Council & Associates September 2018

Council & Associates September 2018

Chroniclesc COUNCIL

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SEPTEMBER 2018

AFTER FINISHING UP THE FORMAL PORTION OF THE INTERVIEW,

The Shiny Red Suit HOW I MET DR. JACQUELINE POLLARD

I always loved school, so when September rolled around each year, I was always ready to get back to class. Before I got to high school, I used to get in trouble for talking too much in class, but I respected my teachers and was eager to learn. Social studies was my favorite subject, but I enjoyed them all. I was fortunate enough to have a number of wonderful teachers and mentors over the years, but one in particular sticks out in my mind. Her name is Dr. Jacqueline Pollard, and I’ll never forget our first interaction. During my freshman year at Spelman College, I had an interview as part of the process to earn a scholarship. I was fresh out of high school and had no idea what I was doing. One thing I did know was that I needed to dress nicely for the interview. So I signed up for a Macy’s credit card, bought a shiny red suit, and got my hair done. When I was heading off to that interview, I thought I was the belle of the ball. DR. POLLARD CALLED ME INTO HER OFFICE. ‘THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL SUIT,’ SHE SAID. THEN SHE PAUSED FOR WHAT MUST’VE BEEN A SECOND OR TWO, THOUGH IT FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY TO ME. ‘BUT IT’S NOT APPROPRIATE BUSINESS ATTIRE. ’

me a curious look and stared at my suit, which

world was just as important as academic skills. That first meeting was the start of her becoming one of the most important mentors in my life. I never had trouble with staying up late to read, do homework, or prepare for tests, because I’m a natural bookworm. But I needed a lot of help navigating the adult world that was unfamiliar to me. Dr. Pollard made a huge difference. She wanted me to succeed in life and the classroom. I’m so grateful for everything Dr. Pollard has done for me over the years. She’s truly an inspiration. The help of teachers, mentors, coaches, and loved ones is essential for young people. I’ve tried to pass on some of the lessons I’ve learned from my influences to my children. However, I often remind myself that I still have plenty to learn. In fact, I need to stay informed and keep my mind sharp so I can help my children with their “sophisticated” homework assignments. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but they teach math differently these days. Sometimes I struggle to keep up! Hopefully the kids haven’t picked up on that yet.

only made me more certain that I had hit a homerun with my outfit. The scholarship interview included an entire panel of people asking me questions and assessing my qualifications. They all had similar

expressions on their faces. By that point, it was settled. I was prepared for the interview, and I looked like it too. After finishing up the formal portion of the interview, Dr. Pollard called me into her office. “That is a beautiful suit,” she said. Then she paused for what must’ve been a second or two, though it felt like an eternity to me. “But it’s not appropriate business attire.” My initial reaction was one of shock, but it was quickly followed by relief. This educated, successful woman wasn’t afraid to give me some real talk. She knew that I had no idea what to wear for an interview — I was just a kid, after all. Dr. Pollard was gracious enough to take me under her wing. As a new student advisor, she knew that learning how to navigate the adult

–Lashonda Council- Rogers, Esq.

Dr. Pollard was the first person who shook my hand when I arrived for the interview. She gave

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CAR ACCIDENT What to Do After a

HELPFUL STEPS FOR GEORGIA DRIVERS

Getting into a car accident is nobody’s idea of a good time. It’s stressful, chaotic, and can result in serious injuries. All of the commotion and adrenaline can lead you to make bad decisions in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Taking the right steps after you’re in an accident is crucial to getting you what you deserve in the event of an injury or property damage. These four tips can help make the moments after an accident less stressful. 1. Stay at the scene. Georgia law states that if you can move your car safely out of oncoming traffic, you should do so. Beyond that, you’ll want to stay as close to the site of the accident as possible. Fleeing the scene may cross your mind in a moment of panic, but DON’T DO IT. It will only lead to fault for the accident being placed on you. You could also face criminal charges for leaving the scene of the accident. 2. Exchange important information. Even if your accident is the tiniest of fender-benders,

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? Listen to your body. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be. Wake up naturally. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure, which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. Kick the screen habit. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function. Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time. HOW TO ACHIEVE A MORE RESTFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP

you’ll want to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved.

Everything may seem fine with your car, but you won’t really know until it is thoroughly inspected. Without the other driver’s information, it will be nearly impossible to track them down. 3. Report the accident.

You must report any accident that involves injuries or damages totaling more than $500 to Georgia law enforcement. It’s best to err on the side of caution if you are unsure

about whether or not to file a police report. For smaller accidents, you can file a Personal Report of Accident form, available on the Georgia DMV website. 4. Seek medical attention. The same rule applies here as with the police report. If you think there’s even a tiny chance you’re hurt, get yourself checked out. Not seeking medical attention can hurt your chances of receiving full compensation

if you’re injured.

