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HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND FEBRUARY 2023
MUSIC RUNS IN MY FAMILY BUT IT SKIPPED OVER ME
On Feb. 3, 1959, America’s music scene changed forever, the “day the music died,” when a plane carrying Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and Buddy Holly crashed, killing everyone on board. These three men were pioneers of the rock and roll movement and passed well before their prime. I’m quite familiar with Buddy Holly and his legacy since we both grew up in Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock has an underappreciated music scene and provided
music from UTEP, and she offered to teach them both to play. They started in the orchestra in junior high, and the music director at our church let them play on occasion with the choir on Sundays. Surprisingly, my kids almost dropped the violin before they got good at it. Their junior high orchestra teacher was militant in their teaching style. They had starlings in the class, and the teacher made things
the launching point for great artists like Natalie Maines of The Chicks. Pat Green even got his start playing frat houses in Lubbock at Texas Tech in the early 90s when I was a student there. Growing up in Lubbock allowed me to gain a greater appreciation for music and the artists who create it. My enjoyment of music started early. I can remember the first CD I bought back when CDs first became popular. I had $20 to my name, and my grandfather took me over to Hastings Records and Tapes to pick something out. I was immediately drawn to the U2 album “The Joshua Tree.” I bought the CD, took it home, and played it nonstop. I still know every word to every song from that album.
much more difficult for the kids who weren’t starlings. Well, Clayton and Claire weren’t starlings, so they didn’t get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of their time in the junior high orchestra. Thankfully, my kids decided to stick with it, all thanks to El Paso High School’s orchestra teacher Mr. Rangel. Mr. Rangel has sparked a new interest in my children in the violin and music. It’s interesting to see what he does with the kids. In the fall, he puts together a cool neon pop concert where the orchestra will play songs by the likes of Imagine Dragons, The Weekend and The Beatles instead of classical music. Even the art department gets involved and puts up neon paintings in the auditorium for the concert. In the spring, they’ll do more traditional recitals and UIL competitions. My son made “States” last year and got
I’ve had plenty of experience with musicians and music, though I don’t play myself. My cousin is Carrie Rodriguez, and she’s made
to perform in Austin with his ensemble. Both of my children are incredibly talented when it comes to playing the violin, so it will be interesting to see if they stick with it post-high school. I’m interested to see what music has in store for little guy Winton now that he is getting to the age where he can learn an instrument. Music has the power to bring joy and entertainment into our lives regardless of whether we play or just listen. This month, take some time to listen to your favorite bands or songs and prepare to feel a sense of calmness around you.
quite a career for herself from her music. Carrie is a talented singer and classically trained violinist, now professional fiddle player, based in Austin. She records her own music and regularly tours with Patty Griffin. She recently got to play her fiddle at halftime at a University of Texas basketball game, which I’m sure was a fantastic experience. I like to think I’m a pretty decent shower singer, but I don’t share the same musical talent as Carrie. My kids, however, are a different story. My oldest children are good violinists. They can truly speak the language of music. My kids started playing the violin when they were in junior high. There was a woman at our church named Johani who was getting her master’s in
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THE SUPER BOWL IS NO EXCUS A RISK NOT WORTH TAKING
Valentine’s Day demands most of the attention in February. This holiday is designated for couples to share their love and do things they greatly enjoy together. While this usually consists of dinner dates, a movie, and possibly even some dancing, some parents have a difficult time getting away. Maybe they can’t find a babysitter, or one of the kids is ill, causing them to cancel plans. You might think there’s no point in celebrating the holiday if you can’t do so with just your significant other, but you can turn Valentine’s Day into a family-friendly event. Here are a few activities to try if you’re spending Valentine’s with the kids this February.
Near the middle of this month, many of us will gather around our TVs to watch one of the most exciting sports events every year, the Super Bowl. While Super Bowl Sunday is a great time to get together with friends and family, eat tailgating snacks, and watch the big game, many will make the mistake of getting behind the wheel after having too many drinks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 32 people in the United States die in drunken-driving crashes every day, which equates to one person every 45 minutes. Here, you’ll find a few of the reasons you should never drink and drive.
Write love notes to each other .
Poor Judgment Skills
Valentine’s Day is all about love, so what better way to celebrate it than by sharing your love with those closest to you? Take a moment and have every member of your family write love notes to each other. Encourage your kids to share their happy memories and explain why they love each person. This can be a fun and e ducational activity for your kids as you can help them with their spelling and grammar.
When you drink alcohol, your decision-making and judgment skills diminish. This means you’ll be more likely to get behind the wheel after drinking if this is an option for you. Find a designated driver, take a rideshare, or find another way to get to your Super Bowl watch party if you’re planning to drink. If you choose to drink and drive, those poor judgment skills could lead you to make a turn at the wrong time or look at your phone instead of the road.
SUDO KU
Have a fancy dinner.
You don’t need to go out to have an extravagant Valentine’s dinner. You can make one at home by incorporating the same ingredients as the dishes you would get at a restaurant. Or you can order from your favorite restaurant and pick it up. Use a fancy tablecloth, light some candles, and have fun with it. Don’t forget to include a special dessert; you can even make mocktails to amp up the fun.
Finish the night with a movie.
Valentine’s Day is often one of the busiest nights of the year for movie theaters, but you don’t have to go out to enjoy a movie during the holiday. Head to your favorite streaming service and find some family-friendly romantic comedies to watch together. “The Princess Diaries,” “Lady and the Tramp,” and “Gnomeo and Juliet” are all great options.
