Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

3 Number of cans of food to be distributed by Philabundance that you must donate to earn a $1 discount on each beer you drink during the Boxing Day Beer Festival at Memphis Taproom, 2331 E. Cumberland St., Dec. 26 starting at 8 a.m. The same discount can be earned by donating coats and blankets, to be given to local families by Phillys Mercy Neighborhood Ministries. Empty beer cans do not count as donations (but nice try).

4 Number of 2008 "Phillies Championship Journey Game Encores" to be aired during the "Miracle on Broad Street Series" between Dec. 24 and Jan. 2 on Comcast SportsNet. Fans will be able to relive Game 4 of the NLCS on Dec. 24, Game 4 of the NLDS on Dec. 28, Game 5 of the NLCS on Dec. 30, and Game 5 of the World Series on Jan. 2. All games will be shown at 7 p.m. Anyone else get the sinking feeling that Bud Selig is going to interrupt the Series replay with a live press conference calling for a do-over?

7 Number of "Great U.S. Cities to Live in" that were recently profiled by MSN's City Guides, which so thoughtfully included Philadelphia in a 200-word blurb that managed to mention all of our proudest and most up-to-date claims-to-fame, including booing Santa Claus, the Rocky statue, and "the Franklin Museum." Don't forget the Freedom Gong and the Independence Shopping Center, MSN!

15 Number of $15 tickets that Lantern Theater Company holds until 15 minutes before all showtimes for students with valid IDs. The "$15 at :15" student discount will be available during the 12 performances of C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4 at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th and Ludlow, where Anthony Lawton will play more than a dozen characters. Visit lanterntheater.org or call at 215-829-0395 for tickets, which are $40 at full price. Unless you have your seven-year-old, taped-together, yet undeniably valid student ID. Wink.

100 Minimum number of women that Impact100 Philadelphia encourages to donate $1,000 by Dec. 31 each year in order to award high-impact grants the following spring to Philadelphia nonprofits that don't usually have access to a high level of funding. The number of women who donate $1,000 during the annual membership drive between September and December determines the grant amount to be awarded. The bulk of this year's proceeds will likely go to Ed Rendell sensitivity training. Good luck, ladies.

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.