Philly Chit Chat

The Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa, celebrated the the exhibition Philadelphia in Style: A Century of Fashion from the Robert & Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Drexel University Saturday night at a special fundraiser gala Fashion Fête. (The exhibit runs through June 26, 2016)

Ralph Rucci, Rosina Rucci (Ralph’s sister) , Lisa Tremper Hanover, director and CEO of the Michener Art Museum and  Emanuel Rucci, (Ralph’s dad)

The exhibit celebrates the sartorial legacy of clothing with a display of dresses, wedding gowns, shoes, hats and other items spanning a century of high fashion highlighting fashion designers and retailers that influenced fashion choices in the mid-Atlantic region as well as Philadelphia retailers Nan Duskin, John Wanamaker’s and Strawbrige and Clothier. At the Fashion Fête, Philadelphia born fashion designer Ralph Rucci was honored for his contributions to the fashion world.

Dennis Helf and Mary Helf, senior counsel at Fox Rothschild, LLP, has been a member of the Corporate Business Partner Program for more than 20 years and served recently as membership chair of the Advisory Board for Michener Museum.

180 guests from the philanthropic, and landscape design, architecture and art worlds attended the event, where they enjoyed an hour long cocktail party on the tented terrace, and enjoyed a fashion show with designs from the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. Dinner and a short program was held inside the Edgar N. Putman Event Pavilion, which was beautifully decorated by Catering By Design, who also prepared the food. Production of the event and the entertainment, was provided by Mole Street Productions.

Jovan O’Conner, fashion designer, Tara Higgins, fashion designer,  Elissa Bloom, executive director of the Fashion Incubator, and Conrad Booker, fashion designer,

Bette PFundt and Nelson Pfundt

During the cocktail hour there was a fashion show presented from the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator.

Diana Vincent, a renowned Jeweler designer, Vincent Polisano and Dorothy Galanos

Madhavi Parekh, Ryan Putman, Bhara Parekh and Samantha Schoenberg

During dinner guests heard remarks from Gregory Church, President, Board of Trustees James A. Michener Art Museum, Lisa Tremper Hanover, Director & Ceo of the James Michener Art Museum. Kirsten M. Jensen, PH.D. and Chief Curator of the James A. Michener Art Museum, as well as Clare Sauro, curator of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Drexel University.

On the windows are designs by Ralph Rucci’s RR331 Fall/Winter 2016 collection, which really moved Rucci when he walked into the room.

Amy Welch and Maureen Church, co-chairs of Fashion Fête

Bridget Wingert and Joe Wingert

John A. Fry, President of Drexel University, and Cara Fry.

Jack Staub and Renny Reynolds, celebrated floral designer and event planner. Not only is that suit amazing, but he’s created some of the most amazing events New York City has seen.

Dr. Vail P. Garvin,  President & CEO Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce and Ron Unterberger

Anne Callahan and Charles Croce, executive director of the Philadelphia History Museum.

I am in talks with them to donate a few of my Philly artifacts to the museum. Maybe I’ll have a section and it will be titled, HughE the hoarder knew these things would be of value to someone someday – LOL

Philadelphia in Style: A Century of Fashion from the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Drexel University Co-curated by Kirsten M. Jensen, Ph.D., Gerry & Marguerite Lenfest Chief Curator, Louise Feder, Assistant Curator, and Clare Sauro, Curator of Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Drexel University

The exhibition is co-organized with the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) at Drexel University. Documenting over four centuries of costume history, the FHCC holds more than 14,000 fashionable garments, accessories and other related materials and is a vital part of the design curriculum at the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design.

Philadelphia in Style: A Century of Fashion is generously supported by Visit Bucks County and Gregory and Maureen Church.

PS Sorry I am running so late at publishing these events. The Social Season is just about over and I’ll be back to curating your instagram – LOL.

2016 Mother’s Day @ the Mansion with Ellen Smith and Carolyn Smith, sister and mother of actor Will Smith, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars hosted their 12th annual Mother’s Day at the Mansion at their sprawling estate in Bryn Mawr.

The two ladies greet each other at the 2016 Mother’s Day @ the Mansion

While DJ Lisa Love, and others entertained the crowd. Later in the day the headline was DJ Biz Markie

 Ellen Smith is the youngest of 4 children, a twin, a single mother of 2, a licensed cosmetology instructor and a philanthropist. In 2004, Ellen hosted a small event at her home. Ellen invited “Mother’s in Charge,” an organization of mothers whose children have been killed in violent crimes to benefit from the event. The event response was so good that Ellen wanted to make it bigger & better and created Dining With Divas.

Dining With Divas ie Mother’s Day at the Mansion, believes that every mother should have the opportunity to enjoy the day recognized as a national holiday in her honor. For this reason, our affiliates have selflessly given their time & effort to ass                         ist us in this matter. Dining With Divas does an annual “Adopt A Family.” Between 8-10 families are adopted every year. They receive Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner which is delivered to their homes. For Mother’s Day, mother’s & children in transition from shelters, foster homes etc…. are personally transported to & from event and enjoy the special day with their family.

