Izquierdo Law Firm July 2018

Izquierdo Law Firm July 2018

IzLegal Illustrated

15th Anniversary of the Best Road Trip A TWO-WEEK BASEBALL ADVENTURE!

Jersey, where we stayed. While in New York, we visited Ground Zero. The city didn’t have the monument up like

the Cubs and the Yankees doing well, along with Clemens 300th win, the tickets were ridiculously expensive.We decided we’d take in the city and watch some of the game, but most importantly, we fired up the laptop to try and find another time where he’d be pitching again. We counted the days and bought the tickets for Yankee Stadium. Later that night, we drove to Milwaukee for a night game, then drove back to Chicago.The next morning, before Casey was even awake, I took the car and drove to my mom’s childhood home on the North Side of Chicago. It was something I was glad to have done by myself, to see where my mom had grown up and spent her early and teen years. On Sunday, we explored Chicago and caught a Cubs game later that night, where we had a full Wrigley experience — luckily, we were able to get front-row seats in the bleachers.We woke up the next morning and drove around 13 hours from Chicago to the Baseball Hall of Fame in New York.This is where we made our only mistake in the whole trip.We were driving right by Notre Dame and decided to check out the campus to stretch our legs.After checking out the campus we got back into the car and drove straight through to New York. Later, we realized that we missed a game in Cleveland, which we drove past after checking out Notre Dame’s Campus. It would have not only broken up our long drive, but we would’ve gotten another game. It was the one little goof in the whole trip that caused the tiniest feeling of regret. We drove up to Cooperstown and reached a small hotel late into the night, where we grabbed a few hours of sleep. After Cooperstown, we drove to Boston. The next morning, we explored the city, caught a tour of Fenway Park, and watched a Red Sox game. Immediately after the game, we drove to New York City. It was there we met up with our friend Jenny, whose uncle lives in New

This summer marks the 15th anniversary of my baseball road trip with my childhood best friend, Casey, when we were around 20 years old. It was an impressive road trip — two baseball fans traveling the road catching as many baseball games as we could. It was really cool to go to all the different stadiums and see and experience each city. I can still recall it pretty well.The Marlins happened to be playing the Oakland A’s at the beginning of the week just before we left, so we decided to start the trip locally. We made a point to go to the game before we set out, though we didn’t go together. I went on Tuesday, and he went onWednesday. I remember waiting for him to get home from the game that night, and once he did, we drove through the night and ended up in Atlanta.There we watched the Braves and Rangers game, after which we were back on the road driving to St. Louis. Early Friday morning, we were in the city.We explored the city and stopped by the Gateway Arch as Casey is a bit of an architecture buff, and I enjoy the history of things. The ride up the claustrophobic gondola wasn’t exactly pleasant, but reaching the top paid it off —we could see the whole city! After the Gateway Arch, we did a brewery tour and later that night watched the Cardinals game, which was an exciting experience.There was something about St. Louis and the fans and how knowledgeable they were that made a pure baseball experience.As a baseball nut and someone who’s played and coached, it was unbelievable how they understood the intricacies of the game. Everyone cheered as loudly and passionately as they could — it blew me away. When we got back to our hotel room that night, we realized that Roger Clemens was going to be pitching in Chicago that Saturday for his 300th win. So we drove to Chicago to see if we could get some tickets.With both

they do today. There were only two beams from the building in the shape of a cross. It was a strange and somber, emotional experience — Casey and I happened to be in the area and decided to see it, and I’m glad we did. On Thursday, we had a day game at Yankee Stadium, which I will never forget. We were walking to our seats, coming up the ramp, and we couldn’t see much in the enclosed area. As we walked over to crest the small hill, though, I could see the blue sky, which was the bluest I’ve ever seen it. Then, after a couple of more steps, I saw the greenest grass. Seeing the stadium in person for the first time was a jaw-dropping experience. As a long-time Yankee fan, just being in the stadium and being surrounded by its history was amazing. Maybe one day, when Joseph is older and likes baseball, he’ll have that same wow factor. The next day, we went to the game where Clemens got his 300th win, which was cool because it held such a historical significance. On Saturday, we were back in the car, this time with Jenny, and we drove down to Baltimore and caught the Brewers and Orioles game, which was where a huge brawl broke out. Afterward, we stayed in North Carolina for a night, woke up Sunday morning, and drove home. One thing I’ve got to give a lot of credit to was how we stuck to our schedule. We were both around 20, but we woke up early and got to where we needed to be on time. I’ll never forget what it was like being on the road with Casey and watching all those great games with him.

