Philly Chit Chat

Spring Fete: The Junior League of Philadelphia

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date April 4, 2018

Spring Fete: The Junior League of Philadelphia

There are a lot of wonderful women networking organizations, but one of the prominent ones is The Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP). Recently they held their annual Spring Fete at the Philadelphia History Museum (15 S. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA 19106) on Thursday, March 29, 2018. The mix and mingle event featured lite bites, DJ entertainment, and tours of the museum with Museum Historian, Dr. Cynthia Little and the Director of the Collection, Kristen Froehlich .

All proceeds from the event benefit projects and programs furthering The Junior League of Philadelphia’s mission as well as our Apple a Day Healthy Living Initiative™, addressing food insecurity in Philadelphia.

**Farrell Ougheltree** and **Brittany Shaw**

**Rose Jackson, Samantha Roberts, Megan Morgan** and **Christy Workman**

**Kelly A. Murphy,** Director of External Relations & Special Events for Philadelphia History, **Charles Croce,** President of the Philadelphia History Museum and **Nancy E. Ahlum,** chair of Focus Fundraising of Junior League

Latoya Bryant’s been a member of the The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. for the past 3 years. She loves networking with a diverse membership of women, as well as provided a service to the community. Karimah Lynum, is not a member but is thinking of joining.

Through out the evening members and their guests were able to check out the exhibits at the The Philadelphia History Museum

As well as take selfies in their “neighborhood”

Kelly A. Murphy, Director of External Relations & Special Events for The Philadelphia History Museum gives a tour for the Junior League members and guests.

Maryanne Morrison and Lisa Morrison

The Committee Focus Fundraisers with **Mary Peller,** President of the Junior League of Philadelphia (green dress)

On Saturday head out to the JLP’s 6th Annual Empowering You Health Fair! JPL is delighted to partner once again with Lankenau Medical Center and showcase over 15 vendors who focus on every day healthy living. Come by Saturday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to empower YOUR health!

Tags client, Fall Fete, Junior League of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia History Museum

Philadelphia

Fashion at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 5th Annual Red and White Gala

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date April 3, 2018

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 5th Annual Red and White Gala

Last last month the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 5th Annual Red and White Gala took place at The Marriott Downtown drawing nearly 700 guests, and selling out one of the most talked about events of the season.

Ellen Rubesin, LLS Executive Director

The event raises money for breakthrough therapies and patient services funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS). The event also boasted an Audi car raffle featuring the all-new a 2018 Audi A4 Sedan Quarto (MRSP: $43,595). The vehicle was generously donated, and LLS received 100 percent of the ticket sales.

The evening began with a cocktail party while guests checked out silent auction items ranging from trips, to experiences to sports outings. Afterwards guests headed into the ballroom for dinner and dancing, after a tribute honoring Wawa and their commitment to supporting LLS’s mission.

Maxx Hofmann and Kelsey Laux
(No relation to my cousin Joe Laux she tells me)

Gorgeous couple and dress: Matt Carideo and Lisa Eichenbaum

Classy, chic and fashionable: Nicole Johnson and Kathleen Kenneally

Shawn Pressley and Courtney Pressley

**Francis Gallagher,** greets **Mark Pennington** as **Christopher Morris** and **Mary Pennington** look on.

Len and Nancy Amoroso

Chris Lynch, Terry Lynch, Zach Hangey and Michelle Hangey

Table settings and flowers by Beautiful Blooms

The MC for the evening Matt Pellman | 6abc.com

Greg Seitter and Marcello Luzi

Philadelphia

2018 Fairmount Park Road Closures – Kelly Drive, MLK Drive and The Parkway

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date April 2, 2018

2018 Fairmount Park Road Closures – Kelly Drive, MLK Drive and The Parkway

Come on Spring, this is a sure sign when Philadelphia Parks & Recreation releases the road closure schedule for the year. First and most important beginning this weekend, the first full weekend of April, MKL Drive will close for recreational use. The full length is closed from Eakins Oval to Falls Bridge from 7AM to Noon. Then from Sweetbriar to Falls Bridge Noon to 5PM – Saturday and Sunday.

Kelly Drive Events

MLK Events
Parkway Events – Made in America is not confirmed yet.
Check out Phila Parks & Recreation for an up to date complete listing of road closures
When it goes live it will be under press releases. I’ll update my site with the link.

