PhillyChitChat The Buzz:

Crooner John Legend stopped by Rouge last night for dinner with his girlfriend, they then went for a stroll in Rittenhouse Square before heading over to the Fox and Hound to watch the game. After getting a tip about a celebrity sighting I often research it to see if there’s been other sightings or if it was reported by other media/people so I can give proper credit. I found Wesmanchild who tweeted he was at a sports bar and Legend was there. I contacted him and he told me that Legend was low key and rooting for Dallas.

NBC10’s Tim Furlong tells me next week he’ll be setting his alarm at 1:45AM to take over the NBC10 shift left vacant by Justin Pizzi who moves to the 4, 5, and 6 O’clock news.
Last Saturday Kourtney Kardashian dined at Teplitzky’s at The Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City with 2 girlfriends. After breakfast Kourtney & Scott Disick attended a stunning wedding at One Atlantic in The Pier Shops at Caesars in Atlantic City, where Kourtney played bridesmaid (training for her Maid of Honor duties when Kim ties the knot I guess).
Over the weekend the Phillies won 3 out of the 4 games played against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs bedded down at the Ritz-Carlton and I shot this photo on Thursday of two of the players on their way to a practice.

As I was hanging out in front of The Ritz Charles Barclay was sighted over at the Capital Grille (Broad & Chestnut) eating lunch. Later in the day I heard Mayor Nutter and MSNBC’s Chris Matthews also broke bread there, but on Wednesday.
Two-time Olympian, Lancaster raised Johnny Weir skater strolled into Macy’s with his usual flair last Wednesday about 45 minutes late, seems he was held up by Philadelphia rush hour traffic after landing from Miami at 5PM. That would make a lot of sense,but don’t they have rush hour traffic at 5PM in Miami? He was as happy as can be posing for a dozen shots for the waiting paparazzi, and then signed his new book, Welcome To My World, for about 100 fans. Before his arrival there was a fashion show of Macy’s latest Spring Collection. Cocktails were served and food from the new Greek restaurant Opa. On Sunday Weir was the Grand Marshall at The LA PRIDE Parade. Also appearing in the parade was Philadelphia born Gloria Allred, who is now representing the ladies in a class action displaced at Resorts International over the skimpy cocktail attire. (Above Alexandra Capik and Samantha DiNicola)Author Jen Miller held a book launch party/fundraiser for Lucy The Elephant at Lucy’s Hat Shop in Old City last Thursday. Friends and family came out to help celebrate the 2nd edition book “Explorer’s Guide The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May: A Great Destination”. Jen also writes daily on her blog Down The Shore With Jen. You can also keep up with the latest news to use for the Jersey Shore via her twitter @jerseyshorejen
Then I headed across the street to Mac’s Tavern to see my friend WMMR’s Marissa Magnatta and her friend from 8th grade, Ashley. Marissa was executing her weekly Quizzo at the tavern. This week’s subject was all about beer as it was Beer Week. I am well informed now.Also hanging out at Mac’s Tavern was American Football Fullback Denver Bronco’s Kyle Eckel. Kyle says he is looking forward to the lock out ending soon so he can get back to the game. In the meantime he is enjoying his time back in Philly.
While wandering the City this past week, I noticed the Philly Chocolate Confectionery Lounge is now open for business. The place looks awesome. I hope they never sell ice cream or they’re gonna put my friends who own Tutti Frutti, next door, right out of business.
A Private Concert by Rock n’ Roll Legend Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons was held Friday night to Benefit Coaches vs. Cancer of Philadelphia and St. Ignatius Nursing Home at the Hyatt at the Bellevue. After the concert Frankie, Lisa Gaudio, husband Jimmy Kazanjian and some members of band along with his manager went to Positano Coast for at late dinner that we were treated to by Jerry Blavat . Who joined us about 1am after his gig in Atlantic City for desert and fine wine. (More photos from the event will be published later this week.)
Rapper Young Chris played a thirty minute set at the Apple Store on Walnut Street Friday night, and brought friends Freeway & Young Neff to jam with him.

The Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates hosted their annual WALL BALL fundraiser in support of the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program at the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties. and the weather gods were looking over us as there was a change in the air as a cold front swept through at the beginning of the event (which resulted in those terrible tornadoes in Massachusetts) I love the Beautiful Blooms layout of the tables and the centerpieces. They were paint brushes with flowers attached to them, very clever. It was a really beautiful set up, the tents function was mostly for the Silent Auction items as well as a bar, so if it rained it would have been a tight squeeze. On the other side of the tent was more tables and the stage. This is where the majority of the people hung out and where the action was. On stage were various performers from poetry to comics punctuated by a several DJ sets from Nigel Richards. Cashman & Associates were the PR on the event. Food stations from Cescaphe, I love them, but had to refrain cause I’m trying to diet. But you go ahead and enjoy it’s delish.
Thomas C. Woodward is the Market President for Bank of America with Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts
The Cashman & Assoc Girls: Laura Krebs, Alexa Darrow, Kaitlyn McCrea, Alex Gort, Jacklin Rhoads
Beautiful Blooms Donna O’Brien, Mary Dougherty, Nicole Miller Shops and Sara Fernandez, Beautiful Blooms.
Krisy Plourde Golden and Tom Golden (no relation to Jane) are the lovely couple that were married this past February 14 on the Mural Arts Love Train by Mayor Nutter.
Amy Holdman, Jamie Klein, Sherry Effron, Amy Brownstein and Margelle Liss, Co-Chair of tonight’s event.
The Brownsteins: Amy and Marc, Beverly and Berny with daughter Toni. Berny and Marc were the nights Wall Ball Honoree’s for their tireless work with Mural Arts.If you haven’t seen Ryan Derfler grace these pages in a long time you can blame Whitney Miller his main squeeze, and do you blame him?
Darien Parker, Erica Atwood, Yolanda Wisher, MAP Director of Art Education, Sonia Sanchez (it’s always an honor to photograph her), Desiree Henshaw, Noni Clemens, Louise Radochonski and TJai Abdullah
John Pesolar, Sue Heckrotte, Alan Sandman and David Dubbeldam
Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison and wife Elaine with Kevin Dav, COO Commerce Department were hanging around the auction table looking for a good buy.
Cari Feiler Bender, PR Mural Arts, Erica Atwood, External Affairs at City of Philadelphia, Michael Harris, Director, Marketing and Special Projects with the Phillies and wife Joy
Marc Brownstein, Eric Sussman and Philadelphia Magazine President David Lipson
Kate Wilhelm, Senior Vice President of Business Development at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Mark Focht, Executive Director Fairmount Park Commission
Over 650 attended the nights events, which raised a record $335,000 for the program which has created over 3,000 murals throughout our City.
Laura Burkhardt, Director of Business Development at PHS and Thor Steingraber, Vice President of Institutional Strategy and Planning at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Thor had been directing operas for fifteen years, and his work has been seen in cities across America, from New York’s Lincoln Center to the San Francisco Opera.
Chris McCreary, Thom McGrath, Editor of Philadelphia Magazine and Kate McGrath
Phil and Essie Goldsmith. We don’t get to see Phil too much since he was Mayor John Street’s Managing Director. These days he’s Principal of GoldsmithKahnAdvisors and a columnist for Philly.com
Steve Gartner and Bart Blatstein
Marc Brownstein and his dad, Berny, thank Mural Arts and guests for the Wall Ball 2011 honor. DJ Nigel Richards looks on.
It was a terrific night at a new venue and a sweet ending. Til next year.

Stephenie and Kyle Kendrick Stephenie Kendrick, wife of Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick, told her facebook friends that she was pregnant back in February. She told me she’s due in September, when I saw her at the Utley event last April.
At that time Heidi Hamels was three months pregnant with Cole and hers 2nd child. Here’s Heidi and Cole Hamels next to Jennifer and Chase Utley at the 4th Annual Utley All-Star Animals Casino Night in April. The Hamels will be have a beautiful new baby in October, right in time for the playoffs. Didn’t this happen once before with Shane Victorino?
This past Tuesday Chase Utley and his wife Jen Utley dedicated a mural that takes a stand against animal abuse, the “Kindness to Animals” themed mural in partnership with Mural Arts is located at Anna B. Pratt Elementary School in North Philadelphia. While editing my photos I tweeted and when I posted my blog mentioned it and twitter followers commented on it. Now Philly.com has posted an additional article on it with Dan Gross stating friends say she’s 3 months pregnant. Congratulations to the Utleys, The Hamels and to the Kendricks. I see play dates in the future.
Phillies’ Cole Hamels and wife Heidi Hamels Announce Local Beneficiaries of The Hamels Foundation’s 2011 Education Grants announcement on Tuesday. Please support the Diamonds & Denim Event 8/11/11 at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building.

