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Philadelphia

Opening Night Photos: The Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia

The Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia is a celebration of Israeli culture, with the aim of enriching the American vision of Israeli culture and society through film. Each season, a slate of feature films and documentaries are selected to provide a diverse and impartial reflection of Israel. Last weekend the opening of the Israeli Film Festival took place at the International House, and PhillyChitChat photographer Mike Hirata headed out there and grabbed a few shots.

 Mindy Chriqui, Founder and Coordinator, Nurit Yaron, Chairperson, Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia, Einat Zarhin, and Shemi
Zarhin.

 

 Kahlil Ali and Ashley Heitzman. 
 It is our goal to be both entertaining and informative. Our program includes feature films, dramas, comedies and documentaries that are award-winning and have received wide recognition both in Israel and abroad. As a non-profit organization, the continuing success of the IFF is due, in large part, to support from various organizations and private donors.
 Larisa Lenoff and Ken Lenoff. 
 Dorel Shanon and Stuart Bogom. 
 Galit Carmely and Karnit Biran.

 

 Jessica Naim and Lital Gold.

 

 Eli Philip, Michal Philip, and Bill Burrows.

 

 Moran Birman and Dana Birman.

 Irene Fridman and Alex Fridman.

 

 Galit Carmely, Laurel Fairworth, and Elina Cher.

 

The IFF is funded through ticket sales, personal and corporate contributions, as well as in-kind contributions. Organizational support is provided by The Center for Israel and Overseas, the Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia,  and a wide array of community partners.
Check out the Schedule Here
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Philadelphia

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Politicians, Personalities and Fox 29’s Bob Kelly shows us what’s under his kilt (U Can’t Un see This)

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

 Shariff Street, Councilman Bobby Hennon and Mayor Jim Kenney

 John Dougherty and his dad

 Councilman David Oh, Councilwomen Helen Gym and hubby  Bret P. Flaherty

 Councilman Alan Domb and Councilwomen Helen Gym

 The Fox 29 weather gurus: Scott Williams and Sue Serio with general assignment reporter Shawnette Wilson
 Alex Holley

 Dawn Timmeney FOX 29
 The Dave Warren family and his dad
 Dave Kinchen 
 Quincy Harris and family
Karen Hepp and family
Bob Kelly shows us what’s under his kilt – From Mike Jerrick’s Instagram
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Philadelphia

That Time When Dad Came Back From The Dead to Say Good-bye on St. Patrick’s Day

Every so often I tell this story, an amazing true story that happened to my family on St. Patrick’s Day in 2005, the day we buried my father at sea, at his favorite fishing hole. I’m just going to copy and paste it here from the first time I wrote it in 2005. My nephew is now grown up so I changed his name for his protection.

…………………………….
Our family is of Irish descent, my dad was about as Irish as they come and every year as we were growing up he would throw a big party on St. Patrick’s Day. So when he died one of his requests was that we spread his ashes in the Atlantic Ocean off of the island he lived on for half the year in Florida (he followed the fish each season) on St. Patrick’s Day and have an Irish Wake. Every year on the anniversary I retell this story, it’s a story of hope, and it really happened to us and I want to share it with you…
Today marks the 4 year anniversary since we spread my dad’s ashes in the Florida Keys as per his wishes. My father died suddenly at their house in Florida May 3, 2004. I like to mark this anniversary with this story each year: (Originally written March 23, 2005)Last Thursday, on St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrated my father’s life by spreading his ashes about 2 miles off the Florida Keys (he had died unexpectedly the year before in an accident at this house). It was a beautiful ceremony. We had a St. Patrick’s Day memorial party with his friends, no grandchildren, in the afternoon at the house on the water as dad had requested.

