Philly Chit Chat

I work across from the 30th floor of the Ritz-Carlton and saw this in the window, two drying “Met Shirts”. The one on the right says “Wrigley Field”.

Lately in Atlantic City swimming pools are getting almost as popular as slot machines. It seems like every Casino or hotel is sporting a body of water in which you don’t have to step on sand to get to. As promised on my Twitter ” iphillychitchat” Philly Chit Chat visited 2 of Atlantic City’s newest and seemingly hottest ventures, I dare someone to differ.
Yesterday we covered Dusk and today we’ll talk about the Chelsea Hotel. The website states that “The Chelsea ushers in a new era of Atlantic City chic, re-imagining the fabled heyday of “America’s Playground” for the savvy modern traveler. The first non-gaming hotel to grace the Boardwalk since the 1960s, the Chelsea captures imaginations by conjuring the long-lost glamour and sophistication of this seaside resort town as a magical retreat where leisure and luxury come together in a perfect blend of great service, true comfort, and alluring spaces.” Just by looking at this sign it kinda reminds you of old Las Vegas and the Rat Pack Days. And that is what I found inside, a classy, woodsy comfortable place to stay.

The Fifth Floor pool and deck area screams cool, whether lounging in the sun and swimming in the heated pool listening to a DJ by day, or dancing at night. Bikini-clad waitresses a plus. We first met them last Thursday at the Philly Style Magazine party. Along with these folks. It was just a lucky coincidence that they same weekend the Dusk/Cashman & Assocs invited me to cover an event at Dusk, that Sabrina Tamburino was having the first of many bacherlorette parties before her big plunge.
The pool on the main floor offers a relaxed, serene place to take a dip or relax.

How cool is it to have a DJ play as you are sunning or swimming. This crowd was not shy, as you will see in a second, and many of the guests were dancing in the aisle. I should have asked if the drinks were strong. Then again everyone is on vacation and away from the stresses of the day.

The Chelsea is touted as “a delightfully unpredictable house party”.Hey it’s Brett Perloff is very busy lately with starting a company Perl Media which is a dynamic communications and events company specializing in nightlife promotion and consultation, special event production. Which includes running events at:
* The Chelsea including C5 and the Cabana Club
* Dusk Nightclub
* Strongbox
* National Jean Company

Congratulation SabrinaI think I need to make another trip to The Chelsea. That day I was in and out in 30 minutes. Now doing this blog I see that in the evening the 5th floor turns into a nightclub atmosphere. I must have missed the pool tables. So if you are looking for an alternative to the hustle of the casino’s, you might just want to check out the Chelsea, a cooler by the mile luxe and classy spot to go. An adult playground.

I took a quick walk around the hotel but was short on time or I would have taken pixs of the various rooms. I did check out Stephen Starr’s Chelsea Prime which is on the 5th floor and looked like a swanky, classy, relaxed eatery with an amazing view of the ocean. Now there’s a place I NEED TO GO BACK TO.

I was invited by DUSK/Cashman & Assocs. to cover an event at DJ AM’s new club Dusk located in Caesars Atlantic City Casino Saturday July 18, 2009 and this is my story:

A Dawning of a new era in Atlantic City, heck in club going PERIOD; A few weeks ago with the opening of Dusk, presented by DJ AM and Red Stripe Plane Group located in Caesars Atlantic City Casino (Cover Charge $20)..
Located on the casino floor of the Caesars Casino nicely tucked in the corner, Dusk is a modern playground for the dance set. (I love shooting clubs when they’re empty, well almost empty.)
There are 30 VIP tables where bottle service is available, two DJ booths flanking two elevated stages at the center of the dance floor, and a “Funktion One” sound system that cranks out 100,000 watts of power.

