Dan Gross: Philly's film advocate honored

M. Night Shyamalan and wife Bhavna hosted a party at their Chester County home Saturday to honor Sharon Pinkenson, head of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, on her 20 years running the local film commission.

Overbrook native superstar Will Smith and son Jaden, who are in the area starring in Shyamalan's "After Earth," helped celebrate as did locally raised actresses Kim Delaney of "Army Wives" and Rebecca Creskoff of "Hung." Phylicia Rashad, who is in town shooting the NBC pilot "Do No Harm," (now on location at the School District of Philadelphia headquarters) was there with show co-stars Alana De La Garza and Mousa Kraish.

Gov. Corbett and wife Susan were also in the house, as well as state Sens. Vincent Hughes and Daylin Leach, former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Margolis and numerous longtime supporters of the film office.

Corbett reaffirmed his support of the state's film industry, which has brought hundreds of millions of dollars to local businesses over the past 20 years.

On behalf of Mayor Nutter, City Representative Melanie Johnson presented Pinkenson a "Philadelphia" poster autographed by Tom Hanks, who won an Oscar for his starring role in the film. As a thank-you to Shyamalan for hosting the gala, for supporting the film office, and for his dedication to local productions, Pinkenson presented him, a collector of unique memorabilia, with an Alfred Hitchcock limited-edition Montblanc fountain pen.

"To hear such heartwarming accolades from Night and Bhavna Shyamalan, Governor Corbett and Melanie Johnson, and to get hugs and kisses from Will Smith and all of the stars that came to the party and stayed all night to celebrate me," says Pinkenson - "well, it was the best night of my life. I'm staying right here with the best job in the world"

Eric Lerner starts March 21 as the new president and GM of NBC10, replacing longtime GM Dennis Bianchi, who recently jumped ship to run Fox 29. Lerner was VP/GM of KIRO-TV, the CBS affiliate in Seattle for six years.

The night before rocking the Wells Fargo Center with Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg will present "Mighty Max: An Evening with Max Weinberg" March 27 at the National Musuem of American Jewish History. He'll discuss playing his first bar mitzvah when he was 7, joining Springsteen's group, performing on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and much more. Weinberg's talk is presented in partnership with the National Constitution Center, which is hosting the must-see exhibition "From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen." Cost is $18 for members of the museum and the Constitution Center and $25 for nonmembers.

Flyers alum-turned-broadcaster Bill Clement and fellow Stanley Cup champion Bernie Parent talk hockey at 6 tonight in a free event at Chickie's & Pete's at Parx Casino in Bensalem.

Volunteers are still needed to get their heads shaved to raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer at the St. Baldrick's charity event at Fado (15th & Locust) at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Staff, friends and patrons of the Irish bar will be participating in the fundraiser. For info, or to register visit stbaldricks.org.