In the evening (about 9PM) the family (including the under 15 set who were not at the house during the day) gathered on the patio to enjoy mom’s key lime pie and other desserts by CANDLELIGHT. My nephew Peter (not his real name) was the only grandchild to join us on the patio as the other kids ate inside watching TV. Peter is a little over 2.5 years old (he had only met my dad about a handful of times as his family lived in another state) He wasn’t a big talker yet, but he could usually put a word or two together, and knows sign language for the important words like Eat, Food and Drink. (This was one of the last pictures I took of dad at their house in NJ with my mom and nephew Peter)
Peter had never been to my parents house in Florida, and this particular night was the first time he was even at the house at all as we all rented houses on a different parts of the island and had dinner at one another’s house the previous nights.  As we sat around the table on the patio, talked about the next day’s plans. PETER suddenly stood up from sitting on the ground and points into the darkness towards the water where my dad’s boat use to be docked (the boat was not there, as mom sold it right after dad died,) and states “POP-POP, boat.” He says this a few times. He goes on to say Pop-pop, minnow. “Pop-pop, home” “Pop-pop hello.” “No bait to fish”.
A very emotional Mom then asked me to go get a photo of dad and give it to Peter’s dad. His dad, pointed to the photo and says to Peter, “Who is this? Peter said Pop-pop.” Peter where is pop-pop? And then Peter pointed towards where the stern (back) of the boat would be, and where my dad spent many hours tinkering.
As time went on, things got quiet and Peter went back to being quiet and staring into the darkness, my sister Tracy said to me that it was like the movie the Sixth-Sense, I leaned over to her and said “Can Peter see dead people?”. (I don’t think Peter heard me, but his mother came over and tapped me on the head and looked at me with a disapproving look.)

THEN Peter jumps up and happily states, as he was raising his arms in the air like he was going to do a cheer, “NO ONE is DEAD,” “NO ONE is DEAD,” “No Sad, No one Dead,” Don’t be scared, No one dead, Pop-pop is Home.” After about a minute or two he stopped and began playing patty cake with Pop-pop? Then he played hide and go seek, even stating BOO a few times. Then he walked to the far (and less lit) side of the patio, about 25 feet from where we were all sitting, to where the empty hammock was. He then started pushing the hammock with TWO HANDS gleefully squealing “WHEEEEEE WHEEEEE ISNT THIS FUN….” Finally running back to where we were sitting stunned, Peter stated one last time “NO ONE DEAD, DON’T BE SAD” “Pop-pop HOME”

At this point Peter went on to play a game of stepping on someones toes, and then someone trying to step on his toes. This was a sight to see as he was clearly communicating and playing with someone (Pop-Pop?) as he was squealing in laughter and looking up. After a bit, as we were all sniffling and in a bit of shock, Peter’s frazzled dad said it was late, and time to go, at that point the usually mild manner boy just burst out crying and actually threw himself on the ground backwards (not violently though). As his dad picked him up, Peter turned 180 degrees towards the water, where the stern of the boat would have been, where my dad spent so many hours, and said bye pop-pop, bye as he blew Pop-pop a kiss good-bye
We all know how blessed we are to have had this amazing experience. And for months following this incident, Peter would occasionally see Pop-pop and announce it to his mom. Eventually they stopped; once in awhile when I see Peter I ask him if he has seen Pop-pop, and his response is a perplexed look, he has no idea what I am talking about, but we had that moment. My fear of death and dying was put to rest after this, I wish I could say it was my faith that created this change, but it was this moment.
My Mike wasn’t on this trip with me, and being Jewish/Agnostic he was skeptical of my story, until he asked each my sisters separately and our stories were nearly identical. He’s still agnostic, but believes that we saw Peter chat with dad on St. Patrick’s Day 2005
.
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Philadelphia

PHS Flower Show Window Contest Winners, Alex Holley & Mina Say What Plus I’ll tell you next year’s theme

The Flower Show has come and gone. It was amazing how much it offered for $30 plus a ticket. I went three times this year, still didn’t make it to the retail section to buy anything. This year again, the PHS asked me to be a judge of the Flower Show Blooming Windows. That’s where area retailers decorate their windows inspired by the theme of the flower show. This year’s theme was National Parks. I love participating in this. I love to see everyone’s creativity. Not all photos of the windows were posted online, but I uploaded all of the ones that were.

I also wanted to include a few photos from my tried with Alex Holley and Mina Say What to the show last week. So I just combined them.

Alex Holley, Fox29, Mina Say What, Power 99 and I headed to the Flower Show last Wednesday. It was the first time the gals had visited, and they were shocked at how PACKED the place was in the middle of the day. We needed help navigating the show, and as luck would have it Alex found a National Park Ranger nearby.
 

 Who didn’t play the I spot so and so license plate while driving to a National Park.
Most Cultural:
Matus Windows and Design Gallery
Runner Up: Stars and Stripes LTD

 
Alex found a friend

The tombstones in the “cemetery” were made up of national park monuments.

