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Dan Gross: Cooper's a whirlwind

CNN's ANDERSON COOPER will take part in a live theatrical performance with middle-school students at the National Constitution Center on Friday as part of the new Fighting for Democracy exhibit.

CNN's ANDERSON COOPER will take part in a live theatrical performance with middle-school students at the National Constitution Center on Friday as part of the new Fighting for Democracy exhibit.

The silver fox will be in town that day promoting his new syndicated show, "Anderson," which airs weekdays (9 a.m. CBS 3). He'll arrive late Thursday night after his "Anderson Cooper: 360" broadcast and Friday morning joins CBS 3 anchors Ukee Washington and Erika von Tiehl on-air. He'll also appear on CBS 3's noon "Talk Philly" show and make some radio stops.

Tyga talks

Rapper Tyga will be at South Philadelphia High School on Friday morning as part of his Reach out and Represent (R.O.A.R.) Youth Empowerment Campaign developed and supported by the La Belle Vie Foundation. For more info, visit lbvlife.com/foundation.

No soup for you

Doc's Soup Bar (169 W. Girard) is hosting a "Soup Nazi" costume contest from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Dress as the popular "Seinfeld" character for a chance at a $100, $75 or $50 prize and pose for a photo with a mob of Soup Nazis. Larry Thomas, the actor who played the surly soup-slinger, won't be there Friday, but he will serve soup at Doc's from 1 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18.

Props for 'Nanny'

The Nap Nanny, a foam resting pillow for babies created by Comcast SportsNet's Leslie Gudel, is getting a lot of attention. InStyle magazine quoted "Dawson's Creek" actor James Van Der Beek (who recently shot "Backwards" in the area) and his wife, Kimberly, as saying they wished there was a Nap Nanny for adults, and singer Jewel just raved about hers to Perez Hilton.

Real fakers

Center City-native comedian and SiriusXM underground-music host Jake Fogelnest, comic actor Paul Scheer ("The League") and "Batman" expert and Comics Alliance writer Chris Sims join Daily News features writer Molly Eichel as judges of the Fake Criterions blog's Year One contest. In keeping with the site, at FakeCriterions.tumblr.com, people are asked to design DVD covers for cheesy movies that would never actually be released by Criterion, which says it markets "Important classic and contemporary films." Also judging the contest is Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg, video channel editor at The Atlantic, who takes the longest judge name award. For more info, visit fakecriterions.tumblr.com. The contest runs Sunday to Nov. 15.

Feeling hungry?

Fox 29's Mike Jerrick and CW Philly's Kharisma McIlwaine took a dessert class from Desserts by Dana CEO Dana Herbert, author of Sweet and Savory Union, at the new COOK (253 S. 20th) school by restaurateur Audrey Claire Taichman.

NBC 10's Terry Ruggles and a few friends went for brussels sprouts, crabcakes, sushi and halibut over lobster and shrimp risotto for dinner at Valanni (1229 Spruce) Monday night.

6ABC anchor Shirleen Allicot tried Opa (1311 Sansom) Monday night, sampling small plates of the grilled octopus, scallops, lamb loin and striped bass.

Free flapjacks

Kids 12 and under get a free Scary Face Pancake at most IHOPs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, no purchase necessary. The Scary Face Pancake includes an oversized signature buttermilk pancake with a whipped-topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini Oreo cookies and candy corn on the side.