Philly Chit Chat

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), is a national nonprofit organization with the mission of empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. As an education and support organization, the organization’s goal is to help all women affected by breast cancer take an active role in their ongoing recovery or management of the disease, regardless of educational background, social support or financial means.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer 354 West Lancaster Ave., Suite 224

Haverford, PA 19041 Phone: 610.645.4567

A few weeks ago LBBC held a sponsor cocktail party at Le Castagne 1920 Chestnut Street, with David Hall & Creg Oosterhart and Jennifer & Albert Simmons in attendance and who are co-chairs of the Butterfly Ball on November 12, 2011 in Philadelphia with Maureen & Nathan Doran, and Karen & Christopher Gagnier.



Geoff Harden, Nicole Meyenberg, Assistant Vice President at Fairmount Ventures

Making a difference Jean Sachs,CEO at Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Beth Haas

Mit Joyner, Lynn Marks, Jeanne Marren Egan

Elizabeth McDermott, James McDermott, Peter Perrota and Albert Simmons. Peter, who is an opera singer, lost his wife recently to breast cancer, and entertained the gathered guests. He has lent his support to LBBC as he knows the importance of the services it provides, especially to those who are not in good financial standing.

Jil Blatstein and Jacki Blumenfeld

Brooks, Caroline Kallman Joffe, Rachel Gold all from Govberg Jewelers; For almost 20 years, LBBC has made a mark on breast cancer history and now services over 60,000 women who are in need of breast cancer resources and support. At Club 20, LBBC will announce its plans for a year-long celebration to recognize 20 years of service to women and families affected by breast cancer – using The Butterfly Ball as the anniversary’s official kick off.

This year’s Going Beyond Honorees have had an instrumental impact on the direction that LBBC has taken over the last two decades. Ann Ricksecker, Mark Plamondon, Lynn Marks, Mit Joyner and Lisa Bayard have all served as chairs on LBBC’s board of directors, and their leadership has been evident through LBBC’s innovation throughout its history in the breast cancer movement. LBBC’s very own Jean Sachs, MSS, MLSP, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer, will be presented with LBBC’s top honor: The Founder’s Award.

Last Week at Trust there was a party for a single and ready to mingle guy named Sherman and it was packed.

Debonair, Sherman is a frequent at Rittenhouse Square hobnobbing with all the pretty ladies and relaxing at his favorite watering holes like Rouge and Parc. Life wasn’t always so grand for Sherman as you see he’s

a rescue dog, having been abandoned by his first family, Sherman was later adopted and raised in a loving home with parents that waned him. No longer are his dog days filled with despair, he wants to give back to the community at large. These days Sherman is a spokesdog for spay/neuter and adoption and with sound relationship advice for man and beast to live by.



Traveling in style Sherman arrives at his party, which was held in the famed Real World House now called Trust at 3rd and Arch Streets

I’m too sexy for this collar, Sherman makes his way down the red carpetto the delight of Sheila Willard (Sherman’s Aunt), Loretta Santisni, and Julie Gallagher, mbox communications, llc. Another debonair gentleman is in the room, Steve Rockman with friend Table 31’s Tamar Olitsky

Joe Kitchen and photographer Felicia Penetti

Eric Cahill and Dana Spain. Captain Cahill is shipping off overseas to defend our country soon. I’ll miss him, he’s a great guy. Thank you sir!!



Sherman’s human parents: Rich and Susan Lambour

Beatrice Todd and LaRoy Potts.14 TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP

Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered.

Animal overpopulation is a problem facing cities all over the world. Besides preventing unwanted litters, having your pet spayed or neutered can be beneficial to their health! Identification Tags Save Lives.

Make sure to have a collar and tag on your pet at all times, even if it is an indoor pet. Many lost animals find their way home because of ID tags. Also, consider a microchip, which is embedded under the skin and helps reconnect pets with families.

Helene Eksterowicz and Danny Benenfeld

Sherman has fun bling for you to buy, including T-Shirts “I’d Rather Be Humping” and “Get Fixed”

Christie Honigman, Caitlin Fasano and CJ Honigman

Joyce Leslie owner Hermine Gewirtz , David Lawson and Sue Myers. Mrs Gewirtz tells me that Joyce Leslie is her daughters name.

