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Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA STRONGMAN COMPETITION 2008 re: photos of really big guys I wouldn’t want to piss off

Strong·man (strôngmn) n.: an intense sport of which the modern derivation is a direct descendent of the Scottish and Icelandic/Scandinavian test of manhood. A typical strongman competition is a test of strength, endurance, ingenuity and heart. It consists of events adopted from traditional Scottish Highland Games, variations of powerlifting, Olympic lifting and just plain “crazy” events such as the rope and harness truck pull.

As part of the Sunoco Welcome America Celebration, a Strongman Competition was held at Eakins Oval in front of the Art Museum on Saturday and Sunday.

A nice sized crowd came out to watch in the summer heat to see the Strongmen
Food of the champions, Little Ceasar pizza, yum and lots and lots of water
Gerard Benderoth who won yesterday’s competition resting before the competition
” Farmer’s Walk – Competitors carry heavy objects weighing from 275-400 lbs in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time. A variation involves use of a heavy frame with parallel handles” In this instance this contraption weighed 800lbs. Gerard Benderoth

Gerard Benderoth

Gerard Benderoth, Philadelphia City Hall and the World Flags along Ben Franklin Parkway. The flags represent countries that are members of the United Nation.
Phil Pfister, who was the Met-Rx World’s Strongest Man in 2006.
When Pfister won the title, he pocketed a cool $41,000 grand prize and became the first American to win the crown since Bill Kazmaier won his third-straight strongman title in 1982. The prize money supplemented what Pfister already receives from working as a firefighter in West Virginia, where he lives with his family.
2006 ‘WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN’ CHAMPION PHIL PFISTER


When I read that the Strongman competition “is a direct descendent of the Scottish”, it explained why this guy was wearing a kilt, especially on this 90F day. – It takes about a dozen guys, strength and rope to move the 800lb weight back into place.
If he was Britney Spears, this photo would be worth a pretty penny. I guess guys do wear something under their kilts.
It takes about 4 guys to move the anvil back. I have no idea how much it weighs, but I wouldn’t lift it.

I do not know who this guy was, anyone know? Update: Thanks to my commentor who tells me it’s Josh Thigpen but after the three guys before him couldn’t go more than 5 feet with the 800lbs of hell, he completed the course

grabbed the anvil dumped it
Josh Thigpen made a beeline
over the fence

high fives along the crowd
finishing with the Marine hi five then he ripped off his shirt
and lifted a girl, probably his girlfriend. Yes the testostorone was flowing at Eakins Oval, which would have made Eakins happy.
I have to say that I love the 10 day July Fourth celebration – America’s Birthday – that Philadelphia puts on. I look forward to it every year as I enjoy the festivities, the people, the red, white and blue, the concerts and most importantly the FIREWORKS. I have to admit that no matter where I have lived in Philadelphia, I always have to had to have a view of either the Art Museum or Penns Landing so I could have a party and celebrate Fourth of July. For the past 7 years I have both views, granted PL is a mile away buy I can still enjoy those, the Art Museum, well that’s my front yard. I always wait in anticipation for the announcement of who is going to be the headline act at the July 4th – This Year it’s John Legend, who I really enjoy, but more importantly from a celebrity photographer stance he’s always been terrific and always gives a good shot. I just saw him last week at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in NYC and took this shot; plus chatted with him about his performance. He’s really looking forward to performing here, but he’s not having a cheesesteak because they are too fattening. Wanted to know if anyone sells turkey cheesesteaks, thinks they have less calories. http://www.americasbirthday.com/calendar.asp
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Philadelphia

