Council & Associates June 2019

Council & Associates June 2019

Chronicles JUNE 2019 COUNCIL

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I’M VERY LUCKY TO HAVE BOTH

Two Great Dads

M y father goes by Tex, which you might assume is a nickname. But that’s what’s on his birth certificate. When asked about it, he’s fond of saying, “Tex is short for Tex,” which sums up his sense of humor perfectly. My father is a kind, caring man whom I admire greatly. He’s also very gracious about taking a joke. Texaco, as I like to call him, is a proud Army veteran who served his country as a young man. We’re all grateful for his service, but that doesn’t mean we don’t poke a little fun at him when he wears his vet’s hat out in public. You know the kind I’m talking about, the blue ball caps with all the badges and huge lettering. “Oh, Dad’s in the mood for some attention today,” we’ll say when he dons the famous hat. All kidding aside, he should be proud of his service, and if he wants to flaunt it from time to time, more power to him. Another characteristic about Dad is that he is “capital F” frugal. I mean, the man has never met a deal he didn’t like. He has tons of coupons and compares prices on everything — the whole 9 yards. A lot of people I know give me a hard time about how mindful I am about the cost of items and services, but I’m A FATHER AND A HUSBAND WHO ARE THE TYPE OF MEN YOU CAN DEPEND ON.”

A TRIBUTE TO TEX AND PHILLIP

an amateur bargain hunter compared to him. I guess there’s no mystery about where I got it from. While I’m celebrating the dads in my life, I have to take a moment to thank my husband, Phillip, for being an incredible father. Phillip is a stand-up man in every aspect of his life, so I never doubted that he’d be a generous, doting dad, but knowing isn’t quite the same as seeing. As our kids have grown up, I’ve been overwhelmed by his ability to always put the kids first and make time for them. That’s especially important given how busy the both of us are. I am not the stay-at-home, housework- and child-rearing-only type of mom. My career is extremely important to me. As such, it’s a team effort to make sure the kids get all the attention and love they deserve. If I’m working on a big case or swamped at the office, he always steps up at home. And we never, ever miss our family date night together. To be able to share these responsibilities with someone I love makes me stronger as both a mother and an attorney. Let me tell you, I don’t take it for granted. I’m very lucky to have both a father and a husband who are the type of men you can depend on. It’s a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. In the month of Father’s Day, I’ll

certainly be taking a moment to thank them for everything they’ve done to make our lives what they are today. If you have similar figures in your life, I encourage you to do the same.

–Lashonda Council-Rogers, Esq.

P.S. Dad, if you want to wear your vet’s hat out to Father’s Day brunch, I promise I’ll let you soak up the attention!

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TRUCKING ACCIDENTS REQUIRE EXTRA ATTENTION WHY YOU NEED AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY ON YOUR SIDE Many people wrongly assume that an accident involving a commercial truck is similar to one involving two passenger vehicles. Nothing could be further from the truth. The difference between these cases isn’t just a matter of degree — trucks are much bigger than regular vehicles and can cause severe, life-altering injuries — but also of kind. These cases have a variety of extra considerations that most folks aren’t prepared to deal with on their own. In a regular accident, the at-fault party is solely responsible for compensating the injured party. In the vast majority of cases, this compensation is gained from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Now, when these cases involve serious injuries, it’s still a good idea to hire an attorney to represent your interests. But minor cases that

Setting some time aside to be with family is important, but it can be difficult when everyone is always on their cellphones. Constant cellphone use has become a global problem, and the habit is hard to break because we rely on mobile devices heavily for work, school, and keeping in contact with friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that can reduce how often you’re on your phone and minimize distractions. SIEMPO After you install Siempo on your phone, it will ask which apps are likely to distract you. Once you select them, the app will move those apps away from the home screen and place the important ones, such as the messaging, contacts, email, and calendar apps, on the first screen. You can also designate times for specific apps to be used throughout the day. STAY FOCUSED Stay Focused is like Siempo, but there are some significant differences. You can set times to access certain apps and put the most distracting ones on lock. Stay Focused also has a “strict mode” that prevents you from uninstalling it, so be sure to think carefully before activating the lockdown because you won’t have access to those specific apps until the timer runs out. FOREST In the time that Forest takes control of your device for a set time limit, the app starts growing a tree. Once the tree is fully grown, your time is up, and it joins the other trees that were grown during other breaks. If you pick up your phone and try to access an app, Forest will send you a notification asking you if you want to kill your baby tree by giving up. Who says guilt isn’t a good motivator? BESIDES APPS Aside from using these apps, silencing your phone and putting it in another room, leaving it in your car if you’re out at dinner, or keeping it in your purse or back pocket during a social event can also reduce your screen time. Having your phone out of sight and out of reach will keep the temptation of pulling it out at bay. ENJOY YOUR FAMILY TIME BY TAK I NG A BREAK FROM YOUR PHONE

involve only a small amount of property damage can usually be handled on your own without much hassle.

Trucking accident cases are a different can of worms entirely. Due to the inherent danger a large, hauling vehicle presents to the general public, drivers and trucking companies are subject to strict federal regulations governing everything, such as training required for drivers and the amount of time they can safely spend behind the wheel without taking a break. When these regulations are skirted, you can bring suit against the trucking company itself.