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Learning That Doesn’t Feel Like School

MENTALLY STIMULATING ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER

like “a trip to Mexico” or “pasta party,” but let them choose the recipes and prep the meals on their own.

bubbles? The formula is simple: 1 part dish soap (Dawn or Joy work best) to 10 parts water. Optionally, you can also include 1/4 part glycerin. The process of making the solution will teach ratios, and finding creative ways to blow bubbles fosters problem-solving skills and creative thinking. FOR TEENAGERS: FAMILY DINNER PARTY Cooking teaches so many important skills: math, science, nutrition, concentration, cultural understanding, following directions, creativity, time management, and more. Even better, it doesn’t feel like learning; it feels like fun. Encourage your older children to take the reins for preparing regular meals throughout the summer. You can pick guiding themes,

There are many people who eagerly await Independence Day for one reason — fireworks. Through the multitude of colors and sparks, which are fascinating to watch, it may be easy to forget you’re dealing with explosions of gunpowder. Beautiful bursts of color in the night sky during a fireworks display can be breathtaking and exciting, but lighting fireworks by yourself can be dangerous. According to the National Fire Protection Association, consumer fireworks cause thousands of injuries every year, and Independence Day is host to the most reported fires during the year, half of which are caused by fireworks. If you’re eager to celebrate and avoid any devastating accidents this year, here are a few safety tips. Every summer, parents across the country have to deal with the same delicate problem. They want to make sure their kids continue to learn without feeling like they’re being assigned tasks. After all, summer homework is every child’s worst nightmare. Luckily, you don’t have to rely on math problems and book reports to keep your child’s development from taking a two-month vacation. Here are a few mentally stimulating activities that are as educational as they are fun. FOR LITTLE ONES: HOMEMADE BUBBLES Bubbles fascinate young children, so why not spend a day making your own solution and experimenting by blowing different types of

FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY: AN EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP Field trips always inspire excitement in students, and you’ll find the same goes for your family members. You can tailor your destination to the interests of your kids for maximum engagement. If you have a family of art lovers, head to a museum for some

inspiration and discussion. Kids who prefer the outdoors will enjoy a nature walk or hike. You can bring along a field guide to identify flora and fauna. These trips may not pack the thrill of a water park, but they’re fun in an entirely different way. SAFETY MEASURES TO PRACTICE WITH FIREWORKS KEEPING YOUR FAMILY AND PETS SAFE FROM HARM

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Keep a bucket of water close by when setting off fireworks. Also keep a charged garden hose nearby.

the state of Florida, you can visit the American Pyrotechnics Association list at americanpyro.com/state-law-directory.

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Keep your pets away from fireworks. Never take your pet to a firework display, and keep them inside your home on the Fourth to avoid exposure to the noise. Be sure that your pets have proper ID tags in case they run off. One of the best ways to avoid potential damage this July is to attend a firework display hosted by professionals rather than setting them off at home. This July, it’s important to keep these tips in mind. Practice safety measures to avoid potentially severe injuries and keep everyone safe and happy. •

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Keep children under constant surveillance when handling and lighting fireworks.

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Don’t drink alcohol while setting off fireworks. A sober adult should always monitor the fireworks. Don’t relight dud fireworks. If a firework doesn’t light, the National Council on Fireworks Safety (NCFS) recommends waiting 20 minutes before soaking the firework in a bucket of water and discarding it.

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Make sure that you’re using legal fireworks. To check which fireworks are legal in

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CAN I GET A DUI OFF MY RECORD? The Best Methods to Live Without a DUI Holding You Back

that you will likely have to admit guilt as a condition of enrollment, which means you need to stay on top of everything, or you will face your DUI charge. A MISTAKE THAT LASTS FOREVER! Remember, the easiest way to ensure that a DUI will never come off your record is to go to court without the assistance of an experienced DUI lawyer to help you fight the charges. Walking into court and pleading guilty will guarantee that you can’t erase this mistake from your permanent criminal record. People frequently think that just because they have no prior incidents with the law, the charges will automatically be reduced, which is not true. Hiring a professional legal attorney can give you the representation you need to reduce or expunge the charge. Call Izquierdo Law Firm today at 305-707- 7345 to learn more about how we can help you.