AND YOU WONDER WHY THE PHILADELPHIA PARKING AUTHORITY OFFICERS GET SO MUCH GRIEF

As I left work yesterday, I notice many of the people passing me had big smiles on their faces as they sucked on various colored round ice cream pops. I then came to the culprit, who I later found out was James Hampton who’s job it was to give out FREE M&M’s Ice Cream Treats, and it wasn’t even the first day of summer? Remember when Good Humor or Rita’s used to give out ice cream on the first day of summer. The new treats came in the same 5 colors that M&M’s came in, which looked familiar, but weren’t chocolate inside at all, just vanilla.
This guy actually stopped traffic, got out of his $25,000 gas guzzling SUV and snagged two of the free treats, one for mom he said. Note the traffic light is red for the opposing traffic and cars have to go around his truck, maybe he heard about the delicious sweet tasting bar that made him do it. Ought oh, here comes trouble
The PPA officer told James that he might want to go back to his truck.
And we all did the perp walk ’cause I wanted to know what was going on (It was all for you guys, not my own curiosity, I swear)


Turns out that the M&M giveaway truck was in a NO Parking Lane, and it didn’t matter that they were spreading joy & happiness, they had to move it. I asked James where would they go, he didn’t know, but they had 6 cases of bars to give out and they were going tonight. I asked the PPA officer if he realized how many folks were going to miss out on this freebie, and did he have one. He mumbled something like he doesn’t eat that stuff, and they could park where ever they wanted, but it had to be a legal spot if it was going to be on his watch. So once again the PPA ruins the day, by taking candy out of the mouths of babes. With that the M&M Ice Cream truck was off to it’s next destination, and as it passed by these two kids and their mom they just stood there cried as it went by. (OK they didn’t cry, but they did look at it drive by and seemed sad, I know I was sad.) Officer John Doe went to the next offending vehicle, who was moving boxes into the US Post Office. I overheard PPA asking them to move their truck and they refuses, as they sucked on their M&M ice cream. He wrote them a ticket. So that’s it from the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly affection, for this week. Thanks for my booming numbers, I will try and continue to post interesting stuff, celebrities sightings, Philly’s Social Diary, tidbits, friendly gossip and whatever else seems pertinent at the moment. PS: If I didn’t post your event this week, I will be getting them all out next week so that I can get up to date. Don’t forget to check out the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival over in Northern Liberties this weekend.
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Philadelphia

75th anniversary of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) – “THE ANATOMY OF A MOTION PICTURE” re: continuing with my movie making related posts it seems this week

The film office sent me the press release on this event a few weeks ago, I was a bit bummed as I was in NYC that week to cover the myriad of events which I already wrote about on this blog. I changed my schedule and literally came back to Philly in the middle of the night to attend this free seminar at the Philadelphia Library, not only because of the interesting subject, but because of the connections that I always need to make to make Philly Chit Chat the blog to turn to for social news, event coverage, celebrity sightings and well everything Philly. What I got also was a better understanding of Philadelphia’s film community, and how each speaker really aspired to achieve something greater for each other and for the Philly film community. Even though I was sleep deprived, more than usual, I was very glad I caught this seminar. Diane Heery, Heery Casting believes an actor should do their homework, read variety, and create your Iactor (iActor puts SAG members at the fingertips of casting professionals, and is the only online casting directory that exclusively features SAG members and automated Station 12 cast clearance. ) (a lot of the photos seem to be dark, but that’s because I didn’t always use a flash, and the lighting in the Montgomery Auditorium is non existant.)

