Thursday the Grinch joined by members of AFSCME District Councils
33 and 47 and other City unions, religious, social justice and community
groups to deliver nearly 2,000 postcards signed by city residents from
across the city calling on Mayor 1% Nutter to put the needs of
communities ahead of the interests of the few and to stand for a better Philadelphia for ALL.
Members of District Council 33, District Council 47 and the Grinch protesting City cuts, and the fact that the union members haven’t had a contract in over 3 years. I’d say they do have a beef.
David Mora, Vice President Local 2187, holding a gigantic stocking filled with complaint letters from City residents over City services being cut.
I liked it so much I taped it twice, of course neither time do I get the whole song in one take.
Dave Mora, Vice President Local 2187 delivers nearly 2,000 postcards signed by city residents.
The 12 Days of Nutter
On the first day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — The rich keep their tax abatement’s!
On the second day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me –RO-o-lling Closures!
On the third day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — NO mo-ney!
On the fourth day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — Shut Li-braries!
On the fifth day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — I D-O-N-T L-I-K-E working-people!
On the sixth day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — Contract out our work!
On the seventh day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — I’m cutting Services!
On the eighth day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me –Lower corporate tax-es!
On the ninth day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me –I Killed paid sick days!
On the tenth day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me –NO feeding the Homeless!
On the eleventh day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — I’m really Republican!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, Mayor Nutter said to me — Thanks for paying for China!
Nearly 100 people sported their ugliest holiday sweaters for the 2nd Annual Cancer is Ugly event at Yards Brewery last night!
Proceeds will be donated to The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Eastern Pennsylvania. The evening included an open bar,
cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, and raffle prizes including Baskets of
Holiday Cheer.
Celebrity guest judges included Jay McCarroll (L), the fashion designer known
for winning season one of Project Runway as well as season seven of
Celebrity Fit Club and looking far from ugly in that gorgeous ensemble,equally as stylish Cara Kahn,(MTV Real World Chicago, and real life mommy of one and loving it.HughE Dillon (me), founder and editor of
PhillyChitChat, Weekly contributor to PhillyMag.com, Philly.com, Liberty City Press and Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia, and Esther Lee from Philly.com, Gregory Seitter,The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Marketing Manager (and doing a darn good job), Marcello Luzi (I’ll have what he’s having, he looks fabulous!) and Ellen Himic. Ellen tells me she’s taking her dog, Stella, to KOP Mall on Saturday for her portrait with Santa. Interesting they use the same Santa and run two lines, one for kids and one for dogs.
Taralyn Slusorski (Who always wears her vest on Christmas) and Rachel Vitogliano. I liked Rachel’s combo sweater and sparkly shirt. I picked her as one of my finalist in the contest.
Ryan Williams, Ted Meyer and Paul Corey. Ted’s sweater was a gift from his aunt 10 years ago; it’s only the 3rd time he’s worn it. I liked it. Paul bought his sweater for a Halloween costume and well it works on this night too.
Matt Parisi, Lisa Maguire and Jessica Franciosi. Lisa tells me she went into her mom’s closet and thought this was fairly ugly. (I hope her mom doesn’t read Philly Chit Chat)
John Ciantenio, Phil Cooper, Helen Chung and Mark Poddock. Personally I love Mark’s Santa number. Seems it’s his aunt’s favorite holiday outfit and sent Mark to get it dry cleaned. Mark thought he would wear it to a few parties before he returned it.
Mike Bertha, I’m The Buzz guy at http://Philly.com , (Mike bought his ugly sweater in the ladies section of a clothing store. After surveying the room I would say that a majority of the sweaters worn at the event came from the women’s clothing section.) Michael Cerio, Executive Producer at CBS Radio and Esther Lee, Style & Entertainment Producer, Philly.com
Newly engaged Ian Dillon (no relation to me), and Ashley Humphrey. They duo met in their native Rochester, NY back in high school and are planning a 6/14/14 wedding. No need to rush they’ve known each other a lifetime.
Derek Fitzgerald, Jill Halverson, and Jessica Vandenheuvel. I wish you could really see Jill’s sweater, it’s vintage 1980’s with the highest shoulder pads she could be on the offensive line for the Eagles.
