Philly Chit Chat

 I loved this event, everyone looked beautiful. I went with my bud Rakia and then I misplaced my notebook and I thought it will show up eventually. It didn’t ugh. So I’m going to try and remember the who what when and where as it was a beautiful event with lovely people.

Ladies’ Day at the Devon Horse Show has been a tradition at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. This year the Ladies’ Day Committee hosted the inaugural Ladies’ Day Tea on Wednesday, May 30 in the Gazebo at the Devon Horse Show & the Devon Club. More than 200 ladies enjoyed  silver-service champagne tea provided by John Serock Catering, there was a jazz ensemble and a plein-air art exhibition presented by Wayne Art Center. Hats and fabulous fashions were encouraged

NBC10′s Bill Henley was one of the judges of the Hat Contest which was sponsored by Cartier. (He stepped into the role after Carson Kressley had to cancel at the last minute.)

Sandra Rinehart (r), her granddaughter Jasen Rinehart (L) who won first prize in the Hat Contest

Patrick Champalou of Cartier, Devon Country Fair co-chair Debbie Martin (polka dot dress), Tea Party event co-chair Jen McGowan greets the crowd

Tara Theune Davis in the black outfit and her besties

Claudia Lanmgaid (2nd from left), Mearah Quinn-Brauner (r) wore hat creations by Beth Beverly of Diamond Tooth Taxidermy

Deborah Van Dusen, sales associate at Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors, Nancy Rainer-Wallace, First V.P. Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Barbara Gilbert, Senior Vice President, The Warner Companies

Sharon Kyriss, Chris Dodsiad, Sondra Tagert and Carolyn Mele attend the event every year.

Katie Brown, Steven Headley and Devon Country Fair co-chair Candy Guinan

Rakia Reynolds is a Public Relations Skai Blue Media, Philly 360 fashion ambassador and mother of three!

Hmm tea sandwiches

My favorite non-traditional hat of the afternoon was by Milica Schiavo who has a unique art of millinery.

My favorite more traditional hat. All proceeds from today’s event went to the Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Note to self: Get there earlier next time. If the invite says starts at 4:30PM, even if you live a block away get there at 3:30PM.

Buy a $35 ticket and get a stage side ticket too. You get a gift bag too I hear.

The Bearded Ladies troupe is hysterical. go see them every chance you get.

Waving Tony Bruno, 97.5 The Fanatic, Jennifer Schloder and Tony Luke, Cheese steak king

people come from all over to participate in the annual event. The local restaurants & bars have menus celebrating the day. Have you been to Fairmount lately, there are a lot of new restaurants: Fare, Hickory Lane, Lemon Hill and a whole bunch I haven’t tried yet. Check out Open Table to see what’s here.

Marie Antoinette – (Terry Berch McNally of London Grill & Paris Wine Bar & event founder) and her court

 Let them eat Tasktykakes. Did you know that Marie & gang had been saying that for years, and the Tastykake company would never send them any as ESP requested. So they would throw twinkies and still say Tastykake giving them all that free promo despite their stinginess. Well I found out and complained on my blog about it, & tweeted it about 3 years ago, and then Tastykakes sent 300 packages. Yes only 300. This year they sent 3000. THANK YOU TASTYKAKE!!!

I love how people brought nets and took off their hats to catch the TASTYKAKES

Eastern State Penitentiary wants you to know that they are open daily and give tours. For Info go here.

The peasants

Edif Piaf and Marie Antoinette being lead to the gallows

Pardoned

ohhh I forgot the reign of terror. You’ll just have to go next year to see that segment.

Gabe Canuso, Janet and Stephen Mullin

Maria Papadakis and her fiance Brendan Kent joined Mike Toub (Happy Birthday Mike & it’s our 18th anniversary too. Scary. BTW we met in college.) and I for the days festivities.

Kisses

Jennie Hatton, Profile PR, Scott Baver and his Terry Baver

This year festivities will included a host of French fare from co-owner Chef Michael McNally, beer from Yards and Kronenbourg, the perennial favorite Marie Antoinette cocktail which was served after the historical reenactment of the events of the French Revolution starring London Grill/Paris Wine Bar co-owner Terry Berch McNally as Marie Antoinette.   “This year, with the opening of Paris Wine Bar, we’ll be throwing our wildest and grandest Bastille Day Block Party yet,” says Berch McNally, and they did.

Terry McNally and family at London Grill

Anne Callahan, and Charles Croce, CEO of the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent. .

