Harman Law - January/February 2022

Harman Law - January/February 2022

January/February 2022

THE HARMAN HEADLINE

HARMAN LAW

Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Employment Lawyers

THE COPS CRASHED OUR DATE! 13 YEARS LATER, I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE IT

Valentine’s Day was made for cute romantic stories, but the one I have to share is just about the least cute, least romantic thing I can think of. You’ll see what I mean in a minute. It was a warm April night in 2009, and I was on my way to my second date with Jen. (I didn’t know it at the time, but she was my future wife.) I drove about half an hour from home to meet her in the Lake Norman area. We lived a ways apart, so that was a halfway point for us. This will be important later. At first, the date went really well. We grabbed dinner and did all of the typical second-date, get-to-know-you stuff. Afterward, we both still wanted to hang out, so we hopped in my car and drove around for a while. Eventually, I parked in the empty parking lot of a strip mall. It was after 11 p.m. by that time, so all the shops and restaurants were dark. Jen and I have the exact same sense of humor, and we lost track of time laughing, joking, and trading sarcastic comments. I didn’t realize how late it was until red, white, and blue lights flashed just outside my door. It was a cop! He walked up to the car and motioned for me to roll down my window. “I didn’t realize how late it was until red, white, and blue lights flashed just outside my door.”

“What are you two up to?” he asked.

Clearly, we looked pretty shady sitting all alone in an abandoned parking lot. I explained that we were only talking and we’d be happy to move along, but he wasn’t having it. The guy was NOT friendly. He asked me to hand over my driver’s license, then took it back to his patrol car. Jen and I traded a nervous look.

When the cop came back, he loomed over my window, “Did you know that your driver’s license is suspended?” Gulp! I had no idea. The cop wouldn’t even tell me why my license wasn’t valid. He just said, “You need to go to the DMV to figure that out. In the meantime, I’m going to sit right there, and I’d better not see you drive away.” My stomach sank all the way to my toes. Jen must think I’m some sort of criminal! She got into the driver’s seat while the cop watched from his patrol car. Then, we awkwardly drove first back to her car, then the entire 30 minutes home. By the time she drove another hour back to her place in the opposite direction, it was probably 2 a.m. Worst. Date. Ever. When I finally made it to the DMV, it turned out the lawyer I’d hired months ago to handle a speeding ticket for me hadn’t paid it correctly. My

license had been suspended for four months! Somehow, no one had thought to tell me. Luckily, when I explained all of this to Jen she laughed it off and agreed to give me another chance. Thirteen years later, we’re still together, and I’m still in love with her humor and big heart. Looking back, the moral of this terrible date story is pretty simple: Always hire a good lawyer. The guy I paid to help me with my speeding ticket almost scared off my future wife! If you or someone you know needs trustworthy, competent legal representation for a personal injury, workers’ compensation, or employment law case this summer, I’m your guy.

Happy early Valentine’s Day!

–Michael Harman

1

Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613

Winter is here, and the cold has settled in. You’ve gotten out your fuzzy slippers and put on an extra sweater, but maybe you still can’t shake that chill. Before you crank up the heat again, is there anything else you can do to keep warm? Here are a few ideas you can try! USE THE SUN. While winter brings plenty of cloudy days, the sun is still known to make an appearance. When it does, open your curtains wide and let the natural heat fill the room. Just be sure to keep that warmth inside by pulling the curtains closed when the sun goes down. You’re Not a Snowman So Don’t Feel Frosty

KEEP YOUR BED COZY. No one wants to go to sleep shivering, so your bed should ideally be the warmest place in the house. You can achieve this by layering your blankets properly: Fluffy layers go right over the sheet, and dense layers go on top to provide a thermal barrier. To up your game further, get a hot water bottle and leave it under the sheets for 20 minutes before you climb into bed. No hot water bottle available? Spend a couple minutes running a blow-dryer over the sheets instead. With these tips, you’re ready to have your warmest winter ever — without racking up your highest energy bill. Catch some rays, snuggle up, drink some water, and remember that spring will be here soon enough.

