Monday, April 09, 2018

Visions for the future: Tech breakthroughs in transportation, protection...

Here's one perspective from the China Global Television Network
Published on Apr 9, 2018
An escalation of the recent trade tension between China and the US has set more barriers for tech cooperation between the two countries. iFLYTEK Chairman Liu Qingfeng and INSPUR Chairman Peter Sun shared their views on the future of China-US tech cooperation.

Mesa ArtSpace Lofts: Opportunity Zone for Low-Income Artists

Let's see how a new enclave of artists moving into affordable housing here in downtown Mesa  can change the dynamics of then demographics: about 50 living/working spaces as a catalyst for Creative Place Making
Why must artists be poor? | Hadi Eldebek
Published on Apr 9, 2018
Views: 7,350
The arts bring meaning to our lives and spirit to our culture -- so why do we expect artists to struggle to make a living? Hadi Eldebek is working to create a society where artists are valued through an online platform that matches artists with grants and funding opportunities -- so they can focus on their craft instead of their side hustle.

Check out more TED Talks:
http://www.ted.com

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

Thursday, April 05, 2018

AZ = 5th Best State for "Economic Momentum' + More 'Good News'

That's according to  , Digital Editor, Phoenix Business Journal published yesterday 
Image result for Index of State Economic MomentumThe Index of State Economic Momentum, published by Washington-based State Policy Reports, ranked Arizona as the fifth-best state for economic momentum during the first quarter of 2018.
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More hyped-up 'good news' on PBJ
Phoenix tops U.S. in small business wage growth, population gains; second for construction jobs  - Senior Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal 
New data is out from the Associated General Contractors and key small business jobs index

Times Media Group Announces New Chief Revenue Officer

Big plans and other possible changes in the future at TMG, but they did not want to elaborate at this time. . . looks like mum's the word at one of the biggest mainstream media communications conglomerates in Arizona.
Media release from Phoenix Biz Journal 05 Apr 2018 
(Michael Hiatt, vice president and chief revenue officer at Times Media Group.
Michael Hiatt, vice president and chief revenue officer at Times Media Group.Former publisher of Phoenix Magazine joins Times Media Group as chief revenue officer 


By   – Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal
"Longtime metro Phoenix media professional Michael Hiatt has taken a management position with Times Media Group, the publisher of the East Valley Tribune, West Valley View and 15 other local publications.
Hiatt joins TMG as a vice president and as the company’s chief revenue officer. In this role he is being charged with maximizing the revenue the company currently brings in and finding new and innovative ways to create revenue for TMG.
“He’s a revenue machine,” TMG’s founder and president Steve Strickbine said about Hiatt.
Hiatt and Strickbine both said they knew about the other for years, but became professional friends in the last five years. Hiatt said while he had admired TMG and Strickbine for some time, the opportunity to come over to the company came pretty recently.
Hiatt is the former group publisher of Phoenix Magazine and Phoenix Home & Garden and most recently the group publisher of the Modern Luxury - Scottsdale magazine. He said his work there was just about done. 
“It was time for a new adventure,” Hiatt said.
Hiatt said he is excited about the opportunities he thinks he can bring to advertisers, sponsors and others in the community with TMG and its 17 digital and print publications. 
Both he and Strickbine said with Hiatt joining the team, there are big plans and other possible changes in the future at TMG, but they did not want to elaborate at this time.
 
 

BEA News: U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, February 2018

There's a two-month system delay publishing this data.
PLEASE NOTE: All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified. Additional statistics, including not seasonally adjusted statistics and details for goods on a Census basis, are available in Exhibits 1-20b of this release.
For information on data sources, definitions, and revision procedures, see the explanatory notes in this release.
The full release can be found at
www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/index.html or
www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/trade/tradnewsrelease.htm.

The full schedule is available in the Census Bureau’s Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators/.
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EMBARGOED UNTIL RELEASE AT 8:30 A.M. EDT, Thursday, April 5, 2018

