Chroniclesc COUNCIL
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OCTOBER 2019
The Legend of Shiftyeye Jones
TALKING ABOUT WHAT’S WORRYING YOU IS A GREAT WAY
H alloween is known nationwide as our spookiest holiday. The frights are part of the fun, and fear is as universal a human emotion as there is. We all get scared for reasons big and small, no matter how old we are. But when we’re young and much of the world is still a mystery, we can be afraid of some pretty silly things. TO BRING THE MONSTER FROM THE DARK INTO THE LIGHT. IF YOU’VE WATCHED EVEN ONE HORROR MOVIE IN YOUR LIFE, YOU KNOW SHINING A LIGHT ON AN EVIL FORCE ALWAYS MAKES IT LESS POWERFUL.” Some kids are afraid of the boogeyman or broccoli, but my brother and I had a much more unique tormentor. His name was Shiftyeye Jones, and he scared the
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT FEAR
cartoon of a man with a trench coat and hat. His eyes were cut out, making him look vaguely menacing. This crude little icon was the source of our fear. His gaze was the one we ducked under to avoid a catastrophe. Looking back on it now, I can’t help but laugh, but when you don’t understand something, it always becomes scarier. We didn’t know anything about the neighborhood watch or the idea of security. We just knew this sticker was creepy. Once our mom was able to explain that this sticker was not possessed by an evil spirit nor about to spring to life, it became a lot less menacing. Today, I help people navigate scary situations of a completely different sort. When you’re injured and you feel like you don’t have anywhere to turn, it’s only natural to feel afraid. Rather than deal with the vague threat of a sticker, you have very real medical bills to contend with, in addition to the possibility of missed work and life-altering injuries. Most people embroiled in a personal injury matter are in that situation for the first time. The unfamiliarity only increases the sense of unease and trepidation they may feel, but they don’t have to go it alone.
Our approach is that nobody’s fear should be overlooked. Dealing with your case isn’t just a legal matter; it’s an emotional one. We understand and respect that everyone handles serious events differently. What’s scary to me may not be scary to you and vice versa, but that doesn’t mean each of our fears isn’t valid. Understanding that you can turn to others in a time of need goes a long way in making the fear go away. Talking about what’s worrying you is a great way to bring the monster from the dark into the light. If you’ve watched even one horror movie in your life, you know shining a light on an evil force always makes it less powerful. As we celebrate Halloween this year, I hope you’ll take a moment to think back to some of the trivial things that sent a shiver up your spine back in the day, as well as the thoughts that still make you fearful today. We all have to reckon with fear, even if werewolves and vampires are just inspired pieces of make-believe.
living heck out of us. He loomed over us, and we did everything in our power to stay out of his gaze. If he saw us, we had no idea what would happen, but we knew it wasn’t going to be good.
Before you start to get worried and think somebody should’ve called the cops on this shadowy figure, I will assure you that Shiftyeye Jones wasn’t a real threat. In fact, he was a sticker. You see ... in the neighborhood we lived in, there was a neighborhood watch committee. They handed out stickers for people to put on their properties as a deterrent. On these stickers was that infamous
–Lashonda Council- Rogers, Esq.
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SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR FOR CLASSROOMS AND SIDEWALKS Halloween is a day most children look forward to, both as the unofficial start of the holiday season and as a frightfully good time in its own right. But the terrifying fun that comes from donning a costume and hunting for candy shouldn’t also come with a risk of actual danger. Due to the high volume of small pedestrians on the road during All Hallows’ Eve, it’s important for trick- or-treaters and drivers alike to remain vigilant and use best practices. Before you start going door to door, there’s the matter of Halloween in the classroom, which also poses some safety concerns. You should consult your child’s school handbook for rules regarding what is and isn’t permissible. It goes without saying that you should not allow your child to bring anything resembling a real-life weapon to school, but you’ll also want to research mask and costume restrictions. It’s also worth considering that school is many hours long. Don’t dress kids up in anything bulky or uncomfortable that can’t be easily removed.
Jack-o’-lanterns go hand-in-hand with Halloween, but digging through the inside of a pumpkin is not something everyone enjoys. If you aren’t keen on cutting open a pumpkin, here are a few no-carve ideas you can try this Halloween! HAUNTED HOUSE Take a few pumpkins, stack them on top of each other, and create a spooky pumpkin haunted house! Then, use paint, balsa wood sheets, and hot glue to create silhouettes, ghosts, windows, and doors for a haunting effect! CREATIVE WITH STRING Use cotton twine and hot glue to create a web-like design on the surface of your pumpkin. Don’t forget to add a few plastic spiders! You can also use string art to create ghostly words or images. Lay our your design with small pegs or nails and wrap the string around them to reach your desired effect. NOTHING BUT NET You can create eerie pumpkins using fishnet stockings. Spray-paint your pumpkin if desired — just make sure the design of the stockings will stand out. Once the paint is dry, cut the legs off the stockings, slide the pumpkin inside, remove the extra fabric around the stem, and use hot glue to secure it. COLORFUL PAINT Painting your Halloween pumpkins gives everyone a chance to participate. Be creative by using different designs, cutouts for silhouettes, drip paint to create a marble design, or nail polish and water to give white pumpkins a unique and vibrant look. A SPOOKY MONSTER By adding a witch hat, wrapping a pumpkin in cheesecloth, attaching spider legs, or tying on a vampire cape, you can create a pumpkin version of the most popular Halloween monsters. Along with these accessories, you can also use paint, construction paper, and other craft materials to add the details that will make your creation pop! NO-CARVE PUMPKIN DESIGNS! JUST I N T IME FOR HALLOWEEN
When it comes time for trick-or-treating, add some high-visibility items to your child’s costume or considering bringing a
reflective candy bag. Always cross the street in groups and make sure to walk, not run, on unfamiliar blocks and properties. It’s also a good idea to plan out your route in advance
so you know what to expect and avoid getting lost. And of course, make sure your kids have a chaperone, whether it’s you, a trusted neighbor, or relative.
