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Philadelphia

Snow BombCyclone hits Philly Captured In Photos

Snow BombCyclone hits Philly Captured In Photos
We all learned a new word this week. Now are today’s temperatures part of the Polar Vortex?

It’s interesting what’s happening with weather forecasting lately, I guess after being burned the past few years none of the local channels really predict major snow until it’s right upon us about 36 hrs out. I always follow weather geek twitter users on social media and follow them. They sometimes get it wrong as well, but they predicted this Nor’easter at least a week out. I’m a weather geek and it was exciting to follow along. Some of my fav weather geeks: @NJWeather1 ‏   @weatheroptics ‏and my favorite @nynjpaweather

Bombcyclone
There is not enough snow to sled down the Art Museum Steps without breaking your tail bone. There is enough snow to sled down the hill on the backside of the Art Museum, which by the way is really the front side “entrance” as the photo above is the technically the backside.

Bombcyclone
I really didn’t venture out early enough to capture the height of impact of the crazy storm, as I was enjoying my warm home and watching all the news channels simultaneously as only a weather geek would do.  In my head I thought I’ll go out about 1PM to catch people on their lunch hours to see how they were coping.

Bombcyclone
Not well. These folks at 20th & Market were basically holding on to each other as to not be blown away.

Bombcyclone

I did a lot of video at this intersection and put it on Twitter and Instagram. It was quite a howling wind.

Bombcyclone
I discovered there really weren’t that many people on the street. I guess offices were closed, which was a great thing

Bombcyclone

Looking South on Broad. I never realized there was a slight incline in front of the Ritz Carlton. Mind you I’m shooting a few of these shots from my buildings shuttle bus so I’m elevated. Annie is at the Walnut Street Theater.

Bombcyclone
This dad was having a snowball fight with his oblivious son

Bombcyclone Bombcyclone
The gal at Philly Pretzel put this note on the door, but forgot to lock the door as there was a steady stream of customers while I was standing thereBombcyclone
“Just one more photo Fido, PLEASE!!”
The Rittenhouse Square Tree is still up, and still lit

Bombcyclone
Most of the ornaments withstood the wind, except for this one Dove ironically. While taking photos it flew off several times, to the point where I just stopped putting it back on.

Bombcyclone Bombcyclone
Do these jackets really keep the dogs warm, or are they just cute? Don’t answer that I don’t allow comments on my blog. Bombcyclone
Why did I get rid of my comments, well I didn’t have time to monitor them, especially for comments on older posts.

Bombcyclone
A guy was salting the triangle island across from City HallBombcyclone
I saw a lot of these folks on the street, working hardBombcyclone


He’s got a serious scarf game going on here.
Happy New Year, check back on Sunday for PhillyChitChatter, my around town gossip column.
Follow me on FB HERE (I post news articles and events happening about 4 times a day) and on Instagram HERE (I post photos, I don’t always post them on other Social Media) and on Twitter, I share news, post news, opinions, Traffic Reports, and what’s going on around us in real time.

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Philadelphia

Philly Revelers Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Philly Revelers Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Craft Concept Group Soirees

Craft Concept Group New Year’s Eve held New Year’s Eve parties at a few of their bars and one very special place Bar 57 located at Liberty One Observation Deck.
Revelers
I started off the night at the Sugarhouse/Penns Landing VIP Party for the 6PM fireworks.

Revelers  

They were as spectacular as every, and the hospitality was much appreciated.

Then I headed over to Glitter City Gala at the Bellevue, which I’ll write about tomorrow.

Bru was happening

Then I headed next store to U-Bahn and the place was packed as well. This shot was taken about 11PM

At Bar 57 nearly 300 guests attended the one-of-a-kind NYE experience, where they enjoyed a lite buffet, spirits and entertainment by Philly’s own premier DJ Jason Weiss. I arrived about 1115PM and the party was in full swing.


At midnight high above the city party goers watched as the sky exploded with fireworks at Penns Landing while swaying to Auld Lang Syne playing in the background.

