Niche, which also publishes magazines such as Gotham, Hamptons and Los Angeles Confidential, has said that it targets readers with household incomes of at least $250,000. Despite laying off workers yesterday, Niche's profits are up nearly 10 percent over last year, and the company just expanded its New York offices, sources tell us.

Niche CEO Jason Binn declined to discuss specifics of the layoffs yesterday or reveal how many positions were eliminated. "We've had to accelerate the realization of our operating efficiency," Binn said. And despite the layoffs, he added, the magazine will publish eight issues annually, up from six. He says that publisher John Colabelli and editor Sarah Schaffer will remain.

"They've added glamour and luxury and a stronger connection with the community," he said.

School field becomes heliport

A CBS 3 helicopter made an emergency landing at Mayfair Elementary School about noon yesterday. Nobody was injured, but the chopper was stuck there for hours. The pilot landed there when he thought he was having mechanical problems, says a CBS 3 spokeswoman. The same helicopter, a back-up, also made an emergency landing a few weeks ago in a vacant lot near 2nd and Master streets.

Fox 29's SkyFox also touched down at the school to check on the CBS 3 helicopter crew. The well-intentioned Fox pilots were berated by police on scene for landing there in a nonemergency situation and soon flew the coop.

Out and about

* Levittown-raised "Ugly Betty" actor Mark Indelicato dined with family at his uncle Robert Angelaccio's Annabella (119 Radcliffe) in Bristol Friday night. The 14-year-old actor usually goes for the restaurant's cheesesteaks, gnocchi or pizza. Indelicato graciously approached a table whose guests recognized him, chatting and signing autographs.

* Frank Sinatra Jr. hosted a party of 20 at Patsy's at the Atlantic City Hilton after he played there Sunday night. Sinatra was marking the birthday of Merrill Kelem, a former Atlantic City Police sergeant and longtime guard and aide to Frank Sinatra.

Kelem, who now tours with Sinatra Jr., recently lost his left leg due to a blood clot, and told the People Paper's Chuck Darrow that he didn't think he would make it to the show.

* Filmmaker Tigre Hill had breakfast at the Four Seasons with former '60s-radical-turned-Republican David Horowitz, a friend of Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider, in town to watch Gov. Sarah Palin drop the ceremonial first puck at the Flyers home opener Saturday night.

Horowitz, who worked with the Black Panthers, is featured in Hill's upcoming film, "The Barrel of a Gun," about former Panther-turned-convicted-cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.

* Speaking of Palin, 610 WIP's Howard Eskin happened to be just outside the Flyers dressing room as Palin was being whisked away to a luxury suite where she would join her family. Eskin, ever the gentleman (except maybe to his show's callers), offered her words of encouragement. "I'm rooting for you," he told Palin.

* Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Buck had a bite and a few beers at the Public House (18th & Cherry) the other night, where he caught the American League playoff action on a big screen.

LaBelle will reunite on WDAS

LaBelle will perform live Wednesday afternoon on 105.3 WDAS during Patty Jackson's show. The R&B group, which taught millions how to ask for sex in French in the 1970s with its hit "Lady Marmalade," will release "Back to Now," its first record in 30 years, next week. Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash will soon be touring in support of the album on Verve Records.

He sees Phillies from Philippines

Center City native actor Christian Meoli appears in the season premiere of "Eli Stone" tonight on 6ABC. He'll be opposite series lead (and former husband of Angelina Jolie) Jonny Lee Miller, as well as Sigourney Weaver. Meoli's currently catching the Phillies games from the Philippines, where he's working on the film "Tears From Afar." *

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest. Got a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com.