Philly Chit Chat

HughE Around Town: Clambake, Little Lion, B&N Closes, Jason Kelce and More Tidbits
Good Friday, hope you have a fantastic day. Definitely get out and enjoy as it’s going to be stormy soon.

Good news, The Little Lion at 243 Chestnut Street is starting to rebuild after a devastating fire at a neighboring building, 239 Chestnut. The Little Lion sustained severe water damage. Originally they thought it would only take a few months before they could rebuild, but because of demolition complications it’s been nearly 6 months. I would guess that they are looking near the end of the year.

Eagles’ Jason Kelce is hosting A Night of Philly Music at Ardmore Music Hall Saturday night, July 21 to benefit Make the World Better, started by ex-Eagles player Connor Barwin. Tickets are only $20 and there are still some left. TICKETS

So bummed Barnes & Noble Rittenhouse Square closes at 9PM now. Rittenhouse Row basically is like a shore town now, and rolls up it’s
retail sidewalk at 9PM.

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Delicious News
Finally got over to Red Owl Tavern (433 Chestnut St)
to try out their Lobster Clambake last night. It was more delicious than I ever expected.
It’s a great deal too.
Tuesday through Sunday it’s $39, but the real bang for your buck is Monday night when it’s only $25. Make reservations to guarantee a seat.

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#PhillyToDo

Head to Intermix in a few weeks, shop til you drop while supporting a great charity – Bringing Hope Home

Thursday, August 2, 2018

The Mary Kline Classic’s inaugural Sports and Business Symposium, held in partnership with the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) at Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University, will bring together successful sports executives to share their experiences and expertise on topics such as tech, sports marketing, scouting, and much more.

Dorrance H. Hamilton Building
1001 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(VIP cocktail reception from 4:30 – 6 p.m.)

During this one-day event, attendees will hear from a diverse group of speakers—from organizations including the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, USA Basketball, and others—on how they built their career, their struggles along the way, and what goes into making it in a tough industry.

Howie Roseman, EVP of Football Operations for the Super Bowl–champion Philadelphia Eagles, will deliver the keynote address, and Ian Eagle of CBS Sports will emcee.  For more information and to purchase tickets and sponsorships, please visit www.Jefferson.edu/mkc

Have a great weekend, but come back on Sunday for more HughE Around Town….

The Oval Pops Back Up With A Few Surprises Along The Way

OK now summer really kicks off on the Parkway as The Oval opens on Friday, July 20. The Oval, appropriately named, is at Eakins Oval in front of the Phila Art Museum. It’s usually a parking lot for the museums nearby, but every summer it gets transformed into a fun playground for kids and adults as various programing occurs that appeals to all of them. Who doesn’t want to sit in a gigantic sandbox, run through the spray room, watch movies outside or hang out in the “Beer Garden”, which welcomes families and serves more than just beer.

Here’s the official word from the Press Release:
For four weeks this summer, from July 20 to August 19, a portion of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be transformed into a grand promenade with the theme, More PARK, More PLAY as part of The Oval+. This year’s season of The Oval+ builds directly on the public feedback and data that Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation collected as part of 2017’s “What’s Your Parkway, Philly?” More than 40 percent of visitors said they wanted to see more family-related activities at The Oval+. This input, added to ongoing safety concerns about crossing multiple lanes of traffic, especially with small children, led the partners to build on the popularity of last year’s installations beyond the perimeter of Eakins Oval.

This year the folks from The Oval created a pathway from 20th Street to The Oval so folks can safely make it to the pop up park. They closed the outter lanes of the northbound Parkway.

It’s now the safest bike lane in the City, as log as you don’t hit one of those logs, especially at night.

At the beginning of the path to The Oval is the Barnes Museum (2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy), which has created it’s own playground oasis with children’s games, lounging areas, yoga mats, croquet sets and colorful balls in the fountain called The Canopy. There’s also a horseshoe court as seen on the left here. Joining the pop up playground at the Barnes, will be the pop up beer garden at the nearby Rodin Museum (2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy) where Wednesdays through Sundays, from July 20 through Aug. 19 there will be a Garden Bar which will be til 8 p.m. The garden admission is free, the museum is pay as you wish.

