Author: HughE Dillon

Michael Klein gives up his Inqlings Column:Thank you Michael Klein, Phila Inquirer, for publishing my photos for the past 4 years. It was an honor working with you and you have helped me spread the word about so many great charities in Philadelphia as well as fun events & people. I am grateful that you were my mentor and friend for these past years; And who wouldn’t dream of being published in the paper every week, it was a thrill to me, (& to mom). I will miss working with you. I know you are all hungry for info on what Mike is going to do next, but you will have to read his column in the Inquirer which is on newsstands right now, and of course will be delivered to my doorstep tomorrow.
With a heavy heart, HughE (I remain PhillyChitChat.com covering Charities, Events, Gossip, Celebs, Tidbits and the people of Philly everyday.)

Last night
I had a whirlwind night of events. It’s hard for me to say no especially when the events are filled with so many colorful people to shoot. I shot the above going from event #1 to event #2. They were fairly lined up from Curtis Center, the Loews Hotel, Kokopelli, Table 31 and finally Whisper. I walked so I got some good exercise and enjoyed beautiful Philadelphia.
Thom Cardwell is ready for his close up, but he doesn’t have to do much preparation as he’s always been in the spotlight either for being the director of Philadelphia Cinefest, which kicks off on April 7 (same night as the PIFA Gala) and runs until April 14, or founding some organization that helps others, and recently as a writer/producer of a few movies the last one starring Wendie Malick and Jon Lindstrom which debut at Cinefest 2010. Robert Norton from Vitamin Water captures Thom with the sponsor product Vitamin Water. Rob tells me there are a few new flavors I need to try, and one has caffeine in it. You know how I need my caffeine.
Philadelphia Cinefest Josh Goldblum, the new artistic director of Philadelphia CineFest, Joan Bressler, Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) and Managing Director Steven Saturn. Tonight’s food was provided by Opa, the new Greek restaurant on Sansom Street near 13th.
It was a fairly packed house at the Press/Media kick off party hosted by Dive at the Curtis Center. Above the crowd listens to Megan R Smith, Brownstone PR welcome the guests. On the right is Sharon Pinkenson, Executive director of the GPFO. Sharon came in holding a script. I said is that the rumored Brad Pitt script, she just smiled. To her right is In Bed With Butch, Butch Cordova himself. Butch tells me his DVD of the calendar shoot has been picked up by Breaking Glass Pictures and will be released in April. Also spotted was Philadelphia Museum of Art film expert Michael McGonigle, Michael Brownstein, Andrew Greenblatt, Philadelphia Film Festival executive director (yes I hear fences have been mended after the Philadelphia Film Festival broke off from the mother ship over creative differences a few years back and support for both film festivals. NYC has 2 major film festivals and I think we can all get along.) and Mark Brodzill of Scrapple TV, which reminds me The Reading Terminal is having their Scrapple Festival tomorrow starting at 10AM. Scrapple is right up there with Cheesesteaks as a uniquely Philly staple. Don’t ask me what’s in it?Then I ran over to Loews to check out Strangefruit fall presentation with Kristin Haskins Simms. Kristin as you may recall was on “Project Runway” Season 8 and has consistently produced innovating collections since that time. I know that if Robert Palmer broke out with Simply Irresistible, the girls would break out their guitars and start dancing.
Fashion forward with Adam Josephs & Cicily Tynan’s BFF ABC6 FYI’s Niki Haskins, ABC6’s weather person Shirleen Allicot and Melissa Magee. Shirleen new to Philly & ABC6 tells me that she loves all the Garces restaurants, but looks forward to checking out Barbuzzo, Bindi and my favorite The Corner.
As I raced out the door I ran into Michelle Boyles, SouthPhillyFashionista, honey badger Brett Coppol Advertising peep for Metro Newspaper, and Alle McClellan Manager of Brand Partnerships at Rue La La Philadelphia. The the race to Kokopelli to attend the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center‘s Friendster was on. It was now 7:45PM and that event was over at 8:30PM
