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June 2023
CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day
States, and the celebration was traditionally a time for praying, sharing stories, encouraging one another, and celebrating family gatherings. Celebrants wore new clothes as a way of representing their newfound freedom. For decades to come, former slaves and descendants made annual pilgrimages back to Galveston on June 19. Advocating for Recognition Juneteenth has long been celebrated in the African American community to commemorate the more than 250,000 enslaved Americans learning about the Emancipation Proclamation. In the late 1890s, many workers took the day off and donated food and money for these annual celebrations, most of them on church grounds. Over time, these celebrations began to die out with the influx of Fourth of July celebrations across the nation until the Civil Rights era when Juneteenth received a resurgence through the Poor People’s March to Washington, D.C. On Jan. 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas through the hard work and dedication of Al Edwards, an African American state legislator in the Texas House of Representatives. He worked diligently throughout his career to advance Juneteenth as a federal holiday, which finally succeeded in 2021, one year after he died at the age of 83. The Spirit of Juneteenth Today In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States, and while many private businesses such as ours are not required to close, our offices will be closed to commemorate this day. The day marks a painful reminder of the horrors of slavery in our nation’s history, but it also reminds us of our capacity to rise above adversity and emerge with purpose and resolve. Juneteenth celebrates the courage so many had to fight for freedom for ALL people.
Our Pendleton Law Team is committed to the work of equity, equality, and justice through the work we do, and as Juneteenth is around the corner, we also take a moment to honor those who ensure all people have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Juneteenth Origin Story Juneteenth, aka “Emancipation Day,” commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. But why is it celebrated on June 19th when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on Jan. 1, 1863? Before news traveled fast in our modern age of texts and 24-hour news cycles, people relied on slower forms of communication to share information. On June 19, 1865, 71 days after the end of the Civil War, U.S. Army General Gordon Granger was sent to inform the people of Galveston, Texas, that the war had ended. In addition to this, he announced to the crowd that slavery had ended more than 2 1/2 years prior. The reaction reported was a mixed bag of shock and jubilation. Many of the former slaves, even with no connections, no money, and no real final destination, decided to travel North and get out of the unsafe Southern territories. Some, however, were more inclined to find the families they had been separated from and these individuals moved to neighboring states north and east of Texas, into Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Happy and safe Juneteenth celebrations to you and yours!
–The Pendleton Law Team
Former slaves and their descendants commemorated June 19 as the true Emancipation for all people enslaved in the United
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Struggling to Pay Your Bills? How an Attorney Can Help
Paying your bills on time isn’t always an easy task. If you’re going through financial difficulties, it can sometimes be impossible to pay your bills on time. Yet, there are still some ways to minimize the damage that can occur when you can’t pay your debts. When your bills pile up, you should always contact your creditors to learn if you can receive any extensions on payment deadlines. Being proactive is critical when managing debt. However, if they are unwilling to offer you leniency, you may face a creditor lawsuit; if that occurs, you should contact a debt settlement lawyer. What does a debt settlement attorney do? A debt settlement attorney can reach out to creditors and negotiate a way to reduce your debt or lower your payments. Finances can be confusing, but there are plenty of protocols and strategies out there — most of us just aren’t aware of them. Debt settlement lawyers are experts in consumer rights and know precisely what lenders can and cannot do. While debt settlement attorneys can assist you in various ways concerning your debt, they will often review your financial status, income, and conflicts in order to negotiate effectively with your creditors. However, hiring a debt settlement lawyer does not guarantee your debt will be reduced; it will give you a greater chance of doing so. What types of debt can they settle? You may not know about the multiple kinds of debt and their particular characteristics. These lawyers primarily work on unsecured debt, which is any debt that doesn’t require collateral. Some examples of unsecured debt include:
While debt settlement lawyers often work to reduce these debts, they can also provide legal assistance on other issues such as car repossession, wage garnishment, debt collection lawsuits, debt collector harassment, and more. If you’re struggling because of debt, they’ll most likely be able to help. Is it expensive to hire an attorney? There’s no simple price tag for hiring a debt settlement lawyer. Plenty of factors influence legal costs. For example, how much debt you have affects a lawyer’s total charge. Also, how many creditors require negotiation and how much you save in your settlement affect your cost. Additionally, if you need to file for bankruptcy eventually, it involves another set of charges to engage that process. You should contact a debt settlement attorney if you’re struggling to keep up with your bills and know you can’t pay them on time. Whether mapping out a payment plan or negotiating with creditors, these attorneys will work to ease your financial stress. Many of these lawyers offer free consultations so you can better understand your situation. If they can help you reduce your debts, they will be a great asset.
• Car loans • Student loans • Medical bills
• Credit card bills • Personal loans
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TAKE A BREAK
PUPPY POWER IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN How Do Cute Images Affect Your Mind?
“Kawaii” is the Japanese word for “cute,” which apparently alters our brains more than we thought! During The Power of Kawaii study, Hiroshima University researched the effects of viewing images of cute animals, and what they discovered was shocking. Researchers found that these adorable animals can help us improve our concentration, especially on detail-oriented tasks. Participants who viewed images of puppies and kittens could accomplish tasks with greater care and attention than those shown other pictures. How did they measure concentration, and why cute animals? What method was used in the initial experiment? In the first experiment, researchers split a group of 48 participants and had each person play a surgery game similar to “Operation.” Using tiny tweezers, the participants had to grasp small objects without touching the edges. Afterward, one group observed images of puppies and kittens, and the other viewed photos of adult dogs and cats. After viewing the pictures, both groups played the game again. The result? The first group had a significant improvement when playing the game. They approached the game more deliberately and at a slower pace to carefully remove the objects without touching the edges. Meanwhile, the second group showed no difference in their performance. Why do these cute images affect us? After more experiments with increased difficulty, the researchers concluded that the sweet animals made a noticeable impact on our brains. Participants showed higher levels of focus, concentration, and carefulness both mentally and behaviorally. The reasoning may be that seeing baby animals triggers our nurturing side and, in turn, makes us more careful and alert. We sense something needing protection, care, and focus. At a subconscious level, you likely will become more cautious in how you think and behave after looking at pictures of baby animals. So, the next time you need to do something tedious or detail-oriented, prep yourself with a cute puppies and kittens slideshow to ensure you get the job done right!
GOAT CHEESE AND THYME STUFFED CHICKEN
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Ingredients
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts • 3.5 oz firm goat cheese • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus 2–3 sprigs
• 4 pieces of thin-sliced bacon • Olive oil • 2 zucchinis, thinly sliced • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Split the chicken breasts almost in half along the long side, open them like a book, then flatten the sides out. 3. Put the goat cheese on the “open book” side of the chicken and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Fold the chicken over to enclose the cheese, then wrap each breast in 2 slices of bacon. 4. Lightly oil a shallow gratin or casserole dish, then arrange overlapping rows of zucchini and tomatoes on the bottom. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then set chicken on top. Place thyme sprigs on chicken. 5. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden and the zucchini is tender.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Celebrating Juneteenth
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Do You Need a Debt Settlement Lawyer?
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3
Goat Cheese and Thyme Stuffed Chicken
Cute Puppies = Concentration
You’re Legally Obligated to Walk Your Dog?
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Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined A PECULIAR ROMAN REQUIREMENT:
If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law? Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well-being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing
with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets. Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization of a city can also be measured by this.” How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make declawing a cat for aesthetic
reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone- paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.
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