This & That: Bradley Cooper & Ben Simmons at the Jersey Shore; Adam Sandler; Sarah Megan Thomas, Movies in Philly

September 8, 2020 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

It was a lovely, strange summer, which actually might be endless for sometime for some of us. Our weekend in Lancaster was fantastic and I’ll write more about it on later this week.

Bradley Cooper was spotted several times this past summer at the Jersey Shore in Ocean City, and again in Longport and Margate this past weekend. Friday night he was at Catch in Longport, and Saturday at Steve & Cookies in Margate. Friends tell me his mother has a summer place in Brigantine and he is often spotted there as well. For most of the summer Cooper was renting a home in Fairfield Connecticut where he and his pal, another perpetual bachelor Leonardo Dicaprio were spotted sailing one afternoon. TODAY Cooper was spotted handing off his daughter to his baby mama and ex girlfriend Irina Shayk. Ben Simmons was spotted at the Longport beach, without on again, off again girlfriend Kendall Jenner. Seems she’s moved on SOURCE.

Congratulations to food journalist Alexandra Jones on the publication of her first book ” Stuff Every Cheese Lover Should Know.”

Congrats *Ary Modesto* and **Robert Santorsa** on their engagement. Robert popped the question on September 1 while dining at their favorite restaurant Tequila’s in Rittenhouse Square. The duo has been dating for several years, and I was blessed to watch their love grow over the years. In 2017, they were chosen as one of the Best Dressed at The Academy Ball not only because of their fantastic threads but for the love in their eyes for each other. So happy for them. Super nice couple.

Congrats **Alexandria Hoff** and her husband **Nathan Calvert** who are expecting their first child in December.

Congrats to **Vinnie G Radio** who starts working as the host of the red eye shift at Midnight on PopRadio77. Travel back in time, relive memories. Tune to PopRadio 77 for the most “pop”ular music from decades past. Work hard, and be flexible and your dreams will come true. Happy for you buddy!!

**Heery-Loftus Casting** is looking for a few good people for the Adam Sandler/LeBron James Netflik’s flik filming in our area next week. Head on over to their FB page for specifics on what they’re looking for as well as the COVID19 precautions they’ve put in place to keep everyone safe.

Congratulations to Dr. Thanuja Hamilton, MD who was chosen by her peers as a top doc in South Jersey. I’m not surprised, Thanuja is not only a top doc, but an awesome friend to many.

Award-winning actress, producer, and writer Sarah Megan Thomas is about to debut her new film October 3, “A Call To Spy.” It’ll be the third film shot partially in Philly by the Havertown native. Her other films were Backwards (I was an extra) and Equity (I spent a day on the set).
SYNOPSIS: In the beginning of WWII, with Britain becoming desperate, Churchill orders his new spy agency – “SOE” – to recruit and train women as spies. Their daunting mission: conduct sabotage and build a resistance. SOE’s “Spymistress,” Vera Atkins (Stana Katic) recruits two unusual candidates: Virginia Hall (Sarah Megan Thomas), an ambitious American with a wooden leg, and Noor Inayat Khan (played by Radhika Apte), a Muslim pacifist. Together, these women help to undermine the Nazi regime in France, leaving an unmistakable legac in their wake. Inspired by true stories, this original screenplay draws on SOE, OSS (pre-cursor to CIA), and CIA files, as well as interviews with living relatives.

**Sarah Megan Thomas** and **Alysia Reiner** took a break from filming their new movie “Equity,” which is about women on Wall Street, to stop by the Best of Philly party 2015.

Producing a WWII drama on a low-budget was daunting, and it took me four years, states Sarah Megan Thomas. We shot “London,” “Scotland,” and parts of “France” in the greater Philadelphia area — where I grew up and where I have shot all my films (fun trivia: for the “stately home” where these spies historically trained, we shot inside the home of the family that inspired “The Philadelphia Story” – Ardrossan). For the richness and texture of 1940’s France, we shot for a shorter time in Budapest. To read more about the upcoming film head to the IndieWire story.

Thanks for stopping by today, see you on Social. My best HughE

Philadelphia

Jason Kelce Beer, WaterBoys Conquer, and more Philly Gossip

March 11, 2018 by HughE Dillon

Jason Kelce Beer, WaterBoys Conquer, and more Philly Gossip

Hope everyone had a great weekend, it was beautiful and gorgeous with the snow. I hear we are expecting a dusting Tuesday into Wednesday with the bulk of the storm hitting New England. Let’s see what are friends are up to.

Beer
Kory Aversa and Jennifer Logue, editor of Arts & Culture at Metro Philly at the first Newsmakers Round Table
held at the Pyramid Club every first Tuesday. Next up Marilyn Russell, Cari Feiler Bender and than moi in June.