 Best Use of Natural Elements:
Flowers & Co. – I was impressed by how they used the poster as the halter top
Runner Up: Plow & Hearth

Most Creative:
Charles Santore Library – the kids made this display, that weighed heavily in the voting for us
Runner Up: Night Kitchen Bakery and Cafe



 Most Adventurous:
Bredenebeck’s Bakery
Runner Up: Joan Shepp
 
 I know what these windows look like normally, so they were winners.
 Crowd Favorite:
Holiday Inn Express – Midtown
The girls got tuckered out after about 20 minutes
Runner Up: Adolf Biecker – Did you know the Edgar Allen Poe house is party of the National Park system. I really wanted this to win, but I think it scared the other two judges.

You can’t see this whole window, but it was colorful and classy
Most Monumental:
Lagos
Amazing!!
Grand Champion:
Hub Properties, Centre Square 
 

Best Representation of National Park:
Steel Pony
Runner Up:
Momo’s Tree House
Most Historic:
Profile Fine Art Printmaking Studio
Runner Up: Ten Thousand Villages – Chestnut Hill
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s annual fund-raiser drew its largest crowd in years, officials said Monday.  
Featuring an “Explore America” theme, a nod to the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, the show attracted an estimated 255,000 visitors.  
Next year the Flower Show Theme will be Holland, so they’ll be lots of colorful flowers and TULIPS

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Philadelphia

PhillyGossip: Bill Murray’s son Luke’s Wedding Photos, Elton Brand Dines, Sophia Loren poses, Justin Hires & Congrats!

Good Tuesday morning. Hope you’re week is going well even with this horrible weather.

Albert Lee always makes the best of everyday and captures the most amazing photos on his Instagram like this shot taken at Race Street Pier this morning.

You’ll recall last fall I broke a big story about Bill Murray attending his son’s wedding here in Philly, and skipping the Emmy Awards, where he won an Emmy. And by big I mean it was picked up by local, national and the Daily Mail. 
Now a few of the photos from the wedding have surfaced via the wedding photographer Faith West. 
Luke and Kara Murray
This weekend, NBA All-Star Elton Brand celebrated his 37th birthday with a special D’USSE cognac tasting dinner at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse. Brand was joined by family and friends, as well as Sixers rookie star Jahlil Okafor.
Justin Hires, star of the upcoming CBS show, RUSH HOUR, made an appearance on CBS3 this morning, then attended an informal press breakfast at 8 a.m. Justin Hires is taking
on the role of Detective Carter made famous by Chris Tucker in the feature films.  The show debuts March 31. 
Big Brother Hosting Auditions In Philly

Philadelphia, March 15, 2016 – Big Brother
is searching for television’s next reality star, and CBS 3 is bringing
the search to Philadelphia to look for ideal Houseguests for Season 18.
 A Big Brother casting producer will be interviewing candidates from the Greater Philadelphia area on
Saturday, March 26 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 1925 Cocktail Lounge, 111 South 17th Street in Philadelphia.
Participants will have the opportunity to tell
the casting producer why they would make the ultimate Houseguest. 
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and 21 years or older.  Applications
will be available on site and will need to be completed
prior to the interview.   
Big Brother is
the hit CBS reality television show that follows a group of people
living together in a large house who are continuously watched by
television cameras 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.  Each series tapes for approximately three months and consists of
12-15 participants in the household.  In the end, the Houseguests try
to win a cash prize of $500,000 by avoiding periodic evictions from the
house. 
 CBS 3 (KYW-TV) is part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation, a division of CBS Corporation.

### 

Kathryn Ott Lovell, PPR Commissioner , Eagles Connor Barwin,  Mayor Jim Kenney and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) announced open registration for the Spring 2016 TreePhilly Yard Tree Giveaways. The giveaways, hosted in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and TD Bank, are open to property owners to obtain and plant up to two free trees in a yard or lawn on private property.  Registration is open through April 10, and a variety of species are available, including large shade trees, small flowering trees, and fruit trees.  New this year, TreePhilly is announcing a Philly “Tree Trek,” a social
media contest in which one lucky winner will be chosen to have
Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin
help plant their tree. Participants can follow Philly’s Celebri-Tree,
“Bud”, on social media as he explores Philadelphia landmarks before he
finds his forever home.  Residents can enter the #PhillyTreeTrek social
media contest on Twitter, Instagram and Vine (@TreePhilly).
Residents can register to pick up their
free yard tree at one of four (4) special giveaway events across the
City in April (sites and dates below). Detailed information on all
available species can be found at www.treephilly.org,
and participants can choose their species when they register online or
over the phone. Registration is strongly encouraged, but walk-ins will
be welcomed at the end of each event while supplies last. Participants
will also receive a planting and care demonstration provided by tree
experts, free mulch, and educational materials.