Jade Okere, Richard and Fatima Farr

The Teehan family: Jeff, Colleen and Siobhan

Aja Graydon, of the Kendrick Family, Malika Hill (Jamal Hill, Writer: Brotherly Love) and Takiyah Wall, Got Laundry
a charitable organization that collects clothes for the homeless.

Kimberly Crawford and Marcus Allen, Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA (BBBS SEPA)
Tuesday night 6 – 9PM BBBS SEPA is hosting Lip Sync Battle Royale at Stratus Rooftop Lounge

Natasha Harris-Foster, Ceo of Broken Wings, Ernie Bristow, District 1199C and Peaches Bristow

Brenda Williams Council and Victoria Nelson

Andrew Paulin, Desnise Samuel and Lyslyn Samuel

Paul Anthony, Full Force (who was honored for his philanthropic work and his brave fight with cancer), Coll V, Ellen Smith, DJ Biz Markie and Bow Legged Lou, Full Force

Cheryl Scheidle and Romont Harris, comedian

Carolyn Jenkins, Meekinz Jewelry with Carolyn Smith

Carbin Haggins, Ayisha Harrison and Kaile Harrison

Vinnie Vegan owns Gangster Vegan a foodery in Norristown. Soon he’ll be opening another one at
46th and Woodlawn in West Philly.

Shaniqua Rudd, Shawhtee Rudd and Kizzy Marshall

Full Force Mom

That’s “pawsome”! Uber & the Pennsylvania SPCA team up to offer Puppy  Playdates to Business Professionals throughout Philadelphia
Businesses in Philadelphia, Conshohocken, King of Prussia and Cherry Hill presented with opportunity to order 15 minutes of playtime with adoptable puppies; 100% of proceeds benefit  $30 for 15 minutes of puppy play
PHILADELPHIA, PA. May 17, 2016 – The Pennsylvania SPCA is once again teaming up with Uber to bring

some pretty adorable stress relief to professionals throughout the Philadelphia area on Thursday, May

19, by bringing puppy playdates back! Offices in Philadelphia, as well as Conshohocken, King of Prussia

and Cherry Hill will have the opportunity to book puppy playdates by using the Uber smartphone app for

15 minutes of pure puppy love.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Uber users in Philadelphia (including Center City, Old City, the Navy

Yard, University City, Conshohocken, King of Prussia and Cherry Hill) can open the Uber app, slide over

to PUPPIES and request 15 minutes of “pawsome” playtime for $30. Every dollar earned from the event

will be directly donated to the Pennsylvania SPCA and their lifesaving mission.

This will mark the second time the PSPCA and Uber have partnered in this unique way to find forever

homes for adoptable puppies and raise funds for the PSPCA, which is 100 percent donor funded. In

August 2015, 11 puppies were adopted and over $1,500 was raised for the PSPCA. The PSPCA and Uber

followed that up with kitten playdates in October 2015, resulting in 21 kitten adoptions and over $4,000

raised.

“At Uber, we love finding ways our technology can delight the public and advance worthy causes like

that of the Pennsylvania SPCA,” said Jon Feldman, General Manager for Uber Pennsylvania. “All you

need to do is open the app, hit request and get ready for a doggone good time. We expect demand to

be high, so if you don't get a pup right away, please sit patiently and keep barking. "

“We have been thrilled with our partnership with Uber, not only in finding homes for adoptable animals,

but for creating awareness for our adopt don’t shop philosophy,” said Jerry Buckley, CEO of the

Pennsylvania SPCA. “The best part of these partnership days is bringing moments of joy to animal lovers

throughout the city, and ultimately finding homes for the puppies. This day often extends into increased

adoptions for all of our animals – kittens, adult cats, puppies, and adult dogs – a wonderful side effect of

Uber’s reach.”

Here’s how it works:

1. Open the app from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 19

the PSPCA

2. Request the PUPPIES option. Please note: Puppies can only be delivered to offices, no private

residences will be accepted

3. Once the puppies arrive, requesters will get to enjoy 15 minutes of puppy love. PRO TIP: Make

sure to have an enclosed space ready for puppy playtime and make sure no other animals are in

the area

4. Found your new furry family member? All puppies are eligible for adoption at the PSPCA Erie

Avenue location, 350 East Erie Avenue, from 3-7 p.m.

Community Partnership School (CPS) honored its partners and supporters at the annual fundraiser, “Celebrate CPS,” on Thursday, April 28, 2016, 6PM at Vie, 600 North Broad Street, Philadelphia.

The event “Celebrate CPS” raises funds that directly benefit the students and families of CPS, an independent elementary school in North Philadelphia dedicated to providing high-quality education to children from low-income backgrounds.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, a performance by the exceptional students of CPS, and a live and speed auction.

This year, CPS was proud to have Rick Williams of Channel 6abc to help emcee the event and his co-worker, Erin O’Hearn, Action News reporter as a guest.’

Community Partnership School has pioneered an innovative, independent elementary school model that provides students from under-resourced backgrounds in and around North Central Philadelphia with a top-notch education. From pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, students are prepared to confidently open the doors of opportunity and pave the way for their future success—from admission to high performing middle and high schools, through college and beyond. For more information please visit www.communitypartnershipschool.org or follow Community Partnership School on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Community–Partnership–School/146803214389>.

