Touring Philly's no physical challenge for Summers

WHENEVER I HEAR about people seeing former "Double Dare" host and part-time Philly resident Marc Summers, they always comment on how generally engaged he is with them, rather than giving them the celeb kiss-off.

"I'm just fascinated that people have such good memories of it," Summers, who also hosts Food Network's "Unwrapped," said of his former Nickelodeon hosting gig. "So I am actually interested to hear what they have to say."

Some of those memories are more formative than most.

"All these young boys had fantasies about [stage assistant] Robin [Marella]; I still get a million questions about her," Summers said. "She still looks like a million bucks. She has kids and she just showed them the tapes and they walked out of the room because they were so embarrassed."

That continued reverence for the kiddie game show - which originated on Philly PBS affiliate WHYY in 1986 before moving to cable - along with his other hosting gigs, is why HLN asked Summers to take its crew around Philly. Summers can be seen on the channel during the 2 and 5 p.m. hours Thursday in a segment in which notables talk about favorite spots in their cities. Summers chose Eastern State Penitentiary - he said he's always been fascinated by the historic prison and loves taking tourist buddies there.

Summers has a busy Philly-centric week. He'll be at Fishtown's Frankford Hall tomorrow and Thursday night for the second annual Dunkel Dare, a Philly Beer Week event pitting brewers in a hops-soaked version of Summers' former job.

This year, the winner will have to take on a full-scale obstacle course, just like in the show.

The irony here is that Summers tells me he isn't much of a beer drinker. He prefers wine.

Carlos Ruiz hosted "Get in the Game," a fundraiser for Philadelphia Futures, on Sunday night at North Bowl, bringing a dozen of his Phillies buddies, including Kevin Frandsen, John Mayberry Jr., Jonathan Pettibone, Chase Utley, Freddy Galvis, Jimmy Rollins, Laynce Nix, Delmon Young, Ryne Sandberg, Jeremy Horst, Tyler Cloyd, Justin De Fratus, Erik Kratz, Humberto Quintero and Antonio Bastardo.

But since those guys compete in physical challenges for a living, it was up to media personalities to bring the blood. In the Battle of the Media Stars bowling tourney, Comcast SportsNet's Marshall Harris proved he's got a career in bowling if the broadcast thing doesn't work out.

* In other Chooch news, the 1 millionth bobblehead, featuring a swingin' Ruiz, will be doled out as a giveaway during tonight's game against the Marlins. The lucky fan who takes home the 1 millionth 'head gets a gold-plated version, autographed by the Phils' catcher.

Phillie Cole Hamels and wife Heidi stopped by Roxborough's Shawmont School to dish out $50,000 in grants that will go to new musical instruments at Shawmont, library renovations at East Mount Airy's F.S. Edmonds School and a kiln and other art supplies at Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School.

* New Orleans Saint Jahri Evans sponsored his fifth annual Bowling Bash, hosted by Hot 107.9 personalities Shamara and Laiya, at the Dave & Buster's Franklin Mills on Friday. The Frankford High grad was joined by teammates Roman Harper, Mark Ingram and Isa Abdul-Quddus. Former Eagle Hollis Thomas and Mayor Nutter also stopped by to say hi. The foundation creates scholarships for deserving students.

* Did McGillin's Olde Ale House feel a bit more magical this weekend? Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause, formerly of the bewitched WB dramedy "Charmed," hit up the Center City pub while they were in town for Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con. Must have been a nice reunion, considering Combs' and Krause's characters used to be a hot item. Combs is currently on ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars," which is set in a fictional Main Line town, most likely Rosemont.

* 6ABC's Jim Gardner dined at Avenue Kitchen. The Villanova eatery, just off the Blue Route, opened early last month.

* Comedian/actor Kevin Pollak ("The Usual Suspects," although he'll always be the partial ocular albino from "Wayne's World 2" to me), who played Helium Comedy Club this weekend, stopped by the City Line Avenue Target in between radio interviews.