Old City District celebrated and kicks off 25th Anniversary of First Friday with special reception – and received citation from Councilman Mark Squilla

and “Kick off a year of festivities for 25th year with what’s happening this week”

Deborah Fine, Stanek Gallery, Katherine Stanek, Stanek-Gallery, and Barbara Harberger (look for Barbara’s exhibition to be at the the Stanek-Gallery in September)

Participants in the inaugural year of First Friday (1991) were Algebra Anteek Artists’ House Cava Gallery F.A.N. Gallery Galerie Atelier Galerie Nadeau 479 Gallery Heritage Art Gallery Highwire Gallery Jessica Berwind Gallery Jun Gallery Keiser-Newman Larimore Furniture Larry Becker Contemporary Art Level 3 Gallery Moderne Thomas Moser Cabinetmakers Showroom Muse Gallery Nexus Foundation For Today’s Art OLC Painted Bride Art Center Prints In Progress Rodger LaPelle Galleries Rosenfeld Gallery Ruth Zafrir Gallery Snyderman-Works Galleries The Clay Studio Vox Populi Watson 20th Century Antiques Zone One  Other’s who joined First Friday included:

3rd Street Gallery Biello Martin Studio Gallery Joe Mode Moderne Pentimenti Gallery Pii Gallery Reform Silicon Fine Art Prints

This week we have several major and notable events to kick-off the campaign for First Friday 25 (25th Anniversary) – here’s a listing of the events.

Notable ones include the Inside Out Instameet with Philadelphia Museum of Art, Mural Dedication at 251 N 3rd Street with Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and Elfreth’s Alley Historical Marker Unveiling.

Check out the Old City District page for much more info

The installation, at 251 DeKalb in King of Prussia, will be available to the public and features the work of Lisa Elmaleh and her stunning “Everglades” series. Lisa is currently an educator at the School of Visual Arts and the Center for Alternative Photography and best-known for her expertise in the alternative photographic processes invented in the 19th century.

These processes are labor intensive, time consuming, and not used by many emerging artists. , Lisa Elmaleh,“Everglades” series showcases the intricacy of South Florida’s landscapes and all of the photographs on display will be framed and readily available for purchase.  The Everglades is my favorite National Park, and I’ve been there at least a dozen times. I’m going again in November. Great nature watching. Let’s see who was at the exhibition supporting Lisa….

Adam Smith, Halligan Smith, Haylie Waring, Lisa Elmaleh, and Jessica Robert.

Lauren Beyer, Kristen Bielan, Kelly Wolf, and Abby Littleton.

Kelly Wolf, Abby Littleton, and Kathy McCarver Root.

Margo Lane-Torain.

If luxury living is what you’re looking for, check out 251 DeKalb in King of Prussia

I met Leigh Himes a few years ago, when I was first starting out in this business of covering events. She’s a bubbling young women, with an infectious smile, and warm personality.

When I met her she had just left Tierney, and launched her own firm. Since that time she’s gotten married, moved to the burbs and wrote a book which was published on May 31, 2016 “The One That Got Away: A Novel”

Last week Leigh Himes held a publishing party at Main Point Books for her “The One That Got Away: A Novel” and invited friends and family.

Cathy Fiebach, Leigh Himes, and Betty Hulsebosch.

Cathy Fiebach Owner of Main Point Books and Emily Morrison.
Main  Point Books will move to a new location in Wayne this summer. They will  take over The Reader’s Forum, which closed after 30 years.

Leigh Himes and Rebecca Timme.

Lori Spadaro, Rebecca Timme, and Harriet Gross.

Gretchen Regan, Olivia Rabe, and Sandra McClintic.

The book features Philadelphia spots including the Union League, the Rittenhouse
Hotel, and Rittenhouse Square, to name a few.

Joe Gangemi and Leigh Himes. Joe is Leigh’s husband and  an executive producer of the Amazon Originals program “Red Oaks.” He is  currently shooting the second season in New York but played hooky to support his wife.

After the book signing party, Leigh and friends headed out to dinner at Tango to celebrate

Leigh Himes’ debut novel, “The One That Got Away,” is the story of a struggling  working mother who gets the chance to live the life she always wanted with a man she  almost dated years before. Called “brilliantly realized” by Booklist and “a rewarding  investigation of how all that glitters may not be gold” by Library Journal, The One That  Got Away is in bookstores and online everywhere now. (Hachette, 384 pgs.).

