Chronicles MAY 2019 COUNCIL
404.526.8857 WWW.OURFIRMCARES.COM
S ince the very first issue of my newsletter, I purposely haven’t You’ve probably noticed that I’ve spoken about my husband, my kids, and my grandma a lot. I wanted to make sure that when she made her debut in the newsletter, it was a tribute worthy of the incredible positive influence she’s been on my life. Well, that time has come. In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to pay tribute to the remarkable woman I’m lucky enough to call Mom. My mother, Doris, is the best mom anyone could ask for. As an educator, she instilled in her children a passion for learning. We knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that trying our best in school would provide us with opportunities throughout our lives. It was not an abstract concept, either. We saw how her intelligence allowed her to provide a promising life for us and how she poured all of her energy into us. We knew we could achieve the same with enough hard work and determination. That said, she wasn’t afraid of providing us a little nudge. I think the best way to describe her approach is to tell you what she’d say on spoken very much about my mother. MY MOTHER, DORIS, IS THE BEST MOM ANYONE COULD ASK FOR. AS AN EDUCATOR, SHE INSTILLED IN HER CHILDREN A PASSION FOR LEARNING.”
There’s No Love Like aMother’s
A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM
the eve of a big test. Often, I’d be panicked, trying to cram as much as possible before an exam. I could come and talk to Mom about anything, so I often confided in her about my anxieties. Her response was usually the same: “Don’t worry. I know you’re going to bring home an A.” I realized throughout the years that the old phrase “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is so fitting when it comes to my mom and me. We are both sassy, no-nonsense type of women. In addition, we both love to dance and have a good time. In fact, during a recent family cruise, we proudly displayed our mother/daughter dance skills. However, our greatest mother/daughter joy is joking with my dad. Basically, there is never a dull moment when we get together. like nobody’s business. All the things we weren’t allowed during our childhood are now totally fine for the grandkids. When I see her secretly sneaking my kids some sweets, I think, “Where was this person when I was growing up?” I guess she’s leaving the tough love to me and building her case as the world’s sweetest grandma. Whatever In 2008, my mom became a grandmother, and let me tell you she dotes on her grandchildren
the reason, I know that my kids love to see her whenever and wherever possible. That’s something I’ll never take for granted. I hope that you have a chance to celebrate your mother this month. Our moms do so much, even after we’ve grown, and rarely get the recognition they deserve. Mom, to you, I just want to say two things. First, thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years. Second, I hope that I’m as great of a mother to my kids as you are to me.
–Lashonda Council- Rogers, Esq.
WWW.OURFIRMCARES.COM 1
ATLANTA IS BECOMING BIKE-FRIENDLY HERE’S HOW TO SHARE THE ROAD SAFELY Last year, Atlanta achieved its all-time highest ranking in Bicycling Magazine’s list of “The Best Bike Cities in America.” Landing at No. 42 may not seem like a tremendous accomplishment, but it demonstrates just how far Atlanta has come in establishing infrastructure for those who wish to commute on two wheels. As the city becomes friendlier to bicyclists, it’s important to understand the safety concerns that allow cars and bikes to exist in harmony. Whether you prefer to pedal or not, keep these tips in mind for a pleasant experience sharing the road.
LEARNING TO BE GRATEFUL
Teacher Appreciation Week runs from May 6–10 this year, and there are plenty of ways students of all ages can thank their educators for everything they do. Being a teacher isn’t an easy job, and the people who make it their profession are passionate about helping kids learn. Depending on how old your child is, they may need a parent’s help in showing their appreciation. Here are a few ways parents and children can appreciate teachers together. THANK-YOU NOTES This gesture is simple and sweet and can be very thoughtful. Telling a teacher what makes them outstanding can often be just as valuable as a gift. Help your child write an appreciative note and then write one yourself. Teachers often have to maintain the happiness of students, administrators, and parents. Your card could relieve some of the stress of that balancing act and let them know that you acknowledge their efforts. A HOMEMADE MEAL Making a homemade meal (or dessert) shows teachers that you went the extra mile to appreciate their hard work. You could make a favorite dish of yours or try to find a new recipe online. Either way, encourage your child to help you with the process so that the meal is truly a gift from both of you. DONATING SCHOOL SUPPLIES Many teachers use their own money to buy school supplies for their classroom. This is just one of the ways teachers go above and beyond on a daily basis, and buying some extra school supplies can help ease that cost. Take your child shopping with you and help them pick out supplies that you know their teacher will appreciate. Your children spend several hours a day with their teachers, so fostering relationships with them is vital. Use this day to help your children understand the importance of teachers, to teach them the power of gratitude, and to encourage them to show respect for everyone who helps them in life. SOME WAYS TO HELP CH I LDREN APPREC I ATE THE I R TEACHERS
BE VISIBLE TO ONE ANOTHER
Bicyclists should make every effort to be seen by drivers. Bikes should be equipped with lights, and those riding at night should wear high-visibility gear. Those in cars should also alert cyclists to their presence. Keep your headlights on during dawn and dusk.
If you’re approaching a rider who may not see or hear you, be cautious and
leave space for them. In both cases, registering acknowledgment through eye contact is a great way to know you’re visible.
