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Philadelphia

Photos: The 3rd Annual Philalympics Took Over Wells Fargo for Fun

 On Wednesday, August 5, fun and philanthropic companies from across the
Philadelphia region laced up their sneakers and put on their game faces
at the Wells Fargo Center as Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer Toddy,
P.C. and The Fun Department staged the 3rd Annual Philalympics
benefitting the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (PRMH).

This year’s
event raised nearly $40,000. Since the event’s inception, Philalympics
has raised nearly $90,000 for the organization.

Participating companies include: Aberdeen Asset Management, AnnieMac Home Mortgage, CardConnect, Comcast Spectacor, Conestoga Bank, Kicks USA, PCS LLC, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, SEER Interactive, The Fun Dept./The HUB, Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer Toddy, P.C., and reigning champions, Capital One 360.

 Mitch Kaplan, Esq. Zarwin Baum, welcomes the competing companies as
Susan Campbell (c), executive director, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House looks on. 
(everyone’s fav DJ, Eddie Tully is on the right)

 From the mustard-slinging ‘Foam Finger
Pretzel Relay’ to ‘Human Roulette’ where competitors gambled their way
to the arena’s end zone, enthusiastic corporate teams pushed their
bodies, minds, and Philadelphia pride to the limit to not only earn the
coveted title of ‘Philadelphia’s Phunnest Company,’ but to raise money
for the PRMH and the countless families who benefit from the
organization’s work. Susan Campbell with a dad, whose son Samuel (r) is receiving treatment
at Shriners Hospital for Children- Philadelphia, joined the festivities
all the way from Sweden as special guests on the PRMH team.

 Brooke Mitchell  Miss Delaware 2015 sang the national anthem

Nat Measley of the Fun Dept. Measley was the emcee again this year with Chris “Bundy” Therien coordinating the games with his usual flair.

 The teams playing “musical chairs”
 with colored pieces of paper
 In between games they would do trivia questions for points
 There was a gigantic slingshot event
 

 Folks had to move a mustard packet from the o yard line to the 50 yard line using chopsticks and ladles. It was as easy as you’d think.

 Although some people did well with teamwwork

 And the pretzels make really good props
 for posing

 This is always my favorite competition, the tricycle. Much easier to ride when your 10.
 Then their was the final challenge, the scrambled word competition
 At the end of the competition, the team from SEER Interactive basked in the added glory, and bragging rights, of a first place win.
Since 1974, The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House has supported families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope through their two Ronald McDonald Houses, two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a Hospitality Kiosk at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and a Ronald McDonald Camp. Relying on individual and corporate donations for over 90 percent of their funding, no family is ever turned away due to the inability to pay.
Founded in 1960, Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, P.C. is a full-practice law firm that currently maintains offices in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, PA, Marlton and Jersey City, New Jersey, and Wilmington, DE. To learn more, visit www.zarwin.com and follow @ZarwinBaum on Twitter.
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Philadelphia

POKER TOURNAMENT at the Borgata Sunday, It’s For Charity and Marilyn Russell and I will be Playing

On Sunday I will be participating in  WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship Event as a celebrity poker player. Come on down and play with me and Marilyn Russell for a good time, and to benefit a great cause The Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
August 16 | Borgata Poker Room
11am $250 + $30 + $20 NLH RE
 

Benefits the Community Food Bank of New Jersey

Cabot is providing an entry into the
WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship Event
in September to the tournament winner!

For the last few year’s, the Borgata Poker Room and Cabot Cheese have
teamed up to run the ‘Put A Bad Beat On Hunger’ charity event. Held
every year in August, the event benefits the Community FoodBank of New
Jersey’s Southern Branch, with a donation from each entry fee going
towards helping families in the greater Atlantic City area.

This year’s event will piggy bag off the ‘Summer Heater’, with the ‘Put A Bad Beat On Hunger’ event running on August 16th.

