Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

11 Number of days it took for the newly created White House Middle Class Task Force — headed by Vice President Joe Biden and various Cabinet members — to receive approximately 34,700 messages, according to task force Executive Director Jared Bernstein, chief economist and economic policy advisor to the vice president. The task force will hold its first meeting in Philadelphia on Feb. 27 to focus on creating "green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class." When Bernstein's not busy advising and economizing, he's blogging the economy back into good health at www.astrongmiddleclass.gov.

33 Issue number of the February/March edition — better known as "The Philly Issue" — of vintage vinyl magazine Wax Poetics, which sports front and back covers featuring Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass, as well as pieces on Sonny Hopson, Howard Tate, The Stylistics, First Choice, ?uestlove, The Pop Art label and more. Sample a playlist inspired by the issue at digital.waxpoetics.com. Be sure to chat up ?uestlove about it when he guest DJs at 32 Lounge's seven-year anniversary party on Feb. 27, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 215-627-3132 to R.S.V.P. 700 Approximate number of members in the Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association, which will hold an official Volunteer Trail Maintenance Day at Wissahickon Park, 898 Wises Mill Road, on Feb. 28 starting at 10 a.m. Talk about green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class! Membership info at phillymtb.org.

900 AM Radio dial location of WURD, which broadcasts Philadelphia City Council sessions every Thursday — including tonight and March 5 — from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring a post-meeting summary of key legislation. Commentary on current resolutions and issues begins at 9:30 a.m. Tune in on alternate Thursdays to hear ?uestlove's City Council Remix.

22,000 Approximate number of women who die each year from heart disease and stroke in Pennsylvania, according to the American Heart Association, whose Go Red for Women campaign aims to link the color red to "the ability all women have to improve their heart health." Joint the Sixers as they "Go Red" during their home game against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 28, featuring free health screenings. For information or to volunteer, call 610-234-2454 or e-mail colleen.adams@heart.org. Good thing they're not playing the Bulls that night

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.