To do that, you need to diligently amass evidence that demonstrates negligence on behalf of the driver or company involved. Understanding how to gather and deploy this

evidence for your benefit is one of the chief qualities you should look for when selecting an attorney for your case. Failing to turn over every stone can lead to you receiving

less than you are legally entitled to.

Negligent drivers and unscrupulous companies need to be held accountable for actions that cause harm to average drivers. It’s the only way to ensure that the trucking industry takes regulation and safety seriously. Our firm believes that your case deserves full attention and comprehensive research. There’s too much at stake — especially if you’re seriously injured — to leave the matter to chance.

Spending time with your family is crucial, and with these apps and tips, you’ll enjoy each other’s company without too many screen distractions.

Call us today at 404.526.8857 to learn how we can help you in the aftermath of a trucking accident or any other kind of auto accident.

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Cool for the Summer

7 TIPS FOR THE PERFECT POPSICLE

HEALTHY SUMMERTIME POPSICLES Ingredients

There’s nothing like an icy treat to cool down with on a hot summer day. But ice cream and store-bought popsicles tend to be full of processed sugar and artificial flavors. Beat the heat with a homemade treat instead! Here are some tips for creating the perfect homemade popsicles.

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2 cups berries

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Turn your freezer to the coldest setting and put your molds at the back of the freezer. The quicker your popsicles freeze, the creamier they will be because fewer ice crystals will form. When you’re ready to eat your popsicles, carefully run the molds under warm water until they loosen. Gently wiggle the popsicle back and forth until it easily slides free. Store uneaten popsicles in airtight freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.

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Invest in a popsicle mold. You can make popsicles with ice cube trays or paper cups, but an inexpensive popsicle mold can completely change the aesthetic of your popsicles, making them even more fun and delicious. Use a pastry bag or freezer bag with a corner cut off to easily fill popsicle molds without making a mess. When filling the molds, leave a 1/4 inch of space at the top. The mixture will expand when it freezes. If your popsicle mold comes with a snap-on lid, leave the lid unsealed. Opening the lid when the molds are frozen can crack the brittle plastic.

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2 tbsp honey

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2 cups plain Greek yogurt

Directions

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1. Blend berries in a food processor or blender until nearly liquified. Feel free to use your favorite kind of berry for this recipe. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries all work great! 2. Pour berry mixture into large bowl. Stir in honey, and then gently mix in yogurt. 3. Pour mixture into molds and freeze for 4–6 hours. 4. Enjoy with your family on a hot summer day!

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Ready to get started? Use the above tips to mix up the delicious guilt-free popsicle recipe below.

WEST END PRINT SHOP We live in an increasingly digital age, but that doesn’t mean paper is going by the wayside anytime soon — heck, this very newsletter is proof that print still matters. When you need something printed, you need to ensure that the product is of the highest quality and doesn’t look like it came off a late ‘90s inkjet printer. Here in Atlanta, West End Print Shop is your source for the best printing, along with exceptional customer service. Local Business Spotlight

Locally owned and operated, West End Print Shop is an all-purpose destination for all your paper-based needs. They do everything: old-fashioned copies and posters, custom business cards, bookbinding, and more. Working with their in-house graphic design team, you can achieve the look you envision without having to spend hours learning Photoshop. If you need a document notarized, they can take care of that, as well. Just as impressive as their robust suite of offerings is the way they embody their core values of integrity, commitment, respect, and excellence. The next time your business card needs a spruce up or you need a beautiful poster for your upcoming event, you have a trusted, local option in West End Print Shop. Visit WestEndPrintShop.com to learn more about this awesome business.

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Inside

THE MAN IN THE VETERAN’S HAT 1 TAKE A BREAK FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE THE UNIQUE NATURE OF TRUCKING ACCIDENTS 2 MAKE THE ULTIMATE SUMMER TREAT A PLACE FOR ALL YOUR PRINTING NEEDS 3 AN ATLANTA CULINARY INSTITUTION 4

THE HISTORY OF MARY MAC’S TEA ROOM Fried Chicken and Friendly Faces

The years following World War II were lean times. Atlanta, like many other areas, was not as developed as it is today. To help grow the economy and provide for their families, many women began

to enter the workforce and open businesses for the first time. Some female entrepreneurs decided to start restaurants. We all know the South does not want for good cooks. However, the idea of women owning restaurants was very controversial, so business owners instead opted for the name “tea room.” Many such institutions were created during that time, but only one stands to this day: Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Midtown.

fresh ingredients, prepare them lovingly, serve

them with a smile, and watch the diners leave with smiles on their faces. It’s a way of dining that will never go out of style, which is why Mary Mac’s has been operating for more than 70 years and shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re in the mood for a piping hot plate of Atlanta history, you can do no better than a visit to Mary Mac’s Tea Room. The restaurant will probably be very crowded on Father’s Day, but Dad will be just as happy if you take him another time.

While they are known for having some delicious sweet tea, Mary Mac’s is a tea room in name alone. Since its inception in 1945, when Mary McKenzie first opened the doors, it’s been a popular down-home Southern eatery. Their buttermilk fried chicken always lands on lists of Atlanta’s best, their okra is legendary, and don’t even get us started on their famous “pot liquor,”

a turnip green and ham broth served alongside their house-made cornbread.

Just as impressive as the food is Mary Mac’s focus on creating a welcoming environment. Walking in feels a bit like stepping back in time. You won’t find ultra modern decor or a list of craft cocktails here. The approach is decidedly old-school: Use

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