Teddy Sourias, Craft Concept Group , Deddie Sourias
Bru Craft & Wurst, Uptown Beer Garden and U-Bahn and Cinder Copper & Lace are part of Craft Concepts Group.
Next up for them is Tradesman, a BBQ place at Juniper and Chestnut Streets, right next to Bru, and U-Bhan.

Check out the article on Philly Mag for more info.

TODAY Enjoy snowstorm Grayson specials at

Cinder Copper & Lace
1500 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(267) 761-5582
https://www.cindercl.com

Open now, regular hours now until 2:00am. Specials until 7:00pm:

$4 and $5 draft specials (six beers total- special stuff too!)
$10 – all pizzas
$10 – Wild Goose Oysters (3, on the half shell)

BRU Craft & Wurst
1318 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Midtown Village
(215) 800-1079
www.bruphilly.com

Open now, regular hours, until 2:00am. Specials until 7pm.

$5 “Hot Cider (Big Hill fresh cider, Bluebird aged rum, spices)
$8 Brat & Beer – Housemade Bratwust w/ Bacon & Beer Kraut (housemade Brat, sandwich or plate) with Captain Lawrence Oktojawn (special Marzen Lager that I brewed with them, just for BRU)

 

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Philadelphia

The Sugarhouse Casino Presents The Mummers – My Fav Pixs

The Sugarhouse Casino Presents The Mummers – My Fav Pixs

I know a day late, here are my favorite Mummer photos. This year I decided to credential to shoot the parade instead of just shooting from the sidelines. When I applied I thought it was going to be 45F, as it stated in the 15 day outlook.


It was a lot of fun, being that cold made the whole parade feel like a community, cause we were all in the same boat, kinda. I did have the opportunity to party hop, which I did about every ninety minutes.


I headed to McCormick & Schmick’s for the Sugarhouse Casino/PHL17 Party. It was exactly what I needed, I warmed up, got a bite to eat and uploaded photos to CBS3, which you can see here.
Thanks Wendy Hamilton, GM Sugarhouse Casino, here with her son.


Councilman Mark Squilla
Definitely the best dressed at the parade


Quaker City performs in front of the Union League.
The crowd made a circle and everyone enjoyed the performance


The cutest thing, the Mummer shared a pair of gloves with a young fan


This mummer had photos of children around his neck


Cousin it makes it’s way up Broad Street

Then I headed to the Kimmel Center for their family fun day. It was fairly crowded for the frigid day.

There was a lot of fun happening. There was face painting and balloon crafts, this guy is making wings for the little girl

This is definitely the place for families to attend every year

On the 3rd floor, there was a Jose Garces Brunch until 3PM, when the floor was open to the public to check out the parade from the terrace.
There was also an area where families helped packaged healthy food for the needy in Philly


There were two lines of folks creating packages

Fire Chief Curran strutting with the Lego’s in front of Ladder 5 on Broad Street

Some Mummer spectators brought home souvenir.
All in all it was a fun day, in fact I think it was one of the best events. There was plenty of room and barely any crazies making a scene.

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Philadelphia

What Folks Wrote On The Resolution Wall at Kimmel Center

What Folks Wrote On The Resolution Wall at Kimmel Center

Happy New Year, did we all make resolutions? I did, and I already broke it. Darn. I made a promise to myself that I would post on Philly Chit Chat every day, and every morning by 7AM, like in the good old days in the first 5 years of PCC.

Let’s see what folks wrote about on the annual Resolution Wall at the Kimmel Center, where parade goers had a chance to write down their hopes for 2018.

Making money was definitely one of the resolutions that was repeated on the wall.  I guess Stop Smoking was something that person tried to do a couple times.



My new resolution is to learn how to do a meme

2 to 1 want Trump gone


If that person has saved lives before that’s awesome; Yeah Save More Lives!!
If you help around that house, that is awesome shit and a great role model to have better children

Well it’s a goalOk sounds good

Glad they didn’t sign their name

Ohhh who is DRP, I’m starving
I bet you’re already an awesome Nana

The most interesting notation on the Resolution Wall was that it was sponsored by the
Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board

The New Year’s Resolution Wall will be in the lobby of the Kimmel Center til this Saturday if you have a resolution you’d like to share with the world. Tomorrow I’m going to have a post up by 7AM, and will continue to do so until I break that resolution. Have an awesome year!!

