Philly Chit Chat

Hey Thursday, OMgoodness only 17 more days til Christmas, and this first item in PhillyGossip is anything but a gift. I first met Arthur “Art” Etchells nearly a decade ago. We were both trailblazing bloggers, in a very exciting new field of new media (other notables at that time Joey Sweeney – Philebrity; Enrico Campitelli Jr. The 700 Level; Michelle Cassidy (AnEmptyFridge) )   Like me Art had a full time job and did the blogging on the side as a fun hobby. Then he left his job and started blogging for business. I really admired him, couldn’t imagine ever leaving my job to rely on blogging to make my living, bothered him with millions of questions about it at the time.

(Kory Aversa Shot this)

Then 6 years ago I was laid off and that was the best thing that ever happened to me. Any who, Enrico’s blog The 700 Level was bought by Comcast Sportsnet, and Enrico went on to run it in the confines of that outlet. We thought that’s the way to go. You build it, and then someone comes by and offers to buy you. It happened for Art, and he and Foobooz went to Philly Mag. 5 I started my column at Philly Mag about 5 years ago, and every few weeks I stop by the office I catch up with Art, chatting all things Philly and food. That was always fun. PS offers did come to me, but I declined. It was hard to do since I am such a fan of security, a steady paycheck and co-workers. But that’s my story…..

Congrats to Arthur Etchells, a trailblazer, a friend, a mentor, a co-worker, who’s off to a new adventure. He’s gonna fill us in
on it soon, but drop him a note as tomorrow is his last day at Philly Mag.

https://www.facebook.com/aetchells?fref=ts

I love 50 and his brands, Effen and Frigo. He’s at Bloomingdale’s on Saturday at 1PM.

Philly must be his favorite town, hasn’t he met everyone already. He’s been to town more than Sly Stallone.

Jessica Nelson Classical Singer is up for People’s Choice at

3. Please go towww.PHLLIVE.org Click on “Vote for the people’s choice” Click on the name “Jessica Nelson” in the Classical section to vote. Voting can be done on a smart phone, computer, and tablet. here is her website to hear her beautiful voice http://jessicarosesoprano.com/

**************** Voting Day is on Thursday, December 8 Only****************

Tonight Wendell Smallwood will be signing autographs at The Sports Cave in Moorestown

Friday at Christmas Village Meet Me at

1:00 pm: NRG Gingerbread House Contest by NRG

Congrats to Molestreet’s Alicia and Brian LaPann on the birth of their son

Congrats to Ori Feibush and Elise LeMay on their marriage.

Happy Holidays have you stopped byFranklin Square Holiday Festival & Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light yet? Last weekend Nik The Web Chick, her BFF Joe McCollum and Joy Phillips stopped by to enjoy the nightly event.  Tomorrow I’ll be posting my favorite Christmas Trees in Philly on PCC, so send me yours buzz @phillychitchat.com and maybe I’ll pick it in the coming weeks. Have an awesome day.

PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 75TH ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL LUNCHEON.

Usually the event is held at the Convention Center or the Marriott Downtown, this year it was held at the Linc. Next year 2017, the NFL will hold the draft here in Philadelphia. It’s going to be very exciting and PHLCVB will have a hand in executing a successful events connected with the large scale happening.

On Wednesday, November 23, more than 1,200 members of the Greater Philadelphia region’s hospitality industry joined the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), Mayor Jim Kenney, and noted Philadelphia Eagles alumni for one of the largest networking events of the year: the PHLCVB Annual Luncheon.  The luncheon recognized the work of the PHLCVB over the last 75 years in bringing major meetings, conventions and overseas international tourism to Philadelphia, and looked ahead to 2017 when Philadelphia and the PHLCVB will host the 2017 NFL Draft for the first time since 1960.

Carol deFries, Vice President, Workforce and Economic Innovation at Community College of Philadelphia, Bonnie Grant, Bonnie Grant, Executive Director, Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences and Michelle Shannon, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Center City District – ‎Center City District

David Montgomery is the chairman, minority-owner, and former President of the Philadelphia Phillies and Robert A. “Bob” Brady is the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 1st congressional district, serving since 1998, and the ranking Democrat on the United States House Committee on House Administration since 2007.

