When Kimberly Hoffman made place cards of famous Philadelphians like Rocky Balboa, Donovan McNabb, and Ryan Howard, for her Friday night wedding to Micah Hauenstein at the Water Works restaurant she never expected the real Ryan Howard to show up.

The Phillies first baseman and a female companion stopped by the Water Works unaware the restaurant was closed for a wedding. Restaurant staff invited the pair inside for a drink and when owner Michael Karloutsos and family told Howard about the place cards, he happily areed to surprise the bridal party, getting a hug from the bewildered bride.

To thank Howard for being a good sport the kitchen sent him onion soup and tuna ceviche and lobster bisque for his date.

Howard was later seen backstage along with teammate Jimmy Rollins at Power 99's Powerhouse concert at the Wachovia Center headlined by Jay-Z. The hip-hop superstar dedicated his hit "99 Problems" to Michael Vick, who was also backstage.

In all likelihood, last night was Dawn Stensland's final day at Fox 29. The anchor, who we told you yesterday would be leaving beforfe the end of the year, anchored the 10 p.m. newscast and subsequent Phillies celebration coverage, but we hear station management decided yesterday that if the Phillies won, Stensland would not return so Fox 29 could go full speed ahead into the World Series with its new anchor team of Kerri-Lee Halkett and Thomas Drayton. Fox is broadcasting the World Series and also has tonight's Yankees/Angels ALCS game in which the Yankees could clinch.  Yesterday we quoted the station spokeswoman that the timetable of Stensland's departure was still being worked out.

Fox 29 has confirmed that longtime anchor Dawn Stensland will be leaving the station at the end of her contract, which expires before the end of the year. The exact timetable of her departure is still being worked out, a spokeswoman told us moments ago. Kerri-Lee Halkett will take over as co-anchor of Fox 29 News at Ten alongside Thomas Drayton. Stensland, wife of fired CBS 3 anchor Larry Mendte, started at Fox 29 in December 2001 having worked previously at CBS 3.

Stensland, who has not returned our call this afternoon, today posted the following on her Twitter page: "Fox is not renewing my contract. I wanted you to hear that directly from me. Thank you for all your love and support over the years."

Wired 96.5's Chio will have his longtime Q102 sidekick, Diego Ramos, on at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow to explain what happened with Q102, which fired him after 19 years earlier this year. Ramos, who just opened the bar Diego's (2676 Bridge), in Bridesburg, says he's looking forward to the brief reunion with Chio, and says that "you never know what might come out of my mouth," regarding his split with Q102. He's sore that he never got to say goodbye to listeners.

Cherry Hill native Adam Jasinski used his $500,000 prize from winning CBS’ “Big Brother” to buy thousands of oxycodone pills to re-sell, authorities say. Jasinski, 31, was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly tried to sell a sock full of the powerful painkiller pills to an undercover federal agent. Jasinski, a Camden County Community College graduate, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute the narcotic. Jasinski made headlines while living in the “Big Brother” house last year when he referred to autistic children as “retards,” which caused him to lose his job in public relations for the United Autism Foundation. Jasinski was also heard, on a live 24/7 Internet feed of the house, calling a gay castmate a “faggot.”

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Alan Ruck, of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Spin City," started work yesterday on "Booted," the indie comedy that has been shooting for a week. Jerry Blavat, rapper Azizz, NBC10's Bill Henley, Doug Shimell and DJ Omega, 610 WIP's Howard Eskin and Marc Farzetta, 94 WYSP's Gordon and sandwich mogul Tony Luke, Jr. are among those who have shot cameos for the film, by Shaun Paul Costello.

Ruck plays a meter maid in the film and shot a scene yesterday with Ryan Dunn of "Jackass." During a visit to the set yesterday we asked Ruck about the death of filmmaker John Hughes, who directed him in "Bueller."

"We weren't buds, but he gave me the greatest film role I've ever had and I will be forever grateful," Ruck said. As for Dunn, he says he's soon off to shoot "Jackass 3" and also a new show for Spike TV that also features Bam Margera.

Funnywoman Mo'Nique is pure evil in "Precious."

"Usually I make a movie and I expect it to go straight to DVD, so it's weird being received this way," said Lee Daniels Sunday about the critical acclaim that has met his new film, "Precious."

The film, based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire, screened twice at the Philadelphia Film Festival 18 1/2, once to benefit BEBASHI (Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues). The movie, about a teen girl who is emotionally, physically and sexually abused, is as tremendous as it is harrowing.

Wynnefield native Daniels, who produced "Monster's Ball," "Shadowboxer" and "The Woodsman," says it's "a story that's universal." Actress Gabby Sidibe says that being photographed on red carpets and hearing people compliment her acting is "weird and amazing." The film is her first experience acting. Actress Xosha Roquemore also attended Sunday's screenings. Don't be surprised when Mo'Nique, who appeared in Daniels' "Shadowboxer" in a dramatic role, gets an Oscar nomination for playing the world's worst mother. The film opens Nov. 13.

On the day before his death, singer Al Martino was in a Fort Lee, New Jersey studio recording a cover of Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes." His wife Judith and son Al Cini shared the news with us Friday at the D'Anjolell Funeral Home in Broomall which held the viewing and memorial service of the South Philadelphia born show business legend. Martino, who turned 82 on Oct. 7, died of a heart attack Tuesday while cooking at his home in Springfield, Delaware County. The family says it's not sure whether the song will ever be released. Martino, a terrific singer and a true gentleman, who many remember for playing Johnny Fontane in "The Godfather," drew a large crowd of mourners, fans and friends alike, including broadcast veterans Bill Wright, Sr. and Bill "Wee Willie" Webber.

"Law Abiding Citizen" director F. Gary Gray with actor Bruce McGill. Photo: HughE Dillon/PhillyChitChat.com

Since it's namedropped in the film, Del Frisco’s (15th & Chestnut) seemed an appropriate choice for the “Law Abiding Citizen” premiere after-party Thursday night. Being only a few doors from the Prince Music Theater couldn’t have hurt either. In the movie, which opened the Philadelphia Film Festival 18 1/2, Gerard Butler’s imprisoned character asks for a 20 ounce Porterhouse steak, pomme frites and asparagus from DelFrisco’s. While some have thought the chain steakhouse bought the plug as product placement, such is not the case. Director F. Gary Gray dined there a few times a week when the movie shot here and plugged the restaurant as a favor. Before the movie, Gray told us he would love to work in Philadelphia again and said the city “lent itself to the mood of the picture.” “Everything is here, things I didn’t envision we took full advantage of,” he said. Gray thanked South Philly’s Ari Hyman, who moved to LA four years ago, who worked with him as a creative executive on the film. Actor Bruce McGill said he walked the Ben Franklin Bridge “just to be able to say I walked from Philadelphia to New Jersey,” the actor told us, admitting he took a taxi for the return trip. Regina Hall and Emerald-Angel Young, who play Jamie Foxx's wife and daughter also attended Thursday night's screening. Local actors such as Brooke Mills, who plays Butler’s wife, Reno Laquintano, who plays his cellmate, John Wooten, and Keith Moyer attended the premiere screening of the film, which Dave Dougherty also worked on. Among newscasters who can be seen in the film are CBS 3’s Dave Huddleston, 6ABC’s Lisa Thomas Laury and former CN8 anchor Connie Colla who uses her own name in a news report.