but this window stopped me dead in my tracks as it was just a mess of NCAA, St Paddy’s Day and McCormick & Schmick’s had no shame in putting their name on it. OK on my way…
to the Kokopelli to support the CCTC’s friendster, which was a networking event in support of the child advocacy program. The CCTC gang: Ilena Helwig, COO, Jaime Pearlstine, Steve Walters, Johanna Torres, Stephanie Weir and Tony Valdés Steve Walters and his partner created these cool displays for the event. I hear they only spent $12 for all 6 vases as they had some jewels lying around the house. I bet they create fabulous Halloween costumes.
Aly Green, Silencia PR takes some home for a souvenir. On the left is Barri Lewis also of Silencia PR. Silencia represents Kokopelli and had approached CCTC with the idea of having a Friendster. Laura Krebbs on the right, is with Cashman & Assocs. Their firm has represented CCTC and their annual gala for years. The gala “The Roundup” is coming up on June 3 at the Loews Hotel. You’ll remember it’s the gala that is a cowboy theme and has a mechanical bull. It’s a fun time.
Talking about round up, I had the bison sliders at Kokopelli. Only $9, it’s a deal and delicious.
Random girls on the street that said “Hey you’re PhillyChitChat!” Guess what I try and take those shots and put them on as a priority: Rachel Branson and Cindy Clark leaving table 31. They love ladies night. Then I headed into Table 31 for Uri Jacobson’s birthday party. I knew it would be a good time.
and I was right. Uri is a man about town, I don’t know too many people who have as much fun and can move among different social groups as he does, of course the social groups are usually made up of a lot of beautiful women, so it’s a charmed life. President & CEO at Bare Feet Shoes when Uri is not working hard at the biz, he’s enjoying all that life has to offer, he’s extremely generous to his family and friends and I’ve never seen him without a smile. Happy Birthday Uri!! (pictured with Elizabeth Moskus)
OK well these boys lead a pretty charmed life to with their exotic travel, boats, brews & babes: Tony, Ron & ChadBrittany Buschel, Alexander Hankin and Ilana Waber
BFF’s Jared and Dara Lazaroff and Jill and Tal Jacobson are all going to be parents in the Fall. Congratulations to this duo who are as thick as thieves. So close you would think they purposely planned their pregnancies, so close that if one had a boy and the other had a girl they would fall in love in and get married someday to their parents delight. Mazol Tov!!
The Whisper Crew: Brett Milstein, Drew Milstein, Steve Tuttleman, Alex Sharps, and Cary Friedlander
Jwoww doesn’t like to smile, what’s up with that girl?
Jwoww and Lauren Milstein. I love the tiara on the girl on the right
Note the girl is only taking a photo of Arthur Kade and Jwowws boyfriend Roger Matthews, even though Jenny Farley is posed for her close up
Amanda Segal & friend. Now this doesn’t apply to Amanda as she doesn’t have FB or do Twitter. I so appreciate all of my readers and your support. I am so sorry if I do not recognize you even if you are a FB friend. Seriously I am bad with names, but if I had met you before or emailed me I bet if you told me your name I could recall the instances. I have story recall, but bad facial recall. It’s always so sad to me when I see the disappointment in your eyes when I can’t remember who you are. Maria Spano (Life & Style Magazine) and her bff Andrea I want to say. I didn’t really carry my note pad inside the club too. Maria currently lives in the dog eat dog of NYC and is planning to move back home to the tame and peaceful Philadelphia. She’s going to need therapy to get used to the crickets, as I did.
Jwoww recalling those days when she could dance on the dance floor without the stares of strangers. Hangs on tight to her boyfriend from her youth, who has now resurfaced a few years later and who told me that there will be a ring in her future.
Love, love, love these girls. They are styling it. It was their first time to Whisper they told me. They’ll be back tonight THEY LOVED IT they scream, ouch.
Serious tools. Sorry if you didn’t make the blog today. I will put all the pixs that didn’t make it in my online album this weekend for your enjoyment and for purchase if you desire. Tonight’s Jolly’s Piano bar opens at the Academy House. I’ll be there around 9PM, hope to see you then.

