Happy 7 year anniversary to my blog, PhillyChitChat. Boy have things changed. I started PCC to write about tidbits, charity events and celebrities that came to town. I had a full time job as a Paralegal, a P/T job as a celebrity photographer in NYC and still wanted something to do on the side that reflected what was going on in Philly. Thanks to my buddy Simon Curtis who coined PhillyChitChat on 7/4/07, as he and his wife visited Mike and I in Philly. Simon and I had become friends while shooting celebs in NYC. I had a blog devoted to that subject “Confessions of a Paparazzi”, but that title wasn’t descriptive enough for what I wanted to do in Philly as there were very little celebrities here. PhillyChitChat was perfect to cover all the topics I wanted to – people, events, random tidbits like what another bank on a corner property and celebrities that made their way through town.
And here we are today: I do this as a full time gig, I contribute to PhillyMag, Philly.com, Philly Daily News, NBC Philadelphia and appear on Fox 29’s morning show (In the fall I’ll be appearing weekly chatting about all the parties I attend not just the celebrity events.) I have an amazing outlet where I mini blog Twitter – @iPhillyChitChat
– it’s like my Lifestyle Blog on Philly, I tell you what’s hot, and what’s happening. I tweet entirely too much. I cover the subjects I used to cover on PCC. Then there’s Instagram – another great lifestyle, fashion blog outlet. So fun – follow me http://instagram.com/phillychitchat Then there’s you, my very loyal readers here, and everywhere. Thank you so much for your support; your kind words when I meet you and your feedback. Thanks HughE PS As usual this was a stream of consciousness, having never taken a journalistic class it’s the only way I know how to write. Thanks to my editors that make me seem so professional.
Hoda spent her weekend in Rehobeth. She also had a book signing. I see she has a few fillings too. Good for her. I feel connected. (PS I have to have an tooth implant. How painful is that besides to the wallet?)
Alexander Hankin styling it in Minnesota
Justin Pizzi, Marisa Magnatta, Nicole Michalik, Adam Joseph, and
Joe McCollum who then hit up Bey & Jay the next night.
Samantha
Miss Philadelphia – Diamond Edmonds with GoGo Morrow
Rapper Ryan Banks on the Parkway with his baby girl
Jennifer Hudson in Philly
Stacey Kracher at our annual party (taken by Christie Honigman)
Priscilla
Fireworks from the Schuylkill River Park
Kendra is now in Hotlanta and still looking hot.
Happy Birthday Joan. He and Matt were at our party too.
Zach Lashway was in NYC for the Fourth
Philly’s DJ Aktive working the tables for JHud
I prefer chocolate jimmies
Fireworks from the right side of the parkway
Kate, Michelle and Rachel
Earlier in the day Amber sent a message to all her FB friends, don’t be alone on July 4th. Come to the party. It was nice. So often we are alone when people think we’re busy.
Sabir Peele rocking his cell phone board shorts on the beach
amazing shot from condo’s along the Schuylkill from Susan Pincus
Love this shot from Al Lee – Mr. Philadelphia
Wawa was a genius with their marketing, I saw everyone with this hat on.
Aviva Drescher from the Real Housewives of NYC was in town. I kept tabs on her, but unfortunately I didn’t get a shot of her in this awesome outfit. Here she is with her publicist Matt Dillon (no relation to me)
A few days ago I set Twitter a fire with this rumor. Since then two blog sites has said their sources say it’s not true. I’m sticking by my rumor that it is. I think my track record is fairly aaccurate. In the past I’ve rumored that Walgreen’s was going into the old Border’s,
and as much as the internet world and the City denied it was happening, it opened August 2013.
“It’s now no longer the stuff of Philly Chit Chat items: Center City will be getting a Nordstrom outlet.
The news broke yesterday afternoon that Nordstrom Rack, the chain’s
off-price division, will be taking the first three floors of the former
Bonwit Teller store at 1700 Chestnut Street, most recently home to
now-defunct off-price retailer Daffy’s.
