Philly Chit Chat

Yesterday Joe Jonas stopped by Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania to visit with the kids. Jonas was in town to participate in the Q102 Jingle Bell Ball at the Wells Fargo Center. He arrived in town on Tuesday night, and bunked at the Omni Hotel over looking the historic district. In the evening he headed up town with 2 friends, and had dinner at Whiskey Burger. A few people recognized him, but he ate in peace. (Twitter Photo)Surprise, surprise Eagles player, and I mean player, Desean Jackson did show up at G Lounge on Sunday night to celebrate his birthday. But you know a contract’s a contract whether it’s on the field or playing the field. He’s been a trooper (ie signed a contract to appear) and has made appearances at nearly every Sunday night party held at there since the beginning of the season. The party was hosted by Draya of VH1’s “Basketball Wives”, who stopped by Geno’s Sunday afternoon. (Twitter Photo)The following night DeSean attended the 10th Annual Philadelphia Sports Fans Choice Awards, with singer, Dancing with the Stars contestant, Mya. (Now why did I skip that event, ugh. I went last year.) Check out Crunktastical.net for another shot of D-Jac and his birthday cake.

A few weeks ago I headed out with my bud Hadas Kuznits, of KYW Radio to explore the fabulous fall colors of Tinicum Park.
Hadas had just received a camera for her birthday from her husband Dan Reinherz. So now I have a photography buddy.
who likes a good adventure too.
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is administered by the Department of Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is located in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, about 1 mile from the Philadelphia International Airport.We explored the far side of the park, an area I had never been to before.


OMG the sun began to drop and we lost our way on the trails. Poor Hadas had to lead us out of there. I was crippled with fear of the bogey man chopping us in pieces.

Random Fall Shots in The City
Franklin Square
Fairmount Park, across from the Art Museum
Visit PMG creator Isaiah Zagar Philadelphia Magic Gardens on South Street.

Tonight check out the Varga Bar (10th & Spruce) Pin Up Calendar Girl Party 9PM for open bar & snacks.
Today Check out my PhillyMag column, I’ll post a link when it’s live. Thanks and please support my advertiser today: Miss Tootsie and Secrets Limo

Thirty-years ago this December 9th, Philadelphia Police Officer 4699, Daniel Faulkner [aged 25] was killed outside 1234 Locust Street. Today, the burgeoning district is one of the country’s fastest growing nightlife and dining destinations and is the home of The Independent Hotel and the soon-to-open Fish restaurant.

To honor the memory of the fallen officer— Chef Mike Stollenwerk, his team and those from The Independent Hotel have joined forces to purchase and donate a police bicycle to the Sixth Police District. The bicycle, which will be used to patrol the neighborhood, will be given to Philadelphia Police brass in a special outdoor ceremony outside what will soon be the new location of Philadelphia’s best seafood restaurant — Fish. The ceremony will take place at 4pm. Stollenwerk and the crew from the Independent Hotel — including General Manager Jim Evans — will pledge to keep Faulkner’s memory alive outside their respective businesses.
City dignitaries, those close to Faulkner, members of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police and prominent Philadelphians will be in attendance for the press conference.

“We want to honor Officer Faulkner on this 30th anniversary by doing our part to make the district a safer place,” Stollenwerk says. “We thought supporting the local police here in the neighborhood would be the best way to do that.”

The new police bicycle will be put to use immediately in the Sixth District. The cost of a police bicycle is approximately $900-$1100. The bicycle was secured from Jay’s Peddle Power in Fishtown.

Fish, Philadelphia Magazine’s Best New Restaurant [City], 2010 Best of Philly® issue, continues to make a splash by combining culinary innovation, sleek sophistication and imaginatively astute flavor combinations. Fish patrons have come to expect exceptional and knowledgeable service, an accomplished wine program and advanced offerings at the bar. Fish earned a “Three-Bell” [Excellent] rating from The Philadelphia Inquirer’s food critic Craig LaBan and has been featured in The New York Times, among other prestigious publications. Fish will soon be moving to a much larger facility at 1234 Locust Street, the corner of 13th & Locust, at the Independent Hotel.

Fox 29’s Kelley Kramer gets the nod and advances to Fox News in New York City for a producing job.
Recently her friends gathered at Gigi’s in Old City to celebrate with her. (Gigi’s is owned by Survivor castaway Stephenie LaGrosa Kendrick, who’s birthday is today. Happy Birthday Mrs Kyle Kendrick)
Alexis Small Fox, Kelly and Mike Fox
Kelly Kramer’s aunt and dad
Friends
Kelly with her in laws
Here is the lovely lady that produces and edits my video for my segments.

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/good_day_philadelphia/hughe-dillon%27s-latest-party-pics

Kelly with Mike Jerrick’s daughter, and Mike Jerrick
Mayor Nutter’s right hand man, Luke Butler stops by to wish Kelly well.

Congratulations, thanks for all your help at Good Day Philly, I’ll miss our chats.

