3 PHOTOS IN PHILA INQUIRER - LISA PAGE Q102; LAUREN GRAHAM AND JEFF DANIELS ON THE SET OF THEIR NEW MOVIE FILMING IN PHILADELPHIA Published 3/30/08

Sure I'm exhausted and sick this week, but hey I have had results for the fruits of my labor. In INQlings this week, Michael Klein comes through with great entertainment stories and news about movies being film in Philadelphia, including the Lauren Graham / Jeff Daniels movie, the Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston Movie, and the Transformer movie, really they are all going to be filmed in Philadelphia. Also information on an appearance by Julie Andrews. So check out this link and read about Phillywood events. Some of you may recall I covered the South Moon Under event on the blog last week, and as with a lot of potential published photographs I sometimes hold one back, I don't even think I mention Lisa Paige or Nicole at the event, and I know I didn't include this photo in the bunch. I love Lisa's reaction in this shot.
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/todaystalk/17133276.html

THURSDAY NIGHT EVENTS - Chef News, Chelsea Clinton Visits Philadelphia for Photos, A Movie Wrap Party and Mary Patel Electile Dysfunction Announcement

Tonight reminded me of many of those nights I've spent in NYC chasing celebrities all over the island at the different events. I am just going to touch on most of them and write more about them next week. First I attended an event at Brasiere Pierre. Here is Chef Dan Marcantuno, who I just wrote about winning the WMGK "Golden Spoon Award" earlier this week; and Carrie Nork of one my favorite PR Firms, Cashman & Assocs. They had a special kick off. Then it was quickly to North Philly and the latino restaurant Cobre and a stop on the Chelsea Clinton Q&A tour for her mother Hillary. Hello never knew you can't get a cab going North on Broad Street. Next time tokens for me, but when I finally arrived I was greeted by a cheering crowd of Hillary supporters.

There were lots of Hillary fans waiting for Chelsea Clinton. Well except for the guy you can't see sitting on the step behind this women, waving the Ernesto 'Che' Guevara flag and playing the propoganda on his boom box. Chelsea arrives and she is much more beautiful then I remember. This time as opposed to 2 years ago, she is all smiles for my camera.
It was crowded inside, and I made the mistake of thinking I could get good shots from the 2nd level dining area
nah not even with my long lens

One by one as it got hot and uncomfortable, the press began to thin out and I was able to get a better shot. Then it was 8:15 and I was late for the third event of the night which had begun at 6PM and scheduled to end at 9PM

At RAE there was a wrap party for a film that tells an important story of Philadelphia that happened long ago, but still rears it's ugly head in the news today, er yesterday. I will write more about this event next week. Speaking of films, Mary Patel was there too (Rae's Chef Daniel Stern to her right)
Mary has a film in the film festival "Electile Dysfunction" and it's on April 9 at 7:00PM.
It's about politicians, the political system and it's more relevant today than ever.

LAUREN GRAHAM IN PHILLY FILMING THE DREAM OF THE ROMANS

I found a website with a few photos I took the other day. I think when entertainment news sites buy your entertainment photos for their sites, Anna Wintour should count that as being published and credential me for the Met Gala in May. They really are news sites and part of the media, don't you think? Hmm this should probably be posted on my Confessions of a Paparazzi site?

ST. JUDES - AN INCREDIBLE, INSPIRATIONAL NIGHT AT THE LOEWS HOTEL

Attorney John P. Moses the Chief Executive Officer of St. Jude's Hospital welcomed guests to the Fifth annual Four Stars of Philly to the Loews Hotel on March 13, 2008; What an impressive speaker and champion of St. Judes. Using no notes, he told an incredible story of hope, dedication and miracles that occur everyday at St. Judes.

Local St. Jude representative and champion fund raiser - Al Perry; The story of how Danny Thomas started St. Jude's is amazing too. The short story is about the power of prayer and the promise Danny Thomas made to St. Jude if he could get a job to feed his family. After ten years he built a shrine in honor of St. Jude that would be a hospital for needy children, a place where they would be cared for regardless of race, religion or ability to pay - a hospital where no suffering child would be turned away. It was the first of its kind. AN INTEGRATED HOSPITAL. Not only did the event featured an incredible silent auction, food from the finest restuarants, but a unique networking opportunity with Philadelphia Eagle Right Tackle, Jon Runyan, who counts St. Jude's as one of his favorite charities.The event also drew a sold out happy crowdThe Clouses - Katie Clouse was a patient at St. Jude's and had a tumor removed from her kidney. Her father praised the doctors at St. Judes and told us how St. Judes picked up the tab of her medical expenses and also housed the family while she recovered.

Participating tasting station sponsors this year include include Ristorante Panorma, Le Bec-Fin, Georges, Twenty 21, Victory Brewing, Rae, POD ... (see list below). Two hundred fifty business and financial professionals will help further the dream of St. Jude founder, the late entertainer Danny Thomas, that "no child should die in the dawn of life."

John Runyan with James Duggan, Thom Cardwell, Laura Burkhardt and Jimmy Coreas John Runyan tries out a little Pod
Rae chef - Daniel Stern

John Runyan greets Caitlin Gray a student from Drexel who was there that night because she's writing her graduation thesis on Philly Bloggers and wanted to interview me. SO I thought why not take her on one of my events and see me in action. She was sweet and I know when pursues hers career path in journalism or as a paralegal, she will be a success.

