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The official Phillies Rally Trolley came to Center City today, weaving its way through the streets to celebrate the start of Phillies postseason, which kicks off with Game 1 of the NLDS this Saturday, October 1. (Photo by Marisa Fischetti for GPTMC)

In celebration of the Phillies clinching their fifth straight National League East Division title almost two weeks ago, and the team beginning their playoff run TOMORROW, the official Phillies Ralley Trolly made its way around town this afternoon.

Check out a few highlights, above and below.

Go Phils!!

NLDS Playoffs: Game 1
When: Saturday, October 1, 5:07 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park

NLDS Playoffs: Game 2
When: Sunday, October 2, 8:07 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park

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The official kick-off of DesignPhiladelphia is unlike any previous years'; don't miss a second of it! (Photo courtesy DesignPhiladelphia)

DesignPhiladelphia is back October 13-23, once again showcasing the powerful role that design has played both historically and today in this region.

From symposia and round table discussions to street events, exhibitions and public installations, you’ll get to meet and see the work of more than 450 national and international designers at the heart of our creative economy.

DesignPhiladelphia’s official kick-off is October 13, beginning at 6 p.m., throughout the Callowhill Loft District.

The evening has three components. It begins at the Liao Collection, an Asian antique emporium, with a benefit party for DesignPhiladelphia. The first-ever Design Champion Award will be presented to Mayor Nutter. Tickets, $50, are available here.

Stop 2 is at Vox Populi, Grizzly Grizzly Gallery and The Action Mill, from 7-9 p.m., a free event involving gallery openings, food trucks and atmospheric projections by Klip Collective outside.

The final stop is at former go-go bar The Trestle Inn for the “Curlie Show” (free!) showcasing the flirtatious design of burlesque hair styles from Richard Nicholas Hair Studio. Doors open at 7 p.m., performance at 8 p.m.

DesignPhiladelphia
When: October 13-23
Where: All over the city
Cost: Mostly free
More info: www.designphiladelphia.org

Previously: Design Philadelphia Returns October 13-23 With More Than 150 Events Throughout The Entire City Celebrating Philadelphia’s Creative Culture

The article touches on Nnamdi's accomplishments off the field, his childhood and more. (Photo by Andrew Cutraro for TIME)

This summer, when the Eagles signed All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, they not only added one of the best defensive players in the league, but also a leader, a community service award-winner and a nominee for a spot on President Obama’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability.

Nnamdi being such an interesting and inspiring figure, it makes sense for him to be profiled in the latest issue of Time Magazine. The article takes a look at Nnamdi’s on-field and off-field accomplishments, along with his childhood growing up in Los Angeles.

While the full article is only available to subscribers, Time has published an online piece highlighting the stuff that didn’t make it into the print story, including quotes from MC Hammer explaining the parallels between dancing and playing cornerback — a theory to which Nnamdi also subscribes.

Check out the full article in the latest Time Magazine. Time subscribers can read the article online at time.com.

And catch Nnamdi Asomugha doing what he’s best known for, playing football, this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field against the 49ers. Go Birds!

TIME Outtakes: Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha [Time]

Meet dozens of top chefs in honor of a former Top Chef-er's final night at 10 arts. (Photo courtesy 10 Arts)

Since word first dropped that Chef Jennifer Carroll would be leaving 10 Arts this month, we wondered how the restaurant would bid her due farewell.

They’ve come up with an event fit for a queen, which Jen is in these parts, ever since the Somerton native helped put Philadelphia on the national dining scene map with her turn on Bravo’s Top Chef. Her manager Christopher Cabott said the chef decided to leave in order to “pursue the options available to her at this stage of her career,” so no definitive word on her next steps.

But in the meantime, tickets are still left for her special goodbye event, and it’s one not to be missed.

