text:
Hotels in Holland always include the service charge and the 6% V.A.T. (BTW in Dutch) in the room rate. Tourist tax is never included and is a few euros extra. If in doubt, inquire when booking. In restaurants you pay 6% V.A.T. on food items and 21% V.A.T. on beverages, all of which are included in the quoted menu prices. V.A.T. is 21% on clothes and luxury goods, 6% on basic goods. On consumer goods, it is always included in the amount on the price tag, so you can't actually see what percentage you're paying.
When making a purchase, ask for a V.A.T. refund form and find out whether the merchant gives refunds—not all stores do, nor are they required to. Have the form stamped like any customs form by customs officials when you leave the country or, if you're visiting several EU countries, when you leave the EU. Note that you should not pack your purchases in your checked luggage as you'll typically need to show them to the customs officer. After you're through passport control, take the form to a refund-service counter for an on-the-spot refund (which is usually the quickest and easiest option), or mail it to the address on the form (or the envelope with it) after you arrive home. You receive the total refund stated on the form, but the processing time can be long, especially if you request a credit-card adjustment.
Global Blue is a worldwide service with more than 270,000 affiliated stores and refund counters at major airports and border crossings. Its refund form, called a Tax Free Form, is the most common across the European Continent. The service issues refunds in the form of cash or credit-card adjustment.
V.A.T. Refunds
Global Blue. 866/706–6090; www.globalblue.com.


text:
Another interesting new feature is the ability to visualize geographical changes over time. Google Earth shows historical imagery that goes back to the 40s in some places like San Francisco.
If you find an interesting way to visualize a location, there's a new "record a tour" option that saves the places you visit in Google Earth and lets you replay the tour. Unfortunately, you can't export a tour in a video format using the free version of Google Earth, but the good news is that you can record a voice commentary.
Google Earth is no longer just about the Earth and stars, now you can use it to view imagery and terrain of Mars by clicking on the planet icon.
While all these additions useful, you'll most likely download Google Earth 5 to explore the ocean. "Dive beneath the surface and visit the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench. Explore the ocean with top marine experts including National Geographic and BBC. Learn about ocean observations, climate change, and endangered species. Discover new places including surf, dive, and travel hot spots and shipwrecks."
Google Earth 5 for Windows, Linux and Mac can be downloaded from earth.google.com. The Windows version is not download directly: you first install Google Update, which downloads the setup and then installs the application. For those who can't use Google Update, here's a direct link to the Windows client.
Tip: Before installing Google Earth, read the user guide.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
At One Click Locksmith in Northridge, Our Professional Locksmiths Provide Commercial, Residential, & Automotive Services, Including Lock Installation And Replacement, Lock Repair, Lock Rekey, Home Security, Car Locks, Door Unlocking, And Emergency Lockout Services.
One Click Locksmith is a locally licensed, bonded, and insured locksmith company in Northridge. You can receive professional services for your home, office, or car by simply calling us. We are a full-service locksmith that provides complete solutions to any lock and key problems that arise. Our commitment is to provide you with Professional Locksmith Service for all your requirements. When you hire us for your commercial, residential, or industrial project, you can be assured that it will be done professionally. We offer 24-hour emergency lockout services in Northridge and are available 24/7 for commercial and residential lock replacement, lock rekey, and car locks, all provided by qualified and skilled locksmith professionals. We only carry quality brands that are well-known in the market. Professionalism, reliability, and courtesy are our top values. Whether you need locksmith or security solutions for your home or office or are locked out of your residence or vehicle, One Click Locksmith is there to help.
Our One Click Locksmith in Northridge
At One Click Locksmith we offer the following locksmith services:
- Door Unlock Services
- Smart Lock Repair
- Locks Rekey
- Mobile Locksmith Store
- 24/7 Locksmith Services
- Emergency Locksmith Services
- Lock Repair Service
- Commercial Locksmith Services
- Residential Locksmith Services
- Door Lock Replacement
- Lock Installation Service
- Locked Car Keys
Commercial One Click Locksmith in Northridge
At One Click Locksmith, we recognize that every business is unique, and security is crucial for any commercial building. Our Commercial Business Locksmiths specialize in constructing personalized security systems tailored to your specific needs, including strongly limited entry restrictions, security cameras, smart locks, business safes, and more. We understand that some locations require workers to have access to all keys and codes, while others require certain areas to be restricted. With our expertise, we can help you save time and money while keeping your commercial property secure and intriguing.
Residential Locksmiths in Northridge
Whether you've lost your keys or need an extra set, One Click Locksmith is just one call away. We understand the concern homeowners and renters face when calling a locksmith, as they want to ensure the security of their residential property. You can trust One Click Locksmith to be reliable and trustworthy. We have a certified Residential Locksmith Service with experience in handling both new tech smart locks and classic locks, and our prices are affordable around the clock. We do not charge extra for emergency services.
Automotive One Click Locksmith in Northridge
At One Click Locksmith, we provide a comprehensive range of automotive locksmith services without compromising on our high standards. Our services surpass those of any emergency car locksmith service available. Our experienced, certified car locksmiths can handle all car brands, makes, and models, including smart locks. We offer a full guarantee for all our work. Whether you require a key replacement for your car or are in an Emergency Locksmith Service, we're here to help.
Reliable And Guaranteed One Click Locksmith in Northridge
If you encounter a residential, commercial, or automotive locksmith emergency, the One Click Locksmith team can arrive at your location quickly. We provide professional and trustworthy services, and our prices are fair. Contact us today for a rapid response to your locksmith emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The proper tools will be needed.
- Bend the bobby pin so it is straight. Put the rough side of the hairpin into the keyhole on the deadbolt lock.
- Place the idea of the flathead screwdriver into the deadbolt's keyhole under the bobby pin.
- Relocate the bobby pin up, down, in, and out of the keyhole.


text:
Stargazer Lily
Scientific Name: Lilium orientalis
Family: Liliaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Cats
Non-Toxicity: Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Unknown
Clinical Signs: Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure and death is possible. Cats are only species known to be affected.
If you suspect your pet may have ingested a potentially toxic substance, call the APCC at (888) 426-4435 or contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible.*
* A consultation fee may apply.


