Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

50,000 Number of members in the National Federation of the Blind, which is holding Meet the Blind Month during October to combat what it says is the real problem of blindness: misunderstanding and lack of information. Contact the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the NFB of Pennsylvania at 215-763-3514 to participate in the Audible Voting Machine demonstration and voter registration, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 919 Walnut St. Please don't tell me they have voting machines that talk and they don't use them for everyone.

62 Number of "zombies" who participated in "Thrill Toronto 2006" to set the Guinness World Record for "Largest Thriller Dance." This year, organizers are attempting to set the record globally with "Thrill the World" in 82 cities worldwide, Oct. 27 and 28. E-mail ttwphiladelphia@gmail.com to get in on the Philadelphia event Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. No mere mortal can resist ...

$44 Cost of the "Philadelphia Style Strip Steak," the signature dish at Bobby Flay Steak at the Borgata in Atlantic City. I was treated to this magnificent meal last weekend compliments of the $1,300 my girlfriend won in a poker tournament, in which I lost most of my chips because of — oh, the irony — running 4s on the turn and river. Thanks for the ridiculously delicious reminder, Bobby.

35 Number of blocks — each with its own group — that will be part of the Human Chain for Peace, which will stretch from the Veterans Hospital at 38th and Woodland to Independence Mall at noon on Oct. 27. The demonstration is part of the United for Peace and Justice mobilization to end the war in Iraq, and will be followed by a rally and concert on Independence Mall from 2 to 5 p.m. Good thing this ends before the Thriller Dance, because, you know, some things are important.

6 Number of Democratic Presidential Candidate Debates that have been "sanctioned" by the Democratic National Committee. The fourth will take place on Oct. 30 at Drexel University with Tim Russert and Brian Williams. Don't worry, organizers, Russert will scare away those Human Chain for Peace hippies. Especially if he's still wearing his Thriller Dance costume.

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. Can't live without your weekly numberology? Bookmark Running Numbers: www.citypaper.net/runningnumbers.