Herrman & Herrman - July 2020
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1201 3rd St. Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Inside This ISSUE
An American Tradition Page 1 The First Steps to Building Your Dream Patio Hear What People Are Saying About Us Page 2
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Texas? Homemade S’mores Ice Cream Page 3 Enjoy July With These Fun Facts Page 4
Fun Facts About the Month of July What Do Julius Caesar and Buffalo Wings Have in Common?
Most Americans associate July with Independence Day and everything the holiday entails, including traditional barbecue cuisine, fireworks, and summer vacations. However, in addition to the Fourth of July, this midsummer month has a rich history and offers fun opportunities for everyone to celebrate. ‘What’s in a Name?’ You’ve likely heard of Julius Caesar, the famous Roman dictator and general known for changing the Roman Empire’s political structure, innovating war tactics, and eventually dying after a legendary assassination. But did you know that July, Caesar’s birth month, wasn’t always called that? It was initially named Quintilis , which means “fifth” in Latin, because it was the fifth month of the ancient Roman calendar. Shortly after Caesar’s death, the month of Quintilis was renamed July in his honor. Of course, Caesar’s legacy didn’t end there. Before he died, he implemented the Julian calendar, which he based off of the Egyptian solar calendar, and it remained in place for over 1,500 years until the Gregorian calendar was introduced in the 16th century. Red, White, and Who? Similar to the Declaration of Independence for the U.S., Canada’s Constitution Act of 1867, signed on July 1 of that year, marks the birth
of Canada. The following year, Charles Monck, the 4th Viscount Monck and Canada’s first governor-general, signed a proclamation requesting that everyone in Canada celebrate their country’s independence on July 1. However, it wasn’t until 100 years later that the date officially became Canada Day. Most celebrations include fireworks and red and white attire, much like how Americans celebrate the Fourth of July.
Got Wings? While chicken wings are a staple of Southern dining, they actually originated in upstate New York. In 1964, Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar, started cooking leftover wings
dipped in hot sauce for her son and his friends. After receiving enthusiastic feedback, Bellissimo put them on the menu. Over the next few years, the recipe’s popularity
spread, and in 1977, former Buffalo mayor Stan Makowski declared July 29 to be National Chicken Wing Day. The reputation of the famous Buffalo wings continued to spread nationwide, and in the early ‘90s, wings became an international hit when McDonald’s, KFC, and Domino’s Pizza began selling them in the variety of flavors we know and love today.
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July 2020
www.herrmanandherrman.com • 844.567.6399 1201 3rd St., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 • 4121 N. 23rd St., McAllen, TX 78504 855 E. Harrison st., brownsville, tx 78520 • 8122 Datapoint Dr., Suite 816, San antonio, TX 78229
An American Tradition
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, our rights and freedoms are on the minds of a lot of people. As protesting broke out across the country over the last couple of months following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, people want to know their voices are heard and that they matter. At Herrman & Herrman, we stand with the Black Lives Matter movement. We also believe it’s important to have tough conversations about our society and race because we recognize that many aspects are broken and desperately need to be fixed.
the Civil Rights Movement really took hold. For years, people protested and participated in civil disobedience. You have names like Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine, and Malcolm X entering the public consciousness again — and all for different reasons, yet as part of the same larger movement. Today, you have names like Colin Kaepernick, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor entering the conversation. While Floyd and Taylor are no longer with us due to the poor actions of law enforcement in Minneapolis and Louisville respectively, their names ring loudly. People march in the streets saying their names for all to hear. Kaepernick, as you may know, is the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback turned civil rights activist. In 2016, he garnered national attention when he sat down during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In a later game, he was seen kneeling. His reasoning: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” Like with many protests, Kaepernick received a lot of negative criticism for his actions. But that wasn’t about to stop him. He continued the practice of kneeling, but more importantly, he donated a significant amount to organizations that operated in oppressed communities, including Mothers Against Police Brutality. In Minneapolis, after weeks of protest, several city council members stated they intend to defund and restructure the city’s police department. In Washington, D.C., several politicians introduced legislation to reform police across the country. Things are changing, though there is still much to be done in the wake of both the coronavirus pandemic, economic recession, and police brutality. Through it all, though, we can say one thing: Protesting does work. After all, it is an American tradition.
Throughout American history, change was effected through protesting. As kids, we learn about the Boston Tea Party. In 1773, the Sons of Liberty felt their rights were being violated due to the Townshend Acts — a series of acts enacted by British parliament that dictated various taxes, among other things. So, the protesters boarded British East India Company ships docked in Boston, took the chests of tea, and threw them into the Boston Harbor. The British government was not happy, and they responded through the use of force and oppression. This led to the American Revolution. This act of protesting changed the course of history. One group of people felt oppressed, and they acted. While it took time and hard work — not to mention many lives lost — the course of history was changed. As Americans, we’ve come a long way since the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution. We have our Constitution and Bill of Rights, but we also know we need more. Everyone needs more. It’s one thing to be told we live in a free country, but it’s another to actually see so many people being oppressed and having their voices silenced. American history is full of people who said “enough” and did something. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, people stood up for civil rights as
-Greg Herrman
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The First Steps to Building Your Dream Patio
Enjoying your time outside can be hard when you also want indoor comforts. But why settle for just one when you can have the best of both worlds with an outdoor patio? Summer is a great time to make a plan to create or revamp your current patio into your dream patio. As with any home project, however, it can be overwhelming at first to design an entire space. If you’re not sure where to start, then here are some suggestions. No. 1: Determine the purpose. No two households are the same, and likewise, no two patios are used exactly the
Dream features can include a beautiful firepit, an elaborate brick design, a Jacuzzi, or a professional grilling station. For example, if you want a cozy spot for your family to enjoy Sunday afternoon barbecues, then you’ll need enough space to set up your ideal outdoor cooking area as well as a dining area with the right amount of seating. Once you have the space in mind, you can accommodate and plan for changes.
same way. Maybe you’d like to have a quiet, cozy spot in the mornings to listen to the sounds of nature, enjoy the weather, and take in a good book or podcast. Maybe you’d like to use your patio mainly to relax and breathe in the fresh air as you entertain guests. Or, maybe you need your patio to serve both purposes! No. 2: Plan the space in advance. This can be the hardest part for some, but you must keep two specific things in mind when planning your patio: the preferred size and any dream feature you’d like to include. If you can make these two work together, then you’ll be very satisfied with the results.
No. 3: Consider how to decorate. If your patio isn’t constructed yet (or if you’re
reconstructing), then consider using fresh, great-looking patio pavers to complement your house’s exterior and invite you and your guests to step into the outdoors. Try to add interesting textures by using different materials. Slate, limestone, sandstone, and terra cotta paving slabs are very popular choices. Finally, decorate with planters, shade structures, and anything else you think will make your outdoor escape a little more comfortable.
“I am a new client of Herrman & Herrman, and I can’t speak highly enough regarding the firm’s professionalism, dedication, and personal commitment to me and my case. I would highly recommend their services to anyone seeking the best in representation from top to bottom because each and every staff member is just as proficient as the next. On a personal note, my legal team, consisting of attorney Will Privette, case manager Destiny, and medical director Yvette, has been nothing short of amazing in being extremely supportive and thorough in every aspect of my case. My contributions are minimal, as their work ethic is above reproach; it doesn’t take a legal genius in deciphering which firm is best in client representation: Herrman & Herrman! Thank you infinitely, Herrman & Herrman, for assuaging my concerns and alleviating the overwhelming angst and strife I endured after my accident. Kudos to Mr. Herrman for hiring the best to work for the best! I couldn’t be more pleased!” –Heather Roehr
Testimonials
“I was involved in a rear-end collision, and my car was totaled. My cousin and I were injured in the accident, so we called Herman & Herman. I personally want to thank Ron and Lewis for handling my case. They were professional throughout the whole process. Ron and Lewis kept me updated on my case every single step of the way. Ron sent me letters and kept me updated. Lewis was always available when I called; he was very kind and professional. And last but not least, they were able to swiftly settle my case even during these COVID-19 times. I received a fair and just compensation. They fought very hard for me. Thank you, Ron and Lewis, from the bottom of my heart.” –James Brown
Don’t just take our word for it
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Lane Splitting on Texas Roads
What You Need to Know
Lane splitting is a controversial topic. Is it legal? Should it be legal? The truth is if you are a motorcyclist or ride a bicycle on roadways, you know how dangerous lane splitting can be. Accidents caused by lane splitting can often be deadly. Lane splitting is often referred to as stripe-riding or white-lining. It’s a practice where motorcyclists or bicycle riders move between lanes or rows of slow-moving vehicles in the same direction. From one perspective, the riders can save more time and bypass traffic congestion. However, if we consider safety, then it’s clear the better alternative is for riders to stop behind stationary vehicles rather than navigate alongside them.
December 2016 when Kirk Watson, a former Texas senator, proposed a bill that could favor lane splitting. However, the bill died while in committee and never became law. Watson’s bill would have allowed motorcycles operating on a limited- access highway to split lanes if the rider operates the motorcycle in the following ways: * At a speed that does not exceed that of other vehicles by more than 5 mph * In traffic that is moving at a speed not greater than 20 mph While everyone waits to see if lawmakers eventually pass a bill on lane splitting, the act is still considered illegal in the state. It’s expected that all vehicles (including motorcycles) stay in a single lane of traffic on roads that are marked into lanes. If there’s a need for vehicles to change lanes, then they must do so only when it’s safe. Without a doubt, commute times for motorcyclists will become shorter if a bill like this becomes law. However, accidents caused by lane splitting are challenging in many ways, and the law never goes easy on the motorcyclist. While we anticipate a faster commute in the future for motorcyclists, the $175 fine still stands for lane-splitting violations in the meantime.
Texas law has never been in favor of lane splitting. It’s always been a “no” for motorcycle riders, no matter
what the excuse may be. There was a possibility for change in
Sudoku
No-Churn S’mores Ice Cream
July is National Ice Cream Month, so why not cool off with some sweet, homemade s’mores ice cream? You don’t even need an ice cream churn!
INGREDIENTS
* * *
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
* *
1 chocolate bar, chopped
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups whipping cream, chilled
10 graham crackers, crushed
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, graham crackers, and chocolate. 2 . In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat whipping cream until peaks form, about 3 minutes.
3. Fold whipping cream into the
condensed milk mixture. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours. 4. Serve and enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s especially delicious in a waffle cone!
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