While the main reason of this event is to benefit the Community
FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch, there is added incentive for
players, as a WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship seat has been added to
the prize pool. The winner will not only get a piece of the prize pool
but also a free roll into September’s $3,000,000 GTD World Poker Tour
event.

So, it’s a win/win for players as a seat in one of the world’s most
prestigious events is up for grabs and every entry will benefit the
Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch.

The Structure of the Tournament 

Categories
Philadelphia

Notables in attendence as Brown Hill Development break ground at 205 Race Street – The Bridge

After years of planning, controversy and multiple design tweaks, construction permits were recently posted on the site at 2nd and Race, the longtime home of a surface parking lot.

 The permit states: FOR THE ERECTION OF A 17 STORY BUILDING FOR THE USE OF ACCESSORY PARKING
IN THE BASEMENT LEVEL, WITH RETAIL COMMERCIAL SPACE ON THE GROUND FLOOR
LEVEL AND MULTI FAMILY DWELLING (146 DWELLING UNITS) FROM THE SECOND
THROUGH 17TH FLOOR LEVEL. ALL WORK TO BE DONE PER APPROVED PLANS.
BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED.

 Alan Greenberger. Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce and Jeffrey Brown, president Brown Hill Development. Alan is going to go down in Philadelphia history as the best City Planner ever. Currently Ed Bacon holds that title, and although he is significant, I think no one has moved our City forward more than Alan. (disclosure Alan and I have been  friends for nearly 15 years, and his wife and I were tour guides for the Foundation of Architecture in the ’90s, but I think you’ll agree with my assessment.)
 Peter Gluck, by Gluck+ of New York (who designed The Bridge) and Greg Hill,  Brown Hill Development. Gluck worked hard to meet the various challenges that arose over the years modifying the building but keeping the main theme of a glass, steel building.

Once complete in early 2017, the LEED
Gold-certified building will consist of 146-units (15 of which will be
set aside as affordable units), 14,000-square-feet of ground floor
retail, on-site car and bicycle parking and an amenity deck on the fifth
floor that will feature a gym, co-working lounge, a green roof and a
barbecue areas.
 Riley Halloran, Jane Bender, Bob Jacoby and David Church all of Philadelphia Private Capital, LLC

 Bob Baker, Don Logan and Dave Biddle
Proud granddaughter Sadie and daughter Joanna Brown of Jeffrey Brown, president Brown Hill Development

 Oliver Lutter, and Frank Lutter and Marie Palumbo all of Frank T. Lutter Inc. Construction.
 Harvey Spear, a member of the Old City District’s board and owner of E-Z Park,  
Jacob Cooper, MSC Retail (who’s representing the retail rentals) and Sheryl Bar, Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District.
 
 George Degram, Bobby Thompson, Job Itzkowitz, Executive Director, Old City District and Brian Stevenson, Business Representative, IBEW Local 98
 A lot of business leaders came out to support The Bridge ground breaking.
 Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, President at Citizens Bank. The project was able to move forward with a $45 million construction loan from Citizens Bank. Fitzpatrick said that Citizens Bank believes in this project stating it was innovated and is a great connector of Old City and the Delaware Waterfront.
 Developer Jeffrey Brown was excited to break ground on The Bridge, a project that was 15 years in the making. He negotiated with a lot of neighborhood factions to come to a satisfactory design, many of who were in the audience who he thanked.
 Doug Himmelreich, Mike Gallegher, Mike Moyer and Brendan Flynn all from the The Flynn Company. After the dedication, guests enjoyed lunch at 3 food trucks – Nomad Pizza, Curd and the Cow and Revolution Taco.
 Tom Corcoran & Jodie Milkman Of The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Dan Fitzpatrick, President of Citizen Bank, Councilman Mark Squilla, Dan Hill and George Brown of Brown Hill Development, Peter Gluck, Gluck+ of New York, and Kim Frank, Brown Hill Development.
Read more on this ground breaking, and The Bridge at
http://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/08/05/long-time-coming-ground-broken-at-205-race-street-for-apartment-tower/#pfKd814Jwgx4jlaE.99
  http://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/08/05/long-time-coming-ground-broken-at-205-race-street-for-apartment-tower/#pfKd814Jwgx4jlaE.99
Categories
Philadelphia

