and was capped off with an in person gala on March 18 at the W Philadelphia on level 7, the Wet Deck Bar, overlooking the city scape and pool.
Amber Hill, Shanea Frazier and Devon Caudle
I love this colorful flower wall which will no doubt be used as a backdrop for years to come
Bobbi Booker, Radio Host, WRTI-FM (Philadelphia, PA) and Dosage Magazine and Foster Child
Tribaja is a proud minority and woman owned business founded by Shannon Morales in 2017. Shannon Morales started the company after experiencing unconscious bias in the workplace and set out to create a platform vetted with only the best work environments for underrepresented talent. Shannon Morales is a single mother, Afro Latina, and social entrepreneur. She was awarded “Culture Builder of the Year” in Philly tech, nominated for Young professional of the year, and is a first generation graduate.
Vernon recently launched a Street Photography program called “Shoot Cameras, Not Guns”
Vernon Ray had an epiphany after attending his younger cousin’s funeral. Seeing a young man lose his life, not much older than Ray’s son, it was time to give back to the community.
Ray launched Shoot Cameras, Not Guns, a program through his photography studio to teach children, teens, and even adults photography as an alternative to getting involved in street life.
“I called my brother, and I say, ‘Yo man, we got to do something man,’” Ray said. “Just like that, I just blurted out ‘shoot cameras not guns.’” according to the Philadelphia Tribune.
Dominique Fiorentino and Shannon Pepe
Queen Regina
Welcome Back to in person events.
Malinda Logan and Lee Avant
Isabelle Kent, Philly Startup and Dyshaun Hines, METRODAO
Stephie Celestin, Camillia Brown and Lynn Brown
Kharisma McIlwaine, a Philadelphia native, is a Multimedia personality, Writer, Community Ambassador, Singer and Film Maker and Kate Marlys of Philly PR Girl . The cocktail reception was the perfect gathering to celebrate the success of the 2022 Diversitech Summit, and kick off in person events. The W Hotel’s Wet Deck is Philly’s hottest new event space. Spacious, beautiful, indoor outdoor flexibility.
Last week Rebecca Segall, Owner and Director of Gross McCleaf Gallery (127 S 16th St) hosted a cocktail party celebrating the collaboration of artist Thomas Paul Raggioand CMMP. Thomas Paul Raggio’s solo exhibit will be on display featuring CMMP garments highlighting the lining collab.
Seasonally, CMMP partners with a US-based contemporary artist to design exclusive linings for our blazers and suits. For SS22 we decided to partner with Thomas Paul Raggio, a philly-based contemporary artist and fine art lecturer. His use of color and clean geometric images are the perfect contrast to our suiting. (note the lining of the coat which matches Raggio’s painting above the jacket.)
Artist Tom Raggio and Nadine Raggio
Thomas Paul Raggio: In The Valley
“I contemplate every color, mark, and placement of the line to formulate what I call rhythmic velocities: relationships of color and motion that give life to the composition, creating a heartbeat. I am interested in the duality of math and design: through repetition, a line made of color becomes a rhythmic pattern. This concept is found when composing music, organic landscapes and architectural structures. By referencing these sources, my abstractions transcend their formal components, reaching beyond a minimalist canon.” – Thomas Paul Raggio
Gross McCleaf Gallery Team: David Heshmatpour, Emma Rose Cook, Rebecca Segall, and Morgan Hobbs
Vicky Leno, Kristin Camel and Vanessa Daboli
Rachel Zimmerman, Artistic and Executive Director of InLiquidand Chris Poehlmand, owner at CPLIGHTING
Sabir Peele wearing a sports suit ironically on brand.
JP Calabro and Robert Robinson
Gross McCleaf Gallery has been an esteemed fixture on Philly’s gallery scene for more than 50 years, but with the recent retirement of longtime owner Sharon Ewing and the new ownership under PAFA graduate Rebecca Segall, the contemporary gallery is prepared to take on the next half-century with a refreshed—and decidedly modernday— perspective * source. Look for more exciting exhibition openings, and receptions.