Wednesday at about 5PM I tweeted to @JLo asking if she were in town after someone super nice sent me a tip that she was at Franklin Square Park with the kids. My tipster told me Jen, Casper, the nanny, all rode the carousel (while the security guard stood by and the driver stayed in the SUV parked in the bus zone.), the kids posed for photos with the flowers and the Memorial, and even had Square Burgers, Jennifer Lopez had a veggie burger.  When the tip came in I was a little surprised as I hadn’t even heard she was in town. Later that night, after I got back from watching “Funny Girl” at the Suzanne Roberts Theater, I read in Dan Gross’ column that sure enough she was in town and staying at the Ritz. So that’s where I headed the next day. I waited for about 2 hours before I got a tip that she was some where else shooting a commercial and doing print ads for her clothing line that’s sold at Kohl’s department store. Then I learned later she was on the Today Show and she had checked out at 7AM. Nonetheless it was fun to see the dancers from her concert tour pack up, including a wake board, which seemed odd at the time. I meant to take a pix of it but had just arrived when the board was being put on the bus.

I headed down to 101 Walnut Street (the 8th floor was J Lo’s make up room. Starr Restaurant Caterers provided the snacks for the shoot.). The shoot was on the penthouse floor  (check out the pool on the roof) and well I would have to wait til they left maybe for lunch as it was nearing 1PM.

It turned out that they had already gone out to lunch and returned about 1:30PM to the shoot. The security guards told us to stand on one side or the other of the car. I thought oh maybe she’s going to roll down the window and sign for Team Derek. That was not the case. They pulled right in then shut the gate. I remembered that the wall to the loading dock was low about half way around the building so I ran to try and get a shot of them.

It wasn’t the best shot, but it was a shot none the less. Sometimes after waiting for so long, or anticipating for a glimpse I just want to get a shot, a picture is more proof then just saying it happened. It’s a record.  Then I left, I was satisfied with seeing J-Lo & Casper, plus I had the QFest opening and Amber Rose to shoot later that evening. I chatted about the J Lo sighting and Amber Rose event on Fox 29’s Good Day on Friday. Check it out. I’ll be back on the air next Friday at 9:50AM. This week look for Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Richard Dreyfuss and Liam Hemsworth to begin filming Paranoia here in Philly. Which I reported way back on May 8, 2012  Up next a Spike Lee film with Denzel Washington. Thank you very much to all my tipsters who helped me get this exclusive story.

Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

This week in Philly there’s a few notable events in Philly, both are on Thursday night, at the same time. The Ryan Howard celebrity server event makes it’s way back to Morton’s again. Hopefully this won’t be the last time we see Cole Hamels serve up something good for the Phillies fans. It’s sold out so if you wanna get a glimpse of your favorite players in their street clothes hang on the sidewalk about 6:45PM, no promise on the autographs or photos though. Ryan Howard’s Morton’s Celebrity Server Event befitting the Ryan Howard Foundation.

We’re Sticking To Our Purpose… NO BULL! …well okay, maybe just one 😉

 Lisa Moreno-Dickinson Founder of Stop Caid

StopCAIDNow’s (www.StopCAIDNow.org) first celebrity bull-riding tournament aimed at raising money and awareness for CAID! 

Teuschers Chocolate

I was out all day Thursday tracking down J-Lo. When I got the tip on Wed that she was at Franklin Square Park I was kinda in disbelief. Then I got solid info a few hour later. So Thurs I set out to find Jenny from the block. 

Watch Good Day Philly today at 9:50AM to see where she did her interview for the Today Show yesterday morning, and for stories and photos from the day, including Amber Rose. In the meantime check out yesterday’s Philly Mag Online for some fun pix & gossip from the Ommegang competition.

http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2012/07/12/hughe-dillon-ommegang-hop-chef/

HGTV’s “House Hunters” on Thursday, July 19, at 10:00 pm EST 

Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty

One
of our beautiful listings in Philadelphia will be on HGTV’s “House
Hunters” on Thursday, July 19, at 10:00 pm EST. Tune in to watch!

 For the past three months Sigourney Weaver, Sebastian Stan, James Wolk, Carla Gugino, Adrian Pasdar, Ellen Burstyn and Ciarán Hinds, quietly filmed the USA Television Network’s political drama “Political Animals” in Philly (not much has been written about the show or sightings and I just kept saving all my stuff to someday use on Fox 29 or maybe a write up. It was a busy social spring and I just never got to to it). 

Lured by the Pennsylvania’s generous Tax Credit, the film is set in Washington DC, but was filmed in our fair city putting to work many local production crews, set designers, security, drivers and countless others.  PA’s Tax Credit offers a 25 percent tax credit, plus a hotel tax exemption and
allowing free use of state-owned property. For more info, visit the Film in PA Web site. Philadelphia offers free police assistance under certain conditions and free security site assessment. Click here for the link to the Greater Philadelphia Film Office.  Sigourney stars as former first lady and current
Secretary of State, Elaine Barrish Hammond, (the producers insist it’s not autobiographical, but maybe just inspired by Hillary.) who is attempting to keep
her family together while simultaneously dealing with crises of the
State Department and fending off the hungry DC journalist Susan Berg (Gugino) who is bent on destroying her career, as she puts in, when in reality Susan Berg just wants to get the story.