One of the speakers was a cinematographer who’s name I missed. He says it’s important to frame the shot and capture the story with it. He may have a stadium full of extras, but only need to focus on the principles, its still important to have the stadium full, or at least shoot it in a way that it looks like the stadium is full. As a photographer his segment was very interesting to me and I hung on every word which screwed up my notes as I didn’t take any! John Rusk, First Assistant Director, The Happening
Missy Moyer, Production Manager, The Woodsman
Mark Rosenthal, Screenwriter, Mona Lisa Smile
Jeffrey Cox, Special Effects, Unbreakable
Matt Shapiro, Film Editor, Old Days
Diane Heery, Heery Casting
Michael Lemon, Mike Lemon Casting
Jesse Cute, Publicity & Promotions, Terry Hines & Associates
Jesse Cute, Publicity & Promotions, Terry Hines & Associates. I liked what he had to say. His business is to promote the film, promote the actors, promote Philly. “Philly is my Passion” My mantra exactly. (I would love to cover events for them)Michael Lemon, Mike Lemon Casting wants you to know your character, relax, know your lines, the scene, be present in the moment, bring a headshot, research the director. For me it was great to finally put a face to the names that I had heard over the years, either via quotes in the media or through friends who may have been gotten parts through their agencies
At one point there was a fashion show, it was kinda strange, although the fashions were of local designers who may have dressed various celebrities. I just couldn’t wrap my head around that subject.
The panalists who gave up their Saturday to give us an informative chat about the film industry in Philadelphia
GPFO’s Joan Bressler who helped put this event together chats with Mark Rosenthal, Screenwriter, Mona Lisa Smile and other guestsActress/Producer/Screenwriter Kamilah Boyete who has just completed a script about a young girl who comes of age in Philadelphia. She will be filming it this summer, and hopefully we can all see it in April at the Philadelphia Film Festival or at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival that STARTS TONIGHT — YIPPEE. In fact with Kamilah is a screener from the PIFF, Keith Cohen. Entertainment attorney Christopher Cabott (http://www.lzremick.com/ )greets Philadelphia actor John Wooten, who can be seen in the upcoming “Dream of the Romans” and “Tenure”

Missy Moyer, Production Manager, The Woodsman said it best when she said, and I paraphrase: Movies are made by individuals, not equiptment, and it comes down to the passion of the person to get the job done. Breaking News: after 6 years without a Philadelphia SAG office, news was broken at the event that this will all end in the next 3 months as a new Philly SAG office will be opening. To me it’s just a testament of all the hard work Sharon Pinkenson, Joan Bressler, the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and the talent pool in Philadelphia has done to probe that we are Phillywood and movies, TV and other types of media can rely that their project will be in good hands.

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Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA CITY HALL FARMERS MARKET IS ON THE MOVE

it’s no longer in the Courtyard. Last week when it was booted to accomodate the filming of Transformers 2, it found a spot at the Northeast corner of Dilworth Plaza. Business picked up beyond the four walls of City Hall and now it will remain at that spot for the rest of the season. Where you can still buy strawberries at $5 a quart, a price that has remained for the past 5 weeks since the market opened**. On a better note cherries and blueberries are both $3 a quart, and for some reason that price seems more reasonable. The girl at the Strawberry counter told me to go buy them somewhere else if I didn’t like the price, and you know what I will ’cause those berries look beat. I wish they sold cut flowers.

(Hughe’s Update) OK I did some research: Many farmers market sell strawberries at $5 – $6 a quart, and although supermarkets may sell them for $4 a quart, they are grown in California, so it is important for us to support our local farmers especially during strawberry season, but only if the strawberries look and taste good. But if you are going to use them for soup, it doesn’t matter what they look like:

Strawberry Soup

2 ½ cups of Jersey Fresh strawberries1 ½ cups of water ½ cup granulated sugar 2 TBSP of lemon juice2 tsp fresh lemon peel, grated, zest only½ cup Jersey Fresh white winePrepare the day before or several hours before serving.
Puree 2 cups of strawberries in blender. Slowly add water. Slowly add the ½ cut of sugar, the lemon juice, lemon peel and white wine and blend well. Refrigerate. Chill well. Before serving, garnish with ½ cut remaining strawberries sliced in half. Serves 6.

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Philadelphia

THE 14TH ANNUAL Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 2008 re: HAS IT BEEN A YEAR ALREADY?

