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September 2022
Just Ask Adrianos
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Running With the Bulls
And Other Memorable Travel Experiences
At the time, I wasn’t confident in my ability to drive a stick shift, so we called ahead to the rental car place to request a car with automatic transmission. When we arrived, we were informed they didn’t have any vehicles with automatic transmission available. That wasn’t going to work for us, but the salesperson said he would teach me on the spot. Needless to say, my wife was extremely skeptical. So, we got into the car and started to drive around the area, and it did not go well. In fact, it was downright comical. There were roundabouts and it was a struggle getting in and out of first gear. I thought I was going to burn the clutch for sure and the guy seemed really concerned, so he said, “Let’s go around the airport again.” Eventually, the guy said I could drive well enough (but I don’t think he believed it!) and sent us on our way. Somehow, magically, we made it to Pamplona. We were there the day before the running, and while my wife showered at the hotel, I turned on the TV. They were talking to an incredibly macho matador about the events the following day and asked him if he would consider running with the bulls. He was adamant that you would have to be “crazy” to attempt it. My wife happened to exit the shower during this segment and became deeply worried about my attempting something that a professional bullfighter wouldn’t even attempt, and I’ll never forget what she said. “Please don’t do this!” I had wanted to do this for so long, but I began to question if it was a good idea. I decided against doing it and later found out you have to hold your spot overnight to participate, so I wouldn’t have been able to do it anyway. While I didn’t get a chance to run with the bulls and realize my childhood dream, I have no regrets. It’s wasn’t meant to be, but it was quite the adventure! Traveling is a great way to open yourself up to new experiences and cultures. If you’ve been thinking about traveling somewhere new, I encourage you to get out there and explore. You’ll be sure to come home with memories that will last a lifetime.
There are plenty of opportunities to learn when we travel to new places. We get to experience new cultures, see new sights, and sometimes even learn a little bit about ourselves along the way. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to the other side of the state, the East Coast, or a different country altogether, you will always return home with new memories and experiences you will treasure for the rest of your life. At the end of September, we celebrate World Tourism Day, which provides us with a great opportunity to plan our next big trip or reflect on some of our favorite travel experiences. I’ve been fortunate: I’ve traveled quite a bit. I was in London for the Queen’s Jubilee and got to see an amazing concert with Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and Phil Collins sharing the same stage. I’ve eaten pizza in Rome across the street from the Colosseum. While I’ve had many amazing experiences while traveling, there are two that stand out. While I was an undergrad, I didn’t have that true college experience. I was committed to my studies and wanted to earn the best grades possible. After my first year of law school, I decided I wanted to study in London. I lived off-campus and was able to explore London and meet many new friends. Before Facebook, we had Friendster, which allowed me to meet many locals. I met some really interesting people, went to some artsy parties, and even had a run-in with a nihilist I didn’t necessarily see eye-to-eye with. It was an amazing adventure that taught me a lot about London’s culture and myself. The other incredibly memorable experience occurred before my wife and I were married. When I was a kid, I read Ernest Hemmingway’s book “The Sun Also Rises.” The book takes place in Spain and centers around bullfighting and the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Ever since I read that book, I’ve wanted to do the running of the bulls. I finally got the opportunity in 2007. It was gonna be perfect. The running was going to take place on July 7, 2007, so I figured I’d be lucky. Pamplona doesn’t have its own airport, so my wife and I had to fly in elsewhere, rent a car, and drive for five hours.
-Adrianos Facchetti
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Thinking Outside the Bun Leads to Legal Action The Story of 50 Cent vs. Taco Bell
— filed a federal lawsuit saying they featured the rapper in an ad campaign without his permission and profited directly from his celebrity status without paying him a multimillion-dollar fee. Raymond said his client sought $4 million in damages.
In 2008, rapper 50 Cent filed an unlikely lawsuit against the fast- food chain Taco Bell. Was it an endorsement deal gone wrong? Quite the opposite. According to the rapper, the company had implied an endorsement deal in the media when there was none. Taco Bell, known for their quirky and humorous ads, had released a print ad formatted as a faux “letter” to 50 Cent, requesting that 50 Cent change his name to 79, 89, or 99 Cent as a part of their latest promotion. The letter reached the national press and even television … except for 50 Cent’s actual mailbox. In fact, 50 Cent had no idea Taco Bell used his name. By releasing the letter, 50 Cent became the face of Taco Bell’s whole campaign, too. The letter was part of a larger hip hop-themed campaign, and customers could go to the Taco Bell website and participate in a “Rap Name Creator” to discover their rap name. They also had a “Why Pay Mo’ Rhyme Generator” that played hip hop music and a montage of “hip hop-themed scenes,” according to the rapper’s lawyer, Peter D. Raymond.
In response, Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: “We made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.” In the end, both sides settled, keeping the terms of the settlement confidential and paying their own legal fees. So, it’s possible that 50 Cent was paid after all, but we’ll never know the exact terms of their legal agreement, except “both sides are satisfied,” according to Raymond. Since then, more companies have been careful about using celebrity names in their marketing without permission. It pays to think inside the bun, after all.
