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The Medl in News
AUGUST 2018
I found the Hundred back when I was first getting into cycling. A friend of mine was planning on doing the ride that year, and the challenge excited me. There’s something very personal about cycling — it’s just you versus the road. I wanted to see if I could conquer this particular 100-mile stretch; if I could ride through hell, I could ride just about anywhere. So, while I was still new to the sport, I jumped into the deep end. I loaded my bike into my car and made the drive up to Wichita, trying not to look at the temperature display on my dashboard. The ride was as advertised. Not only were temperatures sweltering, but we were also buffeted with dry gusts of wind. Covering flatland and grueling hills, the day-long ride was by far the most brutal I’ve ever experienced. By the time I crossed the finish line, my body was just about ready to give out on me, but my mind was thrilled by the accomplishment. I rode the Hotter’n Hell three more times. I trained throughout the year and managed to make the annual ride slightlymore bearable. I still always seemed to hit mywall around the last 15 miles or so. But as I got a little older and my responsibilities grew, I had to shorten my rides and put my attendance of the Hundred on hold. While I may not be riding through Wichita this August, I’ve got plenty of other great milestones to look forward to. Soon enough, my daughter will be taking the training wheels off her bike, and
THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME
BIKING THE HOTTER’N HELL HUNDRED
When I get a free moment on the weekends, you’ll most likely find me out for a ride along the river. Yes, even in this heat. As someone prone to shin splints, I’ve always prefered cycling to running to stay in shape. It puts less impact on the body and uses different muscle groups. Besides, the speed is a nice bonus. Between my duties as a father and an attorney, I can’t really get out for anything more than a short ride these days. I used to train pretty extensively, but now I just enjoy feeling the wind on my face and the good kind of soreness that comes after voluntary exercise. As content as I amwith this routine, I can’t help but turn my mind to the Hotter’n Hell Hundred this time of year. For the uninitiated, the Hotter’n Hell Hundred is the largest single- day 100-mile bicycle ride in the country, and one of the oldest. Dreamed up to honor the 1982 centennial of Wichita Falls, TX, the ride is brutal in its simplicity: 100miles in 100 degree temperatures. While it may not sound like your cup of tea, thousands of cyclists from around the world flock toWichita every August to push their bodies to the limit. I used to be one of them.
we’ll go on longer rides together. Maybe one day, when she’s older, she’ll want to do the Hundred with her dad. For now, I’ll just enjoy the ride.
Happy Trails, – Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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HOT!
HOT , HOT ,
The Best Ways to Cool Your Mouth After Eating Something Spicy So, what can you do to beat the heat? For heat brought on by chili peppers, you want a beverage that contains compounds capable of binding with the oiliness of capsaicin. The best compound? Fat. Whole milk will help, but here are some even better alternatives:
When you pop something spicy into your mouth, it’s always good to have a cool beverage nearby. You never know when you’re going to need to put out a fire. But when your mouth feels like it’s going up in flames, some methods of cooling are better than others. Let’s get this out of the way first: Water and soda are two of the worst ways to cool off your mouth after eating something spicy. Water, soda, and even fruit juice will simply spread the heat around, meaning that fiery sensation will only last longer. To combat the heat, it’s important to understand where that sensation comes from. Many spicy sauces and dishes get their heat from capsaicinoids, or specifically, capsaicin, an oily compound that loves to stick to your tongue. It’s important to note that capsaicin is not water-soluble. Chili peppers are a primary source of capsaicin. Other foods, such as mustard, radish, horseradish, and wasabi, get their heat from a compound called allyl isothiocyanate. This compound does not usually stick around as long as capsaicin.
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Half-and-half
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Sour cream
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Yogurt
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Ice cream
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Kefir
And for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, soy milk and peanut butter can help too. The higher the fat content, the better!
What about those other foods, like mustard and wasabi? Unlike capsaicin, allyl isothiocyanate is partially water-soluble. This means water and soda will help cool you down — but you still can’t beat dairy. The next time you eat a habanero pepper or put too much hot sauce on your eggs, having a glass of half-and-half on standby can be a lifesaver. It may sound a little weird, but your mouth will thank you.
WHAT TO DO IN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT Many drivers don’t pay enough attention to bicyclists. If fact, research has suggested that even when drivers are looking directly at a cyclist, they fail to recognize and react to their presence, leading to many unfortunate “looked but failed to see” crashes. While riding, you can’t correct for a driver’s selective attention, but you can be prepared to deal with the aftermath of such a dangerous collision. Do Not Repair Your Bike As hard as it is to see your bike damaged, you should leave it in its post-accident state. The same goes for any other damaged property from the crash. These items are key indicators of the severity of the impact. If you have a personal injury attorney, they can hold these items for you to preserve them for examination during the claims process.