The citywide yard tree giveaway events and locations are as follows:

  •  South Broad TD Bank store (2201 S Broad St., 19148), Sat. April 9th, 10am-12pm
  • Aramingo TD Bank store (2267 E Butler St., 19137), Sun. April 10th, 12pm-2pm
  • Frankford Avenue TD Bank store (6635 Frankford Ave., 19135), Sat. April 16th, 10am-12pm
  • Woodhaven TD Bank store (3930 Woodhaven Rd., 19154), Sun. April 17th, 12pm-2pm

    “Thanks to TreePhilly, residents have become passionate about planting
    and caring for trees. We look forward to working over the next three
    years with TD Bank as a corporate partner,” said PPR Commissioner
    Kathryn Ott Lovell.

 Congrats to my friend Melissa Heidel and Derek Heidel on the announcement of their new baby to be born. Great way to announce it.
 Derek is professionally know as Team Derek, who has a knack for finding celebrities. Here he is with the legendary Sophia Loren, who made an appearance at the Borgata last weekend.
It seems everyone was at SXSW this past week. Congrats to Philly.com’s Erica Palan who served on a panel of influencers chatting about social media. 
 Congrats to Ian Morrison/Brittany Lynn who received a City Council Citation acknowledging his service as the an ambassador of good will in Philly.
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Philadelphia

Party Pixs: LGBTQ Supporters of HRC (Human Rights Campaign) Enjoy the Annual Dinner in Philly

Earlier this month the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) hosted their annual dinner at the Marriott Hotel with nearly 500 supporters. This year HRC moved to a bigger venue, as the demand to attend continues to grow. Snap!’s Thea Austin with 90s hits “Rhythm is the Dancer” “The Power”, Jim Obergefell – the plaintiff at the heart of a Supreme Court case , Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, and the L Word’s Katherine Moennig were guests of honor.

Did I mention lots of fashionable, attractive gay men, friends and the ladies. Liz Bakom, Chris Labonte, Greg Drey ( When he’s not at Fishtown Social, you can find him at Starbucks. Last week the barista at his fav coffee spot gave him what I would call a most unique pick up line: “This morning my barista told me I have gorgeous lashes. I guess drinking all that Latisse paid off!” ) and Marvin Rocha

Stylish couple Chuck Moore and Stacey Salter Moore
Charlie Massacci and Joe DiDio
Melissa Shideleff, Alexa Rupnik, Sherrie Cohen, Kathi Lex, Dawn Dupre and Megan Dupree-Keating
With any great gala, there’s a gotta be a great auction. I love the captions on the HRC auction. This is for the Borgata’s concert with Diana Ross called the I’m Coming Out package. Did you know that the Borgata has a gay friend program called

OUT at Borgata: Gay Atlantic City,

Then there’s this Adult Chuck – E- Cheese, Dave & Buster package.
Gays never have enough sunglasses, and stylish pillows
Mary White and Tina White.  Last year Tina published a book on her, and Mary’s life called:

Between Shadow and Sun: A Husband’s Journey Through Gender – A Wife’s Labor of Love Paperback – September 11, 2015

HRC volunteers Ariella Davner and Morgan Wu
G.T.L. package
A Sanders supporter, Kim Campbell and best bud Duane Myers a Trump Suporter. “Can’t we all just get along.”
David Hullhorst of Delaware Investments, Jayne Keyser (Recently celebrated her birthday – Happy BD) and C. Richard Horrow, Esq. Attorney-At-Law and president of the IBA.
A clothing optional vacation was on the silent auction list
Denise Fike illustrates the guests. She’s fun to have at parties.
Mayor Jim Kenney and Nellie Fitzpatrick, Philadelphia’s Director of LGBT Affairs

Sara Dejan, Molly Bokind, Michelle Svonaver adn Jordan Martin
Florence Roson -Hart and Tyrone Hart
Photo booth fun. Boy have these changed since the little telephone booths they used to be.

