Best Photos of 2018

Happy New Year to all my friends, I appreciate your years of support. Let’s look at some of my favorite photographs I took this year. Still to come Best Dressed, Best Events and People on the Move 2019…

It’s from the James Beard Nominations announced one morning at Parc. Restaurateur Stephen Starr had just announced Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, High Street on Market, High Street on Hudson, and others) as a finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur for a James Beard Nomination and gave her a thumbs up.

This was a “Hail Mary” shot I took from the passenger seat of our car. I’m addicted to photographing everything, most photos I delete, but once in awhile I capture
exactly what I wanted, usually on the fly. This is a special photo I took in Lancaster, Pa.

The night of the NFC Championship. Crowds flooded the streets to celebrate. These two Viking fans were walking back to their hotel and encountered a lot of friendly
Eagles fans. This photo went viral on social media, and I was happy about that after all the nasty stories from the stadium parking lot.

Every-time it snows I monitor the Art Museum Steps to tell readers when we’ve gotten enough snow for folks to sled. Sometimes people just create enough snow to sled.

I caught my nephews dog Albus dancing with my mom this past summer

Diner En Blanc was at City Hall this year. It was fantastic. Every year

The winter was memorable. I shot this as my shuttle bus was turning onto Market Street from 20th. I thought that lady
was going to be blown over.

Pat Nogar’s Annual Holiday Tea Party, which happens in January.
This year’s theme, Harlem Nights.

One of my all time favorite photos, Marisa Magnatta and Vasiliki Tsiouris joyfully running through the newly renovated Love Park fountains during
the Opening Night Party.

Congratulations to Matt and Chuck Lentz on their wedding. Here’s that photo I promised to send. I’m so bad sending photos to anyone, so all you readers who ask me it’s not you, it’s ME. Just ask my mom, she always says

In addition to the adorable animals, we have so much good programing at the Philly Zoo, like Boo at the Zoo.
Kids get to dress up in their Halloween costumes and roam around the Zoo. It’s a fun time.

Thank you Unite Fitness for letting me camp out in your gym overnight in November to observe
and report on the filming of 17 Bridges with Chadwick Boseman.
So much fun to experience it, and then to have CBSPhilly do a story on it, icing on the cake.

Sunrises from my balcony remind me what a fragile, but glorious world we live in.  I wish everyone
could live in peace and harmony.

Here’s today’s sunrise with my guy Mike Toub

Best Selfie Spot or Picnic Spot in Philly

It was so cold last winter that all the rivers froze. That was the first time in a long time.
Here’s the Schuylkill near 30th St Station

This years Christmas Tree at City Hall looks amazing, especially with the added snowflakes and color lights.
Without a Doubt this is my favorite the night the Eagles won the Superbowl and crowds flowed into every street in Philly to celebrate.
This is Broad Street – No longer the Underdogs!!!
We’ll always be the Superbowl Champs of 2018!!!!

Philly Style Mag Holiday Party 2018 – 18 Great Holiday Looks

John Colabelli, publisher of Philly Style Magazine, and Kristine Detterline, editor of Philly Style Magazine hosted their annual holiday invite only soiree in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia at Richard Sandoval‘s Aqimero. Friends, family and business leaders in the community enjoyed passed hordourve’s, specialty cocktails , photo booths, and dj entertainment by CTO during the festive event. Spotted in the crowd was Jefferson Hospital’s president Steve Klasko, BJ and Craig Spencer, Roberta and Carl Dranoff, Julie Abramson, whose company Jewel’s Entertainment provided the special guests like Mirror Man, and Santa’s Elf just hanging around, Missy Dietz, Nieman Marcus, and Brian Kappra, Evantine Design, Jeff Guaracino, Executive Director of Visit Philly, Jimmy Contreras, Ritz Carlton, David Davitch, Scarpetta (New Year’s Party), Aida Sparta, Marc Oppenheimer, Parx Casino – they have lots happening in the new year – Sports Betting, A Beer Garden and more live entertainment in the XCite Center – disclaimer Parx is an advertiser, you advertise with us to drop us a note HUGHE@PHILLYCHITCHAT.COM, advertisers always get live links in posts as well),  Charles Chuck Peruto and Lindsey Glasgow (2019 they’ll be Mr & Mrs Peruto), Lynsie and Evan Solomon, Mary K. Dougherty, Linda Swain, Karen Buchholz, John Bolaris formerly weatherman extraordinaire, now real estate extraordinaire with TCS Black Label, Anita Oh, who left CBS3Philly to pursue a law degree at PENN #winning, and Raechal Halpern.