Tags Fairmount Park Road Closures, Kelly Drive Road Closing, Parkway Road Closures, Roads closed Fairmount Park 2018, What Regatta is on Kelly Drive, What Regatta is on the Schuylkill, Why is Kelly Drive Closed

Philadelphia

Creed 2 News, Koreana Food Coming to Center City and more Chit Chat

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date March 30, 2018

Creed 2 News, Koreana Food Coming to Center City and more Chit Chat

Warm welcome to spring, sure signs of it in Philly, Logan Fountain has been turned on, Rittenhouse Square packed at lunch time and in the evening Rittenhouse restaurant row packed with people eating al fresco. Hope to see everyone on Easter Sunday for the South Street promenade which begins at 12:30PM at Passyunk and South Streets.
Michael B Jordan was spotted running the Schuylkill River Banks Boardwalk last week.

Creed 2 starts principle filming Monday April 2 at Sun Center Studios in Aston, Pa with a cast of thousands of extras. I think they’re filming the finale fight first, not only because of the huge amount of extras on set, but because the actors have been working out and pumping up for the past three weeks at the Sporting Club where they also have a boxing ring. The kind of training they’re doing isn’t the kind of training you can do while you’re filming a movie.

They’ll be at Sun Center Studios until the the middle of the third week of April filming, but may pop out to do occasional filming around town during those three weeks. After April 15 look for more filming in and around Philadelphia. You might have a chance to see them as we all did during the first Creed. Look for Creed 2 to come out November 2018.

David Whitaker, Choose Chicago, Ellen Yin (Outstanding Restaurateur), Clare Reichenbach, James Beard Foundation, Michael Solomonov (Outstanding Service Zahav) and Rising Star Chef of the Year Camille Cogswell, Zahav

On Wednesday the cast of Creed 2 including Dolph Lundgren, Michael B Jordan and Tessa Thompson had dinner at Zahav, in old city, the restaurant by Michael Solomonov or Solo as his friends call him. It’s so good there. The restaurant just got a James Beard Award Nomination for best service. James Beard Awards are like the Oscars for Food. I covered the nominations last week, which were held here in Philly, hosted by Visit Philly and held at Parc restaurant. Also nominated was Ellen Yin, of High Street & a.kitchen for best restaurateur. Rich Landau, chef/partner with his wife, Kate Jacoby, of Vedge restaurant who was nominated for best chef in the mid-Atlantic region.

Milk House closed 2 weeks ago as I reported on Chit Chat; Yesterday I noticed a new sign on the window:
Seems Koreana Food is moving in. They currently have a place in University City.

Koreana Food offers a wide variety of traditional Korean Food.Yes 1818 Market Street did get a new sign. Sleek, modern and colorful.

Tags Chit Chat Gossip Friday, Creed 2, Philly Gossip

Philadelphia

Real Estate I Shot: 402 Joseph St, Norristown, PA 19403

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date March 30, 2018

Real Estate I Shot: 402 Joseph St, Norristown, PA 19403 For Sale

Michelle Leonard, realtor to the stars and regular folks like us, hired me to shoot another home for her. Congrats to her 2 weeks ago she sold a million dollar beauty which I had photographed as well.

real-estate-shot

The home is at 402 Joseph St, Norristown, PA 19403

3 beds3 baths2,755 sqft – look there’s my head in the mirror, lol

OK this bathroom is back to the future fun, imagine all the stories you’ll remember from granma’s house and her nostalgic wallpaper.
Definitely keep a shot of this in your house before you renovate
This backyard is memorable, not only is it huge, but on this particular date it was muddy for moi and Mike was none to happy when I didn’t kick it off before heading into our house.
Fortunately for us I shot the backyard before I headed into this house. Love this foyer. There is actually 3 entrances to the house, this was one of them.
Holy cow another bathroom
This is definitely my favorite view of the family room/dining area. I can hear Carol and Mike now “Alice is dinner ready, where are the kids?
Great light flows into this room
That fridge is a bucket list for me

Then back to the future with the wall oven. This was definitely a high line item in the 70s.
One of my favorite bedrooms, with lots of light and closet space.

Laundry rooms near the side door are the best. I can hear my mom now, put your gym clothes in the washer…leave your shoes here. Wash your hands at the utility sink.
Another view of the living/dining rooms and a shot of the upstairs hallwayLucky parents their kids will never have the joy of sneaking out in the middle of the night to go play with friends with these safely conscious windows.

Check out the complete listing here:

You will love this 70’s style colonial on treeline street in the Halford tract.New carpet in Living Room Dining Room and stairs to 2nd floor. The Foyer, Study Living Room and Dining Room are freshly painted, windows and sliders in great room are less than 2 years old. Rear yard is fenced.

