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Philadelphia

Fashionable Ladies Who Lunch In Style For Philanthropy – The Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia

The days of impossibly glamorous, hugely entertaining, and utterly without purpose ladies luncheons of days gone by have now been replaced these days by equally as social, very stylish, successful women who have philanthropy on their minds. I love covering these very relaxed, but fashionably minded events.

Last week at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, The Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia hosted their 13th Annual In Fashion with Baja East charity luncheon.

 Lunch was catered by Feastivities, and the table decor was simple in a farm to table style.
 

 Salad was placed in front of the guests, and another server gave the guest a choice of chicken or salmon from a serving dish. Very clever. Dessert a sorbet with a thin cookie. 
There was a live auction for two designer bags and a trip to NYC to see Baja East collection in February.  Plus a live bid, where the Philadelphia auctioneer Jeffrey Hammond explained how an additional money gift would help a child who’s parent was going through cancer treatment, or a program would benefit a family. 
 
Total raised from auction and live bid, over $10,000. Very nice.

 10 % of the sales from anything bought at Saks Fifth Avenue that day was also donated to the CSC

 Baja East is known for it’s loose luxury from surf to street 
For Spring, designers Scott Studenberg and John Targon
reimagined their signature urban nomad through the lens of rave, down
to the polished take on kandi seen at models’ wrists and necks.

The Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.  We provide a comprehensive professional program of social and emotional support and education designed to enhance the mind, body, and spirit of people whose lives have been affected by cancer.  All of our programs and services are provided at no cost to our participants (known as our members) so there’s never a barrier for anyone who needs cancer support.  No one should have to face cancer alone.

 Elizabeth Wellington, Fashion writer for Phila Inquirer

 In Fashion 2015 Committee
Wendy H. Rosen – Chair

Susanna Lachs Adler…Tisa Baena…Kathy Bernsten…Lisa Korn Blank…Jil
Blatstein…Lydie Szabo Brown…Catherine Brumbaugh…Marcie Kennedy
Brun…Amanda Burch…Donna Celentano…Ellen Churchill…Roberta Dranoff…Jill
Durovsik…

Barbara Eberlein…Jaimie Field…Pia Halloran…Diane
Hillyard…Margie Honickman…Patty Isen…Laura La Rosa…Hilarie Morgan…Anne
O’Malley…Jill Powell…Jackie Rantanen…Jennifer Raphael…Dana Rosen…Betsy
Rubenstone…Susie Sargent…Nicole Dresnin Schaeffer…Gail Singer…Joy
Shugrue…June Smith…Babette Snyder…Iliana Strauss…Deborah Feith
Tye…Melissa Valenti…JoAnn Wurzak

 Cheryl George

 

Photos and a more in depth story can be found in my society column at Philly Mag. 
Cancer Support Community Fashion Show
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Philadelphia

TODAY: Star Studded Line Up to Unveil Macy’s Holiday Windows at 1:00PM – FREEWAY, JAZMINE SULLIVAN, MITCH WILLIAMS

It’s Begining to look a lot like Christmas, and Macy’s is #BringingOnTheTinsel with their window unveiling today at 1PM

 TODAY they’re having a star studded Holiday Window unveiling and it’s all about our 

 A special performance by the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club will kick off the

excitement of this year’s magical window unveiling on Market Street. Immediately

following the performance, join local Philadelphian celebrities along with the one-and-
only Santa Claus, as they help unveil our holiday windows.

Celebrities in attendance are as follows:

Grammy® nominated R&B artist, JAZMINE SULLIVAN

America’s Got Talent Season 1 Winner, BIANCA RYAN

Professional football player, ERIC ROWE

Former professional baseball player, MITCH WILLIAMS

Hip-hop recording artist, FREEWAY

Comedian, BUCK WILD

Actress and television host, PAIGE DAVIS

Professional boxer, BRYANT JENNINGS

Miss Philadelphia 2015, JULIA RAE SCHLUCTER

Grand Court Organist, PETER CONTE

(Photo by J. Holder)
Showtimes: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm

At 1:00pm – Market Street Entrance- Guests will be dazzled as Macy’s beloved holiday   windows are unveiled.
At 2:00pm– Grand Court- Guests will enjoy a preview of the seasonal favorite-Macy’s   Holiday Light Show.
At 2:00pm – Grand Court – Shoppers are invited to a musical performance by Jazmine   Sullivan and Bianca Ryan. Following the performance, guests will have the opportunity   to take a picture with all the celebrated guests.
At 2:00 pm – 3rd Floor, Greek Hall – Children will enjoy a fun-filled day of arts and   crafts and have the chance to color their very own A Charlie Brown Christmas coloring   book . Plus, Macy’s Holiday Ambassador, Snoppy  the whole family.

