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Scene: Joan Shepp Women of Style and Substance

In honor of Black History Month, Joan Shepp hosted her annual Women of Substance & Style soiree where black women who have influenced our community’s growth and prosperity are feted. This years honorees have been selected by Cheryl Ann Wadlington, Dyana Williams, and Tuesday Gordon. Each honoree will be presented with a certificate at the event, a change to talk about their lives to a room full of friends, family, supporters and change makers.

This year Joan Shepp will be giving back to Turning Points for Children, whose mission is to strive to bring social and health services to vulnerable people across the city of Philadelphia. Annually, they serve over 17,000 individuals, including children and adults, to offer services such as foster care placement, counseling and parental education, behavioral health services, and much more.

Christie Mandia, Cashman & Associates, with legendary Joan Shepp, and Bridgett Battles, Stylist, Brand Consultant and Director for Community Engagement and Supplier Diversity at Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health.

As with every Joan Shepp event, the fashion was fierce!

Famed jeweler John Wind was wearing an original design by Conrad Booker, where he takes a suit jacket and strips it down to it’s inners adding thread to create this unique jacket.

Conrad Booker and another stylish friend

More than just a meticulously curated fashion boutique, for 50 years, Joan Shepp have provided exceptional service, exclusive designer events, and most importantly, a space for the fashion community to play, discuss, explore, and discover new designers and innovations in the industry.

SHANI NEWTON Dolly’s Boutique is one of Philadelphia’s most unique shopping experiences. Owner, Shani Newton opened the boutique named in honor of her late grandmother nearly 10 years ago. She and her staff pride themselves on providing an exceptional level of customer service. “When you come to Dolly’s, expect to be treated like royalty”, a frequent quote of Shani’s.

Shani told me that when she was younger her grandmother took her to Joan Shepp’s shopping. She enjoyed the experience, how they always had treats and champagne on hand for the customers. When she opened her store she wanted to create the same experience for her customers, and she has, as well as earning respect from her peers and the community.

In 2019, Joan Shepp introduced a new concept store, Joan Shepp Home, to enhance your space with unparalleled decor.
Stylish, stylist Linda Della Rocca
Tammi Toliver Principle Artist at Fashion Facez, getting the shot with Colona Rberts.
Joan Shepp and Ellen Shepp

Founded in 1971 in Lafayette Hill, Joan Shepp has since been recognized as one of the country’s style leaders by publications Harper’s Bazaar and Lucky Magazine. In 1984 Joan’s daughter Ellen joined the business. Together, along with their loyal and creative staff, they have continued to share the Chemistry of Fashion. The complete list of women honored at the event

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Ladies Who Brunch, Old City Crash, Drummer Girl Alex Holley

Kristin Detterline, Alissa Frick, Jillian Mele, Christie Mandia, Jessica Boyington, Marisa Magnatta and moi

Saturday I had brunch at the recently opened Hook and Ladder Sky Bar & Kitchen , which is now officially launching brunch on the weekends. Located in Conshohocken and part of the new Hotel West & Main. Before I head into the brunch menu, We need to catch up on the ladies Kristin Detterline, Alissa Frick, Jillian Mele, Christie Mandia, Jessica Boyington, Marisa Magnatta , for long time subscribers you recognize them not only for their accomplishments, but as my friends I’ve photographed over the years, some from the beginning of PCC, most in the last 14 years.

I’ve known Marisa Magnatta the longest, meeting her at a Philly Style Mag Party in 2008. She’s still rocking it 20 years at MMR, and in the upcoming March issue of Philly Mag, she’s interviewed.
Kristin Detterline, left her long time position as Editor-in-Chief and Group Editor of Modern Luxury Media’s Boston and Philadelphia publications, to accept a job with Athena Global Advisors. Plus she still produces content for PSM, as well as Philly Mag. Next up for her is the Build Me Up Buttercup fundraiser for the William Way Center. Jillian Mele, I met her in 2010 when she worked at NBC10, was there when she won her first Emmy in 2014, and have enjoyed watching her career soar to national heights, and then returning home where her heart, family and friends reside. Now you can catch her on 6ABC, reporting and anchoring the weekend news. Congrats to Jessica Boyington, who I’ve known for nearly a decade. What a bright ball of energy, and fun. She’s also was at NBC10, and is now at 6ABC. She just got engaged!! Great to see Alissa Frick, she also started out at NBC10, and is now at Fox29 where she is VP of Creative Services & New Media. She is also co-founder of the very innovated Blok, smart cutting board. Christie Honigman Mandia, my good friend for years, since 2009, then we became neighbors, those were fun years. A publicist for years, got married in a black wedding dress, who is raising a family in the burbs, now working with the premier PR Agency in Philly Cashman & Assoc. It was a great afternoon with amazing friends, who were generous in allowing me to photograph them, and chronicle their lives. Now we share cherished memories for life.

