alleyblack2-blog

[alleyblack2-blog]

Old friends turn foe as Eagles visit Bears

Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy developed a strong friendship as assistants on Andy Reid's coaching staff in Kansas City.

Since then, both men have moved into prominent head-coaching roles. Their friendship will be put on hold for a few hours when Pederson's defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) visit Nagy's Chicago Bears (12-4) on Sunday afternoon in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Few know Pederson's offensive system as well as Nagy does -- and few know Nagy's system as well as Pederson does.

"You can draw parallels from Coach Reid," Pederson said this week in comments published by The Morning Call of Allentown, Pa. "We both kind of learned under him. I know Matt is very -- he definitely is an aggressive coach, he has an aggressive mindset, he's very creative. That's what you're seeing on tape and in games. So I think there are some similarities there."

The coaches' familiarity could make for a high-stakes, tight-knit contest on the Chicago lakefront.

The Bears enter the postseason having won four games in a row and nine of their past 10. They finished the regular season with the league's third-ranked defense (299.7 yards allowed per game), which took pressure off of their 21st-ranked offense (343.9 yards per game).

Meanwhile, the Eagles secured a wild-card playoff berth on the final day of the regular season thanks to a win over the Washington Redskins, coupled with a loss by the Minnesota Vikings against the Bears. Philadelphia finished in the middle of the pack on both sides of the ball, posting the No. 14 total offense (365.3 yards per game) and the No. 23 total defense (366.2 yards allowed per game).

But the Eagles have plenty of experience in the spotlight after last season's title run. This will be the Bears' first playoff game since 2010.

It will be the biggest test yet for Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who threw for 3,223 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his second season. Jordan Howard led the team on the ground with 935 yards and nine touchdowns, while Allen Robinson led all receivers with 735 yards on 55 catches, including four for touchdowns.

For the second year in a row, the Eagles enter the playoffs with Nick Foles under center in place of injured teammate Carson Wentz (back). Foles passed for 1,413 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions in five starts on the season. He left the regular-season finale after sustaining a shot to his ribs, but he has vowed to play this weekend despite "a little bit of soreness."

The Eagles' top pass catcher is Zach Ertz, who set a single-season record for tight ends with 116 receptions for 1,163 yards and eight scores. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will return to face his former team after grabbing 65 passes for 843 yards and six touchdowns.

Bears players say they welcome the pressure of the postseason and feel confident with Nagy leading the way.

"Since he got here, our culture has just been shifted into a winning culture," Bears offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr. told the Chicago Sun-Times. "There's no more accepting the fact that we're going to go out there and lose. We go out there expecting to win every game."

Likewise, Pederson wants playoff success to be the "new norm" in Philadelphia.

"That's why we train in the offseason and training camp and put all that time in, for moments now like this," Pederson said. "This is what you play for. You get a chance to be in this tournament and again compete and play for another world championship, if possible."

--Field Level Media

Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/old-friends-turn-foe-eagles-visit-bears-225208984--nfl.html?src=rss

[alleyblack2-blog]

Need a spatula now? Amazon has a new store for that

NEW YORK (AP) - Amazon is expanding its physical presence again, this time opening a 4,000-square-foot store that sells a wide range of products, including shower curtains, Hallmark cards and baby bottles.

The store, called Amazon 4-star, opened Thursday in New York's SoHo neighborhood and will only offer Amazon.com's best-selling items or those that get four or more star ratings on its website. The products it sells can be changed out weekly, based on changing customer reviews or what is or isn't selling well, said Cameron Janes, who oversees Amazon's physical stores.

The new store is another sign that Amazon is serious about expanding its brick-and-mortar presence. It already has more than a dozen bookstores around the country, recently opened four cashier-less convenience stores and bought the Whole Foods grocery chain a year ago.

"It seems interesting," said Edward Niestat, a management consultant in New York who walked into the store shortly after it opened Thursday morning. "If you know what you want, you order it from Amazon. But if you wanted to go to a store and look around and maybe get some ideas, this is not a bad idea."

Like at its bookstores, 4-star doesn't accept cash. Shoppers can pay with the Amazon app, an Amazon gift card or a debit or credit card. Prime members will pay the same price as it is on Amazon.com; non-members will pay the list price. Digital price tags will display both prices and will be updated in real time, Janes said. Items can't be ordered online and picked up at the store, but 4-star will take some returns for items bought on Amazon.com.

The store also sells toys, books and many of Amazon's own goods, like its Echo voice-activated devices, AmazonBasics skillets and throws from Rivet, its homegoods and furniture line.

Amazon said the store is permanent, but Janes wouldn't say if more stores are on the way. "You're going to have to stay tuned for what comes next," he said.

