Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

4x6 Dimensions, in inches, of the postcard-size artworks that will be on sale during Dear Fleisher 2008, a benefit for the Fleisher Art Memorial's education and exhibition programs. All pieces will be sold for $50 on Oct. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m., when $5 contributions at the door are suggested. A non-sale preview party will be held on Oct. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. for $100 a person, and 10 pieces will be raffled that night. Call 215-922-3456, ext. 311, or e-mail mwise@fleisher.org for preview tickets. Better get involved before they start doing stamp-size shows.

15 Number of international artists who will address the issue of world climate change in "Global Warming at the Icebox," an exhibition at the Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St., that runs through Nov. 15 and begins with an opening reception on Oct. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. Inexplicably, neither the Icebox nor the exhibits are made out of ice. Is it too much to ask to have art exhibits in this town with pieces that are both bigger than a postcard and also melting?

20 Number of paddlers — not including one drummer — required for each team participating in the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival, which will feature more than 150 squads furiously rowing on the Schuylkill from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 4. Any teams out there still need a drummer? I won't boast about my coxswain skills, but I will say this: My hammer of the gods will drive your ships to new lands, to fight the horde, and sing and cry, "Valhalla I am coming!"

325 Number of years that have passed since the first group of German-speaking settlers arrived in America — in Philadelphia — on Oct. 6, 1683, probably on dragon boats. The anniversary of their arrival and founding of Germantown, the first permanent German settlement in America, will be marked by German-American Day festivities including a Mayor's Reception at City Hall on Oct. 3 at noon, and an Open House Gartenfest from Oct. 3 to 6 at the German Society of Pennsylvania on 611 Spring Garden St., featuring bratwurst, pretzels, sauerkraut and other German fare, like all the parts of the dragon not used to make the boats.

1:25,000 Estimated odds of winning two round-trip tickets on Amtrak's Acela train — for travel between Washington, D.C., and Boston — by entering the sweepstakes at the end of the Franklin Square Sand-A-Delphia Quiz at historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/amsweep.php. Enter by 6 p.m. on Oct. 6 ... if you're lame enough not to travel exclusively via human-powered mythical creature-based vehicles.

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.