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Philadelphia

RUMOR MILL: WEGMAN’S GOING TO THE BROAD AND WASHINGTON BART BLATSTEIN DEVELOPMENT

A few days ago I set Twitter a fire with this rumor. Since then two blog sites has said their sources say it’s not true. I’m sticking by my rumor that it is. I think my track record is fairly aaccurate.  In the past I’ve rumored that Walgreen’s was going into the old Border’s,

and as much as the internet world and the City denied it was happening, it opened August 2013.

Then there’s the Nordstrom Racked Rumor I put out in April 2013

Same thing for Nordstrom Racked going into Daffy’s http://www.phillymag.com/property/2013/06/20/nordstrom-rack-responds-to-daffys-rumors/

Philly’s Hottest Rumor Comes True – Which was confirmed in October 2013

“It’s now no longer the stuff of Philly Chit Chat items: Center City will be getting a Nordstrom outlet.
The news broke yesterday afternoon that Nordstrom Rack, the chain’s
off-price division, will be taking the first three floors of the former
Bonwit Teller store at 1700 Chestnut Street, most recently home to
now-defunct off-price retailer Daffy’s.
The store, slated to open in the fall of 2014, will have 96,000 square feet of space, according to a report on Racked Philly. Fameco Real Estate, recently acquired by CBRE, handled the transaction.
Will this development be enough to satisfy the “Nordstrom fetishists”?
Time will tell, but truth to tell, we doubt it. We’ll bet they’re
holding out for more news about that Bloomingdale’s in the Gallery HughE Dillon first injected into the rumor stream back in May.”

In September 2013, I tweeted that Comcast was going to build anther tower at 18th & Arch. That NBC Philadelphia and the Four Season’s would move there. Both NBC and The Four Season’s denied this was happening, and wrote me asking me where I got my info.

In January,  the Inquirer published a huge article on the move, including much more detail, but that sure enough NBC Philadelphia and the Four Season’s would move there.

(I’m only as good as my sources, and I really want to thank them for entrusting me with these huge stories.)

Recently (Dec 2012) I proposed that Pearl Properties was going to build a tower, and a restaurant at the corner of 19th and Chestnut after I rumored that they were buying up half the block, and closing the Qdoba. (I put two and two together when I noticed Pearl Properties bought the old Little Pete’s building, plus already owned the property between the Boyd Theater and Little Pete’s, and noticed the Dollar Store was closed. Then I searched the property records and discovered the end two buildings were under contract.)

Updated: April 2013 the CCPR has posted information on the new Pearl Properties condo they are building on the 1900 block of Chestnut Street. http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/center-city/39928-pearl-properties-new-high-rise-19th-chestnut.html

One of the arguments against thinking a Wegman’s could be built in the City is that Wegman’s hasn’t venutred into an urban area. I found this last night and tweeted it to my 2 guys (who are worth reading every day. Two guys who just like me set out to write content that all of us are interested in.) A Wegman’s is being built in downtown Boston & So they r moving into Urban areas now.

Both of these drawings come from the Passyunk Post.

I’m just sticking by the rumor I floated out on the twitter world that yes, Wegman’s is rumored to be going into the Washington Avenue project. And with the much debated “Why are they building a parking garage with 1,000 spaces?” This would be why, a first class, hugely popular grocery store is coming to “Center City.” Currently my bet with the Passyunk Post guy is this thing will happen is something about eating an ice cream sandwich. Now how about if this great thing doesn’t happen I’ll donate $500 to my favorite charity, and I’ll take part in the dunking thing during Beer Week 2015 or 2016 whichever date they announce something other than a WEGMAN’s going into that space. I think my track record speaks pretty high, but deals do fall through. I probably shouldn’t have floated this one or the Bloomingdale’s one out so early. I guess it wasn’t close to the announcements, I never want to screw anything up, but my sources made it seem imminent.

