Dan Gross | 2nd Bucks Ms. a Miss

HER ZETA TAU ALPHA sorority sisters may have been bummed that

Shannon James

posed for

Playboy

, but

we're guessing readers of the magazine will be more than happy to see Miss May 2007.

James, 20, grew up in Holland, Bucks County, and attended the University of Central Florida when she was selected, after an appearance on Howard Stern's Sirius Satellite Radio show, for a pictorial in the magazine. She graduated from Council Rock South in 2005.

There must be something in the water in Bucks County: Miss November 2001 Lindsey Vuolo was reared in Yardley, not too far away from James.

James, who now takes online courses at a local college, hopes this isn't the last time she models for Playboy and hopes to pursue a career in acting. She also wants her poetry published.

Sorry, fellas, but she has a boyfriend. She's dating a dude named Justin who works in real estate. James says he's been supportive of her modeling, but as they began dating after she was booked for Playboy, "he kinda knew the deal already," she says.

Garcia almost got 'Sunny'

Rob McElhenney, creator and star of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," told us the other day that after having trouble landing Donovan McNabb for an appearance on the show, (as we recently reported), the show booked Jeff Garcia for a spot in an Eagles-themed episode. McElhenney, a South Philly native, says Garcia visited the set and got a script, but was traded before shooting.

McElhenney, a St. Joe's Prep grad, says the FX series will be in town May 29-June 10 shooting scenes for the irreverent comedy, which starts again in September.

String band plays 'Sardine' fest

A few dozen members of the Quaker City String Band are taking their Mummery to Murcia, Spain, next week for the Entierro de la Sardina, which translates to Festival of the Sardine.

Quaker City Business Manager Mike LaPergola says he thinks the band, which just returned from playing in Ireland, is the first Mummers string band to play in Spain. He's looking forward to seeing the giant sardine that's part of the festival. "It's almost as big as a shark," he says.

Arquette part of Aguilera's act

Actor David Arquette was strapped down and whipped by Christina Aguilera during her Wachovia Center show Tuesday.

Arquette also strolled around the complex, stopping to chat with a few babes and pose for pictures at the Finnigan's Wake bar.

The ladies noted that he was wearing his wedding ring, noteworthy due to tabloid reports of trouble between him and his wife, Courteney Cox Arquette.

Later on, Arquette stopped by Benny the Bum's (10th & Packer) for a bite. He traveled on a bus wrapped in a giant ad for his upcoming movie "The Tripper."

Bar back in business

Misconduct Tavern (1511 Locust) has re-opened under new management. Bartender Chris Markham and attorney Chuck Ercole bought and rehabbed the nightspot, closed since June.

The last word

"Easter is cool, but I actually prefer Ash Wednesday," says Germantown's Danny Ozark. "That's the one day a year when Aaron Neville looks normal."

The comic, born Peter Goldman, will do Kidd Chris's show at 5 p.m. today on 94.1 FREE FM. *

If you have something you'd like to share with Dan, call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. To read Dan's recent columns, visit http://go.philly.com/dangross.