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MAY 2025
Juggling Kids, Crafts, and Miles MY MOM, THE EVERYDAY SUPERHERO
My mom may not have had a flashy cape or a secret identity (unless you count “Mom” as a pretty cool alias), but she definitely had her own set of superpowers. This Mother’s Day, I’d like to share my appreciation for her, not just for Mom’s Day, but because every day deserves a bit of gratitude thrown her way.
When I think back to those days, the little things my mom used to do come to mind. I used to play flag football in junior high at Saint Jean Delestanac in Tustin. After each game, my mom was always the hero with the pizza bagels. Suddenly, our car was the coolest one in the lot — everyone on the team wanted to catch a ride with us! Our family also played a lot of golf all over Southern California, and she’d drive us wherever we needed to go. Because it was so far from home, it never made sense for her to turn around and drive home, so she’d just wait around for hours with a smile on her face — anything for her family! Sometimes, it’s funny how the memories that stick with you aren’t always the grand gestures but often the smell of pizza bagels on a sunny afternoon or the comforting presence of your mom chauffeuring you wherever you needed to go. Those memories are precious, not just for the nostalgia but for the realization of what they really cost in terms of love. So, here’s to my mom — a true superhero in my eyes. Thanks to her, I can appreciate what it means to give without expecting anything in return,
As a kid, it seemed like my mom could teleport; one minute, she was at home, the next, she was at school with a box of treats or helping out with art in class. The logistics didn’t hit me until
I became a parent myself. Holy moly, the driving! Back in those days, it seemed like she’d drive me to school for 25 minutes, disappear, and then reappear again for the drive back. That’s an hour round trip, twice a day, every day. As a kid, you don’t really clock that mileage. Your mom just does all the mom things and then vanishes until the next required mom moment.
And then there are the sacrifices. The homeroom mom, the queen of
classroom crafts, the provider of endless treats — yep, that was my mom. Only now, juggling my own parental duties, do I truly appreciate the time and effort she put into
everything. I now realize just how much she gave up so my sister and I could have everything we needed and wanted.
love unconditionally, and drive … a lot. And maybe, just maybe, I can be half the hero to my kids that she has been to me. Happy Mother’s Day!
As a child, and even a teenager, I felt appreciation for her, but I truly didn’t get it until I was chasing around kids of my own. What still gets me today is how she juggled everything without showing any strain. She handled it all and just let us be kids and enjoy our games and innocence.
–Case Barnett
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TURNING TENSION INTO TRUST Smart Strategies for Handling Tough Customers
Rude customers are a growing problem for businesses.
— don’t interrupt them. Practice active listening by making eye contact, avoiding distractions, and signaling your interest by verbally confirming you hear their concerns. Repeat a description of the customer’s complaint to show that you understand. For example, you might say, “If I understand you correctly, you’re upset because the product you received arrived too late for you to use.” This shows the
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, more than 70% of workers experienced or witnessed acts of incivility daily for three months in 2024, damaging employee productivity and morale.
Is it ever okay to “fire” a customer? Or is there a hidden upside to investing the time and energy required to win them over?
customer you’re paying attention and validates their emotions. Figuring out the underlying issue can help you respond most effectively. Even if your business is not to blame, never descend to the level of an irate customer by abandoning your professionalism, politeness, or respect. Instead, apologize for their distress and work with them to find a solution. With luck and a little skill, you can turn that stressful encounter into an opportunity to show you are committed to excellent service — and transform that irate customer into a loyal, trusting fan.
Challenging customers allow you and your employees to practice active listening and show empathy for the customer’s anger or frustration. Consider the possibility that the customer is having trouble understanding what to expect from your product or how to interpret the instructions. In some cases, the customer’s problems may have nothing to do with your company. They could be looking for attention or venting to ease their own anxiety over other issues.
To understand the problem in depth, allow the customer to voice their complaints completely
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING “In speaking to Case Barnett regarding a personal injury situation recently, I was overwhelmed by his tremendous integrity and work ethic. This
gentleman didn't know me but still went out of his way to be incredibly helpful and compassionate. He thoroughly explained how the 'system' works and provided many tools to help me decide if I wanted to go through this on my own or seek professional help. (I chose the latter.) His advice has been invaluable and his work stellar. I couldn't be more pleased to recommend Case Barnett should you need an attorney in his area of expertise.”
This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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PAGE 3
Legal but Lethal?
