Berlin Law Firm October 2018

Berlin Law Firm October 2018

LEX CANIS THE

Sweet Memories What Halloween Means to Me

Wearing last year’s costume, I marched to every door in the house to practice my knock and announcement of “trick or treat!” To my mother’s credit, she followed me around the whole way, opening doors and finding little treats to give me. And of course, she made sure saying thank you was part of my routine. At the time, I think she didn’t know whether to laugh or take me in for a psychological evaluation. Nowadays she calls every year to remind me about that little burst of eccentricity. Looking back, it’s hard to say what I was really rehearsing for. Growing up on a ranch in Northwest Montana, I didn’t exactly have neighbors to go harass for candy. None within walking distance, anyway. Instead, my parents would drive me and my little brothers into town on Oct. 31, where we could do a little downtown circuit with the homes and businesses there. It was a nice tradition, and I definitely didn’t complain about the free candy. Of course, making the 30-minute drive into town meant listening to my mom’s annual lecture on “the evils of people on Halloween.” To hear her tell it, you’d think that just about every apple and unwrapped candy was laced with some sort of horrible drug or razor blade. I can understand her wanting to

protect her little boys, but I’ll never forget the time my mom made me throw away a fresh- baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookie I’d just gotten from a sweet old lady’s house. Not only was this your standard neighborhood grandma, but she lived across the street from the sheriff’s office! I still remember the cookie being warm in my hand as we left the nice old lady’s doorstep. I almost thought I could get away with eating it. Nope. “Ohhh no, you’re not eating that!” my mom said, intercepting the cookie before it could reach my mouth. She threw it in the garbage two blocks down. Looking back, I laugh about it now. Those were innocent times, all things considered. Donning our store-bought plastic masks and heading down the neighborhood streets of our small town with my brothers in tow are some of my most cherished childhood memories. More than the candy or cookies, I remember my sweet mother, who loved me enough to take part in my Halloween rehearsal and keep me safe during the big night.

Every year, as the leaves begin to change and the Halloween decorations come out, my mom calls to remind me of the time I “practiced” trick-or-treating. I must have been 5 or 6 years old at the time, but I knew Halloween was coming, and I wanted to be ready for the big event. So a full week before the holiday, I went down to the basement and dug out all our old Halloween costumes. I still remember the look of bewilderment on my mother’s face when I first rang the doorbell.

Here’s to all the parents who make Halloween magical. - Lee Berlin

1 Berlin Law Firm • DefendingTulsa.com

Meet Kyle Killam

Attorney at Law

A few months ago, we had the pleasure of welcoming Kyle Killam into our office as contract counsel to the Firm. Kyle is a great criminal defense attorney, with over 19 years of experience. Lee has also had the pleasure of working with Kyle on several important cases, and we’re excited to have him under our roof! Between his military background, dedication to his clients, and excellent cooking, we feel Kyle is someone our readers should get to know! A former military police officer, Kyle was inspired to pursue a career in criminal defense after returning to civilian life. “Defense is more rewarding than law enforcement in my opinion,” he explains. “You get a chance to ensure everyone has the rights afforded to them. I view it as an extension of the oath I took to serve my country.” This strong belief in upholding people’s constitutional liberties is part of what led Kyle to meeting Lee in the first place. “I’ve known Lee for 10 years now. When we met, he was still a prosecutor, though we never had a case against each other,” Kyle reflects. “Not a lot of attorneys are former military. We tend to gravitate toward that common bond.” After Lee went into private practice, he and Kyle began drawing on their shared military background to work trials together from time to time. “It was always a learning experience,” Kyle recalls. When he’s not working on a case, Kyle has three activities he does to clear his mind: reading, shooting, and cooking. While these may sound like very different activities to some readers, it’s the meditative aspect of these hobbies that Kyle enjoys. As he puts it, “They let me get out of my own mind to focus on what I’m doing in the moment.” Kyle’s cooking in particular is something he excels at. He’ll frequently have large groups over for dinner, where they can expect a diverse dining experience. Kyle enjoys cooking both Italian and Thai food and prefers dishes with a lot of spices and flavors. From his cooking to his criminal defense work, Kyle puts his disciplined, analytical mind to the test. We’re lucky to share our practice with such a dedicated professional who shares our core values.

Cooking Oils Declassified Are You Using Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Wrong? Not all cooking oils are created equal. Some cooking oils have distinct flavors, while others are suited for high temperatures. Every oil is unique. Here are six common oils and their best uses. EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL An often misused oil, extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) should not be used for cooking or frying. It’s simply too delicate and cannot withstand high temperatures, which can damage the flavor, ruining dishes. Instead, use it as a finishing oil — drizzle it over pasta, salad, or bread. OLIVE OIL Unlike EVOO, standard olive oil can be used for cooking and frying. It can withstand temps up to about 460 degrees. In many cases, you can use it in place of other cooking oils — just be sure you’re using plain olive oil and not EVOO. COCONUT OIL Better for baking than cooking, coconut oil is generally solid at room temperature. It can be used for some cooking, but like EVOO it doesn’t play well with high temperatures. Keep it at 350 degrees or below and use it as a butter substitute. CANOLA OIL/VEGETABLE OIL A good option for high-heat cooking, baking, and frying, these utilitarian oils are completely neutral in flavor, but they’re not heart-healthy. Vegetable oil is a generic mix of oils, including soybean, canola (rapeseed), and palm oils, making it the most inexpensive cooking oil. PEANUT OIL Great for high-heat cooking, frying, and deep-frying, peanut oil has a neutral flavor, so you can easily use it in just about any dish that needs a cooking oil. It’s also a more heart-healthy option than canola and vegetable oils. AVOCADO OIL When you need an oil to withstand high temps, this is your oil. It has a smoke point of 510 degrees, making it perfect for grilling and stir-frying. What makes avocado oil particularly unique is it can also be used as a finishing oil, like EVOO. It’s light yet resilient.

