Categories
Philadelphia

OPENING SOON New Restaurants on Chestnut Street – And A Food Review

I took a walk around Philly Thursday and noticed a few new eateries that are about to make the City a little more exciting.

I’m really excited that my favorite pizza place is opening up downtown at 703 Chestnut Street. Luigi’s Pizza Fresca. They have a few stores in South Jersey and one across the street from where I live in Fairmount. For a short time they owned Lulu’s at 236 Market Street, but that place has since closed.
I chatted with the gal at the Fairmount location and she said that within a week the new location should be opened. They use the best cheese and have the best chicken wings.

 Update on Butcher Bar (2034 Chestnut Street.) which is owned by the Valanni/Varga/Mercato’s George Anni. It’s supposed to be completed by June 2015. I’m a big fan of their eateries so I look forward to patronizing this nugget. You can read more here at PhillyMag’s Foobooz.
 Utrecht Art Supplies at 2020 Chestnut St closed a few years back, but seems to be on the brink of new life.
as the KJ Choi Corporation has filed for a liquor license.
You may know them as the folks who own Food & Friends in Rittenhouse Square. It’s a cute grocery store, coffee shop and beer take out place. Now the sign has been up there for a little bit, but I checked with the LCB and the application is still pending. I have no doubt as this will happen as the it’s right near several new residential high rises. (Photos above borrowed from Yelp.)
 The Chestnut Street – Philly Bagels Place is just about to open. I love their Hot Bagels sign. They’re located across from Nordstrom Rack at 17th and Chestnut Street.
*******************
Not on Chestnut, but noteworthy. 
I went to Gyukaku Philly last week. The idea is kinda fun, there’s a hibachi grill in the middle of the table, and you have an option to cook your own meat, and vegetables. Kory and I both had appetizers, and he had two drinks. I had a diet coke. The bill was $101, which I think is a little expensive. I would call this a date place or with lots of friends place. I was surprised that the eatery itself seemed so worn already, unless they were going for that. And now a word from our sponsors.
 The Shishito Peppers are back at Penn 6. I really love them.
Categories
Philadelphia

Golden Globe Gowns For Affordable Prices at David’s Bridal, Plus Winter Sales at Nicole Miller and Sophy Curson

Good Monday Morning. Hope you had a great weekend. I’m working on my PhillyMag column regarding a fun party I went to on Friday night at Stratus Lounge. Besides being a fabulous party, I noticed that Stratus Lounge has tented over the entire rooftop lounge & it’s heated. This is a game changer and will definitely help the winter doldrums for a bar that celebrates the great outdoors.

 David’s Bridal sent me a press release matching gowns they have with some of the gowns worn on the red carpet at the Golden Globes last night. Last night’s Golden Globes produced some
show-stopping fashion moments. Below are some of the head turning red
carpet lookalikes that are both on-point and on-trend for your award
show fashion coverage. (you can click on the photos to make them larger.)
Whether you’re looking
for a classic black gown like Amal Clooney’s red carpet stunner,

craving
to achieve the shimmering style of stars like Reese Witherspoon

or
trying to emulate the red carpet aisle style of Salma Hayek’s ivory ball
gown,

Just like the Red Carpet season has begun nationally, the same goes for the Philadelphia area as well. The Hair of the Dog is next week, then it’s the Academy Ball, The Auto Show’s Black Tie Tailgate and before you know it the Philadelphia Flower Show gala. Another favorite place to shop, is holding their most fabulous sale of the year, Nicole Miller Philadelphia.

One last fashion fun, I spotted this cape at

Sophy Curson: Fine Clothing For Women

19th & Sansom Street

Kinda cute, and they’re having a nice sale too.

Categories
Philadelphia

Will there really be a Real Housewives of Philly?

The Gilmore Girls are coming to Netfliks on Oct 1. Now that’s a must see.

Take Vulture’s Gilmore Girls Superfan Quiz

Over the past few weeks the lovely ladies of Philadelphia have been telling me that “The Real Housewives” franchise has been contacting them to see if they would audition for the show. This has happened several times before and nothing came to fruition, but this time there might be something to it as I would discover.

