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On last week’s episode of 30 Rock, Liz Lemon shared a theory about the Phillie Phanatic, mentioning America’s most beloved mascot in the dialogue of the episode. On this week’s episode, Tina Fey and 30 Rock both upped their Philly cred to an entirely new level when the Phillie Phanatic made an actual guest appearance in the episode, clip above.

A little context: Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) got his boss, Hank Hooper of Kabletown (the company on 30 Rock that is a stand-in for Comcast) a “Business-versary” gift, to mark the one-year anniversary of them working together. Long story short, a day with the Phanatic was part of the gift. Unfortunately, it was delivered to the wrong floor and hilarity ensues.

The Phanatic even speaks(!!); 30 Rock translates the Phanatic’s squeaks into subtitles, and well, you’re going to have to watch for yourself.

Liz Lemon got a big kick out of it. And so did we.

30 Rock [Hulu]

Cool news: Philly’s own Flyin’ Hawaiian, Shane Victorino, will be a guest star on an upcoming episode of Hawaii Five-O on CBS. Shane is, of course, from Hawaii so it’s a natural fit. No word on what role the Phillies center fielder will play on the show or when it will shoot and air, but Hawaii Five-O star Daniel Dae Kim (who we’ll always remember as Jin from Lost) is certainly already excited. As are we. No questions asked. [CBS Television Studios Tumblr]

This Saturday, January 14 marks the 32nd annual Old Timers Hall of Fame dinner in Kennett Square honoring exceptional local athletes dedicated to the sport of baseball.

Speaking at the event will be former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene, who in 1991 became the first visiting pitcher to throw a no-hitter at the Expos’ Olympic stadium.

Author Bruce E. Mowday will also be at the event signing copies of his book, Richie Ashburn … Why the Hall Not? The Amazing Journey to Cooperstown, with a portion of sales benefiting the Old Timers foundation.

Incidentally, Richie Ashburn was named last month by Philadelphia Magazine as the most beloved athlete in Philadelphia’s history.

This year, The Kennett Old Timers Hall of Fame will induct five new members.

Tickets can be bought at Burton’s Barbershop at 105 W. State Street in Kennett Square, or by calling (610) 444-9964.

32nd Annual Old Timers Hall of Fame Dinner
When: Saturday, January 14, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Kennett Fire Company’s Red Clay Room, 423 Dalmation Street, Kennett Square
Cost: $35
More info: www.kennettsquaredish.com

The votes are in: catcher Carlos Ruiz and former left fielder Greg “The Bull” Luzinski will be the final two Phillies players featured in the Phillies mural, set to be unveiled next summer. The eight-story, 3,750 square-foot mural will be located on a building at the base of the Walnut Street Bridge. The mural was designed by David McShane, but Phillies fans were invited to submit votes online for one more player to be included; there was such a flood of votes (10,000+!) that the Mural Arts crew decided to include two top picks! Read more about the mural here. The Phillies Mural Project [MLB.com]

Charlie Manuel and Morimoto dined together yesterday at Morimoto on Chestnut Street. The occasion came about stemming from an auction prize from Morimoto’s fundraiser for Japan back in June of this year. The auction winner won lunch with Charlie Manuel and Morimoto. The meal was prepared by the Iron Chef himself in the restaurant’s open kitchen, with guests looking on. No word on how adventurous an eater Charlie is. [Starr Restaurants]

Citizens Bank Park gets festive for the holidays with a bunch of activities this weekend including the annual ballpark lighting celebration, photos with Phanta Claus, holiday gifts at the clubhouse store and more. (Photo by Andrew Weiss Photography)

This Saturday and Sunday, December 10-11, Citizens Bank Park is getting all dressed up for the holidays.

On Saturday, Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel and pitcher Vance Worley will host a holiday tree and ballpark lighting ceremony complete with carolers, Phillies Ballgirls, Phoebe and the Phillie Phanatic as Phanta Claus.

In addition, on both Saturday and Sunday, the Phillies will host their annual Holiday Sale & Food Drive at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park.

Bring canned food items to benefit Philabundance, and get ready to shop for awesome holiday gifts, including Phillies Authentics sales with game-used and other unique items, holiday-themed name and number t-shirts, Phillies holiday decorations and more.

Both days will feature free photos with Phanta Claus (BYO camera) and broadcaster meet and greets. Fans will also have an opportunity to help paint The Phillies Mural on Saturday.

Parking is free in Lot S, located off Pattison Avenue between Broad Street and Citizens Bank Way.

The full schedule of events is included below.

[Photo by Andrew Weiss Photography]

Citizens Bank Park Holiday Festivities
When: December 10-11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Way and Pattison Avenue
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com

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The Phillies First Baseman at a press conference announcing the donation at City Hall last week. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Phillies)

The holidays have come early for student-athletes in Philadelphia!

Last week, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and Mayor Nutter announced that the slugger’s Ryan Howard Family Foundation will donate athletic apparel valued at $1,152,000 to the School District of Philadelphia.