There are two bars on the club’s main level, and a classic-looking lounge area called the Dawn Room equipped with its own bar, mahogany wood panels and granite-tiled floor.This is the ladies bathroom it was just too hot not to photograph. Those lampshades remind me of the frames from hoop skirts that ladies wore in the 1800’s. What a beautiful room for the ladies to go to to freshen up returning to the dance floor with their fierce selves. GM Kevin Friel, Robin Thicke and Dusk, co-owner Eric Millstein, vice president of Red Stripe Plane Group

I heard that Nick Lachey was hitting Dusk on Saturday night, it was going to be a low key thing, but would I like to come down and shoot the event. Sure will Nick just parted from Vanessa, and blond beauty Jessica Simpson recently single herself surely would be packing to rendevous with Nick in Atlantic City. Just last week Us Magazine screamed “Is there a reunion ahead for these two?”, and I thought I need to be there to record that moment. Sure enough there was a blond on hand at Dusk that night.But her time seemed to be occupied by none other than self made celeb blogger (or as I coined “The Reality Blogger” when I meta-tagged my photos for the wireservice – LOL) Arthur Kade. You know what his photos were picked up by sites. He is a viable celebrity, self made, he’s a marketing tool too, it’s only a matter of time before people start wanting to buy that hat he’s wearing.
There are two DJ Booths. (DJ AM was on vacation, but I will look for an invite to a future gig and bring it all to you. I didn’t get this DJ’s name, but he was good. The dance floor was moving and packed for a good 4hrs, then they switch him out and the next guy played mostly house no words music, then slow jams for the ride home.) Next to these booths are 4 private VIP areas. I was partying it up with friends from Philly.
My favorite “It Girl” Sabrina Tamburino was there, and crazy with her girlfriends as she was celebrating the first of many bacherolorette parties kicking it off at DUSK!! Lauren D’Orsio, Nicole Cashman, Jill Rizen, Nina Tinari (who came in from Harrisburg where’s she’s been since the budget crisis), Lauren Beloff, Allison, Carol, Erin Elmore, Kristen Foote and others who I can’t recall in my sleepy stupor.
I love this feature. It’s not a smoke machine, it’s like a dry ice machine. After working it up on the dance floor, the DJ knows just the right time to drop this cloud of cool, refreshing air mass to douse the flames and ground us for another hot, heart pumping beats.
Just in time for an impromptu concert at 1AM by Robin Thicke, who had been performing at the House of Blues earlier in the night. After taking the “stage” Robin who’s not afraid of being up close and personal with his fans, invited a few to join him. He sang three songs, with many of the girls acting as back-up and keeping the grove going for the crowd who were flashing and recording the moment for memories and hopefully YouTube.

Then it was back to boom boom boom now everybody say wayoh (wayoh) I say boom boom boom now let me hear you say wayoh (wayoh) I say boom boom boom now everybody say wayohJill Rizen and bride to be Sabrina Tamburino rock it out.Tony Piazza stops by for a bit of fun. L – Jill Rizen, R- Kristen Foote
No doubt Twittering, these are a few of the things I tweeted Saturday night:

http://twitpic.com/avblp – The lovely jill rizen @dusk loving the vip lounge.

http://twitpic.com/av8p7 – 2 most search girls on phillychitchat sabrina tamburino and nina tinari (in that order)

1. http://twitpic.com/av5zm – Wild Sabrina Tamburino bacherlorette party @dusk in well. 1:52 AM Jul 19th from TwitPic
2. Thriller is on and the crowd is going wild.1:24 AM Jul 19th from TwitterBerry
3. Arthur kade is sitting with kristin cavalleri. She’s with some gay guy so if he can’t end his drought there’s no hope for him.1:12 AM Jul 19th from TwitterBerry
4. OMG THIS PLACE IS F**King amazing. Wish I were straight ’cause that’s who’s mostly here. @Dusk @ Caesars AC12:49 AM Jul 19th from TwitterBerry
6. http://twitpic.com/avv4h – Good morning!! I guess everyone is still in bed as only lifeguards on beach.about 17 hours ago from TwitPic
7. @DJ_AM I was just at your club Dusk w/kristine cavalleri and nick lachey and it was off the hook. Awesome club, great music.about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
8. I just danced for 4hrs straight. I’m gonna consider this a workout. @Dusk about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Nicole Cashman of the PR firm Cashman & Associates (she reps the club, in addition to the entire Caesar’s Pier shopping complex which would be a whole ‘nother piece. I took a tour and it was amazing. In fact Atlantic City is not what I remembered it as a kid)
Rose petals are not allowed to be thrown at Dusk, someone could slip and hurt themselves. In fact the Dusk staff was right on it when people spilled drinks, broke entire vodka bottles and they broke, and whatever calamity came down the pike (thrown rose buds). They have an entire team that goes to the area, cordons it off until it’s made safe again. Very impressive.
all the single ladies (all the single ladies), all the single ladies (all the single ladies), …
Lauren D’Orsio, Sabrina Tamburino, Jill Rizen and G-N Kang
Dusk

I had a great time, and can’t wait to go back.
Did you know you can follow me on Twitter at IPhillyChitChat it’s there I can fill you in of the latest celeb sightings, charity events, events and things of interest in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.

