Philly Chit Chat

Mike and I went to Atlantic City for a party to celebrate the one year anniversary of Dusk. Dusk as you know is a club inside of Caesar’s Casino where I went a lot last summer shooting celebs and friends. Mike and I made a weekend out of it and did some of our favorite things, like people and bird watched.
Steel Pier – as some of you know I bought a new camera last week. It’s my first pocket digital in about 5 years. Usually I carry the big guy everyday, but I am not always going to do that anymore unless I go to an event, and then sometimes not even then. I will just have to look unprofessional on occasion, especially in clubs as hopefully enough people will know who I am and just pose for me.

Geese – Cape May – some of these shots were taken with my new Panosomic Lumix. Can you guess which ones? Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge – Near AC
Beautiful view from my 41st floor hotel room at Caesar’s Hotel & Casino; not this one, but both my favorite pixs were taken with it.

I remember those days when dad’s boat would conk out in the Atlantic Ocean and the Coast Guard would have to tow us is – LOL
Turtle Crossing – Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge – Near AC
Dockside eating at the Lobster House in Cape May, NJ
Dad’s first boat

2nd Favorite Picture of the weekend
Sunset Beach, Cape May, NJ
Muskrat Love? – Cape May, NJ


Got in late from dancing, oh and winning $60 on video poker.
Thought I would stay up til dawn for the sunrise and it was foggy:(
picturesque tree, not so picturesque sign – Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge – Near AC
There were two swan, but one was at a bad angle – Cape May, NJ
Cardinal
My favorite picture of the weekend. I took this through my windshield because the green flies were HORRIBLE. ( Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge outside of Atlantic City.)

The Rittenhouse Ball Chairs and Committee

The 27th Rittenhouse Ball on The Square, was held last night, Thursday, June 17, 2010. The prestigious evening of glamour is always held on the third Thursday in June where the proceeds raise funds to make significant capital improvements to Rittenhouse Square. The gala event is co-chaired this year by Nicole Cashman, Cashman & Associates and Brian Kappra, Evantine designs. Both of them thanked their committees for helping bring the event together.


Evantine Designs, food by Starr catering, who by the way I have confirmed that Stephen Starr and January are expecting a baby in October, Congratulations.
The Girls: Lauren D’Orisio (I finally have that spelling down without having to look it up – LOL), Carol Tamburino, bringing it back with the stylish gloves, Kristen Foote in summertime white, Sabrina Tamburino Thorne in sleek black, and Tempa Barish with the gams.
Seriously stylish John Colabelli, Publisher Philly Style Magazine. I have been getting inquires for months about the Hot List Party, I should have asked him.
R2L Chef/owner Daniel Stern and wife Jennifer. There were a couple notables missing from the Ball, like Kelly Boyd, who I hear has moved to the Main Line and was recently seen at the Old Guard House telling people that she’s writing a book on divorced moms and raising kids. But she still maintains her business on Rittenhouse Square and attends to her clients.
Sabs, Nicole and Nicole’s BFF from grade school Noel Bruno Noone
David Hall, Loews Food & Beverage Mgr, Creg Oosterhart, Ellen Rossbergand Brian Kappra

Nina Tinari
Jay Federman, Sylvia Beck, Alan Sandman and John Pesolar
No event is complete without an appearance of Sabrina Tamburino Thorne and Steve Thorne. Although they looked great on their wedding day 8 months ago, they have continued their healthy living and are more fit then ever.
Julie Campman and Denis Sheils (Denis and I work together at Kohn, Swift & Graf. [He’s one of my bosses.])
Kareem Thomas, Melissa Tagye, Chris Smith, Jalyce Gipson and Jim Higgins
Philly’s Suzanne Sommers, Nancy Glass

Dana Spain and Andi Pesacov, Make sure you have their PAWS event down on your calender. For info check the PhillyChitChat.com calendar at the top of this page, and look at June 28. Great event, great food, good cause.
Another super stylish couple who I love to photograph would be Sharon Pinkenson and Joe Weiss.

