Monday, April 30, 2007

Reward Yourself While in Philly!

Compiled by June Fulton

Champagne
Swanky Bubbles
Swanky Bubbles is an upscale Champagne Bar in Olde City. It opened in late 1999 and is located on Front Street, a few doors in from Market Street. The menu offers 12 champagne-spiked specialty drinks, in addition to a dozen champagnes by the glass and nearly 30 in bottles. If you decide to dine there, the menu is Asian-inspired.
Hours: Daily, 5:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.; walk-ins accepted; Telephone: (215) 928-1200
Address
: 10 South Front Street, Philadelphia
URL: http://www.swankybubbles.com/

Chocolates
Flying Monkey Patisserie
Flying Monkey Patisserie is located in the Reading Terminal Market and serves handcrafted sweets, confections and cakes made with the finest ingredients and a touch of whimsy. Of note to chocolate lovers are the dark chocolate ganache sandwich cookies, brownies amped with cayenne, chocolate-dipped handmade marshmallows, cupcakes (a best seller), and deep, rich dark chocolate layer cake, sometimes available by the slice.
Price: Cupcakes from $1.75 to $3.25; Marshmallows, 75 cents; Brownies, $2.50.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Address: 12th and Arch Streets
URL: www.flyingmonkeyphilly.com/index.html

John & Kira’s
West Philly is proud of these locals whose chocolates have been featured in Gourmet Magazine, the New York Times, Business Week, Wine Spectator, Money, Oprah, Food & Wine, and, most recently, Consumer Reports. Best of all, John Doyle and Kira Baker run one of the country's foremost socially conscious confection businesses. John and Kira's uses mint grown at local public school gardens, organic cream from grass-fed cows, strawberries and lavender from local farmers and cocoa beans from cooperatives to make their dark-chocolate delights, sold online or by telephone, fax, or mail (no retail store).
Price: From $25 for a 15-piece box to $175 for a three month chocolate journey.
Telephone: (800) 747-4808; E-mail: support@johnandkiras.com
URL: www.johnandkiras.com/site/Welcome_business.htm

Naked Chocolate Café
The stylish shop feels like a European coffee house and serves a wide variety of chocolates and desserts handmade on the premises. Sit down and sip a hot or frozen drinking chocolate, pop a freshly whipped buttercream truffle, or nibble on “heart-healthy” dark chocolate piped with antioxidant blueberry, pomegranate, and green tea. Lots of baked goods on the menu, too.
Price: Chocolate drink, $4.50; Truffles, $1.00 each; Chocolate bar, $2.00; Pack of flavored savouries, $5.00.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Address: 1317 Walnut Street, Philadelphia; Telephone: (215) 735-7310
URL: www.nakedchocolatecafe.com/



High Tea
Four Seasons Hotel’s Swann Lounge

Tea sippers can choose between “Social Tea” and “Royal Tea,” both of which include tea, scones, finger sandwiches, desserts and fruit tartlets. The “Royal Tea” includes the addition of sparkling wine, sherry, or a raspberry cocktail.
Price: Social Tea is $26; Royal Tea is $32.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 3:00-4:15 p.m.; reservations required (215) 963-1500.
Address: 1 Logan Square, Philadelphia
URL: www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia

Rittenhouse Hotel’s Mary Cassatt Tea Room and Garden
Guests can nibble on scones, pastries, and tea sandwiches while enjoying afternoon British tea and cocktails. A floral garden provides a scenic vista and warm weather seating just beyond the tea room’s French doors.
Price: The Rittenhouse Signature Tea is $24.95; The Queen Victoria Tea (with champagne) is $29.95; in addition, there is an a la carte menu.
Hours: Daily, 2:00-5:00 p.m.; reservations recommended during the week, required for week-ends (215) 546-9000.
Address: 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
URL: http://www.rittenhousehotel.com/

Ritz-Carlton
Guests can sample an array of light British fare, including tea, sandwiches, pastries and champagne, in the grand, neo-classical Rotunda lounge amidst soaring white marble columns and the oculus of the hotel’s historic architecture.
Price: Traditional Tea is $30; Royal Tea (with champagne) is $35.
Hours: Sunday only, 1:00-2:30 p.m.; reservations required (215) 523-8000.
Address: 10 Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia
URL: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Philadelphia

