By the Numbers


200
Estimated number of tubs of Fluff to be served at the What the Fluff? festival in Somerville’s Union Square on 9/27, which this year will also feature politically themed events.

Of Fluffernutter sandwiches consumed each year at the festival, which celebrates the Lynn-made marshmallow spread: 800

Number of years since then–state Senator Jarrett Barrios suggested banning Fluffernutters in public schools, thereby turning Fluff into a political football and inspiring pandering by supposedly Fluff-loving lawmakers, which in turn spawned a proposal to make the Fluffernutter the state’s official sandwich: 2

Of the four most prominent presidential candidates (Bob Barr, John McCain, Ralph Nader, and Barack Obama) who responded to Boston’s queries about their positions on Fluff: 0

76
Number of years since Winston Churchill stayed at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, site of this year’s scholarly International Churchill Conference (9/11–9/14)

Of academic lectures offered that relate to the conference’s theme, Churchill’s influence on Ireland: 6

Percentage chance that Globe columnist Kevin Cullen will find an excuse to write something about Ireland within days of the conference: 82

208
Number of beds at the Boston Hostel on Hemenway Street, a branch of Hostelling International that is marking its 25th anniversary this month

Daily rate for the hostel’s most expensive private room: $99.99

For a hotel room in Boston, on average, according to 2007 data from the Pinnacle Advisory Group consulting firm: $208.89

Amount of the difference between the two: $108.90

Number of beers a traveler can buy on nearby Lansdowne Street, and still have saved money by staying at a hostel: 15