It turns out that the maybe the Philadelphia franchise won’t be a real housewives project per se, more of a women in business reality TV. So if you’re self employed, independently wealthy, making things happen, just getting started and willing to put your life on display, this is your show.
I have a little advice for the ladies….(some of whom have been asked, some haven’t, some I’ve left off as they just can’t do it cause there’s no deleting a gotcha statement on TV.)

Being fairly wealthy or having a sugar daddy (I’m looking at you so many housewives but Nene comes to mind) might help, you have to go to all those parties and wear so many outfits.
Maria Papadakis and Sabrina Tamburino are two of the young Real Housewives always mentioned when these show’s come to town. Neither one are going to do it, but should. I remember going to NYC to pick out a dress for Maria and she could have been on that dress show hot or not or something like that, but she was not willing to have a public disagreement with her mom or friends for TV.
 It’s not a good idea to take loans out to pretend your rich, or skip on paying your taxes like say the alleged charges against Teresa Giudice, but after she gets out of jail she can reinvent her life. (I took this shot at a wedding expo last year of all places.) 
 
Gogo Morrow is perfect for the show – she’s on the brink of stardom and this will get her over the hill quicker than say Danity Kane.

Flair: Sarah Doheny, YUBr , she knows a thing about reality tv after working with Bam Margera on his wedding for MTV.

Maybe your a beautiful model, spokesperson like Kharisma McIlwaine.

Jill Rizen, stylish, confident and says what’s on her mind in the nicest way.
Erin Elmore, lives in a penthouse overlooking the square and her son’s name is Royce. She’s a QVC personality, and she was on Donald Trump’s Apprentice show. Her friends are the socialites of Rittenhouse Square. I’d have to add Kristin Foote (r) as a potential castmate. She’s in real estate with an office on Rittenhouse Square. She knows where the skeleton’s are buried. She holds court at Rouge.

 Susan Helfich, she runs celebrity cruises, no really with celebrities. She also goes to Sundance and Cannes film festivals.
 Amber G. stylish, hot husband, married in Newport RI and sweet with an iron fist successful.

 Christie Honigman, The Honigman Group. Successful, beautiful, well connected and tough as nails. “Don’t Mess With Me Fellas.”

Lisa Moreno-Dickinson,C.A.I.D Foundation and Jen Groover, entrepeneur. These two are succeeding in a man’s world. They played to win, you’ll never see them sweat.

PHILLY’S FORMER “Mob Wives” star, Alicia DiMichele, owns two clothing stores and runs in a colorful crowd – here she is with  Natalie Merlino. I’d like to see her back on TV with her take no prisoners attitude, and popular personality. She has a lot of engagement with her fans.
Dana Spain, founder of the Pennsylvania Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Recently she’s been delving into real estate as a developer. She’s a no nonsense, straight to the point lady, reasonable but pulls no punches. We’d learn a lot about life and business from her.

Tim Adams, co owner of Penn 6 (r), everyone needs a gay best friend and he’s hysterical.

Atlanta born Amber Hikes, founder of Philly’s Stimulus parties, the hot monthly lesbian soirees. She’s also chair of the William Way Center‘s resource development committee, a member of the Philly Dyke March planning committee, and in 2013 was honored after being named grand marshall of Philly’s Pride parade.

Beth Shak (L): We’d finally get a chance to check out those shoes worth a million bucks.
Everyone in this photo. I’ve been to parties where men fight over each of these girls and chairs have gone flying and it wasn’t even Mercury Retrograde. Kim Perri, Megan Heaton and Lindsay Furman and Allison LaValla

 

Kathryn Roberson (r), business women, well connected, and able to handle any nitpicking nit wit.
Jamie Reibenbach (L) – Her FB Page yesterday:
Rosh Hashanah Dinner part deux…. ‪#‎jelloshots‬ ‪#‎yummy‬ ‪#‎reibenbachsinthecity‬ ‪#‎jewishnewyear‬ ‪#‎tofulltomove‬ ‪#‎shanatova‬ ‪#‎muchneededstomachpump‬
and who doesn’t love her 
#‎jamieism‬ Everyone can’t go where you’re going in life. As you mature, change comes. As you make changes some friendships will come to an end……

Oh wait there’s Erin Elmore (r) again, have these two ever had a cat fight?