Stacy Stec, Marketing Manager at LOL Entertainment (the parent company of Museum of Illusions) , Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District, Rob Cooper, CEO of LOL Entertainment, ,Sheila Hess, City Representative for the City of Philadelphia and Jason Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at LOL Entertainment
A magical mystery museum opened this past weekend in Old City, the new 5000 square foot Museum of Illusions officially opened at 4th and Market ; it boasts 80+ visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereo-grams, optical illusions, immersive rooms and special Philly installations unique to this location.
Jonathan Benjamin. Chief Executive Officer at Museum of Illusions, Councilman Mark Squilla and Jason Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at LOL Ente
“We are very excited to be bringing the Museum of Illusions to Philadelphia and happy to be able to provide the city with such an engaging and exciting new museum concept,” said Rob Cooper, Philadelphia native and founder of LOL Entertainment, the parent company of the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. “We are confident that people of all ages will love seeing and experiencing the Museum’s unique illusions and exhibits.”
I had a ball
Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District is just hanging around in the Anti-Gravity Room
Michael Newmuis, COS Visit Philly “climbs” a Philadelphia row home at the Museum of Illusions.
The Museum of Illusions MOI is for all ages and offers visual and educational exhibits designed to tease the senses. Visitors will learn about vision, perception, and the human brain and experience firsthand the science of how the eyes can trick the mind.
Janelle Burrell the morning and noon co-anchor of CBS3 Eyewitness News hung out for a bit.
We weren’t sure how this exhibit worked, until Ray suddenly ran into the adjoining room and crawled through a tunnel popping up for a feast for our eyes.
Chef Jezabel Careaga Date of Residency: January 26 to March 13, 2022
This season, Latin American Chef Jose Garces hosts emerging, minority chefs from around the Philadelphia region for six-week residencies. Chef Jezabel Careaga is an entrepreneur, chef, woodworker, designer, and community leader from Palpalá, Jujuy, NW Argentina. In addition to her degree in Tourism & Hotel Management focusing on international languages and business, she received a progressive education encompassing climate change, sustainability, and mental health – issues that she cares about deeply today.
Chef Jezabel Careaga and Nate Johnson, Culinary Director at Garces
Chef Careaga’s menu includes Picada, Escabeche de Berejena Toast, Empanadas, Tamales Saltenos, Vacio con Papas Estrelladas, Estofado, Locro, Queso y Membrillo and Panqueque Con Dulce De Leche.
According to Metro Philly:Careaga is well known throughout the city. Hailing as an entrepreneur, chef, woodworker, designer and community leader from Palpalá, Jujuy, in northwestern Argentina, her impact is shown in Philly’s culinary community and beyond.
Panqueque con dulce de leche
Crepes, Caramelized Milk, Sweet Cream Flan
When at Volvér under Careaga’s residency, patrons can indulge in her picada (featuring mortadella, giardineira, goats milk feta, iberico chorizo and toasted sourdough), empanadas (made with braised beef, chimichurri and salsa criolla), estofada (a wild mushroom ragu with creamy polenta, parmesan and toasted pine nuts), vacio con papas estrelladas (a butcher’s steak with crispy salted potatoes, celery aioli and chimichurri), panqueque con dulce de leche (crepes with caramelized milk and sweet cream flan), and more.
Marcello Giordano, Owner, Giordano Garden Groceries, Chef Jennifer Carroll, and Marisa Magnatta, WMMR
Heidi Hogan, Aramark, Ann Marie Solomon, Aramark and Scott Campanella, COO Garces Group ·
Luis Rodriguez
Afea Tucker and Rhonda Willingham
Jennifer Rodriguez, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Adam Ali
Bill Gehrman, Enroute Congratulations to Bill, and Enroute Marketing on their 15th Anniversary!!, Laura Burkhardt, Executive Director of Avenue of the Arts, and Michael Newmuis, COS Visit Philly
About Chefs in Residency This season, Latin American Chef Jose Garces hosts emerging, minority chefs from around the Philadelphia region for six-week residencies.
