County Civil - March 2022

County Civil - March 2022

COUNTYCIVIL.COM

MARCH 2022

My Appreciation for Music Goes Way Back

IT ALL STARTED WHEN I GOT MY DRUM KIT

Music has always been a part of my life. When I’m in my car, I am constantly singing, and I’m a phenomenal dashboard drummer — I’m not sorry if you ever see me do this, either! I still listen to the oldies because they are my favorite tunes to this day. Each time I listen to these songs, it takes me back to my youth. I remember when these songs first came out, and they are still equally as good today. I have a deep appreciation for musicians and the talent that goes into creating music. I know from firsthand experience how difficult it is to play music and to play live. When I was in my early teens, I was a drummer for a local Michigan band. I met a couple of friends at summer camp one year, and this one guy had a set of drums and a guitar. He was more interested in the guitar, so I asked my parents if we could buy the drum set. When I took the drums home, I began teaching myself how to play. I didn’t take drum lessons, and I didn’t know how to read music, but I listened to this song by Iron Butterfly called “In-A- Gadda-Da-Vida” a lot. It had a long drum solo, and I would constantly practice it over and over again until I finally perfected it. This is how I taught myself how to play — by trial and error. A couple of friends and I began playing at local bars and weddings all around Michigan; it was such a great experience. We all knew we wouldn’t break out into the big music scene and become nationally famous, but being able to travel all around the state playing music is what we loved. We got to see new things and meet all kinds of people while performing. I played music for fun! Music is a way to describe yourself, and if you’re having fun, that’s all that matters. I love seeing artists and bands who truly enjoy playing and providing music and happiness to others — and honestly, that’s what the music is all about, to me.

This is why I love seeing live music so much — the components that make up an excellent performance. Seeing musicians play their instruments while singing and dancing has always fascinated me. Hearing live music in a stadium or venue is raw and natural. Unlike a recording, if you mess up, you can’t have a do-over. That’s another thing I love about live shows, seeing how the musicians overcome their mistakes and still put on a great performance.

This is why I love seeing live music so much — the components that make up an excellent performance. Seeing musicians play their instruments while singing and dancing has always fascinated me.

Later in my life, I had a security company, and we did security for concerts all over Michigan. My sons got the chance to meet almost every performer we ran security for. I think this helped my kids gain an appreciation for music and the musicianship that goes along with it. This gig also allowed me to see even more bands I grew up with live. It’s a surreal feeling to see older and well-respected musicians still playing the songs they created when they were younger. It just proves their talent never goes away — even after all these years. Music takes me back to my youth, and I think it’s interesting how music makes a lasting impression on people. Music has always been there for me and helps me think of great memories. Certain songs remind me of certain parts of my life, but that’s a story for a different time. -Rick E. Risk

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IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN — SPRING-CLEANING

TIPS ON CLEANING YOUR HOME AND VEHICLE

As we enter March, the days are getting longer, which means we are quickly approaching spring. Now is a great time to begin spring- cleaning and make this an activity you do each month. Your area will be easier to clean the next time you decide to do so. Here are a few of our favorite tips you can use this month. Your Home Cleaning your entire house may seem like a big job, but if you clean one room at a time, it may go by quicker. Start by cleaning what you think the most challenging room is first. Some may want to leave this for last, but it will be difficult to stay motivated if you’ve been dreading cleaning this area of your home. When you first begin cleaning, throw out any trash first. Once this is finished, you can start decluttering your home and donating or throwing away the items you no longer need. Now that you have an open area to work with, you can pull out your cleaning supplies and begin disinfecting your home. Be sure to wipe any scuff marks off your walls — magic erasers will be your best friend in this scenario. You can also vacuum and

shampoo your rugs to ensure they remain fluffy and fresh. Don’t forget to dust your bookshelves, picture frames, and windowsills!

Your Car Although washing the outside of your car is important, cleaning the inside of your car is just as vital. Besides your home, your car is the second place you may spend your time. While driving, you want to be in a clean and comfortable environment. You can purchase tons of organizational items for your car — like mini trash cans, front compartment dividers, and storage cases you can put on your sun visors. By organizing your car and the items in it, you can make the space less cluttered. For easy cleaning, you can purchase a mini vacuum cleaner that plugs into your cigarette lighter for easy access. Spring-cleaning is a term many people use during this time. But you can use these tips and tricks all year round to refresh yourself and the areas around you. If you stay on a routine of cleaning your home and car often, you will have more time to do the things you really want to do. Happy cleaning!

I Don’t Want to Be Like Mike Why One Man Sued Michael Jordan for $832 Million

Many people have been told they have a passing resemblance to a celebrity, and they usually have a funny story or two. To Allen Ray Heckard, his celebrity look-alike was no laughing matter. In 2006, he sued Michael Jordan for looking too much like him and ruining his life. The amount of the lawsuit was $832 million, and Heckard not only sued Jordan but also Nike, reasoning that the company helped Jordan achieve his incredible fame. The complaint argued that the resemblance to Jordan “has troubled Heckard’s nerves” and being stopped by fans caused him emotional distress for over 15 years. He requested damages for defamation, permanent injury, and pain and suffering. For someone tired of being “recognized,” Heckard didn’t shy away from media coverage. When asked how he arrived at the astronomical $832 million lawsuit figure, he gave this much-shared (yet difficult to parse) answer: “Well, you figure with my age, and you multiply that by seven and, ah, then I turn around and, ah, I figure that’s what it all boils down to.” When asked why he felt the resemblance to Jordan had affected his life so negatively, he could

only answer, “I want to be recognized as me, just like Michael’s recognized as Michael.”

