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Philadelphia

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AND JAY Z’S WHIRLWIND DAY IN PHILADELPHIA (OK JUSTIN WAS HERE FOR ABOUT 36HRS)

Nearly everyone on my Twitter timeline headed to Citizen Bank Park on Tuesday night to see the #LegendsofSummer Tour.

They weren’t disappointed. Everyone I’ve talked to tells me it was a blast, one of the best concerts ever. Seamless in every way, it had a flow. Here’s what City Paper’s A.D. Amorosi. had to say:
“The largest part of the show’s success came down to two things, the
first being its pacing. There was not a moment wasted, what with the
liberal use of its side stages (JT popped up out of nowhere splashily
singing a jazzy cover of Sinatra’s “New York, New York” before Jay Z
took to a snazzy “Empire State of Mind”) and the trap door at stage
center that allowed one man to disappear from view while the other
appeared (as the shouts of “Hova” wafted in the breeze at the end of one
song, up popped JT with the next) to start the next song.”


Me, I didn’t make it, I was though on top of everything not going on inside the stadium. Larry Giuffra just so happened to roller blade by Monday evening about 7PM and saw Justin Timberlake get off the tour buses and go into the Four Seasons. (I know the tour buses, which contained the crew and band, continued on to the Sofitel where they were staying.)

The next day my friend Mollie Dronson headed over to the Four Seasons with a friend. (She didn’t have to wait long, and hour or two, and Justin popped out to head to the stadium. he was nice enough to pose for this shot.

Then snapped a paparazzi shot as he entered the car. What’s up with that orange phone?
Shortly before the concert I got a call to cover a VIP gig at Stratus Lounge, at the Hotel Monaco. A late night gig, but that’s about all they told me. It wasn’t til I got there did they tell me it was for HOVA.
JayZ is in a partnership with Barcardi for a new Cognac called  D’USSE, and every City he’s stopped in he attends their Official After Party. (Here’s an instagramed shot where he’s ballering it by pouring D’USSE into his newly won Grammy, crazy.)
The room was set up just as his people had requested. (You’ll recall I covered Dr J’s birthday party at Stratus Lounge. You can rent the whole floor out for events.)

At midnight word came that Jay Z decided to fly back to NYC and Beyonce,
but hold the liquor he’d be back in two weeks to party during the Made In America Festival Weekend. The D’ussi girls will be waiting for Jay Z’s return. There was another official after party happening a few blocks away at Sigma Sound Studios. Usually I go to these parties, but by the time I left Stratus, it was 130AM and I was beat. I headed home. WHAT A MISTAKE!!

  Justin Timberlake showed up to party, and boy did he. This is the only shot I could find that was taken inside the club. I hear the security was tight, and the body guards were big. NOTE: he’s wearing the same outfit as when he left the hotel earlier in the day. All hell broke lose when the next day the Daily Mail & other outlets carried shots of Justin leaving with a blond who was covering her head.

The next day I headed to the hotel to wish JT a safe bon voyage, as well as to ask him about the mystery blond. Here goes his and Jay Zs luggage, They had their own limo as JayZ coptored it back to NYC the night before.

While in Philly seems someone went to Barnes & Noble, had drinks from Neuro and picked up some great nostalgic wear from Mitchell & Ness.

One of the most exhilarating moments for a fan, and photographer is right before the celebrity departs the hotel. The fans are thinking “I’ve waited for this all my life” as they nearly cry with anticipation, me I;m thinking how’s this going to go down, as I try and remember to ask who’s the blond and did you make it to Geno’s Steaks like you normally do.

Thank god I got a few shots off before JT realized I was there.

He was in no mood and immediately asked me to stop taking photos
Which I did, I didn’t want to screw it up for the fans that were there to get a “photo with, with”, and I knew I had the photos I needed.
My other friend Ian and Justin. I love the big heart on Justin’s shirt.

Justin Timberlake and crew sped off to the airport and took a private plane to Miami for his final concert of the tour Friday night.

Categories
Philadelphia

THE BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES WILL PARADE AGAIN IN PHILLY FOR MADE IN AMERICA FESTIVAL

‪#‎BudweiserMadeInAmerica IS LESS than 20 days away from‬! 

 One of the highlights leading up to the event was the magnificent showing of the BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES parading around the neighborhood of Fairmount as they delivered beer to the local bars. Good news, they are coming back. It really is an amazing sight to see.

The Clydesdales are Coming!
Thursday, August 29th 5pm – 9pm
Next
Thursday, August 29th at 5pm, the Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to
22nd and Fairmount Avenue.  The Clydesdales will trot down Fairmount
Avenue.  This year, Fairmount Avenue between 21st and 22nd Avenue will
be shut down to accommodate the crowds and have a more festive
atmosphere with activities for everyone.  Urban Saloon, along with other
restaurants along Fairmount Avenue, such as Fare, Hickory Lane, Jack’s
Firehouse, London Grill, La Calaca Feliz, Rembrandt’s and Bishops Collar
are all great places to enjoy the special occasion.

