Debut! On the Town With HughE Dillon

Hi Philadelphia!

I’m excited to be part of the Philly Post. Each week I’ll be bringing you some of the scoop I hear and photos I take as I make my way around town. Today: Bill Cosby loves Philly hoagies, Monica Malpass has a baby shower, a fun night at Boyd’s with Jen Utley and Nicole Cashman, and more.

HONORING BILL COSBY

Bill Cosby with Chita Rivera and Pamela Browner-White (event chair) at last night’s Marian Anderson Award ceremony.

Last night a who’s who of Philadelphia turned out to honor Bill Cosby as he received the Marian Anderson Award. While everyone else enjoyed the steak or chicken dinner, Bill only wanted a Primo hoagie and Evian water. But the Evian water had to come in glass bottles, not plastic.

A SHOWER FOR MONICA

Ritz-Carlton GM Michael Walsh and Laura Burkhardt with Monica Malpass at Muldoon’s Saloon on March 19.

As I reported first on my blog in January, 6ABC anchor Monica Malpass is having twin boys. On Monday night,  Monica’s co-workers and friends threw her a not-surprise baby shower at 6ABC studios on City Line Avenue. Monica had just returned from vacation, and her friends wanted to make sure she would be in that day. Every woman who works there was in attendance, including Lisa Thomas-Laury, Cecily Tynan, Erin O’Hern, Kristie Gonzales, Jamie Apody and producer Porsha Grant, to name a few.  The theme of the day was “Two Peas in a Pod.”  Monica was glowing and was so grateful to her friends and co-workers.

So when are the twins arriving? When I saw Monica at a benefit for  Project HOME at Muldoon’s last month, she told me  that the twins are officially due in June, but she expects they will arrive in May as twins come early and so did her son Jake (who’s now 10). The nursery is ready for them!

CARL DRANOFF’S 777 BROAD STREET

Blondell Reynolds-Brown, Kenny Gamble and his wife Faatimah Abdul-Haqq at the Carl Dranoff opening reception of 777 Broad Street

I went to the opening of Carl Dranoff’s new venture in the Philadelphia real estate market, 777 Broad Street, his new luxury apartment complex. I guess if you own the whole block, you can address it anyway you want.

The crowd was a who’s who of family, friends, colleagues and supporters, including Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, who will be participating in the “2nd Annual Dancing with the Philadelphia Stars,” which benefits Sickle Cell Anemia, on April 18, at the Hyatt Penns Landing. With her was the legendary Kenny Gamble and his wife Faatimah Abdul-Haqq. I ran into Kenny Gamble’s nephew a few weeks ago outside the fire ravaged Philadelphia International Records , and he told me that the insurance agencies have been in, and rebuilding of The Philadelphia Sound will be underway shortly. Since the fire occurred they have round the clock security to secure the building now until an alarm system can be put in.

Carol Tamburino, Turner Construction;  Robert Ambrosi, ARC Properties chairman/CEO; Kelly Boyd, KB Consultants; and Lesley Van Arsdale at the Carl Dranoff opening reception of 777 Broad Street

Also found in the crowd was my friend Lesley Van Arsdale, who as CBS3 just announced, is expecting a baby in September with her husband Mike Joson. Lesley later told me, “I totally wanted to tell you the other night but WAY too many people around!”

Others in the crowd included PGN publisher Mark Segal, Carol Tinari, Mayor Nutter, William Green Jr, Councilman Bill Greely, and Councilman Frank DiCicco.

BOYD’S GOES ITALIAN

Jen Utley and Nicole Cashman at Boyd’s Italian event.

Then it was on to Boyd’s as they were hosting an evening to celebrate Italian style of clothing. On hand was the Italian Trade Commissioner Aniello Musella and Zanna Roberts Russi, senior editor from Marie Claire magazine. Together they launch the “Made In Italy” campaign in NYC, and last Wednesday night they brought the campaign to Philly.

In attendance were lots of Philly’s fashionable people, including Sabrina Tamburino, Jill Rizen, Kristin Foote, Erin Elmore, Justin Wineburg, Lauren O’Dorsio, Dave Maser, and so many more. It was packed and hard to get around without a hanger poking me. I did run into Mrs. Chase Utley, Jen. Jen just returned to Philly after spending the cold winter months in San Francisco. She’s really happy to be back to see her friends, but does miss her home state. Jen chatted up Nicole Cashman, looking relaxed and refreshed having just returned from Mexico. Nicole’s very happy to have Jen back as they truly are BFF’s.

Jimmy Contreras with Nina and Mia Tinari

Also enjoying the party was Jimmy Contreras, whose home, gift and baby boutique was featured recently in the New York Times travel section. The article also included Green Aisle Grocery and several other South Philly hipster hangouts. Also on hand was  Mia Tinari, who completed Widener Law School in December and who’s planning her upcoming wedding to Dave Fisher on May 22. Vice President Joe Biden was one of Mia’s law professor’s and is a close friend of her family. No word on whether he would be attending the wedding. Although I’m going to go out on a limb and say there’s a good chance Governor Ed Rendell will be there since sister Nina Tinari worked for him for 6 years.