Opps wrong holiday
Catherine Sontag and her Frisky reindeer friends. I like that gal licking the other gals antlers.
Brian Devaney, who’s wearing a festive dinosaur eating reindeer sweater (You can see him & the sweater in all it’s glory on Saturday night at McGillin’s where Brian bar-tends), with Julia Scherer who tells me her moms a teacher and those teachers love sweaters, Megan Askins and Emily Fernadez
Ohhh ugly, The finalist in the ugly sweater contest.
And the winner is
Andy, who’s girlfriend knows bad taste and bought him this ugly sweater for the party.
Stick a fork in it, more than likely the Flyers Season is a dead duck as the league has now canceled more games through January 14; On the bright side the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni have step out of their shadow and kept the Flyers good will name alive by doing great charity work from delivering turkeys on Thanksgiving to well to what they did in the last 24hrs.
Check out PhillyChitChat.com for the Saks Fifth Ave Charity Shopping Night, last night
Then head over to PhillydotCom to see Bernie Parent do what he does best and make kids smile.
Garrett Getlin Snider & Saks Fifth Avenue Philadelphia hosted an
evening to support the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. Guests enjoyed holiday
shopping, cocktails and hors d’ouerves while in the company of guests
such as Lauren Hart, Ed Snider, Bernie Parent, Bob Kelly, Serena Snider, Erin Elmore and Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.
A proud Ed Snider shares a laugh with his grandson Garrett Snider. Snider Hockey Foundation is a cutting edge program that uses the sport of hockey coupled
with a rigorous off-ice life skills curriculum and supplemental
educational services to build character and academic skills for
high-risk inner-city boys and girls from Philadelphia and Camden, NJ.
The
foundation provides full equipment, ice time and experienced coaching
to more than 3,000 children, at no charge to them or their families.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette picks out a pair of shoes for his wife Kristin. I asked him what kind of shoes does she like, and he said anything with a heel.
Katie and her mom Maggie Cocoran. Beauty doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
Tanya Smith, Erin and Craig Spitzer
Peter Laviolette greets Kyle Mezrow as Randi Edelman, Marketing Director at Saks Fifth Avenue, Garrett Snider, Bernie Parent, Scott Tharp – President,::: Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation
and Bob Kelly
Congratulations to the newly engaged Lin Spivak and Ed Snider, glowing and celebrating his birthday yesterday.
Orange is in
Steve and Abby Mezrow
Max and Linda Z picked up a few items for the holidays. 10% of the proceeds went to the Ed Snider Hockey Foundation
Lauren Hart sings her heart out
Seth Birch and Rich DiPiero
I caught a glimpse of Lin’s engagement ring and it is gorgeous!!
The Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosted a pre-party for their big winter event on March 2, 2013 at the museum in the grand hallway.
Megan McNeely and Patty Heirhoeffer
Emily Gerstell, Jay Park, 1 semester to go Esquire, Alexander Hankin and Chair of the Winter Gala and Amanda Christoph
Dr Jennifer Caudle and Greg Seitter, Marketing Manager of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Eastern Pennsylvania. Thursday night is the organization Ugly Sweater Contest at Yards Brewing Company at 7:30PM. Buy your $40 tickets HERE
Ellie and Marbie are looking forward to the holidays, although they still long for summer as you can tell by their breezy fun outfits.
Sarah Woodruff (no relation to Blair from Gossip Girls, OMG did you see the finale.) and Olivia Baumert
Renata Messi and Jennfer Millest
Megan and Michael McNeely and Liz Brown with David Pinski
Maria Teidalgo and Dr Brian Capell, was recently getting some CME on at Mt Sinai Hospital.
Nicole Johnson and Marcello Luzi are looking forward to the Winter Gala, and there’s nothing like having a formal inside the great Philadelphia Art Museum. See you there!
Aaah for four months I had to bite my tongue about where Miley Cyrus was recording tracks for her new CD during the time fiance Liam Hemsworth was filming his movie Paranoia with Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford. When I rang up the studio last August for confirmation on a rumor I had heard, about Cyrus recording there, they asked me not to say where until after December as she was going to come back and finish the session, and they too didn’t want a hoard of fans waiting outside. I did however tweet telling her fans she would be back to finish the recordings, but didn’t mention the studio (Miley herself always tweeting during her studio sessions saying she was recording here in Philly.)