The donation will benefit athletic programs at 57 (!!) high schools throughout the district and includes Adidas apparel and shoes to match each school’s official colors. Four middle-schools will also receive shoes.

The items will distributed later this month.

And Howard’s great work doesn’t end there. The foundation is also providing turkeys, winter coats and school supplies to more than 500 struggling families in the Philadelphia area this holiday season.

It’s always great to see Philly athletes giving back to the community! Another home run for Howard.

Phillies’ Ryan Howard gives $1.2M to local schools [AP]

Mural artist David McShane puts the finishing touches on adding Charlie Manuel into a crowd scene on the mural. (Photo courtesy Phillies)

Phillies fans of all ages are invited to join the Phillie Phanatic and make their mark (literally) on the new Phillies Mural during a special community paint day at the Please Touch Museum on Wednesday, November 30 from 10 a.m.-noon.

You’re invited to paint a portion of the 3,750 square-foot mural, which will be unveiled next summer and feature more than 30 prominent players depicting historical moments from the team’s record-long history.

Overseeing the event will be the mural’s artist, award-winning David McShane.

The event will also celebrate the first day that fans can cast their online ballot for the final Phillies great (player, coach or manager) to be immortalized on the Phillies Mural.

Get tickets to the event online; enter promo code PHILLIES prior to checkout to receive 10% off of up to 4 general admission tickets.

The eight-story Phillies Mural will be located on a building at 24th & Walnut Streets at the base of the Walnut Street Bridge, facing the I-76 Schuylkill Expressway for thousands of daily passersby to see. Make sure your own brushstrokes are a part of it!

Get a video sneak peek of the mural’s progress, below.

Phillies Mural Community Paint Day
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
When: Wednesday, November 30, 10 a.m.-noon
Cost: Tickets start at $15
More info: www.mlb.mlb.com

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We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: we believe!

This is what it all comes down to, people.

Game 5 of the NLDS. Tonight. 8:30 p.m. At Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia.

If you’re not one of the lucky Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park tonight for the final game of the NLDS Playoffs, we have a number of great suggestions of places to watch alongside other Phillies fanatics. The team will appreciate all the brotherly love you can send their way.

Also check out our suggestions for where to pick up last minute official Phillies gear plus (ahem) unofficial gear. You can get your own With Love, Philadelphia XOXO®-themed Phillies cheer card at a number of places around town as well.

Now, to figure out what to do between 5 p.m. and when the first pitch is thrown at approximately 8:37 p.m.

We literally cannot wait.

GO PHILS! YOU CAN DO IT!

NLDS Playoffs: Game 5
When: Friday, October 7, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park

It's going to be a gorgeous fall weekend in Philadelphia with events and festivals galore. But most importantly, let's go Phillies!! (Top left and bottom right photos courtesy the Phillies, top right by G. Widman, bottom left by M. Kennedy)

Tonight is obviously huge, with Game 5 of the NLDS Playoffs at 8:30 p.m. It’s a gigantic game and we’re pretty sure everyone in Philadelphia will be tuning in.

Meanwhile, talk about some ridiculously gorgeous fall weather. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are crammed with events and activities perfect such gorgeous weather; read Chestnut Hill Fall For The Arts Festival, Outfest, Terror Behind The Walls, Oktoberfest activities At Frankford Hall, etc.

But most importantly, GO PHILS!!

WE BELIEVE!

Friday, October 7

Game 5 of the NLDS Playoffs, 8:30 p.m.: GO PHILLIES! – Roundup of Places to Watch

Octobr First Friday: Old City, Doylestown and Frankford Avenue

Fall Fashion Party at Smak Parlour

Revolution House First Friday

Friends of Race Street Pier First Friday Celebration

Let Me Tell You About A Dream I Had at Philadelphia Art Alliance

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 8

Second Saturday on East Passyunk

Mummies of the World at the Franklin Institute

Tap Team Two

Hawthornes PSPCA Beer Fest Block Party

International Observe the Moon Night

Oktoberfest Activities at Frankford Hall

South Philly Flea Market At Jefferson Square Park

4th Annual Wooden Boat Festival at the Independence Seaport Museum

Chocolate Making Demo featuring American Heritage Chocolate at the Betsy Ross House (Sat, Sun)

Half the Sky: Women in the New Art of China at Drexel’s New Leonard Pearlstein Gallery

River Wards Restaurant Week — Closing Day!

Zaha Hadid: Form in Motion at the Perelman Building

Mixing Metaphors: The Aesthetic, the Social and the Political in African American Art

Sunday, October 9

Philadelphia Improv Festival — Closing Day!

Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert At Penn’s Landing

The Chestnut Hill Fall For The Arts Festival

Outfest

Dia De Los Muertos at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Robert Beck at the Rosenfeld Gallery — Opening Day!

4th Annual Barking Beauty Pageant at L’Etage Cabaret

CSI: The Experience at The Franklin Institute

Wanda Sykes at the Keswick Theatre

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

Quilt Art: International Expressions at the Michener Museum