Over the past few days we have spent a great deal of time weighing the pros and cons of cancelling our upcoming event, Dish It Up, due to the threat of Coronavirus. The bottom line for us is the health and safety of our beloved Women Against Abuse Community of advocates, supporters, staff and volunteers. Therefore, we are cancelling the 3/19/2020 Dish It Up event. However, we will be working to secure the Lincoln Financial Field’s Tork Club venue for Dish it Up 2021.
We were very much looking forward to being with you at the event next week, however, we do not want to put anyone at risk unnecessarily. Although the circumstances have changed, the cause for which we are raising funds has not. In fact, we just completed detailed plans to continue to support survivors throughout the Coronavirus threat. Please know that your sponsorship or ticket purchase will now be considered a full charitable contribution which means even more will be directed toward our life-saving services. Should you wish to seek a refund, please contact Megan Slattery in the Advancement Office at: mslattery@womenagainstabuse.org.
We appreciate your understanding as we put the health and safety of the entire WAA community first. Stay tuned for more information about an online raffle and text-to-pledge with great prizes that were secured for Dish it Up 2020!
With Gratitude,
Lindsay Warren
President of Advancement
Women Against Abuse
Categories
The Palm at the Bellevue Has Closed
It is with a heavy heart that I report the Palm restaurant at the Bellevue has closed.
I spoke with someone there today who confirmed the news telling me “we just didn’t make it.”
This New York import was the tenth Palm to open nationwide and has since become a popular destination for diners including local celebrities, business people and locals. Located in the ornamented Bellevue Hotel building, the chic dining room walls are filled with portraits of local and national personalities.
The Palm restaurant at the Bellevue shut down a few years ago in 2016 to undergo a renovation after 27 years in operation. In the renovation they moved the bar from the entrance way and put it in the space of the original dining room, making the dining room smaller but with amble space to seat at least 130 people.
They also built a party room, where recently they hung caricatures of the Phillies Phanatic and Gritty as well as local sports players.
Even my mug is on the wall, right above my beloved Fox 29 family. (Honored even tho I look a little bit like Uncle Fester, maybe that’s my doppelganger.) BTW after they did my mug, the got a new artist with a little color.
My mug was in the original Palm restaurant as well. The Palm will be contacted folks in the coming weeks on what will be happening to your caricature. I have this one on my shelf, so I’m good. The staff was told this morning, and was in shock when I called. Right now they are calling their customers to tell them. There was even a big networking event happening there tonight, and they called them about an hour ago. They were also nice enough to tell me but I knew already. The networking event will be held at Capital Grille now.
I’ll miss so much about the Palm, as it was one of my favorite spots to just jump into for a quick bite alone, or for dinner with the gang as did in January after going to Wonderspaces. I’ll miss the staff, the customers but most of you Chicken Parm, no one made Chicken Parm as good at The Palm. PS I’m wondering if this has anything to do with the rumored plans I mentioned the new owners of the building Nightingale Properties might have especially now that Nicole Miller, Tavern on Broad and nearly every food vendor in the food court has closed. Plus Tiffany’s is moving out of the building. In a blog post last year I mentioned that Nightingale would like the Bellevue to have a grand lobby similar to the original design, as as popular as the Ritz-Carlton fabulous lobby. We shall see. When is the lease up for Williams Sonoma? The Inquirer’s Michael Klein has more on the recent history of the Palm which might interest you.
Categories
Justin Bieber in Philly
Justin Bieber notified his fans he was in Philly on Friday
with a few of his friends including his personal photographer Rory Kramer, Josh Mehl with Nick Demoura show designer and choreographer for his upcoming Changes tour .
Here’s a snippet of the rehearsals for the tour so far.
That evening, Friday night, a friend sent me a text telling me there was a small mob of girls hanging outside Vetri Cucina’s. At first I thought could this be true, would he really take his wife Haley Bieber to a restaurant where he had one of his first Philly dates with Selena? Maybe, I mean it’s delicious there, but …
Ahhh it wasn’t true.
Sorry girl. It wasn’t raining men for you in the Gayborhood Friday night. But I admire your commitment staying an extra half hour after you realized he wasn’t in there, but fret not he did really eat there once.
Not sure what he did in Philly or why he was here, but I know for sure if you want to see him he’ll be at Lincoln Financial Field on Sat Aug 1 at 7:00pm. performing at his Changes tour, which is now in rehearsal.
Hey ChitChat readers, hope you’re doing well. Ya gotta love this spring weather. Did you have a chance to visit the PHS Flower Show yet. Lots of great exhibits to see, as well flowers, make and take and the popular potting parties.
