Philly Chit Chat

With a new season upon us, people tend to debut a new look or new ‘do, especially in the Fall as it’s the busy Social Season. About 2 weeks ago I covered the grand re-opening of Liquid Hair Salon which also is debuting a new look itself. Liquid has gone under a complete renovation and is now a modern, hip, cool hue hair spot. I guess since they had a face lift they thought it would be great to do this party with a professional cosmetic surgeon and invited Dr. Kirk Brandow to debut his magazine and promote his services too. (There are a several clients of Dr. Brandow’s below. He believes in doing touch ups that are not noticeable, or as I like to call them the anti-Joan Rivers face.)
Dr. Kirk Brandow founded the Brandow Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery in 1997. Located in the Pagoda Building on the Main Line of Philadelphia, the clinic’s state-of-the-art facilities offer a serene environment where patients can make important decisions about their personal rejuvenation.Stephanie Brandow, Theresa Vickery, Dr. Kirk Brandow, Kimberley Savage, and Farah McBride
Liquid co-owner Kimberly Savage and stylist Brian Cuddy.
Will Anthony and Jessie Olivencia
Cyril Camomot and Elisa Peduto
Jennifer Grindville, Joy Craig, Betty Langa
Julia Fanelli, Dr. Brandow and Patty Doyle. Julia and Patty work at Dr. Brandow’s Somers Point office.
Jen Quatrone, Jill McIntyre and Hector Rivera
Jackie Long, Kelly Marek, Sabrina Lucia and Gabrielle Pelicci
Dr. Brandow shows his wares to a party goer.
Melanie Dabrow and Randy Coleman

Brian Cuddy and John Fetsko. John just did the renovations to Liquid working on the interior design and doing faux painting;Mainline comes to town with the presence of Christian Wynne and Harrison Todd who bookcase Donna Amato
The Liquid Bathroom is something to see.

Man about town, the Big Apple that is, Gregory Littley invited me to a shindig at his parents place J&L Designs 258 S. 18th Street a few weeks back in honor of a party being held for NYC celebrity jeweler designer Kara Ackerman.

L-R Jenna Juliano, Ed Juliano and Patti Littley (Juliano & Littley, J&L get it). For over 15 years J&L Designs were located in Old City, but for many different reasons they’ve moved uptown, and although they miss their life there, they love their new location. Patti especially loves their new location seems very visible and people tend to come in a little more often, even just to say hi.
Kara Ackerman has been designing jewelry since her teens as a hobby, has a degree in Gemology (who knew they had such degrees?). Celebs who wear her creation include Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan and Kathi Lee Gifford. She recently opened a showroom/office in NYC at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, 35th Floor. New York, New York 10019. Phone: (212) 554-4117 Fax: (212) 202-7986

Peter Soriento and Kara Ackerman.

Lovely and reasonable. I was in and out cause it was a busy night, but I would have asked more questions like how many times does this wrap around a persons neck?Formal OK Magazine writer, daily NYC blog pop culture scriber, party personality, now doing PR for many including jewelery designer Kara Ackerman Gregory Littley and BFF from his Philly days Culley McGuire

Jewelery Designer Kara Ackerman, Gregory Littley and Jeweler Boutique owner Kate Egan
(Perhaps these two could work together in the future. Kate has some of the most exquisite jewelery in the City at her place on 16th Street.)
Christopher Vosbikian is joined by his wife interior designer for J&L Designs Kristen Vosbikian and Janis Goodman
Kara has a holiday trunk show coming up and her GemGirl bangles will be in an upcoming of Oprah’s O magazine.

