Rebecca Rhynhart Celebrates Her Inauguration at Saxbys
Rebecca Rhynhart was sworn-in as the new and Philadelphia’s first woman City Controller at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts early morning on January 2, 2018. That evening she held a celebration at Saxbys Headquarters in Center City. All proceeds from this event will benefit Mural Arts Restorative Practices Youth Program.
Sandy Brown, Brown’s Super Stores, Inc., Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philly, and Jeff Brown, President & CEO of Brown’s Super Stores, Inc.
Matthew Blank, Business Development Manager at Friedman LLP; Michael Barmash, Senior Managing Director | Principal at Colliers International; Bruce Marks, Partner, Friedman LLP and BK Marks
Dena Herrin, Executive Director at Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey; Scott Brown and Marji Rosenbluth PhilipsRebecca Rhynhart, the first female controller of the City of Philadelphia , greets guests at her Inauguration Celebration at the Saxbys headquarters on Tuesday January 2, 2018Anna Adams-Sarthou, Adams Sarthou Communications, Rosamond Howard, The Dow Chemical Company; Barbara Adams, Member | Philadelphia Energy Authority and Louis Ballezzi, Esq
DJ Royale spinning his magic
Brittany Goldberg, MSC Retail, Jason Malumed, partner at MFW Wine Co., a wine importer and distributor serving New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania (Congrats to Brittany & Jason on their recent wedding), Jacob Cooper, MSC Retail and Nick Bayer, CEO SaxbysMichael Hoffberg, Vencore Inc. and Sharon Hoffberg, MA, MT-BC
Jane Golden greets Rebecca Rhynhart as Nick Bayer looks on
Kellan White, First Deputy City Controller at Office of the City Controller and Nicole Allen White, Director of government and external affairs at the Art Museum.Amber Gay and Amy WilliamsRebecca Rhynhart, the first female controller of the City of Philadelphia thanks her supporters at her Inauguration Celebration at the Saxbys headquaters on Tuesday January 2, 2018. She reiterated her commitment to good government that works and to change the status quo that resonated with Philadelphia voters during the general election and secured her 83% of the vote.
“I want our work to be transformative, to be able to show real accomplishment. I want all of us to say one, two three years from now that we did this together, we made Philadelphia work better. That is what we are embarking on together, and I’m thrilled to now be able to get started. Thank you all!” Congrats controller Rhynhart !!
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TODAY: Saxbys opens a new coffee shop, this one at the Beneficial Bank Building 1818 Market Street. Malcolm Jenkins, starting safety for the Eagles, will be behind the counter from 11 a.m. to noon. I’ll be there shooting from 11AM to 1PM ish. Here’s the details:
Guests can order from a full menu, setting the price themselves. All proceeds will go to the newly established Saxbys Fellowship, which was created in partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia. It will provide scholarships for 10 students per year.
Below is the full lineup of guest bartenders for the event. The cafe will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
8:30-9:15 a.m. – Beneficial Bank CEO Gerry Cuddy will serve drinks behind the bar.
9:15-10 a.m. – Agile Cat CEO Peter Madden will serve drinks behind the bar.
11 a.m. to noon – Philadelphia Eagles Malcolm Jenkins will serve drinks behind the bar.
11:30-11:45 a.m. – Councilwoman Cherelle Parker will stop by the cafe.
1-2 p.m. – Mike Jerrick from FOX29’s Good Day Philadelphia will serve drinks behind the bar.
Welcome home Brittney Shipp, as she returns to NBC10 Philly to share weather duties with Bill Henley. I don’t recall someone boomeranging back to the same station after leaving to go to another city (Oh wait I was chatting with Mike Jerrick today, and he did leave Fox 29 in the 90s and come back in the 00s). I have seen them come back and go to a competing station, so this is really cool. So excited for her, and us. Shipp returns to NBC10 after working as chief meteorologist for KRON-TV in the San Francisco Bay area for two years. She worked at NBC10 as a meteorologist from 2013 to 2016.While she was gone she also wrote a children’s book – “The Meteorologist in Me.” Here she is with her NBC10 co-worker, anchor Jacqueline London enjoying the weather this weekend.
Congrats to Michael Strauss and his new eatery Mike’s BBQ is South Philly. Despite the wind, snow and freezing temperatures, he’s sold out of many of the items on the menu night after night, so get there early. Marc Vetri stopped by to wish him well. I think Marc looks damn happy, and relaxed. He’s not a big smiler, but he’s grinning ear to ear about life now. Yes for Marc this is a grin ear to ear.
Congrats to developer Eric Blumenfeld and Laura Cordaro on their marriage, which took place at his latest project The Divine Lorraine Hotel on New Year’s Eve in the newly renovated ballroom at the iconic hotel. I still pinch myself when I realize the most beautiful building in the City has come back to life. THANK YOU ERIC!!
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Spotted: Marcus Johnson wide receiver of Philadelphia Eagles dined at Davio’s in center city earlier this week. Marcus had a calamari to start, ordered an 10oz filet medium well for entree.
Spotted: Betty Schlesinger Domb stopped by her namesake restaurant recently with her son, Councilman Allan Domb. It’s one of my favorite restaurants as well, I’m a huge fan of their Academy Sandwich, pickle bar and the HughE German Chocolate Cake, plus the FunFetti Cake.
Mayor Kenney celebrated two years in office, by tweeted out a series of photos earlier this week including this one of me.
WOW so nice, thanks.
Hope to see you at Saxbys latest coffee shop tomorrow. I’ll be shooting the event from 11AM til 1PM.
8:30-9:15 a.m. – Beneficial Bank CEO Gerry Cuddy will serve drinks behind the bar.
9:15-10 a.m. – Agile Cat CEO Peter Madden will serve drinks behind the bar.
11 a.m. to noon – Philadelphia Eagles Malcolm Jenkins will serve drinks behind the bar.
11:30-11:45 a.m. – Councilwoman Cherelle Parker will stop by the cafe.
1-2 p.m. – Mike Jerrick from FOX29’s Good Day Philadelphia will serve drinks behind the bar. Info Here
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 @weatheropticsand my favorite @nynjpaweather
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.
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.
Not well. These folks at 20th & Market were basically holding on to each other as to not be blown away.
I did a lot of video at this intersection and put it on Twitter and Instagram. It was quite a howling wind.
I discovered there really weren’t that many people on the street. I guess offices were closed, which was a great thing
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.
This dad was having a snowball fight with his oblivious son
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 there
“Just one more photo Fido, PLEASE!!”
The Rittenhouse Square Tree is still up, and still lit
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.
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.
Why did I get rid of my comments, well I didn’t have time to monitor them, especially for comments on older posts.
A guy was salting the triangle island across from City Hall
I saw a lot of these folks on the street, working hard
He’s got a serious scarf game going on here.
Happy New Year, check back on Sunday for PhillyChitChatter, my around town gossip column.
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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.
I started off the night at the Sugarhouse/Penns Landing VIP Party for the 6PM fireworks.
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.
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)
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.
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 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!!
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.
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. And 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.
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!
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.”
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
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
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 Eventsdid 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.
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.
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. *****************************************
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
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.
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.