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APRIL/MAY 2024
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Goodbye, Dexter
We had to say goodbye to Dexter recently. Dexter was kind of our firm mascot, office protector and just the greatest dog I have ever owned. He had a bit of a rough start in life. Dexter came from a puppy mill and had a number of health issues, particularly his hips and one knee. He developed a heart murmur a few months ago, and that is what eventually did him in. Dexter was a giant schnauzer and weighed about 10 lbs when we got him. Within a year, he had gained 70 more and, in his prime, got up to 100 lbs. He was loyal and friendly to his home and his work families, and although I did not take him to work often, when he came with me, he thought it was his job to defend the office from intruders, sometimes standing on his hind legs at the
front door to intimidate friend and foe alike. After a good sniff-over, he was pretty much ok with everyone. Within about two minutes, he would go from a fierce protector to a very large pest demanding to be petted. Despite his sometimes scary demeanor, he was a goofball at home, only getting serious when a stranger appeared. He really loved scaring UPS and FedEx drivers and sometimes air conditioner repair people. When his deep loud bark was not enough, he would sometimes jump at the window to finish the job and vanquish any perceived unwelcome guests. When someone came to the door who we didn’t want to see, we just “let Dexter get it.” He loved to chase the large crows that sometimes accumulated in our yard, but he never caught one. He
also loved taking walks with his family, but when he couldn’t walk very far anymore, we would load him up in the bed of the golf cart, which he really seemed to enjoy. My wife, Casey, and I were devastated when he took his last breath. It was his time to go, but we are comforted that Rita is still around and spunky as ever. We really miss him and think about him a lot. He was a great dog and a great friend.
– Johnny Houston
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When the Law Meets Absurdity LEGALLY UNBELIEVABLE
There are some outlandish laws in the U.S., but you can also get away with plenty of surprising things. Let’s dive into some of the crazy laws from around the country.
least surgeons usually do have a limit on how long they can work at once, curtailing the worst outcomes of an exhausted doctor.
Shockingly Illegal Car Cursing
Surprisingly Legal Flame On
While in Maryland, you should be mindful of keeping your swear words to yourself (or whisper them softly) while driving through the small city of Rockville. It is considered a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle within earshot of other people. Your curse words could cost you up to $100 in fines or 90 days in jail. Blindingly Obvious Driving blindfolded has never been a good idea, but that clearly didn’t stop adventurous residents in Alabama from testing their blind driving skills. Maybe that’s why the state passed a law making blindfolded driving illegal.
Owning a flamethrower is surprisingly legal and easy in 48 states. The only state where you can’t own one is Maryland. And if you want a flamethrower in California, you must get a license. The rest of the states say, fire away! Car Radar Another surprising law concerns radar detectors: In most states, utilizing a radar detector in your personal vehicle is completely legal. Do you want to check someone’s speed or look out for police officers? Unless you live in Mississippi, Virginia, Washington, D.C., or on a military base, it’s entirely legal! Sleepy Surgery There are absolutely no laws that state surgeons must get a good night’s sleep before surgery. As dangerous as this sounds, at
Keep an open ear and be mindful of what is legal and what is not. Nobody wants weird laws creating dumb criminals!
damages. You also must ensure you don’t harm the tree — you may incur damages if you do so. You can accidentally harm a tree in many ways, so it might pay to hire a professional. If you destroy the neighbor’s tree, you may be fined triple its worth. This can amount to thousands of dollars; if it is a heritage, ornamental, or otherwise fancy tree, you may owe tens of thousands. Be careful when trimming, and beware of the tree’s roots when gardening. You should communicate with your neighbors if you have any concerns and ensure they’re informed before you start trimming. What if the branch falls? When the worst happens and a tree falls on your property, who’s liable then? The answer is a little more complicated. The owner isn’t responsible if their tree is alive, even if its branches and roots damage the surrounding houses. You’ll have to pay for any damage that a living tree causes. If the tree is dead, however, the owner is liable and will have to compensate you if their tree falls on your property. It’s not always clear that a tree is dead, though. If a tree shows apparent signs of decay like rot or disease, owners must adhere to a “reasonable care standard” to protect their neighbors. Tree law and liability are nuanced. There are exceptions to almost every rule, varying from state to state. Contact an attorney if you need help navigating the branches of tree law.
