Collection's European and Asian antiques have remained in private hands for 60+ years

Be A Doll, known for their personalized action figures, has developed a new product "Be A Bust". Submit 2 photos of your loved ones and get a 4 inch likeness of their head and shoulders, mounted on a stained wood base of your choice.

Three recent lawsuits present new challenges for the makers of the Bumbo Baby Sitter, a popular infant chair that are alleged to have caused a number of injuries after babies fell from the seats.

According to Pratt Institute's website, Industrial Design students have been assigned to make those "Isolation Chairs" from last month…

"Isolation Chairs" made by students in Industrial Design Studio II (via @PrattInstitute/Instagram)

…but apparently not everyone's thrilled with the curriculum. The Daily News reports that a group of undergraduate Pratt Institute students have brought a lawsuit against the school, demanding a tuition refund in the face of inadequate online instruction.

"The online learning options being offered to Pratt students are subpar in practically every aspect, from the lack of facilities, materials and access to faculty," a lawyer for the students wrote in the suit. "Students have been deprived of the opportunity for collaborative learning and in-person dialogue, feedback and critique."

…The Pratt Institute lawsuit argued that the university's design focus makes remote, online learning even less feasible for students.

I can't imagine how one would go about teaching Industrial Design from afar. If you're an ID student, whether at Pratt or elsewhere, please drop us a line in the comments--I'm intensely curious to hear how your online classes are going.

Climbing coconut and arecanut trees to harvest their prizes is strenuous, dangerous work, and requires a young body. But in Dakshina Kannada, India, "there is a substantial migration of well-educated youngsters to the cities for white collar jobs," K. Ganapathi Bhat told India's The News Minute. "There is a huge scarcity of employment in labour-intensive sectors like agriculture, especially those skilled in climbing trees."

"Having been born in a family with an agricultural background, it was painful to see the ripe coconut and arecanut either eaten by birds or falling across the fields," Bhat says. At 60 years of age, he's too old to climb the trees himself. But unlike most farmers, he has a Bachelors of Science in Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Thus he cobbled this together:

The bike-based contraption runs on gas, using what appears to be a chainsaw motor. After testing it out for two years on roughly 2,000 arecanut trees on his own farm, Bhat reckons the "mileage" is 90 trees per liter of gas (360 trees/gallon), and that the machine can carry an 80kg (175-pound) person to the top of a 30-meter (98-foot) tree in 30 seconds--safely. If the brakes fail, a backup brake kicks in to jam the wheels in place. As long as your tree isn't mushy and algae-covered (he tested those, too, and found the performance unsatisfactory), you're in business.

Here's more footage of the machine in action, including Bhat jumping up and down on it, to demonstrate that it safely stays in place:

Although he's been approached by several manufacturers, Bhat has turned them down, as he's not interested in profit. "I wish to partner with an organisation that would help me share the technology with the farmers to benefit them," he says. "I do not wish to seek royalties for such a venture. But I want to make sure that this product reaches as many farmers as possible, so that, in some way, it helps in the development of the overall agricultural scenario of the country."

The post Upcoming and Current Events 2019 appeared first on Regina Lord of Creative Kismet.

Over the weekend I completed a project that’s been on my list for a month. I wanted a more attractive appearance to the entrance to my rental studio and also a little conversation spot where I could sit and look at the trees and visit with a friend for coffee, wine, etc. I ordered the

Microsoft recently introduced the Teams application into the Office 365 product stack as a replacement for Skype for Business. While Teams is a replacement for Skype’s meetings and messaging, Microsoft expanded the tool, adding even more capabilities to help businesses… Read More

The post Microsoft Teams: An All-in-One Collaboration Tool for Your Business appeared first on Anders CPAs.

