Houston & Alexander June July2 017

Houston & Alexander's online newsletter for June/July 2017

TNDUIATTORNEY.COM

JUNE/JULY 2017

CALL US: 423-267-6715

DEFENSE DOCKET

WHAT WARM WEATHER BRINGS THERE’S NOTHING LIKE HITTING THE OPEN ROAD IN THE SUMMER

“If you had ever been on a motorcycle, with just two wheels between you and the pavement, you’d know what all the fuss was about.”

As the seasons change, so do opportunities for activity. Summer brings welcome relief from winter’s chill and allows us to spend more time in the great outdoors. That’s always appealed to me. I’ve lived on my own property most of my life. There’s nothing like spending time working on the property when the weather allows. That’s another thing I love about Chattanooga. If I told someone in Atlanta or Baltimore or even Nashville, that I live on 20 acres of land only 20 minutes from downtown, they wouldn’t believe me. That’s just another reason why Chattanooga has that perfect mix of easy access to everything but still has the “feel” of a small town. One thing I’ve always enjoyed doing in the summer — you may already know this about me — is hitting the road on a motorcycle. People joke about it sometimes. I’m a straight-laced lawyer and judge who also rides a motorcycle. If you’ve ever been on a motorcycle, with just two wheels and hopefully some leather separating you from the pavement, you know what all the fuss is about. When you’re on a bike, you see things you’d never notice in the car. It feels like real freedom. The sights and smells are authentic, and when you travel across the country, you feel like you’ve really experienced it. A car ride is about the destination. On a motorcycle, like life, it’s all about the journey. My favorite bike I’ve owned is an FJR 1300 Yamaha. An FJR looks like a crotch rocket with bags ... and that is pretty much accurate. I have rode it all over the country, Nova Scotia, The Florida Keys, Myrtle Beach, Colorado, and other places- I rode it everywhere. A couple of years ago, a buddy and I flew to California, rented two motorcycles from Eagle Rider and rode up the West Coast. Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San

Francisco — we got to see it all up close. Shout out to Eagle Rider here, if you need to rent a bike, I have found them easy to deal with and genuinely happy to help. They also don’t seem to mind if you return the bike with just a few scratches than it started out with. They are really motorcycles riders and they expect you to RIDE their bikes and not baby them. California is great because it’s so diverse. Southern California is the warm, green paradise you read about, except for the patches of desert. Northern California has a completely different feel. San Francisco in June was colder than we expected, but we had a great time there. It was like the old saying, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” We especially enjoyed visiting Alcatraz and learning the history of the prison. Alcatraz housed quite a few well-known inmates, including Al Capone, George “Machine-Gun” Kelly and Alvin Karpis, the first “Public Enemy #1”. (I understand that Al Capone didn’t give those Alcatraz guards any trouble.) We left San Francisco and rode to wine country and then to Yosemite. I still think about the size and age of the redwoods and sequoias. If you want to feel insignificant, stand beside a 2,000 year-old Sequoia that is 250 feet tall. Other than almost getting hit head- on near Pebble Beach, it was a great trip and I would love to do it again. I have a Jeep now. It has a lot of the same perks as a motorcycle, like the open air. But I don’t have to wear a helmet, and I can take my dogs. The jeep has a cargo-type straps over the roof, and my two giant schnauzers love to force

their giant heads through and growl at passing cars. I hope the warmer weather enables YOU to do more of whatever you love, whether it’s gardening, hiking, or traveling.

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– Johnny Houston

423-267-6715 | TNDUIAttorney.com

Summer Reading for Busy Families

Audiobooks Inspire a Love of Stories in All Ages Summer reading lists are always popular, but most families rarely have time to have dinner together, let alone sit still reading for hours. Luckily, the ever-growing popularity of audiobooks means you don’t have to wait for school to start again for your kids to get back into literature. Here are a few great audiobooks you can introduce to your family this summer. FOR THE LONG ROAD TRIP “The Bad Beginning” (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket, read by Tim Curry When a terrible fire destroys the Baudelaire mansion, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny find themselves orphans and are sent to live with the terrible Count Olaf. Convinced their awful new guardian is only after their fortune, the Baudelaires must use their intelligence and skills to stick together and (maybe) overcome their sad circumstances. Fans of the Netflix series will love to hear the story that started it all! Who knew such an unfortunate series could mean fun for the whole family?

only grants half of what they wish for, and an unplanned vacation to the Sahara, followed by chaos in King Arthur’s court, is just a one of the hilarious misadventures this family must overcome together.

FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown, read by Kate Atwater

When lonely robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she finds she’s trapped on a wild island. Struggling to survive and befriend the island’s hostile animal inhabitants, Roz must eventually face her mysterious past, which threatens to tear her home apart. This brand- new book is a stunning tale about the environment, technology, and the wonder of being alive. These are just a few of the many titles your family can enjoy this summer. Find even more by visiting Audible.com or checking the audiobooks catalogue on iTunes.