Tom Rossomando of The People-Pet Partnership and Paul Pilladi Writer/Director enjoyed the festivities. Jayne Peyton, Pet Pages, Mark Beyerle, Janice Tangradi, and Peter Madden

Sherman is currently looking for dogs and cats to build his entourage. There will be an online module created for owners to submit pictures and bios and users can vote animals into the posse. check out Sherman here on his Throne The sale of the first 100 books go directly to PAWS. 10% thereafter. We are partnering to cross promote Sherman and the PAWS mission. PAWS Board Members:

Michele DiVeterano, Salvatore Patti, Dana Spain and Jeffrey Ruge

Style Me Hired is a Philadelphia first… and we are inviting you to be a part of it! Join us for an exclusive event bringing the beauty industry into the spotlight for a worthy cause. On Monday, September 26, 2011, 25 salons will join together to provide makeovers to 100 women who are unemployed due to the economic recession. Style Me Hired will give these women the boost to their confidence that they need to successfully land a job! “A makeover can offer a tremendous boost to a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Such an enhancement to one’s overall self-worth can result in increased energy and motivation to network and job hunt.” -Michael R. Plumeri, Psy.D. Marc Voci Salon and Colorbar has partnered with The Career Wardrobe, the nation’s largest independent non-profit organization serving women transitioning into the workforce and recognized leader in the Philadelphia woman’s community. This event will incorporate and showcase members of Philadelphia’s beauty industry including boutiques and designers, media outlets including fashion/lifestyle magazines, newspapers and social media, high-profile makeup artists.

Women will reveal their new look at a reception hosted by the Omni Hotel. We will choose several women to provide media interviews discussing their experience and what it meant to them. Directors chairs will be strategically placed around the space where salons can do real-time makeovers on some of the women. We still need a few: Download Salon Participation FormGet Involved Today! Media Relations:
Lisa Bien – lisa@bienmarketinggroup.com
Garden Wellington – garden@bienmarketinggroup.com Salon Participation:
Marc Voci – mvoci@aol.com Make Over Candidates and Volunteers:
Sheri Cole – sheri@careerwardrobe.org

Thursday is the new Friday, it really is and it’s been that way for awhile. Thursday is like the weekend for folks that live in Philadelphia. The weekend brings the bridge and tunnel crowds so they can sleep in on the weekend, but Thursday nights belongs to Philadelphian’s cause there’s not much traveling to get to enough sleep before work on Friday. And that’s why I love going out on Thursday’s to see where it’s going on.
I started my day out at Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia. I am so excited to be working there. #1 I now have a broader audience to get the good word out, on charity and their events and who was there. My goal has always been to promote the good going on in Philly, and having the three media components of Philly Mag, Good Day and PhillyChitChat I think I have it covered. At Philly Mag I will be writing an extensive column once a week of an event, then throughout the week I they will be publishing One Shots which are fun notable shots I take in my travels. Fox 29 Good Day I’m gonna tell you the scoop about who went where, what were they doing and who were they with, all fun stuff not down and dirty for me. Like last night James van der Beek ate at a.kitchen with the whole family. He was playing with his little girl and they were all laughing. So sweet. (Thanks to a reader for that tip.) Then with PhillyChitChat I’ll be covering everything else from random pictures to events, to celebs. Thank you so much for your support. Also big apologies to the folks I need to write back. I will this week coming up.