Santa was on hand to hear Bruce and Michelle Shannon‘s list for Christmas as the Cashman Girls controlled the list to
see who was naughty or nice to gain entry. (2019 will be their 20th Anniversary – Congrats Nicole Cashman & Assocs.)

Striped Sequin Dress were popular with the ladies including Kristin Detterline and Thanuja Hamilton. Look for The Sleep Doctor
to be on Dr. Oz again in January, after just having taped another segment last week. During the soiree NBC10’s Rosemary Connor’s snuck out to catch Steve Carell and Robert Zemeckis new film ‘Welcome to Marwen’ at the Ritz at the Bourse.  Later in the evening Steve Carell joined party goers for the afterparty at the Ritz, as well as a bite to eat at Aqimero posing with Melissa Leonard and Jenna Gyger.
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Looking for somewhere to dine on Christmas Eve

On December 24th join Aqimero for a joyful holiday celebration. Indulge in our specialty four-course menu, featuring specialties from our wood-burning grill while enjoying the spectacular views of beautiful décor of the lobby and The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia.

Partners in Crime: Sidney Grimes, Louie Louie, the new restaurant at the Inn at Penn and Michele VanNostran, Starr Restaurants. The duo told me stories about
Sidney’s annual holiday theme party “Wigs and Turtle Necks” where all guests came dressed as such. Sounds like a blast!

A.J. Marsico and Annie McCormick , 6ABC. Annie has a book coming out shortly called The Doctor, The Hitman and the Motorcycle Gang which will deal with the murder of April Kauffman, a New Jersey radio personality who was shot to death in her home in May 2012. Read more about it over here on Philly.com

Beauty all around as the newly engaged Allison Smith takes a selfie with Greg Basille and Jen Groover.

Brittney Shipp, NBC10 and Melissa Magee, 6ABC

Jill Rizen was perfection in a glitter jump suit, rounding out the glamour were Ani Semerjian and Lauren Colabelli

When someone says I wore these festive earrings just for you, you take notice. Thanks Whitney Ulmann, Atlantic City’s answer to PhillyChitChat. You can catch her most weeks on Fox 29 giving us the low down on events Down The Shore by Go Whitney. That’s her sister Margo Pisnoy

Congrats to Alexander Hankin for his first article in the December PhillyStyleMagazine. He’s been writing about art for awhile online, but this month he’s in print. Wearing winter white and looking stunning is Vasiliki Tsiouris, co owner of Craftsman’s Row, Opa and Drury Bar. Not a good year for their Sansom Street eateries after the summer water main break a block away. The new year is looking as bright as winter white. Go check out the Drury Beer Garden @ Opa all festive this holiday.

Steve Circelli and Maureen Dellisanti tells me her favorite Christmas tradition is playing “Hide the Pickle.”  I had to look that one up:
A decoration in the shape of a pickle is hidden on a Christmas tree, with the finder receiving either a reward or good fortune for the following year. 

David Alexander Jenkins tops off his unique sense of fashion with a hat

Dr. Ary Modesto , Angela Carson, Raphael Novoa and Rob Santorra

 Buffy Harakidas, Dr. Julie Gomberg, Shannon Heilig , Julie Lesicki and Jennifer Sherlock
Next up for these ladies is HAIR OF THE DOG’S 25th Anniversary Party at Crystal Tea Room
on Janury 19, 2019

Brittney Ship, with Dad Mr. Shipp, Philly Socialite Melissa Leonard and Anzio Williams, VP of News NBCPhiladelphia and Telemundo

Matt Lindenmuth‘s shoe laces match WMMR’s bae Marisa Magnatta’s dress – nuff said!!