I wrote in October that Chef Matt Levin formerly of Adsum started working with Brulee Catering (formerly Max & Me), whose parent company is “Guest Counts” earlier this fall. Barry Gutin and Larry Cohen confirm that Matt Levin is going to be at the helm of the exciting new unnamed restaurant at 10th & Walnut Streets in what is currently a Marathon Grill restaurant.

In a Dan Gross column he wrote:
“Expect the 10th & Walnut location of the Marathon Grill to change names in January, although it will remain an American bistro. The change is related to a legal settlement of a case that Bernard Spain and Murray Spain brought against Marathon and the Borish family in June.

We’re told Barry Gutin and Larry Cohen of Cuba Libre (10 S. 2nd) and their company, Guest Checks, will run the new restaurant, which shouldn’t require much down time. The transformation is expected to begin around the first of the year.

LeSean McCoy did an amazing thing on Saturday. He went on a shopping spree at Toys R US on Aramingo Avenue and then delivered the gifts to over (100) children battling cancer that the Kisses for Kyle Foundation serves. Photo Credits- John Alexanian
The former Barette Vance (Soloist at Pennsylvania Ballet) now Mrs Chris Widel at their wedding last month. Wow how romantic. (Photos: Gabriela Mohar)
Bob Seger flew in his private plane to Philly Saturday from NYC with his wife and child, when he landed he went directly to the Denny’s by the airport where he sign autographs and took pics with Team Derek, he was suppose to stay at the Le Meridian but at the last minute checked into the Four Seasons, the rest of the Silver Bullet Band stayed at the Le Meridian.
It was a great concert. He played Drummer Boy Live for the first time, He dedicated “Old Time Rock and Roll” to his daughter Sam and Alto’s daughter Chelsea. loved Philly architecture, whatever that means. played two encores. After the concert he flew back home to Detroit. (photo from Laura Goldman over at Naked Philly, thanks.)
Teuscher Chocolates Philadelphia – In The Bellevue – 200 S Broad St.

Wednesday Varga Bar is having their annual Pin Up Varga Girl Calendar Party. My friend Erin Como is Miss January. Come by and see her and all the girls. I hope to see you.

I was asked to be a judge for the The 1st Annual Cancer is Ugly! Dec. 17 at the City Tap House in University City, 3925 Walnut, but can’t make it because of prior commitments. BUT that won’t stop me from posting the shots on PhillyChitChat and judging for myself. Live music by the Brian LaPann Trio! $40 tickets available with proceeds to benefit LLS. Ticket price includes open bar & hors d’oeuvres. For more information, contact Jessica at jmcgarvey@publichouseusa.com today!

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Wednesday night was crazy in town, with at least 3 “parties” hopping, the Lighting of the Rittenhouse Square Christmas Tree, and Occupy Philly roaming the streets to find a place to be heard, I headed into
the brand spanking new offices of Keller Williams 1619 Walnut Street, in the building that used to house Brassier Pierre. Rittenhouse Row was throwing them a party officially welcoming them to the tony neighborhood.
No holiday party is complete without Santa on hand
Rumor nightclub’s Jaye S. Hamel and Cher Baylor. Love that Jane haircut, and that cool orange dress that Cher has on.
Jessica Scott, Domenic Gallelli is the Founder, President & CEO of Prodigal Private Security Inc and Tiffany Fasone
The decision to purchase your first home is one of the biggest and best decisions you could ever make. After all, a home is the largest (and most emotional) investment most people will ever make. So, how do you know if it’s the right time for you to buy your first home?The Mickey Pascarella Group Keller Williams, Julian Spiker, Luke Kedziora, Mickey Pascarella and Donovan Cheney;
Congratulations are in order for Mickey Pascarella and Philly Daily News reporter, Lauren McCluteon, who are expecting a baby in April.
Food was provided by DiBruno Brothers, Le Castagne and Swiss Bakery.
Inga D’Angelo on the tables. You can catch her Thursday nights at 10 Arts.
Antonio Atacan, The Atacan Group and Georgine Atacan, Director of Team Development for The Atacan Group.
These two get around, Wednesday night Karen Chin and Carl Kabat were at the Keller Williams party, and Thursday I spotted them at the Holiday Party of the Busy Bee Home Design store on South Street.
Stephanie Rybczyk, Tim Beverlin, Ali Warren and Andre Watson
Swiss Haus, I will not eat sweets, I will not eat sweets. I have my last hypnotist appointment this week. I think I need a re-enforcements.
A few real estate agents from other offices. Sometimes another agency might have the perfect house for your client. Well you don’t have to send them to that office, all your agent does is contact them and they you can go check out the house. It’s all about customer service, right? Above Linda Miller, Bryan Delowery, Coldwell and Doris Parent enjoy themselves at the shindig.
In this Keller Williams office there are many agents, and a few agencies. They all rent space, but are under the Kellwer Williams name. They all get to enjoy this terrace.
Denise Spauling, Perry Monastaro, Mark Dann and Bob Buchhofer,
Christian Best, Dayhna Carroll, Keller Williams and Brandon Baily.
NBC10’s Dave Warren, Genevieve Conroy, The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Director of Sales & Marketing and Kim Beverlin. Check out Philly Mag today for the Holiday Party I went to on Saturday night. I ran into Ed and got his reaction to being a new grand-pop, plus news on Lemon Hill’s menu should be live by 10AM, check me out on Fox 29 this morning at 9:30AM.