U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services
February 2018

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $57.6 billion in February, up $0.9 billion from $56.7 billion in January, revised.
Goods and Services Trade Deficit
Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1) February exports were $204.4 billion, $3.5 billion more than January exports. February imports were $262.0 billion, $4.4 billion more than January imports. The February increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $0.3 billion to $77.0 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.6 billion to $19.4 billion. Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $21.1 billion, or 22.7 percent, from the same period in 2017. Exports increased $22.4 billion or 5.9 percent. Imports increased $43.6 billion or 9.1 percent. Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2) The average goods and services deficit increased $2.2 billion to $56.1 billion for the three months ending in February. * Average exports increased $1.4 billion to $203.0 billion in February. * Average imports increased $3.6 billion to $259.1 billion in February. Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit increased $10.1 billion from the three months ending in February 2017. * Average exports increased $12.2 billion from February 2017. * Average imports increased $22.3 billion from February 2017. Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7) Exports of goods increased $3.0 billion to $137.2 billion in February. Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $3.1 billion. * Industrial supplies and materials increased $2.0 billion. o Nonmonetary gold increased $0.6 billion. o Crude oil increased $0.3 billion. o Natural gas increased $0.3 billion. * Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $0.9 billion. o Passenger cars increased $0.7 billion. * Capital goods increased $0.7 billion. o Civilian aircraft increased $0.2 billion. o Drilling and oilfield equipment increased $0.2 billion. * Consumer goods decreased $0.8 billion. o Pharmaceutical preparations decreased $0.6 billion. Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.1 billion. Exports of services increased $0.5 billion to $67.3 billion in February. * Transport increased $0.2 billion. * Travel (for all purposes including education) increased $0.1 billion. * Charges for the use of intellectual property increased $0.1 billion. Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8) Imports of goods increased $3.3 billion to $214.2 billion in February. Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $3.5 billion. * Capital goods increased $1.8 billion. o Civilian aircraft increased $0.5 billion. o Materials-handling equipment increased $0.3 billion. o Computers increased $0.3 billion. * Industrial supplies and materials increased $0.8 billion. o Crude oil increased $0.7 billion. * Foods, feeds, and beverages increased $0.8 billion. Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.2 billion. Imports of services increased $1.1 billion to $47.8 billion in February. * The largest increase was in charges for the use of intellectual property ($1.0 billion). The increase reflects payments for the rights to broadcast the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. * The largest decrease was in travel (for all purposes including education) ($0.2 billion). Real Goods in 2009 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11) The real goods deficit decreased $0.9 billion to $69.1 billion in February. * Real exports of goods increased $2.5 billion to $129.4 billion. * Real imports of goods increased $1.7 billion to $198.5 billion. Revisions Revisions to January exports * Exports of goods were revised down $0.1 billion. * Exports of services were revised up $0.1 billion. Revisions to January imports * Imports of goods were revised up $0.1 billion. * Imports of services were revised down less than $0.1 billion. Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis (exhibit 19) The February figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with South and Central America ($3.4), Hong Kong ($3.1), Brazil ($0.9), United Kingdom ($0.6), and Singapore ($0.5). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($34.7), European Union ($15.3), Germany ($6.7), Mexico ($6.6), Japan ($6.0), Italy ($2.8), OPEC ($2.3), India ($1.9), Taiwan ($1.5), France ($1.4), South Korea ($1.1), Saudi Arabia ($0.4), and Canada ($0.4). * The deficit with Mexico increased $1.0 billion to $6.6 billion in February. Exports decreased less than $0.1 billion to $21.9 billion and imports increased $0.9 billion to $28.5 billion. * The deficit with Germany increased $0.4 billion to $6.7 billion in February. Exports decreased $0.2 billion to $4.7 billion and imports increased $0.2 billion to $11.3 billion. * The deficit with Canada decreased $1.2 billion to $0.4 billion in February. Exports increased $1.2 billion to $26.1 billion and imports increased less than $0.1 billion to $26.4 billion.

Wednesday, April 04, 2018

Mac Rumors: Everyone Can Code (It's A Free Apple Program) For Coding in School Curriculums

That's a good thing for many reasons, so why did Maricopa County Community College CHARGE TUITION for three classes offered last Fall and give out "mini-certs" ???
One of the aspects of the free Everyone Can Code is that it
helps to provide new learning opportunities for teachers so they can subsequently teach Apple's Everyone Can Code curriculum to bring coding into their classrooms.
In June of 2017 Apple’s free coding curriculum for schools has been expanded and updated recently to include a full spectrum of offerings for students in K-12 classrooms
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced 28 March 2018, that he's establishing A Center For Excellence in Chicago.
Image result for everyone can code curriculumApple Announces 'Center for Excellence' at Lane Tech to Introduce Teachers to 'Everyone Can Code' Curriculum
Posted by · 8199 views · Translate
"Apple has announced a collaboration with Chicago Public Schools and Northwestern University to offer free coding instruction to teachers across Chicago. . . (370,000 students)
Read more > http://www.iclarified.com/65161 
 
