Google's acceleration program for startups and companies in their growth stages launched this week a new cycle of startups that will receive a multidisciplinary support of the technology giant on their way to break into new markets and reach a wider customer base. This is Google's second cycle of the Gaming Growth Lab program, which is designed to support promising mobile gaming companies on their growth journeys. The upcoming cohort, which opened this week, will include eight startups: Funorama, Innplay Labs, Brain Games, Dramaton, SuperPlay, Klever, Obscure games, Baba Entertainment, Storytime app, and Zarzilla.

Startup Growth Lab is an exclusive Google accelerator designed for marketing leaders from Israel's most promising startups, aiming to accelerate their business. It consists of hands-on workshops and ongoing one-on-one mentoring. The accelerator program covers topics such as industry analysis, brand communication, UX/UI, measurement, creative, and advertising. The program was launched in 2018, and graduates from its first two cohorts include Elementor, Melio, Guesty, DayTwo, and Bookaway.

The success of the Startup Growth Lab in Israel, led to the program being launched in Spain, Portugal, U.K., Japan, Korea, Brazil, and more, Lior Noy, Startup Growth Lead at Google said. The new cycle, which opens this week, is the second round of the program that is intended exclusively for gaming companies. In January 2021 Startup Growth Lab will open the fourth cycle of the program to which startups from all sectors can be admitted.

Among the eight startups that graduated from the third cohort of the program, you can find companies such as Orcam Technologies, Voom, Workiz, and Jasper.

Orcam Technologies that was founded by Mobileye founders Amnon Shashua and Ziv Aviram has created the wearable assistive device, OrCam MyEye, which is being used by tens of thousands of blind and visually impaired people around the world. OrCams mission is to harness the power of artificial vision by incorporating pioneering technology into a wearable platform that improves the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or has reading difficulties.

Workiz was founded in 2014 by three home service professionals Saar Kohanovitch, Idan Kadosh, and Erez Marom to help make their work easy. The company developed a field service management and communication software for small-medium on-demand service businesses such as locksmith, junk removal, carpet cleaning, and appliance repair. Workiz has experienced a monthly double-digit growth following the Covid-19 outbreak. Thousands of home service companies use Workiz to manage their business. Workiz has raised $7.3 million to date.

See the article here:
Google launches the second cohort of Gaming Growth Lab acceleration program - CTech

With nearly 12,000 votes counted, the citys municipal election results are much clearer, although not yet official.

A round of preliminary results released by the city Friday afternoon show Assembly member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs winning reelection to her District 1 seat City and Borough of Juneau Assembly seat and Christine Woll winning the race for an open District 2 seat. Both seats have three-year terms.

Those are the same results indicated by earlier unofficial counts released by the city, but with more than a thousand additional votes tallied, the count is likely close to what the official results will ultimately show. A Canvas Review Board will start work at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to certify the results.

Assembly member Maria Gladziszewski ran unopposed for an areawide seat, and Juneau School District Board of Education member Brian Holst and Martin Stepetin Sr. ran in a noncompetitive race for two open school board seats. All of those seats have three-year terms.

[Juneau district court set to reopen in November]

Woll paced a four-way race for a District 2 seat that is being vacated by Assembly member Rob Edwardson. She received 5,116 votes, according to the unofficial results. Woll ran against Derek Dzinich, Robert Shoemake and Lacey Derr.

Im feeling great, felt great before knowing the results because we ran a great campaign, Woll previously told the Empire. Woll did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Shoemake came in second with 3,034 votes.

I think its pretty cool we hit 3,000 people, Shoemake said.

He said that is about the number of votes he anticipated receiving based on how many homes his business, Budget Appliance Repair, has brought him into.

In some Assembly races, such as 2018s race for two District 2 seats, Shoemakes vote total would have been enough to win a seat.

Shoemake declined to definitively say whether he might run for office again, but its something he wouldnt rule out.

In the District 1 race, Hughes-Skandijs received 6,350 votes to Kenny Solomon-Gross 5,044. Solomon-Gross did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Im feeling pretty excited to see the latest results just now, Hughes-Skandijs said in a phone interview. Feeling pretty thankful to the voters and supporters and volunteers.

Hughes-Skandijs said she was impressed by the elections robust voter turnout, which unofficial results put at 42.6%. Its the first time in 20 years turnout in a municipal election has topped 40%, according to city data.

She said shes glad to have secured a three-year term. Hughes-Skandijs was first appointed to the Assembly in early 2019 and won a one-year term on the Assembly that October. This election was her second time on a ballot since her appountment.

This will be my first three-year term, which will be funny, Hughes-Skandijs said. Im really excited to have what most people normally have, which is three years to do the work.

Giving them props

Voters rejected one ballot proposition, but OKd another one, according to unofficial results. A $15 million bond package that is meant to generate funds for city projects, including school roof repairs, passed 6,912-4,664, according to unofficial results.

A proposition that would have established a charter commission was rejected 7,424-3,957, according to unofficial results. The proposition, which is required by City and Borough of Juneaus charter to appear on ballots every 10 years, has failed every time it has appeared on ballots.

Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt

More:
Latest round of unofficial results bring election into clearer focus - Juneau Empire

Vulnerable people are losing tens of thousands of pounds a year to cold callers who targeting them with potentially fraudulent insurance.