Beer

Yesterday Eagles Jason Kelce stopped by Broken Goblet Brewing, in Bristol to help launch “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care” IPA, with him was pal Connor Barwin,

who’s foundation Make the World Better Foundation received a 10% donation from the sale of the beer.

Beer
Speaking of Connor Barwin, he recently join Philadelphia Eagles Chris Long (above) and a group celebrities from the USA National Football League (NFL) and other sports organizations on a successful five day expedition, climbing to the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

beer

The expedition was organized by the US based Worldforce International and the Chris Long foundation “WaterBoys” in the US side but in close collaboration with Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) targeting raising funds for sustainable water systems to communities. (source)

Beer
Connor Barwin, who maintains a residence in Fishtown with wife Laura Barwin, also gave us an update on the progress of Smith Park in South Philly.

beer

Earlier this week I ran into Evan “OG” Harden of the Philadelphia Bar League (Calisthenics), at the opening of Chopper’s Hatchet House he’s helping design the Fitness Pod at Smith Park along with Connor Barwin. Look for news of it’s grand re-opening soon.

Congrats to Micah Gerhartm Assistant Athletic Trainer – Philadelphia Eagles and Korinne Patrice, Eagles Youth Partnership, the charitable foundation of the Philadelphia Eagles Football team who got engaged over the weekend.

Another happy engagement happened at Citizen Bank Park over the weekend when Luke Butler proposed to Megon Ungar . Luke currently works for Curalate, a leading marketing technology company that enables brands to sell online more effectively, but for 8 years served as a spokesman for the City of Philadelphia and a speechwriter for Mayor Nutter, and Megon, now at ‎Tempest, used to be at PHLCVB for several years.

Congrats to philanthropic socialites Cindy Caccuro and Uri Jacobson who were married last weekend.

Congrats to Marissa Reale, when she graduates Temple University in May she will be taking a full time position with Braithwaite Communications. Marissa has previously interned with 6ABC and Vault Communications.

Looks like The PokeSpot at 1804 Chestnut Street is getting ready to open it’s doors soon.

See you tomorrow on PhillyChitChat where I’ll have a wrap up to the Phila Flower Show, and this week the Choppers Hatchet opening party, 12 new contemporary Fishtown townhouses brought to you by @adamsgroupmarket and photos from several James Beard events I’ll be shooting. In the meantime go out and enjoy the day, and make memories.

Philadelphia

Happy New Year : ChitChat -Lots of Engagements & No Surrender

December 29, 2017 by HughE Dillon

Happy New Year. I usually do my best of the year entries this week, but as I am going away to Disney World in 2 weeks I’m going to save those entries for that week. It’s Friday so I’m going with my regular around town column ie gossip column where I share with you news of engagements, weddings, new business, celebrity sightings, cute pets, original content, tips from readers, info from PR peeps and of course news curated from Social Media.

Happy
Recently Billy Penn asked me where couples should get engaged in Philly. I picked the Waterworks as my favorite spot to get engaged because of the spectacular views of the City skyline and Boathouse Row. Happy And mentioned too cliche would be Rittenhouse Square, but why not anyway – it’s beautiful!!

As I expected many couples got engaged over the holiday, let’s see who’s going to the chapel….

Philly Mag featured a cute engagement of a couple on Philly’s other miracle street- Addison. I love that these days future grooms capture the moment either by hiring a photographer,

or taking selfies.
Happy
Oh it looks like someone read the Billy Penn article as Matt Malinowski popped the question to Charles Lentz at
the Waterworks, and then continued the celebration at Rittenhouse Square, which was the cliche place I mentioned to pop the question, especially during the holidays. What do guys give when they get engaged, sometimes a wedding band, cuff links, or in this case a watch as Matt gave to Chuck. Congrats guys.

Another friend of mine popped the question this weekend – Paul Smith. Paul and I both worked at Kohn Swift in our early careers. Paul and I went on to start our own successful business. Congrats to Paul and Sarah Ann!

Loren Robinson, MD, MSHP said YES to her fellow doctor. Earlier this month Loren was noted as 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health Awards Winners for 2017 Congrats on both accounts!

**********************

Tattoos for Heroes

My friend Eddie Alderson, 23 and my niece Nicole Rae, 21 are in the battles for their lives, literally and they chose to commemorate the battle with their own “scar”. Both have been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Nicole was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago, and is done treatment and has returned to school, Eddie is still undergoing treatment. They both have been public with their battle, and are winning. They don’t know each other, but they both traveled to NYC this past week to get tattoo’s to represent the battle.

Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), who now lives in the suburbs of Philly, tweeted earlier this month to Bruce Springsteen that he’d be seeing his Springsteen On Broadway – “Hey @springsteen ! “No Surrender” has been my motto and go-to song throughout my current fight against Cancer. I’m seeing your #BruceOnBroadway show Dec. 27, and would LOVE to get you to write No Surrender on my arm, for my first tattoo! Thank you for being my inspiration!” His former co-stars added their support and pleas to the singer on Twitter. Renée Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline) posted, “Thank you @Eddie_Alderson for inspiring me since our days on #OLTL! I stand with u! #NoSurrender @springsteen!” Melissa Fumero (ex-Adriana), wrote, “Eddie, you’re the best and you inspire me with your strength and bravery! Please, @springsteen give my friend the Xmas present he deserves. Sign his arm!! #nosurrender.” Josh Kelly (ex-Cutter), added, “When I grow up I wanna be @Eddie_Alderson … just my thoughts for the day. #NoSurrender … oh and @springsteen … please sign his arm.” Terri Conn (ex-Aubrey; ex-Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS), posted, “@springsteen, you will find no more an inspiration, a talent, or a kind and pure heart, than in @Eddie_Alderson! #makeadreamcometrue #BruceonBroadway #NoSurrender.”

See the video of Bruce signing Eddie’s arm at Soap Opera Digest
Then Eddie headed to Fun City Tattoo today to get the tattoo done.

Nicole who finished her treatment a year ago, and is well enough to return to school wanted to mark this time in her own way, with 13 bats for reasons she is keeping to herself. What we do know is she’s been a fan of Megan Massacre: tattoo artist, model, fashion contributor, and TV personality for sometime and made an appointment a few months back, as Megan books out months in advance.

I asked Nicole if it was painful, and she told me it was less painful than the constant needles she had to endure during her cancer treatment.

Nicole’s dad Tom also got a tattoo of a bat with Nicole’s initials to honor his daughter (his first tat is a circle stamp honoring his dad who passed away several years ago).

Megan Massacre, Nicole DeFeo and Tom DeFeo

Kristin Alderson and Eddie Alderson

Eddie & Nicole congrats on your tats, and for being an inspiration to us all.
God bless you, and Happy New Year!!
#NOSURRENDER

Philadelphia

Friday Chit Chat: Denise Nakano; Christmas Dates; IAN TV, Events I’m Shooting

November 30, 2017 by HughE Dillon

Happy holidays is in full swing, despite that autumn looking tree outside your window. Let’s see what happy news is happening to our friends.

Denise
Congrats to Denise Nakano, NBC 10, who announced her engagement earlier this week, at the same time as dropping some headline news: Megan Markle’s engagement and that her diamond is not from Botswana. Botswana was where Prince Harry and Megan went on their 3rd date, and her engagement ring contains a diamond from there. Denise tells me that her fiance got down on one knee, and just like Megan, she answered YES before he was done asking the question.

Speaking of engagements, Congrats to Michelle Conron, Cashman & Assocs. on her engagement to fiance Chris. A 2018 wedding is
planned.

Congrats to Stephanie Humphrey on her new gig on The Harry Show. She still appears locally on Fox 29’s Good Day Show

Celebrity Sightings: LeBron James ignoring a fan while cruising through the Ritz Carlton lobby to waiting buses to take his team, Cleveland Cavaliers, to Wells Fargo on Monday 11/27/17

Holiday Happenings: Despite last night’s earthquake the lighting ceremonies of Holiday Tree happened across the City including in East Passyunk and Old City.

Tonight the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest celebrates their Holiday Tree Lighting Powered by PECO from 6-9PM. This year, multi-award winning R&B songstress Chanté Moore will headline the event, singing songs from her first-ever Christmas album, “Christmas Back To You,” which consists of classic remakes and original songs alike. I’ll be heading to the Philly Pops Christmas Concert at the Kimmel Center, through December 19, 2017. TICKETS HERE. Tonight it’s Christmas Salute, the Philly Pops entertain military, as well as fire and police families in Philadelphia.

On Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, Ardmore will get into the holiday spirit with the fourth annual Cricket Cringle event along Cricket Avenue in Downtown Ardmore. Cricket Cringle will be open TONIGHT, December 1 st from 5pm-9pm and Saturday, December 2 nd from 10am-6pm. The market will feature more than 40 curated merchants, food trucks and vendors in the holiday marketplace selling specialty merchandise at all price points. Vendors will carry local or handcrafted items including jewelry, housewares, clothing, greens, wreaths, and gifts for all ages. I’ll be there Saturday afternoon photographing all the fun festivities. Don’t forget to participate in their popular and beneficial Downtown Dollar Program. Check out the information here.

Denise

Saturday December 2 I’m heading to Suburban Square to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the courtyard! Santa will arrive in style and wants to have his picture taken with all the good boys and girls (I’ll probably get coal)! You get to take home a free photo with Santa. There will also be village carolers, a magician, kids crafts and lots of treats! I’ll be shooting Santa’s arrival between Noon and 1PM Suburban Square is located in the heart of downtown Ardmore on Lancaster Avenue (Route 30), just a few miles west of City Avenue.

