Philly Chit Chat

The Career Wardrobe is a nonprofit organization that serves thousands of women in transition by providing free professional clothing and educational opportunities in the Philadelphia region. Their services empower women by inspiring the confidence necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Since 1995, The Career Wardrobe has assisted over 40,000 women.

Once a year they bring a community of like minded people together in order to raise funds for this worthwhile cause. And with each passing year the event grows out of its space. This particular year it was held at the World Cafe. It really was a great venue. The ground floor was where the auction occurred, and the stage was for the fashionista newswomen of the Philadelphia airwaves. But I heard the event was sold out and the were busting at the seems for a new place in 2009. What’s left the I thought, since I see so many venues, hmm maybe the Comcast Center.
Here’s a few of the auction items. Cleverly enough they all had to do with fashion; whether it was bags, purses, shoes or facials. (I was too late to see what I could bid on, more on that later)
Sheri K. Cole, Executive Director greets the crowd
I was excited to cover this event, because my friend Abby Siegel was one of the co-founders back in 1995. I remember when she got involved in this project, but I never really understood the scope of it, as I just caught up in my life and didn’t think about others much or the depth of their despair and how to help humanity. Thankfully that all changed, and I guess that’s why I have such enthusiam to cover so many worthwhile events you find here at Philly Chit Chat, oh enough about me. Here’s one hot Tamale: 6ABC Model: Tamala Edwards conveying how important it is to one’s self to have the confidence in their appearance when job huntingNBC10 Model: Monique Braxton; CBS3 Model: Mary Stoker Smith look on and wait their turn. I am a bit of a news person fan and was so excited to see all these women at this event. Some of them came right after work or right before they were to go on the air.
PR Guru Paige Wolfe says a few words about her favorite charity, as a cool Dawn Stensland (aka Mrs. Larry Mendte) looking hot in a nice black pantsuit that would make Hillary proud.

Each of the ladies that accompanied the Philabrity newswomen went through the organization and received clothing to go on their job searches. Many of them are working in exciting fields today, and all of them grateful to the Career Wardrobe Janet Zappala age already girl. You look fabulous!!
Oh my favorite, sorry girls I do have a favorite – Sue Serio. I used to watch her every day before I started this blog. She is so full of life, I just love watching her, she’s spontaneous, knowledgeable, easy going, and bubbly. Gotta love her. Lori Wilson in the house
CN8 Models: Mary Caraccioli (an excellent speaker and a poignant message on how we as a society have a duty to help our fellow [wo]man; it takes a village)
I found myself on the wrong side of the stage when taking these photos, but I know the paying guests did not want to see my big self blocking their view just so I could snap a few shots of the girls I love watching on the tube. WNJC Model: Melissa Daley

The Class of 2008 “Career Wardrobe” Models. Thanks girls, you’re stories are inspirational. I think everyone reading this, I know there’s at least 600 of you, should go to your closet right now and pull out that decent, wearable outfit, that you or the women in your life haven’t worn and probably won’t wear again, and send it to the Career Wardrobe, see link at the bottom because I am not done telling you how great this event was…
Next I took myself up to the VIP section, thinking maybe just maybe I could ask one of the newswomen if there was a lot of behind the scenes drama in the dressing rooms before the show, or does it occur afterwards, as they are in a competitive market. But they were no shows, as I heard they were literally taking the clothes off their backs to donate to the Career Wardrobe for a deserving job applicant in the near future. Instead I happily settled for the drama of the live auction.
Which again was very creative as the bags that came up for auction were signed by some of our times popular figures of late. First up was President Bill Clinton; I don’t know if it was a reflection of the political period, but the bidding for Bill started out hot and heavy and ended prematurely at $500. Someone got a bargain. Then came Kim Cattrall or as I like to call her, Samatha Jones. Her bag was slick, shiny and yes sexy. Bidding was ferocious and some lucky person will be carting her bag around after an appreciable bid of $1000
Not to be outdone, someone in the organization had the foresight to take the Sarah Jessica Parker bag out of the silent auction and place it in the LIVE AUCTION, especially during this time of our lives when the SATC movie broke records when it opened last month. Carrie Bradshaw is my modern equivalent of what Audrey Hepburn is to fashion; certainly the boldest of the SATC girls and it comes through in this pretty in pink clutch purse adorned with a pearl clasp.

Perfect for anyone’s inner Carrie Bradshaw
Perfect for the blond who was very generous in her bid of $2,000, all of which go to the Career Wardrobe to help the thousands of women who go through their doors each year.
Charity begins at home for Hillary Clinton, and as we learned this past election season when Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign released their tax forms from 2000-2007, which showed the Clintons earned more than $100 million in that time period and donated $10 million of that to their own charity. Well for the Career Wardrobe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as both Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton signed one of the donated Viv Pickle bags to be auctioned off.
Maybe the event planner had an inkling that this would be the high ticket item of the evening, and it was ststrategicallylaced last as the best was last and the bidding was cocontinuous until the final bidder was victorious somewhere in the vicinity near $5,000. Thank you to the generous donor with that support.
But wait there’s a sleeper auction. The mayor has put himself up for auction. That’s right some lucky winner bid’s included a meeting with the Mayor, a photo op, and the Mayor would give you a tour of City Hall. I believe the bidding for that item was in the neighborhood of $800 (Oh the drama I had as I misplaced my notebook with all the figures and notes when I was helping a few young ladies into their car after the program and I put the notebook down on the sidewalk outside the World Cafe and just never picked it up again) Although this auction is over, I did notice another auction here where you at home the reading public can get in on a meet and greet with the mayor on your own, and its for charity (In support of ARC of Philadelphia http://www.arcpddc.org/index.html). https://auction01.charitybuzz.com/secure/viewItemDetail.do?auction_item_id=76249&lotsindex=0&show=10&order=default

Shelly Siegel and my friend of 14 years, co-founder Abby Siegel-Greenberg (Sadly I was a little late to the event and missed Abby & Nate’s adorable Isabelle, who had to go home for bedtime at 8PM [I was at the Chima event with Lorraine Bracco, see Philly is alive and active with lots of exciting events going on])
Before I knew it the night was over, and it was time to say good-bye until next year. I know I convey the heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out this year:) http://www.careerwardrobe.org/

I am at the Tony’s this weekend, I hope to have an update of my exciting weekend on Tuesday depending what time I get in Monday night or on that red eye from NYC Tuesday morning.

As some of you may know I used to live in NYC for a NY minute or 18 months as I was up here on a work project for my day job. Yes its all there fault that I picked up the paparazzi/celebrity bug. SO this weekend I am up here to cover the Tony Awards, visit friends and pick up a celebrity wandering around here or there. Nothing today, but I did troll the hotels; everyone is at the Hamptons. Across the street from the guy with the balloon hat is The Ritz. Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton and Tug McGraw tend to stay here. Then it was over to the Mandarin, the Hudson and another place. The first two tend to get the very catered to bunch like people I have photographed there, Queen Latifah, Jay Z, Nicole Kidman or Renee Zellwenger. The other place gets a hodge podge of interesting people like The Jonas Brothers, or people I have photographed there Hillary Duff, Robin Williams, Joel Olstein, Bruce Willis, Sean Diddy Puffy Combs (who I thought had an apartment in town) and Stephen Sondheim who was visiting a friend. Check out the crazy size of this crowd. This is definitely the negative side of NYC, too many people.
I hopped on the 1 to head down to Chinatown for lunch. On the train I got a text from Mike who said he was finished at the gym and to meet up with him for lunch. I got off at Christopher Street and thought I would take a few photos of the West Village, specifically checking out to see if SJP was around. Now I wouldn’t shoot her at her house, but I was curious if she or Matthew were out doing yard work. They weren’t. Probably in the Hamptons.
Then I walked two blocks over to the house that is portrayed in the “Sex in the City”movie as Carrie’s apartment. Sure enough I found a few fans getting their photos taken on the steps. Don’t you think that the steps to SJP’s real house look like the one on TV? Mike Toub arrived and promptly yelled at me for staking out SJP’s house. Really I insisted I have never, and hope to never shoot someone at their place of residence, unless there are already a bunch of photographers there and she was smiling and waving.

Soho
We made our was down to Chinatown. This is the Lower East side going into NoLita Walked along West Broadway I came upon the artist vendors selling their wares. They don’t even need a license, they just get there early and pick a spot. As I arrived at Chinatown, I was surprised to see a bootleg sales on some of the blockbusters of recent weeks, SATC, Panda, The Hulk, and Indiana Jones; Missing “The Happening”, I want to see it, it reminds me of “I Am Legend” a little bit. BTW M Night was a the Four Seasons on Friday doing interviews. That’s a good sign isn’t it. We need him, he makes his films in Philly. Let’s support him this movie.

After lunch I quickly headed to the subway at Chambers Street to return to the apt I am house sitting, did I mention that, Tony’s, visit friends and house sit, Mike can’t get better than that. Anyway I noticed they were filming something nearby, not only because of Haddad’s trailers tell tell Desi & Luci doors, but because in NYC they put up signs on the street a few days before notify folks of the impending film shoot.There they are. It was a TV show, but it was about this time it started to rain and lightning. I am not a big fan of lighting and made a dash for the E train, which is my least favorite as its about 4 stories below street level. I got off a block from my destination and just hung out under the scaffolding and watched the poor tourist deal with the elements from their exposed tour bus

and the bike cabs grin and bear it to make a buck
In the evening, Mike and I went for a bite to eat at a favorite restaurant “Bubba Gump” on Times Square, great Bucket of Trash seafood and view of Times Square, but did I ever mention I hate crowds and Times Square is nothing if not crowds. It’s better to watch them from above. Even though I have been to NYC a handful of times in the last six months, this was my first time there in awhile. A lot had changed, new eateries, stories, bars and gift shops.

The other view. OK it’s off to bed and preparation for the big event later today. I am sure I will capture a bunch of shots and share them with you next week, along with the behind the scenes stories.

On Friday, June 6, 2008, the Children’s Crisis Treatment Centers hosted it’s annual “Round-up” night at the Loews Hotel! A good-sized crowd braved the hot weather to come out and show their support. Everyone had a great time and all the proceeds will benefit the CcTC ! Thanks to the folks staffing the check in tables the process was quick and easy making a pleasant beginning to the night. It was here that if you forgot to wear something country or just wanted an added flair you could pick up a handkerchief, or a sheriffs badge and even a cowboy hat to top off your attire.

The guests of honor: Gabe Canuso, Roundup Co-Chair; Tony Valdes, Executive Director and Nicole Cashman, Roundup Co-Chair getting into the spirit with their country attire.One of the best Chiropractors around, and my doctor, Dr. Snymen and his daughter Maggie. http://www.snymanchiropracticgroup.com/about.htm tell him HughE sent you!!Thanks to The Silent Auction Committees help with the auction the items were amazing, they were abundant it made my head spin, they were laid out in an understandable fashion and it was easy to navigate. The generosity and support of the business/people in the Tri-State area always overwhelms me. Steve Rush and Maria Dipietro
Joe Weiss, Sharon Pinkenson, Leslie and Michele Littman

The spirited Ruth Weisberg and Robin Bond (I hope that Robin got that Pearl Jam auction item she was so ecstatic that was listed)
Sarena Sader, Brett Silver (Marketing guru and Publisher of Phlare Magazine) and Michelle Zou

Shaun Lenet and Joey Fahey Derek and Lisa Davidson, Mr. & Mrs. Canuso, Gabe Canuso and Jay Canuso Jr.

Taz Sulaiman and Laphney Knight

Michael & Avi Kuffler, Sarah Maloney and Joel Aikin, Lee Ganser and Ali Margulles
Ashley Schaeffer of Cashman & AssociatesGreg Segall and wife Caroline greet the guests The event was planned and executed by Sharon Moore of Moore Events. The details were amazing. I loved the table settings, and the chairs were perfect for a rodeo roundup. Moore Events really captured the essence of being in a barn during a lively country hoedown. http://www.mooreevents.com/
Attorney Justin Wineburgh, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and honoree Nicole Cashman of Cashman & Associates
Yee Ha

Christian Stearns and Jan Schaeffer

What’s a Round-up without a little line dancing. These folks really know how to have fun. Next year I might just leave the camera at home and join in on the fun. I don’t want to pick favorites, but I have to confess these folks here seemed to have the most fun in all the events I have gone to this gala season. They let down their hair, they danced, there were hugs all around the room, laughter and they were still going strong when I left at 10:30PM to go to my next gig. Thanks to all the people involved in making the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s 2008 Roundup Gala the success it was.

If your photo doesn’t appear here, it may be here. Feel free to right click and save the shot that is on the screen, or buy a larger print if you desire. Thanks HughE

http://hughephotos.smugmug.com/Event%20Photography

A few weeks ago Mike, myself and our friend Bob went to the new Brazillian Steak house in Philly called Chima. Having been to Fogo de Chaos at least a dozen times (for lunch) I was curious to see how Chima stacked up.

Bob was a bit tardy as he works in Jersey, so I had a few moments to walk around the place and take a few covert photos. This is the area to the right when you walk through the doors, the bar is right behind me.with this interesting “fireplace” in the window area This is a seating area near the bar. I was really impressed with the decoration of the place. Very comfortable, intimate and upscale, but not too pretentious . Center City Sips Happy Hour – Every Wednesday http://www.chimasteakhouse.com/events_details.cfm?id=82 This is the hallway that leads to the restrooms and kitchen. I love this slate room divider. This theme is carried out on the outside of the building, which I will show you shortly.Finally Bob arrived and we were seated in the side room which I was not a fan of. It was really quiet, we didn’t feel as if we were part of the festive crowd, and as you can see there were a few open tables in the main area. If I were Chima I would probably put couples, seniors or double daters in the side room. Not three guys who want to be closer to the action and excitement of the room. Although maybe they wanted us to see the sunset, which was quite nice from this room.The overall view of the room with lots of busy servers slicing beefIf you read my review about Fago, you know I LOVE LOVE LOVE their salad bar, but surprisingly Chima had more choices at the salad bar than expected- rice, beans, and soup, something that I don’t recall Fago having. And the food wasn’t piled so high that the tomatos would roll down the side and onto the floor, like what happened to me at Fago.Both restaurants have the BRING ME MORE FOOD, OR STOP MY EYES ARE BIGGER THAN MY STOMACH cards, signalling the waiters to slice another meat for you or not. My favorites were the fillet mignon, lamb chops, and the swordfish, salmon and shrimp; it was nice to have something in there besides beef. Last night Chima had a special event. Lorraine Bracco, the Brooklyn-born actress showcased some of her latest wines from her private label Bracco Wines at Chima. Chima carries three of the varieties of her wine, the Primativo, “It’s a hearty, original Zinfandel grape; [you] can pair it with meat, or I love it with a pizza,” she says. In addition to, The Bracco Pinot Grigio and Montepulciano.There was a little red carpet event; here comes Henri David, I said loudly and proud that I recognized a PhilaCelebrity Opps no it was WMGK’s John DeBella and his wife Lisa. better get my eyes checked. (They were at Chima’s the night I ate there too)Here is the new Press Director of the Philadelphia Film Festival, Matt Ray, his friend Andrew, who’s architectural firm designed Stir, the bar I wrote about last week; and founder of BUCKmonkey PR, James Duggan.
The Philly paparazzi or celebrity photographers were out in force. Here’s Thom Cardwell on the red carpet being lit up by the a couple of Philly’s own.

Dave Huddleston, FOX 29’s anchor, his wife Tracey, John Bolaris, FOX 29’s Chief Meteorologist and the always sweet Kerri-Lee Halkett

Anne Marie Green and her friend. I thanked Anne Marie profusely for the nice piece she did on and I a few weeks back regarding Philadelphia paparazzi. She and cameraman Michael did a great job. I was fascinated how she turned a 30 minute interviewed in to a very comprehensive 2.12 min spot.
Here’s that slate theme that I spoke about inside; and another beauty Loraine Bracco, looking slimmer than ever in person. I just shot her at the SATC premiere, and she looked great then, I am so jealous, but tonight oh la la, smokin
talk about smoking, Kerri Lee is by far the smokiest anchor person in Philly and really sweet too. http://kerrileetv.com/So when you have a chance check out Chima, you won’t be disappointed. The food is delicious, the waiters attentive, the salad bar fresh, the ambiance is the real winner here. The space is beautiful, warm and inviting. And while taking it all in, enjoy a glass or two of Lorraine Bracco’s wine.
1901 John F. Kennedy Blvd.215-525-3233 Chima is an elegant Brazilian churrascaria chain that employs traditional rodizio-style service — gaucho-pantsed waiters roam the floor, doling out generous skewered portions of pork, lamb, chicken, fish, sausage and multiple cuts of beef to beckoning diners. Featuring ample veggies, soups and fresh-baked breads, a decked-out salad bar offers some slightly less sin-of-the-flesh fare. Open Mon.-Thu., 5:30-10 p.m.; Fri., 5:30-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10:30 p.m.; Sun., 3:30-9 p.m.

It was a stormy rainy night similar to last nights craziness, but I was invited to a Calderwood Party and well nothing was going to stop me from an exclusive look at the new exhibit featuring avant garde furniture of the 60s & 70s. The only thing missing from this Day-Glo party was FOXY BROWN, but there was plenty of Tang, Pringles, Perrier and Pop Tarts to be had
It’s always great to see my friends Phyllis Halpern, Thom Cardwell and wine guru Brian Freedman Downstairs Madam Calderwood greets the guests and guards the French Art Deco, Modernist and 40s furniture that Calderwood is normally known to carry
As I reached the top of the stairs I was estatic to run into my friend City Hall Tour Director, Greta Greenberger (R -L) and her friends Diane and Marilyn

Janet and Gary Calderwood. Gary tells me he found this vintage ’70s suit at the Salvation Army. It was only $15 bucks and fit like a charm. Gary is also an accomplished photographer and shared his private gallery with me.
Joan Shepp was also checking out the new exhibit, which the Calderwoods tell me was inspired when they renovated an apartment of theirs and furnised it with pieces from the 60s & 70s. “Why not share these treasures with others?” guests enjoy the evening
cool belt
I believe this vintage desk decked out in the popular lime green color of the era, will cost you about $8,000; the pretty girl is taken.

Formidable Diana Cammarota of Rittenhouse Sq. Revue, her friend Patrick and Developmental Director of the PFF, Thom Cardwell. Diana and I had a colorful conversation regarding the Review and the magazine that I contribute to, Rittenhouse Magazine. A little competition is always good to keep one on their toes, but in actuality the two tomes are totally different. The Revue is a serious listing of happenings geared to the higher end folks and Rittenhouse Magazine for ever spectrum of the neighborhood, eye candy, an easy read with some fantastic photos and stories of the people & history of Rittenhouse Square. But you can see for yourselves: http://www.rittenhousemagazine.com/ or the Revue http://www.rittenhouserevue.com/ (since 2006 the tagline states) not to be confused of course with The Rittenhouse Review blog (since 2002): http://rittenhouse.blogspot.com/
Stop by Calderwood Gallery at 1622 Spruce Street and see the exhibit until 8/31/2008

and bring your friends
http://www.calderwoodgallery.com/index.php?view=shows

That’s my movie location. I hear that Forrest Properties have doubled their rent, but others say it’s because it was the end of their lease that did them in. TLA is closing this location only on 8/15/08; we are not relocating, our last rental day i s 7/1/08. Then we are selling off our inventory. Prepaid rental cards can be transferred to our other store locations, the internet is taking over, soon you will all be out of work ’cause when those leases are up they’re closing too. Ok it doesn’t really say those last two lines but it’s probably true.

not here

No more running to TLA for that quick foreign title, GLBT selection or cult following favorite
or XXXand no more reading this fun 1970s style newspaper as I wait for the clerk to ring me upand worse yet, no more Petrucci’s ice cream as I heard they lost their lease too!!

(I am getting behind so about mid-day I will be posting another & Tidbit selection) There are many great reasons why I love living along the Parkway, the bike race is right up there in the top 5. Every year they have this little bike village with vendors and food right outside my door.

This year the Ralph Nader folks were there too, trying to get poor Ralph on the ticket again this year. Guess Ralph would like to see McCain have a fair shot at winning. These boys were saying that Barrack will be getting us in a war with Iran if he wins; hmm Thankfully I was able to pull Mike away from the debate to grab a bagel bite and then we were ready to concentrate on the race
like this lone spectator who had the stands all to himselfI guess its to muggy to get that updated skyline picture for my website, er I mean Social Diary Who knew the Parkway was a slight hill
Here the leaders of the women’s race battle for the win
this fella likes how the new Franklin Park lookschase car paparazzo

I didn’t quite get my stop action down yesterday. Must have been the heat.

things were going slow enough for this guy he was able to take a call
The pack. It was one of these guys, from Team CSC Matti Breschel, who eventually won the race, two hours later
THANK YOU COMMERCE BANK!!

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20080606_Bike-race_organizers_have_hit_their_own__quot_wall_quot_.html

I ran into Danny DeVito on my way home from work on Tuesday. Unbeknown to me he had just finished filming in Logan Square, when I saw him posing with grads and shaking hands with the folks sitting on the park benches.  It was quite a surprise.  I asked him for a photo and he was nice enough to oblige and wave too.