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JUNE 2023
Trumpets, Guitars, and My Musical Journey PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT ROCKS!
Our favorite songs become the soundtrack of our lives, and to say that music has been central to my family’s lives would be an understatement. June 21 marks World Music Day, and I wanted to share how my family passed down a love for music from generation to generation.
Surprisingly, my parents never forced me to play the trumpet or pushed any musical instrument on me. Yet, I was still drawn to the guitar and decided to start practicing. While I started playing at around 11 years old (thanks
to Guns N’ Roses and Metallica), I didn’t start regularly practicing until I was 17. Of course, after high school, life got busy for me, and I didn’t touch my guitar until my last year of law school. With a busy schedule, it’s hard to fit in guitar practice, and over time I somewhat forgot how much I loved playing. It wasn’t until five years ago, when my arm was fractured and unusable, that I missed playing my guitar. I suppose you don’t know what you have until it’s gone! That revelation rekindled my love for guitar, and now I try to squeeze in some practice every day, even if it’s only 30 minutes. At my age, I no longer feel the need to reach perfection or become a rock star. I play purely for my own enjoyment, making it even more fulfilling.
Both my father and grandfather were excellent trumpet players, and my
grandad was even part of an orchestra. I’ve always admired my grandad despite never having the chance to meet him. Although he passed just months before I was born, the stories of his life remained. In his 20s, he would pay for his schooling by performing with an orchestra at the Fox Theater pit. In those days, the orchestra would receive the sheet music the day of the performance, and he’d have to learn it within only hours of performing. His musical skill was undoubtedly remarkable.
The orchestra would also perform at the Biltmore Hotel and have their performance broadcast on AM radio. It’s fascinating to know that he composed and performed
While my daughters Isabella and Rebecca are still young, I can tell music will become as important to them as it is to me. Isabella loves when I play guitar since she often joins in. I’ll hold the chords with my left hand, and she’ll have a blast strumming the strings. Soon, she’ll be getting started on her own musical journey in guitar lessons. You may think you don’t have what it takes to play a specific instrument. Yet, I can assure you learning is just like strengthening a muscle at the gym. You only need a few months of consistent practice to see improvement. I encourage you to pick up a new or once-played instrument this World Music Day. You’ll be surprised at how learning a musical instrument can change your life.
in local establishments like the Fox Theatre and Biltmore Hotel, which are still standing today. As you can imagine, he had to ensure my dad learned to play the trumpet. He grew up playing the trumpet and
played it throughout school. While he lost interest as he got older, I remember always having my grandfather’s trumpet in our house. The times my dad would play the trumpet for us are still some of my favorite memories of him.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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CUT THE FINANCIAL UMBILICAL CORD
HOW TO RAISE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE ADULTS
Damages You Can Claim in a Wrongful Death Case When it comes to wrongful death, Georgia law examines what they call the “full value” of the deceased’s life. This includes economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include the loss of future wages, benefits, and more. Meanwhile, noneconomic damages are more subjective as they compensate for the emotional loss of a person’s companionship or care. Aside from these damages, estate damages aim to cover the sudden expenses involved after a loved one’s death. These expenses include medical bills, funeral costs, and more. You must work with a knowledgeable lawyer who can help you discover which damages you can file in a wrongful death case. Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit? Georgia follows a specific hierarchy of family members who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. First, the spouse is the initial person who can file a case after the wrongful death of a loved one. If the deceased was married, it has to be the spouse who brings the claim to court. If they were unmarried, the children are next in line and are the only ones able to file a claim. Lastly, if no spouse or child exists, the deceased’s parents are next in line. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, then our team can help. Call our office at 229-888-0888 for legal guidance on navigating a wrongful death lawsuit. Open a bank account. If your child doesn’t have a bank account yet, it’s time to set up a checking and savings account for them. It’s a great way to provide them with financial independence while they still have access to your guidance. While credit cards can be scary to trust your learning teenager with, you should consider a prepaid credit card they can use to learn the ins and outs of how credit cards work while still having a safety net to protect their credit. Introduce them to the concept of interest. Interest can be beneficial or a disastrous hindrance, so your teen needs to understand how it works. While it can be beneficial for certain savings accounts, it can wreak havoc on credit card debt. Demonstrate interest with different real-life scenarios to show your teen how they can grow their money or rack up tons of debt. Whether your teen has just started earning their own money or is preparing to handle finances on their own, these simple tips can help you start training a fiscally responsible adult.
