Philly Chit Chat

Party Pixs: The Gesu Gala 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date May 7, 2014

Gesu School, a national trailblazer in the mission school model, held their8 th annual gala, Growing Greatness, on Thursday, May 1 at the the Kimmel Center.

Cocktails and dinner reception by Garces Catering

An inspiring performance by the Grammy-award winning ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock and the Gesu Gospel Choir

Gesu notables: Carter Sims, Bryan Carter, Marie
McCormick, and Pat McCormick.

The presentation of the Gesu Spirit Medal to Mrs. Elizabeth R. Moran and Rev. Neil Ver’Schneider, S.J.

Chris Osborne and Jeanne Wood of the Gesu School.

The gala co-chairs were Marie & Pat McCormick, Jenn & Carter Sims, and Lindsey & Mark Wolfington, who with the gala committee created an awesome event for everyone.

Lindsay Wolfington, Carter Sims, and Mary Beth Erdel.

Gesu Spirit Medal Winner: Father Neil Ver’Schneider,
Carter Sims, Jen Sims, Lindsay Wolfington, Marie McCormick, and Pat McCormick.

Musicians Jeff Byrne and Rob Williams.

Gesu Students Andrea and Mya.

Jerry O’Grady and Anne Ewers, President and CEO of Kimmel Center

Teacher Leya Hinton flanked by students Tyree and
Kharon.

Amy Brenner, Tyrone Myers, and Sarah Brenner.

The Gesu Gospel Choir.

Nitanju Bolade Casel.

Aisha Kahlil.

Dan McCormick, Meghan McCormick, Terry Connors, and
Karen Connors.

Bryan Carter President of
Gesu School.

Sean Carter and Dee Carter.

Cheryl Nichols and Joan Carter.

Last year the
gala helped raise more than $340,000 for students at Gesu, where young
people from some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods get a chance at a
brighter future.

The school’s alumni boast a 90% on-time high school
graduation, as compared to 64% for the School District of Philadelphia.
Learn more at www.gesuschool.org .

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors!

The 25th Century Foundation /

The Buck and Rogers Families

Anonymous

Mrs. J. Maxwell Moran
Thanks to Mike Hirata for shooting this for PhillyChitChat.com

Philadelphia

South Street Festival Wedding Proposal Plus All My Media Links to the Photos

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date May 6, 2014

Just in its second year, the South Street Spring Festival welcomed
nearly 40,000 attendees, topping last year’s attendance by approximately
10,000. All day long, a great crowd strolled South Street, but around 5
p.m. near the South Street stage, the festival hit a crescendo with
this flash-mob wedding proposal.(uwishunu)

SOUTH STREET SPRING FESTIVAL

PHILLYDOTCOM OUT AND ABOUT COLUMN

PHILLYMAG.COM COLUMN
(PM combined both the Ritt and SS festivals on one page)

RITTENHOUSE ROW SPRING FESTIVAL

PHILLYDOTCOM OUT AND ABOUT COLUMN

PHILLYMAG.COM COLUMN

Sunday OUT! Equality Forum on
PHILLYDOTCOM

PHILLYMAG.COM COLUMN- GPHILLY

FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY GALA in my Philly Mat – The Scene Column
Chris Matthews and the Nutters were in the house

Philadelphia

Cher and Share Alike: Loree Rodkin Jewelry designer to the stars Feted at Saks Fifth Avenue

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date May 5, 2014

Jewelry designer to the stars Loree Rodkin (c) was in town this
week, accompanying her friend Cher who performed at the Wells Fargo
Center on Monday night.

Her glamorous pieces range from $5,000 to $400,000 and are available at high-end retailers and her own stores internationally

Tuesday night Lindy Snider (r), a long time
friend of Loree’s (c) and her son Garrett Snider (l) hosted a dinner (catered by the Vetri Foundation) and shopping experience in
her honor at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd.

She brought along some of
her jewelery for sale, the likes of which have been worn by

Elizabeth
Taylor, Beyonce, Madonna, Philly’s own Eve, Gwyneth Paltrow, and

Cher with her look-a-like bff Loree. She also designed the jewelry worn
by Michelle Obama to the
inaugural ball in January 2009, which is now deposited in the permanent
collection of the Smithsonian Institution.

Catered by the Vetri Foundation

Created by 13th Street Cocktail Company

The jewelery ranges from $7,500 up to $48,000. 10% of the proceeds went to the Flyers Charities.