Summer and Center City SIPS came back with a vengeance this week. I was crazy busy covering events today and didn’t have a chance to dedicate to cover as much ground to gage the crowds at SIPS. I did get to see the popular places uptown like Sky Beer Garten where Top of the Tower is teaming up with Brauhaus Schmitz to launch what they’re calling the highest beer garden in Philly – at the Top of the Tower, on the 51st Floor at 1717 Market Street.  From there I got a shot of Uptown Beer Garden, which opened last week to big crowds, and continue this week with the same excitement. I really thought it would have been less crowded since right across the street is CHOPS, which for years has been the hot spot. Also popular uptown, is Marathon, which last week hosted the SIPS Preview Party, as if Philly needed a preview party especially as it seems we just got done St. Patrick’s Day, Mardis Gras and the longest beer crawl a few weeks ago. Marathon did not disapoint last night, as DJ Royale kept the party pumping til Midnight. I walked by about 945 and it was mass party with shirts and ties hanging off guys and girls wanting to find a place to eat. Then I passed Pagano’s, I underestimated it this year. In the past it’s been so-so, but it was still rocking when I passed about 10PM. I know my buddy DJ Eddie Tully was one of the DJ’s keeping the crowd humming. Let’s check out some of tonight’s instagram highlights. SOME OF THE POSTS ARE VIDEOS so make sure you put your cursor on them to PLAY

ITS HERE! #Sips 🍺🍻 Sponsored by Pepe Silvia & Carol® @case_y_1

A video posted by Sarah Meehan (@smeehannn) on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:21pm PDT

First sips of the season🍹

A photo posted by Alyssa Kirk🌻 (@lysskirk) on Jun 1, 2016 at 6:59pm PDT

We hope everyone enjoyed their first @ccdsips of the season! #cheers to many more!

A photo posted by Philly Mag Events (@phillymagevents) on Jun 1, 2016 at 4:34pm PDT

Sometimes you just gotta get your groove on to a song with positive moral values. #ShowSomeClass #WeDontHaveToTakeOurClothesOff #ToHaveAGoodTime #cherrywine #JermaineStewart #80s #CenterCitySIPS #Philly #HumpDay @ys_huamani

A video posted by Bob Cassella (@bluebomber87) on Jun 1, 2016 at 5:08pm PDT

Happy wed kids #sips

A video posted by selvia (@selviaw) on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:16pm PDT

The line going into #uptownbeergarden @ccdsips #SIPS

A photo posted by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:08pm PDT

Couldn’t resist a #FirstSip with this original #squad. #centercitysips #fam #uptownbeergarden #sips #ogs #summer #philly #philadelphia #workflow

A photo posted by Kate Beaver (@katybeaver) on Jun 1, 2016 at 6:56pm PDT

First SIPS of the season ✅✅✅ #CCDsips #happyhour

A photo posted by D A R C Y • J O E L L E (@darcy_joelle) on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:56pm PDT

How we (including our friend in the back) feel about the youngins at sips this year. #thatsafakesmile #sips #philly #nonewfriends

A photo posted by Whitney 🎀 (@whitsarch) on Jun 1, 2016 at 4:41pm PDT

a philadelphia summer ☀️🍻 #sips #cousins

A photo posted by Sofia Mandia (@sofiamandia) on Jun 1, 2016 at 4:22pm PDT

Oh you know, just happy hour in the city😴

A photo posted by Leila D (@leilad123) on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:41pm PDT

just some after-school pranks with @stereoglow : “happiness is told by eyes and smiles!” 👁👁👄

A video posted by Jesse Cute (@xuxojesse) on Jun 1, 2016 at 6:54pm PDT

It must be summer in the city when “Sips” kicks in on Wednesday nights. On a warm summer night on the Plaza, in the shadows of the new Comcast Tower, the party crowd is out in full force. #warm #party #happyhour #sips #philly #comcast #fun

A video posted by David Dolan (@davedolan) on Jun 1, 2016 at 6:00pm PDT

It was ok #ccsips

A photo posted by @faithbrett on Jun 1, 2016 at 5:23pm PDT

Welcome to a summer of center city sips 🍻

A photo posted by catie👑 (@catiefinn) on Jun 1, 2016 at 5:54pm PDT

Sips! 🙊🙈🙉

A photo posted by @tanyaf113 on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:59pm PDT

Professionals know how to deal with the rain. #Sips #sipsforever #livewell #philly

A photo posted by @christopherbernard on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:27pm PDT

Marathon Grill Had DJ Royale Spinning. The place was PACKED all night long. I walked by at 930PM and it was still hopping.

