Categories
Philadelphia

LAST NIGHT’S EPIC LIGHTNING STORM #PHILLY #SKYLINE

Lately it seems like I’m never home for these epic storms but last night I fell asleep around 5PM before heading out and thankfully slept until the time of the first thunder crack – Sorry Alliance
Francaise de Philadelphie I didn’t make it to your event.

Last night when night time turned into day.

 
 It’s been my mission to get a shot of Liberty One being struck by lightning once again;  In the 1990’s I was able to get a shot of the building being struck, but that was on film. Until last night it was an elusive dream.

  

Oh the Comcast Building being struck by lightning.
Just when I thought the storm was passing by
a few more bolts were produced
Including this great cloud to cloud one lighting up Center City once again.
Categories
Philadelphia

EASTERN STATE BASTILLE DAY & LINK TO BEHIND THE SCENES SHOTS

Here are a few pixs from Saturday’s Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary. I’ll have more photos at NBC Philadelphia later today and at the bottom theirs a link to Philly Mag where you’ll get PCC exclusive behind the scenes shots.

 

Thanks to Eastern State and Ellen Feist for arranging it so Mike Toub & PhillyChitChat could shoot some behind the scenes shots of the annual tradition. Check out those photos here on PhillyMag
Categories
Philadelphia

INSTAPHILLYGOSSIPMONDAY: David Oh’s a dad, Ellis Walding new film, A Camel and a Blond

AS if we were chatting over our adjoining fence, let’s chat about what our friends and neighbors did this past week…

 Yep those Tamburino’s look the same. Steve Martorano who had a place in South Philly, then opened in Ft. Lauderdale, then Vegas and now in Atlantic City
http://www.cafemartorano.com
 I think blonds do have more fun, at least I know this one is stunning that’s for sure.
 Oh no fun too
 Patti LaBelle surprised the O’Jays Thursday night at The Dell. Kharisma Mcllwaine caught up with legend. Miss Patty Jackson invited me the night before, but I had a prior engagement. Missed the girlfriends.

 Philly PR Girl Kate Marley’s partying with LeSean “Shady” McCoy at his birthday party at Chickie & Pete’s

 Congrats to Councilman David Oh and his wife, HeeSun Oh  on the birth of their daughter Sarah on Saturday.

Last we saw of Ellis Walding (l) he was selling his popular bar/restaurant Roosevelt’s to pursue his 
acting career. He just completed ZK Elephant’s Graveyard starring Mischa Barton and Billy Zane (r). 
Should be opening soon. 

 
 The Spain’s annual sail of the Mediterranean is happening this week.
 Love Pamela Stanley – Soundtrack of my youth with “If Looks Could Kill” and “Coming Out of Hiding”
 This weekend I got to participate in INVISIBLE RIVER and it was an artistic experience that reinvigorated me as a human and a creator. Alie Vidich
had the chutzpah to put together a show that had dozens of boats travel
miles (nautical knots?) through Philadelphia and see dancers and
acrobats performing on banks and bridges and islands, all to reconnect
people to our land and especially our waterways, and that’s incredible.
and her fiance Eagles player, Julian Vandervelde, headed to TV personality’s Heaven Tutson and Mike Daniels, Green Bay Packers wedding in Chicago.
Categories
Philadelphia

Reality: Aviva Drescher in Philly; Ed Sheeran with Fans & July 4th Fashionable Peeps

This Would Have Been Great TV if filmed for the Real Housewives of New York:

You might have read in Molly Eichel’s column and AD Amorosi’s column about the reality show star who came to town and wreaked havoc. What happened was Avida Drescher and family wanted to come to Philly to experience July 4th in our fair City. She had her publicist call ahead of time to see what they could see, where they should go, eat etc.

Their publicist Matt Dillon did exactly what a publicist is supposed to do, create a great experience for the least about of headaches; except he over committed and disappointed a few PR people by canceling at the last minute for at least three visits to prearranged places. And this was July 4th weekend so many of the people they were to meet had been on vacation and changed their plans.

Reid Drescher and Aviva Drescher are seen leaving Treemont restaurant in Philadelphia, PA

I knew they were coming to town as a PR person tipped me off and I rearranged my weekend to get a shot of them at a high end spa on Sunday. Why did I do it, I love what I do, I love journaling it and I love sharing it. It’s what I do, but I was sad they weren’t going to the spa or making cheesesteaks with an owner.