Here’s the Full Schedule

WHEN:
Wednesday, August 28, 6:00 p.m. — Full hitch in North East Philadelphia Parade
Thursday, August 29, 7:00 p.m. — Full hitch at the Fairmount Carnival Parade
Friday, August 30, 4:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. — Full hitch at Philadelphia FOP Hall
WHERE: North East Philadelphia Parade – will begin at this location
7544 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19136                                             

Fairmount Carnival Parade – will begin at this location

2120 Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Philadelphia FOP Hall
11630 Caroline Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19154-2110

Check out my PhillyMag and PhillyChitChat columns about last years visit. PS Not only do they parade, but you get to see them saddled up before the ceremony. Quite a sight, and a delight for the kids.
#PCCBuzz

Set times for this year’s festival will be released Monday, August 26th. Are you ready to party? Tix: http://madeinamericafest.com/ 

 

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Philadelphia

Gia Allemand dead at 29, as her fellow Bachelor contestants and friends gather in Philly for The Annual Hamels Foundation Reunion

Every year The Hamels Foundation has their star studded charity event which raises money to provide support for quality education in the United States and establish a school
in Malawi, Africa.(It’s tonight)

 Besides many of our favorite Phillies players, celebs and local celebs,
it has the distinct pleasure of hosting the Reality Stars from ABC’s
The Bachelor franchise, which includes The Bachelor, The Bacherlorette
and Bachelor Pad. This year the Bachelors are attending with heavy
hearts as their good friend, and fellow contestant on the Bachelor Gia
Allemand (center in 2011) passed away yesterday.

Craig Robinson, Cole Hamels, Tyler Vermette, Chris Lambton,  Gwen Goia, 
Alli Travis, Jackie Gordon, Jesse
Csincsak, Ann Lueders, Gia Allemand, (I’m missing a few names)
One person who stood out was Gia Allemand. So sweet and excited to come this year with her boyfriend, NBA player Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Reviewing her twitter timeline, and talking with her friends, it was a
complete surprise for the turn of events that she decided to take her
life. The papers say it was because of her faltering relationship,
perhaps he decided not to come to Philly to attend the events and she
didn’t want to see her friends, or deal with a heavy emotion such as a
break up in public. Or maybe the pain was to dark, and she didn’t see a way out, or want to live in a world without Ryan, even though so many people from around the world loved her.

I think I’ve talked extensively about my suicide attempts (when I was in my 20s), and all I can say is at that point, the pain seems to be so unbearable. I wish we both knew about American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 
during those dark hours. No doubt she knew she was loved by so many, I can see it from the out
pouring of grief on Social Media, and by the interactions she had with
people right up until her suicide. But when you are in that moment, those moments, the pain is so unbearable that you can not see passed it.

 Last night as her friends came into town, they first went to the Top of the Tower for a low key SIPS happy hour, but left as it was crowded and they realized they just needed to be together, sitting around, eating dinner at Sampan, and celebrating their friend Gia Allemand. They may be smiling in this photo for me, but I can tell you they were all shocked and devastated, many barely holding back their pain. They conveyed to me that through the Bachelor experience they have made strong connections and friendships from the show; a tragedy like this brings them closer together, and it’s more important than ever to support each other. A few of them just saw Gia last week in NYC at the screening of the finale. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No doubt many of them are re-living their last encounter with Gia to see if there was something amiss. But sometimes it’s something that can’t be seen.

Craig Robinson, Frank Neuschaefer, Ashley Spivey, Chris Bukowski, Sarah Herron, Reality Stars from The Bachelor and Bachelorette and current hosts of HGTV’s ‘Going Yard’, Peyton and Chris Lambton

Sadly for her friends and family this great loss will linger a lifetime. If you need grief counseling, or just someone to talk to you can contact

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and they will give you the tools to deal with this tragic loss.

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Philadelphia

East Passyunk Bistro – Goes in Front of the Zoning Board Today w/New Plans & The Design

Today the partners (Chris Scarduzio & The Olitsky’s plus) for the East Passyunk Bistro go in front of Rezoning again today

1646-8 S 12th St (East Passyunk Bistro / old Artisan Boulanger building): Variance
for rear yard and open area space for by-right restaurant and three
apartments; liquor license transfer; and council ordinance for outdoor
sidewalk seating.

 
 Earlier this year their engineer found structural issues with the
building, instead of refurbishing the building, they’re going in front of the zoning commission to demolish the building.

