Dan Gross: 'Ghost Hunters' to check onPhila. Zoo
THE PHILADELPHIA Zoo is haunted, say staffers who are glad that they may soon have some understanding of what spirit or spirits could inhabit America's oldest zoo.
NOTE: THIS STORY HAS BEEN CORRECTED.
THE PHILADELPHIA Zoo is haunted, say staffers who are glad that they may soon have some understanding of what spirit or spirits could inhabit America's oldest zoo.
The SyFy Network's "Ghost Hunters" will shoot at the zoo tomorrow and Thursday nights, investigating several areas where workers have reported flickering lights or apparitions.
The locations include Solitude House, which John Penn, grandson of William Penn, built in 1784 and which formerly housed reptiles; the Penrose building, which used to be a research laboratory and vet hospital; and the Shelly building, now used for zoo administration.
"We feel very strongly that there is some sort of haunting here, and we're looking forward to finding out what," says Kirsten Wilf, marketing specialist for the zoo. Wilf says that Jody McNeil Lewis, vice chair of the board, had the idea to contact "Ghost Hunters."
Wilf says that employees have seen only human forms. No animal spirits are thought to be haunting the premises. Lewis, who is among those who have seen evidence of hauntings, is to be interviewed, as are revenue-control supervisor Will Gonzalez and primate keeper Desiree Haneman.
Zoo chief operating officer Andy Baker will lead the show's cameras on their tour of the zoo.
A SyFy spokeswoman says the episode will air in the fall.
Ray plugs John's Roast Pork
The new issue of Rachael Ray magazine gives a nod to John Bucci's John's Roast Pork (14 E. Snyder) as one of the city's best-kept-secret sandwich spots.
Out and about
* If you ever have actor Terrence Howard for dinner, you should probably not make Brussels sprouts. Howard and his family, in a party of seven, all asked to "hold the Brussels sprouts" while dining Thursday at the Valley Green Inn.
* Rapper Lil Jon went for a chicken cheesesteak from Talk of the Town (3020 S. Broad) the other day while in the area for a DJ gig in Atlantic City. New Eagles running back Mike Bell also stopped by for a provolone cheesesteak a few days back.
* You thought Jay Wright wore suits only on the sidelines, but the Villanova basketball coach had on a tan suit Sunday afternoon while strolling the Ocean City boardwalk with his family.
A charity sneak peek at 'Glee'
A sneak preview of returning Fox hit "Glee," will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Levitt Auditorium (401 S. Broad) at the University of the Arts. It's a benefit for the Grammy Foundation's Grammy in the Schools program promoting music programs in public schools.
Admission is $15 and includes Tastykakes and soft pretzels. Tickets are available at ticketsforcharity.com. For everyone else, the show premieres at 9:30 p.m. on April 13.
'Dare' screenwriter talks film
Screenwriter David Brind will be at Bryn Mawr Film Institute to speak following a screening of "Dare," his 2009 Sundance Film Festival favorite, on April 14 at 7:30 p.m. Brind will also teach a free master class in independent filmmaking in the institute's upstairs Multimedia Room at 2 p.m. The event is open to adults and teens 16 and older, but you must reserve a spot by calling 610-527-4008, ext. 105, or e-mail DWachs@brynmawrfilm.org. At the seminar, Brind, who wrote and produced "Dare," will talk about the development of a film from conception to reality. Tickets are $9.50 general admission, $6.75 for students and seniors, and $5 for film-institute members.
Cheer for chef on 'Chopped'
Valanni (1229 Spruce) hosts a party at 9:30 tonight to cheer on Chef Mackenzie Hilton, of its sister spot Mercato (1216 Spruce), who is competing on the Food Network's "Chopped." Chef Eric Paraskevas of Terra (243 S. Camac) is also competing on the show, hosted by Ted Allen.
Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.