I do understand they have kids and kids are driving the bus. After a day at Sesame Place on Saturday, the kids were pretty wiped out, and two events the Drescher’s canceled were booked for Sunday. They also canceled one on Thursday.



Sunday I got a call from The Dreschers to meet them
at the Monaco Hotel, where they stayed for the weekend. (I asked them to pose outside.)



I met Reid, Aviva, and children Hudson, and Sienna in the lobby where they were
playing with the items in the Kidz Corner.  Friday they went to the historic sites, and then had dinner at
Pizzaria Stella near South Street (They told me the area reminded them of
Brooklyn.) Afterwards they went to the Franklin Fountain in Old City. Saturday
they went to Sesame Place. That evening Aviva made an appearance an appearance at
ICandy to the delight of her gay fans who posted lots of pixs on Instagram (that appearance happened when Matt ran into someone at Treemont who took him on a tour of Philly Gay Bars and he was able to book an appearance there. Pretty darn  lucrative.)  Sunday it was breakfast at Red Owl
Tavern at Hotel Monaco. Aviva told me she enjoyed doing the Real Housewives
series, even with all its drama because it’s allowed her a greater reach in
helping others through her philanthropic work as the
National Spokesperson for One Step Ahead and other organizations helping
amputees.

**********************

Ed Sheeran performs a private concert at Q102


Ginger’s rule

This fan came all the way from Texas to meet Ed Sheeran. She won a radio contest call in at Q102, as did everyone in the audience. Ed just took a selfie and a selfie with the audience with her phone. Later he and Q102 retweeted it.
Fans who didn’t win the radio contest, but waited outside for a chance to meet Ed Sheeran. Usually when the crowd is this large a celeb will go out a side door, and he did.
Rocco from Q102. Did you know he co-owns the healthy Fuel eateries around town?

Ed Sheeran fans who got an autographed photo, and a photo with Ed, which can be found on the Q102 website.

I shot Nicki Minaj leaving the Ritz-Hotel. She was make-up free, friendly and sexy

The shots appeared in PhillyMag, Molly Eichel’s Philly Gossip, The UK Daily Mail and several other outlets.

 Ran all the way from the Ritz to the Four Season and nearly beat Nicki Minaj who drove.

 Waiting for the celebs at the Four Seasons

David Henry getting ready to go on the air for 6ABC

Christina and Christopher in the media section at Jam on the Parkway

 Moon Man

 Thanks for your support of PhillyChitChat

 YOLO

Miss
Teen Philadelphia 2014 Carlye Zeringue and Miss
Philadelphia 2014 Diamond Edmonds

Every
year I see this family set up their tent in front of my apartment building.
This year
they went all out and brought serious seating to watch the concert on the TV,
then peek out from the tent to watch the fireworks which are shot off across
the street.

My girls at our July 4th Party: Allison Smith, Stacey Kracher, Christie Honigman and Kristin Detterline

YOLO – This is why I moved to the Philadelphian!!

Categories
Philadelphia

If YOU see a Really Tall Guy Walking Around Philly Today…it could be

Oh yesterday was a nightmare working on photos and I couldn’t make this event.

…………………………
The Reebok Classic Breakout tipped off at Philadelphia University yesterday on Wednesday, July 9th as over
one hundred of the best high school basketball
athletes were given the opportunity to play in front of hundreds of
Division I college coaches during the NCAA live period. 

 The Reebok
Classic Breakout is unique in that it is the only live period camp that
gives any player the opportunity to earn an invitation purely through
his performance at the eleven Reebok Classic
Open Runs that took place across the country throughout the spring. 
These players now get the chance to let their game make their name as
they compete against some of the more established players that are
already ranked in the top 100 and are future All-Americans.

 Shawn Kemp
  Shaquille O’Neal 

 This year Reebok hosted a special Classic Rap roundtable on one of the basketball courts.  On hand were Sway Calloway (from MTV and “Sway in the Morning”
fame) who moderated an exclusive panel featuring NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal (in the Shaq Attaq IV), Shawn Kemp (in the Kamikaze II Low), and Dominique Wilkins (in the Twilight Zone Pump),
along with current players Isaiah Thomas (in the Kamikaze II Low) and Gerald Green (in the Blast).  Rounding out the group were friends of the Reebok brand including Jadakiss (in the Question Mid), DJ Drama (in the
Blast) and Lil Duval (in the GL 6000). 