Oh what a night. For me covering the Philly Style Magazine “Hot List” party is an amazing experience because at last years event I barely knew anyone except for Sgt. Ray (Single and still looking girls, I know you’re curious some of you do searches) and Brett Rosenbloom (off to some exotic place [I never spell his name right, I used to call him Brad, now I’m into misspelling his last name, he just wrote me and I corrected it). There were no Arthur Kade’s, or Sabrina Tamburino’s in my life at that time, certainly no Renee Freeman who just exudes a sweetness and kindness every time I see her and many of you who are always so kind, especially with your prayers for my sister and of the NBC10/Fusion “Be a 10 in 10 Weeks” Biggest Loser Challenge.
Tonight was a whole different ballgame. It was a great night, it went by so very fast, and so many people wanted to be on PhillyChitChat, which was a great honor. To thank all of you for allowing me to take your photos over the past year, I will be putting all the photos I took at tonight’s party into my online photo album next weekend. So if you’re photo does not appear here, and even if it does, you come back and get it for free from the online album.Michael Spain Smith with Kristin Foran
Todd Trego, Mrs Todd Trego or as we like to call her Editor in Chief of Philadelphia Style Magazine and Capitol, Sarah Schaffer with Lee Saunders. Philly has never been the same since Sarah left us for Obama town.
Emoda.com’s Meesha Miller with model (can you tell) Josh DeMarco.
The Mayor – Drew Carballo (far left), Brooke Bugatti, guest, Ruben Harley, and Lee Christy
Robert Johnson, Vlahos PR, with celebrity chef and all around sweet person Jennifer Carroll and Beth Cecerelli. Chef Carroll just finished the latest installment of Brvo’s Top Chef. It premieres on 8/19/09. You can catch all the action at Ten Arts at the Ritz where Chef Carroll is at the helm practically everyday. On 8/19 ten Arts will be having a premiere party from 7 – 10PM. So come on by and cheer our hometown girl on.
A couple of hot listers in my book… Grace Flanagan and Beth Hegedus (Thanks for being a reader Beth)

Entertainment. Hmm I wonder if I will be able to do this after 10 weeks of bootcampDave Fisher, Mia Tinari and Sam Weiner
The Rittenhouse Mayor and KYW3’s GM. Doesn’t the dresses on the right look similar. I was surprised with a crowd this large no two people had the same outfit on.

Joe Weiss and Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office. (NO she won’t tell me where Owen Wilson or Reese Witherspoon are filming – LOL). Joe has also dabbled in the art; he partnered in a film production company which produced several well-known films of the 1970s, including The Buddy Holly Story and Under the Rainbow. Lovely, sweet as chocolate Aditi Roy. Seriously is there any other reason to wake up to anyone else in the morning. I remember the first day of bootcamp Justin Pizzi said to me “Aditi says hi”. Plus she always says the nicest things. And she’s cute to boot. Steve Weissman
Toni Crawford, John Colabelli and Kristin Simms
Shang Skipper, Monoca Devlin, and Marshall Harris in front of the Del Frisco’s table. Hmm hmm good. It was one of the few things I ate all night. A beef slider.

Janice Lim comes out of hiding and chat’s it up with always dashing Scott Webster. He just returned with his sweetie Jessica Hawkes, from a quick trip to London. He’s still sporting that Britsh Scotland Yard look.My date for the evening, and I believe this is only the 2nd time I saw her last night, future PR Giant, current bootcamper Megan Smith with Andrea “Miss Keystone” Helfrich
Finally after 2.5 hrs trying to work my way to the casino, there were no chairs. Not to fret I am going to AC this weekend for a Chelsea by day, Dusk by night Philly Chit Chat outing. I will be hitting the tables if Mike doesn’t hide my ATM card.
Lots of sponsors to thank, but at the moment I don’t have a list. I do know that Grey Goose is one of the, plus I had a diet coke. So thanks to them. As well as the restaurants I remember and will list when it’s not 3:30am like it is right now. Hmm if I were going to they gym I would just stay up 2 hrs and leave, but today I think I will go at 4:30PM. Getting delirious, must finish this b4 I go to work….
Arthur Kade, a little out of focus here. He was avoiding the press tonight and just basking in his limelight. I think he may have broken “The Drought” last night, you’ll have to check out http://www.ArthurKade.com to find out.

