DEC 17
Road to justice
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What I Learned Visiting Munich Last December
Christmas With Krampus
I wish I could tell you that I have some thrilling Christmas plans this year, but
One German Christmas favorite that I wish we adopted is Krampus. In short, he’s Saint Nick’s archrival, a goat-demon hybrid who punishes children who have behaved badly during the year. In Bavaria, people dress up as Krampus, and the costumes give Halloween costumes a serious run for their money. As anyone in
that would be a lie. Maybe it’s a relic from growing up with parents who worked at a grocery store, but I mostly remember the holidays as a hectic time. For them, the holidays were peak business hours and it was all hands on deck at the store, often including my own. While most kids were hanging ornaments on the tree, I was stocking cans on the shelves. Not that I’m complaining, because I owe a lot of my work ethic to the example my parents set. Speaking of work ethic, we often use the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day to set ourselves up for success in the coming year. There’s a chunk of time when the courts slow down, and it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up and get ahead. Sure, it’s a time to exhale and relax, but it is definitely not a time to check out completely. We owe it to our clients to devote our energy to getting ready for the new year. Once everything is running at full speed again and we’re dealing with our regular workload, we don’t want to look back at December and think “what if?”
the office will tell you, I get a real kick out of being spooked, and a few of the Krampus costumes we saw in Munich sent a shiver up my spine. Sadly, I guess he never really made it over the Atlantic. Of course, I already received my big Christmas gift for the year: our new office. It may not have come wrapped or topped with a giant bow, but stepping into the door for the first time reminded me of the excitement I used to feel as a child. We’re really loving the place! I hope the clients who have had the chance to check it out will tell you the same. It’s certainly made our lives easier in ways that we didn’t anticipate. I hope as you gather with your loved ones for the holidays this year that you have a chance to recapture some of the childhood magic from Christmases past. Even if that just means spending a quiet moment with the people who matter the most to you, don’t take for
Last year, however, Lee and I did travel to Munich for a winter vacation. While there, we quickly realized that many of our Christmas traditions actually originated in Germany and Austria. Some of the most amazing sights were all of the traditional Bavarian Christmas
Jim and Lee Snell at Lake Hallstatt in Austria at Christmas last year
granted how special this time of year is. And for everyone that’s busier than ever with work during the holidays, know that you’re not alone. We are very thankful for all you do to spread joy.
markets. I’ll tell you, shopping there beats the heck out of going to the mall! From trees and caroling to Advent calendars and Santa Claus, it seems all of our most-beloved activities actually got their start there.
– Jim Snell
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Creative Gift Wrap Alternatives
OLD MAPS AND CALENDARS These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in GPS, so you probably won’t need the
There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap alternatives to consider this holiday season.
map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. If you still have an old map, why not use that for wrapping?
The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind. And don’t worry if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents. FUROSHIKI Fabric is an excellent substitute for wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps of fabric from old projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as “functional fabric origami,” you’d be amazed at how a few well-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, from boxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/furoshiki-instructional-videos. You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able to make your gift wrap just as special. Find a method that’s uniquely you and get started!
BROWN PAPER BAGS With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old-timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild.
Our Team’s Favorite Holiday Memories How the Snell Law Family Celebrates
coordinator.“We would decorate as a family the day after Thanksgiving,” she recalls.“We would all put on our cozy clothes, make cider and hot chocolate, and spend all day decorating while listening to Christmas music.”This year, Caitlyn is excited to create new memories with her newborn daughter! Shannon Williamson, our operations manager, also has a daughter who will be experiencing her first holiday season.“I’m so excited to watch her take everything in for the first time,” she says. Even better, Shannon’s son will be there to enjoy his sister’s first Christmas. Finally, our receptionist and runner, Emily Jones, has a Christmas tradition she always looks forward to.“Every Christmas Eve, my whole family watches ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,’” she notes. “It’s my favorite!”
That was taken in Islamorada Florida in the Florida Keys on Christmas Day where Jim demanded they take his personal lazy boy to the beach! Definitely a great memory!
Jim and Lee at the Wynn in Las Vegas on Christmas Day
Jim at the Munich Christmas Market
Happy holidays from all of us here at The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr.