Carmen Tomassetti and Rob Molinaro

Kristin Detterline, Andrew Smith and Dr. Nina Radcliff – crop tops are all the rage this holiday season.

Brittney Shipp tells me she makes grandma’s Gumbo recipe at Christmas and it reminds her of her childhood celebrations with the family, whereas Christmas doesn’t start for Jacqueline London to she makes her Gingerbread House. She doesn’t eat it, but it’s very welcoming.

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER
Greg Basile looked the most Merry Merry at this year’s PSM Party.

Thanks to Philly Style Magazine for having me this year, and for always being so kind to Philly Chit Chat.

HughE Around Town: DAPR, Juicer Press, CODA Returns With Vengence, The Boss Does Gritmas

City Sidewalks, busy sidewalks indeed, Philadelphia is in full holiday shopping especially with only 9 days of Christmas left. Let’s see what’s going on around town….

Did you see a men’s grooming palour has opened in the Rittenhouse Square area. It’s called DAPR (Dedicated Approach to Personal Refinement) Grooming Parlour at 18th and Sansom Streets, on the 2nd floor above Manhattan Bagel. Longtime, award winnding, Philadelphia hair stylist, Josh Demarco has opened up his dream salon catering to the well groomed guy:
“On August 1st I took one of the biggest risks of my life and decided to peruse my dream of bringing a whole new concept to the Philadelphia market. The last 3 months have been absolutely grueling but all worth it to see @StayDapr brought to life! I want to give a HUGE shoutout to my wife and partner @MeashaBaby for supporting me and grinding through all of this: From concept, to design, to downright sacrificing everything to help bring DAPR to life (she’s a beast!) I’m a firm believer that it takes a solid team and a great culture to be successful in life, and I couldn’t be happier with the one we have 🙏🏻”
Also how cool is that mural on the side of the building?

Juice Press a half a block up the road looks just about ready to open

Bamboo Garden on the 1700 block of Chestnut Street has run into a road block. They need more permits before construction can resume.

Monday head to the Shops of Liberty Place for a musical performance while you shop. Also check out their Christmas Tree, one of my favorites and definitely the tallest tree in the City.

Also I noted they have a store that fixes phone screens. People always ask me for references on the drop issue.

I’ve been tweeting all month that my producer at WOGL, Laura Boss, is doing 25 days of Gritmas. She’s been dressing up as Gritty’s sister in various

Don’t forget to buy a ‘Present’ for one of the charities listed @bankofamerica Present @loveparkphilly Through Christmas
@philachristmas . Today is Make A Wish day in the Village.

After nearly 4 years of bringing live music to the streets of Walnut, CODA has called it quits. Since spring they had been sputtering along, after all they have to compete with the Fillmore and other smaller than Wells Fargo venues for live entertainment. I hear the former space which used to be Denim, then Whisper, and now CODA is coming back with a Vengence, returning to it’s nightclub, bottle service, upscale dance hall days. They say Bottle Service is dead, but I don’t think so. As long as the Khardashian’s are on the air, Bottle Service is going to be a level to achieve. Plus who doesn’t want your own spot to hang with friends, sit between dance sessions, or just to dance in place and enjoy bottle service bottles.

Chit Chat with you tomorrow….

The fourth annual Jack Daniel’s Hot Toddy 5K    

Registration was easy for those signed up for the Jack Daniel’s Hot Toddy 5K

The fourth annual Jack Daniel’s Hot Toddy 5K took place earlier this month on Saturday December 1, 2018. The 3.1-mile race was run around the stadiums in South Philly.