To kick it off the PIGLFF (I always thought that acronym was funny) had a little shindig a Triump Brewery (a few weeks back, told you I am behind)I saw some of my new/old friends like Butch Cordova, who has something special to announce in the fall. I am definitely looking forward to that party, I already got my invite. That guy is too organized. And also Butch mentioned to me that he

has an upcoming radio show and as soon as I get the details, you will be getting the details. In the meantime he just wrapped his EIGHTH season of “In Bed With Butch”, although it’s the 00’s now and the bed is gone so it’s just metaphorically there. I mean can you see Dr. McSteamy doing an interview with Butch in bed? yea me too! http://www.dailycandy.com/philadelphia/ why is that link there, because Meredith Lindemon from Daily Candy is right there in front of me on the right, next to the serious lady about town – Laura Burkhardt and please forgive me I so did not have my pad with me that night, but if you know who that is let me know so I can give her props. Oh I can’t bother LB again, she’s already too kind with the names
Here are your film screeners and the new Press Director and Philly Chit Chat’s new best friend because he gives us on the inside info and scoop on the VIP parties so you can be there too, Matthew Ray, and some of the hardest working fluffers in the business, er I mean screeners, Kelly Burkhardt (no relation to Laura), Scott and Lewis Tice.

Jackie & Catherine
Normally I would skip such childish photos, but since Steve McCann usually takes such a lousy picture I couldn’t pass this one up. (Ok the http://www.phillygaycalendar.com/ founder takes great pictures, he is the boy next door and the camera loves him). Thom Cardwell and Matthew Ray

I knew we would not be able to keep these two away from each other long, Matthew Ray and Matthew Vhlos have more in common than just their names; they are energetic, enthusiastic and are genuine nice guys with big ideas that will come true, just you watch and see. With them is Thom and James
Michael Thibodeau, Jared Miller, Matt Fleishman, and Megan Karpinski
there was a nice turn out. As usual when I got there all the sneak preview film festival guides were gone, but guess what Matt Ray had a great idea and put the whole thing on a CD just in case this happened.
Mary Patel and artist Jeff
Matt and his friend forever, Andrew

One of the nicest guys around Michael Braunstein and friends
Rittenhouse Magazine publisher, writer extraordinaire Clare Bramble
Perri, PR Diva Megan Smith and Managing Director of the PFS, Mark James

Your guide this year http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/2008/closing-night.cfm

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Philadelphia

MARATHON GRILL CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA CLOSES

Starting June 27, 2008 the Center City, Chestnut Street Marathon Grill will close for about 10 days for renovations; then it will open everyday, but just for lunch, closing about 4PM so the renovations can continue through out the summer. I hope the new place has more spacious eating tables, I always felt like I was flying coach as the tables seemed to practically be on top of one another; gossiping with the girlfriends was always at a minimum as to curb the spread beyond my tablea few months back Marathon did obtained these beauties, which gave me the privacy to enjoy my guests; I asked a source if they were going to keep them? He wasn’t sure what they were going to do with them as they were hand me downs from the 20th and Market Street grill which just underwent their renovation. Hmm maybe donate them or something, but please don’t trash them, hello Cosi, Project Home, The Attic?
So hurry now to the Chestnut Street Marathon Grill to enjoy the original decor in these waning days.Call the North Star maybe
they could use a few more iconic signs?

When the restaurant is finally finished It will look like the other 6 gorgeously designed, immaculately lit, and attractively staffed, Marathon Grill’s complete with a bar where you will be able to enjoy

many evenings and happy hours with friends. The restaurant will also maintain the outdoor seating which is great for people watching, especially in the warm fall weather. I can’t wait for the renovations to be complete, I am so there.
In the meantime, don’t Fret you can walk to 16th & Sansom or 10th & Walnut to the other Marathon Grills, or try Lucky Strike across the street, I love their burgers, and cheese burger fries, they are open for lunch.

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Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND re: Clear Your Schedule, you will not want to miss this!!

