Bitburger Kicks Off the Season with the Bit Ball at Baller’s Social Sports
Last month, Bitburger brought the energy of Germany’s beloved beer culture to Philadelphia with its lively Bit Ball celebration at the brand-new Baller’s Social Sports
Chris Lorenc, James Zeleniak, Punch Media PR and Rachel Ortega
Lex Nemchemko, and Chelsea McNett
The guests understood the assignment and wore their sharpest athletic threads: Tamika Bryant
Sophia Reis, and Adriana Calderin
Karen Cox has been busy raising her boys, who are now in college, but came out to support Bitburger
The event featured ice-cold pours of Bitburger Premium Pils and Bitburger 0.0 (their crisp, non-alcoholic option), while attendees rotated through activities like soccer, pickleball, padel, and golf. It was a high-energy, laid-back night where sports enthusiasts, beer lovers, and influencers came together to raise a glass to good times.
Founded in 1817, Bitburger Brewery is one of Germany’s most respected breweries, famous for its clean, balanced pilsner that’s poured in pubs around the world. Known for its slogan “Bitte ein Bit!” (“A Bit, please!”), the brand has long been associated with sports, celebration, and hospitality. Its growing U.S. presence has made it a favorite among those who love authentic European pilsners with a modern twist.
Amanda Potter, and David Gutstadt
Ballers Founder Amanda Potter and David Gutstadt
A New Playground for Social Sports in Philly
The night also highlighted Baller’s Social Sports, a fresh new venue blending athletic play with nightlife. With multiple courts and games available under one roof, it’s quickly becoming one of the city’s most buzzed-about spots to play and hang out with friends.
Mario Loverde, Rachel Loverde and Roland Bui
Chris Lorenc tries out the golf simulator
Thanks to Talya Hailey for photographing this for PCC
Gala season is officially in full swing, and here at PhillyChitChat we’re doing our best to keep pace with the flurry of elegant evenings lighting up the city. Most of the action hits my social media first, followed by coverage in media outlets and, of course, right here on the blog. One of the standout events that truly sets the tone for Philadelphia’s arts and cultural calendar is the Philadelphia Orchestra Opening Night Gala. The evening unfolded with a sophisticated pre-concert VIP cocktail reception, followed by a breathtaking performance in Marian Anderson Hall, and concluded with a beautifully staged dinner in Commonwealth Plaza. A special thank you to Andre Flewellen for capturing the cocktail hour while I was covering the MANNA Gala across town that same night.
The Philadelphia Orchestra opened its 125th anniversary season in grand style on September 25, 2025, with a dazzling Opening Night Gala at Marian Anderson Hall. Under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the celebrated ensemble delivered a vibrant program that paired tradition with modern flair, featuring Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, Julia Wolfe’s Pretty, and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, performed by the incomparable Yuja Wang (she is an alumna of the Curtis Institute).
Matthew Black,Ben & China Jones,Liana Hernandez
The black-tie gala brought together Philadelphia’s cultural leaders, patrons, and music lovers for an unforgettable evening of artistry and celebration. More than a concert, it was a statement of legacy and vision—honoring 125 years of extraordinary music while looking boldly toward the future.
Neva Kelly, Liz Saccardi ,Christina Snylyk, and Helen Escaravage
The orchestra’s long tradition of innovation is one of the themes of this celebratory season.
“We have a long history of firsts,” says Ryan Fleur, CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts. “We were the first orchestra on the radio. We were the first orchestra on television. We were also the first orchestra in the movies.”