Macy’s Dickens Christmas Village
Third Floor Holiday Lane
open 10AM to 7PM

And for your shopping needs, Macy’s owns that; They’re open nearly every hour of the day until Christmas Day.
For more information on Macy’s Holiday Celebration and tidbits about the light show and store click on http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/xmas.php

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Philadelphia

Hard Rock Cafe’s BARocker Bartender Contest

Earlier this week the Hard Rock Cafe’s Bartenders
from the North America East region Battle at Hard Rock Cafe’s 2015 Global
BARocker local Competition. 11 bartenders from the Boston, to DC,
Atlantic City as far west as Pittsburgh pa had a chance to showcase their
top-notch bartending skills for the chance to be named Hard Rock’s best of 2015. The bartenders concocted the popular drink Bahama Mama’s and Margarita’s using Roca Patron. 
 Suman Mahara from Boston was definitely the most talented with cups a la the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise.
 Marisa Magnatta of WMMR with Hardrock bartender Suman Mahara from Boston

 Judges: Julian van der Tak of WHERE Magazine,  Joe Conklin, Comedian (check him out Wednesday nights at Parx Casino) and Brittany Lynn of Philly Drag Mafia
 While we’re checking out these pixs I want to thank the Hard Rock for their donation to the Lifesavers Gala last weekend. The dinner for 4 raised much needed funds for us to get the suicide awareness out to the people. Thanks!!

 The coveted Barocker trophy

 Hard Rock put out a delicious spread. Not sure when they started serving sushi, but it was good.
 Valerie Grunde Allen aka Valley Girl

 Matthew Wilson from Washington DC

 Jayme Laughlin from Pittsburgh

 Jayme Laughlin from Pittsburgh wins the coveted BARocker Trophy. She head’s to Florida next year to compete in the national competition.
Categories
Philadelphia

Night Time Shots From The New One Liberty Observation Deck – My Fav Gift Shop Items

Where Magazine had a little shindig the other day for their the VIP Concierge in the City, and I tagged along

The entrance to the exhibit, behind this wall is a cute visitor shop, you’ll want to go there even on the days you don’t go up to the observation deck.

  • One Liberty Observation Deck opens Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m.
  • The deck offers panoramic views of Philadelphia from the 57th floor of One Liberty Place
  • The Deck will be open 365 days a year, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • Tickets start at $14 for youth, $19 for adults
  • The express elevator to the 57th floor is a 75 second ride (uwishunu)

A few notable Philadelphia icons starting out with Rocky, Then Dr J, The Liberty Bell, Grace Kelly and City Hall
This was interesting. Some people wondered if they belonged to the Wizard

It turned out to be Ben Franklin
It’s a good #Selfie station too
 I’m a big observation fan. When I go to NYC I like going to both Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building.
 I’ve been in the City Hall Tower at least 100 times. They’re only open during the day. Great view though. A little cold in the winter as it’s open aired. I’m also a fan of R2L, Top of the Tower for their weekend brunch and summer SIPS 52 floors up, and the Loews 33rd floor.
 A shot taken with my phone above. From the One Liberty Observation Deck you can see all the way to Cherry Hill and KOP, up to 25 miles away, but because of the curverture of the earth you won’t be able to see Atlantic City or the Atlantic Ocean, England etc. You should be able to see Wilmington during the day though. The most popular times to visit the deck is daytime, and you can’t miss going 1n hour before sunset and stay at least an hour afterwards. Those were my favorite times to visit the obeservation decks in NYC too. Very romantic, color dancing off the buildings and a magnificent sunset. Even on cloudy days the view is wonderful, especially at sunset. The sky is always a brilliant blue, I always tweet about that. Makes for great photos. 
 
