19 APR
Road to justice
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One of the pleasures of running a business is that it provides you with the opportunity to give back. We view that as both a privilege and a responsibility. After all, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the wonderful people of Lexington and Columbia Counties. It’s only right that we do our part to help improve the community that has
Investing in Lexington’s Kids Is Investing in the Future of Our Community
given our practice a home.
Figuring out the best way to do that, though, is no easy task. There are countless awesome options when it comes to worthy charities and organizations to support. Narrowing down the list is tough, but it’s easier after you ask yourself what really matters to you. Nobody can contribute to every cause that’s near and dear to their heart — even Bill Gates has to make some choices about where his money goes — so you have to be judicious in where you choose to allocate your funds and efforts. For me, there are two important criteria that I want our outreach efforts to meet. First, nothing we support can be controversial. We serve clients from all walks of life with every political belief you can think of. It’s important that we support charities everyone can get behind. I wouldn’t want a client to call me up and complain that we’re sponsoring an organization they consider to be immoral. Luckily, meeting that stipulation isn’t much of a worry. The vast majority of nonprofits are doing unambiguously good work that only the zaniest dogmatists would take umbrage with. The second point is a little harder to meet, though it may not sound that way. I knew from the start that I wanted our efforts to make a local impact. While that may not seem a high hurdle to overcome, it’s trickier than it first appears. There are tons of great charities that host events in our area, but many of them are large national or international organizations. Their fundraising may happen locally, but you have no idea where your money goes once it’s sent off to the foundation.
“Figuring out the best way to do that, though, is no easy task. There are countless awesome options when it comes to worthy charities and organizations to support. Narrowing down the list is tough, but it’s easier after you ask yourself what really matters to you.”
doesn’t mean they aren’t doing good work— they are. It’s just that, in my particular case, I wanted to focus on a cause that hit a little closer to home.
When I discussed these ideas with my team, we realized that focusing on improving the lives of Lexington’s kids would satisfy our goals. That’s how we got involved with Lexington Kids’ Day. This year, we’ll be full sponsors at the event for the first time ever. All the proceeds from the event go to local children’s shelters. It’s also totally free for guests.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 27, at Virginia Hylton Park, beginning at 10 a.m. Head to LexingtonKidsDay.com for more information.
We also help out locally by sponsoring a baseball team, the Gilbert Tribe, and by donating to the American Legion Scholarship Fund. We do this not because of any sense of mandate but because we feel it’s the right thing to do. These little guys and girls are the future of our community. Who wouldn’t want to invest in that? –Jim Snell
Now, don’t get me wrong; I encourage everyone to support the organizations that resonate with them. Just because your group isn’t local
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Rated E for Everyone
What Do Ratings Mean, and How Should You Use Them?
Despite guidance from ratings systems, it can be difficult for parents to discern what digital content is appropriate for their children. Learn more about ratings guidelines for common entertainment media and how to decipher that information so you can make educated decisions that work for your family.
MOVIES: G-rated movies are considered suitable for all ages, whereas PG, PG- 13, and R-rated movies are progressively less appropriate for kids because of violence, nudity, and language. Some ratings come with age limits; children who are under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult at R-rated movies. TV SHOWS: Due to laws that limit inappropriate content on public airwaves, TV rating systems follow unique codes. In the U.S., shows that are rated as TV-14 (content that is suitable for those ages 14 and older) can only air after 5 p.m. Meanwhile, TV-MA (content that is appropriate for mature audiences) can only air between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Most shows airing between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. are rated TV-G or TV-PG. These are similar in content to their movie counterparts. Some television children’s shows will also be rated as TV-Y or TV-Y7, and their only distinction is that TV-Y7 has been deemed appropriate for young children ages 7 and older. TV ratings can also have additional descriptors attached to them to explain what kind of content earned the rating.
(AO), or Rating Pending (RP). These ratings provide consumers with more information about content. Again, as the age of the intended user increases, content progresses from allowing mild violence or suggestive content to adult themes. When choosing family entertainment, experts suggest using both the rating and the description of the media to make your decision since the rating system may not fully explain media content. For example, studies have found that a PG-13 movie can sometimes have just as much violence as an R-rated movie. Additionally, you may be fine with the content in a T-rated video game for a more developmentally advanced 11-year-old.
Once you get past all the combinations of numbers and letters, you as a parent might find that ratings for video games, movies, and TV shows provide helpful information. Couple the ratings with your own research and your own values, and put an end to worrying about what surprises may lurk in your children’s media.
VIDEO GAMES: There are seven video game ratings: Early Childhood (EC), Everyone (E), Everyone 10+ (E10), Teen (T), Mature (M), Adults Only
Recently, we welcomed new neighbors into our office who are really old friends. In fact, we’ve shared space with these neighbors before, so we knew we’d get along just fine. We’re talking about legendary South Carolina attorney Hugh Rogers and his trusty legal secretary, Betty Deshong. We’ve featured Mr. Rogers in this newsletter before, but we want to introduce you all to the woman we affectionately call “Ms. Betty.” Ms. Betty has worked for Mr. Rogers since 2007, which means she was around back when we shared our old office space with Mr. Rogers’ practice.“I began working for Mr. Rogers after retiring from a career in banking,” Betty says.“I didn’t want to just sit around, so I jumped at the opportunity to learn a new skill set. Mr. Rogers has taught me so much, and I can’t adequately express my admiration for this kind man.” In addition to enjoying her time with Mr. Rogers, Betty also loves working with the firm’s clients.“Meeting and interacting with clients is the best part of my job,” she reveals.“Many of them are about the same age as me, so it’s wonderful to be able to help them plan for later life.” How has Betty taken to her new surroundings? “Oh, I just love it,” she says.“Jim and his staff are wonderful and it’s nice to be around so many people. No offense to Mr. Rogers, but it was getting pretty quiet with just the two of us.” When she’s not working, Betty enjoys spending time with her husband, Fred. The two of them are members of a vintage British car club and proud owners of a 1976 MGB. We’re so happy to have Ms. Betty and Mr. Rogers back under the same roof as us. The next time you stop by our office, be sure to say hello to Ms. Betty.