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Here in Mesa on KJZZ * - yesterday - we got this "Spin-Out" in an audio podcast about 'a hope' to create an IT Institute:
MCCCD Launching IT Institute In Mesa This Fall
By  Christina Estes    Published: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 - 1:52pm
Filling technology jobs can be a challenge for many businesses across the Valley. They need engineers and software developers, technical support staff and project managers.
That’s where the Maricopa County Community College District hopes to make a difference. The District will launch its new Information Technology Institute in Mesa this fall. 
Dr. Linda Collins is department chair of Business and Information Systems at Mesa Community College. She’s a key player in creating the IT Institute which she says spun out conversations with different businesses and a project with Apple.
LINK to audio > https://kjzz.org/content 
* KJZZ is located at MCC
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Here's some background first from a June 3 2017 article by Jonathan Wylie linked-to below
"The Everyone Can Code initiative was created by Apple to give everyone the chance to learn how to code using the Swift programming language that was introduced in 2014. The language is now a growing open source language and is the foundation of an increasing number of Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Apple Watch apps. You can write Swift code in the Swift Playgrounds app for iPads or in Xcode on a Mac.
While it is clearly in Apple’s best interest to have more people writing programs that are designed for its devices, the need for a workforce that is skilled in coding is a demand that we are still struggling to meet. In addition, as Laura Giuggio reminds us, coding teaches problem solving, computational thinking, critical thought, collaboration, and creativity. How many other domains touch on so many useful skills? . . .
The K-12 Coding Curriculum
Apple’s curricular approach to coding comes in a variety of well-written ebooks that are available for free on the iBooks Store. (Go > link below)
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RELATED CONTENT:


Everyone Can Code With Apple’s K-12 Coding Initiative

https://jonathanwylie.com/2017/06/03/everyone-can-code-with-apples-k-12-coding-initiative/

Apple’s coding curriculum for schools has been expanded and updated recently to include a full spectrum of offerings for students in K-12 classrooms. It even includes the ability to code smart toys like Spheros and drones. So, if you have access to Apple devices in your school, you should definitely take a look at what this program can offer teachers and students. Here’s what you can expect.
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LINK >
https://www.cultofmac.com/538015/location-for-yesterdays-ipad-event-is-new-hq-for-apples-coding-initiative/
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Blogger Note: Not everyone got so over-the-top with the news: 
News / Technology / The Internet
Apple CEO Tim Cook's undercooked plan to help underserved Chicago schools: $300 iPads; app development for all
Posted By on 03.29.18 at 11:55 AM
"How would Apple ensure it was helping underserved communities and schools in Chicago and not just the best and brightest? 
Tim Cook hesitated slightly before answering.
This was quite possibly the most challenging moment of the Apple CEO's Chicago exhibition so far. . .
On Wednesday, the tech giant's top executive returned for an hour-long MSNBC interview special with anchor Chris Hayes and Recode tech reporter Kara Swisher—a show that had been branded "Revolution: Apple Changing the World." . . .

That's right, on the same day that a group of Chicago youth from the #NoCopAcademy movement staged a “die-in" at City Hall to demand that the city defund a $95 million police academy to fund education, one of the richest men in America was here to tell Chicagoans that even if they were stuck in underfunded, failing, or closing schools—hey, our tablet is a pretty good value, and did you hear about our cool new computer club coming to your classroom? . . .
His solution is a technocratic twist on the old conservative axiom: Teach a man to code and he'll eat for life.
That's essentially the concept behind Apple's partnership with the city of Chicago. Lane Tech will serve as a central hub to train local high school teachers on the computing company's Everyone Can Code curriculum. . . . "

Read more > https://www.chicagoreader.com
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Apple picks MCC to teach development of apps for iOS platform
 
 

Tuesday, April 03, 2018

Mesa City Council: Lame Excuse or Stupid? Proactive/Reactive?

Don't know about you, dear reader, but Candace Cannistraro is looking pretty beat these days giving budget presentations Power-Point style after being in the hot seat again and again at Mesa City Council meetings. It's amazing that City Manager Chris Brady avoids the heat of getting into the spotlight, choosing to sit on the sidelines to see others doing his 'heavy lifting' he doesn't want to.   
Take the time to watch this: very few members of the public can be see in the streaming vid upload from Mesa Channel 11 to YouTube about an hour ago - it's been viewed by less than five people. 
Huh? Now the city is getting 'Proactive' with code compliance??? Where have they been all these years ignoring neglected buildings all along Main Street for so many years?
Frequently whoever plans these agendas throws a lot of gobbledeee-gook so your average John or Jane Doe get totally turned-off and bored - fortunately KJZZ got right on this last night: Oops! This was buried on pages 18-19!
Mesa Police Department Hired 6 Additional Employees To Facilitate Private Jail Contract
By  Jimmy Jenkins, Mariana Dale
Published: Monday, April 2, 2018 - 9:54pm
Updated: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 - 8:04am
In a presentation to the Mesa City Council on Monday evening, Mesa Budget Director Candace Cannistraro said the Mesa Police Department added six new positions in the 2017-18 fiscal year to facilitate its private jail contract with Core Civic.
“With the contract for the jail services, there was an increased workload in our holding facility that we found during the year,” Cannistraro said. “There were needs there and so we re-allocated some of the savings from the jail costs over into the detention area.”. . .
The budget request submitted to the council Monday shows that the Police Department has hired five full-time detention officers and one full-time administrative support assistant to “support the holding facility and to provide safe and effective process for intake, housing, and transport of arrestees.”
Blogger Note: Mayor John Giles said we need to be more transparent???
READ MORE > https://kjzz.org