It was nail biting to wait especially because unbeknownst to me, Director Robert Luketic had asked that Miley stay away while the movie was filming. Since I had tweeted about it the fans kept asking me when, when, when is Miley coming back. To say the least I was getting nervous, plus hoping it wouldn’t get out as I was also working with a national magazine on the story (so some things are missing from this report.)
Above few of the Fangirls & guy hanging near the dressing rooms on
12th and Chestnut near where Paranoia was filming on Market Street in
the Loews Hotel. You’ll recall from yesterday’s entry thatCarissa Beam, in the cow pants, met Miley & Liam the night before.
Puppy on board. FINALLY Miley returned to Philly the day before the last day of shooting (Tuesday)
Last month according to a report by one of my fav Philly columnists, AD Amorosoi of the City Paper, he reported she had recorded at the Milk Studios in Northern Liberties, and they said she wasn’t coming back, and they were right as Miley had started to work with the the talent at SIGMA SOUND STUDIOS at 12th and Race Streets in August, recording with producers Ronny FLIP Colson, Pop Wansel, and Oak Wu. (I kept telling the fans to hold on she’d been back to record, I mean no one told me to go public yet, so I knew she must have still been coming. The fans just wanted to know because they were eager for the CD to drop, not to hang out waiting for her. Most live far far away, and in other countries. Plus who doesn’t want to know about their fav stars, that’s why those magazines and Entertainment shows do so well) Thanks to my advertiser Teuschers Chocolate – they have a great online store too.
Our collaboration went so well then, that we decided to work together to find Miley. I had read Miley was going to go to Village Whiskey for Chicken & Waffles so I had Carissa go there to see if her car was there. I headed to Sigma Sound to see if she was there. I saw her outside smoking, dressed in black head to toe with a skull cap on, but could tell there wasn’t a chance to get a shot at that time without really making a scene. So I was hungry and left. I knew it could be a long night.
Back to Liam: Above that’s the security near the trailer blocking my shots of Liam, in
their defense they kept apologizing and saying they had to do it it was
there job. When I got to the trailer I chatted with Liam for a nano
second saying my cousin enjoyed chatting with him Saturday night. Tomorrow on Good Day Philly find out where that was, and where Liam was
living for the duration of the filming of the movie in December. While Liam Hemsworth was here, he did go to The Sporting Club a couple times in December I hear.
I ran into a few friends at Magianno‘s, who I had seen earlier at the 400PTM’s The Big Payback – Toys for Tots Event. Miley arrived at the studio in a sleek black SUV with rims of gold, I wonder who was pimping that ride? (Secrets Limo)
Reggie Berry, The 400PTM, Jacky Wright, The 400 PTM and Whitney Thomas
and headed inside with them. I
told them my plight, and that I was just going to head back and wait it
out. At some point Carissa told me that Meek Mill was with Miley. So we
arranged to meet there. I discovered MM was having a free concert (sponsored by Puma), as Sigma Sound and lots of people were tweeting it out. I went in, and Carissa
stayed outside. I called my friends to tell them about the Meek Mills concert and they came over. Shout out to my girls who alerted me to epicness.
After Liam exited his “Dressing Room”, the security guards blocked him again, and I said Liam come on, I barely bother you, it’s the last day can I get a couple shots. Those shots will show up today on the wire service, so look for them. Then I went to take pixs with the fans and Liam, after I took this photo Liam said my flash was too bright and wanted the girls to use their own camera, and asked me not to take any shots as it was hurting his eyes.(Liam could have gotten his engagement ring at H Bandi Jewelers)
Then this dedicated fan asked for a photo, Liam said he was late for the set and had to go. She stayed behind as Carissa and I ventured out to see if we could find Miley.
I headed upstairs, and then gave directions to Carissa to the studio. I told her I’d be down after the concert. Within 5 minutes of Carissa arriving she got this shot & text me to tell me. OMG I couldn’t believe it, but I didn’t want to go outside and see if Miley was still there, or wait another 30 minutes for her next ciggy break cause I didn’t want to miss Meek Mill. I thought oh boy another Carissa photo for the blog and Fox 29, I prefer to use my own.