Hook and Ladder Sky Bar & Restaurant

Hook and Ladder offers wide-open rooftop views and elevated twists on the classics, making it the perfect spot for weekend brunch. We started with appetizers, including my favorite caviar and chips. Soo good.
A few weeks ago I had dinner at Hook & Ladder, and tried this dish: Chips and Caviar $19, very good. The chips and the caviar. I was excited to have them again.
Scambled eggs Bread Bowl different, delicious and filling.
The dish that got away, steak and eggs, which looks so good. Jessica loved it. There was no doggy bag contents left to bring home. Photographs well too.
I really enjoyed my 2nd visit to Hook & Ladder, not only the company, the food, the ambiance, parking and the historic firehouse the restaurant and hotel are housed. Definitely a hot spot. Not what I would consider a hotel bar, and restaurant at all. Go enjoy.
Photo: Alex Holley

As I reported last week, Thursday night film crews shut down Chestnut Street between Second and Third Streets to film a limited series called “Sinking Spring” by Ridley Scott for Apple TV+. “Sinking Spring,” which is going by the working title “Catamount,” follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard,” according to Variety. Filming started Feb 7 and continues through July, with casting done by Heery-Loftus.
Thursday’s shoot was a car chase, with one of the cars flipping over at 2nd and Chestnut Streets. The eight-episode series is set to star Brian Tyree Henry, Kate Mulgrew, Marin Ireland and originally Michael Mando, but Mando was fired last week after getting into a fight on the set with another actor, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The Better Call Saul actor has been replaced by Wagner Moura. No sightings of the cast out and about yet, but director/producer Ridley Scott has been spotted dining at JK Skyhigh at the Four Seasons several times now.

Congratulations to Alex Holley for banging the Phila Union Drum to kick off the Opening Season Saturday night !! You can watch every match on MLS Season Pass on the AppleTV app. BTW how crazy is Servant getting. you can watch that on the AppleTV Appp too.
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Go See: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, This Weekend. Spectacular, Entertaining

Last night I caught Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Kimmel Center. It was fantastic. Just what I needed to get me through the mid winter, gray sky blues. They have three more shows, today at 2PM, 8PM and then Sunday at 2PM. More Info Here. Before the show I photographed the reception. It was great to catch up with folks I hadn’t seen in a bit. Let’s see who was there.

Dani Allen, Doris Parent, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (AFP-GPC) and Crystal Brewe, is a member of the executive leadership team at Kimmel Center Cultural Campusr
Kareen Goodwin, Co-Founder and Director of the Expressions Summer Dance Intensive. and Stephanie Dembx
Ellen Jo Waller, Sheryl Kimbel and Stephanie Boyd

Algernong Allen, Real Estate Developer and Anne Marie Green, CBS Mornings. I always admired Anne Marie’s work ethic, working the 4am news shift in NYC, without missing a beat. Their lovely daughter Ailey Lynn Allen was with them. Note the her first name.

Algernong Allen, an aspiring photographer too. It was so sweet he took a photo of Anne and I. We used to see each other a lot back in the day when she was on the local CBS 3, so it’s always delightful when I run into both of them.
Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association and Kimmel Center and Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
English WIllis and Wayne Varnadore
Chris Lorenc and Rachel Ortiga
Leslie Patterson-Tyler, Kimmel Cultural Campus and Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D., 52nd pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Tomorrow evening, Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D. is hosting An Evening Conversation with Keynote Speaker Dr. Bernice A. King at Mother Bethel AME Church Info Hehttps://www.aampmuseum.org/bhm-2023.htmlre

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Philly Home + Garden Show This Weekend

The Philly Home + Garden Show is Back This Year with Over 275+ Exhibitors, Celebrity Guests, and a Little Bit of Something for Everyone at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, I check it out this morning, I picked up a few things for our newly renovated kitchen. Mike and I went last year, and that’s how we found the company for our backsplash, and the granite for our kitchen renovation.