The store, slated to open in the fall of 2014, will have 96,000 square feet of space, according to a report on Racked Philly. Fameco Real Estate, recently acquired by CBRE, handled the transaction.
Will this development be enough to satisfy the “Nordstrom fetishists”?
Time will tell, but truth to tell, we doubt it. We’ll bet they’re
holding out for more news about that Bloomingdale’s in the Gallery HughE Dillon first injected into the rumor stream back in May.”
In September 2013, I tweeted that Comcast was going to build anther tower at 18th & Arch. That NBC Philadelphia and the Four Season’s would move there. Both NBC and The Four Season’s denied this was happening, and wrote me asking me where I got my info.
In January, the Inquirer published a huge article on the move, including much more detail, but that sure enough NBC Philadelphia and the Four Season’s would move there.
(I’m only as good as my sources, and I really want to thank them for entrusting me with these huge stories.)
Recently (Dec 2012) I proposed that Pearl Properties was going to build a tower, and a restaurant at the corner of 19th and Chestnut after I rumored that they were buying up half the block, and closing the Qdoba. (I put two and two together when I noticed Pearl Properties bought the old Little Pete’s building, plus already owned the property between the Boyd Theater and Little Pete’s, and noticed the Dollar Store was closed. Then I searched the property records and discovered the end two buildings were under contract.)
I’m just sticking by the rumor I floated out on the twitter world that yes, Wegman’s is rumored to be going into the Washington Avenue project. And with the much debated “Why are they building a parking garage with 1,000 spaces?” This would be why, a first class, hugely popular grocery store is coming to “Center City.” Currently my bet with the Passyunk Post guy is this thing will happen is something about eating an ice cream sandwich. Now how about if this great thing doesn’t happen I’ll donate $500 to my favorite charity, and I’ll take part in the dunking thing during Beer Week 2015 or 2016 whichever date they announce something other than a WEGMAN’s going into that space. I think my track record speaks pretty high, but deals do fall through. I probably shouldn’t have floated this one or the Bloomingdale’s one out so early. I guess it wasn’t close to the announcements, I never want to screw anything up, but my sources made it seem imminent.
On Saturday, reporter Michael Boren spotted NYC Mayor Deblasio in the Italian Market:
Celeb sighting mt @borenmc Now I’m 99.9% sure: NYC @MayorDeblasio walking around #Philly‘s Italian Market w/his son. Just saw them up-close (But he was only 99.9% sure)
I’m 100% sure that former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani was at the Italian Market today,as he stopped by Geno’s to grab a wit, with.
Also in town this weekend:
Mario Lopez appeared on QVC Sunday, but the night before he was at Ocean Prime for dinner. Seems he enjoyed his Baked Alaska dessert. Yes that is the normal size of that serving. Mario stayed at the Four Seasons while he was in town.
Dancing with the Stars Louis van Amstel stopped by the trade shoe LA Blast Fitness which was at the Marriott as well as the Pennsylvania Convention Center. He was super nice, and posed with fans.
There was a big wedding in Philly on Saturday, as Jamie Gayle Shupak and Brian Patrick Stelter were married Saturday evening at the Sheraton Society Hill in Philadelphia.
Mrs.
Stelter, 32, is the morning traffic anchor in New York for NY1, a cable
news channel. She graduated from the University of Maryland. The bride is the daughter of Helen R. Shupak and Neil L. Shupak of Philadelphia. Mr.
Stelter, 28, is the senior news media correspondent for CNN, based in
New York. He is also the host of “Reliable Sources,” a Sunday morning
program on that network. Until November, he was a staff reporter at The
New York Times covering media news. I follow them both on Social Media and they seem to have the pulse of the millennials. Although Reliable Sources is taped on Friday to play on Sunday, Brian wore his wedding ring to be factually correct by the time it aired Sunday morning.