I completely dropped the ball on this one, it was on my to do list to tell you, but it slipped through the cracks as I tried to keep current with my postings (look for double daily postings til I catch up, the next one today will be at 2:30PM as I break a story) Now on with today’s post: I just want to say how really exciting it is to be in Philadelphia with all the creative people in our City willing to take an idea to fruition and produced a program to showcase independent film makers.  This weekend Media Bureau, Benjamin Barnett and all these people bring it for us to enjoy:  http://www.philadelphiaindependentfilmfestival.com/FestivalStaff.aspx   image  So clear your schedules this weekend, it’s here – The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. http://www.philadelphiaindependentfilmfestival.com/index.aspx http://www.philadelphiaindependentfilmfestival.com/pdf/FestivalGuide.pdf The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival will be screening 151 films in 7 venues over 4 days through out the historically radical artist community, Northern Liberties. All events are within walking distance of one another with the film screenings taking place at The Media Bureau, North Bowl, Liberty Lands Park, Arbol Café, Liberties Walk, 941 Theatre & Woodshop Film Studios.  HughE’s Note:  Speaking of historically radical, many of these films are radical, thought provoking, moving, outrageous and fascinating.  For me one of the most interesting films will be "Chasing the Devil".  A documentary on the Ex-Gay movement.  You MUST hear the song at 30 seconds, or the guy with the magnet, oh just watch the whole thing then go see the movie, in fact see as many movies as you can.

The other day I saw a kid of maybe 20 with a "Linda Lovelace Deep Throat Tour" t-shirt on, I thought he probably has no idea how that iconic movie eventually destroyed her life; but someone who did embraced her notoriety of being in the "orgasm business" was XAVIERA HOLLANDER.  In 1968, XAVIERA left her job as the secretary of the Dutch consulate in Manhattan to become a call girl, where she made $1,000 a night. A year later she opened her own brothel called the Vertical Whorehouse and soon became New York City’s leading madam. In 1971, she was arrested for prostitution by New York police and was forced to leave the U.S; Well I guess she’s allowed back in the States now because she will be visiting the PIFF this weekend and doing a Q&A after the showing of a documentary on her life, on Saturday night.  There’s a good chance I will be there for that one. She fascinates me.  She is best known from the book The Happy Hooker: My Own Story (1972), a frank an open discussion on SEX and ORGASM’s, really unheard of in the 1970’s even after the free sex reign of the 1960’s.  Not that I remember, but it seems that only men were really allowed to talk frank about sex.  Today XAVIERA has been operating Xaviera’s Happy House, a bed and breakfast within her Amsterdam home.

or you might find me at this movie: THE INDEPENDENT One man’s shot at
politics
Director: Marty Browning
Category: Feature
GENRES:Drama, Satire
TRT: 80 min
“North American Premiere”
Independent, has 58 days to get himself elected or he loses his
house, his sanity or even his life. or maybe this one: LETGO
Director: Jameel Saleem
Category: Narrative Fiction, Short
GENRES:Alternative, Drama, Educational
TRT: 15 min
“WORLD Premiere”
LETGO is the story of a recovering meth addict dealing with
the decision to leave his best friend and old life behind. (Oh wait I already did a 12 Step Program in my life) But this one sounds interesting: Pure
Director: Jason Sokol
Category: Experimental, Short
GENRES:Avant-garde, Independent, Spiritual
TRT: 11 min
“WORLD Premiere”
Filmed in black and white with French dialog and English subtitles set to a jazz
soundtrack. French fi lmmakers are well known for blending fi rst person narration
with dialog between characters. This is my French fi lm of a young girl on
vacation who walks throughout the city snapping photos, stops at local shops,
searches for a Buddha statue and gets into a popcorn fi ght with her roommate.. HUghE’s Note: As you can see there is a rich and diverse selection, so poo poo on those gas prices, and take the advice of http://phillyspeak.com/ who so poetically stated that this summer he is taking a STAYCATION and hanging in Philadelphia for exploration, and this weekend the adventure is at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival.  http://www.philadelphiaindependentfilmfestival.com/ (some content on this blog came from my favorite site: Wikipedia)

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Philadelphia

DID YOU WORK AT HA WINSTONS and want FREE tickets for this weekend’s DEVO concert in Philadelphia?

