Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

7 Number of languages in which one can view the Web sites of the Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO. This may come in handy for those who will learn about and submit input on the Philadelphia Waterfront Transit Expansion study at ridepatco.org, instead of attending the public outreach open house Jan. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1001 S. Fourth St., where DRPA officials will discuss the study of possible new alignments and modes of transportation, including three potential routes along Delaware Avenue. I thought we already settled on hot-air balloon ferries?

30 Minimum width, in inches, of the path that must be cleared on one's sidewalk within six hours of the end of a snowfall or freezing rain, according to the Philadelphia Department of Streets, whose Web site reminds residents not to shovel or sweep snow into the street — violations carry fines ranging from $25 to $300.Uncleared sidewalks can be reported to the Streets Department Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560. We can't have people's Segways getting stuck.

70 Number of spots left, as of press time, for each of the two "Make iPods Happy!" seminars scheduled for Jan. 25 and 30, from 5 to 6 p.m., at the Springboard Media showroom, 2212 Walnut St., where Apple product professional Nate Frazier will give lessons "for every iPod in the family" so you'll be able to "keep it healthy from the day you purchase it so your favorite companion will have the longest life possible." Couldn't they teach that in a podcast? Register at seminars.apple.com.

200 Number of years since the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was established, along with three other archdioceses, from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate all four bicentennials during a mass at Yankee Stadium on April 20. Members of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia can request tickets by sending their name, address, phone number and the name of their parish to: PAPAL MASS, c/o The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Room 530, 222 N. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299. The deadline is today, but you can e-mail questions to papalmass@adphila.org. You better get tickets, because the pope doesn't do podcasts. Ratzy's more of a blogger.

1,000,000 Number of square feet that will be contained in the Pennsylvania Convention Center after its planned expansion, according to Commercial Property News, which will host the ninth annual Philadelphia Property Opportunities conference Jan. 31 at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center, 17th and Race streets. Register by visiting commercialpropertynews.com/cpn/conference/index.jsp. No word on whether there will be a post-prop-op-con podcast, but here's poping. I mean hoping.

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.