Some folks did not disappoint as they came dressed in their holiday runnning finest

There was a hashtag to use for your social,
which put the post on the large screen in Xfinity Live
Annalisa DeFeo from Sweat warmed up the crowed before they headed out on the course
Xfinitly Live is a great place to host a run, there’s lots of space to warm up, inside and out.
Look at these site lines with the City as the backdrop
Hundreds of racers turned out to participate in the annual run. This year the weather was perfect, last year bone chilling, and the year before
it snowed, which wasn’t a deterrent.
It’s an easy fun run, perfect for the beginning, or for those who want to stay in form in between the big runs.

Congrats!!

What makes this race unique is that runners are rewarded with one free hot toddy made with a choice of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Honey or  Original No 7  once they cross the finish line. 

Once again, MANNA is the official race charity. Each month, the organization delivers thousands of meals to those who struggle with serious diseases. This year runners helped create holiday cards which will be put in each of the MANNA clients meal delivery on the holiday.
Runners wait for the winners to be announced in Victory Hall at Xfinity Live

Another big draw to the Hot Toddy Run is the epic raffle prizes. Everyone who is registered to run the race is entered
into the raffle contest. At the end of the race, after the runners are honored then the real fun begins as runners vy for
fun, collectible Jack Daniel’s swag.

Above are the grand prize winners who both won a set of chairs and a cooler.
Others won backpacks, growlers, tshirts as well
Congrats ladies on your race!!

HughE Around Town: Be Well Philly Health Heroes; New Wawa, No Paper Towels, Buddy The Elf Spotted

12 Days til Christmas and I’m finally getting around to shopping, and checking out the beautiful Chrismas lights in the area. Most of the following stops happened last night,
but first up lets see who won Philadelphia Magazine’s Be Well Health Hero contest for 2018

After much anticipation, the results are in! Tuesday, November 27, Philadelphia magazine hosted the Be Well Philly Health Hero Reception at the Pyramid Club, where the 2018 Health Hero and Very Influential Philadelphians were revealed. This year’s Health Hero is Todd Irwin (l), who received a $10,000 donation to his chosen charity, Angel Flight East;

The VIP is NBC10 Philadelphia’s Tracy Davidson, who received a $2,500 donation to her chosen charity, the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA. The challenge, presented by Independence Blue Cross, was created seven years ago to celebrate and recognize local pioneers in the health and wellness industry for their contribution to the Philadelphia area.

Congrats to everyone who participated:
HH runner-up Marian Uhlman, HH runner-up Alanna Gardner, VIP runner-up Wendell Holland, VIP winner Tracy Davidson, HH winner Todd Irwin, VIP runner-up Christian Crosby. Who wants to see you at Tinsel tonight for a Toys for Tots event.

The two VIP runners-up are also making impressive strides to make the Philadelphia area happier and healthier. Christian Crosby is the in-arena host and Content & Integrated Marketing Manager for the Philadelphia 76ers, and the founder and CEO of Live Life Nice, a cause-driven digital media and apparel company dedicated to inspiring, motivating, and empowering people to “be nice and do nice.” Wendell Holland is a furniture designer and builder at his company Beve Unlimited, a local custom furniture company specializing in reclaimed wood, as well as the winner of Survivor: Ghost Island.

(photos by Theresa Regan)
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It’s Christmas time in the City, but I like to head out into the burbs as well. Last night I headed over to Tavistock, NJ where I saw
this incredible snowman/Santa 2 story display. Where do you store them in the off season? I love a drive through Audubon, Haddonfield
and my home town of Cherry Hill, where I saw the biggest raccoon ever crossing the street going onto the property where I used to live.
Wish I was into nature photography when I was a kid, who knew these beasts were about…

