Philly Chit Chat

Since I took PhillyChitChat as a full time job this year, I was waiting for the warm weather so I could get out and shoot Philly folks around town. I think I will call these posts HughE Around Town. Today I was excited to go cover the Philadelphia Independence Visitor Center’s “Welcoming of the 20 Millionth Visitor.” I love Philly, and I love these fun little milestones.
I met these nice ladies from Hatboro as we were waiting for the Mayor to arrive Mae Steere and Kathie Watkins. Every so often they come to Philly to see the new exhibits or visit historical sites. I told them about the Spies and Traitors exhibit at the Constitution Center and that’s where they were going to head next then.
A group of school kids from the Colgate Elementary School, Mrs. Wagner’s class, Baltimore, MD were the 20 millionth visitors. They received nice gift bags for their endeavor.
Jim Cuorato, president and CEO of the Independence Visitor Center welcomes the kids as INHP Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod looks on. To his left is Mr Philadelphia, Al Lee in the blue shirt with the camera.
Mayor Nutter was running late but got there in time to wish the students well and tell them about their free lunch with Steaks on South, for being the 20 millionth guests.
Have you ever seen the Mayor’s schedule? It’s insane, and yesterday it was jammed packed. No wonder he was a little late. After lunch I headed to Rittenhouse Square, but first caught a shot of Ellen Shepp bidding her mom Joan Shepp goodbye for the day. I heard Bradley Cooper stopped in with his mom when they were in town a few weeks back. Talk about “Store of the Stars”.
Rittenhouse Square: When I was employed as a paralegal, I would sometimes try and eat in the park during lunch. What a pain trying to get a seat. I often wondered what it was like during the off hours when I was back at my desk. Now I get to experience that. This will no doubt be a continuing subject on PhillyChitChat.com
I’ll continue my fashion shots. Occasionally I shoot them from the front, when I feel they aren’t looking, but my buddy Reuben “Big Rube” Harley, never worries about street shooting and does an excellent job at chronically the fashion/style set of Philly on his blog “Street Gazing“. I wrote earlier this year, he’s going to make a huge splash in the Phila Daily News & on Philly.com in the next few weeks with his “Bill Cunningham” style shooting. You’re not gonna leave the house in the future without checking your style cause you’ll never know when Big Rube is gonna shoot you. We hung out a bit today and he tried to show me the ropes. It’s amazing people respond fairly well to the kinda photography he does. I am what you would call a shoot from the hip photographer, capturing moments where you are unaware. He shoots eye level, and often gets the unguarded moments, but isn’t bothered if you see him shoot you either.
WOW on that skateboard. This guy in the blue cap was so high, and was asking passer by’s for a dollar to save the beaver. Sure enough some nice guy stopped and gave him a buck.
Suddenly I saw a bunch of girls run over to this guy and pose with him in pictures. I later walked over to them and asked them who he was. They said he was Romeo in the Arden Theater’s version of Romeo and Juliet last year. Evan Jonigkeit
Street Stylin’
How much is that doggie in the basket? I could shoot pets all day long.
About 4PM a bunch of folks rolled in to have a water gun fight.
A kid kissed a frog
A kitten found a home
Philly Style Magazine photographer & a wedding photographer too, Nell Hoving happened upon me chatting with Evan’s fans. They were also just given a kitten from a guy who went to the park looking for a new home for the sweetness. He even gave them money for cat food.
In the background you can see the mom of one of the girls calling the dad to see if it would be ok to bring the kitten home. The dad said he would put their dog in another room, until the kitten got acclimated in her new surroundings. Then they would bring the dog out and slowing get them used to each other. How adorable. And these are the stories & photos I am looking forward to bringing you.
While I was walking around yesterday I came across this restaurant on Sansom Street near 10th. It looks like they have a nice sign up, but someone did not use spell check?Thanks to this Months advertisers: CTO, The Corner (They’re serving al fresco now), Arrow Swim Club, (The Swim Club is Open, it’s 90F. What are you waiting for?) Spark Energy, Del Frisco’s (Maybe Shane Victorino is eating there tonight?), Oh My Godard Gallery, (Stop by for their Memorial Day Exhibit with J&K Keifer), The Sporting Club, Chris Gabello Studios, Parx Casino, Anne Nikolaus Stylist – Stella Dot Jewelery, and Cabaret Singer Karen Gross.
Happy Memorial Day. Thanks to all the soldiers that have made sacrifices for the USA. Willow Grove Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3612, in recognition of the brave men and women in the community and around the world who answered our country’s call in its time of need, will pay tribute to these heroes with a special Memorial Day ceremony on May 30, 2011. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 220 Mineral Ave. in Willow Grove, Pa. In addition to the Memorial Day ceremony to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Post 3612 will hold a New Veterans Memorial Flag-Raising Dedication at the site of the proposed Veterans Monument. The event will conclude with an open house for veterans and their families and friends at the VFW Post home, 305 W. Moreland Road, Willow Grove.