Some people and organizations really move me. People can be so creative and so generous. Re-affirms what my role is in getting the word out about so many great organizations that make a difference in people’s lives, especially the needy and under-served. When I heard about Wish Upon A Hero I had to get the word out about it, it’s incredible.
Wish Upon A Hero was first conceived by founder Dave Girgenti shortly after the September 11th attacks on New York City. From his home in NJ, Girgenti watched as thousands of people posted pictures of missing loved ones throughout the city. He thought there had to be a faster, more organized way to connect people in need. That was the moment in which the idea was born. Wish Upon A Hero is completely free to its users, allowing everyone who registers the opportunity to cast up to three wishes at a time. Because Wish Upon A Hero is designed to help everyone, wishes can be big or small, elaborate or simple, based on financial need or just asking for a simple favor. You can MAKE a wish, or you can GRANT a wish and be a HERO.
Iraq War Veteran Troy Yocum, who is nearing the end of a 7,000-mile hike across America to raise funds and awareness for military families in need, walk through Philadelphia on Friday, June 10th. Yocum, who has raised more than $275,000 so far.

Iraq War Veteran Troy Yocum, his wife Mareike and Emmie the super dog are hiking the 7,000 miles across America with him to help military families in need. They took their first steps of the 16-month cross-country quest on April 17, 2010. Backed by corporate sponsors, many volunteers and support members, Team Hike for our Heroes/Drum Hike are taking on the challenge of raising needed funds by hiking 7000 miles across America.
Earlier in the day Troy and his posse stopped at Modell Sporting Store on Chestnut Street and helped “Wish Upon A Hero” grant a wish Soldier Kermit Herbert and his wife Erin, Fort Dix NJ with a $5,000 down payment on a car for the family of eight.
Many supporters and fans of Troy’s mission came from the tri-state area to hike with him through Philadelphia. One lady came as far away as Maryland just to spend the day with him. Tomorrow in NJ, Troy will be walking up Rt 130 from The South. He should be in S.Brunswick by 12pm and North Brunswick by 1. He will end the Hike at North Brunswick Fire Company 1 at approximately 2pm…then the festivities start. Live Band, DJ, Beer Truck, All You Can Eat burgers and dogs. Raffles, Prizes, 50/50, Company 3’s Orange County Chopper Raffle, Silent Auction and Games for the kids.Rocky a symbolic hero to many around the world, but the true hero are the real ones who are drawing attention to a good cause at sometimes a great sacrifice
Dave Girgenti, founder of Wish Upon a Hero and Iraq War Veteran Troy Yocum do the Rocky pose. A universal triumph for those who never give up.
Now off to NJ
Yocum served in Kuwait and Iraq until 2009. He embarked upon his journey last April from Louisville, KY and has traveled more than 6,300 miles across the country. Now in the final months of his journey, Yocum is traveling up the East Coast before he makes his return to Kentucky in September 2011. Wish Upon a Hero is providing Yocum with transportation, marketing and planning support. (Follow along on FB)

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Thank you so much to my readers for allowing me to do what I love so much, bringing you these tales of Philadelphia especially all the wonderful people who are making a difference. Thanks for reading me this week, and especially to all my advertisers.

Arrow Swim Club CTO Entertainment Studio Remy Spark Energy

Table 31 Del Frisco’s The Sporting Club at the Bellevue

Christopher Gabello Studios

The Philadelphia Variety Club The Corner Restaurant

Karen Gross Anne Nikolaus Stylist with Stella Dot Jewelery Mural Arts

Thank you Cashman & Assocs cause they have two of their clients advertise on my blog. Have a great weekend…

I wrote about this new specialized “children’s gym” by Sweat being built at 13th & Locust Streets a few months back. They’ve been working on this baby for a long long time, about 9 months now. The permits weren’t visible until maybe 2 months ago, and it wasn’t obvious that they were working on it til they began to change the facade of the building 2 weeks ago. Probably because they weren’t using union workers to keep the costs down. Well the carpenter union got a wind of it and sent out a few heavy hitters to protest the infraction. I asked the lady why they didn’t use the RAT on this location? She told me that the RAT got tickets as it was breaking a few laws which prohibit large scale advertisements without a permit. Guess they didn’t want to get a permit for it? They still use the RAT in the suburbs where those ordinances are a little more laxed.
Twelve years ago, Mike O’Connor, owner of Big Sky Balloons & Searchlights in Plainfield, Illinois, created the first rat at the request of a union member in nearby Chicago. Today, Big Sky sells between 100 and 200 rats a year–even though it is a nonunion shop itself.