For the second year in a row, Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation have retained Philadelphia-based urban design firm PORT to develop the plan and installations for The Oval+. This year’s installation offers a collection of playful, over-scaled urban furnishings anchoring the Oval’s midway. This public furniture includes an 800-square-foot sandbox, a four-tiered seating platform with views of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and City Hall; a spectacular ribbon pavilion that creates fantastic patterns of sun and shadow throughout the day; and Mr. Mister—a 800-square-foot misting pavilion that the kid in all of us will be drawn to. Each closed intersection stretch of road will be graced by a large-scale mural designed and installed by Mural Arts Philadelphia with the award-winning design and illustration studio The Heads of State. The ground mural on the Oval plus the Parkway ground murals bring a total of painted surface to 56,000 square feet.

Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation speaks to the gathered guests, as Jamie Gauthier, Executive Director, Fairmount Park Conservancy looks on

Jamie Gauthier, Executive Director, Fairmount Park Conservancy speaks to the guests and those in attendance. I always wondered who are these people who attend events in the middle of the work day – often they’re supporters, volunteers and workers from the agencies who support the project.

The beer garden is much larger this year and is still under construction. It’ll definitely be done by tomorrow.

Organizers told me that there will be adult beverages, family beverages and food for all, but you can also bring your own food and drink to
the beer garden as well, and your family as long as there is a member over the age of 21 accompanying the kids.

Staffed park hours are 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, July 20 to Aug. 19.
Beer Garden hours are 5-11 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, and 2-11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Friday’s grand-opening activities will begin at 5 p.m. when a phalanx of food trucks arrives, and conclude with a 9 p.m. outdoor screening of The Greatest Showman — the first of four Food and Flicks Fridays this season.

Other activity happening at the Oval

• Wellness Wednesdays (5-9 p.m.) bring in free yoga, dance, kickboxing, and boot camp-style exercise classes led by local studios.
• Arts and Culture Thursdays (7-11 p.m.) feature DJ dance parties and hip-hop classes.
• Upcoming Food and Flicks Fridays (5-11 p.m) will show Karate Kid (Aug. 3), Wayne’s World (Aug. 10), and Creed (Aug. 17). There is no movie on July 27.
  
• Game Day Saturdays feature Quizzo in the beer garden 4-6 p.m.
• Sunday Family Fundays (2-7 p.m.) include dance parties, face painting, and games.

I do wish they used any other color besides “under construction” orange. How about green with a reflector next year?

Weds.-Sun. from July 20 to Aug. 19, free, theovalphl.org.

Another Successful Trip to Sweet Daddy O in LBI

I always get excited when I get invited to visit the Fearless Restaurant Group’s properties in Long Beach Island, NJ –
Daddy O Hotel in Brant Beach,Plantation Restaurant in Harvey Cedars and Tuckers Tavern in Beach Haven.
(You might be familiar with their Philly properties the White Dog cafe’s (locations: University City, Haverford, and Wayne), Autograph Brasserie in Wayne, and the recently opened Louie Louie in University City where Penne used to be located).

Daddy O is a beach cottage hideaway within a block of the beach,

featuring a rooftop bar, restaurant and lounge, 22 sweet rooms and FREE PARKING across the street.

You can also borrow one of the red bicycles they have on hand in the lobby.

The lobby is so cute and comfy, I like to curl up with a book while people watching here.
Outside the french doors on the right of the lobby, is a cute outdoor lounge where you can order cocktails and a bite to eat during happy hour.

Upstairs the bedrooms are adorable. There’s a TV, a chair, which you know is important to me, I like to sit in the chair, read and watch TV – the ultimate multi task on vacation.
For $35 that wine bottle on the wall is yours. That was a clever idea.

After checking in and getting situated we headed over to Plantation Restaurant and Bar, which is a short hop to Harvey Cedars. Plus it’s not too far from the

Barnegat Lighthouse if you want to check it out as well.

So many delicious dishes to try, and their menu changes with the season.

For lunch the next day we went to Tuckers Tavern in Beach Haven. They delicious food, amazing nautical decor, and an amazing deck facing the water where you can catch the sunset.

