SPRING INTO ACTION Helping children no matter what their needs
Cherry Hill, NJ February 2, 2011 Looking outside, it’s hard to imagine the end of winter. However in a few short months it will be over. Cradles to Crayons, an organization that collects and distributes everything a child needs, is gearing up for its big spring drive. To help it get ready , Susan M. Hughes, MD FACS will host an event at the Mansion, 3000 Main Street in Voorhees, NJ on Saturday March 19, 2011 from 10-2 PM.
This event is a fun way to restock the charity’s shelves with toys, backpacks, school supplies, sneakers, shorts, bathing suits and other pieces of clothing such as new socks and underwear for the kids. Attendees are being asked to bring new or gently used items and for their efforts will win chances at fabulous prizes. In these tough times, people can still give back without feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks. Not only is the public donating in this way, so too are businesses and corporations. Employees are being encouraged to recycle their possessions and to volunteer. In contributing their time and energy, many feel they are making a tangible contribution, instead of just writing a check.
Cradles to Crayons is a three year old organization growing rapidly. It began in 2002 in Boston and opened its doors in Philadelphia in 2007. Already, more than 100 corporations in are area are actively involved and 800 volunteers a month assist at the not-for-profits headquarters in Conshohocken, putting together the care packages. The goal is to expand in the near future into New Jersey. According to experts last year 14% of the children in this country lived in poverty. Currently Cradles to Crayons tries to bridge the gap by providing for children from 500 plus organizations.
On March 19th, twenty-six vendors such as local boutiques, spas and salons will be offering goods and services to entice people to come out and help Cradles to Crayons. Dr. Hughes will be donating a years worth of Botox to be auctioned off and there will be all kinds of incentives for bringing new or gently used clothes. This event is just one of many such drives but constitutes the bulk of how the charity raises money, awareness and collects personal items for the children, from newborns to age 12.
Dr. Susan Hughes, MD, FACS, is board certified in both Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Ophthalmology, and is a Fellow of both the American Society of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, Dr. Hughes is Harvard trained, and among the most educated and experienced facial cosmetic surgeons in New Jersey. She has consistently been selected by her peers as a “Top Doc” in eyelid plastic surgery and facial cosmetic surgery in Philadelphia and New Jersey. For more information or to book an appointment call: 856 751 4554 or visit www.drnewyou.com
Today’s entry is going to be short and sweet. I am just burned out. I photographed or attended about 4 events today, which isn’t always a surprise, but for some reason I am just exhausted (ie catch the Arrow Swim Club party on tonight’s The Scene NBC Philadelphia Ch 248 and tomorrow here on PCC.)
Now granted I am writing this at 3:15AM and most of you are asleep, and it doesn’t normally bother me to write my entry at this time, well now that I am no longer a paralegal, anyway this run on sentence is going to drive so many people crazy, well just some people, please don’t call me Charlie Sheen.
I am being picked up at 7:30AM and taken to NBC10 studios to do my segment this week, plus chat with the nice folks over there about a future project and then I need to be back in town for an event tomorrow night.