Tuesday in my neighborhood Beer Week brought back by popular demand the dunking your favorite rep or brewer at London Grill at 23rd and Fairmount! The charity event benefited Philly PAWS.
Terry McNally, co-owner of London Grill and Marie Antoinette on July 16 for Bastille Day. and Brooke Honeyford. This past weekend London won the Burger Brawl, which I wrote about on Monday. Terry tells me that she, Michael, their son and several of their customers filled the trophy up and shared some fine brews celebrating their victory.For some folks it was a high old time
Sign Language
Yards Brewery
Jenny Hobbs getting ready for her turn

Jenny Hobbs
dunk
bottoms up
kisses for daddy

I missed John Bolaris at London, did he do the dunk tank? Now that would have been a picture.
Doggies and Dunks was the theme of the day
Brian Grossman, Sierra Nevada (Owner Ken Grossman’s son)
Sometimes folks just were too impatient waiting for the right pitch to do the dunking, but in this case even pushing the plunger did not work to dunk Brian
I think that’s Where Magazine Editor Kristina Jenkins doppelgänger. What do you think?
The big Paws Gala at the Union League is June 27
Did you know Dana Spain is the founder of PAWS?
I think someone said to him “you’re a theater boy, you’ll never hit the target.” And you know they were right?
Steve Lyford going for a close up
nice turnout. Like I said last week, cowboy boots do not go out of season especially paired with a nice dress

For more information on beer week check out http://www.phillybeerweek.org/

The Philadelphia Theatre Company concluded its 35th Anniversary season celebration with a Gala honoring long-time board member Kenneth S. Kaiserman of Kaiserman Company, Inc. and PTC Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik Monday in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt at the Bellevue. The evening featured multiple Tony and Emmy award winner Tyne Daly (who did pieces from her upcoming stint in Terrence McNally’s revival of Master Class on Broadway.) Broadway and film star Kathleen Turner who starred in PTC’s world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit Of Molly Ivins earlier this season. (I saw that and her appearance in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Forrest in the early ’90s): Tony Award winner and frequent PTC performer John Glover; four time Barrymore winner Jennie Eisenhower; Alexandra Silber, Terrence McNally, and Quentin Darrington, star of the recent revival of Ragtime. The evening will be hosted by former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. (I hear Alexandra and John had to make a quick run to the MAC store for last minute make-up). Tyne had her face done in Manhattan before she hit Philly. That’s why she donned her sunglasses for the red carpet shoot, not because she’s a diva like I first thought.
Thespian’s I admire sometimes make me nervous and in this case they did as the photo I took is not as crisp as it should be cause I was thinking in my head OMG this is Kathleen Turner and Tyne Daly (only Madonna & Sophia Loren have cause me to screw up a picture once before with my excitement.) I remember the first time I saw/chatted with Katherine Turner in person in NYC when I lived there. And Tyne Daly Last picture on my NYC blog & video from Broadway Cares Flea Market 2009. Husband and wife Co-chairs for the night’s gala long-time PTC board members Carol Saline and Paul Rathblott. Carol as you may recall from my earlier writings lived down the street from my family in Cherry Hill and I went to school with her daughter Sharon. She was the first “celebrity” I knew when I became aware of what the celebrity was. When I met my beau Mike we used to watch Carol on the ABC6 Inside Edition every Sunday morning, and were thrilled when we met her a few years later at Henri David’s Halloween Ball. Carol’s a celebrated author, but these days she creates marketing medical video’s at Jefferson and tells me she loves the creativity and doesn’t see herself revisiting the “Sisters”, “Mothers and Daughters”, “Best Friends” genre of writing books again. Although I bet someday a “Bubby & Grandkids” book will be produced.
Patrons of art: Alison Byers and David Schwartz – Vice President, Sophy Curson The grand dame of Philadelphia haute couture near Rittenhouse Square. Thanks to Fleischman Gerber & Associates for inviting me to cover the event.
Co-Chair of tonight’s event, and president of the Young Friends Association – Brigitte F. Daniel with Maurice Baynard, Trina Middleton and Elijah Dornstreich.
The Cast of Ruined which is playing at the Suzanne Roberts Theater until this Sunday June 12. I hear it’s awesome. Oberon K.A. Adjepong, Pascale Armand, Erika Rose, Keona Welch, Sean-Michael Bowles, and Zainab JahFounded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company is a leading regional theater company whose mission is to produce, develop and present entertaining and imaginative contemporary theater focused on the American experience that both ignites the intellect and touches the soul. By developing new work through commissions, readings and workshops PTC generates projects that have a national impact and reach broad regional audiences. Under the leadership of Sara Garonzik as PTC’s Producing Artistic Director since 1982, PTC supports the work of a growing body of diverse dramatists and takes pride in being a home to scores of nationally recognized artists who have participated in more than 130 world and Philadelphia premieres.
Vinh and Sean E Toczydlowski
Monica Krug, George Edel and Toni Goldberg
Cabaret Singer Eddie Bruce (I just saw him with Karen Gross in concert), Michael Ferreri and Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chrous’ Sandy Smith
Tim and Joyce Ratner. Joyce Auction Chair for the nights event and it was a rousing success. Every where I look, on every flat surface there were items to bid on whether it was a Sixers Andre Iguodala (which will be rare soon cause an insider tells me he is outta here) to 3 gift certificates to each of Marc Vetri’s restaurants, to the live auction items one which went for $10,000 – A trip to an Italian Villa.