Christian Huckfeldt and Susan Buehler, Executive Vice President at Bellevue Communications Group

Brian Korn, Sixth District Captain, Derek Chappelle and Laurel Perley, Director of Marketing and Events for the Center City District (CCD)

Laura Burkhardt, Publisher of Where Magazine and Ashley Patterson, Publisher of Phila Magazine

There were fun activities

and photo stations

and real foot ball players like Harold Carmichael here with  Mariska K. Bogle the head of Philadelphia Hospitality

Dave Williams, Cinema cake with Ron Jaworski and Jim Israel, Conjure Consulting

Brittany Caserta, Erica Mason and Greg Kamprath, IMS Technology Services

Evan Evans GM One Liberty Observation Deck and Diane Meglino, One Liberty Observation Deck

Brendan Crawford and Christie Jones both of Revolutions | Eat. Drink. Rock & Bowl

After PHL party, the after party headed to Xfinity Live

Michelle Conran, Cashman & Assoc., Michael Harris, Phillies and Amanda Hill, Bloomingdales

Kaja Rasmussen and Erin Soper, both of Xfinity Live

Shia LaBeouf In Town, Was Surprised How Cool Philly Is, Eagles Out, Justin Finch Out, Dreams In

Just when I thought Social Season was over, a whole crop of events pop up to shoot. I’m sorry I missed several events last night (Dec 1), that cat nap I took turned into a bear of a sleep. I’m even late with this weeks Philly Gossip so here are a few things of note that happened this week, and a list of things you might want to do.

Shia LaBeouf slipped into town to do some press around his new movie Man Down which opens today.

LaBeouf was last in town this past summer when he was filming his ‘Take Me Anywhere’  hitchhiking performance arts project.

Last week when ET asked which City did he think was the coolest, he said Philly:  LaBeouf even celebrated his 30th birthday in June while promoting the film in Philadelphia, which he admitted was a town he didn’t expect to have a great time in, but ended up loving.

To commemorate the occasion, LaBeouf went out for a traditional Philly cheesesteak. (Said he ate at both Geno’s and Pat’s)

“It was quite cool. And I remember, this is quite Philly, I went there and they gave me a free sandwich and I was like, ‘Cool can I get some fries?’ and they were like, ‘Hell no man, you have to pay for them fries,'” LaBeouf recounted. “That’s very Philly.” (Source)

Speaking of cheesesteaks, last week when Randy Moss, former American football wide receiver who played 14 seasons in the National Football League, was in town he asked his followers where the best cheesesteak was. There were a lot of great choices thrown out, but the winner
was Jim’s Steaks on South Street

Flyers Captain Claude Giroux makes it official as he pops the questions to Ryanne Breton his longtime girlfriend. The duo both grew up in Hearst,Ontario

Congrats to Ben Haney and Jamie McFadden on their wedding. The duo did the deed in St. John’s last Friday. The ceremony was performed
by former NBC10 reporter Justin Pizzi, who was ordained via the internet, especially for the occasion.

Congrats boys

Thomas Finnegan is the GM for Dino’s Backstage.
Check out the December entertainment line-up at Dino’s Backstage:

• Every Sunday – Michael Richard Kelly-Cataldi with the Tom Adams Trio
• Friday, Dec. 2 – Wendy Simon
• Saturday, Dec. 3 – Jill Salkin
• Fri. Dec. 9 and Sat. Dec. 10 – The Snow Show
• Thurs. Dec. 15 – Ken Silver
• Fri. Dec. 16 and Sat. Dec. 17 – The Snow Show
• Friday, Dec. 23 – Michael Richard Kelly-Cataldi
• Saturday, Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve – 1956! – Michael Richard Kelly-Cataldi

Congrats

Last night a few players from the Eagles headed to Rumors for a bit of fun. First they stopped by to pose
for a shot with longtime, doorman extraordinaire Tee Fish.

Justin Finch, last in Philly at CBS3, we hardly knew you and you left town for your dream job.

Yes follow those dreams..

Bill Anderson promoted to his own segment on Fox 29 – “For Goodness Sake”, featuring folks who do good in Philadelphia
Pitch him your stories.

Love this billboard, but love her much more. Helen Ubiñas 

is a great journalist getting to the bottom of things.

*******

#PCCBUZZ – What’s Happening Philly – Philly Chit Chat will be shooting these events

Mike Hirata is there this Saturday for PhillyChitChat, I’ll be there next Saturday shooting Winter Wonderland at Suburban Square      |     Sat, Dec 17, 2016     |     1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Come on out and say Hi!!

On December 6th, Join the Arts + Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, in bringing the business, legal, technology and creative communities together for an innovation focused event featuring Harvard Business School Professor, Disruptive Innovation Expert, scholar, author, and business consultant, Clayton Christensen.  Click here to register!

I always tell my friends and clients, this is one of the best networking organizations in the City. The breakfast spread they put out before the program, is delicious, and people make a huge effort to network. I love that Philly has an organization like this, and a cheerleader for progress like Karin Copeland.

Have an awesome weekend. Follow me along on @HughE_Dillon (formerly @iphillychitchat) and on instagram PhillyChitChat for up the minute what’s happening and who’s where news.