Yoninan Drenstein, Benjamine Eichel and Jodie Eichel
Diana Haussling, Brendan Slavin, and Caleb Kearney
Putting their best foot forward, Maureen Pursh and Fay Stevenson still came out to support the HRC Dinner despite their fractured feet.
As always I had to scoot to my next event, which happened to be across the street at the Loews. The LLS Student of the Year event. It’s a good read HERE>
Categories
Philadelphia

BREAKING NEWS: Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill, Mary Carey at Sampan, Robert DeNiro, Bobby Flay, Nicole Miller Plus a Few Goodbyes, Fido Friday

Welcome to another edition of PhillyGossip, your weekly catch up on what’s happening with people in our area. Nicki Minaj has been found.

 The last we saw of her she was performing a concert in LA earlier this month with Fetty Wap and friends. Then we all heard the break up stories, and I know you’re reading me as every where I went people would ask me are they really broken up. I haven’t seen you report on Nicki and Meek lately, so what’s happening with them. I’ll tell you what I told youse then, but now we have proof.

 

You’ll recall I wrote that they did have a beef, something about Nicki
giving up everything and playing house with Meek as he does his 90 day
stint as ordered by the court.  I wrote that she wasn’t playing hard to
get, she was just rehearsing her tour in LA. She’s going to Africa in a
few weeks to do some shows. She even tweeted to her followers, don’t
believe what you read or hear.

Don’t fret they’re together again. She flew into Philly on Wednesday, and did put on a little show for her snap chat followers. No word on where Meek is calling home, but rumor has it it’s on the waterfront in one of my favorite condos.

 Sad to hear my friends Mary Carey and Mario Monge are getting a divorce
after 6 years. This shot was taken in 2011, shortly after they got
married. He’s an electrician and worked on her house. They fell in love
and the rest is history. I had gotten together with them 2 additional
times when her show came through town. One time we went to Sampan and she
treated me to dinner. She pulled out a wad of dollar bills and paid the
$150 check with them. SO funny.

Burger King: Bobby Flay had dinner at Vetri’s Pizza with Marc Vetri on Wednesday night.

And then they posed with admirers, grandpop even cracked a little smile

Last week Robert Deniro was in town to cut the ribbon on the new Glen Mills Fine Wine & Good Spirits Collection Store. My question is does that whole title fit on one sign?

 The fans turned out

(Thanks to the LCB for sending me this shot)

 Speaking of wine, everyone is still talking about Craig Laban‘s review of Tredici Enoteca, but he liked the wine. I’ve been there twice, I like the food. I don’t drink. Looks like Chef Perrier enjoyed everything in front of him, and probably had a good cigar afterwards.

I bet I know who has a good cigar – Congrats Christopher Wolfington for being the 20th Anniversary winner of the Holt’s Cigar  humidor.. We shot him last weekend at the Dancing With Our Future Stars event. 

Where I also saw AJ Feeley, perform here with wife Heather Mitts, who is 9 months pregnant with their 2nd child. She looks fantastic. They’re with Kellie Gaglioti co owner of Joseph Anthony

gunnar montana exposed. get your tickets
Hey anyone missing a hot tub?

TONIGHT: Fido Friday at the PHS Flower Show

Date:
March 11, 2016

at 6:00pm

–

9:00pm
Location:
Pennsylvania Convention Center
12th & Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107

In partnership with PAWS, the Flower
Show’s Fido Friday invites four-legged and two-legged friends to
experience the Show together.
The National Park Service’s K-9 ranger, “Ken” Franklin will stop by
for a visit in the afternoon, before the doors open to other four-legged
friends.
A “Yappy Hour” from 6 to 8 p.m. will take place at the Pop Up Beer Garden in Base Camp.

Canines must enter through the Market Street entrance, with
proof of current rabies vaccine, and are not allowed on escalators for
safety.
Please view our Safety Guidelines prior to arriving at the Show.
Admission:
Dogs are free, but humans must be ticketed. Purchase tickets in advance here.

Come on you and the pooch deserve a night out.

Congrats

Gene London with Paul Steinke

Designer Nicole Miller brought her spring collection fashion show to Philadelphia to show to customers, tastemakers and the fashionable on Tuesday night at the Bellevue. She and Mary Dougherty also debut the 2016 Nicole Miller tie and scarf, featuring local Philly partners like DiBruno Brothers, Comcast, Jefferson Hospital, High Street, GPFO, Visit Philly and others on it. Here Mary Dougherty and Nicole Miller chat with Meryl Levitz, CEO Visit Philly.