Meek Mill killed it. Just today it came out in the Inky that a judge said he couldn’t tour for the next 30 days because of probation on a gun violation. Well his concert was awesome. Miley was there, toe tapping, and swaying to the music, especially to
I got a a bad bitch in my Chevy Selling Miley Cyrus in my brand new Monte Carlo I got that Justin Bieber please believe it
Producers at Sigma Sound working on Miley’s CD (& have worked with Rhianna, Nikki Minaj, TI, the list goes on) Ronny FLIP Colson, Pop Wansel (Oak wud not pictured) & some annoying chick who ruined a million dollar photo, ugh not funny.
As she was leaving to return to her studio session downstairs, I caught up with her and got a few shots. I asked her how her stay in Philly was and she told me she loved cutting her single at Sigma Sound as there was so much inspiration there. There’s always something going on at Sigma Sound. Ain’t that the truth Meek Mill’s in the house, oh and Miley Cyrus. Epic and worth the 4 months I had to wait to tell you. (I like to call this shot – Self Portrait. As a paralegal, slash blogger, it’s hard to get an exclusive in this day and age of twitter, cell phones and good old fashion gossip. It might not be the cure for cancer, but I was excited for it. THANK YOU to all those who helped me get this story, get this picture and the fan-girls who inspire me.)
Tomorrow night, December 19, is your final chance to enjoy Chestnut Hill’s popular Stag and Doe night where Chestnut Hill comes alive at night with lighted streets, carolers and eager shopkeepers to help you find just the right Christmas gift to give.
Diane Bochniak and Amy Cretaro at J. McLaughlin
Lynn Rae Fenimore at Artisans on the Avenue.If you’re not in the holiday spirit yet, a visit to Stag and Doe night should do the trick.
Ginny Ashenfelter has owned the Happy Butterfly, handcrafted gifts
for 30 years
Shopper Sandy Barry at Quelque Chose, women’s accessories.
Enjoy the holidays in Chestnut Hill…a place where friendly
merchants welcome you into shops brimming with colorful gifts and
merchandise, where Santa greets you on the street, musicians entertain
you, and friends, old and new, wish you the merriest Seasons Greetings!
Kerry Lake and her daughter Delaney shop at Robertson
Florist.
Author Melissa McDaniel held a book signing at the Bone
Appetite
Marsi and George Breslau proprietors of Paperia. And don’t forget…FREE holiday parking Wednesday evenings after 6 pm and all day Saturdays & Sundays in December.
Shoppers Maggie Grier and Kendyl Grier at Hill.
Tara Alexander and Melissa Ledbetter of Mango.
Lynn Rae Fenimore at Artisans on the Avenue.
Shoppers Amanda Price and Laura Liberty at Hipster Home. Thanks to Mike Hirata for shooting this for PhillyChitChat.com. Check out his site here.
2012 Stag & Doe Nights in Chestnut Hill
Where: Along Germantown Avenue
When: Wednesday, December 19, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.chestnuthillpa.com
also check out uwishunu for info
Today is essentially the last day for Paranoia to film in Philadelphia.
Today they are at 12th and Market Streets filming in the Loews Hotel all interior shots.
The trailers are on 12 and Chestnut. That’s where the confusion lies, yesterday someone wrote OLV and said they were filming here, but they’re not it’s where the trailers are, although this would be a great place to stand if you wanted to meet Liam and or Miley. They’re filming into the evening, probably around 8PM. Then I would guess they would all go out to dinner somewhere together. (of course if you’ve been following me on Twitter and PCC I’ve always given you clues on how you could meet them, and many of you have done very well. Yesterday I told you on Twitter I would get confirmation that she was in town, and when it came through I tweeted it out. Within two hours …)
A few of my readers followed my clues, plus did some sleuthing on their own and scored big last night with a photo of Miley and Liam. I’d be that happy too if I just killed it at Vh1 and spent some time in the trailer with my beau.
