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The Medlin News
DECEMBER 2024
Pedaling Paper The Best Gift on 2 Wheels
Now that December is approaching, stores are once again playing “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Frosty the Snowman” on repeat (most of them didn’t even wait until after Thanksgiving), people are putting up their Christmas trees, and everyone is thinking about what gifts they want, and what gifts they are getting for others. Hopefully, none of you will be receiving another pair of socks or, worse, a lump of coal. Whatever it is at the top of your list, I hope your loved ones gift wrap it and place it under your tree. One of the best gifts I ever received — one I wanted more than anything as a boy — was the coolest bike of the late 1960s and early ’70s: the Schwinn Sting-Ray. The Young Man’s Ferrari To a kid who grew up in the late ’60s and early ’70s, the Schwinn Sting-Ray was more than just a bike. It had a banana seat and was painted in their beautiful trademark Flamboyant Lime. It was advertised as the sports car of bikes — and I desperately wanted to get my hands on one. My only problem was that I lacked the money or the authority to buy one. I had to convince my parents that I needed a swanky new bicycle. I couldn’t just say, “I hear it’s great for wheelies,” because my parents were unlikely to think bicycle tricks were important enough to warrant a new purchase. I had to think of a reason any parent would agree with. Putting the Sting-Ray to Work If there is one thing parents respect, it’s when their children offer to put in extra work. That is precisely how I swayed them to get me the Sting-Ray: I needed the ultimate mode of transportation if I was to be able to pick up some paper routes. My parents respected my ambition; sure enough, my dad bought me my
beloved Schwinn Sting-Ray. However, now I had to deliver on my promise (by delivering newspapers).
Fortunately, newspapers were a far larger business when I was growing up than they are now. At 11 years old, I got a daily route for the Dallas Morning News. I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. and fill my bike’s saddlebags with newspapers. I rode my bike through the neighborhood and tossed a paper onto each home’s front porch. If I missed and hit a bush — which happened from time to time — I had to hop off my bike and fish them out. On Sunday mornings, my dad drove me to the delivery center to pick up the special papers for that day. I paid a friend $8 a month to help me make my weekend deliveries. Together, we would ride along on the tailgate of my dad’s station wagon, hop off at the end of each street, and run to deliver our papers. Later, I got Schwin’s premium new bike, the Continental, for about $110. But despite the upgrade, I still fondly remember my first “cool” bike. – Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Anyone Seen a Skull? HOSPITAL MISPLACES PATIENT’S BODY PART
All of us have had to search underneath the couch cushions for a missing wallet or TV remote, or we’ve had to scour the mall parking lot in search of our somehow misplaced car keys. I would almost certainly lose my head if it were not attached to my body. Which, as it turns out, is why I definitely should not work at one particular Atlanta hospital. In September 2022, the Emory University Hospital Midtown staff allegedly misplaced something more important than the contents of a patient’s pants pocket. Following his brain surgery, Fernando Cluster was horrified to discover that the hospital had misplaced part of his skull.
Fernando’s skull for November 2022, issues arose that made it impossible for the hospital to fulfill its end of the bargain. The hospital made errors when identifying the bone flaps and had no idea which skull fragments belonged to Fernando. Eventually, hospital staff informed the patient
they could not find his bone flap and, as a result, they would be unable to put the missing pieces back in his skull.
Suing Over a Skull Consequently, Fernando and Melinda Cluster have filed a civil lawsuit against the hospital. The Clusters claim the hospital’s failure to find his bone flap led to an extended hospital stay, increased medical debt, and undue pain and suffering. Not to mention, of course, the alleged negligence in misplacing a patient’s skull . If nothing else, the Clusters have a remarkable story to tell and, most probably, a large settlement headed their way in lieu of a fully intact brain cage.
What a Headache Fernando underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a stroke and subsequent cranial bleeding. As part of the surgery, surgeons removed a portion of Fernando’s skull, known as a bone flap, with plans to reattach that portion of his skull after he healed from his surgery. While the hospital scheduled the procedure to repair MISSED YOUR COURT DATE? Understanding Failure to Appear Cases in Texas
We understand that despite your best intentions to meet obligations, circumstances sometimes make it impossible to do so. However, the circumstances can differ drastically depending on the seriousness of that obligation. When you miss a doctor’s appointment or a flight, the most you will likely have to worry about is rescheduling and paying a small financial penalty. However, if you miss a scheduled court appearance in a criminal case, the penalties can be much more serious. If you or a loved one has failed to appear in court due to an accident, illness, or other unforeseen consequences, we can help, but you must act quickly. Penalties for Failure to Appear When it comes to your Failure to Appear (FTA) case, the penalties you may face differ based on the severity of the crimes you were originally charged with and other mitigating factors. For example,
the Texas Department of Public Safety may deny you the ability to renew your driver’s license if you have failed to appear for court related to a citation. If you are facing less serious charges, your penalties may be a Class A Misdemeanor, which can carry a sentence of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. However, if you are facing felony charges, you may be charged with an additional felony and sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment. We Can Help Depending on your excuse for missing court, the penalties will differ significantly. If you have failed to appear in court, contact us now. We can help you prove that your excuse for missing court is reasonable and worthy of forgiveness. You can visit this link to learn how an experienced lawyer can help you with your Failure to Appear Case or call Medlin Law Firm at (682) 499-9222 .
