Thank you Lynsie Feinberg Solomon and Thanuja Hamilton for throwing me the most fantastic birthday party (and fabulous cake from The Night Bakery. )Thanks to my friends who were able to make it tonight; I am so grateful for you all and your continued friendship and love, my heart is full. Thank you to the Palm for putting my face up on the wall and the wonderful unveiling. It looks amazing and I am so honored to be near my friends FOX 29 Thank you to all my my readers for all your well wishes and support. Thank you, thank you, thank you….
WOW I was just amazed with the thoughtful details Lynsie & Thanuja put in to creating a memorable night
Thanks to Brandon M Morrison, Stacey Kracher, Evan Solomon, Lynsie Feinberg Solomon, Thanuja Hamilton, Andre Gaspar, Geno Vento, Kory Aversa, Matt Malinowski , Chuck Lentz, and Phyllis Halpern for celebrating with me last night.
So grateful to the friends I have, nearly all of them I made through my work with PhillyChitChat
Lynsie, Julie Sloviter Millard and Thanuja
Not too shabby of a view at dinner with Andre, Mike and Nicky
WOW this cake from Night Kitchen
Thanks to Aimee Cicero and Marc Brownstein, from the brownsteingroup.com as well as Julie Sloviter Millard, GM of The Palm honoring me with my mug on the wall of the iconic Palm Restaurant, located at the Bellevue.
I wrote a little blog post yesterday about Madonna and I
Madonna Is The Soundtrack of my Life
A rough start, Mike always says I got an “A”
in Drama, and how I finally got it right. CLICK HERE
Tomorrow July 23rd is my birthday. I realize Madonna and I have been through a lot together.
She’s my everybody
Madonna and I came out in March 1983. While she was burning up the charts with her first hit “Burning Up”, I was burning up the dance floor at the local gay club in Cherry Hill called Gatsby’s. Feressa ruled the dance floor, Bobby & Debbie ruled the DJ booth and I wore different color parachute pants every night. 1983 was also a turbulent year for me, I failed out of college, I was working at a gas station, which wasn’t that bad as I got to talk to a new person every 10 minutes, but the smell of gas couldn’t be masked with my Polo cologne. Someone told my parents I was gay, that wasn’t cool and they kinda freaked out, a lot. (This was just a few years after being gay was removed from medical books as a mental illness) I was kinda surprised that my close friends freaked out as well. They all took it hard, turning their backs on me, even my BFF who I had introduced him to his future wife.
My first real boyfriend was Wayne Bowman (we’re still friends – his birthday is 7/24) , but the first guy I thought I was in love with was Scott Schaeffer, a bad boy. Scott was influenced by Madonna, as we all were, she was rebellious, in your face and unique, his hair was wild as if he’d never met a brush, he’d dress in black all the time, and wore about 75 “Madonna” rubber bracelets on both arms. He was in hairdressing school. I was much more conservative wearing only 7 rubber bracelets ( bought at Spencer’s), which seemed to be too much for the Cherry Hill nursing home where I was working. I’m not sure if it was my rebellious manner or the fact that I refused to wear a hairnet that got me fired (I didn’t want to ruin my new perm, so delicately shellacked with Aqua Net), but I was on the hunt for a new job.
Madonna’s debut album Madonna was released in June 1993, several months after her three hits.
It was a Monday night, Quarter night at Gatsby’s when Scott and his cousin, John, rolled in about midnight to tell us about Madonna at the MTV Music Awards writhing across the stage during her performance of Like A Virgin. By the time the show air, Madonna had already been condemned by the Pope for her many antics, including this song, but when she vilified the virginal wedding dress on live TV, she was done we all thought. Her publicist Liz Rosenberg was bombarded, “People came up to me and told me her career was over before it started.” Instead the performance left a lasting legacy and one of the most memorable on-air performances ever.