Nancy Alperin Regni and Jerry Regni.
CBS3’s Chris May and a very pregnant Susan Barnett (Did you know I took the very last public picture of Monica Malpass before she gave birth, so maybe) Nicole Cashman and Brian Kappra
Wendy Rosen speaks

10 Rittenhouse was one of tonights sponsors, here’s Robert Ambrosi Arc Properties with his squeeze.

Nicole Cashman thanks the sponsors

Sponsors Thomas and Cheryl George, with Deme Both graduates of University of Pennsylvania, their company does cosmetic surgery, dental work and psychiatric treatment. Talk about one stop shopping. (More than a few of their clients were walking around with “fresh faces” at the gala.)

Brian Kappra and his team at Evantine Design have done another magnificent job

Who’s that kissing in the back on the left?
Ellie Kosarek preparing the gift bags for the departing guests.
The Young Friends of Rittenhouse Square Party at the Prime Rib in the Warwick Hotel
Jt Christensen and Derek Freres
Shilpa Sood, R.J. Cacciutti, Molly DeNofa, Ashley Nikoo
Tina Tellado, Tiffani McDonough, Hayes Hunt, Carlyn Miluski, and Micah Knapp
Melissa Szymczak and Roger Levy
Then it was off to my 5th and last event of the night at 10:30PM. Crazy night. Happy Weekend, and please check out the Kimmel Center presents Summer Solstice starting at 3PM tomorrow.
I apologize if I did not get everyone on. I will be putting all the photos in an online album for you to purchase for $5. I won’t be sending pictures out anymore. It’s entirely too time consuming. Sorry. Also check out my PhillyMag.com for more on the Rittenhouse Ball, I have to confess I do that column first and a lot of good stuff goes there.

The Career Wardrobe, one of my favorite charities as my friend Abby Siegel-Greenberg co-founded about 15 years ago. So even though I had a hired job the same evening, I would never have normally done that but was confused with the dates when I was hired, anyway I ran over there (8 blocks south) and caught the last 30 minutes because it’s that important to me.

Sheri Cole, Executive Director of the Career Wardrobe, a nonprofit organization that provides free professional clothing and educational support to low-income women transitioning to work, addresses the crowd.

Council women Marian Tasco wants you to come out to the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival this weekend.

Sometimes God let’s you know in a very concrete way that He’s got you… So I’m in my car I stop at a red light and the guy behind me doesn’t at all and hits me… But I’m not hurt and the car wasn’t damaged isn’t God good?!??? Yes and I’m Thankful!!!! – Kharisma McIlwaine – CW’s On Air talent as tweeted today. With Phlare Magazine editor/owner Ashley Cook
Mayor Nutter’s Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Everett Gillison poses for his close up. The Career Wardrobe is a nonprofit organization that serves thousands of women in transition by providing free professional clothing and educational opportunities in the Philadelphia region. Our services empower women by inspiring the confidence necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Since 1995, The Career Wardrobe has assisted over 50,000 women.

Elana Chasan, Jamie Bennett and Paige Wolf who does the PR for Career Wardrobe
Every year some of Philly’s favorite anchorwomen participate in the fashion show. L-R Fox29’s Sue Serio, CBS3’s Nicole Brewer and Fox29’s Shanelle Jones , who looks fabulous after giving birth about a year ago.
Besides a fashion show the highlight of the evening is when they auction off viv pickle purses signed by celebrities. (So if you are a celebrity all they need is a signed index card, or even a piece of paper and they will either sew the signature into the purse, or present it in a frame and will include it with the purse. For example President Obama’s signature came in a frame with the purse. The purses are on inspection before the auction.) This purse was inspired by the TV Show Lost and is a Darhma bag signed by Hurly and Jin. Hurly’s winning numbers are sewn in the bag too.
One of the important elements of having a successful charity event is knowing your audience as well as having the correct venue. Over the years this event has moved from the tiny venue, to the World Cafe to the Bellevue for the past 2 years. And even though the economy has been tough, the generosity of the folks attending the event was astounding. Most bags went for $400, a few near a thousand. These people know it’s for charity, and it’s a novel idea that a celeb signed the bag. Thanks for your generosity. (Next week I will chat about another worthy organization in their first year, but they didn’t know their audience and it was a darn shame because this crowd would have loved a pair of Jimmy Choo’s signed by Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart) for more than $75)
It’s on the tip of my tongue.
Joey Fortman from MYPHL17 taking in the sites. She has a fun blog too HERE:
Janet Zappala, Shanelle Jones, Nicole Brewer, Sue Serio,
The TV newsies and some of the clients of Career Wardrobe. Monique Braxton; Donations for The Career Wardrobe will be accepted at
The Wardrobe Boutique
1822 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia
Tuesday – Saturday: 11:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesdays: 12:00 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, June 22nd until Tuesday, July 6th
in order for us to get our location up and running.