Reality Show alumni Dom Streater  the winner of Project Runway season 12, she’s making her way up the velvet ladder. She just presented at NYFW Spring 2015, and is working on her Fall 2015. She’s a chameleon, every time I see her it’s a different look, personality, she’s finding her way. She’d be perfect for a reality show, maybe one of her own too.
I hear Will Smith’s sister Ellen Smith, (c) and Terri Matthews, Jaden’s Voice (r) might be on this show. Here the two women are at Nicole Miller’s XIX Most Fashionable Women. If you click on the title it will take you to the column on Philly Mag where you will find another women who will be on the show. The first person to guess right in the comments I will give you a pair of tickets to Mike Jerrick’s Ya Gotta Try this event on October 2.

Categories
Philadelphia

Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario and Will Poulter Stop By Talk Philly on their Press Junket for #MazeRunner. Where else did they go?

Dylan O’Brien (He co-stars as Stiles in the MTV series Teen Wolf.)  was in town on Tuesday for a press junket for his new movie The Maze Runner which opens in theaters September 19.

Dylan O’Brien walking in CBS3 Philly’s lobby.

The 23-year-old actor was joined by his co-stars Kaya Scodelario and Will Poulter for a taping of Talk Philly on CBS3 Philly with Ukee Washington.

Earlier in the day the trio made an appearance on Fox 29’s Good Day show which was
filming outside at Independence Hall. It was Mike Jerrick‘s co-host
Alex Holly’s 2nd day on the job and an array of people came by to
welcome her including Mayor Nutter and Betsy Ross. (Check out what event Mike & Alex will be hosting on 9/16 with the Eagles including Mark Sanchez and Demco Ryan.)

After Dylan, Kaya and Will left Fox 29 they headed to a Q&A at Q102,
then stopped by Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania to meet a few kids
there. Then headed over to CBS Philly. Look for the airing of the clip soon.

These pixs were distributed by my wireservice WENN and Just Jared picked them up with a fun story.



Categories
Philadelphia

I was there when Katy Perry Climb The Rocky Steps, plus pixs from her concert & her look a like Fans & Her Dad

Katy Perry performed two sold out shows at the Wells Fargo Center This Week.(Katy Perry Runs Up The Rocky Steps photos are at the bottom of the page.)

 Thanks to Bentley Holdings for inviting me to hang with them Monday night in their box and catch the concert. Gregory Heinz, Daria Cuda, Morgan DeNicola, Cosmo DeNicola (co-owner of the Soul Football Team), Natalie Scarantino, Maura McGlone and Lauren Richardson

Before the show I captured a few of the Katy Perry fans. They were very excited to see her.

I ran into Katy Perry’s dad Keith Hudson who was more than happy to pose with fans.
A nice crowd was on hand for the concert.
There were lots of fun songs and costume changes

 an ode to Grace Jones
 At one point during the concert Katie stopped to take a selfie with a fan.
 I happen to know that guy, his name is Temple University student Ian Raymond. He’s a uber fan of everyone current and always seems gets to meet his favorites. This has to be one of those most memorable times.

Katy Perry enjoys a Ralph & Rickey pizza with a fan.

 Another fan interaction came when Katy Perry pulled up a local high school girl Madison for the Birthday Song. Madison’s bday is August 20.
    One of my favorite moments of the concert came when Katy Perry flew around the arena, she came very close to all sections and the song Happy Bithday ended like this..
Spectacular!!

Monday night Katy told the fans she’d be going to a few museums during her stay
 Tuesday she was more specific, saying on stage that she’d be going to the Philadelphia Art Museum to run up the Rocky Steps at midnight. She showed up (with a police escort) and so did about 200 fans.

as the night wore on more and more people showed up
Katy did her best to pose and chat with as many fans as possible during this crazy melee.The police did an amazing job with the crowd control. No matter how much the fans chanted run the steps, it wasn’t going to happen, there were way too many people.