My life on the other hand was going off the rails. Scott and I broke up, it seems I was too big of a mess for him to deal with my family issues and partying recklessness; by this time I was a busboy at H.A. Winston’s in Cherry Hill (best Burgers ever), and the atmosphere accelerated my partying. I was rolling into my house nearly every morning at dawn, as my family was getting ready for the day. Family members stopped talking to me, and looking back I’m sure I wasn’t the most pleasant person to deal with with my new found attitude. Within months I left home to utter failure as I really had no idea about how to manage basic living responsibilities. I began to do drugs, attempted suicide more than once, and eventually ended up homeless and in some really scary situations. (I’m going to skip the gory details) Thankfully my friend Jeff Shaw and his family invited me to live with them in Audubon, NJ until I could get back on my feet. (I’m still friends with the Shaw’s today, in fact Jodi Shaw cuts my hair at her shop Splitting Hairs in Audubon, NJ; and I like to go to their July 4th parade as well) OK back to Madonna, on the night I tried to kill myself I listened to “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” When I listen to the song it doesn’t make me sad, it reminds me of how far I’ve come, and my life did get better. The video for the song wasn’t made for over a decade. Here’s interesting background on the song.
In 1985, Madonna went on tour. I remember I couldn’t afford the $19 ticket, so I wrote her a tear stained fan letter. She never wrote back, but I still loved her. This is still one of my favorite songs, as I was always searching for love and willing to give up everything to have it. Madonna and I have something in common, we’ve both dated guys who have physically abused us.
June 1985 – Live AID, how amazing this took place in Philadelphia. I watched it on TV cause I couldn’t afford to pay $35 for a ticket, but I was still partying hard, and loving life. I couldn’t see the problem, as I was having a great time, but the lows were pretty low. It was around this time that Hugh Hefner, Playboy and Penthouse magazines got a hold of “modeling” photos Madonna had done in her lean years, many of them with her naked, and published them. Usually this was a death nil for someone’s career, but Madonna kept ascending. I was able to afford to buy both Playboy and Penthouse.
I got fired from HA Winston’s cause they expected us to show up on time for work, annoying. Got a job at the Garden State Racetrack, where alcohol and drugs were plentiful.
Getting on my feet meant jumping into a relationship and moving out of the Shaw’s house into another persons house in Gloucester Twp NJ. Life was manageable for about 2 years, but I never really addressed my partying problems and wild ways, so it was an unhappy, dramatic ending. Nothing says it’s over more than when your boyfriend moves his boyfriend into the house, and your clothes are thrown on the front lawn. I then moved in with Wayne Bowman and Michael Root, and slept on their couch for about 6 months til I got my life together, which meant working 2 – 3 jobs and living with a moody roomate. Madonna on the other hand had a hit movie “Desperately Seeking Susan”. A lot people thought it was autobiographical with Madonna basically playing herself.
When I worked at the racetrack I was unemployed 4 months out of the year, and was eligible for unemployment and assisted tuition. I took the Civil Service Test which said I had good reading comprehension and matched me with a few careers. I decided to go to paralegal school, a relatively new career, but predicted to be a hot job in 2000 (this was around 1988). I eventually went to work for the Solicitor of Camden, along with my other three jobs, working at the racetrack, Blockbuster and as a Sprint Telephone Operator.
In 1990, I moved to Philly to be closer to the bars, oh and a new job I took at the law firm. Since I didn’t have a college degree, I started out as a file clerk (I still worked at Blockbuster for the first year, commuting back to Cherry Hill at night). My boss was a wonderful women, Jane Lawton who put up with a lot of hangovers on my part. So many nights at Kurt’s, Woody’s, The Bike Stop, Second Story, Catacombs, Sunday nights at Voodoo and Revival, while playing for Spruce Street Video Softball with coach Frannie Price and teaching Les Price to pitch and catch. Great times, and memories, but life’s bad decisions were catching up to me, my health was bad, I weighed about 150 bloated lbs and my job was on the line. As for Madonna- This is the most amazing video and she does a much better job at lip syncing then Brittney. People at work would ask me, when Madonna says good face does that mean a BJ. SMH They just never understood her like I did, lol
1989 – Madonna Like A Controversy with Like A Prayer. Walks away with Pepsi’s $5 million bucks she earned from filming a commercial based on this song, after half the world condemns her for using religious imagery in this video. My mom asks me not to play Madonna around my little sister. I buy cassettes for her cause I want to make sure she stays cool. The Like A Prayer albums, cassettes and CDs are scented with patchouli to simulate church incense. Every cool kid begins wearing patchouli for the next few years. When I met Mike in 1994, he tells me, please don’t wear patchouli, it smells like bad dirt.
Madonna and I had our best performances in 1991. She sang at the Oscars, I finally got sober 12/16/91 after a few failed attempts for a year.