I love it so much, I stayed an extra day to enjoy all Daddy O has to offer including catching the amazing sunrises on the beach a block away.
Check out a few of my friends posts who covered the day in great detail, as I was in lala vacation mode and was chillaxing.

Philly Grub has a great post. You should be reading her everyday already, she covers the Philly are food scene in detail, and often stuff you’re not going to read anywhere else. CLICK HERE

Positive Publicity Blog

and Go To Whitney https://youtu.be/YWwHwy7JJEw

The Rail Park Opens

You know I just got back from a months vacation and am catching up. Regular, current posts will start soon.
I was reviewing my email, and found these nuggets of the Rail Park Opening sent to me by the Rail Park folks after I had asked them for a few pixs
PhillyChitChat has been covering their fundraisers, and press conferences for years. I was sad I was out of town on a press junket when the ribbon cutting took place.
This is a before photo, which I’m sure you can tell.

What a glorious day it was. I can’t wait to go there myself.

The Ribbon Cutting – Multi-million dollar project, funded and built by the Center City District

• Paul R. Levy, President and CEO, Center City District, Philadelphia

• Dennis Davin, Secretary, Pennsylvania Dept. of Community and Economic Development

• State Rep. Mike O’Brien (Philadelphia-175th District)

• Janet Haas, Board Chair, William Penn Foundation

• Jim Kenney, Mayor, City of Philadelphia

• Michael DiBerardinis, Managing Director, City of Philadelphia

• Kathryn Ott-Lovell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation

• Kevin Dow, Executive Director, Friends of the Rail Park

The Reading Railroad viaduct was built in the 1890s to carry passengers and freight to Center City. The last train traveled the rails in 1984 and in 2003, a grassroots neighborhood coalition began advocacy efforts for the creation of a park on the viaduct. A partnership of the Friends Friends of the Rail Park, Philadelphia’s Center City District and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation resulted in the Rail Park project.
Collaborator with the Reimagining the Civic Commons, a multi-year, national initiative with projects in five U.S. cities
The event will included performances from The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Troupe, and the Roman Catholic High School Bandfront, and The Philly Pops Saxophone Quartet. Light refreshments will be provided after the ceremony courtesy of 13th Street Kitchens.

@therailpark | #therailpark | therailpark.org

Edible Philly Celebrates: Experience the Issue

On July 10, 2018, Philadelphia area urban farmers and guests gathered to celebrate Edible Philly magazine’s “Experience the Issue” on the gorgeous grounds of Awbury Arboretum. Attendees included contributors and readers to learn more about what these growers do for their neighborhoods and why urban farming matters. There was an opportunity to meet and mingle with the farmers and learn more about their projects before enjoying a delicious farm-to-table meal from Birchtree Catering .

Thanks to PhillyChitChat’s Andre Flewellen for capturing the moments

HughE Around Town: Spice Finch, What’s Filming in Philly, Datebook and more

Happy Friday the 13th, hope you’re day goes as planned. I’m back and refreshed from my nearly month long vacation. I still have a few more summer vacations schedule, and hope to finally clean my desk after promising Mike for the past 5 years. After a million titles for the column, I think I’m going with HughE Around Town. Just know that I’ll have interesting tidbits, tales from the City and other fun stories that might not have appeard on my social media. Let’s see what’s happening around town.

Last night I checked out TopCheftestant Jennifer Carroll and fiance Billy Riddle‘s new eatery called Spice Finch. So excited to have this dynamic duo back in Philadelphia. Don’t expect to dine on the fancy fare you might have enjoyed at Jen’s last stop in Philly, 10 Arts, but be prepared to be dazzled by Mediterranean magic the duo creates.

