Call for the Cure, CBS Philly’s five-hour on-air fundraiser for the upcoming Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure® (Mother’s Day, May 8th), raised $553,157 for breast cancer research, education and outreach today during its live broadcast from the CBS 3 and The CW Philly’s station’s Great Hall. All seven of Philadelphia’s CBS stations — CBS 3 (KYW-TV), The CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV), KYW Newsradio 1060, 98.1 WOGL, 94 WYSP, SportsRadio 610 WIP and the new Talk Radio 1210AM WPHT, local presenting sponsors of the Race, participated in the fundraiser.

***************

I was supposed to go to this event on Monday night, but it completely slipped my mind. I went to the Sporting Club with my pal GN Kang instead, and when we went to the Denmark slightly over priced coffee sandwich shop xstreet we ran into Shane Victorino and Jesse Rendell on our way out. GN looks fabulous in her work out clothes, I on the otherhand could scare Transylvania. We chatted for a few minutes and well I know some of you would kill to be in my place at that moment I wished to be anywhere else. The Cashman girls were kind enough to send a few photos over from the event. Here’s the story:

Morton’s The Steakhouse Philadelphia and the Richie Ashburn-Harry Kalas Foundation hosted the 2011 Richie Ashburn-Harry Kalas Foundation Dinner. Current and former Philadelphia Phillies, Charlie Manuel, Ruben Amaro, Jr., the Phillies broadcast team, and other special guests will be in attendance for a fun-filled evening!

Roy Halladay, Scott Palmer, and Carlos Ruiz (Chooch)Darren Daulton, Juan Samuel, and Ruben Amaro Jr.

Photo Credit: Miles Kennedy

*********************

I hear Ken Paves of Jessica Simpson hairstylist fame was shopping at King of Prussia Mall Monday.

Mayor Nutter says City Hall and the Phila Film Society is having a screening of the movie Philadelphia in the Mayor’s Reception Room on May 16

Grammy-winning singing sensation and ’90s superstar Shania Twain will be making an appearance at Chester County Book Company – Paoli Pike. West Chester, PA. Saturday, May 7, signing copies of her new memoir, “From This Moment On.” Named after Twain’s chart-topping duet with country star Brian White. In her book she talks about her early years singing, her parents death in a car accident, her storybook marriage divorce and her new marriage to Swiss businessman Frederic Thiebaud, the ex-husband of Marie-Anne Thiebaud, with whom Twain’s ex, Mutt Lange, had an affair). The two scorned parties, Shania and Frederic, found comfort in one another during the scandal and have been inseparable ever since, finally marrying on New Year’s Day 2011. If that isn’t a country song in the making, well at least a book.

2011 Azalea Garden Party – Party in the Garden still on tonight. There’s a big tent in the Azaela Garden and it’s in bloom.

Hung out in Rittenhouse Square in between gigs. Reflecting on how blessed my life is…

A letter from a friend who’s family has suffered in the Alabama Tornado’s Kimberly Cook Fink on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 12:53pmDear friends… thank you all for the love and support over the last few days. Your prayers mean more than you know. My family suffered a devastating loss during the storms here in Alabama. My family lives together in the country outside of Tuscaloosa. Of the five homes (aunts, grandmother, cousin, and parents) we had a complete loss of 3 of the homes and damage to the others. Many of you have reached out asking what you can do. FEMA and Red Cross are working with our community to provide basic living needs. Beka [Rendell] will be organizing donations. We are grateful for anything that you would like to donate. The most helpful items are things to help in recovery. BP gas cards are particularly helpful as we need gas to run generators and chainsaws. Another helpful item are Lowes gift cards. We need items such as work gloves, chainsaws, tarps, etc. Beka will also be working to set up a fund for my aunt. The only thing that remains of her home are the bushes that were in front of her home. She is battling cancer now and her medications, which cost over 5,000 a month were in her home. Beka will be sharing more information on how to help her in the coming days on our blog at Styledcreative.com. Your love has just overwhelmed me. I am not able to personal respond now, but please now how much it means. Please send gift cards to 116 arch street, Philadelphia pa 19106! Here is what they need: Visa Gift Cards Lowes Gift Cards BP Gas Gift Cards Thank You Kimberly**********************

Last night the Art Sanctuary and the Office of Mayor Nutter hosted Sonia Sanchez “Live at City Hall!” *Mayor Nutter said he’d like to continue these special nights of performances.) Opening with the all-female drumming group, MOM (Music Over Matter), followed by performances by Jamal Dickerson and the Camden Creative Arts High School jazz ensemble, and youth from the Universal Institute Charter School reciting lines of Sanchez’s Poetry.