Donna O’Brien, Beautiful Blooms, Loree Rodkin, Randi Edeleman, Marketing Director at Saks Fifth Avenue

Garret Snider, Tamar Olitsky, Lindy Snider, Carol Tamburino, Guest, Hope Cohen, Anne Hamilton, Guest

Wendy Rosen with beautiful earrings

The dinner was intimate, and delicious, catered by the Vetri Foundation.

The table setting was exquisite by Beautiful Blooms, and the draping was done by Eventions.

The women brought their well dressed pocketbooks (as my dad would say.)

Philadelphia

Monday Cinco de Mayo at Chima Steakhouse – Zarwin Baum Happy Hour

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date May 2, 2014

Zarwin Baum and Fresh Smiles Ring in Cinco de Mayo by Raising Money for Children Following their Dreams

-Monday, May 5, 6-8p.m.-

Philadelphia, PA – Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer Toddy. P.C.
will celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Chima Steakhouse on Monday, May 5 from
6-8p.m., by raising money for the Fresh Smiles Foundation – an
organization that helps children with special talents, skills, or
interests pursue their dreams in spite of financial difficulties. Guests
will enjoy a Mexican-style fiesta of beer, wine, food, and networking
with special guests, including 93.3 WMMR’s Preston and Steve Show host,
Kathy Romano, and producer, Marisa Magnatta. Tickets can be purchased
for $40 in advance at http://bit.ly/Qnih9E or for $50 at the door.

In 2010, Kathy Romano, Megan
Reshetar, Robin Gupta and Zarwin Baum Shareholder Gary DeVito formed
Fresh Smiles to benefit children who can’t afford to pursue their
dreams. By providing funding to access resources otherwise unavailable
to them, Fresh Smiles hopes to help children utilize their special
talent or skill and recognize a better future is possible. For more
information on Fresh Smiles, visit http://www.freshsmiles.org.

Zarwin
Baum is happy to continue their support of Fresh Smiles after winning
$15,000 for the Foundation this February, courtesy of Firstrust Bank’s 2nd
Annual Philly’s Business First Awards. The Business First Awards
provide a platform for companies making a difference in our community.
While the award guidelines stated that the winning firm should ‘split’
the winnings with a local charity, Zarwin Baum donated the full amount
to the Fresh Smiles Foundation.

###

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.

Philadelphia

Daniel Gafanhoto: From Rio to Brotherly Love Opening Night Party Photos & Gala Info

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date May 2, 2014

The International House is exhibiting photos of “Daniel Gafanhoto: From Rio to Brotherly Love” Recently IH had the opening party for the exhibit in keeping with the theme of the 53rd Global
Gala: Colors of Brazil,

James M Papada, Chair of the Board and Tanya Steinberg, President & CEO of International House

Louis Padulo and Erik Nordgren

Camila DeMattos, Saba Pasha and Jessica DeSabato

A fine-art photographer who works digitally,
Daniel Gafanhoto photographs and processes cityscapes in a very personal way, as a demonstration
of the places he has lived and visited. He believes that a place can show a lot
about a person, sometimes even more than a portrait, and feel that the ways
cities influence people are more striking than an individual character alone.

Nadia Kunz and Diane Litten

James Phimister, Justin Miller and Bill Parker

Gary Baker, Faith Tucker and Joel Grantham

Sean
Stoops and Javel Saudades

Colors of Brazil International House May 17

International House Philadelphia’s 53rd Global Gala: Colors of Brazil is
channeling the rhythm of Carnaval for its main event on May 17th, and
there is no better time to celebrate this amazing country! In the past
year alone, Philadelphia took part in a Brazilian trade mission, which
successfully brought new Brazilian business to our region while
introducing Brazil to our historic city of Brotherly Love. With a direct
flight from Philadelphia to Brazil on US Airways starting this year,
its not a moment too soon as Brazil will host the World Cup this summer,
and in two short years, the Summer Olympics. Brazil has long been the
jewel of South America, and now it is opening itself up to the rest of
the world.

