OCTOBER 2019 THE
COMMUNITY CONSCIENCE
CAR SHOPPING WITH YOUR KIDS THE NO. 1 RULEWHEN BUYING A USED CAR Raising kids can be a challenging endeavor. When Heather and I married in 2013, she agreed to take on not only a husband but also two boys: Andrew, 12, and Chandler, 11. The boys are now 17 and 18 years old and face growing up in a world very different from the one Heather and I knew when we were teenagers. We are far from perfect parents, but we do our best. Our newsletter chronicles some of our successes and some of our less-than-stellar moments. We hope you can learn from some of our failures and find some entertainment in the moments we share.
KIDS AND USED CARS After about 25 arguments and a summer schedule that would send my boys in different directions, I finally came to the conclusion I’d been postponing for as long as possible: My boys needed their own cars! My son Andrew was fortunate enough to receive a 2002 GMC pickup truck from his grandmother. This truck had one of the coolest paint jobs you have ever seen. Depending upon how the sun hits the car, it changes from purple to orange to red. It has also served as our family’s go-to vehicle for hauling recyclables and any other project a pickup was needed for. However, it was also time for Chandler to have his own wheels, as he had a full-time summer job at Camp Equinox. There was no way we could reconcile his schedule with Andrew’s.
half dozen bumper stickers, and they were all for causes Chandler believed in. After about a five-minute test drive, it was all over! We broke the cardinal rule of purchasing a used car. Those damn Swedes build an irresistible vehicle! If you’ve followed any of my newsletters, you know that I usually direct you to an article for suggestions. In light of my knee-jerk purchase of the first used car we found, I do not believe I am worthy of providing any advice to anyone about much of anything. Have a great October and be safe out there.
Buying a used car is not for the faint of heart. Although it’s been about 10 years since I was in the used car market, I set out with Chandler to look into purchasing a car. We had a budget (which we broke a little) and an idea of what we wanted. As a seasoned negotiator and someone who appreciates cars, I was ready to guide my son’s hand through his first purchase. The No. 1 rule for anyone looking for a used car is that you cannot buy the first car you find. So, I instructed Chandler accordingly, “Whatever you do, do not buy the first car you see.” In response Chandler said, “Hey Dad, let’s check out this Volvo.”We thought it would be easy to say no!
- Lucas Foust
There it was: off-white with a ski rack and four spare summer tires in the back. It had about a
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So, you’ve decided to get a dog. Maybe you think your kids could use a new playmate, or maybe you and your spouse want someone to join you on morning walks. Whatever the reason, the next question is where to get them. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money to a breeder for a purebred puppy, why not check the local shelter or humane society? October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and, if you’re looking to get a dog, here are a few reasons to check the shelters first. IT’S CHEAPER TO ADOPT Adoption prices include the up-front expenses, such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, that you wouldn’t get from a breeder or pet store. Some shelters even include the cost of microchipping in their fee. If you adopt from a shelter, you’re ensured a healthy, happy dog. With some shelter dogs, you may also save on housebreaking and training costs. LOTS OF CHOICES Is there a specific breed you’re looking for? Chances are you will find it at the shelter. Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some organizations rescue specific breeds, and with a little research, you may find one near you. Even if you don’t find the breed you’re looking for, you may find an indispensable companion in a breed you weren’t looking for — and you never would have found them if you didn’t check the shelters. WHERE SHOULD I GET A DOG? 3 Reasons to Adopt From Your Local Shelter
Insulted and a little afraid, Purtell’s neighbors called the police to have the headstones removed. After a couple of visits, Officer Bruce Mason arrived and threatened to arrest Purtell if he didn’t take the tombstones down. Purtell obliged, but the matter wasn’t put to rest. THE VERDICT Purtell sued Officer Mason on the grounds of violating his rights to free speech, and the case made it all the way to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Sykes ruled that the tombstones did not constitute fighting words and were protected under the First Amendment. However, she also ruled that Officer Mason was entitled to qualified immunity, as any reasonable officer would act the same under the circumstances. The bigger question might be how this case made it all the way to the U.S. Court of Appeals. As Judge Sykes wrote in her opinion, “Lawsuits like this one cast the legal profession in a bad light and contribute to the impression that Americans are an overlawyered and excessively litigious people.” HALLOWEENDECORATIONS OR FIGHTINGWORDS? A Grave Legal Matter GREAT FOR YOUR KIDS Having a dog can be great for your kids, and getting it from a shelter can be even better for them. Dogs encourage kids to play outside and be more active, and kids gain a friend who loves them unconditionally. Plus, if you adopt, the act of giving an unwanted animal a new home can teach your kids empathy. If you still haven’t checked your local shelter for the newest member of your family, what are you waiting for? Find a furry friend you and your kids will love today!