Funnily enough, most people didn’t think Heckard and Jordan looked alike at all. While each had a bald head, mustache, and a gold earring, the similarities seemed to end there. Many news stories noted that, compared to Jordan, Heckard is 8 years older and 6 inches shorter. One question reporters did not appear to ask was why Heckard felt that Jordan should be held personally liable for hundreds of millions of dollars simply for his natural appearance. Sadly, we will probably never know because the case ended rather unceremoniously. After a few weeks, Heckard dropped the lawsuit. He never publicly shared why, but a Nike spokesperson was glad to speculate that Heckard “finally realized he would end up paying our court costs if the lawsuit went to trial.” In the end, many ‘90s kids would argue that Heckard was most guilty of looking a gift horse in the mouth. After all, there is no higher achievement than to “be like Mike.”

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5 CREATIVE, AFFORDABLE GIFT IDEAS FOR GRANDCHILDREN

UNLOCK YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION WITH THESE ACTIVITIES

3 Subscription Boxes the Whole Family Can Enjoy

UnboxBoardom Best for: All ages Price: $33.99 per game Website: UnboxingBoardom.com

Subscription boxes are the new trend, and you and your family can chose from a variety of them. These monthly or bi-monthly goodies are filled with activities the whole family can enjoy. Thanks to these boxes, spending quality time with your loved ones has gotten way easier. There is something new for everyone to participate in each time a new box arrives in your mailbox. Here are some of our favorites.

This game will also strengthen your family’s communication skills because of the teamwork needed for solving the puzzles.

Little Passports Best for: Ages 3-12 Price per month: $23.95 Website: LittlePassports.com

Nothing says family bonding time more than a board game. You can choose to receive a game every one, two, or three months. You can also select the game you would like to play in each delivery to ensure you never receive a game you already have. You also have a “trust the experts” option, where they will select a board game they think you will like each time. In three easy steps, you and your loved ones can receive new games that come directly to your doorstep. With each of these subscription boxes, you can unlock your child’s imagination and create memories to last a lifetime. The best part is — you can do this each month!

Even if you can’t travel around the world, you can still learn about different cultures with this box. This subscription is a play- based science and geography kit with varying boxes for all ages. Little Passports has different monthly boxes depending on the age of your child. They have “Early Explorers,” “Science Junior,” “World Edition,” “USA Edition,” and “Science Expeditions.” These boxes will challenge your child’s brain with fun games, activities, and stories.

Escape the Crate Best for: Ages 10+ Price: $29.99 bi-monthly Website: Escape-The-Crate.com

If you like escape rooms, you and your family will love this game. To “solve” each box, you will work out riddles, crack codes, and discover hidden objects using clues from news reports, letters, and photographs.

CAESAR EQUINOX FLOWERS FORWARD GOLD GREEN

IRISH LUCKY MARS RAIN

SPROUT WOMEN

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2383 Tamarack St., Lake Odessa, MI 48849 616-374-7170 | COUNTYCIVIL.COM R isk & A ssociates

Rick Risk is Founder and President of Risk & Associates, a legal support service provider in Michigan, and has assisted hundreds of attorneys, municipalities, courts, Sheriff Offices, businesses, and others with their strategic process needs.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2

Music Has a Way of Bringing Back Memories

Make Spring-Cleaning an All-Year Thing

Someone Sued Michael Jordan?

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3 Subscription Boxes the Whole Family Can Enjoy

4

Create a Keepsake for Good Luck Year Round

Make a 4-Leaf Clover Keepsake BUT FIND THE ELUSIVE GOOD-LUCK CHARM FIRST

Clover Craft

One of St. Patrick’s Day’s most popular symbols is a four-leaf clover. In Ireland, these clovers represent luck and good fortune. Each leaf on the clover has a different meaning — faith, hope, love, and success. It’s a tradition to find a four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day and do activities involving this lucky leaf. So, how do you find these good-luck charms, and what can you do with them?

Once you find your clover, preserve the luck in it all year by placing it in a picture frame. First, gently press the clover leaves between the pages of a large book for several days to flatten them out. After pressing, you can

How to Find a 4-Leaf Clover

Although it may seem difficult, it’s easier than you might think. First, find a dense patch of white clover — near it is where four-leaf clovers reside. They are different from the rest and are often smaller, so keep that in mind when you look for the lucky green clovers. Instead of staring at the patch in close detail and counting leaves, search the patch without focusing on the tiny details. This increases the odds of eyeing a four-leaf clover because the different patterns, shapes, and sizes of these clovers will jump out at you. If you find one, keep looking! There’s a chance another one might be nearby.

add green food coloring to your clover to enhance its color. Once it’s dry, clean it and let it sit overnight. Then, place your clover onto acid- free paper, cut to fit the size of a picture frame of your choice. Next, use acid-free glue to keep your clover in place, and finally, seal your frame shut. You now have your personal good luck charm! Searching for a four-leaf clover and creating a keepsake will be a great bonding experience for you and your family. We wish you luck! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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