Spas
Body Restoration
This center city skin and body work day spa specializes in massage therapy, skin treatments, body therapies and waxing. Signature treatments include: deep tissue massage, warm stone facial, and Brazilian bikini wax. A spa specialty is LaStone Therapy, the original hot stone massage. Over 50 stones are used during a treatment. Different sizes and shapes correspond to body parts such as hand and toe stones.
Price: LaStone Massage is $85/120 for 55 or 80 minutes. Swedish Massage is $70/95 for 55 or 80 minutes. See Web site for other services and prices.
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; appointments required: 888-296-9327.
Address: 1611 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
URL: http://www.bodyrest.com/

Pierre & Carlo European Salon & Spa
Treat yourself to luscious treatments like full body massages, facials, body scrubs, aromatherapy and mud treatments. The salon, where makeup and hair can be touched up or overhauled, offers its own line of hair products. The best of each world comes together in the "Best of Philadelphia" package--a half-hour each of facial and massage, plus a manicure, pedicure and hairstyle.
Price: Best of Philadelphia package, approximately 4 hours ~ $189.00; Manicure, $20; Pedicure, $50; Massages, 1 hour, $80 to $100. See Web site for other services and prices.
Hours: Monday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; appointments required (215) 790-9910.
Address: Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia
URL: www.pierreandcarlo.com/Center_City/salon.html

Terme Di Aroma
A community of mind-body therapists offer services ranging from the spa's signature aromatherapy massage to wraps and educational seminars on feng shui. Terme was the first local spa to offer LaStone therapy, a massage using warm and cool volcanic stones aligned along the spine. Prenatal massage, shiatsu, Reiki, reflexology and an array of aromatherapy facials are also popular Terme treatments.
Price: Aromatheapy Massage (The spa’s signature full body massage combines aromatherapy with Swedish massage.) $75/110 for 75 or 110 minutes. A Special package is offered if booked by May 13, and consists of the Aromatherapy Massage (1 hour) and a facial (1/2 hour) for $105. See Web site for other services and prices.
Hours: Tuesday, 12:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; appointments required (215) 829-9769.
Address: 32 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia
URL: http://www.termediaroma.com/

Theater
Carousel is the musical masterpiece and perennial favorite from Rodgers and Hammerstein. The sublime score includes “June is Bustin’ Out All Over,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “If I Loved You,” and the infamous “Soliloquy.” When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high… Carousel is a thrilling, heartfelt testament to the redeeming power of love.
Ticket Price: $10 - $67.50.
Hours: May 15-July 15. During May, Tuesday through Sunday, 8:00 p.m., except on May 20, 23 & 27 at 7:00 p.m. Also at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: Walnut Street Theater, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
URL: www.walnutstreettheatre.org/season/carousel.php

Menopause The Musical® is a hilarious celebration of women and The Change. It is a joyful parody of 25 re-lyricized classic baby boomer hits, the 90-minute show features such chart-toppers as "I Heard It Thru the Grapevine; You No Longer See 39" and the disco favorite "Stayin' Awake! Stayin' Awake!" Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer/producer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived The Change. (Note: the show’s run in Philly ends on May 20th.)
Ticket Price: $45.00.
Hours: Matinees -- Saturday, 2:00 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. Evenings – Wednesday-Friday, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 6:00 p.m.; Box Office telephone number (866) 468-7619
Address: Society Hill Playhouse, 507 South 8th Street, Philadelphia
URL: www.menopausethemusical.com/index.php

Friday, April 27, 2007

ECRI Institute/Medical Information Specialist

ECRI Institute, an independent non-profit organization that researches the best approaches to improving patient care, is seeking an experienced Team Leader to oversee the information retrieval staff and processes for ECRI Institute's rapid review product, the HTAIS Hotline. Detailed responsibilities include inter/intra-departmental communication, client support, reference interviews, literature searching, and process improvement.

Requirements include: Bachelor's degree in life sciences or related discipline required, along with Master's degree in information/library science. The successful candidate will have excellent communication and problem solving skills; excellent knowledge of scientific information resources, tools and delivery; writing skills; and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary staff. Solid knowledge of evidence-based medicine (EBM) principles, controlled vocabularies such as MeSH, ICD, and other medical vocabularies and previous experience with Web-based information services are also required.