Categories
Philadelphia

WHAT’S FILMING IN CENTER CITY AND THE BURBS – “HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER”

A few weeks ago I told you about a new TV show that would be filming in and around Philadelphia called “How To Get Away With Murder” starring Oscar nominated Viola Davis, (below in green coat.) Davis plays Annalise DeWitt, a law professor at fictitious Philadelphia Ivy League School called Middleton University. 
 The show is produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, the production team of Shondaland which created Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal.
 Over the weekend they were filming in and around City Hall. Although it was somewhat warm out on Saturday, the scene called for the actors to film w/o coats on. Thus a big pile of coats in the foreground.
The employee’s of City Hall recieved this memo
“The filming is taking place in various common areas (hallways, interior
and portal stairwells, exterior portals, etc) in City Hall. 


You may
notice that there will be equipment that will begin arriving as early as
Friday morning. The 6th Floor NE Men’s room will be utilized and is
being “dressed” for a scene.” I spy
Matthew Nadu. 

The scene was a press conference, and there were news vans and “reporters” there. There were two nondescript vans, and one 6ABC news van, as the pilot is being pitched to ABC. 
 The actors break for lunch.
 There really aren’t any big named celebrities attached to the show, besides Viola Davis, but there are significant stars of the future. Here’s Jack Falahee, he was most recently on Twisted (TV Series). 

He’s been seen about town with co-star Matt McCorry. They’ve been to El Vez, the Mutter Museum and they work out at PSC on Market Street.
 Matt McGorry is best known for playing a guard in “Orange is the New Black.”
 Alfie Enoch was a character actor in Harry Potter.  Liza Weil is also starring in the TV Pilot. You may remember her as Amanda Tanner from Scandal. Another Shonda Rhimes vehicle.
 This week the cast and crew are out at Bryn Mawr College filming scenes that include burning a gigantic wooden football player.
Categories
Philadelphia

Photos: Ray Martin Charity Basketball Game

Every year Ray Martin has a Charity Basketball Game in honor of his mother, who passed away from cancer a few years ago. The proceeds go to Fox Chase Cancer Center.  

 The annual event gathers your favorite local television and radio
personalities in a face off on the court for the annual Celebrity Charity
Basketball Game! This great event, hosted by Ray Martin in memory of
his mother Carol, supports colon cancer research at Fox Chase. Check out
the after party being held at the West Tavern located at 15th &
Callowhill. Tickets for the basketball game are $10 and can be
purchased online and there is a $30 admission fee to the after party
that includes food and drink. For more information or to get involved,
contact Ray Martin at 267-312-5456 or go to www.fccc.edu/giving/celebritybasketball

 This year Karen Hepp, Fox 29 anchor & reporter was honorary coach of the celebrity team. She’s with her family Brian Sullivan and kids. Happy Birthday Brian.

Players for the celebrity team include Casey Boy of the “Preston and
Steve Show,” CBS3’s Ukee Washington, Gervase Peterson of “Survivor” and
sports agents Jeff Randazzo and Bill Baldini. Eagle Jeremy Maclin will
do the opening tip-off

 WMMR’s Casey does double duty with the basketball and tosses a football to fans.
 Ray Martin coaching his team
 The fans.
 Gervase Peterson, who will be at Red Ball on Saturday.


 The home team gets ready for the last few minutes of play
 another point for the home team which takes them 3 points above the Celebrities
And the home team prevails over the Celebrities
Categories
Philadelphia

Photos: Annie Duke & Beth Shak together at the Jewish National Fund: Seventh Annual Poker Tournament at Del Frisco’s

The Jewish National Fund was established more than 100 years ago by a small
group of leaders, including Theodor Herzl. By purchasing plots of land,
they hoped to establish the groundwork for the birth of our nation of
Israel. JNF continues to make a commitment to the land and people in the
21st century. While we still plant trees and create parks, our
organization does so much more. Read on to see how we’re making a
difference for generations to come.”

Every year they hold a fundraiser at Del Frisco’s. The evening starts out with a cocktail party, reception with hors d’oeuvres and a great silent auction.  Then everyone heads downstairs to play fun casino games.
Rob O’Dell, Brett Hersch, Rich Cohen and Beth Lloyd

 Anna Boni and Michael Boni, co-chair

Bill Glazer, Marina Furman, Regional Director , Rob Kitchenoff Esq and Daniel Eisenstadt
Ari Stanger, Aliyah Furman and Yedidya Harush

Poker Queen Beth Shak, Beth Cutler and Nikki Donzee.