I remember the first three Great Chefs event held at our host’s restaurant Marc Vetri’s Osteria on North Broad Street; they were packed, but still very intimate with a crowd that just seemed to surge year after year. This year The Great Chefs made the smart move down Broad Street to the Navy Yard at the Urban Outfitters headquarters where it’s able to handle 5 times the crowd, yet it remained intimate, exciting and friendly. I was running late as I had a late assignment at my day job, but there was no way I would miss this event. Chefs from all over the country flew in to participate in this great charity event, even with this large venue host Marc Vetri had to turn restaurants away.
The Great Chefs Event is an annual fundraising event that started in 2006 with Philadelphia’s greatest chefs coming together to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer. The 2010 Great Chefs Event sees the addition of more international great chefs – all to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research.
Jeff Benjamin, Norman Brettler and Erin O’Hearn
Jean-Marie Lacroix – Max & Me Catering (I think they have some of the best food in the city)
Stacey Vigdor Appelstein , Lauren O’Dorisio, Kristen Foote, Carol Tamburino and Sabrina
Tamburino Thorne (Kristen says: Please join Nicole, Lauren, Sabrina, myself AND PHILLY STYLE MAGAZINE for a night of CHAMPAGNE, light fare, complimentary makeovers and a 15% discount on select merchandise! Wednesday, June 30 at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE in Bala Cynwyd from 6-8pm)
Emily Zuker, Cristina Vigileo and Mellisa Hallbronn
David Hall, Loews Food & Beverage Mgr, Ellie Kosarek and Creg Oosterhart
No donation is too small: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has inspired people who would not likely donate to childhood cancer to make donations – no matter the amount.
Holly Derrick, Cashman & Associates with Brett Rosenbloom. Multi-Flow Industries announces a new line of lemonade beverages, branded under the Harvest Squeeze Juice label. The brand will support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which has raised over $30 Million to support childhood cancer research. Harvest Squeeze Lemonade, along with the other Harvest Squeeze Juices, is processed exclusively for fountain dispensing. Look for Harvest to be in Marathon Restaurants soon.
Katie Cavuto Boyle, Andrew Boyle and Sally Ekus. Katie competed on Season 5 of The Next Food Network Star. She’s recently opened a new cafe called Healthy Bites at 2521 Christian St. Healthy Bites is more than just a cafe, it’s a Market, does Catering, Meal Delivery, Cooking Classes and Nutrition Services. Whew! Katie also instructs the Phillies on good eating habits and provides their pre-game meal.
Steve Mashington, Yards Brewing Co and Jodi Stondt
Joe and Michelle Bucci with Rob and Jocelyn ScheierPenny Zenker, Rich Wien, Rebecca Wein, CR Wien Interiors. They did the beautiful flowers throughout the venue. Rom Berardino, Board of Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Holly Amsterdam

Jill Rizen and I will hopefully have a blast in AC at Dusk this weekend. Wayne Spilove, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Historical Society and Michelle RanieriDaniel Stern repping MidAtlantic. (Why not R2L?)