Some victims have been tricked into paying more than 1,000 a month to insure kitchen appliances such as fridges and ovens.

In a report, consumer group Which? said it received more than 150 complaints about potentially fraudulent insurance policies in the year to July.

It said many of these related to appliance cover for washing machines and other white goods.

Of the 62 companies that were reported, only two were regulated - despite this being a legal requirement.

Many described what they were selling as "service plans", although some referred to it as insurance over the phone.

In one case, a woman found that her father-in-law - who had recently passed away - had been paying 28 direct debits for appliance cover.

His bills equated to more than 1,000 a month.

Have you been targeted by cold callers? Get in touch: emma.munbodh@mirror.co.uk

He had four policies with one firm. One of these was for 516 to cover a fridge-freezer from March 2018 to 2021, yet he was also paying another firm, Protect Your Bubble Ltd, to cover the same appliance over part of the same period.

The company is unrelated to the insurer Protect Your Bubble, which is part of Assurant Direct Ltd, a regulated firm.

The Financial Conduct Authority, the City watchdog, issued a warning against Protect Your Bubble Ltd last year.

It said the website was a clone company that was acting fraudulently.

"Almost all firms and individuals carrying out financial services activities in the UK have to be authorised or registered by us. This firm is not authorised or registered by us but has been targeting people in the UK, claiming to be an authorised firm," the regulator said.

"This is what we call a 'clone firm'; and fraudsters usually use this tactic when contacting people out of the blue, so you should be especially wary if you have been cold called. They may use the name of the genuine firm, the 'firm reference number' (FRN) we have given the authorised firm or other details."

The woman also discovered her father-in-law was paying a firm called Premier Protect 365 to cover his fridge.

Companies House records show this brand is the trading name of Premier Protect Holdings Ltd, which shares a director called Abdelhak Akayour with Protect Your Bubble Ltd.

On reviews platform Trustpilot, there are more than 100 complaints about the same company.

In many cases, customers said they eventually gave up on their claims, while others claimed they were led to believe Premier Protect 365 represented their existing provider.

One person claimed their elderly mother-in-law was convinced into giving out her bank details to renew a policy she did not have.

Get the latest money advice, news and help straight to your inbox - sign up at mirror.co.uk/email

Soon after, 195 was taken from her account. Her family threatened the company with legal action and the money was returned.

Which? said one in five people have received a phone call about appliance insurance or extended warranties in the past year.

While this is only illegal if it's about your pension, there are concerns that some of these firms could be fraudulent.

Caroline Abrahams of Age UK, a charity, said cold callers should be completely banned in the UK.

"Many rely on their landlines and cold callers know they are likely to be spending much longer at home over the next six months. Its vital that action is taken by the authorities to prevent these calls," she said.

If you're concerned about nuisance calls, you can register your landline with the telephone preference service (TPS).

It's a free service that allows you to opt out of unsolicited sales or marketing calls. You can access it via your landline provider.

Jenny Ross, at Which? said more needs to be done to shut these firms down.

"We've found evidence of a surge in appliance repair cold-calls, with some companies using dubious tactics to sell expensive and unnecessary "cover plans" for household appliances to vulnerable people.

"While there are some legitimate firms that operate within the industry, it is clear there are also many rogue traders exploiting people and evading regulation - and much more must be done to shut them down.

"We've shared our findings with the Information Commissioner and National Trading Standards who are investigating the issue. We'd also like telecoms companies to consider providing their free call-blocking services by default, rather than customers opting-in, to avoid more people falling victim."

Read the original post:
Cold callers tricked my father-in-law into paying 1,000 a month to insure his fridge - Mirror Online

DALLAS, Oct. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Service Fusion, a leading provider of field service management software, announced today its selection as one of the top five fastest growing technology companies in the North Texas area, as recognized by the 2020 Tech Titans Fast Tech List. Fast Tech recognizes growth technology companies who have achieved three years of continuous revenue growth, from 2017 to 2019. Service Fusion has seen double-digit growth every year during that time frame, as it has expanded its customer base to over 4,000 service contractors in the US and Canada. This was the first year for Service Fusion to be nominated for this honor.

"Being selected as one of the Top 5 growth companies in North Texas is a tremendous honor," said Max Paltsev, CEO of Service Fusion. "Our passion for helping small businesses leverage technology has been the driving force of our growth, and this recognition from Tech Titans validates both the hard work of our team members and the trust of our customers."

"Max and the team at Service Fusion have demonstrated that even in challenging times, companies with great products can succeed," stated Bill Sproull, CEO of Tech Titans. "We are excited to honor Service Fusion as their software has helped essential, small services businesses flourish and grow."

The Top 5 were revealed at a virtual event on Tuesday, October 13th and were selected from a list of twenty-eight top technology companies in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area.

About Service Fusion

Founded in 2014, Service Fusion serves over 4,000 field service contractors in over 20 residential and commercial service verticals, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance repair. Service Fusion allows service contractors to operatetheir business from anywhere. You can learn more about Service Fusion at http://www.servicefusion.com.

SOURCE Service Fusion

servicefusion.com

More:
Service Fusion Recognized as a Top 5 Company on the 2020 Fast Tech List - PRNewswire

Working from home? Youre not alone. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have asked at least some employees to stay away from HQ. So have Google, Apple, Twitter, Amazon, Airbnb you get the picture.