The Philly Home + Garden Show returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA for three days only from Friday, February 24th to Sunday, February 26th. Attendees will find new inspiration, innovative products, helpful tips, and amazing deals in remodeling, home improvements, décor, and outdoor spaces with opportunities to connect with hundreds of home and garden experts.

The show will include over 275 exhibitors ranging from home décor and furniture to garden and landscaping to kitchen and bath to food and beverage. If you’re like us, you watch HGTV, DIY, and TLC home improvement TV shows for tips and tricks for your home. Come get tips live from Celebrity Guest: Joe Mazza, star of the hit series “Home Inspector Joe” on Friday, February 24th, and Saturday, February 25th.

Other celebrity guest appearances include Jeff Devlin, host of DIY Network’s Stone House Revival and licensed contractor with more than 20 years of building experience. Jeff will be in attendance to share his passion for designing, creating, and building with attendees. Devlin will also have a ‘pop up’ shop filled with local handcrafted items and woodworking that is for sale along with a section dedicated to his Airbnb at Sycamore and Stone Farm. Click here to check out the full Main Stage schedule throughout the weekend, https://phillyhomeandgarden.com/show-features/speakers-celebrities.    

Special Ticketing Days:

  • HERO DAY: Honor our local heroes on Friday, February 24th where all active and retired military, first responders, nurses, doctors, and teachers will get free admission upon identification.
  • SEPTA DAY: If you have a SEPTA key card, you have the key to the Philly Home + Garden Show on Friday, February 24th. Present your SEPTA key at the box office for free admission.
  • SENIOR DAY: Guests that are 60+ will receive a $3 discount at the Box Office courtesy of our sponsor, Luxury Bath! The promotion is offered at the box office with a valid ID on Friday, February 24th. 
Jenna Naffin, Home Show Manager and Jeff Devlin, host of DIY Network’s Stone House Revival

Show Manager Jenna Naffin says, “We’re excited to be back offering the community the opportunity to do face-to-face shopping with local experts. Many of us have been spending more time at home.  If you’ve been wondering how to redesign your kitchen or bath, spruce up your backyard for entertaining, or how to create your new home office, you need to be here. Here’s your chance to talk to business owners in person, shop, compare, and save with hundreds of vendors all under one roof. Don’t forget to make a fun family day out of it. Plan your visit around our expert and celebrity stage presentations, FREE DIY workshops, wine, and whiskey tastings, our NEW food truck rally on Sunday, and more

NRG Energy
Cheers
Kitchens
Set Sail! By Highway Marine: Experience the Highway Marine feature to find the perfect fit for your water adventures!
Home Improvements
Habitat for Humanity

Follow the link to the Philly Home + Garden Show website for more information regarding featured events and vendors, PhillyHomeandGarden.com.

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Sinking Springs films, Spotted: Ridley Scott, Tara Lipinski and Jason Kelce

Tuesday night @jason.kelce and his very pregnant wife Kylie, dined @mikesolomonov @zahavrestaurant with another couple. When he walked in the servers and diners clapped as he was led to his table. He acknowledged the appreciation, then enjoyed dinner uninterrupted. I wrote on my Instagram last night. (I love when I hear about these heartwarming moments, thanks to a reader) Later I learned …

He did pose with one of his favorite chefs, Michael Solomonov who reminded his readers about Underdogs, Jason’s clothing line, where the proceeds go to the BePhillyFoundation

Oatly Launches Plant-Based Cream Cheese with Philadelphian Tara Lipinski. Oatly, the world’s original and largest oatmilk company, unveiled their new plant-based cream cheese invented in Philadelphia by mostly Philadelphia-based food scientists with Philadelphia native and Olympian Tara Lipinski. As part of this pre-launch release, Oatly has partnered with local Philadelphia bagel chains Spread Bagelry and Philly Bagels, who are now serving Oatly’s Philadelphia-invented cream cheese today through March 31st (or until supplies last). No doubt they launched in Philly because where else, the staple Philadelphia Cream Cheese is so synonymous with our City, but they say it’s “this is the first time Oatly has embarked on a limited pre-launch strategy in one particular city. The hope is that Philadelphians adopt Oatly’s cream cheese the same way they’ve adopted other hometown staples like greased street poles, Gritty and the 2006 film Invincible.

