Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

6 Number of terror suspects being held at Guantánamo Bay for whom the Pentagon is seeking the death penalty, according to an announcement that was quickly condemned by Amnesty International, whose Center City Philadelphia chapter will likely discuss the issue during its regular meeting Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square. Let's hope Ethical Society members are on hand in the unlikely event that Guantánamo's ethics are called into question.

265 Number of years Brittingham's Irish Pub and Restaurant on 640 E. Germantown Pike in Lafayette Hill has been in existence, which makes it an apt meeting place for the American Revolution Round Table of Philadelphia. The group will meet at the historic restaurant Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. for author John Rees' presentation, "'The Pleasure of Their Number': 1778 — Crisis, Conscription and Revolutionary Soldiers' Recollections," a discussion of the first attempt at a widespread U.S. Army draft. No guarantees for actual round tables.

1,019 Number of stairs that will be available for climbing during Wawa's 21st Annual Stair Climb benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in which participants will join in one of four events to walk to the top of the Mellon Bank Center, 1735 Market St., on Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. Registration is $55 at active.com or $75 on the day of the event. Paying to climb 1,000 stairs at 9 a.m.? Somebody tell Amnesty International there's a new form of torture out there.

$10,000 Top prize to be awarded to the ultimate winner of the Purina Pet Comedy Challenge, the "second annual cross-country search to find the funniest standup comedy routine inspired by dogs or cats, which will hold one of its first-round competitions Feb. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. Admission is free, but reservations are required by calling 215-496-9001. Pet-related standup? Are you getting this, Amnesty?

$4,000,000 Reported value of the transaction — announced by online real estate magazine globest.com — that resulted in clothing retailer Guess Inc. leasing 5,763 square feet on the first and second floors of 1520 Walnut St., where its shop is scheduled to open April 1. OK, Rittenhouse residents, we get it: Our Guess is not as good as yours. It's always something with you people.

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.