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March 2024
I Don’t Care How Old I Get, I’ll Always Love ‘Children’s Books’ Life’s Lessons in a Nutshell
season. In true Sendak form, the soup ends up in the least
Since 1998, the National Education Association (NEA) has celebrated National Read Across America Day on March 2. This day is dedicated to honoring the birthday of Dr. Seuss, a world-renowned author whose books were the first reading experience for many of us. The day aims to get more children to engage in the pure pleasure of reading, not only for entertainment but to encourage learning, growth, and enthusiasm for continuing education throughout life and to “[celebrate] a nation of diverse readers.” My mother always read to us before going to bed. One of my favorite childhood books is a collection of four small (miniature) books called “Nutshell Library” with stories by Maurice Sendak. These little books were a comfort and a wonderful sort of cheat when it came to delaying bedtime. When my mother would say, “One story before bed,” I would argue (gently), “But that means all four!” Much like Sendak’s very famous “Where the Wild Things Are,” the “Nutshell Library” was filled with memorable characters, rhyming verses, creatures wearing human clothes, and improbable circumstances. Two stand out in my memory. “Chicken Soup With Rice” walks the reader through all 12 months of the year, exploring the many ways that the savory dish — chicken soup with rice — could improve or brighten the WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and the factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 690-2470.
likely places: spouted by whales and stirred by turtles, to name a few, and the pictures were truly engaging for a young imagination. What a comforting rhythm to have the reliable singsong phrase woven into the storyline. Here’s March’s verse:
In March, the wind blows down the door and spills my soup upon the floor. It laps it up and roars for more. Blowing once, blowing twice, blowing chicken soup with rice. The other “Nutshell Library” gem is “Pierre, a Cautionary Tale.” Pierre is an obstinate child whose response to everything is, “I don’t care.” His devil-may-care attitude even leads to him being eaten by a lion! Suddenly, miraculously, Pierre begins to care. I was recently reminded of this childhood favorite when my granddaughter, Poppy (pictured above), used the cavalier phrase she had learned from Pierre. Fortunately, that phase didn’t last very long. Books from our childhood have a magical quality in that they remain relevant no matter how old we grow. I think we can all use the reminder from Pierre that apathy can be dangerous! The comforting repetition found in “Chicken Soup With Rice” is another good reminder that rituals and traditions can lead to a sense of stability and joy, especially as we grow older. This month, I encourage you to take advantage of National Read Across America Day and introduce yourself to a new
book or revisit a childhood favorite. Then, share your books or experiences with us on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/GenevaNPerryEsq . We’d love to hear about them! –Geneva N. Perry, Esq.
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Debunking the Latest Viral ‘Credit Expert’ Claim
DON’T TRUST STRANGERS ON THE INTERNET
Yet another viral video from a supposed credit expert has made its rounds online. This alleged expert claims that in 2023, Congress passed a new law titled “ FCRA law” to “permanently remove any negative debt older than two years and is affecting your credit score.” This person goes on to sell $20 letters written to these companies to help those in need. If you think this sounds suspicious, you’d be right. Unfortunately, this video preys on people with bad credit, including those with massive hospital bills, home loans, or student loans. Though this post garnered over 70,000 likes in two weeks, this law and how it claims to repair your credit do not exist. The law mentioned, FCRA, was actually passed in 1970. It’s called the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and it requires most negative credit information to be removed from your credit report after seven years. You don’t need to send any letters to assure this information is removed, much less one costing $20 and paid to a nebulous online “expert” with no credentials. “I’m not aware of any law that comes close to this,” says David Silberman, the former acting deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in an interview with the Associated Press. And Richard Franks, the head of Lightbox at Intuit Credit Karma, told USA TODAY, “Another protection under the FCRA ensures that old negative information, like late payments or bankruptcy, aren’t held “Anyone claiming they have the ‘magic bullet’ to remove recent and accurate credit information, no matter how negative, is likely a potential scammer.”
against the consumer forever; credit agencies must remove most negative credit information after seven years, and remove bankruptcies after 10 years.” Several proposals have been made to shorten the seven- year timeline, but nothing has yet passed. U.S. Rep. Ayana Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, introduced H.R. 4120 in 2021 to add this amendment for “comprehensive reforms” to the law. The bill includes improvements to the disputing process, free credit scores, removal of adverse information for private education loan borrowers, and credit restoration for victims of predatory activities. The bill has yet to make it out of the House Committee on Financial Services. It’s essential to research and fact-check claims like the one in this viral video. If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is. If someone claims to be an expert, take the next step and check their credentials. Does their social media account lead to another website where you can read their full bio? Did they go to school for their chosen field or otherwise gain mentorship? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), started in 1933 by Congress to place faith in the banking system after the Great Depression, warns, “Watch out for scammers who falsely claim to be lenders, loan servicers, financial counselors, or representatives of government agencies who can help with your mortgage.” These government agencies and professionals will not reach out through text, email, or phone calls to ask for sensitive information. They are not advertising their services on a viral video and charging $20 for unnecessary credit repair letters. Once again, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. While you can advocate for your credit, beware of claims that someone will help you on your journey. Anyone claiming they have the “magic bullet” to remove recent and accurate credit information, no matter how negative, is likely a potential scammer. By law, no one can remove this information within two years. Use your common sense and triple-check claims, and you can’t go wrong.