Madonna’s Sex Book was released on October 21, 1992. I didn’t have $50 to buy it. Years later, friends Bart & Jim gave me
one of their copies to celebrate my 5th year anniversary of being sober. I still have it, unopened. Now that retirement is in sight, maybe Madonna can fund a little bit of it.
Then I met that Mike Toub guy on July 10, 1994. I knew he loved me cause he didn’t complain when I played “Take A Bow” on a loop for days on end. I was in good company as “Take a Bow”, topped the Hot 100 for seven weeks, the longest period of any Madonna single.
Our dreams were coming true – I finally found The One, and Madonna finally had a successful movie with Evita, and became a mother.
I began making changes in my life. Went back to school to get a degree as Kohn Swift said they would promote me from file room to paralegal if I had one (a very rare move as they only employed 4 year college educated paralegals [Thanks Harold Kohn, Esq.]. I will always be grateful for that opportunity), began volunteering for organizations including Thrift for AIDS, The Phila Lesbian and Gay Task Force, as well as political organizations and joined my neighborhood group, while also re-connecting with my family. I was able to reconcile with my dad, and have enjoyd an amazing relationship with my family for the past 25 years.
Music Makes The People Come Together – I finally could afford to go to a Madonna concert, The Re-Invention World Tour was Madonna’s sixth concert tour (2004). I cried in the audience.
Years later I lived in NYC while working on a project for the law firm (I made sure that my living arrangements were less expensive than commuting to and from Philly; I barely ate) In August of 2005 I was able attend the annual Madonnathon–Madonna Birthdayat BB Kings. It was amazing. I went to Virgin’s record store in Time’s Square when the CD was released in October (she often releases her CD’s then I noticed) hoping she’d show up, but she didn’t. I played the CD religiously nearly everyday of the 18 months I lived there, and shortly before I left the Big Apple, I finally caught a glimpse of Madonna grabbing dinner with Gwyneth Paltrow in Midtown. (While in NYC I went to Madonna’s Confession Tour at MSG. That was amazing)
A few years later when I became a professional celebrity photographer, I did get a chance to photograph Madonna. (I was still a paralegal, but twice weekly would head to NYC to photographer celebrities after work, or on vacation days) She had called some of the photo agencies and mentioned that she’d be at the Kabbalah Center for morning services. We went and grabbed a few photos of her arriving. The next day she filed for divorce from her 2nd husband, Guy Ritchie. The photos that ran were the ones of her going to service with her son David.
Aren’t we all? I started my blog in 2007 after returning from NYC, to highlight social events in Philly, especially charities.
In 2011 I was laid off from my paralegal job, and became an event photographer, as well as a content provider for the media. Thank you my readers for your continuing support.
PS Marilyn Russell and I attended Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in 2016. I nearly fell out of my seat when she climbed on top of a cross on stage. She’s still as provocative as ever. Madonna‘s 14th Album should be released sometime this year.
At the Met Gala earlier this year she debuted a new song, sang an old song and sang another favorite songs. I continue to live my best life, and hope I can bring a little joy to the world.
PS Madonna if you’re reading this please unblock me from Instagram, I’m sorry I called you Reductive defending Lady Gaga.I am heartly sorry for having offended Thee – Thanks, in fandom- HughE ie PhillyChitChat
Thanks to Mike Toub for helping me achieve my goals, as well as keeping me grounded and my best friend. (I love him despite him insisting I keep my framed Madonna mag covers in the closet for the last 20 years.)
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.
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
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 ofThe 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.
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
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
On July 10, 2018, Philadelphia area urban farmers and guests gathered to celebrate EdiblePhilly 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 .
Heather Zimmerman, Allegra Derengowski, and Katherine RapinBetty Greene and Lisa SchoenbeckKatherine Rapin and Joy Manning
Nguyet Nguyen and Michael HicksWolf Williams and Qiana GangesGraces Wicks and Amanda StaplesMary Rapin and Judy WicksEmily Serkes and Ray PainterKatherine Rapin and Adrian Galbraith-PaulCharlyn Griffith and Jeannine Kayembe
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?
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
Finally got over to Red Owl Tavern (
The beer garden is much larger this year and is still under construction. It’ll definitely be done by tomorrow.
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.
For $35 that wine bottle on the wall is yours. That was a clever idea.
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.
