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“Quality Is No Accident” FLATTMANN FILES
June 2025
My Favorite Films and the Memories They Made Movie Buff Confessions
I’ll admit it … I’ve never been to a proper drive-in movie. I’ve caught a few outdoor films here and there, but the classic drive- in experience has eluded me. Still, when I heard Drive-In Movie Day was coming up on June 6, I thought it was the perfect excuse to talk about one of my lifelong loves: movies . As I was growing up, film was always a big part of my life. I even took every film class I could in college — philosophy of film, film studies, you name it. It may have had something to do with the convenience of watching movies for homework and getting a break from the law books, but I like to think it was more about the spark of creativity movies gave me. That love for storytelling has stuck with me ever since. At home, my teenage son and daughter know that if we’re scrolling through streaming services, it will probably take us half an hour to decide on something, hopping back and forth between Netflix, Amazon Prime, and countless other streaming apps. But eventually, I’ll pull out some obscure or hilarious pick, and my son will ask, “How do you know about all these?” I just chalk it up to years of movie-watching — plus a genuine appreciation for anything with a clever line or a well-timed joke. If I had to pick an all-time favorite, it’s easy: “Back to the Future Part II.” Followed closely by the original “Back to the Future.” There’s something about time travel as a kid in the ‘80s that just sticks with you. We even paid homage to it in one of our “Walter” episodes for the firm — alarm clock contraptions and all.
My top five also include “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (I watch it every year and still laugh every time), “Cast Away” (I’m a big Tom Hanks guy), and “1917,” which blew me away with its one-shot cinematography and gripping portrayal of WWI.
What makes these movies special isn’t just the stories on screen — it’s the memories they carry: watching “Forrest Gump” by myself in a New York theater as a kid while visiting my brother, quoting “Dumb and Dumber” with my son until we’re both in stitches, sneaking into a second showing at the movie theater on a date night with my wife back in high school. These moments stick with you. So, while I may not have a drive-in movie memory to share, I’ve got decades of cinema love that’s shaped everything from how I bond with my family to how I let loose after a long day at work.
Of course, I couldn’t stop there. I have entire categories of honorable mentions.
For drama:
“Forrest Gump” “Saving Private Ryan” “12 Years a Slave” “The Shawshank Redemption” “Green Mile”
Sci-fi and adventure?
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” “The Empire Strikes Back” “The Terminator” “Die Hard,” which I used to watch with my dad
If you haven’t made it to the movies in a while, take this as your sign. Drive-in, theater, or even your couch —
Comedies are probably my favorite overall:
fire up a favorite film and let the memories roll.
“My Cousin Vinny” “The Big Lebowski” “Dumb and Dumber,” which my wife absolutely hates “Napoleon Dynamite” “Blankman” “Beverly Hills Ninja”
-Grady Flattmann
… to name just a few. Yes, some are ridiculous, but that’s the fun of it.
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Turn Their Dreams Into Reality
What It Takes to Adopt a Child
Health You need to be there for your new child, especially as they adjust to their new home and environment, but you can’t do that if you’re battling a serious illness. Stable medical and emotional health are requirements for prospective adoptive parents. Those with a history of chronic illness or currently facing a serious condition must get a letter from their primary physician that states they are physically stable enough to raise the child until they turn 16. If one or both parents have a current or past psychiatric illness, you also need a doctor’s statement assuring stability. All members of the household must prove they are physically and emotionally stable. Criminal History Having prior convictions does not immediately disqualify you but makes things much more difficult. All household members over age 18 must pass a child abuse clearance process. If you or another adult in the home has an arrest history, you must provide personal statements about the incident. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, you may be considered ineligible or require rehabilitation before moving forward. Finances Raising a child isn’t cheap. According to the Institute of Family Studies, the expected cost of raising a child is $202,248–$430,928. There is no specified income requirement to be eligible to adopt, but you must prove you have the necessary resources to provide for the child. You should also consider other adoption costs, such as travel and adoption service fees. Home Environment An adopted child will spend ample time within your home, so the environment must be safe and accommodating to their needs. You must allow the agency to conduct a home study to ensure your house is safe and well-maintained. You may need to provide references that speak to your ability to care for and manage children. You should also be prepared to discuss your adoption and parenting plan. Adopting a child is a serious decision you should not take lightly. If approved, you will be responsible for another human’s life, development, and health. After you verify that you meet all the requirements listed above, take some time to explore your state- specific requirements. The adoption process is complicated and sometimes disheartening, but stick with it. It will be one of the best decisions you make in your and your adopted child’s lives!