 This is rather a unique selling stance: Shaquille O’Neal with Shaq Attaq IV
Originally released in 1994,
the Shaq Attaq IV was seen on the feet of dominant
big man Shaquille O’Neal during the 1994-1995 season in which he won a
scoring title, and appeared in the All-Star Game in Phoenix as well as
NBA Finals against Houston. A game changer on the court, the Shaq Attaq
IV also made history as the first basketball
shoe to ever feature Insta Pump technology.
Twenty years after its initial release, limited pairs of the black/white/blue Shaq Attaq IV
are set to hit shelves on Friday, July 25th at key retailers Jimmy Jazz, Shiekh, Villa, Shoe City
and Eblens for $140.

 

 
In
front of a large crowd, the group discussed the importance of having
events like the Reebok Breakout Camp to help nurture and support the
next generation of basketball players and how essential
it is to have drive, commitment and resolve to persevere in
their passion for the game.  The NBA legends and current players also
recounted their personal histories and challenges coming up in the
industry and offered tips and guidance to the high school
athletes on site.
Categories
Philadelphia

Elmwood Park Zoo – 2014 Beast of a Feast with “The Roaring Twenties” Party Pixs

You might not have heard about Elmwood Park Zoo, but it’s nearby and offers a different perspective than the Philadelphia zoo (which we love too.)

It’s more intimate and it has a fun waterpark and zip line. It’s  located minutes from the King of Prussia Mall in Norristown
Elmwood Park Zoo  is a family-friendly destination offering much more
than your typical wildlife sanctuary. Guests of the Elmwood Park Zoo
will enjoy one-of-a-kind encounters with exotic and rare animals and in
some instances have the opportunity to hand feed them. Children can ride
ponies or take a trip on the Caterpillar Train Ride. And guests this
summer can experience the Zoo in a whole new way with the Treetop
Adventure Park, the first attraction of its kind to offer zip lining
near Philadelphia.  
Last month The Elmwood Park Zoo
celebrated their 90th Anniversary with their 2014 Beast of a Feast theme party “The Roaring Twenties”
The “Roaring Twenties”-themed event was attended by over
1,000 guests who dined on all-you-can-eat fare from Maggiano’s, danced
to live jazz music by The Smooth Edge Band, bid on hundreds of silent
auction items and and pressed their luck at the Sheba Sheik Casino. 
Benefactor Diane Lenfest Myer, with Elmwood Park Zoo
Officials Al Zone, and Cherita Howarth.
Elizabeth Yerger with a Red Tailed Hawk. I hear the Avian Adventure show was a highlight of the night.
Faith Mohnke and Tyera Martin.
Elmwood Park Zoo is a family-friendly destination offering much more
than your typical wildlife sanctuary. Guests of the Elmwood Park Zoo
will enjoy one-of-a-kind encounters with exotic and rare animals and in
some instances have the opportunity to hand feed them. Children can ride
ponies or take a trip on the Caterpillar Train Ride. And guests this
summer can experience the Zoo in a whole new way with the Treetop
Adventure Park, the first attraction of its kind to offer zip lining
near Philadelphia.
 
Austin Ludwig and Sierra Connell.
Lauren Lowenberger and Kirsten Sheplock.
Annalise Settefrati, Alyssa Settefrati, and Thomas Settefrati.
 There was a great silent auctions with lots of items donated by local business’
Did I mention the ticket price was only $35 too.

Brian Wilson and Victoria Wilson.
Eric Donovan and Morgan Reale.
Greta Foxworth and Eugene Foxworth.
John Egan and Elmwood Park
Zoo Director the Honorable Kelly Wall.

Joan Grahn and Gray Shearman pose for a picture before a 1931 Model A Ford
Justin Dowling and Christine Kulp.
Cherifa Howarth, President of the Elmwood Park Zoo
Board of Directors says who Owl.
The Smooth Edge Band entertained the guests 

Temple Owl (very clever step and repeat)

Ellen Goldich and Marc Goldich, Reed Smith LLP.
Giana Schena and Charles Stockdale.
Mandy Elliott, Gretchen Slusky, Tess Almonte, and
Rosemary Fowler.