Call us. Council & Associates has years of experience handling auto accident cases, and we are happy to provide a free review of your case. Call us at (404) 526-8857 to see how we can help.

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Prepare Your Garden

AUTUMN STEPS FOR A BETTER SPRING GARDEN

CHICKEN WIRE After you’ve planted your bulbs, there’s a risk that uninvited guests will dig them up. There are a few ways you can ensure that your bulbs remain undisturbed throughout the fall. One way is to place chicken wire over your bulbs after they’ve been planted. This keeps rodents from digging them up and allows the plants to grow through the gaps in the wire. KEEP YOUR GARDEN TIDY Once you’ve harvested your best fruits and vegetables, go back through and harvest the rest, even if you don’t plan to eat them. Make sure your garden is clear of old vegetables, fallen leaves, and weeds. Leaving decaying plants in or on top of the ground can spread

With fall just ahead, it’s a good time to think about your spring garden. For a beautiful garden next year, begin preparing this fall. Here are a few ways to get a head start! PLANTING BULBS If you want beautiful flowers in April, you should start planting bulbs now. Many flower bulbs need to be in the ground before winter settles in; this helps activate the bulbs’ biochemical process that allows them to bloom. Getting the bulbs into the ground before it freezes allows their roots to grow deep enough to protect them from the biting winter weather. Among the flower bulbs you should plant soon are tulips, daffodils, irises, and hyacinths.

diseases into the soil and attract unwanted pests to your garden.

HEALTHY SOIL Pulling up weeds and all of your vegetables can help keep the earth free from rotting plants, but there are other steps you can take to ensure

that your soil stays full of nutrients. Pick up a kit to test the pH levels of your soil. Most gardens thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5. Add compost to your

soil supply now to give it time to break down during the winter months.

Local Business Spotlight DREAM TRAVELS BY PATINA

Traveling is one of life’s great pleasures, but making travel plans can be a hassle. Deciding where to go involves balancing your wishes with your budget. The internet has made the process easier, but there’s still no substitute for a full-service travel agent. In the Atlanta area, there’s no better service than Dream Travels by Patina. Founded and run by Patina Copeland Rivers, Dream Travels by Patina can help you decide the best destination for your travel desires while securing you the best deal possible. They also make sure your travel documents are in order and that you experience the best activities, restaurants, and more in the area you’ll be jetting off to. Dream Travels by Patina is committed to making your experience as easy for you as possible. That way, you get all the fun of a vacation without any of the headaches. In addition to creating fully customized travel packages, Dream Travels by Patina also offers themed getaways like their Culinary Tour, Caribbean Getaway, and Urban Beach Holiday. Whether you’re traveling in a large group or on your own, you’ll find their services invaluable. For additional information about Dream Travels by Patina, visit dreamtravelsbypatina.com or email Patina at [email protected].

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Inside

A MENTOR WHO TELLS THE TRUTH 1 SLEEP BETTER AND FEEL GREAT I GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT. WHAT NOW? 2 GET A HEAD START ON NEXT SPRING’S GARDEN A PERSONALIZED TRAVEL EXPERIENCE 3 ATLANTA’S FOOTBALL LEGENDS 4

The Best Falcons

IN HISTORY

Since their founding in 1965, the Atlanta Falcons have had a number of legendary players grace the field in the red and black. Narrowing down the list to just a few names is a difficult task, but a few icons stand a cut above the rest. Here are our picks for the greatest Falcons in history. CLAUDE HUMPHREY (1968-1978) A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Humphrey is inarguably the greatest pass rusher in the team’s history. He won Rookie of the Year honors in 1968 and was an eight-time All-Pro. Falcons owner Arthur Blank described him as a “game- wrecker.” ALL -T I ME ATLANTA FOOTBALL GREATS

MATT RYAN (2008–PRESENT) AND JULIO JONES (2011–PRESENT) Over the past few seasons, the Falcons have had one of the best offenses in the NFL. A lot of the credit for that goes to the quarterback and wide receiver combination that puts fear in the hearts of every defense they face. At his best, Jones couldn’t be covered, especially with a quarterback as reliable and accurate as Ryan. The duo led the Falcons to their second-ever Super Bowl during the 2016 season. Unfortunately, we all know how the 2016 season ended.

reliable fixture at left tackle. He protected Steve Bartkowski brilliantly, maintaining a mind- blowing 2.97 percent sack rate over his storied career. At 6-foot- 7-inches and 275 pounds, Kenn was imposing on the field but a gentle giant off the field.

DEION SANDERS (1989-1993) During his five seasons in Atlanta, Sanders was never less than electrifying. He made Falcons games appointment viewing for fans across the nation and essentially invented the role of shutdown corner. He also played for the Braves during his time in Atlanta, once suiting up for both teams on the very same day.

Did we leave anyone out who you think belongs on this list? If so, don’t hesitate to let us know.

MIKE KENN (1978-1994) Kenn played his entire career for the Falcons, where he was an ever-

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