A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

Listen up, land lovers. I set sail today on a nine-day seafaring voyage, so I've prepared a short list of activities that will keep you safe and occupied while I'm gone. Expect a postcard.

18 Minimum age one must be to volunteer to promote VolunteerMatch — an organization dedicated to helping people find volunteer opportunities — at the Warped Tour at the Susquehanna Bank Center on July 25. After completing their duties, volunteers will be granted free access to the concert, where, given the age requirement, they'll probably be the oldest ones there. Visit volunteermatch.org/search/opp268938.jsp to offer your services.

35 Number of years Ralph Archbold has portrayed Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. Tonight, Archbold will marry Betsy Ross reenactor Linda Wilde in a public ceremony at 8 p.m. in front of Independence Hall. I must insist that a healthy contingent of colonially dressed well-wishers attend in my stead. Please don't embarrass me.

125 Age, in years, of the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild's wooden ship Gazela, which, along with the 1902 tugboat Jupiter, will host a free Seaman's Knot-tying Workshop on July 6 from two to 4 p.m. at Penn's Landing. I wasn't able to brush up on my knot-tying skills before departing for my cruise, so please be on call in case I need tips on how to tie a sheepshank or a monkey's fist.

10,000 Number of Tastykakes that will be distributed inside the Independence Visitor Center on July 4 between noon and 2 p.m. — just 24 hours after an 8-foot cake emblazoned with words from our nation's founding document will be served during the center's presentation of "Sweet Freedom: An audible, edible taste of the Declaration of Independence" on July 3 at noon. I bet the Brits would have taken it a lot better if it had been on a cake the first time.

30,000 Number of times Underwriters Laboratories tests refrigerator doors "to make sure they will still easily open from the inside should a child inadvertently climb in." Fridge test demonstrations are just one fun part of the UL Safety Tour, which will stop at the Lowe's of West Philadelphia, 1500 N. 50th St., on July 5-6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hopefully you know me well enough by now to know that I want you to see if they can open the refrigerator door with a sheepshank tied around it. I'll expect the full report when I return.

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.