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WHAT DEFENDANTS NEED TO KNOW Texas Drug Crimes While some states have decriminalized — or even legalized — the use of certain narcotics that are illegal on a federal level, Texas has not. While medical marijuana is allowed to treat certain conditions, its use is far from condoned by the state government. In fact, in January 2024, the state of Texas sued five cities, including Austin and San Marcos, for decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession. Texas penalizes drug crimes seriously, which is why you need a serious defense attorney in the event you are charged with possession, distribution, manufacture, or other related crimes. Drug Classifications Texas separates illegal drugs into different groups based on the danger they pose. The lower the number, the greater the risk. For example, heroin, cocaine, and crystal meth are part of Group 1. Anabolic steroids and benzodiazepines are part of Group 4. Marijuana is classified separately, as medical marijuana is legal in some circumstances. Proper Representation is Key We understand that facing drug charges can be frightening, and the results of those charges can be life-altering. The prospect of incarceration, especially for an extended period of time, and being separated from friends and loved ones can be especially taxing emotionally and mentally. The
good news is that you are not defenseless — far from it. With an experienced attorney, you can dramatically improve your chances of reaching a satisfactory legal outcome for your case. Innocent Until Proven Guilty Remember: You are innocent until proven guilty. State prosecutors must prove every facet of a case to secure a conviction. You have a good chance of an acquittal if there is a reasonable doubt. Having a legal representative who understands the ins and outs of the criminal justice system in Texas, has ample trial experience, and a vested interest in your case can be an exceptional help to those charged with drug crimes. At Medlin Law Firm, we emphasize client satisfaction and providing the best possible service to our clients. Call our office at (682) 499-9222 if you need an attorney.
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce Inspired by Delicious.com
Ingredients
Directions
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened • 2/3 cup brown sugar • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 tsp baking powder • 3/4 cup self-rising flour • 3/4 cup dried figs, roughly chopped • 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped • 1/2 cup hot water Toffee sauce • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 6-cup ovenproof bowl and line the bottom with waxed paper. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Stir in pecans and figs, then add 1/2 cup hot water. 3. Pour batter into prepared bowl, cover with a circle of waxed paper, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50– 60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. 4. For toffee sauce, put butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and increase heat to medium. Bring to just below boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until thickened. 5. Turn pudding onto a plate and drizzle with toffee sauce.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. My High-Speed Present
2. Hospital Loses Part of Patient’s Skull
How Texas Handles Failure to Appear Cases
3. Drug Crime Cases in Texas
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce
4. Foods to Avoid for a Good Night’s Sleep
SLEEP STEALERS
Avoid These Foods for Better Sleep
Tummy Troublemakers As enjoyable as carbonated beverages may be, they can cause gas, bloating, and general stomach discomfort, preventing you
For the estimated 1 in 3 Americans who struggle with insomnia, avoiding sleepless nights is a top priority. Most people know to ease into relaxing activities and avoid blue light from digital devices for at least an hour before bedtime. However, avoiding certain foods that can keep you awake is just as important. Here are four of the worst culprits. Rhythm Wreckers Cheese lovers, beware! Tyramine, an amino acid found in fermented and aged foods, including cheese, tends to trigger the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that can raise blood pressure. Alcohol also is believed to interfere with circadian rhythms by disrupting the body’s sensitivity to natural sleep cues, such as waning light in the evening. Acid Igniters For the estimated 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from acid reflux, the food and drink consumed before bedtime are pivotal to sleep quality. Foods that trigger this gastrointestinal disorder include spicy items and high-fat dairy products like ice cream. Sadly, popular party fare, which includes cheese, tomato sauce, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, also can trigger heartburn.
from settling into sleep. Other potential triggers of stomach problems include citrus fruits, which have a high acid content that can fuel stomach acid. Citrus also acts as a natural diuretic, prompting you to awaken in need of a bathroom at night. Hidden Caffeine Avoiding the caffeine in coffee, energy drinks, and soft drinks is a no-brainer, but certain teas can disrupt sleep, too. While even the highest-caffeine teas, including yerba mate and black tea, have less than half as much caffeine as a standard cup of coffee, all true teas — so defined because they are made from the Camellia sinensis plant — still have enough caffeine to disturb sleep. Only herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus brews are caffeine-free. And chamomile, in particular, contains the added benefit of a plant- based compound called apigenin, which calms the brain.
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