William Bredt, Wendy Cohen and Joel Kramer
Reid Rosenthal and Aaron Kaplowitz
Eric Brooks and Poker Champion Annie Duke
Lisa Ostroff and Ashley Ostroff

From http://bleacherreport.com Frennimies…join forces for charity..
A true poker star. Annie Duke is the best poker player on my list.
She has won almost 5 million dollars in the poker world.
She is good at poker, mother of four, incredibly intelligent (double
major in English and Psychology from Columbia), and has a beautiful
smile.

Beth Shak is gorgeous, has her own clothing line, is one of the best poker players today, and is a mother.
But my favorite thing about Beth is her website, Bethshak.com. It is the coolest site of all the women on the list.

Categories
Philadelphia

FOX 29’S STEVE KEELEY WAS DAVID LETTERMAN’S TOP TEN LIST LAST NIGHT – HERE’S THE LIST

Top Ten Thoughts Going Through This Reporter’s Mind At This Moment

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

10. “Hey, that snow almost hit me”
9. “I blame Obama”
8. “Usually snowplow drivers are a little more curteous”
7. “My outfit is ruined!”
6. “Get my consultant to tell that snowplow driver he’s a jerk”
5. “Well, it was worth it to show our viewers what a snowplow looks like”
4. “I must’ve pissed off Governor Christie”
3. “Snowblow me”
2. “Snowblow me”
1. “Help me, Winter Jesus!”

Dave got all the facts wrong about who Steve Keeley cause he doesn’t work for the Weather Channel Dave, he’s on Fox 29’s Good Day Philly.

Here’s the video.

Categories
Philadelphia

THE LINKS TO THE PHOTOS I TOOK THIS PAST WEEKEND….

OMG I almost went a day without posting something on my blog. That hasn’t happened since my beloved sister passed away in 2009. It’s 11:46PM so here goes. I photographed 13 events since Thursday. All day long I have been prepping columns, in addition to prepping photos that go back to the clients that hired me to shoot their events.

If I photographed you this past week, you’re photos may be up and online right now. Here are some of the links.

PHOTOS: The Gays Dazzled at the 10 Arts Oscar Viewing Party- G Philly

(please like the columns if you like them, and retweet if you can. Thanks.)

 A whole bunch of other folks at the 10 Arts Oscar Viewing Party- Philly.com

 Photos: Cheers for CHOP benefit – Philly.com

Action AIDS Charity Casino on NBC10 Philadelphia

 

Categories
Philadelphia

TV PILOT TO FILM IN PHILADELPHIA – Photos of the Actors Who Will Be Roaming Our Streets

Viola Davis, two-time Academy Award nominee (The Help, Doubt) will star in ABC’s Shonda Rhime and Betsy Beers (Shondaland producers and the powerhouses behind Grey’s Anatomy & Scandal) new TV series “How To Get Away With Murder”. Viola is no stranger to the Philadelphia area as she starred in “Law Abiding Citizen” with Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx a few years ago and walked the red carpet when it screened here.

Described as a “sexy, suspense-driven legal thriller,” Murder
centers on ambitious law students and their brilliant and mysterious
criminal defense professor (Davis) who becomes entangled in a murder
plot that could rock their entire university and change the course of
their lives.

 
YEAH, the drama will film in set and filmed in Philadelphia and will also features

 
Ohhhh maybe we’ll see him at the Sporting Club.

 Matt McGorry 

Aja Naomi King,

He was in Harry Potter too

Alfie Enoch,  

Karla Souza,  

Jack Falahee and  

Charlie Weber. This is Davis’ return to television as she was previously featured on Showtime’s United States of Tara, NBC’s Law & Order: SVU and City of Angels but this will her first full-time role in a television series. One can only imagine that How To Get Way With Murder may be paired with Shondaland’s hit drama, Scandal in ABC’s lineup. Let’s hope the Shondaland magic happens and this show gets picked up for a regular series, and succeeds.