Anne Callahan and Charles Croce
Sandy and David Marshall
Larry McMichael, Trish Wellenbach, Dr.Baleigh Yehia, and Dr.Nick Wilson
Juan Carlos Mata, Erika Edison, Samantha Noll, and Nicole Jordan
✨ Upcoming Event: A Bewitching Morning with The Philadelphia Orchestra TOMORROW ✨
Get ready to dust off those witches’ hats and grab your brooms — The Philadelphia Orchestra is conjuring up a spellbinding Halloween celebration! This family-friendly concert will take audiences on a magical musical journey, featuring the playful mischief of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the wonder of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
🎃 A perfect way to kick off Halloween weekend with the whole family! There are a few tickets still left HERE
TRAFFIC ALERT – SATURDAY 🚨 (more like a nightmare, just avoid driving in CC) Expect major road closures and parking restrictions in Center City on Saturday, October 18 for two big events happening at the same time: 🪧 “No Kings 2.0” March and Rally 🚴 2025 Annual Philly Bike Ride
The Philly Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, October 18, resulting in road closures and parking restrictions throughout the city.
The course features the historic sites of Center City and Independence Hall, water views along Penns Landing and Kelly Drive, and a finish line by the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, where a post-ride festival will take place. The Philly Bike Ride is a rain-or-shine event. The ride begins at 7:30 am, and the Finish Festival will conclude at 12:30 pm.
INDIVISIBLE PHILADELPHIA is This Saturday, October 18th is the next NO KINGs protest. Come join us in Philly or join one of the more than 2,500 calls to action nationwide. You can find one in your area at bookings.org or mobilize.us! The collective power of so many of us that are being punished under 47’s dictatorship is greater than the power of this corrupt administration.
I have heard this MARCH IS GOING TO BE LARGER than the one in June.
JUST AVOID DRIVING IN CENTER CITY ON Saturday if you want peace of mind. Ride your bike or take MASS TRANSIT!!
For Up to the Minute details follow Indivisible Philadelphia Instagram or Facebook
Motorists must adhere to “Temporary No Parking” signs. Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.
Additional road closures and parking restrictions may be necessary in the vicinity of the event venue as dictated by conditions. Residents and visitors should always obey posted signs and instructions from the Philadelphia Police Department.
Public Transportation
SEPTA bus routes through the Center City area will be detoured from their normal routes beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18 through approximately 4 p.m.
Detours will be posted, and specific route changes are available on the System Status Page at www.septa.org and @SEPTA on X.
Follow the Office of Emergency Management @philaoem and Philadelphia Police @phillypolice on X for updates.
A Night to Remember: Rockwell & Rose’s Friends & Family Preview
Cody
Last night, friends, family, and a few lucky Philadelphians gathered inside the Curtis Center to toast the city’s newest dining destination — Rockwell & Rose, the stunning new steakhouse and seafood concept from the team behind P.J. Clarke’s. The mood was celebratory and intimate — the kind of night that reminds you how exciting it feels when something truly fresh lands in Center City.
The day began with an official ribbon cutting, with business leaders, politicians: Tim Killeen, General Manager of Rockwell & Rose (c) ; Councilman Mark Squilla 2nd on the right); Jessica Calter, Senior Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs at Visit Philadelphia; Darryl Irizarry (l), Director of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Giavana Suraci Pruiti (2nd from left), Senior Manager of Retail Marketing and Events at Center City District — all celebrating the debut of what’s sure to become one of the city’s most talked-about restaurants.
Bruce and Michelle Shannon
Molly Given and Lucas Urbano
Guests were treated to a first look at the softly lit interiors — an elegant yet comfortable space that blends the nostalgia of an old-school steakhouse with the ease of modern hospitality. Plush booths, marble accents, and glowing candles (including the instantly-viral maître d’ butter candles) set the tone for an evening of discovery.
John Gericke and Mimi Wong
Cocktails circulated as servers passed plates of prime steak, fresh oysters, and signature seafood dishes, each served with the confident charm the Clarke’s group is known for. The energy felt familiar but new — more relaxed, more Philly, more now.