Earlier in the night I headed over to Franklin Square, one of the 5 squares laid out by City Planner Thomas Holmes. Franklin Square
is located at 6th and Race Street. During the day it’s a fun family friendly park with miniature golf, picnic benches, a carousel and food. At night
it’s all that and Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show presented by PECO
Last night was special as Mayor Kenney, er I mean Buddy the Elf, and Santa (councilman Mark Squilla) stopped by to do the countdown for
the light show.
Check out Hank’s Take on Fox29 where he runs around town as Elf on a Shelf, So funny.
In between the fun you can head over to the Chase warming tent for delicious food, hot chocolate, make your own Smores and cocktails. There’s also an outdoor area with
fire-pits and seating so you can enjoy the magic happening around you.
Electrical Spectacle is a free light show that illuminates the Square nightly through December 31. Marvel at more than 75,000 lights as they shimmer, dance, and illuminate the Square to a soundtrack of holiday classics, some of which are performed by The Philly POPS in two alternating shows every 30 minutes beginning at 4:30 pm daily. Every evening, one lucky audience member will be selected to kick off the evening’s festivities as the Igniter for the 4:30 pm show.
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The largest Wawa opens to the public on Friday. Last night there was a friends, family and media preview party at the 11,500 square feet located in the Historic District
right across from Independence Hall. Now the whole world is going to fall in love with the Wawa hoagie.

Wally Goose welcomes Sheila Hess to Wawa (If there was a prize for tallest mascot, he would win.)

Lots of notable people were on hand for the party like Meryl Levitz, Jane Golden, and Paul Levy, Executive Director of Center City District, whose offices are located
just down the street. I’m sure he’ll be spotted there often.
There are lots of kiosks to order from and will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Now the nearby Federal Guards will have company as they guard our treasures.
The largest section of bottle drinks by far; starting with Friday’s opening coffee will be free through Sunday.

Beautiful murals by the Mural Arts Philadelphia
by artists Keir Johnston and Willis Humphrey . Sadly Willis passed away two weeks ago, but his family
came out to see the unveiling of the murals.

There are two counters to purchase your items from
And there’s Wawa merchandise like T-Shirts

More beef jerky selections than a West Virginia truck stop

Ben Franklin stands in front of a photo of he and his friends in front of Independence Hall

Wawa will host a grand opening on Friday, beginning at 8 a.m there will be a mini-parade with Wally and some of our favorite historic figures, they’ll be special giveaways for the first 200 customers, and a ribbon cutting ceremony with all the people that helped bring Wawa to the Public Ledger building at 6th and Chestnut.
BTW the bathrooms are enormous. Now at first I told me Instagram Story viewers that they forgot the paper towel rack and just use your pants. But on
my 2nd visit I realize there are hand dryers built into the faucet contraption, located on the right, just like at the Visitor Center.
See you Friday at the parade….

If I photographed you this week you might be in my
CBSPhilly Column

Or on Philly Style Magazine (I cringe with that first photo, I didn’t do my regular photo shop app)

Philly Business Journal

Weekend Getaway: Doylestown A Quaint Getaway Close to Philly

Earlier this month I escaped the hustle and bustle of Philly and headed to Doylestown, Pa. Sure I’ve been there for day trips, in my other life I used to photograph the town for my greeting card business which I did before I was Philly Chit Chat, but I really never explored the town, or the history. I hadn’t even been to the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, which is a place i had been talking about to tourist for years when I used to give tours of Phila City Hall; all the decorative floors in City Hall were created there. You can see some of them as you walk through the portals towards the courtyard.

Mike and I stayed at the Doylestown Inn, which is located right downtown. It’s adorable and reasonable. They’re a restaurant right on site, the rooms are great and ours had a fireplace which was really special and reminded me of my childhood home.

It’s really misleading from the outside, if you see the first photo it really is a historic inn from olden days, but at some point they
renovated keeping the historic charm, but modernizing the inside. These skylights were great bringing in lots of light to the Inn. I be it looks neat when it
snows.

The rooms are adorable. Besides the sleigh bed, there are two chairs and a table near the fireplace and TV. Plus a desk to sit at if you
want to work or write postcards home.

That evening Santa arrived and he lit the Christmas Tree. It was a fun ceremony as there was a small parade with a band,
then he arrived on a firetruck, went up to the top of the tree in a cherry picker and lit it with a crinkle of his nose.