Carrie Nork Minelli with hubby and Mission Grill GM Dino Minelli. Carrie is due to give birth in September. Another Casman & Associates principle, Dana Lombardo gave birth to a baby girl last Saturday, Chloe. Father TJ and family are estatic. Danielle Poe makes the scene with
Michael Harris: Director, Marketing and Special Projects with the Phillies and wife Joy enjoyed the festivities. I ran into them in the Casino room, but they left with the shirts on their back so I think they did well. Which reminds me next Tuesday, the Penn Club of Philadelphia is having a great event at the Phillies! Three hundred alumni from all over the region, along with their families, will be having a special bbq in a party tent, prior to the game. During the event, Phillies President David Montgomery (a penn alum) will welcome guests, tell his personal story and answer questions from attendees. http://www.pennclubphilly.org/article.html?aid=414
Kelly Haye and Tumoor Haye, GM Union Trust and about to be proud parents. With Kaci Mitz, AJ, and Ellen Rohlfing
Greta Baith and Autumn Asby, who wrote on her FB: Tastykake giveway after swanky party good thing. Walking home in 3in heels not a good thing. (ROFL) oh and this nugget tooWell done CollegeHumor. Well done. http://bit.ly/vRAJ6Molly O’Shea with friend Meghan McNelis. Molly is participating in the Sporting Club @ the Bellevue’s bootcamp with my “Coach” Fusion Cross Training owner Gavin McCay. His bootcamp is so popular he’s branching out.
The shy Justin Fine and his date Alli Hughes



NBC10 folks, will fill you in later
Susan Helfrich and Rich Woolf. These two have staying power.

Fierce footwearJen Utley, Sgt. Ray Evers and Nicole Cashman, of Cashman & Associates
A thorn between oh that’s something else…

New FB friend, Kristin Foote and John Westrum. They make a nice couple.

Zahra Saeed and Kayce Cashman. Zahra has a dress boutique at 1901 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA Saeed’s Walnut Street boutique features clothing with her signature touch: gorgeous fabrics from Europe and Asia.
Sweethearts Renee and Don Freeman – Freeman Interiors
Jordan Schatz and Kem genkin. Kim tells me her client Peter Karapanagiotis of Prive will be on “Chopped” 8/25/09. So watch it. Love. Love that all our chefs are getting some face time nationally.
, Jennifer Carroll and Uri Jacobsen; President/Chief Operating Officer at Barefeet Shoes, Wyncote, PA On my way home I ran into the “autograzzi”, oh wait they are protesting that I call them that, they have unionized and want to be called Professional Autograph Association (PGA) – LOL. OK well these guys are my ally’s in all things celebrity. They know who’s who is where and what is going on way more than I could ever know. I mean really they bring beach chairs to wait for hours for Motley crew at the Four Seasons. I caught up with them for about an hr waiting for Tommy Lee. Nikki Sixx came in first, “No Pictures”, “No Pictures I’m too tired (it was about midnite). So you guys won’t see that photo in the Inky or on PCC. Oh well there’s the Jonas Brothers or Sharon Gless to come through our town. It’s gonna be a great summer.
For 10 days I will have this open for the public consumption.
Just right click & save; Can not republish these photo in any media without permission.
http://hughephotos.smugmug.com/gallery/8936784_LGo4Q#593428948_xiU7E

I cant remember when you weren’t there
When I didn’t care for anyone but you
I swear we’ve been through everything there is
Cant imagine anything we’ve missed
Cant imagine anything the two of us cant do
Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you … through the years
I never had a doubt, we’d always work things out
Ive learned what loves about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you’ve never let me down
You’ve turned my life around, the sweetest days Ive found
Ive found with you … through the years
Its better everyday, you’ve kissed my tears away
As long as its okay, Ill stay with you
Through the years

Without the support of Mike, PhillyChitChat could never exist, it takes a lot of time away from us so that I can pursue my obsessive passion to record what the heck is going on and share it with the rest of the world. So thanks Mike, I really appreciate it, and I love you. How lucky am I to have found him.