There Used to be a time when South Philly Bar & Grill handled all of the most interesting sports/reality show/Damon Feldmon Pressers. Now Brent Celek and Todd Herremans‘ bar in the 100 block of Chestnut seems to be doing the honors.

HBO World Title Fight Press Conference with #1 Contender Philadelphia’s own Yusef Mack as he seems to become the Next World Light Heavyweight Champion along side WBC Champ Bernard Hopkins. Mack,the current Noth American and USBA champion, is Dedicating this fight to the Legend hopkins even though they could end up in a match if mack gets by opponent and current IBF World Champion Travoris Cloud. Mack is a Big Fan of hopkins and having him support me through this championship shot is an incredible feeling says Mack! If Mack Wins he will be one of 3 current Boxing World Champions from Philadelphia. The Press Conference you will get a chance to see how much Mack is inspired by Bernard Hopkins! This will be Mack’s first match on HBO!

Where:Lounge 879
110 Chestnut St
Old City, Philadelphia
8PM

P.S. Don’t park on the 100 block of Chestnut Street on The Weekends after 10PM or your car will be towed. I’m not sure of the rules during the week, but read the signs carefully.

PhillyChitChat Buzz:

Mark your calendar’s: President Obama is coming to Philly on June 30 for a fundraiser at the home of David L Cohen. Be forewarned of traffic problems on that day.

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Philly’s Jen Groover told me last Saturd
ay that she is off to Hollywood to meet with Tori Spelling to discuss a project. Perhaps there’s a reality show involving Jen, who has been making her mark in women empowerment seminars lately. She’s learned a lot about women, marketing and business after she created the hugely successful Butler Bag. You might have seen her hawking the bag on QVC or promoting women empowerment tips on The Ten Show or The Today Show. She’s got something helpful to share.

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The Devon Horse Show starts today. Highlights are the dog parade on Sunday and Ladies Day with a Hat Parade on Wednesday.

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What happened to Philadelphia Rapper Freeway? He’s making news in the Saudi Gazette here

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Tweets of Interest

Thank u
@lesliegudel Congrats to @TheHamels who have their 2nd child due in October. (The above shot of Heidi was taken April 28th at the Utley Event)
TheHamels Hamels Foundation

Looking forward to http://www.phillyfinancialday.com with @JimmyRollins11, Utley, and Victorino!

@PhilaTheatreCo Opening Night of RUINED at @PhilaTheatreCo! Hear what people are saying about it! http://fb.me/zWJX5YqE

So beautiful RT @magicgardens Photoset: theperfectworldofart: http://tumblr.com/xuu2oqpn6k

RT @phillybeerweek @brewniversal during #PBW – here are list of Sam Adams events…http://tinyurl.com/3lyjf6l

The tmobile store was just robbed on walnut street near 15th http://lockerz.com/s/104721925

RT @ChatterBlast Who wants a free meal at @EstiaRestaurant ? Check their sweepstakes & prepare 2 munch ! http://ow.ly/52GeP