Published: September 27, 2018 — 3:22 PM EDT

Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20180927_ap_e9d8057f91de42c3b3ec16b5bddab611.html?arc404=true

[alleyblack2-blog]

New Jersey Health Officials Issue Warning After Dunkin’ Employee Tests Positive For Hepatitis A

TURNERSVILLE, N.J. (CBS) – New Jersey health officials are issuing a warning after a Dunkin’ employee in Turnersville, New Jersey tested positive for hepatitis A. The infected employee works at the Dunkin’ at 460 Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd.

The Gloucester County Health Department says the employee worked while they were potentially infectious between May 18 through June 1.

Health officials say although the risk is low, it is recommended customers who ate or drank beverages at the Turnersville Dunkin’ during those dates should receive “post-exposure prophylaxis” (PEP).

PEP consists of hepatitis A vaccine and/or immune globulin and can further reduce the risk of acquiring hepatitis A. To be effective, PEP should be received as soon as possible, but no later than June 15.

Those suspecting that they have symptoms of hepatitis A should contact their health care provider. If you’re without medical insurance that covers vaccines, contact the Gloucester County Health Department at 856-218-4101.

The management of this establishment is cooperating with sanitary procedures and the investigation. The rest of the employees were able to return to work after receiving PEP.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A can include the following: · Fever · Fatigue · Loss of appetite · Nausea · Vomiting · Abdominal discomfort · Dark urine · Clay-colored bowel movement · Joint pain · Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Signs and symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after exposure, although they may occur two to seven weeks after exposure. Children under 6 years of age with hepatitis A often do not have or show few signs and symptoms.

If you have questions or need more information on hepatitis A, contact the Gloucester County Health Department at 856-218-4101.

Source: https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/06/09/turnersville-new-jersey-dunkin-hepatitis-a-warning/

[alleyblack2-blog]

City: Roosevelt Boulevard speed cameras to be live by end of year

Speed cameras will be watching over Roosevelt Boulevard by the end of 2019, city officials said Wednesday.

The cameras are coming to a 12-mile stretch of Roosevelt between 9th Street and the Bucks County boundary line — a section of road that ranks as the city’s deadliest.

In 2018 alone, 21 people died in traffic collisions there. Over the prior five years, there were 2,700 crashes resulting in 139 fatalities.

The cameras, and the sensors they rely on, will detect when a driver exceeds the speed limit by 11 miles per hour or more.

“Adding automated speed cameras on the boulevard is one of the most effective steps we can take towards eliminating traffic deaths,” Mayor Jim Kenney said on Wednesday, just before signing a bill legalizing the cameras.

The bill signing came after more than five years of advocacy from people like Latanya Byrd, who lost her niece and her niece’s four children when an Audi  S4 hurled into them as they crossed the street.

Cameras reduced deadly crashes by 50% in NYC

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will run the speed camera program, while  city workers will post signs to alert drivers of the automated enforcement. Drivers will have a 60-day warning period to slow down after the cameras go up. At the end of that period, the PPA will begin issuing fines ranging from $100 to $150. Up to to three violations can be issued within a 30-minute period.

The move comes as part of the city’s Vision Zero Initiative, which aims to reduce traffic deaths to zero by 2030.

Mike Carroll, deputy managing director of Office Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability,  said cameras are a proven strategy for making streets safer. He pointed to a camera program in New York City that officials say reduced speeding by nearly two-thirds, and halved the number of fatal crashes.

“Experience has taught us throughout the country that this type of enforcement does save lives by slowing down speeds,” Carroll said.

Scott Petri, the executive director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, pointed to sucesses locally. Cameras at red lights reduced violations by an average of 43%, he said.

“We are confident that the introduction of automated speed enforcement cameras will curb speeding,” Petri said.

Revenue generated by the cameras will help pay for other safety initiatives in the city including intersection safety improvements, and safer pedestrian crossings.

Source: http://planphilly.com/articles/2019/06/20/city-roosevelt-boulevard-speed-cameras-to-be-live-by-end-of-year

[alleyblack2-blog]

Eagles safety and criminal justice activist Malcolm Jenkins is being honored with the first annual Louise Williams Bishop Peace + Love Award

Join us on Monday, January 21, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,for a day of celebration at the legendary Metropolitan Opera House of Philadelphia located at 858 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. The Met has been an historic landmark at the corner of Broad and Poplar Streets for over 100 years. Renovated, restored and resurrected, the Met is ready to serve the community and Reverend Mark Hatcher is positioned to assist us in making this celebration the best one yet.