SUNDAY IS THE JACK DANIEL’s Hot Toddy 5K – Register for the 2017 Jack Daniel’s Hot Toddy 5k before it sells out! Registration ends Friday night. #willrunforjack http://www.hottoddyrace.comI’ll be on hand to capture the run from 9am til 1PM Hope to see you.

THEN it’s off to cover the South Street Holiday Tree Lighting. Celebrate the spirit of the season as South Street Headhouse District presents our annual extravaganza Winter Wonderland on Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, at the Historic Headhouse Square Shambles on 2nd Street, 200 Pine Street .

What a year for this young man. A Philly Mag spread, hosting events in Philly and in NYC and now congrats to Ian Michael Crumm on the launch of his lifestyle Wellness Travel Style TV program launches – IAN TV. Take the journey with Ian and subscribe to IAN TV.

Philadelphia

Scene & Heard in Philly – Mary J Blige in Town, AI’s Weekend, Sixers Nerlens Noel Birthday Party, Carlo’s Bakery

April 14, 2015 by HughE Dillon

Hope you had a terrific weekend with that amazing weather. I had to run out yesterday to cover the BenFM Women of the Week Luncheon, so I didn’t have time for my Scene and Heard in Philly.

What an amazing weekend it was, Saturday I attended the WDAS Women of Excellence luncheon, it was great to see so many beautiful, empowering women, hear inspiring messages and enjoy thoughtful performances.

One of the “Shereos” Sheinelle Jones, with her dad Federal Judge Darnell Jones in 3rd Circuit located in Philadelphia.

Mary J. Blige was at the WDAS’ First Annual Women of Excellence Luncheon
on Saturday, April 11, 2015 held at First District Plaza in
Philadelphia, where she was given the WDAS Trailblazing Woman of
Excellence Award, which will be renamed as the WDAS Mary J Blige Women
of Excellence Award beginning next year. The event was held to recognize
9 extraordinary women in the Philadelphia area including former Fox 29
Good Day Morning Anchor Sheinelle Jones, now at the Today Show, Faatimah Gamble and
Commissioner Susan Slawson, doing extraordinary things in their
community that improved peoples lives.

At the luncheon Mary J Blige was really humbled and the
emotion really comes through in this photo. She’s being honored by
http://www.phillymag.com/the-scene/2015/04/13/wdas-women-of-excellence-mary-j-blige/

Allen Iverson was in town this weekend. First he was spotted Saturday night watching the Garcia fight at Dave and Buster’s then yesterday he was at Sugarhouse trying out his luck there. Has anyone ever seen him in anything but sweats? (Thanks to my tipster who sent this photo)

Congrats to Sixers Nerlens Noel who celebrated his 21st Birthday at 1925 lounge (ie the former G Lounge) last Thursday. I hear it was a jam packed good time at the new don’t call night club.

Recently Philly Mag reported that “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro was opening a Location of Carlo’s Bakery in Rittenhouse, I took this shot the other day seems like it’s coming along nicely. It’s been reported that the opening will be late Spring, early summer which I would agree with.

Speaking about anticipated eateries, I hear Mercadito, at 2116 Chestnut Street is shooting for a September opening. When I walked by the other day they were not working on it yet.

So sad the Food Bazaar has closed. I peeked through the little space in the door and the relics of the Food Bazaar were strewned about.

Remember Oh So Good, the delicious food buffet at 19th and Market, they closed up shop quickly last summer. (They have since opened at 1700 Market St.,) I was walking by their old spot and it’s starting to be gutted. I’ll keep a lookout to see what might pops up there. So much fun and development in Center City.

2015 Walnut Street has one of those “orange” L&I signs. It says that this spot is going to be a restaurant and for take out. I am crossing my fingers cause I really need a Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood. I’ve been jonsing for one since Wok closed.

UPDATE: 22nd&Philly
‏@22ndandPhilly just informed me it’s going to be a BYOB taco place run. Oh well, maybe Chinese will follow somewhere Walnut St soon.

http://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2015/04/09/revolution-taco-coming-to-rittenhouse-square/

This spring has brought a lot of engagements, congrats to my good friends Amanda Giddings and Michael Dana

And then there’s baby news!! Congrats.

Saturday night after shooting Blingo, I headed to Zama for a late night bite. I ran into my old friend Angelo Soldevila, who I used to work with when I was a paralegal. He was out celebrating his wife Lea for her birthday!! Great to see them.

It took forever to figure out how to do a #selfie, now there’s that stick with @alexholleytv at Manayunk Street Fair

A video posted by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Apr 13, 2015 at 6:19am PDT