Throughout each residency, we will raise funds to support the inaugural line-up of chefs and their current and/or future projects. Donations can be made, similar to tipping a server, when the dinner check is presented. The Garces Foundation will match up to the first $5,000. The matching grant will be donated by the Garces Foundation which offers medical and educational resources to the hospitality community.
If it wasn’t exciting enough that Main Line Today and Today Media announced the 2022 Main Line Today Restaurant Week running February 21st through March 6th, 2022. The 14-day culinary celebration will bring together and showcase the talents of top chefs, restaurants and purveyors in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties, I found a few spots which will remind you of summer while we ride out the winter weather.
Over 30 restaurants are lined up for this 14-culinary festival that was designed to support the restaurants during these challenging times, raise up the suburban dining scene in the Philadelphia region, and bring attention to the culinary riches from BYOs to full service restaurants – and everything in between.
The 14-day culinary celebration will bring together and showcase the talents of top chefs, restaurants and purveyors in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course prix fixe menus for lunch ($26.95, plus tax, beverage and gratuity) and dinner ($39.95, plus tax, beverage and gratuity). Restaurants can choose what works best for them, offering lunch, dinner, or both—dine-in or takeout. Foodies from across the tri-state area are invited to save the date, make their reservations, and come hungry for the tastiest weeks of the spring.
Rosalie 139 East Lancaster Avenue – Just last week Rupert Grint was spotted eating here. He’s in town filming M Night Shyamalan’s Servant Season 4
“Main Line Today Restaurant Week is a 14-day celebration of our region’s top chefs, restaurants and purveyors,” said Main Line Today Associate Publisher Marie Edwards. “We couldn’t be happier with the final list of restaurants that really showcase the amazing culinary talent in every pocket and corner of the Main Line and Western Suburbs. We want to make a real and genuine difference to the smaller and independent mom-and-pop restaurants that have been profoundly affected by the pandemic.
For its second year, the Main Line restaurant community joins forces with local media and businesses to showcase the culinary talent that makes the Main Line and western suburbs such a diverse and rich dining destination. Efforts are designed to rally diners and foodies from around the region to support the most notable restaurants, bars, eateries, BYOBs and takeout spots. While all restaurants in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties are invited to participate, there is a special focus on independent and locally operated restaurants.
Amis Trattoria 138 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 140, Devon, PA 19333
Main Line Today Restaurant Week is supported by sponsors Firstrust Bank, Comcast Business, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and others. Save the dates and follow @mainlinetoday #MLTrestaurantweek on social media for updates and previews. For more information and registration forms, visit www.MainLineToday.com/Restaurant-Week or call (610) 325-4630.
Hello readers. I’m sorry I ghosted you again. Last week I wrote about having writers block, and being stuck. Going into our 3rd year of the pandemic and my business has come to a halt, again and it’s thrown me for a loop. Events which were schedule for January and even February have been postponed, and left me unmotivated. I’ve been sleeping a lot. Mike will tell you there’s a lot to do, and I do have a lot to do. I just have to have hope, as you do, that this will end soon, or we will just live with it. Prayers to about a dozen of my friends who must have gotten the Delta version over the holidays, as they are still very sick. Entire families are getting sick, so mask up, especially in crowds. OK I did cover a few things this week, as well as found fun tidbits on the internet you might find interesting too.
So many pretty women came out to see Pretty Woman: The Musical last week at the Kimmel Cultural Campus, including WOGL’s legendary personality Marilyn Russell, who attended the show with contest winners. Each of the winners received a rose from Marilyn, provided by Acme supermarkets.