Mayor Nutter gifted the great poet laureate Sonia Sanchez with the Liberty Bell from the City, and also announced that the City of Philadelphia is launching the Poet Laureate program, with author and Art Sanctuary founder Lorene Cary and poet/professor Sonia Sanchez in a lead position. Also seen in the crowd, Erica Atwood, Mrs Kenny Gamble, Greta Greenberger, Megan Smith, Gary Steuer, director of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Brett Corbin, and Dorothy Powell-Wright,

There are many reasons to honor Sonia Sanchez. Not only is she Philadelphia’s unofficial poet laureate and the author of 19 books of poetry and prose, as well as two audio recordings, she is also a respected professor and sought-after lecturer. Sanchez has taught as a professor at eight universities and has lectured at over 500 college campuses across the US, including Howard University. She advocated the introduction of Black Studies courses in California, and was the first to create and teach a course based on Black Women and literature in the United States. Sanchez was the first Presidential Fellow at Temple University where she began working in 1977, and where she held the Laura Carnell chair until her retirement in 1999. Sanchez received a 1993 Pew Fellowship in the Arts, and has read her poetry in Africa, the Caribbean, China, Australia, Europe, Nicaragua, Canada, and Cuba. Sanchez is an icon. It’s always an honor when I am in her presence.

Read about the first guy in line at the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Store opening today. http://www.phillychitchat.com/2011/05/meet-guy-whos-first-in-line-for-krispy.html

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts opens it’s doors to the public at 16th & Chestnut Streets in Center City Philadelphia in less than 8 hrsCenter City has been anticipating it’s own Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store since the franchise first flirted with the City about 5 years ago, and then faded away. These new stores are owned by Krispy Kreme corporation and are popping up all over the country. First in our area was the one in Fox Chase, and now we get our own right downtown across from Liberty Place
Earlier today I wrote about the VIP Party on Monday night here. Inside the store tonight you can see the many racks of trays ready for the hot fresh donuts that will be handed out beginning at 6AM when the Hot Doughnut light gets turned on.

• First person in line gets a dozen donuts every week for a whole year
• 2 – 10 peeps get a dozen doughnuts a month.
• Next 20 customers: 20 free medium cups of Krispy Kreme Coffee (1 per visit)
• First 100 customers: official Krispy Kreme T-shirt
• From 2-4:30pm on May 4, 2011 – customers will receive one free Original Glazed doughnut (offer good while supplies last)

There was already someone in line when I walked by at 9PM tonight…
Meet Ryan Hatt, first in line and looking forward to a dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts every week for a year. Ryan, 20, arrived at 4:30PM with a back pack of granola bars, water, his phone and an umbrella. He said he has a lot of patience and once waited for Justin Beiber tickets for 18 hrs. He works at the Philadelphia Zoo and he feeds birds. He’s a blogger and a baker. He writes about what he bakes at Ryans Baking Blog. He’s a big fan of doughnuts, but has never had a Krispy Kreme doughnut. (That’s not gonna be a problem anymore.) Currently his favorite doughnuts are from Doughnut Plant in NYC. He’s a vegetarian, but not a vegan which is good cause Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts are vegetarian but not vegan. He lives in South Philly with a roommate and two cats. He’s a big Lindsay Lohan fan and has a tshirt that says Free Lindsay. He wants to live in Toronto someday, but believes it will be after his year of doughnuts. The folks at Krispy Kreme gave him the TShirt before they left for the night, Ryan says it’s too big but after a year of eating doughnuts everyday he might grow into it.
Someone tweeted 30 minutes ago that there are now 2 people in line. Ryan will be tweeting his adventures all night long at @ryansbakingblog He just tweeted [that]