I guess they’re hard up for photographers in Tampa Bay? Don’t ID the women if she’s not really in the pix http://tinyurl.com/3c52jev

Historic Philadelphia, Inc. hosted An Evening in Franklin Square presented by Parx Casino. (Above the crew from Parx Casino. Carrie Nork Minelli, Director of PR, Gary Luderitz, COO Bob Green, Chairman Darlene Monzo, VP of Marketing. Andy Green, VP of HR, John Martinelli, Director of Player Services and sitting is John Kirk, VP of Player Development )The third annual fundraiser event benefited a regional treasure and will build upon the success that Franklin Square has experienced since opening to the public in July 2006.
The event was held on what was now the very muddy grounds of the park after 5 days of rain. The organizers did a great job at adapting to the in-climate weather by moving the cocktail party inside a tent and creating a great ambiance using lighting from the Lights of Liberty, as well as fancy footwear, coat racks, umbrella stands and providing umbrellas for the brave souls who wanted to venture around the park to see the sights.
Historic Philadelphia, Inc. President and CEO Amy Needle with Gov Ed Rendell. Who I chatted with at the Radnor Hunt and mentioned the first rate job Amy always does in everything.
Michael Williams, Hill International, Scott Stevenson, American Revolution Museum, ZeeAnn Mason Senior Vice President for Marketing and Development for the American Revolution Museum, Kim Carty, Tom Sperring, President Hill International, Peggy Duckett, Boardd Member of the American Revolution, Mike Lusiani, HillWinner of the Governors’ Cup which was played on the miniature golf course between rain drops,
Jaclyn Bharucha (holding trophy), with Brian Monahan, Susan Panagos and Mike Chapman.
James McManaman & David White. Co-owners/Absolute Abstract and Joan Rivera. Absolute Abstract is downsizing. They currently have 3 store fronts on 13th Street and are shrinking to two. Stop by as some of their art work is 50% off in order to make room.
Bill and Jan Eisenberg with Wayne Spilove, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) – Chairman
Carol Tamburino with newly elected 1st district in Philadelphia City Council Mark Squilla and wife Bridget Squilla . Greg and Nicole Hallquist
Center City District President Paul Levy and film maven Carrie Rickey.
PR for Mural Arts, Historic Philadelphia and Gay Bingo Cari Feiler Bender. Doing an excellent job as usual.
Mike Sheridan and Jim Werner. Congratulations to Mike who has left his long time job at GPTMC, where he met Jim, and is now hanging his hat at the Sofitel.
James Zeleniak and Laura Burkhardt. James’ client Franklin Mortgage & Co was recently praised by Esquire Magazine.
Maryann Gettis and Jocelyn Brown are standing on bricks that have been purchased in honor of loved ones and engraved. Build a legacy in the community by donating a Franklin for the Fountain engraved brick, “naming” a bench, or contributing a picnic table or other element to the historic park. Click here Donate to Franklin Square.
Caryn Kunkle, Jordan Griska and Samantha Marzullo. You may not be familiar with Jordan Griska currently, but come next year you will be very aware of this talented artist as works.

