Category: Philadelphia

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Philadelphia

Thankful For My Sister Janine DeFeo & Her Advocacy Work

Thankful For My Sister Janine DeFeo

Good Thanksgiving Eve. Thank you so much for supporting all my Social Channels, for putting up with my crazy schedule, for coming back day after day to see what my view of the world is. Thank you for 10 years of being my friend. Today I want to focus on my sister Janine DeFeo, you might recall that my sister Janine is my Admin/scheduler/organizer, which is an immearsuable help.

DeFeo

If she didn’t invoice the clients and keep the schedule for all 5 of the PhillyChitChat (PCC) photographers, there wouldn’t be a PCC company, and we’d have no money cause I just can’t run a business as well as she can. There’s so much more to the story than Janine my “assistant”, there’s Janine a wife, mother, friend, volunteer, entrepreneur, philanthropic Janine.


Janine was the first one in the family to have a selfie stick, but she never takes selfies without a posse in the picture

Many of you know that my Beloved sister Judy Wilkins died of Ovarian Cancer in 2009. Janine jump in action and began to get involved with several organizations to help spread awareness of the disease, as well as work to raise money for treatment and a cure. There wasn’t a lot of organizations like that in Charlotte, NC in 2010, so she started one, while also helping out with one that was there – Carolinas Ovarian Cancer Fund at Levine Cancer Institute. She also started working with Philly’s Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation here in Philadelphia in 2011, and became good friend with Robin Cohen, the founder.  Either Janine or my sister Margaret is a presence at the walk every April on the Parkway.


In 2015, Janine and her friend Amy Roberts, whose grandmother died from ovarian cancer, initiated the Teal Buttefly Challenge as a way to bring awareness to the disease that kills about 14,180 women each year. Every spring, on March 21, the “challenge” begins.  It’s simple to do.

*Paint your nails TEAL
*Make a butterfly symbol by interlocking your thumbs
*Take a photo or a video and post on social media (#tealbutterflychallenge #ovariancancerawareness) on Twitter or FB. .
*Challenge 10 of your friends to do the same 


Now in November, the month of my sister Judy’s birthday, Janine has started another initiative: “Men of Teal”. From Janine’s instagram:

janine_defeoTeal Butterfly Challenge is proud to introduce to you our very own MEN OF TEAL. Each day during the month of November we will feature men who have loved and supported us over the years. If you know someone who would like to be a part of this new awareness campaign please send us a message, we would love to hear from you. T-shirts are available now $15 includes s&h. And now to kick off the month, our very own and our personal favorite….
Tom DeFeo: I wear Teal to stand with those who are fighting right now.
I wear Teal to remember those who fought courageously to the end.
I wear Teal to honor those that survived.
I wear Teal to support those trying to do something about this horrible disease.
I wear Teal in hope for a cure for Ovarian Cancer #MenofTeal #tealbutterflychallenge #ovariancancerawareness tealbutterflychallenge.com @tomdefe

Thanks to the Men of Teal for their support this month. Thanks to my sister Janine for her tireless fight against Ovarian Cancer. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Janine and her family had a cancer fight of their own last year. In August 2016 her daughter Nicole was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After months chemo and radiation, Nicole is now in remission.

Nicole has returned to school, and Janine back to her advocacy work, now raising awareness for both diseases with time and money.


Thank you Janine DeFeo for everything you do for PhillyChitChat,

for raising awareness and money to combat cancer and for being an advocate for others.


Happy Birthday Judy Wilkins on Friday November 24, Black Friday indeed.

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Philadelphia

Deck The Hall at City Hall Holiday Sights Plus Show Times

 Deck The Hall at City Hall Holiday Sights Plus Show Times

Last night was the premiere of the Deck the Hall Light Show Presented by Independence Blue Cross, a dramatic light show, synchronized with music and projected onto the West Market Street portal of City Hall. Deck

 

Before the countdown to the kick off there was a small ceremony where speakers included

Deck Center City District President and CEO Paul R. Levy, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Independence Blue Cross President Executive Vice President and Chairman and CEO of AmeriHealth Caritas Paul A. Tufano, Esq., and 6abc President and General Manager Bernie Prazenica.