ANYway I am sounding like Charlie Sheen. This is a good example of a story that got away. Sometimes I have so much content I over look events and material that should be timely. This event happened the night of the Academy Ball. In between the concert and gala I ran over to the Kimmel Center to shoot Jerry Blavet’s VIP party. Most of the photos have been distributed to monthly mags. ***************** On Saturday evening (January 29, 2011) after a near sold out show featuring musical soul singers like Darlene Love, Freda Payne, Kenny Vance and the Planotones, Tony Williams with the Platters, and The Duprees, Philadelphia’s favorite disc jockey, Jerry Blavat, known by many as “The Geator with the Heater,” enjoyed a post-show reception catered especially by Wolfgang Puck Catering, at the Kimmel Center’s Lounge by Wolfgang Puck.Jerry Blavat, Darlene Love, Wolfgang Puck Catering Chef Will Brown, Freda Payne
Kurt “Frenchy” Yahjian from the Planotones & Gale Joe Frazier. Groupon is having a $4 Marabella Meatball sandwich sale. Remember the other day I said I didn’t mind paying $8 for one they are that good, well go get a $4 one you will love it!! Marabella Meatball Company
The King of DJ Gerry Blavet held court at the VIP Party, here WMMR’s Philly Legend of R&R DJ Pierre Robert pays his respects. Chuck Damico, WMMR’s Casey Boy, Ron Zausidsky, and WMMR’s Preston & Steve in the Morning’s Marisa Magnatta; Bradley Cooper will be on with Preston & Steve Monday!! Cheryl and Lou Tumolo, Frank Riff, Donna Defino and Micahel Defino
You can always follow along with me on twitter for up to the minute thoughts that pop out of my brain and into Twitter Universe. Thank you so very much for reading PhillyChitChat and supporting me. It really means the world to me. Now go to see the Flower Show next week, get ready for PIFA on 4/7/11, Support the Red Ball, Vin Diesel will not be at the Ball, but that would have just been an added bonus it’s good charity after all, it’s at the Please Touch Museum, enuf said. Congrats to the two people who won both the Flower Show Tickets and someone else won the Nicole Miller tickets. HughE
Happy 3rd Anniversary G Lounge Saturday night I stopped by G Lounge. I hadn’t been there in a while and wanted to check out the place as it had recently been “freshened” after opening 3 years ago. And with another club opening within blocks sometime this month, you gotta keep up with the Jones’ as they say. When you first walk into the club you will pass the “water wall” on the right. It’s gonna tell you exactly where you are now. The club went all out with cocktails and entertainment. The place was packed with regulars, old friends and newbies GM Waylon Nelson broke out the bubbly. Here with Erin Como. Andrea Helfrich was on hand sash less but with friend Lee Ann Burke The VIP Bottle Service area was jumping The ground breaking LCD lights were given an update Security guards were looking serious Happy Wedding on 4/9/11 Our front door girls The bubble boy gets ready for his show. Don’t try this with you condoms at home.
Confetti Random shots of people as I forgot to hit save on my android phone with the names Thanks for being a reader of PhillyChitChat.com send me your name and I will add it here. Hung out with friends Ron Zausidsky and Preston & Steve’s Marisa Magnatta , Danny Schuyler and Fox29’s Erin Como
The Vault also underwent a touch up too, the larger red drapery is gone, and the whole room has been opened up. Now if you are having a private party drapes can adjust to the size of the compartment that you want. Happy Anniversary G lounge!!
Fresh from her Best New Artist Esperanza Spalding backed by The Roots, will be making a return to the Roots Picnic on June 4, 2011 The Roots, Nas (backed by The Roots), Wiz Khalifa, Esperanza Spalding (backed byThe Roots), Ariel Pink, Man Man, The Dismemberment Plan, Mac Miller, Yelawolf, Little Dragon, J. Period, Nicos Gun & Donn T. (Source)
I stopped by The Corner last night for a bite to eat with my friend Megan Smith. Megan is working hard on The Dancing with the Philadelphia Stars event which is coming up on 4/10/11. Congrats to Megan who was on the cover of Phila Biz Journal last week in an article on small businesses run by women.