The National Association of Black Journalists convention is in town. So much fun, joy, support education going on with the convention. I’ll write more on it next week. After I left a full day of the convention, which by the way I forgot to get myself credentialed, but just blended in with the crowd to gain entrance into some of the events so I could promote them which is ironic by the way. And thanks to you, the 2 people (writer who I admire, and PR peep) who tried with a passionate plea on my behalf saying you don’t know who this guy is you can’t issue him a pass. Well they said they knew who I was but still couldn’t go against the late policy because in Philly they over issued credentials. That was probably one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. I’ll still be covering it cause my readers need to know about this very important event that’s happening right now in our City. (By the way can someone get me a credential for tonights party at Electric Factory.) NBC’s Monique Braxton and Fox 29’s Shenielle Jones
After the convention I ran over to Sampan and met Laura Burkhardt to catch up. We ran into Laura Kim, who used to be the manager there. She’s traveled to Japan since we last saw her. She looks fab. Both these ladies are doing separate creative services which will be a big assist to us all.
Laura got to try the Smore’s which I told you about the other night. For $9 you get 3 of these delicious treats.
On our way out we ran into Karen Gross and Brett Silver. Brett is the father of social photos in Philadelphia, although he never did a diary version like Philly Chit Chat. He was and is still so generous in his knowledge and has been helpful. Yesterday he gave me a crash course on advertising and how to approach it. Another hat I’m going to have to wear shortly. Cabaret singer Karen Gross has another show coming up 10/28 at the Tin Angel. It’s going to be called Black Cat Cabaret and will also costar Doogie Horner, astand-up comedian, writer, and graphic designer. He was a semifinalist on America’s plus Jeremy Dyen, stellar pianist/singer/songwriter who performs with the likes of John Legend, G-Love and Mutlu
After a bit Brett tells me that our mutual friend Ashley Cook, Phlare Magazine
was over at Time. So we headed there to find Ashley with sister Ali Cook and beau Alex Jackson
Then I headed over to Del Frisco’s to see who was about. What I found was the NW University Alumni Party at Del Frisco’s which is part of NABJ Convention- Del Frisco’s of Philadelphia. General Manager: Rich Furino, Emerald Morro, Tony Payton Jr., Syan Rhodes (Reporter WESH Orlando) , Adrienne Samuels, Sr Editor of Ebony Magazine. Shelton Mercer III – Did you see my coverage of the NABJ events today on Fox 29’s Good Day?
Upstairs I ran into movers and shakers. Tony Rufo, Drew Milstein and Tommy Domalski. Of course I sat down and had dinner with them, I get to hear the most fascinating stories of the future of Philadelphia.
Then it was on to Table 31 for Ladies Night Out andCarol Tamburino’s Birthday Party. Happy Birthday Carol!!
Upstairs I ran into Brynne Ashton, Arthur Kade (have you seen his new direction) and Lauren Richmond. I got to tell her where her friends the van der Beek’s ate dinner tonight. (Someone had tipped me off while they were actually in the restaurant, but I passed on shooting them as I didn’t want to spoil their night. They’re kinda media shy. I think only Alicia Vitarelli from ABC6 got an interview and that’s because she showed up during filming.)
Kristin Foote, Sabrina Tamburino-Thorne, Carol Tamburino and Sharon Coia
Then it was off to Whisper. Denethia Durgin and Stephanie Morrison who I forgot to send to Fox Good Day this morning. Sorry girls I slipped. Stop me next time.
It was packed for the NABJ Sports Task Force Party
a great time was had by all
Including my buds from ABC6 Niki Hawkins and Shirleen Alicott and friends
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide
My beautiful bud The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Fashion Writer Elizabeth Wellington as I left Whisper at 2AM to get my beauty sleep and to hopefully rid myself of the migraine I had since I woke up. I hope I was pleasant to everyone even though I was in pain, but I felt I had to go out there were stories out there that needed to be told. See you on Twitter @iphillychitchat and follow my associates @Good_Day_Philly and @PhillyMag too.

Maintaining its long-standing tradition of supporting HIV/AIDS charities, Kiehl’s Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, will embark on the second annual Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR, a seven-day charity motorcycle ride, which officially launched in Center City Philadelphia, at Kiehl’s Since 1851 at 1737 Walnut Street on Monday. Several celebrities participated in ride into Philly which in the end will be a 1300 mile loop over 5 days, ending up in Manhattan, where 160 riders will join the LifeRiders for a parade through Manhattan’s streets, on Saturday Aug 6th (if you’re in Manhattan, please join us for a good party), ending up at the Kiehl’s original flagship store in the East Village (109 3rd at 13th).
Above model Tyson Beckford
Jason Lee, best known for playing “My Name is Earl.” Currently in Memphis Beat on TNT.
Everyone’s favorite chef Jennifer Carroll with Tyson Beckford, and Chris Salgardo (President, Kiehls USA

Tricia Helfer smoking on the concrete “red carpet”
President of Kiehl’s USA, Chris Salgardo looking every-bit of a motorcyclist.
Tyson Beckford, amfAR CEO Kevin Frost, actor Justin Chatwin and President of Kiehl’s Chris Salgardo.
Actress Tricia Helfer is a Canadian actress and former model, best known for her role as Number Six in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactic
I happened to be near the Art Museum later in the day to photograph the movie Backwards with James van der Beek on the Rocky Steps (See my piece on Fox 29 this morning about that shoot). Look who I saw over at the Rocky statue: Artist Conrad Leach, photographer Paul d’Orleans, actor Justin Chadwin, and in front actor Grant Reynolds

