Icepack

Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.

by A.D. Amorosi

I'm certain many of you think of me as an ungrateful cur, an unabiding dude to whom all things are handed upon a silver platter. Not so. I'm that immensely satisfied grumbling mmm-grate. The platter? It's an old worn bronze one given to me by Aunt Mae (note to self: Antique Roadshow). To prove as much, here're things I'm truly grateful for going into Thanksgiving. A) That I'm not Larry Mendte (and don't think that wasn't on my wish list circa 2004). B) That I'm not one of the pitiable workers who'll do the duty of jerkwad Mayor Nutter and shutter libraries and firehouses. That prick should have to pad the locks himself. C) That I'm not the bus driver that nearly killed Jimmy Fallon's new NBC show house band. D) That I'm not Councilman Bill Green, who insists on turning arguments against Nutter into moronic rants against green issues like biking and other brands of sustainability. E) That I'm not the guy who cleaned up after the lobster-slider-supping, martini-swilling 1,500-plus Eagles/Phillies/newscaster types and me who filled Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House opening at the Packard Grande in time to start biz-ne$$ this Friday. F) On a very, very serious and sad note — that I'm not a Philadelphia police officer. I'm thankful this Thanksgiving. You be thankful too.

► When DJ Rahsaan kicked off his "Dutty Chutney" reggae soundclash Friday at Fluid (the Afrotaino DJ already does "Discoteca" nights at Fluid on third Wednesdays), he whispered in my ear that he was starting Saturdays at Solo, the gi-hugic dance palace known as Egypt. To which I whispered, "Isn't that where 50 Cent is doing a secret pre-release show for Before I Self Destruct the first week of December?" Rahsaan just smiled.

► Photographer Zoe Strauss is never out of my sight. I've got her snap of the late Philly clothier Benny Krass always in front of me at my desk. So it is with big love I welcome her debut book America and its signing: Nov. 29, Quaker City String Band Clubhouse, S. Third Street. Buy it, cash only and get her to sign it.

 It was with a heavy heart that the editors of the Journal Register Company's Art Matters — Philly's news monthly dedicated to local art happenings — announced that its December issue would be the last. Anyone happy that another print vehicle's down should only die.

► They're funnier than wine in a box and twice as shapely. They're undeterred by recent happy marriages and child-birthings and won't give up now. It's Minor Prophets and they've got a massive Balcony show Nov. 28. "Divorces are too expensive and eating children, although delicious, is illegal," says Prophet Gil Damon about Friday's mix of Minor Prophet/Derek Frey films followed by their big new show.

► Some know her still as New Wave Jan, the DJ at the Ripley and onetime missus of David Carroll. But to the gentry of Chestnut Hill, Jan Wilson's the owner of the lush plush boite Cafette, the quaint Ardleigh Street restaubar that's celebrating its 15th anniversary over the course of the next few weeks.

► House mavens David T. Rice and DJ Venus 7's swanky Fashion Voyage Wednesdays at Hotel Sofitel celebrate their first year with a runway event with Christian Dior Couture and an after-party at Vango.

HALF OFF DEPOT

Why live life at full price?

► WHOWHATWHERE: I'd like to quote Sweet Charity when mentioning Saturday's engagement jawn for Sabrina Tamburino and Steve Thorne. "I love to cry at weddings/ Anybody's wedding/ Just as long as it's not mine!" Har. The Franklin Institute bash (after-party at Denim with Chazz Palminteri, I hear) hosted the clans Tinari and DiCicco, the Pinkenson/Weisses, an Erin Elmore, a Vince Papale, an Anna Verna, a Bob Brady and a Larry Farnese and crews from Cashman Associates and Philly Style.

► In unrelated news, while the re-opening party at Cheerleaders found DJ Jackie BamBam meeting up with January '09 Penthouse Pet Teagan Presley, Playboy's Miss November 2008 Grace Kim was all over the Tropicana's Rumba Lounge and Providence spots.

► Philly's Brian Rischmann's new advertising scheme is called Fox Sky Sign. His Fox Chopper will soar and sell, programmed with any message any client desires (foxchoppers.com). I have two: "Where's the money you owe A.D.?" and "Get-well kisses to Chris McDonough." Cards and loving calls are pouring in to Absinthe Drinkers' McDonough and his gal Kim Zelnicker, the former of whom got shot near his Christian Street condo. With Absinthe Drinkers unable to do their Monday Night Club Christmas Pageant Dec. 1 at National Mechanics, bassist Maxx Guerin is doing the gig with his New Pony band and asking Stephen Bluhm and itinerant Drinkers CA Conrad, Ish Klein, Randi Warhol and Molly Russakoff (who finally opened her Ninth Street Market Health Food salon) to read and sing stuff Monday night and videotape well wishes to McDonough. 

(a_amorosi@citypaper.net)