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TheFosterFirmWins.com • 404-559-8325 • June/July 2023
The Ultimate Water Safety Guide SPLISH, SPLASH, AND STAY SAFE!
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Stay out of crowds. Many people like to walk along the shores of lakes, beaches, and rivers at one time. However, this puts small children at a higher risk of being lost or swept away into the water without anyone noticing. Find a clear spot for you and your family to enjoy together. Don’t go into the water by yourself. Even if you’re a strong swimmer, having someone with you is always important in case something goes wrong. You never know when you may suddenly get tired, experience a cramp, or even get stuck on something beneath the water. Always wear a life vest! No matter what kind of vessel you’re on, always be sure to wear a vest. The flotation device may be the only thing keeping you afloat if you unexpectedly find yourself in the water. Make sure whoever is driving is licensed and sober. Just like a car, it is illegal to drive a boat without a license or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Plus, boats don’t have brakes, so if the operator makes a mistake, there is no way to stop or quickly turn to save the boat and its passengers.
Summer is here, which means it’s a great time to have fun with your family! Whether you go to the pool, the beach, a lake, the Chattahoochee River, or on a boat, staying safe is always important so your summer fun doesn’t become a catastrophe. So, to help your family enjoy your time in the sun, surf, sand, or sea deck, here are some tips to use near any body of water this summer — no matter where you are!
decisions. Drownings can happen in only a few seconds, so one TikTok video, phone call, or text message may be all it takes for something dangerous to happen. Second, most teenagers have no official lifeguard training, so if something happens, they may not know how to save a life. Always have an adult watch children in the pool. Getting your children into swimming classes is a good idea. Even if your family doesn’t own or visit the pool, you never know what might happen while your children are with friends. You want to ensure they have the proper skills even without you there. Some swimming classes start for children as young as 6 months and are always available for older children, teens, and adults. Talk to your kids about pool safety. Have this conversation early and often with your children. If you don’t know what to talk about, discuss your family’s “pool rules,” such as not going in, around, or next to a pool without an adult and no chasing, running, or diving. Body of Water Safety Tips • Watch out for rip currents when in the ocean. According to the National Ocean Service, rip currents
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Pool Safety Tips •
Water wings are not life-saving devices! While water wings definitely give you some peace of mind as a parent, children can still drown while wearing them. That’s why it’s important that even if your child is wearing water wings, you still watch them at all times. Teenagers are not lifeguards. Letting your teenage child, cousin, grandchild, niece, or nephew watch their younger family members while the adults hang out may be tempting. But it’s important to remember that, first of all, teenagers are not adults. Sometimes, they don’t make the best
Boating Safety Tips •
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Most importantly, take safety seriously, no matter what body of water you and your family choose to enjoy. Drownings and other accidents can happen in only seconds, so it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry when you swim this summer.
are “powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water” and can move “at speeds of up to 8 feet per second, faster than
an Olympic swimmer.” And remember, “If caught in a rip current, don’t fight it! Swim parallel to the
shore and swim back to land at an angle.”
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Ocean Activities the Entire Family Will Love MASTER THE WAVES
Summer has finally arrived, and many of us will be
snorkeling. Using a snorkel in the ocean, especially in flat water, is a great way to explore the underwater world. You’ll be able to spot fish, crustaceans, and other sea life without needing extensive training. Those who regularly go snorkeling see it as a form of therapy that helps them relieve stress and anxiety. Feeling more relaxed and at peace will help make your vacation feel even more magical.
going on weeklong excursions to the coast to get some much-needed rest and relaxation by the beach. For years, the beach has been one of the most popular summertime destinations
GRAB A BOARD.
If you want to experience something slightly more intense, you can try some of the many ocean activities involving a board. First-time ocean-goers will love using a boogie board or bodyboard to ride the waves into shore. Those who are more experienced may enjoy surfing for the first time or renting a standing paddleboard. Many beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts have paddleboard rentals or surfing lessons. Be on the lookout at your vacation destination if you want to take advantage of these exciting activities.
for Americans, with millions of us flocking to the coast every year. If you’re planning to hit the sand this summer, you should prepare some exciting activities, so you and your family or travel partners can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Here are a few oceanside activities you’ll want to check out on your vacation.
TOUR THE OCEAN.
EXPLORE THROUGH SNORKELING.
You may want to get away from the beach and experience open waters beyond the shore. If that’s the case, you’ll want to see if your vacation destination offers glass-bottom boat or submarine tours. Some beaches even have whale- watching adventures, which provide an excellent opportunity to see some of nature’s largest creatures in their natural habitat.
Many people want to try scuba diving while on vacation but don’t have the time, training, and
finances required to go on an excursion. That being said, you can get pretty close to the scuba-diving experience by
SUMMER FUN SHOULDN’T BE DANGEROUS
How to Keep Your Outdoor Space Safe
For many people, summer means more time outside in the sun, enjoying their property or the property of their friends, family, and even strangers via home-rental apps. However, these outdoor spaces can also put you at risk for injury if they’re not maintained properly. So, for you to host that successful backyard barbecue or make the most out of your vacation stay, here are a few tips to ensure no one is injured while on the property. INSPECT ALL OUTDOOR AREAS AFTER STORMS. Atlanta receives about 3.3 inches of rain a month in the summertime, which is higher than our country’s average. These weather changes, especially when occurring rapidly, can cause significant issues that owners or renters may not be aware of immediately. After a storm, walk outside your home, apartment, or rental to ensure the steps, stairs, and railings
are safe. Pay close attention to metal fixtures like railings or nails to ensure there is no apparent rust, a major red flag to the structure’s integrity. Confirm no debris has fallen over walkways or damaged any outdoor lights you and guests may need to navigate your space safely later. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR DECK AND BALCONIES. We’ve all seen those terrifying videos of groups of people standing out on balconies or decks, and the entire structure collapses. It’s a very scary scenario, and it can happen to anyone. So, if you expect a lot of people over at once, ensure your deck or balcony is safe. If you own the home, having a professional inspect your deck or balcony may be a good idea, especially if you’ve never had them checked before. If you don’t own the space, consider telling your guests there is a limit on how many can be on the structures at once.