Monday night was All Star Bowling night at Lucky Strikes Lanes and Lounge in Center City, and even though 76er guard Andre Iguodala was the host the real stars were the 20 kids from Urban Promise, a New Jersey-based school equipping children and teens with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and leadership. The event brought out 150+ guests including Iguodala’s teammates Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, along with Eagles tight end Cornelius Ingram.
T’Yiona Price, TatyanNobles and Enyce Nelson were feted by Stars Within Reach, 76er guard Andre Iguodala, and the Andre Iguodala Youth Foundation hosted ‘Bowling for Promise’ – a kick-off to a 10-day statewide initiative to increase awareness and monetary support for educational programs for underserved children living in urban areas and children living with autism. Titled “A Race for Promise’, and running until Thursday, March 31, the campaign consists of a fun ‘face off’ between Iguodala and teammate Jrue Holiday, in which they both encourage fans to visit the Stars Within Reach website and make a donation – Iguodala on behalf of underserved children living in urban areas and Holiday on behalf of children living with autism.
Stars Within Reach challenged Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday to an ultimate a Race for Promise. Iguodala made a promise to help support the students at Urban Promise, a school based in Camden, NJ. Jrue Holiday made a promise to help children impacted by autism.

I was just fascinated by this and stared at it for a while
Miss Pennsylvania Andrea Helfrich ends her reign Saturday night. It been an amazing experience she told me, and very rewarding when she was able to lend her support to the various charity organizations like Stars Within Reach?
Eagles tight end Cornelius Ingram, Jackiem Wright, Reggie Barry
Peter Breslow, PJ and Andre Iguodala
Mike Ginder, Christine Casile, Jian Chen, Jessica Kerhner, Alex Smith, Kate High, Rebecca Ofsharick, Jessica Deangelo, and Michelle Conron
Daiyon, Daiquan and Denise Lowman
Asmiet, Kendall Hurns and Andre Iguodala,
Jericka Duncan and Kharisma McIlwaine
Getting their game face on. Cory Townes , Shaheed Rucker of ChangeMakers Org. & Curran J of KingsRuleTogether.com Andre Iguodala
Julia Bruckner and Tim Gustafson
Christal Watson, Kylee Pickens
Linda Vertlieb, Andre Iguodala, Nick and Sophia Vertlieb. The ‘face-off’ itself is a 4 minute video featuring Iguodala and Holiday engaging in 4 challenges and, after coming to a 2-2 tie, their final competition is to raise the most money on behalf of their respective causes. The first person to reach 500 individual donations wins. At the culmination of the face-off, three donors will be selected to win a prize from Iguodala, with the grand prize being a private lunch party with five friends, hosted by Stars Within Reach and Iguodala. The contest can be viewed by visiting: www.starswithinreach.org
Tarissa Iriarte, Felisha Harris, Nichole Badger and I am the Founder & Executive Director of Stars Within Reach, Inc., Megan R. Smith of Brownstone PR and VP of Development for Stars Within Reach, and Florcy Morrisette, Owner & Curator at Vivant Art Collection – Art Gallery
SUPPORT Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday by clicking here , and help make the kids of today all stars everyday.