Welcoming a new child into the family is one of the most exciting and life-changing events we can experience. While many Americans conceive with their significant other, others explore the world of adoption. According to the most recent Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System report, approximately 114,000 foster children are eligible and waiting to be adopted. By adopting a child, you give them a place to call home, a family who cares for them, and experiences they would never have had without you. If you’re interested in adopting a child, you’re probably wondering what requirements you must meet to be eligible. Adoption is not a quick process: Domestic adoptions usually take up to two years to process, while international adoptions often take 2–5 years since you must follow American adoption rules and the guidelines of the child’s home country. These rules are strict, as most countries do not want to place children in unsafe conditions. Here are five of the U.S.’s adoption requirements. Age Both prospective parents must be at least 21 to be eligible to adopt. While this is a minimum age requirement, there is no cutoff age, so even those in their golden years can consider adoption.
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Why Did Old Hollywood Sound So Fancy?
TAKE A BREAK
SOLUTION
There’s a certain charm to old Hollywood movies — glamorous stars, sweeping orchestral scores, and, of course, that oddly posh, vaguely British way of speaking. You know the one. The voice makes Katharine Hepburn sound like she’s perpetually midway through an important luncheon and Cary Grant appear to deliver a one-liner while also sipping afternoon tea. This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s the Transatlantic accent , and for a while, it was the gold standard of sophisticated speech. Unlike normal regional dialects, the Transatlantic accent wasn’t something people naturally developed by growing up in a particular area. It was an acquired accent drilled into the minds of upper-crust New Englanders at elite boarding schools and embraced by stage actors who wanted to sound refined. Essentially, it was the linguistic equivalent of wearing a tuxedo at all times. Hollywood, never one to pass up a trend, adopted this cultivated accent in the early days of talkies. Why? Because it made actors sound polished, articulate, and, quite frankly, fancy. The crisp, clipped tones worked wonders for those speedy, back-and-forth screwball comedy exchanges. Just watch “His Girl Friday” and try not to be dazzled by the machine-gun dialogue between Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell! And then, just as suddenly as it arrived, the Transatlantic accent packed its bags and vanished. By the 1950s, Hollywood started shifting away from aristocratic dramas and high-society stories, opting instead for gritty realism and everyday characters. The era of Marlon Brando and James Dean meant mumbling was in, and sounding like you vacationed on the French Riviera every summer was … well, out. Of course, we can still enjoy the legacy of the Transatlantic accent in classic films. Want to master it yourself? Pick up “Speak With Distinction” by Edith Skinner, the holy grail of old- school elocution training. Soon enough, you’ll drop your R’s, crisp your T’s, and stretch your vowels until “dance” becomes “ dahnce .” After all, old Hollywood may be gone, but its impeccable enunciation will never go out of style. Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and the Art of Speaking Like an Aristocrat
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
This light, flavorful dish of tender, marinated beef slices can serve as a protein-rich appetizer or a tasty entree for a summer evening.
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar • 1 cup soy sauce • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional) • 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 3 large garlic cloves, chopped • 4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices • Bamboo skewers soaked in water
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil, and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in a refrigerator for 24 hours. 3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig-zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
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Flattmann Law (985) 590-6182 FlattmannLaw.com 213 W. 21st Ave. Covington, LA 70433 “Quality Is No Accident”
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Grady’s Favorite Movies From Guilty Pleasures to Timeless Classics
1
Are You Eligible to Adopt?
2
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
3
Did Old Hollywood Stars Really Talk Like That?
4
What Happened to Wendy Williams?
WENDY WILLIAMS FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM Inside Her Battle for Control Over Her Life
When did you last hear Wendy Williams’ iconic “How you doin’?” It’s likely been a few years, and it’s not because you didn’t tune in to her daytime talk show. Actually, Williams hasn’t filmed an episode of her talk show since 2022. It’s not because she got tired of the responsibility or was taken off the air due to unpopularity. Williams effectively disappeared after an incident with Wells Fargo led to a court-appointed guardian taking over her financial affairs. Williams learned that Wells Fargo had frozen her accounts after she attempted to make multiple large withdrawals from her bank account. Even more unsettling, her financial advisor, through Wells Fargo, notified the bank that Williams was of “unsound mind,”
which prompted a court-ordered guardianship. Initially, many believed this was solely a financial guardianship, but the Hollywood Reporter revealed that the court-appointed guardian was overseeing nearly everything in Williams’ life. So, how did Wendy Williams end up in this situation? In 2024, her care team disclosed that the talk show host had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia. Information related to her situation came from various sources but nothing directly from Williams for many years. She has recently started taking phone interviews and making television appearances and has clearly disagreed with the situation since 2022. Wendy Williams states she has been living in a memory unit in New York City for the past three years but does not think she belongs there. “Look, I don’t belong here at all,” stated Williams during a phone interview with “Nightline.” “This is ridiculous.” Williams is actively fighting for her freedom, and one source even told ABC News that Williams’ court-appointed attorney was planning to file a request to terminate the guardianship. The fact that she’s getting opportunities to share her side of the story provides hope to her fans, but only time will tell how this will unravel.
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