According to Variety…. Philadelphia born Lee Daniels will direct βDemon House,β based on the story of an Indiana family (Ammons) that has claimed to be a victim of demonic possession. Several Hollywood players, including MGM and Miramax, were vying for rights to the Oscar-nominated directorβs upcoming project. Netflixβs $65 million price tag β a hefty sum covering the filmβs production budget and buyouts β secured the sale, according to Deadline Hollywood, who broke the news of Netfliks purchase.
I had mentioned in December Lee Daniels would be filming Demon House in our area after attending a Phildanco event where Daniels was to be honored, but wasn’t able to make it. At that event Sharon Pinkenson announced he’d be back in our area to do this film. Thanks to the GPFO and all the work they do to secure these projects.
Idris Elba in Concrete Cowboy starring Caleb McLaughlin which filmed in Philly August 2019
Demon House reunites Daniels and Andra Day, who recently worked together on Huluβs musical biographical drama βThe United States vs. Billie Holiday.β Rounding out the cast includes Glenn Close, Octavia Spencer, Rob Morgan, βStranger Thingsβ actor Caleb McLaughlin (who filmed Concrete Cowboy in 2019) and βKing Richardβ breakout Aunjanue Ellis.
The Bagan family moved into the house after the Ammons and did a documentary on their experience. This was their promotional poster.
Here’s my scoop: Look for Demon House to begin filming in our area at the end of April and continue until June. It’ll be filmed in Philadelphia, Sun Studios and my sources tell me in New Jersey.
The Philly Home Show March 18th through 20th and 25th through 27th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Discover. Plan. Do. Two weekends only for great deals, new ideas, and practical advice, with trusted, local experts that can make your dream home a reality;
provided
Bugsy Drake of “The Queen of Theme” is widely known for her role as Chief Stew on Bravoβs Below Deck Mediterranean, Christine βBugsyβ Drake, can be seen dazzling luxury yacht guests with her signature tablescapes and over-the-top theme parties.
Bugsy will be appearing in the Affinity Furniture booth (#824) Saturday, March 26 from 12noon-1pm. She will be signing books and meeting fans. While there you can admire her beautiful tablescapes created using Affinity Furniture tables Philly Home Show
Happy Valentine’s Day. Hope to see you tomorrow at Love Park for the Power99, Love & Grit Wedding Pop up between 10am and noon. Three couples are getting married.
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Congrats Brianna Dugan and Pat Schultz who I caught getting engaged yesterday at Elfreth’s Alley. I was there with a Meetup photo group I belong to. If you want to meet new people, or hang with people with your same interests, there is a Meet Up group in our area for you. Brianna and Pat met on Hinge, so if you’re looking for someone to date that sounds like a good way as well.
‘Servant’ created by Tony Basgallop and executive-produced by The Sixth Sense writer-director M. Night Shyamalan started filming Season 4 this week. Has been the case in past seasons they started production in the neighborhood where it’s set, Fitler/Rittenhouse Sq., before it heads into Night’s replica neighborhood in a studio in Delco.
The Apple TV+ thriller Servant returned for its third season on Friday, Jan. 21, with actors Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, #NellTigerFree, and #RupertGrint coming back for the next chapter of the psychological drama. Watch it!! Then next year the final season of Servant will run. The episodes
You don’t have to have an Instagram account to look at these stories
I photographed the action on Tuesday and Friday this week. Soooo cold Tuesday, spring like on Friday. But the episodes filmed were in the “fall” season. Note pumpkins and leaves.
Little Susie’s has opened at 2nd and Chestnut Streets this weekend. Can’t wait to try some of their pies people rave about. Mushroom & Swiss Pie, Glazed Cherry Pie, Apple Pie, Pork Roll & Cheese Pie. Lot’s happening in Old City lately. Last month I wrote about Riversward Produce opening on Bread Street soon. Last week Frame restaurant opened. I’ll have photos from that event this week.
Thanks to Steven Singer and Slice Pizza Philly for treating the front line workers at Pennsylvania Hospital this past weekend with 350 heart shaped pizzas.
