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Linda Creed (December 6, 1949 - April 10, 1986) also known by her married name Linda Epstein, was an American songwriter who teamed up with Thom Bell to produce some of the most successful Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s.
A few months ago my friend Patti told me of her involvement with the Linda Creed Foundation and asked if I wanted to come out and cover it for PhillyChitChat. Of course, I said, I was a big fan of Linda Creed she wrote some of my favorite songs, she's a Philadelphian, and anything I can do to help get the word out about the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation. 
In our discussions I asked if they had a photographer and how they were going to distribute the photos. Here is Lisa Brownstein who was a friend of Linda Creed's and put in motion of starting a this foundation in her friend's honor. "It just started when a few of us were talking at the kitchen table." with her is her aunt Carol Frieder
A few months ago my friend Patti told me of her involvement with the Linda Creed Foundation and asked if I wanted to come out and cover it for PhillyChitChat. Of course, I said, I was a big fan of Linda Creed she wrote some of my favorite songs, she's a Philadelphian, and anything I can do to help get the word out about the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation. In our discussions I asked if they had a photographer and how they were going to distribute the photos. Here is Lisa Brownstein who was a friend of Linda Creed's and put in motion of starting a this foundation in her friend's honor. "It just started when a few of us were talking at the kitchen table." with her is her aunt Carol FriederShe mentions that they have never had a photographer, it's not in their budget, they this is their one event a year to raise funds for people w/o insurance to get the care they need when they are diagnosed with breast cancer, that the funds from this organization stay right here in Philadelphia and it all goes to the care of the patient. Say no more I will do what I can for youse. Lisa Nutter was supposed to appear in person, but a few days before the event pulled out because "something came up", 
but I was excited to meet a few of Linda Creed's relatives like her aunts Renee Kasepf and Shirlee Kaplan with friend Gini Peltz
There was a fashion show and 80 year old, 25 yr survivor volunteer Sally Harris took part in the catwalk
SO the reason I am posting these photos so late is because I did try and get them in several publications, where I am usually successful, but because of the season and the run up to the New Year, no such luck. But they are just as tickled to be on Philly Chit Chat, and I am excited to tell you about the Linda Creed Foundation. The Board of Directors. L-R Mary Olssen, Patty Friel, Ferald Olsen, Isabel Momer, Maryanne Cascicato, and Kathy Latinee. 
Renee McNear, Sallie Harris Carol Muray and Alberta Crawford enjoy the day. Now this event began at 11AM and these girls were dressed, just every day girls touched by breast cancer in their family and out to spend the first December weekend sharing in the hope for a cure. I really enjoyed photographing this event. Everyone was just so into the day. Buying lots and lots of raffle tickets, talking fashion, excited for the holidays.
And can say something, OMG I have been to a lot of events and the donations that rolled in for these folks were off the hook. I asked Patti how she did it, how did she get the Florida trips, the Movado Watch, everything. Patti is not a PR person, she's an assistant to a judge at Common Pleas Court, she could be retired but she's waiting for her judge to retire, as for the Movado watch, she was in NYC saw it in the window, walked in and said to the sales person "Who do I talk to to get that watch donated to the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation Luncheon in Philadelphia" and that was it the ball was rolling. Thank you so much sponsors. All the items in these baskets were the ones where you bought the ticket and then dropped the ticket in a basket to win. There was a silent auction table too. 
Marcia Shprintz and Adele Miller
Katrina Keating, Catherine Ryan, Haley Rooney, Annie Finefan, Casey Rooney, Kolbe Keating, Carly Keating Christina Wilton (OK I realize I should have moved poor Kolbe from behind Carly's head)
The students from Villanova donated Four Hundred dollars
Shirlee Kaplan awards the the Gene Kaplan "Volunteer of the Year Award" to Karen E. Wheeler. I wish I had photographed her shoes, they were electric purple.