As Krispy Kreme Doughnuts opens it’s doors to the public at 16th & Chestnut Streets in Center City Philadelphia.
Yesterday I stopped in for a quick bite VIP party
and took a few pictures
The menu is much more extensive than I thought
and the donuts not as high in calories.
In honor of their grand opening Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts
The grand opening festivities will kick off at 6am (I’ll be there photographing the whole shebang) and door prizes include:
• 1st customer: one free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts every week for a year.
• Next 11 customers: one free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts every month for a year.
• Next 20 customers: 20 free medium cups of Krispy Kreme Coffee (1 per visit)
• First 100 customers: official Krispy Kreme T-shirt
• From 2-4:30pm on May 4, 2011 – customers will receive one free Original Glazed doughnut (offer good while supplies last) For more information, visit: www.krispykremephilly.com/grandopening/ or connect on Facebook.
Melts in your mouth, really next time you see me you’re going to tell me I was right.
Sharon and Bob Snyder with son Jake. Sharon is the founder of a charity called “Kisses for Kyle”. The Kisses for Kyle Foundation offers a variety of services to families fighting childhood cancer in the Delaware Valley. The foundation is working on creating a Lady Bug donut to sell to raise funds for the charity.
Krispy Kreme has more breakfast foods than just donuts. Although donuts really are an anytime kinda thing, especially when the hot light is on.
Charles Jones and Sharif
Even the mommy bloggers showed up Cecily with daughter Tori and mommy blogger Dresden

Tomorrow morning the Hot Donut sign goes on for the first time at 6AM. –

Happiness is a “Hot Fresh Now” Krispy Kreme Donut Sign

Last Thursday before running over to the Utley All Star event, I stopped by the Borowsky-Wagman home in Society Hill which is high above the Washington Square neighborhood in Philadelphia.

Mr Irvin Borowsky and his wife Laurie Wagman were gracious enough to open their Society Hill home featuring an exquisite collection of privately owned original paintings by Marc Chagall, the gathering was a fundraiser organized by The Gershman Y, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Philadelphia Theatre Company. There was a champagne dinner with Philadelphia Museum of Art curator Michael R. Taylor and the dinner was followed by the premiere of Bella: The Color of Love – Opening Night at the Suzanne Roberts Theater.Suzanne Roberts was in attendance along with her husband Ralph J. Roberts who founded Comcast.
Hosts Laurie Wagman and Irvin Borowky with Sherry Rubin, Executive Director Gershman Y
Even the dessert looked artistic. At the Gershman Y catch Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner Thursday 5/5 7PM
Lisa Simon, Simon Pr, Laura and Jeremy Wintraub
Dr. Ed and Rebecca Schulman
David Feldman, Marilyn Frank, Mimi Katz and Gary Lozoff; Bella: The Color of Love, a new world premiere theatrical cabaret concert about Bella Chagall, Marc Chagall’s wife and muse, is a theatrical and musical journey into the mind of Bella and her years with Marc from Russia to the lights of Paris to America. And was part of the Philadelphia International Festival of Arts, which concluded on Sunday. I hope they bring this show back again, it sounds so wonderful.
Joseph Zuritsky, CEO Parkway and wife Renee. Zuritsky was just in the news last week about the astronomical 20% parking tax levied against the parking garages in the City. He told me he hopes that it will be reduced in the next 5 years.
Michael Coleman, Sherrie Savett, Steven Starr (but not that one he jokes) and Alan Lindy
Lisa Simon, Simon PR, Philadelphia Museum of Art curator Michael R. Taylor, Irvin Borowky and Laurie Wagman

Friday The Royal Wedding was done Parx Casino-style. Last Friday Prince William and Kate Middleton impersonators “married” at the posh casino in Bensalem, Pa.

The Trumpetters welcome Kate,
er Katherine
The couple join hands for a serious re-enactmentCongratulations!
Then went on to try their luck in the casino.
Parx Casino made the priest available to renew and bless anyone who wanted the service. In the morning, 8AM, 4 couples showed up. At the 7PM service nearly 30 couples showed up. WOW
Dianne and John Jablonski with the bride and groom
Isobel and John Bulmers, met through friends and on Friday celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary
Kathy and Bob Sahasay Lo with the entire wedding party
Here are the evening couples at Parx Casino preparing to renew their vows.Patty and Anthony
Art and Mary
5o years today!! Bill and Linda Harold and Dorothy Case.
Were neighbors and have been married for 60 years
Joseph and Trudy
All ages were represented at the wedding, and the couples took their moment very seriously. It was touching.
Then there was the surprise dance
then the flash dance, which was impressive since all these dancers were Parx employees. Check out the video here
The End