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‘South Carolina DUI Defense’ Comes Out Soon A New Book by Jim Snell and Attorney James Nesci
During his career, Jim Snell has had the opportunity to defend numerous clients facing DUI charges in South Carolina. His experience has led to him becoming an expert in the field. So, when Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company was seeking a co-author for its upcoming text “South Carolina DUI Defense: The Law and Practice,” Mr. Snell was honored to be selected for the job. The book, which will be published soon, was written alongside DUI defense expert Jim Nesci and will be an authoritative text aimed at practicing attorneys and law students. Attorney Jim Nesci is dean of the National College for DUI Defense. He has written numerous books on the subject, including “How to Beat a DUI,” also published by Lawyers & Judges. He is one of the nation’s foremost experts on the scientific aspects of DUI and DWI cases. In particular, he has tried my cases involving breath-test manufacturers. He has represented Supremes’ singer Diana Ross and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ tight end Jerramy Stevens. Combined with Mr. Snell’s intimate knowledge of the laws in-state, the two attorneys have created a comprehensive examination of the law in theory and how it plays out in practice.
The book also features case studies based on specific trials. DUI cases present special challenges, and the text explores every facet of cases, from pre-trial intervention to field sobriety tests to unethical police practices. Hopefully, it will become a must-read resource for all attorneys representing DUI clients in South Carolina. Mr. Snell is proud to have worked alongside Mr. Nesci and Lawyer & Judges to complete the text. A DUI arrest should not lead to an automatic conviction. These types of cases may be harder to defend than ever, but “South Carolina DUI Defense: The Law and Practice” provides defense attorneys with the information and tools they need to represent their clients to the best of their ability. Throughout his career, Mr. Snell has focused on raising the bar for defense attorneys in South Carolina. This book is one of his many efforts focusing on continuing education, and he is grateful for the opportunity to share things he’s learned over the years.
MEMEs
easy holiday party
cheese fondue
Scrambling to find something for the holiday potluck? This fondue is sure to impress!
INGREDIENTS
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¾ cup dry white wine
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Salt to taste
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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Foods to dip (apple slices, bread cubes, roasted vegetables, etc.)
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1 (8-ounce) package sliced Swiss cheese
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1 clove garlic
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large bowl, whisk
Add some cheese and slowly whisk.When nearly smooth, add more cheese and whisk gently. Repeat until all cheese is melted. If mixture seems too tight, add 1 tablespoon wine. 5. Season with salt and serve immediately. Keep pot on low heat to keep the fondue dippable.
together wine and cornstarch. 2. Chop cheese slices into small, uniform pieces. 3. Rub clove of garlic all over
the sides and bottom of a heavy-bottomed pot, then discard. Heat wine mixture over medium-low heat in the pot until thick and bubbling.
4.
Recipe inspired by PinchofYum.com.
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The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC 123 Harmon Street Lexington, SC 29072
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Inside this Issue
Christmas With Krampus PAGE 1
Stop Wasting Gift Wrap! Snell Law Holiday Favorites PAGE 2
Jim’s New Book on DUI Defense Easy Holiday Party Cheese Fondue PAGE 3
Santa Tracking Goes High-Tech PAGE 4
It’s almost Christmas, and if you have small kids, you know what that means: prepping for the arrival of a jolly man in a red suit and his confusingly named reindeer. Some of us may remember spending Christmas Eve curled on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa as radio reports tracked Santa’s trip around the globe. But these days, kiddos have gotten a little more high-tech in their search for up-to-date, GPS-driven Kringle updates. First, there’s the Google Santa Tracker (santatracker.google.com), a full-fledged holiday hub for your browser powered by Google Maps, including, of course, an up-to-the-minute GPS tracker for the big man. The application arrived in 2004, and it’s been updated every year since. During the countdown to Christmas, there’s a colorfully animated advent calendar of sorts, where buildings around Santa’s village “thaw out” and reveal a host of fun games and activities. There’s even a section titled “Santa Tracker for Educators,” which includes kid-friendly coding games, information on international holiday traditions, and a translation app to “learn the Santa lingo from around the world.”
When the eve of the big day finally comes, Google promises a showcase of Santa’s “dashboard, the technology that powers his sleigh during his around-the-world journey.” Featuring “the latest and greatest … in sleigh engineering,” the app displays a Google Maps window that tracks each of Santa’s stops, gives status updates from Old Saint Nick, and tells kids how far he is from their city. It’s a colorful, fun adventure for the whole family. Of course, Google’s not the only kid on the Santa- tracking block. There’s also NORAD Tracks Santa, operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the same organization that tracks nuclear missiles for the government. Similar to Google, noradsanta.org includes a variety of fun games and activities leading up to Christmas. But unlike Google, NORAD has a dedicated Santa- tracking app for your phone, where you can see a 3-D view of Santa’s location during his trip. The app also features videos, so you and your little ones can see clips of Santa flying around major landmarks and world cities. Just don’t stay up too late watching them. You don’t want Santa to skip over your house!
santa tracking goes high-tech
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