Good bye and good luck to legendary DJ Michael DeCero, who left Philly after decades of spinning to live in Hawaii with boyfriend Tom Forsberg.
Good luck to Heather Yerrid and her new adventure in LA.

Categories
Philadelphia

Independence Mission Schools 2nd Annual Dancing Videos, Bill Green, AJ Feeley, Marcus Allen, Kristen Johanson

PS I’d really appreciate if you wouldn’t remove the videos, but just link to the site for the first day. It’s how I make a living, clicks etc, you know. Otherwise I’d have to go back to being a paralegal to pay the bills. If you’re a news organization, you can take the video but just link back to my site. Thanks

IHM “Sister Act.” #Dance4IMS 

The other night I attended the Independence Mission Schools 2nd Annual Dancing for our Future Stars celebrity competition. This event is similar to the TV show, except contestants compete in raising as much money for the IMS as possible to ensure a well balanced, solid education for kids as well as programs that will help them become all they dream to be.

Peter Panageas & K.O. Delmarcelle 

This year’s dancing stars were:  Peter Panageas & K.O. Delmarcelle. Carol Tamburio and Peter Liciaga. IHM “Sister Act.”  Marcus Allen and Amber Rawls. Kristen Johanson and Tony Azzaro. AJ Feeley and Nikki Thomas. Renee Chambers-Licaga and Quincy Harris, Greg Santiaggo and Ginny Carey (this video was flagged by youtube cause it was using Adele’s Hello and she wont have none of that). Ilia Garcia and Curt Foy (sorry didn’t get this on film, was shooting Brent Celek & his wife). Tommy Geramichalos and Narissa Fell (I didn’t get this one either, sorry) and Bill Green and Katie Miccarelli.


 Lots of people came out to support
 The kids, who were on hand to greet the guests

 Here are the judges
 And the dancers
This was the first one I filmed and realized there was a long introduction to the video. So start it at 50 seconds. I also realized I was standing in the wrong spot. 
AJ Feeley and Nikki Thomas 
(Check out PhillyMag for the beautiful, and glowing Heather Mitts, who is about to give birth to their 2nd child HERE)
Quincy Harris & Renee

Bill Green and Katie Miccarelli 
Kristen Johanson and Tony Azzaro 
Marcus Allen and Amber Rawls 
Carol Tamburio and Peter Liciaga 
Check out Philly Mag to see who won and to see which three #Eagles Player alumni, and current player’s wives are expecting babies within a month. 
HERE
Categories
Philadelphia

Susan G. Komen Philadelphia and The Philly POPS Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors

On Feb. 13, Susan G. Komen Philadelphia and The Philly POPS proudly
hosted a free, first-ever, breast health education event and musical
celebration of the power of women.

Last Fall, Elaine Groban brought together notable, doctors in the field of oncology

to discuss her dream, her vision to bring together top doctors and their patients and share the news on the latest innovative treatments and discoveries in breast cancer treatment, and do it in a way that was a celebration. After the tour of the Kimmel Center to see where the lecture and concert would take place, the guests enjoyed dinner at Volver, which is the restaurant inside the Kimmel Center.

Then on the day before Valentine Day, Strength & Survival with the Philly POPS event began with a
breakfast served in the Hamilton Garden for the doctors and their patients that would participate in the presentation.

 

Elaine Grobman, CEO Susan G. Komen Philadelphia and Judith A. Salerno, M.D., M.S., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Susan G. Komen greet the guests and update them on the organization’s
work.

 Strength & Survival Medical Co-Directors  Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS, Fox Chase Cancer Center: Breast Clinical Service Line Leader; Director, Breast Fellowship Program; Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology; Curtis T. Miyamoto, MD, Temple University Hospital: Interim-Chairperson,
Department of Radiology; Professor & Chairperson, Department of
Radiation Oncology  and Elaine Grobman, CEO Susan G. Komen Philadelphia
Steve and Marie DeStafano (a survivor)
John and Debby Madiraca
Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS, Fox Chase Cancer with his patient, survivor Dona Vimall, and husband Scott Vimall,
Strength & Survival Medical Co-Directors

  • Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS, Fox Chase Cancer Center: Breast Clinical Service Line Leader; Director, Breast Fellowship Program; Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
  • Curtis T. Miyamoto, MD, Temple University Hospital: Interim-Chairperson, Department of Radiology; Professor & Chairperson, Department of Radiation Oncology

– See more at: https://komenphiladelphia.org/events/strength-survival-with-the-philly-pops/#sthash.Bzt8g6Un.dpuf

Linda Posman, Sameer Patel, MD and Tiffany Mannino
The 26th Annual Race for the Cure is coming up On May 9. Check out information here on how you can participate

Doctors were honored with medals to thank them for their work

Onstage, the presenting doctors
and survivors reviewed the day’s program while they noshed. Following
breakfast, the pre-concert program began. Doctors highlighted
groundbreaking treatments in oncology, and their patients spoke about
their history, treatments and progress.