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 1 boneless beef chuck roast (about 2 lbs) • 3 medium carrots, peeled, chopped • 2 medium sweet red peppers, chopped • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 (8-oz) can unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained • 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce • 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and while motorcyclists across California might be revving their engines as the weather warms up, there’s an elephant on the road we need to talk about: lane-splitting. While it’s legal, that doesn't mean it's not without its risks. Lane-splitting, the practice where motorcyclists drive between lanes of slow- moving or stopped traffic, is a unique legal maneuver in California. It allows bikers to bypass traffic jams and is known for reducing road congestion and fuel consumption. However, it's controversial. From a legal standpoint, lane-splitting can be a nightmare. Here at Case Barnett Law, we’ve seen our fair share of lane-splitting cases, and jurors are also not fans because, like many everyday drivers, they understand just how risky the practice can be. Motorcycles weaving through traffic can appear suddenly and startle car drivers and increase the potential for accidents. While finding precise statistics on lane-splitting accidents can be tricky, the numbers we do have remind us to be careful. A University of California, Berkeley study revealed that 17% of motorcycle accidents involved lane-splitting. Studies suggest that although lane-splitting can be safe under certain conditions, the margin for error is slim, and the consequences of a misjudgment can be severe. The widespread opinion on lane-splitting isn’t just about the immediate risks — it’s broader than that. Many people believe it should be illegal, which can influence how they react to motorcyclists, sometimes unfairly. In the courtroom, this can translate to jurors assigning more blame to the biker, even if the evidence points elsewhere. So, what’s a motorcyclist to do? First off, knowledge is power. Understanding the laws and the associated risks is key. If you’re going to lane-split, be hyper-aware of your surroundings. Use signals, maintain a safe speed, and never assume a driver has seen you. And for the drivers out there, keep your eyes peeled for those two-wheeled road companions. Check your mirrors twice, give them space, and we can all share the road a little more harmoniously! The Complex Reality of Lane-Splitting for Motorcyclists
• 2 tbsp white vinegar • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1/2 tsp pepper • 3 tbsp cornstarch • 3 tbsp water • 24 lettuce leaves for serving
Directions
1. In 4- or 5-quart slow cooker, combine roast, carrots, peppers, and onion. 2. In small bowl, stir together the next 6 ingredients; pour over roast. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Remove roast, let cool slightly, then shred. 4. Skim fat from cooking juices, then transfer juices and vegetables to a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. 5. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water, stir mixture into juices, and cook 3–4 minutes until sauce is thickened. 6. Return beef, sauce, and vegetables to slow cooker; cook for 10–15 minutes. 7. Serve beef in lettuce leaves.
LAUGH LAWS
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 Celebrating Our Everyday Hero This Mother's Day
Page 2 Savvy Ways to Handle Difficult Customers
What Our Clients Are Saying
Page 3 California's Lane-Splitting Controversy Heats Up in May
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups
Page 4 Meet the Teens Changing Lives Worldwide
TEENS TURN KINDNESS INTO ACTION 2 SISTERS MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE
When high school-aged sisters Nanette and Krystal Amihere saw people struggling in their community of Laurel, Maryland (just north of Washington, D.C.), they didn’t wait for someone else to step in; they took action. From a young age, Nanette and Krystal saw how small acts of kindness could create lasting change. Their mother, Christina, frequently supported communities in her home country of Ghana, and watching her generosity in action made a significant impact. Inspired to make a real difference, the sisters started CNK Health Services — named after their initials and their mission: Caring for the Needy with Kindness. STARTING SMALL Initially, their goal was to assist villages in Ghana by collecting and distributing essential supplies. However, as word spread and more people wanted to help, their project
expanded beyond their original vision. Krystal designed the organization’s website and logo, and both sisters worked tirelessly to spread the word on social media. As more people joined their cause, CNK grew into a team of dedicated youth advocates determined to make a difference. Before long, CNK Health Services was reaching villages overseas and families in their communities. THE PANDEMIC When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Nanette and Krystal realized their help was needed closer to home. Health care workers and senior citizens were among the most vulnerable, so they launched the “Let’s Make Masks” initiative. The sisters and their volunteers learned to sew from scratch. They made masks and thoughtful cards to show appreciation for frontline workers and isolated seniors.
Their efforts quickly gained momentum, with volunteers from across the country and overseas pitching in. To keep up with demand, they launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising funds for materials and expanding their impact. A LEGACY OF KINDNESS From creating school-based service clubs to continuing outreach in Ghana, Nanette and Krystal plan to keep growing CNK Health Services. Their journey proves that age is no barrier to making a difference — just a willingness to act.
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