2 Berlin Law Firm • 918-770-0172

Tips for Keeping You and Your Pet Safe While Halloween can be a lot of fun for kids and parents alike, pets can have a hard time understanding the festivities, particularly where trick- or-treaters are concerned. Unfortunately, dog bites involving children are painfully common this time of year — an incident that could land you and your pooch in a lot of trouble. As HUUUGE fans of dachshunds at this firm, we wanted to share our advice on how to keep your pets calm and safe from the ghosts and vampires coming to your door for candy. Don’t Let the Dogs Out This Halloween

BEAT THE DOORBELL It can be stressful on you and your spouse, but the more you can beat trick-or-treaters to the door, the better. This is especially true if visitors at the door give your dog anxiety, but even dogs who are normally relaxed with the occasional surprise visitor will still find ring after ring irritating. Best to wait on the porch or keep an eye on the driveway to stop a barking fit before it begins. TREAT YOUR DOG While you may need to seclude your pet, it doesn’t have to feel like a punishment for them. Playing calming music to drown out the sounds of the passing trick-or-treaters and giving your dog their favorite chew toys and treats can do wonders to make them feel safe and at home during this spooky evening. If you can, have someone stay in the room with them throughout Halloween. Another option to explore is treats infused with CBD oil. CBD oil works great for Junior. While we may not be able to explain Halloween to our dogs, we can help them understand that they are safe. If your dog has particularly strong anxiety or trust issues, consider leaving the lights off and keeping the candy for yourselves this year.

DON’T LET YOUR DOG COME TO THE DOOR This is important even for pooches who are normally extremely friendly. Costumes can frighten and confuse dogs even when they know the person behind the mask. Add noisy children to the mix, who may not know to respect your dog’s personal space, and you have a recipe for disaster. Better to keep your pup safe in a separate part of the house and do what you can to make the evening as stress-free as possible.

‘Headless’ Apples on Horseback

Inspired Be

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

Ingredients

•

3 ounces manchego cheese, 1/4 inch thick

•

16 very thin slices of pancetta (or cured, unsmoked bacon)

•

Toothpicks for skewering

•

2 pink lady apples

Directions

4. Roll pancetta tightly and skewer with toothpick. 5. Grill until cheese is melted and pancetta or bacon is golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. 6. Drain excess grease on a paper towel and serve hot.

1. Core apples and cut each into 8 wedges. Remove rind of manchego cheese and cut into 2-inch sticks. 2. Heat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high. 3. On a cutting board, lay pancetta

or bacon slices flat and place an apple wedge and piece of cheese in the center of each.

3 Berlin Law Firm • DefendingTulsa.com

NEW ADDRESS 8516 E. 101st Street, Suite A Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

We didn’t go far. We are still located in the Park Place Business Complex, directly across the parking lot from our old office.

WE HAVE MOVED

8516 E. 101st Street, Suite A Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133

Phone: 918-770-0172 DefendingTulsa.com

Inside This Issue

What Halloween Means to Me Page 1 Understanding Cooking Oils and Their Uses Meet Kyle Killam Page 2

Halloween Dog-Owner’s Do’s and Don’ts ‘Headless’ Apples on Horseback Page 3

Have a Fun and SAFE Halloween! Even the Most Frightening Ghouls Need to Be Careful

CHOOSE SMART COSTUMES Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! They should be fun, but you can also make them safer by following a few simple guidelines. Add reflective tape to candy bags and costumes and wear light colors to stand out in the dark. Buying or making the right- sized costumes is also important. If they’re too large, they create a tripping hazard, and if they’re too tight, they can restrict movement. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can see out of it properly.

MAKE A PLAN Before heading out to trick or treat, create a plan and discuss it with every member of your family. This ensures that if someone in your group wanders off, they’ll know where to look for you or where to go. In case you’re separated, label your child’s costume with your name, address, and phone number. If your children are old enough to trick or treat without adults, make sure that their cellphones are charged and on them at all times, and schedule regular check-ins.

Happy Halloween, you goblins, ghouls, witches, and spooks! It’s that time of year again when kids and adults alike can dress up and roam the streets as their favorite heroes, frights, or princesses. While kids are eager to show off their outfits and fill their pillowcases with sugary treasures, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers on Halloween night. PRACTICE STREET SAFETY Make sure your kids understand basic road safety. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Children are more likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed during Halloween than any other day of the year.” Before heading out for some good old- fashioned trick-or-treating, take the time to go over basic safety tips. Teach kids to look both ways before crossing, use crosswalks and traffic signals, cross streets on the corners, and never run across the street. Making eye contact with drivers before walking in front of their cars is also a good way to make sure the driver knows the child is there.

4 Berlin Law Firm • 918-770-0172