Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

6 Number of different party rooms at the Dark Horse Pub at 421 S. Second St. If you want to get in on the Festivus celebration there Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., e-mail organizer Mike Cunningham at festivus@hammradio.com. From experience, I'd say "The Rigger Bar" room is best for the airing of grievances.

7 Number of cents that have been added to the cost of its counterparts since the first Kwanzaa stamp was unveiled in Philadelphia in 1997. Sorry, USPS, but one cent of inflation for each of the seven days and stated values of Kwanzaa doesn't exactly promote Ujamaa. Look it up, Anglos.

10 Age of Caitlyn Cunane when she was diagnosed with leukemia. A "Drive for Caitlyn" blood drive will be held on her 11th birthday, Dec. 21, from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the West Collingswood Heights Firehouse, 152 Nicholson Rd. in Haddon Township, N.J., where both her parents work. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. But when you get there, don't even try to pull that old "this is my blood donation for your birthday and Christmas" routine. Caitlyn will not approve.

46 Number of directories throughout Pennsylvania published by Yellow Book, which announced its purchase of the Roxborough-Manayunk-East Falls-Lafayette Hill directory from Rabelo Advertising, Inc. in a Dec. 13 press release stating that the acquisition will "complement the many successful existing Yellow Book directories that are already well-known throughout the Philadelphia region." You acquired a new directory two days before Hanukkah, Yellow Book? G-D forbid you give people time to use you for holiday shopping. Farkatke, yo.

12,850 Estimated number of people in the Philadelphia metropolitan area employed in the category of "Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services," according to the most recent occupational employment and wage estimates compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. When you have to swerve around one of those double-parked UPS trucks whose drivers are surely delivering someone's last-minute Amazon order, please don't attempt to celebrate Boxing Day. This isn't Canada.