Shows will be presented during the evenings through January 1, every hour on the half-hour from Sunday to Thursday and more frequently on Friday and Saturday evenings. Weekdays (Sunday-Thursday) 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:30pm Weekends (Friday-Saturday) 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm

Afterwards there was a party for the sponsors which included Independence Blue Cross in partnership with Center City District and 6abc,

Sheila Hess, City Representative and friends from Independence Blue Cross
oh heat lamps next to the ice skating rink

Just learning to skate, you can rent one of those penguins on the right for $10 an hour. They have nearly a dozen.
I’m going to need one. I saw adults use them as well. There’s no embarrassment especially cause they’re so cute
The City Hall Courtyard Merry Go Round is back
The amazing maze is back again, and thankfully it’s not completely surrounded by the white tents that hold the shops. You can gaze into it in case you don’t want to navigate the maze.

The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market opened last week. The stores featured are all based in the Philadelphia area, whereas the stores across the street at the Christmas Village (see white tent in center across the street at Love Park, that is where CV is and it opens on Thanksgiving) are from around the world. Open daily through Jan 1, 2018 (CV closes on Christmas Eve), Sun thru Thurs 11am to 7PM, and Friday and Sat 11AM to 8PM Closed on Christmas Say. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve the shops close at 5PM

On the North Side of City Hall is where the Christmas Tree is this year. It looks amazing. Last night they were testing the lights and the colorful base. I’m so excited for the festivities officially lighting the tree on Black Friday at 5PM.
Craft Hall, a new venue by FCM opening in Northern Liberties in the fall of 2018, will be offering food and beverage service as a “pop-up restaurant” from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23 at City Hall at North Broad Street alongside the Philly Holiday Tree. The Craft Hall Pop-Up Restaurant, in partnership with Lost Bread Co. Bakery and Barefoot Wines, will include a beautifully decorated heated tent with indoor seating for over 100 people as well as tables outside the tent next to the tree.

The Deck the Halls lights at City Hall are a perfect compliment to the other light shows around town. Don’t forget to check out the Macy’s Christmas Light Show in the  Grand Court and the Comcast Light Show.

Macy’s Light Show  runs from the Friday after Thanksgiving through December 31.
Showtimes: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm. The Store is closed Christmas Day. (In the past, on occasion, additional unscheduled shows have been presented when the Store became too congested. Good times for viewing are Monday through Thursday.)

Comcast Light Show Times
Daily at the top of each hour, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (excluding weekdays at 5 p.m.) through December 31 and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on New Year’s Day

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Philadelphia

Runner Fashion at 2017 AACR Philly Marathon

Runner Fashion at 2017 AACR Philly Marathon

I headed out to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday. I love cheering people on as they reach the finish line, as well as checking out the fashion cause some of them are serious in what they wear. I captured a click of a guy running in a blue suit via video, which you can find on my Instagram. Let’s see who crossed my lens


lots of super heroes


I’m sensing the volunteers were encouraged to wear animal something

The AACR Foundation supports the groundbreaking work of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) – the first and largest cancer research organization in the world with a membership of more than 37,000 professionals residing in 108 countries and territories working on the front lines of the effort to eradicate cancer.

The Foundation backs every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research.

We invite you to join us in imagining a world without cancer. More important, we invite you to join us in making it happen.

  • Promoting Research: The ACCRA gives direct grants for basic, transnational, clinical, and population research, targeting innovative science that has the potential to have a major impact in the fight against cancer. Additionally, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual grants in cancer research that hold the promise of near-term patient benefit.
    • Promoting Research: The AACR gives direct grants for basic, transnational, clinical, and population research, targeting innovative science that has the potential to have a major impact in the fight against cancer. Additionally, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual grants in cancer research that hold the promise of near-term patient benefit.
    • Supporting Today’s and Tomorrow’s Researchers: The AACR marshals the vast expertise of the cancer research community to accelerate progress in the understanding of cancer and its prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment by convening more than 20 conferences and educational workshops each year. Travel grants and other support for young researchers make it possible for them to meet and learn from more experienced cancer scientists. Programs for emerging researchers in college, and even high school, encourage the best young minds to envision the impact they can have by choosing careers in cancer research

 

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Philadelphia

Cherry Street Pier Will Be Transformed into a Destination

Cherry Street Pier Will Be Transformed into a Destination

If you build it, they will come: This has been proven on Penns Landing already, despite the super highway 95 not being capped. For years, and by years I mean decades, City leaders have tried to convince us that by capping the space above 95 it would spur growth at Penns Landing. Penns Landing over the years has always had great attractions like the waterfront stage, Tall Ships, the Moshulu, the Olympia, and the water, but

Transformed
I think visionaries at the Delaware River Waterfront expounded on the idea of creating amazing entertainment in the past decade from Spruce Street Harbor where you can hang around in a hammock, while eating delicious Garces fare or Federal Donuts, the Blue Cross River Rink (summer and winter use), now the lodges, so popular that even Nicki Minaj hung out there a few winters ago, and the amazing Race Street pier which was transformed a few years back and is a great place to go unwind, do yoga, or watch the most amazing fireworks July 4 and on New Year’s Eve.