Thousands of TWILIGHT SERIES fans are expected to invade CHERRY HILL MALL for a chance to see “DEMETRI” (Charlie Bewley) & “FELIX” (Daniel Cudmore) of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. Fans can participate in a Q&A and will hear a performance by HURRICANE BELLS, one of the bands featured on the NEW MOON soundtrack. In addition, 500 crazed fans, preselected through a Hot Topic promotion, will meet and receive autographs from Demetri and Felix inside the popular store.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON
CHARLIE BEWLEY (Demetri) DANIEL CUDMORE (Felix)
THE WORLD’S HOTTEST EVIL VAMPIRES
will be making a special appearance in CHERRY HILL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, AT THE CHERRY HILL MALL
(2000 RT. 38, CHERRY HILL, NJ)

5:45 PM – Signing session begins for wristband* holders only (Sold Out)
6:30 PM – Hurricane Bells performance (Public Welcomed in Grand Court)
7:30 PM – Q&A Session with cast members (Public Welcomed in Grand Court) *Limit one wristband per person. No cameras allowed. Talent will only be signing posters that will be provided at the event. One autograph per person.**There are two ways to be a part of it. If you got a wristband, you’ll have access to the autograph session at that location. If you don’t have a wristband, you can still check out the concert & cast member Q&A sessions!
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON directed by Chris Weitz and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner will be released November 20, 2009. In the film, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan (Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of – only to find herself in greater peril than ever before. Following Edward Cullen’s (Pattinson) departure from Forks, Washington, Bella discovers his image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy. In time Bella’s frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob Black (Lautner) who has a supernatural secret of his own.

The action-packed, modern day vampire love story TWILIGHT, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception. The third film in the franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is due in theaters on June 30, 2010.

Years ago before I got into the photography/paparazzi field I used to live a normal life, involved in community activities, volunteering for bake sales, seeing friends, that’s all changed now, but the other day I had a chance to visit my old life and to celebrate someone else’s new phase in their life – my friends Roland and Lisa Reed (& baby Rose) with friends Kate and Kathy from down the streetWhen I was a member of the Fairmount Civic Association, Lisa Reed volunteered on just about every committee, eventually settling on and successfully executing the entertainment committee. There were trips to New York, to Yard’s Brewery, to Reading, the kids art shows, plant swaps and a few more things. She was one of the biggest cheerleaders of the community, and why not, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as she is the daughter of longtime residents of Fairmount Abel and Rose Marie Pasicnzyk, who are just as kind and dynamic.
(Fleur de Lys Lisa Reed’s new shop)
The above piece began the Tuesday Sept 16, 2008 entry, but sadly in a years time we as a community are saddened by the sudden diagnosis of the young housewife, mother and business owner Lisa Reed having advanced lung cancer (Lisa never smoked). The community is coming together to raise funds to help with the finances of the Reed family. Beef & Beer Fundraiser for Lisa Reed.
date: 2009 Nov 21 7PM to 11PM
location: Parkway VFW, 757 N. 24th Street, Philadelphia PA
cost: $25 per person
ALL proceeds to benefit the Reed Family. (Feel Free to give more, as all the proceeds go directly to Lisa Reeds Family)
Please tell them you saw it on PhillyChitChat. If you’re in Center City I will be happy to pick up any silent auction items you would like to donate.
For more information: 215-765-5326
Take It To The Cleaners Team
2441 Aspen Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Despite obstacles like the SEPTA Strike, and the Phillies game, a few of us were game to check out the preview/press party of Kayte Terry’s new book “Applique Your Way” at JimmyStyle on East Passyunk on Wednesday. But the general public is invited to participate in a demonstration, and then a meet and greet tomorrow, Saturday 11/07/09 at Noon.Kayte Terry, who sees potential in everything – in scraps of fabric, old clothes, even kitchen aprons. And on Saturday the 7th, Kayte will be teaching a workshop (with a little help from her mom, Patty) and signing copies of her latest book, “Applique Your Way.”
Kayte Terry is a a crafty dynamo and the brains and brawn behind Love Forever.
As a kid, she and her mom were always making costumes, baking cookies and constructing elaborate dioramas. Kayte continues to believe in the transformative power inherent in making things. In crafting, we are rejecting the consumerist, pre-fab culture we live in and hopefully making our worlds a little bit more beautiful and fulfilling.
Melony Roy and Jamyra Perry check out the wares. Melony works for KYW radio, and has a podcast, and Jamyra is the producer for the Valerie Knight show on WOGL. Oldies but goodies.