Before I got there I heard Katy Perry had already run up the Rocky Steps and on her way down encountered the fans.


 but at some point it became overwhelming and the police started to lead her back to her car
 
I call this photo, Katy Perry realizes she’s being led to the wrong car, eventually they got it right and got her to her black Sterling Limousine rented SUV (it says that on the back of the car)
When she got safely back to the car she told the police and her handlers she’d pose for a few more photos with the kids.

 And she did, in her pizza Snuggie!!

I like how she checks afterwards to make sure the photo is perfect.
I keep my promises Philly!


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Categories
Philadelphia

PARTY LIKE YOU’RE GOLDEN 10 Arts’ Red Carpet Party on March 2, 2014 – Oscar awards ceremony

PARTY LIKE YOU’RE GOLDEN
10 Arts’ Red Carpet Party on March 2
 
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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Matthew Vlahos/MVPR, 267-687-0226 or matthew@vlahospr.com
Bradley Pacana/The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, 215-523-8272 or bradley.pacana@ritzcarlton.com
Categories
Philadelphia

What did Jason Cichonski bring back from Top Chef New Orleans?

 2 weeks ago

 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.)
Categories
Philadelphia

VIP Party Pixs: Paine’s Park Skate Board Park for Day and Night, and the most beautiful setting in the world

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 
 Angela McCafferty, Joe Bray and Emily Bittenbender, Bittenbender Construction – Philadelphia
 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.

Lorenzo Errico, Founder of Formation Skateboard Company

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
Event website

I’m Coming Out- Another One Bites the Dust –

Spinning by DJ Eddie Tully

 Unicycle
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.
Categories
Philadelphia

Ben Franklin Parkway, Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Drive Closures 2013

I couldn’t find this online anywhere, but my neighbor is on the Parkway Council Board and sent it to me. We live on the Parkway and every weekend wake up to someone blaring music and yelling thru a megaphone. Then we think What’s On The Parkway? Sorry they’re not pretty they came on excel spreadsheets and I couldn’t format them correctly. I think an intern that can do that. Feel free to copy and distribute so others can be informed. Thanks HughE

2013 BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN PARKWAY EVENT CLOSURES 
Day Date   Event  Time
Sunday 3/10/2013   St. Patrick’s Day
Parade                                           10AM to 4PM
10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday 3/17/2013   Greek Independence Day Parade                                8AM to 4PM 8 AM to 4 PM
Saturday 4/20/2013   Philadelphia Science Festival in
Logan Circle               10AM to 4PM
10 AM to 4 PM
Saturday 5/4/2013   Philadelphia Turkish Parade                                       10AM to 4PM 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday 5/12/2013   Susan Komen Foundation Race for
the Cure                6AM to noon
6 AM to 12 Noon 2013 Parkway closures.xlsx
Thursday 7/4/2013   July 4th Concert & Fireworks (Jimmy Jam, The Roots) – ALL DAY 11 AM to 11 PM
Saturday 8/31/2013   Made In America Concert (Timberlake, NIN)                         ALL DAY 8 AM to 11 PM
Sunday 9/1/2013   Made In America Concert (Beyonce, JayZ)                            ALL DAY 8 AM to 11 PM
Sunday 9/8/2013   Bike Philly                                                                 8 AM to 10 AM 8 AM to 10 AM
Sunday 9/15/2013   Philadelphia Distance Run                                            8 AM to 10 AM 8 AM to 10 AM
Saturday 9/28/2013   Ratha-Yatra Parade                                                    

  Ratha-Yatra Parade                                                     10 AM to 4 PM
10 AM to 4 PM
Saturday 9/28/2013   Campus Philly                              10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday 9/29/2013   Puerto Rican Day Parade/Parkway
Run                     8AM to 4PM  
8 AM to 4 PM
Sunday 10/6/2013   Pulaski Day Parade                                                  10AM to 4PM 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday 10/20/2013   AIDS Walk                                                              8AM to 1PM 8 AM to 1 PM
Saturday 11/16/2013   Philadelphia Marathon 8K Run                                   6AM to 4PM 6 AM to 4 PM
Sunday 11/17/2013   Philadelphia Marathon & Half                              6AM to 4PM 6 AM to 4 PM
Thursday 11/28/2013   Thanksgiving Day Parade (Kelly Ripa)                         7AM to 1PM 7 AM to 1 PM
Vehicular
traffic to all or portions of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Eakins Oval, and
Logan Circle will be
closed
during these events.  Intermittent
traffic patterns may be established and regulated by the
Philadelphia
Police Department.