With death comes grief, which can become more challenging to deal with when it’s unexpected. Sudden expenses and unresolved emotions can make the unpredictable loss of a loved one life- changing, and if someone is at fault for this loss, you deserve justice. Georgia views wrongful death as when someone loses their life directly because of a person or company. Every state has different damages a party an claim in a wrongful death lawsuit. With varying state regulations, it’s best to learn Georgia’s laws and speak with an experienced attorney. WRONGFUL DEATH DAMAGES YOU NEED TO KNOW Adulting is all about doing your own laundry, cooking, and grocery shopping. It means making informed decisions about time management, organizational skills, and understanding how to be financially responsible. But how do you teach your teenager financial responsibility? Let's explore five important lessons your child needs to gain financial independence! Help them find opportunities to earn money. Before your teen can learn to properly manage their finances, they must first make their own money! If they don’t have a job, encourage them to begin the hunt. If your teen is still too young to hold a job, consider paying them for chores around the house or yardwork. Once your teen has a cash flow, you can then teach them how to separate it into spending money and cash to save.
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YOU WERE BITTEN, NOW WHAT? GET COMPENSATED FOR A DOG BITE
Nearly 1,000 people in the United States require emergency treatment due to a dog bite every day. According to the National Library of Medicine, an average of 4.5 million Americans are bitten by a dog every year. While we all love our canine companions, dog bites are serious incidents that can happen to anyone. When a person experiences a severe injury due to a dog bite, they may be entitled to financial compensation. But different states have their own rules when it comes to how responsible a dog owner is in terms of dog bites. Many states employ the “One Bite Rule,” which details that the owner is only liable if their dog has bitten someone in the past. The One Bite Rule can be harsh for bite victims seeking justice. However, Georgia has its own version of this law, which ensures a dog owner is responsible if the dog is known to be dangerous. It doesn’t matter if the dog has never attacked before. Some indicators that a dog is dangerous and requires owner responsibility include:
Hazardous dogs should be leashed and controlled at all times. The only time an owner of a vicious dog isn’t responsible for a bite is if the victim was trespassing, abusing the dog, or attempting to commit a crime.
However, if the attack was completely unprovoked and resulted from the dog owner’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation. In dog bite cases, the victim will be reimbursed for all the medical costs resulting from the attack. Unfortunately, the payment from these cases doesn’t cover veterinary bills if a dangerous dog attacks your dog. You will have to file a separate claim in small claims court. Our team has extensive experience with dog bite cases and can help you or someone you know if they’ve experienced an attack. You can share our newsletter with those recovering from a dog bite attack and have them contact our compassionate legal team at 229-888-0888.
• Excessive barking or growling • Has attacked other animals • Charges at people or other animals
SEAFOOD PASTA SALAD
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our April newsletter:
Ingredients • 4 cups fusilli noodles
• 1/2 cup red peppers, chopped • 1/2 cup onions, diced • 1/2 cup shredded carrots • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes • 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese (optional)
Timothy Price, Sr. Prince Burns
Mary Harrison Pastor Andrew McDowell
• 2 cups crab meat or shrimp • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 2 cups ranch dressing • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed • 1/2 cup green peppers, chopped
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations so they can find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
Directions 1. In a large pot, bring the fusilli noodles to a boil and cook until al dente, then drain. 2. In a large bowl, combine noodles, crab or shrimp, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, peas, green and red peppers, onions, and carrots, then mix together gently. 3. Refrigerate the pasta salad for 3–4 hours. If salad is dry upon removing from refrigerator, add more ranch dressing. 4. Once you’re ready to eat, top salad with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com
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Make Music This World Music Day! PAGE 1
Top Tips to Teach Financial Responsibility You Deserve Justice After a Wrongful Death PAGE 2
Who’s Responsible for a Dog Bite Attack?
Seafood Pasta Salad 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
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).
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
Centuries have passed, yet some things never really change!
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