Hot & Cold Water Dispenser

California water cooler conversation has been heated this week over a ruling by the state’s Supreme Court regarding “The Good Samaritan Lawsuit.” Here’s the story in a nutshell. A handful of 20-something friends went to a bar. They drank until the early morning, then left. And when one of their cars crashed into a light pole, Lisa Torti hurried over and pulled one of the passengers, Alexandra Van Horn, from the wreckage. Van Horn was rendered paraplegic, probably from the accident itself. But

(By Christina Rexrode, crexrode@charlotteobserver.com) Bank of America Corp.’s bid to buy Merrill Lynch & Co. received approval from shareholders of both companies Friday. The deal will end the storied legacy of the New York firm but could further secure the Charlotte bank’s status as a global powerhouse. In New York, only a handful of shareholders spoke at Merrill’s 45-minute meeting at the …

(By Christina Rexrode, crexrode@charlotteobserver.com) Bank of America Corp.’s bid to buy Merrill Lynch & Co. received approval from shareholders of both companies Friday. The deal will end the storied legacy of the New York firm but could further secure the Charlotte bank’s status as a global powerhouse. In New York, only a handful of shareholders spoke at Merrill’s 45-minute meeting at the …

A handful of homesteads let visitors play farmer for a day or more.

A handful of homesteads let visitors play farmer for a day or more.