Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

6.0 Judging system — in which the highest score, 6.0, is "perfect and faultless" — that will be used to rate skaters in the Philadelphia Area Figure Skating Competition, April 11-13 at the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society, 220 Holland Road, Ardmore. Entry forms must be postmarked by March 10. Visit pschs.org for information on fees and eligibility. My girlfriend's going to be pretty disappointed when she finds out her 4.0 in grad school is only considered "good" in the figure skating world. I won't tell if you guys don't.

8 Number of members on the FBI's Art Crime Team, including Special Agent Robert Wittman, of the Philadelphia Division, who will present "U.S vs. Art Thieves: Tales from the FBI's Real Indiana Jones!" March 7 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Hamilton Auditorium, 118 N. Broad St., as part of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Academy First Friday. The lecture will explore U.S. efforts to curb international art crime — including the theft, smuggling and forgery of artwork and looting of archaeological sites — and will feature Wittman's own experiences from his 18-year career. Is it too optimistic to hope that this guy carries a whip?

10 Percent of proceeds from the Ten Thousand Villages Shopping Day on March 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the fair trade décor and accessory shop on 1122 Walnut St. that will benefit the Career Wardrobe, a nonprofit organization that serves women in transition by providing free professional clothing and educational opportunities in the Philadelphia region. Wouldn't 10,000 percent of the proceeds make more sense? I thought this was a fair trade store.

19 Floor of the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue on Broad and Walnut streets where you'll find the restaurant XIX, which will offer a special menu of $9 beer desserts — including a selection of beer ice creams and sorbets — for Philly Beer Week, March 7 to 16. Call 215-790-1919 for reservations. Just the 19th floor? When you've been on the 52nd, everything else just seems so low. But the highfalutin roman numerals make up for it.

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