Philly Resident Star: Marc Summers spotted in Miami at the Food and Wine Festival.
The 3rd annual party
includes Peroni Nastro Azzuro, cocktails from Casamigos Tequila &
Caliche Rum, lite fare, a dessert bar, best-dressed awards and is hosted
by Philly fashionistas Kristin
Detterline and Jimmy Contreras
must RSVP:
The Red Carpet Party is free for guests age 21 and over who RSVP. RSVP is requested by Thursday, Feb. 27, email 10arts@vlahospr.com or call 267-687-0224. Space is limited. 10 Arts Lounge is located on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts at 10 S. Broad Street.
More details below:
PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 16,
2014) – The Academy Awards, Hollywood’s biggest night of glamour,
fashion and celebrity, is just a weeks away, and Philly will be rolling
out its own red carpet at
10 Arts Lounge to celebrate.
On Sunday, March 2, 10 Arts Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, will play host to the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Red Carpet Party during the 86th
Annual Academy Awards.
The event will feature complimentary beer from Peroni, cocktails made
with Casamigos and Caliche, lite fare and a dessert bar by Chef Nathan
Lingle.
The party
– free for guests 21 and over – begins at 6pm with the complimentary
cocktails, food and desserts during red carpet arrivals, followed by $8
drink specials, champagne bottle service
and a live screening of the Oscar awards ceremony at 7pm. (Unlike in Hollywood, guests are invited to arrive at any time during the event.)
“The Oscars
red carpet is one of the most-watched, and most elegant, events in
Hollywood. Honestly, what better place to take all of that glamour in
than with a fashionable crowd of your
friends in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia?” said co-host
Jimmy Contreras.
Contreras and Philadelphia Style magazine Editor-in-chief Kristin Detterline
will be offering live commentary – sassy and unedited – as guests watch
the broadcast projected on big screens in the soaring rotunda. The
evening will also include red carpet looks by Saks
Fifth Avenue and complimentary gift bags for the first 200 guests.
The dress code is
“cocktail chic” and Contreras and Detterline will select a best-dressed
lady, best-dressed gentleman and best-dressed couple at the party
for awards. The prizes will include
dinner for two at 10 Arts, a spa gift certificate from Richel D’Ambra
and, for the lucky couple, an overnight stay at The Ritz-Carlton,
Philadelphia.
UBER – the on-demand car service – is offering new users a ride to or free the party up to $20. (When requesting the car via the smartphone app, use code 10REDCARPET.)
The Red Carpet Party is free for guests age 21 and over who RSVP. RSVP is requested by Thursday, Feb. 27, email 10arts@vlahospr.com or call 267-687-0224. Space is limited. 10 Arts Lounge is located on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts at 10 S. Broad Street.
# # #
NOTE TO EDITORS: We’ll be
using the Twitter hashtag #RitzRedCarpet. Guests (and those watching
from home) are also invited to weigh in on the red carpet styles using
the hashtag.
The Temple University Board of Trustees has recently announced that they
will no longer be funding several sports programs, one being men’s
gymnastics. Temple gymnastics has been a pillar to Temple University
with its academic and athletic excellence. We have produced national
champions, world team members, and Olympians since our inaugural season.
Please help us SAVE OUR SPORT!
Over the weekend the alumni gathered as they do annually, to attend the first meet of the season, a bitter sweet season as it’s the last.
The Alumni, friends and supporters are rallying ways to raise funds to save the program. One way is to do a calendar to raise awareness to the dire situation. The idea of the calendar was conceived by Dash Sears and Clay Stewart.
Photographer is Michael Thomas a seasoned sports photographer who flew in from NH to shoot.
If someone wants to get involved, inquire about donations, or ask questions about the calendar, please email Clay Stewart at forest.clay.stewart@gmail.com.
We have one of the most dedicated alumni bases with a 25%
donation rate, compared to a 7% donation rate of the overall Temple
alumni base.