2013 Martin Luther King
Drive Event Closures tentative
Day Event Time
2nd Saturday of March March 16, 2013 Upenn/Drexel
Cycling Tour De Philadelphia
6 AM to 2 PM
3rd Sunday of March March 17, 2013 Get Your Rear in
Gear
6 AM to 11 AM
4th Saturday of March March 23, 2013 Walk for Water 6 AM to 11 AM
5th Saturday of March March 30, 2013 Half way to
Broad St.
7 AM to 11 AM
1st Saturday
of April 
April 6, 2013 MLK Drive Seasonal Weekend Closure
Begins
6 AM to 5 PM
2nd Saturday
of April
April 13, 2013 Walk Against Hunger 6 AM to 11 AM
3rd Sunday of
April
April 14, 2013 Dash For Organ Donor Awareness 6 AM to 11 AM
3rd Saturday
of April
April 20, 2013 Run for Clean Air 6 AM to 11 AM
4th Sunday of
April
April 21, 2013 Penn Relays Distance Classic 20K &
5K
6 AM to 11 AM
4th Sunday of
April
April 21, 2013 AACHS 5K Run 10 AM to 12 Noon
Last Thursday
of April
April 25, 2013 UCP Run/Walk 7 PM to 8:30 PM
Last Friday
of April
April 26, 2112 Out & Back 4 Mile Run 7 PM to 8:30 PM
4th Saturday of
April
April 27, 2013 Miles For Myeloma Walk 6 AM to 11 AM
5th Sunday of
April
April 28, 2013 March For Babies 6 AM to 11 AM
1st Saturday of May May 4, 2013 MS Walk 6 AM to 11 AM
2nd Sunday of May May 12, 2013 Race for the
Cure
6 AM to 11 AM
3rd Saturday of May May 18, 2013 RAPCS Bike & Hike @Black Road 6 AM to 11 AM
3rd Saturday of May May 18, 2013 CCFA Taking
Steps
6 PM to 8 PM
3rd Sunday of May May 19, 2013 Bar Assoc. 5 K Run/Walk 6 AM to 11 AM
3rd Sunday of May May 19, 2013 ADL Walk 2 PM to 5 PM
4th Sunday of
May
June 9, 2013 Oddyssey Half Marathon 6 AM to 12 PM
1st Saturday
of June
June 1, 2013 US Pro Bike Race Time Trail 6 AM to 12 PM
1st Sunday of
June
June 2, 2013 US Pro Bike Race 6 AM to 3 PM
2nd Sunday of
June
June 9, 2013 Oddyssey Half Marathon 6 AM to 12 PM
2nd Sunday of
June
June 9, 2013 Strides for Stroke Walk-a-thon 6 AM to 12 PM
3rd Saturday
of June
June 15, 2013 Easter Seal Walk 6 AM to 12 PM
3rd Sunday of
June
June 16, 2013 Run For Your
Life
6 AM to 12 PM
4th Saturday of June June 22, 2013 Philadelphia
Triathlon – Sprint
7 AM to 2 PM
4th Sunday of June June 23, 2013 Philadelphia
Triathlon
7 AM to 2 PM
4th of July July 4, 2013 July 4th
Celebration
6 AM to 12
Midnight
3rd
Sunday of July
July 21, 2013 YMCA Run 6 AM to 12 PM
1st
Saturday of August
August 3, 2013 Glow Run 8:30 PM to 10 PM
Last
Saturday of August
August 31, 2013 MIA Concert 6 AM to 11 PM
1st
Sunday of September
September 1,
2013
MIA Concert 6 AM to 11 PM
2nd Saturday of September September 14, 2013 Undy 5000 6 AM to 12 PM
3rd Sunday of September September 15, 2013 Phila. Distance Run 6 AM to 12 PM
4th Sunday of September September 29, 2013 The Parkway Run 6 AM to 12 PM
1st Saturday of October October 5, 2013 Step out for Diabetes 6 AM to 12 PM
1st
Sunday of October
October 6, 2013 Suicide Prevention Walk 6 AM to 12 PM
2nd
Saturday of October
October 12, 2013 Walk for Parkinsons 6 AM to 12 PM
3rd Sunday of October October 20, 2013 AIDS Walk 6 AM to 3 PM
4th
Saturday of October
October 26, 2013 Domestic Violence Awareness Walk 6 AM to 12 PM
4th Saturday of October October 26, 2013 Light the Night 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
4th
Sunday of October
October 27, 2013 JDF Walk To Cure Diabetes 6 AM to 12 PM
4th
Sunday of October
October 27, 2013 MLK Drive Seasonal Weekend Closure
Ends
6 AM to 5 PM
1st Sunday of November November 3, 2013 Race For Hope 5K Run/Walk 9 AM to 12 PM
2nd Saturday of November November 9, 2013 Y12 K Walk/Run 9 AM to 12 PM
3rd Saturday of November November 17,
2013
Philadelphia Marathon 8K & Kids Run 9 AM to 12 PM
3rd Sunday of November November 18,
2013
Philadelphia Marathon  9 AM to 2 PM
4th Thursday of November November 28,
2013
Thanksgiving Day Parade 9 AM to 2 PM
The
above special events are held on M.L. King Drive in
addition to the Drive’s normal closures for
recreation
activities on Saturdays and Sundays 6 AM to 5 PM, lower portion of M.L. King
Dr.
from
Eakins Oval to Sweetbriar Dr. reopen to traffic at 12 Noon between April and
October
Most
events fit within the normal closure hours, gray shaded is outside normal
closures