If social distancing (literally unheard of a couple weeks ago) is the new normal, youre going to need to curl up with a good book. Here are some Autoweek favorites to get you started.

Uncommon Carriers, by John McPhee

This is a book about people who do everything from drive trucks to pilot ships to drive coal trainsits a book about transportation. Why should you read it? Because McPhee is a nonfiction-narrative master, one of those writers who makes you interested in subjects you didnt know you were interested in.Uncommon Carriersis a perfect example of McPhee practicing his craft. Wes Raynal

Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans, by A.J. Baime

$14.36

In the '60s, Ford was faltering, and Henry Ford II, Lee Iacocca and racer Carroll Shelby figured the best way to bring Ford some needed publicity was to do something no American automaker had ever done: Design, build and race a car that could beat Ferrari at Le Mans,the worlds mostprestigious race. Wes Raynal

Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip, by Peter Hessler

Hessler is considered one of the best writers on China. AfterRiver TownandOracle Bones, this is the final book in his award-winning trilogy on the countrys economic rise. Hessler spent seven years traveling the country, tracking how the automobile and improved roads were transforming it, and hedescribes the massive effort to build factories and roads in the traditionally rural nation. Wes Raynal

100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to Do, What to See, by Joe Yogerst

The title of this new road trip guide by the fine folks at National Geographic is self-explanatory. It lists 100 classic and off-the-beaten-path drives and offers tips, activities for the kids (theyre not in school!!!) and even has playlists. Wes Raynal

Reid Railton: Man of Speed, by Karl Ludvigsen

$140.22 (36% off)

Its about time Reid Railton, whom many consider one of the best automotive engineers of all time, got his due.Reid Railton: Man of Speedis a deep dive into his life, triumphs, tragedies and odd exploits.Im not going to lie: Its an expensive addition to the library at about $140. If you cant spare the cash, see if you can borrow a copy on interlibrary loan. Its worth it. Graham Kozak

Drive to Win: Essential Guide to Race Driving

$27.95

amazon.com

Drive to Win: The Essential Guide to Race Drivingis a book written byCarroll Smith,an engineer-turned-racing-driver-turned-team-manager that takes an unemotional approach to explaining how cars work and how to drive them better. The existing good books are all written from the point of view of the driver,says Smith.This book is not. Here we are going to look at what the driver does (or should do) from the point of view of the racing car. Robin Warner

My Years with General Motors, by Alfred P. Sloan, Jr.

Lets get one thing clear:Alfred Sloan is not a natural storyteller. Still, buried in his windy monologues are the roots of storied and beloved GM brands, the tough decisions and educated guesses that led to articles of gospel in modern business schools. And, most of all, the reminder of what GM once was: a seemingly unstoppable global economic powerhouse. Required reading for any student of automotive history. Andrew Stoy

Chiltons Auto Repair Manual, 1984: American Cars from 1977 Through 1984

$108.50

READTHE MANUAL. Good advice, but did you know you can gain incredible insights frompretty much any manual? Its true. My personal favorites are Malaise-era Chiltons automotive manuals, which are chock full of Rube Goldberg emissions control solutions and appalling specifications (190 hp from a 460-cid V8 engine in 1977, for example). If you cant find one on Amazon, check a local thrift store or library dollar "book" bin. Doesnt have to be about cars, even:appliance repair books, HVAC troubleshooting guides, you name ittheyllall make you a better mechanic. Andrew Stoy

Excerpt from:
Read These Car Books While Youre Quarantined - Autoweek

Area businesses that are remaining open amid the coronavirus outbreak. Please support all of these valuable parts of our local economy.

Want to add your business, or have a revision? Email news@bigcountry977.com. This page will be updated periodically.

A & B FAMILY FOODS - Open on 8th & Thain.

A & W MOSCOW - Open daily 8 AM-9 PM.

ALIBI SPORTS EDITION - Open normal business hours.

ARBY'S CLARKSTON - Drive-thru and carryout only. Hours 11 AM - 8 PM.

ARBY'S LEWISTON - Business as usual. Hours 11 AM - 8 PM. Salad Bar temporarily closed.

ARBY'S MOSCOW - Open daily 11 AM - 8 PM.

ARBY'S ORCHARDS - Business as usual. Hours 11 AM - 9 PM.

AMPERSTAND OIL & VINEGAR TAP HOUSE - We have grocery and food items and beer & wine!

ANTIONIO'S - We have delivery, pick up and dine in!!!

APPLEBEE'S - We're open. Dine in and carside both. Normal business hours.

BAMBOO GARDENS - (509)758-8898. Take out and delivery services. Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM; Friday-Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM.

BIRCH & BARLEY PULLMAN - Starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 11:30 1:30 - Carry out orders from the lunch menu, 3:00 5:00 - Carry out HAPPY HOUR + dinner menu items, 5:00 8:00 - Carry out dinner menu items and family style options.

THE BLUE LANTERN COFFEE HOUSE - Online orders only at: thebluelanterncoffeehouse.square.site Order Pick up days: Monday 12 PM- 3PM, Wednesday 12 PM- 3PM, and Fridays 12 PM- 3PM. Products available: Landgrove Coffee Beans, Fresh Scones, Fresh Sourdough Bread, Fresh Granola, Eggs, Cheese, Honey, Elderberry Syrup Kits, Loose-Leaf Teas, and more!