NOW it’s next door neighbor pier is about to undergo a transformation as the officials are planning to transform Municipal Pier 9 into a beautiful destination, bringing the historic pier back to life.


You might have been in the Cherry Street pier, officially known as Municipal Pier 9 if you attended Feastival in 2011 & 2012 as that is where is was held before moving across the street to it’s permanent place at La Peg. It’s a fairly run down pier with

a gorgeous view of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge from the sidewalk in front and a few of the nooks and crannies in the wall if the building on the pier. Let’s see what’s in store for the pier.
According to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC)website “Development of the Pier will involve a range of carefully chosen interventions, including selectively removing a portion of the roof and repairing the stone headhouses, in order to preserve and celebrate the historic value of the structure”  Plans for the pier a market place, garden, local art gallery space, food and a DRIVE IN MOVIE, say what?


I love the shops set in a container. THIS is an exciting project. All done without the cap, but I do know the DRWC is excited about that as well, the funding is in place and work seems to be underway which will connect Old City, Society Hill and Philadelphia to the waterfront seamlessly.

The DRWC assures me that the buildings on the left side of this graphic were just speculative, I mean seriously why would anyone block the view of the Ben Franklin Bridge from the multi million dollar park they just built. Check out Philly Curb for more info on this fantastic park.

Also check out Visit Philly as they have a great recap of the wonderful attractions along the Delaware River

All photos courtesy of DRWC, except the two Festival Shots which were by me.

Transformed

 

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Philadelphia

Photos & Info on 2017 Rothman Rink, The Maze and City Hall Light Show

Photos & Info on 2017 Rothman Rink, The Maze and City Hall Light Show

Last Friday I attended the opening of the Rothman Rink and America’s Garden Capital Maze at Dilworth Park, both of which have improved over the years as far in offerings and layout.

Maze

Friday, November 10, the Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park reopened for its fourth year of seasonal skating.


It was one of the first bitter cold days, so props go out to the Philly Pops for performing in the frigid temperatures. Up next for these guys….A Philly Pops Christmas Michael Krajewski, Conductor Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for Performing Arts (Info & Tixs)

I’m not much into ice skating, but am more of a snow bunny. I’ll be in the lodge when I’m not checking out the skill set on the rink. There’s lots of delicious food, drinks, hot chocolate and spirits on the menu.

Definitely one of my favorite spots is America’s Garden Capital Maze or Wintergarden.  Created in partnership with Greater Philadelphia Gardens, the garden features twinkling lights and seasonal plants that showcase more than 30 public gardens, arboreta and historic landscapes located within 30 miles of Philadelphia. There’s a brochure near the entrance which tells you about the various plant species.

 


The garden is laid out much better this year; the paths are wider, the plants aren’t on top of each other
The topiary is plentiful for those selfies


it’s just beautiful

Missing in this photo is the Philly Made Market Place, which was erected this past week.
I’m glad I photographed it before they were set up
They block the beauty of the garden
I noticed even the landscaping around City Hall has been given an upgrade. It’s really quite nice.


This year at the skating rink, they’re having a “winter SIPS”, every Wednesday there are drink specials


I’m super excited for this new attraction at City Hall. It premiere’s Monday at 5PM Here’s the press release.

WHAT: Premiere of the Deck the Hall Light Show Presented by Independence Blue Cross, a dramatic light show, synchronized with music and projected onto the West Market Street portal of City Hall.

WHO: Speakers include Center City District President and CEO Paul R. Levy, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Independence Blue Cross President Executive Vice President and Chairman and CEO of AmeriHealth Caritas Paul A. Tufano, Esq., and 6abc President and General Manager Bernie Prazenica. Following remarks, there will be a countdown before “throwing the switch” to start the show.

WHEN: Premiere is 5 p.m. Monday, November 20, 2017 (rain or shine). Shows will be presented during the evenings through January 1, every hour on the half-hour from Sunday to Thursday and more frequently on Friday and Saturday evenings.