Earlier this month I was contracted to shoot the opening party for the new roof deck at Philly’s newest, luxurious, apartment building at 1919 Market Street. I was taken aback at how beautiful, and well constructed the apartment complex was; over the past couple years I’ve watched it being built. Was ecstatic that it complementary to the Blue Cross Building next door. They also share a courtyard, which is ecstatically pleasing to the eye.  There’s a parking garage as well for residents and the public. I tweeted a photo of the prices in the summer; definitely the best public parking deal in the neighborhood, it was under $20 for 24hr parking. That’s a deal. The party photos ran in PHL Business Journal. I ran a few atmosphere photos, but I saved some for PhillyChitChat. I’m go out on a limb and say of the apartments that have come on line this is my favorite – 1919 Market, quickly followed up by the Post Brothers Presidential Apartments, and then 3601 Market University City Apartments.

Jerry Sweeney, President & CEO and Trustee of Brandywine, Anne Fadullon is the Director of the Planning and Development Cabinet for the City of Philadelphia, Council President Darrell L. Clarke and Thomas O’Brien, LCOR President

• 24-Hour Concierge
• Lounge & Coffee Bar
• Parking Garage Available
• Bicycle Storage & Workstation Available
• Pet Wash
• Building-Link Resident Service Request System

The 28th Floor Club Level features a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities

including a distinctive, open air infinity pool. (It’s not a full size pool, more of a socializing pool. AND IT’S HEATED!!)

• Screening Room with TV & Gaming
• Club Room with TV
• Sports Bar with TVs, Billiards & Shuffleboard
• Golf Simulator with Multi-Sport Capability
• Café with 360° Fireplace & Coffee Bar
• Chef Studio with Demonstration & Catering Kitchen & Dining Table
• Temperature-Controlled Individual Wine Storage

Brandon McMullin, 1919 Market Leasing Consultant and Anthony Barone, Regional Property Manager at LCOR

The kitchens were beautiful as you see, even the studios had full size kitchens, and weren’t overwhelming the space. Studios start at $1800

Fitness center is including in your rent

My trainer Jordan Hankins, The Fit Complex will be on hand to train you.

Many of the new apartment buildings have this structure columns in their units. This is one of my favorite ones as it’s on a slant, not taking up too much space
and kinda artsy even, AND it’s in the living room, not the bedroom like in other buildings.

The closets are spacious, and I like the organizational racks.

I hear the building is over 50% occupied already. Also that awesome new Wawa is opening crossed the street.
It’s near Fairmount Park, there’s a view of the Art Museum from the 28th floor, you’ll see the July 4th Fireworks.
You’re near Misconduct, James and Logan Tap House, my fav spots in that area.

Check out the floorplans and pricing here

Congrats – I believe this is one of the best apartment buildings in the City.

95.7 BEN-FM ADOPT A FAMILY RADITOHON BRINGS HOLIDAY HOPE & HAPPINESS TO HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES 

Bala Cynwyd, PA — November 29, 2016 —  95.7 BEN-FM is pleased to announce the return of their annual ‘Adopt A Family Radiothon’.  The BEN-FM airstaff will be joined by celebrity guests as they broadcast live from a festive, holiday tent in front of The Comcast Center (17^th and JFK Blvd) on Thursday December 8, 2016 from 6am to 6pm.
Throughout the broadcast, they’ll be encouraging listeners and passersby to make a donation to assist Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s ‘Adopt a Family Program.’ The ‘Adopt a Family Program’ purchases gifts and holiday meals for hundreds of less fortunate families in their shelters and in the surrounding community.  Last year’s Radiothon assisted hundreds of needy families by raising over $60,000. The station is anticipating raising even more money for Volunteers of America this year.
HOW TO DONATE

Listeners can make a donation in a variety of ways:

1. Make a secure online donation any time from now through December 8 at 6pm at 957benfm.com via the ‘Adopt A Family Radiothon’ page.
2. Donate via BEN-FM’s toll free phone line, 866-957-0957, on 12/8 between 6am and 6pm.
3. Make a cash or credit card donation at the live broadcast site on 12/8 between 6am and 6pm.

When making a donation, you can do a ‘Direct Adoption’ where you choose a family from Volunteers of America’s list of families in need or you can make a ‘Cash Donation’.  Your cash donation will be combined with others making your gift go further.
All listeners that make an online, on-site or phone donation will be registered to a trip for four to LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.  The trip includes tickets to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and air transportation courtesy of VisitFlorida.com.

95.7 WBEN-FM is owned and operated by Beasley Media Group, Inc.
About Beasley Media Group:

Beasley Media Group, Inc. is a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., which owns and operates 69 stations (50 FM and       19 AM) in 16 large- and mid-size markets in the United States. Approximately 20.1 million consumers listen to Beasley radio stations weekly over-the-air, online, on smartphones and tablets and engage with the Company’s brands and personalities through digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, text, apps and email.  For more information, please visit www.bbgi.com.