Which BTW make sure your camera is flush with the window, because it’s double pained you might get reflections behind you if it’s not.
I can’t wait for the next lightning storm. I’m going to need a yearly pass. Snow would be fun to shoot too. Oh Fall Foliage as far as the eye can see. 
 The gift shop

 I think it’s safe to say that blue is their color
 I love the logo
 I need this magnet for my fridge
 Can’t wait to go back. It opens this SATURDAY at 10AM. I’ll see you there!
BTW here are daytime shots by my friend Kenneth Hilario at PBJ 
Categories
Philadelphia

More Cute Red Panda Photos from the Philly Zoo

Yesterday Josh from Philly Mag wrote me at 10AM, and asked if I were going to go to the Philly Zoo and shoot the baby Red Panda’s at their debut. He had me at baby, YES, cute animals I’m there.

Thankfully this week #DistrictDrive lent me a car, which they sometimes do under their #influencer program. It’s a marketing tool, I use their car and then tweet about it chatting about what I like about the car. Well I like everything. They give you a choice of 3 cars, and I usually pick the Enclave. It’s big and it fits 7 people, which is great cause I like to cart my friends around. It’s got the latest gadgets too, and an optional sunroof, which I really need. I’m a visual guy so I want to see every angle. Believe it or not it’s easy to park and it fits in parking garages. I thought it would be too big, I was wrong. It’s probably a standard size, but since I drive a car I thought it was genourmous. It’s not a smart car size, but it’s just a tad bigger than my own Ford Fusion, plus it has the back up camera which is hugely helpful. Anyway I jumped in the Enclave and I headed to the zoo.

 Red Panda Cubs Make Debut at Philadelphia Zoo
 You get the opportunity to name the cuties

 Their mom’s name is Spark (r)
 There’s a boy (l) and girl (r) panda

The public can offer their suggestions about what to name the two
cubs. One three-year-old boy from Fairmount has an idea — to name them
Mario and Ellie, after him and his sister.
Also if you adopt a red panda by the end of the year, with the money going to care for them, you get a free red panda plushie.

For more information and to submit male and female name suggestions visit Facebook.com/PhiladelphiaZoo or email the name suggestions to pandas@phillyzoo.org.

Those who adopt a red panda by December 31st will get a free mini red panda plushie. To adopt a red panda, visit PhiladelphiaZoo.org/adopt.

 My friend John McDevitt from KYW1060 doing a spot for CBS3 Philly
 It’s fall at the zoo. You probably have one more week of beauty on the trees.
 I stuck my tongue back out at him
The Behind The Scenes Tour
Categories
Philadelphia

Salon Rosa Held A Date Night Grooming Session

Last month a cocktail, styling party was held at at Salon Rosa M in Narberth, PA

The event was an opportunity for couples to experience light grooming sessions by the salon’s founder and owner, Rosa Martinez and both of her full time stylists Melissa Lynne and Jessica Pileggi. Services included blow-outs and makeup touch ups for women or a light “shave and a haircut” for men.
Rosa Martinez, Belinda Rivera, and Jussara Lopez.
Genevieve Malandra and Amanda Pittman.

In addition to grooming guests sampled local batches of expertly crafted Rye Whiskey compliments of Dad’s Hat. For those who were not Whiskey connoisseurs the salon served up wine and other lite beverage refreshments. Fat Jack’s BBQ provided lite fare for guest sampling including several varieties of their famous chicken wings and hearty chili.

The Salon Rosa M Team.
Caitlin Rae and Ashley Pomales
Melissa Anspach and Nancy Flitter

While waiting for their grooming sessions with stylists or as they mingled afterwards, guests were also privy to a trunk show put on by the Hope Chest. Fabulous and fun lingerie and other toys were available for sale all evening.

Amanda Pittman of Hope Chest in Haverford

With over 20 years in the business and a passion for fashion and design, Salon owner and celebrity stylist Rosa    Martinez has been a return guest on “The 10 Show,” a repeat ‘Best of Philly    Winner’ in “Philadelphia Magazine”, and a recipient of the ‘Most Intricate    Hair’ award at Hair Ball. Most recently, Salon Rosa M has been featured on the    show “Wednesday’s Child” and has styled for Stars Network “Magic City.”

Amanda Pittman and Caitlin
Rae.

Jamie Joffe, Alisha Neva, and Genevieve Malandra.

