Political Friends Celebrate with Vince Fumo at his Annual Christmas Party

Last night I attended my 3rd holiday party at Vince Fumo’s. In the  90s & 00s before I was PCC,  I had always read about the grandiose parties at the Green Street mansion, especially at Christmas time when the house on the hill was elaborately decorated. Out of the blue about three years ago the senator wrote me himself to invite me to the famed Christmas party.

The first two years I attended the parties were fairly low key, with family members and a few close, notable political operatives. This year it was like back to the future, with triple the size of attendees.

This year was not only a remembrance of the holidays and good will, but a celebration for Fumo’s new biography, which came out last month:

Sen Larry Farnese, Karen Sugarman, Vince Fumo and Lt. Gov Mike Stackhouse

Target: The Senator: A Story About Power And Abuse Of Power , which was just released earlier this month. The former Senator will be doing a book tour in the new year, with a book signing, party at the Union League in January.

Michael Schulson, Nina Tinari Schulson and former senator Vince Fumo

Senator Christine Tartaglione, Nicholas DeBenedictis, Lt Gov Mike Stack, and former CBS3/CW Philly 57 President and General Manager Michael Colleran with guests

Mariska K. Bogle, executive director of the nonprofit Philadelphia Hospitality Inc and Sean Reilly. Esq.

Christian DiCicco and Anna Catania, Ten Pennies

Chef Mark Scharaga, Nyotaimori Experience and one of the few sushi chefs certified by the Blue Ocean Institute for sustainability.

Mina Massaro–Giordano, MD,  Antonio Giordano, a pathologist, professor of biology, and director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple and Carol Tamburino

Micah Mahjoubian, Linda Knox and Councilman At-Large Al Taubenberger

Hostess Debbie Pastrana, Vince’s girlfriend

Also spotted State Sen. Larry Farnese , Councilman Mark Squilla, State. Sen Shariff Street, Judge Felice Stack, Carol and Nino Tinari

Eric S and Wanda Mora.
Wanda has done such a wonderful job at raising money for her Puerto Rico over the passed few months. Look for her big fundraiser coming up in February at Union Trust – For The Love of Puerto Rico

Balboa Catering did a great job on the food. Upstairs their was a prime rib spread and downstairs delicious pork and lamb options.

Tonya Stack and Lt. Gov Mike Stack

Micah Mahjoubian and Councilwomen Janie Blackwell

Stacy Wanerman, Mike Jerrick, Anna Catania, guest, Larry Wanerman, Cindy Wanerman and Michael Colloran

Tom Knox, Anna Cantina, Carol Tamburino and

Carol Tinari and Cheryl Finocchiaro 

guest, Hacina Saadi, and Dawn Tancredi, Zarwin Baum

The Senator has been in the press lately. Read an interview here at Philly Mag, then head to PhillyVoice for an excerpt from his book.

Merry Christmas. Check out PhillyChitChat tomorrow for another party.
I’m off to Charlotte for a week, follow me on Social Media, links up top, to see what
I’m seeing.