I know this is short notice, but I ran into Live Nation’s Adam Spivak the other day, who I know from working at HA Winsons, the restaurant that his father and uncle – Jerry and Herbie Spivak founded. It was definitely my favorite job that I worked at before I went to college, hmm even after I went to college and helped me stave off the inevitable adulthood, it was a party job. It’s hard to believe, but like Second Story, which I talked about last week, HA Winstons was a hopping nightclub in the Eighties as well. (Adam was a bartender there for a summer too.) Anyway Adam, his wife Megan and I were talking about how great it would be if we planned a HA Winstons reunion someday; Adam wrote me today to say a mini one could happen this weekend. Adam writes: “How about you put it on your blog, Free DEVO ( good 80’s Band, right?) concert at Festival Pier, this Saturday, For all ex- HA Winston employees, to get a free ticket. You can put together a list and I’ll get you the tickets” (Hughe’s note: I can’t make it, completely booked this weekend, but I will definitely see if there is an interest to get a HA Winston’s reunion going; anyone remember the best Christmas Party ever at PAL right before they knocked it down?)So you guys, if you worked at HA Winstons, send me your info, what store you worked at and the years, and I will pass the list onto Adam, who will make sure your name is on the guest list. DEVO Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 6/28 at 12:00pm DEVO Columbus Boulevard at Spring Garden Street. For tickets buzz@philly chit chat.com (no spaces)

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Philadelphia

RIHANNA PARIS JULIA ROBERTS re: my 36 hour celebrity jaunt to NYC

Just back from NYC at 1AM after a whirlwind week. It’s 5AM and I just finished processing, editing and doing key words from my 36 hr jaunt and shot over 2 dozen celebs. NYC is amazing in that every moment you are there you can be photographing a celebrity, either at an event, restaurants, hotels, morning shows, late night shows, news programs and store openings. I went to just about each of the above in those two days, and don’t forget earlier in the week I covered the Tony Awards, it was great, but I am glad to be back in Philly and as things have gone lately things are really begining to happen here too. (Times Square at 3 AM)

As most of you know I can’t post photos that have the potential to be published so these are not my best shots, just shots that I didn’t submit anywhere or shots I just couldn’t live without posting. We will start from worst to best shots. Julia Roberts is an actress. What you see on the big screen is a big act. She is cold and miserable. On Thursday I traveled to NYC to cover the Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl. Julia was the producer and the biggest name on the carpet. She refused to take off her sunglasses on the red carpet, thus making the photo useless except for promoting this one film.

Chris O’Donnell went from Batman & Robin to Super Dad. Here he is with his goodlooking brood. Chris was great, when he left the theater at the end of the movie, he signed autographs for the fans and posed for photos. No ego there, a real professional. Thanks Chris.
Then the 24 hr spree just got better and better. I photographed Paris leaving her hotel. It was great as I knew I just couldn’t make it to her midnight party at Tenjune. Of course the Jackson Lee photo that was taken there made it into People Online.com the next day because she was with Benji and it was a great shot. This shot was sent to my agency that is why its really small. Eye contact and fashion going on here. Paul Anka. I got to speak to him for a few minutes and tell him how much I really appreciated his music. He gave me this great photo as he left. I shot alot of great people at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala, but will be posting them later and on my other site. Because after Rihanna it’s back to Philly, Philly, Philly where my passion lies.
Rihanna PLEASE DONT STOP THE MUSIC – OMG I love her now more than ever. She is a fantastic singer and she gave it up during the CBS Morning Show Concert, which will air Monday morning on CBS. I got some good shots, but I really like this one.

I should also note that I love my NYC celebrity jaunts not only because of the amazing people I get to photograph, but also to see the friends that do this business full time, the Photo with fans, autograzzi and the people in the biz where I enjoy spending hours talking to them and being one of them like I never left. It’s really amazing how generous everyone is in helping me to succeed in getting the shots I need to do my job. So thanks to them!!

Thanks to Katie & Simon for letting me sleep on their couch. This is the view from in front of their condo building. Also behind me is P. Diddy, Puff Daddy Sean Combs or whatever he goes by these days, office. Over the past two years I have seen him and other rappers leave the building on numerous occassions. But what I love is he has this billboard of himself at 50th & Broadway which he & everyone else can no doubt see everytime they go in or out of his office. Do you see it in the center of the photo?

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Philadelphia

THE PHILADELPHIA ZOOBILEE PHOTOS or how if I wasn’t working for myself I would fire me!

