Philly Chit Chat

Did you know that 1 in 110 kids are diagnosed with autism. It’s true. It’s touched my family and I can tell you that with special education and attention the progress made with the kids is amazing. You can help and have fun too. On Monday, March 21st Bowl with 76er Andre Iguodala and Friends to raise money and awareness for high school students impacted by poverty and autism. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here. I’ll be there to cover the event and I would love to see you there.

Philadelphia, PA-March, 15 th 2011 Delilah’s, the Nationally Acclaimed, Gentlemen’s Club and Steakhouse, will award over $12,000 in cash and prizes at its annual “Entertainer of the Year” competition on Wednesday, March 23rd 2011. This highly anticipated event will deliver powerful performances from some of Delilah’s most talented dancers as they compete for the coveted title of “Entertainer of the Year 2011.” The evening begins at seven o’clock with select open bar sponsored in part by Grey Goose Vodka and Corona Beer. To seduce your palate, gourmet butlered hors d’oeuvres will be prepared by Delilah’s award winning culinary team.As always, a panel of celebrity judges will be deciding this year’s outcome, which will include: former Philadelphia Eagle & Fanatic personality Brian Baldinger, PhillyChitChat blogger Hughe Dillon, 2011 Wing Bowl Runner Up Bill “El Wingador” Simmons, Daily News’ gossip columnist Dan Gross, Season Six Bachelorette Star Craig Robinson, Apprentice Star Erin Elmore, and the dynamic duo of Eagles Wives Susie Celek and Julie Dorenbos.

To be placed on the VIP list for “Entertainer of the Year 2011”, credentialed members of the press need only contact
Buffy Varanese at 215-625-2800 Ext.101 or buffy@delilahs.com. (Buffy’s with Justin Pizzi who returns to NBC 10 tomorrow after having surgery. We tape a brand new segment for The Scene which you can watch on Thursday Ch 248 or 10.2 at 9:30PM.)

Never been to Delilah’s –
Then you’re missing out on the multi-award-winning experience that members of the National Association of Gentlemen’s Club Owners named “Best Overall Club” in the Country 2007. Rated Excellent by Zagat Survey & voted Best Gentlemen’s Club & Best Place for a Bachelor Party every year since 1998 by the Philadelphia City Paper’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Delilah’s gets better every year! Check out more info at Philly2Philly Here

14 PHILADELPHIA ACCOLADES In 2011 City Wins National Praise For Its Food, Beer, Hotels, Events & More PHILADELPHIA, March 15, 2011 – Only three months into the new year, Greater Philadelphia’s restaurants, hotels, events, beer and more are racking up all kinds of accolades from major national publications, websites and blogs. Calling the city “romantic” and “underrated,” Philadelphia has won praise for its top-notch children’s museum (Please Touch Museum®), its must-see annual events (Philadelphia International Flower Show), its mouth-watering sandwiches (Koja and Paesano’s) and much more. Here’s a look at 14 accolades making headlines so far this year: The City Itself: 1. In its March issue, Travel + Leisure listed Philadelphia in its “World’s Most Underrated Cities” list. 2. Philadelphia took the fourth spot on the cnnmoney.com list of America’s “10 most romantic cities,” which is based on the amount of money people spend for Valentine’s Day. Arts & Culture: 3. In the March issue, Parents magazine featured Please Touch Museum® in its list of the
“10 Best Children’s Museums: 2011.” 4. The Philadelphia International Flower Show and Longwood Gardens sprung up on cnn.com’s “12 places to see beautiful spring blooms.” Dining & Nightlife: 5. In Travel + Leisure’s March issue, the magazine named Mexican hotspot Lolita one of “America’s Best BYO Restaurants.” 6. In March, Food & Wine magazine included Osteria and Tacconelli’s Pizzeria in its “The Best Pizza Spots in the U.S.” article. 7. Reading Terminal Market made Frommer’s “America’s Best Public Markets,” a list that included just 10 markets. 8. Endless Simmer food blog began the year by listing two Philadelphia dishes—the bulgogi steak sandwich from Koja food truck and lasagna bolognese from Paesano’s—in its list of “America’s Top 10 Sandwiches.” 9. In its January article entitled “The Best Restaurants in Which to Do Business,” Esquire’s Eat Like A Man blog named Fountain at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia and Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel. 10. This year, Esquire called Philadelphia one of “America’s Best Beer Cities 2011.”

