Some 50 hotel employees in the region learned how to be more sensitive to gay tourists during a training session at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge last week. The training was coordinated by the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus and Temple’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. Assistant Professor Debra Blairmoderated a series of discussions as trainees reacted to actors simulating situations involving LGBT guests. "It opens your eyes to potential hot-button situations you might have to deal with," Blair said. "That makes you a better-prepared manager."

A growing number of women are committing complex financial schemes that involve motives traditionally associated with male offenders, experts say. Temple psychologist Frank Farley, who studies extreme behavior, believes the trend may illustrate how the gender gap for risk taking is closing. "This may well be an expression of that," he said. Historically, men were the big risk takers and social barriers strongly discouraged women from engaging in risky behaviors, Farley said.