Last night I headed over to the Philadelphia Media Network Headquarters for a night of fun, fashion, and festivities and to celebrate both the kick-off of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) national convention being held here in Philadelphia this year and the launch of Philly.com/style. (above Bridget Gannon checks people in at guest services) Which is a true reflection of Philadelphia fashion with a veteran team of fashion writers that include Elizabeth Wellington, Jenice Armstrong and Reuben “Big Rube” Harley.
Guest, Rob Waserman and Daily News Publisher Larry Platt greeted me as I came through the door.
The spectacular, expert fashion writer Elizabeth Wellington on the right with NABJ Vice President-Print Deirdre M. Childress is an award-winning editor for The Philadelphia Inquirer. (Elizabeth and I spent many an afternoon at NYC Fashion Week together in between shows.)
The fabulous Bobbie Booker, stellar reporter of the Philadelphia Tribune, and Cari Feiler Bender
As part of the cocktail party a fashion forum was held. Left to right, Marnie Hall, Elizabeth Wellington, Big Rube and Jenice Armstrong. Giving opening remarks is Greg Osberg, the publisher and Chief Executive Officer for the Philadelphia Media Networks. (To find Marnie Hall’s video gossip/in the know news, look under video. For ever I was looking under entertainment where Dan Gross and Michael Klein were indexed, and where in my unexpert opinion Marnie should be too. I don’t think of her as only video, but more of entertainment. I’m a huge fan as Marnie like myself, fell into this business and discovered our passion.)
Kathy Times is the 18th President of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) (PS I forgot to send in my press credential application. I will apply today, and hope I won’t get turned away because I want to cover this hugely important event. I will be covering it for PhillyChitChat, Philly Magazine and Fox 29 Philadelphia.)
Marnie Hall. The setting for the forum was on one of the terraces of the Philadelphia Inquirer Building. For me just being inside this building was a thrill since I’ve been reading the paper since I was about 7. Recently I now subscribe to the IPad version, and it is so awesome to read it on that device. Plus they give three licenses, so I have one, my partner Mike has one for his IPad and we can look at it on our computers. Well worth it. I hear they are working on a combo for both newspapers, which would be great as I still buy the Daily News especially on Friday when my buddy Big Rube has his Street Gazing column.
Since the beginning of my blog Big Rube has always been a huge supporter of mine, crossing my lens with some of the most stylish and hawt ladies. So excited to see him hone his talents and be noticed by Larry Platt and the Philadelphia Media family and give him an outlet to expose Philly style to the masses.
Bruce and Michelle Shannon with Nicole Ross Giles, who’s recently returned to the Greater Philadelphia Film Office to head up the Director, Marketing & Multicultural Affairs.
Very stylish Natasha Reed Bailey and Lafayette Sanders. Check out the video of the forum to hear Elizabeth Wellington give a detailed informative narrative of how sports jerseys, then vintage jerseys influence the style of rappers, and then the end of the era. And Jenice Armstrong’s opinions on men who wear them.
Jenice Armstrong has put sexy singles in the spotlight with her yearly picks of the who’s who of the singles scene in Philadelphia. As a guy who covers the Philly Social Circuit I can tell you that I know at least a half dozen names, I don’t want to spoil anything but one’s a cook, then there’s the heart breaker and another who became enlighten after a heartache made him reconsider his path to fame. Above is NBC10’s Erin Como Sexy Single 2009, who has since found love with her childhood boyfriend Danny Schuyler
The amazing view from the terrace
Big Rube and Michael Mercanti. So excited to meet Michael as he processed my photos for the 3 years my photos appeared in Michael Klein’s column. We had only communicated via email.
The Marnie Hall Gossip Team: Nick Grieves and Marnie Hall
Another photographer that I really admire is SARAH J. GLOVER / Inquirer Staff Photographer here with Bob Butler, VP Broadcast NABJ, Maurice Foster, Sarah, guest, Greg Lee and someone else I thought I had a name for. Thank you National Association of Black Journalists for choosing Philadelphia for your convention. Enjoy your time here. Check out our many fine restaurants, I hope Bob Butler and friends enjoyed 10 Arts that I recommended last night. For more info on where to go and what to see check out: Visit Philly