Bonus tip: Park your car facing the sun! It will be warmer when you get in, and you’ll have less snow and ice on your windshield.

STAY HYDRATED (THE RIGHTWAY). Did you know that your body is able to retain heat better when you’re hydrated? That’s just one more good reason to ensure you’re drinking enough water. But you should be wary of hot beverages like coffee and tea. Though they make for a great hand warmer and temporarily leave you feeling toasty, caffeine restricts your blood vessels and makes it harder for your body to stay warm. Similarly, alcohol feels warm going down, but it both increases perspiration and lowers your core body temperature.

5Tasty Local Hotspots for Valentine’s Day

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

My wife Jen and I usually stay in for Valentine’s Day — but that doesn’t mean you have to. Just in case you’re planning a date night, I’ve put together a list of five restaurants not far from our offices. Some of them I love personally, and others get rave reviews from my friends. If you check one of them out for Valentine’s Day, let me know how it goes!

fun options like a pistachio pie with rosemary, sea salt, ricotta, buffalo mozzarella, garlic, pistachio pesto sauce, and more pistachios on top.

BOCA (HICKORY – BOCAHICKORY.COM) There aren’t a lot of tapas (Spanish small plates) restaurants around here, so eating at BOCA is a unique experience. They turn local ingredients into dishes like burrata salad, mixed grilled sausages (rabbit, pheasant, buffalo, and duck!) and Moroccan chicken tagine. You can also get a burger if you’re not as adventurous as your date. KINDRED (DAVIDSON – KINDREDDAVIDSON.COM ) My friends and family love this spot. It’s a little bit of a drive, but the chef, Joe Kindred, has been nominated for several James Beard Awards and he makes his own pasta in-house. If you like wine and cocktails, Kindred has options for those, too. VINTAGE HOUSE (HICKORY – VINTAGEHOUSERESTAURANT.COM) Last but not least, I have to recommend Vintage House. It’s a house-turned- restaurant in Hickory with a very romantic atmosphere. Chef Matt Parker serves salads, pastas, and meaty entrees like grilled Muscovy duck breast and beef tenderloin medallions for affordable date night prices.

DRESSLER’S RESTAURANT (CHARLOTTE – DRESSLERSRESTAURANT. COM) When Jen and I go for a nice night out, Dressler’s is our favorite local spot. It has two locations, is family-owned, and plates up great steaks and seafood dishes. You can choose your steak and your steak sauce, or go for the boneless beef short rib, salmon, or shrimp and grits. INIZIO PIZZA NAPOLETANA (CHARLOTTE AND HUNTERSVILLE – INIZIOPIZZA.COM) If you’re more into casual date nights (I know I am), then I definitely recommend Inizio. It’s closed on Mondays as I write this, but you can go just before or after Valentine’s Day for amazing pizzas, salads, and cannoli. The pizzas range from classics like Margherita to

–Michael Harman

2

Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com

SUDOKU

5 STEPS FOR SURVIVING NORTH CAROLINA WINTER ROADS In 2020 alone, 1,685 people died in car crashes in North Carolina — that’s a nearly 13% jump from 2019! To keep your family safe on the road this winter, follow these five steps. Step 1: Avoid driving whenever you can. As the North Carolina Department of Transportation reminds us, “The safest way to avoid black ice [and other winter driving hazards] is to stay off the roads.” Whenever possible, try to combine trips when you go out (e.g., running errands on your way home from work) or stay home altogether. Consider grocery shopping in bigger batches so you leave the house less often. Step 2: Keep your windshield wiper fluid topped up . Your windshield wiper fluid is your first line of defense against snow and other vision hazards. Before you head out into winter weather, use the guide in your car’s manual to check the level in your windshield wiper fluid reservoir. Step 3: Skip the cruise control button . Cruise control is convenient, but it’s also dangerous — especially in the winter when you need to drive slowly and keep a minimum three-second following distance. If you rely on cruise control, you could find yourself skidding on black ice and unable to react in time. Step 5: Keep a cool head if you hit ice. If your vehicle starts to slide, resist the urge to slam on the brakes. Instead, take your foot off the gas, turn your steering wheel in the direction you want to go, and — if you have standard brakes, not anti-lock — pump your brakes gently before accelerating through the skid. If your front wheels are sliding, rather than your rear wheels, shift into neutral after taking your foot off the gas. Then, put your vehicle back in gear after turning your wheel. Step 4: Treat dead lights as 4-way stops. Winter storms tend to cause power outages, which make intersections messy and confusing. To avoid a collision, treat an intersection with a dead light as a four-way stop and yield to the vehicle farthest right. If the worst happens and you’re injured in a car crash this winter, reach out to our team at Harman Law for help. We’ll make sure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Solution on Page 4