It’s Mike’s Birthday to, Happy Birthday Mike!!!

Tonight is the Philadelphia Style Magazine Hot List Party, it is going to be a blast, of course the timing could have been better, but no one asked me. So PhillyChitChat will be there and bring it to you tomorrow.

For the past couple months I have been invited to cover QOTA (Queers on the Avenue), but for one reason or another I haven’t been able to get down there to attend. This changed last night when I had some free time as I wanted to see a lot of friends that I don’t get to see all the time, plus two of my favorite people James McManaman and David White were opening their 2nd art store in the City “Absolute Abstract” at 1616 East Passyunk Avenue. Their other store is in Center City on another happening street 13th Street in Midtown Village.David White, Where Magazine Publisher Laura Burkhart & James McManaman in their new store on East Passyunk Avenue This month’s QOTA featured free wine, beer, and Rain Vodka cocktails + lite fare. Special thanks to our sponsors Independence Business Alliance, Rain Organic Vodka and Loews Philadelphia Hotel, who will raffle off a VIP weekend. (Another recent migrant biz from the Midtown Village is Capogiro’s, which is doing a very brisk business.) IBA President Bill Gehrman (Left) (“The Independence Business Alliance is Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT of commerce.) and Chris Mullins, whose family own McGillins on Drury Lane. This year McGillin’s is gearing up for their 150th Anniversary – WOW!! Check their website for upcoming events celebrating this monumental event, 8/1/2010.
Not 150 years old, but just as important, this guy on East Passyunk states that at 86 yrs old he’s the oldest on the Avenue, has a PURPLE HEART (Thank you sir), and likes that life has returned to the avenue.
Colleen DeCesare, Black & Brew and Michael Clouston, owner of Michael’s Café at 1623 E. Passyunk Avea. It’s simple yet delicious BYOB that I know you will want to try. They are hugging at Michael’s CafeCarol Miguel, Alan Smith, Linda Loque and lying on Carol, John A Cochie, III enjoying the evening at Michael’s Cafe
From an article in last month’s June Philadelphia Magazine:

… Renee Gilinger is the director of the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District. Just off the plane from a vacation in Europe, she should be exhausted. But instead she’s standing on a chair, enthusiastically calling out the winning raffle tickets for gift baskets from JimmyStyle and Absolute Abstract, and reveling in the once-again stellar turnout. She’s long been involved in organizing the gay community, but QOTA is her great success. “I always knew there was a true LGBT presence here,” she says. “But until you have a space where everyone says ‘This is accepted,’ there’s an uncertainty. An older gay gentleman who has lived here for years told me he has never felt this comfort level.”

Bill Gehrman at this months QOTA event thanks the crowd for coming, and conducts the raffle which I didn’t win:(
These two may very well be the future Mayor’s of the Avenue – PR Man about Avenue Matthew Vlahos and JimmyStyle, owner and local fashionisto Jimmy Contreras waving to friends as he makes his way through the crowd
Kurt Schoenkopf, Darren Fava, Robert Bain and John Yeagley
Steve Kamison, Mark Moyer and Robert Saxon, MANNA
Spotted on the scene clothier Matthew Izzo

(Again from Phila Mag June 2009)
IN A STRANGE twist of fate, it just might be that the new gayborhood’s real patriarch, its guiding light, is … Vince Fumo.
The embattled politico’s Citizens’ Alliance — the neighborhood improvement effort that was the centerpiece of the “misspending” that’s landing him in jail — bought up blighted properties along the Avenue beginning in 2000, and started rehabbing them and renting them at cheap rates to viable, renaissance-inducing tenants. Those tenants agreed to abide by certain rules: no ugly security gates, later hours of operation, changing window displays, and other business-smart guidelines that the older mom-and-pop shops pay little attention to.
VISIT EAST PASSYUNK AVENUE FOR INFORMATION