text:
Fermilab is involved in most aspects of the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment. The CMS detector is designed to detect objects physicists identify as fundamental: electrons, muons, tau leptons, photons, quark jets and missing energy due to weakly interacting particles such as neutrinos. Massive particles, such as the theorized Higgs boson, will decay into these fundamental particles, and the CMS detector will measure their properties.
Fermilab functions as the host laboratory for U.S. efforts in the CMS experiment through its LHC Physics Center, Remote Operations Center and the largest CMS computing center outside of CERN. About 120 Fermilab scientists, postdocs, visiting students, engineers and technicians participate in the CMS collaboration.
Located on the ground floor of Fermilab's Wilson Hall high rise building, the Remote Operations Center allows physicists to work on the CMS experiment and interact with colleagues at CERN while living halfway around the world. Scientists use state-of-the-art telecommunications technology to video-conference with their fellow collaboration members in high definition and view data from the LHC in real time. CMS collaboration members can complete monitoring shifts of the experiment at the center.


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- Human stem cells that can differentiate into cells of more than one tissue type have strong implications for cosmetic uses and the beauty industry.
- There are major markets where regulations forbid the use of any human-derived materials, including human stem cells.
- Several raw material companies have come up with solutions to the challenges of incorporating human stem cells in their portfolios by exploiting plant stem cells.
- Challenges do not preclude advances in additional ingredients that interact or work with human stem cells and that could have an immediate impact on the beauty industry.
- Fostered responsibly, stem cell technology-based cosmeceuticals will grow to be a lasting, long-term trend.
Recent reports from Mintel, Datamonitor and others predict that demand for antiaging cosmeceuticals will continue to be buoyant, despite these recessionary times. The million dollar question on everyone's mind, regardless of whether they are approaching the segment from the marketing or R&D side of the equation, is: "What will be next big trend in cosmeceuticals?" To answer the question, one has to read and analyze the tea leaves—taking a very in-depth view of the key factors that both directly and indirectly have a profound impact on trends within the segment. These factors include: public awareness and perception often influenced by media outlets, R&D's work in new product development and technology-led innovation, and ingredient innovations sparked by new raw materials and raw material breakthroughs.
Public awareness and perception are the linchpins in the success of an emerging trend or product. If these factors are positive, then chances of a product's success are greatly enhanced. Media coverage plays a very vital part—bringing awareness but also coloring perception.
Trend analysis that includes market surveys, opinion polls, sales data and so on, in addition to simply indicating the latest trends, both informs and influences media coverage that impacts awareness and perception, and also often points the way to new opportunities for both marketing and R&D. This trickle-down effect allows the re-application of successful and innovative concepts from related markets—food and heath supplements, for example—to the other end of the application spectrum, such as skin care. This is also where the impact of ingredient and technology-led innovation on trends is clear. If an ingredient or technology has been successful in related fields, awareness and perception have already been addressed and new, transferred success is closer at hand. There is a wealth of data and previous endeavors that demonstrate that success in areas loosely related to beauty cascades down to the beauty industry, and cosmeceuticals specifically.
This is also true for "new" raw materials, or new and innovative applications of existing materials for use in beauty products, and these, too, can greatly influence creation or proliferation of a trend. The efficacy of raw materials already demonstrated in areas such as health and nutrition are both valuable in supporting and building a successful beauty trend, leveraging previous success and acceptance, and can help create new trends.
With all of these complex factors influencing the final marketing decision to invest in a launch of a new product, it takes very brave individuals to predict and bank on a trend and persuade their organizations to launch a product based on it. However, sometimes all the diverse factors outlined may converge in such a manner that the answers are glaringly obvious. This seems to clearly be the case with stem cells.
Stem Cell News
Ethical debate regarding the use of human stem cells has received a great deal of coverage in the last few years. In the U.S., the country's previous administration took a very orthodox stand against the use of human stem cells in medical research. This stance was reversed by the current administration. In the U.K., the government, after a serious evaluation of the issues, also reviewed and released new guidelines supporting medical research. And this trend for policy change on human stem cells also holds good for several other countries.
And as these changes take place, researchers and scientists are capturing headlines that are fostering the public's curiosity in the potential—much of which has cosmetic implications. In March 2009, the U.K.'s The Sunday Times featured the headline: "Stem Cells to Grow Bigger Breasts." The story outlined the clinical trials being carried out at Princess Grace hospital in London by a consultant breast surgeon. The paper also featured a front-page report on the Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology scientists' studies on the potential of pig pluripotent stem cells to modify the animal's immune-related genes and make its organs more compatible to the human immune system, thus creating an application for the use of these pigs as organ donors in humans.
Synergy in Research; Challenges for Beauty
An enormous amount of medical research on stem cells is being carried out, and new and potential applications and breakthroughs in the use of stem cells are being frequently reported—as illustrated by the noted The Sunday Times' reports. And companies globally are ramping up research and stem cell collection centers as governments' rethinking and growing public perception adds fuel for the momentum. In many cases, too, research is being conducted in collaboration across diverse but related fields. Mesenchymal stem cells, which can differentiate into cells of more than one tissue type, touch fields interested, for example, in soft tissue reconstruction (noted in The Sunday Times' headline), in wound healing and related fields of skin therapy—with strong implications for cosmetic uses and the beauty industry.
These gains in the research and acceptance of stem cells affords the beauty industry a great opportunity. Medical research, by its nature, is time-consuming and costly—and slow to market time is the norm. Beauty products, on the other hand, can reach market quickly—although the task is not as simple with human stem cells as with other technologies and ingredients the beauty industry has leveraged. There are some important and challenging regulatory issues to navigate before efforts to finished products with human stem cell can even be developed. In fact, strict regulations forbid the use of any human-derived materials, including human stem cells, in cosmetics in the European Union, the U.S. and, more recently, Korea. This means that the beauty industry has been, as a whole, sitting on the sidelines and watching the developments with a mix of interest and frustration.
The beauty industry, however, with its usual flair for creativity, has come up with various ways to participate in stem cell innovation despite the challenges—namely, plant stem cells.
