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Chroniclesl s NOVEMBER 2018 COUNCIL
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T hanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I’m blessed to come from a long line of Southern cooks, so we’ve had delicious food on our family table long before I was born. But more than that, our Thanksgiving menu has connected generations and preserved the cultural heritage of our family. MEMORY, AND INTUITION. DESPITE NEVER MEASURING, HER DISHES ALWAYS CAME OUT TASTING SPECTACULAR.” When I was a kid, my role in Thanksgiving prep was simply to watch and learn. My grandma was what you would call a “dump cook.” She never measured MY GRANDMA WAS WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A ‘DUMP COOK.’ SHE NEVER MEASURED INGREDIENTS, MERELY RELYING ON FEEL,
Tradition, Culture, Heritage, and Gratitude
WHAT THANKSGIVING MEANS TO ME
guests. Secretly, I would be happy if extra guests didn’t show up because that meant we would have additional leftovers to take home. As I’ve taken on a greater role in the kitchen, many of Grandma’s recipes are now part of my Thanksgiving menu. You can always expect her macaroni and cheese to be served along with the cornbread dressing I loved so much as a young girl. It would take a long time to list all the Southern country classics that are part of our Thanksgiving but, suffice
That’s why one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is teaching my daughter, Elaina, to cook our family favorites. Much of the food we serve harkens back to an earlier era. Is it the healthiest in the world? No, but we don’t eat it every day. I would hate to have these recipes lost to the sands of time, so passing them on to Elaina is incredibly meaningful. Cuisine, after all, is an essential part of culture, heritage, and connection. When we sit down to eat, we’re nodding back to generations past. Of course, Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to express gratitude and share love. This year, I’m thankful for my family, who never fails to make me smile. I’m also grateful to have the opportunity to help people while living the life of my dreams every single day. I owe that ability to you, our wonderful clients and friends of the firm. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
it to say, it’s a lot. Nobody in my family has ever been accused of undereating on any given holiday. I must admit that I’ve added a few personal touches to Grandma’s recipes over the years. Come to think of it, the way dishes
ingredients, merely relying on feel, memory, and intuition. Despite never measuring, her dishes always came out tasting spectacular. I guess that’s the power of experience and natural ability in the kitchen.
Another thing about Grandma’s cooking style was that she did not know how to prepare dishes that only served a few people. Basically, anytime she prepared a meal, it was like she was cooking for an army. I guess she always wanted to make sure we had enough food in the event that we had unexpected dinner
change over the years is what makes family recipes so special. Unlike the ingredients and directions you’ll find in books or online, they’re living, breathing traditions. Each generation puts their new spin on dishes while still holding true to the spirit of their ancestors.
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your meal — and don’t mess with Grandma’s classics!
–Lashonda Council- Rogers, Esq.
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AND CHILD NEGLECT Day Care Injuries WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS WRONGED Owners and operators of daycare centers in Georgia are required to follow strict rules to help keep kids safe. Bright From the Start, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, enforces these rules, along with additional standards of care. Unfortunately, not all daycare providers follow these rules, leading to injuries and neglect. Incidents of abuse involving children occur far too regularly in Georgia. Nationally, the authorities that handle child abuse cases receive over 6 million reports each year. The results and trauma of abuse can impact a child many years after the incident occurred. Because abuse and neglect have serious, lifelong consequences, it’s essential that parents do their research before selecting a daycare provider for their child. Always ask a daycare provider about how they remain in compliance with Bright From the Start standards of care. Any reputable daycare operator should be able to discuss these standards with confidence and expertise. If you sense somebody trying to dodge your questions, do not enroll your child at that daycare.
Thanksgiving is more than just a feast; it’s about coming together as a family and being thankful for one another. So why wait to get into the spirit until everyone is seated at the table? Here are a few ways you can make the actual preparation of Thanksgiving dinner fun and engaging for the whole family! Give Everyone a Role No, not those rolls — yet. Making the feast a family project can turn the day from a hectic list of chores into a magical bonding experience. It’s important to match each family member to a job that best fits their abilities. Young children can mash potatoes or rinse ingredients in the sink. Older kids can take on more responsibility, like measuring ingredients, keeping an eye on timers, and setting the table. Teens and young adults can supervise their younger siblings and cousins in these important tasks and may be called upon to stir what’s on the stove while an adult checks on the football game. Roll Out the Decorations Still not talking about bread. Not everything in Thanksgiving preparation needs to be tied to the kitchen. Creative family members of all ages can work together to bring some seasonal flare to the dining room. Maybe this means picking up some Thanksgiving coloring books, or perhaps the family can venture outdoors to collect autumn trimmings for crafts. It’s a great way to let each family member put their own personal spin on the holiday! Have a ‘Roller Derby’ Finally. While an adult should be the one to put these delicious baked goods in the oven, the whole family can help shape the dough. In fact, Care.com recommends making this a contest. Set aside a time when everyone can vie for the title of Fastest Roll Maker, and you’ll have plenty of warm, flaky, delicious treats come dinnertime. Letting everyone play a part may take a little more planning and add slightly more chaos to your Thanksgiving preparations. But it’s sure to produce a lot of great memories and bonding moments among your loved ones. And by the time you sit down to eat, you’ll all have something to be thankful for right in front of you — Those. Delicious. Rolls. THANKSGIVING PREP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Unfortunately, even daycares with outstanding reputations have incidents. If a facility does not follow the rules laid out by Bright From the Start, you may be entitled to recover
damages from the center’s owners or operators. Misdeeds that could trigger claims range from negligence — depriving a child of food or failing to change a diaper, etc. — to outright verbal, physical, or sexual abuse.