A Well Crafted First Friday

Good Monday Morning. Hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving, and holiday weekend. So many events to kick off the holiday. I’ve placed lots of photos which will pop up in the Philly Biz Journal, Philly Mag, Philly Metro and here at Philly Chit Chat later in the week. Let’s dive into an event that Mike Hirata shot for Philly Chit Chat earlier this month – A Well Crafted First Friday

Susan Strasberg, Brenda Levin, and Janet Street.

Hyunsoo Woo, Mi-Kyoung Lee and Gallery Owner Rick Snyderman.

Scott Mcpheeters and Peter Mcpheeters.

David Michaud and Nancy Dye were visiting from the Carolinas.

Halie Peveto, Erin Scheckenbach, and Juliana Chapman.

Dominique Ellis with Laser Print Transfer works.

Clara Hollander Co-Chair of Craft Now and Chris Taylor President of Clay Studio

Guests at Snyderman Works Gallery.

Guests at the Center for Art in Wood.

Good Sunday day to you. It’s been awhile since I posted PhillyGossip/Tidbits. The end of the Social Season was rip roaring busy and I’m still trying to wrap up client photos and positioning pictures in the press. Some of what you’re going to read today is a tad old, but just as relevant. Let’s get started….

Congrats to my buddy Drew Bergman, who you may recall spoke at the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention gala last year where I was honored. This year he was nominated as one of Philly Mag’s Health Hero’s of 2016. He did get the top spot but he was one of the top 3 and awarded Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars for the organization where he works – Minding Your Mind. On January 7, 2017 he will be honored by the AFSP for the work he’s done in sharing his story and saving lives.

Congrats to Jason Matthew’s hair stylist Josh DeMarco who was honored with the People’s Choice Award at The What’s Next Awards in Orlando earlier this month.

Congrats to Natalie Egenolf who’s landed at the 97.5 Fanatic next to Mike Missanelli 2PM – 6PM. Listen and enjoy,
no one is more real, honest and down to earth than Natalie. She’s a breath of fresh air.

Congrats to Jenny DeHuff is heading to the Philly Voice to be their managing editor of Culture for PhillyVoice.

On Friday I caught an engagement at the Love Statue at Dilworth Park. Last week someone caught Zach Elinich popping the question to Jen Williams at the Bellevue after she ran in the Philadelphia Marathon.

Debbie Harry has moved to Cape May Point. Actually I found out she bought a place there last year. It’s a popular seaside hangout for celebrities both Tina Fey and Anne Hathaway stay there every summer, and Oprah Winfrey has been know to hang her hat at Congress Hall.

Fresh from her Marian Anderson Award, Patti LaBelle hosted 150 of her closest friends and family at her home in Wynnewood, Pa. I was invited, really I was, but my invite came after I already accepted my sister’s invite and she lives near Lancaster. The party was 3  to 9, and I tried to get back in time but the tryptophan was hard to fight. Hopefully I get invited again next year. In the meantime check out Dyana Williams Instagram for more photos and a clip of Patti singing.

Garrett Ching was on Gotham last week. On Thursday one of his creative ice sculptures was on a Dunkin Donuts’ 6ABC Thanksgiving Day float.

Ken Dunek, PhillyMan Magazine, posted this fun photo on his FB Page.
1980 Philadelphia Eagles for Coach Vermeil’s 80th birthday party! — with Wilbert Montgomery, Kevin Reilly, John Spagnola, Frank LeMaster, Dick Vermeil, Bill Bergey, Vince Papale, Harold Carmichael, Ron Jaworski, Randy Logan and John Bunting.

Sorry I don’t leave you much time for this…

Verizon Wireless, Philadelphia Eagles Partner to Inspire Domestic Violence Survivors and Raise Funds for Area Shelters  Eagles Wide Receiver Jordan Matthews Kicks Off “Pass Along Hope” Campaign  Running Through Month of November .

(L to R) Julie Hirshey, Philadelphia Eagles Community Relations Director; Beth Sturman, Laurel House Executive Director; Betsy Kilkenny, Laurel House Director of Funds Development; Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver; Deianna Tyree, CHILD, Inc. Director of Domestic Violence Services; Jeannine L. Lisitski, Women Against Abuse Executive Director; John O’Malley, Verizon Wireless Corporate Media Relations, kick off the third annual Pass Along Hope campaign. The initiative will raise money to support area domestic violence organizations through the HopeLine from Verizon program. The campaign launch was celebrated with help from Verizon Wireless, Philadelphia Eagles and community members.

www.PhiladelphiaEagles.com/HopeLine and by following the hashtag #PassAlongHope.