Fairmount Park 

2013 Kelly Drive Event Closures tentative
Day
Event
Closure
Time
3rd Sunday of March
March
17, 2013
Manny Flick Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
4th Saturday of March
March
23, 2013
Murphy Cup Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
4th Sunday of March
March
24, 2013
Manny Flick Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
1st  Sunday of April
April
7, 2013
Manny Flick Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
2nd Sunday of April
April
14, 2013
Manny Flick Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
3rd Saturday of April
April
20,2013
Kerr Cup
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
3rd Sunday of April
April
21, 2013
Manny Flick Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
1st Sunday of May
May
5, 2013
City League Championship Regatta
Partial
2nd Thursday of May
May
9, 2013
Dad Vail
Partial
11:00 AM
2nd Friday of May
May
10, 2013
Dad Vail
Partial
To
2nd Saturday of May
May
11, 2013
Dad Vail
Partial
6:00 PM
3rd Thursday of May
May
16, 2013
Stotesbury Regatta
Partial
11:00 AM
3rd Friday of May
May
17, 2013
Stotesbury Regatta
Partial
To
3rd Saturday of May
May
18, 2013
Stotesbury Regatta
Partial
6:00 PM
1st Saturday of June
June
1, 2013
International Dragon Boat Festival
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
1st Sunday of June
June
2, 2013
US Pro Bike Race
Full
7 AM to 3 PM
4th Sunday of June
June
23, 2013
Philadelphia Triathlon
Full
6 AM to 11 AM
4th of July
July
4, 2013
Welcome America
Partial
Lower
24 Hours
1st Friday of July
July
5, 2013
Independence Day Regatta
Partial
10:00 AM
1st Saturday of July
July
6, 2013
Independence Day Regatta
Partial
to
1st Sunday of July
July
7, 2013
Independence Day Regatta
Partial
6:00 PM
3rd Sunday of September
September
15, 2013
Philadelphia Distance Run
Full
6 AM to 12 PM
1st Saturday of October
October
5, 2013
Dragon Boat Regatta
Partial
5 AM to 5 PM
2nd Saturday of October
October
12, 2013
Navy Day Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
3rd Sunday of October
October
20, 2013
AIDS Walk
Full
8 AM to 11 AM
4th Saturday of October
October
26, 2013
Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
Full
6 AM to 5 PM
4th Sunday of October
October
27, 2013
Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
Partial
6 AM to 5 PM
1st Sunday of November
November
3, 2013
Race for Hope
Partial
Lower
8 AM to 9 AM
3rd Saturday of November
November
16, 2013
Philadelphia Marathon 1/2 & 8K
Full
7 AM to 3 PM
3rd Sunday of November
November
17, 2013
Philadelphia Marathon
Full
7 AM to 3 PM
Dad Vail, Stotesbury, and
Independence regattas are multi-days closures – starting Thursday after AM
rush hour
and remaining closed until
Saturday around 6:00 PM.
Full closure means that the entire length of Kelly Drive – from Eakins
Oval to Ridge Avenue / Lincoln
Drive – is closed.
Partial closure means that only a section of Kelly Drive is closed –
generally from Fountain Green
Drive (south) to Strawberry
Mansion Drive (north).
Categories
Philadelphia