Call Michelle Leonard

Hire Me To Shoot Your Real Estate, and I’ll promote it on Philly Chit Chat as well.

Tags Hire Me To Shoot Your Real Estate, Michelle Leonard, Real Estate For Sale, Real Estate Photographer

Philadelphia

Malcolm Jenkins And Whitney Thomas Celebrate Terrace Daniels’ BoConcepts

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date March 28, 2018

Malcolm Jenkins And Whitney Thomas Celebrate Terrace Daniels’ BoConcepts

Earlier this month Whitney Thomas and Malcolm Jenkins celebrated their collaboration with Terrace Daniels and his modern furniture store – BoConcepts at 1719 Chestnut St with a fun, fashionable pop up party.

There were all these fun “conversation starters” in piles, to encourage people to chat. What a great idea, and a super nice gesture to mix and mingle.
Welcome back to Replica Creative Larry Griffin, here with everyone’s best friend Kristyn Aldrich.
Morrisa Jenkins
Happy Birthday

Derek Green
Al Butler, Leon Johnson, and Jennifer George
Check out an interesting article on Terrace and BoConcept on Philly Trib

Philadelphia

ChitChat: The Pod Hotel to Open in Center City

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date March 27, 2018

ChitChat: The Pod Hotel to Open in Center City

Center

About a year or so ago a slither of a building was torn down on 19th Street (31 South 19th Street, ) with lots of speculation on what would be going in this spot, which is south of Market Street. Today a friend tipped me off that a cool hotel that I’ve stayed at in NYC would be built there – Pod, not to be confused with the sushi restaurant of the same name. With a little internet sleuthing I discovered a few articles on the new, exciting modern sleek new hotel – the POD Hotel where I’ve stayed in NYC and they are so cool.

They’re great for budget, no frills stays in the City, (Currently in NYC and DC)

with micro, but very functional and fun rooms.

(Can you imagine if you’re not specific with a cab driver “Take me to Pod” and they take you to the incorrect one; it reminds me of when there were two Bookbinders in the City)

Check out (Philadelphia Speaks)

AND for a great behind the scenes, in-depth article where the story was “rumored” read Sandy Smith’s

Is There a Big Hotel in the Works on 19th Street? over at P hilly Mag

The story broke on Commercial Observer

Last year Pod Chinatown in DC, and the DC Business Journal covered it in detail.

Tags breaking news, ChitChat, Micro Hotel, New Hotel, Philadelphia Speaks, Phillychitchat gossip, Pod

Philadelphia

Zarwin Baum’s 17th March Madness Party was Thrilling for Villanova

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date March 27, 2018

Zarwin Baum’s 17th March Madness Party was Thrilling for Villanova

We’re dong was Zarwin Baum’s 17th Annual March Madness , this year they held it again at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City with nearly 1200 people in attendance over the 9 hour NCAA watch party.

Villanova

There was a steady stream of folks in attendance, but the guest count really ramped up towards the 5PM hour when Villanova was scheduled to play. (Villanova is now in the Final Four, playing Kansas on March 31)

Former Temple football great, and NFL bound Leon Johnson with Jennifer George, entertainment agent

Smith’s Catering had a room for fun, food, and spirits
Philabundence – PK Catering –
The Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) is a 14-week culinary vocational training program which has been transforming the lives of low-income women and men since 2000. Students who are accepted into the 500-hour program will;

Aaron Raysor alway sports the best glasses
Orange Cryo was on hand giving frozen facials

Smiths had a sweet set up

Carl Scaramuzza, President Credit Blue Print with Melissa Leonard
The Mad Rex team

Seriously love this sign, everyone should use this slogan when you have a candy bar
Sweet candy bar. These ladies put it together, then police it so I don’t overdose on sugar
Perry Milou contributed fantastic artwork to the silent auction

Gary DeVito, Zarwin Baum and James Molinari, Zarwin Baum Where the stars work out
Scarpetta, where the stars dine
Howard Eskin makes an appearance
Mitchell Kaplan, Zarwin Baum, Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown and Sen. Anthony Williams

This year’s proceeds from the silent auction, and donations went to Philabundance

Ashley Dunek, Philly Mag Magazine in the house

Check out these links to see where additional photos were placed.

https://phillystylemag.com/Zarwin-Baums-16th-Annual-March-Madness-Event

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2018/03/16/zarwin-baums-march-madness-party-to-benefit-philabundence/

https://www.metro.us/things-to-do/philadelphia/zarwin-baum-march-madness

Tags Annual Party, client, March Madness, NCAA, Philabundance, Villanova, Zarwin Baum

Philadelphia

Philly Current Magazine Celebrates People in Philly

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date March 26, 2018

Philly Current Magazine celebrated another fabulous year celebrating fabulous folks making a difference in Philadelphia with

People
(Can you spot my name?)