A lot of the filming took place in a large warehouse in Southwest Philly, which was fitted with a replica Oval Office (the same one that was used in West Wing), a situation room, an interior of Air Force One, and an expansive townhouse set for the Hammond family with a dining area, kitchen, bedrooms and patio. Upstairs in the building is the newspaper office (complete with paper- and book-littered offices) of the fictional Washington Globe, where reporter Susan Berg works. Occasionally they would film in Center City and you would see signs like the one above directing the “Elephants” (ie actors) to their holding room until the scene was shot.

The same week that Dead Man Down was filming on Walnut Street, Political Animals was filming at the Bellevue at the Hyatt. It’s there I caught Sigourney as she entered  to film a few scenes on the 17th Floor of what will be called the “Rideway Hotel” in Washington DC. BTW Weaver was being cagey about getting her photo taken, but smart enough to put a baseball cap on to promote the show.

Later in the week they would film a scene at the hotel in the Grand Ballroom, which called for 500 extras. I ran into someone I know who flashed the T-Shirt he was given to wear for the scene. I could have been an extra that day too, but because of Colin Farrell I had to pass on it. Good thing too, the scene took 12 hours to film.

WOW!!

Another Day I caught them rehearsing for a scene that was filming in Raw/Sumo Lounge which fronts both Chestnut and Sansom Streets.That’s Ciarán Hinds (Elaine’s ex-husband, former president Bud) crossing the street in blue shirt.

This is the shot at night on Chestnut St. During the day the shot consisted of a business meeting, but at night the club was used for a

red carpet party. Thanks to Michael Tomasetti, Chatterblast, for the use of this photo.

One night I got a tip that they were going to be filming at midnight in Fairmount Park with elephants. I tried to sneak “near” the set to get a photo. (this is a screen shot from a preview) Unfortunately my headlights can’t be turned off and the police kicked me out  telling me it was past the curfew of the park.  Until I saw this photo I thought maybe Sigourney was going to do a Republican advert or something. Now I can see that it was probably the two characters meeting at the zoo. Of course they can’t use the Phila Zoo because they don’t have elephants.

A bit of time went by and I didn’t hear much about the filming. There were sightings Sebastian Stan had dinner at The Corner the night of the Sumo Lounge filming (both places are owned by Tony Rim.), The entire cast at at Le Castange at 19th and Chestnut when they first arrived.  Running over lines, getting to know each other for about 4 hrs. Sigourney ate at Parc, plus a.kitchen and went to a show at the Academy of Music. Carla was spotted walking around Washington Square Park. (I heard she had rented a house near 21st & Delancy.) The only thing that was slightly annoying about the production was their reluctance to give local press. Not me per se, but CBS3 Talk, NBC 10’s The Ten Show and of course Fox29’s Good Day Philadelphia.

Then last week, the night I photographed Greg Louganis at Parx Casino, I got a tip that Sigourney Weaver and Carla Gugino were filming in Fitler Square Park. That was the night of the big storm, it was about 90F at 9PM when they filmed these scenes, a winter scene.   Check out the coats they had to wear.

In between scenes Sigourney stayed in character while being fanned by an assistant.

Political Animals is a limited series that will premiere on Sunday (July 15) on the USA Network at 10PM. I have seen the clips and the show is going to be a smash hit. I just hope they can make it into a series except Weaver has a full plate with a movie coming out this Friday, then in the fall opening on Broadway with Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and has Avatar 2 to film shortly after that.

Executive Leaders Radio, in conjunction with the Entrepreneurs Forum of
Greater Philadelphia, hosted the CEO Philanthropy Awards breakfast to
recognize CEO’s for their leadership, devotion and commitment to their
communities. These awards
not only recognize their devotion to supporting their communities by
giving back, it also looks at how they themselves have been role models
within their companies and communities.

Bruer Kershner of Kershner Office Furniture, and Sandy Lovascio of Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

Jeff Baker, David Lipson and Matt Feeney.

Mary Meder of Harmelin Media, and Tony Gillespie of the Special Olympics.

More than two dozen Philadelphia business leaders picked up awards June 26 for their contributions to area non-profit groups at a special breakfast sponsored by Executive Leaders Radio and the Entrepreneurs Forum of Greater Philadelphia. Executive Leaders Radio with Hosts Herb Cohen and Dean Schwartz conducts “elite interviews” of prominent CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CIOs and Presidents focusing on “what makes people tick.”

Torpey White. Director, Consulting Services at EisnerAmper LLP and Matt Feeney.

Karen Negrin and Monica Malpass of 6ABC Action News.