It’s the mid-point of the NBC 10’s “Be a Ten in Ten Weeks” and damn it’s hard work. I have a new found appreciation for people that exercise, seriously exercise, as I can see that getting your body in shape and staying there requires hard work, discipline and a plan. (Last week I didn’t do so hot as reported by NBC10’s website: “Philly paparazzo and blogger Hughe Dillon had a tough week, but the holiday weekend wasn’t the problem. After his sister received some bad news about her ovarian cancer (Prayers for Judy please), Hughe made a trip to Jersey for a dozen cream doughnuts [McMillian’s, I didn’t eat all of them just 4]. The sympathy eating put him back at 292 lbs. — canceling out five of his total 10 lb. loss.)
Male model and interior designer Joe Matthews , who most probably are thinking what the heck is he doing in this “Challenge”? But this is a challenge against ourselves, to feel and look the best that we believe we can. Over the past couple years Joe bulked up, but it wasn’t with muscles, it was fat and it was because of his carb addiction especially to pizza (who doesn’t love pizza). So last winter he joined one of the boot camp sessions, and was able to get into shape and lose most of his weight EXCEPT THOSE PESKY LAST 10 LBS. That’s why he is here, he’s going through what a lot of people go through (I wish I had that problem). He works out smart, he uses Fusion as his primary gym, but also belongs to a gym closer to his home where he does supplemental workouts to work towards his goals. He also works with the nutritionist at Fusion to understand what he’s eating.
Q102 DJ Nicole Michalik She was on the NBC reality TV show, The Biggest Loser and lost more than 100 pounds. On her DJ page, she talks about her “really crazy workouts” and her tweets are really fun. She often gives me advice on how to control that “Stinking Thinking” that sabotages us all when we set out to achieve goals that seem impossible.
Nicole and a few others in the boot camp have great suggestions for healthy eating:
8 Perfect Fitness Foods

One of the boot club members blog on food
Eating Good in the Hood

Another Booter’s webiste not on food
http://www.goodtobeyou.com/

Megan R. Smith is a busy woman who runs her own PR company, Brownstone PR. She’s also one of my BFF’s. She really works hard at her program, and is making huge progress over the past few weeks. Megan and I share lots of common interests, besides the gift of gab, we both struggle with food issues, but are working thru them. We may not solve them in these 10 weeks, but we will recognize and address them.
Megan wins for the best line since that women on Survivor told Richard Hatch she would walk over his dying body: “Let’s face it vegetables are not that tasty, they are not as good as McDonald’s fries,” she says. Recently Megan suffered two pulled hamstring during an outdoor boot camp. It was really scary to see her drop to the ground, just like in the movies. Immediately Coach Jesse jumped into action and began working on her legs, massaging them, stretching them, and shockingly to me after about 10 mins Megan was up and working out again. It was impressive to see Jesse bring her back from scary agony on the pavement to a point where she was able to continue again at a modified pace. Fusion coaches are educated in their field, know what they are doing and are great under pressure. There are a lot of things I like about the Fusion concept. I love that it’s like getting personal training even though it’s with 10 – 20 other people in the room, but with that, there’s extra encouragement from your fellow boot campers. I love how they change the routine up constantly. Then there’s the different coaching styles. I love that they have outdoor boot camp, I don’t love that I have to run more than a block outside. But I do like doing sprints, and all other crazy things in the grass where dogs have run and if you asked me 6 weeks ago to crawl around Washington Square Park I would have said you were crazy, but I love the endorphins I get after a Fusion workout. I never got them working out on my own, although I hear it’s possible.
So as I pass the mid-point point I want to thank everyone for their support, it means a lot. I hope I have inspired some people to do something about weight loss, if you feel that way. I guess we’ve all heard it before, it’s up to us and no one can make that decision. Sure I am doing this for the sake of my sister Judy as she asked me to, but I really am doing it for myself. Had I not done something I would be over 300lbs now because I just wouldn’t stop, not couldn’t, but wouldn’t, I really didn’t know how. I know I am a good candidate for Weight Watchers and should also go to Overeaters Anonymous, but at this moment I use my training program to support me through my food issues. But for you, I would suggest either of those programs to help you get your food issues under control, and then look into an exercise program that fits your schedule.
By the looks of me you would think I never worked out, but that’s not the truth. For years I biked, bladed and went to the gym, but about 10 years ago I began ramping up my career and extracurricular activities (including choosing all the wrong foods) and exercising fell as a priority, which brings me here I am at this moment crossing my fingers and toes that I lost a decent about of weight so I can feel like a Ten in Five weeks. Tomorrow at 6:45AM tune into NBC10 (or check the video at http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/health/diet_fitness/
Here’s Week 4’s video Plus check out Gavin’s Use the 90/10 compliance rule when eating, especially emotional eating:
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/health/diet_fitness/Be-a-10-in-10-Weeks-Week-Five.html