Philadelphia

#soundthehorn People’s Emergency Center’s Hosts Another Great Panel: Gentrification

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date May 1, 2014

On Thursday, April 24, 6-9pm, at PECO’s Energy Hall (2301 Market
Street) five (5) prominent Philadelphia thought leaders took part in
‘Sounding the Horn: A Crossfire Discussion on Gentrification.’ Over the
course of three (3) rounds, these leaders covered everything from the
history of gentrification and its effect on identity formation, to
tackling whether gentrification is a necessary step in urban
revitalization. Structured in a debate format, the audience was given
the opportunity to choose which speaker gave the best arguments, after
each round, via tweeting #SoundtheHorn

Brian Howard, Adam Leiter, and Otis Bullock

Moderated by Brian Howard, News Editor at Philadelphia Magazine (or as I like to call him, my boss),
the discussion was modeled after the rapid-fire pace of ESPN’s ‘Around
the Horn.’ Panelists included: Otis Bullock, Executive Director of
Diversified Community Services; John Chin, Executive Director of the
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation; Maya Francis, freelance
writer on gentrification topics; Penelope Giles, Executive Director of
the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation; and Gilberto
Gonzalez, author and noted designer.

Joe Willard and Caitlin Park-Davidson both of the
People’s Emergency Center.

The event was hosted by The Emerging Leaders of People’s
Emergency Center, a volunteer group of young professionals who are
committed to PEC’s mission of nurturing families, strengthening
neighborhoods, and driving change in West Philadelphia.

‘Sounding the
Horn: A Crossfire Discussion on Educational Outcomes’ was the second in a
series of conversations around global issues that affect our
communities. The first ‘Sounding the Horn’ took place in the Fall of
2013, and focused on educational outcomes, the ongoing conversation
regarding public vs. charter schools, and how we prepare our young
people to compete on a global level.

John Chin and Rachel Mak.

“#gentrification is no one neighborhood’s problem. It’s a city problem.” John Chin #soundthehorn

Penelope Giles, Executive Director of the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation and Maya
Francis.

Penelope Giles: #gentrification started at the beginning of our history. Look at what happened to the Native Americans. #soundthehorn

Panelist Gilberto Gonzales.

‏@apeaceofpr

Apr 24

Is the answer to #gentrification mixed-income housing, tax protection for the poor and increased involvement in policy? #SoundtheHorn

Panelist Otis Bullock.

‏@AnnetteJH

Apr 24

Why are ‘luxe units being built on Lancaster Ave and University High students displaced? #soundthehorn

Panelist John Chin, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation

Penelope Giles stresses that For a neighborhood to stay vibrant, it must have economic diversity.
#soundthehorn

Panelist Maya Francis doesn’t believe that gentrification deserves the negative reputation that it is sometimes connected with it. Gentrification should be something everyone is involved with, the community at large should be involved in any of the changes that go on in the neighborhood.

To learn more about People’s Emergency Center, visitwww.pec-cares.org.


Tiffany Tavarez and Megan Smith, Brownstone PR	Thanks to Philly Chit Chat photographer Mike Hirata for capturing this event for us.

Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA FLOODING – THE 50 YEAR STORM?

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date May 1, 2014

I’m very preoccupied with the flooding photos today, tweeting etc. So I thought I’d share them with my PCC readers. I know you’re not all on Twitter or FB. Is that true?

plaBz
‏@psl6978

Link to her website for more photos

http://instagram.com/p/ndQ6mxE_F3/#

foodsyoucaneat

Yesterday at Noon across the street where I live – 2400 block of Pennsylvania Ave

Philadelphia

SATURDAY – Preston & Steve’s Hottie Cam, May 3rd: South Street Spring Festival – Music, Food, Fun

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date April 30, 2014

The weather outside is frightning, but the Spring Festivals are heating up this weekend. Saturday is the South Street Spring Festival:

South Street Spring Festival has the largest festival footprint of ANY
festival this weekend – with more space for music, bands, food, family
fun, etc. than any other festival.

In anticipation of the South Street Spring Festival, there was a press preview party at the Brauhaus Schmitz Resturant earlier this month. This is what was on the menu

Michael Stollenwerk and David Ralic both of Headhouse Crab & Oyster Co.

The stars of this year’s South Street Spring Festival – Top row (L-R) George Reilly (Twisted Tail) David Ralic (Headhouse Crab & Oyster Co), Jeremy Nolan (Brauhaus Schmitz) Rand Maltese (Redwood/Copabanana) Michael Stollenwerk (Headhouse Crab & Oyster Co.)

Members of the press got a lesson in German dancing, so they’ll be prime for the Maypole dancing Saturday.

Monday the gang headed to the Preston and Steve Show for a little promotion, to part take in their hottie cam take-over this past
Monday on Preston and Steve WMMR with Katy Beaver and other models, with
clothing provided by Spring Festival vendors Philly Phaithful and Broad
Street Broad.