SOLUTION ON PG. 4
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INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RIDE- SHARE PASSENGER?
SE TO DRINK AND DRIVE
Slowed Reaction Time
There’s always the potential for an accident when you get behind the wheel, but typically, we’re able to react in time to sudden events and prevent a collision. We might have to slam on our brakes to avoid rear-ending someone or quickly shift lanes to avoid a merging collision. When you drink, your reaction time slows, which puts you at a greater risk of getting into an accident.
Legal Ramifications
You’ve been drinking, and it’s time to go home. You think to yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen if I drive myself home?” Well, there are plenty of bad things that could happen. You could get pulled over and issued a DUI. This
HERE’S WHAT TO DO
Many individuals rely on ride-shares, like Uber or Lyft, to help them safely reach their destinations. You expect a safe trip every time you step into a ride-share, regardless of whether you’re going to work, heading home, leaving the bar, or going elsewhere. But accidents do happen. If you regularly use a ride-share service as a passenger, it’s imperative to know what to do if your ride-share is involved in an accident. You should treat a ride-share accident like any other. It’s essential that law enforcement comes to the scene of the accident, so take the initiative and call the police if your ride-share driver is unwilling or unable. If you can, try to document the scene while you wait for the police. Take pictures of the vehicles and write down everything you can remember about the accident and
could result in losing your license, paying fines, heading to jail, and even losing your job. You could also end up causing an accident, which could have serious repercussions for the rest of your life. You could get physically injured yourself or end up hurting or killing someone with your actions. That guilt will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Chocolate Pots de Creme
get the names, contact information, insurance information, and license plate numbers of the drivers involved. Make sure you talk to the police so your version of the incident makes it into the report. You should also seek medical attention, even if you feel uninjured. The adrenaline after an accident might mask feelings of pain or discomfort. If you’re injured while riding in a ride-share, you may wonder who you should file your auto injury claim against. If the ride-share driver is at fault and logged into the app currently on a trip, you could be eligible for compensation from the ride-share company’s insurance. When drivers are logged into the app and have accepted a tip, their liability coverage increases to $1 million. Depending on the severity of your injuries and the damages you have suffered, you may be able to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and mental anguish. Accidents involving ride-share vehicles happen every day. If you’ve been involved in an accident as the passenger of a ride-share, help is available. Give us a call, and we’ll discuss your options.
Impress your valentine with a chilly chocolate treat! This smooth custard is easy to make and the perfect dessert to end a romantic night at home.
INGREDIENTS
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9 oz high-quality semisweet chocolate, chopped
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5 tbsp granulated sugar (add an extra tbsp if using bitter chocolate)
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1 1/2 cups whole milk
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1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
1 tbsp powdered sugar
6 large egg yolks
DIRECTIONS
1. Place chopped chocolate into a blender. 2. In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, whisk the milk, 1 cup of cream, egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt over medium heat. Cook, constantly stirring with a spatula until the mixture is almost boiling, 5–6 minutes. Immediately pour the milk mixture over the chocolate in the blender. 3. Cover and blend until smooth. 4. Divide the mixture among ramekins or small cups and refrigerate until set (about 2 hours). 5. Whip the remaining 1/2 cup cream and the powdered sugar with a mixer until soft peaks form. 6. Top chilled pots de creme with whipped cream and serve.
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The Magic of Music
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3 Family-Friendly Valentine’s Day Activities 3 Reasons Why You Should Never Drink and Drive
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Sudoku
Chocolate Pots de Creme
What to Do if You’re in a Ride- share Accident as a Passenger
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Wanna Stay Warm Outside?
Is it too cold to spend time outside? Nonsense! While we wait for spring, there’s no better way to get some fresh air than around a warm fire with friends and family. Whether you build a bonfire or purchase an outdoor firepit, a cozy fire is great fun day or night, and you can do plenty of activities to keep you busy. Get started with some campfire classics — roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs! Placing food on a skewer and holding it over a fire is a fun activity for everyone, and kids will love the opportunity to prepare their own “meal” — with proper adult supervision, of course. Campfire grill racks will help you make slightly fancier food options. One of the best fire pastimes is taking the time to chat. Invite over folks you haven’t seen in a while and catch up! A fire is also an opportunity to put the phone away and connect on a deeper level. Consider bringing some interesting prompts along, like “What is your favorite childhood memory?” or “What was your worst vacation experience?” They’ll get everyone talking and forgetting all about the cold. Get Outside Without the Cold WARM UP WITH AN OUTDOOR FIRE
(If you’ve got kids around, make sure the stories are age-appropriate.) Everyone can make up their own stories, retell tales they heard long ago, or do some research online beforehand. Find out who is the best storyteller — and the biggest scaredy-cat. Many typical “indoor” activities can also be brought outside. For example, get out some cards or a board game. Music will also liven up the atmosphere. You can even start a dance party if you keep a safe distance from the flames. Those looking for solo time can also read a book, sketch, or journal. No matter what activity you choose, an outdoor fire will allow you to enjoy the fresh air and get some vitamin D (if during the daytime) without excessive shivering. It might even turn into a favorite cold- weather activity.
Your fire is also the perfect opportunity to tell scary stories. Get a flashlight, head out at night, and do your best to frighten each other!
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