Marc Vetri greets Joe Polutro as Mr. Vetri Sr looks on proudly
Tom Kehoe – Yards Brewing (We used to go Christmas caroling together in the neighborhood (Fairmount), I would bring the bells and he would bring the spirits.)
Zahav Chef/Owner Michael Solomonov
Celebrity Judge/Chef Tom Colicchio – Colicchio & Sons
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is committed to finding a cure for all childhood cancers. To date, we have funded over 150 research projects at more than 50 institutions across the country! In addition to funding cutting-edge research into finding better treatments and ultimately cures, we also fund nursing grants to improve the quality of life and care of children with cancer.
Pastry Chef Monica Glass (10 Arts), Top Cheftestant Jennifer Carroll (10 Arts), Chef Jose Garces – Garces Restaurant Group, Iron Chef and Kevin Sbraga Executive Chef, Rat’s Restaurant at the Grounds for Sculpture. Maybe Kevin Sbraga is telling the trio about his adventures on this seasons Top Chef show. What a small world for these people. This season Eric Ripert, who owns 10 Arts at the Ritz-Carlton, is a judge on Top Chef. in 2007, Kevin used to work at the Ritz as head chef in The Grill. Kevin finally got a chance to chat with Jen Carroll and Jose Garces as he mentioned in this interview for Kirsten Henri in PhillyMag.com In 2008, Kevin served as the Culinary Director of Garces Restaurant Group and was named winner of Best Meat Presentation at Bocuse d’Or USA. (BTW look for Stephen Starr and Jose Garces to join forces on a major project. Also someone just tipped me off that Stephen Starr has another production on the way as he and his wife, boutique owner January Bartle are expecting a baby in October. They married last November after a long engagement. Congratulations!!)
The End: Well not for Jen Carroll. Jen tells me she is off to Aspen tomorrow to participate in the Food and Wine Classic. She tells me that she will be preparing a Greek meal for 1,000 people alongside her with Top Cheftestant’s Eli Kirshtein, Bryan Voltaggio and the Top Chef Michael Voltaggio (brother of Bryan). Then Jen returns to Philly in time for Monday’s Taste of the Nation event in Philly at the Loews Hotel. Also Jen, Monica and the rest of the crew partied into the night at Marc Vetri’s low key Amis. They even closed the street for the celebration that went well into the wee hours of the morning. CHECK OUT MORE PIXS AND STORIES OF THE GREAT CHEFS and The Queen’s Garden Party in my column on PhillyMag.com

Last Thursday Stewart Bradley, MLB for The Philadelphia Eagles, hosted Korto Momolu, Project Runway contestant, fashion show on June 10 at Union Trust Steakhouse. This incredible runway show also featured models from America’s Next Top Model!
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. To read more about this cause please visit http://ww5.komen.org/which G-N Kang is participating in. Here is G-N, Stewart Bradley and Michelle Miller www.thenouveauimage.com
assisting Stewart with the raffle ticket items.


Let the fashion show begin as Arnold Milfort paces the models
A packed house at Union Trust

Renee Reese and Philadelphia Eagles
Brent Celek
Jamie Reibenbach, Dustin Kaplan and Marilyn Kellmer
Amber G, Stacey Kracher, Anne Nikolaus and Nicole Wiley

Korto Momolu, Project Runway contestant with
Fierce, awesome, the next generation of fashion designers. I wish you could see these jackets better, oh wait you can, directions at the bottom of the entry. Here’s Nyce & Homm with Bizzy in between. http://www.jeantrixclothingco.blogspot.com/
You can buy these photos without watermarks at my online photo album. All you do is put the cursor on the picture, click purchase a download and choose the size. or buy a print.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand at Madame Tussauds Hollywood that was taken this Saturday, June 12, 2010. Super model Cindy Crawford stopped by to sell lemonade along with her children, as well as Modern Family’s Nolan Gould. They were raising funds for the battle against childhood cancer.
Nolan Gould, Cindy Crawford, Presley Walker Gerber and Kaya Jordan Gerber in front of the Alex’s Lemonade Stand at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Not sure if she visited herself inside.Courtesy of Madame Tussauds Hollywood.

• General Tickets $250
• VIP Tickets $400
  (Includes: Personal meet & greet with participating chefs, 5:00PM early admission, Admission to VIP/sponsor Lounge, open bar and on-site parking!)

Tickets can be purchased online via The Vetri Foundation’s website or by calling 215-732-3478!