PRETZELS FOR THE POOLS - Splash and Summer Fund Campaign

Event Director Blue Cross Broad Street Run Jim Marino mans the Pretzel Stand at Love Park. Stop by today, Friday 4/23/10, buy a pretzel and support Splash and Summer Fund Campaign.

VARIETY CELEBRITY BARTENDER W/CBS3's Doug K, 6ABC's Ali Gormon & others at Public House

On Christmas Eve in 1927, a baby was left on the doorstep of a theater company with a note attached reading:

"Please take care of my baby, her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her, I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business and I pray to God that you will look after her."
-A Heart-Broken Mother

As a result, Variety Club International (now Variety - The Children’s Charity) was founded by the eleven entertainers who discovered Baby Catherine. Its sole purpose was to help the less fortunate and to lend a hand to various civic and charitable organizations. Variety is a not-for-profit organization that takes pride in providing programs and services to special-needs children.

CBS3’s Doug Kammerer (who is now doing the morning weather and getting used to waking up at 4 a.m.) and Temple men’s basketball coach Fran DunphyCheryl Fairweather, Lingerie Football League (I would give u the link but the website has an obnoxious video on it with yelling) and 6ABC's Ali Gorman
6ABC's Mara Webb measures up to NBC10's John Clark's raffle tickets
6ABC's Mara Webb, Jeff Skversky - Action News Sports Reporter / Anchor , CBS3's Meteorologist Doug Kammerer joined CBS 3's Eyewitness News Weather team in August, 2007, John Clark joined the NBC 10 News team in September of 2001 as a Weekend Sports Anchor.
Ashley Allphin and Amber Goins
Kim Finnerty, Jeff Barter, Shanna Mellor and Jane Nickel
Jeff Shiffner, Brian Grandieri, Mara Webb and Mark Zoller (Mara was so excited that she was amongst taller guys than her. My guess is they're on the basketball team?)
Do these girls practice posing, they seem to have that hand on hip thing down? Stacey Kracher and Anne Nikolaus
Lauren Labella and Donna Ferry, from the Philadelphia Passion Lingerie Football League team, are pictured below with Russell Ohneck. Lauren and Donna made the Pro Team, which is the equivalent to the All Stars, and will head to Monterrey, Mexico on June 10th to go up against the league’s west coast players. The next LFL season kicks off toward the end of summer, and after playing their home games at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton this past season, the Passion will now be at the Wachovia Center.

It's Thursday, come read my column at PhillyMag.com Link Below

http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2010/04/22/on-the-town-with-hughe-dillon-4/

LET THEM EAT CAKE 2010 at the Loews Hotel

Let Them Eat Cake is Philadelphia’s Wedding Cake Design competition for professionals, students and those who love to bake to create benefiting City of Hope. This year's theme was a wedding "Professional pastry company, bakery, caterer, hotel or restaurant - $150 per participant. More than one participant per establishment is acceptable.

Student Participation – No ChargeThrough a Child's Eye/"

Oy it's 2:15AM I will write this up in the morning, but do you really need a write up or a sugar treat after checking out these pictures. Thanks Hughe
Professional pastry company, bakery, caterer, hotel or restaurant - $150 per participant. More than one participant per establishment is acceptable.

Student Participation – No Charge
Participants are requested to provide one totally edible creation, after a blind tasting and judging we will allow participants to re-enter the room to add signage and business cards to their tables. Participants will demonstrate their creativity by displaying what they feel is their single best design, be it traditional, non-traditional, ethnic, fantasy or seasonal... the sky is the limit! Cakes will be judged in nine categories like Most Artistic, Best Tasting and Best Overall – Professional, College and High School Vocational.
Proceeds from ticket sales on the day of the event will benefit City of Hope.


Hotel du Pont's Jennifer Houser, Catering Sales mgr., Jennifer Ballintyn, Asst. Pastry Chef, Michelle Mitchell, Exec. Pastry Chef, Jillian Cournayer, and Sr. Catering Sales Mgr., I was curious why their cake didn't seem to reflect the "Through A Child's Eyes" them, and the explanation was every little girl who grows up in Wilmington, DE wants their wedding here.
Miss Philadelphia, Andrea Helfrich gives Executive Director of City of Hope Harry Giordano a big Julia Sugarbaker Hello.
Star Wattage as Thom Cardwell is flanked by TV Celeb Samantha Goldberg and Lizzie Post, Emily Posts Granddaughter. All three were judges in this years contest.
For nearly a century, City of Hope has led the way in compassionate care and pioneering research. Today, with the Power of Hope campaign we have the opportunity to Forge new breakthroughs and save more lives.
I want that crown made of gold instead
Nikki DiGennaro, Rakai Reynolds, Saige Robb and Scott Lean.
It was crowded, there were a lot of delicious cakes, but I learned my lesson from last year and only had 2 slim slices.
Sunny Etminan and Dana Forgione from Cescaphe Curtis Center
One of my favorite cakes was done by Amanda Kaewvichen of Loews
City of Hope volunteers - Valerie Johnson, Emily Vartanian, Katie Vena, Liz Border and Jennifer Cabrera
The winners are announced
Colleen & Terry Laky. Piece of Cake. 484-788-1877 from Macungie, Pa They are the first bakery to ever win three awards, best tasting, best creative and best overallIt's Thursday read my post at PhillyMag.com http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2010/04/22/on-the-town-with-hughe-dillon-4/

