Clagget & Sykes Law Firm - May 2022

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AMYSTERY GIFT With all of the craziness going on in the world today, I thought some of you might enjoy this feel-good story I read about last month. To a Librarian

According to a BBC article, two notebooks written by Charles Darwin, which mysteriously disappeared over 22 years ago, were returned to Cambridge University around Easter of this year. Someone left the notebooks on the floor of the library in a bright pink gift bag, tightly wrapped in cellophane, with a note that said, “Librarian, Happy Easter, X.” The small leatherbound notebooks, written in Darwin’s own handwriting, are worth millions of dollars. According to the BBC, these manuscripts were last seen in November 2000 after “an internal request” was issued to remove them from the library to be photographed. During a routine check two months later, the library discovered that the notebooks had never been returned and were likely stolen. The library contacted police and informed Interpol, but the whereabouts of the notebooks remained unknown. Darwin’s notebooks date back to the 1830s, after his famous visit to the Galapagos Islands. On one particularly important page, Darwin drew a branching tree that helped inform his theory of evolution. According to Jim Secord, professor of history and philosophy of science at Cambridge, “The theory of natural selection and evolution is probably the single most important theory in the life and earth environmental sciences, and these are the notebooks in which that theory was put together. They’re some of

the most remarkable documents in the whole history of science.”

The notebooks are now closely watched by the library and are kept in a secure strongroom, although they will go on public display in July as part of an exhibition about Darwin. Although the notebooks have been returned, many questions remain. Who took the notebooks? And who returned them?

Security cameras may eventually provide some clues. Although there was no surveillance footage in the area

where the notebooks had been left, there are cameras outside the building that may provide some clues as to who returned these valuable items.

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above the water line. Since much of it remains underwater, it has become a boat-friendly, freshwater dive site in Boulder Basin. No. 3: Navy Boat A Navy PBY Catalina flying boat also lives under the waters of Lake Mead. On Oct. 24, 1949, the pilot attempted a water landing in the Boulder Basin area of Lake Mead. But when the landing gear hit the water, the plane flipped over and burst into flames, slowly sinking to the bottom of the lake. Unfortunately, only one of the five passengers on board escaped the crash; they sustained cuts, bruises, and a broken leg. No. 5: The St. Thomas Townsite St. Thomas is one of the few historical sites that anyone willing to do a short hike can visit. This former Mormon frontier town is on what used to be the underwater area of the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. However, with water levels dropping for years, it has reemerged. THIS JUNE Today, this site is possibly lost to time and nature, as it remains around 340 feet under the water.

EXPL RING LAS VEGAS With the recent discovery of a body in a barrel at Lake Mead’s shrinking shoreline, I wondered, what else could be in the waters of Lake Mead. The answer is, lots of things! Here are some of the most interesting: No. 1: B-29 The B-29 Superfortress was on a test flight near Lake Mead when something went wrong, causing the airmen to crash into the lake. The five-member crew survived, but the plane sank. The plane’s location was only just discovered in 2003 — 55 years after it crashed. Now that the water has receded, light has reached the submerged plane for the first time.

No. 4: Fort Callville The Mormon settlement known as Callville was about 15 miles from where Hoover Dam is today. Callville became a landing port for Colorado River steamboats during the Civil War until it was deemed too far up the river for them to travel.

No. 2: 1930s Cement Aggregate Plant The cement aggregate plant supplied all of the sand and gravel used to construct Hoover Dam in the early 1930s. Because of the receding water, some of it is visible

We’ve all heard the saying, “The book is way better than the movie or TV show.” Movies and TV shows provide you with a great visual representation of the characters and storyline. The films are equally as good as their respective books in their own right. Here are a few films inspired by books that you should check out. ‘The Shining’ 3-Part Miniseries This is one of Stephen King’s most famous novels. There is even a TIME TO BE A MOVIE CRITIC! 3 Motion Pictures Inspired by Books