Update: RUMOR PATROL: BLOOMINGDALE’S WANTS TO BE IN CENTER CITY & Could It Save THE GALLERY or …

 In my lifetime, since the time of Mayor Ed Rendell, Center City has
been on fire. He made it a point to emphasize the revitalization of
downtown, knowing that a substantial part of the City’s tax base could be derived from tourist, residents and shoppers.

Bloomingdale’s really wanted the Strawbridge spot, but sources tell me that officials think it will be easier to transform the Gallery & the quadrant closets to City Hall easier. Then it will be a trickle down effect through the rest of the stores. They are being wooed by everyone organization that knows a big department store like Bloomingdale’s would make a difference, basically sending a message that Philly is the place to be.  

They also looked at Daffy’s, but there was enough room there (Update June- I’m telling you Nordstrom Rack is going there.) Plus the City decision makers really want it at the Gallery. And I do too. I would not be making these statements if I didn’t have reliable sources. This is a biggie. 

And Bloomie’s is complimentary to Macy’s. Both big box stores are located at Willow Grove and KOP Mall. My friends hit them both up there. Bringing Bloomies to Philly means they would stay in Philly to shop at both locations located down the street from each other. I’ll personally visit each store monthly and tweet their sales. I want this to happen as much as the City does.
I should have tweeted Macy’s had their one day sale today, I hear people cleaned up. It’s still open til 8PM so you have time.

BLOOMINGDALE’S IS GOING TO SAVE THE GALLERY in Philadelphia

Moving the convention center from University City to Philly was definitely the catalyst for a lot of growth below City Hall’s Market Street area
The Marriott’s took over, other hotels popped up; Under Mayor Nutter, the transformation continues
 13th Street went from the red light district, to the red hot district
Now Chestnut street is starting to show some life between 12th and Broad Streets
The Gallery once the jewel of Market Street, took a nose dive in the last decade, and lately with a lot of bad press.
I hear that the Bloomingdale folks are interested in the Burlington Coat Factory location, which is on a year to year lease.
 They’ve been here 4 times, the last time they brought their lawyers and design team with them.

 I’ll be sad to loose Burlington Coat Factory because to me that was
supposed to start the revitalization of the Gallery, maybe they can move
it to the KMart space since I read in the Phila Biz Journal their lease is up in 2014.

Why would Bloomies want the Burlington Coat Factory, and not the K Mart space you wonder? The 12th and Market Street area is hot, it’s across the street from the headquarters of Aramark, it’s near the convention center, the hotels, the red hot13th Street corridor, close to City Hall and it’s complimentary to our other big downtown department store, Macy’s, not competition my friends tell me, but a one two stop shopping adventure;

 

Several of my girlfriends said if Bloomies was down the street from Macy’s, they’d no longer have to get in their cars to head to KOP or Willow Grove for Bloomingdale’s and shop at the Macy’s in the burbs. Instead in one shopping trip they could hit both stores. They love Macy’s for their shoes, affordable clothing and perfume, specifically one said Angel, which can only be bought at Macy’s; And they love Bloomies for their jewelery and divine ballroom gowns for the galas they attend. Sounds like a win, win. Let’s see it happen.
Update July 2014: The City will not let Bloomingdale’s tear down BCF. They are looking elsewhere, even thinking of building a standalone, we will keep you informed on the potential of Bloomingdale’s in Center City.