Amy Needles and her team really had to think quick on their toes to deal with the muddy ground and downpours throughout the evening.
One of the nicest touches was the flip flops that were bought for the women to wear instead of their heels that would sink into the “rug” covering the wet ground.
Mayor Nutter waves hi to the crowd.
Chris Mullins and Bill Gehrman right before they left the country for Russia.
This lady takes advantage of the flip flops purchased at the last minutes to make it easier for the ladies with the heals to navigate the under the rug and dance floor muddy ground.
AJ Williams, GM Omni Hotel and Jami Gordon, PR
Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Commerce Director and Greta Greenberger, City Hall Tour Director. My tour training is coming along well and I should be on my own by the end of this month, er June. I think I will be giving the Wednesday City Hall Tour at 12:30PM.
Did you know that Historic Philadelphia is responsible for the ONCE UPON A NATION STORYTELLING BENCHES that are located throughout the Historic District? The Holiday Inn GM JoAnn Bongart and Bill Gehrman get down tonight.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily: Hear fascinating tales from our nation’s past at these charming benches scattered throughout the Historic District.
Mickey Rowley and Mark Beyerle
Kristen Murray and Brendon Shank Kristen and Brendon had a successful run earlier this month when they participated in the Broad Street Run.
Anna Schneider GM from Square 1682 in the Hotel Palomar, rides the beast which will be named by the crew from Hotel Monaco who won the naming rights in the live auction at the affair last week. Also spotted Bonnie Grant, Palomar Hotel & Hotel Monoco’s GM Nick Gregory, Kelly Coulom, Jorge Gonzalez, Deb and Dan Bosin, and many other charitable folks that help keep Historic Philadelphia running smoothly. Thanks!Tuesday I taped my NBC Philadelphia Non-Stop Show, The Scene, at Franklin Square with Justin Pizzi. Watch it tonight at 9:30PM on Ch 248. Above Justin does a live shot with Amy Needle for the Ten Show, which aired that day. I finally had a Square Burger and it was delicious.

Last week I tweeted (Follow me @iPhillyChitChat) that The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was populating the Ben Franklin Parkway with the carousel animals that starred in the 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show.
Drew Becher, PHS President, Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources, Jada Gibson, Seventh Grade Student, St. Francis Xavier School, Gary Steuer, Chief Cultural Officer, City of Philadelphia and Louis Giorla, Commissioner, Philadelphia Prison System (hmm not sure why the guy from the Phila Prison is there? Photo provided by PHS) The creatures were redecorated by Valley Forge Flowers for display through the summer around the Swann Memorial Fountain on Logan Square. My favorite one is the ostrich, but you’ll have to go look at it yourself.
Now the PHS is creating a Pop-Up Horticultural Exhibit in one of the lots I have tweeted and written about the most, the long neglected, trash strewn empty lot at 20th & Market Streets.
Well in recent weeks the lot has been purchased by a developer and something will be built there in the near future I hope; but before that happens this summer the lot will contain the Pennsylvania Horticultural’s Pop Up Garden.
A garden is being planted, benches will be installed and there will be workshops on Wednesday and Thursdays. The workshops will range from tree caring, to container garden’s and all things that help us with our green thumbs. Now this is something to get excited about. The Grand Opening is June 13.

I’m just reviewing my mail that I’ve neglected and came across this note from Photographer Chris Gabello from last week:

Hey everyone,

I was her biggest fan from those days onward. Just straight raw talent. I was always telling her she needed to get to NY.

Congrats Brittani!

Déjà vu at NBC10 as beloved anchor Aditi Roy, who joined the NBC 10 News team in 2002 as a general assignment reporter, and currently co-anchors the ‘NBC 10 Today’ with Terry Ruggles, M-F, 5-7AM, will be reporting for an assignment at NBC’s Los Angeles bureau in the position that former NBC10 reporter/anchor Kristen Welker holds, and was assigned to last year in a similar fashion. (hmm did Welker suggest her BFF from Philly to take the position?)

As for Kristen Welker she’s got a plum summer assignment for herself covering the Washington bureau for NBC News and MSNBC. No doubt good news to her folks, Welker, daughter of real estate agent Julie Welker and Harvey Welker, who live in the Fairmount section Philadelphia where Kristen grew up. Now it will only be a 1hr flight compared to 5 1/2 hrs to see their daughter. Is this the fast track trajectory that Gail Shuster talked about in her PhillyMag.com column last year?

Aditi will still be around the Philadelphia area as she is currently finishing up her MBA at the University of Pennsylvania.

NBC10 would not comment on my findings, or say who might replace Roy at the anchor desk with Terry Ruggles when everything falls into place by July 1, which is also Kristen Welker’s birthday.