Stem Cell Related Raw Materials
In the past two years, several raw material companies have come up with solutions to the challenges of incorporating human stem cells in their portfolios while sidestepping controversy by exploiting plant stem cells.
Fred Zuli and his team of collaborators at the very innovative Swiss company Mibelle Biochemistry have developed a concept that uses a natural raw material, PhytoCell Malus Domestica, derived from "uttwiler spatlauber"—Apple extract that stimulates epidermal stem cells. In vitro efficacy studies are impressive, demonstrating that 0.1% extract stimulated the proliferation of human stem cells by 80%. Studies on human volunteers using a cream with 2% extract show a reduction in wrinkle depth from 8–15%.
The Italian firm Institute for Biotechnological Research (IBR), too, has had success with plant stem cells, launching an antiaging ingredient based on edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) stem cells. IBR claims the extract has strong antioxidant properties, and that it also has strong anti-collanenase and hyalauronidase activity, which helps to limit degradation of important macromolecules in skin.
It is important to note, too, that the successes with plant stem cells and the challenges to cosmetic use of human stem cells face do not preclude advances in additional ingredients that interact or work with human stem cells and that could transfer to cosmetic uses and have an immediate impact on the beauty industry.
Romuald Vallee and Pierre-Yves Morvan of French-based CODIF International have developed a culture of human epidermal stem cells that they found has applications for their raw material Phytcojuvenine. In vitro results indicate that it stimulates and increases the number of human epidermal stem cells, and is able to restore the adult epidermal stem cells' ability to divide and migrate. Further, Regeron, a Korean company, introduced nature-identical human growth hormones (NL-hGH) derived by microbial fermentation. The company claims that NL-hGH strengthens stem cell character of the epidermal basal layer cells, i.e. awakens skin cells. The claims include antiwrinkle, anti-acne, skin-whitening and hair growth benefits when incorporated in suitable formulations.
Finished Cosmetics
In the past few years, a large number of cosmetics based on the stem cell concept have made it to market. The main claim is to simulate and protect the epidermal stem cells from oxidative and UV stress.
Skin care brand Amatokyn launched in 2007 with great publicity and hype for its raw materials developed in Russia, and ReVive launched Peau Magnifique—with a price tag of $1,500 and claims that its actives convert resting adult stem cells to the state of newly created cells to provide a firmer, more defined appearance.
Christian Dior was one of the first well-known prestige brands to embrace the concept of stem cells when it launched Capture R60\80 with the claim that it promotes the self-renewal capacity of skin and includes ingredients that protect the adult stem cells. And L'Oréal's Lancôme brand launched Absolute Precious Cells in September 2009, claiming that it "helps restore the potential of stem cells and bring back the skin of youth." (At the time that this feature was written, it was reported that the launch would be accompanied by interesting supporting research data.)
Apart from Lancôme, no other major multinational cosmetic companies have, so far, launched products with stem cell claims—though there are, in addition to those mentioned above, a host of smaller brands offering products with benefit claims based on stem cells.
The relative lack of activity from the major brands does not mean, however, that they are not interested in the concept and the marketing benefits of launching such a product, but they are keeping their powder dry for the right moment. It is much more likely that their decisions will depend on when the critical mass is reached in terms of an R&D breakthrough, the regulatory climate and marketing timing.
And this caution, particularly in the case of stem cells, is well-founded. At the present time, the public has a very mixed perception of benefits and risks of stem cells. On the whole, it is very positive, and there is a growing segment of the public that clearly believes in the potential of stem cells toward providing serious therapeutic benefits. And even as ethical and safety concerns are expressed, there are very few who question the extraordinary potential of stem cell applications.
The key for commercial acceptance: responsible introduction of stem cell protection or proliferation technology by the beauty industry in tandem with unstoppable advances by medical science in this field. Exaggerated beauty benefit claims or over-promise for short-term gains will be counter productive and only help inflame any negative public opinion—so care needs to be taken as more widespread stem cell technologies, ingredients and products move closer to being brought to market.
Finally, one thing is certain in the mid- to long-term introduction of stem cell technology: Launches and advances will continue to generate great publicity. This will help to attract even greater public interest and funds to benefit medical and cosmeceutical research, and stem cell technology-based cosmeceuticals will grow to be a lasting, long-term trend.
Aran Puri, Phd is the president of Cosmeceutical Solutions, a global consultancy specializing in cosmeceuticals. Puri has 35 years of beauty industry experience in senior level R&D positions. He is a renowned for his pioneering work with naturals, peptides and in anhydrous cosmeceuticals. [email protected]


text:
Inside the Book:
Title: Amelia's Prayer
Author: Christiane Banks
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Religious Fiction
Format: Ebook/Hardcover/Paperback
Amelia's Prayer is available for order at
Meet the Author:
Christiane Banks lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband. Amelia's Prayer, which took six years to write, is her debut novel.Giveaway
Christiane is giving away a $25 Gift Card!
Terms & Conditions:
- By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
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- This giveaway begins March 14 and ends on March 25.
- Winners will be contacted via email on March 26.
- Winner has 48 hours to reply.


text:
16 S.Ct. 879
40 L.Ed. 1062
GIRARD LIFE INSURANCE, ANNUITY & TRUST CO. et al.
COOPER et al.
No. 164.
April 20, 1896.
This was a petition by the firm of W. H. Cooper & Son, originally filed in the United States court for the Indian Territory, against Edwin D. Chadick and Francis I. Gowen, receivers of the Choctaw Coal & Railway Company, a corporation created under the laws of the state of Minnesota, with a right, among other things, to build and operate railways, and to own and develop coal mines, and which had been authorized, by acts of congress approved February 18, 1888, and February 13, 1889, to construct a railway within the Indian Territory.
The company having become embarrassed, Chadick and Gowen were, on January 8, 1891, appointed co-receivers, and continued to act as such until August 28, 1891, when an order was made giving said Chadick a leave of absence for one year, and in the meantime vesting all the power of both receivers in Gowen for the period named. In connection with the building and operation of its railway, and the development of its ining industries, the company in May, 1890, undertook the erection at South McAlester, in the Indian Territory, of a building to be used as an hotel and offices for the company; and on May 23, 1890, Chadick entered into a contract with Cooper & Son for the furnishing of the greater part of the work and material needed in the erection of the building, which was called the 'Kali-Inla Hotel.' This contract was signed by W. H. Cooper & Son, and by H. W. Cox, architect, for E. D. Chadick.