I liked John's football cuff links

Here Jon tries out the Bassett’s Ice Cream (note the towering Runyon)

Alma de Cuba

Bluecoat Gin
D’Angelos Italian Ristorante
Georges'
Le Bec-Fin
The Melting Pot
Mission Grill
XIX
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Osteria
Palace at The Ben
Park Grille at the Philadelphia Park Casino
Phillips Seafood
Pod
Positano Coast
Public House

Rae
Ristorante di Panorama
Supper
Terranova Imports
Twenty 21
Vetri
Victory Brewing
Xochitl
Zyr Vodka

The Golden Spoon Award with WMGK and John DeBella

Forgive me I am behind in my writings, no I have had an event to write about they just got very back up, and for this one particularly I had to sit on it as I never know if a publication in the Tri-state is going to pick up a photo from an event I shot or not, so I don't like to blog about it til I know for sure. This is the case for The First Annual Golden Spoon Event. It was held at Cescaphe Ballroom a few weeks back.


John DeBella was on-hand to host Comfort Food Fest presented by WMGK. The annual event will challenge Philadelphia’s top chefs to recreate their favorite comfort foods while adding their expertise and creative flair to every day products found on the shelves of your local grocery store (think Manwich and Rice-A-Roni).

The winner of Comfort Food Fest will receive the coveted 'John DeBella Golden Spoon,' but first he or she must please the palettes of the judges including special guests Beth D'Addono, national food and travel writer, Tracy Davidson, host of NBC 10’s All That and More, and Brian Freedman, regional food and lifestyle journalist.

Guests attending the Comfort Food Fest can treat their taste buds to samplings of the chef’s reinvented dishes and enjoy complimentary spirit tastings.
Chef Brian Duffy of Kildare's served a delicious tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich As soon as I had a taste of Chef Dan Marcantuno from Brasserie Perrier's Chilli I said you are going to win

The idea for Comfort Food Fest was born after WMGK Morning Man John DeBella learned that Lacroix Executive Chef Matthew Levin's favorite meal to cook for himself is "quick mac & cheese with tuna." While top chefs are always trying to outdo each other with high end recipes, DeBella wondered, "What if we took top chefs in the city and had them cook their favorite comfort food?" With that, planning began for the 1st Annual Comfort Food Fest. the folks were enjoying all the delicious food
I envied the judges who didn't have to wait in line for the grubChef David Wiederholt from Oceanaire Seafood Room made a salmon pad thai with Roma NoodlesChef Dan Marcantuno from Brasserie Perrier recieves the Golden Spoon Award from John DeBella of WMGK; He made chilli with cornbread

From America Ferrera to Winter's A Drag in Philadelphia - Party Pictures

we headed to the 32 Degree Lounge to catch America Ferrera rally the Philly's voter registration contigent. I arrived late as I was feeling a tad under the weather, and almost didn't bother going, but in the end made the right decision because I was the only snapper to get full length shots of America as I was standing on the staircase and shot through the railing. Everyone else was standing too close to her and couldn't get the shot. That is the money shot, and it's not here, but hopefully will be picked up by a glossy near year.
(Update: a shot I took of her earlier in the day was picked up by In Style Mag Online:
http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20185961_20428787,00.html)
Then it was on to "Winter's a Drag" gala at XIX to benefit "City of Hope"; Recently someone mentioned to me that I would go to the opening of an envelope, and you know it it gave a little publicity to a charity, or a place that I love, there's no doubt about it. So here goes:Your hosts Dick and Bruce with sponser, http://www.queertimes.com/ James DugganIt was a nice turnout despite the Easter eveSalotta Tea spins for usAmy Winehouse was there, actually this is Martha Graham a performance artist who was very good. She's being manhandled by two guys associated with the Pennsylvania Ballet Bruce, one of the hostess' http://nightlifegay.blogspot.com/ and a friend
One of these folks is a Ron Paul supporter, so that makes him scary on a couple levels

I was impressed that people really got into the spirit and wore their Easter best. I hope this becomes an annual event. The Bellevue needs a little glamour and I so miss the Society Gala's; Ok I know that some folks from those parties would just be rolling their eyes, but really it's about fun, it's charity and it's about rockin' glamour

Matt gets his wings (look for PR Matt to be throwing down a few exciting things in the future) 6 degrees of separation, Dara, Naomi and Ross know at least 4 people that I know. It's a small town after all.Everyone was welcome, and everyone of all walks showed up. Martha Graham was a hoot, entertaining the folks with Aerosmith and Pink FloydI felt like I was doing the Time Warp The most excellent YUbr PR maven Sarah Doheny and her partner in crime Bruce.
Good friends Thom, Rich and SusanLucky me I actually met some of these guys this past year at some of the envelope openings. The gangs all here, but my guy Mike. Thanks Susan for taking the photo. I actually look thin here. If you see me eating anything but my Nutrisystem, slap it out of my hands!The prettiest and the diva winners - Marchesa and Lisa.

Please, please, please throw this again. It was really a nice event and nice to see so many people participating.