Philly Chit Chat

The Philadelphia Chapter of Little Smiles hosted their Annual Little Smiles Gala on Saturday night March 25, 2023, at the Springfield Country Club. Thanks to Andre Flewellen who photographed the gala.

The Little Smiles Stars Ball is a one-of-a-kind event! Modeled after a Hollywood award show, Stars Ball celebrates incredible children from our very own partner facilities just as we would celebrities! Our children are all nominated by the facilities that we work with for their inspirational stories that have touched the lives of so many.

Yet, their stories are never the same, leaving us in awe of their perseverance. During Stars Ball, our very own STARS get glammed up to walk a red carpet lined with fans and paparazzi. They also get to sign their autograph and take pictures along the way. In addition, the event features a program including highly-anticipated live and silent auctions.

Nargiza Bakaeva, Christine Salerno, Miriam Raines, Nancy Converse, Sydney Hancock, and Susanne Fassino

Samiyah Then-Rabell, Micherly Rabell, Hector Then, and Sabastian Then-Rabell

Stacey Gilroy became part of the Little Smiles family in 2012 when her daughter, Maeve, walked the red carpet as one of our Stars at our annual Stars Ball. That night, Stacey began asking “what can I do to help? How do I get involved?” And the rest is history. From putting together the swag bags for the ball, to assisting with shopping for requests & junk food runs, collecting Halloween costumes, selling tickets for events, fundraising, volunteering at Monte Carlo Night and the Stars Ball…the list is endless. Stacey has been a major supporter of Little Smiles and a champion for the kids we serve. We are forever grateful for all the time and energy Stacey pours into the organization. We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this year’s Big Heart Award. – Little Smiles

“You just had to be there!” This is the phrase many will use when talking about Stars Ball 2023! What an amazing night! No words will do it justice says Felix Agosto about the magical night.

On Thursday, March 16, as basketball enthusiasts gathered for the first day
of the NCAA’s March Madness Tournament, so many disappointments on the court, but there were no disappointments as the

Philadelphia law firm Zarwin Baum hosted their annual party for over 1200 guests at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City, while raising crucial funds for Philabundance.

The Zarwin Baum silent auction is always so impressive with its items ranging from sports memorabilia, a night out on the town and so many unique items like the one Kate Marlys won – a SLIME party. Oh I hope I’m invited, at least to take photos. So fun!!

The atmosphere featured NCAA games on wide-screen TVs throughout the room for the six-hour party. Cheesesteaks, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and wings were all on the menu, it’s a Philly Thing!!

Hughe, Chris Harper, Alicia, Dayna Leaventon, Denethia Durgin, Caroline Foley, Jermaine Jenkins, Ary Modesto and Rob Santorsa (Photo by Andrew Bergman)

Jennifer Gomez and Priscilla Jimenez, ESQ. you have to check out her IG where she gives you thoughtful advice, even Khloe Khardashian took notice.

It was great to have so many sponsors come on board again, it’s beneficial to the hosts as well as to get the word out about services companies have to offer.

Amanda Arroyo, MSW and Michael Newmius, FS Investments
BTW Michael is hiring https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnewmuis/

Chloe’s 7th Birthday Benefiting the Chordoma Foundation is coming up

Academies Annual Gala is Coming Up

Last night Drew and I were at the FS celebrating the good news, when an engagement popped happened nearby. https://www.instagram.com/p/CqLE4IqDtT4/

Thanks Zarwin Baum for another fun March Madness for a Good Cause Philabundance

Philly was just named the best place in the country to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, according to new rankings from WalletHub.

James Beard Award-Winning Iron Chef Jose Garces is proud to announce the grand opening of Amada Radnor this coming Friday, March 17th. Yesterday he held the official Ribbon Cutting of Chef’s original concept Spanish tapas concept which won Garces the Best Chef MidAtlantic James Beard Award in 2009.

Amada Radnor features a stunning 7,000 square foot, 250+ seat dual level restaurant, bar, lounge, private event space, outdoor courtyard and outdoor patio.

