Dan Gross: Sir Charles has Cliff Lee's number

PHILADELPHIA'S first beloved No. 34 is very excited about Cliff Lee's return to the Phillies.

"It's great for the Philly fans," Charles Barkley told us yesterday. "As a fan, I just think that you want a legitimate shot to win every year.

"The Phillies for the next three or five years are going to have a legitimate shot to win, and that's awesome," said the Sixers legend, now living in Arizona.

We asked if Lee's having worn 34, Barkley's old Sixers number, made him more fond of the pitcher, and it turns out it does. "I'd be honored if they both wore 34," Barkley said of Lee and Roy Halladay, who took over 34 after Lee was traded to Seattle.

Barkley noted that some college football teams allow two players to wear the same number.

His wish is unlikely to happen. Word is, Lee will wear No. 33 next season with the Phillies, as he did with the Rangers last season.

Barkley, who spends four months a year in the Philadelphia area, says that he flees to Arizona "at the first sign of cold."

Sir Charles spends most of his time golfing, and reading about and watching pro and college basketball. He works for TNT, broadcasting pro games, and is studying up on college hoops for TNT's coverage of the NCAA March Madness.

"I'm just watching as many teams as I can play," said the Round Mound of Rebound.

"You have to watch a team play five times before you can get a fair impression on them."

Speaking of impressions, we asked about his thoughts on the Sixers' season. After about 10 seconds of chuckling, Barkley composed himself and said, "I'm pulling for the Sixers, and I wish Doug Collins luck."

On a more serious note, we asked for Barkley's thoughts on legendary Daily News basketball writer Phil Jasner, who died of cancer on Dec. 3.

"He was a really good dude," said Barkley.

He was indeed.

VH1 star stripping through Sat.Heather Chadwell, from VH1's "Rock of Love" and "Charm School," dances at the World Famous Gold Club (1416 Chancellor) tonight through Saturday.

Ronnie Spector on Letterman"Be My Baby" singer Ronnie Spector, whose new CD, "Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Ever," was recorded locally by Studio E's Bobby Eli, will appear tonight on "Late Night with David Letterman." The singer makes a regular Christmastime appearance on Letterman.

Charitably minded_ People Paper sportswriter Ed Barkowitz makes his annual Toys for Tots guest-bartending appearance at Downey's Irish Pub (Front & South) from 7 to 11 p.m. tomorrow. Fellow Daily News sportswriter Mike Kern also will serve drinks, throw out trivia questions and talk sports. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or make a donation and get a free drink.

* Daily News Sexy Single Everett "DJ Hollywood" Jackson, a member of the CW Philly Crew, is taking part in a 24-Hour Canned Food and Coat Drive that the Philly Ruff Ryders are holding from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday at Broad and Washington to collect donations for Philabundance and local shelters.

Garces cooks Obama-style

"Iron Chef" Jose Garces will be at the Drew School (38th & Powelton) Friday morning helping the school's Healthy Cooking Club whip up recipes from first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Recipe Challenge.

The local restaurateur and the kids will make sweet-potato samosas, barley risotto and legume burgers for all 250 students at the K-8 school. The Agatson Urban Nutrition Initiative, a program of the University of Pennsylvania's Netter Center for Community Partnerships, hosts the event.

* Speaking of Garces, the Whiskey King burger at his Village Whiskey (118 S. 20th) will be featured at 10 p.m. Sunday in a burger episode on the Cooking Channel's "Unique Eats" show.

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.