PHILLY MAG THE SCENE – BEST OF PHILLY – party people pixs

Philly Mag held their blow out, fantastic Best of Philly Soiree on Thursday Night

 at Dilworth Park
 I have a great column over at Philly Mag

 For you to check out. On Wednesday I’ll do a write up here at Philly Chit Chat with some of the photos that didn’t make it in my column at Philly Mag, but don’t fret when I choose which shots go in the magazine I may pull from either site like I often do.

PHILLY MAG THE SCENE – BEST OF PHILLY
Categories
Philadelphia

Around Town: Nom, Nom Nearly Done, Tony Jr’s Outta Here, Sweetgreen, The Boyd or what they should call the Pearl Property

 Nom Nom Ramen at 20 S 18th St Philadelphia, PA 19103 looks like their renovation is almost over.

 A little bit down the street it looks like Tony Jr’s is outta here. Located on Busy 18th Street near Sansom, it’s not going to be empty for long.

Sweetgreen, a story I broke last year, and excited the masses, has started to build out the space at
 1821 Chestnut Street. On the right will be a 30 foot counter, and I hear they’re going to have a 2nd floor too.
 Little Pete’s, Pearl and that Mexican restaurant is gone as the 19th Street Pearl Property project is going strong. You’ll recall I wrote last year that Target Express was looking for a Center City location, well it will be built here, as well as the modified Pearl Property high rise.
At the cost of the Boyd Theater demolition. But rising at this location will be a beautiful state of the art apartment building, and saved is the ornate Boyd theater lobby. I hope Pearl Properties calls this development The Boyd. Makes sense.
Categories
Philadelphia

Jazz Hot Baby on the Delaware – Fashion, Fun and Frolicking at the 1st Annual Jazz Age on the Delaware

Jazz Age on the Delaware made it’s
rollicking debut , August 1, 2015, on the
estate of Glen Foerd on the Delaware. Hundreds of guests enjoyed an open-air merriment with 1920’s music and dancing with Drew Nugget & Midnight Society, The Red Hot Ramblers with Chelsea Reed, The Minsky Sisters, The Gin Canaries (pictured), Old City Sweethearts and Dandy Wellington.

  

Other era-inspired fun will included dance lessons, elaborate picnics,
vintage-inspired food and drink, vintage shopping, mansion tours, lawn
games, antique automobiles, a pie baking contest, and much more. Plan to
step out in your best period attire and celebrate the elegance of the
period.

There was a great pie judging contest with sweet, savory and boozy pies.

No word on the winners yet, I think the last set of pies did them in
There were specialty drinks too.

Don and Jennifer Roman pose for a photo as Anne and Dan Roman set up the picnic area.
I was impressed how many people really got dressed out and took the Jazz Age theme seriously.
Lynsey Lehr, Danielle Lehr and Zack Schagrin.
We really lucked out too, the weather was fabulous. Sure it was 90F but there was very little humidity.
Roland and baby Olivia Bui; wife Sandy was setting up the picnic basket. Roland is into his music.
  ‏@RolandBui Jul 30  You know what movie soundtrack was great? The Nutty Professor II – The Klumps Def Jam at its finest!
Linda Rosa and Rose Fields celebrating Rose’s birthday at Jazz on the Delaware.
Carmen von Wrangell places her savory pie on the shelf to be judged.
Parinda Patel  Territory Manager, Scünci Division of Conair Corp (formerly the amazing everything at the Philadelphia Film Society) and Raheem Ghouse
Christian Subbio and Jillian Rafferty (Villanova Law ’17, NYU Tisch ’12)
Gigi Lewis
Judy Smith won for best flapper outfit (l), while Bob Davis (r) won for best dressed man in his custom suit. Both won gift certificates from Briar Vintage and David Lochner, the managing partner (c).
Jim Haile, Gary Sanderson (owner of the 1884 high wheel bicycle), Robert and Susan Zlatnick
Marie Fritz and Meg Sharp Walton, Glen Foerd on the Delaware Executive Director

