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TriCounty Area Chamber Hosts Inspiring Mother/Daughter Panel at REACH Event

The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce recently organized its REACH luncheon, featuring a panel discussion led by two mother-daughter duos. The panelists shared their experiences of working together as family members, highlighting both the advantages and challenges.

REACH is a program created by the chamber to bring professionals together, promote networking, and provide professional development opportunities.

The panel discussion was moderated by Eileen Dautrich, the chamber's president. The panelists included Fran Heffner and Maggie Riker from CODY Systems, a woman-owned business that provides software solutions for first responders. Heffner, the co-founder and CEO, has led the company for 40 years, establishing it as a nationally recognized public-safety software provider. Riker, Heffner's daughter, serves as the vice president of sales and marketing, overseeing strategic partnerships with prestigious organizations.

Heather Chandler, the president of Sealstrip Corp., a packaging manufacturer specializing in easy-open and re-closable features, also participated in the panel discussion. JoAnne Forman, Chandler's mother, has held various roles in the company, including sales and marketing manager, EVP, president, and is currently the CEO and director of product development. Forman holds multiple patents for products produced by Sealstrip Corp.

The panelists shared their initial work experiences and discussed how their companies have mentored and supported women in non-traditional industries. They offered words of wisdom to the attendees, with Riker emphasizing the importance of paying attention to details and Chandler encouraging a focus on the positive aspects of life.

The REACH luncheon, known as the High Tea luncheon, took place at the Western Montgomery Career & Technology Center. Culinary students from the center prepared and served the three-course meal, including soup, salad, quiche, finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts, along with a selection of teas.

The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in southeastern Berks, western Montgomery, and northern Chester counties, as well as the Route 422 corridor.

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Apple's Vision Pro to Debut Exclusively in the US: Age Restrictions, Limited Eye Prescription Compatibility

Apple has recently revealed further information about its forthcoming mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, covering its availability, compatibility with corrective lenses, and more. Here's a summary of the latest updates from Apple.

Availability

The Vision Pro is set to launch early in the upcoming year, with prices starting at $3499. The headset will initially be available exclusively through apple.com and physical Apple Stores within the United States.

For international customers in the UK and other countries, the Vision Pro is expected to be available for purchase "later next year."

Age Restrictions

In legal terms, the Vision Pro is intended for users aged 13 and above. While the practicality of enforcing this age limit remains to be seen, it is anticipated that Apple ID compatibility will be used as a mechanism to regulate usage based on age.

Corrective Lenses

The Vision Pro will require users who wear glasses to use magnetically attached corrective lenses produced by Zeiss. This might be a source of inconvenience, but it is necessary to ensure optimal user experience.

While other headsets use physical spacers to accommodate glasses, the Vision Pro relies on advanced eye tracking capabilities to power its visionOS, which implies that the reflection from eyeglasses could interfere with its operation. Consequently, the use of corrective lenses becomes an unavoidable requirement.

Apple has announced that these vision correction accessories will be sold separately, which accounts for the starting price of $3499. However, Apple has also warned that "not all prescriptions are supported."

AR Preview

On a more positive note, it is now possible to preview the Vision Pro hardware through an AR experience on your iPhone or iPad. While it may not be a full-fledged "hands-on demo", this preview offers a glimpse of the headset beyond what was revealed during the Apple event.

Plane Crash in Virginia After Fighter Jet Scramble Over DC Yields No Survivors

A business plane that deviated from its course and became unresponsive prompted a military response, including the scrambling of fighter jets, before crashing in Virginia.

The plane, a Cessna Citation, had departed from Tennessee and was en route to New York but suddenly turned around over Long Island. It flew over restricted airspace in Washington, D.C., before crashing in a rural area.

The cause of the crash and the number of people on board are unknown. The sonic boom caused by the fighter jet intercepting the plane was heard across the capital region.

There were no survivors found at the crash site. The incident evoked memories of a similar event in 1999 involving a Learjet. President Joe Biden, who was playing golf at Joint Base Andrews, was not impacted by the incident.

