Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

.000000001 Measurement, in meters, of the products and processes dealt with by entities in the nanotechnology field, including Philadelphia's Nanotechnology Institute, which will host a Nanotechnology Conference Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut St. Register at nanotechinstitute.org. Best to be informed before the tiny machines take over.

3 Number of movies — namely a Bugs Bunny cartoon called Bewitched Bunny, as well as Ghostbusters and Gremlins — that will be screened during the free triple-feature movie night in Franklin Square on Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m., moviegoers can set up low lawn chairs and blankets on the lawn, where food will be sold, including burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, cotton candy, ice cream and, hopefully, marshmallows. But definitely not water.

10 Percent of sales on Oct. 28 that will be donated to charities that support the Philadelphia Police Department by businesses and restaurants participating in Philadelphia Blue Day, including the Water Works Restaurant, Finnigan's Wake, SmokeEaters Pub, Curbside Chef, Guido's, and both locations of the Philadelphia Irish Pub. DWI fines don't count as donations, so take a cab, mmkay?

12 Height, in feet, of the fencing that surrounds platform tennis courts, which are one-quarter the size of normal courts and allow for play off the walls, like racquetball. To make sure I'm not making this up, you should attend the Metropolitan Area Platform Tennis Association's Women's 50+ platform tennis tournament on Oct. 25 at the Merion Cricket Club, 325 Montgomery Ave., Haverford. Or, if you're really skeptical, and a woman, and over 50, register to participate at maptapaddle.com.

57 Number of years that will be covered in "Philadelphia Gothic: Murders, Mysteries, Monsters, and Mayhem Inspire American Fiction, 1798-1854," a free exhibition at the Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St. The exhibition, which aims to "resuscitate" the writings of Philadelphia novelists Charles Brockden Brown, Robert Montgomery Bird and George Lippard, begins with an opening reception on Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. and runs through April 14, 2009. Something tells me those guys would have been more famous if they had known about nanomachines.

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.