If you’re driving on Halloween, you should assume you’ll
encounter kids on every corner and even outside of crosswalks. Make sure you come to a complete stop at all intersections and drive with extreme caution. Peak trick-or-treating hours run from about 5:30–9:30, so be especially careful during those times.
Having fun on Halloween shouldn’t mean risking peace of mind. Kids rightfully think candy comes first on Oct. 31, so it’s up to you to put safety in focus. Sadly, though, not all accidents are preventable. If your child is injured by a car on Halloween or any other day, call our firm at 404.465.1252.
For more detailed directions for these pumpkin designs and more ideas, visit WomansDay.com.
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There’s no greater compliment we can receive than a referral from our clients. If you know somebody in need of a lawyer, please give them this newsletter and tell them to give us a call at 404.465.1252. Thank you so much for spreading the word about Council and Associates. WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Miso Caramel Apples
This silky caramel recipe is spiked with miso for a complex, rich snack that won’t hurt your teeth.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a food processor, pulse pistachios and 1 1/2 tsp sugar. Add sesame seeds and 1 tbsp miso, pulsing until miso is fully broken up. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes and let cool. 3. Meanwhile, insert a Popsicle stick into the center of each apple. 4. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp water to a boil. Boil for 5–7 minutes, swirling infrequently, until caramel is a light amber color. 5. Add cream and salt to caramel, whisking to combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and quickly whisk in remaining miso. 6. To assemble, first roll apple in caramel, then in pistachio mixture, before resting on greased baking sheet. 7. Let cool 30 minutes and serve.
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4 Granny Smith apples
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1/2 cup raw pistachios
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1 1/2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar
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3 tbsp sesame seeds
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2 tbsp white miso, divided
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4 Popsicle sticks
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2 tbsp light corn syrup
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1/4 cup heavy cream
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1/4 tsp kosher salt
DIVAS IN DEFENSE Nobody wants to be the victim of an attack, just as nobody dreams of getting in a car accident. In both situations, though, being prepared for the worst can make a huge difference on the outcome. Everyone should have a basic understanding of self-defense tactics to limit the dangers of potentially risky situations. In Atlanta, Divas in Defense caters specifically to women hoping to learn to protect themselves. They also strive to make self-defense education both fun and practical. Divas in Defense was founded by two brothers who grew up in a home where domestic violence was a regular occurrence. This experience inspired them to help women everywhere protect themselves. To achieve this mission, they offer one-day classes and training programs catered to women and girls of all ages. In addition to teaching practical tactics like strikes and throws, Divas in Defense also shares tips to navigate social media, set boundaries, and other important preventative skills. Divas in Defense has been featured on numerous TV networks, including HLN and MSNBC, to discuss the importance of situational awareness and safety. They give people the tools to, as they are fond of saying, “Be prepared, not scared.” Hopefully, you’ll never need to use most of the skills taught by Divas in Defense, but you’ll have the peace of mind knowing they’re there if you need them. Local Business Spotlight
Learn more at DivasinDefense.com.
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Inside
THE SCARIEST STICKER IN HUMAN HISTORY 1 AVOID GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY THIS HALLOWEEN
HOW TO STAY SAFE ON A SPOOKY NIGHT 2 WE’RE HERE TO HELP
MISO CARAMEL APPLES
SELF-DEFENSE COURSES FOR WOMEN 3 THE HISTORY OF OAKLAND CEMETERY 4
THE HISTORY OF ATLANTA’S MOST FAMOUS FINAL RESTING PLACE Ghost Stories of Oakland Cemetery
In 1850, Atlanta was a city of 2,500 people. While that’s nothing compared to the booming metropolis it is today, it was enough for early residents to decide they needed a cemetery. The original site was a mere 6 acres and named simply Atlanta Cemetery. By 1872, the grounds had expanded to 48 acres and been renamed Oakland Cemetery. In a strange bit of trivia, Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta’s oldest park. It’s also home to a number of famous residents including Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone With the Wind”; Bobby Jones, one of the greatest golfers of all time; and Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first black mayor.
countless ghost stories. Every year during the week of
Halloween, the cemetery puts on tours throughout the grounds that are beautiful and frightening in equal measure. The grounds immaculately kept Victorian-style gardens become eerie under the dim lights, and some of the dead make a return in the form of actors playing some of Oakland’s well- known residents. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not there are any supernatural beings dwelling in the cemetery as well.
Oakland Cemetery’s layout reflects the nature of race relations throughout the history of the city. The original 6-acre plot was split among Jewish and Christian sections. Later, “Confederate,” “New Jewish,” and “Black” sections were added, along with Potter’s Field, an area designated for those too poor to own an individual burial site. In the Jim Crow South, it seems, it was not enough
for folks to segregate the living; they sought to segregate the dead as well. Recently, the city has made efforts to combat the injustice present in the cemetery’s layout. When Mayor Ferguson died, for example, he was buried in the original 6-acre plot.
Given the long and sordid history of Oakland Cemetery, it’s no surprise that it’s the setting for
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