Filming of Sinking Springs continues tonight on 2nd Street in Old City.

I mentioned last year that Ridley Scott would be filming his Apple TV Series “Sinking Springs” in the beginning of February, and he did, turning University City into PhillyWood for a week starting on February 7.

“Sinking Spring” is a crime drama series, that stars Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and “Better Call Saul” star Michael Mando as long-time friends posing as DEA agents and robbing a seemingly normal country house in the small town of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. They unwittingly get caught up in a major crime operation.

The cast also includes Marin Ireland, from Amazon’s “Sneaky Pete” and Netflix’s “Umbrella Academy”; and Kate Mulgrew from Netflix’s “Orange Is The New Black.”

I have a busy night tonight, but I am going to try and capture some of the action in Old City tonight. It’s an over night shoot, normally I would scout out a location to spend the night, but I am shooting the Philly Home Show at 8AM so I can’t do that like I did for 21 Bridges hiding, er I mean scouting out from the 2nd floor window of Unite Fitness.

According to the Apple Insider: The most interesting thing about the series so far is its massive budget – the pilot episode alone cost over $50 million. That is almost as much as the budget of the entire first season of Game of Thrones! Season 1 of the HBO hit cost around $50-60 million, which breaks down to $5-6 million per episode. The pilot episode was filmed for two weeks in Bucks County according to Levittown Now, the money was used to rent out an entire town including the police force, fire department. According to World of Reel, that $50 million went on two weeks of shooting. Apple is said to have rented out a whole town, including hiring its police and fire department, and to have blown up a house.

If you capture any photos, send them to us at hughe@phillychitchat.com and we will publish them. I love car chases, and no doubt this one is going to be a fun one. BTW roads are closed in the area, and bus routes are re routed. Check with Septa for Info.

And follow me on Instagram for more current content. Have a great day. Enjoy this weather. xo HughE

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Hard Rock Cafe Philly Celebrates 25th Anniversary

It has been 25 years since the rock memorabilia and live music-driven Hard Rock Café dropped anchor in Center City Philadelphia. The Philly Hard Rock, at 1113 Market Street, since that time, has become a totem for conventioneers, tourists, office workers, and locals alike looking for big burgers, tall cocktails, live music and memorabilia from The Who, the Rolling Stones and more.

Martin Cordova and Scarlett Hernadez
Brett Silver and Brittney Chappell.
Uneeka Jay, Founder of Rewrite 365 LLC and Elijih Crawford, Co Founder & Director At Ugly Art Films
Laura Burkhardt, Executive Director of Avenue of the Arts, Kyle Cuffie-Scott, owner of Darnell’s Cakes just did a pop up cafe at Philadelphia Museum of Art, but you can enjoy his tasty delights at his cafe 444 N 3rd Street, (he tells me there’s another pop up in a few weeks) and Jermaine Jenkins, Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships AIA Partnerships
Sisters Kiki and Lani Aranita
Dani Reaves (still glowing from her trip to Paris in November) and Rashidah Cornitcher, CEO and founder of Ultimate Vision Sports Management.
Kevin Spence, Cinematographer ( Just returned from NYFW and spotted great street fashion) (I sure miss shooting NYFW myself) and Tiffany Laibhen-Spence, wife + mommy and content creator. The happily married duo has some life advice for you at BET.
Sheila Hess, City Representative and the team from Hard Rock Cafe
Alison and Mike Dalewitz owners of Borscht Belt Deli in Stockton

To celebrate, the group Boyz II Men performed at the anniversary show on Wednesday, February 8. The group’s four-time Grammy Award winners are one of the most iconic R&B groups in history, had the ladies, and a few men swooning when they handing out red roses to the crowd when they sang “I’ll Make Love To You.”

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MARLON WAYANS & The Clairvoyants At Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Actor, comedian, writer and film director Marlon Wayans will bring his self-deprecating stand-up comedy show to Rivers Casino Philadelphia on Saturday, April. 29, at 8 p.m. Tickets for The Event Center performance start at $49 and are on sale now.

Amélie van Tass and Thommy Ten are “The Clairvoyants.” They were both born and raised in Austria and now reside in Austria and America.