Meet Betty Deshong Hugh Rogers’ Legal Secretary
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Paris on a Budget? 3 Travel Myths You Should Stop Believing Traveling has many social and educational benefits, but some people have hesitations that prevent them from jetting off on new adventures. Below are three debunked travel myths to give you some ease as you plan your summer vacation! MYTH: VACATIONS ARE EXPENSIVE. FACT: You can travel anywhere on a budget. Tracking flights to score the best deal, setting spending limits, and packing meals are a few ways to save money. Hostels and Airbnbs are great alternatives to spendy hotel stays. Additionally, you don’t have to cross the country to have a great trip. Every state has museums, unique roadside attractions, historical sites, and a booming nightlife. When you know your price limits and what you want to do, traveling can be a fun and inexpensive venture. MYTH: TRAVELING IS DANGEROUS. FACT: If you’re smart about what you do and where you go, traveling can be safe. Go with your gut and only stay somewhere that is approved by travel guides. Visit places you feel comfortable in, and do your research by reading travel blogs, websites, and books to find places that have been vetted by others. Traveling in groups can also be a great way to lower your risk of danger. As long as you plan ahead, you will have a safe trip.
bodies are cyclical, and the circadian rhythm is set by both a natural need for your body to reset and outside forces, such as your job, time zone, and diet. Travel can disrupt this rhythm and routine, which leaves you lethargic during and after your vacation. Sticking to water before and during your flights and staying physically active during and after traveling are great ways to fight jet lag and get back into your normal rhythm.
Don’t let these travel myths keep you from seeing the world. Set a budget, go with your gut, and prepare for a shifting rhythm to make your next adventure the best one yet.
MYTH: JET LAG IS CAUSED BY A LACK OF SLEEP. FACT: While jet lag can make you sleepy, it’s actually caused by a disruption in your circadian rhythm. Our
trivia
Pasta Primavera
Which famous attorney, who also served on the
INGREDIENTS
O.J. team, was the lead defender for Patty Hearst?
• •
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano- Reggiano Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste
• • • •
12 ounces pasta, ideally fusilli 1/2 pound broccoli florets
2 carrots, shredded
•
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Send your answers to Caitlyn (caitlyn@snelllaw.com).
• •
1. The first correct answer wins a $15 gift card to Starbucks.
•
2. All other submissions are entered in a drawing to win a second $15 gift card to Starbucks.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large pot, liberally salt water and bring to a boil. Add fusilli and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper during the last 2 minutes of cook time. 2. Drain the pasta and veggies, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta and veggies to pot. 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent and golden, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until tomatoes are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water.
3. The funniest wrong answer will be chosen by Caitlyn and will also win a $15 gift card to Starbucks. All entries must be sent to Caitlyn by Friday, April 19, and the winners will be announced in our next edition.
4. Add tomato mixture to pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. 5. Divide into bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve.
Last month’s winner: Renay Shealy
Inspired by Food Network
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The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC 123 Harmon Street Lexington, SC 29072
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Inside this Issue
Giving Back to the Next Generation PAGE 1
Understanding Media Ratings Spotlight on Betty Deshong PAGE 2 3 Travel Myths Debunked Pasta Primavera PAGE 3
Who Knew Watching Cleaning Could Be so Relaxing? PAGE 4
Everyone loves the feeling of walking into a perfectly tidy and organized house. Getting the house into a state that elicits that feeling, though, is often much less fun. Who would’ve thought you could get some vicarious calm from watching somebody else clean their house? LoveMeg, that’s who. LoveMeg is an incredibly popular motherhood and lifestyle influencer, boasting more than 70,000 followers on Instagram and nearly half-a-million subscribers on YouTube. While her videos encompass everything from baby name reveals to DIY fashion hacks, it’s her cleaning-focused videos that are consistently the most popular. In these videos, Meg cleans a room in her house from top to bottom. Interspersed with sections of narration, where she provides tips and tricks for tidying, are time-lapse videos of a space going from messy to immaculate. It’s hard to say exactly why these videos are so relaxing, but for moments when you just want to watch
something placid and mindless after a long day’s work, they certainly fit the bill.
It’s funny to see how calming media has become more popular as our lives grow busier and more hectic. It’s not hard to find compilations of beautiful produce displays on Buzzfeed or hear of people spending the weekend binge-watching “Terrace House,” a Japanese reality TV show where nothing much at all happens. Heck,“Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” a show which relies on many of the same soothing tactics as LoveMeg videos, has become a national phenomenon. It’s no surprise that a creator-driven platform like YouTube has influenced more polished and well-heeled media companies. LoveMeg certainly didn’t start the revolution of slow-paced, low-stakes content that gives the viewer a metaphorical back rub, but she has contributed to it. The next time you want to watch something that’ll lower your blood pressure rather than raising it, give LoveMeg a shot.
YouTube Channel of the Month LoveMeg
4 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
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