I chatted with John “Chainsaw” Taus. He tells me that he is taking over the kitchen and prepping some of his signature dishes ready for the new menu which is going to reflect the kinda food he made that made us all first fall in love with him from his Snackbar days. Don’t take my word for it ask Craig LaBan, the Inquirer Restaurant Critic who always gave him high marks. I had my fav Calamari and also a new dish Mussels. The photo didn’t come out that great so I can’t show you it, but they are from Blue Bay; they come in a red sauce and were really good and succulent. Only $12 bucks for 20 of them. Bargain. A few weeks back I stopped by Egan Day (260 S. 16th Street), which is owned by Kate Egan and Cort Day, to check out the first in a series of fund-raising program to raise necessary dollars for an arts-focused summer workshop in partnership with Arise Academy, a Philadelphia-based, public charter high school that specifically targets students in foster placements and offers them much needed support and resources to keep them in school and engaged. Above Kate Egan, multimedia artist Leah Singer, Cort Day and Mary from Arise Academy. Singer’s work will be on display at the retailer through March 12, 2011 says Meredith Lindemon of Meredith Communication Zelinda Barnes, Where Magazine, is having a baby. Where Magazine and friends held a baby shower in her honor at Square 1682 recently. Congrats to the Barnes’!! Speaking of the Barnes, it’s coming along. They had a Christmas Tree and flag posted on the highest beam, as is tradition when they top off a building, but it’s gone now either because of the wind, or maybe they are planning to do a ceremony. Philadelphia’s Gay Business and Career Development Network (GPPN) and the Independent Business Association (IBA) held a joint networking event at Kokopelli. Above founder of GPPN Thom Cardwell and Michael Williams, Sr Construction Manager at Hill International, network. Thom tells me that The Philadelphia Cinema Alliance is proud to announce the return of Philadelphia CineFest. From April 7th thru the 14th, across 5 venues, and featuring over 60 feature films (including numerous U.S. and World premieres). This year they will be holding two large scale outdoor events. The CITY WILL BE BUZZING as the film festival falls right at the beginning of PAFIA which begins 4/7 and continues til 5/1 A gift shop in the Bourse bought this replica on Ebay. Another gift shop at the Bourse sells smaller Liberty Bells and the Statue of Liberty? #Fail What are the chances NYC sells Liberty Bells? Splenda must be hurting Sweet & Low as it’s been eons since I have seen them advertise. I’ll switch to Sweet & Low if they want to advertise with me! Is doing renovations per
Perrier is going to renovate the entire restaurant, not just the upstairs. Le Bar Lyonnais is getting a complete makeover as well. But I already knew that. Le Bar is being gutted, tables are coming out and a wall banquette is going in with cocktail tables. Renovations on the bathroom too, and say good bye to the coat room, which was always a little scary since it was unattended every time I went there. Glad to have Georges stay. He’s a character that I am just getting to know.
I haven’t been to Recess to dance lately. I feel like I neglect them. Sorry. I do love this club at 2nd & Walnut. Plus there’s parking right above the club. Great dancing, but get there early, it gets packed and it’s a pretty intimate place. I was there during the day a few weeks ago when I did my test tape for the reality show that I’m not supposed to talk about that will be filmed in Philly. The email said it was “socialite” based, but I ask you do these glasses, keys and CVS Value Card look like they belong to a socialite, just sayin’ Window Shopping: This week I will be one of the judges for the Philadelphia Flower Show decorative windows. This is not one of them. This is at Diesel, and for
Great seeing many friends and readers Saturday Night at the Reading Terminal Market’s Valentine Party. I took over 300 photos at the event, I only used a small percentage of photos in today’s entry as the photos will be distributed to the media for the local press and monthly magazines so that is why you might not see your photo here as the mags often want exclusive shots, but that doesn’t preclude the photos below either.
I will be featuring the story & some pixs on my NBC Non-Stop Channel segment Ch 248 or Ch 10.2 Thursday night at 9:30PM, so tune in.
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Have you ever wanted to be a kid trapped in your favorite toy store after closing, well that’s what it was like for most of the folks who attended everyone’s favorite farmer’s market Saturday night. You want Metropolitan bread, Old City Coffee, something from Flying Monkey, dinner at Dinic’s, salad from Tootsie’s dinner to mojito’s at the 12th Street Catina, well it’s all there for you and you can have as much as you want it can only be describe as a foodgasm at the black tie optional event at the “Valentine to the Market party.” The ticket was $125 for general admission and the proceeds are going to benefit the Reading Terminal Market Preservation Fund and will be used to preserve and enhance the historic Reading Terminal Market for future generations.