It seems that Chadick, at the instance of the board of directors, had gone before the judiciary committee in congress, and said that, if congress would locate a United States court at South McAlester, the company would provide accommodations for the court and its officers, free of cost to the United States, and that congress, accepting the proposition thus made, designated South McAlester as one of the points for holding court in the territory.
At the beginning of the receivership (January 8th) Cooper & Son were settled with in full, and all work was to be stopped, except such as was necessary to protect the building, which work was to be carried on under the order of the court. Shortly thereafter, a petition was presented to the court for permission to enter into a contract for the roofing of the building, to protect it from the weather, and an order to that effect was obtained from the court before the work was begun. This appears to have been the only order obtained for any further work upon the building; but, after this job had been finished, Cooper & Son continued their work without further authority from the court.
In June, 1891, Mr. Gowen, learning that Cooper & Son had continued working upon the building, wrote Mr. Cooper the following letter, addressed to Cooper & Son, and signed by both receivers:
'South McAlester, Ind. Ter., June 3, 1891.
'Messrs. W. H. Copper & Son, South McAlester, I. T. Gentlemen: Under direction of the court we notify you to stop all work on the Kali-Inla Hotel from this date, and make out your bill for the work done up to and including to-day.
'We will then furnish you with designs and directions as to the work to be done, and you will name a gross sum for the performance of the same, which we will submit to the court for their approval or disapproval.
'Fdwin D. Chadick,
'Francis I. Gowen,
'Receivers Choctaw Coal & Railway Co.'
Upon receipt of this letter Cooper & Son ceased work upon the building, and made out a bill or statement of the sum then due them, which was approved by the auditor of the receivers.
On or about June 7th, H. W. Cox, who acted for the receivers as supervising architect, furnished Cooper & Son with details and specifications of the work required to be done to fit the building for occupancy by the court and officers of the company, which Cooper & Son agreed to do, by letter written to Mr. Chadick June 24, 1891, for the sum of $10,250, allowing the company $2,500 for the value of material on hand. Their proposition was not formally accepted by the receivers, and no order of court was obtained authorizing it; but, on July 7, 1891, a contract was prepared by Cox, to which were attached certain plans and specifications. The contract was not signed by any one, but the plans and specifications were signed by W. H. Cooper & Son, and by 'H. W. Cox, Supervising Architect,' and the contractors proceeded with the work therein called for, with the knowledge and approval of Chadick, the receiver who then had immediate charge of the work being done on the railway line.
At the hearing, the master, who was also derk of the court, stated that the plans and specifications were submitted to him, and to the judge of the court, to see if the court apartments suited them, and whether they had any suggestions as to the arrangement of the rooms, but no order was made by the court as to the price to be paid for the work, or as to the manner of payment, and that neither he nor the court knew anything as to what the price of the work was. The contract of uly 7th was not signed, accepted, or approved by either receiver, and was not submitted to Mr. Gowen until the 29th day of August, 1891, which was the first knowledge he had that any such contract was in existence. Cooper then presented his contract to Mr. Gowen, as a prerequisite to his permitting the marshal to take possession of the rooms which had been fitted up for the clerk and marshal's offices. At this time Cooper did not ask for any pay, and was not promised any payment, and all that he insisted upon was that his contract should be signed. Mr. Gowen refused to sign the contract, because the work had not been authorized by the court, and because he was not satisfied that the price named in the contract was proper and reasonable, but promised Mr. Cooper that he would undertake to ascertain whether the price named was a proper one; and to this end he secured the services of an architect, and had him make a thorough examination of the building, with a view of determining the value of the work done and materials furnished.
Cooper & Son made out their bills for the amount claimed to be due them for work done since June 3d, which was certified as correct by the architect having supervision of the work done in remodeling the building. For the purpose of securing payment of the sums claimed to be due them, the contractors filed a petition in the foreclosure proceedings, setting forth the facts, and praying for an order upon the receivers, directing them to make payment of the sums claimed to be due, and further praying that a lien in their favor be put upon the building, and for other relief. To this petition Gowen, as receiver, and the Girard Life Insurance, Annuity & Trust Company, as trustee, filed answers, and thereupon the court, on October 13, 1891, entered an order, which was drawn and consented to by the receiver and the trustee of the bondholders, 'that the claim of W. H. Cooper & Son be referred to the master to take testimony thereon, and to ascertain the amount justly and equitably due, as the true value of the work done and the materials furnished by them upon and for the Kali-Inla Hotel building at South McAlester, and that receiver's certificates, bearing 7 per cent. interest, be issued and delivered to them for one-third of the amount so found to be due, and to sen and deliver, in settlement thereof, lumber, at the market price thereof, for one-third of said amount, and the balance in cash, to be borrowed on certificates, as hereinafter authorized.'
Upon a hearing by the master in pursuance of this order, he made a report, finding a balance due Cooper & Son of $14,919.37, and also made certain findings of fact and law, printed in the margin,1 to which report appellants filed exceptions. Cooper & Son thereupon moved the court to strike out these exceptions, upon the ground that the report of the special master was conclusive upon the facts involved, and binding upon the receiver, and also because the Girard Life Insurance, Annuity & Trust Company was not a party to the proceeding, and had no interest therein.
Upon the hearing of this motion to strike the exceptions from the files, the court held that the order of October 13, 1891, was conclusive as to the validity of the claim of Cooper & Son; and the court, having referred the claim to a special master with instructions to find the amount due, and having further ordered that the receiver should pay the amount so found to be due, granted the motion, and entered a final decree in favor of Cooper & Son, against the receivers, in the sum of $14,749.45, costs, and interest.