Melissa Anspach and Meggi Connor

To stay informed about future events at Salon Rosa M please visit the website or call the salon at 610-771-9900. Additionally, you can connect via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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Philadelphia

Photos: From the 2016 Dancing for Our Future Stars Reveal Party

For several years Philly had dancing with the Philly Stars, but they stopped doing that a bit back. Don’t fret though another organization has picked up the baton on this fun evening of dancing for charity.  The Independence Mission Schools is holding their 2nd annual Philadelphia Dancing for Our Future Stars event March 5 at the Crystal Tea Room.

The Independence Mission Schools represents a new and dynamic model of
sustainable urban education combining the best attributes of private
education with lean, entrepreneurial business management practices and
academic accountability. Utilizing these best practices in education and
business, we deliver a high-quality, cost-effective Catholic education
to children and families in need.  These children, like all children,
deserve a quality education, but without our schools in their
communities, unfortunately they wouldn’t have access to one.

Who can forget last year’s dancing with the stars with Seth Williams, now check out who is dancing this year and see the excitement!

KRISTEN JOHANSON & TONY AZZARO
Fox 29’s Quincy Harris will be dancing with RENEE CHAMBERS-LICIAGA
 Marcus Allen
NIKKI CORINNE THOMAS and AJ FEELEY with the coveted Dancing With The Stars Globe
TOMMY GEROMICHALOS & NARISSA FELL
best known as the boy who saved St. Cyril, now an IMS school in Landsowne, Delaware County. As a 6th grader with cystic fibrosis, he wrote a letter and asked the Make A Wish Foundation for a Christmas miracle—to save his school. When they turned him down, the community decided to step in and that’s when the real miracle happened. Gaining support from companies, celebrities and local citizens, he got his wish and the money needed to keep St. Cyril’s alive. A little 12-year-old boy stepped up and believed. Today, at the age of 22, he is once again stepping up and accepting the challenge by dancing to afford other children the opportunity to attend his alma mater and receive the same Catholic education that he valued so much.
AJ FEELEY & NIKKI CORRIN THOMAS AJ former NFL quarterback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2001-2004 and again from 2006-2009.  He was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and St Louis Rams.  In college, he played for University of Oregon. He is currently the VP of Ostea In-Site and considers his biggest accomplishment having married U.S. women’s international soccer player, Heather Mitts.
OFFICER GREGORRIO SANTIAGO & GINNY CAREY
 Sister Act

 CAROL TAMBURINO & NOEL RODRIGUEZ
OFFICER GREGORRIO SANTIAGO & GINNY CAREY
 Bill Green
Sister Act – Plus just added: PETER PANAGEAS is VP of Sales & Analytics for INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS.

See the complete lineup at http://www.dance4ims.com/#!dancers/chul and mark your calendar for the gala on March 5th! Thanks to Maria Stefanova Young, photographer for these shots (Sponsor Shots)
Categories
Philadelphia

Photos: Griesing Law LLC “Meet The Artists” Night

Griesing Law LLC hosted another great  “Meet The Artists” night at their law firm located at 1717 Arch Street, in Center City earlier this month.

Naomi Chung and Michele Tremblay had their work on display

and were on hand to meet art lovers. Guests enjoyed lite bites and cocktails as they mingled and networked.

Simone Solomon, Fran Cohen, and Ashley Shea.
Denise Bernhardt, Sharon Ewing, and Naomi Chung.
Artist Naomi Chung poses with one of her works.
Michele Tremblay, Mark Roberts, and Candace Roberts.
Michael Coleman, Ellen Singer-Coleman, and Fran Griesing.

Bert Kaminski and Fred Wilf.
Linda DellaRocca, Shari Solomon, and Charles Weg.
Yvette Roundtree and Susan Hodges.
Lynn Marsden-Atlass and Christine Weller.
Ellen Hamilton and Christina Morin.
Debra Harrsch, Danielle Harrsch, and Ana Fernandez-Parmet.
Donna Teitelman, Sheryl Raskin (PR for Griesing Law Firm), and Dr. Jennifer Caudle.
Amanda Rillo and Nerissa Lorenz.

Michele Tremblay, Fran Griesing, and Jessica Mazzeo.

