Philly Chit Chat

The Jimmy Rollins Family Foundation strives to help children and young adults living with arthritis by providing funds and awareness about the disease. We also support families who are struggling financially with extracurricular activities for their children.
My mission is to bring funds and awareness to fight against arthritis as well as provide families who are struggling financially with educational and entertainment opportunities to encourage children to stay in school.
Chase Utley signs baseball for a fan
The crazy Phanatic fan

Stephenie LaGrossa and fiance Kyle Kendrick come out to support the good cause
Chase giving the high five to the Lucky Strikes mascot
And poses with the silly thing. Anything for Charity.
Mitch Williams, J-Roll and a young fan.
What it’s all about.
I completely was irritated doing this event because I wasn’t given an all access pass to shoot the rest of the Phillies in the VIP area. This is where the event coordinators wanted me to stand to get the photos. Really ridiculous. I wasn’t even going to submit any shots from this event, but I knew it was for charity and sent the shots out to the Inquirer and ran one in my Philly Mag column. I had no idea I had to get pre-approved by the Phillies organization to shoot beyond this point. Ridiculous that it was reserved for mostly their media. Even the Philly.com guy didn’t get into the VIP area. Some one dropped the ball.

Hero in Heels Celebrity Shoe Auction took place June 10th
Hero in Heels collects signed celebrity donated shoes and then auctions them off. The money raised from the auction grants the wishes of women who are suffering with cancer, including wigs and prosthetics, as well as some of the basic needs.

Several of the region’s top fashion designers will show their latest line, including Carmelia Couture, Walish Gooshe, Onyx Noiz and SA VA Fashion.

Wish Upon A Hero Foundation is spearheading a revolution in charitable giving. Since the organization’s inception in 2008, Wish Upon A Hero foundation has been directly affecting the lives of individuals throughout the world. Foundation donors are not left to wonder how their contributions are used, as all donations are directly responsible for grating wishes for individuals through http://www.wishuponahero.com. For more information on the Wish Upon A Hero Foundation, please visit www.wishuponaherofoundation.com.

The shoes were one of 20 pairs sold last week during the Hero in Heels charity auction that raised more than $9,600 for women battling cancer. The fashion show, held at the Trust building on Arch Street, was put together by Dave Girgenti’s Wish Upon a Hero Foundation, an online nonprofit that grants requests to people in need.

Tamika Harding and Mark Standard

Hero in Heels collects signed celebrity donated shoes and then auctions them off. The money raised from the auction grants the wishes of women who are suffering with cancer, including wigs and prosthetics, as well as some of the basic needs. They were able to get so many shoes because several of the actresses shared the concept with their friends and they were more than happy to donate their shoes too.
It took place Thursday, June 10th from 7-11pm at TRUST (the old Real World house) at 249 Arch Street. Several of the region’s top fashion designers will showed their latest line, including Carmelia Couture, Walish Gooshe, Onyx Noiz and SA VA Fashion.

The seats were filled and the room was packed.
Cashman & Associates Ashley Schaefer and her BFF’s

Girgenti started Wish Upon a Hero in September 2007 as a way to grant wishes to people dealing with unexpected tragedies. Many of his requests, he said, were from women with cancer. Some of them were simple: silk scarves to cover heads bald from chemotherapy. Others were more difficult to fulfill – breast prosthesis.
Great venue, terrific turnout, only one problem
not a good mix of spenders as most of the crowd was made up of students, up and coming somethings, and under employed. Missing were the Sabrina Tamburino’s, Stacey Kracher and Maria Papadakis who are the Imelda Marco’s of Philadelphia. (I didn’t do a good job of telling them about the event as none of them knew of it.)
Despite that most of the donated shoes went for about $200, and the big bid of the night was Jennifer’s Jimmy Choos went for $800.
Stephenie LaGrossa and Wired 96.5’s G-N Kang in their Nicole Miller outfits working the crowd to sell the Survivor alumni’s shoes
Stephenie LaGrossa & a $100 gift certificate to her restaurant Gigi, went for $200, as did

Scarlett Johanssons – TOD, and Gwen Stefani’s LAMB, Jen Utley’s Christian Dior, even Heidi Hamels Christain Louboutin clocked in at $200. I would have like to see some of the bids go a bit higher; these shoes retail for more than $200, unsigned. Lots of bargains were to be had that evening, it was an Ebay’ers dream come true. For a freshman event, I’m sure they will take away all the great of this eye candy event, and build on the learning curve for a bigger and more successful event next year. I suggest getting an established PR Firm with a proven invite list, to be combined with the great group of guests you already had. That would make a beautiful crowd with money in the bank. Hero in Heels

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.