Coming up for the Philadelphia Zoo:
The Summer Ale Festival, where you will sample more than 40 regional craft beers and enjoy live music—all
while surrounded by brilliantly colored birds, majestic great apes and
exceptional big cats that call the Zoo’s lush gardens and exhibits
home. Tickets include a souvenir tasting cup, free Zoo parking and a free shuttle from 30th Street Station. Summer Ale Festival is for guests 21 years or older.
Brian Wilson and Victoria
Wilson.

Brian Wilson and Victoria
Wilson. 
 
Thanks to everyone for supporting Beast of a Feast and for dressing for the occasion.
Thanks to PhillyChitChat photographer Mike Hirata for shooting this event for our client Elmwood Park Zoo 
Categories
Philadelphia

Hump Day Instagrams: Fun Philly Pets Celebrate July 4th

This Sunday:  Doggy Days of Chestnut Hill:
Noon to 4 p.m. it’s a free festival for families and their
dogs.  Cats invited too!  There will be fun activities for dogs and
kids, pet trainers and health specialists, food vendors, “Yappy Hour”
specials at the bars and restaurants, face painting, arts and crafts,
paws readers and a ton of animal rescue nonprofits including PAWS and
New Leash on Life. 
http://www.phillypetinfo.com/event/dog-days-of-summer-chestnut-hill-business-association/

Not To Be Confused with:  3rd ANNUAL DOG DAYS OF SUMMER on South Street.
20 RESTAURANTS TO COMPETE IN 3rd ANNUAL DOG DAYS OF SUMMER COOK-OFF, CASH PRIZE AWARDED TO THE CITY’S TOP GRILL MASTER
Celebrate the dog days of summer – and National Hot Dog month – with the ultimate hot dog cook-off!
South Street Headhouse District, in conjunction with Hot Diggity!, returns with the 3rd Annual Dog Day of Summer Cook-Off under the Shambles in historic Headhouse Square. Follow: #DogDays14

 Miss Rachels Pantry

 Brindle Brothers – Save the Dogs
 moe syzlak
 GM Bamberski
 Mom C Knight

Tess Rary and fiance Philadelphia Eagles CB Brandon Boykin
Categories
Philadelphia

Samantha Trasatti Shares Her Tip with Pups and People

You might have read, or seen on local TV news about the good Samaritan that left $5,000 in tips to a server and $2,000 to bartender Samantha Trasatti at Rouge in Rittenhouse Square.

Samantha Trasatti took the tip and threw herself a 30th Birthday Party with gifts/proceeds going to PAWS 
When the last bit of confetti was swept away, over $2,500 was raised for the animal organization ( and having a helluva good time in the process.)

Camac Street (next to U Bar) was closed and the party commenced with a golden theme. 
(Do you know what Camac spells backwards?)
Friends from all walks of life came by to support Sam Trasatti
 Tommy George, Jo Trasatti, Szymon Bykowski

 

Jessica Webster (Newly blond), Caryn Kunkle, Saga, and Samantha Marzullo
Caryn Kunkle and ‘Saga’
They sprayed themselves in gold body paint and performed as mimes for PAWS donations! (center)

 Garrett Ching, Dave, John Frankowski
Carmen Tomassetti (CTO), Rob Molinaro and Steve Rockman

Ashley Taylor
 Golden Girl Sam with Lindsey Ouellette and Tawny Martin

Lyndsey Brown and Mike Orem
Pastries were donated by Angela Cicala, owner and pastry chef at Le Virtue!

 Blair Ago, Steve Shuster, and Dana Spain (Dana has become a serious developer renovating and selling homes through McSpain. The houses seem to be located in the Port Richmond section of Philly.)

 Julio Galvez, Tamar Olitsky, Billy Becker, Steve Olitsky, Lorenzo Labella
 Mike Jerrick and Sam Trasatti
Carol Serena, Ira Lubert, and Jeff Orleans

 
 Dance, dance, dance, dance. The guy in the middle (Henry Seltzer) used to be my neighbor at 13th & Spruce in 1991.

 Lou Ann Dorney and Carol Serena

 Steve Berti and Jess Burgoyne

Thanks to Mr Trasatti for these pixs of his daughters party.
(Sad I missed this party, I was in NYC)
Categories
Philadelphia

Philly Fourth of July Instagram Pictures 2014 – And PCC 7th Anniversary Note!