Our team is self-sustained with a combination of tuition money and donations. We are not an expense to the university.
The team operates on a budget less than the helmet and chinstrap budget of the Temple Football Team.
Susie Celek stopped by to lend her support
and give the guys some encouragement
The team’s GPA is the highest of all teams at the university for the past 3 years.
The team has one of the best winning records of all team’s at the university.
Team has been around since 1926.
Let your voices be heard by going to Templegymnastics.com,
check the Save Temple Gymnastics online petition. For addresses of the
president and board members visit the Temple University Men’s Gymnastics Facebook page. (Paige Ozaroski took this photo)
On Saturday the boys did a photo spread for the calendar at the Goldtex Apartments in Center City. Slice pizza provided the sustenance for the enduring and endless posing.
Every year The Hamels Foundation has their star studded charity event which raises money to provide support for quality education in the United States and establish a school
in Malawi, Africa.(It’s tonight)
Besides many of our favorite Phillies players, celebs and local celebs,
it has the distinct pleasure of hosting the Reality Stars from ABC’s
The Bachelor franchise, which includes The Bachelor, The Bacherlorette
and Bachelor Pad. This year the Bachelors are attending with heavy
hearts as their good friend, and fellow contestant on the Bachelor Gia
Allemand (center in 2011) passed away yesterday.
Craig Robinson, Cole Hamels, Tyler Vermette, Chris Lambton, Gwen Goia,
Alli Travis, Jackie Gordon, Jesse
Csincsak, Ann Lueders, Gia Allemand, (I’m missing a few names)
One person who stood out was Gia Allemand. So sweet and excited to come this year with her boyfriend, NBA player Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Reviewing her twitter timeline, and talking with her friends, it was a
complete surprise for the turn of events that she decided to take her
life. The papers say it was because of her faltering relationship,
perhaps he decided not to come to Philly to attend the events and she
didn’t want to see her friends, or deal with a heavy emotion such as a
break up in public. Or maybe the pain was to dark, and she didn’t see a way out, or want to live in a world without Ryan, even though so many people from around the world loved her.
I think I’ve talked extensively about my suicide attempts (when I was in my 20s), and all I can say is at that point, the pain seems to be so unbearable. I wish we both knew about American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
during those dark hours. No doubt she knew she was loved by so many, I can see it from the out
pouring of grief on Social Media, and by the interactions she had with
people right up until her suicide. But when you are in that moment, those moments, the pain is so unbearable that you can not see passed it.
Last night as her friends came into town, they first went to the Top of the Tower for a low key SIPS happy hour, but left as it was crowded and they realized they just needed to be together, sitting around, eating dinner at Sampan, and celebrating their friend Gia Allemand. They may be smiling in this photo for me, but I can tell you they were all shocked and devastated, many barely holding back their pain. They conveyed to me that through the Bachelor experience they have made strong connections and friendships from the show; a tragedy like this brings them closer together, and it’s more important than ever to support each other. A few of them just saw Gia last week in NYC at the screening of the finale. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No doubt many of them are re-living their last encounter with Gia to see if there was something amiss. But sometimes it’s something that can’t be seen.
Craig Robinson, Frank Neuschaefer, Ashley Spivey, Chris Bukowski, Sarah Herron, Reality Stars from The Bachelor and Bachelorette and current hosts of HGTV’s ‘Going Yard’, Peyton and Chris Lambton
Sadly for her friends and family this great loss will linger a lifetime. If you need grief counseling, or just someone to talk to you can contact
Katie, Christie and I headed to Ela to enjoy Jason Cichonski’s one-night-only, 5-course pig dinner
hmm delicious first course. it was two weeks ago I can’t remember what it was
egg on pork
dessert
OMG I wish I could remember what this was, but it was delicious.