The Celebrity Chef Tour dinner, benefiting the James Beard Foundation, will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5. Chefs and mixologists from area restaurants will provide the canapés and cocktails for the reception that starts the event. The participating local chefs and mixologists include (get ready for this list):

• Marcy Turney: chef/owner of Barbuzzo, Lolita, Bindi

• Michael Solomonov: chef/owner of Zahav, Percy St BBQ, Federal Donuts

• David Katz: chef/owner of MeMe

• Akiko Moorman: consulting chef of Hapa Kitchen, Bar Ferdinand/El Camino Real

• Kevin Sbraga: chef/owner of Sbraga

• Jeff Michaud: chef/owner of Osteria

• Phoebe Esmon: Mixologist at Farmers Cabinet

• Katie Loeb: Mixologist at Oyster House

• Christina Tessaro: Mixologist at London Grill

• Al Sotack: Mixologist at Franklin Mortgage & Investment

• John Conner: Mixologist at 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge by Eric Ripert

Chef Jennifer Carroll will then team with 10 Arts Pastry Chef Monica Glass and five other acclaimed chefs to create a seven-course menu with wine pairings. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the chefs and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the culinary world.

Joining Chef Carroll and Chef Glass will be: Chef Adam Sobel of Bourbon Steak in Washington DC, Top Chef contestant Chef Eli Kirstein of Atlanta, GA, Chef Michael Ginor of Hudson Valley Foie Gras and New York State Foie Gras, Chef Scott Drewno of Wolfgang Puck’s The Source, Washington DC and Chef Victor Albisu of BLT Steak, Washington DC.

Tickets are $180 per person (inclusive of food, beverages, tax and gratuities) and can be purchased by contacting jeff@celebritycheftour.com or online.

Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner/Farewell to Chef Jen Carroll
When: Wednesday, October 5, 6 p.m.
Where: 10 Arts, 10 Avenue of the Arts
Cost: $180
More info: www.celebritycheftour.com

Sedaris is considered the preeminent humorist of his generation. (Photo courtesy David Sedaris)

Philadelphia’s Comedy Month runs for three uproarious weeks: October 3-23, which is good timing for a certain Merriam Theater performance.

The sensational humorist David Sedaris is coming to town, Saturday, October 15, to share his scorching wit and keen social commentary during an evening of (literally) laugh-out-loud storytelling.

The NPR humorist and best-selling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked, When You Are Engulfed in Flames and the most recently released Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary will discuss his latest topics of discourse. Namely, everything under the sun and back again.

Tickets for David Sedaris are $50.50-$57.50, and are available online.

David Sedaris at the Merriam Theater
When: Saturday, October 15, 8 p.m.
Where: 250 S. Broad Street
Cost: Tickets range from $50.50-$57.50
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org

We’re officially in full-on Phillies Fever mode.

Here’s our latest With Love Letter that graces the cover of the Phillies Cheer Card, which you can pick up for free today at the Phillies Rally Trolley.

In the meantime, there’s also some serious playoff-watching to get ready for.

Game 1 of the National League Division Series, against the St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 5:07 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, while Game 2 will be Sunday at 8:07 p.m.

Even if you’re not one of the lucky Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park this weekend, we have a number of great suggestions of places to watch alongside other Phillies fanatics.

And since Philadelphia is going to be a sea of red this weekend, also check out our suggestions for where to pick up official Phillies gear plus (ahem) unofficial gear.

This is the day we’ve been waiting for since our favorite baseball players graced the playoffs last year. We can’t wait!!

NLDS Playoffs: Game 1
When: Saturday, October 1, 5:07 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park

NLDS Playoffs: Game 2
When: Sunday, October 2, 8:07 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park

It's an amazing weekend to be in Philadelphia, from the Game 1 of the playoffs for the Phillies to some of the year's biggest festivals, including Midtown Village Fall Fest and RiverCity Fest. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: G. Widman for GPTMC, by M. Kennedy for GPTMC, courtesy Phillies, by G. Widman for GPTMC)

In a fitting celebration of the first day of October, this Saturday has shaped up to be huge. We’ve got the 6th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival, PAFA’s “Party on the Plaza” Grand Opening Celebration For Lenfest Plaza, 4th Annual RiverCity Festival, Revolutionary Germantown Festival, LOVE Park Fall Fest and, oh yeah, Game 1 of the NLDS at 5:07 p.m.: GO PHILLIES!