General Manager Paul Steinke of the Reading Terminal Welcomes the guests
Paul Steinke, with Sophia Demas and Frank Mallas Owner at Friday Architects/Planners Inc. It’s Frank’s firm Friday Architect that will be doing the RTM renovations beginning shortly. (which I wrote about last week) Which include streamlining the “D Street” corridor, including a larger demonstration kitchen as well as multi-purpose rooms. Did you know each aisle in RTM has a letter designation.
The night kicked off with a wild cook off with local personalities paired with celebrity chefs including (Chef Joseph Poon and 6ABC’s Alicia Vitarelli. Also on hand 6ABC’s Sarah Bloomquist, CBS 3’s Jim Donovan and Dave Huddleston; NBC 10’s Lu Ann Cahn; Mix 106.1’s Donna Storm; the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Rick Nichols, Where Magazine’s Laura Burkhardt, and cookbook author and former news anchor Janet Zappala)
Michael Schulson, Joseph Poon, Delilah Winder, and Daniel Stern in an aphrodisiac mystery-ingredient cook-off. (The mystery was solved as the cooks were given red hot candies, heart shaped marshmallows and coco-puffs that had to be incorporated into their dish.)
Which two chefs break out into a food fight?
Delilah’s dish pictured above looked beautiful and was tasty Donna Storm told me. Delilah successfully used all three secret ingredients & it tasted delicious to boot.
The Winner (s) are….
Juliet Sardoy, Laurel Fairworth, Delilah Winder, Sarah Bloomquist and Jacqueline Marcia, Brazil Productions. We met these girls back in August at Joselio Hanson’s bday party at Tequila’s if you recall.
After the VIP party cook off it was out to the main floor to enjoy the festivities of The Heat of the night, above Kristen Holahan, Catherine Holahan and Crissy MacDonald decide where they should go next.
Where Magazine Publisher Laura Burkhardt and my Mike Toub.
Dan Marino and Tiffany Brower. I said to Dan, that name sounds familiar. He said “it’s a football players”; If I’m recalling it I imagine he gets it all the time cause I am not football fan outside of the Eagles.
Robert and Cheryl Swinton; also seen in the market Sharon Pinkenson and Joe Weiss, Paul Levy and Carrie Rickey, Lee van de Velde, Albert and Joanne DiSanto. Mayor Nutter was unable to attend as it was his daughter’s birthday.
Maria D’Ambrosio and Edward Glover with Jimmy and Terry Iovine in the background. Their faces were done by Peanut Butter’s Bacon (Becca Craig) and Ohh La La (Jennifer Vessells)
Tootsie Iovine (sister of the Iovine Brothers) and Kristen Holahan (her parents own Pennsylvania General Store where you could have any cookie or chocolate delight in the glass case). Tootsie owns the salad bar, which was fully stock for your choosing.
Behind the cash register is a photo of Tootsie and her 11 siblings, as well as a photo of their parents wedding – Molly Malloy and Mr Iovine who’s first name I didn’t capture, silly me.
You will recall that Molly Malloy is the name of new Gastro Pub the Iovine Brothers are opening in the market replacing the long standing Beer Garden. Jimmy Iovine tells me the space will be bigger and Chef Bobby Fisher will be created a farm fresh menu with produce from the Iovine Market.
As well as provide soup, salads and plenty of dishes to satisfy a carnivore.
There was also dancing at the market.
Michael Boghosian, Lorraine Gimblett, Jonathan Hudson and Joanne Jordan. Thanks for reading PhillyChitChat.com everyday. If you are out and you tell me you read PhillyChitChat.com I will make sure your pix appears on the site if you want. Sometimes folks are shy.
PhillyChitChat’s contest winner for the ticket to the Gala: Gena and Anthony Hennessy
Mark Beyerle of Specialty Productions executed the concepts and ideas from the committee members that work on the “Valentine to the Market” gala. Here he is with committee member former DA Lynn Abraham. It was an honor for me to meet her for the first time. We were 1 degree separated as she was my biggest client buying my Philadelphia photo note cards, which sold at the General Store on 20th Street in the early ’00’s (I told her I would be producing those cards again.)
