The legal letter demands the news site stop using its potentially trademark-infringing logo, which is "virtually identical in shape, color, font and style to our own Daily News logo." The letter adds that "our readers could easily be duped into thinking that your Web site is somehow affiliated" with the Daily News.

Shortly after the Daily Beast went live Monday, New York magazine's Daily Intel blog pointed out the similarity, as did as the People Paper's Attytood blogger, Will Bunch, and Philadelphia Weekly blogger Dan McQuade.

A Daily Beast spokeswoman said yesterday that the Web site had received no such letter, but did not weigh in on the similarities between its logo and our own.

To judge for yourself, see both logos at http://go.philly.com/tina.

Local poker pro wins $2 million

Washington's Crossing's Michael Martin just won $2 million at a European Poker Tour event in London. Don't expect the 24-year-old to gamble it away - the Council Rock and Penn State grad is so smart with his money that he still lives with his parents.

Martin's been playing poker professionally for about three years, and says he learned the game from Pat Knoll, best friend of his mother, Nancy.

The former ice-hockey player says he's home only three months per year, and mostly works playing poker at tournaments in Europe, where he says Texas Hold 'Em is just taking off and where there are more amateur players.

"I didn't have any expenses except for beer money," Martin says of the fortune he began to amass by playing poker online in college. He's soon off for a tournament in Budapest, Hungary, and still plays on PokerStars.net, which he hopes will soon sponsor him.

"I've always wanted to travel, so this is the perfect job to have. But it's volatile. It's like being a day trader," says Martin, whose only extravagant purchase was a $10,000 watch he no longer wears. "I don't really care if I look like a big baller. Having money isn't as important as being smart and a good person. I guess."

Playmate dishes on sex w/Eagle

Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson was on E's "Chelsea Lately" show Tuesday night where she discussed her relationship with Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett. "So are you porking him?" asked host Chelsea Handler. "Actually, uh, he lives across country so, you know, we Skype," Wilkinson said, citing the popular online call/video service. "When

you're across the country, you kinda have to do the whole Skype sex thing," she says, adding that it's "way better than phone sex. Way better. Try it," she gushed. We were the first to report that Wilkinson, whose mother was an Eagles cheerleader, and Baskett were dating, although Baskett has said the pair were only friends. Wonder if he Skype-sexes all of his pals? Wilkinson, seen on E's "Girls Next Door," said on "Chelsea Lately" that she's no longer dating Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.

Out and about

South Philly-born crooner Al Martino celebrated his 81st birthday at Modo Mio (2nd & Girard) Tuesday night with wife Judy, and friends, including Jerry Blavat, Aramingo Diner owner George Grigos and wife Georgette, urologist Dr. David Raezer, interior designer Robert Moskowitz and attorney Eddie Jacobs, who is representing Ruth Arnao in the federal corruption trial she's facing with longtime friend state Sen. Vince Fumo. Modo Mio's Peter McAndrews made the velvet-voiced singer a birthday cake. Martino, who plays the Tropicana in Atlantic City this weekend, will join the Geator and Connie Stevens to lead the Columbus Day Parade up Broad Street Sunday.

Singer John Legend dined in a small party at Lemongrass (38th & Lancaster) Tuesday night.

Pitcher Greg Maddux and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra were among a crew of Dodgers at Morton's (1411 Walnut) Tuesday night, shortly after arriving in town to (let's hope) be pummeled by the Phillies beginning tonight.

Mayoral mug makes Palm walls

Mayor Nutter's mug will be added to the wall of famous and not-so-famous caricatures on the walls of the Palm (200 S. Broad). The unveiling is at noon next Thursday. *

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.