PRACTICE GRILL SAFETY! Few things are better than a summer barbecue, but nothing is worse than an unnecessary injury due to negligence ruining the festivities. Before you light up any grill, ensure all the grates are clean but avoid doing so with a wire grill brush. The bristles can get lodged into food and eaten by you or your guests. Finally, ensure all children are far away from the flames to keep them from burning themselves.
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xxx MAKE FATHER’S DAY EXTRA SPECIAL WITH THESE GIFTS
My father is many things — a dentist and an entrepreneur by trade — but he has always been my biggest fan. When my dad found out I was planning to open my practice, he couldn’t have been more excited. In fact, he had been encouraging me to do just that for years, never understanding why I would want to work for other people when I could work for myself. So, when it came time to find an office for my new business, he hopped on the first flight to Atlanta to help me. He even helped me negotiate with my leasing agent for a better deal and offered me really great advice on how to handle the lease moving forward. When it came time to furnish the office, my dad helped me find the perfect furniture that reflected my business. He was also my very first receptionist. But, as you can probably guess, dads don’t always make the best receptionists, so after a week, he happily retired from his front-desk role. I’m so thankful to always have had a father who has supported what I wanted to do; it has made all the difference in my life. So this month, I want to celebrate all of the fathers in our lives who go the extra mile to help us, no matter what we’re trying to accomplish. A great way to show our dads some love is with a thoughtful gift chosen just for them. Here are three of my favorite gifts that will show your dad just how thankful you are. PERSONALIZED ACRYLIC BARBECUE SERVING TRAY Whether your dad is serving up his barbecue favorites or ice-cold drinks by the pool, this gift is perfect for both entertaining and everyday use. You
can engrave the trays with a family name or cute nickname like “Grill Master.” FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM JERSEY, GLASSES, OR BLANKET Like most fathers, your dad probably has a sports team he’s crazy about. So, give him something you know he’ll love in the form of memorabilia for his favorite team! That way, he can enjoy the next game with his very own merch. HOT SAUCE OR BARBECUE SAUCE SET If your dad loves to cook (or even just eat), a variety pack of sauces is the perfect gift for him! Depending on your dad’s preferences, you can choose a set filled with award-
winning fiery hot sauces or smoky barbecue sauces any grill master can appreciate.
Vegan Queso Inspired by Simple-Veganista.com
INGREDIENTS
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1 cup raw cashews 1/2–3/4 cup water
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1 4-oz can green chiles
1/2 tsp cumin
Name of Business: KlusterTV What They Do: KlusterTV is the one-stop shop for excellence in Black Media: music, news, and talk. Website: KlusterTV.com
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp chili powder
1–2 tbsp nutritional yeast
Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In hot water, soak the cashews for 5 minutes, then drain. 2. To a blender, add cashews, 1/2 cup water, and remaining ingredients. Blend until creamy, about 1–2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Add more water if needed. 3. Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite tortilla chips or veggie sticks. TIP: For warm queso, pour dip into an oven-safe bowl, cover with aluminum foil, and place in a preheated oven at 350 F for 10–15 minutes. If you’d prefer to use a microwave, heat uncovered for 30-second intervals, stirring often, until warmed through.
SPOTLIGHT
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Summer Fun, With Safety First! page 1 Seashore Adventures Await page 2 Get Your Summer On — Safely page 2 Personalized Gifts Your Dad Will Treasure page 3 Vegan Queso page 3 The Colorful History of Medieval Smack Talk page 4
How Disses Became Poetry THE ORIGINAL RAP BATTLES
Long before diss tracks, rap battles, and “yo mama” jokes, there was medieval “flyting.” Defined as quick exchanges of witty insults, these poetic slights were popular in England and Scotland from the 5th to 16th century. Insulting someone in verse took immense effort and quick wits, and they were undoubtedly a performance you didn’t want to miss. Despite crude language and below-the-belt potshots, flyting became entertainment for royals and was dubbed “court flyting.” While these jests are not well-documented, one flyting event made history. The iconic exchange known as “The Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedie” occurred in the early 16th century between William Dunbar and Walter Kennedie. The two were performing their court flyting for the Scottish King James IV. Both men were known for their intellect and clever nature, and their flyting did not disappoint. This famous dialogue featured two firsts: using fecal matter as an insult and dropping the F-bomb. Low-brow
and crass, these speedy insults were simply too entertaining for even kings and queens to ignore. If you’re wondering what exactly these two “gentlemen” were saying, we’d have to admit that it would be difficult to quote without including expletives and curses. However, one tame section can be shared here. Dunbar reportedly insulted Kennedie by saying: Maggoty mutton, gorged glutton, scurrilous certain heir to Hillhouse, Rank beggar, oyster-dredger, dismal debtor on the lawn, Lily-livered, soul-shivered, cheap as slivers in the millhouse, Bard baiter, thief of nature, false traitor, devil’s spawn. While these amusing fights were a form of entertainment, men also used them to influence the courts and improve their social profile while lowering others. So, as you can imagine, flyting could get intense (similar to rap battles and heated diss tracks).
Centuries have passed, yet some things never really change!
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