 Kaitlyn M

 Keisha Bishop and Nanette Quemuel, Chapter Liaison & Program Administrator American College of Physicians

 Chris Hayner and Hayley Varhol play backgammon

Next year is going to be bigger and better cause I know you’re going to come!!

 Natanya Dibona (another excellent event by Natanya and Aversa PR) and Kelly Forwood.

The Old City Sweethearts perform at Jazz on the Delaware.

 Did I mention there was dancing (& Charleston lessons)

croquet

the badminton?

And the funds from this grand party went to restore Glen Foerd. Until next year!!

Categories
Philadelphia

Valley Youth House Backpack Challenged Kickoff and How You Can Help Foster Youth

On Thursday, July 30, Valley Youth House (VYH – Valley Youth House, 1500 Sansom Street, Suite 300A, Philadelphia, PA  19102,) kicked off their annual
“Backpack Challenge” at Dilworth Park. It’s a 30 day community effort to
collect backpacks, school supplies and funds for Philadelphia’s foster
care youth heading off to high school or college (You can help them
reach their goals http://www.vyhphila.org/backpackchallenge/).

 Vanessa Garrett Harley, DHS deputy commissioner, a partner with VYH,
addresses the crowd gathered at the kick off press conference.

 Jennifer Hill, a client of Valley Youth House, tells her story and how
she was able to utlize the programs offered by VYH to help fund her
dream of working in the medical field, and to graduate from Community
College of Philadelphia.

 There was a great turnout to support the annual Backpack Drive, 
The Backpack Challenge raises funds and collects essential back to
school items for foster care youth. From its humble beginnings, the
Backpack Challenge has grown from a small collection drive to a national
program due to the strong partnership between the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, Five Below, 96.5 Amp Radio & 92.5 XTU, and Valley Youth House.
Matt Smith, Beasley Broadcast Group and VYH Board Member spoke about the great success about the Backpack Challenge. This year they’re taking the program nationally in Atlanta, Baltmore, Cleveland & Detroit area Five Below stores will run from July 24 to August 9.  
 Bennett and Bex from 96.5 Amp Radio with the Valley Youth House standout
students who are receiving scholarships, computers and other tools to
help them further their education.
Check out this map on where you can drop off Backpack essentials.

Young people ​in foster care are given the tools
needed to pursue and achieve their educational goals through the support
of their own communities. From 2013 to 2014 in Philadelphia, the number
of collection site partners more than doubled, 5,173 backpacks were
collected, and over $36,000 was raised.
DONATE HERE IN Philadelphia
 
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Philadelphia

Pittsburgh Pictorial – My Quick Trip To The City of Steel

If you were following along on Twitter, FB, Periscope and Instagram you saw I went to Pittsburgh last weekend to check out the Andy Warhol Museum.

Over the past year I was reading The Andy Warhol Diaries, or actually re-reading it. It was great. I might read it again. It’s a good chronicle of the 70’s, fame, the creation of fame and being humble. A lot of his work influenced the work I do.

Mike and I capped off our July, which was chock full of birthday’s, anniversaries, and milestones with a road trip to Pittsburgh. We love our road trips.
Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice, the Duck Boat operator told us. There are a lot of water activities on the rivers around Pittsburgh. I was impressed, so many tour boats, kayaks, jet skiing, water taxis, lots to do on the water.
The Andy Warhol Bridge
We headed to the Pirates game at PNC Stadium.
They close one of the bridges so folks can walk over from downtown. At the foot of the bridge, outside of PNC they have fun things for the fans to do before going into see the game.
During the games and concerts at the stadiums, boats hang nearby to hear the events.