BOOMERS SPORTS CELLAR- Open normal business hours.

BRAVAS/BROCK'S SPEAKEASY - Remains open at this time.

CLEARWATER CANYON CELLARS - Our tasting room is temporarily closed, but we are offering curbside pickup Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-12pm and 2pm-6pm. Just give us a call and we'll meet you at your vehicle! We offer free shipping on six or more bottles to wine club members.

CORNER VILLA BAR -Open 7 days a week. Sunday - Wednesday 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM; Thursday - Saturday 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM.

DROVERS RUN AT JACQUES SPUR - Located alongU.S. Hwy 95, Culdesac, ID. Open normal business hours, Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm; Sunday 9am - 9pm. Dine In or Take Out Available.

EL SOCIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT - Open regular hours in north Lewiston.

EMERALD GARDEN - Open for take out and curbside only. Call your orders in at 509-758-9618

ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - Open normal hours, 11 AM - Close. Curbside to go and door dash to go available.

FEEDING STATION RESTAURANT - Tekoa, Wa. (509) 284-3141. Open for take-out only 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday - Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

GOLDEN DRAGON - Open normal hours. Tuesday - Sunday, Noon - 8pm. Closed Mondays. Dine in and pick up available. Locally owned and operated. Get out enjoy the sunshine and good eats.

GROCERY OUTLET - Open 8am to 9pm daily and we are doing our part in the community to make sure everything is clean wiped down and disinfected to keep everyone safe!! We are also doing our very best to keep our shelves as full as we can with what we have available!! Thank you to the kind and understanding customers! We appreciate you!!

HAZEL'S - Open for to-go/carry out. Same hours as always. 6-2:30 weekdays, 7-2:30 weekends.

JACOBS BAKERY & RESTAURANT - Open in Uniontown, WA! Open normal hours for take out and curbside! Fully stocked bakery case as well.

JEFFREY'S RESTURANT - Open regular hours.

JOLLYMORE'S - Open. Offering delivery and take-out.

KODIAK COFFEE - Located in Mall 21 in Lewiston, we are open forcarry out, curbside service and delivery through Mad Dash!Follow us on Facebook at Kodiak Coffee, Lewiston Idaho for updates to business operations/hours.

MAD GREEK MOSCOW - Open regular hours. Extra precautions taken with sanitizing the restaurant and hand sanitizer available at the front door. We are offering children IN NEED a free slice of pizza TO-GO BAGS Monday-Thursdays 2-4pm for the next 3 weeks. We also offer FREE DELIVERY! 208-997-8333

MAIN STREET GRILL - Business as usual Hours Monday-Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM. Sunday 8 AM - 4 PM.

MYSTIC CAFE - Business as usual, with revised hours. Monday 8 AM- 2 PM. Tuesday thru Thursday 8 AM - 3 PM, and 5 - 8 PM. Friday & Saturday 8 AM - 3 PM and 5-9 PM. Sunday 8 AM - 2 PM.

PARADISE GRILL AND CAFE (MOSCOW) -Open regular business hours.

PARAISO VALLARTA - Open for to go orders, 11:00 to 9:30

PAREJAS CELLARS - Our location in Clarkston is closed, but will offer curbside pick up as well as deliveries locally. Please call for more info (208) 553-1236.

PHIL'S FAMILY FOODS - Open in Kendrick.

RED LION HOTEL - MERIWEATHERS - MJ BARLEYHOPPERS - Open normal hours. 20% Off Curbside Pickup orders, free delivery on orders $25 or more.

RED LOBSTER - Open normal hours.

RIVER CITY ESPRESSO - Open and ready to serve you! We are still offering deliveries!

RIVERPORT BREWERY - Riverport Brewery will also be open 3 to 7 for to-go sales only. We sell new growlers, grunts and crowlers, and we're filling growlers brought in.

SINALOA MEXICAN RESTAURANT - Taking TO GO ORDERS, call at (509) 758-9344, 800 Diagonal St., Clarkston

SEASONS BITES & BURGERS -Open normal hours, Tuesday through Saturday 11 AM to 9 PM we are encouraging take out food, but we will have our dining room open. Thank you. 301 Main St. Lewiston in Morgans Alley.

SEASONS RESTAURANT - Seasons Restaurant in Grangeville is open normal hours and ready to serve you.

SHARPS BURGER RANCH - Our Lewiston location is open as normal. Our Clarkston location is operating out of the drive thru only.

SHOOTERS SPORTS BAR - Open normal business hours. Monday thru Wednesday 3:00 p.m. to midnight. Thursday and Friday 3:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

SKALIICKY'S SWEET SENSATION BAKERY - Located inside Newberry Square! Open Monday - Saturday. Grab n Go, curbside, and Delivery available for those that dont want to dine-in.

SONIC DRIVE-IN - Open normal business hours. 9am - 9:30 p.m.

SOUTHWAY PIZZERIA - Business as usual. Hours 10:30 AM - 10 PM.

SPOT ON YOGURT - Open regular hours.

