opened –  Gunners Run
and Crabby’s. There was food inside the two restaurants and access was granted if you bought the VIP ticket. I left about 9:30PM to head to the next party, but I left everyone in the utmost of holiday spirits. Ticket Price started at $79
I then headed over to the Loew’s Bang Bang New Year’s Eve Party organized by 3 Nerds, Old City Media & ADVENT Consulting, LLC
There was two parties going on, the one in the Millennium Ballroom was geared to a little older, chillaxed crowd
And then there was the Commonwealth Ballroom
which was geared to a much younger audience

with rotating DJ’s that packed the floor.

It was a great party. Did I mention the food, they had a nice pasta spread, pretzels and hourdouvers. Ticket price started at $100
It was nearly midnight and I headed to the Down Town Club for their New Year’s Eve Party.
Recently the Down Town Club underwent a renovation.
and the place looks great. I don’t recall the space having windows, and now it does. The views are spectacular.

The Downtown Club where the team behind
Philadelphia’s annual Diner En Blanc event threw a New Year’s Eve party
with Cescaphe Events.
 They transform the Club into an ”Evening in Paris”
with themed rooms and entertainers in French-style costumes, several
performances by Can-Can girls, and The Bearded Ladies.

Mole Street Productions helped produce the event by obtaining the entertainment, staging and coordinating along with Cescaphe and the Diner en Blanc crew.

It was a sophisticated crowd, there were three rooms for guests, two with DJ’s who kept the dance floor happening.
Another room had lounges and chairs, as well as a spread that was worth the ticket price, which was $150
Although all three were different, the one thing they had in common was that everyone looked like they were having a great time.