CHICKENAND LEEK FILO PIE

INGREDIENTS:

• • • • • •

3 oz unsalted butter, divided 2 large leeks, finely sliced

• •

3 tbsp heavy cream

12 oz cooked chicken, cut into chunks 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed

2 large carrots, finely chopped

•

1 tbsp flour

14 oz chicken stock, warmed

•

2 tsp Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS:

1. 2.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Transfer to a large ovenproof dish.

In a pan over low heat, melt 1 oz butter. Add leeks and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, until softened but not colored. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring until sauce is smooth, then let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in mustard and heavy cream, then add cooked chicken and parsley.

7.

In a pan, melt remaining butter. Put a single filo sheet on a board and brush with melted butter. Scrunch up pastry sheet and place on top of chicken mixture. Continue until pie is covered. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the filo is golden and chicken mixture is bubbling.

3.

8.

4.

5.

9.

6.

3

Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613

16507 Northcross Drive, Suite B Huntersville, NC, 28078 Offices in Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Hickory 704-237-6613 HarmanLawNC.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

HARMAN LAW

Inside This Issue

Michael’s Worst Date Ever Page 1

Sudoku Solution

How to StayWarm This Winter

Still Need Valentine’s Day Reservations? Try These Page 2

Chicken and Leek Filo Pie

Save Yourself From a Car Crash This Winter Page 3 The Original ‘Celebrity’ Athletes Page 4

GLADIATORS: THE ORIGINAL CELEBRITY ATHLETES?

January is a big month for sports. The College Football Playoff takes place, the NFL playoffs begin, and the NBA and NHL seasons are fully underway. Stars from each of these leagues have cultivated a global fan base and become celebrities. While this might seem like something that could only happen in the present day thanks to international media and the internet, historically, many gladiators reached untold levels of fame thousands of years ago.

Promotions for gladiator fights were very similar to what you see when traveling to a professional sports stadium today. Instead of paper posters to promote athletes or upcoming games, the ancient Romans painted their posters directly on walls. These painted posters often gave dates and times for upcoming matches and included gladiators’ names and sometimes even their records. For a better understanding of gladiators and the popularity of their matches, take a look at the Colosseum in Rome. This massive amphitheater was built almost 2,000 years ago and could seat up to 75,000 people. For comparison, the biggest stadiums in America hold a little over 100,000 people. Back then, there were no Jumbotrons or screens to see from far away. Tens of thousands of people would go to watch gladiator fights with nothing but their own two eyes. While they might not have had the luxuries or money our current athletes have, gladiators still had quite a bit of fame. If anything, gladiators prove that athletes are and always have been incredibly influential in society.

For the most part, gladiators were not born into wealth and never sawmuch money during their careers. In most cases, they were originally slaves who became so indebted that they had nothing left to sell but their bodies. For a variety reasons, slaves were chosen and sent to gladiatorial schools, where they trained to become the best at their craft.

of

When we think of gladiators, we often picture giant arenas and lots of death, but that was rarely the case. It’s estimated that anywhere from 1 in 5 to 1 in 8 matches ended with a combatant’s death. While the gladiators themselves did not have much money, they were very expensive to train and not easily replaced.

4

Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com