(Disclosure: Although I am a contributor to NBC Non-Stop, the original tip & most of the information came from a reader of PhillyChitChat.com)

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Actors Kenny Lattimore, Nene Leakes and Angie Stone, all starring in the comedic play “LOVING HIM IS KILLING ME”, which played at the Merriam Theater over the weekend, attended a pre-show party at Miss Tootsies on Thursday night.

When Nene Leakes woke up in her Philadelphia hotel Friday morning, she tweeted a photo of gifts given to her by her boo. Sunday who didn’t love seeing Nene on Celebrity Apprentice giving Star Jones a piece of her mind. I think the world finally got to see just how evil Star Jones really is. (Ironically as I was writing this piece “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” was showing on The Food Network. They said Miss Tootsie’s had the best fried chicken they ever ate.)

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The Jefferson star movin’ on up George Jefferson aka actor Sherman Hemsley was in town for a comedy show at Sarcasm in Cherry Hill on Saturday night; Seems Hemsley loved shopping at Wegman’s in Cherry Hill cause he stopped in on Thursday and Friday. I saw him interviewed on NBC10’s The Ten Show and learned that the actress who played Weezie (Isabelle Sanford) Jefferson was 20 years older than Hemsley. Sanford was the first African American actress to win an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1981.

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Ryan Howard was spotted at the Rittenhouse Spring Festival with his fiance Eagles Cheerleader Krystle Campbell. There were occasional high fives, but for the most part people left the happy couple alone.

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Thursday Pauly Shore made an appearance at the Trocadero, but he didn’t leave after the show. On Friday he made stops at NBC’s The Ten Show, then it was onto Geno’s Steaks for lunch. Then on Saturday he held court at the Continental Midtown flirting and looking for a little company. Even propositioning a few girls I know, who turned him down.

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Mike Fazio, Fazio Promotions with forever young David Hasselhoff. The Hoff hosted a pool party at at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, NJ.

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Speaking of Atlantic City this weekend check out …

International acclaimed artists J&K Keifer will bring The Art of the Game to the boardwalk during their exclusive Atlantic City in-store appearance at the Oh My Godard Gallery at The Pier Shops at Caesars! Art lovers will experience the colorful paintings and prints as Jim and Kathleen (J&K) Keifer capture the excitement of a Royal Flush of the satisfaction or winning at Scrabble or Monopoly, with a touch of famous Atlantic City Boardwalk fun. Guests who play to win will be able to meet the Keifers and purchase originals and signed works from the Keifer’s limited-edition collection, “Art of the Game.” A special collector’s gift will be given with purchase. Plus, 100% of the proceeds from auctioned artworks will be donated to the Gilda’s Club South Jersey Noogieland, a support program for children living with cancer.

Oh My Godard Gallery at The Pier Shops at Caesars

1 Atlantic Ocean #1132

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Saturday, May 28, 2011 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, May 29, 2011 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information about J&K Keifer, visit www.facebook.com/studioremy or www.studioremy.com

For more information about Michael Godard, visit www.michaelgodard.com For more information about the Oh My Godard Gallery in Atlantic City, NJ, visit www.facebook.com/Michael.Godard.Gallery or e-mail ali@michaelgodard.com

(Sponsored)

Multiple users documented their own personal experiences during the storm, including this terrifying recording taken at a Fast Trip Convenience store on East 20th Street in Joplin, very near where the tornado did some of the worst damage. (which is incredible because of the large size of the tornado. The gas station ends up in the eye of the storm and the storm goes right over them.)

There is not enough light to see the faces of those taking shelter inside, but their voices — and desperate prayers — come through loud and clear. 23-year-old amputure film maker Brennan Stebbins says he thought he might die at the time. But he says those inside the cooler, including several small children, tried to comfort each other. Stebbins says they all ran into the cooler when the building started to collapse, crouching on the floor, praying and crying as the storm hit in two separate waves. Eventually they were able to crawl out. No serious injuries were reported. (source)
Brennan Stebbins states on his FB page “Found this Youtube video of the gas station we were at during the tornado. That’s my silver car to the right, which landed upright 30 feet away where the building had been.”