I knew he was away for about 8 weeks and I asked him what was the highlight of his trip. He showed us his new tattoo; said it took 7 hours to do. Then he was
tight lipped to anything else, although Foobooz says Both Jason Cichonski and Nick Elmi will be competing on this year’s Top Chef (set in New Orleans – OMG MUST SEE TV), premiering Oct. 2 on Bravo. Check out Eater Philly today for a clip from the show featuring Philly’s hottest chefs (It was Eater Philly that hinted that these two would be on the show, and why I was armed with loaded questions for Jason when I had dinner. He was tight lipped.)
Route: WB on Chestnut Street to 9th Street; NB on 9th Street to Market
Street; EB on Market Street to Front Street; SB on Front Street to
Chestnut Street; End & Disperse
“No Parking” Areas
Parking will not be permitted on July 4th from 6AM to 2:30PM on the following streets:
– Chestnut Street from 5th Street to Front Street (Both Sides)
– 5th Street from Market Street to Walnut Street (Both Sides)
– 4th Street from Market Street to Chestnut Street (West Side Only)
– Front Street from Market Street to Dock Street (Both Sides)
– Chestnut Street Viaduct
Parking will not be permitted on July 4th from 9AM to 2PM on the following streets:
– Chestnut Street from 6th Street to 9th Street (Both Sides)
– 9th Street from Market Street to Chestnut Street (Both Sides)
– Market Street from 9th Street to Front Street (Both Sides)
Street Closures
Beginning @ 6AM
– 5th Street from Walnut Street to Market Street
– Ranstead Street from 4th Street to 5th Street
– Ludlow Street from 4th Street to 5th Street
Beginning @ 7AM
– Chestnut Street from Front Street to 2nd Street
– Chestnut Street from 2nd Street to 3rd Street
– Chestnut Street from 3rd Street to 4th Street
– Chestnut Street from 4th Street to 5th Street
– Chestnut Street from 5th Street to 6th Street
*CROSS TRAFFIC ON FRONT, 2nd, 3rd & 4th CAN CONTINUE AT THIS POINT*
Beginning @ 10:45AM
– Chestnut Street from 9th Street to 6th Street
– Ranstead Street from 9th Street to 6th Street
– 9th Street from Chestnut to Market Street
– Market Street from 9th Street to Front Street
– 8th Street from Arch Street to Walnut Street
– 7th Street from Arch Street to Walnut Street
– 6th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
– 5th Street from Arch Street to Market Street
– Front Street from Arch Street to Dock Street
– 4th Street from Arch Street to Walnut Street
– 3rd Street from Arch Street to Walnut Street
– 2nd Street from Arch Street to Walnut Street
– Strawberry Street from Market Street to Chestnut Street
– Bank Street from Market Street to Chestnut Street
**STREETS WILL BE OPENED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AS LAST PARADE ELEMENTS CLEAR THE AREA**
Please note that, in addition to the closures listed, Chestnut Street
will be closed between 5th Street & 6th Street at times on July 2nd
and July 3rd for the Pops on Independence Concert. See times below:
07/02: – 9:30am-3pm and – 7pm-11:59pm
07/03: – 9:30am-11:59pm
07/04 – 12am-5pm
The Art Museum Area
There will be no parking enforced from 7:00 PM July 3, 2012, to 7:00 AM on July 5, 2012 at the following locations:
2200-2900 Blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue-South Side Only
2300-2400 Blocks of Fairmount Avenue
20th Street from Callowhill South to Spring Garden
21st Street from Pennsylvania North to Spring Garden
2100-1900 Block of Hamilton Street
23rd Spring Garden to Broad Streets
1600-2000 Block of Arch Street
1500-1700 Block of J.F.K.
Pennsylvania Avenue south side must remain clear to prevent potential gridlock during the concert and fireworks.
The following street closures will be in effect at 4:00 PM on July 4, 2012:
Fairmount closes to westbound traffic at Corinthian, and will be diverted Northbound onto Corinthian.