“We are disgusted by the assault that took place early Friday morning outside our establishment. The man who punched our member does not work for CODA. That individual did not act, nor had permission to act, on behalf of our venue. It was our staff that called 911 to report the incident and CODA management has and will continue to cooperate fully with the Philadelphia Police Department. CODA has no tolerance for violence such as this and we pride ourselves on maintaining a safe and positive space where people can enjoy live entertainment.”

http://www.codaphilly.com/

I’ve been to Coda many times, and it’s always a fun place to go and the staff is very caring and professional. – HughE

You’ll recall last year The Slide in the City was on scheduled for a stop in Philly, but was cancelled after it was announce (it did go on as scheduled in Lancaster, Pa, where it’s scheduled again Aug 21, or as I like to call it the day after Ms Streisand sings for us at Wells Fargo). Call this Ground Hogs Day cause there seems to be trouble in river city again… (that’s a Music Man quote) for the 1,000 ft slip N slide with music, food and vendors  festival. Hopefully it’s not the naysayers that complain you can’t “close” a city park even for a fun couple of days on a slip and slide. Anyway here’s the press release I just got from the organizers.  It seems Slide in the City didn’t receive a permit before they announced the event. Below is Slide’s a few highlights from their press release.

Plans for Slide the City Philadelphia were announced last week. The announcement was made based on written communication from Councilman Henon’s office indicating that permits were 99% complete. Unfortunately, the permit may be delayed which could affect the proposed date.   In a recent conference call, Slide the City requested information as to why the permit is being held up.  They were informed that someone had already reserved the same location on the same date.

“It’s unfortunate we are running into issues bringing this one-of-a-kind event to Philly for the first time,” said Slide the City event director Chris Conran. “If the date and venue were already spoken for, we would have liked to have known on February 12^th when we submitted the permit application.”

Slide the City was working closely with Playworks to bring the event to Philadelphia. Slide the City will be offering a free day of slides for underprivileged youth on the Friday before the event.  The charity was set up to be the title sponsor for the event and helped get Slide the City in contact with Councilman Henon’s office, who was working to provide the permit for the event.

Slide the City has not received an official permit denial or a reason for not receiving a permit. After repeated phone calls and emails, Slide the City received their first response from the Special Events and Parks and Rec Department this morning without any more information regarding the delayed permit.

Until this morning, all communication to this point had been through the councilman’s office. The only information given to Slide the City about the delayed permit was, “After much discussion about Slide the City’s event, the City and its partners have determined that we can not move forward with it.”  “If the only reason the event does not take place is because we sent a press release announcing that the event was coming to Philadelphia, I hope we can resolve that issue,” said Slide the City PR Manager Amy Gessel.  With over 25,000 people on the waiting list, Slide the City hopes these issues can be resolved in a timely manner so that Slide the City Philadelphia can be a cornerstone event for the city this year and years to come.

• How about the back of the Art Museum, there’s a really nice hill there. Or better yet Belmont Plateau, what an amazing view of the City.

Wheel of Fortune is doing a week of shows featuring Philadelphia, May 16-20, as part of their great American Cities series.

The series airs at 730PM Monday through Friday

 Pat Sajak and Vanna White spent an action-packed few days in Philadelphia last October doing promo spots at several locations including the Philadelphia Zoo where I caught up with them. 

Thanks to 6ABC I was able to ask America’s Sweetheart Couple, together for 33 years, a few questions during their visit last year.
Here is what I found out.

• The entire year is filmed in 35 days, over a 9 month period. Ever since they went from manual letters to electronic letters, they’ve been able to film an entire week in one day.
•  “I have never worn the same dress twice, and I’ve worn over 6,000 gowns, ” all loaners from designers! Once or twice she’s bought a gown from the designer to wear to a function.
• When she’s not on TV or making a public appearance “I am a blue jeans and no make up kind of girl off camera. I also go to bed early and wake up early.”

  

• Vanna loves to crochet, and has her own line of yarn, “Vanna’s Choice,” she’s donated over $1 million dollars to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
• Pat Sajak is a big fan of hockey and his favorite team is the Washington Capitals, as he lives in Maryland close to DC. When the Caps play the Flyers you’ll find him in the stands cheering them.
• He’s never really gotten mad at a contestant for missing an easily guessed word, even though the internet disagrees with him.
• The one question they are asked the most is have they ever dated each other – NO; Pat’s been married to his wife Lesly for 39 years.
• They’re kinda tired of hearing people call out to them “Can I Buy A Vowel”, which is consistently done from fans even before a hello!
• They loved their time in Philly, the food is delicious. They said eating at Townsend is a must stop for anyone who visits Philadelphia. In fact they both told me it was a reason to visit Philadelphia.

All 15 contestants are from the Philadelphia area and include a middle school and history teacher, a graduate student, a firefighter, and a local business owner. Prizing will be sourced from local businesses and the audience will include Philadelphia-based sweepstakes winners flown in for the festivities.