WHERE: Dilworth Park, City Hall (west portal)

MORE:  Presented by Independence Blue Cross in partnership with Center City District and 6abc, this stunning six-minute light show created by award-winning experimental art studio KLIP Collective highlights City Hall’s historic architecture and will be visible from Dilworth Park and along West Market Street.

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Philadelphia

Career Wardrobe’s Fashionable Empowering Tea and Fashion Show

Career Wardrobe’s Fashionable Empowering Tea and Fashion Show

Career Wardrobe held their annual Empowering Tea and Fashion Show, on Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 12-3 p.m. at Merion Cricket Club. KYW Newsradio’s Cherri Gregg was the emcee again this year, with an assist from Kristin Detterline, who was celebrating her birthday that weekend.

Fashionable
Debbie Hoffman and Magdalena Means
Teresa Buzniak and Danielle Fox
Karen Green, Barbara Rigo, and Pamela Stewart

Career Wardrobe provides #MoreThanClothes to 5,000 women & men each year because you give! Donate $10 now to help us reach our #EmpoweringTea goal of $10,000. Every supporter will be entered to win one of 3 DEER DANA t-shirts compliments of Dana Veraldi. Use the “Donate” button at the top of our page, or link below!

https://www.biddingforgood.com/…/communi…/donatecash.action…

Andrea Frank and Ann Vuong
Melissa Novak, Laura Reed, and Stephanie Palumbo
Stacy Dean, Barbara Rigo, Karen Green, Pamela Stewart, and Kristine Vaughan

Patty Davis and Lisa Hickey
Taheshia Holbrook and LeTonya Wilson
Mary Pat Kessler and Eden Kratchman
Nicholas Kril, Fontaine Gutierrez, and Shakiah Taylor


Local sisters Dana Veraldi, founder of Deer Dana and Amanda Veraldi, Manager of Corporate for J. Crew, will be the featured speakers, discussing their paths to making names for themselves in the fashion industry. 
Then there was the most fashionable runway show, including fashions from local shops as well as from the Career Wardrobe.

 

Additional photos will be on Philly Style Magazine this week. I’ll update this post with the link. ALSO TODAY

Fairmount Clothing Drive today at 530pm
The Wardrobe Resale 1822 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130

· Hosted by Career Wardrobe
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Philadelphia

Deborah Hospital Foundation Hosted The 12th annual Red Tie Gala

The Deborah Hospital Foundation hosted its 12th annual Red Tie Gala on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing. This year’s emcee was 6ABC News’ Rick Williams. Over 300 guests attended the foundations largest fundraiser of the year in support of the Deborah Heart and Lung Center.

Tie
Pat Stark, Dr Lynn McGrath and Melissa McGrath
Red
Dr.Denise Zingrone and Dr.Joe Zingrone
CTO Tribeca entertained during the gala.

The gala began at 6p.m. with a cocktail reception featuring a silent auction which included travel packages, sports tickets, memorabilia and destination events. After the cocktail party guests, many wearing red ties or red dresses, headed into the ballroom where they enjoyed entertainment by CTO Tribeca,

Dancing with the Stars Alum: Anna Trebunskaya, Dmitry Chaplin, Ekaterina Fedosova, and Damian Whitewood

and there was a special performance by “Dancing With the Stars” performers Dmitry Chaplin, Ekaterina Fedosova, Anna Trebunskaya and Damian Whitewood.

Ekaterina Fedosova, Damian Whitewood with Anna Trebunskaya, Dmitry Chaplin entertained with a dance routine at the 2016 Red Tie Gala – Deborah Hospital Foundation
Julie Hormilla, Gail Leonard and Angie Pabon
Iain Riley, Bridget Riley and Masimba Mutema
Colonel Mike Foutch, Jennie Foutch and Joseph Chirichella
Marty Walsh, Claudia Walsh, Ryan Manni and Loren Manni
Linda Rubin and Shellie Dietzek
Rick Williams, Rita Zenna and Dr.Lynn McGrath
Julia Miliaresis, Alex Poulathas, David Share, and Peggy Share
John Hill and Cyndi Kornfeld

Photo Credit: Andre Flewellen (PCC Team Member)

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Philadelphia

Saxbys Hosts the 2nd Annual Inc Magazine’s 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies

Saxbys hosted a number of Philadelphia-area companies who made Inc Magazine’s annual list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States

 