Kenyatta and Nicole Black, Philadelphia Diamond Company
The name Rockwell & Rose is a nod to the Curtis Building’s storied past. The building — owned by Conshohocken-based real estate firm Keystone — once housed some of America’s most beloved publications, including Ladies’ Home Journal, The Country Gentleman, and The Saturday Evening Post, where the legendary Norman Rockwell created some of his most iconic illustrations.
Rich Goldberg and John Spooner of Safian & Rudolph Jewelers
Today marks the official grand opening, welcoming everyone to experience what last night’s insiders already know — that Rockwell & Rose is poised to be Philadelphia’s next great steakhouse, right in the heart of historic Independence Square, just steps from Jeweler’s Row and Washington West.
Mikael and Amalie Uhre, Beatrice and Alejandro Bedoxa
Fresh off their win of the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield, Philadelphia Union players, Mikael Uhre, and Alejandro Bedoxa along with their wives enjoyed dinner last night. Tim Killeen, General Manager of Rockwell & Rose stopped by to say hi.
Nearby Raymond Smeriglio and his future husband Miguel Martinez-Valle – NBC10 Philadelphia dined with Andrew Kozak, CBS Philly. I wonder if they chatted about the Nor’Easter which might hit this weekend, which would be a darn shame cause I am looking forward to the free Patti LaBelle concert in honor of the Navy’s 250 Anniversary.
Jackie Freiberg, Kory Aversa, Aversa PR and Lindsey McLoughlin
I enjoyed lamb chops, the most delicious Brussels sprouts and Baked Alaska last night, with my friend Michelle Miller, who had the steak, steak tartar, and the smores cheesecake. So good. Make a Resy and enjoy your new favorite steak house Rockwell & Rose.
Friday night sparkled with excitement at the DesignPhiladelphia Festival Kick-Off Party as many guests were surprised by a major announcement — DesignPhiladelphia and AIA Philadelphia will soon call VIA (Village of Industry & Art) home, moving into 320 S. Broad Street the former University of the Arts Hamilton Hall building beginning in 2026.
Village of Industry & Art – A Scout Project
The reveal added an extra buzz to an already electric evening, marking a bold new chapter for Philly’s design community right in the heart of the Avenue of the Arts.
The festival with talks, programing and exhibits runs through October 12, 2025 at various locations in the City.
Philadelphia’s creative energy is officially ignited. On Friday, October 3, 2025, DesignPhiladelphia celebrated the start of its 21st annual festival with a bold, joyful Kick-Off + Inaugural Awards party setting the tone for ten days of design immersion, dialogue, and discovery. The evening started off with a VIP Party at Frankie’s Summer Club, a pop-up outdoor bar / courtyard gathering space located in the historic former University of the Arts (UArts) campus in Center City, Philadelphia — specifically in the courtyard of the Frank Furness building, just behind Hamilton Hall at 355 S. 15th Street.
Eileen Tognini – winner of 2025 DesignPhiladelphia Awards in the Lifetime Achievement , Jinous Kazemi, Millésimé Showroom and Rachel Zimmerman, InLiquid
The event doubled as both a social gathering and a moment of recognition. The first-ever DesignPhiladelphia Awards honored standout individuals and organizations whose work has shaped or transformed Philly’s design landscape. There was also a special design installation called Animal Factory by Luca Boscardin was on view, presented in collaboration with Magis (via Millésimé).
Don Adams, Katie Adams Schaeffer,Sr. Director of Leadership Giving at the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia PA Tony Schaeffer, Susan and Jeremy Cooty
Sarah Kane, Dunca Macfarlane and Nick Rozas
Over two decades, DesignPhiladelphia has grown from a modest series of design talks and exhibitions to a city-wide festival that champions both established and emerging talent.
The Scout Team
Tonight I am headed out to hear author David Seltzer (Transit Tourism: The Iconic Art and Design of 22 Subways Systems Around the World)
Ximenda Valle
The 2025 edition leans into the theme “Gritty, Groundbreaking, and Gloriously Inclusive”, aiming to amplify voices from underrepresented corners of the design world and frame design not just as aesthetics but as community, infrastructure, and belonging.