PhillyChitChatter: Great news about Osama Bin Laden. Check out Sunday’s blog entries by hitting the HOME button in the upper left corner.
When did the name of the restaurant at the Westin change to Winthorpe and Valentine? Do you know what movie that name is from? It was filmed in Philly.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is Having A Party in the Garden May 4, 2011 6 PM – 9PM
Thursday night Lisa Wu-Hartwell was spotted at Miss Tootsie’s. Lisa’s been in town filming a new Charles Dutton film at Sigma Sound.
Whisper found Corey Howard, and his brother Ryan Howard and fiance Krystle Campbell enjoying themselves in one of the VIP Sky Boxes. DJ Royale was spinning. Saturday night Wanda Sykes and burger king Bobby Flay both had dinner at Marc Vetri’s Osteria, but not together. Also Saturday night, Tommy Hilfiger was supposed to be on hand to receive the ninth recipient of the Philadelphia University Spirit of Design award. At the last minute he backed out, citing personal matters. Carson Kressley was on hand to give him the award, but in the end accepted it for him even mimicking Hilfingers voice while giving a mock thank you speech. Love that Carson.
Today Bill Cosby is on The Ten Show. Here’s the Green Room. The walls on the outside have been signed by guests that appeared on the show.
It’s over for PIFA, but the memories will last a lifetime. Oh and the cube stays. It will show the upcoming events happening at the Kimmel Center.

The Philadelphia International Festival of The Arts Inspired by the Kimmel Center, and made possible by a grant by Philadelphia Philanthropist Leonore Annenberg, whose vision for a city-wide celebration of the arts shaped it’s philosophy and programing. The PIFA street festival was a huge success as nearly a hundred thousand descended onto Broad Street for the day long Moment in Time that is now part of Philadelphia’s colorful, artisticI arrived around mid-day to see Broad Street in full of smiling happy folks wearing paper crowns as if they were the next commoner to inherit a kingdom.
It was amazing the little details that added to the day
Wells Fargo had a stage coach in front of their building where people could pose for photos.
People dressed in costume animals, clowns even a growing to the delight of children


Speaking of children – Jesse Frank and his wife Diana are expecting a child this summer. Congratulations!!
a garden in the middle of Broad Street
Families willing to wait 90 minutes from this point, the guy is telling them, to have their face painted
Arthur Kade, Kate Beaver and friend. Kate tells me she did the flash mob after reading it on PhillyChitChat. That’s awesome since I didn’t make it as I was still in bed after my 14hr photo shoot at Parx Casino Friday.

This girl is taking a picture of a rock and her friend is taking a picture of her taking a picture of a rock
Nicole and Charles Paloux with Mrs. Bilcher
WTF? That did actually scare me cause the animal was so out of context for me.
Can we keep this ?
Lots of fun fashion on the Avenue
pretty girls
pretty babies
Donald Carter
Kerry O’Connor, Director of Public Relations for Magee Rehabilitation wants everyone to come to Friday’s fundraiser. “Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s Night of Champions” Friday, May 6, 2011 6:30 P.M.. Penn’s Landing Caterers/Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall
Lovely bow

I guess when they planned their wedding they didn’t realize that Broad Street would not be a good place to take wedding photos on April 30, 2011
Laura and friends
Carol Fritz sporting one of the SA VA banner coats. Only 60 were made from the Free Library Festival Banners. I wonder if we can make PIFA Banner coats and raise some money for the Orchestra?
Doc Parghi, Kate Slattery and RJ Cacciutti
My Fairmount neighbor Barbara Epstein who volunteered for the PIFA event and also for the education programs at the Kimmel.
There were lots of photo opportunities on the Avenue
Especially the Maze
The 7PM crowd to see the Effiel Tower Show. Good news, the Kimmel Center is keeping the Effiel Tower at least through the summer. I would beg them to keep it forever. I see a new gala called save the Effiel Tower Gala, fundraisers etc. This is a piece of history that needs to be saved. Remember all the buildings dismantled after the 1876 World Exposition in Fairmount Park, and how people regretted it many years later. This would put the Kimmel Center on the map for tourism, like the Rocky Steps, or The Liberty Bell. People would come to the arts hall to enjoy the light show as well as just to marvel at the masterpiece.The view from the Kimmel Center balcony, at the Founders Party. Love this overview of Broad Street and the Festival.
Councilman Bill Green and Marjorie Green
Dennis Reilly and ABC6’s Nydia Han
Mimi Dimeling, Alan and Louise Reed. Louise and Mimi were part of the PIFA Steering Committee.
And it begins the La Compagnie Trans Express Jester

“The fair is an amazing culmination of PIFA, inspired by the Kimmel Center and its celebration of Philadelphia’s arts and culture community,” said Anne Ewers, the center’s president and chief executive.
“This sunset performance of La Compagnie Transe Express promises to be one of the most spectacular outdoor performances Philadelphia has ever experienced,”

Ewers says. “We’re grateful to our community for embracing PIFA and honored that the Kimmel Center was able to lead this inaugural festival.”