With this expansion, Garces comes full circle as Amada was Chef’s first restaurant he opened in 2005 when he went out on his own. This also caps off a banner year, with Garces opening eight new restaurants in less than 12 months.

From the bar, Amada’s wine program exclusively features wines from Spain with over 100 selections from both popular and emerging regions in the country, plus cocktails inspired by Spanish ingredients, and Red and White Sangria. Amada Radnor will also feature brand new Gin Tonic Experiences with a cart that arrives tableside inviting the guests to partake in creating the perfect Gin Tonic to pair with their meal.

The menu will feature an expanded selection of Amada’s signature Spanish tapas (Tortilla Española, Wagyu Brochettes, Amada’s Empanadas) and Paella Valenciana (rabbit and chorizo paella), plus new dishes exclusive to Radnor developed for the on-site wood fired ovens from MiBrasa. And YES, Amada Radnor will feature Chef’s famous Cochinillo Asado (a whole roasted suckling pig). – Which we enjoyed last night. So good.

“Amada is near and dear to my heart,” said Garces. “It was the very first restaurant I opened when I went out on my own in 2005. It will be a great addition to the exciting and rapidly growing Main Line dining scene. We have so many Garces fans from over the years come join us in Old City, and now we are bringing the concept right to them in their own backyards.”

The food was delicious, the space is beautiful, the outdoors is a gem. Amada Radnor is going to be the hot spot on the Main Line this summer and the foreseeable future.

For more about Amada, call 484-429-2158, visit http://philadelphia.amadarestaurant.com/ and follow @amadaradnor on social media. For more about Chef Jose Garces, follow @chefjosegarces on social media.

Philly really is on the lips of everyone lately. We have three sports teams who played in championship games, the legendary Ridley Scott is filming an Apple TV series in town, people are moving into town, and we have another fantastic TV show set in our town: Abbott Elementary.

It’s an American mockumentary sitcom television series created by Philly’s own Quinta Brunson. A group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. (I do love how they turn to the camera sometimes, a la The Office, and speak.)

The break out sitcom also stars Sheryl Lee Ralph, who has been married for the past 17 years to Pa Sen. Vincent Hughes (above) which makes her the first lady of the 7th District . I’ve been covering the couple for 16 years now, and oh how sweet it is!! He was on hand, Wednesday night at Bok Building as we all got to screen the latest episode of Abbott Elementary,which was titled Mural Arts .The episode highlighted Mural Arts Philadelphia (Mural Arts), the nation’s largest public art program, which has helped Philadelphia earn international recognition as the “Mural Capital of the World.”

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, a packed audience of Mural Arts Philadelphia friends, partners, students, and supporters came together in the auditorium at the Bok building to celebrate the work of Mural Arts Philadelphia and watch the much anticipated “Mural Arts” episode of ABC’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series, Abbott Elementary.

The “Mural Capital of the World”

Mural Arts Philadelphia started as an anti-graffiti program in 1984 and has grown to be an international leader with over 4,000 works of community-based public art. Spring is coming, and so is the new Mural Arts Tour Season. INFO Here

Mural Arts Philadelphia Executive Director, Jane Golden, explained how Mural Arts’ work in the Philadelphia community is a prime example of the power of art that ignites change, the impact of art in schools, and how it helps to shape our local landscape, and offers a voice for students. “Our Art Education department demonstrates how art goes far beyond the realm of public space to that of public action, as art is seen not only in terms of physical development and revitalization but also social transformation and change.”

City Representative Sheila Hess (c) spoke from the stage, how the airing of this episode will not only highlight the beautiful work of Mural Arts, but how Mural Arts incorporates students in creating the art work. After the show aired, Quinta tweeted: Thank you all for being part of the show! Mural Arts is one of my favorite things about the city. This episode is actually inspired by the time Mural Arts came to my middle school and helped us create a mural that’s still there today. Love driving by it. Head to Mural Arts to learn more about this great program.

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