Because the Zoobilee is Philly’s hippest summer outdoor party, was so much fun, and I took more photos of the Polar Bears than of people; The Zoobiolee is the Philadelphia Zoo’s biggest fundraiser of the year. One hundred percent of all proceeds from ZOOBILEE 2008 go to the care and feeding of the Philadelphia Zoo’s 1,300 animals from around the world as well as its conservation programs and efforts.
Not only do you get to sample delicious foods from area restaurants served by the likes of these sweet girls: -Emmy and Molly Jamisom and Suze Heilman, but

you can get your face painted as Janet Carey and Julia Purdy have
Pet a snake (I was to afraid to get close enough to ask them their names)
the best part of Zoobilee is the zoo is open and you have free reign to travel where ever you please to see the animals on a nice spring evening. OK Actually the best part is you get to support the Zoo’s conservation, education, science, and family programs.Susan and Avie Wheeler enjoyed the polar bear exhibit too

Mainline Realtor Michelle Leonard http://michelleleonard.lnfre.com/ and Society Columnist Rose Marie Riley. I really enjoyed chatting with these two storied women of the Main Line, who were very helpful giving me tips on how to pursue the mission of Philly Chit Chat as a Social Diary. Thanks:)
Thanks to all the restaurants that helped make the Zoobilee a great success, especially the Squeeze Juice Bar, which will be opening a Center City location shortly. The eateries participating in the Zoobilee were challeged to participate in the “Culinary Conservation Challenge” which generates interest and demand for sustainable foods. The contest is also intended to raise awareness of the environmental, wildlife and human health benefits they offer. Locally-grown products reduce greenhouse. Kudos to the following restaurants. They are participating in this year’s Culinary Conservation Challenge! Cafe Apamate dining, Eliza’s Bakery, Daniel Stern’s Gayle & Rae and Starbucks

Upcoming Events dot Com , Gus Calabrese and lovely Ania Szymanskihad a roaring good time. (Sorry I just had to do it.) as did WOGL’s Jamyra Perry, WOGL Morning Vixon Valerie Knight husband, Frank Sestito. I had an interesting conversation with Frank or as some of you may know him as DJ Frankie who back in the Spun at the Library, Music Box, Loft (Philly), Her Place, Someplace Else, Flanigans, Popcorns, Scintillations, Ciao! and the one and only Second Story. In fact Frank tells me that the gang from Second Story is planning a reunion (hear that HA Winstons); Check out http://www.secondstoryreunion.com/ for information and keep on grooving. For me I never made it over to Second Story, but a lot of my friends went and I have heard the stories, so it should be a great time and I for one definitely want to bring it to you in photos.
Here’s Jamyra Perry with her friend Melony Roy EP from Hear Philly re: Hear Philly! is an online radio station that takes you on an audio odyssey of Philadelphia and The Countryside®. Hear Philly showcases the things that make Philly More Fun. It’s devoted to things to do, what to see and where to eat when you’re out and about in the Philadelphia area. http://www.gophila.com/C/Philly_Favorites/380/U/Hear_Philly!/2886.html http://play.it/player/player.html?mix=0&id=2142 Thanks sponsers
Thanks to the volunteers like Sharon, (my friend) Celeste Navon and Jackieto the guests
including Kim Jessum and Gail GriffinAnd as I strode out with a great big smile on my face, I saw these two couples and thought to myself they need to be on Philly Chit Chat – A Social Diary, and I was right as it was Robin and Glenn Pew and Jay and Jacquie Montfort. Mr. Pew said I would love a photo of me kissing my lovely wife and you know what it was a lovely way to end the evening, an evening of much generosity and support for our nations First Zoo. Thank you Philadelphia. Oh one more thing, did I mention the how cute the polar bears were. I am off to NYC for the rest of today and tomorrow. If time permits I will post a few photos from tonights premire with Julia Roberts and give you a little behind the scenes scoop. Look for a few updates over the weekend as I am trying to catch up on events. – HughE