 

 

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Philadelphia

Happy New Year : ChitChat -Lots of Engagements & No Surrender

Happy New Year. I usually do my best of the year entries this week, but as I am going away to Disney World in 2 weeks I’m going to save those entries for that week. It’s Friday so I’m going with my regular around town column ie gossip column where I share with you news of engagements, weddings, new business, celebrity sightings, cute pets, original content, tips from readers, info from PR peeps and of course news curated from Social Media.

Happy
Recently Billy Penn asked me where couples should get engaged in Philly. I picked the Waterworks as my favorite spot to get engaged because of the spectacular views of the City skyline and Boathouse Row. HappyAnd mentioned too cliche would be Rittenhouse Square, but why not anyway – it’s beautiful!!

As I expected many couples got engaged over the holiday, let’s see who’s going to the chapel….


Philly Mag featured a cute engagement of a couple on Philly’s other miracle street- Addison. I love that these days future grooms capture the moment either by hiring a photographer,

or taking selfies.
Happy
Oh it looks like someone read the Billy Penn article as Matt Malinowski popped the question to Charles Lentz at
the Waterworks, and then continued the celebration at Rittenhouse Square, which was the cliche place I mentioned to pop the question, especially during the holidays. What do guys give when they get engaged, sometimes a wedding band, cuff links, or in this case a watch as Matt gave to Chuck. Congrats guys.

Another friend of mine popped the question this weekend – Paul Smith. Paul and I both worked at Kohn Swift in our early careers. Paul and I went on to start our own successful business. Congrats to Paul and Sarah Ann!


Loren Robinson, MD, MSHP said YES to her fellow doctor. Earlier this month Loren was noted as 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health Awards Winners for 2017 Congrats on both accounts!

**********************

Tattoos for Heroes

My friend Eddie Alderson, 23 and my niece Nicole Rae, 21 are in the battles for their lives, literally and they chose to commemorate the battle with their own “scar”. Both have been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Nicole was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago, and is done treatment and has returned to school, Eddie is still undergoing treatment. They both have been public with their battle, and are winning. They don’t know each other, but they both traveled to NYC this past week to get tattoo’s to represent the battle.

Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), who now lives in the suburbs of Philly, tweeted earlier this month to Bruce Springsteen that he’d be seeing his Springsteen On Broadway – “Hey @springsteen ! “No Surrender” has been my motto and go-to song throughout my current fight against Cancer. I’m seeing your #BruceOnBroadway show Dec. 27, and would LOVE to get you to write No Surrender on my arm, for my first tattoo! Thank you for being my inspiration!” His former co-stars added their support and pleas to the singer on Twitter. Renée Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline) posted, “Thank you @Eddie_Alderson for inspiring me since our days on #OLTL! I stand with u! #NoSurrender @springsteen!” Melissa Fumero (ex-Adriana), wrote, “Eddie, you’re the best and you inspire me with your strength and bravery! Please, @springsteen give my friend the Xmas present he deserves. Sign his arm!! #nosurrender.” Josh Kelly (ex-Cutter), added, “When I grow up I wanna be @Eddie_Alderson … just my thoughts for the day. #NoSurrender … oh and @springsteen … please sign his arm.” Terri Conn (ex-Aubrey; ex-Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS), posted, “@springsteen, you will find no more an inspiration, a talent, or a kind and pure heart, than in @Eddie_Alderson! #makeadreamcometrue #BruceonBroadway #NoSurrender.”

See the video of Bruce signing Eddie’s arm at Soap Opera Digest
Then Eddie headed to Fun City Tattoo today to get the tattoo done.


