Philly Chit Chat

On Christmas Eve in 1927, a baby was left on the doorstep of a theater company with a note attached reading: “Please take care of my baby, her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her, I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business and I pray to God that you will look after her.”
-A Heart-Broken MotherAs a result, Variety Club International (now Variety – The Children’s Charity) was founded by the eleven entertainers who discovered Baby Catherine. Its sole purpose was to help the less fortunate and to lend a hand to various civic and charitable organizations. Variety is a not-for-profit organization that takes pride in providing programs and services to special-needs children.

CBS3’s Doug Kammerer (who is now doing the morning weather and getting used to waking up at 4 a.m.) and Temple men’s basketball coach Fran DunphyCheryl Fairweather, Lingerie Football League (I would give u the link but the website has an obnoxious video on it with yelling) and 6ABC’s Ali Gorman
6ABC’s Mara Webb measures up to NBC10’s John Clark’s raffle tickets
6ABC’s Mara Webb, Jeff Skversky – Action News Sports Reporter / Anchor , CBS3’s Meteorologist Doug Kammerer joined CBS 3’s Eyewitness News Weather team in August, 2007, John Clark joined the NBC 10 News team in September of 2001 as a Weekend Sports Anchor.
Ashley Allphin and Amber Goins
Kim Finnerty, Jeff Barter, Shanna Mellor and Jane Nickel
Jeff Shiffner, Brian Grandieri, Mara Webb and Mark Zoller (Mara was so excited that she was amongst taller guys than her. My guess is they’re on the basketball team?)
Do these girls practice posing, they seem to have that hand on hip thing down? Stacey Kracher and Anne Nikolaus
Lauren Labella and Donna Ferry, from the Philadelphia Passion Lingerie Football League team, are pictured below with Russell Ohneck. Lauren and Donna made the Pro Team, which is the equivalent to the All Stars, and will head to Monterrey, Mexico on June 10th to go up against the league’s west coast players. The next LFL season kicks off toward the end of summer, and after playing their home games at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton this past season, the Passion will now be at the Wachovia Center.

Let Them Eat Cake is Philadelphia’s Wedding Cake Design competition for professionals, students and those who love to bake to create benefiting City of Hope. This year’s theme was a wedding “Professional pastry company, bakery, caterer, hotel or restaurant – $150 per participant. More than one participant per establishment is acceptable.

Student Participation – No ChargeThrough a Child’s Eye/”

Oy it’s 2:15AM I will write this up in the morning, but do you really need a write up or a sugar treat after checking out these pictures. Thanks Hughe
Professional pastry company, bakery, caterer, hotel or restaurant – $150 per participant. More than one participant per establishment is acceptable.

Student Participation – No Charge
Participants are requested to provide one totally edible creation, after a blind tasting and judging we will allow participants to re-enter the room to add signage and business cards to their tables. Participants will demonstrate their creativity by displaying what they feel is their single best design, be it traditional, non-traditional, ethnic, fantasy or seasonal… the sky is the limit! Cakes will be judged in nine categories like Most Artistic, Best Tasting and Best Overall – Professional, College and High School Vocational.
Proceeds from ticket sales on the day of the event will benefit City of Hope.

Hotel du Pont’s Jennifer Houser, Catering Sales mgr., Jennifer Ballintyn, Asst. Pastry Chef, Michelle Mitchell, Exec. Pastry Chef, Jillian Cournayer, and Sr. Catering Sales Mgr., I was curious why their cake didn’t seem to reflect the “Through A Child’s Eyes” them, and the explanation was every little girl who grows up in Wilmington, DE wants their wedding here.
Miss Philadelphia, Andrea Helfrich gives Executive Director of City of Hope Harry Giordano a big Julia Sugarbaker Hello.
Star Wattage as Thom Cardwell is flanked by TV Celeb Samantha Goldberg and Lizzie Post, Emily Posts Granddaughter. All three were judges in this years contest.
For nearly a century, City of Hope has led the way in compassionate care and pioneering research. Today, with the Power of Hope campaign we have the opportunity to Forge new breakthroughs and save more lives.
I want that crown made of gold instead
Nikki DiGennaro, Rakai Reynolds, Saige Robb and Scott Lean.
It was crowded, there were a lot of delicious cakes, but I learned my lesson from last year and only had 2 slim slices.
Sunny Etminan and Dana Forgione from Cescaphe Curtis Center
One of my favorite cakes was done by Amanda Kaewvichen of Loews
City of Hope volunteers – Valerie Johnson, Emily Vartanian, Katie Vena, Liz Border and Jennifer Cabrera
The winners are announced
Colleen & Terry Laky. Piece of Cake. 484-788-1877 from Macungie, Pa They are the first bakery to ever win three awards, best tasting, best creative and best overallIt’s Thursday read my post at PhillyMag.com http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2010/04/22/on-the-town-with-hughe-dillon-4/

