Dan Gross: Tolly's a daddy at 57

BETTER LATE than never. Veteran sports broadcaster Don Tollefson has become a father at 57. Congrats to Tolly and his wife Marilyn Torres-Tollefson, 35, who welcomed a daughter, Gabriella Laura, at 12:42 a.m. yesterday. "I'm a 57-year-old first-time daddy, and it feels terrific," Tolly told us by phone yesterday.

Gabriella weighed in at 7 pounds, 15 ounces and she and mom, who works part time at QVC, are both doing great. Tolly, who spent years at Fox 29, is doing some work on 97.5 The Fanatic/950 ESPN.

Shaq at light show

It wasn't hard to miss Shaquille O'Neal at the Comcast Center yesterday wearing a pair of 3-D glasses as he took in Comcast's free holiday light display. Shaq, who wore a Cavaliers sweatsuit, is a Comcast pitchman. He headed upstairs to the corporate office after taking in the holiday show.

Filmmakers host NYE bash

Filmmakers Stevie Gordon and Terrance Glasgow will premiere a trailer for "The Gift" at their New Year's Eve bash at the Navy Yard, doubling as a launch party for GNG Films. The movie was shot over the summer in Southwest Philly and stars Jamie Hector of "The Wire" as an aspiring rapper who pulls a credit-card scam to raise money for his son to have surgery. Actor Charles Dutton also appears in the film and has become a mentor on the project, now in post-editing. Dutton will return soon for some pick-up shots. The party is $80 at the door, including parking and buffet.

Charitably minded

Eagles linebacker Chris Gocong and wife Mandy will host a Holiday Open House from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Arc of Philadelphia/Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corp. at 2350 W. Westmoreland St. Eagles mascot Swoop and a few Eagles cheerleaders will distribute gifts to PDDC clients. Toys collected by Pamela Baker, a supporter of The Arc and PDDC, and the Ambler Theater, will also be delivered at the party.

* Later that day, Gocong and fellow Eagles Quintin Mikell and Brent Celek will join the Ravitz Family Foundation's Celebrity Holiday Coat Drive, presented by ShopRite supermarkets of Cherry Hill. From 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday the guys will sign autographs for those who donate new or gently used coats at Shoprite of Marlton (307 W. Route 70).

Radio ad leads to rock band

A La Salle University radio ad featuring history professor Charles Desnoyers led to his joining local band Boris Garcia. The band's Jeff Otto contacted Desnoyers after hearing the ad and remembered talking with him after a few concerts about how the professor played steel guitar. Desnoyers jammed with the band and was invited to join them. He performs with Boris Garcia Dec. 26 at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut). The group soon records its fourth CD.

* Also at La Salle, senior Elizabeth Haidemenos keeps getting texts from her friends addressed to Your Majesty, or Your Highness. Why? Because the education and American-studies double major was just named homecoming queen.

Diamond Foxxx at Gold Club

Adult performer Diamond Foxxx dances at the World Famous Gold Club (1416 Chancellor) through Saturday. In the holiday spirit, the club will open noon to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and at 7 p.m. Christmas night. It will be open at 9 a.m. New Year's Day to cater to Mummers and their fans.

See you next year!

You're reading our last column of the year or, if you prefer, the decade. Although we may periodically update PhillyGossip.com, we're out of the paper til Jan. 4. You may, however, see Your Humble Narrator on New Year's Day strutting with the Vaudevillains NYB, which is staging a "Philly Phood Phantasia" theme. The Vaudevillains host its annual Sew-a-Thon from noon to midnight Saturday at Space 1026 (1026 Arch). In the telethon spirit, folks are encouraged to come and sing, dance, perform magic or display any other talents as we work on costumes. Mummers and Philly movies will screen until 7 p.m., and at 8, Space 1026 will host a concert featuring Lovers and Maple Rabbit. There's a $5 suggested donation at the door. Vaudevillains NYB, which debuted at the 2008 parade, has performed at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, a cheer station at the Philadelphia Marathon, and at the Electric Factory with the group Gogol Bordello. For more info on the VNYB, visit vaudevillainsnyb.wordpress.com.

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