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Do you know the muffin man? We’d be surprised if you didn’t. This nursery rhyme is still passed down in kindergarten classrooms and children’s books in many languages. The origin of this and other popular nursery rhymes is nebulous. While “Ring Around the Rosie” was a time-keeping method for doctors during the Black Death, “The Muffin Man” is allegedly about the British serial killer Frederick Thomas Linwood. Linwood, or the Drury Lane Dicer, is said to have murdered up to 15 children in the late 1500s. Urban legend says he would employ “Looney Tunes” style tactics, tying a muffin to a string and pulling it along the street to lure his victims. Some especially morbid accounts say he also murdered seven rival bakers during his spree. Having that many victims would make him the first serial killer in history. Often, truth is stranger than fiction, but in this case, no actual facts support this creepy origin story. The book “The Singing Game” by Opie and Opie states that the first recorded mention of this nursery rhyme exists in a manuscript from 1820. It is originally a poem with music added later. One version of the song changed Drury Lane to Dusset Lane, home to the first confirmed serial killer, Mary Ann Cotton, but that’s where the similarities stop. This urban legend isn’t sweet enough for our taste, but don’t worry. You can keep singing about the muffin man without fear. The (Supposed) Dark History of This Popular Nursery Rhyme DO YOU KNOW THE MUFFIN MAN? YES, FROM DRURY LANE
TAKE A BREAK
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BUTTERFLY CLOVER DAFFODIL GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS SPRING TANGERINE WOMEN
St. Paddy’s Irish Soda Bread
Inspired by Epicurious.com
Ingredients
• Nonstick vegetable oil spray • 2 cups all-purpose flour, extra for dusting • 5 tbsp sugar, divided • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 3/4 tsp baking soda • 3 tbsp chilled unsalted butter, cubed • 1 cup buttermilk • 2/3 cup raisins
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat an 8-inch round cake pan with nonstick spray. 2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, 4 tbsp sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut butter into the mixture with your fingers or a pastry knife until crumbly. Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Gradually mix until dough comes together. Mix in raisins. 3. Using floured hands, form dough into a ball and transfer to pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tbsp sugar. 4. Bake bread for about 40–45 minutes or until golden brown and a tester stick comes out clean. Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Books Can Change Your Life
2
Too Good to Be True
3
St. Paddy’s Irish Soda Bread
The Alleged Dark History of the Muffin Man
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The Marketing Campaign That Cost Red Bull Over $6 Million RED BULL DOESN’T GIVE YOU WINGS Marketing Campaign Disproved in Court
For decades, Red Bull has run the marketing campaign that its energy drink gives people wings. Most assume it’s a joke, an exaggeration of the beverage’s stimulating effects.
go writing a letter to Red Bull for your voucher, know that customers are no longer eligible for this compensation. In Red Bull’s words, they settled to “avoid the cost and distraction of litigation,” noting that their ad campaigns and can labels “have always been truthful and accurate.” Red Bull denied any wrongdoing.
The courts disagreed. A group of Red Bull drinkers in 2014 filed a class action lawsuit
against the Austrian company, accusing them of false advertising. Despite the company’s claims, they alleged that the drink does not give you wings. To be more specific, the suit alleged that the ad campaign uses flying imagery to convey that the beverage is better than other caffeinated drinks. While the brand’s messaging claims it improves response times and concentration, the suit alleges the beverage isn’t much more effective than a cup of coffee. Red Bull settled for over $6 million. They also agreed to compensate customers who were disappointed about the drink’s wingless results. Such claimants could receive $10 or a voucher for $15 of Red Bull products. But before you
What Red Bull did was tread the line between false advertising and “puffery,” the legal term for extravagant claims about a product. The law allows for some lofty claims — such as “World’s Best Coffee” — so long as they are opinions. “Red Bull gives you wings” sounds like a factual statement, so it doesn’t fall under puffery. The energy drink company has continued using the slogan in its marketing in event sponsorship and TV ads. So, while Red Bull may not actually give you wings, it did pay out a lot of money in a court settlement over the claim.
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