After work I stopped by to see how the preparations were going for tonight’s big Opening Party for the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Party and the opening Cocktail Party. The room was a clean slate and I was wondering how they were going to transform it (Check out Saturday’s post for the results) If you had your photo taken by either the sophisticated red head, gail or the cutie young black haired boy, Dave, you can find it here. http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/2008/home.cfm My photo album will be up by Sunday. 
here the staff and volunteers work out the details Matthew Fleishman with Catherine Morris on the right
Catherine Morris sets up the room. Directs the guys with the placement of the tables and where the sponsors set up should be
It’s off to the cocktail party for me. The sponsors contribute a lot of dough to execute all the parties and events that go into putting on an event, and we appreciate them
Miguelina Polanco, the spinster Matthew Vlahos, Thom Cardwell and Debbie from Citibank
some of the food that I should eat more of
Smart Water owns Vitamin Water. I only drank the Vitamin Water, I am still hating Jennifer Aniston and her body guards, but you don’t have to hold it against SW, I appreciate their sponsorship even though that vile women is their spokeswoman
How much can I get for this picture, sexy big brother alumni Will Wikle holding the sponsor Vitamin Water, can I retire? 
One of my favorite boy next door who never ages, Dick Clarke er I mean Steve McCann, Mike LaMonaca who is skipping Rehobeth this week to spend it with us here in Philly( http://mikelamonaca.com/ ) and Wagman, owner of Capriccio Cret Cafe which will be located on the Parkway come fall. BTW that is a scoop that it’s gonna be named after Paul Cret, architect of the Ben Franklin Bridge, Rittenhouse Square and the Parkway.
The actors from “Another Gay Movie: The Sequel” ; If you’re an A, B, C, or Z celebrity whore like I am you will want to check out http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/2008/downloads/piglff-2008-guest-list.htm for a list of all the talent that will be showing up at the festival to support their movies. Don’t forget to come out tonight to catch Porn with a big P, stars Blake Riley, Chi Chi LaRue and Johnny Hay, check out the party at PURE after the movie, oh and Charlie David will be in town too. It’s gonna be a crazy week, but don’t go yet, there’s more to go on Philly Chit Chat today… Is it me or did vests come back in style? I like a good vest, as a husky guy it goes a long way for me.
Mary Patel, who has a lot to smile about these days, a new guy, a new movie, a new home and she just got back from vacation. Here she is with Daniel Tremblay Consulate of Canada
Todd Stephens – a great director of Edge of Seventeen, Gypsy 83 and his latest hit Another Gay (This will probably be one of the last times you see this hairstyle in your lifetime, it’s gasping to a halt I hope, is that mean? I don’t want to be mean, it’s just I am bald and am just jealous) and should everyone just be getting a crew cut, it’s summer.
Actor Jonah Blechman and Tla’s Kelly Burkhardt, a few killer smiles from each. Vest aficionado’s
Michael Sanyour and Laurda Byers enjoy themselves on the veranda with the great views of the waterfront from the Hyatt Regency.
Will Wikle best known for his appearance on Big Brother fifth season. Thursday was definitely reality TV personality day, 
because later in the night I went to the Philadelphia Style Magazine “Hot List Party” and you couldn’t swing a cat without hitting one. As the opening night movie rolled at the Prince Theater, I ran myself over to the Crystal Tea Room at the Wanamaker Building to check out this gig
Jennifer Karwoski made an appearance at both the Philly Style Magazine Party with Events Upcoming, or as I heard someone call him last night, Philadelphia’s Entrepreneur Entertainment Genius, Brett Silvers. Later I ran into her at the After Party for Another Gay Movie. On Tuesday Jennifer is hosting “KINKY QUIZZO” with a gay bent at Vlanni’s 11PM
Ought oh time for me to go to bed as I am a working guy and must get up in about 3 hours to do my day job with supplements my night’s passion. I will be expounding more on both the Philly Style Magazine Party and the Opening Night Party for the Philadelphia Film Festival, over the weekend, so read it here live on Monday morning when you return to work. I love how our City has come alive.