Nicole who finished her treatment a year ago, and is well enough to return to school wanted to mark this time in her own way, with 13 bats for reasons she is keeping to herself. What we do know is she’s been a fan of Megan Massacre: tattoo artist, model, fashion contributor, and TV personality for sometime and made an appointment a few months back, as Megan books out months in advance.


I asked Nicole if it was painful, and she told me it was less painful than the constant needles she had to endure during her cancer treatment.

Nicole’s dad Tom also got a tattoo of a bat with Nicole’s initials to honor his daughter (his first tat is a circle stamp honoring his dad who passed away several years ago).

Megan Massacre, Nicole DeFeo and Tom DeFeo

Kristin Alderson and Eddie Alderson

 

Eddie & Nicole congrats on your tats, and for being an inspiration to us all.
God bless you, and Happy New Year!!
#NOSURRENDER

 

 

 

 

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Philadelphia

The Most Fantastic Party I didn’t Attend, but wish I had – Decor Delight

The Most Fantastic Party I didn’t Attend, but wish I had

Medical Guardian (1818 Market Street  Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103) held their annual holiday party earlier this month at VIE in Philadelphia. Geoff Gross, Founder & CEO at Medical Guardian hosted friends, family and employees of the life saving Medical Alert System which serves seniors nationwide. I was supposed to attend, but something came up and I missed it. After attending in the past and knowing that Valerie Sings Gross – Val Sings Events was producing the event, I knew it’d be a party we all needed to see

Fantastic
Valerie Sings Gross and Geoff Gross


Santa’s Workshop was the theme


Santa was there


Cescaphe always has one of the most delicious spreads chock full of seafood and see food

Gorgeous champagne display as you walk into the lobby

 


Valerie Sings Gross


A wall of employees photos from past parties

Val Sings Events did a sweet job on this event.
Happy Happy Holidays, what a wonderful holiday season. I for one am not bothered when the commericals, and the music and the holiday cheer starts in November because when December 26 rolls around I’m already nostalgic for it.

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Philadelphia

Wrap Up: Holiday Parties – Craft House Fundraiser, Klehr, Harrison & NACE

Wrap Up: Holiday Parties – Craft House Fundraiser, Klehr, Harrison & NACE

Happy Holidays continues as I catch up on postings and parties I covered in the celebratory month of December. In this post I’m going to cover three events, two I hit in one night.

House
Matthew Ray, Chatterblast and Melissa Magee, 6ABC

On Thursday, Dec 14 at the Craft Hall Pop-Up Restaurant (North Side of City Hall by the Christmas Tree) former “Olive Garden 1997 National Mixologist Champion” Matthew Ray returned to the bar! The one-night-only appearance is to benefit the KIDS. $1 per drink purchased will be donated to the Philadelphia Department of Human Services to support children in foster care during the holiday season.

The City Reps Office


Mike Jerrick stopped by and then we headed to the legendary annual Klehr, Harrison, Harvey Branzburg holiday party which took place at the  Hyatt at the Bellevue Hotel on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, buffet supper, as they networked and enjoyed the festive atmosphere.


We knew it’d be a classy party when we ran into Mark Nicoletti, who was attending with Mikaela Schwartz and Kara Schwartz


Gordana Loncar


Councilman Mark Squilla


Mike with jet setter Melisa Leonard


Mike with fans. He always has time for them. He’s definitely an iconic Philadelphian.

Amanda Dougherty, Kerry Slade and Kelsey Hughes – Blaum of Klehr, Harrison
The lighting and decor was spectacular, and the stage was on fire, nearly with the pyrotechnics every once in awhile, which makes photos a bit sexy smokey.