Every year the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation provides over 325 mammograms and 200 diagnostic tests, breast health information to over 5,000 women, field numerous calls every week to women who have just “found” a lump, and help women and their families survive the financial crunch that often comes with cancer treatment. Do this, we depend on you. More than 75% of our income comes from individuals. Your gift of $50, $100, $1,000 or more helps make it possible. Janet Genardi on behalf of Genardi's Supermarket donated $107, 000 to LC Foundation. Please help out the Linda Creed Foundation, keep the money local and for the people suffering from this terrible disease that might not be so fortunate to have health insurance.
but I was excited to meet a few of Linda Creed's relatives like her aunts Renee Kasepf and Shirlee Kaplan with friend Gini Peltz
There was a fashion show and 80 year old, 25 yr survivor volunteer Sally Harris took part in the catwalkSO the reason I am posting these photos so late is because I did try and get them in several publications, where I am usually successful, but because of the season and the run up to the New Year, no such luck. But they are just as tickled to be on Philly Chit Chat, and I am excited to tell you about the Linda Creed Foundation. The Board of Directors. L-R Mary Olssen, Patty Friel, Ferald Olsen, Isabel Momer, Maryanne Cascicato, and Kathy Latinee. Renee McNear, Sallie Harris Carol Muray and Alberta Crawford enjoy the day. Now this event began at 11AM and these girls were dressed, just every day girls touched by breast cancer in their family and out to spend the first December weekend sharing in the hope for a cure. I really enjoyed photographing this event. Everyone was just so into the day. Buying lots and lots of raffle tickets, talking fashion, excited for the holidays.And can say something, OMG I have been to a lot of events and the donations that rolled in for these folks were off the hook. I asked Patti how she did it, how did she get the Florida trips, the Movado Watch, everything. Patti is not a PR person, she's an assistant to a judge at Common Pleas Court, she could be retired but she's waiting for her judge to retire, as for the Movado watch, she was in NYC saw it in the window, walked in and said to the sales person "Who do I talk to to get that watch donated to the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation Luncheon in Philadelphia" and that was it the ball was rolling. Thank you so much sponsors. All the items in these baskets were the ones where you bought the ticket and then dropped the ticket in a basket to win. There was a silent auction table too. Marcia Shprintz and Adele Miller
Katrina Keating, Catherine Ryan, Haley Rooney, Annie Finefan, Casey Rooney, Kolbe Keating, Carly Keating Christina Wilton (OK I realize I should have moved poor Kolbe from behind Carly's head) The students from Villanova donated Four Hundred dollarsShirlee Kaplan awards the the Gene Kaplan "Volunteer of the Year Award" to Karen E. Wheeler. I wish I had photographed her shoes, they were electric purple.
Every year the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation provides over 325 mammograms and 200 diagnostic tests, breast health information to over 5,000 women, field numerous calls every week to women who have just “found” a lump, and help women and their families survive the financial crunch that often comes with cancer treatment. Do this, we depend on you. More than 75% of our income comes from individuals. Your gift of $50, $100, $1,000 or more helps make it possible. Janet Genardi on behalf of Genardi's Supermarket donated $107, 000 to LC Foundation. Please help out the Linda Creed Foundation, keep the money local and for the people suffering from this terrible disease that might not be so fortunate to have health insurance.Gerard Olson, Ph.D. Linda Creed Volunteer of the Year Award
Lisa K. Jablon, M.D. Elaine M. Ominsky, Ph.D. Humanitarian Award
Banfield, The Pet Hospital Angel Award
Chestnut Hill Hospital Women’s Center Angel Award
Karen Wheeler
Stephanie Forehand
One of the most famous songs Linda Creed wrote, "The Greatest Love of All" sung by Whitney Houston
Thank You Sponsor's: AirTran Aldo’s Lamberti’s Restaurants Alison II Restaurant Art Is Salon Bistro Cassis Bourjois Cosmetics Lisa Brownstein Bucks County Biscotti Co. Linda Camerota
Centre Bridge Inn D’Angelos Ristorante Dante & Luigi’s Derek’s Restaurant Diane Lovell DiBruno Bros. HughE Dillon Photography Ettore Salon & Spa Fogo de Chao
Fork Restaurant Pat Friel Janet Genuardi Barbara Gilhool Nancy Gustitis Giovanni & Peleggi Maureen Glanzmann Janet Jandura Shirlee Kaplan La Locanda Restaurant
Levinthal’s Loews Philadelphia Hotel Kathy Lentini Majestic Wines McKenzie’s Brew House Adele Miller Isabel Momenee Movado Mary Olson Marsha Brown Restaurant Naked Chocolate Fran Orodeckis P.F. Chang’s Bistro Panorama Restaurant PECO
Pierre & Carlo’s Salon & Spa Portofino Restaurant Rembrandt’s Restaurant & Bar
Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Rittenhouse Hotel Robert Mand Photography Steven Ruzac, Century 21 Sofitel Hotel Starbucks Coffee Sweet Lucy’s Smoke House Terme di Aroma
Thunder Hair Salon Wegman’s Markets
Which brings me to invites, I know for me this holiday season I attended more parties than ever before; I had a party, invited 50, 25 came and it seems a lot of people were headed to Florida on this 4 day weekend, I don't blame them. Can you believe Evite was down that night, on New Year's Eve is that crazy? This season as I was out and about I heard about a few party mix ups with invites, for me one never came and people thought I blew off close friends (I contacted them, I knew I would've been on the invite and I was), other people I know had an open house and were surprised when expected friends didn't show and those friends were hurt as didn't get the invite or notice of an open house; and others may have been cut from lists as you do have to cut it somewhere, and if there has been no contact with your party hosts since the last party, well you deserve to be cut, unless you have a dozen kids below the age of 10 and then you shouldn't be at a party.