UPFRONT BY BRAVO MEDIA REDEFINES INDUSTRY STANDARD ON MARCH 30TH WITH STAR-STUDDED EVENTS IN NY, LA AND CHICAGO

Simultaneous Presentations Feature Live Cut-Ins From Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi in LA, Gail Simmons in Chicago And Bravo’s Andy Cohen in NY During “Top Chef All-Stars” Finale Special “Watch What Happens Live: Top Chef Finale” hosted by Cohen to Feature First Interview with “Top Chef All-Stars” Winner and Fan Favorite, March 30 at 11 p.m. ET/PTNEW YORK – March 22, 2011 – On March 30th, Bravo will redefine the upfront, an annual event for advertisers that has historically been viewed as a trade only affair. As part of the network’s efforts to set new benchmarks across all platforms, Bravo Media today announced plans to host simultaneous presentations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago hosted and attended by Bravo talent that combine the expected upfront fare with a mix of live ‘Bravolebrity’ cut-ins during the network’s broadcast of the “Top Chef All-Stars” finale on Wednesday, March 30th. This unprecedented initiative will – for the very first time – allow home viewers a glimpse into this “invitation only” advertising soiree while providing the clients attending the events, the opportunity to mix and mingle with Bravolebrities and be part of the “Top Chef All-Stars” finale broadcast via the live cut-ins. Additionally, host of “Watch What Happens: Live,” Andy Cohen will host both the New York dinner party with live cut-ins from the Big Apple and a special “Watch What Happens Live: Top Chef Finale” immediately following the finale; while “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi will be in Los Angeles and “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons will anchor in Chicago. Live cut-ins from Lakshmi, Simmons and Cohen will begin airing in the re-broadcast of the penultimate episode in the 9 p.m. ET/PT hour leading up to and throughout the 10 p.m. ET/PT finale. “We wanted to create a brand new and uniquely interactive experience both for the viewer at home and our advertising partners centered around our signature franchise ‘Top Chef,’” said Frances Berwick, President Bravo Media. “This interactive evening extends the Bravo experience into the viewers’ homes allowing them to engage with their favorite chef’testants, while simultaneously giving our clients the unique opportunity to be part of ‘Top Chef All-Stars’ finale history.” Susan Malfa, Senior Vice President of Ad Sales, Bravo Media and Oxygen Media, added: “When advertising partners come to us, they expect a distinct brand experience for their clients. This watercooler event underscores how we deliver on that promise and will give attendees real insight into how the Emmy Award winning Top Chef franchise and all our network content, can be uniquely designed for customers needs. This is integration on a whole new level.”Adding another level to the Upfront experience, guests of the live finale viewing parties will be treated to interactive elements and will be served dishes as seen on the finale of the “Top Chef All-Stars” broadcast. In New York, the menu will be prepared by the finalists themselves; and in Los Angeles and Chicago, guests will also enjoy the same recipes served throughout the finale. Guests and fans will be able to follow the action with the Bravo Now app, which gives users a ticket to our exclusive coast-to-coast Top Chef finale viewing parties, allowing them to follow the conversation and check in on party guests, ‘Bravolebrities’ in attendance and fellow “Top Chef” fans with Bravo’s Tweet Tracker.For access inside the party, fans can visit BravoTV.com for a seat at the exclusive “Top Chef All-Stars” finale viewing parties, letting fans share in the festivities with @Bravotv’s Tweet Tracker and go behind-the-scenes with exclusive photos and fun facts from the set of the finale. And after the winner’s announced, users can also find out exactly how our All-Star champ was selected with an exclusive Extended Judges’ Table video and a sit down interview with the winner Viewers will hear Tom Colicchio, Lakshmi and Simmons’ unfiltered thoughts on the finale in their blogs. Have a beef with the winning chef? Settle that score with a Tweet Battle, debating with your friends, and letting other fans cast their votes. And for users that disagree with the outcome, they can crown their own champ with BravoTV.com’s “Virtual Top Chef” that features all 18 chef’testants from the current “Top Chef All-Stars” season. Fans began by choosing their favorite chef’testant, then earned points and trophies by completing actions and activities on BravoTV.com. The chef’testant whose team has the most points come season’s end will be honored with the “Virtual Top Chef title” and $5,000.The star-studded night continues at 11 p.m. ET/PT as Cohen interviews the winning chef live in a half-hour post-finale “Watch What Happens: Live” special. Other guests on the show include the “All Stars” runner-up, “Top Chef” talent from all three cities as well as other Bravolebrities at the finale parties. For the first time, the Fan Favorite for the “Top Chef All-Stars” season will be announced live during the special – awarding the fan-chosen chef a prize of $10,000. Viewers will be able to vote for their favorite chef from March 2 through March 24 via text message, Twitter, on BravoTV.com, and from their mobile phones at m.BravoTV.com. “Top Chef All-Stars” is produced by the Emmy Award-winning Magical Elves. Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serve as executive producers. “Watch What Happens Live” is produced by Embassy Row for Bravo. Michael Davies serves as executive producer.Bravo is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBCUniversal cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information, visit www.BravoTV.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BravoPR.