Impending UPS Strike Threatens a World Dependent on Constant Deliveries

The United Parcel Service (UPS) is currently engaged in labor negotiations with the Teamsters, the union representing its 350,000 workers. This negotiation process has the potential to disrupt the delivery service industry, which has seen a significant increase in demand for doorstep deliveries in recent years. If an impasse is reached, higher prices and longer wait times for deliveries are expected.

UPS has experienced a substantial growth in package volume, delivering millions more packages each day compared to five years ago. The company's unionized workers still hold resentment over the contract they believe was forced on them in 2018. The Teamsters are expected to take a firm stance in negotiations, potentially impacting a major logistical force in the US.

UPS delivers approximately 24 million packages daily, accounting for a quarter of all US parcel volume. This volume is equivalent to about 6% of the nation's gross domestic product. If labor negotiations fail, it could result in a supply chain breakdown, similar to the disruptions experienced during the second half of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consumers who have become accustomed to the convenience of doorstep deliveries may need to readjust their routines. The strike at UPS could disrupt the availability and timely delivery of essential goods. The Teamsters argue that UPS workers have played a significant role in transforming the way Americans shop and believe they deserve a share of the company's profits.

The union aims to address issues such as part-time pay, excessive overtime, and the elimination of a contract provision that created two separate hierarchies of workers. The unionization efforts at UPS could also have broader implications for organized labor, with the Teamsters attempting to organize Amazon workers and gaining support from delivery drivers and dispatchers in California. The labor movement in the US is experiencing greater assertiveness and militancy, with younger activists leading the charge.

While UPS CEO Carol Tomé remains optimistic about reaching an agreement with the Teamsters, there is a possibility of a work stoppage if negotiations fail. Such a strike would be the first since a walkout by 185,000 UPS workers 25 years ago. This labor dispute has the potential to impact consumers who have become reliant on doorstep deliveries and may require them to allocate more time for shopping as they did before.

Pottstown PA Weather

Events

Upcoming Local Events

• Science on Tap - Phoenixville, at Root Down Brewing Co. - June 6th 6:30 PM EDT - ? , Root Down Brewing Company, 1 North Main Street, Phoenixville PA

• Reading Area Fire Museum - June 8th 9AM -12PM EDT, Reading Area Fire Museum 501 South 5th Street, Reading PA

• Retreat with the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy - June 10th - 9:30-3:13 PM EDT National Centre for Padre Pio, 111 Barto Rd, Barto PA

• 2023 Taste of Kutztown Wine & Beer Festival - June 10th 11:30-5:30 PM EDT Kutztown Community Park, 439 E. Main Street, Kutztown PA

• Girls Mountain Biking Day Camp - June 10th 9 AM-2 PM EDT, Warwick County Park, 191 County Park Road, Pottstown PA

The Doobie Brothers - 50th Anniversary Tour - Thursday July 6th

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Sports

PHILLIES

Aaron Nola dominates with 12 strikeouts, Trea Turner homers twice as Phillies win 8-3 over Tigers

Aaron Nola dominates with 12 strikeouts, Trea Turner homers twice as Phillies win 8-3 over Tigers

Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies delivered an outstanding performance, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and striking out 12 batters. Trea Turner provided significant offensive support with two home runs and a total of four hits, helping the Phillies secure their third consecutive victory with an 8-3 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Nola was in control through the first six innings, facing the minimum number of batters. However, he ran into trouble in the seventh when he allowed a walk and committed a fielding error. Nick Maton took advantage of a hanging 0-2 breaking ball and hit a homer, ending Nola's no-hitter bid and bringing the score to 5-3.

Despite the lost no-hitter, Nola was dominant on the mound, allowing only one hit and walking three batters over seven innings. Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Vasquez contributed with scoreless innings out of the bullpen to seal the victory for the Phillies.

Nola's strong performance included two strikeouts on automatic strike three calls, and he has now pitched at least six innings in each of his last 10 starts. With the win, Nola improved his career record to 83-66, all with the Phillies since his debut in 2015. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, as contract talks were put on hold during spring training.

Although Nola fell short of a no-hitter, there have been no no-hitters in the majors this season, marking a change from the previous year. The Phillies have had a successful start to their homestand after a challenging road trip, scoring early runs in each of the first three innings to secure the win. Bryce Harper also contributed with an RBI single, and Turner's multi-homer game helped overcome his recent slump at the plate.

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