As soon as 50 Cent found out about the letter on the news, he wasn’t happy. On July 23, 2008, 50 Cent — whose real name is Curtis Jackson
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Step 2: Consider hiring an attorney.
• Legal representation. If you have an attorney — and a debt collector knows this — they aren’t allowed to contact you. They must contact your attorney instead. If you are called by a debt collector while you have legal representation, make sure to give them your attorney’s information. When a debt collector calls, they should identify themselves as a debt collector. Afterward, they’re required to state the amount owed, that you can dispute the debt, and that you can request the name and address of the original creditor (if different from the current
You may want an attorney as soon as you can, so you can receive the best guidance possible. A lawyer will be your advocate when collectors engage in harassment or communication that is abusive, threatening, or deceptive. What is harassment? It includes using profane language; threatening bodily harm; misrepresenting what you owe; making false claims that you could be arrested; threatening your property; making repeated attempts to contact you or calling you anonymously; or, as mentioned earlier, failing to state debt and creditor information on the call as required by FDCPA.
creditor). They should also tell you that any information provided to them in your calls, emails, or other communication will be used in their efforts to collect the debt. There are even more restrictions on who they can call, so make sure to research for yourself if your loved ones begin receiving calls from your debtor.
Step 3: Report any violations to the FTC.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has an online website for reporting FDCPA violations, but your attorney can help with this as well. Take a look at FTCComplaintAssistant.com . We hope this helps our readers to stay safe from abusive collectors. Although debt can make us feel vulnerable, never forget that you do have rights.
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TAKE A Break
Workers shouldn’t have to choose between the job they need and the family members they love. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to allow employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for a particular family or medical reason so they can maintain a work/life balance. What does it provide? The FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave a year with the requirement of group health benefits to be maintained during the leave as if employees were continuing to work. They are also entitled to resume their same or equivalent job at the end of their FMLA leave. Who is eligible for FMLA? FMLA applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees. Employees can be eligible for FMLA if they have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location that employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. When can I use FMLA leave? An eligible employee can be granted up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for the following reason(s): LIFE CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE Preserving the Balance of Work and Family Life
GOULASH, HUNGARY’S NATIONAL DISH
Ingredients
• 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1 tsp paprika • 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1 yellow onion, chopped • 2 cloves of garlic, minced • 1lb ground beef • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1 tbsp tomato paste • 1 1/4 cups beef broth • 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
• Birth of and/or bonding with a newborn child
• The placement of a child for adoption or foster care with the employee
• To care for an immediate family member with a serious condition (child, spouse, or parent, but does not include parent in-laws)
Directions
• To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work due to a serious health condition
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and wait for it to heat. 2. Once heated, add onion and cook for 5 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. 3. Next, add the ground beef to the skillet, and cook until no longer pink. Drain the grease, then add salt and pepper. 4. Stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Season with Italian seasoning and paprika. Add macaroni to the skillet. 5. Bring mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 15 minutes. Stir the pasta occasionally. 6. Mix in the cheddar cheese and remove the heat.
• For qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, child, or parent is on covered active duty or call to covered active-duty status as a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces The FMLA exists so employees can tend to their families without worrying about their job, allowing them to provide the best care for their loved ones. For more information regarding whether or not your company is eligible for FMLA, check out your local government agency for more details.
Inspired by Delish.com
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Accomplished in Personal Injury Claims: Bicycle Accidents Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents Premises Liability Dog Bites Wrongful Death Catastrophic Injuries
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FacchettiLaw.com 626.793.8607 301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 520 Pasadena, CA 91101
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Reflecting on Past Trips During World Tourism Day
Why Did 50 Cent Sue Taco Bell?
2
3
Goulash, Hungary’s National Dish Your Guide to Family and Medical Leave
Can Collections Go Too Far?
4
Know Your Legal Rights! When Collections Go Too Far …
Did you know that millions of Americans have debt in collections? Anyone who has ever dealt with a collection agency can attest that it’s no fun. Luckily, there are laws that limit what collection agencies can and cannot do.
Step 1: Know your FDCPA rights.
• Time. Debt collectors are only allowed to call you between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in your local time zone. Any calls outside these hours are an FDCPA violation. • Place. You may be contacted by phone, mail, fax, or email; however, collectors can’t contact you in “unusual places,” such as hospitals, schools, or restaurants. Although they can call your home or office, you have the right to tell them not to contact you at your workplace.
If you ever fall behind on paying your mortgage, credit card debt, medical debt, student loans, or auto loans, it’s important to know your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Especially for individuals, FDCPA covers all kinds of debt — but specifically targets third-party debt collectors such as collection agencies, debt buyers, and lawyers who practice debt collection as part of their business.
When, where, and who can contact you to collect your debt? There are some limitations, such as:
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Premises Liability Dog Bites Wrongful Death Catastrophic Injuries
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