Congrats to Carissa and her friends for following my advice, everything went well and each of the girls got an individual shot with their idols. Good luck to you all, remain calm, stand in the open and don’t rush them. (near the corner, maybe in front of the window of that store on the right.) Also I’ll have a wrap up on Paranoia on Friday, as you know I have a lot of fun tidbits to tell you.Hope to see you out there today.
21 years ago I walked through the doors of an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting and saved my life. If you think you have an alcoholic problem, you can save your life too. Life will get better. Mine did. It’s not easy, the hardest step is admitting you have a problem. No one can do it for you. I could tell you my story, but if you’re an alcoholic it’s your story too, and it ends in despair and broken promises. That all changed for me on December 16, 1991. I would not be alive today if I hadn’t had a speck of hope that there was a different path I could be on, a path others had told me about, but I ignored for a long time, until that Monday night when I walked through the doors of AA. Within a year my life began to change; within two years I was back in school, I was on good terms with the family unit, had a steady job and didn’t have to dodge bill collectors calling. If your an alcoholic, your new life can begin now! If I was able to quit drinking in the middle of the 1991 holiday parties and before New Year’s Eve, you can too. (Looking back I was probably setting myself up to fail, maybe even hoping I would fail, but with all the support & tools of which AA is, I was able to make it through the holidays and all these years. My greatest achievement of which I am so proud.)
My heart is heavy today, as I’m sure it is for all of you. Praying for peace, and keeping 20 little kids, their brave teachers, and their loved ones in my thoughts.
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Zarwin Baum clients and guests came out in full force to support the Little Smiles Toy Drive at their offices last week by bringing an unwrapped toy or donating money to the purchase of toys for kids in the Delaware Valley. All proceeds will go to support the Little Smiles Foundation, a
nonprofit organization that provides toys, games, computers, VIP
outings, concert tickets and much more for children in local hospitals.
In Philadelphia, the efforts of Little Smiles go to support the children
at CHOP.
Shariff Street, Attorney at Zarwin Baum, Sheriff Jewell Williams and Mitchell Kaplan, Partner at Zarwin Baum
Christian DiCicco, Attorney at MyPhillyBankruptcy,former Councilman Frank DiCicco and Anthony V. Mannino, Farnese Chief of Staff. The DiCicco’s tell me their holiday tradition was to help others. No longer do they exchange gifts, but instead they donate money to charities that help people who are in need. I asked if Christian’s fiance Diane Johnson was on board with that? “She’s not in the family yet, she’ll get a gift.”
Thomas Mullin, PNC, Holly Kinser,Ray Pennacchia, Senior Vice President at NovaCare Rehabilitation, Aida Sparta (loved playing with her maek-up Barbie head) and Stacey Kracher
Mitch Kaplan greets guests, and introduces them to Tim and Brendan Smith (B*Smith Catering) who have been providing the delicious food served at the Zarwin Baum events over the past few years. Events at which the firm has raised over $150,000 for various charities. Joe Conklin hit the stage right afterwards and was hysterical in his dialog, but I have a great shot and story of him below.
Steve Grandizio, co-founder of the Philadelphia Chapter of Little Smiles, a non-profit organization that provides toys, games, concert
tickets, celebrity meetings, and more to children in local hospitals,
hospices, and shelters.
Frank McGee and Aaron Friedman (Hi Abbie, I still owe you a picture I know.)
Cary Simons told me her fav toy as a child was Strawberry Shortcakes, and she still has them stashed in her mom’s basement with her brother’s Star Wars collection. WIP’s Creative Services Director and part-time on-air personality Brian Haddad‘s prized possession was his $6 Million Dollar action figure, don’t call it a doll. He was also into Lego’s but kept talking about Steve Austin’s super power.
The event raised over $1200 and collected
over 150 toys
John Katrina, Katrina Consulting, Stacie Johnson, AttorneysDemetrius J. Parrish, Jr., and Giovanni O. Campbell,
Megan Smith, Brownstone Pr, Carl Cherkin, Vice President, Business Relations, Philadelphia Union and Charnelle Hicks, President at CHPlanning, Ltd.
Brian Haddad helps out so I can see what WIP’s funnyman Joe Conklin would look like with hair, and completing that look is the hot Stacey Kracher (Zarwin Baum Marketing Manager) on his arm.