STARBUCKS - Both the Lewiston and Clarkston Starbucks are open. Our Lobbies are open for grab and go, and the drive-thru is open.

STATION 3 - Open for take-out and delivery.

STOMPING GROUNDS COFFEEHOUSE - located in Genesee, ID is serving up breakfast, lunch and black rifle coffee as usual for dine in (As state regulations permit), to-go and Curbside pickup. I sell bags of black rifle coffee too and can deliver it to the curb with your order. Call 208-285-1776 to schedule your time to pickup. You can pay over the phone with a card or pay in person. Operating normal business hours.

STRIKE & SPARE - open 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Stock up on your home made turkey noodle get it to go by half gallon or a gallon. We are open in the bowling alley, bar, and restaurant dine in or take out come see us!

TACO TIME CLARKSTON - Drive-thru and carryout only. Hours Monday-Saturday 7 AM - 10 PM, Sunday 7 AM - 9 PM.

TACO TIME LEWISTON - Business as usual. Hours Monday-Saturday 7 AM - 10 PM, Sunday 7 AM - 10 PM.

TACO TIME MOSCOW - Hours Daily 11 AM- 7 PM

TANACIOUS P'S TEA & COMMODITIES - Open at Newberry Square. Will even deliver.

THAI GARDENS - (509)758-1388. Take out and delivery services Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM; Friday-Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM.

TOMATO BROTHERS - Open for carryout, delivery and online ordering only.

THE TRAILS MAIN STREET GRILL & LOUNGE - Open on Main Street in Grangeville.

WAFFLES N MORE - Open regular hours.

WAYBACK CAFE - Open for full service. They also take over the phone orders and are partnered with DoorDash!

WHITE PINE FOODS - Open in Deary.

WRANGLER BULLROOM - Open as usual. We are taking every precaution to keep our customers and employees safe and still give great service and food.

ZANY'S - Business as usual. Opening at 11 AM daily, closing Monday at 9 PM, Tuesday thru Saturday at 9:30 PM and Sunday at 9 PM.

ZONE 208- Open normal business hours.

A-1 LOCK & KEY - Open regular hours, all services available.

A-L COMPRESSED GASSES - Open for all your welding gas, propane and welding supplies 7:30-5:00 Monday-Friday. Thank-you for your patronage.

AIRBIRDGE BROADBAND - Open in Grangeville.

ALL THAT GLITTERS - Will continue to stay open just in case proms/formals get rescheduled! Wed-Fri 5-8pm and Saturdays 11-4pm.

ALL VALLEY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT -836 6th St, Clarkston. Open regular hours, Monday - Thursday 9-12, 1-5; Friday 9-12, 1-4.

APPALOOSA EXPRESS BUS SERVICES - Beginning Monday, March 23 will have limited schedules for ALL routes. Monday - Friday 5-8 AM, 2-630 PM.

ARTBEAT - Open for all your shirt and printing needs.

AUTOPRO TECHNOLOGIES - Open Monday - Friday 8-5.

AQUATOUCH CAR WASH - Open for business, Monday - Saturday 8am - 5pm; Sunday 10am - 4pm.

ASHLEY KING OF WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE - Available to give virtual tours of homes!

BARBER DAN - 931 Bryden Ave, Suite B. Open my regular hours. Tuesday through Friday 8am to 5:30pm Saturday 8am til Noon.

BARGAIN HUNTER MALL - Open limited hours. This week on Thursday & Friday from 11-5. Check out our FB page for online pictures an more info!

BANN & BANN AUTOWORKS - 2812 Clearwater Ave Lewiston. Open 8-5, Monday - Friday.

BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS PHOTOGRAPHY - By Melissa Mayberry. Phone number: (208) 827-6729. Photographer for all your special occasions and events! Check out my Facebook page!

BECKY'S FABRICS - Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm. For those who don't want to come in, they also have a curbside pick-up! Call ahead at (208) 743-4448.

BECKY'S PET GROOMING/CENTRAL BARK GROOMING - Both open Tuesday - Friday 8 -- 2. (509) 780-7534. Central Bark (509) 758-9600. Hours may change day to day, but no plans to close.

BIG LOTS - Open regular hours.

BLUE MOUNTAIN AGRI-SUPPORT -Located at 620 Thain Rd. Open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.

BOB JACKSON BODY REPAIR - Open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.

BORN AGAIN CONSIGNMENT - Will remain open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm until further notice.

C & L LOCKER (MOSCOW) - (208)882-3396. Open normal hours, Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. Located at 3025 Highway 8, Moscow, ID.

CELLULAR SALES VERIZON RETAILER - Open as usual hours at 821 21st Street, Lewiston.

CENTRAL BARK PET SALON - 520 5th St in Clarkston is still up and running for the valley's dog grooming needs. Open regular hours Tuesday - Friday from 8am-2pm. 509-758-9600.

CLASSIQUE CUTS - Open at 820 21st Street, Lewiston. Call (208) 746-6222.

CLARKSTON CBD CO. - Open 11 to 7 Monday through Saturday.

CLARKSTON VETERINARY CLINIC - Open normal hours. If youpart of a high-riskgroup of people and are concerned with being out in public during this time you can call to check in from the parking lot. We are also happy to come outside to get your pet while you wait in the car. Located at 1409 Peaslee Ave in Clarkston. (509) 758-9669

CM APPLIANCE REPAIR - Open and servicing your appliances. (208) 305-8696, 9am-5pm Monday - Friday.