Earlier this week I stopped by to photograph celebrity chef, author and TV personality Robert Irvine, who was signing bottles of Boardroom Spirits at the PHS Flower Show in the Fine Wine and Spirits section. He also announced to the crowd that in a few weeks he would have his own line of spirits which would be distributed via Boardroom Spirits. First up is a Gin with some of his favorite herbs, spices and botanicals from the kitchen. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the bottles will support the Robert Irvine Foundation, benefiting our military and first responders. Look for Chef Irvine to announce info for his popular dining event Beats & Eats which will be May 18, 2020. (Here are my photos from last year) Boardroom Spirits is a sustainable, family-owned craft-distillery offering unique drinking experiences to consumers. Headquartered in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
Looks like the king of night life Ryan Dorsey is getting back into the night club business. The owner of Recess, former manager of NOTO and co-owner of Dos Tacos, Mr. Dorsey has been hinting on his social media of big things at 461 North 3rd Street, formerly McFaddens.
Mr. Ivy is now accepting applications
Thanks to my tipsters who told me Kate Winslet’s HBO TV Series was filming in Roxborough last weekend at the high school and Salvation Army, and in Wissahickon Valley this week.
Speaking of congratulations, congrats to Jefferson fashion design students Marquies Smith and Robin Skodi showcase socially conscious collections during New York Fashion Week. Fashion design . Check out their story HERE.
See you tomorrow when we’ll chit chat about…
The 2020 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show theme “Riviera Holiday” is inspired by the world’s Mediterranean gardens. There’s no excuse for you not to see the flower show this year, looks like it will be snow free.
A replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding Dress is the centerpiece of the rose garden
Thomas Hutchinson, and Kamille Catchings 
Daria and Andy Pew 
Trish Herrington and Don DelBello
The guests who attend the Flower Show Preview Party do not disappoint in their floral fashion.
PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, titled “Riviera Holiday,” runs through March 8.
Liddy Lindsay and Anne Wilmerding 
Letty Santarelli and Mayor Jim Kenney 
Lynn Detter and Susan Lipson
Click on photos to make them larger.
Get your hands in the potting soil with celebrity designer Tu Bloom guiding you as you create your own container garden at a lively Potting Party at the Subaru Zero Landfill Lounge on the Show floor.
Beautiful materials, including Emerald Towers Basil, Pansy Cool Wave Raspberry and Beacon White, Coral and Violet Shades Impatiens, will be available to select. Potting Parties occur throughout Show day, so reserve your spot today. Tu Bloom and Abana Jacobs, Subaru National Promotion Sponsorship Specialist
Maguy Maccario Doyle, Ambassador of Monaco to the US and Dina Kawarat, Ambassador of Jordan to the US
The flower show is more than flowers, it’s educational, landscaping ideas, and experiences including Butterflies Live!, the lively Make and Take sessions, private tours, family fun. BTW Spring Forward Sunday at 2AM.
Tom Kendall and Heather King, House of Wayward Plants the Official Reuse Partner of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the House of Wayward Plants collected 6000 plants and trees and distributed them to 80 community groups and schools to benefit green spaces across London. They crossed the pond and created this lemony garden which will soon be used at PHS Pop Up Beer Garden in Manayunk this summer.
The Reading Terminal Market is celebrating their 127th birthday this year and held their 10th Annual Party for the Market on Saturday, Feb. 22.
An after-hours fundraising event, The Party included food from more than 50 market merchants and five open bars serving craft beer, wine and liquor, live entertainment and dancing. The party should really be called dancing at the market as people were dancing all over the place.
Aziz Alota, Elise Desormean, Evans Erilus and Giselle Martin
To read more about the Reading Terminal Market check out their website.
To see more photos from this event head on over to Philadelphia Tribune as well as in print.
Readers always ask me how did Harry Styles and Xander Ritz meet. Rumor has it they met through Harry’s agent Jeff Azoff, in NYC in 2015 (Xander and his brother Maxwell Ritz own a company > The Loyalist together in Brooklyn). Harry pops in a couple times a year to visit the Ritz’s who live just outside Philly, on the Mainline in Wayne, Pa. Thanks to my readers for tipping me off to Harry and Xander visiting his family last weekend. I couldn’t find anything concrete but the tips and sightings flowed in and I figured it had to be true. But we all know Harry visits often.
After meeting in 2015, singer Harry Styles and Xander Ritz, from Wayne, Pa became in separable. Often Xander can be spotted in the wings at Harry’s concerts including both Today show performances in 2017 and last Friday (Harry wore a pink jacket for both Today Show Concerts), or walking a few feet behind him when paparazzi are sighted.
Over the years I’ve written about them as Harry often pops into Philly to see Xander, and Xander’s family who live in Wayne, Pa. His father is a popular dentist that many of my readers go to. His mother Anne sadly passed away last summer. Harry attended the memorial.