The new Deputy Editor of Philadelphia Style Magazine, Kristin Munroe and Matthew Vlahos, Principal at Matthew Vlahos Public Relations The hysterical Lauren McCutcheon, who’s taking over for Jay Leno in the near future because she’s 100 times funnier. With her is her friend Barbara Botting, Minnie Pearl is to price tags as Barbara is to side sitting hats. Barbara’s a stylist and her work can be found
among places like Philadelphia Magazines Home PURE INSPIRATION is one of my favs.Applique refers a needlework technique in which pieces of fabric, embroidery, or other materials are sewn onto another piece of fabric to create designs, patterns or pictures.[1] It is particularly suitable for work which is to be seen from a distance, such as in banner-making. A famous example of applique is the Hastings Embroidery.
GPMC Jeff Guaracino, Jimmy “Style” Contreras and legendary editor of the Philadelphia Gay news Mark Segal. He’s been a force in the gay community for the past 35 years. President Obama has his number.
I remember a few years back when pottery became all the rage and stores began popping up all over the place, I think Applique can find it’s way to a corner store near you, or perhaps if they moved one of the kiln’s over they can put a table in there? But as for now:

Kayte & hubby Adam Louie

APPLIQUE WORKSHOP
Noon – 1pm
A hands-on demo with Kayte
$22 includes a kit with materials for three woodland animal-inspired felt ornaments
Space is limited. Reserve by calling 267-239-0598 or info@shopjimmystyle.com

MEET-THE-AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING
1pm – 3pm
Let Kayte personalize your copy of “Applique Your Way.” (Available at JimmyStyle for $19.95.)
Thanks to Paradiso Restaurant for the delicious treats.

I did touch on earlier this week that Glee was at Midtown Continental last Friday night. They were in town to sing The National Anthem at the World Series Game. I’ve never seen the show before, but when I heard they were coming to town I started studying their faces and watching YOUTUBE clips so I would know something about my subjects. So when I got the Twitter tip I scoured the restaurant and found Cory Monteith, Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer eating, so when they walked out I asked for a photo and Cory put the crew together for a couple of shots.A couple weeks back “As The World Turns” shot a scene outside of City Hall. Maura West, Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain. Cady was on All My Children for 10 years playing Dixie.
Samantha Ronson at Tavern on Broad Street
Happy Birthday to Stewart Bradley last Monday
Laiya St. Clair at a Planned Parenthood Halloween Party. This weekend is the 21st annual Choice Event and Auction on Saturday, November 7, 2009 Tickets are available for purchase at 215-351-5530.
Top Model Aminat Ayinde and Michelle Miller of http://www.thenouveauimage.com/
Stylist Michelle Miller, Former 2nd runner up “Top Model” season 12 Aminat Ayinde and Stylist Arnold Milfort preparing for the photoshoot for AC Luxury Magazine at Del Frisco’s Philadelphia.
Top Model Aminat Ayinde and Philadelphia Eagles Todd Herremans. If you caught Sunday’s early edition you would have seen this shot in Michael Klein’s column.
A Rod arrives at the Four Seasons last week
Amber Rose parties with her friend stylist Congo Green for his birthday Friday (Oct 23) at Philadelphia’s Spaghetti Warehouse. At first the description was she was partying with her “Stylist”, but Amber is very adamant that she does her own styling, so I had them correct it. I had to keep a lid on this until it appeared in Michael Klein’s column last Sunday. She was super nice in person, and very hot. This shot is with Congo’s cousin.

Love can not be legislated thankfully. The other night, after leaving Sabrina & Steve’s wedding, I stopped by the happy celebration of Jason and Casey’s Engagement Party at Parc Condos on Rittenhouse Square.
Jason and Casey have been together about a year and there are no obstacles in their love and commitment to each other that they can’t overcome. It’s really refreshing, because when I came out, way back when, the idea of gay marriage was not on the table as we were still trying to erase the pre-1980’s laws that put us in the category of mental illness. Now that’s crazy!!

Fast forward to 2009 and a roomful of friends mostly straight that are standing shoulder to shoulder supporting these two in their lives. It’s a beautiful thing.

