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WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404.994.6218 | DECEMBER 2018
THE MOVIES, MUSIC, AND MEMORIES OF THE SEASON
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OBIORAH FIELDS
B efore we even get started on all this debate about “Die Hard” not being a Christmas movie. Just because a movie doesn’t have Santa or holiday magic doesn’t mean it’s not a Christmas film. I’m not a trial lawyer, but I can tell you that if this case went to court, I’m confident I would win. That being said, there are a lot of great Christmas movies to watch during the holidays. I used to love the old stop-motion films with Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman. Those classics will always bring back fond memories. discussions about Christmas, we need to settle one thing: I don’t buy The music is a huge part of Christmas too. I love the Jackson 5 and their interpretation of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” Whitney Houston’s “Little Drummer Boy,” and of course, Boyz II “ I LOOK AT THE HOLIDAYS AS A TIME TO CREATE THE SAME EXCITEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN IN MY EXTENDED FAMILY WHILE ALSO CONNECTING WITH MY LOVED ONES.
I’ll pace myself, but it’s hard sometimes with all the holiday buzz circulating everywhere you go. When I was a kid, I used to be up all night just waiting for Santa Claus. As I got older, my analytical brain started to wonder how Santa could do all that he’s given credit for. My belief didn’t last for long, and I eventually put together how these gifts magically appeared. The best and most memorable gifts ever given to me were some clothes, a doll, and games. On the other hand, it’s impossible for me to forget my biggest Christmas disappointment. One year, this huge box appeared under the tree. I remember sneaking down the hall and looking under the tree just to study it; it was the largest gift I’d ever seen. I racked my brain imagining what was inside. When the day finally came, I was thrilled to see what this gigantic box could possibly contain. I tore the paper off, opened the box, and inside was another box. I opened that box, and
inside there was another, and another. I can’t even remember what was inside the last box, only that I had been duped. Now that I’m an adult, I’m looking forward to starting new traditions. The older I get, the less enamored with gifts I become. If I want something, I’ll buy it for myself. I look at the holidays as a time to create the same excitement for the children in my extended family while also connecting with my loved ones. My family is off work during the holidays, which makes it a perfect time to reconnect. I don’t ever want to lose sight of that, because my family means so much to me. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Whether it’s Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, or something else you celebrate, both Danielle and I wish you the best this year. Let us show you how much we appreciate you during our client appreciation party. Contact our office or check out our Facebook page for more information.
Men’s “Let It Snow.” My all-time favorite is “Silent Night” by The Temptations. My tradition is to start listening to Christmas music right after Thanksgiving, so anytime from now to Jan. 1, I’ll be singing along with the sounds of the season. I don’t like to get too fatigued on it, so
–Teri Fields
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The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for those traveling, they can also be very dangerous. The rise of DUIs during the holidays is becoming a significant problem in many American cities. According to a survey by Harris Interactive, 50 percent of families report alcohol involvement in their families’ holiday celebrations. With such pervasive alcohol use, the risk of DUIs or road accidents drastically increases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows 58 percent of highway deaths during New Year’s are related to alcohol, compared to 28 percent for the rest of the year. That’s why we want to provide two ways you can avoid drunk driving this holiday season. Companies like Lyft and Uber require all of their drivers to be sober while operating their motor vehicles. With increased hiring scrutiny and more preventative measures, these services are safer than ever. Most rides during the holiday season will range from $15–$25 but can be more depending on surge fares and distance. Regardless, the fare price does not compare to the cost of a DUI, and we’re not referring to just money. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety states that in 2016, 24 percent of fatal crashes were caused by impaired driving. TRY THESE APPS USE A RIDE-SHARING SERVICE 2 WAYS TO AVOID A DUI THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