I spent the rest of the night roaming around town

Shopping.

There are quite a few shops within walking distance of the center of town and our hotel.

They have a great bookstore as well – The Doylestown Bookshop, which was right next to this eyeglass store.

The Doylestown Inn has a continental breakfast for those on the go, it’s in the lobby.

Mike and I had brunch dinner and brunch at The Hattery, which is located inside the Doylestown Hotel.
We actually ran into old friends of mine from college. Seriously from 28 years ago. I know you’re doing the math in your head as we speak – LOL
I always knew they lived in Doylestown, but when you run into locals at The Hattery, you know you’re at one of the best restaurants in town.

Another place we ate was the Water Wheel Tavern | Restaurant | Bar – Doylestown, PA. It’s a little outside of town
but a short drive. Mike raved over the ribs, he said he’d make a special trip just to have them again. You know that’s a big deal cause
he loves his ribs. I had a burger. It was delicious. i love my burgers.

On Saturday we went to a few museums. i had been to Michener Art Museum, but we stopped in to see a few exhibits. For a small town
Doylestown has a lot of museums, in it’s historic mile.

We then crossed the street and headed to a museum I didn’t know existed The Mercer Museum. I had heard of it, but I had no idea what it was about – a collection of items that Henry Mercer, an eccentric, lovable, Doylestown born society, creative man stored his everything. Like a big closet of interesting items from tools, to pots, to art. MIKE LOVED IT.

I have a little dreidel. I made it out of clay. And when it’s dry and ready. Oh dreidel, I shall play. Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel. I made you out of clay.

The next museum we checked out was Mercer’s house called Fonthill Castle

Simply fascinating, strangely decorated, poured concrete with lots of hidden nooks and crannies. Worth several visits. We’ll be going back in the spring. The grounds are beautiful.
Doylestown and Bucks County has lot of holiday happenings
Check out info HERE

AND HERE. Santa is right down town in Doylestown waiting for you to visit.

Thanks to Visit Bucks County for hosting us for the weekend.
We’ll be back, it was just what I needed.
Plus There’s still so much to do and see.

Science Center and Cambridge Innovation Center Opening

Tim Rowe, founder and CEO, CIC, Sen. Vincent Hughes, Mayor Jim Kenney, Tracy S. Brala, Science Center, Steve Zarrilli, CEO and President Science Center, Joe Reagan, Vice President, Development at Wexford Science + Technology, a BioMed Realty Company, Craig R. Carnaroli, Board Chairman of Science Center and Saul Behar, Vice President and General Counsel of Science Center were on hand for the official kick off at 5PM

This launch marks the entrance of CIC—the company that helped transform Cambridge’s Kendall Square into the country’s leading cluster of tech and life sciences startups—to Philadelphia. CIC will occupy 138,000 sq. ft. of shared work and social space on six floors, for scientists and other innovators.

Abu Kamara, Grovara, Meri Wanjek and Colin Strapp

Ernest Owens, CEO Ernest Media Empire, Senator Vincent Hughes, Tiffanie Stanard, CEO of Stimulus and Osagie Imasogie, PIPV Capital

Kara laFleur, Jeff Friedman, Katie Dickerson and Megan Tumolo

Joyce Chen, Venture Cafe and Jane Shab,

Matt Sharayxo and Vivek Biloliko TJH Team Soriya with one of their inventions which applies medicine to a patients head.

Tim Gillespie, Dean Solis, EisnerAmper, Jimmy Mo, Lori Reiner, chief people officer at EisnerAmper, Lorraine Lopresti, University City Science Center and Rob Stiles

Rosa and Ricardo Torres with their Varieti Concept

Guests dance to the West Philadelphia Orchestra

Baby it’s cold outside, but it was a hot night in Old City as The Bridge Throws A WOW Holiday Birthday Party Friday night December 7, 2018 at the LEED certified, modern luxury apartment building.