Mayor James Kenney, along with other elected officials, school administrators, and supporters of Dr. King's legacy will join us in honoring Philadelphia Eagles, Malcolm Jenkins for his commitment to social justice. This will be a day of inspiration, music, fellowship, art and education, geared toward remembering the life, work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, there will be a special presentation to recognize and honor those within our community deserving of the first annual Louise Williams Bishop Peace+Love Award. The Award will be given to those who exemplify the passion and commitment of our generation’s Ambassador of Peace, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event will culminate with a goal driven Guinness Book of World Records Pledge for Peace, Love, and non-violence. All those in attendance will be invited to build upon the very foundation of Dr. King’s movement by taking a pledge to choose Peace+Love along with making a visual commitment to create a city of non-violence and a society that perpetuates peace+love.

Source: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/26th-annual-reverend-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration-tickets-54006839912

[alleyblack2-blog]

Couple Reunited With Stolen Dog After 2 Years

A couple who are military veterans were reunited with their dog in New Jersey on Saturday, two years after their pup was stolen. 

Gregory and Victoria Hudler last saw their Australian shepherd, Jodie, in 2017. They were stationed in North Carolina and had asked a distant relative to watch their then 10-month-old puppy for a few weeks after the birth of their first child, according to Wing of Rescue. 

Instead, the relative never returned Jodie, stopped communicating and disappeared. 

Then, last week, Jodie turned up at a shelter in rural Tennessee, which scanned her microchip and contacted Gregory Hudler. 

Bloomberg via Getty Images

The dog was flown by Wings of Rescue to be reunited with the couple in Morristown. 

The family has since retired from the military and lives near Philadelphia. 

Source: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Couple-Reunited-With-Stolen-Dog-After-2-Years-Wings-of-Rescue--533687891.html

[alleyblack2-blog]

$75,000 could get robotics programs into more Philly schools

Expanding access to robotics training is the ultimate goal of the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition, a nonprofit focused on connecting local schools with both the training and sources of funding to sustain FIRST robotics teams.

Already reaching 22 schools, the coalition is on a fundraising push to raise $75,000 in additional cash to reach its goal of serving 30 schools by 2020.

“High-quality STEM education and robotics programs are extremely important because they help our students learn how to think critically, problem-solve, and ask questions about their surroundings,” said School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite, who joined a launch event on Saturday. “They also help students prepare for meaningful college and career experiences, whether or not they pursue a STEM-related field.”

See the campaign

Last year, with backing from the Neubauer Family Foundation, the coalition was able to serve students in 22 schools, offering workshops and grants and mentors to expand engineering and science training.

FIRST Robotics competitions are six-week projects where teams of high-school students build and program industrial-size robots.

Here’s a quick look at a 2016 competition where robots built by high schoolers tossed the football around with a couple of Eagles players.

-30-

JOIN THE COMMUNITY, BECOME A MEMBER Already a member? Sign in here

Source: https://technical.ly/philly/2018/09/26/75000-could-get-robotics-programs-into-philly-schools/

[alleyblack2-blog]

United – $246: Philadelphia – Mexico City, Mexico. Roundtrip, including all Taxes

This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

A good sale to Mexico City

American, Delta and Aeromexico also have a similarly priced fare but that is a Basic Economy fare. American, Delta and Aeromexico Basic Economy fares do not include advance seat assignments, changes, cancellations and boards last.

Here are some practical travel tips to Mexico City. And another take for 72 hours in Mexico City.

Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, Mexico – Photo: Lui_piquee via Flickr, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

Sample Travel Date:

January 12th – 15th, 2019

This is just ONE SAMPLE travel date, for more availability, please follow the “Fare Availability” and “How to Search for Availability” instructions below

Fare Availability:

Valid for travel until early December or January 2019 – mid April 2019. Must purchase at least 7 days in advance of departure

Please note that while this fare is valid at time of posting, if this post is more than two days old, the fare is likely gone.

How to Search for Availability:

This is just to search for availability. To buy your tickets, scroll down to “How to Buy” section of this post

The ITA search page should be like below when all values are inputted

You cannot buy tickets using ITA. To buy, follow our instructions in the “How to Buy” section below.

Fare Class:

Elite Qualifying Dollars:

Routing:

PHL – ORD (Chicago) – MEX (Mexico City) – ORD – PHL

Stopover:

Mileage:

Miles Flown: 4,086 miles or 6.0 cents per mile

Elite Qualifying Miles: 4,086 miles

Redeemable Miles: 420 miles

How to Buy:

Support us by using our Priceline link to book with dates found on ITA Software Matrix Airfare Search.

Accommodations

HotelsCombined - One of the leading hotel meta-search engines. Search all the hotel and online travel agencies with one search.

Car Rentals

Rental Cars - One of the world’s leading car rental agencies. Includes all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise etc.