Two of their biggest supporters have to be BFF’s Andrew Rosenthal and Elise Gilbert. Friends with Casey from U of Penn, the couple often double date. In fact this party was hosted by Andrew, Elise
and another huge supporter and BFF is Matt. Ladies Matt is single and he prepared the entire menu. Matt has worked for a local production company, and just finished producing a show called “Married in Manhattan.” If you’re not quick enough, I’m gonna fix him up with cousin Jess. Andrew J. Rosenthal is a founder of happier.com, a set of tools for measuring and increasing one’s happiness, backed by the science of positive psychology. He works with leading researchers to “go beyond the books” and develop online exercises for happier.com. (They’re all entirely too smart for my brain to handle.) Both are on the Penn Alumni Board and I’d like to say that is how I met them, but it’s not.
Jason and I Casey met through a mutual friend Sharon Gerber from Penn who now goes to Temple Med School with Jason. They went to Mercato on their first date and it was love at first bite. Jason is an accomplished ski racer and Casey’s from a world class ski resort so that was one of the first signs that we were meant to be together. Two friends enjoying themselves at the festivities.
Like two lesbians getting a cat and moving in together after the first date, sure enough Casey was moving his stuff over bit by bit until after a few weeks I was all moved in. We even rescued a cat at Outfest’s PSPCA animal truck after Jason finished volunteering at the Mazoni center last October!

Being it was Halloween Maria Papadakis and Jaclyn O’Connor dressed the part. Ironically Maria’s mom was over at the Tamburino/Thorne reception, but I don’t believe I caught her on my camera.
Rocking the faux hawk Dan Doyon and Lauren Cantell
Jonathan Dunn and Sandra Krithamer
Michael “can you read my handwriting” “probably not” Durkeihemier and Paula Aranda. Graduating students at U of Penn 2010
Kwin Haddix, Whitney Cox, Rino Edi, Yash Joshi and Whitney Alexander
Sandra Krauthamer and Suzi Stein practice their stance. What do you think of the elbow on the hip move?
Matt was able to secure this delicious, 3 story cake for us all to enjoy. (Girls he cooks, not this cake though!!)
The first night we were in Miami we went for a 2am swim in the eighty degree water (I guess they didn’t see Jaws.) Jason got down on one knee in the waves, and then I did too because I wanted to be the first to ask (hmm this could be a problem in the future when they both want to get the front seat.) But he made me stand up and asked me to be his husband as he put a plastic wine wrapper on my finger. We are especially thankful to Matt Carter, who in his limited spare time as a TV producer, managed to cook a gigantic delectable Mediterranean feast where even the mayonnaise used as an ingredient was made from scratch (see girls I told you) and Andrew Rosenthal, who, in his limited time as an executive VP for the startup Happier.com, president of the board of the Penn Alumni club, a board member of countless other philly institutions such as Project HOME, Young Friends of the Mural Arts Foundation, Young Friends of the Philadelphia Art Museum etc, was able to coordinate all logistics and organize the event . (People say I lead an exhaustive schedule; and Andrew manage to get World Series tickets to 3 of the games on a whim, now that is smart.)
Sometime soon a new generation will take over, and states like Maine won’t be outlawing gay marraige like they did yesterday.

(To see the Thorne/Tamburino Photos Mentioned in The Inquirer Scroll Down to Monday’s Entry)

Henri David greets people to his 100th Ball. The ball was nicely attended, not the crush I was expecting which was great considering I had covered the Tamburino/Thorne wedding during the day. See Monday’s entry, a record 7000 hits visited PCC on Monday.
There were still some outrageous costumes like these two acting out a make-out session in the back sit of a 57 Chevy
I think these two just pulled something out of their fetish closet
WOW
Couples are always dressing alike, although these two are just friends. One of them has a wife and kids. The guy on the left, David Persica, world famous tap dancer residing here in Philadelphia. He has a show at the Painted Bride on 11/21
Don & Renee Freeman with friends from I think Oregon.
Scary
Gov Rendell and the Wizard of OZ crew. Earlier in the day we saw Ed at Sabrina & Steve’s wedding.
Now this is frightening
Celeb judge of the night, Mike Strug & wife. Hey Mike where’s your costume?

