I arrived about 730PM and there was already a healthy crowd filling the Piazza. It wasn’t much of a windy night so the smell of delicious burgers floated just above our heads.

Fat Jack’s had the longest line of the night. Everyone seemed to enjoy their burger, and it seemed like they were a shoe in, but did they win or were their customers in a food coma afterwards?

 

Happy Friday. In the ever evolving Philadelphia, lots of new things are happening. Here’s what I can tell you….

 Last Sunday I saw the crazy line of cars outside of Trader Joes and thought (& Instagramed) thankfully the pain will be over by next October 2015 when they open another

Trader Joe’s at 12th and Chestnut in the new Brickstone Realty project, which is in the process of tearing down most of the abandoned, or underused buildings on Chestnut between 12th and 13th. The building on the right was saved for historic purposes, and the new buildings will be built in a similar style to maintain the continuity of the community. (GroJLart’s website has great history on the buildings on Chestnut St.)

 When I posted it last week someone on twitter said the Trader Joe’s project was dead, and they were going to put a Bed, Bath & Beyond in the space. I checked with a few people and they tell me the Trader Joe’s project is still on, and that there is a possibility that an adjoining space would contain a Bed, Bath & Beyond. Plus the Trader Joe’s at 22nd and Market would remain.
(Update: Naked Philly wrote about the Trader Joe’s coming to the 12th and Chestnut Street location 10/11/13 so my rumors must be good rumors.)

 

New chefs at Ocean Prime – Sous Chef Kaitlin Lamont and Executive Chef Mitch Brumels 

 Ocean Prime’s new GM Lydia Turner, here with Riley Cooper. Check out Philly.com for last night Brent Celek’s Celebrity Waiter event benefiting Celek’s Foundation “Take Flight”.

Have a great weekend!!

E-Moderne Gallerie quietly opened this past spring in Old City. The owner Edward Fong is anything but quiet, he is passionate. He’s passionate about Philly (he’s from NYC he could have opened this gem there), he’s passionate about art, especially undiscovered artists and he’s passionate about the art community, which was on display last week when collectors, patrons and several local gallery owners were his guest at the invite only party. It was nice to meet them too.

E-Moderne Gallerie is a new generation of contemporary art gallery
in Philadelphia, introducing a whole new experience to patrons,
collectors, and art enthusiasts and a new way to appreciate contemporary
arts. We believe enjoying contemporary arts should never resemble decoding the Rosetta stone.

Edward Fong and Chantal Westby, Artiste peintre at Chantal Westby cut the ribbon on the exhibition.

Lenny Bazemore, Director – The Bazemore Gallery
and Rob Kulathinal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Temple. The Bazemore Gallery 
has a few interesting events coming up.
October 18 at the Bazemore Art Gallery on Main Street in Manayunk, there’s a reception at Bazemore Art Gallery on Main Street in Manayunk with an exhibit of Noel Miles artwork. There’s also a book reading and signing by Thom Nickels on “Legends of Center City,” which Noel Miles is in and so am I. 

This was one of my favorite pieces, which artist Santiago Galeas andDeborah Branden seems to be enjoying too. Santiago Galeas teaches a weekly sketch class at EModern on Wednesday nights.

Fun Sketch & Sip Wed returns

 6:00pm

E-Moderne Gallerie in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

OMG just after telling myself I would have a full on column today, I realize I don’t have time to do a full on column. Today is Wednesday, so it is #woodwoofwednesday. Here are some adorable animals. I have to go out and shoot a few things today, so tomorrow full on columns. I promise. In the meantime I did do a column for Philly Mag on the Eagles being honored by the Sidney Kimmel Thomas Jefferson Hospital. The link will be at the bottom. Follow me on twitter and Instagram to see where I go today. @iphillychitchat and PhillyChitChat. Thanks.

Kimmel Cancer Center Jefferson Tribute Dinner

The Social Season has kicked off and I’m as busy as ever. It was good to get back to it as I was getting pretty lazy by the pool. I have a nice tan, but my office is a mess. Friday I photographed the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University 2014 Tribute Dinner. This year they honored the Philadelphia Eagles and their efforts to the fight against cancer. Who knew in October the Philadelphia Eagles have a huge push in selling pink Eagles hats.