For more info check out: Molly Eichel, The Source, Vibe and The Hollywood Reporter report

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

The best part about this show filming here, it’s set in Philly and they’re looking for lots of Philly actors. 

Heery Casting is still casting this TV show:

Feature Film and TV Background neededWe
are looking for SAG-AFTRA and non-union background talent for a feature
film and a new ABC TV Pilot that will be shooting in the Philadelphia
area.

Needed are men and women, age 18-70, all ethnicities. Shooting will begin February 18, 2014 and continue through April.

All Positions are PAID.

Please email: heery2014@gmail.com

Please include in the body of the email:

-Name

-Height

-Weight

-all clothing sizes

-Phone numbers

– make and model of your car, if you have one

-2 photos: A close-up & A full body (in .jpg format) taken within the last 3 months NO HEAD SHOTS!

-SAG-AFTRA status & SAG-AFTRA membership number (If applicable)

If you are unsure of your union status, please contact the SAG-AFTRA office.

Reminder: this shoots in the PHILADELPHIA AREA- all talent are “local Hire” for this job.

Categories
Philadelphia

WHERE MAGAZINE CELEBRATES THE PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW AT SHOPS OF LIBERTY PLACE

We need a little Springtime, right this very moment, and the annual Philadelphia Flower Show couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect time.

Last week Laura Burkhardt, Publisher Where Magazine, and Drew Becher, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society hosted guests and concierge to their preview party at the Shops of Liberty Place.
The concierge represent many of the hotels in Philadelphia. They are
the front line to the visitors who come to our City, many who during the
first week in March.

Charles Croce and Anne Callahan fresh off of the Academy Ball Gala were looking forward to the Phila Flower Show Black Tie Preview Party this Friday. Tickets are still available
Evan Urbania, Chatterblast and Jimmy Owens, PHS
Matt Ray, Chatterblast and Laura Burkhardt, Where Magazine Publisher
Al Lee and guest sitting in the lounge that occupies the Rotunda at the Shops of Liberty Place
Drew Becher, PHS president and Rick Mollineaux, DM Where Magazine,

Ted Simon, Esq and Bev Arum,
A few highlights this year:
Join us for an unbelievable party! The 2014 PHS
Philadelphia Flower Show Preview Party is an exclusive, first look at
the fanciful flowers, luscious landscapes, and dare-to-dream designs of
“ARTiculture” before it opens to the public.
Feb 28, 2014 7:00 PM
 

LGBT Party
PHS and G Philly invite members and friends of
the LGBT community to the 2014 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show for an
afternoon of creative cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Mingle with friends
before taking in the sights and scents of the world’s most celebrated
indoor Flower Show.
Mar 2, 2014 4:00 PM – Mar 2, 2014 6:00 PM
 
Wedding Wednesday
PHS, Philadelphia Wedding magazine, and Tourism
Ireland invite brides-to-be for an evening of royal treatment at the PHS
Philadelphia Flower Show’s “Wedding Wednesday.” Bring your bridesmaids
and get advice (and take-aways!) from more than 50 local experts on
fashion, music, catering, honeymoon planning, and much more.
Mar 5, 2014 6:00 PM – Mar 5, 2014 8:00 PM
Categories
Philadelphia

Young Friends Winter Gala: A Royal Affair – Happy Hour at Gaslight – PLUS INFO on the Gala This Saturday

The Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art held a series of happy hours leading up to the black tie affair in honor of Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392-1910 Saturday night. 

 Christine Kennedy, Winter Gala co-Chair and Ernie Poon, Winter Gala co-Chair,

The last happy hour was held 2 weeks ago at Gaslight in Old City. It was a cold night, but the place was hot and happening a few days before the official opening of Jason Cichonski new eatery.
Gabrielle Frederico and Jeff Devine
 Maria Molina and Arturo Munoz
 Christina Iliadis and Faith Aquino
 Jhanna WHite and Jenna Williams
 James Hagar, Erin Eddy, David Pinski and Liz Brown
 The
Young Friends are a vibrant group of young adults committed to
promoting the arts in the greater Philadelphia area. Through a broad
range of special events and educational activities organized around the
Museum’s world-famous collections, the Young Friends
provide a forum for increased appreciation of the arts. The evening
will include music by K-Pop DJ, DJ Sanchez, dancing, a raffle, and
silent auction.  One of the highlights of the silent auction is
a
“Hollywood Getaway” package which includes round trip airfare and tickets to Season 13 of American Idol.
 Funds
raised through the efforts of this dynamic and committed group are used
primarily
to support art acquisitions, as well as conservation and preservation
of works in the collections, and educational and outreach programming.