David E. Hartley, CPA, CISA, partner and Director + Advisory Services, is speaking on a cybersecurity panel at the 2019 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit on Thursday, October 3. The summit, Future State 2025 – Driving the Digital Roadmap… Read More

The post David Hartley Speaking on Cybersecurity Panel at CIO Executive Leadership Summit appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Companies that proactively prepared for a Work from Home (WFH) scenario have a significant competitive advantage over those who have not. If you are concerned about not having a remote work contingency plan, the Anders Technology Group can help you… Read More

The post Enabling Remote Work Leveraging Microsoft Products, Including Microsoft Teams for Free appeared first on Anders CPAs.

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Anders CPAs + Advisors is offering a FREE 2-part recorded webinar series to help jumpstart your company’s remote work efforts using Microsoft Teams.
Webinar 1 – Intro to Work from Home (WFH) Collaboration with Microsoft… Read More

The post Recorded Webinar Series: Collaborate from Home with Microsoft Teams appeared first on Anders CPAs.

The Missouri Department of Revenue has announced the 2019 individual income tax year changes, effective for the tax year beginning January 1, 2019, which will be reflected on 2019 Missouri individual income tax returns.
Income Tax Brackets
The income tax… Read More

The post Missouri Announces Individual Income Tax Changes for 2019 Tax Returns appeared first on Anders CPAs.

As we enter year three of the qualified business income (QBI) era, if you have not yet taken steps to maximize your deduction under this tax law – the time is now. Over the past two years, we have seen… Read More

The post Overcoming Obstacles for Utilizing the QBI Deduction appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Federal and state tax credits and incentives can help fund new business ventures and offset project expenses, saving your company time and money. Whether your company is adding jobs, investing in new technology or expanding its footprint to additional locations, there are credits designed to help fund these projects. Below we have outlined relevant tax...

The post A Guide to Tax Credits and Incentives for Missouri Businesses appeared first on Anders CPA.

The decision of South Dakota v. Wayfair is causing states to enforce economic nexus laws to collect sales tax from out-of-state sellers with a connection to the state. These laws affect online retailers and multi-state businesses who collect revenue up to the threshold amount in a state. To understand which states your business may be...

The post Economic Nexus by State Following South Dakota v. Wayfair appeared first on Anders CPA.

AP Photo/John Minchillo

• The Ohio State University will pay $40.9 million to settle lawsuits brought by 162 men who allege a former university team doctor sexually abused them.
• An independent investigation in 2019 found that Dr. Richard Staruss sexually abused at least 177 students during his tenure from 1979 to 1997.
• The investigation found that OSU personnel had knowledge of allegations against Strauss and repeatedly failed to act.
• Strauss died by suicide in California in 2005.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Ohio State University announced on Friday it will pay out $40.9 million as part of a settlement of a combined series of lawsuits brought on by 162 men who said a team doctor who worked at the university for nearly two decades sexually abused them.

"The university of decades ago failed these individuals — our students, alumni and members of the Buckeye community," university President Michael V. Drake said in a statement. "Nothing can undo the wrongs of the past, but we must do what we can today to work toward restorative justice."

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: Inside London during COVID-19 lockdown

See Also:

• The best Showtime TV shows of the last decade — and the worst
• Online learning is growing faster than ever — we compared 4 of the top platforms leading the way
• 37 perfect graduation gifts for her — as recommended by a recent college graduate

Jorge Silva/Reuters

• As some countries have started to lift their lockdown measures, public places have been making changes to adapt to government-issued social distancing measures. 
• More public places are using tape, floor markers and plastic dividers to help people comply with social distancing guidelines. 
• Photos show how people are trying to adapt to a new way of life during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As some countries begin to lift their coronavirus lockdown measures, public places have been getting creative to adjust to social distancing guidelines.

From waiters wearing personal protective equipment to schools using plastic dividers between children, these photos show the world is adjusting to life under the coronavirus pandemic.

As countries begin to slowly lift their lockdown measures, many changes have to be made to public life in an effort to prevent second waves of COVID-19.

One of the places that have to adapt the most is restaurants. Some have been coming up with creative ways to enforce social distancing measures, including putting up dividers on tables.

But in some places, a plastic divider is not enough. Diners in this Bangkok restaurant, for example, have been asked to sit diagonally from each other to maximize their distance.