Tom & Carrie. Tom is with Invincible Pictures you’ll recall he was the director in the rapper Azizz video “Let’s Go, Let’s Go.” Stay tuned, he has some big things coming up in the future.
Henri’s beau is 2nd from left and he gets into the spirit just as much
the dancing boys spread cheer thru the crowd
My long time friend Eric Laumer and his long ago roommate Will, and their friend. Nice costumes.
Impressive Centaurus and bee
Divine and she looks like a Million Bucks
WOWsie
Amazing, how did this guy carry his urinal around
WOWSIE

Hot Mess!!Lucy & friend
The two Tim’s made it out. Looking good. Thank god Tim 1 retired that Zero costume.
Of course I was a paparazzi again this year so do I have room to talk? Mike’s an Unidentifying Frying ObjectI Love Lucy with Tim2
Racer Rich and Susan Helfrich looking very hot. Rich’s new film company is really thriving. Amazing how many people I know in the film business.
The big winner for most scary
For Best Celeb look a like
There were too many Swine Flu’s despite Mike not finding any pig’s noses. I didn’t see any Jon & Kate’s Thank God. Check out the slide show for a few others. Tomorrow I will return to the social coverage as you know moi is of course a week behind now. Go Phillies!!

(Photos from the wedding were posted Monday afternoon)

On my way over to the rehearsal dinner, I past the Four Seasons and photographed the Yankees arriving. Immediately after arriving Jeter & girlfriend Minka Kelly were out the dinnerThen it was on to the Storybook wedding many of PhillyChitChat readers have been waiting to see. First there’s the Rehearsal Dinner held at the fabulous Park Hyatt Bellevue at XIX. Love the food, but the ambiance is so romantic.Here’s Sabrina Tamburino with Aunt Connie and Aunt Renee, as in actress/sexpot Connie Stevens and actress Renee Taylor best known for playing Fran Drescher’s mother on The Nanny. Renee has one of those hollywood legendary marriages and has been in love with Joseph Bologna since 1965. Taylor and Bologna co-wrote the Broadway hit comedy “Lovers and Other Strangers”.Alicia Connolly wants to know where Renee Taylor, 76 has put her pants?

Karen Ini and Mike Kates

Tricia Leigh Fisher, I can’t remember but named after a legendary film director, and Carol Tamburino
Carol and Park Hyatt’s GM Jeff Miller enjoy a love fest as the party is a glowing success. Jeff Miller was on hand for the entire weekend’s festivities making sure to iron out any problems that arose.

Steve Thorne talking to cinematographer Christopher Duddy who met his wife, next to him, Joely Fisher through Ellen DeGeneres. She’s giving Sabrina Tamburino a warm LA hug.
How I love to shoot Sabrina, she’s the best subject and is wild and crazy, which helps bring the craziness out when she’s around others. No doubt Kristen Foote would be one of those girls. Having met Kristen about a year ago she was a quiet little girl, but now watch out. And as for the respectable Lauren O’Dorsio and Nicole Cashman, I’ve seen them let down their hairs a few times, especially at the wild and crazy Bacherlorette Party that was coordinated by Nicole down at Dusk in AC over the summer. Them were wild times. Carol Tamburino, and I hear that Joely Fisher can be a wild one.

And then I got a tip that I just couldn’t pass up. I took a few more shots, and I was off to the Midtown-Contenental to photograph

The cast of Fox’s new hit shot “Glee”. Mark Salling, Cory Monteith, 2 fans, Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer and Amber Riley from CW’s Glee departing Stephen Starr’s Continental Midtown Restaurant after dinner. Here they pose with a few fans. Cast member Cory Monteith got on Twitter and typed: “Terrific dinner at The Continental-Midtown in Philly! Thanks to Steven Starr for hookin’ us up.”
Then as “We” yes, we walked down the street, a vendor stopped and tried to sell Cory Monteith a Phillies World Championship T-Shirt. He declined. Cory told me that the next day they would be going to the Liberty Bell and to run up the Rocky Steps before heading to the game to sing the National Anthem.