FOR FAMILY BONDING “Half Magic” by Edward Eager, read by Words Take Wing

A beloved family favorite since it was first published in 1954, “Half Magic” tells the story of siblings Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha, who discover a magic wish-granting coin. They soon realize the coin

Client Testimonial

Took Away My Anxiety “After getting a DUI, I became overwhelmed with fear. DUIs lead to long-term problems with future planning. Houston and Alexander both have outstanding demeanors, and they took away all my anxiety. There is no substitute for having a great pair of attorneys working on your case. Since I am not from the Chattanooga area, traveling for court sessions is a hassle. However, they rescheduled my date for after I got out of school in December and settled my case the very first day. I am so impressed by their service and the outcome of my charges. Anyone serious about their and their family’s future should hire these men.” Found the Right Solution for My Son “Johnny and Brett did an outstanding job resolving a DUI case for my son. We are not from the Chattanooga area, so finding an attorney to handle his case was difficult. We are very blessed to have found Houston and Alexander. They have the – Anthony

experience and relationships within the court system to be able to find a workable solution for all parties involved. I would highly recommend them.”

– David

Reputation Well-Earned “I met with Houston and Alexander based mostly on reputation alone, after being told by people in the business they would probably be my ONLY chance! I faced serious charges, but Johnny and Brett were able to negotiate them to lesser ones, save my reputation, and SAVE ME MONEY! Johnny knows the local judicial system, the DAs, the judges, and the legal process. The office staff — including Wanda Whitmire and paralegal Chaiden Durham — only increased my confidence; they kept me up to date on my case throughout the entire process! If you need a criminal defense team, do not wait! They ARE the best!”

– Larry

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Facing the Dragon Motorcyclists Deserve an Attorney Who Understands Their Concerns

There’s a beast in Blount County Tennessee, lurking beside the Great Smoky Mountains. Crawling over 11 miles, the stretch of road called US 129 boasts 318 curves and is unbroken by intersections or driveways. The intense driving experience has earned this road the name “Tail of the Dragon,” and every year, thousands of motorcyclists try to ride this monster. When hearing about the Dragon and its popularity among motorcyclists, many non-motorcycle riders can only think of one thing: How many motorcycle accidents has that road seen? The official Tail of the Dragon website does keep track of the number of accidents that occur on those 11 miles. 2016 saw only four deaths, a number which surprised many people for being so low. Motorcyclists are 34 times more likely to suffer a fatal accident than drivers of other vehicles. This increased likelihood of injury means the public often views motorcyclists as inherently more reckless, and many assume that most accidents are caused by the motorcyclist involved. In turn, it can be difficult for a motorcyclist to claim the compensation they deserve after an accident. The reality is, drivers of cars and

trucks who don’t respect motorcyclists are the ones who cause that most accidents and injure riders. Attorney Johnny Houston has ridden a motorcycle since he was 18, and he understands the hazards that riders experience, as well as the prejudice they can face from a skeptical insurance company or jury. It doesn’t matter if you were cruising down the Dragon or were stuck in traffic after work. As a motorcyclist, you have a right to be on the road and to seek just compensation after an accident. The devastation and loss suffered by the victim of a motorcycle crash, caused by a negligent driver, can leave a family in shambles. We’re experienced with cases involving serious injury, and we will fight for you through all states of the legal process. Motorcyclists deserve the maximum compensation for themselves and their families. Call Houston and Alexander today at 423-933-1972 to learn about your rights as a motorcyclist, and how we can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Start your summer off fresh with this sandwich from the sea. Recipe: Summer Crab Roll

• 8 ounces fresh or canned crabmeat • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise • Kosher salt • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature • 2 soft rolls, split down the center like hot dog buns • Green leaf lettuce leaves (for serving) • Freshly ground white pepper Ingredients:

1. Mix crab and mayonnaise in a small bowl and season with salt. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. 3. Butter opening of buns and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. 4. Place a large leaf of lettuce in each bun. 5. Add crabmeat mixture and season with pepper. 6. Enjoy! Directions:

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TNDUIAttorney.com CALL US: 423-267-6715

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PAGE 1

Hitting the Open Road

Audiobooks Your Family Will Love PAGE 2

PAGE 2

Client Testimonial

Motorcyle Accident? Meet the Attorney Who Understands Your Concerns

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Summer Crab Roll

How to Journal Without Journaling PAGE 4

Dear Diary ...

Journaling is both a chance to organize your thoughts and an opportunity for therapeutic release, but traditional journaling isn’t for everyone. If you hit a wall every time you try to put pen to paper or worry you’ll have to burn your journal when you’re done, there are other ways you too can enjoy the benefits of journaling. Write Letters to Your Kids Framing journal entries as letters to children can help provide a starting point for you. Many parents journal like this with the intent of letting their kids one day read the letters, but that doesn’t have to be your end goal. Nor do you have to write to your kids. You can address your letters to your spouse, a close friend, your mother, or even a loved one who’s passed away. Record Quotes Quotes are special because they capture a profound feeling in just a few words. By recording some of your favorite quotes, you’re able to capture those feelings and reflect on why they resonate with you. Include quotes from historical figures, books, song lyrics, something you heard waiting in line at the coffee shop, or some of the “darndest things” your kids say.

Go Digital Apps like Day One for iOS or Journey for Android are perfect for recording your thoughts quickly. Journaling apps are as easy as scrolling down social media, but can be locked for your eyes only. Integrate written segments with photos to create entries you can reflect on from your phone, tablet, or computer. There are as many reasons to journal as there are options for alternative journaling. Whatever you decide, just make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy doing every day. Happy journaling!

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