PART DUEX ::: Summer has officially arrived! SIPS was vibey as fughhhhhh TONIGHT at Marathon. Much love to the dancers & the free spirits getting down all night 🙏🏽 #SummerClassiq #SIPS #Philly #HappyHour

A video posted by ROYALE (@djroyalephilly) on Jun 1, 2016 at 8:23pm PDT

DJ Royale at 11PM

#sips at marathon grill is the new #mardisgras every Wednesday. It’s packed and wild.

A photo posted by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Jun 1, 2016 at 6:23pm PDT

And you, ladies, are everything I hate about #sips…you’re blocking my way, you’re lost, you’re planning to return that dress tomorrow, apparently…#nicetag #amateurhour

A photo posted by @lcallantine on Jun 1, 2016 at 3:47pm PDT

#CenterCitySips @ Pagano’s #DJJoeBroscoe I’m here till 9pm!

A video posted by DJ Joe Broscoe (@djjoebroscoe) on Jun 1, 2016 at 4:13pm PDT

I’m going with Paganos for the win. They seem to have the largest crowd.

Remember that one game you either loved or hated in your youth, well last week ContextMedia Health teamed up with Publicis Health Media to sponsor a Dodgeball Tournament to raise funds for the AHA (American Heart Association) last week at the Sporting Club in Center City.

Some of the participating teams names were Amazeballs, Dodging Diabetes, Don’t Stop Ballieving, Let Ballers be Ballers, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, Penn Square Persecutors

 Penn Square Persecutors

Amazeballs

Dodging Diabetes

Winner of the Dodgeball Competition – Penn Square Perscutors

Dodgeball Tournament Raised nearly $10,000 for The American Heart Association

Over the weekend there was a story “A New Jersey man was reportedly electrocuted and nearly drowned Saturday night in a Wildwood Crest motel swimming pool.” The man is in critical condition, and the two guys that pulled him out are in stable condition.  Metro Philly. 

I know what those guys went though, when I was in my twenties I was electrocuted while swimming in a pool.

A decade or so back, I attended a wedding with my parents.  At midnight, I told my parents I would head to my home, but instead, as my parents probably suspected, I headed out to find the fun. I ended up going to a friends, friends house, you know those houses, you don’t really know them well, but they’re fun. This guy was about 10 years older than us, and owned his own house, so there was always a party going on there and he had a pool, which I had swum in a few weeks earlier. When I arrived everyone was fairly wasted, as was the norm for kids in their teens and twenties. I did a couple shots, drank a beer and asked if anyone wanted to go swimming. No one was interested so I said I’ll just go in myself. As I made my way back to the pool, which was not lit, I took most of my clothes off (I was fit in my 20s) and started to walk down the concrete stairs into the pool. I grabbed the metal railing and was thrown into the pool. I immediately knew what was happening, even though I had never experienced it before, although as a kid who hasn’t been buzzed by electricity when plugging in something, or coming in contact with a socket, I think that’s why at that moment I knew I was being electrocuted. My entire body seemed to extend like a flag, and all I could see was a white light, I couldn’t let go of the railing as waves and waves of electricity flowed through my body. My thoughts went directly to my parents and them finding out I didn’t go home, then my thoughts went to my boyfriend who’d wonder why I didn’t return home, and now I’m going to be found dead in my underwear at some guys house he didn’t know. The next thing I know the guy who owned the house pulls me out of the water by my left arm, and drags me across the concrete pool area onto the grass. I’m completely in shock, but no one took me to the hospital, cause we were drinking, some people were doing drugs and we really didn’t realize the severity of the situation. Someone took me home and left me at my apartment, I woke up the next day and wasn’t able to move for about three days. When you are electrocuted your body tenses up, imagine a charlie horse but happening all over your body at once. A few weeks later I saw the guy who owned the house and saved my life. I asked him how did he know to go back to the pool and save me. He said he heard a splash but then nothing else; after a minute or two he remembered that there was a loose wire in the pool light fixture which shocked his dog earlier in the week and ran to see if the same thing happened to me. When he saw me under the water, he stood near the edge of the water, keeping his footing on the concrete, then someone held his waist, he leaned over and grabbed my left arm and pulled me out. I was grateful he saved my life, but also really angry he knew about this problem. I never went back to the house, I never talked to him again, eventually he moved away and I was happy to bury that memory. I don’t go into pools alone anymore. I don’t think about this story often as it terrifies me. I hate when it happens these days as there is an inexpensive warning system now.

So if you own a pool, please buy a shock alarm. They’re not very expensive, and it could save a life.

https://shockalarm.com/product/shockalarm/

14 people have died being electrocuted in water since 2003