15th, 17th, 19th, and 21st Streets will be closed to Southbound
traffic at Spring Garden and diverted Eastbound onto Spring Garden
toward Broad Street. (If you live in this area, you have to produce ID to prove it. If you’re going to a party, I believe they make you park outside the zone.)
Spring Garden Street will be closed to Westbound traffic at Broad
Street. Callowhill Street will be closed to Westbound traffic at Broad
Street.
Hamilton Street will be closed to westbound traffic at 17th Street.
29th Southbound will be shut down at Poplar Street and will be diverted onto Poplar Street, East Bound or Westbound. SEPTA Public Transportation Information
July 4
SEPTA
subway will run until 12:30 A.M. on July 5.
PATCO
will run on its usual schedule of 24 hours/day at 15 minute intervals.
The
Regional Rain will run to all 12 destinations.
Trains
will depart from Suburban Station between 11:30 A.M. and midnight.
Specific
departing times will be advertised in Suburban Station.
SEPTA
buses will be staged on 20th and 21st streets.
Photos from the opening day and ribbon cutting of the long in planning, short in construction, amazing game changer of a skate board park in Philly. Great to see the dreams and persistence of a lot of people come true.
I love shooting skateboarders, I’m in awe of their fearlessness and talent.
I shot the above photo in 1998 on my way to work about 9AM on a Wednesday.
Former Governor Rendell thanking Mayor Nutter who granted $2 million dollars to the project to match the state’s contribution
State Representative Brian K. Sims ( lawyer, politician, and activist on LGBT rights), thanks his predecessor Babette Josephs, for all her work on the project.
Claire Laver, Executive Director, Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund and Josh Nims, Operations Manager at Schuylkill River Development Corporation
The ribbon cutting with Brian Sims, Michael DiBerardinis is Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources for the City of Philadelphia and Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Councilwomen Cindy Bass, Councilman and President Darrell Clark, Sen Larry Farnesse, Mayor Nutter,Josh Nims, John Di Giordano, Mitch Bormack, Board President FPSF, Councilman David Oh,
Great trick and socks
When I skateboarded as a kid, they didn’t have these amazing boards. I cracked my board so much, I decorated it with duct tape.
This park is an going to do more to beat childhood obesity than anything that could be legislated
It’s also the great equalizer, young, old, straight, gay, black, white I saw using it. The courtesy that goes on is amazing. It’s great to see how everyone waits their turn, and how it’s decided who skates next. It’s great study on humans, and since my major in college was Sociology, I really enjoy watching that process. Not sure how the skaters, bikers, and scooters are going to fare in the coming days, but I think there’s enough space for them all to get along.
Emmy award winning cameraman Brad Berner, NBC10 catches the action
Steve Olitsky, Shanna Olitsky, Tamar Olitsky, The Olitsky Foundation, who helped fund the skate board park, along with Steve Rockman, who is also a Board member with the Olitsky’s.
The Mayor is ready for his close up, as Brad Berner and Nefertiti Vasquez, NBC10 look on
The park has a curfew of 1AM to 6AM, but the lights will remain on at night
observing
waiting their turn
glasses
I think they express their style through their boards, they’re all so colorful. They are not afraid of pink either.
I wonder what the KOP mall would think of his shirt?
The Mayor greeted as many skaters as he could
great character building & encouragement going on here. He’s got blades on.
Jumping for joy. You gotta just keep the faith that no one is going to get hurt.
Pink Board
Waiting their turn
at 1:38 professional skateboarder Chris Coles makes a clean run
Last night I attended the VIP Celebration for the long anticipated Paine’s Park one of the most expensive and expansive skate parks ever built and is located along the banks of the Schuylkill River.
The site is beautiful, above is one of the earlier designs, and does not take into consideration they were able to save two beautiful trees from the field where they built the multi-use skateboard park.
Update: The fence will be taken down today and you can enter from the South side of Eakin’s Oval, or the Schuylkill River Park or from the top of MLK Drive.