COLLEGE CABS - Still running 24/7 offering rides & delivery in Pullman, Moscow, and the surrounding communities. 855-829-4487. We are the only service still offering 24/7 rides and we are not charging any hazard rates. Pullman & Moscow to Spokane for only $249 + $10 per additional passenger. Our cabs are being frequently fumigated, cleaned, and all high contact areas are being sterilized after every single run. We are asking customers to limit rides to 2 passengers and you will be asked to sit in the rear seat to maintain as much social distancing as possible.

COMMUNITY BANK - Effective Monday, March 23rd, Community Bank will be closing the lobbies of all bank branches until further notice. This step is an effort to help protect our customers and employees in addressing the potential risks presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Drive-thrus and ATMs at all branches will remain open at this time. For customers who require access to their safe deposit boxes, please inquire at the drive-thru window or contact the branch in advance.

COMPLETE SUITE FURNITURE - open normal hours located in the old Hastings building! Monday-Friday 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-6pm Sunday 11am-5pm

COPPER STATE NUT & BOLT - 719 5th in Clarkston. Open 7-5 Monday - Friday.

CORNERSTONE TILE & CONSTRUCTION - Owner Chris Mayberry is a General Contractor. CT&C is a small business specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodels and small jobs. Licensed and insured. Phone number: (208) 553-2170. Call for a free estimate and check out our Facebook page!

Go here to see the original:
Yes, We're OPEN! List of Local Merchants Open for Business - bigcountrynewsconnection.com

UPDATED Sunday, March 22

The number of emergency orders, closures, and restrictions came at us fast this past week. Heres the list of whats open and closed on Miami Beach as of Sunday, March 22.

Miami-Dade Transit Update:As of Sunday, March 22, all Miami-Dade transit fares and parking fees at metrorail stations will be suspended.

Miami-Dade Transits Metrobus system will continue to run weekday routes across Miami-Dade County with reduced frequencies.The following Miami Beach routes may experience reduced frequency on weekdays:79, 103, 110, 112, 113, 119, 120 and 150.Metrobus weekend services will remain operating as published and will be monitored closely. Customers are encouraged to use contactless, online and mobile payment methods to ride transit and the Countys online services and mobile application (Go Miami-Dade Transit) to stay connected. For Miami-Dade County transit updates, please click here.

The Parkmobile app is a free download on iOS and Android. For details,click here.

Questions? Call the Citys Customer Service Call Center at 305.604.CITY (2489) which has expanded hours Monday through Friday from 8 am until 10:30 pm.

The City has also set up a webpage with coronavirus updates including information on closures, all of the emergency orders, business assistance and resources, impacted City services, Seniors/Special needs updates, and more.

The Florida Department of Health has established a Call Center that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1.866.779.6121.

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Roundup of What's Open, What's Closed in Miami Beach due to the Coronavirus Pandemic - RE:MiamiBeach

What a difference a few weeks can make. In February, Americans were concerned about politics, March Madness, spring breaks and all the things that occupy us in good times and bad.

Now were talking about not inadvertently killing Grandpa and staying six feet away from strangers and loved ones alike. People whose work seemed solid are feeling the earth shift beneath their feet and everyone is being advised, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern dentistry, not to come in for a regular cleaning.

As they say on the Progressive commercials: What is happening here?

Thats an answer I dont have, but I do have advice, at least in the context of careers and job search: Keep calm, carry on. Youll recognize that as the now-famous counsel given to English citizens while they were dodging bombs and running households on half-rations of food.

That sentiment makes a good bumper sticker, but it makes an even better life philosophy. This is one of those times when it does no good to panic. Why? I just told you: Because it does no good. Seriously, panic is the one thing you dont want to do, for any number of reasons. Panicking wont change things, it blocks you from productive thinking and it compels you to do things you later regret.

If those reasons not to panic arent good enough, use this one instead: Because you have other things you need to do right now. If you are a worker in a critical field such as health care, you need your focus on self-management so you can stay healthy enough to help others.

If you are a manager or business owner, your leadership is needed so that others know what to do. If you are a communications professional, your ability to keep others informed is absolutely critical. If you are a teacher or school administrator, you dont need to be told that students and parents are looking to you for both guidance and continuity.

Mental health professionals, delivery drivers, food preparers, farmers, transportation workers, grocery store cashiers, gas station owners, home health aides (bless you), social workers, emergency plumbers, poets and artists, we need you all and we need all those I havent named here. And of course, if you have children or elderly people dependent on you, you are just plain needed, in ways that seem to be changing on an hourly basis.

So you see, you cant afford to panic. What should you (all of us) be doing instead? Heres advice for the uncertain weeks and months ahead.

Build cash reserves If youre receiving a paycheck, bank what you can. That might mean temporarily changing your withholding or pausing retirement contributions, with that money going to savings instead. Why? I dont know, except to say that cash reserves are important in the best of times, and certainly now.

If youre not receiving a paycheck, think about reducing outgoing expenses, bartering one of your skills for someone elses to lower costs, or even renting out a room or performing small jobs for cash if you can find takers. These are the pre-gig-economy gigs that kept our grandparents afloat in tough times.