Last Thursday I covered the Zarwin Baum and Hub International’s annual NCAA kickoff bash at the Top of the Tower (Bell Atlantic Building). The firm invites many of their clients, vendors and friends to attend an all day party to enjoy the NCAA Basketball games on large TV screens set up in the two big meeting rooms.
And for the first time in years the games kicked off with two Pennsylvania teams playing each other Penn State v Temple and it was St. Patrick’s Day to boot.
The party was packed with over 1000 people at any given time filling out the floor with the never ending views of Philadelphia. Above Peter Madden and Dara Tye Goldstein from AgileCat who were one of the sponsors of the event.
Paul Smith and Susan Aldworth of Document Technologies, Inc.
Rachel Medmich and Kayla Gillin were there representing The Sporting Club at the Bellevue.
This year’s event was also a fund raiser for Philabundance
and manager Tina Rothfuss was there manning the table. Recently she did a blog posting on a day in the life of Philabundance that you should read.
Nancy Trzuskowski and Sharon Bowers represent HUB International a major sponsor of today’s event. HUB International Limited is a leading North American insurance brokerage that provides a broad array of property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, reinsurance, investment and risk management products and services throughout offices located in the United States and Canada. Robb Lanham Chief Sales Officer at Hub International was busy running around making sure everything was running smoothly.
Harriet Lessey, Buzz Communications and her son Bob Shaw
Jay Scott and Zarwin Baum attorney’s Lionel Prince and Harris Baum
Part of the Zarwin Baum team: Norman P Zarwin, Mitchell Kaplan, Alan Casnoff, and Marvin Block

along with the cute “professional” dancers that entertained in the afternoon.
Some who wandered away and found my favorite table
The 2011 March Madness event raised 507 pounds of food at the event and raised nearly $12,000 through the silent auction for Philabundence. Here are a few guys participating in the super shot basketball game set up in the game room.
Tim Kelly and Mark O’Neill. Mark swears to me that he only wears these pants on St Paddy’s Day, but I think I’ve seen them out and about in Stone Harbor.
Silent auction items include golf with Mike Quick and Merrill Reese; Michael Vick signed authentic jersey, a designer handbag, a designer ring, ring by local, tickets to, sporting events, hotel stays and many restaurant gift certificates. Brendan Smith tries to bid on a Flyers Jersey as wife Stephanie looks on. Brendan’s catering company B*Smith Catering provided the food as well as the Irish dancers.
I didn’t win, but it would have been great zooming around town as I gather stories for PhillyChitChat.com, then everyone would know how I could be everywhere.
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown (Vote for Blondell in November), Mitchell Kaplan, Zarwin Baum, District Attorney Seth Williams, David Oh, who is running for Republican City Councilman at Large and Jewell Williams who is running for sheriff.
Jonathan Saidel was also in the house. He tells me he reads PhillyChitChat.com to see what’s going on and who’s been where. Smart man. Laying low since running for Lt Gov last year, Mr Saidel has let his twitter account lapse. I suggest you get it up and going to lay the ground work for your next campaign. Social Media is the new grassroots campaign. With him is Maria McLaughlin
Lynn Fox and Erin Young
Danielle MaGuire. Dianne Reddington, Monica Slavin and John Rowley
Hmm B*Smith Catering. A few weeks ago I mentioned that B*Smith would be serving a free Sunday Brunch where you can make your own Bloddy Mary’s. It’s in honor of the Phillies winning the 2011 World Series, Brendan is an optimist if anything, which is good.
Herb Reid, Reggie Berry, Stacey Kracher, Jackim Wright and Philadelphia Eagles broadcaster Mike Quick
Zarwin Baum has offices in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, PA and Jersey City and Marlton, NJ was founded in 1960. The firm’s 53 attorneys practice in diverse areas including real estate, corporate, commercial litigation, environmental, banking, immigration, estate, tax, custodial abuse and neglect, employment law, causality defense and personal injury.
Erin Young, Mitchell Kaplan, Councilman James Kenny, and friends

Tanya Teece and Carol Tamburino
Audrey Morah and Michael Morah
Anne Nikolaus and Amber Goins. Did you see Amber modeling on NBC10’s The Ten Show earlier this week. She’s promoting The Jr League’s Green Fashion Show next Saturday. Check out the PhillyChitChat calendar, click on the button above.
After the party a few of us headed over to 10 Arts at the Ritz-Carlton to extend our night a bit. We ran into comedian Sheryl Underwood and shared a few laughs. Here she is with Zarwin Baum attorney Gary DeVito.