We’ve all played a harmless trick or two, but sometimes, Halloween shenanigans get out of hand. They can lead to hurt feelings, outraged neighbors, and, in the case of Purtell v. Mason, a lawsuit. In the days leading up to Halloween, all was not quiet in the village of Bloomingdale. Previously parked in a storage unit, Jeff and Vicki Purtell’s 38-foot RV was now parked in front of their house. In protest, neighbors petitioned to town officials, wanting an ordinance put in place to prohibit RV parking on residential property. While the ordinance was under consideration, Jeff Purtell took matters into his own hands. He erected six wooden tombstones in his front yard. They seemed to be innocuous Halloween decorations, but these tombstones displayed a special message for the neighbors. Each headstone was inscribed with a sarcastic message and house number, implying the occupants’ death dates. These messages soon caught the neighbors’ attention.
“Bette wasn’t ready, but here she lies, ever since that night she died. Twelve feet deep in this trench, still wasn’t deep enough for that stench! 1690.”
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FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! With the spookiest day of the year fast approaching, there’s nothing like a scary movie night to get the whole family into the Halloween spirit. The only problem is most frightful films really aren’t for kids, and the ones that are often fall flat. But, if you’re looking for a flick that will have the whole family on the edge of their seats (without traumatizing anyone), consider our top three picks for scary, family-friendly movies. SCARY MOVIES NO. 3 ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ “Who you gonna call” to be high on this list? The 1984 spectral classic, “Ghostbusters.”While this may be more of an action-comedy, plenty of scares and creepy imagery still get a jump out of first-time watchers young and old alike. If you’re looking for a lighthearted movie night that still captures a Halloween feel,
the script to life. While young children may find the doll-like imagery too unsettling, this is a great introductory thriller for preteens. NO. 1 ‘SCOOBY-DOO ON ZOMBIE ISLAND’ Yes, a Scooby-Doo movie is at the top of this list — and it deserves to be. As the feature-length debut of Scooby, Shaggy, and the rest of the Mystery Gang, this 1998 film doesn’t pull any punches. While the hand-drawn animation and slapstick high jinks of the original Hanna-Barbera cartoon are all there, make no mistake: There are some creepy moments in this movie. Between scary zombie elements and a spooky Voodoo doll scene, this is the perfect film to get your kids into the Halloween spirit.
“Ghostbusters” is a great choice. NO. 2 ‘CORALINE’
Few authors weave creepiness with coming-of-age stories together better than Neil Gaiman, and his 2009 film“Coraline” proves just that. Based on Gaiman’s book of the same name, director Henry Selick uses his signature stop-motion animation style to bring
Take a Break!
MISO CARAMEL APPLES
Inspired by Bon Appétit
INGREDIENTS
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4 Popsicle sticks
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4 Granny Smith apples 1/2 cup raw pistachios 1 1/2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar
2 tbsp light corn syrup 1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp kosher salt
3 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp white miso, divided
DIRECTIONS
tbsp water to a boil. Boil for 5–7 minutes, swirling infrequently, until caramel is a light amber color. caramel, whisking to combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and quickly whisk in remaining miso. 6. To assemble, first roll apple in caramel, then in pistachio mixture, before resting on greased baking sheet. 7. Let cool 30 minutes and serve. 5. Add cream and salt to
1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a food processor, pulse
pistachios and 1 1/2 tsp sugar. Add sesame seeds and 1 tbsp miso, pulsing until miso is fully broken up. Spread evenly
on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes and let cool. 3. Meanwhile, insert a Popsicle stick into the center of each apple. 4. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup, 1 cup sugar, and 2
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Foust Law Office
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
www.lucasfoustlaw.com 406-587-3720 Fax: 406-879-4400
3390 South 30th Avenue Bozeman, MT 59718
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Do You Know the #1 Rule When Buying a Used Car? PAGE 1 Reasons to Adopt Dogs From Shelters PAGE 2 Grave Matters of the Law PAGE 2 Frightful Films for Families PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Miso Caramel Apples PAGE 3 Educating Your Kids About Cancer PAGE 4
SOLUTION
A DIFFICULT DISCUSSION Talking to Your Kids About Cancer As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?”Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH Telling a child that you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional.
while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth. FOCUS ON PREVENTION EDUCATION A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too.
When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts,
The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.
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