 The Honigman Group  is in the house. They contributed to the evening, inviting young friends to the party. Congrats to HG, as Christie Honigman is now joined by her brother CJ Honigman to form the Honigman Group. Lots of fun events coming up with these two; with them is Garrett Snider, who just began his freshman year in college (his grand dad’s alma matter University of Maryland, College Park), but returns often to attend charity events on behalf of his foundation and attend family business. Congrats to him on recently joining the Wistar Ambassadors.

  Clean Air Council’s 9th Annual Greenfest Philly returns to Headhouse Square on Sunday. What a great turn out. The 6 hour event had a steady stream of attendees all day long on a beautiful afternoon. Philly is just rocking it was sustainable ideas, and people who really care about the environment. Check out my photos in PhillyMag and the Philadelphia Business Journal. 
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A few events coming up this week: 
Saturday is all about the charities:

Geno’s Steaks is having a charity for a young man that was injured in a car accident, Kirk Crandall, who didn’t have health insurance, but has a long road to recovery. Geno Vento met him at Magee while he was undergoing therapy from a knee operation. On Saturday he’s hosting a fundraiser at Geno’s to raise much needed funds to continue Kirk’s treatment. Stop by Geno’s 1219 South 9th Street from
from noon – 2pm buy a cheesesteak and help a kid. Thanks.
 

My number one event is the Sandy Rollman Foundation Ovarian Cancer Gala which is on Saturday at the Baldwin School. My sister died of terrible disease and I try and do all I can to raise funds and awareness so others don’t have to go through this.

Then I’m running back into town to cover the  JAM 2014 American Cancer Society 
it’ll be one of the first events to be held in the newly renovated 

Hope I see you out and about… HughE

I think we have to listen to her song while we read this post. It’s an annoying little ditty, that propel her from not being a royal right up there next to Taylor Swift.

 Lourde was still down to earth while staying in Philly in anticipation to kicking off her tour at the Mann Music Center on Friday night. Wednesday she her mother headed to The Forrest Theater and caught one of the final showings of The Book of Mormon (It closes on 9/14) She was gracious and went back stage to meet the cast and pose for a photo.

 Thursday night a few fans (Team Ian) caught her as she returned to The Palamor Hotel at 17th and Sansom Streets. She was super nice and posed sans make up. I love her bacon and egg cover phone. She’s also carrying her laptop. I like her street style.

 The other day I walked by Chop, which took over the space that once was Table 31. It looks like it’s almost ready. I love the decor, simple with a touch of throw back ’70s wallpaper.

Nice supper club feel. I can almost taste the steak now. When’s it open? The outdoor space is open now, and was reasonable for lunch, but the atmosphere is priceless. I love eating outdoors, especially in the business hub of Center City. I don’t love that it closes at 7PM. I wish it were open later, I think it would draw a crowd.

 OMG while I was chasing the naked Bike Riders through Center City the other day as I wanted to shoot them in several different locations, (Check out my column here on PhillyMag.), I noticed that Burger.org had a rental sign on it. As it was closed I couldn’t tell if that was a permanent thing or not.

It’s back to school for Philadelphian kids today. Thanks to the Backpack Challenge which was a ​collaborative
​community effort​, spearheaded by Valley Youth House and the
Philadelphia Department of Human Services, ​to collect backpacks, school
supplies, and funds for undeserved and kids in foster care through the
Achieving Independence Center again this past summer.

At
the Kick Off in late July, the public was invited to attend to show their support and
learn more about the campaign. Rapper Chill Moody (left), a longtime supporter of Valley Youth House, Chunky and
Bex from Wired 96.5’s The Big Show MC’d the day’s event.

From late July til the
last week in August people and organizations collected the back packs and donations at over 90 sites around town. 2,500 backpacks and $15,000 was collected to support foster youth as they enter high school and college this fall.

 Two weeks ago the students, and supporters gathered to hand out the back packs, filled with essential school supplies so the kids had a head start on the school year.

 Valley Youth House president Annette Duranso greets the guests and encourages participation in the initiative.