See Also:

• Shanghai Disneyland cast members told to wear face masks and avoid guest contact ahead of next week's reopening as China emerges from pandemic
• A West Virginia worker told us what it was like living at his factory for 28 days to help make PPE, and says he would 'absolutely' do another 'lock-in' to help
• These photos show thousands flocking to New York's parks over the weekend after Mayor de Blasio said that good weather 'is very much a threat to us'

SEE ALSO: LA's skies are smog-free and peacocks are roaming the streets of Dubai. Photos show how nature has returned to cities shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.

Reuters

• House lawmakers on Friday demanded five large, publicly traded companies return the $10 million loans they received that were meant for small businesses. 
• Only one company, MiMedx, said it would return the $10 million Paycheck Protection Program loans.
• Just 48 public companies of the 387 that received PPP loans have returned the money. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

US representatives blasted five publicly traded companies for taking Paycheck Protection Program loans means for small businesses, leading at least one to return the money.

The House subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis sent letters] to MiMedx, Quantum, EVO Transportation & Energy Services, Gulf Island Fabrication, Universal Stainless, and Alloy Products on Friday demanding they return loans received from the treasury. MiMedx said late Friday it was repaying its $10 million loan.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: Inside London during COVID-19 lockdown

See Also:

• 37 of the best graduation gifts you can give to upcoming high school or college grads
• The best Showtime TV shows of the last decade — and the worst
• Online learning is growing faster than ever — we compared 4 of the top platforms leading the way

Lisa Larkin MD & Associates

• Ultrawealthy and sometimes asymptomatic Americans are using concierge doctors to access COVID-19 tests amid a nationwide shortage.
• The doctors, whose monthly fees can range up to $10,000 a month and don't accept insurance, can offer coronavirus antibody test results in as little as two hours; results for the general public can take days.
• Even some concierge doctors question the ethics of offering tests to their wealthy clientele that aren't available to the general public.
• Both concierge doctors and their clients told Business Insider that America's health care system is dysfunctional, and that patients are healthier operating outside it.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Jamie Gerdsen, the 46-year-old CEO of Cincinnati-based construction company Apollo Home, wanted his 200 employees to know how seriously he was taking the coronavirus pandemic. To prove it, he decided to get tested in April. 

For Gerdsen, the process was simple. All he had to do was call his doctor, set up an appointment time for him and his wife, and get to his doctor's drive-through testing center. At the center, they showed their IDs, answered a few questions, and got their fingers pricked, all without getting out of their car. The results came into Gerdsen's email inbox two hours later. 

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: We tested a machine that brews beer at the push of a button

See Also:

• Airbnb has laid off 25% of its staff. Meet CEO Brian Chesky, who cofounded the company in 2008 to help pay his San Francisco apartment's rent and is now worth $4.1 billion.
• Here's how the 1% are getting their booze during the pandemic, from wine concierge services to online premium liquor retailers that sell $10,000 bottles of whiskey
• Elon Musk and Grimes just welcomed their baby boy. Here's how the eccentric CEO makes and spends his $38.2 billion fortune.

SEE ALSO: 

DON'T MISS: 

More contractors go bankrupt due to cash flow than they do because of profitability. Given the unprecedented events of COVID-19, the construction industry is particularly prone to major cash flow issues that could easily bankrupt your business. During this webinar session we will address critical cash flow considerations. This webinar is co-hosted by NECA and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). The presenter is Michael McLin, Managing Director at Maxim Consulting Group responsible for leading several service line teams within the firm.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs). This is the latest step to ensure availability of respirators. More information at the USDOL website.

During these unprecedented times, a positive outlook can help us maintain personal and professional duties. NECA has launched a schedule of webinars and more than 100 online educational courses.

The U.S. General Services Administration has issued an order to accept e-signatures for surety bonds to allow infrastructure projects to move forward.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Electrical Contractors Association, David Long, issued a statement on being named to the Great American Economic Revival Industry Group for Construction/Labor/Workforce.