Many car-on-bicycle crashes result in catastrophic injuries. You may have to be immediately whisked away to the emergency room. If you are able to remain at the scene, however, there are important steps you should take to preserve your rights as a cyclist. Call the Police As with any accident, it’s best to get law enforcement involved. The men and women of Fort Worth PD are experts at analyzing the scene of a crash. Having their expert eyes can help get to the bottom of the cause of the crash, and the police report they write is an invaluable piece of evidence when pursuing an insurance claim.
Get Advice From a Professional Because of the complex intersection of bicycle and traffic laws involved in car-on-bike collisions, having a professional Texas personal injury attorney review the details of your accident can help you understand your legal options. These experts, like the attorneys at the Medlin Law Firm, can help you negotiate with the insurance companies or represent your case in a court of law. Bike accidents involving negligent drivers often lead to severe, long-term injuries. Pursuing a claim can get you the resources you need for medical treatment, and it holds the inattentive driver accountable. From all of us here at the Medlin Law Firm, please watch for cyclists.
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Possession of 2–4 ounces of marijuana
CARE, NOT PUNISHMENT
• Possession of less than 28 grams of marijuana in a drug-free zone
Drug addiction is a problem, and the way we punish offenders isn’t helping. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states, “Drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will.” A government research institute is willing to declare addiction a disease, yet our state and federal laws continue to treat those caught in its cycle with punitive rather than rehabilitative measures. But that’s changing slowly. Here in Tarrant County, alternative sentencing options exist to offer those found in possession of a controlled substance a second chance. While limited in scope, there are two programs that exist to help those battling addiction get themselves and their records clean. These are the First Offender Drug Program and the DIRECT Court Program. First Offender Drug Program As the name suggests, this program only applies to first-time, nonviolent offenders. Those who qualify will be placed in a limited supervision regimen where participants are required to undergo twice-monthly drug screenings and attend a short-term course on chemical dependency. After 90 days, if you have not relapsed, your case will be dismissed, keeping your record clean.
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Forging or altering a drug prescription
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Possession of a dangerous drug
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Diversion of a controlled substance
DIRECTCourt Program The Drug Impact Rehabilitation Enhanced Comprehensive Treatment Program is an intensive probation period available to nonviolent offenders, regardless of whether this is their first offence. While in the DIRECT program, you will be placed in a structured treatment program tailored to your needs while monitored by supervision officers. Both these programs provide brighter avenues for those facing nonviolent drug charges. Having worked with countless clients battling the scourge of addiction, we can onlyhopemoremeasures that place education and rehabilitation above punishment will come to fruition across the state and the country. If you or a loved one is facing a nonviolent drug charge, we can help you explore these viable avenues for rehabilitation. Our law office can also put you in contact with further resources to help you find the care you need.
First offenders for the following crimes may qualify:
• Possession of less than a gram of a controlled substance
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Possession of 1–4 grams of a drug
Summer Grilled HALIBUT
Brain Buster
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
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1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained
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1 lemon
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2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced
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Basil leaves, for garnish
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Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.
Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
One Lawyer, One Bike, One Hundred Miles
2. The Best Ways to Cool Your Mouth After a Kick of Heat
What Every Cyclist Needs to Know
3. Possession Charge? Keep Yourself and Your Record Clean.
Summer Grilled Halibut
4. The Strangest Holidays inAugust
AUGUST’S SILLIEST HOLIDAYS Are These on Your Calendar?
February has Valentine’s Day; September has Labor Day; December, of course, has Christmas; and August has, um, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. August may not host any major holidays, but it doesn’t lack for some of the goofiest on the calendar. August 6: National Wiggle Your Toes Day While the origin of this holiday is uncertain, it’s held every year on August 6. To celebrate, people are encouraged to wear sandals, flip flops, or other toe-exposing footwear. You can also frolic barefoot in the grass or simply stretch those digits throughout the day. Just don’t expect to see any Hallmark cards devoted to National Wiggle Your Toes Day anytime soon. August 13: Left-Handers Day About 10 percent of the population is left-handed. Lefties may be stuck in a right-hand-dominant world, but on August 13, they rule the roost. Originally founded in England, Left- Handers Day has taken off in the U.S. Righties are encouraged to try out a left-handed approach for the day. Lefties, for their part, are free to be themselves.
August 17: National Thrift Shop Day Thrift shops are a staple of American commerce, so it makes sense that there is a day devoted to them. Take the day to hunt for lost treasures and screaming deals. Many thrift shops also benefit nonprofit organizations, giving you even more reason to frequent them. August 27: National ‘Just Because’ Day This celebration is really scratching the bottom of the holiday barrel. Joseph J. Goodwin created National “Just Because” Day in the 1950s. It’s a day to do something “just because.” Be spontaneous and have a little fun. There’s no one way to celebrate, which is fitting, given that the existence of the holiday seems to defy logic altogether.
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