Chelese Porter, breast cancer survivor.

Finally, the Philly Pops took
the stage, and performed a 90-minute concert, accompanied by LaKisha
Jones and Mandy Gonzalez, under the direction of The Philly POPS
conductor, Randall Craig Fleischer.

under the direction of The Philly POPS
conductor, Randall Craig Fleischer.
Songstress’  LaKisha Jones, “discovered” nationwide on American Idol and Mandy Gonzalez, a Broadway luminary known for her roles in Wicked & The Heights put on a lovely show for the survivors and their doctors. It was a great partnership between music and medicine. The patients enjoyed seeing old friends, meeting new ones and connecting to others who know exactly what they’re going through.
Did I mention it was during Chinese New Year’s. 
Natasha Brown and Ukee Washington, were on hand to do emcee duties, as Elaine I. Grobman. Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure | CEO, greets the guests.
Ukee Washington takes to the stage, to assist in conducting
  The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir
Check out the messages from the attendees, and how it  made a difference in their lives.

 Educational Partners  Abington Hospital – Jefferson Health, Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center, Christiana Care – Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Einstein Healthcare Network, Fox Chase Cancer Center – Temple Health, Garces Dental Group, Lancaster General Hospital, Lourdes Health System, Main Line Hospitals, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Sacred Heart Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, St. Joseph Medical Center, Temple University School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Virtua Health System.
Check out one of the many great fundraiser events you can attend to help raise money for the fight against breast Cancer
Categories
Philadelphia

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Student of the Year Grand Finale – Guess who won?

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) celebrated their Student of the Year fundraising competition at the Grand Finale Celebration on Saturday, February 27, 2016  at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The night was a celebration of all the candidates’ collective fundraising efforts.

The event marked the end of a seven-week fundraising competition by local high school students.

 An amazing crowd of supporters came out to support the students and the organization

 Candy Rathsmill and Betsy Mulgrew
 Brittany Wells, Lilia Ferracci, Lucy Duke, Olivia Libonati, Amelia Korfmaunn, Savannah Waib, Hannah Gold and Sammi Topper
 Ellen Rubeson, Jayne Rodgers, Greg Seitter, Director of Marketing & Communications at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Melissa Read

 Participating students raised money through various fundraisers, including on the finale night via silent auction items

 Asia Crawford, Samantha Kaplan and Jennifer Sanville monitoring the donation boxes. I lifted a couple of them and they were impressively heavy.
  Sal Paone Jr. and Erin O’Hearn, 6ABC. Erin was the emcee of the evening.
 Margie Kasner and Scott Kasner

 Another great fundraiser effort on the night of the event is selling chocolate bars, wrapped in non descriptive green paper. Then at a specific time the wrapping is pulled off and the golden ticket is a $5,000 winner. The person who wins the golden ticket gets to pick a student and that student gets the “proceeds” $5,000, to add to their fundraising goals.
 JP Clark, Andrew Clark (Malvern Prep raised an impressive $68,000 to win this year’s top honor.)
, Ryan Clark, and Ryan Franks

 “Congratulations to all of our Student of the Year candidates.
Collectively these 10 candidates raised over $171,000 for our mission.
You’re all winner.”

Next up for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign kicks off on March 29th and concludes on June 10th. We are still seeking candidates for this campaign. For more information, visit
www.mwoy.org/epa
 The 2016 Red & White Ball Mercedes-Benz raffle tickets are on sale now! Purchase a raffle ticket for $100 to have a chance to get behind the wheel of the all- new 2016 GLC (formerly GLK). The winner of the Mercedes-Benz raffle will be announced the night of The 2016 Red & White Ball*. Your local area Mercedes-Benz dealers have generously donated the vehicle, which means that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) will receive 100% of your tickets sales.