Brian Whittaker, Garth Hoyt and Stephen Pahides
Patrick Plunkett Executive Director of Institutional Advancement of Roman Catholic Hight and Matt Dorf, President and Founder – ‎West End Strategy Team
Garth Hoyt, McCausland Keen + Buckman, Steve Pahides, Brian Whittaker and Nick Bayer
Shy Callhoun, Desiree Gordon, Michael LittleJohn, Alise Wilson, Angelica Moses
(Medical Guardian)
Aaron Dillenbeck, Haley Samsi, Trisha Crowe, Liz Czerpak and Grace Manning
Geoff Gross, Medical Guardian
Mayor Jim Kenney
Elissa Anderson, Diana Musgnug and Trisha Crowe
Riley Monasmith, Ry Beverage and Noel Baynes
Jason DeMarco, Todd Herremans and Nick Bayer, CEO Saxbys
David Omojogunra, GSK and Rebecca Krick, Saxbys
Jeremy Cottingham, Co Owner/President at J. Cottingham and Jill Cottingham
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Philadelphia

Tuesday To Do: Events You Might Want To Attend – Jazz, Pie & Pups

So many people always ask me about events after they see my photos posted. I try and post them on all my social channels but it’s hard to do that, so every Tuesday I will publish a few here. I’ll give you the inside scoop if I’ve gone before, or what I think might be happening. I like Tuesday, cause I like to plan for the future and not look for things on Friday. Here goes…

Pie
Community Dinner Under the Shambles: Bridget Foy’s Fire Relief Benefit by South Street Headhouse District
FB Page Info and Ticket Info

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

6-9 PM

The South Street Headhouse Business District (SSHD), in partnership with Queen Village Neighborhood Association (QVNA) and area businesses, is arranging a benefit event to raise funds to aid Bridget Foy’s displaced employees, Saved Me, Inc. animal rescue, and the American Red Cross/Red Paws.

This community dinner will be a culinary tasting event, featuring a number of the city’s top chefs, bartenders and restaurants with live music by Mikey Junior Band. The event also features a silent auction with items donated by neighborhood businesses.

FRIDAY

The last day to order a Pie in the Sky Thanksgiving Pie is this Friday, November 17th!
Pie
Pies are selling quickly – don’t be left empty handed!
Place your order today before your favorite flavor is sold out!
American Airlines Sky Pie · Aberdeen Standard Apple
Pecan · Pumpkin · Sweet Potato

Pie In The Sky
http://www.mannapies.org/

 

WEEKEND EVENTS:

Dog
Meet over 2,000 dogs up close at the National Dog Show this weekend at the greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. Credit: Steve Donahue/See Spot Run Photography

 


 I wish I wasn’t allergic to dogs cause The National Dog Show Presented by Purina hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia is at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center  100 Station Avenue in Oaks, PA, adjacent to historic Valley Forge, and just 15 miles west of Center City Philadelphia. Contact the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at (484) 754-EXPO. WEBSITE: More information can be found online at nationaldogshow.com.

Plus on Saturday John Hurley, alumni from Dancing with the Stars and expert dog analyst David Frei will be taping for the Thanksgiving broadcast at the Expo Center Saturday, November 18.  Kennel Club of Philadelphia President Wayne Ferguson provides “color commentary” on all the entrants. (oh colorful, you know that means witty banter like the must watch movie Best in Show (2000)

Saturday is the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Jazz Brunch at the Hilton City Line Ave, Phila Pa

Only 4 Days Left! To buy your tickets for the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation’s Jazz Brunch! Enjoy the LIVE MUSIC of three- time Emmy award winner Bill Jolly and the Bill Jolly Trio! Don’t delay! Tickets are going fast… Visit Jazz Brunch to get your tickets NOW! Deadline for online purchases: Friday, November 17 at 11:59 AM. HOLIDAY SHOPPING • SILENT AUCTION • LIVE AUCTION • RAFFLES

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Philadelphia PA (November 2017) The Art Star Craft Bazaar is back just in time for holiday shopping! Join us on November 18th and 19th from 11am-6pm at The Event Center at SugarHouse Casino. Art Star has chosen a line-up of 75 of the best art and craft vendors from the Philly region and beyond. The show will feature a thoughtfully curated mix of handmade goods by returning Art Star favorites and many new vendors. Jewelry, pottery, housewares, clothing, men’s and women’s accessories, art, prints, blown glass, stationary, papercuts, t-shirts, baby gifts and more will be available.
**There is a $3 door fee ($2 from 4pm-5pm, $1 the last hour) children under 12 get in free, and FREE PARKING is on site!**

DATEBOOK:

