Dan Gross: Nicholson in town

KEEP YOUR eyes peeled for Jack Nicholson. The screen legend, who is among the cast of the untitled James L. Brooks romantic comedy that started production here last week, has touched down in Philly despite a recently published report that he would not be here until September.

The cast also includes Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson, and is shooting interiors this week, including at Drexel's Armory. Previously filmed were exterior scenes in Washington D.C.

Ana's amazed

by motherhood

"This has been an amazing first week. She is so beautiful it is staggering," actress Ana Ortiz told us of her newborn daughter Paloma Louise Lebenzon.

She's the first child for the "Ugly Betty" co-star and UArts grad and her musician husband Noah Lebenzon. Ortiz, daughter of former Councilman Angel Ortiz, shared a cute story about a gift from "Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera.

Ortiz says that once she, Noah and Paloma were alone and family had all gone home, she got a delivery to her room of three dozen freshly baked cookies and ice cold milk from Ferrera and her boyfriend. "How she found a place to deliver freshly baked cookies at 11 p.m. on a Saturday is beyond me, but she did. How cool and thoughtful is that?"

Jose Canseco needs a date

We told you recently that professional poker player Heidi Northcott was seeking an opponent at a July 24 Celebrity Boxing event where her boyfriend Jose Canseco would be taking on five-time Wing Bowl champ Bill "El Wingador" Simmons.

Well, the couple have broken up, and Northcott is no longer fighting. However, Canseco is looking for a date.

Women who attend the fight at the Ice Works Skating Complex in Aston may win an invite to the after-party at the Wharf Tavern, where the bad boy of baseball will choose one lucky lady to be his date for the night.

We're told he likes fit women who aren't too tall. If you're into controversial and cash-strapped athletes, here's your chance.

Aspiring actor Sugar Ray Leonard Jr. is also on the card, taking on Delco's Derek McIntosh.

Tickets available at 800-677-8499.

Out and about

Reds manager Dusty Baker went for a couple drinks at Paddy Whacks (2nd & South) Sunday night. There he graciously gave a bartender a pair of tickets for Monday night's game at which the Phillies mercilessly pounded the Reds 22 to 1.

* Neil Patrick Harris dined Monday at Parc on Rittenhouse Square on the eve of his last day shooting "The Best and The Brightest," which wrapped yesterday with its final shoot at the Water Works in Fairmount Park.

* Former mayor Bill Green and wife Pat ducked into Restoration Hardware (4130 Main) in Manayunk yesterday afternoon. Green is no stranger to Main Street, having formerly owned the U.S. Hotel (4439 Main).

Weir here for film

Coatesville native figure skater Johnny Weir will attend a screening of "Johnny Weir: Pop Star on Ice" at 12:15 Saturday afternoon at the Ritz East as part of the Philadelphia QFest, formerly the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Weir will answer questions from the audience after the screening. The film, produced by the Sundance Channel, will air in December. Then in January Sundance premieres a series "Be Good Johnny Weir," that follows Weir's training for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Tix for Saturday's screening are available at qfest.com.

Close call in comedy contest

"Clothing" Scott Soffen, of NB2 Apparel, won a 610 WIP contest to open for Joe Conklin and Big Daddy Graham Saturday night at the Borgata's Music Box where they perform their Two Funny Philly Guys show.

Soffen's NB2 partner Fred Lavner says he's not sure if Soffen's performance will be a career boost for him, or a career killer for Conklin and Big Daddy.Since Soffen won by such a narrow margin, the guys have added runner-up Deanna Blizzard to the bill, too. *

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.