‘The Ultimate Evil: The Search for the Sons of Sam’ There are a lot of conspiracy theories about the Son of Sam and his crimes. Some have argued that David Berkowitz didn’t commit these crimes alone — and they have evidence to prove it. Follow along with journalist Maury Terry as he makes his way down the rabbit holes of this case. There is more to this crime than what appeared in the media, such as cult practices and ties to other cases like Charles Manson and his family. ‘Looking for Alaska’ John Green has captured the hearts of millions of readers across the world, and now there is a movie inspired by his first novel, “Looking for Alaska.” This coming-of-age story follows a teenage boy as he searches for the meaning of life. Then, a sudden tragedy strikes, and the boy and his friends must come to terms with the event. The movie shows the emotion, grief, and love the boy deals with on his journey. Pull out your tissues for this film; it’s sure to be a tear-jerker.

much-acclaimed 1980 movie based on the book. But did you know that Stephen King directed and produced his own miniseries? The three one-hour episodes follow the book precisely and

You don’t need to read the books first in order to watch the TV show or movie — these films can stand on their own. These are only a few of the many movies and TV shows that are based on bestselling books. Now it’s time for you to be the judge and determine if the books are, in fact, better than their films.

provide more information on the characters. Spoiler alert: There are no twins or garden maze in this series, but there are moving topiary hedges!

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BRAIN WORK

WHEN THEATERS PROVIDED THEIR OWN MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS

Thanks to the Pianists

Early feature films were in black and white, only available in theaters, and perhaps most significantly, silent. So, movie theaters enlisted piano players to accompany the films. But silent films usually didn’t arrive with sheet music. It was up to the pianist to create their own soundtrack. In small towns, only the church organist might be available — and they might choose to play assorted hymns over the entire movie, making for a less than enjoyable experience. More accomplished pianists worked differently. They would improvise, trying to predict where the film’s action was headed and adjusting their playing accordingly. When a film was popular, most players developed a standard score. Eventually, some production companies shipped “mood cues” with their movies. Some theaters show the occasional silent movie, and they turn to one of the 50 or fewer silent film accompanists for help. Since the films are often rare, the pianist does not always have the time or opportunity to plan their music. So, like their predecessors, they play it by ear.

RAINBOW FRITTATA

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray • 1/4 cup sweet potato, diced • 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced • 1/4 cup broccoli, chopped • 8 eggs • Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste • 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced • Cherry tomatoes, halved • Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet over medium heat, cook sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, and broccoli until soft. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour egg mixture into skillet with vegetables. Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed. 5. Transfer mixture to oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the dish sets. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle Sriracha on top (if desired).

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4101 Meadows Lane, Ste. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89107

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INSIDE

1 A Mystery Gift in a Library 2

What Else Is Under Lake Mead?

Are the Books Better Than the Films?

3 How Pianists Brought Silent Movies to Life Rainbow Frittata 4 Hate Souvenir Shopping? Let’s Make It Easy

PICKING THE PERFECT SOUVENIR A way to preserve or share a piece of your trip is to bring home a souvenir, but choosing a souvenir isn’t always a stress-free experience. How do you pick the perfect souvenir and not just the first thing you see in a tourist shop? Here are some tips for picking a truly meaningful gift for yourself or your loved ones. Who are you buying for? What are your recipient’s interests, or what do they spend the most time doing? If you’re buying for yourself and enjoy coffee, you might buy a local coffee blend to enjoy from home. However, if your recipient doesn’t enjoy coffee or rarely drinks it, that type of gift might not mean much to them. Is it legal to bring home? Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, there are many regulations that affect which souvenirs you can bring home. Even if you find the item in a tourist shop, that doesn’t mean it’ll be allowed into the country or even onto the plane. And the TSA does take this seriously. In 2012, two tourists were detained at the U.S. border for trying to bring home chocolate Kinder eggs — a specific kind that are illegal in the U.S. due to the potentially hazardous small toys inside.

Purchase a handicraft. Handicrafts — items created by local artisans — are awesome souvenirs! But make sure you buy where artisans actually sell their own goods, such as an open-air market. Unfortunately, while some popular tourist shops may sell “locally made goods,” many souvenirs intended for tourists are actually made by cheap manufacturers in other countries. Keep something from the adventure. Bringing a glass bottle to take home some sand is a popular way of creating your own souvenir from a beach vacation. But you can do this with almost any item! Whether it’s stones, ticket stubs from favorite shows and activities, or a handmade item from a class, make sure to look out for souvenirs that’ll remind you of great memories and experiences.

We hope these tips will help you make the best choice. Bon voyage!

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