STAY IN YOUR LANE Sharing the road effectively requires knowing where you belong. If there is not a
dedicated bike lane, stay as far to the right as safely possible. Drivers should respect the space of bicyclists. Acting aggressively toward bicyclists in an effort to pass them or force them to get out of
the way is never acceptable. Similarly, bicyclists should not act as if they are entitled to whatever space on the road they want. When everyone works together, it’s a lot easier to achieve bike-car harmony.
NEVER ASSUME Defensive driving is one of the best ways to limit the risk of an accident. Leave yourself enough time and space to react in the event of erratic behavior from another party on the road. If you predict a certain movement and are wrong, the results can be catastrophic.
Sadly, not all accidents are avoidable. If you are involved in an accident while biking or driving, call our office at 404.526.8857 to find out how we can help.
2
OUR FIRM CARES
404.526.8857
How to Find Success in aMonth of Excess
MAY’S FOOD-RELATED HOLIDAYS ARE A THING OF BEAUTY
Set the diets aside and poke another notch or two in your belt because May isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to sweet and savory holiday regrets. From National Hoagie Day and National Pizza Party Day to the holidays that really spell it out for you, like International No Diet Day and National Eat What You Want Day, we’re all looking forward to an excuse to let our stomachs hang low this month. For those of you who plan on partaking, let’s take a look at the best junk food-related holidays this month and how to celebrate them!
of heavenly beef are passed around the table for all to enjoy. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this patriotic pastime. From grilling out with the neighbors to making sliders for your new love interest, there’s a little something for everyone, especially considering the advances we’ve made in burger technology in recent years. If meat isn’t your thing, throw a veggie or tofu burger on the grill and season it to mouth- watering perfection. We won’t tell the beef purists if you don’t.
NATIONAL APPLE PIE DAY Monday, May 13
course. If you’re feeling a little lazy, throw an apple pie potluck and watch your store-bought delight steal the show as your audience praises your craftsmanship and attention to detail — just how Sara Lee taught you.
Gather your friends and family around the table and dust off Grandma’s old recipes, because it’s time to treat yourself to the most American thing since, well, itself. National Apple Pie Day is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while baking the most traditional American dessert. Make the process a game by pairing off into teams for a bake-off; you can even pit the kids against the adults — with a little supervision of
NATIONAL HAMBURGER DAY Tuesday, May 28
Eat up, everybody. Happy holidays.
As if one day wasn’t enough, it turns out that the entire month of May is recognized as National Hamburger Month! Meat lovers rejoice as patties
PRONTO TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC. As a law firm that deals with a large number of auto accident cases, we know how essential safe and reliable transportation is. It may be something most of us take for granted, but those with disabilities often need to take special measures to get from point A to point B. Luckily, in our area, they can rely on Pronto Transportation Services when they need a ride. Pronto Transportation Services provides a variety of transit options to Georgia residents. For those with disabilities, they offer a door-to-door paratransit service with vehicles specially designed to accommodate all needs. In addition to this essential work, they also provide airport transportation and other forms of nonemergency transport. Whether you need to get to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport or a medical appointment, Pronto has you covered. Pronto Transportation Services is a veteran-owned company and more than half of the company’s employees have bravely served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces. You can count on them to be punctual, safety-focused, and compassionate. They will treat you fairly and get you where you need to go. We are proud to have them in our area and honored to be able to tell you about them in this newsletter. Learn more about this amazing company at ProntoTransportationServices.com. Local Business Spotlight
WWW.OURFIRMCARES.COM 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
50 HURT PLAZA SOUTHEAST SUITE 650 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 30303 404.526.8857 WWW.OURFIRMCARES.COM
Inside IN HONOR OF MY MOTHER 1 TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS HERE!
SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS AND DRIVERS 2 HOW TO CELEBRATE INDULGENT MAY HOLIDAYS
PRONTO TRANSPORTATION DELIVERS 3 IT’S FESTIVAL SEASON! 4
Atlanta’s Best Summer Festivals
3 WAYS TO ENJOY THE SUN & FUN
Summer is festival season in the city. You’ll find unique events happening every weekend. It would be impossible to list them all here, but we want to shine a light on a trio of our favorites.
ATLANTA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL When: May 30 to June 2 Where: Events throughout the city
DECATUR BBQ, BLUES & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL When: August 10; 1–9 p.m. Where: Legacy Park
PIEDMONT PARK ARTS FESTIVAL When: August 17 & 18 Where: Piedmont Park
We all know that Southern food is where it’s at, and you won’t find a better collection of Southern chefs anywhere else. The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is one of the premier culinary events in the country. It is “designed to shine an international spotlight on the rich food and beverage traditions of the Southern U.S. from Texas to D.C.” With tasting tents, seminars, special dinners, and more, you can buy tickets for whatever events strike you as the most exciting. Head to ATLFoodAndWineFestival.com for all the details.
A celebration of great tunes, smoked meat, and cold beer — who wouldn’t have fun?
Whether you’re on the hunt for a one-of-a-kind gift or simply want to enjoy beautiful art in a picturesque setting, you don’t want to miss the Piedmont Park Arts Festival. There will be more than 200 artists, artisans, and craftspeople displaying and selling their wares in the city’s largest park. In addition to the incredible objects, you’ll find food, live music, and a children’s play area. Admission is free, so there’s no excuse for skipping this one.
Now in its 19th year, the Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival is a day-long party that welcomes music lovers of all ages. If you’re a blues fan, you don’t want to miss this awesome event. Learn more at DecaturBBQFestival.com.
4
OUR FIRM CARES
404.526.8857
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online