Check out our April newsletter!
www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 April 2024
Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death
BID FOR 28TH WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS As the New York Yankees try this season for their 28th World Series title, I find myself once again swept up in the excitement of baseball season. Being a die-hard Yankees fan has been a part of my life since childhood, a passion passed down from my father, who is from the Big Apple. I moved from Venezuela to the U.S. in 1994, just as the Yankees were entering a golden era — I vividly recall the thrill of witnessing Derek Jeter’s rookie year. Those late-1990s Yankees teams, with their remarkable successes in the 1998, 1999, and 2000 World Series, ignited my love for the game and cemented my allegiance to the pinstripes. As I reflect on the history of the Yankees, I am transported back to memories of attending games in New York City. The electric atmosphere of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx is contagious and leaves a huge mark on every fan who was fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. However, despite this storied legacy, it’s been over a decade since our last World Series victory in 2009. But as the new season opens up, I remain optimistic this year will be our year to reclaim baseball’s ultimate prize. Baseball holds a special place in my heart not only as America’s pastime, but also as a connection to my Venezuelan roots. In my homeland, baseball is the top sport, overshadowing even soccer in popularity. Every winter, after the season has come to an end, we have winter ball in Venezuela, and players from around the globe come together to compete on Venezuelan soil. As a proud Venezuelan, seeing players like Ronald Acuña Jr. (my favorite player) do so well fills me with pride. Their journeys from humble beginnings to Major League stardom serve as inspiring reminders of the power of perseverance and determination. In Major League Baseball, it takes a lot of resilience and tenacity to succeed. The road to the majors is fraught with challenges; players often spend years in the minor leagues before earning a spot on a big-league roster. It’s a sport that demands courage and a willingness to take risks and put your heart on the line. And speaking of taking risks, did you know April 23 is National Take a Chance Day? Yankees Fever
In both baseball and life, taking chances is essential for growth and success. I was reminded of this during a recent morning meeting when a colleague shared her experience of pushing past self-doubt to achieve her goal of completing a mile run in under seven minutes. Though she fell slightly short of her target time, her willingness to take a chance and push her limits served as a powerful example of the importance of embracing opportunities, regardless of the outcome. Failure, I’ve come to realize, is not the end but rather a stepping stone to growth and self-discovery. Every chance we take, whether on the baseball diamond or in our personal lives, offers valuable lessons and insights that shape who we are and
who we aspire to become. So, as the Yankees embark on another quest for World Series glory, I am reminded of the significance of seizing the moment, taking risks, and daring to dream big. After all, as the saying goes, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. -Louis Bernardo Berk
www.LouisBerkLaw.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
WHEN THE LAW MEETS ABSURDITY LEGALLY UNBELIEVABLE
Virginia, Washington, D.C., or on a military base, it’s entirely legal!
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. Surprisingly Legal Flame On 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,
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 least surgeons usually do have a limit on how long they can work at once, curtailing the worst outcomes of an exhausted doctor.
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. Keep an open ear and be mindful of what is legal and what is not. Nobody wants weird laws creating dumb criminals!
Shockingly Illegal Car Cursing
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.
Joke’s on You!
THE HISTORY OF APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
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. It involved people dressing up in disguises and mocking fellow citizens and magistrates and was said to be inspired by the 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. So, when someone pulls a nasty prank on you on April Fools’ Day, remember why and where it came from!
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.
2 | 407-906-0500
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
TAKE A BREAK
To be proactive in life is to be successful! As a parent, planning ahead must become second nature if we want our children and families to stay strong in the face of adversity. While many good parenting tips are out there, the smartest is creating an emergency kit to help out in any scenario. An emergency kit will have everything you and your family may need during an emergency, such as having to stay inside for longer than usual or the electricity goes out. Each family’s kit will vary depending on their kids’ individual needs. It’s vital to have all these things collected before the trouble begins, stored in a container, and kept in a safe and easily accessible location in case of an emergency. Making a family emergency kit can also be fun for the family to do together. Be the Parents Who Are Prepared CREATING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR ANY SITUATION
These are the necessary steps to create a toolkit:
1. You will need a large plastic bin or box to put things into.
2. Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a list of key items to include in a kit: CDC.gov/childrenindisasters/checklists/ kids-and-families.html. 3. Go shopping for the appropriate items you need, then check them off the list as you put them into your emergency kit. 4. Place an updated copy of your checklist inside your large plastic bin or box once you put your kit together to know what is inside the kit and to find your checklist easily. Keeping your family safe should be a top priority at all times. It is so important to teach preparation skills to our children at a young age so they can be ready and thrive through life’s most turbulent moments.
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Savor the flavor with our mouthwatering grilled steak, paired perfectly with vibrant chimichurri sauce. Ingredients
For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs steak
(flank, sirloin, or skirt steak)
• 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions 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!
www.LouisBerkLaw.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Referrals Welcome We thank you so much for referring clients to us over the years. We are grateful that
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
407-906-0500 www.LouisBerkLaw.com 4700 Millenia Blvd., Suite 175 Orlando, FL 32839
you have trusted us with taking care of those who need our services.
www.Facebook.com/AbogadoLouis
New address? New phone number? New email? Help us stay current by letting us know. Notify Louis at 407-906-0500.
www.Instagram.com/AbogadoLouis
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
For the Love of the Game — Baseball Fever
Surprisingly Legal and Shockingly Illegal
The Origin of the Silliest Day of the Year
3
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Equip Your Family With an Emergency Kit
4
The Lawsuit That Touched Hearts
Luke Combs Strikes a Chord FROM CONFLICT TO COMPASSION
containing funds from recent sales, was locked due to the lawsuit, leaving her in a dire financial situation. What sets this story apart is not the initial legal dispute; it’s the remarkable response from Combs himself. Upon learning of Harness’s situation, he recorded a heartfelt TikTok video where he apologized directly to Harness and extended his hand to help her during this challenging time. He gave her $11,000, twice the amount that had become inaccessible in her Amazon account due to the lawsuit. He emphasized that no fan should ever go through such an ordeal and expressed his sincere regret for the situation. Combs didn’t stop there; he decided to positively impact Harness’s life by selling similar tumblers on his own website. All proceeds from these sales were directed
Imagine waking up one December morning to the bizarre news that one of your favorite celebrities is suing you for a whopping $250,000. That’s what happened to Florida resident Nicol Harness, a devoted fan of country music sensation Luke Combs. The story began when Harness found herself in hot water for selling unofficial merchandise adorned with lyrics from Combs’ songs. She had sold 18 tumblers at $20 each and had no clue this would lead to a legal battle that would wreak havoc on her life. Harness, who had been dealing with congestive heart failure, received an email from Combs’ legal team during her hospital stay. Unfortunately, due to her medical condition, she missed the 21-day response window, which resulted in further complications. Her Amazon account,
Photo by David Bergman
toward Harness’s family to support her medical care, further showcasing Combs’ commitment to making amends and righting the situation. This incredible turn of events reminds us that even in the face of legal battles and adversity, acts of kindness and empathy can prevail. Combs, a country music superstar, proved in words and actions that he values his fans, turning a potential lawsuit into a story of compassion and unity in the country music community.
4 | 407-906-0500
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator