Remember years ago when City Hall was ensconced in scaffolding so that William Penn and its tower could be waterproofed. 
(Taking the button literally, the City appeased us by taking the scaffolding off William Penn, but we still had to endure another couple years with the tower being encased)
Well Twenty Years sure goes by fast and it’s that time again. This time though, only William Penn will be undergoing the waterproofing and will be scaffolded; And once again tourist will be forced to return to their hometowns with stories and photos our beautiful building wrapped in metal and wood. The dirty deed is set to begin in about 12 days on August 20.
Although the outside observation tower will be closed, the inside observation tower will be opened. Do you see the portholes about 20 feet from the bottom of the observation deck, that will be the cramped quarters for the view? No word on discount ticket prices for the scaled back viewing area. You think they could have waited until tourist season was over or how about before they started charging money to visit the observation tower? 
So hurry, with your friends, family and Aunt Mary, and visit RM 121 for your timed $5 ticket to see the view from the outside unobstructed observation tower 
and grab your cameras to get that virgin shot of William Penn atop of City Hall
before it’s too late and they begin this again
Why didn’t they do William Penn at the same time as when they did the Swedish and Indian Figures?
Tourist one: “I was in Philadelphia this summer, and visited the magnificent City Hall. The only problem was part of the building was enscounced in scaffolding.” Tourist two “I was in Philly 5 years ago and went to City Hall, the building was amazing, the tours were free, but the building was in scaffolding.” Some things never change.
The curse of William Penn doesn’t always have to do with our sports teams! Can I blame this on John Street somehow?
I hear the project should only take 30 days. How many of us really believe that?
BTW Montana is still on fire, seriously, the whole state is effected. They have had a 7 year drought and the place is burning
(to see more of my work: 
I really enjoyed chatting with Heather every chance I got. She is fascinating.
Robert Drake always looks so mysterious. Here he is with Jimmy Route, James Duggan and you know, one of my favorite subjects, Laura Burkhardt and friends (which translate to, I have no idea as I didn’t break out my pad at this time)
Jesse Archer appreciates that the Festival’s opening film was his starring role “A Four Letter Word”
Record breaking crowds filled the events
In an earlier post I mentioned that I don’t know who the folks do it, but I really do. It is a well operated team spirited run organization that runs the Philadelphia Film Festival. I covered both this year, and I did not see any hiccups, glitches, arguments or disruptions. Now that is an amazing feat. They have my respect and admiration (read in between the lines – Please, Please, Please invite me back next year!!) Having eaten lunch in the courtyard of the Commerce Building, I couldn’t imagine what the Closing Party would be like, I was completely surprised that it was transformed into a little bustling paradise in the middle of the business corridor of Philadelphia.
Manning the gates was the ever present, and might I say, adorable Tim Ferretti of The Philadelphia Film Society’s (become a member today 
Thom Cardwell and friends from sponsor restaurant, MIXTO. Guillermo Vega, GM, Jeff Liebreich, Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corp and Jorge Mosquera, Owner
Fun guests who I should have asked for their names, but cute as a button 
MS Nueva Gabor (i don’t think she has sleves on, she’s been inked; I heard those Gabor sisters are thick skinned) and Amanda Playwythme
oh to be better organized on the last night would have been nice, but I know these are two sweet bartenders from Twenty-21
One last thing…tomorrow (hmm today later) I will post some of the fun pictures I just didn’t get a chance to post. Here is QUEERtimes and BUCKmonkey’s James Duggan thanking Steve McCann of 
Who am I kidding, I am not going to have time later today to do a blog, I think. I gotta pack. Thanks for indulging me as I went a bit wild and wordy tonight. If I took a photo of you at the Film Festival, there’s a good chance you can find it here: 
Queer Kinky Quizzo hostess and awesome DJ Robert Drake 
My friend Diana Marini (Documentary “In Sickness and In Health,” a biography/documentary about New Jersey same-sex marriage litigant couple Diane Marini and her partner of 14 years, Marilyn Maneely. Marilyn died of ALS before civil unions became law in New Jersey; and we all suffer the effects of marriage inequality to this day. Documentary filmmaker Pilar Prassas has been following the seven plaintiff couples’ lawsuit since it was filed in 2002. ) and Pilar Prassas with the plaque they got when they won the Juried “Best Documentary Award”
The final nail, er I mean signature on the official event poster 
The last cast shot of the festival. “Kiss the Bride”. A cute little film about a threesome starring Tori Spelling, James O’Shea, Philipp Karner, Joanna Cassidy and Tess Harper. As the writer stated on stage, think Chuck and Buck, but played out for all to see. I loved it!!
“Kiss the Bride” post screening party at Twenty-21 ends the festival on a high note
Closer to the site, some cars were in both lanes.
one red car, spun his wheels, screeeeeeechhhhh
I think statistics will tell you that wearing a helmet improves your chances of surviving an accident. Seriously I’m saddened by anyone’s death and the heartache that it brings, but please, please get over your thoughts of any vanity when it comes to protecting yourself so no one else has to go through this tragic situation.
Rocky chases his man
Dr. Scott visits
Cards for sorrow, although the women who’s lap Dr. Frankenfurter just got off of doesn’t look to unhappy
The Cast
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