Two local small businesses are teaming up with the most unique Valentine’s Day gifts in the region. Steven Singer Jewelers returns for Valentine’s with their signature 24 kt. gold-dipped roses, including a new color with Emerald City Green. Singer is open at their location at 739 Walnut with special Valentine’s Weekend hours. SliCE is also taking orders and delivering heart-shaped pizza grams now through Valentine’s Day in Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Center City, South Philly, University City and Washington Township. Together, the two have joined forces and Singer is donating part of the proceeds from Valentine’s gold-dipped rose sales to support SliCE and feed over 750 health heroes and frontline staff heart-shaped pizzas this week at both Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital. On Valentine’s Day itself the two will again team up and three lucky heart gram recipients will find a special gold-dipped rose with their heart-shaped pizza.
Steven Singer Jewelers, at 8th and Walnut Street, for in-person shopping as well as their fast and free shipping year-round. Singer’s most popular and well-known item across the city, region and country is their 24 karat gold and platinum dipped roses – Singerβs best selling and most popular products. Singer specifically selected this item to help give back as it is a signature seller that everyone has come to associate him and his company with. The roses are also a very relatable symbol we can all rally around and come together as a community. For many families, there are generations of family members who have been collecting the roses and who are passing them down to their children and grandchildren. Each rose is a one-of-a-kind and comes with a lifetime guarantee. They come in a variety of exclusive colors starting at just $59.
Steven Singer Jewelers is donating a portion of proceeds from Valentine’s sales of his famous 24 karat gold and platinum dipped roses to thank frontline essential hospital workers and first responders – and at the same time support local, independent restaurants during a crisis for their industry. Valentines leading to Mother’s Day is one of Singers’ biggest times of year for the gold-dipped roses – and he wanted to again thank them as they continue to battle COVID 19. This is a win-win to help hospital employees and a way to help SliCE as they work hard to stay in business during the pandemic.
The joint was jumping this past week as Craftsman Row Saloon, at 112 S. 8th Street, debuted their Mardi Gras theme bar/eatery on Thursday. It had all the feels of a great New Orleans party. As with their pop up Christmas themed bar, decorations got you in the mood for some delicious southern delights.
Wednesday night they hosted a media/influencer dinner.
Craftsman Row Saloon is owned by brother-and-sister restaurateurs George and Vasiliki Tsiouris, co-owners of Midtown Villageβs popular Drury Beer Garden that currently features their beloved Greek cuisine with the Opa Pop-Up.
Guests enjoyed Dirty Rice with Shrimp, Ground Beef, Peppers and Onions, which was delicious. Diners were delighted with King Cake Sweet Potato Fries, which really tasted like pancakes at dinner. Sweet was an understatement. Regular menu items are also available like the Dorito coated mozzarella sticks, award-winning burgers, and fiery buffalo mac-n-cheese.
Martin Alfaro , Al Dia News and friends . I’m excited to quietly announce that I will be having a new photo column at Al Dia. I had one about 5 years ago with Liberty City Press, which was an insert in Al Dia, but the editor I worked with left the field. I’m so grateful for Martin to reach out to me as I love delivering great content to the Latino community, and all those who read Al Dia. They have great content, and a beautifully organized website.
Amaris Pollock who dined with Chef Barbie MarshallJamarcus Henderson dining with media magnificent Ernest Owens
Craftsman’s Row Over-theTop Theme Milkshakes were transformed for the season: King of Bourbon Street – Bassetts vanilla ice cream, king cake, white chocolate, cinnamon, powdered donut, caramel drizzle, beads, festive sprinkles (boozy option also available) Bourbon Street Inspired Cocktails Cereal Milk Punch – bourbon, cereal-milk, nutmeg Masquerade Hurricane – light and dark rum, orange, pineapple, lemon Smudge Kit Margarita – tequila, sage, triple sec, lime
Michael Newmuis, Chief of Staff at Visit Philadelphia at Craftsman Row Saloon. Of course I tried to get him to move his head ever so slightly to the left without him knowing… hehehe It was an enjoyable night trying all the new dishes and shakes.
NBC10 co workers Sheila Watko and Lucy Bustamante celebrate the evening, and were still sporting smiles hours later despite Lucy’s car being towed and the dynamic duo had to bail her out of the PPA impoundment. I want these two at my next party. They knew the assignment.
Also in on the assignment sisters Alyse Scaffidi and Lexi Scaffidi with Alyse ‘s husband ππ²π₯π πππ«πππ«π«π² (c)
Hello Chit Chatters, I hope you had a wonderful week. Winter got real these past few weeks. It was cold, it snowed, but life continues with caution and optimism . One of futures hope is the beautiful, life changing Jefferson Specialty Care Pavilion which held it’s Topping Off Ceremony earlier this week.
Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health topped off a $762 million, 19-floor Specialty Care Pavilion at 11th and Chestnut streets that will eventually become the centerpiece of its Philadelphia campus. One of the
H. Richard Haverstick, Jr., Interim President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson University
The new facility, spanning approximately 462,000 square feet, will feature:
more than 300 exam rooms
58 infusion chairs
10 operating rooms
six endoscopy rooms
imaging and lab services
a pharmacy
three levels of underground parking for added patient convenience
Designed by renowned architectural firms Ennead Architects and Stantec, the Specialty Care Pavilion will be especially welcoming to aging neurodiverse populations, such as patients with autism and dementia. The building is anticipated to house many of Jeffersonβs nationally ranked services in one location, creating unparalleled convenience for patients. The future looks bright. Read more about the Specialty Care Pavilion at Metro Philly, and Phila Biz Journal.
Justin Beiber was spotted in Lancaster County Wednesday according Lancaster Online to (PS I had heard the Beibs was rehearsing at Rock Lititz last week, but was sitting on the story until I wrote about my own visit to Lancaster which I will do on Monday.) He’s at the famedsound stages of Rock Lititz staging his upcoming concert tour, Bieber’s world tour, called “The Justice World Tour 2022” which starts later this month. If you recall right before the pandemic started, he was spotted in Philly at the Rocky Steps, and the Four Seasons, which I wrote about. After his tour was scrapped I mentioned he was headed to Rock Lititz to rehearse his tour then as well. Since then I have visited Lititz to check out the place. It’s very cool, a very large campus of warehouses in which several musicians have come to rehearse their shows before heading out on tour including Katy Perry, Mumford & Sons, Green Day and Ariana Grande to name a few. Next up for Lititz is the Fire and Ice Festival in a few weeks. I wonder if Beiber will stop by. Here’s the INFO
Frank Potts, Elmer C. Hudson and Jameel H. Worthy help with the robing ceremony of Judge Lori Dumas
Pennsylvaniaβs Commonwealth Court welcomed its newest judge as Lori Dumas was sworn in Wednesday during a ceremonial session led by state Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dougherty at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
The setting at the Constitution Center was perfect, in the shadow of Independence Hall. The tributes paid to Judge Dumas were moving, and her comments about others who went before her and planted the seeds was monumental (like the first black women elected, Doris A Smith -RibnerRetired of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania for the United States Supreme Court.) Thank you to those who went before us. More photos and stories at CBSPhilly, and Phila Tribune.
Hello readers, I hope you’re well. Hello new readers too, thank you so much for following me. I see I have over 100 new followers in January. In December I added this link to my instagram and it’s been very useful for followers to find my blog. So I receomend it. linktr.ee/Hughedillon
A few weeks ago I saw workers cleaning up graffiti along 19th Street. I asked the man about this program and he told me it was called CLIP. Community Life Improvement Program
The Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) helps Philadelphians make the City a nicer place to live. As part of this mission, we:
Remove graffiti vandalism from buildings, street signs, and other street fixtures.
Enforce the Cityβs regulations to make sure vacant lots and areas are kept clean.
Lend supplies and offer trash pickup for CLIP-coordinated neighborhood cleanups.
Provide adult non-violent offenders the opportunity to complete their community service sentences by cleaning and beautifying the city.
To utilize this service call 311
Tune IN: Dr. Thanuja Hamilton is making her debut on the Nick Cannon Show tomorrow on Fox29 at NOON. She gets in bed with Nick and gives him advice on how to get the best sleep.
Congratulations to Lesley Van Arsdall, former sports reporter on CBSPhilly has co written a book with former Eagles player Brian Westbrook. They revealed the children’s book cover earlier this month, which will debut in June,
Last Saturday night Jerry Blavat and Friends entertained friends and fans at the Kimmel Center located on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. It was a fantastic night of entertainment with legendary stars. Check out Metro Philly and CBSPhilly for more photos and story.
We all headed to the Ritz afterwards, where I ran into Andy Cosenza and friends, including his bestie Alexis Lord, Flyers Dance Team.