Guest, Jamie Joffee and Hope Cohen

Frankie Mancuso and Kristen Foote

Paul Steinke, Executive Director of The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, guest and John Grady, PIDC

Fran Fattah and friends
Andrew Still, EisnerAmper LLP and Momin Sheikh, Founder/Principal – ‎MerakiCMO


Mike Barmash, Colliers International and Despina Belsemes, Colliers International


Gaetano Piccirilli, Maria Quattrone (congrats on your marriage to Chip this past weekend) and Dara Ellis.
*****************************************

National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) held their Annual Holiday Party & Awards at the Ritz Carlton earlier this month.  Thank you to our participating sponsors Campli Photography, Marilyn Sukonick-Zeff Professional Tarot Card Presentations, Jon Ardito Entertainment – Philadelphia Wedding Bands and DJs, AFR Furniture Rental and SHOUT Graphic and Print Solutions! A very special thank you to our Title Sponsor Philadelphia Wedding Magazine!

Gail Malcolm, The High Point, Barbara Belotti , Sue Cunnane, ONE North Broad St and Samantha Aimee Kravitz, PartySpace

The NACE is the first, non-profit, national organization for caterers, event planners, and event professionals the provide education, certification, and a network of resources for members in all segments of the hospitality industry.


The Ritz Carlton folks served a delicious buffet dinner, and the cutest cookies


Denis Sinelnikov, Media Components LLC and Benjamin Yoblick, Lafayette Hill Studios


Membership Director Billy Handy (r)


Happy Holidays, on Thursday I’ll be posting the most impressive Holiday party with eye popping decor

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Philadelphia

Photos: Thuzio and Claude Giroux Foundation Fundraiser

Thuzio and Claude Giroux Foundation Fundraiser

On November 30, 2017, Thuzio members, their guests and supporters of the Claude Giroux Foundation gathered at Cescaphe Ballroom for a Casino themed night in support of a great cause.

Thuzio

 

Guests tried their luck playing traditional casino games and bidding on silent and live auction items. Claude Giroux mingled with guests and was joined by 6-8 of his Flyers teammates and other local philadelphia celebs/athletes such as Vince Papale, Freddie Mitchell, Todd Herremans, Brian Propp, Riley Cote, Justin Perillo amongst others.


Claude Giroux, Flyers

Thuzio is redefining business entertainment through its exclusive celebrity-powered event platform. Executives rely on Thuzio experiences to engage their most vital business relationships and network amongst a c-level audience, while brands leverage Thuzio to reach its influential community. Member companies range from large corporations such as Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, to local small business owners.


Thuzio was founded in 2012 by New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, serial entrepreneur Mark Gerson (co-founder of GLG), and Jared Augustine as an e-commerce marketplace for booking athletes. In 2014, Thuzio launched its subscription event product and currently hosts events in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, & Los Angeles.
Todd Herremans and Vince Papale

Freddie Mitchell
The Claude Giroux Foundation, established in 2014, supports various organizations who better the lives of individuals and families in need throughout the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Hearst, Ontario communities. Originally from Hearst, Ontario, Giroux announced in October of 2010 that he had chosen to associate himself with the Notre-Dame Hospital Foundation in Hearst. “I think it’s a good cause and a lot of people back home are putting a lot of time into it, so it should be a pretty good site for fans visit,” said Giroux.


The partners of the foundation then decided to join forces and first raise funds for the construction of a new physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre named, the Claude-Giroux Centre. “The construction of the new Centre Claude-Giroux Centre is a big project with an estimated cost of around $700,000. We hope this website will prove to be an excellent and innovative way to raise funds for this project”, declared France Dallaire, member of the Foundation and CEO of the Notre-Dame Hospital.
Host of The700LevelShow Marc Farzetta, Emcee the evening and Andrea Helfich, new sideline reporter for the Flyers
Jen Groover, serial entrepreneur

Thanks to Thuzio for providing the photos. I had bronchitis and wasn’t able to make it, although it was on my schedule.

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Philadelphia

Jingle Bells at Philly/NJ Man Magazine Holiday Party

Jingle Bells at Philly/NJ Man Magazine Holiday Party

Earlier this month I headed to the annual Philly/NJ Man Magazine at my favorite holiday spot in Atlantic City Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City  with my buds Thanuja Hamilton MD , Michelle Leonard and Nicky the boyfriend.
JingleThe party was held at Boogie Nights, a throwback 70s + 80s Dance Club. We had so much fun, the party was great, food delicious and the DJ hit all the right spots for fantastic dance moves. I was excited as I took a turn on the floor myself, the first time since I was diagnosed with a blood clot three weeks before, that was fun.