Hotels:

11. Spawards.com recognized The Rittenhouse Hotel’s Adolf Biecker Spa in its compilation of “America’s’ 2011 Top 100 Spas.” 12. Travel + Leisure magazine ranked The Rittenhouse Hotel fourth on the “Best City Hotel in America” list featured in the March issue. 13. In its January issue, Travel + Leisure ranked The Rittenhouse Hotel (92.97 score), the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (88.37) and the Loews Philadelphia Hotel (86.67) in its U.S. list of the “World’s Best Hotels 2011.” 14. In Trip Advisor’s ninth annual Travelers’ Choice survey, the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia took the #2 spot in the “Top 10 Trendiest Hotels in the United States” list. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.(that’s my tag line and photo of Philly, so don’t hold it against GPTMC if u don’t love it like I do – LOL)

Starting off this entry with my new weekly series of fun purchases I see on my walkabout town. I’m not a big on buying things anymore, especially now that I’ve seen hoarders and thought oh I’m on my way to being on that show, but I love to window shop.

Window Shopping this week took me to The Shops at Liberty Place. It’s easy to fall in love with a lot of the items in this store Bella Turka and I love browsing whenever I’m in the neighborhood.

I love these bowls at Bella Turka in Liberty Shops and they are selling out.

This frame is also cute and I am in love with angels. I highly recommend this store but don’t take my word for it the folks at Yelp love them too.

Right down the hall from Bella Turka is The Big Green Earth Store. I first was introduced to this store when I judge a window they had entered into the Flower Show Contest. What sold me was the Eiffel Tower made out of recycled water bottles. These stars are perfect for your house, balcony or patio. Get 10% off with this coupon.

The students at the Art Institute paid a dollar for their contribution to this art work. The funds were donated to The Please Touch Museum.



Navteq mapping the streets of Philly. See the camera on top, I waved. Maybe someday I’ll show up here.

Phillycentric Celebrity Gossip:

Is Wilmington’s Ryan Phillippe going to be a dad again? That’s what the gossip blogs are saying. What’s interesting is I don’t think he’s with that girl anymore and like a good soap opera she swears it’s his and not her new boyfriends.

Bradley Cooper visited The New York Stock Exchange yesterday. The handsome hunk is out and about promoting his new movie “Limitless” which comes out on Friday. (I saw it, and thought it was good, but wish they didn’t reveal so much in the trailer.) Stocks closed down at 11,993 today, but I don’t think we can blame it on BC.

Is Lumiere Luxury Suite closed or was that sign just because it was closed?



Finally coming: La Columbe to The Residences at the Ritz Carlton as uwishunu noted in January. Earlier mention was by Michael Klein back in Nov 2010

Outside Finnegan’s Wake on Saturday night. This guy on the phone is chatting with some girl and says “If you don’t get back here in 15 minutes, I am going to tell your mom what a drunk you are.” ME: I can’t wait to shoot the crazy fun on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Blue Cross Ice Skating Rink is closed for the season. I think that little ground hog was right. On April 1 The Phlash begins, but I hear it’s the last season the purple bus will make it’s appearance on our City streets. I love the quirky little route it takes. I’ll miss it.

BOOK SIGNING: Eric Marlowe Garrison: Mastering Multiple Position Sex: Mind-Blowing Lovemaking Techniques That Create Unforgettable Orgasms 3/18/11 Sexploratorium, 620 S 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA 7PM – 8PM and on Sunday March 20th, 1-6pm (Not sure if there is a demonstration with those hours.) Sexploratorium, 620 S 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

Last week was a whirlwind for one Housewife visiting from Orange County, Ca. Southern California born and bred, Lynne Curtin, 51, joined The Real Housewives of Orange County two seasons ago.

Lynne was on the East coast to make an appearance at SOPHISTIKATE in Bethlehem, PA, and promote her accessories line which includes cuffs, Earrings, and Handbags. The cuffs were featured on the RHWOC before Lynne was shown the door last summer, but had made an appearance on the show which helped launch the cuffs. I think the cuffs are adorable, and range from $125 to $250. She also makes dog collars. I wonder if she makes people collars, they she could corner the whole fetish market too.