Now October 5-7, 2020 in Chicago, IL

NECA has made the difficult decision based on the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic to postpone the 10th Annual NECA Safety Professionals Conference (NSPC), originally scheduled to take place in May in Scottsdale, AZ. Instead, the conference will run concurrent with the NECA Convention and Trade Show in Chicago, IL, on October 5-7, 2020. Much of the original lineup and all the general sessions remains on the agenda. Please make plans to attend this 10th Annual Celebration of the NSPC. Visit https://www.necasafetyconference.com/ for up to date information. 

NECA is sponsoring a safety stand down on April 29 to recognize the many electricians and utility workers have been deemed essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to go to work each day and make sacrifices to better our country.  Take part and share a note or photo with #NECASafety, and on NECA’s LinkedIn and Facebook accounts. Please share the number of workers who participated with safety@necanet.org so we can feature this in the future. Material for your safety stand down can be found below at the NECA Coronavirus Resource Center.   

In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, OSHA understands that some employers may face difficulties complying with OSHA standards due to the ongoing health emergency. Business closures and other restrictions and limitations may also preclude employee participation in training even when trainers are available. In other situations, access to medical testing facilities may be limited or suspended.

With approvals from 33 states, these on-demand code classes are available for 50% off for a limited time. Register by April 26th to take advantage of this special offer.

The NBA recently submitted a formal proposal to its Player’s Association to lower the draft eligibility age from 19 to 18. This move to end the “one and done” era, requiring that players spend at least one season in college… Read More

The post The End of the One and Done Age Limit for the NBA appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Working within a tight budget can cause some not-for-profit organizations to neglect their financial reporting. Office managers may be assigned to do the bookkeeping, but don’t have the time or expertise to do the technical accounting. Having accounting and financial… Read More

The post How Not-for-Profits Can Focus on the Mission, Not the Financials appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Finnish mobile studio Dazzle Rocks has secured $6.8 million in Series A funding to boost development on its unnamed social sandbox MMO. ...

Switch hardware and software continues to deliver the goods for Nintendo, which reported an increase in both sales and profits during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. ...

It’s the end of the year and time for our annual mini-stories episodes. Mini-stories are fun, quick hit stories that came up in our research for another episode...or maybe it was some cool thing someone told us about that we found really interesting. They didn’t quite warrant a full episode and two months of hard reporting, but they’re great 99pi stories nonetheless. And my favorite part is we do them as unscripted interviews where I’m in the studio with the people who work on this show, who I like a lot. Sometimes I know a little about what they’re going to talk about, but sometimes I know nothing. It’s very fun. This week we have stories of mistaken identity, unreachable iconic tour destinations, haunted architecture, and of course, raccoons.

Mini-Stories: Volume 7

Make your mark. Go to radiotopia.fm to donate today.

This is part 2 of the 2019- 2020 mini-stories episodes where I interview the staff about their favorite little stories from the built world that don’t quite fill out an entire episode for whatever reason but they are cool 99pi stories nonetheless…

We have centuries old bonds, standard tunings mandated by international treaty, abandoned mansions, and secret babies. If you ever need a conversation starter, the mini-stories are our gift to you.

Mini-Stories 8

If you heard that there was a piece of technology that could do away with traffic jams, make cities more equitable, and help us solve climate change, you might think about driverless cars, or hyperloops or any of the other new transportation technologies that get lots of hype these days. But there is a much older, much less sexy piece of machinery that could be the key to making our cities more sustainable, more liveable, and more fair: the humble bus. Steve Higashide is a transit expert, bus champion, and author of a new book called Better Busses Better Cities. And the central thesis of the book is that buses have the power to remake our cities for the better.

Missing the Bus

The St. Louis County Small Business Relief Program, (SBR), slated to award $17.5 million to small businesses, was recently announced by County Executive Sam Page. The grants make up about 10% of the $173.5 million in federal relief funds the county received from the CARES Act. The program will provide financial relief to small businesses...

The post $17.5 Million in Grants Available for St. Louis County Small Businesses appeared first on Anders CPA.