Foust Law - December 2018

Take a look at our newsletter this month.

DECEMBER 2018 THE

COMMUNITY CONSCIENCE

There are things we can do as parents to better understand when typical ups and downs of a teenager turn into something more. Here are some recommendations from healthychildren.org: 1. Don’t let your teen’s depression or anxiety snowball. 2. Listen — even when your teen is not talking. 3. Never shrug off threats of suicide as typical teenage melodrama. 4. Seek professional help right away. 5. Share your feelings. 6. Encourage your teen not to isolate himself or herself from family and friends. 7. Recommend exercise. 8. Urge your teen not to demand too much of himself or herself. 9. Remind your teen who is undergoing treatment not to expect immediate results. 10. If you keep guns at home, store them safely or move all firearms elsewhere until the crisis has passed. A CDC study indicates that for every suicide, there are 25 attempted suicides. Like most Americans, I have had someone very close to me attempt suicide. I have to tell you it came with what seemed to me like no warning. I guess you never know the roof is leaking until you go inside. I hope I am more understanding and better prepared if anyone else I love feels the same in the future.

Raising kids can be a challenging endeavor. When Heather and I were married in 2013, Heather 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 than 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 these tips below so you can look out for your teen’s mental health. 10 THINGS PARENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND

YOU NEVER KNOW THE ROOF IS LEAKING UNTIL YOU GO INSIDE Heather and I absolutely love to travel. We especially enjoy non-touristy places where you can get a feel for the local culture. I have not been able to travel as much as I’d like lately and have become an avid viewer of Anthony Bourdain’s shows “Parts Uknown,”“The Layover,” and “No Reservations.”These programs have allowed me to travel vicariously. Anthony Bourdain was insightful, interesting, and indignant — all characteristics I like very much. I was heartbroken to hear that he took his own life. I will likely never understand what causes this troubling human phenomenon, and I worry about my own kids, knowing just how difficult it can be to grow up.

Annually, one in five teenagers in the U.S. seriously considers suicide, according to data collected by the CDC. Around 8 percent of adolescents attempt suicide, representing around 1 million teenagers, of whom nearly 300,000 receive medical attention for their attempts. Sadly, 1,700 teenagers die by suicide each year. Suicide is the No. 2 cause of death for young people between 15 and 24 years of age. Unfortunately, the national trend shows a significant increase in the number of people who take their own lives. Between 1999 and 2016, a CDC study indicates that suicide rates have increased in nearly every state. Half of the states, including Montana, saw an increase of over 30 percent during that time.

- Lucas Foust

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A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY Health Coverage for Furry Companions

The close bond that humans form with their pets can be mystifying to those who proclaim they are not “pet people.” A dog given a spot on the bed or a cat given specialty food might seem extravagant to some, but a glance back in time shows that this close companionship developed long ago. Ancient Egyptians were sometimes mummified with their feline or canine companions, and when given the choice between losing a battle or harming cats, Egyptians chose a loss to their Persian adversaries rather than attacking soldiers who’d strategically strapped felines to their bodies. A special relationship developed between humans and their animals during the process of domestication, and pets earned their proverbial place at the table. For some pet parents, this close bond makes insurance coverage for their fur babies a no-brainer. Some employers are even offering it as an employment benefit. When it comes to caring for our furry companions, veterinarian Jean Maixner points out that having pet insurance can keep families from having to make a gut-wrenching decision when a pet gets sick or hurt. “If you get the right policy, it can be an asset to the health care of that pet and have a significant impact on the bill that results from an emergency visit,” Maixner says.

can find plans that cover accidents and illnesses, and some plans even cover routine care, like vaccines. In an assessment of policies, Consumer Reports found that for a relatively healthy pet, most policies actually cost more than they would ultimately pay out. However, they also found that for a pet that develops a serious illness or condition, many pet insurance policies will indeed pay out more than what they cost. Talk with your vet to see if there are any conditions your pet is prone to. Consumer Reports also recommends reading all

the fine print when looking at plans to make sure you understand what will be covered.

For many people, pet insurance offers peace of mind that their companion will be protected. As Herb

Weisbaum, consumer advisor for NBC News, says, “If you buy pet insurance and don’t use it, consider yourself lucky.”

As with human health insurance, pet health insurance policies vary. A higher deductible usually means paying a lower monthly rate. You

Fake Discounts and Angry Shoppers A Massive Black Friday Lawsuit

Shoppers flock to retailers every Black Friday in hopes of securing the best deals on the year’s hottest products. There are many nasty aspects of Black Friday— the long lines, the overzealous shoppers, the limited stock of items—but phony pricing and fake sales shouldn’t be among them. But that’s exactly what happened to folks in Los Angeles during the 2016 holiday season, leading to the biggest Black Friday lawsuit in history. In December of 2016, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office sued J.C. Penney, Sears, Macy’s, and Kohl’s for a practice called“false reference pricing,”a nefarious tactic whereby retailers lie about the original price of an item tomake a discount appear bigger than it actually is. For example, Sears sold a Kenmore washing machine at a“sale price”of $999.99, compared to

a“regular price”of $1,179.99. The problemwas the so-called sale price was actually the price that product was offered at every day. Therefore, it wasn’t actually on sale. Duping your customers is a bad business practice, but what makes it illegal?Well, California law requires that retailers post a retail price no higher than what the product was sold at within three months prior to the ad.“Families today… are striving to get the very most they can get from an extremely hard-earned holiday shopping dollar,”said LA City Attorney Mike Feuer.“They deserve tomake an informed decision.”After the suit was brought against them, the retailers all quickly moved to settle, promising to never engage in false reference pricing again.