Moreover, both Friday and Sunday as well are action-packed, with the Opening Night Philadelphia! Opera Company of Philadelphia’s live simulcast of Carmen on Independence Mall tonight and both Morris Arboretum’s Fall Festival and Victory Brewing Company’s Downingtown FallFest on Sunday.

All of our top picks for this weekend, below:

Friday, September 30

Opening Night Philadelphia! Opera Company of Philadelphia’s live simulcast of Carmen

Olive Dance Theatre’s “Brotherly Love” at the Painted Bride Art Center (Sat, Sun)

LOOK! on Lancaster Avenue Opening Event

Let Me Tell You About A Dream I Had at Philadelphia Art Alliance — Opening Day!

6th Annual Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Terror Behind the Walls

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Aspects of Love at the Walnut Street Theatre

Woodmere Art Museum’s Owl’s Eye Hay Maze

17 Swedish Designers at the American Swedish Historical Museum

Saturday, October 1

Game 1 of the NLDS at 5:07 p.m.: GO PHILLIES!

LOVE Park Fall Fest

6th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival

PAFA’s “Party on the Plaza” Grand Opening Celebration For Lenfest Plaza

4th Annual RiverCity Festival

Revolutionary Germantown Festival

Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides’ second annual “Philadelphia, River to River, Vine to Pine, Rain or Shine, Great Twelve-Hour Tour”

3rd Annual Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Beer Festival

Greater Philadelphia Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes

Ambler Oktoberfest

Brandywine Harvest Festival (Sat, Sun)

Philadelphia Zoo’s annual ADOPT Day

Fourth Wall Arts Salon to kick off Mural Arts Month

Kidsincentercity.com’s Birthday Celebration at The Market & Shops at Comcast Center

Philly Food Truck Competition (Sat, Sun)

Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival at the Academy of Natural Sciences (Sat, Sun)

CSI: The Experience at The Franklin Institute — Opening Day!

Sunday, October 2

Game 2 of the NLDS at 8:07 p.m.: GO PHILLIES!

Morris Arboretum’s Fall Festival

Pulaski Day Parade

Main Line Restaurant Week — Closing Day!

Becky Butterfly & the Story of the Wayward Wasp by Fantasy Weavers Original Opera and Theatre for Children and Adults

River Wards Restaurant Week

Victory Brewing Company’s Downingtown FallFest

Culture Change, Adaptation, and Image Film Series: “Chinese Restaurants” at the Penn Museum

British soccer screened at The Dandelion

The 31st Annual Media Food & Craft Festival

Shop With The Chefs From Pumpkin At Headhouse Farmer’s Market

Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Quilt Art: International Expressions at the Michener Museum

On Monday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m., celebrate Oktoberfest at Jose Garces’ European cafe and gourmet market, Garces Trading Company.

For $75 per person, enjoy six courses of German-inspired fare paired with a variety of unusual German-style craft beers, including some local selections. “Oktoberfest is a time to celebrate one of our favorite things: pairing beer with food,” says Chef Garces.

Highlights from the menu will include:House-made Westphalian Ham with baby arugula, white asparagus and citrus-quark vinaigrette; Duck Liverwurst Tartine with frisee, orange and caraway aioli; and Pumpkin Cake with cranberry gelee.

The delicious beers are: Great Lakes Eliot Ness Amber Lager, Spaten Lager, Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen, Weyerbacher Autumnfest Ale, Heavy Seas Imperial and Dogfish Head Punkin Ale.

Call (215) 574-1099 for reservations. Full menu below.

