Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

1 Minimum number of new, unwrapped toys that Volkswagen and Audi enthusiasts must bring in order to partake in the fruits of the BBQ Battle that will take place during the DCI Toys for Tots 2008 event on Nov. 15 at noon at FDR Park. I guess I'll wait to donate until my Ford Focus support group's toy drive.

7.08 Current world record, in seconds, for solving a Rubik's Cube. Watch aspiring cubers try to come close during Drexel University's Fall 2008 Rubik's Cube Competition — featuring speed-solve, one-handed and blindfolded events — on Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Bossone 3rd Floor Atrium, 32nd and Market. Registration is $5 for non-Drexel students and free for Drexel undergrads and observers. Visit freewebs.com/drexelcubers for information and registration. I can't even peel off the stickers that fast.

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$25 Cost of tickets that can be issued for recycling violations by Streets and Walkways Education and Enforcement Program officers, according to RecycleNOW Philadelphia, which will host "The Vision is Zero Waste," a forum on the future of recycling in the city, with a presentation by Mayor Nutter, on Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-noon at The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. I bet Nutter solves a mean Rubik's.

90 Minimum number of trees that will be planted by Philly Tree People — community volunteers dedicated to bringing tree coverage to the streets of Kensington and Fishtown — on Nov 16. Volunteers, especially those with pickup trucks, should meet at 2771 Jasper St. at 10 a.m. for two hours of work followed by free food and drinks. E-mail phillytreepeople@gmail.com for more info. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure they're not actually Tree-People.

1,900 Number of housing units whose development was aided by the Philadelphia Neighborhood Development Collaborative in the last decade. The PNDC's successor, NeighborhoodsNow, is now focusing on developing housing near transit hubs, and will present highlights of the city's first Transit Revitalization Investment District — including plans for the 46th and Market Street El and Temple Regional Rail stations — during a panel discussion with representatives from SEPTA and the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities on Nov. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St. RSVP to TOD@neighborhoodsnowphila.org. NeighborhoodsNow, RecycleNOW, Rubik's Cubes in seven seconds, 90 trees in two hours?! Are we in some kind of hurry?

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.