Rob Lightman and Gary Bagin, Chief Marketing Officer, Stradley Ronon

Co-host of executive leaders radio Mike Manion,  Peggy Dolan, Executive Director at Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, and Robert Petcove, Think Benefits, Think ABA | Innovative and Customized Employee Benefits Firm

Anthony Mongeluzo, President, Pro Computer Service and pilotLight Studios and Michael Dublin.

Mike Manion, Bernhardt Wealth Management, Heather Quinn, Executive Leaders Radio, Gordon Bernhardt, Bernhardt Wealth Management and Faith Smith, Executive Leaders Radio,

Dean Schwartz and Dr. Gloria Donnelly

Keith Baldwin and Dean Schwartz

Carl Webster of Easter Seals and Joe Murray of First Financial Group accepting for Harris Fishman.

Award Recipient: Marcos Lopez eXude Benefits Presented by: Salvation Army

Brian Schmitt Kids N Hope foundation and Bruce Foulke of American Heritage Credit Union.

Toni Pergolin from Bancroft and Martin Bieber of Kennedy Health System.

Jaine Lucas Temple University and Ray Carballada Shooters, Inc.

Award Recipient: Meryl Levitz, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. accepted by Angela Val. Vice President of Special Projects at Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation Presented by: Historic Philadelphia – Amy Needle

In all, 27 CEOs picked up awards. They included:

Award Recipient: Tom Woodward, Bank of America                                                       
Philabundance

Award Recipient: Marilyn Willetts, Majek Fire Protection
Presented by: Samaritan Health

Award Recipient: Harris Fishman, First Financial Group
Presented by: Easter Seals

Award Recipient: Marcos Lopez eXude Benefits
Presented by: Salvation Army

Award Recipient: Bruce Foulke, American Heritage Federal Credit Union
Presented by: Kids N Hope Foundation

Award Recipient: Martin Bieber, Kennedy Health System
Presented by: Bancroft

Award Recipient: Ray Carballada, Shooters, Inc.
Presented by: Temple University

Award Recipient: Robert E. Keith, Jr., TL Ventures
Presented by: Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Award Recipient: Meryl Levitz, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.
Presented by: Historic Philadelphia

Award Recipient: William McNabb, The Vanguard Group
Presented by: Philabundance

Award Recipient: Herman Weinrich, Timoney Knox, LLP
Presented by: Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund

Award Recipient: Jim McCaffrey, McCaffrey’s Supermarkets
Presented by: Friendship Circle

Award Recipient: Michael Wilson, FMC Corp.
Presented by: Philabundance

Award Recipient: Ross Born, Just Born
Presented by: Alex’s Lemonade Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Award Recipient: Jim Hennessy, E4 Services
Presented by: Children’s Crisis Treatment Center

Award Recipients: Peter Boni, SafeGuard Scientifics and Doug Alexander, ICG
Presented by: Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)

Award Recipient: Bruer Kershner, Kershner Office Furniture
Presented by: Society of the Holy Child Jesus
Award Recipient: Rev Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, IBC Foundation

Presented by: Drexel University’s 11th Street Family Health Services

Award Recipient: Grant Rawdin, Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC

Presented by: Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition

Award Recipient: Dan Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross

Presented by: Back on my Feet
Award Recipient: Mike Carbone, TD Bank Financial Group
Presented by: Boys and Girls Club Of Camden

Award Recipient: Ron Flaherty Univest Insurance

Presented by: The Iron Andy Foundation
Award Recipient: David E. Shuey, Willis Group

Presented by: Arthritis Foundation

Award Recipient: Mary Meder, Harmelin Media

Presented by: Special Olympics
Award Recipient: William Mignucci, DiBruno Bros.

Presented by: Ronald McDonald House
Award Recipient:  Anthony Bartolomeo, Pennoni Associates, Inc
Presented by: Philadelphia Youth Network

Award Recipient: Angus Russell, Shire
Presented by: Philabundance

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is fulfilling his long-time dream of launching his own fashion line. Vick’s sports-apparel line, named V7, is in a licensing partnership
with celebrity clothing-line mogul Ruby Azrak and former ICM talent
agent Brian Sher, according to The Wall Street Journal.

V7 will be launched on Wednesday, to be exclusively sold at Modell’s Sporting Goods stores through 2012. 25 of 30 stores are located in the Philadelphia area.

He’s grateful to the people who have forgiven him for something he regrets and now knows was wrong.

Twitter pixs

 Chatting about his redemption, discussion of his recent marriage to Kijafa Frink, who will now be known as Kijafa Vick she told me yesterday. His passion working with Animal Welfare. Helping to bring awareness to dog fighting, speaking to kids on the history of it and how to avoid doing it, and moving on with life in God’s good grace.

See Michael Vick today at Modell’s at Noon at the Modell’s Cottman Avenue store (Show map of 2329 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19149)  then at 5PM at the Snyder Ave store            (15 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148).