New Tune: A new show hosted by Jimmy Fallon called “That’s My Jam”; an hour long music and comedy variety game show featuring teams of celebrities that include T-Pain, Normani, Bebe Rexa, Chance The Rapper, Kelly Clarkson and more. Think of it kind of like celebrity karaoke. House DJ is Philly’s DJ Aktive, notable for being a tour DJ, one who gets the crowd fired up at concerts, he goes on for who spins for Patti LaBelle, Common, Diddy and Janet Jackson.
Speaking of DJ Aktive, he’s hosting a a gig on his Instagram tomorrow 1/28 right before the anticipated Documentary βJanet Jacksonβ debuts on Lifetime. “Letβs party on my IG 12pm EST and give the Queen her flowers” Link Thanks so much for tuning in. Chit Chat tomorrow…
Bon voyage Marilyn Russell. The legendary radio dj/personality announced on Instagram that she is no longer with WOGL . Marilyn has been with WOGL since January 2017 (I used to be on with her every Friday before the pandmic), when she joined the stationβs Breakfast Club broadcast alongside former WOGL hosts Frank Lewish and Bill Zimpfer, who departed the station later that year. (Valerie Knight who was part of the Breakfast Club had been laid off). Marilyn dominated the morning rush hour for several years, before moving to the 11am to 1pm slot, and then to doing just her weekly radio show “Remarkable Women” which aired every Sunday, and was featured on the WOGL website.
Valerie Knight went on to host Weekdays 6AM-10AM on the Breeze 106.1FM. Here’s Valerie and Marilyn Russell at the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Media Night for Pretty Women: The Musical 2 weeks ago. The longtime Philly radio personality, Marilyn Russell began her Philadelphia broadcasting career in 1993 at WDRE. She was laid off from 95.7 BEN-FM in November 2016, prompting her move to WOGL. Marilyn told her followers she’ll be in Arizona for the time being.
Congrats to my friend Miguel Martinez-Valle who will be covering 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing for @nbcphiladelphia and @telemundo62. Can’t wait to catch his reports.
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, that could only mean one thing – a great Galentine’s Party. Louie Louie in University City is hosting one. Co-owenr Sydney Grimes announced on her instagram: 3rd Annual Galentineβs Day @louielouiephl on Feb 10th 6-8pm! The event will be hosted by my best friend Editor in Chief of @phillystylezine@antonialdepace and I! ππThe event is BYOG β bring your own girlfriends and features Philadelphiaβs top FEMALE vendors
Short & Sweet today. I have a last minute thingy to attend. I have a lot more gossip and tidbits, which I will post tomorrow. Thanks so much HughE
Hello readers. I’m sorry I ghosted you again. Last week I wrote about having writers block, and being stuck. Going into our 3rd year of the pandemic and my business has come to a halt, again and it’s thrown me for a loop. Events which were schedule for January and even February have been postponed, and left me unmotivated. I’ve been sleeping a lot. Mike will tell you there’s a lot to do, and I do have a lot to do. I just have to have hope, as you do, that this will end soon, or we will just live with it. Prayers to about a dozen of my friends who must have gotten the Delta version over the holidays, as they are still very sick. Entire families are getting sick, so mask up, especially in crowds. OK I did cover a few things this week, as well as found fun tidbits on the internet you might find interesting too.
So many pretty women came out to see Pretty Woman: The Musical last week at the Kimmel Cultural Campus, including WOGL’s legendary personality Marilyn Russell, who attended the show with contest winners. Each of the winners received a rose from Marilyn, provided by Acme supermarkets.
Carole Morganti, CJM Public Relations, Valerie Knight,106.1 The Breeze and Cindy Webster, WIP
A standout in the production has to be scene stealer Kyle Taylor Parker in βPretty Woman: The Musical.β, who plays 2 main characters. I wish I had two pairs of hands to clap my appreciate of his performance. The show was just as charming, and plays through January 16th. It’s what we all need right now..
Congratulations to the Sugar Factory Philadelphia which officially opened on Saturday night hosted by celebrity DJ, Jersey Shore star DJ Pauly D. Thanks to my wire service Photo Image Press for placing one of my shots in People Magazine. it’s always fun to get national exposure.
Locally the photos ran in my Around Town With HughE Dillon column at Metro Philly and CBSPhilly. If you want me to cover your party, event, ribbon cutting or press conference click HERE for the details.
