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T he H eartbeat of F riendship HONESTY, GROWTH, AND SHARED EXPERIENCES
JUNE 2024
When we’re young, and in the early stages of life and education, we feel like there are limitless opportunities to make friends. We are constantly meeting new people in our neighborhoods, school, camp, extracurricular activities, our parents’ friends, churches and synagogues, etc. We also form “bonds” with new people much more quickly when we’re young. As we grow, our interests, priorities, and even some personality traits change. This may mean that people come in and out of our lives. We can have close friendships for a season of life. It’s simply a part of life. However, there’s usually a handful of individuals we consider our closest friends, our friends for life. In June and July, we recognize National Best Friends Day and International Day of Friendship, so there’s no better time to reflect and show appreciation for all the friends we’ve made throughout our lives. It’s rare when one maintains a lifelong best-friend relationship. In most cases, we establish a new best friend when we enter grade school, high school, college, or our first job. It is a new stage of life or a new life experience that creates the bonds necessary
for a deep friendship. That’s certainly been the experience in my life, but very few of those friendships have transcended time. There are a couple of ladies with whom I went to college who I still consider some of my closest friends. It used to be a larger group, but our circle has grown smaller and smaller over the years. We may not talk regularly but there is something about the personal growth and the shared college experiences that makes those bonds special. I know I can talk to them about anything, and hopefully they know I would be there for them no matter what. I also have a very dear friend whom I worked with during my first job out of law school. She’s possibly the most direct person I have ever met, which turns some people off, but it’s something I love about her. I can tell her anything, without judgment, and get very honest feedback. We experienced incredible professional growth together, opened our own law firms around the same time, and have kids of similar ages. All of these experiences have helped us stay close. We don’t live in the same state anymore, but whenever she comes to town, we make an effort to see each other.
can’t always relate to. It can be a very isolated and lonely journey. Meeting others with similar personal and professional growth goals has created new bonds that are difficult to form in adulthood. Our group knows each other’s struggles and achievements and we can relate to one another’s experiences, which helps us connect. Plus, we have kids of similar ages who like to spend time with each other, so we make a very concerted effort to plan activities together. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing; as long as we are doing it together, it will fill our cup so to speak. Friendships are among the most special relationships we can form in our lives, but they require effort from all involved parties. When we nurture a friendship, it can become a valuable source of support. In fact, there is a TED Talk that explains how these close relationships are one of the leading indicators of life expectancy. I get it. So, make that dinner date and don’t reschedule (like we are often tempted to do). - Esther Vayman
I met my last group of close friends later in life. We are part of an entrepreneur’s group. When I joined this group, I thought it was for business growth and didn’t realize how much I would get out of it personally. When you open your own business, you face many challenges and gain rewards that others
FRIENDSHIPS ARE AMONG THE MOST SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS WE CAN FORM IN OUR LIVES, BUT THEY REQUIRE EFFORT FROM ALL INVOLVED PARTIES.”
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B urglar -P roof Y our N ew H ome ESSENTIAL SECURITY STEPS FOR YOUR NEW LIVING SPACE
LIGHT IT UP. One of the best ways to deter criminals from entering your home is by turning up or turning on the lights on your property. Focus on lighting up areas in your front and backyards, near entrances and windows, to keep intruders out. To save energy and money, opt for solar-powered lighting or set up your outdoor lights on a timer. PROTECT YOUR WI-FI. In today’s digital world, hackers can access many of your family’s private details through your home Wi-Fi network. Keep your network protected with a strong password and encryption. Most routers come installed with a firewall to protect you against viruses or malware. You can find out if you have a firewall activated by checking your router settings.
STRENGTHEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. Check all the doors for functioning hinges, strong door frames, or loose screws. Some easy ways to reinforce the door are installing a deadbolt or a smart lock. You can also remove the screws currently in your deadbolt and replace them with longer, thicker screws that will go into the studs and strengthen it. If you are renting or moving into a previously occupied home, it’s wise to get new keys and locks. Sliding doors are a common entry point for burglars; place a dowel in the track for an inexpensive way to reinforce the door. As for windows, check that all closures and locks function properly; the dowel works as reinforcement in sliding window tracks, too.
Moving into a new home or apartment can be one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. With all the decorating and unpacking, it can be easy to overlook the importance of securing your home and adding extra safety measures. According to FBI data, in the United States, burglars strike homes about every 30 seconds. So, make these DIY security tips one of the first things on your move-in checklist. CONSIDER A SECURITY SYSTEM. First, your new space should have a security system to monitor your home. Many options are available, including do-it-yourself setups. It’s a good idea to contact your local law enforcement department, which can provide area crime statistics and sometimes even complete a home security evaluation.
G eorgia ’ s C hild S upport L aws G et a M akeover W ith N ew B ills STAY INFORMED! For starters, the definition of custodial parent has changed. It now refers to the parent with whom the child resides for more than 50% of the time, or if the child resides with both parents equally, the custodial parent is the one who earns less gross income. The court will designate the custodial parent if the parents make the same gross income. Additionally, child support payments have been altered depending on income. Those in the lowest income levels will pay a lower child support payment, while those in the higher level will pay more. The high-income threshold has been raised to $40,000 per month. This bill also introduced a new basic child support obligation table that will go into effect at the beginning of July. The new parenting time and low-income provisions won’t go into effect until January 2026. House Bill 499 will allow a court to require a parent to continue supporting a disabled child after they’ve turned 18 years old. This bill aims to ensure that both parents continue to support their children. The bill defines a disabled child as “an unmarried individual who has reached the age of majority and is incapable of self-support as a result of a physical or mental incapacity that began before the individual reached the age of majority.” This bill goes into effect on July 1, 2024.