Last week The Shops at Liberty Place was packed with budget conscious women out with their besties for a fun night of shopping, spirits and prizes from Ben 95.7
The Ben 95.7 winning spinner had a long line the entire night as shoppers won anything from a pen, DVD’s, to concert tickets, to a bag of chips.
Amy D’Aulerio, Kara Karpink and Randyl Case enjoyed the night out

as did Maria Gallagher, Kelly Breslin and Nancy Harmer
After about an hour of prizes, snacks and spirits, the girls were given a list of discounts at the various shops at Liberty Place to pick up a few bargains. If they spent over $75 they were to bring their receipt back and pick up a nice canvas bag with the beaded words
Eat, Shop & Enjoy as Jill Scarlett is wearing, with her sister Liz Scarlet of Scarlett Alley in Old City.
Nancy Landon, Sharon Phillips Waxman and Ruth Ann Bishop-Sotak. Everyone in Philadelphia should be thanking Sharon for being so innovated over 15 years ago by starting Phasion Phest, which I consider to be one of the first events that helped drag the City into the 21st Century of fashion and big event planning.

Jill Scarlett, Maria Hatzivasili, Victoria Beckham, Debbie and Lynne Marsdale and Theresa McErlean.

Carmen Miller, Shelby Walker and Christina Wilson were glad to do something fun after school with Shelby’s mom
Casey Crowe and Anna Schilawski represent Victoria’s Secret. Anna says the big push is focused on Mother’s Day in May and one of the popular scents you can pick up at Victoria’s Secret is “Heavenly Flowers.” Casey agrees it’s smells memorable. I’ll take their word for it, what do you think?
Chik-Fil-A’s Eric *Big E* and Heather Masse, Cafe Coco in the Mellon Concourse. During the month of May on Monday & Friday’s, 10% of all checks will be donated to the Leukemia Foundation.

This kid was enjoying himself, which is good practice for when he gets a girlfriend and she drags him around all the stores saying “honey how do I look in this?”
Many people mentioned they saw the ad in the Metro that day promoting the event. The Metro was one of the sponsors and sure enough the ad worked as the crowds were strong. The event started at 5:30PM and I took this picture about 7:15PM and there was still a crowd.
The girls from Adolf Biecker: Kristen Miller, Gina Lees, Ashley Richmond, and Jenn Harrigan.
Lynette Smith and Jacqui Tobler often get together for “girls night out”, and when Lynette saw the ad in the Metro she saw it as a sign to get out and get shopping with her BFF Jacqui. She especially like that this was a one stop shopping destination with lots of choices in stores to chose visit.
The Team of PunchMedia James Zeleniak and François Pierre with James friend Annette want to make sure you check out The Shops’ other events this spring, including the Spring Sidewalk Sale, May 6-8.
Random Odd Shop, but not so random is the fact that Thursday is the Kick-off Party for Rittenhouse Row at the Shops of Liberty. Starts at 6:30PM in the Rotunda. I went last year and it was really fun, a really who’s who of people that live, work and play in the Rittenhouse square area. See below for info:
Rittenhouse Row invites you to please join us on Thursday, April 22 from 6:30-9:00 at The Shops at Liberty Place
For the annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Kick Off Party

*Cuisine and Cocktails from Alfa, Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Butcher and Singer, Capogiro, Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse, Continental Mid-town, D’Angelo’s, Devon Seafood Grill, Di Bruno Bros., Du Jour, Fado, The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company, G Lounge, La Colombe, Lacroix, Ladder 15, Le Castagne, Marathon Grill, Metropolitan Bakery, Parc, The Raven Lounge, Rouge, Shank’s Uptown, Square 1682, Village Whiskey, The Walnut Room and Zama

*Diageo Cocktail Competition with mobile phone voting from XIPWIRE

*Chairman’s Selection wines

*Raffle from Govberg Jewelers

*Music from DJ Joey Blanco

*Silent auction from Rittenhouse Row boutiques, spa-salons, hotels and restaurants

Tickets are $75/per person or $125 (VIP Patron)
Download response card at www.rittenhouserow.org