Sixers Tobias Harris celebrated the opening of his friend’s new store – Crumbl Cookies, in Wynnewood on January 6, 2022! Owner and operator Charles Terry III said he’s been friends with Harris for 11 years, and when the New York native decided to open up a Crumbl in Philadelphia, he knew exactly who to call to help with the launch as well as serve as a brand ambassador. Sixers Tobias Harris and Crumbl Brand ambassador and Charles Terry III of Wynnewood See more photos at CBSPHILLY and Phila Tribune as well as the April issue of Main Line Today.
Tobias Harris and his family: Dad Torrel Harris, sister Tesia Harris, fiance Jasmine Winton, and mom Lisa Harris. Tobias and Tesia were engaged in 2020, with Tobias popping the question at their future retirement home in LaJolla.
Dish of the Week. After photographing Crumbl I realized I was near DePaul‘s in Ardmore. I heard their octopus dish was delicious, so I headed over there for dinner. It’s always easy to find parking in Ardmore. Usually I get a spot on the street nearby, or when nothing’s available I park at Suburban Square a few blocks away. The dish was better than good, with a little kick to boot. I really enjoyed it, as well as the steak and Brussels Sprouts.
Things are happening in Old City: Last week I wrote about the new Cosi at 10th and Chestnut, well the old Cosi at 4th and Chestnut is about to become PINGPOD: Ping Pong on Demand – the Future of Table Tennis. Unlike the uptown SPIN , Ping Pod is not a nightclub atmosphere but similar to going to the gym and reserving the paddle board court to play. Plus they give lessons if you want to perfect your game. It stresses Covid safety, so look for it to open in a few weeks to entice us to get out of the house.
This is exciting news, especially since Mike and I have started eating whole food plant based dished, he’s now a full time whole food guy, I’ll be eating it at home, but when I am out I will be conscious of eating healthy, we’ve agreed. Anywho: Riverwardsproduce is opening in the heart of Old City on Bread Street, bread is actually allowed on my whole food plan, but not butter. Anyway They Are Hiring and at a decent wage.
It’s more than just construction and a beautiful space. In order to grow and open new locations we need the right people. Riverwards is hiring all positions right now and we offer a $16 starting wage, wellness and mental health support via Healthy Pour and Fishtown Wellness Center, 20% employee discount, Paid Time Off that includes vacation, sick time, bereavement time and family leave time and that’s not all. With the additional revenue from RWP2 we can now offer a HEALTH CARE package to our employees! This has been a dream of mine since the beginning. Follow the link in bio to learn more and apply. Let’s do this βπ»π± πΈ: @roccoavallone Riverwards Produce 2 opening spring 2022
OK this wasn’t so bad. Back to business. Maybe I’ll do these informative columns for a bit, as well as celebrate past columns as PhillyChitChat turns 15 this year. Tomorrow night I am banging the drum at the Flyers game, which is their equivelent to ringing the bell at the Sixers. So honored. Excited. And nervous. Also I read your emails about the print being small when you read it on your phones. I realize when I do two photos side by side, the photos don’t publish correctly and the print gets smaller. For the time being I will do one photo per paragraph, and see what can be done as I do love those side by side photos, and slideshows. On desktops and laptops it comes out fine, just not on phones. Thanks, and have a great day….
We are in the middle of merriment as Christmas is only 13 days away, can you believe it. Time really flies, even when folks put up their trees and lights in October now. I have a few stops to make this week, and then I go away to see the family. Hope you are making memories, even if you’re staying home. Watch TV with friends. Sometimes I watch with them on the phone, other times I ask one of my friends to watch something and then chitchat on the phone after we’ve both watched it to figure out what went on; I know most of you have watched And Just Like That by now. Great to be back with the girls, but wowsie!!
Stratus Lounge, high above Independence Park with it’s sky views, had a few of us over for a festive holiday celebration last Thursday. 433 Chestnut St.,Β 11thΒ Floor of Kimpton Hotel MonacoΒ I 215.925.2889 IΒ https://stratuslounge.com/ Don’t miss their New Year’s Eve celebration.
