Besides Ruggles' departure, we have to question whether meteorologist Dave Warren is long for NBC 10. The station has been running promos for its weather team: Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz, Sheena Parveen, Bill Henley and Michelle Grossman, but Warren is conspicuously absent from the spots.
Furthermore, the station is advertising for an open meteorologist position. A station spokeswoman declined to comment on whether Warren is leaving. Warren did not return a request for comment. We reported recently that Warren and his wife, Alison Frick, who sells real estate, are expecting twins around Christmas.
Darren playing Vineland
South Philly-born entertainer James Darren plays Vineland, N.J., on Friday, his first local concert in about six years. Darren says that of course he has to play his biggest hit, "Goodbye, Cruel World," which he says Bruce Springsteen once told him he bought on 45 in Freehold. He performs Friday at the Landis Theater (830 E. Landis). For about 20 years, Darren gave up singing and focused on acting and directing in shows like "Melrose Place" and "Hunte." But playing a singer on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" got him back on stage. Now, Darren, who grew up at 10th and Ritner and lives in Beverly Hills, Calif., is about to record a new CD for the Concord label and is glad to get back to the area and see some old friends.
Tickets are available at $45-$55. Call 856-691-1121 or visit LandisTheater.com.
OUT AND ABOUT
Spike Lee was all business Friday promoting his new movie, "Red Hook Summer," until a Power 99 staffer made some NBA predictions that the diehard Knicks fan took exception to. But Lee later spoke highly of the Sixers' new center, Andrew Bynum, with Fox 29 "Good Day" anchor Mike Jerrick. Lee spent most of his time doing interviews at Ms. Tootsie's (1312 South), where he foolishly managed to leave without eating anything. "Red Hook Summer" opens in area theaters Friday.
* Singer Marc Anthony partied at HQ nightclub at Revel in Atlantic City on Friday. He was accompanied by model girlfriend Shannon De Lima (JLo who?) and his brother Bigram Zayas.
* Giants legend Lawrence Taylor smoked a cigar while enjoying a cocktail at the Boardwalk Beer Garden at Caesars Atlantic City Saturday while fellow NFL veteran Tony Siragusa had a few beers there Friday after the Air Show.
* R&B singer Ginuwine partied in a VIP area at Delilah's (100 Spring Garden) Thursday night. He arrived with a few guys and a few women and enjoyed bottle service but no private dances, says our spy. Ginuwine was in town for a 17 Days of Fashion event Friday.
Rendell goes floral
Ann Catania of Ten Pennies Florist (1921 S. Broad) hosts a book party for her friend Ed Rendell at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at her shop. The gov-turned-MSNBC pundit will sign copies of A Nation of Wusses: How America's Leaders Lost the Guts to Make Us Great. The signing is open to the public with books for sale at the event.
Have a tip? Contact Dan Gross at dgross@phillynews.com or 215-854-5963. Read his blog at PhillyGossip.com, or his columns at philly.com/DanGross.
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