Miguelina Polanco, the spinster Matthew Vlahos, Thom Cardwell and Debbie from Citibank
some of the food that I should eat more of
Smart Water owns Vitamin Water. I only drank the Vitamin Water, I am still hating Jennifer Aniston and her body guards, but you don’t have to hold it against SW, I appreciate their sponsorship even though that vile women is their spokeswoman
How much can I get for this picture, sexy big brother alumni Will Wikle holding the sponsor Vitamin Water, can I retire? One of my favorite boy next door who never ages, Dick Clarke er I mean Steve McCann, Mike LaMonaca who is skipping Rehobeth this week to spend it with us here in Philly( http://mikelamonaca.com/ ) and Wagman, owner of Capriccio Cret Cafe which will be located on the Parkway come fall. BTW that is a scoop that it’s gonna be named after Paul Cret, architect of the Ben Franklin Bridge, Rittenhouse Square and the Parkway.
The actors from “Another Gay Movie: The Sequel” ; If you’re an A, B, C, or Z celebrity whore like I am you will want to check out http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/2008/downloads/piglff-2008-guest-list.htm for a list of all the talent that will be showing up at the festival to support their movies. Don’t forget to come out tonight to catch Porn with a big P, stars Blake Riley, Chi Chi LaRue and Johnny Hay, check out the party at PURE after the movie, oh and Charlie David will be in town too. It’s gonna be a crazy week, but don’t go yet, there’s more to go on Philly Chit Chat today… Is it me or did vests come back in style? I like a good vest, as a husky guy it goes a long way for me.Mary Patel, who has a lot to smile about these days, a new guy, a new movie, a new home and she just got back from vacation. Here she is with Daniel Tremblay Consulate of CanadaTodd Stephens – a great director of Edge of Seventeen, Gypsy 83 and his latest hit Another Gay (This will probably be one of the last times you see this hairstyle in your lifetime, it’s gasping to a halt I hope, is that mean? I don’t want to be mean, it’s just I am bald and am just jealous) and should everyone just be getting a crew cut, it’s summer.Actor Jonah Blechman and Tla’s Kelly Burkhardt, a few killer smiles from each. Vest aficionado’s Michael Sanyour and Laurda Byers enjoy themselves on the veranda with the great views of the waterfront from the Hyatt Regency.
Will Wikle best known for his appearance on Big Brother fifth season. Thursday was definitely reality TV personality day, 
because later in the night I went to the Philadelphia Style Magazine “Hot List Party” and you couldn’t swing a cat without hitting one. As the opening night movie rolled at the Prince Theater, I ran myself over to the Crystal Tea Room at the Wanamaker Building to check out this gig
Jennifer Karwoski made an appearance at both the Philly Style Magazine Party with Events Upcoming, or as I heard someone call him last night, Philadelphia’s Entrepreneur Entertainment Genius, Brett Silvers. Later I ran into her at the After Party for Another Gay Movie. On Tuesday Jennifer is hosting “KINKY QUIZZO” with a gay bent at Vlanni’s 11PM
Ought oh time for me to go to bed as I am a working guy and must get up in about 3 hours to do my day job with supplements my night’s passion. I will be expounding more on both the Philly Style Magazine Party and the Opening Night Party for the Philadelphia Film Festival, over the weekend, so read it here live on Monday morning when you return to work. I love how our City has come alive.
a group of hipster chicks, gay guys and a few husbands gathered at Robins Bookstore to celebrate the launch of The Daily Candy Lexicon 
I want to give it away to you my reader, as I don’t have my subscriber box up yet, if you send me an email to buzz @PhillyChitChat.com I will do a drawing Sunday for the bag. (I will then put your email in the subscriber thingy and you will get the blog in your email in the future and you can just click on the link to get to my site) Rules for the contest: put re: WIN BAG You must live in Philly, cause I don’t want to mail the thing, and you could not have been at the event last night. (Oh see that coloring book, not included. I love it and want it) Socks included, not personally signed book though…
The mission is part of the 2008 Women Exporters Initiative, a five-month export readiness program. It was organized by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) – Nova Scotia Division and funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) with an investment of more than $263,000.
From that one event, and the popularity of the G Lounge, Google took notice and drove traffic to my site as well as the G Lounge. My dream of creating a Philly Social Diary took off. Over the past six months I have gone to a lot of events and really gotten myself out there. Now when I shoot an event someone always tells me, your Philly Chit Chat, I read you every day. Which always embarrasses me a little. 
