Eversole Law Firm - April/May/June 2021

Eversole Law Firm - April/May/June 2021

Eversole Quarterly

The Celebration of Comic Books From Newspapers to Holidays

Spring 2021

When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do was to take my Silly Putty and press it up against the colored margins of the comics in the “funny paper” section. I was always delighted with how some of the picture would pull away and stick onto the putty. Mostly, I targeted the comic "Peanuts," since that was my favorite. I loved reading what Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Snoopy, Woodstock, and everyone else was up to each week. As I grew older, I drifted away from comics, but I still enjoyed reading "Peanuts" whenever I came across a comic. While most of this was caused by a simple change of interests, it was also because comics were gradually leaving the newspapers. I saw fewer and fewer comic strips in the newspaper as comic books became popular.

its owner certainly isn’t. Joe Field is known internationally as the founder of a holiday celebrated across the country, Free Comic Book Day, which takes place each year on the first Saturday of May. Field first thought of the idea after watching his neighboring business, Baskin-Robbins, hold what was called, “Free Scoop Night.”

Field believed that he could do something similar with his comics. After writing an article that outlined the framework of his event, Free Comic Book Day was an instant hit. Soon, it spread to comic book businesses throughout California, then across the U.S. Now, nearly 20 years later, hundreds of people hurry to their local comic book shops to enjoy this holiday and pick up a free comic. However, that’s not all this holiday stands for. Free Comic Book Day is dedicated to celebrating this unique hobby of collecting, reading, and enjoying comics. It’s a chance for people to meet comic book creators and encourage the next generation of comic book readers. A common misconception is that most comics are about the superheroes we see from Marvel and DC, but that is not the case. Free Comic Book Day gives people a chance to explore the different genres, including horror, comedy, and nonfiction. For 20 years, this event has brought joy, wonder, and delight to all who participate. Though I may not be as intrigued with comics or comic books as I once was, I find this holiday heartwarming. Seeing something created to bring joy into the lives of others, well, it’s fun to learn about.

“Today, there are stores dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of issues of comics that people enjoy across the country.”

The first newspaper comic, “The Yellow Kid,” was published on Feb. 16, 1896, and was soon printed along with other comic strips in the paper. It wasn’t until the 1930s that the first comic book was printed in color. Just a few years later, National Allied Publications published “New Fun No. 1,” the first comic book that contained original work. These three events were the first steps that led to such an incredible outpouring of enthusiasm and interest in the comic book genre. Today, there are stores dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of issues of comics that people enjoy across the country.

One such store, Flying Colors Comics, is located in Concord, California, and while it may be unknown to many comic book fans,

-Alysoun Eversole

www.eversolelaw.com

1

Get Fit With Your Family 5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving

Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time. Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day. 1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably

know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build

healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone.

You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy

Real Property Tax Sales

The Beaufort County treasurer is known to be aggressive about levying property for delinquent property taxes. Taxes are due at the end of each year and considered late after

title litigation.) Among the many defects that could apply, heirs property is one of the most prevalent in Beaufort County.

Jan. 15 of the following year. Statutory notices are sent out, and if the taxes (and penalties) are not paid by the date of sale (the first Monday in October of each year), the property is auctioned at the tax sale. After the sale, the owner has one year to redeem the property from the sale. If not redeemed, the treasurer issues a “title by treasurer,” conveying the property to the purchaser at the sale. The title, however, is not necessarily marketable.

If an heir who owns an interest in the property “purchases” the property from the tax sale, that

“purchasing heir” does not acquire 100% ownership interest in the property and does not have exclusive rights to the property. Property bought from a tax sale under these circumstances creates a constructive trust, meaning the purchasing heir holds the property in trust on behalf of and for the benefit of the remaining heirs. The remaining heirs continue to have the same rights, use, and possession of the property as they previously had. It does not matter which heir(s) paid property taxes or how long they have paid them. Paying heirs have no greater rights to the property than the non-paying heirs, even if the tax receipt contains the statement, “paid by (paying heir’s name).” However, the heir(s) who paid the property taxes may sue the non-paying heir(s) for the non-paying share of the property taxes.

If all the statutory requirements have been followed by the treasurer, there is still a cloud on the title. A purchaser is subject to all the defects in the title that existed prior to the sale, so it is inherently a “defective” deed. The phrase “Not Warranty Title” in the caption of the treasurer’s deed is intended to alert a buyer to beware. Whenever a person purchases property from a tax sale, there are certain steps that must be taken to remove the cloud on the title that was created by the tax sale. (Depending on what the defect is, that more often than not requires quiet

-Cherese T. Handy, Esq.

2 www.eversolelaw.com

Myths About Real Estate Closings Does It Pay to Renovate the Kitchen and Bathroom Prior to Selling?