To apply for this position follow this link to the ECRI Institute Careers page and select Medical Information Specialist (Hotline Team Leader).

http://www.ecri.org/About/Careers/Pages/JobListing.aspx

"Get Acquainted" Wine & Cheese ECRI Institute

You are invited to be our guest at a “Get Acquainted Wine and Cheese Reception”
held in conjunction with the 2007 MLA conference


Monday, May 21, 2007 5:30 to 7 P.M.
Philadelphia Marriott Grand Ballroom, Salon D
1201 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Space is limited.
Please RSVP by May 17, 2007 to Jeanette de Richemond at jderichemond@ecri.org or call (610) 825-6000, ext.5402.
Forward this invitation or bring a friend.
Enter your business card to win a 2007 Healthcare Standards Directory (value $465)

What role do information specialists and librarians play at our Evidence-based Practice Center? Attend this relaxed gathering to meet our professional staff and learn more about ECRI Institute’s unique research opportunities. ECRI Institute conducts expert searching for evaluations of healthcare technology and services along a continuum of evidence.

Our Health Technology Assessment Information Service:
· Develops information products (databases, publications, and reports) for hospitals and health systems, other types of healthcare facilities, government payers, ministries of health, private third-party payers, and behavioral health plans.
· Manages the National Guideline Clearinghouse™.
· Developed and manages Universal Medical Device Nomenclature System™ (UMDNS™).


ECRI Institute is an independent nonprofit that researches the best approaches to improving patient care. We are designated as both an Evidence-based Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization. For more information, visit www.ecri.org.

ECRI INSTITUTE 5200 Butler Pike Plymouth Meeting PA 19462 (610) 825-6000

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Sunrise Seminars

Rise and shine for these sunrise seminars:

Integrated solution with ISI Web of Knowledge, EndNote and now EndNote Web

Presenter: Jeff Clovis

Location: Marriott: Room: 305/306

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2007

Time: 7:00am - 8:15am


EndNote Web enables all users to manager, organize and store references online via ISI Web of Knowledge. Intermediate researchers benefit from the convenience and ease of online storage and bibliography development; EndNote users benefit from higher degrees of accessibility and control using the complementary desktop and Web-based bibliographic management solution.

*****

OVID SUNRISE SEMINAR

-Continental breakfast will be served-

Sunday 5.20.07

7:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Independence Ballroom


Speakers: John Mate, Andrew Popper, Mark Barragry, Scott MacFarland

New Essay from Arthur Caplan, McGovern lecuturer

This year's McGovern Lecturer, Arthur Caplan, has written a wonderful response to the recent events at Virginia Tech. Although not related to his talk at MLA, it gives a taste of his style, understanding of current issues, and his passion for bioethics.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18262056/

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Hotel Alternatives

For those who have not booked a room yet here is a list of alternative hotels. We suggest you book soon, there are multiple graduations in Philadelphia that week and many hotels are already sold out. If you really want to stay at the conference hotel, you can call the Marriott directly to see if there have been any cancellations. (215-625-2900)

The following list was generated from www.hotels.com and then sorted by landmark. Use the Philadelphia Convention Center as you landmark. It is right next door to the Marriott (12th and Market Sts.)

Travelodge Philadelphia
www.the.travelodge.com/philadelphia30031
1227 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107 US

Distance from selection:
0.1mi/0.2km NW
maybe SOLD OUT

(215) 564-2888

Hampton Inn Philadelphia Convention Center
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=PHLCVHX
1301 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107 US

Distance from selection:
0.2mi/0.3km NW
215-665-9100

Holiday Inn Express Midtown
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/phlmt?_requestid=337016
1305 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107 US

Distance from selection:
0.3mi/0.6km SW
215-735-9300

Windsor Hotel and Suites
http://www.windsorhotel.com/index_home.html
1700 Ben Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103 US

Distance from selection:
0.5mi/0.8km NW
877-784-8379

Holiday Inn Historic District Philadelphia
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/phlim?_requestid=335481
400 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106 US

Distance from selection:
0.5mi/0.9km SE
215/923-8660

Embassy Suites Hotel City Center-philadelphia
www.embassysuites.com
1776 Ben Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103 US

Distance from selection:
0.6mi/0.9km NW
215/561-1776


Latham Hotel Downtown
http://www.lathamhotel.com/
135 South 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 US

Distance from selection:
0.6mi/1.0km SW
(215) 563-7474

Comfort Inn Downtown/historic Area
http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=PA405
100 North Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19106 US

Distance from selection:
0.9mi/1.5km SE
215-627-7900

Best Western Center City Hotel
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=39087#null
501 North 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130 US

Distance from selection:
1.1mi/1.7km NW
215-568-8300

Sheraton University City Hotel
http://www.philadelphiasheraton.com/
36th and Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19104 US
Distance from selection:
1.9mi/3.1km NW
215.387. 8000

Hilton Inn At Penn
http://www.theinnatpenn.com/
3600 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104 US

Distance from selection:
1.9mi/3.1km NW
215-222-0200


Other sites to use for find hotels.
gophila.com
http://www.gophila.com/C/Places_to_Stay/314/Hotel_Packages/315.html
This site also has an interactive map.