When they met in October 2011, they began to develop their “second sight” act, and two months later brought it on stage for the first time. Within a year they had developed a full length show. Shortly thereafter, they started touring Europe.

 March 18th at 8PM at The Event Center. A full bar will be available. Free parking on-site. Must be 21+. INFO & TICKETS

  • Upcoming Shows
  • 3/24: Yesterday – The Beatles Tribute Dinner Show (Endorsed by Sir Paul McCartney)
  • 3/25: Ohio Players
  • 4/14: Stokley

Thanks to Rivers Casino Philadelphia for Advertising with PhillyChitChat

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Disney100: The Exhibition Preview Party

Disney100: The Exhibition invites guests to step into their favorite Disney stories across ten galleries throughout a 15,000-square-foot exhibit space featuring innovative and immersive technology. The Walt Disney Archives spent the past five years curating a collection of more than 250 rarely seen original artworks, artifacts, costumes, props, and other memorabilia for the exhibition celebrating 100 years of The Walt Disney Company.

The vast majority of objects are from the Walt Disney Archives, with a selection of artwork from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library, and Pixar Living Archives, as well as props and costumes on loan from Marvel Studios. 

Larry Dubinski is the President & CEO of The Franklin Institute and Becky CLine, director of the Walt Disney Archieves.

Disney100: The Exhibition is created and curated by the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions. The Franklin Institute is proud to present and play host to the world premiere of Disney100: The Exhibition in the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion and the Mandell Center. PECO, the Premier Corporate Partner of the Franklin Institute, is the Local Presenting Sponsor of the exhibition, and PNC is the Associate Sponsor.

Margaret Hughes, First Deputy City Representative at City of Philadelphia, Angela Val, President & CEO of Visit Philadelphia, Gregg Caren, President & CEO Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jennifer Nagle, Interim President & CEO, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation and Sheila Hess, City Representative in the Office of City Representative
Visit Philadelphia’s Binh Nguyen and Jasmine Armstrong with Mickey Mouse

Thursday night the Franklin Institute hosted an invite only preview party to friends, sponsors and folks in the hospitality field.

For more than 50 years, the Walt Disney Archives has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from The Walt Disney Company’s history, including original scripts, movie props and costumes, Walt Disney’s correspondence and script notes, theme park artifacts, merchandise, millions of archival photographs, and many of Walt’s personal effects.

Michael Newmius, FS Investments with the team from 6ABC

Founded by Disney Legend Dave Smith in 1970, the Walt Disney Archives is a vital resource for every part of Disney, as well as an important research center for Disney scholars, researchers, and writers. The Archives also shares its countless pieces with Disney fans everywhere through its exhibitions and close association with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.

Stefi Varghese, and the team from Campus Philly
Natalie Egenolf, Lipstick League Podcast and Nyla Koncurat, Board ChairBoard Chair Friends of the Rail Park
Thanks for being PhillyChitChat readers
During the evening guests enjoyed a Sushi station and caricature drawings
Miller Parker, and Marjorie Ogilvie of the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center, guest and Charisse Lillie
Jim Werner and Mike Sheridan, Co-owners of Fagabond, a site for gay men who love to travel and who do not want to leave their sexuality at home.

Tajiri Smith, Co- Founder & Managing Partner at The Job Plugs and Karla Andude, Deloite met in August 2020 on the AC beach during the pandemic. Karla struck up a conversation with Tajiri asking him 3 questions of compatibility, after a few moments of course. Was he a sports fan: Yes. Ok they’d have something to talk about. Who was his favorite team, if he picked the Patriots she was going to pass on him. Turns out his favorite team is the Rockies, which is interested since he was from Long Island. Finally his favorite player was Michael Jordan’s as is hers. She decided he was a keeper. After a year of long distance dating, he moved to Wilmington De to live with her. He still works, commutes to NYC and is thankful he has a hybrid job. Sometimes I spend time with folks and I get to hear their story. Definitely a perk of my job. Have a great weekend… HughE

I like Laura Swartz’s review over at Philly Mag…. to make the exhibit more interactive, you’ll find more info in listening stations, photo ops and large tables made of screens with dials that allow you to learn more about things like individual characters and parks. Another interactive moment: a recreation of the “magic book” that begins 1959’s Sleeping Beauty — when you turn the giant pages, they also change on a big screen above, with animation and sound effects. But know going in: There is not a lot to “do,” especially for antsy little kids. (Philly Mag)