Naomi’s and Michele’s work will be on display at the Firm through
February 2016 and may be viewed by appointment by contacting the firm.
Categories
Philadelphia

Today

So many emotions happening to me today. Thanks to Elizabeth Wellington for capturing my story in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

 Kindness saved HughE Dillon’s life is the title of the article, but it’s missing one thing

I have to say the kindness was instilled by my step-mother, my mom Virginia Dillon. My core values were set in stone by her. I wouldn’t be as kind as I am without the enormous love she showered on me in my life. po.st/tOyIOc

Please don’t share this with my mom, I asked her not to read it. My parents really didn’t know of my struggles as I had extracted myself from their lives for years. There was nothing they could do, I had to make up my own mind to save my own life. Now with the awareness of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, as well as so many awareness organizations and programs that have developed over the past few years, hopefully people will be able to avoid some of the darkness that enveloped my life, and save their lives.

Thanks to Philly Style Magazine for the incredible piece they did on my life and work 

http://phillystylemag.com/hughe-dillon-shares-his-favorite-philadelphia-charity-events

http://phillystylemag.com/hughe-dillon-philadelphia-lifesavers-gala-and-raising-awareness-for-suicide-mental-health

Thanks to the PGN for the story they did.

Thanks to Cherri Gregg at KYW1060 – It plays today.

Thanks to BenFM 95.7

Thursday’s Daily New’s Gossip with Jenny DeHuff

HughE in the spotlight

Celebrity photog HughE Dillon
is usually watching – and snapping away at – those in the spotlight,
the better to feed his star-hungry audience of 11,000 Instagram
followers and 22,000 Twitter followers.
This weekend, though, HughE gets the attention, and it’s well deserved.
He’ll be honored during the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Greater Philadelphia
Chapter 2015 gala Saturday at 6 p.m., at the Loews Philadelphia (1200
Market St.).
Fox 29’s Alex Holley
will serve as the mistress of ceremonies as HughE receives the
Lifesaver of the Year Award, a humanitarian distinction for those who’ve
helped end the silence and stigma of suicide and mental health issues.
HughE has volunteered with AFSP for the last five years.
VIP and general admission tickets are still available, starting at $100. (For more on HughE’s moving personal journey, see my Inquirer colleague Elizabeth Wellington‘s story on philly.com.)

Read
more at
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/celebrities/20151112_Sober_Colin_Hay_plans_to_surprise_us.html#XpekHjIkSy3ISVh9.99

TY Elizabeth Wellington and philly.com @PhillyInquirer for my profile, and work of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Philadelphia Chapter
I know we saved lives, I’ve heard from so many people across all my
social platforms, email and phone calls. I am so humbled, and
overwhelmed. Thank you so much. I only wish my younger self realized he
was loved. When I quit drinking and drugs, which I used to masked my
pain, I saw a glimmer of hope. Thanks to AA and my sponsors for helping
build the foundation which is my life now. They told me it would get
better and it did. Thanks to Garden Wellington Logan
who kept coming back to me to work with the organization, not even
knowing I had a story. The first year I turned her down saying I was too
busy, I didn’t want to open the door to my past. She persisted came
back to me a few months later, I said I will tell you tomorrow. I then
wrote a blog post about my early years, and went to Twitter to share
with my followers. And that is how God works in my life.

Thanks to the Veterans who fought for our freedom
Categories
Philadelphia

New in MidtownVillage: lou lou boutique Opening Soon; Plus tredici enoteca On The Brink

lou lou boutique specializes in women’s accessories that follow current fashion
trends in a range of colors and styles, offering a personalized shopping
experience to its customer and is opening a brick and mortar in Philadelphia. The location is the former Absolute Abstract, once owned by David White and James McManaman who headed overseas to run a hotel. You might not know this but James is the guy who came up with the name of the former red light district now known as Midtown Village. He was the first president of the association too. Anywho…
lou lou will expand to mid-town Philadelphia, PA occupying a 1600 sq.
ft. space at 141 S 13th St. Located in the heart of new inner city development, this
location will be the first one in the greater Philadelphia area. And across the street a half a block down..

 tredici is getting a brand new spanking coat of white paint, and is just about to open their doors
 The Mediterranean wine bar concept comes courtesy of Greg Dodge, owner of Zavino, and has been in the works since the spring of last year, when I broke the news on my Instagram account.
Looks like the opening date will be by Thanksgiving as they posted their hours as such:
Holiday Hours

Nov 25, Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25 closed
Dec 31 closed after 10pm
 This is what we get to look forward to, definitely a step up from the Doggie Style store. In fact Zavino’s is a huge step up from the check cashing store which used to occupy that spot.