Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

Running Numbers finally sorts out the financial crisis. (Sorry, I was busy investing in real estate.)

39 Number of cities in which "End the Fed" protesters will gather on Nov. 22 to support Ron Paul's proposed "Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act" and to demand a "return to the hard, commodity-backed monetary system." The march to Independence Mall starts at 10 a.m. on the west side of City Hall. And, let me guess, ends with the fashioning of a golden Ron Paul idol?

1,800 Approximate number of members in the Chartered Financial Analyst Foundation of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, only they will be permitted to attend the "Precious Metals Outlook" program that will be held Nov. 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Philadelphia Country Club, where FideliTrade experts will muse about whether gold has "lost its luster as an inflationary hedge and store of value." Fortunately, I'm already scheduled to chat with my own metal experts at my own country club that day. You know times are tough when you can only afford to belong to one country club.

$29.99 Price of the collector's edition Tastykake tins featuring images from the Mural Arts Program that are available for the holiday season at tastykake.com. A portion of the proceeds from the tins, which include an assortment of 10 packages of Tastykakes, will go to the Mural Arts Program. Talk about commodities! Butterscotch Krimpets were like currency at the lunch table. Plus my metal experts tell me tin is on the rise.

140 Number of affordable housing units that Jon Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation has been involved in creating since 2005. That effort will be rewarded at the 2008 Billboard Touring Awards on Nov. 20 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, where Bon Jovi will receive the Humanitarian Award, which recognizes the philanthropic efforts of a touring professional. Is it really a housing crisis if Bon Jovi is single-handedly solving it?

25 Height, in feet, of the tower filled with $100 million worth of shredded bills that is on display at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's permanent "Money in Motion" exhibit, which also features a rare $100,000 bill. On an unrelated bank note, the Fed will present "Financial Crisis: Causes, Remedies, and Opportunities," on Nov. 21 at the bank, 10 Independence Mall. Call 215-574-4119 for registration and info. And bring glass-cutters and glue. We've got some recirculating to do.

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.