SHOPS AT LIBERTY PLACE - GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Last week The Shops at Liberty Place was packed with budget conscious women out with their besties for a fun night of shopping, spirits and prizes from Ben 95.7
The Ben 95.7 winning spinner had a long line the entire night as shoppers won anything from a pen, DVD's, to concert tickets, to a bag of chips.
Amy D'Aulerio, Kara Karpink and Randyl Case enjoyed the night out

as did Maria Gallagher, Kelly Breslin and Nancy Harmer
After about an hour of prizes, snacks and spirits, the girls were given a list of discounts at the various shops at Liberty Place to pick up a few bargains. If they spent over $75 they were to bring their receipt back and pick up a nice canvas bag with the beaded words
Eat, Shop & Enjoy as Jill Scarlett is wearing, with her sister Liz Scarlet of Scarlett Alley in Old City.
Nancy Landon, Sharon Phillips Waxman and Ruth Ann Bishop-Sotak. Everyone in Philadelphia should be thanking Sharon for being so innovated over 15 years ago by starting Phasion Phest, which I consider to be one of the first events that helped drag the City into the 21st Century of fashion and big event planning.

Jill Scarlett, Maria Hatzivasili, Victoria Beckham, Debbie and Lynne Marsdale and Theresa McErlean.

Carmen Miller, Shelby Walker and Christina Wilson were glad to do something fun after school with Shelby's mom
Casey Crowe and Anna Schilawski represent Victoria's Secret. Anna says the big push is focused on Mother's Day in May and one of the popular scents you can pick up at Victoria's Secret is "Heavenly Flowers." Casey agrees it's smells memorable. I'll take their word for it, what do you think?
Chik-Fil-A's Eric *Big E* and Heather Masse, Cafe Coco in the Mellon Concourse. During the month of May on Monday & Friday's, 10% of all checks will be donated to the Leukemia Foundation.

This kid was enjoying himself, which is good practice for when he gets a girlfriend and she drags him around all the stores saying "honey how do I look in this?"
Many people mentioned they saw the ad in the Metro that day promoting the event. The Metro was one of the sponsors and sure enough the ad worked as the crowds were strong. The event started at 5:30PM and I took this picture about 7:15PM and there was still a crowd.
The girls from Adolf Biecker: Kristen Miller, Gina Lees, Ashley Richmond, and Jenn Harrigan.
Lynette Smith and Jacqui Tobler often get together for "girls night out", and when Lynette saw the ad in the Metro she saw it as a sign to get out and get shopping with her BFF Jacqui. She especially like that this was a one stop shopping destination with lots of choices in stores to chose visit.
The Team of PunchMedia James Zeleniak and François Pierre with James friend Annette want to make sure you check out The Shops’ other events this spring, including the Spring Sidewalk Sale, May 6-8.
Random Odd Shop, but not so random is the fact that Thursday is the Kick-off Party for Rittenhouse Row at the Shops of Liberty. Starts at 6:30PM in the Rotunda. I went last year and it was really fun, a really who's who of people that live, work and play in the Rittenhouse square area. See below for info:
Rittenhouse Row invites you to please join us on Thursday, April 22 from 6:30-9:00 at The Shops at Liberty Place
For the annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Kick Off Party

*Cuisine and Cocktails from Alfa, Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Butcher and Singer, Capogiro, Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse, Continental Mid-town, D'Angelo's, Devon Seafood Grill, Di Bruno Bros., Du Jour, Fado, The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company, G Lounge, La Colombe, Lacroix, Ladder 15, Le Castagne, Marathon Grill, Metropolitan Bakery, Parc, The Raven Lounge, Rouge, Shank's Uptown, Square 1682, Village Whiskey, The Walnut Room and Zama

*Diageo Cocktail Competition with mobile phone voting from XIPWIRE

*Chairman's Selection wines

*Raffle from Govberg Jewelers

*Music from DJ Joey Blanco

*Silent auction from Rittenhouse Row boutiques, spa-salons, hotels and restaurants

Tickets are $75/per person or $125 (VIP Patron)
Download response card at www.rittenhouserow.org

STRONGBOX LOUNGE IS OPENED AGAIN WITH A NEW LOOK & MENU

StrongBOX was redesigned by The Nouveau Image design and consulting team. "The space needed to open up. The new design will free up the space and also make people more comfortable. I really like the new colors and new decor. It feels like a whole new place and the perfect setting to go with friends for drinks and good music."-Michelle Miller, CEO
The space is open for business after the VIP party for the Grand Re-opening was shut down for a mix up with permits on April 7, and a lack of food menus...all of this has been resolved. StrongBOX was 100% up to code on State standards but had a very small mix up with a city rule. A few small changes and a revaluation of the space by city workers got Strongbox re-opened the following week, April 16 with a clean bill.
Tonight the Cool Kid's Reggie Barry & Jackim "Jackie" Wright will be throwing down their popular Tuesday Night Party. To get in on the action, you have to know the right people. Tell them PhillyChitChat sent you, maybe it will help out. (Dropping Brett Perloff's name won't help as he sold his interest in the club last year. Someone didn't realize that when they lifted parts of my blog for their site last week.)
I love the new designs, the peach color, the mirrors and lowering the VIP wall has certainly made the space fresh and spacious.
So now when you get the late night munchies, you can order a personal pizza, hot dog of chicken fingers to satisfy your cravings.