A rehearing having been demanded by the receivers, and also by the Girard Life Insurance, Annuity & Trust Company, and denied, they appealed to the circuit court of appeals for the Eighth circuit, by which court the case was heard, and the decree of the court below affirmed, with costs, in so far as it awarded judgment for the sum therein named, and the case was remanded with directions 'to enter an order directing the mode and time of payment, such § the court may be advised is required by the equities of the case, in conformity with the opinion of this court.' 4 U. S. App. 631, 2 C. C. A. 245, 51 Fed. 332.
Whereupon the life insurance company and the acting receiver appealed to this court.
Samuel Dickson, for appellants.
[Argument of Counsel from pages 535-537 intentionally omitted]
A. J. Moseley, for appellees.
Mr. Justice BROWN, after stating the facts in the foregoing language, delivered the opinion of the court.
There can be no doubt of the coorrectness of the master's finding with regard to the work done by Cooper & Son prior to June 3, 1891. This work was done under a contract, made May 23, 1890, between Cooper & Son and Chadick, who was at the time general manager of the Choctaw Coal & Railway Company, and who, by authority of the board of directors, had arrange with the judiciary committees of congress for the location of the United States court at South McAlester, upon condition that the company would provide the officers of the court, free of all cost, with suitable quarters. While the contract was not signed by Chadick, but by Cox, the architect, it was so signed under special authority from Chadick, and it provided that the work was to be done to the satisfaction and under the supervision of the architect. Bills were rendered for this work, which were certified by the chief engineer and assistant manager of the company. Mr. Chadick testified that the appellees' claim for this work is just and correct, and in a letter of June 19th, he says that he is unable to settle the amount due, but expects to be able to do so early in July. It is true that the company, in December, 1890, was put into the hands of receivers; but, with full knowledge of all that was being done, they allowed the work to continue without interruption until June 3, 1891, and were justly held to be liable for what had been done up to that time, according to the terms of the contract. A settlement appears to have been had on January 8th, and some of the subsequent work was done without a prior order of the court, but no objection was ever made to it by the receivers, upon that ground, prior to June 3d, when the work was stopped.
The principal matter in dispute relates to the proper interpretation of the order of October 13, 1891, referring the claim of Cooper & Son to the master, 'to ascertain the amount justly and equitably due as the true value of the work done and materials furnished,' and to the refusal of the master, under the terms of this order, to permit the appellants to prove the cost and value of the building, without reference to any contract. In this connection, the master found that the contract under which the work was done was executed by agents of the receivers, having authority so to do, and under special direction and approval of the receivers themselves, and of the court; that the work was performed and materials furnished in reliance upon this contract; that the receivers knew of this, and with such knowledge approved of this work, received the benefit of it, and took possession of the hotel; and also that the work was done in strict accordance with the plans and specifications. While the findings of the master in this particular are not absolutely binding upon the court, there is a presumption in their favor, and they will not be set aside or modified in the absence of some clear error or mistake. Camden v. Stuart, 144 U. S. 104, 118, 12 Sup. Ct. 585.
On June 3d the receivers ordered the work to be stopped, and a bill to be rendered for what had been done up to that time, saying that the receivers would 'then furnish you with designs and directions as to the work to be done, and you will name a gross sum for the performance of the same, which we will submit to the court for their approval or disapproval.' The matter rested here until June 23d, when, as the result of a conference between Mr. Cox, the architect, and Maj. Nelson, the master in chancery, the receiver addressed the following letter to Cooper & Son:
'Gentlemen: We have been advised by Maj. William Nelson, master, of the following order of the United States court: 'You are hereby directed to finish up court room, all the offices on lower floor of hotel building, and also such rooms on the second floor as may be necessary, in accordance with estimates to be hereafter furnished."
In the meantime, and in consequence of the same conference, Chadick instructed the architect, Mr. Cox, to make the plans and specifications of what was required for the accommodation of the court, and send them up to Muscogee for the inspection of Maj. Nelson, the master. He sent them there on June 6th. The master appears to have submitted them to the judge and marshal, who approved of them, and directed the work to be done, though no order of court was entered to that effect, and no question of price was considered; this matter being left to the receivers. Upon the return of these plans and specifications to Mr. Cox, the architect, he drew up a contract in compliance with them, sent one copy to Mr. Cooper, with specifications annexed, and another copy to Mr. Chadick's office. Cooper & Son, who appear to have already seen the plans and specifications, addressed Mr. Chadick a letter, under date of June 24th, agreeing to do the work for $10,250. Chadick testified that his recollection was that the receivers accepted the proposition, though he never seems to have formally answered the letter. But, however this may be, a contract was drawn up, bearing date July 7th, and signed by Cooper & Son, and by Cox as supervising architect, not at the foot of the contract itself, but at the end of the specifications, which followed the contract. Mr. Cox testified that Chadick ordered the work to go ahead, and, knowing the amount, he inserted it in the contract; that Mr. Chadick came to the building after this, told him what the court wanted and approved of, and ordered him to go ahead with it. In the same connection, Chadick testified that the contract was drawn up by Cox and submitted to him; that he approved it, not formally, because Mr. Gowen was not there, but looked it over, and thought it was just and right. Mr. Cox was the supervising architect, appointed first by the manager, and continued by the receivers, and all the contracts for buildings and specifications for buildings before this had been drawn by him. This was in the ordinary line of his business and duty. 'I knew that Mr. Cooper was working upon this building in reliance on this contract, and in accordance with its terms. I supposed these specifications would govern the settlement of it. Mr. Gowen knew of this contract at the time. He was present when it was given to me in the early part of July.' Mr. Cooper also testified that he made his bid in compliance with directions from Mr. Chadick; that he (Chadick) accepted it, and told him to go to work, which he did, and completed the work according to the contract, plans, and specifications furnished him by Mr. Cox. It further appears that, after the contract was completed, a bill was made out showing an amount due of $11,092.74, and that Mr. Cox certified to the correctness of the account.
In this connection Mr. Gowen, the principal witness for the appellants, states that, shortly after his appointment, permission was asked of the court to enter into a contract for the roofing of the building, and an order procured to that effect, and that he concurred in the making of a contract for this work; that he gave the matter no further consideration until March, when his attention was called to the fact that the inside work was still going on; that he then called Mr. Chadick's attention to the matter, who said that nothing was being done beyond making the building weather tight, and undertook to have authority procured to do the necessary work in closing the building. Subsequently, upon Chadick's representations that their offices were so cramped as to greatly interfere with the efficient transaction of business, he agreed to t e fitting up of quarters in the hotel building, and, after consulting as to the amount of room required, Chadick undertook to secure the necessary order of the court.