A few of her new friends came down from the Lehigh Valley to paint the town red with her on a 24hr bender sponsored by VALLEY SOCIAL MAGAZINE. Real Housewife of Orange County’s Lynne Curtain and Christopher Werley Publisher, Valley Social Magazine. Who knew the Lehigh Valley was rocking a sophisticated chi-chi social life mag, which is awesome. Karin Annerhed and Raquel Philly girls Raquel works the cocktail lounge at 10 Arts and Karin is with Sigma Sound.

Greta Miller and Gina Moore

Rita Morkunaite and Jonida Mollai

Lynne Curtain told LuAnn Cahn and Jillian Mele to look for her return on the Real Housewives of Orange County this season, which kicks off on Sunday Lynne says. Check out the NBC10 Philadelphia Interview Here

Remember Friendster, well this is similar to that but with real live peeps networking and helping to raise money for a good cause. Hope you can make it on 3/24/11 to help the children.
http://www.cctckids.org/index.php

(sponsor post)

With a heavy heart I said prayers this weekend for Japan, it’s people and the hardship they are going through after the devastating earthquake and tsunami last Friday. If want to help in the recovering please donate contact The Red Cross of Philadelphia here or text REDCROSS to 90999 — to add $10 towards their disaster relief efforts in Japan… ever dollar helps. Last week I attended the Red Ball at the Please Touch Museum, but before we get to that I want to also extend my condolences to council-man-at-large candidate Malcom Lazin whose mother died last week.

Congratulations to Carrie Nork Minelli and Dino Minelli on the birth of their son Dino Jr.

Congratulations to the newly engaged Sam Katz’s son Phil Katz, and Leah Greenberg. Also Victoria Holdofsky has beautiful ring gracing her left hand thanks to Kyle. Who knew that all that green beer & Irish Potatoes could invoke such romance.

Also check out my Anne Hathaway sighting. Thanks to my initial tipster, then the 4 who gave me additional info. I couldn’t do what I love the most without you:)

The Red Ball was attended by more than 1,100 people and was held March 5 at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. Presented by ModSpace, the event featured dishes by area restaurants with prizes awarded to the best featured foods. This is the 3rd year the Ball has been held at the Please Touch Museum, and I think one of the best years. Everything ran smoothly, and every one I talked to had a great time. I know everyone appreciated the Modspace
Music for the ball was provided by CTO World Entertainment Productions. Tonight they had a band in the main room, and a DJ with a man on the mike in the VIP room.
Patty Kelly, Sara Wamsley, Kristin DuBois, Erica Patrick, Steve Carbone, Carol Drumstas
Always fashion foward Kharisma McIlwaine from the CW Philly Crew and Jericka Duncan
I can’t remember who this is but he played with Papale and the Eagles, but I do know my girl Valerie Knight and her hubby Frank Sestito, Janet and Vince Papale. Do you remember how Janet told me how to remember to spell her last name. I mentioned it that night to her and I think she died, pap for smear and ale for beer. Swear that’s what she said. So clever.
Damian Muziani and Adriana Alveario. Damian is the host for WPHL17’s Better Philly. They are both actors and met while performing in Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Check out Damian’s page to book him for your next commercial or show.
David Anthony and Jillian Pirtle, Miss Black Pennsylvania 2011

