Local writer rocks out with White House spokesman Jay Carney

We're surprised he cleared Secret Service security, but Phawker.com editor Jonathan Valania was at the White House on Friday interviewing President Obama's press secretary, Jay Carney, about his love of indie-rock veterans Guided By Voices.

The interview is to appear in the October issue of Magnet. Like the local music magazine, which had been on hiatus, Guided By Voices is also back, after more than five years apart, and plays the Trocadero (1003 Arch) on July 6. Carney revealed his affinity for the Ohio-based Robert Pollard and his GBV cohorts last year. The interview was rescheduled a few times because of Carney's schedule with more serious matters.

"This is gonna be the fun part of my day," Carney told Valania when he walked into his West Wing office, where the pair spent about a half-hour talking.

"No middle fingers were given," Valania said of his visit, referring to the brouhaha set off by South Philly photographer Zoe Strauss and fellow gay activist Matthew Hart when they recently visited the White House and tweeted pictures of themselves giving the finger to a portrait of President Ronald Reagan.

Out and about

Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent some time relaxing in Ventnor over the weekend. The Clintons stopped to take pictures, separately, with at least one family who approached the powerful pair.

Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard, who just finished shooting mob drama "Dead Man Down" with Colin Farrell here in town, picked up a $10,000 TAG Heuer Grand Carerra at the luxury-watch retailer's new boutique at the King of Prussia Mall a few nights back.

The "Hustle & Flow" and "Red Tails" star was overheard talking about his daughter's upcoming wedding and saying that he may return to pick up another TAG Heuer watch for his soon-to-be son-in-law.

In other celebrity jewelry news, "Once Upon A Time" star Jennifer Morrison picked up white mother-of-pearl earrings ($595) and a ring ($495) from the Venus Collection at Lagos (18th & Walnut) while in town the other week to visit boyfriend Sebastian Stan, who also appears with Morrison on the ABC fairy-tale series and was in town shooting "Political Animals," which premieres July 15 on the USA Network. Morrison, who also spent a few seasons on "House," wore the jewelry to a June 6 event at the White House. Fashion-industry staple Women's Wear Daily ran a photograph of Morrison in her white suit and jewelry on its cover days later.

Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino and Flyers forward Max Talbot partied, separately, Friday at Dusk at Caesars Atlantic City.

Mitchell & Ness president Sean McKinney is leaving the sports-nostalgia and apparel brand after seven years. McKinney says he's loved every minute of his time at the company, owned by Adidas since 2008, especially the parties, which included a 60th-birthday bash for Julius Erving in Atlantic City in 2010, and will stay in the sports, fashion and entertainment business. He says he is working with partners in the U.S., Europe and Asia to acquire brands and consumer-product companies seeking global distribution.

Princeton filmmaker Robert Orlando will attend and speak after a Ritz East (125 Sansom) screening Tuesday of "A Polite Bribe," which he wrote and directed. The film is a documentary about the Apostle Paul and the beginning of Christianity. The free screening takes place at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.

Sarah Dash of the Patti LaBelle-fronted '70s trio LaBelle will be a special guest Tuesday night at a party in honor of author Cheryl Ann Wadlington's new book, The DivaGirl's Guide to Style and Self Respect, at Peco Energy (2301 Market). The event celebrates Wadlington's eBook, available for $4.99 through online booksellers. A portion of proceeds goes to the Evoluer House, a nonprofit that promotes self-expression and personal growth in young girls. Dash just released a brand-new dance single, "Hold On (He'll Be Right There)," which you can expect to hear at the party. The fete will also feature makeup artists and fashion stylists as well as food and drinks.