Dan Gross: Military-academy parents to Rosie O'Donnell: Get in line, soldier!
ROSIE O'DONNELL didn't have to wait in line at Valley Forge Military Academy during son Parker's move-in Thursday. About 300 other parents did, says a VFMA parent who felt that the comedian got preferential treatment at registration day.
ROSIE O'DONNELL didn't have to wait in line at Valley Forge Military Academy during son Parker's move-in Thursday. About 300 other parents did, says a VFMA parent who felt that the comedian got preferential treatment at registration day.
Asked about O'Donnell's VIP treatment, a VFMA rep said there was no preferential treatment.
"All students and their families are encouraged to complete and submit their paperwork in advance, available on the school website," said Jennifer Myers, a school spokeswoman. "By doing so, families will reduce their wait time significantly and can expedite the registration process at each of the required stations. This is true for all arriving cadets."
O'Donnell has said on her SiriusXM satellite-radio show that she hopes to persuade Parker, who is starting 11th grade, to change his mind about joining the military after graduation.
Night, Will to shoot in Delaware County
The M. Night Shyamalan film starring Jaden and Will Smith that we told you about on Thursday will shoot, in part, at the new Sun Studios in Aston, starting as early as next month. The film will be the first major production to capitalize on the new soundstage, sources tell us. A studio rep did not return a call about whether the Shyamalan film would shoot there.
On Thursday we also told you that the Smiths were in town meeting with Shyamalan and scouting at the old 3M factory, where Shyamalan shot "Lady in the Water" in 2005. His new film, as-yet untitled, is a sci-fi thriller set 1,000 years in the future, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
OUT AND ABOUT
* Samantha Ronson's recent DUI arrest didn't slow her drinking down a bit. The DJ and ex-girlfriend of Lindsay Lohan was seen drinking Jack Daniel's from a bottle at the Borgata's Mixx nightclub about 3:30 a.m. the other week when she and her twin, designer Charlotte Ronson, were celebrating their birthdays at a party where DJ Steve Aoki performed.
* Country-music sensation Martina McBride and about a dozen reality-show stars stayed at the Omni Hotel while in town for Thursday's Denim and Diamonds party, which Heidi and Cole Hamels threw for their Hamels Foundation. "Bachelorette" Ali Fedotowsky and current "Bachelor Pad" castmates Jackie Gordon and Alli Travis were among the crowd at the Crystal Tea Room fundraiser, which benefited schools in Philadelphia and Malawi. Phillies players, including Chase Utley - along with pregnant wife Jen - Hunter Pence and Ryan Howard, supported the foundation by attending.
* "Blue Bloods" star and New Kids on the Block singer Donnie Wahlberg was in the stands at Saturday's Phillies/Nationals game while in town with his son Xavier, 18, who took in at least one day packed with hardcore punk at Joe Hardcore's "This Is Hardcore Festival," based mostly at the Starlight Ballroom (460 N. 9th) over the weekend.
Vento goes to Iowa
Geno's Steaks owner Joey Vento accompanied Talk Radio 1210- AM's Dom Giordano to Iowa for the Republican presidential debate Thursday. Vento's South Philadelphia institution has been home to a number of press stops by Republican candidates since the hullabaloo over the restaurant's "This is America: When Ordering Please Speak English" sticker.