A thorough DUI lawyer will do everything possible to find issues with your case. This includes ensuring your vehicle was stopped properly, examining maintenance documents for the breathalyzer test, challenging BAC results, fighting refusals, trying to keep out statements, and challenging performance on roadside sobriety tests, all of which fight for you in an attempt to minimize the consequences you’ll face. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR DUI DIVERSION PROGRAMS? Some counties throughout Florida offer diversion programs for first-time DUI offenders. These diversion programs are nothing to scoff at, as they are incredibly stringent in their requirements. You will be completing all the requirements or penalties that come with a first DUI conviction. However, once you’re done with all the requirements, you will go back to court and the State can reduce your DUI charge to reckless driving and withhold adjudication. The caveat to these programs is

A DUI conviction may never be erased from your permanent criminal record. Once you have been adjudicated guilty, you are ineligible to seal or expunge your record. However, depending on the outcome of your case, there may be a way for your record to be cleared. In order to be eligible to seal your DUI arrest, you have to ensure that you are not convicted of DUI. The only way to do that is to have the DUI charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced. HOW CAN I GET A BREAKDOWN? Receiving a breakdown in your case is the result of a lot of work by your lawyer combined with a favorable set of facts or problems with the evidence in your case.

Laugh Out Loud

Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw No matter where you stand on the great ketchup versus mustard debate, you’ll love these spicy, tangy, easy-to-make buffalo dogs. They’re the perfect way to elevate your Fourth of July cookout. Ingredients

For Celery Slaw •

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1 package of your favorite hot dogs

4 celery stalks, very thinly sliced

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1 package hot dog buns

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1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

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1 bottle Frank’s RedHot sauce

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2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

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4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

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1 teaspoon olive oil

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Celery salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

3. Assemble hot dogs, douse with hot sauce, and top with celery slaw. 4. Top with blue cheese, add another splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling extra spicy, and serve.

1. For slaw, toss all ingredients together and season with celery salt and pepper. 2. Grill hot dogs and toast buns.

Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

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INSIDE this issue

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The Baseball Road Trip Filled With Life Experiences

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Summer-Worthy Learning Opportunities Playing It Safe Around Pyrotechnics

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Don’t Let a DUI Hang Over You Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw

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The History of Hot Dogs and Burgers

THIS AMERICAN GRUB How Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Became National Treasures

brought their recipes for “Hamburg steak” with them across the Atlantic, but reports vary as to who first sold the meat patty inside a bun. Multiple diners and fairgrounds across America claim to be the home of the first hamburger. All of these claims date to the turn of the 20th century, a time when our nation was faced with feeding a growing working class quickly and cheaply. By the 1950s, the burger had become a symbol of the American everyman.

know the identity of the man who took the hot dog’s popularity to a national level: Nathan Handwerker.

If your plans for this Independence Day involve firing up the barbecue, you’ll probably be cooking two American classics: hot dogs and hamburgers. Come the Fourth of July, families will be grilling up burgers and dogs from sea to shining sea, but it wasn’t always this way. The story of how beef patties and sausages became culinary symbols of our nation will give you plenty of food for thought.

A Jewish immigrant from Poland, Nathan sliced buns for a hot dog stand on Coney Island. After scraping together enough money, he quit his job and opened a stand of his own, undercutting his former employer’s prices by half. Not only did Nathan’s hot dogs outsell the competition, the Great Depression made them the perfect food for a nation suddenly living on a tight budget. By the 1930s, hot dogs had become so unquestionably American that Franklin Roosevelt famously served them to King George VI during his royal visit in 1939.

THE HOT DOG

It was German immigrants who brought the “frankfurter” and the “wienerwurst”

Both the hot dog and hamburger

embody the history of our nation. Immigrant traditions merged

with blue-collar needs to create two uniquely

to American soil in the 1800s. There is much debate over who first

THE BURGER Like the hot dog, the exact origin of the beef patty’s eventual “sandwiching” is lost to history. Once again, it was German immigrants who

American foods. It’s fitting that we celebrate America’s birthday with the grub that has grown along with it.

decided to place one of these franks in a bun, but by the opening of the 20th century, hot dog stands had popped up all over the Eastern Seaboard. We do

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