 Treasures from Korea marks an unprecedented cross-cultural exchange and the first
comprehensive survey in the United States devoted to the art of the
celebrated Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), an era that profoundly shaped
the culture of Korea in ways that continue to resonate today. Included
are more than 150 works among them national treasures displayed for the
first time in the United States.  Philadelphia is the only east coast
venue. 

 The exhibition will travel to the Los
Angeles County Museum of Art (June 29–September 28, 2014) and  The
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (November 2, 2014–January 11, 2015).

TICKETS
 Kharisma McIlwaine and Alloyius McIlwaine
Ernie Poon, Winter Gala Chair, Liz Lanpen, Winter Gala Publicity Chair, man about town- Alexander Hankin and Emily Gerstell 

  Zeynep Goral and Deirdre Sawinski
 Johanna Morales, Chris Borden, Tom Horton and Molly Horton
John and Jhanna White told me that I photographed them on their fisrt date, May 8th 2009 at the Magee Rehab Night of Starts. And as many of you know, I can’t remember names but I was able to tell them exactly where I photographed them that night. It was out in the parking lot, I was leaving to go to another event and they were just arriving. So I’m not always good with names, but if you tell me where I photographed you I usually remember.
 There’s a baby in a bar..says Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama.
 Dan Loew, Rachel Loew, Christine Bugg and Dana Kessler
Which reminds me:  The AfterParty is at the Loews on the 33rd Floor
Stephen Welsh, Laila Reilly, Kathrin Rieger and Nathen Maggee want you to know you can still buy tickets to the gala on Saturday night. INFO HERE!!
Categories
Philadelphia

Celebrities in The City – NYC Mayor’s in Town, A Dancing With The Star, star, Young Media Royals, Mario Lopez Likes Ocean Prime

On Saturday, reporter Michael Boren spotted NYC Mayor Deblasio in the Italian Market:
Celeb sighting mt Now I’m 99.9% sure: NYC walking around ‘s Italian Market w/his son. Just saw them up-close (But he was only 99.9% sure)

 I’m 100% sure that former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani was at the Italian Market today,as he stopped by Geno’s to grab a wit, with.

 Also in town this weekend:

 Mario Lopez appeared on QVC Sunday, but the night before he was at Ocean Prime for dinner. Seems he enjoyed his Baked Alaska dessert. Yes that is the normal size of that serving. Mario stayed at the Four Seasons while he was in town.

Dancing with the Stars Louis van Amstel stopped by the trade shoe LA Blast Fitness which was at the Marriott as well as the Pennsylvania Convention Center. He was super nice, and posed with fans.
There was a big wedding in Philly on Saturday, as Jamie Gayle Shupak and Brian Patrick Stelter were married Saturday evening at the Sheraton Society Hill in Philadelphia.
Mrs.
Stelter, 32, is the morning traffic anchor in New York for NY1, a cable
news channel. She graduated from the University of Maryland. The bride is the daughter of Helen R. Shupak and Neil L. Shupak of Philadelphia. Mr.
Stelter, 28, is the senior news media correspondent for CNN, based in
New York. He is also the host of “Reliable Sources,” a Sunday morning
program on that network. Until November, he was a staff reporter at The
New York Times covering media news. I follow them both on Social Media and they seem to have the pulse of the millennials. Although Reliable Sources is taped on Friday to play on Sunday, Brian wore his wedding ring to be factually correct by the time it aired Sunday morning.
Philly Resident Star: Marc Summers spotted in Miami at the Food and Wine Festival.