Activities and Tours

Viator – The world's largest marketplace for destination activities and tours

Travel Insurance

Background Information:

Visa: US Citizens – not required. Other nationals, check the TIMATIC Visa Database

Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN). $1USD = 18.69 MXN

Tips for saving when using credit cards at international destinations:

For more of the latest cheap Philadelphia Flight Deals:

* The Flight Deal will receive a commission if you use the Priceline, accommodation, car rental, activities, or travel insurance affiliate links to make a booking or apply and is approved for a credit card using our link above. Thank you for your continuing support.

=====

To make sure you receive our latest deals, LIKE our The Flight Deal Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter @TheFlightDeal, or subscribe to The Flight Deal RSS Feed or Subscribe via Email (Once a Day)

The Flight Deal does not sell travel products or services. We provide you with information about third-party travel suppliers’ offers, and link you to their sites. The information posted by The Flight Deal is valid at the time of publication. However, we have no control over the suppliers, and we therefore do not warrant or guarantee that their offers will not change or become unavailable. Nor are we responsible for their products, services or site content. Please see their sites for their most up-to-date offer information and all applicable terms and conditions.

Stay Informed on the Latest Deals

Sign up to receive The Flight Deal Daily DealsLetter, to stay up to date with the latest and greatest flight deals available.

Source: https://www.theflightdeal.com/2018/10/01/united-246-philadelphia-mexico-city-mexico-roundtrip-including-all-taxes/

[alleyblack2-blog]

Governor, GOP challenger face off at Trebek-hosted forum

HERSHEY, Pa. (WPVI) --

Pennsylvania's Democratic governor and his Republican challenger met in their only formal appearance together in the fall campaign, in which moderator Alex Trebek of "Jeopardy!" fame needled the candidates on their mudslinging and pressed them on their perceived exaggerations.

The event, billed by Trebek as conversational and not a debate, showed that Trebek had read up on Pennsylvania's issues and politics in drafting questions for Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP nominee Scott Wagner.

But it also led to unexpected moments at Monday night's annual Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry dinner in Hershey, such as Trebek chastising policymakers broadly for "shortchanging education in this state for decades."

The nearly hourlong event attended by about 1,700 people ended with Wagner pacing the stage during his closing statement, brushing off Trebek's entreaty to wrap it up and declaring that he'd change his name to Tom Wolf "if I don't do anything in four years" if elected governor.

Trebek also touched on the death penalty, imposing a severance tax on natural gas drilling and gerrymandering congressional districts, while the men jousted over who can better deal with the state's huge pension debt.

At one point, Trebek asked Wolf and Wagner - seated on stools several feet apart - if they'd ever said anything about their opponent that they knew was untrue.

"Not that I remember, no," Wolf responded, drawing laughter from the audience.

Wolf went on to contend that neither he nor Wagner have said things they knew to be untrue about each other, "but we certainly disagree."

When it came to Wagner, Trebek took on the Republican's politically unrealistic pledge to pour another $1 billion into public schools in one year. But first, Trebek recounted a list of critical statements Wagner's made of public schools and teachers during his campaign for governor and four years as a gatecrashing conservative in the state Senate.

"Now it seems to me, you have done a full 180," Trebek told Wagner.

Wagner shot back by saying "here's a fact" and accused Wolf of not putting any new money into public schools for the first three years of his term because he had not signed an actual spending bill until 2018 amid thorny budget fights with the Republican-controlled Legislature.

That, however, ignored the fact that Wolf had agreed to spending bills passed by the Legislature in 2016 and 2017, but chose to let them lapse into law while he and lawmakers tussled over how to scrape up the money to pay for it.

Wolf is seeking a second term in the Nov. 6 election. Wagner served four years in the state Senate, resigning in June, and runs a $75 million waste-hauling business.

The night was to be the candidates' only formal appearance together this fall, as Wolf runs a low-key campaign, nurses a big lead in independent polls and barely acknowledges that he even has an opponent while he works the levers of government. Wolf also has held a huge fundraising lead over Wagner, who is largely self-funding his campaign.

Wagner, meanwhile, has accused Wolf of rejecting more than a dozen debate invitations from newspapers, TV stations and others. At one point, Trebek suggested that Wagner hadn't been serious several months ago when he suggested the two candidates meet for a debate in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

Wagner insisted that he had been serious. Wolf countered that more debates effectively are unnecessary because voters are reading and listening to the media's coverage of the issues.

"I think people are listening," Wolf said, turning to Wagner. "They don't like what they're hearing from you, but they're listening."

------ Send a News Tip to Action News Learn More About 6abc Apps

(Copyright ©2018 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.)

Source: https://6abc.com/politics/governor-gop-challenger-face-off-at-trebek-hosted-forum/4387367/

[alleyblack2-blog]

Doug Pederson ignoring run game felt all too familiar to Eagles fans

I’m not one of those guys who believes in a balanced offense. I’m not one of those guys who’s always screaming about running the ball more. About being 50-50.