Joan Rivera and his niece. Joan works for Specialty Productions and a lot of the decorating touches came from ideas he had
like the draping of the cabaret room where Karen Gross and Pat Robinson entertained the guests.
Brian and Diane Rodgers with JoAnn and Brian Bongart. Later JoAnn, from Holiday Inn Express, and I would recall the 1950’s in dance as we boogied to “Runaround Sue” and “Buttercup.” I think I spun her entirely too much to the point of exhaustion.
Dave Onesti, George Flowers and Kathy Lens enjoy their Bassetts ice cream.
David H on Yelp describes the Reading Terminal “Like the Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks, and that pesky city wage tax, the Reading Terminal Market is one of those things that makes Philadelphia uniquely Philadelphia.
Yes, it’s a historical site, but more importantly, it’s full of vendors selling delicious food. There’s something for everyone: Amish sellers are there part of the week, and you can pick up groceries or get your grub on if you’re in the mood for a cheesesteak, Thai, Indian, ice cream, oysters – you name it.”
Susan and Jerry Rosenfeld enjoyed the evening with Susan’s sister and committee member, Phyllis Halpern.
Sandra Toney, Charita Powell, with Betty Thomspson and Bobby Iovine who both work at Tootsie’s Salad Bar.Rachel Shaw and Peter Hara. Black tie optional doesn’t always mean black tie, it also means sharp dressing and these too look fantastic in threads.
Ross and Dara Donolaw
Bassetts is for lovers: On the left Roger Bassett met his future wife Mary when she applied for a job at the famed ice cream place over 20 years ago, and more recently Roger and Mia Caulfield met his wife as they worked side by side at Bassetts.
(Disclosure I was hired to photograph this event and I had a great time.)
This is going to be a short contest since it’s on Saturday. Sorry for the delay but I was running 2 other contests at the same time. I love this event so even if you’re not getting married you might want to go to do a little window shopping, plus theTICKETS are affordable at $35; $50 at the Door. (PS I will be posting the Reading Terminal Market Party Pixs later this morning.)
Internationally recognized fashion designer Nicole Miller! Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres! High energy fashion show featuring Nicole Miller’s Bridal, Formalwear, and Spring 2011 collection hot off the NY Runway to the sounds of EBE Entertainment! A truly all-inclusive wedding event experience for the most fashionable brides-to-be at the 19th Floor of the Hyatt at The Bellevue. Sip signature cocktails courtesy of Chambord Flavored Vodka and Little Black Dress Wines, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres by XIX Restaurant.
Our choice merchants will uniquely display their services for the bride and groom, and contribute items in an exceptional goody bag. TICKETS Send your name and email address to buzz @ PhillyChitChat.com (I’ll enter it in the daily subscriber list, unless you already signed up. Then on Wednesday I will do a random drawing for a pair of VIP tickets to the event. Thank you Nicole Miller in the Bellevue for the donation of these tickets)
Beginning Monday, February 21, through Saturday, April 30, cocktail lounge and restaurant Liberté (120 South 17th Street, 215-569-8300) at the Sofitel Philadelphia will partner with Rescue Rittenhouse Spa for a Spa Day promotion, featuring: a 333 calorie or less, three-course lunch or dinner ($48) from Liberté’s new, healthful spa menu; a 60-minute Swedish Massage and Salt Scrub at Rescue ($120); and complimentary Valet Parking at the Sofitel.“Whether our guests have managed to stick to their New Year’s resolutions to take better care of themselves or need a little boost to get back on track, our healthful spa menu and exciting partnership with Rescue make it easy for them to care for their minds and bodies,” says General Manager Vincent Vienne (on right). “And complimentary valet parking makes it a truly stress-free way to indulge.” Above Right to Left – Chef Kevin Levett, SOFITEL DIETETIQUE, the famous chef, Patrick Jarno, Chef Stephane Le Norcy, Cecile Clavel and Vincent Vienne GM Sofitel Zucchini cream with artichoke, lobster and chives; Lobster Ravioli (92 calories) which was to DIE FOR!! OMG; Fishes Rillettes, Salsamic Vinaigrette. They told me these were just the tasting sizes, but it’s hard to believe that a serving larger than these could only be 80 calories. The trick they said about the delicious taste was replacing the butter and cream with yogurt and spices. Thom Cardwell and Bev Juliette Peron, Patricia McDonald, and Anthony Geistwite Desserts: Mango Fondant with coconut sorbet (88 calories); Vanilla Panna Cotta with raspberry coulis (88 calories); or Sweet Potato and Chocolate Sponge (100 calories). Liberté’s new spa menu is inspired by European wellness brand Thalassa Sea & Spa which is owned by Sofitel’s parent company. (BTW check out the Rescue Rittenhouse Spa’s website, but don’t do it while you’re eating. Yikes on that threading picture !!)