I love a good party and I usually start mine at 8PM, but since Mike had his accident, he wanted to cut it back a bit so I put 9PM on the Evite. Do you know what that means, people show up at 10:30PM as they go to other parties, or dinner first. I really thought I was going to have a Mary Richard's party with Ted Baxter. (I may be dating myself with that reference.) Here's Bob, Mike and Steve Tyson. Bob was at Valanni's for the first seating and really enjoyed the spread.
This year I splurged and got a spread, I think I was inspired by all the parties I attended. So no dessert only, I went all out and got a tray. Mike was a bit freaked out when I invited 50 people this year, and although 22 RSVP'd a few brought their plus ones and we had a crowd of about 25. Meg Rider, Director of Events and Communications at Manna graced us with her presence. She had to duck out early to play Florence Nightingale to Natalie Hope McDonald 
Three old friends. Mark, Bill & Arthur. Mark and Bill have lived an adventurous life living the life of Riley in cities across the country. As of late they have settled outside of DC. Bill Rimmey is a South Jersey friend, also a huge adventurer having been in the travel business for about 25 years.
Did I mention my cousin has move into town, into my condo building. I convinced her it was the right move. My baby sister moved in in 2004, and w/in 2 years met and married her husband; my sisters BFF moved in in 2005, met her man and is now engaged, and well Jessica girl has moved in and well you will meet her I will be dragging her around with me introducing her to the sights of Philly. Jared Poe are you single?
See that "closet" behind Mike and Jeremy. That would be the PhillChitChat office. Hmm what will that tax write off be for a 4 x 5 ft room?
New Year's Day - Dragged myself out of bed about noon, and oh didn't make it to Diane Johnson's brunch til 1:30PM (Hmm I wonder if she were cursing me out like I was cursing my friends out when they were 90 minute late the night b4) Jimmy, Diane Johnson, Christian Dicicco and Matt (Darn I don't think Christian is available for Jessica). Jimmy and Diane are rockin the New Year with those kicks, well Jimmy's looks like pimp kicks electric blue. 
A Nina Tinari sighting. Skipping my party she chose a sky high nest at the St James with a few friends. Fireworks were closer, but she missed the sounds of the booms with the soundproof glass encasing the place. L-R the beautiful Danielle Poe, Nina, Streetalkin's beauty Erin Elmore and my cousin Jessica. 
Rick, Christopher DiGeorge and John Westrum enjoy the awesome view for the balcony.
Amy and Colin Evan met at the Brassiere Pierre, which is no longer in business as of New Year's Day!! What a shock to read that they closed up shop. Although I only ate there a handful of times, I often bumped their tables as I tried to navigate the sidewalk along Walnut Street. And although that was a pain to do, it still added a lot of ambiance to the neighborhood. I remember about 10 years ago I spotted Brass in Pocket Chrissie Hynde eating at one of the outside tables. I went into City Sports and shot a few frames through the sweatsuits, but she got a glimpse of me and gave me the finger - LOL That was before digital so you'll have to take my word for it. (I would be remissed if I didn't mention that Colin Evan was one of the co-founder's of StubHub and later sold it to E-Bay so he's a gazillionaire and super nice and unassuming. In fact he has big plans for Philly's Brain Drain, so watch him do some important stuff in the near future.)
Next door there was a party going on which included a few Comics from the 2009 Mummers Parade. I was disappointed the parade ended so early, I like when they march into the early evening, as I was late getting to Aly's I only caught the tail end.
Mia and Nina Tinari got boots from Santa and he knows they have the same classy style
A couple parties tomorrow then back to the Red Carpet events, ok probably not, they will start up again soon. Lot's of fun things and important events happening in the next coming months. Here is an important event, tomorrow night I will talk about the exciting new year charity events and Shecky's Girls Night Out Fashion Event coming up in February. My cousin actually asked me about it last night, she missed the last one and knew I would know something about the upcoming one. 