We didn’t have a lot of time as we were only there two days. We walked to this park at the end of Liberty Ave. It’s where the three rivers meet.

The last day we took the Duck Boat tour. Wish we had taken it the first day. We saw and learned so much. Plus it was fun. 
I think I’ll take a duck boat everywhere I visit.
I was excited to see the Mister Rogers Statue. Seems he was from Pittsburgh, who knew?
There’s a museum too:

Fred Rogers & Us – Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Born Fred McFeely Rogers
March 20, 1928
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, United States
Died February 27, 2003 (aged 74)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

 

 

Duquesne Incline

So fun. 

Great view of Pittsburgh from the top of the incline.

 We stayed at the Hotel Monaco, which was centrally located downtown.

Then it was time to go home. It was a great trip.
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Philadelphia

Fox29’s Philly Live American Idol Tryouts and Information for Sunday’s AI Tryouts at Liacouras Center 8/2/15

Thursday Fox 29 held tryouts for American Idol hopefuls. If you were the one chosen by their esteemed panel of judges you would skip the line, for a guaranteed audition with producers, and a meet and greet with the judges!

Briana Marshall
There were a lot of very talented people waiting for their chance for stardom.
The line stretched around the block
Judging was based on talent, style and personality. Only a handful met all three qualities.

Erin Doherty with dad Dennis Doherty – She was one of the finalist pick. She sings country with a really nice style

Quincy Harris, Mike Jerrick, Jen Frederick,  Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Alex Holley and DJ Cosmic Kev,

Talking about style, I liked the style that some of the contestants brought
Jamai

Even though it was hot, the line was still alive with a lot of hopefuls.



And the winner Jami . The other two ladies said they were still going to be at the  Liacouras Center 8/2/15 TOMORROW for tryouts.
Here’s info on the American Idol Auditions.
AND THE FAQ on REGISTRATION
https://s3.amazonaws.com/etribez-generic-uploads/specific/fmna/XV_LIVE_AUDITIONS_FAQS.pdf
Check out more photos from the Fox 29 Philly Idol Tryouts

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Philadelphia

Party Pics: Philadelphia Magazine hosts ‘Uncorked’ at the Shambles in Headhouse Square

It was hot as hell, but that didn’t keep the wine affectionatos from coming out to mingle, mix and enjoy delicious food and great spirits at the Philadelphia Magazine ‘Uncorked’ at the Shambles in Headhouse Square on Tuesday night.

”Uncorked” featured more than 200 wines, cocktails

Philadelphia magazine
is lifestyle content for better living in the Philadelphia region. The
brand has an authentic and authoritative voice that gets to the heart of
what matters. The content is always smart and stylish, funny and
pugnacious says our website – I work there, in fact today is my 4th anniversary there. Yeah!! Read my column online – The Scene

Guests enjoyed samplings from many of Society Hill restaurants and enjoyed
live music, outdoor games, local vendors and boutiques. 

There was even a Fine Wine
& Good Spirits Store was on-site where guests could purchase a
bottle of their favorite wine from the evening.

Joann Giangiulio, Kevin Cornell, Amanda McFaul and Maureen Marinucci
Julian Prince and Mandy Faust
Dena Hillson and Samantha Tempesta
Jeremy  Swinter and Lita Savagno

Widell Design and Liberty Events were responsible for the planning and execution of the event.

Chelle Buffone enjoying a bite

Deborah Crinigan, Patrick Portner, Tom Zerone and Heather Cini
Patrick Wirt, Cody Trahan, Joe Ribecchi and Steve Schnieder with that unfortunate lamp post on his head, but Joe had his eyes shut in the other photo, I didn’t notice as I had sweat in my eyes.
Tammy Stewart and Daniel Palermo
Dr. Thanuja Hamilton and David Weiss

NEXT UP FOR PHILLY MAG, their Best of Philly Mag Party with my buds from the new movie Equity in attendance as our guests!!