Leverage unusual opportunities Every upheaval comes with a side helping of opportunity. For example, with interest rates so low, can you refinance your mortgage to improve cash flow?

Perhaps you have a skill, such as webinar development, that small businesses could use at this very moment. Even a simple notification on your Facebook page might be enough to attract interest. If youre currently out of work, getting a foot in the door in this way could translate to something bigger later.

Learn, learn, learn If you have a reliable internet connection and a computer, nows the time to download all the free training you can find, whether thats a video on appliance repair or an e-book on accounting practices. If you dont have the tools for online learning, theres still the library and independent bookstores. One way or the other, if youre not employed right now, it makes sense to prepare for being employed.

Plan the job search which brings us to this sticky wicket: Should you continue job searching, or pause? While many employers are struggling to support the workers they already have, others are all-hands-on-deck as they try to manage an overflow of work. Youll need a strategy that integrates the skills you can offer with the work employers need done.

For the moment, my advice is to plan, then act. Even if the action is necessarily delayed, youll still need the plan. Why? Because whatever your work is, you are needed. So stay sharp, keep calm, carry on. When this thing shakes out, well need clear heads and ready hands so we can pick up where we left off.

Read more from the original source:
Amy Lindgren: Workers of America: Keep calm and carry on - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

Last year, European Union has ratified the Right to Repair regulation. According to these regulations, the manufacturers of the household electronic appliances i.e. lighting, washing machines, dish washers, and refrigerators, will have to make it easier for the consumers to get them repaired. Though the regulations does not include every aspect of the Right to Repair movement, as the activist claim, but its one of the starting step to be taken by developed countries in giving the consumers the liberty to own. Not only the EU, some US states are also thinking of implementing similar regulations in their respective states.

You can own a product, but cannot save it from dying. With the Right to repair, this paradigm will change. A right to repair refers to a consumer ability to have faulty goods repaired at a competitive price by a manufacturer, a third-party, or in some instances, self-repair, using available replacements parts and having access to information to make the repairs.

What are the regulations about?

The recently implemented regulation are part of measures taken by the EU to implement the Ecodesign directive. It is an effective tool for improving the energy efficiency of products. It helps eliminate the least performing products from the market, significantly contributing to the EUs 2020 energy efficiency objective. There are other non-EU countries like USA, Australia and Brazil among some, which have legislations similar to that of EU but the latter become the first to have an effective Right to Repair regulations.

The regulations, other than easing the repair of the household electronic appliances, also includes the manufacturers liability to supply the spare parts of the product for up to 10 years, ensuring that these appliances could be easily disassembled with common available tools, in addition to make them last longer. The rules further provide to make such appliances more user friendly.

The regulations are effective on the household appliances only and does not include our favourite smartphones within the domain. There was a long demand to include them within these regulation. A report from environmental groups recently stated that extending the lifespan of smartphones by just one year would significantly reduce carbon emission in the European Union. As smartphones has the largest impact climate impact, the inclusion to have proved to be boon for the EU Climate sustenance goals.

Why was this necessary?

Suppose you bought sophisticated device, say an expensive Refrigerator. After the warranty period, you come across some difficulty in the cooling. What you will do? Obviously, get it fixed. But when you went to a nearby repair shop, you came to know that the compressor needs to be changed, which is not available in the market. This forces you to go to the authorised companys service centre to get that changed, whose billing can cost you a hand and a leg.

With the passing of regulations giving effect to the right to repair, the manufactures will be obliged to provide the repair documentation and spare parts of the electronics to the consumers or to independent repair shops.

The curious case of Apple

In December 2017, it was discovered that Apple was intentionally slowing down phones with older batteries. They defended this tactic by saying it was intended to reduce performance issues, but had many people wondering if Apple was covertly pushing people to upgrade to a new phone. What you do when your car gets a dead battery or a flat tyre? Did you switch to a new car or you get that battery or tyre fixed. Almost all the consumers will go for the second option. In the Apples case, the company stated that the issue can be resolved by replacing the battery, which Apple Inc. doesnt make available to customers or third-party businesses.

Isnt this a sense of coercion on the consumers which the manufactures do by creating a sense of vacuum where there is no competition in the market so that they could charge exorbitantly and make a bank?

But in August 2019, Apple announced New Independent Repair Provider Programme to sell parts, tools and repair guides to independent shops so they can fix broken iPhones. Though the same comes with some conditions, its a big U-turn for a company which has spent years lobbying against the introduction of right to repair laws. Such type of programmes could help save the right of a triangle consisting of manufacturer, consumers and independent repairers offering a safe repair of the product.

Ill-Effects on the consumers

There are various problems faced by the consumer in the absence of Right to Repair.

Saving the mother earth

With the increasing awareness and apparent effects of Climate Change being observed, there was an increasing demand to reduce the electronic waste. Such types of regulations are a stepping stones towards saving carbon emissions and using the electronic resources more wisely. Australia and its jungle crisis

Libby Peake from the think tank Green Alliance told BBC News: The new rules are a definite improvement. We think they could have been better, but its good news that at last politicians are waking up to an issue that the public have recognised as a problem for a long time. The new rules will benefit the environment and save resources. (See here)

This was necessary to give effect to the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN and the commitments which the world demands from the leaders of the countries who assemble in the Climate Change Conference every year with little or no braveries to implement Climate saving measures.