The PHILADELPHIA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL IS NOW The PHILADELPHIA QFEST & it’s going on right now 7/9 – 7/20 (follow along on twitter at #PQF09 or @QFest )
Opening night for the Philadelphia QFest kicked off with a screening of Chad Allen’s new movie Hollywood je t’aime Screening at the Prince Theater. Then it was off to the University of The Arts for a huge opening gala. Opening Night kicked off early with an exclusive VIP reception for Chad Allen at the stunning Rittenhouse Square apartment of Host Committee Gold Members Jay Arnold and Bruce Campbell. The lovely and talented Courtney Custer hosted pre-screening festivities that featured Mayor Nutter’s hilarious and enthusiastic presentation of the city proclamation to QFest and the adorable Chad Allen’s gracious acceptance of this year’s Artistic Achievement Award. A Q&A with first time director Jason Bushman, producer Charlie Wurmfeld, and stars Eric Debets and Chad Allen followed the screening of Hollywood, je t’aime.
Celebrating their 15th year, QFest is the largest LGBT film fest on the East Coast – 12 days full of 100+ films plus outdoor screenings, special guests, and loads of parties and events.Cory and Andrew seem to be enjoying their evening.
Norval & Craig Copeland-Bailey with Chad Allen. After I took this photo, Chad asked the guys how long they had been together. Noval said 30 years. And with that Chad brought his bf over to meet the two, asked someone to take a photo of the 4 of them and said I want this to be our inspiration that relationships can be long lasting.

Matt Ray and JimmyStyle Contreras have similar tastes in clothing. To find the photos that may have been taken of you by one of the festival photographers, go to the QFest Website and click on RELIVE THE MEMORIES WITH QFEST PHOTOS AND VIDEOS [7.12.09]

Austin Williams and Eric Fehn. Austin works out at Fusion Cross Training and has the opposite problem that most people had. He needed to bulk up. With Fusion over the 10 wk boot camp program he gained 10 lbs of muscle.
In fact all these guys go to Fusion Cross Training. Gavin McCay is the owner/operator, Joey Hoffman, Joe McCollum, Michael Braunstein, Andrew Pletcher, and Patrick
And here are the results you can get at Fusion Cross Training. Someday I hope to loose enough weight to see my abs, I know they’re there now because FUSION kicks my ass working on my CORE. OMG if I never live to do another PLANK or scissor sit up I would be so grateful. L-R Evan Urbania, guest, Joe McCollum, Matthew Ray (purple shirt), Patrick, Gavin McCay and Michael Braunstein.
I didn’t take this bottom picture.

I’m getting a lot of emails on who is filming at City Hall in Philadelphia this week. According to Michael Klein’s column INQlings , where my photos appear every Sunday, Jack Nicholson and Paul Rudd went before the cameras at the Widener Building across from City Hall last week. They’re playing father and son in the untitled James L. Brooks comedy shooting here till October. (Nicholson and Rudd shot a scene with Kathryn Hahn.) The production is working out of soundstages at the Armory at Drexel University and near Philadelphia International Airport. This week, expect to see exteriors being shot near City Hall. Star Reese Witherspoon is expected to arrive midweek for her work as a woman torn between Rudd and Owen Wilson. And another casting call has been announced: Producers need “foreign diplomats” – men and women, all ethnicities, ages 35 to 60, who own their own national dress (such as saris, kufi caps, kaffiyehs, thawbs and turbans). Heery Casting asks applicants to e-mail photos of themselves wearing the costume to howdoyouknowcasting@gmail. com. Include your phone number.

Last night sandwiched between the cocktail party for Chad Allen in honor of his movie opening up the 2009 Philadelphia QFest and the QFest afterparty at the University of the Arts, I ran over to the Doubletree and covered a couple of Philly’s socialite’s Tal & Jill traditional Moroccan “wedding rehearsal” dinner before the big day on Sunday.
There was a lot of dancing and celebrating (Tal’s mom)And dancing and well wishing…Congratulations Jill & Tal – Mazol Tah for an awesome life together. Thank you for inviting me.
Another plus for me was the QFest after party was across the street so I just hopped over there for about 30 minutes and went home. Fusion Cross Training at 6:00AM comes awfully early today.