Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

5 Number of Philadelphia Folksong Society scholarships — for undergraduate and graduate study and to support folk musicians — that will be funded by proceeds from the 46th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival Aug. 17-19. Proceeds also benefit HIPPIE: Helping Indigents Purchase Patchouli In Excess.

$15 Cost for "voyeurs" — i.e. those not wearing swimsuits — at Pure Nightclub's Boys of Summer Swimsuit Party, Aug. 10 from 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Cover is $10 for the scantily clad, who can spend the money they saved on $2 pink drinks and $1 shots until 11 p.m.! Good luck keeping your money in that little mesh key pocket, though.

75 Approximate percent, according to Philly's Charles Wilson, administrative director of clinical laboratories at the University Medical Center at Princeton, of all medical interventions that require some laboratory input for diagnosis or treatment. Wilson was recently awarded the 2007 Edward P. Dolbey Award for professional achievements in the field of clinical laboratory science, given annually to an outstanding clinical laboratory science professional in Pennsylvania. It's not as prestigious as the Thomas Dolby Award for eliminating vision with science, but good job all the same, Charles.

200 Maximum number of RSVPs accepted for the Liberty Valley Chapter meeting of the Association of Contingency Planners Aug. 9 in Malvern. The association is committed to maintaining "business continuity" by creating plans to ensure that "businesses will remain resilient in the face of adversity" such as natural disasters or extended power outages ... or losing valuable administrative staff time to paranoia conventions.

$10,000,000,000 Approximate value of U.S. Exports to India in 2006 — a 25 percent increase over 2005 — according to the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, which will sponsor a quarterly briefing, "India as an Economic Powerhouse," Aug. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Temple University Center City, 1515 Market Street. Admission to the forum — an overview of business opportunities in India — is $40 for voyeurs (nonmembers).

Hey ... can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number-runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com.