Today is National Diabetes Awareness Day

The St James sits back from Washington Square soaring about the city streets. I’ve only been inside once a few months after it opened when my friend Jim Donovan lived there. Unfortunately that was before I was PhillyChitChat so I only had the tiniest at the time. Recently I was invited by Jordan Hecht, JDRF Development Manager to Suzanne & Norman Cohn’s beautiful penthouse home where they were hosting the a dinner party for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Major Donors
The word extravagance doesn’t cover the gorgeous living space the Norman’s created in their home. Most of all their generosity came through with the cocktail hour, and later the dinner that was served to their guests. This is the living room area, the guests are standing on a glass floor above lava rock. The terrace is like another beautiful room when the weather is cooperative Looking towards the bar, on the right is the Thermador Wine cooler.
Julianne Green, Major Gifts, JDRF, Michael and Joannie Rich
JDRF is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder advocate of type 1 diabetes research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that strikes children and adults suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or continuous infusion of insulin through a pump.

On Saturday, May 21, 2011 we will be hosting our 41st Annual Promise Ball. This year’s event, themed, “Keeping the Promise” will be a night to remember with dinner, dancing and our remarkable auctions. The evening will honor Wawa President and CEO, Howard Stoeckel.
Ellen Rubenstein, Jeffrey Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer and Nancy Resnick
Heather King, Taylor King, Nancy Resnick, Norman Cohn , Judge Rovner and Donald ResnickCraving a lobster not a problem when you have 4 sea water tanks holding up to two lobsters in each. I couldn’t quite figure how to get them out, but I think a ladder might be involved.
Lea Cohn and Jennifer Westphal (She has a charity blog in honor of her son.)
Looking west. I would love to see a sunset from here.
Joannie Rich, Michelle Dorfman and Alan Dorfman
Eileen and Coley Bookbinder, first vice president at Wells Fargo
The dining room

April 7 is the opening night of Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts and the only day Charlie Sheen’s Goddess Bree Olson (real name: Rachel Oberlin) and N’SYNC’S Joey Fatone will be on the set together for the new film Mancation. The Film starts shooting in Atlantic City on April 1 before moving to Philly. This will be Olson’s first non-porn film but the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree as MSNBC (SPOILER ALERT) says one scene is fairly explicit sex scene with another women (probably the scene filming on 4/7 as my tipster says they are only on set for one scene). The film also features fellow porn star Danica Dillan and The Wonder Years’ Danica McKellar.

Come celebrate the transformation of the Kimmel Center Plaza as the Philadelphia International of the Arts comes alive in Philadelphia starting April 6 until May 1. Every day there will be French wine tastings, French lessons and French food. Followed by free nightly performances, a full service bar and lots more to keep your PIFA energy alive. Each night there will be a celebration in the beautiful lobby. Also in the lobby there is a spectacular 81-foot light-bulb-filled Eiffel Tower which reaches for the sky as trains and planes zoom overhead. It’s just amazing. Every night the Wolfgang puck snack bar will be open and you can grab a bite and sit in the lobby enjoying the view. There are many highlight event occuring in the lobby during the PIFA festival, but one I am looking forward to is the FREE PIFA Underground Post-Show Party! Following ?uestlove’s performance, catch him spinning a special festival DJ set in the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater. Philadelphia DJ favorites Rich Medina and DJ AfroDJiak also spin on April 17. The concert in Verizon Hall begins at 8PM, the free party around 10PM
Every Saturday & Sunday from 11AM til 2AM their are family events. Lobby Hours Sun – Tues 10AM – 10PM; Wed – Sat 10AM til 12AM; Eiffel Tower Light Shows nightly at 7PM and 10PM Check out the schedule here Above they are finishing touches on the 80 foot Eiffel Tower.

When I chat about this upcoming event with people a few have asked how this unique event was created and I tell them the the story about the Annenberg’s. As you know Walter and Leonore Annenberg were very philanthropic in Philadelphia during their lives, especially in the Arts. At the request of Mrs. Annenberg in her will she asked that the arts community throw a big celebration of the arts with money she left for the event. Years in the making PIFA is a mere 22 days away. I know I’ve said it before, but you must clear your schedule and attend some of the events.
This is an ongoing in a series of entries I am doing to promote Philadelphia International of the Arts follow them on Facebook or Twitter @PIFAphilly for the latest information.