 The zoning notice says the entire building will be demo’d and the two
lots 1646 and 1648 S 12th Street will become zoned one lot. The three
story building will have a restaurant on the first floor, and three
apartments in the rest of the building, which will include a roof deck.
Sounds great. The zoning hearing is scheduled for 8/14 at 1515 Arch
Streets. – Good luck, the new building looks beautiful.

 

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Philadelphia

Party People: Rittenhouse Row Meet The Street Mixer at Marathon Grill (I forgot ask exactly what this title meant.)

Last night at Marathon Grill Rittenhouse Row had a happy hour mixer for members. It was a gorgeous night after a deluge of a day, and many of the members came out to mingle about.

 Including: Janice Waitkus’s Store Director and Community Relations at Lagos; Liza Dixon, Lagos and Raquelle, Lagos and all wearing Lago’s

 On the scene were Where Magazine’s Bev Arum and Austin Lichtman
 Hayley Broder (left), regional manager, Flywheel Philadelphia with Emily Rothrock, Flywheel Philadelphia. I’ll be trying out my first class next week. Won’t you join me?
 Kurt Souder, of Juicy Couture, Michael Flaco, Stuart Weitzman (Flaco was also the asst mgr of the former Anne Klein store at this location), Tina Marie, Blue Mercury and Kerry Collins. BTW Stuart Weitzman is open right now as we speak. They did a soft opening on Aug 1. Check the back wall rack, those shoes, although they’re not marked, they are 50% off, Corie Moskow (Gloss PR) tells me. (Here’s pixs of the new Stuart Weitzman store.)
 Lex Wainwright, Office Mgr, Spectrum, A Herman Miller Dealer with Marybeth Mojzak, Herman Miller sales
 Hildegard Kent, Jenn Harringan, Jaime Bojko, Renee Miller, Gina Lees all from Adolf Biecker and looking forward to their move on Sept 3 to the new Sansom Steet Apartments. (Check out article on Phila real Estate about their new place.)
Irene Sosrowski and Paul Hawks, Nail Bar. They were eating at Ela the same day I was there two weeks ago, when I shot the famous Jason Cichonski’s tattoo.
Categories
Philadelphia

FREE LIQUOR, SHOW US YOUR SHOES, Joan Shepp on the Move, Real Ice Cream Served in Rittenhouse, Mission Complete, So Long Sisters

 Shoe designer, Wharton grad Stuart Weitzman is just about to open his new shoe boutique at
1711 Walnut Street. I like the purple awning.

Check out the inside, gone is the gauche wallpaper when the space held the Anne Klein store. I love the exposed brick, and modern white furniture. Rumors have the store opening by the weekend.
The last time the former AAA Mid-Atlantic headquarters was chatted about in the news, Bradley Cooper‘s character had used it for his political office in the movie “Limitless”. Shortly after the filming stop the building underwent a complete renovation to become a first class, luxurious apartment building, by PMC Property Group. (During the construction of the new 280 one- and two-bedroom apartments building, the designers saw the potential of enclosing the excess space in front of the building, which at one time was gardens, but in this shot contains stones.) The new name 2040 Market Street
The results added crucial retail space which now holds a  National Penn Bank branch, on the right and

on the left, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is opening a premium state store concept on August 14.

a new retail tenant, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
(PLCB) at 2040 Market Street. PLCB will open a premium state store
concept at the location in late Spring 2013. The store will occupy the
nearly 10,000 square foot Market Street space adjacent to a new National Penn Bank
branch on the ground floor of the recently refurbished and expanded
building.  – See more at:
http://corporate.pmcpropertygroup.com/news/2040-market-retail-tenants-PLCB#sthash.rnuERXVW.dpuf
 The store will occupy the nearly 10,000 square foot Market Street

August Hehemann, Director of Finance for PLCB, feels that this property in Philadelphia’s central business district is an ideal location for the new premier Fine Wine & Good Spirits store. The store will offer an extensive selection of premium wine and spirits in a consumer-friendly atmosphere featuring new, high-end displays and finishes. The centerpiece of the design will feature a communal table where shoppers can find a wine specialist, who will be on hand to answer questions about the products, assist with selections, and advise on food pairings (Source)
Stop by tomorrow for the ribbon cutting at 11AM, and stay all day for complimentary wine and spirit tastings all day.
My favorite: Parking $13 for the entire day. Clubbing in the Rittenhouse Sq area, this is a bargain.
Philly Flavors is finally opened in Rittenhouse Square at 44 S. 19th Street.. Colin Flatt at Eater Philly recommends getting a bowl of Birthday Cake ice cream.
Joan Shepp has signed. The new space is on Walnut Street in the only building that has awesome windows, besides Urban Outfitters. It’s a sweet spot to be Trading Places. Can you guess where?
After 17 years, Sisters the lesbian club on Chancellor Street closed abruptly yesterday. It’s a darn shame. This town has only been able to sustain one lesbian bar for decades. Before Sisters some of you may remember Hepburns & Sneakers.  The good news, these day’s with attitudes changing, we in the GLBTQ community can hang out in almost any bar we choose, although nothing can replace the safety, and comfort of a bar we call our own. (Check out this great article by Natalie Hope McDonald: The end of an era, saying goodbye to one of ‘s famous nightclubs:  )