Speaking of aesthetics Ximenda Valle took part in the “Demo Party” fundraiser in the future space of PhiladelphiaDesign. She grabbed a hammer, took a swing at their walls to help fund their new space!
Christopher Plant and Jay Gutnick
Because the festival is designed to be inclusive and wide ranging, many events are free (or have low cost), and they span neighborhoods and disciplines—from architecture and interior design to public art, landscape, and urban systems.
Jermaine Jenkins, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at DesignPhiladelphia and Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director of DesignPhiladelphia
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City once again served as the proud presenting sponsor of the Atlantic-Cape Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, September 6, 2025, benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Hard Rock
Taking place along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Over the years, the Atlantic-Cape Walk has grown into the largest AFSP walk in New Jersey, raising more than $1 million since its inception, with Hard Rock’s leadership and contributions helping to drive record-breaking fundraising totals.
Bob Kelly, Fox29 emceed the annual event
Maddie’s Rockers
Many friends and family members walked in remembrance of a loved one.
Dear Person behind me, the world is a better place with you in it. Love the person in front of you.
Hard Rock General Manager Michael Sampson speaks to the crowd
Michael Sampson “I am joining hundreds of thousands of people across the country who are walking in the Out of the Darkness Community Walks to prevent suicide and support AFSP’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. I walk for very personal reasons, I have lost a loved one to suicide and had many other friends and family who have lived with challenging mental health issues. My goal has always been to help one person or one family, by preventing a tragic loss. “
friends participating in the Walk on Saturday
Honor Beads
One of the most moving parts of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks is the tradition of honor beads. Each color tells a story and represents a walker’s personal connection to the cause—white for those who’ve lost a child, red for a spouse or partner, gold for a parent, orange for a sibling, purple for a relative or friend, and silver for a first responder or member of the military. Green signifies a personal struggle, teal represents supporting a loved one who struggles, and blue shows solidarity as an AFSP supporter. As participants walk side by side, the beads create a powerful tapestry of remembrance, resilience, and hope, reminding everyone that they are not alone in their journey.
Jared Lombardi Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advocate 💜 Founder/Director @the_positive_pursuit 🌻 @ourgardenac explained the bead colors to the walkers. He wears a green one, as I do.
But I’ve never have had the courage to wear it, even though I’ve volunteered for over a decade on behalf of the AFSP and to save lives. I still have such shame about attempting to end my life, three times in my 20s, before seeking treatment, and getting sober which helped tremendously.
This year the AFSP South Jersey chapter honored the Atlantic City Police Department, for their life saving actions in saving multiple lives over the years, and most recently over the summer they saved a mans life.
They’re walking for Rick, the women in the center’s son.
Stopping suicide begins with breaking the silence and reminding one another that help is always within reach. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention works year-round to provide education, resources, and support for those impacted by suicide.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember you are not alone. You can dial or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to be immediately connected with trained counselors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By sharing this simple three-digit number and keeping the conversation open, we can spread hope, save lives, and work together to #StopSuicide.
Sorry for the late posting on this, it’s always an emotional day for me, remembering the dark days. Sometimes they rear their ugly head, but now I have the tools to deal with my depression.
On October 5 the AFSP Philadelphia chapter has their walk at the Mann. My friend Stephanie Elizabeth Algayer recently lost a good friend to suicide. She’s walking in the AFSP Walk.