Plan Ahead in January Wayne Brady at Parx Casino new Xcite Center. Parx is just about to unveil their new event space, and additional gaming room. First up is the Sold Out concert by Chicago on January 13, or as I like to call it, a few days before I head to Florida. I’ll be going though, I love me some Chicago. Then Wayne Brady will be at the Xcite Center. He’s hysterical, I watch Let’s Make A Deal nearly everyday and he cracks me up.TICKETS HERE

 

 

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Philadelphia

My New Reality, Glass Celebs, Mama’s Ball Brick&Mortar

Hello Monday, great to see you. I hope everyone had a great weekend, making memories and sharing fun times with friends and family. I’m not always good at making room for others in my life; I like my creature comforts at home, my computer, keeping busy with work. I feel like I’ve had an epiphany and I hope to change some things. Reality

For the past 3 weeks I haven’t felt well. I haven’t been eating right, I had gone back to drinking diet coke, and I over booked myself and my photographers. I was working day and night to produce columns for media outlets, and business is booming. During this time I had Bronchitis, I took a few days off shooting (Thankfully I have a team now), but I continued to work at my desk. I tend to work for hours before I take a break. Both my legs hurt last week as I had shot an event which required me to climb 4 flights of stairs, which is never fun after Bronchitis; I kinda noticed one of my calves was sore, but I thought it’s Charley horse, I get them all the time. Thursday morning I noticed my leg was swollen 3 times my other leg but I had a job that evening and I needed to shoot it. (I did skip seeing the new Fitler Club & a party at Bart Blatstein, but more on that later) so Friday I headed to Jefferson Urgent Care, I probably should have made a Dr’s appt, but I wanted to go to the opening of the Rothman Rink to support my friends at CCD, plus I wanted to see the tree, Love Park and the garden. (Photos will be published later today) BOOM diagnosed with a blood clot in my leg, headed to ER and got great care from the Jefferson team. My worst fear was getting a DVT,  as I’ve known several people who have died of them over the years, someone prominent in the community this year died, and everyone’s favorite reporter David Bloom back in 2003. It was, and is an emotional time bomb and will be for a bit until the blood clot falls apart. I’m drinking a lot of water, which helps, and am now on blood thinners, which is a whole other mess. Thanks to my photogs who jumped into action and covered events I was scheduled for.  I’m grateful to be here. Take aways: Move often, and drink water. Just like they tell you when you fly. I didn’t realize how dehydrated I was, until I got my IV drip, and got hydrated. No more diet soda, and I’ll be cutting back on the iced tea.


Franco Harris a former American football fullback who played professionally in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks stopped by for dinner at D’Angelo’s over the weekend.


Former White House communications director and senior adviser Anthony Scaramucci fielded questions from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia on Thursday. Afterward he headed to developer Bart Blatstein‘s new home on Rittenhouse Square for a cocktail party and no doubt a tour of his new house with tennis court in the basement.

#MNightShyamalan #Glass is still filming in Allentown with Samuel L Jackson, Bruce Willis and James McAvoy. Friday nite Willis headed home to just outside Manhattan,while Samuel Jackson checked out performance of Cirque du Soleil’s VAREKAI! in Allentown. Next week VAREKAI is @LiacourasCenter  (Photo credit: Lisa Boehm)


Friday night actor/heartthrob James McAvoy had dinner @Brigantessa_EPA w/love Lisa L. Saturday night they headed out to Fishtown Tavern for a few hours of fun. McAvoy, a gentleman as always posed with a few fans included the young lady above who told him she spent a lot of time looking at his bare a$$ in a favorite movie


Congrats to Mama’s Ball. Who announced today:
BALLERS!!!! This is happening Mama will be opening up her first store. We will keep you posted on when the fun begins.


I ran into them last week and they had told me, it was as I said earlier, just one of those weeks that I couldn’t catch up to myself. Look for Mama’s Balls to open in January.
Celebrity Riders can be ridiculous. They range from John Legend’s recent request at Philly Fights Cancer of 2 bottles of water, to Madonna’s requests of lilies and light pink or white roses cut to precisely 6 inches to Dan Rather’s visit last week at the Phila Library where he asked for Frito’s Corn Chips, Coke, Diet Dr Pepper, Water, and Organic Milk.
*****
Tomorrow I’m going to start a new column, called Tuesday To Do. I get so many pitches for events, and plan to pick out the most interesting for you to attend, plus events a PhillyChitChat photographer will be shooting. Often after I publish photos from such events people tell me they wish they knew beforehand. Hopefully this will help.