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Ground Breaking: ODIN PROPERTIES & RAM DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS – Front Street Lofts

Ryan Schlegel, Senior Vice President, Mid Penn Bank, Nil Pimentel, Chair, NSCAN, Philip Balderston, Founder & CEO, Odin Properties, State Representative Danilo Burgos, (District 197), Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District), Rachael Pritzker, CEO, RAM Development Partners + Pritzker Law Group, and Adam Pritzker, Partner, RAM Development Partners,

Odin Properties, LLC (Odin) and RAM Development Partners, LLC (RAM) are proud
to announce the development of Front Street Lofts (2112-16 N. Front Street). The six-story mixed-use
building will feature a total of thirty-one modern studio, one-bed, and two-bed apartments offering
sweeping city views, a green roof deck, and convenient pedestrian access to public transportation.

Situated along the Market-Frankford Line (MFL), just one-and-a-half blocks from the Berks Street and York-Dauphin SEPTA Stations, the project also brings ground floor commercial space to the neighborhood, incorporating a retail storefront along bustling Front Street.

Front Street Lofts sits in the heart of the Norris Square neighborhood of Philadelphia. This rapidly evolving section lies within the River Wards corridor, adjacent to one of Philadelphia’s hottest neighborhoods, historic Kensington.

This development presents a unique opportunity to expand the development of Front Street’s commercial
corridor while adding restricted affordable housing as part of the residential mix. “What makes this project special is the breakthrough collaboration between developers, city government, and neighbors to create new construction affordable housing. The groundbreaking of Front Street Lofts is proof that long-term affordable housing can be created in all neighborhoods of the City if all stakeholders are committed to working together productively” says Odin Properties CEO Philip Balderston.

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IBX hosts pep rally to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles

Juan Lopez, Independence Blue Cross EVP, CFO & Treasurer; Greg Deavens, Independence Blue Cross President and CEO; Sheila Hess, Philadelphia City Representative; Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Tra Thomas, former All-Pro and Pro-Bowl Philadelphia Eagle

To celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles appearance in the Super Bowl, more than 200 Independence Blue Cross (Independence) associates – full of spirit and wearing their best Eagles gear – gathered in the company’s Center City headquarters for a pep rally on Thursday. Independence Blue Cross is the Official Health Insurance Partner of the Philadelphia Eagles and the presenting partner of Eagles Training Camp.

Lorina Marshall Blake, VP of Community Affairs and Independence Blue Cross Foundation President (center with Kelce hat on) Greg Deavens, Independence Blue Cross President and CEO and Steve Fera is executive vice president of Public Affairs and Government Markets at Independence Blue Cross (r)

The pep rally was led by Independence President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory E.
Deavens
and Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer Juan Lopez, who rallied the crowd and encouraged attendees to get excited for a potential parade down Broad Street. The event also featured special appearances by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and former Eagles Pro-Bowl offensive tackle Tra Thomas. The pep rally ended with a rousing rendition of the Eagles fight song led by the Quaker City String Band.

“Just like the Eagles, Independence is the home team here in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Our hearts beat with this city and region, and they beat a little louder when there’s something
like this to galvanize people across the region,” CEO Gregg Deavens said. “Independence works
closely and very well with the Eagles, including meaningful collaboration for the good of the
community. That’s another reason we’re here to celebrate, and why the region is hoping and
excited for another Philadelphia championship!”

Independence also helped the region celebrate by distributing cheer cards via The Philadelphia Inquirer. The cheer cards feature a prominent “Go Birds” headline for Eagles fans to display in their home, workplace, or car as they show their home team pride. Ads with the same “Go Birds” message also will appear in The Philadelphia Tribune, Al Día News, and Metro.

Fly Eagles Fly

IBX CEO Greg Deavens made a bet with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City’s CEO Erin Stucky on the results of Sunday’s big game. If (*cough* when) the Philadelphia Eagles win, Erin will have to wear a Jalen Hurts jersey. We can’t even contemplate the alternative. #FlyEaglesFly #ItsAPhillyThing #SBVLII

How Princess Diana came to own her famous custom-made Philadelphia Eagles jacket after a chance encounter at Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco’s funeral in 1982 Daily Mail Story