I honestly was blown away by the delicious flavors each dish brought, especially this amazing Baked Cheese dish, with dill, tomatoes and a surprise drizzle of syrup. The waiter, who I can’t remember his name darn it, told me it can be served as an appetizer or a dessert.  I found the prices for the tapas  range between $9 – $15, with entrees a bit higher.
Check out the menu here and an article in Philly Mag’s Foobooz

Congrats to our friend David Maser, Board Chair for Garces Foundation, (here with wife Allison Young at the Rittenhouse Ball in June) who has successfully bid on the Garces’ restaurants. I was shocked to read that the deal didn’t include the very popular 24 or Garces Trading. More on the sale and the future of Garces restaurants in the Philly Voice

Last Friday my sister Janine DeFeo and I headed over to WOGL to chat about her foundation Teal Butterfly Challenge, which raises awareness for Ovarian Cancer. As we approach September, Ovarian Cancer Awareness month we’ll chat more about it. Afterwards we headed to Llanerch Diner Upper Darby PA, otherwise known as the diner featured in Bradley Cooper’s movie “Silver Linings Playbook.” We noticed their was a film crew scooping out the place, but I had already checked out as I was on “vacation” from work and didn’t inquire. Thankfully the Delco News has a bit about it HERE

DYNAMITE!! The Movie Scene in Philly

There is a movie filming in the City right now, it’s called Made in Chinatown (2018) Chinese guy “Vinny” Chow’s haphazard and hilarious efforts to join the Italian Mafia to earn some respect, to get the love of an Italian girl, and to find his identity in the only city in the world where you can be whatever you want. (New York City). Yes Philly doubles for NYC, but hey we benefit from the film filming here.

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I also got tips about a “movie filming” near Twenty Manning. I went over last night and it’s actually a fashion photo shoot for a Canadian company called Groupe Dynamite. They did a spread 8 years ago and came back to the international city to use as a background for their clothing line.  They shot at Rouge, near Twenty Manning, today they’ll be on Spruce Street near 20th and later in the day on the Rocky Steps they told me.

Speaking of movies made in Philly, Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Greater Phila Film Office was interviewed by the Philadelphia Business Journal regarding the Tax Credits Creed 2 received, and the benefits Philly/Pa received.

Spotted in Rehoboth Beach last week – VP Joe Biden by Eric Allen Smith III who even managed to grab a paparazzi shot of the future president, er I mean the former Vice President.

Last weekend I celebrated Borgata’s 15th Anniversary by spending a weekend at the Borgata. Thanks for the hospitality. I love the Borgata, it’s a city under one roof. Usually I don’t even have to leave the property as it’s entertainment, eating and a bit of gambling, ok last week a lot of gambling to fill my days. I should have gone to one of the lovely pools, they have about 4 of them, inside and out. I did eat at Old Homestead (who pulled out all the stops to make the night spectacular) and my favorite AC restaurant Izakaya owned by hunky Michael Schulson and his wife Nina Tinari Schulson, who by the way are on their honeymoon. They didn’t have a chance to take one when they got married two years ago, as they’ve been opening up restaurants up and down the coast, while planning more as well. Philly is amazing, they have so many restaurateurs opening up multiple, with different culinary directions. I don’t think any other City can claim that. Check out my photos in Metro Philly from Saturday’s Taste of Borgata, plus the final column from my editor Jennifer Logue who has gone on to bigger things.

Borgata also treated us to a Barry Manilow concert. Definitely a bucket list item for me. It was fantastic.
Favorite Line: What’s your 75 year old grandfather doing tonight?

Datebook: Cancer Support Community is having a party next week.

Happy Kids & Santa at Philly Pops Christmas in July

Hello Philly Chit Chat readers.  I cut my vacation short by a week cause I missed all of you, the great events in Philly and my friends. I went away to refresh, and
I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world of sharing the good fun that contributes to our happy lives.

The fifth annual Christmas in July, The Philly POPS, in coordination with Comcast NBCUniversal and a number of private donors, will give 205 bicycles and helmets to children of members of the military, Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments.
Frank Giordano, President and CEO, The Philly POPS; Sheila Hess, City Representative, City of Philadelphia;
 
Cynthia D. Dorsey, Chief Inspector, Philadelphia Police Department told a beautiful story about the time her mother bought
her a bike when she was growing up, and the freedom and independence it instilled in her. It reminded me of the days when I received my first bike. Remember your first bike.

Christmas in July marks the on-sale date for tickets to the POPS’ widely-attended
Christmas concert series in December – Philadelphia’s favorite holiday tradition. It also
serves to announce the fifth annual I’ll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military
and First Responders concert on December 7.