Uncovering these horrible acts may not be easy, so you must watch for warning signs. If your child is acting erratically, coming home with bruises, or doesn’t seem to be their usual self, always talk to the daycare provider about your concerns. It may not be an easy conversation, but it’s one you must have.
Nobody wants to think that their child will be the victim of negligence or abuse while at daycare. However, if something unlawful happens, you must find a strong advocate for your child. We have years of experience dealing with these cases and holding irresponsible care providers accountable. Call us today to find out how we can help you.
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Skip the Sales
and Have Some Pie
3 REASONS BLACK FRIDAY ISN’T WORTH YOUR TIME
The day of chaos will soon be upon us. In a few weeks, Americans will leave their homes with bellies full of turkey to descend upon retail stores in the feeding frenzy that is Black Friday. Sure, it’s a bit stressful, but with all the great sales and gift-giving holidays on the horizon, Black Friday is the best day to knock out that shopping list, right? Not really. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t bother with Black Friday. YOU WANT THE LOWEST PRICES If you’re waiting to get the best deals of the year, Black Friday probably isn’t the day to go out. While stores may offer one special item at an outrageously low price, the rest of the sales can’t compete with other times of the year. Headphones are cheapest in August,
vacuums are more affordable in April, and if you’re shopping for the holidays, keep in mind that toys will be priced at their lowest 10 days before Christmas. YOU WANT THE BEST BRANDS Here’s an insider secret: Most stores get new inventory to advertise specifically for doorbusters and Black Friday sales. New TVs at 75 percent off will get lots of people in the door, but those televisions aren’t the best brands. If you need a cheap dorm TV, then Black Friday is your day. But if you want a quality television to show off your 4K Ultra HD copy of “Avengers: Infinity War,” you’re better off waiting until after the New Year.
not jumping on a deal when they had the chance. So they grab the $750 laptop because it’s $200 off, buy some new winter coats because they’re four for the price of three, and fill their cart with other incredible sales. Do you need 10 HDMI cables? Of course not. But when they’re on sale for $2.99 each, how can you say no to that bargain? If there is a specific item you want that’s on sale during Black Friday, like those cute department store boots or a PlayStation 4, then by all means get out there early and take advantage of the deal. But if you have a long shopping list, want to save money in the long run, or don’t know what you’re after, Black Friday isn’t worth the stress.
YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY It’s hard for people to say no when they’re afraid they’ll regret
Local Business Spotlight
T. DALLAS SMITH & COMPANY
As you may know, we recently moved to a beautiful office in downtown Atlanta. I am very proud of our new space and I owe a great deal of credit to our commercial real estate broker, Nick Winbush of T. Dallas Smith & Company, for making our transition a success.
Nick had no problem quickly identifying a prime location for our rapidly growing firm. Nick made it a point to make sure I was educated and felt comfortable throughout the entire process. When he showed me the space at 50 Hurt Plaza, I instantly fell in love. From there, Nick worked tirelessly to make sure we secured the property. If you’ve ever moved, you know that the real estate process can be daunting and scary. Working with a great broker can make all the difference. Nick Winbush is certainly that, and T. Dallas Smith & Company is a brokerage firm you can trust. I would recommend them to anybody who needs commercial real estate space.
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Inside
GRANDMA’S DRESSING AND OTHER THANKSGIVING MEMORIES 1 LET KIDS PLAY A ROLE THIS THANKSGIVING WHEN DAY CARE DOESN’T CARE FOR YOUR CHILD 2 WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BROKERS YOU CAN TRUST 3
LEND A HAND THIS THANKSGIVING 4
Give Back for Thanksgiving Volunteers for Children’s Restoration Network
Thanksgiving is a holiday of sharing warmth and expressing gratitude. There’s hardly a better way to do that than to devote a little time to those less fortunate than you. There are so many great ways to give back in our area, and a little show of love will go a long way toward making somebody’s Thanksgiving special. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite charities that do great work during the holidays. ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK A year-round force for good in our community, the Atlanta Community Food Bank distributes over 60 million meals to more than 750,000 people in the greater Atlanta area. You can help this wonderful organization by donating food or volunteering your time. The holidays are the busiest time of year for the food bank, so they can use all the help they can get. Head to ACFB.org for more information on how to get involved.
WITH THESE 3 AWESOME CHARITIES
HOSEA HELPS Hosea Helps used to be known as Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, and that’s exactly what the charity does. Every Thanksgiving, they serve hundreds of homeless people while also providing access to showers, medical screenings, and other forms of care. If you have a few hours to spare this holiday, consider donating your time to help serve food and provide service to those who need it most. You can sign up to volunteer and donate at 4Hosea.org
CHILDREN’S RESTORATION NETWORK
Focused on helping homeless children and their mothers, the Children’s Restoration Network hosts a Thanksgiving food drive every year during November. It runs through Nov. 16, and the organization is seeking volunteers to organize food drives in their communities. You can find out more at ChildRN.org. These are just three of the many excellent groups spreading holiday cheer throughout Atlanta. Working with such organizations is a great way to make your Thanksgiving even more meaningful this year.
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