StrongBOX was redesigned by The Nouveau Image design and consulting team. “The space needed to open up. The new design will free up the space and also make people more comfortable. I really like the new colors and new decor. It feels like a whole new place and the perfect setting to go with friends for drinks and good music.”-Michelle Miller, CEO
The space is open for business after the VIP party for the Grand Re-opening was shut down for a mix up with permits on April 7, and a lack of food menus…all of this has been resolved. StrongBOX was 100% up to code on State standards but had a very small mix up with a city rule. A few small changes and a revaluation of the space by city workers got Strongbox re-opened the following week, April 16 with a clean bill.
Tonight the Cool Kid’s Reggie Barry & Jackim “Jackie” Wright will be throwing down their popular Tuesday Night Party. To get in on the action, you have to know the right people. Tell them PhillyChitChat sent you, maybe it will help out. (Dropping Brett Perloff’s name won’t help as he sold his interest in the club last year. Someone didn’t realize that when they lifted parts of my blog for their site last week.)
I love the new designs, the peach color, the mirrors and lowering the VIP wall has certainly made the space fresh and spacious.
So now when you get the late night munchies, you can order a personal pizza, hot dog of chicken fingers to satisfy your cravings.

Last night’s 2nd Annual Dancing With The Philadelphia Stars, “Philadelphia Dancing with the Philly Stars“ benefiting the Sickle cell Disease Association of Philadelphia, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter and taking place at the Hyatt Regency at Penns Landing was a huge success!
People were decked out

Congratulations to Nadia and Jimmy Maransky who are expecting a baby in October, with her is Wire 96.5’s G-N Kang, Erin Elmore, Sabrina Tamburino and Dana Spain. Stanley A. Simpkins, Executive Director of SCDAA/PDVC greets his guests
Alethia Goins, Dionne Jackson, Damian S. Jackson, Esq., Chairman of the Board, Benjamin Goins
Krystal Souvanlasy, Gillian Lankford, Federica Consolazione, Shana Vitott, Claire Jarvis, Audrey Julienne, Delphine Evenchik
Nikki and Eric Collier, Tracy and David Merrick
Carol Tamburino (cream dress) sold over 6 tables for the event filled with family and friends. Then bought a full page ad in the program wishing her daughter good luck. This is what it’s all about, thanks Carol the proceeds will go a long way in helping fight Sickle Cell Anemia.
Peggy and Ashley Elmore came all the way in from Pittsburgh, to support the organization and Erin Elmore, last year’s winner of Phila Dancing with the Stars.
Japonica Edwards, Tracy Merrick, Alexis Merrick and Anessa Lloyd

Lauren D’Orisio, Sabrina Tamburino and Nicole Cashman. Nicole’s mother was also on hand to enjoy the festivities.
Edward Goldstein and Lesley Kozloff Goldstein are always in it for the fun
Andrew Henning and Jill Rizen crossed the bridge to join us. Jill tells me that Andy did the sweetest thing by converting one of the smaller bedrooms in their house to her closet. Now that’s a closet.


Congratulations to Lauren Beloff and Anthony Sembello for their recent engagement. He popped the question while they were off on a romantic trip in St. Barts.
Sabrina supports, Craig Robinson, from the upcoming 6ABC’s “The Bachelorette” contestant coming up in May, Danielle Poe, Stephanie Rybczyk, Ashley Elmore “The Bachelore” contest that just past, and Heather Fish
Megan Smith and Zemoria Brandon, SCDAA administrator.
Blondell listened to this song more than 1,000 times and even slept with it the night before the big event.

Honorable Blondell Reynolds Brown and her Cha Cha

Wine Connoisseur Brian Freedman with dancing partner

Someone I admire a lot: Dana Spain is the founder and President of Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society
(PAWS)

Emmy Award Winning host of Television Series Christina Cooks, Christina Pirello

the strippers at Delilah’s left more to the imagination than the fellas in this entertaining dance number at half time.

G-N Kang gets carried away
Maxx Stoyanoff-Williams, lead singer/MC of Black Landlord

Dorothy Johnson-Speight, founder of Mothers in Charge

Jason Evenchik, owner of TIME, Vintage Wine Bar and Bar

Socialite and PhillyChitChat “It” girl Sabrina Tamburino Thorne, finance and budget coordinator at GPTMC.
This might be hitting close to home for

Erin Elmore, who was the 2009 Philadelphia Dancing with the Stars champion. Bad Romance looks good on her. She’s single and ready to mingle guys.
Thanks to all the participants who interrupted their lives to take over 8 weeks of lessons to participate in this years contest for charity.With guests including Senator Larry Farnese, Councilwoman Marian Tasco, the Bachelorette’s Craig Robinson, auto parts magnate Steve Thorne, and 2010 Miss Philadelphia Andrea Helfrich, to find out who the winner was read my blog entry at which should be up shortly at:

http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2010/04/19/on-the-town-with-hughe-dillon-3/

Funds raised for the event topped the $6,000 mark from last year.