The NFL is a passing league more than ever. I get that. You win by slinging the ball up and down the field.

There is, however, a time and a place to run the football.

And Doug Pederson whiffed on that Sunday.

Nobody really runs the ball as a philosophy anymore, but the league is still 60-40. Even in this modern high-powered NFL with fancy passing games, teams still do run the ball an average of 25 times a game, and there’s a good reason for that.

Because even in a predominantly passing league, if you throw all the time, you’re going to get your quarterback killed.

Which takes us to Sunday.

It was open season on Carson Wentz down in Nashville. The Titans teed off on Wentz throughout the game, using a steady array of blitzes to get shots on Wentz, keep him from getting into a rhythm, smash him to the ground and in one case caused a fumble.

Yet through it all, Pederson ignored the running game. As the sacks and hits piled up, as the offensive line continued to struggle in pass protection, Pederson called pass after pass after pass.

We’ve all seen this before around here. As brilliant a coach as Doug Pederson’s mentor Andy Reid is, he was prone to these same sorts of lapses, where he would simply forget to run the ball.

During one stretch spanning the second and third quarters, 38 of 45 plays were called passes. By the time regulation was over, Pederson had called 52 pass plays and 15 runs.

What’s baffling is that the Eagles were coming off a win over the Colts where they ran for over 150 yards without Jay Ajayi and really controlled the clock.

And they were on the road, where pass rushers have an edge thanks to crowd noise. And the best way to neutralize a ferocious pass rush is to run the ball enough to keep defenses guessing.

When you’re throwing nearly 80 percent of the time — which is what the Eagles did through regulation — you’re not keeping anybody guessing.

Then a funny thing happened.

The Eagles ran the ball on five of eight snaps in overtime and gained 41 yards. That’s eight yards a pop. Matter of fact, 35 percent of all their rushing yards in the entire game came in OT.

That drive, which resulted in a field goal, was the Eagles’ only drive where Pederson called more than two running plays. And he called five.

The Eagles’ OT drive gobbled up 8 1/2 minutes of clock. It kept pressure off Wentz, It moved the chains.  

Where was that all day?

Now, the Eagles wound up losing because the Titans drove down the field for a touchdown. But that one overtime drive showed exactly what could have been. What should have been. And had Pederson mixed in the run just a little more during the first 60 minutes, then maybe there never would have even been a last 15 minutes.

The Eagles have a big, strong, tough offensive line that loves to run block. We’ve all seen them wear defenses down. We’ve seen them pounds teams. When the Eagles did run Sunday, they averaged 5.5 yards a pop with Ajayi and Wendell Smallwood.

It doesn’t take a ton. It doesn’t take 35 carries a game. Just enough to keep defenses on their toes. To keep them off-balance. Because when they know what’s coming, life’s bound to be very tough for any quarterback. Even one as gifted as Carson Wentz.

More on the Eagles

Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/doug-pederson-ignoring-run-game-felt-all-too-familiar-eagles-fans

[alleyblack2-blog]

What is open science?

Many are familiar with the concept of open source in software development, but what is open science?

The emerging practice of open science seeks to make tools and data available to researchers worldwide so that scientific advances can be made faster and more cost effectively.

Contrast this with the traditional model of academic research, where labs often work in silos, rarely make the raw data and analysis code publicly available, and publish in journals that require payment to access content. This lack of transparency, in conjunction with the increasing complexity of data processing techniques, leads to reproducibility problems. Therefore, this “closed” model of doing science is beginning to shift towards a more open approach to research, where the data, code and results are all publicly viewable from the beginning of the project using platforms like GitHub and FigShare.

This past Tuesday, local data science meetups R-Ladies and DataPhilly hosted an event at Azavea in Philadelphia with two guest speakers and a discussion of careers in open science.

Jaclyn Taroni, Ph.D. presented her work at the Childhood Cancer Data Lab (CCDL), an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation initiative based in Philadelphia. CCDL’s mission is to accelerate childhood cancer research by helping researchers worldwide improve their software, scientific workflows and training.

Second, Olga Botvinnik, Ph.D. shared about her role at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub in California. This initiative aims to solve big problems in human health with the lofty goal of curing, preventing or managing all diseases by 2100.

On a personal level, the supportive community, immediate feedback and potential to positively impact scientific progress quickly are some of the main reasons a scientist might practice open science.

For instance, Botvinnik was drawn to this work based on her experience in single-cell transcriptomics research during graduate school. When she wrote Python packages to analyze data, people around the world provided feedback, liked the package, and used it. This inspired her to want to pursue a research career where all code and data are open from the beginning. She further shared that working on open science projects is great way to build your network and your online presence.