Upon the occasion of his next visit, which was in the latter part of May, he learned that the work was still progressing, and had an altercation with Mr. Chadick upon the subject, in which he reminded him that he had undertaken to have the work entirely stopped, to which Mr. Chadick stated that he thought he would be able to make an advantageous use of the building upon its completion, and that he had assumed the responsibility for the continuance of the work, although against Mr. Gowen's wish. The result of this conversation was the stoppage order of June 3d, which was designed to prevent Cooper entering into any further arrangement without his concurrence, and the prior approval of the court. He further stated that he never saw or heard of the letter of June 24th of Cooper & Son, proposing to do the work for $10,250, although he knew and saw that work upon the court rooms and offices was going on, and was informed by Mr. Chadick that this was being done by direction of the court; and that he believed that Cooper was going on with the work without furnishing an estimate or making any contract, as had been the case heretofore, and felt certain that Mr. Cooper would not be allowed any excessive sum; that the first intimation he had of the existence of the contract was on August 29th, when he was asked to sign such contract as a prerequisite to Mr. Cooper allowing the marshal to take possession of the rooms fitted up for the court and its officers. He declined to sign the contract,—never promised to pay Mr. Cooper the amount claimed, because he was not satisfied that the price named therein was a proper one, and that he subsequently obtained an appraisement by builders of his own employment, who reported that the charges were grossly excessive. He further stated that he never gave Mr. Cox authority to bind the receivers by estimates or contracts such as this.
It seems that, near the end of August, when Mr. Cooper had this conversation with Mr. Gowen, he was told there was going to be a change in the administration; that Gowen was going to take charge as managing receiver; that he was reluctant to turn over the building until he had some assurances of his money, and so notified the receivers; but, as he says, upon the assurance of Mr. Gowen that it would be only a matter of a few days when he would have his money, he allowed them to take possession of the building. The statement in this particular is confirmed by McLoud, the attorney of the insurance company, who advised Mr. Cooper that he would lose no right by giving up possession of the building.
On October 8th, this petition was filed, alleging that the work subsequent to June 3d was done by virtue of direct authority from Messrs. Chadick and Gowen and Maj. Nelson, the master in chancery, and in compliance with the specifications signed by Cooper & Son and Cox. The answer of Gowen denied the contract of July 7th, though it admitted an arrangement made with Mr. Chadick, with the approval of the judge and special master, to make certain alterations and additions to the hotel building, to fit it up for a court room and the rooms necessary for the officers of the court.
In this state of the case, and on October 13th, Mr. Gowen, as receiver, and the life insurance company, by its attorney, appeared before the court and submitted to it the so-called Ardmore order, which was entered by the court with the consent of all the parties. This order, upon its face, is undoubtedly susceptible of the interpretation put upon it by the appellants, and authorized the master to receive testimony as to the actual value of the work done and materials furnished, irrespective of any contract between the parties; and yet, in view of the antecedent facts, it does not seem probable that the court thereby intended to rule out all evidence of the contract. The petition of Coo er & Son relied upon their arrangement with Chadick as a contract. The answer denied the contract, and under these allegations it can scarcely have been intended by Cooper & Son to waive entirely the benefit of such contract, if it existed. In fact, it would appear that, prior to this order, it had been determined by the court that such contract was made, since in the final decree, which was entered on January 19, 1892, it is said 'that, in the order there made, October 13, 1891, the court, upon the evidence then adduced, recognized and declared the validity of the claim of W. H. Cooper & Son,' and that it was not the intention of the court to confine Cooper & Son to a quantum meruit is patent from the further clause of such decree; 'that, it being stated, by receivers, that they were entitled to certain credits upon said account, the court referred the said claim to the special master, with instructions to ascertain the amount due upon said claim, the validity of which had been adjudged by the court.'
If such contract existed, was within the competency of the parties, and was proven to the satisfaction of the court, it superseded the necessity of introducing testimony as to the actual value of the work done.
We think the testimony fully justified the master in his finding that a contract had been made with Mr. Chadick for the work. The stoppage order of June 3d indicated an intention on the part of the receivers to furnish Cooper & Son with further designs and directions as to the work to be done, for which work they anticipated a bid, and agreed to submit the same to the court for its approval or disapproval. Within a few days thereafter, plans and specifications, furnished by the architect of the receivers, with a notice that the court had ordered the court room, all the offices on the lower floor of the hotel building, and also such rooms on the second floor as might be needed, to be finished up, were sent to Cooper & Son; and, after an examination of the plans and specifications, they made a bid for a certain amount, which Chadick, acting for the receivers, accepted verbally. Cooper & Son thereupon signed the plans and specifications, with the architect, and proceeded to do the work in reliance upon the contract. Whether the contract was actually signed by the receivers was quite immaterial, so long as the terms of the contract were agreed upon and understood between the parties, and, as observed by the court below, 'when Cooper & Son were directed to proceed with the work called for by the plans, the contract between the parties was closed, and the preparation and signing of a formal writing would only have called into existence additional evidence of the fact.' It is said, however, that the contract, being for the construction of a large building, not necessary to the company in the conduct of its regular business, and upon land which did not belong to the company, and was not covered by the lien of the mortgage, was such a one as required a prior order of the court, and that no such order was given in this case. Assuming this to be so, the objection is a purely technical one. It appears that the plans and specifications were laid before the judge and other officers of the court, were approved by them, and the work directed to be done, though no order of the court was formally entered. Subsequently, the court, with full knowledge of the facts, and 'upon evidence then adduced,' declared the validity of the claim, and referred it to the master to ascertain the amount due. We think this is a sufficient ratification of the act of Mr. Chadick in directing the work to be done; and, so far as the price is concerned, his action, or that of his authorized agent, Cox, is binding, in the absence of fraud or mistake. It certainly would have been more satisfactory if the court had been fully informed of the terms of the contract, and especially of the price to be paid, and had given the receiver the requisite authority before he entered into it; but it was a question for the court whether it should not leave the price to be determined by the discretion of the receiver.