If you’re preparing to sell your home, you’ve probably heard that it’s important to present your home in the best possible light, especially the kitchen and bathroom, two rooms that buyers pay particular attention to. But when it comes to readying your home for a sale, is it smart to pay for a full-scale renovation if your kitchen and bathroom are outdated? If any of the rooms in your house are so outdated or have problem areas that might turn buyers off, it’s probably worth doing some upgrades. Improvements and upgrades are often smaller, less expensive projects than a full renovation would be, and they’re more likely to ensure you don’t lose money on your investment.

only returns 62%. But there’s plenty you can do to give your rooms a fresh, more inviting look without shelling out for a major overhaul. And when we say “you can do,” we do mean you! Sticking with DIY projects can also save you money. But don’t worry, many projects that have a big impact on appearance don’t require a lot of skill. For example, rather than ripping out your cabinets and putting in brand-new ones, consider painting or refacing your cabinets and swapping out the hardware for something that feels modern and eye- catching. The same can be done with the bathroom cabinetry and vanity. And speaking of paint, don’t underestimate the value of a fresh coat of paint.

Additionally, when doing upgrades, it’s important to put the market’s tastes above your own. Keep your paint colors, hardware and fixtures, and other choices simple and modern. They don’t have to be on-trend per say. The main goal is to rid your home of any outdated-looking features and freshen things up to be more appealing to buyers who are looking at your home.

When determining what upgrades to make, calculate the break-even point for each project

and don’t spend more than you think you can recoup in a sale. According to the statistics, major upscale kitchen renovations only have a 60% return on investment, and a similar bathroom renovation

great

Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner t i i

TRUTHS

Ingredients

Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com

•

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks

• • • • •

1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp lemon juice

•

1 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets

"Government ’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

•

1 tsp salt

• •

1/4 tsp pepper 2 tbsp canola oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, combine chicken, sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat.

4. Remove pan from oven and use a spatula to flip the chicken and potatoes, then add broccoli florets. 5. Drizzle sauce evenly over top

and return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes or until chicken has an internal temperature of 165 F and vegetables are fork-tender.

–Ronald Reagan

3. Bake for 15 minutes. In the

meantime, make the sauce by combining the soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, and cayenne pepper.

www.eversolelaw.com

3

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Eversole Law Firm, P.C. 1509 King Street Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 379-3333 www.eversolelaw.com

Disclaimer: The content of this publication has been prepared by Eversole Law Firm, P.C. for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with its readers and may not be used by you, the reader, as legal advice. You are encouraged to consult with us or another attorney about your circumstances to which the information in this document may apply.

What’s Inside

1. The Celebration of Comic Books 2. 5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness Real Property Tax Sales 3. Real Estate Renovation Myths Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner 4. The Bet That Spawned the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

The Bet That Spawned the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

Inside the McDonald’s History Books Every day, 68 million people dine under the iconic golden arches of McDonald’s. If you’re one of them, then you’re probably intimately familiar with one of the most famous offerings on the menu after the McRib and the Big Mac: the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich. This bestselling entree looks simple enough. It features a fried square of wild-caught fish nestled under a slice of American cheese and a smear of tartar sauce. But it has a contentious history. In fact, Ray Kroc, the owner of McDonald’s who was immortalized in the 2016 movie “The Founder,” didn’t want the fishy offering on the menu. It ended up there anyway for one of the oldest reasons in the world: Kroc lost a bet. The story starts back in 1962 in Cincinnati, Ohio. That year, an enterprising McDonald's franchisee named Lou Groen had a problem. His customer base was largely Catholic and abstained from eating meat on Fridays (not to mention during Lent!), and they weren’t buying enough burgers to keep his restaurant afloat. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, on Fridays, Groen pulled in just $75 per day. To combat that lack of sales, he masterminded a beef-free option, and the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich was born.

The problem came when Groen pitched the entree to Ray Kroc. The founder didn't approve. In a 2006 interview with Business Courier, Groen recalled Kroc’s reaction: “You’re always coming up here with a bunch of crap!” he said. “I don’t want my stores stunk up with the smell of fish.” But at the end of the day, Kroc’s motivation was profit. So, the two men made a bet. On Good Friday in 1962, select McDonald’s would put both the Filet-O-Fish and a different meatless option, the pineapple-centric Hula Burger, on their menus. The entree that sold the best would stick around. Since you’ve probably dined on a Filet-O-Fish and never heard of Hula Burger, you can guess what happened. Groen sold 350 Filet-O- Fish sandwiches. And Kroc? Well, he moved just six Hula Burgers. Fishy smell or not, the filet was there to stay.

Want to read up on more fast-food capers? Pick up the book “Drive- Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom” by Adam Chandler. His KFC stories will blow your mind.

4 www.eversolelaw.com