From 8 to midnight, the holiday party took place in a future retail space.  There was plenty of food, libations, and live music entertainment by Rhythm Nation in the space, which the Bridge team turned into a winter wonderland.

The dress was holiday chic, and the guests did not disappoint especially Moxie stylists – Mackenzie Mclean and Stephanie Algayor

Lenrik Toval and Arturo Varela
Gabi Townsend, Alyse Scaffidi, and Lexi Scaffida
Jeffrey Brown, The developer behind The Bridge and Councilman Mark Squilla
David Zuzgao

Rising above the adjacent Ben Franklin Bridge, Bridge On Race is located at 205 Race Street, in Old City Philadelphia. Debuting in 2017, Bridge On Race has been awarded the ULI Award for Excellence by Urban Land Institute, Best New Building by Curbed Philadelphia. Bridge is surrounded by history, but it’s built to meet the innovative standards of today. The building is seeking LEED Gold certification, designed to be efficient for the environment and reduce energy costs for tenants, including smart phone control of heating and cooling. More information is available atBridgeOnRace.com.
Chelsey Scalese , Natalie Egenolf , Mike Jerrick, Kristen Rodgers and Amanda WhiteMina “SayWhat” Llona, DJ SirusFM and Boom FM, guest and Kate Marlys, Philly Pr Girl

Party Scenesters You Want To Know: Jordan Parenti and Thanuja Hamilton Moxie Blue Salon Crew

Antoinette Lee, Kali Hackett and Kamille Watson
Guests were encouraged to bring an unwrap gift to be given to a needy family through the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation
Gabe Canuso and Melinda Canuso
Model Christina Rabbitz and Chris Murphy, formerly of Fox 29, now with Fox in San Diego, who was in town to visit friends and have a good time.I ran into Dr. Dan as I waited for my Uber. He and his wife Alyssa and friends were enjoying a night out at Tuna Bar. Did you know Tuna Bar was one of Michael B Jordan’s favorite eatery while he lived at The Bridge. He often sat in the corner and just drank water as he was on a strict diet. He always left a $50 tip even though he only drank water.

HughE Around Town: M Night Shyamalan Wraps his Untitled Project, Holiday Highlights and A Sad Goodbye

Only 16 days til Christmas. I hope you’re taking time to enjoy the holiday spirit and making memories with family and friends. That’s what’s most important during these days.

I wrote last week about M Night Shyamalan filming his yet to be titled TV series for Apple. It’s a wrap for the first 30 minute episode. Most of the episode was filmed in a studio in Garnet Valley, but as one insider told me it takes place in Philadelphia and you have to go out on the street to capture Philly as well. You’ll probably recall the horrific crash scene which took place in Rittenhouse Square, but they also filmed on the 2100 block of Spruce Street. Since this episode is set in the Fall, they added more leaves to the trees and asked residents to take down their Christmas decorations for a few days. This was a shot I took on Thursday as I was stopped at a red light at 22nd Street. It’s still the social season so I’m shot on paparazzo time. The production is on hiatus until January 2, so perhaps then I will capture another Lauren Ambrose or Rupert Grint.

Speaking about Christmas, this has got to be one of the best selfie spots in the City, inside and out. No filter was used in this shot, the place is all aglow like Rudolph’s nose so bright.
Tinsel, the seasonal pop up bar is located at 116 S 12th St; Here’s a few photos from the VIP
Party I shot earlier this week. Phila Biz Journal

Another great selfie spot, and memory maker has to be City Hall and it’s surroundings.

Congrats to Sylva Senat on his new gig at the Pyramid Club

I hadn’t been to Maggiano‘s in at least a decade. After shooting the 60th Anniversary of PIDC on Thursday night I stopped by. WOW as delicious as ever. Sometimes I forget the Italian chain restaurant, which opened a decade ago, is over at 12th and Filbert. Go try it out, you’ll love it.