Max and his wife, along with Xander attended SNL last fall when Harry hosted.
Harry’s close with the Xander Ritz’s family.
So last week Harry and Xander spent the weekend in Wayne with the Ritz’ family. Harry even posed with a few fans when he took a walk with Zander in the neighborhood. Then he, Xander, and manager Tommy went to DC to do an NPR interview on Tuesday, on the way to NYC for the @todayshow appearance he stopped at the Bear, De Wawa and met a very excited Wawa employee @verybvsic Natali Maldonado, who verified to me that Xander was with Harry.
Harry also did a surprise concert for Pandora radio, where he discussed his Wawa experience. The NYPost has a great recap of the discussion, including the push back from the fans when he called Wawa a gas station store, LOL. “It’s a gas station,” he said — but quickly recanted after protests from Wawa-loving fans. “I did have a good sandwich,” Styles offered.
And now it’s been 5 years for Harry Styles and Xander Ritz. Here’s the first time I wrote about them in 2015.
Have a great day, I’ll see you back here on Monday with more PhillyChitChat!!
Kimpton Hotel Palomar’s annual casino night which benefits local nonprofit Action Wellness was held Thursday, February 20. I photograph this event every year, and it’s a lot of fun. It always sells out too. They’re doing a great job at creating a fun participation event. Now in its eighth year, Glamsino Royale welcomed the community who dressed in their best glitz and glam and try their luck at winning prizes from local retailers as well as stays at Kimpton Hotels across the country.
Desiree Surplus, David Gana (recently saw Shen Yun and loved it) and Mary Bouchaud
Michael Toklish and Melanie Richter
Jay Kelly, David Gana, Fae Ehsan and Jimmy Orrell
Syreeta Veren and Dana Cooper
Seamus Tyler, Stella D’Oro and Jay Johnson
This year Action Wellness is celebrating the 30th Anniversary for Dining Out For Life on April 30!! Plan to attend dinner that night to raise critical funds for Action Wellness. I remember the very first one, it was a trailblazing idea and was very popular. I had dinner at Judy’s with friends Butch Leiber, Sean Connelly, Pete Evans and a whole bunch of folks from Gay Softball. Check out the restaurants participating here.
Last month Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and GlobalFit teamed up to offer GlobalFit Anywhere. GlobalFit Anywhere connects Independence members to fitness studios, gyms, and trainers in the Greater Philadelphia region at the best possible prices.
On Sunday, GlobalFit Anywhere hosted a charity ride with Revel Ride on South Street which benefited Unite For Her.
As of January 1, 2020, Independence individual and small group members can access this affordable and flexible option. Independence employees with the company’s health insurance also have access to GlobalFit Anywhere
“Independence is proud to be the first insurance carrier to offer GlobalFit Anywhere to its members,” said Jonathan Stump, Independence vice president of Product Services. “We are committed to helping our members use their benefits in the way that works best for them. With GlobalFit Anywhere, our members are just one click away from exploring a new activity or getting back into their fitness routine.”
GlobalFit Anywhere lets consumers browse, book, and pay for fitness classes, gym workouts, and training sessions across multiple fitness providers. GlobalFit Anywhere negotiates discounted fitness class rates and passes the savings to the member. Instead of paying full price, Independence members can find exclusive discounts on classes and times that fit their schedule.
Benefits of the GlobalFit Anywhere app:
- Flexibility to book a workout based on individual preferences
- Considers location, activity preference, and budget
- Pay-as-you-go
- No cancellation fees
- No monthly membership required
About GlobalFit
GlobalFit’s health and wellness technology solutions accelerate wellness program engagement, leading to improved population health. With over 25 years in the corporate wellness space, GlobalFit connects wellness with rewards through its fitness, mindfulness and nutrition applications that include GlobalFit Anywhere, Gym Network 360, GlobalFit Rewards, WalkMyMind and Charge. Over 70 million people have access to GlobalFit solutions as part of their worksite wellness program or health plan. For more information, please visit, www.globalfit.com. Check out additional photos on CBSPhilly.
I never really noticed or heard about the Snow geese who pass through Pennsylvania during their spring and fall migrations to and from the arctic breeding grounds until I started getting serious about bird watching last year. Now I follow a lot of birders, and photographers like 6ABC’s Bruce Neumann who pique my interest in so many subjects. Bruce photographed spots in and around Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster so I headed out there with Marilyn Russell on Sunday, and we had a lot of company.
The Snow Geese migration continues into the begining of March, so if you have a chance take a drive out to Middle Creed Wildlife Management Area there’s plenty of parking, and the ride from the turnpike to the pike is quite beautiful.