Most retailers offer discounts around the holidays to encourage shoppers to come into their stores or visit their websites. Promotions and sales are great tools in any business’s arsenal, provided they aren’t out to mislead customers. Big-box stores may try to manipulate innocent people, and it’s up to aggrieved customers to hold those corporations accountable. Nearly every year, you’ll read about a class-action lawsuit that develops in response to the shady tactics of businesses eager to secure those holiday shopping dollars. Are there great bargains to be had on Black Friday? Of course. But if something sounds too good to be true, it very well might be. Keep your eyes peeled and don’t let retailers trick you into a purchase you wouldn’t make otherwise.

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Wise Men or Sorcerers? The History of the Magi

The story of the three wise men visiting Jesus is a focal point in the Judeo- Christian telling of the birth of the Christ. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh demonstrate reverence for the child through symbolism: Gold symbolized kingship; frankincense was commonly burned in temples and represented the spiritual stature that Jesus would hold; and myrrh was used in preparing bodies for burial, foreshadowing his eventual crucifixion. While the Magi’s role in the birth of Jesus is well-known, not much is understood about the men themselves and their connection to the baby in the manger. Historically known as Magi, the three “wise men” are known for their study of the stars. The Magi were some of the earliest astrologers. Until the 17th century, astrology and astronomy weren’t separate fields of study. Astrology included both the study of how the stars and planets affect human life and the position and motion of the cosmic bodies. In the Persian Empire, Magi were known as astrologer-priests, delineating the fate of men they saw written in the stars. But while they are known for interpreting the significance of planetary movements for human life, many historians suggest there could have been more to their jobs than astrology.

“Magi” comes from the Greek word “magos,”which means magic. Early interpretations of magos included alchemy and sorcery along with astronomy. Speculations swirl among many biblical scholars about the true nature of the Magi, as some tellings portray them as illusionists or fortune-tellers. In a cultural context, the Magi were revered across the Middle East. Along with their knowledge, they had stature and wealth that allowed them to bestow gifts upon those they deemed important. The act of giving presents to a child wasn’t a regular practice for the Magi, and thus the event was significant for the time. While only three Magi are portrayed in the familiar nativity story, the real event would have included many servants. As a matter of fact, the Bible never mentions the number of Magi who visited Jesus, leaving interpretations open as to how many Magi traveled to Bethlehem. In the early seventh century, the Magi were pushed to the outer rims of Africa and India due to the rising popularity of Islam. Since someone could only be considered Magi by birth, it is widely accepted that the line of succession eventually ended, and the Magi faded into history.

Take a Break!

Holiday Roast

PRIME RIB

Looking for an easy holiday roast that still feels elegant enough for the occasion? Look no further than this delicious prime rib flavored with garlic, thyme, and red wine.

INGREDIENTS

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1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds)

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4 cups beef stock

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1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

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8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

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2 cups red wine

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Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 3. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare.

4. Tomake au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 5. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.

Recipe courtesy of Healthy.Happy.Life

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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 10Things Parents Need to Understand PAGE 1 A Look at Health Insurance for Pets PAGE2 The Biggest Black Friday Lawsuit in History PAGE 2 The History of the 3 Wise Men PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Holiday Roast Prime Rib PAGE 3 Holiday Decoration Tours PAGE 4

SOLUTION

CHRISTMAS TOURS Get Away and Be Festive This Holiday Season

There’s nothing quite like the magical lights of the holiday season, and some destinations in the U.S. have perfected the craft of holiday decoration. If you’re looking to get away this December and still engage in seasonal festivities, add one of these places to your must-visit list.

NEW YORK CITY’S ROCKEFELLER CENTER New York City is an iconic location for

up with white string lights and flanked by snow. The Christmas decorations and lights surrounding the archway make for a Western- themed holiday pulled right out of a John Wayne classic. For holiday admirers looking for a unique spin, Jackson has you covered.

Christmastime. The scene is like a Hallmark card: Ice-skating lovers whiz past miles of twinkling lights underneath an excessively tall and amply-decorated tree. The tree is specially selected by Rockefeller Center’s landscaping crews, who scout out trees years in advance. It remains lit from November to early January, so you have plenty of time to check it out.

letters to Kris Kringle himself. It’s impossible to avoid holiday cheer in this town.

YEARLY YULETIDE IN SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA

DISNEY WORLD’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC

This one’s for the Christmas lover. If you can’t make it out to Santa Claus, Indiana, this holiday season, you can still celebrate Christmas in this tiny Midwestern town in January, June, or even October. Embracing its unique name, the town boasts a museum, holiday shopping center, and a Christmas theme park. In a moving tribute, the town’s residents also write responses to children’s

What better place to celebrate the most magical time of the year than in the most magical place on Earth? Walt Disney World’s halls are decked to the max with a parade, gingerbread homes, strings of lights, and festive parties. Plus, costs to visit Disney World can be cheaper during the Christmas season, so keep an eye out for a vacation steal.

RANCH CHRISTMAS IN JACKSON, WYOMING

Jackson, Wyoming, takes its frontier culture to the next level during the Christmas season. All year, the city proudly displays four elk antler arches, but around the holidays, they are lit