On a broader, professional level, open science means that more data is available to discern patterns and test predictions against samples with different characteristics. As a result, researchers can not only tackle very difficult and complex problems, but they can also ensure that their findings are more robust and reproducible. Efforts of this scale require coordinated standards for data collection, processing and recording, which are all possible thanks to the latest technological advances and the work of dedicated organizations and scientists.

Both speakers emphasized their motivation to make tools accessible, since cumbersome data processing methods limit their utility and makes scientific findings difficult to trust and understand, and even more difficult to translate into solutions.

Not everyone working on open science must be an active scientist by profession. Botvinnik recommended connecting to researchers who are active on Twitter, especially about open science, and asking them what you can do to help.

You can also follow the money: Look for initiatives for open science and see who they are funding. An example is the Moore-Sloan Data Science Environments funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. When it comes time to share your results, consider writing a blog post, which can be a great way to get early feedback.

Joining local data science groups is another great way to get in touch with researchers and get involved in data analysis projects. In particular, R-Ladies Philly has already developed external partnerships for hands-on analytics projects in the nonprofit sector, and is looking to expand these collaborations to include researchers in the area.

And both R-Ladies Philly and DataPhilly convene scientists and data enthusiasts through regular meetups that are either hands-on workshops or talks given by experts, which offer ample opportunity for connecting and engaging in exciting research work.

-30- Source: https://technical.ly/philly/2019/04/18/what-is-open-science-r-ladies/

[alleyblack2-blog]

Sneak Preview: February Classes at COOK

Events

Tickets go on sale Monday, January 7th at 2 p.m.

Devoted foodies and restaurant newbies love Foobooz. Sign up now for our twice weekly newsletter.

It’s a new year at COOK, and for those of you looking to learn a little something, eat a little something, drink a little something, or just hang out and have a unique experience this year, you should definitely check out what the crew has in store next month. From Chinese New Year dinners to Filipino feasts, soul food, a pizza party, or a beer and chocolate pairing, COOK has something for everyone.

And we’ve got a sneak preview for you right here. Tickets for all classes go on sale Monday, January 7th at 2 p.m. and they sell out fast, so make a plan and be ready.

COOK’s February Classes

February 1: Tailgating with Becca O’Brien of Two Birds Catering and Canning February 2: 6 p.m. Chinese New Year Dinner with Judy Ni and Andy Tessier of Baology February 5: A Filipino Feast with Jill Encarnacion, Resa Mueller, Neal Santos and Michael Cher of LALO February 6: An Evening with Joe Monnich of Stove & Tap and Steve Gullo of The Bercy February 8: 6 p.m. Beer + Chocolate Pairing with Meredith Rebar of Home Brewed Events and Kevin Paschall and Laurel Burmeister of Shane Confectionery February 9: 6 p.m. A Night In Tuscany with Paul Cullen and Claudia Baudo February 10: 6 p.m. Sushi-101 with Matt Kemp of Shoon February 11: 6 p.m. A Very Vegan Valentine’s Day with Rachel Klein of Miss Rachel’s Pantry February 13: Wine + Swine Along the Rhine with Mitch Skwer of Wine Merchant and Nick Macri of La Divisa Meats February 14: Valentine’s Day Dinner with Laura Frangiosa and Maureen Stoebenau February 15: 6 p.m. Empanada Making Happy Hour with Jezabel Careaga of Jezabel’s February 16: 12 p.m. Pizza Party with Peggy Paul Casella of Thursday Night Pizza February 17: 1 p.m. COOKbook Author Event: “Vegan Chocolate” with Fran Costigan February 18: Spice World: Expanding Your Home Cooking Spice Repertoire with Brian Ricci of Philabundance February 19: Winter Soul Food with Malik Ali of South February 20: 6 p.m. Sour Happy Hour with James Cleland of Boardroom Spirits February 23: 12 p.m. Food For The Gods: Vegetarian Indian with Rupen Rao of Rupen’s February 25: An Evening with Ben Moore of Harper’s Garden February 26: Cooking On the Maginot Line: An Alsatian Dinner with Joncarl Lachman of Noord and Winkel February 28: The Cheese Course with Laura Sutter and Rachel Freier

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2019/01/04/february-classes-cook-philadelphia/

[alleyblack2-blog]

Experts from Google, Linode and more will be speaking at #DevConf19

Earlier this week, we introduced some details of what you can expect on May 8 at this year’s Dev Conference at the Drexel LeBow College of Business as a part of Philly Tech Week 2019 presented by Comcast.

And guess what? We have even more exciting news to share with you.

Presenting at the event are experts within their respective fields who will be discussing trending topics such as AI and machine learning, cloud computing, React components, cybersecurity, Agile development, leadership, soft skills and more.