Staying on top of new legal developments that could affect you is crucial in avoiding potential trouble. However, most bills are written using legal verbiage that can be difficult to understand. That’s why we’re here to help. Whenever the Georgia House and Senate pass a new bill, we try to break it down so you can understand how it might affect you and your unique situation. Governor Kemp recently signed off on two new bills that affect child support, which you should know about.
Senate Bill 454 will overhaul many of the child support guidelines that were previously established.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding these bills or how they will affect your unique situation.
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WHAT IS ONE THING ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE?
Ryan I’m a Disney fanatic! Tom I worked at a vegan restaurant in West Hollywood for a time. Anna I listen to 1940s music because it reminds me of how different the world used to be.
Kimberly Mozart, Beethoven, and Vivaldi make my day! I can get my concentration while listening to classical music! Laurel I broke my collarbone in a BMX racing accident when I was 13 and I have not ridden a bike since.
the country came to watch the procedure they did on me to shrink it when I was 16. Amanda H. I was a flight attendant for several years. Sara I used to be a sheriff’s deputy. Abby I had the chicken pox twice as a kid. The first time at less than a year old and second time at 8 years old. Mari I listen to death metal/rock. ingredients • 1 1/2 cups almond flour • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 4 large eggs • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tsp lime zest
Amanda D. I am in medical
journals for being 1 of only 4 people to have had a cavernous malformation on the brain stem, and doctors from around
O live O il C ake W ith H oney - Y ogurt C ream and S trawberries
BRAIN BREAK
• 3 1/2 tbsp lime juice • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 qts fresh strawberries, quartered • 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 1/4 cup honey
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease 8-inch springform pan. Line with parchment paper and lightly grease. 2. In medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, and baking soda. 3. In a stand mixer, whisk sugar and eggs on medium-high, about 3 minutes. Add oil, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla. On low, gradually add flour mixture until just incorporated. 4. Pour batter into pan. Bake until golden brown and toothpick comes out with crumbs, 40–45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Invert cake out of pan onto wire rack and let cool completely. 5. Whisk yogurt, cream, and honey. Top each cake slice with spoonfuls of yogurt mixture and strawberries.
ADVENTURE CAMPING FATHER GEMINI HIKING JUNETEENTH
PARK PICNIC PRIDE
SANDALS SUNBURN SWIMMING
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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3625 BROOKSIDE PKWY, SUITE 130 ALPHARETTA, GA 30022
I nside 1
BEST FRIENDS IN EVERY CHAPTER OF LIFE
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DIY SECURITY TIPS EVERY NEW RESIDENT NEEDS
HOW RECENT LEGISLATION IMPACTS CHILD SUPPORT IN GEORGIA
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QUESTION AND ANSWERS
OLIVE OIL CAKE WITH HONEY- YOGURT CREAM AND STRAWBERRIES
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NOT JUST A CRIME OF PASSION
P romising C areer A llegedly U pended by S ecret L ove THE TWISTED TALE OF LAWYER TURNED TRIPLE MURDERER
A chilling story unfolded in Oklahoma City in 2021, filled with passion, betrayal, and murder. Keegan Harroz and her client-turned-lover, Barry Titus II, were arrested and charged in a triple homicide that shocked the country.
with clients of all types. She graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law and worked as an assistant public defender before starting her own firm in 2014. There were signs of something darker swirling under the surface, though. In May 2014, she was charged with the domestic assault of her then-husband, allegedly kicking him twice in the face. She began to represent Titus in 2018 on drug, firearms, and domestic assault and battery charges. She began dating Titus shortly after. In October 2018, Titus was arrested for domestic assault. According to the criminal complaint, two months later, Harroz used another client to plant a bag of “methamphetamine” (it was sugar) at the home of the victim, Tiffany Eichor, 43, who lived with her parents, Jack and Evelynn Chandler. The Chandlers found the bag and called the police; then, they installed security cameras.
On Sept. 6, 2019, Harroz and Titus allegedly drove to the Chandler home near Oklahoma City. They allegedly cut the electricity and phone lines and broke in. The couple then went on a rampage, shooting each member of the family as they ran. Just days after the murders, Harroz’s brother turned over an AR-15 rifle to police, stating that the gun was “involved in a triple homicide.” The gun was traced to an Oklahoma man who said he’d sold the gun to Harroz and Titus, according to police.
Harroz was a renowned criminal defense attorney who had a compassionate touch
Titus and Harroz are still in jail; their trials are expected to occur sometime in 2024.
The larger community is still grappling with the aftermath of such a crime, many missing the family who was senselessly gunned down. The tragic murder of Tiffany Eichor and Jack and Evelynn Chandler is a reminder of the potential darkness that can lurk beneath seemingly ordinary lives.
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