Inqlings | Lower Merion is nipping at LaBelle again

Lower Merion's lawyers have sicced Montgomery County Court on entertainer

Patti LaBelle

.

Yes. It's those dogs again.

LaBelle is accused of flouting an agreement last November with Lower Merion to remove kennels from her Wynnewood yard and to keep no more than two dogs on the premises. LaBelle, who turns 63 today, has been cited repeatedly and fined after neighbors complained.

Last Thursday, Lower Merion petitioned Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge William T. Nicholas, alleging that LaBelle is in contempt for having three dogs and setting up a new corral out back. Township attorney Gilbert High Jr. says he's seeking a hearing.

LaBelle attorney Tom McGarrigle, through a spokeswoman, yesterday said LaBelle had "readily complied with the agreement, removed the kennels and gave away three of her dogs." McGarrigle said township officials were contacted to determine if she could put up a doghouse, and "the township advised that she could do so with no need for a permit." He added that only two dogs lived in the home.

Power 99 late-nighter

Lisa "Golden Girl" Natson

has been out of late. Though the hip-hop station still promotes her show, her lawyer

Joseph Marrone

says she's sick. Marrone filed suit against Clear Channel Broadcasting in March, claiming that Natson was promised a syndication deal that has not materialized. Natson is under contract through November, Marrone says.

CBS3/CW57 imported

CBS Evening News

, CBS brass and anchor

Katie Couric

for Tuesday's who's-who party marking the ribbon-cutting of the stations' glitzy Center City studios, designed by Philly's Hillier Architecture. Couric got a taste of CBS3's ultrasharp high-definition broadcast, saying that in the HD world, she requires "more spackle" on her 50-year-old face: "My body needs more definition but my face needs less." Like lots of visiting celebs, she referenced Philly cheesesteaks - but acknowledged that "they don't do much for my acid reflux."

Speakers included Gov. Rendell, Mayor Street, CBS Evening News boss Rick Kaplan (a Philly native) and station head Michael Colleran. Giveaway bags contained nifty commemorative lead-crystal mugs. Also there were Channel 3 alumna Marciarose Shestack (introduced as the first female news anchor), plus Democratic mayoral candidate Michael Nutter and Republican hopeful Al Taubenberger.

Publisher

Kal Rudman

has been called many things. He can go by "doctor" after he picks up an honorary doctorate of humane letters at June 16's Drexel U commencement. Rudman, who bagged medical school years ago, has given a bundle to the university's College of Media Arts & Design.

A 2007 National Design Award is destined for the undoubtedly well-crafted mantel of Philly-based Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. The Design Mind Award, given as part of the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, will be presented at an Oct. 18 gala.

Bala Cynwyd coffee salesman Stuart Siegal has $100,000 behind him today on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (12:30 p.m., 6ABC). The $250,000 question in front of him: "Which of these emergency items did Charles Lindbergh bring on his famous transatlantic flight?" He can choose inflatable raft, radio, parachute or life vest. Say "raft," Stuart. Raft!

Restaurateur

Brian Augustine

was so impressed during a recent tour of the USS Winston S. Churchill at Penn's Landing that he's offering free brick-oven pizza to active-duty service personnel (eat-in only) at his place, Illuminare, 2321 Fairmount Ave.

Abner Silver of Jim's Steaks on South Street thought he'd seen everything, but Tuesday's visit by a group of people from Tianjin, China - here to help refurbish the Friendship Gate in Chinatown and led by Nancy Gilboy of the International Visitors Council - was a first. The term "cheesesteak with" meant "with hot tea."