Happy 7 year anniversary to my blog, PhillyChitChat. Boy have things changed. I started PCC to write about tidbits, charity events and celebrities that came to town. I had a full time job as a Paralegal, a P/T job as a celebrity photographer in NYC and still wanted something to do on the side that reflected what was going on in Philly. Thanks to my buddy Simon Curtis who coined PhillyChitChat on 7/4/07, as he and his wife visited Mike and I in Philly. Simon and I had become friends while shooting celebs in NYC. I had a blog devoted to that subject “Confessions of a Paparazzi”, but that title wasn’t descriptive enough for what I wanted to do in Philly as there were very little celebrities here. PhillyChitChat was perfect to cover all the topics I wanted to – people, events, random tidbits like what another bank on a corner property and celebrities that made their way through town.

And here we are today: I do this as a full time gig, I contribute to PhillyMag, Philly.com, Philly Daily News, NBC Philadelphia and appear on Fox 29’s morning show (In the fall I’ll be appearing weekly chatting about all the parties I attend not just the celebrity events.) I have an amazing outlet where I mini blog Twitter – 

– it’s like my Lifestyle Blog on Philly, I tell you what’s hot, and what’s happening. I tweet entirely too much. I cover the subjects I used to cover on PCC. Then there’s Instagram – another great lifestyle, fashion blog outlet. So fun – follow me http://instagram.com/phillychitchat Then there’s you, my very loyal readers here, and everywhere. Thank you so much for your support; your kind words when I meet you and your feedback. Thanks HughE PS As usual this was a stream of consciousness, having never taken a journalistic class it’s the only way I know how to write. Thanks to my editors that make me seem so professional.

 Hoda spent her weekend in Rehobeth. She also had a book signing. I see she has a few fillings too. Good for her. I feel connected. (PS I have to have an tooth implant. How painful is that besides to the wallet?)
 Alexander Hankin styling it in Minnesota

 Justin Pizzi, Marisa Magnatta, Nicole Michalik, Adam Joseph, and
Joe McCollum who then hit up Bey & Jay the next night.

 Samantha
 Miss Philadelphia – Diamond Edmonds with GoGo Morrow
 Rapper Ryan Banks on the Parkway with his baby girl
 Jennifer Hudson in Philly
 Stacey Kracher at our annual party (taken by Christie Honigman)
Priscilla

 Fireworks from the Schuylkill River Park
 Kendra is now in Hotlanta and still looking hot.

 

 Happy Birthday Joan. He and Matt were at our party too.
 Zach Lashway was in NYC for the Fourth
Philly’s DJ Aktive working the tables for JHud
 I prefer chocolate jimmies
 Fireworks from the right side of the parkway

 Kate, Michelle and Rachel

 Earlier in the day Amber sent a message to all her FB friends, don’t be alone on July 4th. Come to the party. It was nice. So often we are alone when people think we’re busy.

 Sabir Peele rocking his cell phone board shorts on the beach
 amazing shot from condo’s along the Schuylkill from Susan Pincus
Love this shot from Al Lee – Mr. Philadelphia
 Wawa was a genius with their marketing, I saw everyone with this hat on.
Aviva Drescher from the Real Housewives of NYC was in town. I kept tabs on her, but unfortunately I didn’t get a shot of her in this awesome outfit. Here she is with her publicist Matt Dillon (no relation to me)
Categories
Philadelphia

Historic Figures Get Happy in Philly!! #oldschoolphilly

Hip, Hip, Huzzah and Happy July 4th from Philadelphia! Is there a better way to celebrate our nation’s birthday than with a little Happy from Historic Philadelphia?

Thanks to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy,” the townspeople of Colonial
Philadelphia have made their own anachronistic video. From Benjamin
Franklin with Colonial-dressed children at the Liberty Bell to Betsy
Ross to Octavius Catto, we hope you’ll take a peek and then help us
spread the good cheer.
Then come visit these Colonials and many more in Historic Philadelphia
this holiday weekend and all summer long. Dozens of ongoing and special
events will take place on and around Independence Mall over Independence
Week, produced by collaboration among Historic Philadelphia, Inc.,
Independence Visitor Center, National Constitution Center, Visit
Philadelphia, and Independence National Historical Park. More
information is available at www.historicphillysummer.com, and tag us social media with #oldschoolphilly.