Ring in New Yearβs Eve atΒ StratusΒ RooftopΒ Lounge,Β the chic rooftop venue on the 11thΒ floor of theΒ KimptonΒ Hotel Monaco in Old City,Β onΒ Friday, December 31Β withΒ Mr. Hollywood DJβs First Annual NYE Bash.Β Starting at 9pm, guests can bid farewell to 2021 under the stars with top-tier entertainment, celebratory cocktails, premium open bar, delicious hors dβoeuvres, and more.Β General Admission Gold ($150) includes entry toΒ StratusΒ Rooftop Lounge and open bar, whereas General Admission Platinum ($175) includes admission, open bar, reserved pavilion food areas, and seating.Β (Trust me spend the extra $25, you’ll want access to the pavillions) ClickΒ hereΒ for details on tickets and packages.Β
Congratulations ContourΒ Body Studio on your new spot in Ardmore at 55 Rittenhouse Place!! Β
Congratulations to WMMR’s Pierre Robert on 40 years with the station. His friends and co-workers, ie friends, through him a party at Rittenhouse’ Charley Dove formerly Audrey Claire’s.
Here’s what Marisa Magnatta posted:
“We all have a story of meeting Pierre for the first time. Mine occurred after The Stones βNo Security Tour.β We saw him outside the First Union Center recording concert coverage with the Roving Rock Microphone and my dad nudged me to say hi.
I did. When Pierre asked this 16yr old girl in 1999 what she thought of the band I replied βtheyβre phat!β He giggled and said βwell, that has to be the first time Mick has ever been referred to as fat!β
And that was it. I didnβt even recall that memory until years later, after working with Pierre through countless post-concert coverages, followed by late night dinners and enjoying just a handful of martinis together.
He is a friend and a mentor. And not just to the lucky folks working atΒ @933wmmr, but to the whole damn city!”
Andrea Bocelli was in town this past week to perform with the Philly Pops Wednesday at Wells Fargo. He and his family arrived on Monday and checked into the Four Seasons. Have you seen their Christmas decorations. So beautiful. You don’t have to be staying there, or even eating there to stop by and see the glory. That evening Bocelli his wife Veronica BertiΒ his daughter Virginia and a few friends headed to Gran CaffeΒ L’Aquila with a few friends. They didn’t even announce they were going, just got a resy, sat and ate. They’re just like us, but Andrea and Virginia can sing like angels. Yes it’s true, she is gifted. She sang a few songs with him at his Wells Fargo concert. The next day they were off to explore Philly. First stop Christmas Village, then to Dilworth Park for ice skating. A stop in Macy’s. A few people recognized him, and he stopped for photos. Then it was back to the Four Seasons and dinner at JG Sky High, with it’s beautiful views. Wednesday was rest and the concert.
Speaking of Wells Fargo Center- Alex Rodriguez, A Rod was in the house Saturday night. J-Lo’s ex, Yankee superstar, entrepreneur was spotted at the Wells Fargo Center as the Sixers trounced the Golden State Warriors 102 – 93!!! (Thanks to Caryn Kunkle who tagged me in this photo)
Time got away with me this week. Here are a list of parties I photographed and which media picked them up.
The Opening of The Fin – which by the way was delicious. Reasonably priced. Great atmosphere, and roomy.
Saturday night was more than alright, it was downright beautiful. So many folks were out enjoying our wonderful City. I took this shot at 9PM at Broad & Chestnut Streets. Just a random stop at a traffic light, but every block beforehand was just as jumping with folks happy to be out and about.
Last week I covered WMMR’s Preston & Steve’s Camp Out for Hunger, dream come true to cover it wall to wall. It was fun to see how it all operates. Check out their website for photos
I met Meredith from The Office. I tried not to fan out too much. Watching The Office during the pandemic really helped me get through it. I didn’t watch the original run, but I had seen it once before a few years back. To my thrill the actress Kate Flannery is now following me on Twitter. Hi to my Twitter followers. I met a few at Camp Out For Hunger, they don’t follow me on Instagram, just Twitter. I have to do better over there, I tend to focus on Instagram mostly. BTW Dionne Warwick follows me on Twitter too, as does Rosie and Margaret Cho. It’s quite the group.