The girls wanted to take me out to dinner for my birthday last week. Sounded good to me. We picked my favorite restaurant of late and headed to Opa. Neither Erin Como or Lauren Richmond had tried the new modern Greek restaurant at 1311 Sansom St in Midtown Village.We ordered several different plates, but the entire tabled agreed that the shrimp/pasta dish was the best. Erin even went to say it was the best dish she ever had. Chef Andrew Brown told us that he makes the dish using Heirloom tomatoes from Lancaster, South Jersey Tomatoes, shrimp from Louisiana (he told me he wants to help the economy in that area since their disaster,) and home made pasta with squid ink. $16 and worth every bit of it.
Then we quick ran over to Sampan, as I wanted everyone to try the new Smore’s dessert I had at Izakaya on Saturday, but it was 11 and the kitchen had just closed (it’s open later Wed – Sat). Check out this new seating Sampan in the front. It compliments the wood facade. I love the durability, comfort and innovated idea.
Erin Como, (Been doing the traffic over there at NBC Philadelphia) Lauren Richmond (being bombarded after it’s come out she’s buds with James and Jennifer van der Beeks), and Maria Papadakis (as beautiful as ever) with Frank Bojanzi and the singer Taragirl. (Not pictured Lee from Hop Sing Laundromat who joined us [and informed me of the opening of his bar: shortly he says.) We then ran to Barbuzzo right after I took the photo below. Thankfully no one put a candle in the ice tea I was drinking.

Every year Philly Mag has a bash for the hard-working businesses/folk they’ve picked for our “Best of Philly” issue.

Thursday night at Vie, the newly renovated building that once housed the Wilkie car dealership. The space will eventually become the Cescaphe event hall, with nearby space being turned into Stephen Strarr and Marc Vetri restaurants.
Alan Langlieb, Kelly Boyd, and James Scott (I am only as good as your handwriting. Hope I got that first name right.)
Thom Weaver, Artistic Director Fussy Point Theater Co and Madi Distefano, Plays and Players, Brat Productions Best After Hours – Quigs Pub

Saturday I went to the huge food event called the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival with Food Network’s chefs Sunny Anderson, Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Pat and Gina Neely. This was the third year for the festival, hosted by the Caesar’s group – Caesar’s, Showboat, Bally’s and Harrah’s casino hotels. The main event on Saturday was The Grand Market a festival of food, wine and beer sampling in Bally’s Grand Ballroom, sponsored by Robert Mondavi.
Thanks to Ford’s Fordcast tour for partnering with me to attend this event, and for giving me a pair of tickets for one of my lucky readers. At the event they had contest and games of chance where the prize was the coveted tickets for the
I own a Ford Fusion so I am already in the Ford family. I was eager to see what the Ford Focus had to offer. It has everything my car currently has, which is a 5 star 5 star rating, intuitive and driver-centric technology such as available SYNC™ with MyFord Touch™ and a standard rear view camera keep you connected and in control. (I am completely addicted to my rear view camera.) Another cool feature is the wipers turn on as soon as a drop of rain hits the windshield. Now that is convenient.
Besides checking out the cars there were other fun things to check out at the Fordcast area, like this photo booth with green screen, where you received a free picture from the event, also a trivia game with prizes and a chance to design your own dream vacation. Click here for more information: https://www.fordcast.com
and check back to the site for the event highlight video which will be posted on the site soon and will sure to be a hoot.I ran into these two sisters who attend the event every year with their dad for his birthday present. This year they said was the best event so far.
Then it was time to go into the event. All guests received a commemorative glass, which was also to be used for your wine that day.
And there was plenty of wine, with
plenty of gimmicks to get you to notice which wine you should try, and remember.
There were cooking demonstrations, and they were packed. There were wine tastings, packed, food samples and recipe giveaways.
Guy Fieri signed his “Knuckle Sandwich”-brand knives at the Erfo Chef booth earlier in the day and I missed it. (I met him 3 years ago when he came to Philly)
Rocky Fino was selling and signing his book “Will Cook For Sex.”
I ran into Missy, GPTMC, from Philly

You can still enter the chance to win the FORD Ultimate VIP Sweepstakes. What does this mean? If you enter and win, you get to design your very own dream vacation! Click here for more information: https://www.fordcast.com
Thanks again to Fordcast, and check out their site before you buy your next car.