Dan Gross: The mystery of Lennon's tomb

TODAY, THE 28th anniversary of the death of

John Lennon

, Havertown radio producer

Denny Somach

will be on

Howard Stern

's Sirius Satellite Radio show at 7 a.m. to discuss what he calls the mystery of Lennon's remains.

Despite Lennon's death certificate stating that he was cremated on Dec. 10, 1980, at Ferncliff Cemetery, in Hartsdale, N.Y., Somach claims that Yoko Ono once stated in an interview that Lennon was buried but never provided more specifics about where.

Somach has his own bizarre theory on the whereabouts of Lennon's remains, which he says he won't get into on Stern's show in case a listener has info to report.

The veteran radio producer appeared on Stern's show last year to talk about Led Zeppelin and the group's boosting of classic blues tunes, including some over which they lost court battles. Today's interview will be broadcast on Sirius throughout the week.

Spike speaks tonight at Temple

Filmmaker Spike Lee will speak about his career and the movie business tonight at Temple. At 7 p.m. Lee appears at the Great Court at Mitten Hall (1913 N. Broad). The lecture is open to the public, but Temple students will get priority seating. The Academy-Award nominated director most recently released "Miracle at St. Anna," about four black American soldiers in World War II, based on Philly author James McBride's book. Temple's Main Campus Programming Board will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to dine with Lee tonight.

Local girl meets 'Potter' author

Upper Dublin High School junior Emily Winters was one of five kids who flew to Edinburgh, Scotland, to meet "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and attend a reading from her new book, "The Tales of Beedle the Bard."

Winters, 16, and the other winners wrote 200-word essays about how they have helped others. Winters, who says she's "a ginormous fan" of "Harry Potter," wrote about a program called BookGrams4Grandma, which she started two years ago with twin brother, Harrison. They collect and donate books to libraries and underprivileged children. Each carries a sticker about Alzheimer's awareness in honor of their grandmother Eileen, who has the disease.

'NO CMMNT' on new plates

Mayor Nutter's chief spokesman Doug Oliver has changed vanity plates. For years, Oliver, former spokesman of the Philadelphia Gas Works sported "CMNIC8R" on the back of his black Chevy Tahoe SUV. On Friday we noticed it now bears a "NO CMMNT" plate. Asked when and why he made the switch, Oliver wrote back "No comment :)"

'Leverage' actor's Philly dreams

The last time Christian Kane was in Philadelphia, the actor was too hung over from partying with his best buddy, David Boreanaz, to run up the "Rocky" steps.

But Kane, co-star of TNT's series "Leverage," which premiered last night, said that it was the only thing he planned to do while here promoting the show last week. Kane appeared alongside the Malvern Prep "Bones" star on "Angel," and says that he considers Boreanaz's dad and mom, 6ABC's Dave Roberts and wife, Patti, to be like a second family. Kane plays tough-guy Eliot Spencer on the fast-paced con-artist revenge drama. The guitarist/singer has just finished recording a country album and hopes to tour next year if his acting schedule permits.

Honorable mentions

_ Filmmaker Bill Duke, who shot "Cover" in town last year, picked up a John Allen Blue award from Bebashi (Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues) at its 12th annual awards gala Friday night at the Brossman Center (7301 Germantown Ave.). Temple professor Dr. Donald Parks; Sandra Thompson, executive director of St. Mary's Respite Center; and Judith Peters, HIV/AIDS Prevention Coordinator for the school district, also received awards. 107.9 WRNB personality Dyana Williams hosted the event. For more info on Bebashi, visit bebashi.org.

* Actor/comedian Nick Cannon just taped a spot for Philly-based Big Brothers Big Sisters, which will run in American Eagle Outfitters stores next month. Cannon, aka Mr. Mariah Carey, taped the PSA in Los Angeles. *

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest stories. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.