On Saturday I tweeted that
I noticed I was getting a lot of hits on Friday and Saturday about Jen and Chase and baby
I did a little search myself and the baby’s registry at Babies R Us came up.

Then Sunday night CrossingBroad.com posted an alleged picture of the little tyke on their website that I guess a “Friend” of the Utley’s posted. The baby’s name isn’t Chase, like I thought it might, but it’s still cute as a button as his name is Benjamin Cooper Utley (Cooper is Jen’s maiden name). Check out Crossing Broad for the rest of the details, and Congratulations to the First Couple of Baseball Jen and Chase Utley.

After Checking Out this entry today, read my Philly Mag column on a pretty big Holiday Party that happened last night: http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2011/12/02/hughe-dillon-cashman-christmas-party/

This year TD Bank distributed a whole lotta cute hats to the festive feeling holiday goers who attended the Christmas Tree lighting in Rittenhouse Square on Wednesday night.There was a bustling crowd that I would estimate at a little over 500 peeps on hand for the lighting, many more than in years gone by. Could have been the warm than normal weather, maybe moms and dads want to educate their kids on the Occupy Philly movement, who showed up about an hour before the ceremony, and left before the lights came on, or it could have been an early visit to Santa at TD bank after the lighting.
I ran into a lot of folks that follow me on twitter including Stacy, Haley, Emma and Margaret Brennan. Stacy tweets as @3girlsandswirls Follow her, she’s fun.
After a bit, and the lights came on
Maria Cillella, Courtney Knowlton and Dawn Adamoli
Mary Benedetto, Kevin Lyons, and Scott Malseed
Patrick Mullen
Ilanna Waber and Cori Moskow, of Gloss PR represents Rittenhouse Row. Here are a few more things coming up that you might be interested in:
Our young professionals Holiday Cocktail party and toy-drive at Whisper will be held on Thursday, December 8th. Have you purchased tickets to the holiday cocktail party and toy drive on Thursday? $25 in advance at… http://fb.me/1lx5VvXJ8

The Great Cookie Bake Off Friday December 9, 2011 at the Shops at Liberty Place 1625 Chestnut Street 12PM. They have a Scotto’s Pizza there now, yum!!

Sorry this is a little late, er a lot late today. I took your advice and tried to get more sleep. I didn’t set an alarm and well I could sleep all day. Actually I went and photographed something at noon that I thought was a press conference, but was a lunch presser. Much better, yum Salmon Salad at R2L.
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Wanamaker’s department store was the first department store in the United States . The store was dedicated by President William Howard Taft on December 30, 1911.At its zenith in the early 20th century, there were two major Wanamaker department stores, one in Philadelphia and one in New York City at Broadway and Tenth Street. (Wikipedia)
These days Philadelphia’s first skyscraper is a Macy’s department store, and at Christmas time a great place to start traditions with family. Macy’s Christmas Light Show, formerly the John Wanamaker Christmas Light Show, has been a Philadelphia Wanamaker Store Yuletide Grand Court tradition. Formally known as the Holiday Pageant of Lights, it features the Magic Christmas . At the top of every hour the show delights kids and adults alike.
Wanamaker’s was the home to the Crystal Tea Room restaurant on the 9th floor which closed in 1995; it was restored as a private banquet hall, accommodating sit-down receptions of up to 1,000 people. A Wanamaker’s guidebook from the 1920s states that the Crystal Tea Room was the largest dining room in Philadelphia, and one of the largest in the world. You’ll recall I go to many events that are held at this location. Remember the wild and crazy one I just went to last Wednesday on Thanksgiving Eve and on Saturday I will be attending the Linda Creed Foundation luncheon there. Above Stephen J. Gleason, executive vice president of Wanamaker Building manager Amerimar Enterprises Inc. greets the guests, and chats about the wonderful attributes of the building, and it’s tenants. “We feel the Wanamaker is the best of the old and the best of the new,”
Center City District President Paul R. Levy was presented with The Wanamaker Building Award for Civic Leadership for his profound influence in the local business community and support of Philadelphia commerce. A $5,000 donation was made in his honor to the new Dilworth Project underway at City Hall.

Olivia C. Brown and Iman Butler from the Ritz-Carlton. The Ritz Carlton is going to have a children’s gingerbread making event on December 17.
Mark Focht, Director of Fairmount Park and Bill Mifflin, Executive Director at Philadelphia Hospitality. Mark tells me that parking on the outer lanes of the Parkway between Eakins Oval to 22nd Street, on the left side, is now allowed. The meters are in, and parking can commence. Just know that inbound parking is suspended between the hours of 6:30AM and 8AM and outbound parking on the Parkway, is suspended between 4:30PM and 6PM, to accommodate rush hour traffic. Just read the signs to make sure. It used to be 10hr parking on the Parkway, but now it’s only 3hrs. I have a beef though, it should be 6hr parking. Why would I want to be stressed out visiting the Art Museum or Barnes for 3 hours?