Thanuja Hamilton, MD, former Flyers great, and philanthropic guy – Brian Propp, Michelle Leonard (real estate agent to the stars) and Tom Bove, 1981 Paul VI graduate or as I like to say my former school mate.


Ken Dunek, Publisher and Managing Partner of JerseyMan and PhillyMan Magazine and Vince Ceroli, Hardenbergh Insurance Group

There was a nice turnout for the holiday party.


Whitney Ullman, Go Whitney and Jennifer Sherlock, Jenna Communications

It was a sweet night. Thanks for having me.
While I was in AC Teresa Giudice headed to Vlanni’s for a Toys for Tots event.

What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?


Tickets and Info to The Glitter City Gala HERE

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Philadelphia

Political Friends Celebrate with Vince Fumo at his Annual Christmas Party

Political Friends Celebrate with Vince Fumo at his Annual Christmas Party

Last night I attended my 3rd holiday party at Vince Fumo’s. In the  90s & 00s before I was PCC,  I had always read about the grandiose parties at the Green Street mansion, especially at Christmas time when the house on the hill was elaborately decorated. Out of the blue about three years ago the senator wrote me himself to invite me to the famed Christmas party.

Political

 

The first two years I attended the parties were fairly low key, with family members and a few close, notable political operatives. This year it was like back to the future, with triple the size of attendees.

This year was not only a remembrance of the holidays and good will, but a celebration for Fumo’s new biography, which came out last month:


Sen Larry Farnese, Karen Sugarman, Vince Fumo and Lt. Gov Mike Stackhouse

Target: The Senator: A Story About Power And Abuse Of Power , which was just released earlier this month. The former Senator will be doing a book tour in the new year, with a book signing, party at the Union League in January.


Michael Schulson, Nina Tinari Schulson and former senator Vince Fumo


Senator Christine Tartaglione, Nicholas DeBenedictis, Lt Gov Mike Stack, and former CBS3/CW Philly 57 President and General Manager Michael Colleran with guests


Mariska K. Bogle, executive director of the nonprofit Philadelphia Hospitality Inc and Sean Reilly. Esq.


Christian DiCicco and Anna Catania, Ten Pennies


Chef Mark Scharaga, Nyotaimori Experience and one of the few sushi chefs certified by the Blue Ocean Institute for sustainability.


Mina Massaro–Giordano, MD,  Antonio Giordano, a pathologist, professor of biology, and director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple and Carol Tamburino

Micah Mahjoubian, Linda Knox and Councilman At-Large Al Taubenberger


Hostess Debbie Pastrana, Vince’s girlfriend


Also spotted State Sen. Larry Farnese , Councilman Mark Squilla, State. Sen Shariff Street, Judge Felice Stack, Carol and Nino Tinari


Eric S and Wanda Mora.
Wanda has done such a wonderful job at raising money for her Puerto Rico over the passed few months. Look for her big fundraiser coming up in February at Union Trust – For The Love of Puerto Rico


Balboa Catering did a great job on the food. Upstairs their was a prime rib spread and downstairs delicious pork and lamb options.


Tonya Stack and Lt. Gov Mike Stack


Micah Mahjoubian and Councilwomen Janie Blackwell

Stacy Wanerman, Mike Jerrick, Anna Catania, guest, Larry Wanerman, Cindy Wanerman and Michael Colloran


Tom Knox, Anna Cantina, Carol Tamburino and


Carol Tinari and Cheryl Finocchiaro 

guest, Hacina Saadi, and Dawn Tancredi, Zarwin Baum


The Senator has been in the press lately. Read an interview here at Philly Mag, then head to PhillyVoice for an excerpt from his book.

Merry Christmas. Check out PhillyChitChat tomorrow for another party.
I’m off to Charlotte for a week, follow me on Social Media, links up top, to see what
I’m seeing.