By multi- use I mean pedestrian’s can walk through it, people can sit and enjoy the day, and there’s a large pavilion which over looks both Fairmount Park and Paine’s Park, which you can rent for parties, or picnic, or just hang out.
Mitch Bormack, Board President FPSF and Christopher Plant, FPSF Board Member and two of the hard working peeps, who were able to execute the project. Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund works to strengthen communities and
empower youth by advocating for skaters and skateboarding culture,
educating youth and adults about the art of skateboarding and its
benefits to neighborhoods and people, and building free, public
skateparks that demonstrate innovative design, community engagement and
multi-faceted
Steve Olitsky, (The Olitsky Foundation). Avi Golen (Co-Founder of Revolution Recovery LLC) two champions of Paine’s Park, and one of the sponsors. You can thank them. Sharon Pinkenson, Hope Cohen, and Frank Bardonaro
Kevin Taylor and Serggi Trudrowski tell me the new skate park has a great flow and elements that he looks for in a great run.
Jesse and Dean Rendell. No doubt next year Dean will be on his own board taking a spin.
He had a dream.
Bentaur Graphic – Art by Todd Marrone designed the graphic on this
skateboard for Mural Arts. The proceeds go to support the landscaping of
the grounds around Paine’s Park
Todd Marrone, Heather Hall, Sara Hagan and Yis Goodwin
Anny Deirmenjian Deese, publicist for Davio’s , Beth Blakely and Dorothy Rapeepun
Jane Golden, Mural Arts Executive Director and Nicole Cashman, Cashman & Assoc. There are still tickets left for the 2013 WALL BALL with Julius “Dr. J” Erving Thursday, May 23 6:30p to 9:30p
Thanks to so many people including State Representative Babette Josephs (1985 -2012) who introduced a one line item that made it possible to create the park.
skater Chris Cole and his daughter. Now that’s confidence.
Skater Dan
Mitch Bormack, Board President FPSF
Mitchell Bormack has been a Board Member of Franklin’s Paine Skatepark
Fund since 2007 and became Board President in early 2012. Mitchell was
initially attracted to the FPSF organization through his involvement as a
Board Member of the Fund For The Water Works and observing the early
efforts of FPSF as the group was planning its flagship project, Paine’s
Park
Claire Laver, Executive Director, Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund and former Gov Ed Rendell Jesse Rendell had a dream, as he and his friends were serious skate boarders. With the help of his dad, and countless others, especially Mayor Nutter, Gov Rendell noted, Paine’s Park has become a reality.
Steve Rockman and Maya Victoria
Great cake by “Save Your Fork”
Josh Nims, Operations Manager at Schuylkill River Development Corporation
The Crew From ESM Productions: Nikkita Thompson, Scott Mirkin, Valerie Smith and Chrstine Rudloff (PS This is the production company behind MIA and the July 4th Concert. HUGE TALENT)
Natalie Scarantino, Executive Assistant and Cosmo DeNicola, Philadelphia Soul co-owner
Mitch Bormack, Board President FPSF and Allyson Katzman, Paralegal – Fine Kaplan Black. (It’s a small world, Allyson and I used to work on many projects during my 20 years as a paralegal, in that last life I lead.)
Christopher Plant, FPSF Board in 2006 and Jessica Meeker. Congrats to them both for their recent wedding.
Shana and Avi Golen, Avi tells me that since Jesse and him were kids they dreamed of a skateboard park like this. Jesse never gave up on his dream, and today, now the dream has come true.
Big Rube and One punch
Paine’s Park is gorgeous. It’s my hope that everyone will respect and no one will graffiti it, and even if camera’s are in place, I would hope if you see something you will stop it. Please use the trashcans too. I already saw people last night drop butts, and trash on the ground. OK now go have some fun.
And if you were wondering how well lit the Paine’s Park is at night, it’s like daytime. Say goodbye to Love Park, except as the most iconic skate board park in the world.