A fond farewell to our friend Katie Loeb a legendary mixologist, sommelier and author, who has spent her career specializing in fresh, out-of-the-box cocktails.  Katie Loeb has died after a brave two year battle against cancer, with barely a peep about what was going on. When I started out in this business covering food and drink, Katie was very instrumental in helping me understand the business, explaining who the players were and introducing me to some fine people. The lights are a little dimmer in the Philly food scene now, we’ll miss her straight shooting, tell it like it is notions, peppered with a great sense of humor. God Speed my friend.

Kendall and Ben Celebrate ie Bendall, Car Accident in Rittenhouse Square, The Met

Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons put up their Christmas Tree Monday night. They both posted to their Instagrams to share the
joyous occasion. Friends tell me they were spotted at the Home Depot earlier in the day tree shopping, but that store sent them to the Cherry Hill store to pick up the tree they wanted.
So they jetted over there before heading to the Rothman rink later in the day to cap off the holiday cheer with a skate.

M. Night Shyamalan‘s thriller series at Apple began filming yesterday in Philadelphia.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Apple Series spent the majority of the day filming at 21st and Spruce Streets.

Last week on WOGL I chatted about the filming of “M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN” in the Rittenhouse Square area.  Shortly after Thanksgiving film set crews were adding fake leaves to the trees to make fall seem more peakish and less December. Thanks to my reader at Twitter @daveparke for sending me this photo on 11/30. Earlier in the week I had run into someone who lived nearby who told me they’d be filming in her neighborhood, so when Misteriso sent me this photo I knew exactly what it was for….

This rainy scene on Spruce Street between 21st and 22nd, as my other reader told me the scene would be about. Unfortunately I didn’t have anytime to make it to that shoot, but thankfully Camille Mola did. Thanks, how beautiful to see this.

In the evening they headed to 18th and Walnut Streets where they filmed the aftermath of a car crash. The scene has gawkers looking on as fire and rescue attend to the car and prepare it to be towed away.  M Night is the executive producer on this series, but is only directing the first episode I hear. Starring in the series is Lauren Ambrose, and Rupert Grint from Harry Potter.

The Apple series will stream free on Apple products, including Iphones.

According to Variety: The plot of the series has not been revealed, but we hear it follows parents Dorothy (Lauren Ambrose) and Sean Turner ( Toby Kebbell), who have hired young nanny Leanne to help care for their newborn child. Rupert Grint(Ronald Weasley from Harry Potter) will play Julian Pearce, Dorothy’s (Ambrose) younger brother. (Grint was spotted at Joe’s Coffee shop yesterday between takes.)

Lauren Ambrose

I went for the aerial view from B&N, not so hot

The scene they were shooting. Many people in the Rittenhouse area thought it was a real crash, so movie magic was on point.
Ladder 20 from Chinatown was used in the scene, but extras played the firemen

Thanks M. Night Shyamalan for filming in the Philly area, Center City and for this shot. Most of the TV series is being filmed in the burbs, as they have replicated the entire Spruce Street location in the studio in Garnett Valley, at a new studio for our area.
Stay tune for more on PhillyWood in the future.

Congrats to The Met for it’s grand opening. We are so lucky this magnificent jewel on Broad Street was saved.
Cutting the ribbon on The Met Philadelphia are (from left) Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; City Council President Darrell L. Clarke; Emcee Miss Patty Jackson, WDAS-FM; Developer Eric Blumenfeld; Pastor Mark Hatcher, Holy Ghost Church; Billy Procida, Procida Financing and Advisors; Charlie Mack; Live Nation Philadelphia Regional President Geoff Gordon; and Oscar IV and Will Hammerstein. The newly restored Metropolitan Opera House originally designed and created by Oscar Hammerstein in 1908, is now a new 3,400-seat live music venue on the North Broad Street-section of Philadelphia, PA. The venue opened with Bob Dylan on Monday, December 3 and John Legend December 4.
Thanks to Ike Richman for sending this shot, I was bummed I couldn’t make it, but Social Season continues….