Spectacular

Copyright ‘Ray Skwire’

Copyright ‘Ray Skwire’

I want to thank everyone involved with PIFA, especially the people I worked with on a regular bases Public Relations Firm Nina Zucker and her crew, Ed Salvato who managed the PIFA Bloggers, and all the Kimmel Center folks, especially Dafni D. Comerota, Kimmel Center Public Relations. As someone who loves the City, and writes about it on a daily basis, this event rocked and changed the way Philadelphia is going to be viewed by others especially in the arts and culture worlds. Let’s do it again in two years!!

This feature is brought to you with the support of PIFA (Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts). If you’re interested in the events, and want to help ensure that PIFA becomes an annual event please Like their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter!

About two months ago and with much fan fare Arrow Swim Club held it’s sneak preview party (for the May 15 Grand Opening)at Tendenza, another new hot spot in the Northern Liberties/Piazza neighborhood. The Piazza as you know, is Bart Blatstein’s innovated new living district. He built houses around a central courtyard, a main street living concept with businesses and restaurants to sustain it’s tenants. A lot of naysayers did not embrace his vision, some of the locals looked down on it. But when it opened it was a success, people loved living in the modern apartments over looking a very active central courtyard, whose TV or festivals would drive others crazy. Now a pool joins the neighborhood. You would think it would have been welcomed with open arms, but the marketing was put together quickly this past winter and the message was misunderstood. The message most people heard was it was going to be a “velvet rope” atmosphere and you would have to pass a scrutinized membership form. That is not the case, the membership form was basically on par with any agreement you would sign for a car, a cell phone, an apartment and the Lombard Swim Club. I think what got lost in translation, as it was on me, did the membership form represent a sorta judging on whether we were good enough to be a member. I’ve talked to Nicole Cashman, and the membership form was really about safety, to assure that you could leave your stuff unattended to jump in the pool and not have to worry that someone walked off with it. It was a credit check, something everyone does when you apply for a service, even when you apply for a job they check your credit. The Lombard Swim Club and the Arrow Swim are on par with each other except for the location, parking and it’s for adults 21 and older. Both clubs have similar fees and membership forms. The pool is almost ready to open with it’s Free Yoga on the weekends, Movie Nights, Cocktail Parties, season running til mid October. On warm days you can swim a pool as the leaves are changing. A friend of mine told me that since she’s pregnant she can’t really lay out, although she’d like to swim, I told her about the overhang and that you can place your chair under there and then go for a dip. I hear that the upper deck with the lounge chairs have been extended to go halfway around the pool area. The Cabana’s can now be rented for half days too.

Who are the members, people who want great service, a clean pool, fun activities and to know that the spot they’re laying on wasn’t just pooper scooped an hour earlier. Thomas Finnegan and Lex Wainwright told me at the party they were joining.
Kathy Jacobsen and Stacey Applestein might be happy to hear that Arrow Swim Club relaxed their guest policy to 5 visits per one guest per season (the same as Lombard Swim Club) – Meaning if your spouse doesn’t join, he can come with you up to 5xs that season.
$20.00 per guest per visit (Mon-Thurs, all seasons)
$30.00 per guest per visit (Fri-Sun, May to June 1; September 6 to October 16)
$40.00 per guest per visit (Fri-Sun & holidays)

The above photo is from Streets Dept who snuck in and got a few photos. He’s not a big fan of the pool basically for the price, but everyone I’ve talked to thinks the price is fine. A trip to the beach for a weekend is $1,000. Broken down it’s about $5 a day to go to the pool. Have you seen the menu it’s not gouging as he feared: menu on Grub Street Philly
It’s a great place to bring clients too to discuss business as you eat by the cabana bar over looking the pool. And then there’s the Chenango restaurant and fire pit lounge. Their hours are later than the pools and anyone can enjoy those places.
And Top Cheftestant Jen Carroll’s joining with beau Mark. It’s gonna be a great summer. Malloy on Philadelphia Speaks.com says it best “I think its safe to say anyone who moved into NoLibs these last few years (including many/most renters) can afford a $1000 fee for a cool place to go (daily if they wish) … People spend more than that on cigarettes! I think Cashman knows the city well…Id bet on her vision.”