Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

56,000 Number of creative, for-profit economy firms in Philadelphia, according to Innovation Philadelphia, a nonprofit economic development organization "working to establish the Greater Philadelphia region as a national leader and world-class destination for creative economy industries." To that end, IP will host a Creative Movement Conference on May 22 from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Registration is $65 and can be completed at innovationphiladelphia.com. Creative economy industries? Isn't that Mafia code for racketeering?

10,200 Number of seats in Temple's Liacouras Center, which, according to Temple, is booked to capacity for May 22 commencement exercises. Those who didn't get a ticket will be able to watch the ceremony live online. I also hear that Bill Cosby is bringing lawn chairs for the overflow. (You better get those extra tickets, Theo!)

60 Approximate number of "the nation's top writers"* who will appear during the Philadelphia Book Festival, May 17 to 18, at the Parkway Central Library, 19th and Vine streets. The free event will include book talks, celebrity signings, a street fair with more than 80 literary exhibitors, and an appearance by ABC News anchor and host Barbara Walters, whose new book is called Audition: A Memoir (Knopf). *Was unable to confirm whether Walters was included in this estimate.

50 Number of patients that Friends Hospital (founded in 1813 as the Asylum for Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason) could accommodate when it opened a new building 191 years ago on May 15, 1817. The hospital — which bills itself as being "the first freestanding private institution in the country with the specific mission of caring for people with behavioral health problems" — now has 192 beds. And a less fun name.

17 Number of free Thursday evening outdoor string band concerts the Mummers Museum, 1100 S. Second St., will host from now through September, including the Quaker City String Band on May 15 and the Philadelphia Banjo Society on May 22. All concerts start at 8 p.m. at the museum, 1100 S. Second St. Let's hope The String Band for Persons Deprived of their Rhythm is a no-show.

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.