This invitation-only concert provides free
tickets to the families of military, veterans, police officers and firefighters and honors
their commitment to service and our nation’s traditions and values.
The Christmas in July ceremony is held at the Comcast Center. Expect a holiday
atmosphere with Santa Claus, Victorian carolers, POPS musicians performing songs of
the Christmas season, Christmas trees, and fun surprises.
This event is part of the POPS’Salute Series– events held in connection with American
civic holidays that honor the very American tradition of service.
More information: https://phillypops.org/christmasinjuly

The Out of the Darkness Overnight fundraising walk took place in June. The walk raises money to support the American Foundation of Suicide Awareness, the Philadelphia chapter hosts an annual walk in October, but this was the national organizations walk, which is held in 2 cities in the USA each year, and we were honored to host it for the second time in 5 years, a great tribute to the work that has been done in the name of suicide awareness here in Philly.

Some of the team from the Philadelphia chapter.

The dusk till dawn journey is a breathtaking tour of Philadelphia, for many people including folks who have traveled here from across the nation. The trek took walkers from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, through the Parkway Museums District, the cobblestone streets of historic Philadelphia, and University City – together, a courageous community will break the silence and bring the issues of mental illness and suicide into the light culminating in a celebration ceremony at 5am at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

What’s your color? People who participate in the walk can wear beads to represent how suicide has affected their lives –

Honor Bead Colors Signify:
White – Lost a Child Red – Lost a Spouse or Partner
Gold – Lost a Parent
Orange – Lost a Sibling Purple – Lost a Relative or Friend Silver –
Lost First Responder / Military
Green – Struggled Personally
Blue – Support the Cause Teal – Friends and Family of Someone Who Struggles

Each of these people have been affected by suicide, and are introduced on stage with a bio of who they are representing on the stage
This women has lived in chronic pain for years, and has survived suicide attempts

others have had family members, friends and fellow serviceman who have committed suicide

The walk begins…

A suicide attempt happens every minute of every day. Every 14 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide. These statistics are staggering and yet remain hidden and not discussed. We walk to bring the issues of suicide, depression, and mental disorders into the spotlight and to fund the work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – work that will truly save lives.
See you on October at the Philadelphia Chapter’s walk, where over 5ks walkers raise awareness
on October 7, 2018

Best Dressed: Ladies Day Devon Horse Show

Happy Summer. I am down the shore this week. I had good intentions on creating beautiful columns while I was away, awash with commentary and people’s names, but I ran out of time as I also had to prepare columns for the media outlets that I contribute too. Some of the columns I feature this week have appeared in other media outlets, but these photos have not. (I’ll be back Monday July 16th)

On a wing and a prayer…
Forgot to mention some of these photos have been submitted for Philly Mag in Print
Something else
Beth and her baby
That bag is everything
Everything’s coming up roses
The Ladies who Lunch stopped by
A little birdy told me
Hat’s off to you

Yellow is the color of the season. Thank you for bringing it!!

Best couple: so adorable is Jenn Frederick and her new friend

Tasty Talks Celebrates a Successful First Season

Congratulations to Michelle Leonard, a realtor on the Main Line for Century 21, for the successful launch of a monthly newsmaker chat called Tasty Talks back in September, and hosted by Michael Wei, owner of Yangming Restaurant in Bryn Mawr, PA. They have had so many great, interesting guests starting with Marilyn Russell, all the way to Kyree Tyrell, Karen Hepp, Jim Donovan, Eddie Keels, Moi and the last one Gov Ed Rendell.

Guest co-chair Dr.Thanuja Hamilton (pretty in pink), surrounded by a few alumni speakers Clare Morrison, (2nd from left), and Karen Hepp (2nd from right), with Michael, Lucy Nolan and Thomas Drayton, co-workers of Karen’s from Fox29

I apologize for not having names. Misplaced the notebook.
Carolyn Bunny Welsh , Sheriff at Chester County Sheriff’s Office and
Donna Pasquale, Mary Pat Kessler and Gov Ed Rendell

Thanuja Hamilton and Rachel Ofori
Gov Rendell spoke about his recently revealed Parkinson diagnoses, and political commentary. For more info on this chat
and additional photos CLICK HERE
Looking forward to next season’s Tasty Talks and who’s on Michelle Leonard’s guest speaker list