Hello everyone. Today is “World Suicide Prevention Day.” As some of you may and some of you may not know. We lost an amazing friend, son, sibling, uncle, talented photographer, and one of a kind human being this July. Jon ( was my boyfriend Teddy’s absolute best friend (more like brother) since they were 9 years old. I was more than lucky & so thankful to have gotten to know Jon, and for him to become like a brother to me for these past few years. We miss him dearly and will forever have a huge piece missing from our lives without him here. Donate Here – Stephanie Elizabeth Algayer
Another in a series of PhillyChitChat’s. Also be sure to subscribe to PhillyChitChat, at bottom of post or click HERE I will be posting more regularly now that social season is upon us….thanks
Sometimes I only catch the news when it hits the Inquirer. Last week they ran a piece about Philly getting a Rocky statue at the airport—but it was confusing. I was probably confused with my food poisoning. The article left me wondering were they moving the Sly Stallone’s statue at the top of the steps, which is on loan to us by Sly himself, to the airport.
Anyone who knows the Art Museum, knows that in 2025 there is already two Rocky statues there: the famous one at the base of the steps, and another at the top of Rocky Stairs.
I live across the street, and wrote about the second one back in December 2024, when it arrived to commemorate Rocky Month in Philly. It was supposed to be a surprise but if someone doesn’t say mums the word, I wouldn’t know not to write about it beforehand.
Sorta like this event. Had someone told me not to write about it before it happened, I wouldn’t have sent photos to CBSPhilly where it was seen by 10 million people before the Vogue photos published. BTW I was estatic to capture Rocky i this very iconic photo of the Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sen Vincent Hughes vow renewal, especially since I am a Rocky statue stan. Anywhoo back to our Rocky story…
Originally Sly’s statue at the top of the stairs, was supposed to go back in January 2025, I was told, and I wrote about it so people could hurry and get their once in a lifetime photo with it. Sure enough it disappeared on January 5.
THEN lo and behold it showed up at the top of the steps on February 13th, for the Eagles Super Bowl Celebration, which I broke on Instagram.
Today It’s still there, and it will be at the Art Museum at least through December 2026, when Rocky celebrates it’s 50th year since the movie debut.
But Mums the word I already told you too much…stay tuned.
It’s great to see the Association for Public Art finally embrace the Rocky statue. Love it or not, it’s one of the city’s biggest tourist draws—and it is real art, created by sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg.
A decade ago, after years of pushing, the Assoc of Art finally lit the statue so visitors could safely enjoy it at night. Back then, the answer to my complaints was always, “It’s not real art.”
Today’s generation of leaders understands its cultural value. Thank you!!
The Three Rocky Statues:
The Art Museum Statue, at the base of Rocky Steps, donated by Sylvester Stallone after Rocky 3 (Stefanie Farr’s article in the Inquirer does a great job at hashing out the details); the one currently at the top of the steps, personally owned by Sylvester Stallone, which he bought at auction, from SCP Auctions in 2017, for over $400,000. The 12-foot tall, 1,800-pound creation had been inside the San Diego Hall of Champions, which is now closed.
Finally the third one going to the Philadelphia airport, created by Schomberg in 2006 for his personal collection. It was stored in the Schomberg Studios in Evergreen, Colorado until it was bought by Philadelphia for $1.5 million.
BUT THERE is a Fourth One: not by Schomberg though. It’s located in Zagreb, Croatia It was made by Croatian artist Boris Staparac, it was erected in 2007.[1] Canadian director Barry Avrich made a documentary filmAmerika Idol which depicts the events that preceded the creation of the statue, as well as the ceremony of its installation. The film also features Sylvester Stallone who portrayed the character of Rocky in eight films and A. Thomas Schomberg who made the famous Rocky statue in Philadelphia.[2] (Source)
Summer season is coming to a close, and Eagles Season is taking off….
Go Birds!!
Today begins my Fall Social Season. Starting tonight I begin shooting at least two events a week for the next few weeks, this week I am actually shooting 4 events.
This fall I will be updating PhillyChitChat more regularly, continue to contribute to CBSPhilly online, and in print Philly Style Magazine and Main Line Today. New this year l will be collaborating with Fox 29 with Social Media posts, as well as posting party photos online at Philly Style Magazine.
Today let’s see what events are coming up for you to enjoy.