I also want to thank YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU, MY READERS, and Michael Klein, Mary Patel, Holly Dean, Dana Lombardo, Carrie Nork, Nicole Bilcher, Ashley Schaffer and all the girls from Cashman, Steve McCann, Brett Silvers, James Duggan, Gus Calabrese, man about town Matthew Vlahos, Nathan Learner, Phyllis Halpern, and Sarah Doheny for their guidance & wisdom in the society world. (Mitch Williams at the Big Brother/Big Sister charity bowling party in March)
And thanks to David Iams, Brian Rochford and Carol Springer for passing the baton to the next generation of folks covering the Social Scene. (which by the way I was going to change my name to, I even bought Philly Social Scene, but I did a survey and folks said I already branded myself Philly Chit Chat; 
so even if the Hilton’s and the Forbes roll their eyes when I say I am shooting for my site Philly Chit Chat, it’s a Social Diary! I have to grin and bear it – LOL; BUT by this time next year they are going to want to be on the site!! How about you, email me at Buzz @phillyChitChat.com won’t you?)
On the balcony I found my friend Bob chatting up my friend Phyllis. I used to play softball with Ball when I first arrived in Philadelphia a few years back. Bob just competed in the Philadelphia Schuylkill Ironman Competition, have you ever heard of anything more vile than swimming in the Schuylkill River (I asked him if he kicked any dead bodies or cars, he didn’t). He’s a brave man.
TLA’s Rich Wolf with Susan Helfrich, PIGLFF’s Developmental Director Thom Cardwell with journalist Mary Patel stops by for a few. Mary is heading to Miami and is going to miss opening night of the film festival on Thursday.
The two Tim’s make an appearance. We never see enough of them. They are always busy at home playing their WII
This week begins the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. It is going to be a blast and I will be covering every nook and cranny for you to see, but right now the best way to see all that is going to be shown and the parties that you can attend can be found on Philly Gay Calendar as Steve McCann one of the best sites with the 411: 
I had Mike wear his yellow shirt for the occassion; here he is with my bro-in-law Frank, who is married to my sister Margaret.
Here’s that trouble maker Ella, with her dad Joe looking on; He’s married to my sister Tracy.
Here’s a family shot of the girls with their kids
Laura Burkhardt was a pleasant surprise stopping up for a few moments on her was to her VIP seats to see John Legend. She was nice enough to take Bob along with her to enjoy the concert. 
Congress led the way for the encouragement of fireworks on the Fourth of July by authorizing a display on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia, a year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. “At night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons. Another colorful display took place in Philadelphia on July 4, 1779: “In the evening a sett [sic] of brilliant fireworks were exhibited, particularly excellent rockets, which, after ascending to an amazing height in the air, burst, and displayed thirteen stars.” 
The first fireworks in Boston took place on July 4, 1777. A newspaper reported: “In the evening Col. Crafts illuminated his park on the commons, threw several shells, and exhibited a number of fireworks.” Boston had another display in 1779 when thirteen rockets were fired. 
Congratulations to Carrie Nork and Dino Minelli who were married on July 5, 2008
The Jeff’s had a blast
and the quaint front porched homes draped with flags, and at Halloween draped with spooky characters
But for me it’s the July 4th Parade every year that is my favorite as it reminds me of my childhood and the small town innocent atmosphere that I relish, that I don’t always feel in a City of more than a million people.
I love this parade for their political statements and community activism. In past years much has been said about politicians, the process or who they were supporting, this year not much about that but a lot to say about recylcing.
The best part of the parade is the kids with their decorated bikes, scooters, wagons
and riding in a convertible with the family
The Masons on parade
Get there early for the 12PM kick off as the line gets long. 
Cousins Caroline and Delaney
soda, beer and water ice. (Hmm Wilfred Brimley?) Thanks to the sponsors.
I have a hat just like that
The peps in Audubon get into the holiday spirit
I grew up in the house with the chimney until I was 8 years old. Dad owned it for another 20 years and used it as his doctors office. And my sisters lived in the apartment above the office after they graduated college. Dad was a strict landlord, and made sure the girls paid their rent on time. After they moved out he gave half the proceeds back. Damn I wish I had gotten that deal!!
Jeff, Julie, Jody Shaw and I all went to Paul VI High School and attended 
but I could see that in a few hours kids of all ages would enjoy lots of things to do and
eat
do
listen and dance 
but as I made my way down the Parkway I saw something new this year
it was NBA on the Parkway?? It is a new day, where did that come from, was it on the schedule? I’ll look… “What’s more, the NBA Nation Presented by SPRITE tour bus will roll into Philly with interactive games, videos of the 50 greatest NBA plays and other hands-on activities. ” Yep there it was, as part of the Fiesta on the Parkway. Guess they weren’t going for any world record line dances this year, but these kids were breakdancing, do they still call it that?
Breaking News: Here’s the new 2008, new administration logo on which the parade participants will stop and perform tonight. Gosh I hope it doesn’t rain again this year.