Wednesday night I stopped by the Pennsylvania Film Industry Association Town Hall Meeting, which was more like a rally of the troops to save the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit at the Pyramid Club in Center City before heading over to Philly Cooks. The guests included lobyist for the film industry, a few politicians, notable people including Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and concerned friends of film in the state.Which according to today’s Philly Inquirer & Philly.com has been saved for one more year. But that doesn’t end our support, or your much needed to support. One thing you can do is write or call your congressman, and Gov Corbett to thank them and urge him to support the next time the PA Tax Credit comes up in the budget: Governor’s Office 225 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Phone: (717) 787-2500 Fax: (717) 772-8284 E-mail the Governor’s Office John Mitchell, George Bruno and Karla Kay Shatz.
George Bruno just finished a Sly Fox Beer commercial that is pretty funny. (Sly Fox is served at Starr’s new place Dandelion) Meghan McCullough, Film Incentive Group and Michael Yom Actress Leah Ann Cevoli just moved back to her home town of Philly from LA, to catch up with family members, work on a few projects here and in NYC. Her new project is associate producing/consulting/PR for @GameOverSeries shooting in April @SunCenterStudio
M. Night Shyamalan on Pennsylvania tax credit. If the tax credit is approved he’s going to film his next movie here, it’s based on the Night Book series someone mentioned the other night. Then someone also mentioned a Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie project with Paramount.
Bridget Schilki and Nicole Somers volunteer for PFIA and were checking in the folks for the cocktail party/rally. Sharon, Jason Currie, Vanessa Gutin want to work next year in Philly on film projects. Heather Seok Executive Director PA Film Industry Association greets the guests and tells them a little bit about the background on what will happen if Corbett doesn’t support the budgeted tax credit. In addition to encouraging people to join PaFIA now. Which will support their efforts, in addition to keeping you informed on what is going on with the Tax Credit, and how you can help keep film jobs in Pennsylvania. The panel consisted of Robin Ross, PaFIA Lobbyist, David Haddad, PaFIA Chair & President, Haddad’s Inc., Ray Carballada, PaFIA Vice Chair & President, Shooters, Inc. and Mike McCann, PaFIA Treasurer & President, Film Incentives Group. Haddad, yes that Haddad, stated that some industry may be dead in Pennsylvania, but what the State doesn’t realize that the movie industry is alive and well. “It’s an industry of content.” Then
On Thursday, Corbett spokeswoman Kelli Roberts told The Inquirer that roughly $49 million in tax credits for 60 film, television, and commercial productions will be granted.
“All have been released,” she said. “We will honor the tax credits.”
A total of $60 million in tax credits for the industry was appropriated in the 2010-11 state budget, of which $11 million is left, Roberts said.
Final approvals of the applications were delayed as part of Corbett’s examination of Rendell-approved expenditures, she said.
But there’s still work for you to do, for us, for the economy of Pennsylvania. Support Pa Film Tax Credit and call you congressman and elected officials. You talking to me? Guess who this guy “stood in” for this past year?