It seems like more than ever daytime dance parties are becoming a thing, there’s one Saturday at the Navy Yard in partnership with Vegandale. Here’s the Info
SAVE THE DATE: You’re invited to celebrate as DesignPhiladelphia turns 21! Head to Hamilton Hall, 320 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, for the official Kickoff Party of the 2025 DesignPhiladelphia Festival. You’ll toast to more than two decades of creativity, collaboration, and community at this high-energy evening dedicated to honoring the vibrant Philadelphia design scene—and the people like you who make it thrive.
Before I was PhillyChitChat, I was just your friendly neighborhood booster on the Fairmount CDC—our mission back then? Keep things beautiful, livable, and not Old City or East Passyunk. (Seriously, that was the vibe!) And when PCC took off, they even asked me not to hype up Fairmount—too much love, too fast. Well… over a decade later, I think it’s time you discover just how wonderful Fairmount really is. We’re talking charming streets, walkability, great eats (yes, even a Little Pete’s!), and a neighborhood that knows how to throw a party. ✨ Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 6–8 PM 📍 Fairmount Avenue Come hang with neighbors and newcomers alike—enjoy live music, food trucks, local artists, and businesses. Free to attend, shop, and soak it all in. Food and drinks are pay-as-you-go. Fairmount’s been keeping it cool long enough. Time to let you in on the secret. 😉
🐾 Dog lovers, mark your calendars! 🐾 Friends of Rittenhouse Square and Dietz & Watson are back with Dog Days of Summer—a paw-some day in the park celebrating our four-legged friends.
Expect tail-wagging fun: dog-centric activities, giveaways for both pups and humans, free hot dogs (naturally), and plenty more surprises.
📅 Saturday, August 23 🕚 11 AM – 3 PM 📍 Rittenhouse Square
Bring your pup, bring your friends—heck, bring the whole pack. We can’t wait to see those tails wagging! 🐶🌭🎉
🎶✨ Don’t miss the final night of Opera, Deconstructed at the Rodin Garden Bar! Join us Friday, August 22 at 6:30 PM as the @operaphila Orchestra wraps up the series with a dreamy string quartet led by violinist Luigi Mazzocchi—featuring Mendelssohn, Debussy & more.
Sip a cocktail, unwind, and let the music drift through the summer night sky. 🌙🍷🎻 Also Save The Date for The 50th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Opera Gala on September 13th. First a concert then a delicious dinner at Reading Terminal. INFO Here
Events on the Waterfront This Week: The Waterfront is alive with music, art, and energy. Enjoy Cosmic Rhythms a very special Live and Local with @juliaswarrecs, @curatorfest at @cherrystreetpier, and more as fun continues to make waves.
About 5PM July 30, I got a tip Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sen Vincent Hughes were renewing their vows on their 20th Anniversary of their wedding. My friend told me the wedding would be at 6PM sharp.
In the morning I noticed a tent going up at the top of the Rocky Stairs and thought, “Hmm… something’s happening.” So when I got a tip that Sheryl Lee Ralph and Senator Vincent Hughes were renewing their vows, I knew exactly where to be.
That photo perch? My old faithful on the Washington Monument across the street from the stairs.
I was quietly freaking out and texting two close friends who have known Sheryl and Sen Vincent Hughes as long as I have, about 14 years, they’re Philanthropic Philadelphians, the play-by-play—“Recognize this guest?” “Guess the song!” Then, cue the moment: Diana Ross’ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough blaring as Sheryl, in a stunning gown with a jaw-dropping train, walked up the Rocky Stairs. Vincent met her halfway, like Prince charming, and up they went, together. Another iconic moment on the Rocky Stairs.
I clocked the guest list, clocked the no-shows, took it all in. Then I went home, ate dinner like it was a normal Wednesday, and started sending photos to media outlets. I’m even prepping for a Fox 29 segment, my first in years since stage fright kicked in after one tiny on-air flub in 2019. But for Sheryl and Vincent? Totally worth facing the lights again. (I occasionally have done interviews, but not on a regular basis.)