Philadelphia Celebrity Sightings & Musings:

Friday I attended a “science of food” event at Stephen Starr’s Continental restaurant for the upcoming Philadelphia Science Festival April 15 – 28.I should have eaten before I went or read the press release as it was a tasting of the “miracle berries” which is not very filling, but an interesting subject. Then I went to dinner at Kokopelli with Where Magazine Publisher Laura Burkhardt and ABC6’s Monica Malpass. Monica tells me all her boys are doing well, and the twins are about to celebrate their first birthday, can you believe it!!
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Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes’ wife actress Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted Sunday: I need the power of ur prayers to help my dad thru chemo. Pray please. Thank you.
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SATURDAY: Chynna Phillips husband, Billy Baldwin, was spotted Saturday afternoon at the Marriott Downtown’s Circ Bar. Earlier in the day Megan Haines tweeted he was at the Reading Terminal and then in the afternoon Steven Spangler tweeted what the fuck Billy Baldwin is in Pac-A-Deli (What no pictures people?) On Friday Philebrity reported that he was in town for the NCAA wrestling championships and Deadspin published pixs from Mac’s Tavern when he was celebrating St Paddy’s Day there. Chynna I’m sure he’s not in love with that chick who kissed him, and it was just impulsive.

Saturday afternoon Fox29’s Jenn Frederick who has a celebrity eagle eye as she spotted Friend’s star Matt LeBlanc heading into Dick’s Sporting Club on Saturday. She’s a big fan but a bigger fan of golf and headed for the greens instead.
Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Philadelphia Carson Kressley joined Madonna’s back up singer of 18 years, Niki Harris, who entertained the crowd, in a night to honor Delaware Sen. Chris Coons at the Hyatt Penns Landing. Later in the evening Carson was seen in the lounge at Ten Arts in the Ritz-Carlton. (Photo: Lex Ruby Howe)
Uptown: Shelita Buffet hosted the opening of the new club ICandy, 254 S. 12th St in the Gayborhood (the former 12th Air Command)
Philadelphia City Councilman-at-Large James F. Kenney stopped by to wish them well.

Back downtown in Old City to check out season 1 winner of Master of the Mix DJ Scratch spinning Saturday night at Trust for an exclusive Smirnoff party with Power 99.
DJ Sparkles was the opening act for DJ Scratch (r)

My dates for the evening Kristyn Aldrich and Megan Smith, Brownstone PR. It’s good to see Megan out as she is busy repping Cinefest this April as well as Dancing With The Philadelphia Stars on April 10 and tonight charity event with 76er’s Andre Iguodala hosting ‘Bowling for Promise” at Lucky Strikes TONIGHT 5PM $35.

DJ Scratch (r) with surprise rapper guest rapper Freeway (l) Also spotted Reggie Berry, Hacina Saadi, Jackiem Wright, Rosa Swinton, Tara Lassiter and Bill Andrews. It was tough getting names out of this crowd and I tweeted around midnight: “after photographing folks, no one wants to give me their names. Its like being at a karma sutra party.”

We then headed over to the private late night club Recess at 125 South 2nd Street for a nightcap. I love the place as everyone is chill, but you have to love body contact cause the place gets packed.

Sunday: Congratulations to Marny Baxt, Body Pump/Fitness Instructor at Drexel University who participated in the NY half marathon. At the end of the race she was rewarded with a Hugh Jackman sighting!! The day before she saw Lea Michele while eating brunch at Le Pain Quotidien (See yesterday’s entry about the glitch in Philly’s Le Pain Quotidien).

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Relativity Media’s “Limitless” topped the weekend’s domestic box office with an estimated debut purse of $19 million from 2,756 locations. Us Magazine reports that Bradley Cooper celebrated by dumping Renee Zellweger. The only wedding ring he plans to wear in the near future is his dad’s Charles Cooper who passed away in January.
Shot from the special Limitless screening in Philly on March 5th at the Rave. BC is seen hugging his aunt as his mom Gloria Cooper looks on. TMZ reports that