Concern for the Manufacturers

In order to do the repairs, the consumers or the independent repair shops, other than the spare parts and service information, need a wholesome accessibility to the specialised tools and softwares. Thats where the things gets tricky.

Some manufacturers are afraid that the independent repairers might not have the required skill, techniques, and repair machines, which may lead to poor repair and damaging the machine, which might potentially render them dangerous.

Digital Europe, one industry group said: We understand the political ambition to integrate strict energy and resource efficiency aspects, but we are concerned that some requirements are either unrealistic or provide no added value. The draft regulations limit market access, deviate from internationally-recognised best practices and compromise intellectual property.(See here)

Last year we have surpassed 50 million metric tonnes of E-waste.

Its Viability in India

India, being a developing country and home to highest population of people living below poverty, must think to imbibe such laws in its legal system. The extra cost of repair pose a burden on the lower-middle and middle class strata. With the unemployment rate going high, and the slow economy also marks a burden on India, which is in a sheer need of some economic miracle.

India is also a signatory of the Paris agreement to limit Climate change and curb the emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, in addition to the societal and welfare obligation, it also need to fund its programme working for the Climate Change. In such situations, the Electronic waste and its disposal is a worrisome task for the authorities.

The passing of Right to repair laws can act as a measure to assist the government in controlling above evils to a reasonable level, although not eradicating the same in toto.

Conclusion

As the liberty principle applies, you must have full control over the product which you own. Every person has the right to enjoy, manage and alienate his belonging, be it movable or immovable. But such right gets limited applicability, in case of electronic appliances, due to the policies of the manufacturers. With the changes coming in the western world, its time that we become aware of our Liberty to own. As it has been said, If you cant fix it, you dont own it.

More here:
What you can repair is what you own - Experts & Views - Legally India

We have a hard time letting things go at the Mays household. In part because we are sentimental, but also because we like to make things last. We recycle but the idea of reusing and reducing are big in our house as a way to lessen our overall environmental impact.

So when my wifes clock radio broke, I kept eyeing the next Repair Cafe at the Burlingame Library to see when I could bring it in.

Just to be clear what we are talking about, this clock radio appears to be one of the first ones ever made. Its about half the size of a VCR (remember those?) and actually belonged to my wifes mother. There is not a digital component to it, but Im pretty sure the hands of the clock may have some kind of glow-in-the-dark things on them. But the radio works, and quite well at that. It has a nice resonance to it and gets most of the stations.

I spotted the calendar entry about two weeks ago (one of the advantages of being a newspaper editor is that you get to see the calendar entries first) and marked my own wall calendar.

While I had high hopes, I also knew the chances of getting the thing fixed were quite slim. So off we went to the library with our clock radio in tow. There, we encountered Dean Peterson, who among many other things, is quite handy and offered to take a look. While the prognosis was not good, he took it apart to see for sure. Lo and behold, it was not meant to be. Though Peterson was not able to fix the clock (to be honest, I dont think anyone can) we were able to catch up. Turns out we had worked with each other a bit on a series of stories I did long ago about MTBE in our groundwater and the efforts by then state senator Byron Sher to combat it. Its one of the reasons why we have double-lined gasoline storage tanks at stations now. Peterson was head of the countys Environmental Health division and was critical in me getting the data I needed for my series. He retired a few years back and has been spending his time volunteering in a variety of ways including for the Burlingame Parks Foundation and leading kayak tours, among other pursuits. Seems once you are in service, it gets in your blood.

While in front of the library, my wife spotted the Bay Area Bike Mobile making repairs and she suggested we get my daughters bikes frayed brake cable fixed. I did, and the helpful volunteers funded by regional grants were able to fix it lickety-split. They even offered handy advice on how to prevent such fraying in the future. Now, with the repaired bike, we were ready to hit the trail the next day with full confidence in our braking ability.

The point of the repair cafe is to keep things out of the landfill and to prove that sometimes what you are already have is good enough. They had small appliance repair, a sewing machine and even someone who could fix jewelry.

Cynthia Rider, who organizes the event for the library, said it was the brainchild of Lisa Rosenthal when she was on the library board and former Burlingame mayor Terry Nagel through her work with the Citizens Environmental Council. They have about three a year and now a total of about 11, Rider said. And they couldnt do it without the volunteers who donate time, equipment and sometimes material to help, she added.

At the repair cafe, Rider said they once had six people get in there to sew repairs by hand to a hammock. Longtime volunteer Carol Nowlin regularly fixes jewelry mostly with sentimental value that people dont want to take to a jeweler. A common repair is a lamp, and what is now known as the infamous chicken or rooster lamp. She said Peterson once fixed a lamp in 30 seconds. For Peterson, he said he enjoys fixing toys so he can show kids how things work.

To my mind, it was a great event and the fact that the library puts it on should definitely be applauded and encouraged. Its fun. And if it keeps items out of the landfill and being used by families, even better.

Jon Mays is the editor in chief of the Daily Journal. He can be reached at jon@smdailyjournal.com. Follow Jon on Twitter @jonmays.

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Adventures at the Repair Cafe | Columnists - San Mateo Daily Journal