Normally I would wait to appear on TV before I post a video, but I saw someone post one from inside the museum, and I thought I’d better get mine out there, but without a lot of detail. Then this happened: In a Barbara Howard dignified, firm voice:
Sheryl asked me to archive my photos because Vogue has the exclusive — and while I usually wouldn’t comply (hello, it was a very public wedding on the Rocky Stairs!), I made an exception out of respect.
Normally, I’d stand my ground — I photograph public fashion, public events, and no, I don’t need permission when it’s in a public space. But hey, it’s Sheryl. And it’s Vogue. So this time, I hit pause… temporarily.
I can’t wait to see her new ring!!
In an interview she did with Stephen Colbert last month, she told him about renewing her wedding vows on her 20th Anniversary. “I’m hoping that I get to have the longest veil in that ‘Rocky Steps’ history,” Ralph said, referring to the 72 stairs leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the 1976 boxing drama was filmed.
And a veil isn’t the only bridal accessory she wants to rock for the occasion, which has been two decades in the making. “I need a new ring too. I need all of that,” she added.
P.S. I had already sent the photos to my wire service hours before the Vogue request came in (whoops). I politely asked them to hold off, but the toothpaste was already out of the tube. What I can control? Fulfilling the flurry of photo requests that came flooding in after the fact.
Look, I’ve been in this biz long enough to know how to handle sensitive moments. But this wasn’t one of them. I was in plain sight, surrounded by tourists and guests snapping pics, with police nearby — nobody told me to stop. It was a celebration in a very public place.
And honestly? I’m just putting this on record because, well… my video had already hit 50,000 views before I hit archive.
Earlier this summer, on June 7, Gateway Plaza at FDR Park was officially unveiled, marking the first major milestone in the park’s $250 million master plan. The renovation transformed the main entrance at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, strengthening the connection between public transit and the park.
Tim Clair, Interim Chief Executive Officer.
I attended the preview party a few days before the ribbon cutting. Key features included a new “FDR” photogenic sign, 28 shaded benches (many designed for both gatherings and fitness), motion-sensor lighting, misters, bike racks, and an ADA-accessible walkway.
Landscaping efforts added 81 native trees to replace aging ones, along with new plantings, rain gardens, and redesigned grading to improve storm water management.
Darren Fava, Parks & Recreation, Cari Feiler Bender, PR Extrodinaire – Relief Communications, Susan Slawson, Commissioner · Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, guest and Ra’Chelle Rogers, Parks & Recreation.
Thanks you so much to Parks & Recreation for painting the white grid lines in front of the Art Museum and Logan Circle, black. I mentioned to Ra’Chelle at this event of the dangerous interpretation, as tourists were mistaking them for crosswalks and then playing frogger to cross the street. Something I had tried to get correct in the Kenny administration, but to no avail. They look great and no one is crossing in the middle of the block anymore. Thanks!!
Alexandria Kelly, JB Kelly and Neil Batiancila, Philadelphia Zoo
I love to bird watch at FDR park. Their is an Eagles nest near the meadows, and a Green Heron was recently spotted in the wetlands. Very exciting to us birders.
Sixers Drum Line
Julia Fleishner and Alice Bullitt
The new gateway at FDR Park at Broad and Pattison, across from the NRG Station
John Binswanger and Janet Binswanger
‘Chelle Rogers and Anton Moore
Max and Alexis Tuttleman
Chris and Shannon Wink, with Connor Barwin, who is hosting
Make The World Better (MTWB) connects people and inspires community stewardship through the revitalization of public spaces. Guided by the belief that every community thrives when all people have access to high-quality spaces, MTWB focuses on creating safe, inclusive environments for recreation, sports, and the arts.
FDR Park has so much to offer, following them on their Instagram for a schedule of fun.