Yahoo Philadelphia Travel site
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501998-philadelphia_vacations-i
This also have an interactive map for hotels.


VOYAGER/ExLibris Meeting May 22 @ 7:30am

VOYAGER/ExLibris Meeting at MLA in Philly
The Voyager/ExLibris Sig will be meeting this year on Tue, May 22, 2007 at the Marriott from 7:30 AM - 845 AM. in Conference Room 310. Couldn't attend ENDUSER 2007? Join us for coffee and muffins and join in a lively discussion with fellow users. Issues, questions, benefits related to Voyager products and services. Jenny Forbes from ExLibris will be sharing the latest information from the User Group meeting. For more information, contact Stephanie Ferretti at stephaniefe@pcom.edu

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Wireless Access in Philadelphia

Guests of the Philadelphia Marriot Downtown can get wired access in their rooms for $9.95/day plus tax. Wireless access is available in two locations: public lobby area (which may include the Starbucks) for a fee and in the MLA/Elsevier Internet Cafe which is free to attendees. There is a station in the Marriot lobby for registering for wireless using a credit card. The MLA/Elsevier Internet Cafe is located in the exhibits area and will have 12 stations as well as free wireless access for a limited number of simultaneous users. Instructions for registering for access will be available in the Cafe.

Other wireless options in Philadelphia:
Philadelphia WiFi.com
Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory for Pennsylvania
iPass Hotspot Finder listing within one mile of the Marriot

Transportation to Marriot

We've received some questions about the best way to get to the Marriot from the airport. Check out the page on the meeting website under Hotel & Travel:
http://www.mlanet.org/am/am2007/travel/travel.html

There are several options-- the cheapest at $5.50 is the the Airport Train Line (R1). The train is easily accessible from all airport terminals and you can exit at Market East/The Gallery Station which is across from the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. You buy your ticket from a machine on the platform. The trains run every 1/2 hour, but check the exact R1 schedules at www.septa.org.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Public transportation and parking info

Getting to, and parking at, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown:
http://marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/phldt-philadelphia-marriott-downtown/

Parking facilities near the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown :
http://www.philapark.org/parkinglocator/parking_locator.aspx?destinationID=29
(scroll down the page a bit)

Trains and Rail Lines:


New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line (Atlantic City -- Philadelphia)
http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/r0090.pdf
SEPTA
http://www.septa.org/
AMTRAK
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&code=PHL

Thursday, April 05, 2007

The Place to be on Sunday Night!

The Bearded Pigs (the world’s first open access international librarian rock band) will once again be holding a live rehearsal at the MLA meeting. Look for us in Liberty Ballroom C, in the Marriott, on Sunday evening from 8:00 to 11:00. We’ll have a cash bar and dancing is definitely encouraged. We’d also like to extend a special welcome and invitation to new members and first-time attendees. Think of it as an informal professional networking event – with rock band.

For those of you who would also like to receive a special limited-edition commemorative t-shirt, consider joining the Thicket Society before April 22nd. For details on the Thicket Society and for pictures of previous rehearsals, check out our website: http://www.beardedpigs.org/.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Rooms Available at the Courtyard Marriott

Apparently, rooms are unavailable for some nights at the Marriott in Philly.

To accommodate, rooms have been opened up at the Courtyard Marriott across the street from the conference hotel. The link to book a hotel room there is:

https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_gi_new&groupID=93200

Monday, April 02, 2007

Research Philly restaurants

The MLA dining guide should be available online soon. In the meantime you can explore these local restaurant listings/review sites. They are a good source for info on the hippest, popular, and hard to get a reservation spots, so you can make plans and reservations now.

Philadelphia Magazine
Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News
Philadelphia CityPaper (weekly)
University of Pennsylvania's daily newspaper
Gayot guide to Philadelphia restaurants