Look who’s in town. I’m thinking he’s going to be co-hosting the Will Smith book launch event tonight at The Met, the duo are working on a remake of Trains, Planes and Automobiles and just maybe this would explain why Kevin Hart is in town too. Kevin was EVERYWHERE in Philly this weekend. Whereas Will Smith has kept a very low presence in Philly for the past decade, (I hear he arrived in town in the wee hours of the morning today), Kevin has made 2 movies here, and countless appearances including at his mural dedication, and visiting his Alma Mater George Washington High School on Friday. Friday night Kevin Hart stopped byHelium Comedy Club and surprised the audience. He performed after Dave Landau headlined. My friend Eda said he was hysterical. Here’s a shot of Kevin with Dave sent to me by @heliumcomedyphl Saturday night he had dinner at South. Repost from @weare_tajeva (r)
Philly is so popular with the Real Housewives franchise many stopped by, and love our eateries like @sonjatmorgan whose fav is @louielouiephl according to an interview in Philly Style Mag; People have tried to launch a Philly version without success cause the REAL $$ housewives of Philly husbands have said no!! That being said someone (anonymous) sent me a photo of Sheree Whitfield The Real Housewives of Atlanta filming @cariboucafe on Sunday. Girl I know it was nippy, but itβs fall not winter. She left in season 10 but sheβs coming back in season 14 and my instagram readers are there for it!!
Official fall is a week away, but you wouldn’t know it with this weeks weather. So get out and enjoy these last few weeks of warm weather, as the Old Farmer’s Almanac says we are in for a cold, snowy winter. I shot this at the Waterworks last week, definitely one of the best spots to catch a sunset in Philly. Bring a blanket, lay on the lawn and enjoy.
I caught up with Jaleel White, aka Urkel from Family Matters who’s in town to film scenes in Adam Sandler’s Netflik movie Hustle this week. He told me he plays an assistant gm to the basketball team. He was here last fall filming as well before it was interrupted by the pandemic and was able to take in the sites of Philadelphia. He loves our robust foodie scene in the City and as soon as he returned to film final scenes of the series, he hit up some of our best eateries. Friday night he dined with friends at Vernick Fish. Saturday night he went to Philly’s newest sushi restaurant Izakaya by Yanaga (1832 Frankford Ave with chef Kevin Yanaga aka The Sushi Whisperer in Fishtown. He headed to the kitchen to say hi to the chef, and staff. Then he watched them prepare the dumplings he was about to eat. He also enjoyed Oishi Shrimp Taco, the Toro Roll, Duck Onigiri, while enjoying cocktails “Dance of the Celestial Maiden” Sake Cape May “The Purp” “Tea Time” Cocktail. Hustle is slated to film through the end of September. Hustle stars Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah and LeBron James.
Speaking of good food, I think everyone knows I really want to learn to cook. I have been watching lots of cooking shows. I’ve partnered with The Blok folks. I can’t wait to get this cutting board, which also has a screen to watch cooking lessons, as well as a way to chitchat with family and friends to cook alongside. Are you interested, CLICK HERE
The Best Dish I had this week, was actually the Shrimp & Grits, and the Kielbasa at the new Sandpiper Coastal Bar & Grill at Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City. Absolutely worth the trip for these dishes. I’m going to call them #destinationdishes. Mike enjoyed the Mahi Mahi Tacos, Blackened Mahi-Mahi Tacos, the Diver Scallops and especially the Monkey Bread for dessert. Atlantic City isn’t as far as it seems to enjoy good food, and a night out.
Speaking of the shore, congratulations to Derek Abes and his beautiful bride Kimberly, who were married Sunday at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul. Derek spends the summers at the shore mixing cocktails at Memories, as Jerry Blavat spins for the adoring crowd. In the off months, you can find Derek behind the bar at the Ritz-Carlton. Congrats!!
Congratulations are also in order for Mr. and Mrs Jones as the former Brittini Crabtree married the love of her life, Charles Jones on Sunday at The Farm at Eagles Ridge in Lancaster. Brittni and CJ met at Penn State University senior year and graduated in 2015. He popped the question last summer at their favorite shore spot Cape May. Brittini and Charles Jones reside in Philadelphia near her sister Tiffani Solomon – Matron of Honor. Go Eagles!!
David’s Bridal is having their annual sale on wedding dresses. Gowns for $99
Congrats to @chris_sowers – Heβs going to be a Papa to a little girl soon!!!!!! And Murphy pants gets a sister ππ₯°πΌπΆπ£πΌπ¨πΌβπΌHe just made the announcement on @6abc! pic.twitter.com/2KJq4x8soS