In the very case of Vanderbilt v. Railroad Co., 43 N. J. Eq. 669, 12 Atl. 188, so strongly relied upon by appellants, it was remarked, in the opinion of the court (page 684, 43 N. J. Eq., page 188, 12 Atl.):
'It must have been contemplated that, in the performance of those multifarious duties, some degree of discretion might be accorded to the receiver. Whether the power to exercise such discretion would not be assumed to exist in every case without a special order need not be considered, for it is clear that the chancellor may accord such discretionary power to a receiver by a general order, such as was made in this cause. * * *
'If the contract has been completely performed, and its performance accepted by the receiver, and the claim is merely for compensation, relief of that nature would seem necessarily to be awarded, unless the applicant should appear to have dealt fraudulently or collusively with the receiver to the detriment of the trust. Even if, in the judgment of the chancellor, the contract was improvident and unreasonable, unless the contractor should appear to have contracted with notice of the improper character of the contract, no just reason could be given for debarring him from the agreed-on compensation, which the receiver might, for his negligence or misconduct, be required to repay to the fund.'
The work done having thus received the sanction and approval of the court, it can make no difference, so far as the legal aspect of the case is concerned, whether the contract was executed by one or both of the receivers. Indeed, in view of the fact that two or more receivers of a railway are frequently appointed, who sometimes reside at considerable distances from each other, we are unwilling to say that a contract may not lawfully be made by one of such receivers, which shall be binding upon the estate. The necessities of the case may sometimes require that contracts of a local character shall be made, where it is inconvenient, or perhaps impossible, to obtain the consent of the other receiver. So, if, by arrangement between themselves, one is constituted managing receiver, his authority may have a broader scope, and may approximate to that of a sole receiver. Mr. Chadick may have made an injudicious bargain in agreeing to pay $10,250 for the job, but so long as no bad faith is imputed to him, and no fraud or mistake is charged, it is difficult to see how the company can escape payment. The contract having been fully performed, evidence of the actual value of the work and materials was irrelevant, and in this view of the case the master did not err in ruling it out, and holding the receivers to the contract. 'The true value of the work done and materials furnished' may be, with entire appropriateness, said to be the value which the parties have deliberately and knowingly put upon them, and 'the amount justly and equitably due' the contractor under such circumstances is the amount which the receiver has promised to pay him. In addition to this, there was extra work performed by Cooper & Son, the amount of which was to be determined upon the principles of quantum meruit, as to which work this language was especially applicable.
The fact that the court did not direct the computation to be made irrespective of the contract, and that it subsequently recognized the validity of the claim, and directed it to be paid, is inconsistent with the idea that it did not intend that the contract should be respected. If Mr. Gowen, who appears to represent more particularly the interests of the bondholders, and knew the work was being done, had desired to know the terms upon which Cooper & Son were doing the work, he might easily have informed himself, as he had done before, and called the attention of the court to the matter, when, it may be assumed, the court would have protected his rights. His testimony that he did no suppose the work was being done under contract is somewhat inconsistent with his stoppage order of June 3d, which plainly contemplated a contract for future work.
There was no error in the court ordering the bill of Cooper & Son to be paid as a preferred claim. The work had been commenced before the receivership, and was done in good faith, for the benefit of the company and the receivers. The building must either have been finished, or the work already done become a total loss to the company. It appears to have been constructed for the accommodation of the officers of the road, and in other respects in furtherance of the interests of the road, and is an asset in the hands of the receivers, which may be sold, and the money realized therefrom applied to the payment of the claim. The fact that it is not covered by the mortgage reders it the more equitable that the proceeds of this sale shall be applied to the payment of the cost of its construction.
The decree of the court below is therefore affirmed.
Findings of Fact.
(1) I find that the vouchers above mentioned are valid, and were issued in good faith by agents of the receivers, having authority so to do; and that W. H. Cooper & Son were given credit, upon the books of said company, for the amounts so vouchered, and were charged with such vouchers; and that said amounts constituted and became a debt from the receivers to W. H. Cooper & Son, due and payable upon date of issuance.
(2) I find that the contract under and by virtue of which all work was done and materials furnished upon Kali-Inla Hotel from and after June 3, 1891, and the specifications, plans, and drawings furnished therewith were executed, furnished, and delivered by agents of the receivers, having authority so to do, and under the special direction and approval of the receivers themselves, and this honorable court.
(3) That the work performed and material furnished were so furnished and performed by W. H. Cooper & Son under and by virtue of, and in reliance upon, the contract aforesaid, and that the receivers knew that said W. H. Cooper & Son were so performing work and furnishing materials under and by virtue of said contract, and in full reliance thereon; and with such knowledge approved of the work of said Cooper & Son, and managed and directed said Cooper & Son in the progress of said work, adn have now received the benefit of said work, and are in the possession of said hotel.
(4) I find that said W. H. Cooper & Son did all of the work done under the contract of July 7, 1891, in strict accordance with the details, plans, and specifications furnished them with said contract by said receivers, and are entitled to the contract price.
(5) Further, that the extra work charged for was done under and by virtue of a provision in said contract, and at the suggestion of the supervising architect, furnished by the receivers, and with his aproval; and that the prices charged for such extra work and materials furnished are reasonable and true.
Findings of Law.
(1) I find, as a matter of law, that the vouchers hereinbefore mentioned are in the nature of accounts stated, and, having been acquiesced in by both parties, cannot now be impeached by either party, except through allegation and proof of fraud or mistake.
(2) I find, as a matter of law, that the receivers having had full knowledge of the fact that W. H. Cooper & Son were doing work and furnishing materials on Kali-Inla Hotel, in reliance upon contract of July 7, 1891, and that the receivers having encouraged and countenanced their work thereunder, and furnished them with a supervising architect to superintend the same, and that the receivers having received and gone into possession thereof, are now estopped from denying their obligations to said Gooper & Son under said contract, and that their only defense to that part of the claim of said Cooper & Son is in showing that the work performed by said Cooper & Son, and materials furnished by them, were not in accordance with the details, plans, and specifications attached t said contract.