Carole Morganti, CJM Public Relations, Valerie Knight,106.1 The Breeze and Cindy Webster, WIP
A standout in the production has to be scene stealer Kyle Taylor Parker in “Pretty Woman: The Musical.”, who plays 2 main characters. I wish I had two pairs of hands to clap my appreciate of his performance. The show was just as charming, and plays through January 16th. It’s what we all need right now..
Congratulations to the Sugar Factory Philadelphia which officially opened on Saturday night hosted by celebrity DJ, Jersey Shore star DJ Pauly D. Thanks to my wire service Photo Image Press for placing one of my shots in People Magazine. it’s always fun to get national exposure.
Locally the photos ran in my Around Town With HughE Dillon column at Metro Philly and CBSPhilly. If you want me to cover your party, event, ribbon cutting or press conference click HERE for the details.
Sixers Tobias Harris celebrated the opening of his friend’s new store – Crumbl Cookies, in Wynnewood on January 6, 2022! Owner and operator Charles Terry III said he’s been friends with Harris for 11 years, and when the New York native decided to open up a Crumbl in Philadelphia, he knew exactly who to call to help with the launch as well as serve as a brand ambassador. Sixers Tobias Harris and Crumbl Brand ambassador and Charles Terry III of Wynnewood See more photos at CBSPHILLY and Phila Tribune as well as the April issue of Main Line Today.
Tobias Harris and his family: Dad Torrel Harris, sister Tesia Harris, fiance Jasmine Winton, and mom Lisa Harris. Tobias and Tesia were engaged in 2020, with Tobias popping the question at their future retirement home in LaJolla.
Dish of the Week. After photographing Crumbl I realized I was near DePaul‘s in Ardmore. I heard their octopus dish was delicious, so I headed over there for dinner. It’s always easy to find parking in Ardmore. Usually I get a spot on the street nearby, or when nothing’s available I park at Suburban Square a few blocks away. The dish was better than good, with a little kick to boot. I really enjoyed it, as well as the steak and Brussels Sprouts.
Things are happening in Old City: Last week I wrote about the new Cosi at 10th and Chestnut, well the old Cosi at 4th and Chestnut is about to become PINGPOD: Ping Pong on Demand – the Future of Table Tennis. Unlike the uptown SPIN , Ping Pod is not a nightclub atmosphere but similar to going to the gym and reserving the paddle board court to play. Plus they give lessons if you want to perfect your game. It stresses Covid safety, so look for it to open in a few weeks to entice us to get out of the house.
This is exciting news, especially since Mike and I have started eating whole food plant based dished, he’s now a full time whole food guy, I’ll be eating it at home, but when I am out I will be conscious of eating healthy, we’ve agreed. Anywho: Riverwardsproduce is opening in the heart of Old City on Bread Street, bread is actually allowed on my whole food plan, but not butter. Anyway They Are Hiring and at a decent wage.
It’s more than just construction and a beautiful space. In order to grow and open new locations we need the right people. Riverwards is hiring all positions right now and we offer a $16 starting wage, wellness and mental health support via Healthy Pour and Fishtown Wellness Center, 20% employee discount, Paid Time Off that includes vacation, sick time, bereavement time and family leave time and that’s not all. With the additional revenue from RWP2 we can now offer a HEALTH CARE package to our employees! This has been a dream of mine since the beginning. Follow the link in bio to learn more and apply. Let’s do this ✌🏻🌱 📸: @roccoavallone Riverwards Produce 2 opening spring 2022
OK this wasn’t so bad. Back to business. Maybe I’ll do these informative columns for a bit, as well as celebrate past columns as PhillyChitChat turns 15 this year. Tomorrow night I am banging the drum at the Flyers game, which is their equivelent to ringing the bell at the Sixers. So honored. Excited. And nervous. Also I read your emails about the print being small when you read it on your phones. I realize when I do two photos side by side, the photos don’t publish correctly and the print gets smaller. For the time being I will do one photo per paragraph, and see what can be done as I do love those side by side photos, and slideshows. On desktops and laptops it comes out fine, just not on phones. Thanks, and have a great day….