We hope you’re as excited as we are to hear from these great minds. Check out just a few of our experts who will be at the event below:

Get tickets

Join Aurora for her talk as she discuses how website owners can protect themselves and their business. She will cover this crucial topic for SEOs and share several demos of these threats, plus how they can be prevented. Find out what Google is seeing in hacking trends, Google’s view on what HTTPS does (and doesn’t do), and how to best address a hacked site.

Brian will be discussing all aspects of AI and how it can function at scale, because “just getting the math right for artificial intelligence to work is hard.” Come and hear how his team at Monetate influences one in three dollars spent online during Thanksgiving and Black Friday, and how they’re using their Personalization Engine to improve the customer experience for many of the world’s leading brands.

Howie will be discussing a high-level overview of the current state of the art best practices in Agile, DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering, lean startup and more buzz words than you can fit on a bingo card. There will also be light indoctrination into his philosophies on software engineering, business, and the future of work.

Timothy will be discussing the big question on all of our minds: “What will your career mean?” He will talk through the many benefits of focusing on purpose and mission when considering your next job jump and the pitfalls of just following the cash, as well as how to get paid well for doing something good.

On top of these great speakers, we also have the current list of organizations coming to Dev Conf to showcase their new ideas and discuss the technologies that are changing the shape of our city and culture as we know it. Check it out:

If you haven’t registered yet, don’t worry — you still have time to purchase your ticket to attend the Dev Conference for $65, or get yourself an All-Access Pass to attend the morning workshop for $75. But hurry, because spots are limited.

Look for more updates regarding our speakers slated for the 2019 Dev Conference to come soon, and don’t forget our Dev Happy Hour after the event as well.

Get tickets -30-

Source: https://technical.ly/philly/2019/04/11/google-monetate-linode-power-home-remodeling-will-be-speaking-at-dev-conference-philly-tech-week-2019/

[alleyblack2-blog]

Around the NFC East: Giants and Redskins show a pulse, Cowboys look DOA

This week in the NFC East, Washington benefitted from the NFL’s new two-hand-touch rules, the Giants offense finally looked competent, and the rest of the world has figured out what we already knew about the Dallas Cowboys (y’know… that they stink).

Here’s what happened, and what’s happening, this week in the NFC East:

Washington (2-1)

ICYMI: Alex Smith went deep like he’s Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Peterson ran over Green Bay like he was still a Viking, and Vernon Davis / Jimmy Graham both had big plays. I have no idea what year it is. All I know is Washington benefitted from the most controversial play of the week, when Casey Matthews’ brother was flagged for cleanly sacking Smith, and Washington couldn’t blow an early lead, beating the Packers 31-17.

Spin: (INSERT CHIN-SCRATCHING EMOJI HERE). Washington looked way better dismantling Green Bay than the Iggles did squeaking one past the Colts. Then again, Washington lost to the Colts a week earlier (and looked flatter than a pancake doing so). It’s been a weird start to the NFL season, and this Washington squad is pretty representative of that.

What’s Next: BYE -- Which is kinda lame this early, to be honest.

Dallas Cowboys (1-2)

ICYMI: Cowboy-wannabe and Iverson-impersonator Earl Thomas (who is no Brandon Graham) had two interceptions as the defense formerly known as Legion slaughtered the inept Cowboys, 24-13. Dak Prescott was especially awful, and the national audience seems to finally be realizing what many of us picked up on a season ago: he has the abilities of a 4th-round draft pick.

Spin: The House of Dak is crumbling. The man who forced Tony Romo into retirement has thrown for under 200 yards in nine of his last 12 games, including all three this season. If Jerry Jones had a fraction of the brains he thinks he has, he’d trade for Texas-native Nick Foles today. Instead, he’ll probably wait till the offseason to overpay Jameis Winston.

Meanwhile, Jason Garrett is the betting favorite for “First Head Coach Fired.” Please god, let them hire Chip Kelly.

What’s Next: A must-win at home against the Patriot-slaying Lions.

New York Giants (1-2)

ICYMI: Like Washington, the Giants nearly choked away an early lead. Eli Manning did that thing where you think he might be decent, throwing for nearly 300 yards (25/29) and a pair of TDs (maybe he’s figured it out!). The Giants finally benched the rotating door that is Ereck Flowers. Saquon Barkley and OBJ both had huge days on the stat sheet. Gmen beat Texans, 27-22. Yawn.

Spin: Despite featuring a number of premium players, this is a not a premium team by any means. If the Giants offense can consistently click the way it did in the first half (besides a near fumble by Eli), this team could potentially, just maybe, turn their season around. LOL.

What’s Next: The Saints visit Jersey to remind Giants fans that top-tier running backs like Alvin Kamara don’t have to be taken in the first round.  

Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/the700level/around-nfc-east-giants-and-redskins-show-pulse-cowboys-look-doa

[alleyblack2-blog]

10/04/18: Rebecca Traister Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger - Parkway Central Library

Rebecca Traister | Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger

Thu, October 4, 2018 7:30 P.M. Add to your calendar Parkway Central Library

Cost: $15.00 Buy Tickets Online | Ticket and Subscription Packages

Tickets on sale September 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition

Rebecca Traister is the author of All the Single Ladies, The New York Times bestselling book about the intersection of sex, economics, and emotions related to the growing number of single women in 21st-century America; and Big Girls Don’t Cry, an investigation of the 2008 American presidential election’s effects on women and cultural feminism. A contributing editor at Elle and writer-at-large for New York magazine, Traister has contributed to many other periodicals, including The Nation, Vogue, The Washington Post, and Glamour. Good and Mad is an urgent and timely exploration of the power of women’s anger to affect contemporary political change and its historical precedents in changing policies and minds.

Adult Author Events Speakers and Lectures Author Events - Ticketed Series Author Events Politics History Source: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/79437

[alleyblack2-blog]

‘My Kid Won’t Be Coming Back’: Parents Outraged After Philadelphia Pastor Arrested On Sexual Abuse Of Minor Allegations

Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook  | Twitter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Philadelphia pastor has been arrested in connection to an allegation of rape and sexual abuse of a minor. Philadelphia police arrested 49-year-old Armand Garcia on Monday morning.

Garcia, who was previously a pastor at Saint Martin of Tours Parish in Philadelphia, was placed on administrative leave last March while police investigated a report of alleged misconduct with a minor, according to a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

According to the archdiocese, at the time of the allegation, Garcia had a clean criminal background and passed child abuse clearances.

The alleged crimes happened from 2014 to 2017. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia knew of the allegations since last year, but parents just found out Tuesday.

Garcia has been charged with rape, sexual abuse, and corruption of minors.

Parents of children who attend Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Philadelphia are sounding off.

“I feel like it was swept under the rug,” parent Eugene Iacovelli said. “I feel like it was purposely hidden from the school and hidden from the parishioners.”

“Why didn’t the church say anything right away when he was moved to another parish?” Iacovelli asked. “I think it’s very disappointing and it’s disgusting. As a parent you worry about sending your kid here. I’m very deeply disturbed.”

Garcia was ordained in 2005. He served at the following parishes, schools, and offices: Saint Joseph, Downington (2005-2008); Saint Eleanor, Collegeville (2008-2009); Saint Katherine of Siena, Philadelphia (2009-2010); personal leave (2010-2011); Our Lady of the Assumption, Strafford (2011); Immaculate Heart of Mary, Philadelphia (2011-2017); and Saint Martin of Tours, Philadelphia (2017-2018).

William Brennan, Garcia’s lawyer, told Eyewitness News that the “public rushes to convict” in cases like this.

“I would hope that the public would look at Armand Garcia the same way I’m looking at him, as if he was Armand Garcia the bricklayer, or the carpenter, or the car salesman. He’s a citizen of our country that’s been accused of very serious crimes. He enjoys the presumption of innocence and we are going to aggressively defend this case,” said Brennan.

If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse or any other criminal activity perpetrated by a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

Source: https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/03/05/my-kid-wont-be-coming-back-parents-outraged-philadelphia-pastor-armand-garcia-accused-of-rape-sexual-abuse-of-minors/

[alleyblack2-blog]

Grays Ferry Picks Up Some New Foundations and Homes

Grays Ferry Picks Up Some New Foundations and Homes - OCF Realty

"); if ($(window).width() > 767) $('.sidebar').width($('.sidebar').width()); $(window).resize(function() $('.sidebar').width($('#primary').width()); calculate(); ); //get page height and footer height to see where to stop the fixed sidebar var sidebar_height = $('.sidebar').height(); var page_height = $(document).height(); var footer_height = $('footer').height(); var window_height = $(window).height(); var max_sticky = ((page_height - footer_height) - sidebar_height - 85); function calculate() sidebar_height = $('.sidebar').height(); page_height = $(document).height(); footer_height = $('footer').height(); window_height = $(window).height(); max_sticky = ((page_height - footer_height) - sidebar_height - 85); function sticky_relocate() var window_top = $(window).scrollTop(); var div_top = $('.widget-area').offset().top; calculate(); if( sidebar_height > window_height ) $('.sidebar').removeClass('stick').css('position','static'); else if (window_top > div_top && window_top = max_sticky ) $('.sidebar').css('top', 'initial').css('bottom', '0').css('position', 'absolute'); else $('.sidebar').removeClass('stick').css('position','static'); //$('.widget-area').height(0); if( sidebar_height

Source: http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/grays-ferry/grays-ferry-picks-new-foundations-homes