William Nelson, Special Master.


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Starting in 2020, Nevada employers cannot refuse to hire a job applicant for failing a marijuana screening test, making it the first state to pass such a law.
"It is unlawful for any employer in this State to fail or refuse to hire a prospective employee because the prospective employee submitted to a screening test and the results of the screening test indicate the presence of marijuana," states the law, signed by Gov. Steve Sisolak on June 5.
There are some exceptions. The law does not apply to firefighters, EMTs, employees who operate a motor vehicle, or those who, in the determination of the employer, could adversely affect others' safety.
If an employer requires a new hire to take a screening test, then the new employee has the right to submit to an additional screening test to rebut the results, the law states. The employer must accept that follow-up test, the law says.
The law takes effect at the start of 2020.
Nevada is the first state to approve such a law regarding drug screening tests. In 2016, voters in the state approved the legal sale of recreational marijuana to adults 21 and older, and recreational marijuana sales began a year later.
The New York City Council passed a similar bill in April that banned employers from requiring a prospective employee to pass a marijuana screening test as a condition of employment. In Maine, which legalized recreational marijuana, employers are not allowed to discriminate based on marijuana usage, but there are no laws about drug testing.


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Crystals for Curing Self-Pity
Crystals For Curing Self-Pity
We often hear phrases such as "what a pity" or "such a pity", but what is the true definition of pity? The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.†We have all definitely felt sorrow or empathy for others in their times of need. What happens though, when that pity turns inward? If we look at the extended definition it tells us self-pity is the, "state of mind of an individual in an adverse situation who has not accepted the situation and does not have the confidence nor competence to cope with it.†So that empathy, sorrow, and compassion you feel for others can manifest in quite awful ways within ourselves. This is why it is so very important to find a way out of the deep ditches of self-pity. In order to be able to get up and move on, you must first lift up your head and open your eyes. There is a way back up where you deserve to be. If you are suffering from debilitating self-pity, we suggest trying healing crystals to strength your head and your heart.
Scarlet combines the energy of the pure red ray and the exuberance and joy of the orange in a precious gift of nature. Scarlet is the color of strength and vitality, both physical and spiritual. Use Scarlet crystals when you need protection from physical harm. Travelers, watchmen, and all who have occasion to fear personal harm from attack or misfortune are well advised to use a scarlet crystal to focus their efforts at self-protection. It usually should be used with a dark green talisman for safety from accidents.
Use Scarlet Crystals
Scarlet Crystals Bring You Strength, Vitality, Willpower and Dedication
Scarlet colored crystals are excellent for increasing willpower and dedication to a difficult mental effort. In darker shades scarlet crystals are the key to the physical pleasures of maturity—in love, in life, and in relationships. Muted with the shades of black, brown, blue, or violet, deep scarlet crystals give us the natural sources of energy to enjoy life's pleasures that extend past the joyfulness of youth. Enjoying life in maturity requires vitality. Dark scarlet crystals will bring you assertiveness, a sense of invincibility, energy, vitality, rid you of apathy and laziness, and cure you of self-pity. Scarlet is darker shades can be very powerful.
Red Spinel, with its fiery scarlet red color is a crystal of physical energy, vitality, and protection. This is a stone of Fire Energy — the energy of heat, action, emotion and passion — of ideas, of concepts, and sex. It is alive, potent, and if not used carefully, destructive. We all need the heat, passion, and life giving energy of the fire element. You have that Fire Energy in this Spinel. It's exactly that white hot energy, passion, and vitality that will bring you out of the darkness and help you find the strength and courage to move on from what is bringing you down. Meditating with this stone is sure to help rid yourself of negative energies within you, however we also recommend wearing or carrying it on your person to keep your strength up.
Ruby is to be carried or worn to provide a focus for Universal Life Force to enter your spirit and to also overcome exhaustion and lethargy. It stimulates circulation and amplifies energy and vitality to the whole system. Ruby also sustains and protects those with sensitive natures and distorted views of themselves or others. It overcomes fears of being "ugly†or unloved, and is particularly empowering for those who hold excess weight in the body in order to ground in the physical world. It releases destructive emotional holds, and is a powerful stone for developing a more loving attitude toward oneself and the physical body. Ruby allows the sharing of loving energy despite past hurts, bringing up anger or negative energy for transmutation. It gives the strength to rise from martyrdom and choose whether or not to dwell in anguish, distress, or suffering, and encourages a positive and more courageous state of mind. This may be one of the most powerful crystals you can use to cure yourself of self-pity.
Red Spinel
This Spinel with its Scarlet Color Ray of Influence is associated with the First Chakra, the Base Chakra which is located at the base of the spine and radiating through the legs and feet. This is the grounding Chakra and deals with the health of the physical body.
Ruby carries the frequency of the enlightened Base Chakra, stimulating the flow of life-force energy or chi through the body. It strengthens the ability to meet one's needs and manifest one's desires, and is powerful in activating the kundalini.
What Authors Say About Crystals
Michael Gienger recommends Epidote which can be used to help someone injured by either physical or mental trauma.
Epidote lifts the emotions and dissolves sadness, sorrow, self-pity, and grief.
Pity in itself is never a positive emotion to begin with. Even if it is well placed it makes you feel bad and can bring you negative energy and emotion. When that pity is internalized and becomes self-pity though, it becomes even hard. Self-pity is like a ditch that you unintentionally keep digging deeper and it can be difficult to crawl out of. However, you can use the strength, willpower, and vitality that scarlet colored crystals bring you to cure your self-pity and help you begin to see the other side of the ditch. We recommend using dark scarlet colored crystals such as Red Spinel and Ruby. You can also try crystals other authors have suggested such as Epidote.


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Fiancee broke her shoe I bought her. Gucci told me tough luck. Cobbler told me it's unfixable. Before I throw these way too expensive shoes in the trash, I figured I'd give it one shot to attempt a repair. The metal post is still intact that runs down the center of the heel.
I'm considering drilling very small holes into the white part shown in the photo to increase the strength of the bonding agent. Any suggestions on what to use?