Garces Trading Company Oktoberfest Dinner
When: Monday, October 3, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 1111 Locust Street
Cost: $75
More info: www.garcestradingcompany.com

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Red October is the quintessential time to, literally, wear your Phillies pride on your sleeve. (T-shirt source: phillies.com)

Don’t have an official jersey to match your sense of Phillies pride? It’s not too late! Tomorrow is the first day of October; and by October, we mean Red October. It’s the perfect (and vital) time to start sporting Phillies red.

Check out our top picks for retailers who can outfit you in ballplayer’s duds:

• The Majestic Ballpark Store at Citizens Bank Park: This two-level retail space at the ballpark sells everything Phillies-related, from shot glasses to life-sized Phanatic dolls. If you’re lucky enough to score a playoff ticket, get to the store and pick up a player T-shirt or authentic jersey, and while you’re at it, pile on the commemorative DVDs, bumper stickers, pajamas and mugs. The Team Store hours at the ballpark are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, so you can also stop by even if you don’t have tickets.

• Mitchell and Ness: Philly’s 105-year-old sporting goods store sells high-end sports memorabilia; the brand has even imprinted itself on pop culture, with a celebrity following including P. Diddy, Jay-Z and more. This is where to find an authentic Mike Schmidt or Richie Ashburn jersey. There’s also a Michell & Ness Alley Store in Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park.

• Modell’s: The first floor of this northeastern chain is currently a sea of Phillies red. If you’re looking for a Phillies decal, flag or winter coat, this is the place to go.

• City Sports: Any number of Phillies hats and jerseys can be found here, though prices skew higher than at nearby Modell’s.

• Historic Philadelphia Center: Historic Philadelphia doesn’t just celebrate the Colonial days, they also celebrate great baseball! Head to the Historic Philadelphia Center, across from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, to find a vast selection of official Phillies merchandise.

(T-shirt sources clockwise from top left: Birdland Philadelphia, Zoo With Roy, Birdland Philadelphia, Phitted Tees. Links below.)

While the the Phils get ready for yet another postseason run, now is the perfect time for Phillies fans to upgrade their fan wardrobe with a few new awesome tees.

The only question is, where do you find the best ones?

Of course, the official gear available on phillies.com is great, but super-fans supplement the official stuff with a few shirts that creatively capture the spirit of the team and the city in some innovative ways.

Luckily, Phillies fans have plenty of options. We’ve pulled together a quick list of shops offering some of the coolest and funniest shirts around, including Cheeseteak Tees, Birdland & The Fightins and many more.

The playoffs begin tomorrow (!!), so move quickly because many of these tees are going fast.

Check out our roundup of top shops for Phillies alternative gear, below.

• Birdland & The Fightins: Popular Phillies blog The Fightins and Birdland Philadelphia teamed up to offer a collection of some of the most unique Phillies tees available, including the mega-popular “Chooch” tee  (pictured above) and many, many others.

• Cheesesteak Tees: Cheesesteak Tees has a wide assortment of Phillies gear (along with a lot of other cool Philly-centric clothing) both online at cheesesteaktees.com and at their physical location at 506 South Street, including this “Beast of the NL East” tee.

• Zoo With Roy: Philly sports blog Zoo With Roy has a large selection of tees and sweatshirts available on their online store.

• Veterans Shirtium: While the name pays homage to the past, Veterans Shirtium has shirts dedicated to fan-favorite Carlos Ruiz, the Phils dominant pitching staff and a few antagonizing tees poking fun at rival teams.

• Philavania: Philavania has a wide selection of tees available in many different colors and styles and a few vintage items for the nostalgic Phillies fan.

• Phitted Tees: This online shop has a bunch of funny Phillies shirts and more than few that poke fun of rival teams and players.

• Philly Phaithful: Philly Phaithful has a solid collection of gear for fans of all ages (spotted: a Mike Schmidt baby onesie).