The Philly Current Picks Issue. The party took place at the new Concourse Dance Bar at 1635 Market Street.

Current

You know the club that everyone’s talking about with the ball pit pool.

Lily Cope and Anna Clemancy – Best Place to Feel Like A Lumberjack – Urban Axes

Walter Robinson, Esq., Jennifer Robinson (Best Networker), Chris Drucquer, Owner – CertaPro Painters of the Main Line and Jennifer Sharp

Tony Luke, Jr (most courageous for his #BrownAndWhite campaign), Robin Austin and Tony Bruno, Jr.
Kristen Rodgers, – Best Newcomer as the new Fox 29’s sports reporter, Alex Holley, Fox 29, Eddie Keels – man with a million friends, founder of Philly Current Magazine, Chelsey Scalese and Matt Cord – the man with many jobs, he’s on BenFM’s morning show and he’s the announcer for the Sixers.
John Vesper, Bill Vesper – The Vesper Brothers who served delicious pizza and pasta with Geno Vento, Geno’s Steaks
Davida Janae and Kamille Watson
Cover guy Osayi Osunde with Eddie Keels, Philly Current
Chef Chris Kearse – senselessly sensational and Camila Reel enjoying the ball pit
Barrett Marshall, Staff Attorney, Housing Unit – ‎Community Legal Services and Amber Hikes, executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia
Alex Holley, Kristen Rodgers and Lauren Johnson – Fox 29 Angels
Jamyra Perry, Melony Roy, KYW1060, Michelle “The Hat Lady” Leonard – Best Realtor and

Meghan Kery and Justin Tyner, Best Stain Glass

Sheila Hess, City Rep, Jordan Parenti, Visit Philly and Jennifer Bishop, Visit Philly

Brandon Szeker and Aneesa Ferreira

Dr. Nina Radcliff and Alloyius McIlwaine, artist

Subscribe to Philly Current today…

The headliner for Tasty Talk on March 28 is plugged-in publisher, brand marketer and graphic designer Eddie Keels. Eddie’s up and coming magazine “PC,” or Philly Current Magazine, presents Philadelphia in a whole new way. Just $20 ($25 at the door) covers hors d’ oeuvres, a communal lunch, dessert, tax and tip – and all profits benefit The Child Life Department at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Tags Best of Philly, Eddie Keels, Philly Current Magazine

Philadelphia

Dolph Lundgren, Shania Twain, Monique Braxton and more Philly Gossip

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date March 25, 2018

Dolph Lundgren, Shania Twain, Monique Braxton and more Philly Gossip

Braxton
Welcome to Spring, I hear it’s snowing again in the Western Suburbs today. I do hope all this late season snow doesn’t affect the cherry trees which are just starting to bud like the ones along the Schuylkill River Thursday, as collegiate scullers practiced, brrrrr

Dolph Lundgren and Michael B Jordon were spotted at Scarpetta on Rittenhouse Square last Tuesday. Earlier in the week Dolph posed with a young fan at the Logan Hotel.

Perhaps they were both attending the Logan Hotels’s new Once Upon A Time, once a month (4th Sunday) on Sunday’s children’s reading
hour with “James Logan” himself. Milk and cookies were on the hours.

Spotted: Shania Twain was seen a few times since October at Vedge, she told fans that spotted her that she has friends in Philly and comes here quite often. I know where I’m going to eat late night July 12.

While walking through Rittenhouse Square the other night, I noticed the top of the police “station” was newly lit. Nice job.
Saturday night in Philly was hopping. There was the Red Ball (Red Cross), The Red & White Gala (LLS), Black Tie Gay Bingo and 2018 Philadelphia UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball|UNCF, where The Today Show’s Sheinelle Jones was honored with the Legacy Award. As some of you know, I was on air at Fox 29 from 2011 – 2017, four of those years I would do celebrity gossip and scene chat on Good Day with Sheinelle and Mike Jerrick (who returns to Good Day Monday). I was so happy to hang with them last night, and I’m so grateful to both of them for all their mentor-ship. Also close by was Tori Williams, producer from Fox 29 and good friend of Sheinelle’s; plus Monique Braxton, formerly of NBC10 Philadelphia. She’s recently retired to care for her family, especially dad in his 90s. I’ll have the photos posted this week from these events and will share the links with you.