Stars of David

January 31, 2008 - Michael Elkin, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Susan Jaffe

There's this totally unfounded report going on that Punxsutawney Phil and Gus are going at it for title of Groundhog No. 1 in Pennsylvania. None of this could be confirmed, since Phil has been holed up working out in anticipation of his day in the sun this weekend. Since it's Saturday, does that mean six more weeks of winter if he doesn't come out on Shabbat?

In the zone: Adding zip to his administration's new moves, Mayor Michael Nutter recently announced an adjusted Zoning Board of Adjustment, which includes leading luminaries Susan Jaffe and Joseph Manko, with Jaffe the mayor's choice for board chair.

Joined at the "hip": Matthew Bacine is founder -- along with Tayyib Smith -- of two.one.five, a new mag counting on the 18-to-35 hip-hop audience. Among its first issue's stories: "Gettin' Schooled With Schooly D." All "Stars" can say after seeing a pic of the man known as "the godfather of gangsta rap," Schooly D, is that he'd hate to get into a fight with him over quantum physics.

Lori Dillard Rech

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful Seaport Museum -- that's where you'll see Lori Dillard Rechthese days, as she's been named prexy of the Independence Seaport Museum in Philly.

Of principal interest: Rabbi Loren Sykes has been selected as director of the North American Division of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School.

Hot-to-trot at the Troc is Shalom Hanoch. The kibbutznik-cum-rocker is set for a concert in just five weeks at Philly's Trocadero Theatre.

Is North Philly proving to be a true Acres of Diamonds? Northern Liberties builder/developer Bart Blatstein is a tower of power as his Tower Investments just purchased what was the 19-story state office building at Broad and Spring Garden streets. The site will be home to a new residential complex, extending the broad swath of Blatstein's nationally nodded and applauded development of Avenue North.

Shalom Hanoch

Riker's island? Riker's city! Yardley's Jennifer Riker has been popping up on a lot of TV lately. The medium's got her number and Jennifer's got "Numb3rs," in which she appeared, with a well-done "Medium" appearance set soon.

Just got a musical missive from longtime Jewish jazz gem Bruce Klauber, noting that "Joy Adams and I are in Naples, Fla., until the early spring, enjoying the kids and the grandkids. The music scene is fabulous in Naples, and we are playing and singing -- individually and collectively -- at least twice a week." Well, the missive wasn't entirely personal; it arrived on his Web site, www.jazzlegends.com, which the local music man and prominent author has developed into quite an ongoing online business. In the meantime, Bruce, don't forget to send me a shipment of honeybells.

Copy! Copy! Nah, David Friedman's an original. But the Lafayette Hill resident is explaining the derivation and modern-day meanings of such terms as "copy" as he serves as "journalist in charge" of a Knight Foundation-sponsored program in which the seasoned communications pro brings his expertise to Philadelphia schools. Remember, enquiring minds want to know.

Jerome Lowenthal

Okay, Einstein, what makes you think you're so smart? Why, the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers, which just gave its Gold Seal of Approval to the Albert Einstein Medical Center for its stroke-care program.

Don't shoot the piano player, just give him an ear: And what an ear for music has Jerome Lowenthal, the world-known, locally grown pianist taking part in a distinguished alumni recital in honor of Settlement Music School's 100th birthday. He's pedaling his talent Feb. 3 at the Independence Seaport Museum, along with bassoonist Judith LeClair.

As anyone in the ad biz knows, "be prepared" is a great motto to follow. How apropos, then, that Marc Brownstein, prexy, Brownstein Group, has received the 2007 Communications Industry "Good Scout" Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Go ahead, Marc, do something: Rub two branches together!