THE HISTORY OF THE MAGI WISE MEN OR SORCERERS? The story of the three wise men visiting Jesus is a focal point in the Judeo-Christian telling of the birth of the Christ. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh demonstrate reverence for the child through symbolism: Gold symbolized kingship; frankincense was commonly burned in temples and represented the spiritual stature that Jesus would hold; and myrrh was used in preparing bodies for burial, foreshadowing his eventual crucifixion. While the Magi’s role in the birth of Jesus is well-known, not much is understood about the men themselves and their connection to the baby in the manger. Historically known as Magi, the three “wise men” are known for their study of the stars. The Magi were some of the earliest astrologers. Until the 17th century, astrology and astronomy weren’t separate fields of study. Astrology included both the study of how the stars and planets affect human life and the position and motion of the cosmic bodies. In the Persian Empire, Magi were known as astrologer-priests, delineating the fate of men they saw written in the stars. But while they are known for interpreting the significance of planetary movements for human life, many historians suggest there could have been more to their jobs than astrology. “Magi” comes from the Greek word “magos,” which means magic. Early interpretations of magos included alchemy and sorcery along with astronomy. Speculations swirl among many biblical scholars about the true nature of the Magi, as some tellings portray them as illusionists or fortune-tellers. In a cultural context, the Magi were revered across the Middle East. Along with their knowledge, they had stature and wealth that allowed them to bestow gifts upon those they deemed important. The act of giving presents to a child wasn’t a regular practice for the Magi, and thus the event was significant for the time. While only three Magi are portrayed in the familiar nativity story, the real event would have included many servants. As a matter of fact, the Bible never mentions the number of Magi who visited Jesus, leaving interpretations open as to how many Magi traveled to Bethlehem. In the early seventh century, the Magi were pushed to the outer rims of Africa and India due to the rising popularity of Islam. Since someone could only be considered Magi by birth, it is widely accepted that the line of succession eventually ended, and the Magi faded into history.
DRIVE SOBER APP
That’s right — there’s an app for that. Georgia offers this free mobile app that will help you estimate your blood alcohol content (BAC). The legal limit is 0.08, so if the app estimates around or above that, it will advise you not to drive. While the app is not meant to be 100 percent accurate, it does provide feedback that wouldn’t be available otherwise. The more informed you are, the better you can make decisions. That’s why we
recommend giving this app a try.
If you’ve been harmed in a drunk driving accident, give us a call today. Our team of attorneys provides passionate representation for those injured by a drunk driver.
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IS YELP EXTORTING BUSINESSES? SOME OWNERS SAY SO
When you think of extortion, you probably don’t imagine a billion-dollar company from Silicon Valley, yet that’s exactly what many small businesses across the country are claiming the review company Yelp is doing. Many organizations just like ours rely on reviews as a way for people to obtain firsthand, word-of-mouth information. But what if the medium used to present this information is manipulated? In fact, many businesses and users argue that Yelp’s content is manipulated.
display praise, Yelp allegedly requires payment for their advertising services.
FTC INVESTIGATION
The accusations started in 2014 with the class action suit Levitt v. Yelp, which resulted in an investigation by the FTC. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found
FILTERS
Google, Avvo, and other places that post reviews mostly filter comments by date so you can see the most recent observations about local businesses. Yelp, on the other hand, filters reviews by an algorithm that assesses their reliability. On the surface, this sounds like a great idea, but in practice, many owners are crying foul.
no extortion or wrongdoing by Yelp and dismissed the case, and the FTC closed the investigation without taking action. However, not everyone was convinced the investigation was accurate. Many businesses still make claims of being strong- armed by Yelp to this day. Whether Yelp is extorting small businesses or not, we’re thankful for your reviews. Our firm takes great pride in the work we do serving our community, and we look forward to continuing that for years to come.
PAY THE TOLL
Multiple business owners have gone on record stating that Yelp will broadcast negative reviews instead of positive ones. To
JOIN US FOR OUR CLIENT HOLIDAY PARTY!
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE:
157 S. McDonough St., Jonesboro, GA 30236 Come celebrate the holidays with us, see our decorations, meet our staff, and enjoy:
FREE FOOD AND BEVERAGES | FREE ADMISSION | VALET PARKING
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Three M’s of the Holidays
1 2
The History of the 3 Wise Men
2 Mobile Apps That Will Help You Avoid DUIs
Is Yelp Manipulating the Truth?
3
Join Us for Our Client Holiday Party!
Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas
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UGLY SWEATER PARTIES A FUN TREND YOU CAN EASILY FOLLOW!
It’s speculated that the first ugly sweater party took place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you’re ready to jump on the ugly-sweater-party bandwagon this Christmas season, here are a few things to keep in mind.
with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore.
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN UGLY SWEATER PARTY?
It’s rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party. A few ugly-sweater-themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the white elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo
booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest.
YOUR VERY OWN UGLY SWEATER
Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give it new life. Arm yourself
This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December!
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