THE RULES ON TRIMMING BRANCHES FROM A NEIGHBOR’S TREE Branch Boundaries
We’ve all been there. A branch looms over your yard, threatening your property. It can do all sorts of damage if it breaks off from drought or a storm. You’d like to trim it to ensure the safety of your home and garden, but the branch belongs to a neighbor’s tree. What do you do? Who is liable? If the tree hangs over your property, you can trim it to the boundary line. If you cut anywhere past the line, you’re liable for
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Have you ever wondered why we celebrate April Fools’ Day every April 1 with silly pranks and whimsical tricks? April Fools’ originated in France during the 16th century when the country switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The change moved the new year from the end of March to Jan. 1. The shocking part is that not everyone was aware of the change. Those who continued celebrating New Year’s Day on April 1 were mocked, labeled as “April Fools,” and were subjected to pranks. These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish or a gullible person. Historians have also linked April Fools’ Day to festivals such as Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the cult of Cybele. THE HISTORY OF APRIL FOOLS’ DAY Joke’s on You!
Egyptian legend of Isis, Osiris, and Seth. There’s also speculation that April Fools’ Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather. Regardless of its origin, April Fools’ Day has become a worldwide tradition with links from the past. Today, April Fools’ Day means playing pranks and tricks on friends and family. People have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations, and websites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims to fool their audiences.
It involved people dressing up in disguises and mocking fellow citizens and magistrates and was said to be inspired by the
So, when someone pulls a nasty prank on you on April Fools’ Day, remember why and where it came from!
What Our Clients Are Saying
GRILLED STEAK WITH CHIMICHURRI SAUCE
“My fiancée and I got into an argument that resulted in a charge of felony domestic assault. A police officer friend referred me to Johnny Houston. Johnny was able to get my case into court early so that we could resume living together and taking care of our family. Ultimately, the charge was dismissed and will be removed from my record. Johnny and his staff made a difficult situation much easier to deal with.” –T.N. 423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com 3
Ingredients
Directions
• 2 lbs flank, sirloin, or skirt steak • 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
• Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Goodbye, Dexter Surprisingly Legal and Shockingly Illegal How to Approach Cutting Branches From a Neighbor’s Tree The Origin of the Silliest Day of the Year Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce Testimonial The Sports World Is Booming in April! PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 4
5 Exciting Sporting Events in April
Football The 2024 football season doesn’t start until September, but the NFL Draft in April does more to shake up NFL rosters than any other time of year. From April 25–27, you can watch your favorite college stars take their first steps as a pro. Fans everywhere love to watch the spectacle and boo or cheer for their team’s picks. Baseball The Major League Baseball season kicks off in April, so every baseball fan’s schedule will be chock full of games for the next six months. Spring is also the best season for baseball: The weather is just right to watch a game live and maybe catch some early season home runs from the stands! Mixed Martial Arts The upcoming UFC 300 is sure to be a spectacle. Competitors from men’s and women’s divisions fight in the ring with all the expected thunder and ferocity. The fights will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 13.
April is one of the most exciting months of the year for all kinds of sports fans! Whether you follow the hushed telecasts of PGA golf or the wild excitement of the UFC and NCAA men’s and women’s basketball, April has something to get excited about! Golf Golf enthusiasts are always excited for April as it hosts one of the year’s biggest golf tournaments: The Masters Tournament, from April 8-14. All the greats will compete for a sky-high prize in the warm Georgia sun, including Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson. Basketball Stakes are high in April for college basketball — it’s time for the men’s and women’s Final Four! The chaos of March Madness is over, leading to a clash of titans. The women’s Final Four starts on Friday, April 5, with the championship game on Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio. The remaining four men’s teams face off on Saturday, Feb. 6, and the final two play for the championship Monday night, with all games in Glendale, Arizona.
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