Designers Robert and Barbara Tiffany. I also hear that they have a lovely garden and just gave a tour of it in May.
Director of Development Sophie V. Steuer and Chief Cultural Officer, City of Philadelphia. Gary P. Steuer are having a little production themselves this Fall announced Mayor Nutter from the podium during his opening remarks. Congratulations!!

Phila Mens Gay Chorus performed various songs “spontaneously” throughout the cocktail portion of the evening. L-R: Sandy Smith, Eric Oliver, Patrick Hagarty, Sean Lukas and Gregory Schwarz
Michael Bing, Florcy Morisset, Fran Fattah, Jevon Nicholson and Greg Corbin
Suzanne Roberts, Ralph Roberts, founded Comcast Corporation, and developer Carl Dranoff. The Philadelphia Theatre Company is located in the Suzanne Roberts Theater on the Avenue of the Arts in the Symphony Building which was developed by the Dranoff Organization.
Tyne Daly performs a snippet from the upcoming “Master Class” which begins previews on Broadway June 14. Last year it played at the The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC

Kathleen Turner performs a snippet from Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins which premiered at the Phila Theatre Company March 2010, shattered all PTC box office records in ticket sales.
Quentin Darrington, star of the recent revival of Ragtime
PTC Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik is presented her award. Sara has directed and produced for Philadelphia Theatre Company since 1982, and introduced more than 130 world or regional premieres of major new American plays and musicals to Philadelphia including new work by Terrence McNally, Jeffrey Hatcher, Christopher Durang, John Henry Redwood, Tracey Scott Wilson, Naomi Wallace and Bruce Graham, among others. A much deserved honor for someone that is as modest, dedicated and hard working as Sara is, navigating the rough economic seas of a non-profit theater group that has consistently produced excellent vehicles of entertainment for all of us.
Alexandra Silber performs a number from Master Class in honor of long time PTC Board Member and one of tonight’s honoree Kenneth S. Kaiserman
Kenneth S. Kaiserman has served on Philadelphia. Theatre Company’s Board of Directors for 34 years and chaired PTC’s Capital Campaign to build the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. He told the crowd that his involvment with PTC dates back to the years where some in the room weren’t even born yet, in fact he received this same honor almost 20 years ago, but no one realized it as they weren’t around. I loved how he said that for each stage show he saw, it was just that much better because his wife, who doesn’t share the love of theater to his extent, was sitting right next to him. Sweet….

Terrence McNally discusses the new award named in his honor. A friend of the Philadelphia Theatre Company, he has debuted 4 shows that later went on to Broadway, at PTC. He christened the new theater on South Broad Street with a kiss, which Sara said was a highlight of her career. I was there that night. Check out the pictures here.

Tyne Daly and John Glover. I once saw Tyne at Penn Station in her slipper looking shoes and perfectly matched sweat suit, still looking glamorous. It was at the beginning of the Twitter so if you look in my feed @iphillychitchat you might find the photo from 9/09
The Company – Tyne Daly, John Glover, Alexandra Silber, Jennie Eisenhower, Quentin Darrington, and Kathleen Turner take a well deserved bow

Introducing Glendi Thursdays at Opa, when every Thursday Opa Restaurant will host the hottest party in Philadelphia’s Midtown Village.

Come and watch as we turn Sansom Street between Broad and 13th Street into a Fashion Runway Extravaganza, featuring collections from Philadelphia’s most renowned designers and boutiques. Our featured collections are brought to you by Carmelita Couture, Commonwealth Proper, Nahu Ollin, Matthew Izzo, Priscilla Costa, Bus Stop Boutique, Modern Eye, and Rock & Soul Apparel Company, with hair by Follicle Studio and Charlie Salon, Makeup by Susan Sorrell Makeup

Our event will be hosted by the most fabulous fashionistas in Philadelphia, GN Kang and Thom Cardwell, with music by the renowned DJ Rahsaan.

So come out and kick off our Glendi Thursdays as we create a fashion show under the stars, brought to you by Opa Restaurant!

http://www.opaglendi.com/