For further information, contact Megan R. Smith, Brownstone PR, 215.410.9879, megan@brownstonepr.com

My co-worker/boss/friend Steve Steingard turned 60 yesterday. I rarely, ever talk about my day job, and most people don’t realize I have one, but I do and I’m very honored to work for such a prestigious law firm as Kohn, Swift & Graf. We specialize in Class Action, Securities and Human Rights cases.
Delicious cake I shouldn’t have, did I mention I will be going back to Fusion Cross Training this week?
The best reaction, not sure if it’s Oscar level quality though.

The LUMEN LASER CENTER BEAUTY BASH held a reception on at Fleming’s of Radnor on April 14, 2010. The evening included wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres and information about the newest in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Proceeds went to The Steppingstone Foundation. Dr. Andrew Kwak, Founder and Director of LUMEN, presented new techniques for fat and cellulite loss, Botox and skin damaged by the sun. Event proceeds benefit Steppingstone Scholars who will be having their annual gala The Step Into Spring Gala on April 30, 2010 at the Please Touch Museum.Ferrari was also one of the sponsors of the event, unfortunately they couldn’t fit one in the gift bag so it didn’t come home with me. In the background, in the shadows on the right was Pat Croce. He declined a photo.
Dr. Andrew Kwak, Founder and Director of LUMEN and his team, Gina Lee, LUMEN Laser Center business manager,Theresa Forty, Priscilla Rubin, Jessica Goerig, Genevre Kane and Kristine Casal
Dr. Eric Ricefield and wife KellyAnn.
Debbie Schwartz and Blair Rosen – The Jewelry Maven
Shanell Greene and Jason Trego of Makeup Artists at NARS
Wine Tasting
It used to be that the talk of cosmetic surgery, a session of Botox or other cosmetic improvements was some what of a secret, but now a days society has embraced these procedures, and are even proud that they are taking the steps to ever lasting youth as they also embraced healthy living in the past decade. A great crowd from the Main Line came out to celebrate their future. (I need to get to the gym.)
Eric, GM of Fleming’s, addresses the crowd, thanks them for coming. Hughe’s Note: BTW the food was delicious.
Dr. Andrew Kwak addresses the crowd, reviewing a lot of concerns women may have about their appearance.
The raffle prize was sessions of Botox, skin peels and other cosmetic procedures that I entered to win. I could use a little refreshing since I barely take time to sleep.

Linda Brajer and Heidi Geffen
Jeannie Cohen, Jennifer and Albert Simmons
Linda Berman and Lucy Hepp were excited to catch up
Cori Moskow, Gloss PR announces the winners of the raffle
Nina Weisbord, president of Steppingstone Scholars, Inc. and Kendra Kirk, Director of Development. Nina told the crowd “Every dollar you spend makes a difference in our kids life.”
Donna Caramenico, Linda Jackson-Bradley, Terry Lamson and Dr. Albini Veys
John and Amy Korman, with Andrew Schlessinger and Ashley CofoneAlaina Lackman and Caroline Kallman of Govbergs. Caroline tells me everyone is excited for their move to Walnut St which will be happening at the beginning of July. Yenna Santore and Llana Waber or as I like to refer to them as “Cori’s Crew”, man the check in table and sell the raffle tickets

Last week I attended the Cevallos & Wong, LLP 1 year anniversary party at Public House, Phila, Pa. (I guess they took this pix for their blog last April/May as the Equality Forum flags are hung along Broad Street.) It was well attended. Cevallos & Wong LLP was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the vision to make the practice of law a means to serve individuals with grave need for quality, honest and efficient representation. Here’s Danny Cevallos with Hayley Curry and Amanda Murphy.Jessica Wong, guest and Jeff Wong. Danny Cevallos and Jeff Wong were each independently recognized and honored as one of “Pennsylvania’s Rising Stars” in their respective areas of practice in Philadelphia Magazine’s Pennsylvania Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition (Dec. 2008).
Jessica Wong, Mark Palmero and Shannon carson

Kayla Gillin, Cristins Lopez-Moreno, Amanda Liptock and Guy in Yellow Shirt who jump in picture at the last minute, then disappeared. Twinckle Vaidya, Jeff Wong, Alyson McDonald, Zoe Stout, Erica Homko, and Jen Labows