 As I instagramed 2 weeks ago:

Mission Grill – Philadelphia is closed

” After six great years we are sad to say we are officially closed for business. We welcome all patrons at out sister restaurant, Public House, located right around the corner at 18th and Cherry. We thank all of you for your time spent here, and hope to see all of you soon at Public House – Thank you! Mission Management”

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Philadelphia

What did Jason Cichonski bring back from Top Chef New Orleans?

 2 weeks ago

 Katie, Christie and I headed to Ela to enjoy Jason Cichonski’s one-night-only, 5-course pig dinner

 hmm delicious first course. it was two weeks ago I can’t remember what it was
 egg on pork
 dessert
OMG I wish I could remember what this was, but it was delicious.
  I knew he was away for about 8 weeks and I asked him what was the highlight of his trip.  He showed us his new tattoo; said it took 7 hours to do. Then he was
tight lipped to anything else, although Foobooz says Both Jason Cichonski and Nick Elmi will be competing on this year’s Top Chef (set in New Orleans – OMG MUST SEE TV), premiering Oct. 2 on Bravo. Check out Eater Philly today for a clip from the show featuring Philly’s hottest chefs (It was Eater Philly that hinted that these two would be on the show, and why I was armed with loaded questions for Jason when I had dinner. He was tight lipped.)
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Philadelphia

HughE & Mike’s Excellent Adventure – Day One – Virginia Safari Park

Last week Mike and I headed to Tennesee to visit our friend Erin Como who works for Fox 17 as a reporter.
On our way we had a few adventures. I kept a lot of the details secret
from Mike, so everyday was a little surprise. This was one of the
highlights.

About 5 hours from Philadelphia is the Virginia Safari Park, and it is by far one of the most enjoyable outings a family could have. Just like Great Adventure’s Safari Park the animals roam the grounds freely as cars drive thru their “habitat”, but the difference is you, me, us can feed and pet the animals.

 Each vehicle has the option of buying feed in a bucket.($17 admission per adult, and $4 bucket of feed)
 
 Thankfully we bought 4 buckets as we discovered the animals were pigs.
 Mike’s ready for his close up
 but his new friend
 was ready for dinner. Boy was the car a mess after this.
I think the animals objective was to see how many buckets they could snatch from the visitors.

I lost one to this guy
 There were a lot of butterflies around too.

It takes between 2 and 3 hrs to drive through the Safari

 

 
At the end of the Safari, you can get out and walk through the petting zoo, but we didn’t.

Go visit Virginia Safari Park, you won’t be disappointed. It’s near Lexington, Va and Natural Bridge, Va. Both towns have lots of attractions including cavern’s, historical outings, and a Natural Bridge you can hike to.

Categories
Philadelphia

Jack Daniels Unaged Rye Product Shoot – I love the end result of my first product shoot.

A few weeks ago I shot a new ad campaign for Jack Daniels Unaged Rye at Pennsylvania 6, a new and delicious restaurant. I was so excited to take part in this project. Now only did I shoot the project, but I prepared processed the photos in the sepia tone.

 The layout was done by
Chris Chamberlain
Pioneer Team Sales Representative
& Charmer Sunbelt Mixologist
 I was so excited & nervous as this was one of my first product shoots.
 You’ll recognize these notable mixologist from the Philly area.
 The theme was “Prohibition”
 each bartender was given the ingredient list a few days before
 and they created new drinks based on the ingredients and Unaged Rye from Jack Daniels

 The end results were perfect.
 
This was sent out to our team after the project was done.
“On behalf of the brand team, I want to
thank you for a job superbly done.  This is by far the best execution
we’ve seen with JDUR and exactly what we had in mind when it was
launched.  We appreciate all of your support on our brand’s and keep up
the awesome work.” Brown Forman
Categories
Philadelphia

THROWBACK THURSDAY : THINGS THAT AREN’T THERE ANYMORE

I’m on vacation this week.
*************************
Just a few things I shot over the years where today the landscape has changed

 Can you see the guy on the clock tower
 Wish they would do this again, it was so cool
 These trees
This Best Western wing
Stone Harbor

 skyline
 I miss this one

 Where is he now?
 Calder
 King Tut
 
  These lights
 now a rock garden
 Thanks to Joanne Calabria from CBS3 for coming up with the idea to light the buildings for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 20 years ago, something they do around the world now.