Guests at the annual “red tie gala” sampled culinary delights prepared by Philadelphia’s hottest chefs and for the second year got the chance to vote for their favorite restaurant. This year’s restaurant winner is The Bistro at Our Town in Exton, PA. Dana Herbert of Desserts by Dana and winner of TLC’s Next Great Baker, presented the glass award to Bistro CEO/Founder Ashley Melillo and Managing Partner Jillian Godfry.
Ilana Waber, Gloss PR and Justin Fishman
Thanks to Mod Space there were comfy chairs to lounge on
Everyone had a great time on the carousel
Megan Heaton
Magee Rehabilitation will celebrate its Eleventh Annual Night of Champions fundraiser on Friday, May 6 at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall on 1301 South Columbus Blvd., in Philadelphia, Pa. Magee’s Night of Champions includes dinner, raffle prizes, music from local band 61 North and auctions of autographed sports memorabilia, exclusive gifts, restaurant certificates, getaway weekends, and travel packages. All funds benefit the Hospital’s Patient Programs. As always, local sports celebrities such as Eagles head coach Andy Reid, NBA Hall-of-Famer Billy Cunningham, Temple University men’s basketball coach Fran Dunphy, Phillies Director of Public Affairs Scott Palmer, former Eagle Mike Mamula, former Eagle John Spagnola, sports radio personality Howard Eskin, former Magee patient Adam Taliaferro, former IBF Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve “USS” Cunningham, and more will be in attendance. please call (215) 587-3090. tickets $125
Side saddle

sometimes the fun was found near the carousel
Grace Flanagan and friends. With a name like Flanagan I wonder what she’ll be doing on Thursday?
The man behind the scenes for CTO Entertainment Carmen Tomassetti and his lovely girlfriend and PhillyChitChat reader Dr. Erin Pusz


Tom Bentley and Leslie Padilla

Marilyn Sukonick-Zeff always gives a good Tarot Card reading, with a happy customer
Ashley B. Cook, PHLARE MAGAZINE, Monica Boyle and Justin Fulton, the fashion consultant at Phlare Magazine
All good things must come to an end and it did near midnight…See you next year Michael & Rinko Hames who are driving off into the sunset.
The Red Ball raised $285,000, the most ever for any SEPA Chapter single day event. All proceeds from The Red Ball directly benefit Red Cross House – The Center for Disaster Recovery, the SEPA Chapter’s one-of-a-kind short-term housing facility in West Philadelphia where hundreds of local families every year begin their recovery from fires, floods, and other disasters.

Philadelphia Celebrity Sightings: Actress, recent Oscar hostess, the next Catwomen in Batman, super sweet Anne Hathaway popped into the Joan Shepp Boutique on Walnut Street along Rittenhouse Row in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon around 2PM. Seems she needed a dress for a wedding she was attending, IN 2 HOURS. (Crazy girl, she’s just like us waiting til the last minute.) She was with her boyfriend Adam Shulman. She spent about 40 minutes looking for the right dress finally deciding on a blue one by Junya Watanabe. After trying it on a quick eyed Joan Shepp clerk noticed it was see through, so Anne bought a slip too.

UPDATE: The wedding was for Anne’s Cousin. Anne’s mom, actress Kate McCauley was from the Philadelphia area. Her parents met while going to LaSalle University. Her grandfather, Joe McCauley, was one of Philadelphia’s most popular radio personalities, known as “The Morning Mayor”. He hosted “The Dawn Patrol”, the nation’s second all-night radio program, on WIP-AM beginning in 1942. The wedding was held at the Crystal Tea room, and the after party was at the Palomar Hotel where Anne, her boyfriend, parents and many guests from the wedding stayed. I took the above shots in NYC 2008. In the first photo she’s making a gesture to her mom who is standing behind me. They just had dinner at the Waverly Inn in Greenwich Village, owned by Graydon Carter of Vanity Fair fame. It’s NYC’s Ivy, you show up there then expect to be paparazzi’d. For Philly I think it’s safe to say that celebrity hangouts are Stephen Starr restaurants, Del Frisco’s and R2L. The guy she’s leaving with above is her last boyfriend, Raffaello Follieri, who is now serving 4 years in jail for pretending to be a representative of the Vatican to con wealthy investors out of millions of dollars. Ah but that’s old news and she’s happy now with Adam Shulman who has Philadelphia ties. (Thanks to the reader who tipped me off to this story, I really appreciate it. Tip me off about celebrity sightings at Buzz @ PhillyChitChat.com [no spaces]. When possible I can send you a gift bag I got from a cool party, sometimes get you on the list of a cool party or send you a 5 photos I’ve taken of you. Just ask to be put on the list and as they come up I can send something your way. Sometimes people just send me tips cause they like my blog, but either way I appreciate your support. Over 5 people tipped me to this report and just wanted a big THANK YOU!!)