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Land of the Free for Every Generation
W e recently celebrated the Fourth of July with holiday picnics, parades, games, barbecues and, of course, fireworks. This is the most important holiday in our nation’s history, and when I sit down to watch the fireworks show with my family, I often reflect on what it is we’re celebrating. Independence, when our Founding Fathers put their names on a document that would have gotten them hung as traitors had the colonists lost the war. They, along with the men and women throughout the colonies, were willing to fight for their freedoms and sacrifice all they had because of what the Declaration of Independence stood for. What I find really interesting is the kind of freedoms the colonists were fighting for. We hear a lot about “taxation without representation” and how that helped motivate early revolutions. The Boston Tea Party was a political protest in response to the British monarchy taxing colonists to pay British debts. But when the Founding Fathers moved on to write the Constitution, the framework for our nation’s laws, they didn’t write an extensive tax code. They made a point to protect the freedoms of the nation’s citizens. In the United States, we are fortunate to live in a nation founded on the belief that people are entitled to freedom of consciousness, which includes religious, economic, and political freedoms. These are not freedoms promised to us by our government, but God-given rights every person is born with. These rights belong to everyone, whether they live in this country or another. Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of
“These are not freedoms promised to us by our government, but God-given rights every person is born with.”
amendments, exists to limit the powers of our government to preserve the rights that have been handed down by God to individuals. As an attorney, it is my privilege to be part of protecting our rights by upholding the law of the land. When the Founding Fathers first wrote the Declaration of Independence, they made a pledge to each other, swearing their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in their fight to build a free nation. Since then, every generation has made their own sacrifices to preserve our nation and make it a land of the free. The Fourth of July is a celebration of the freedoms this country was built on, but it’s also an important reminder. As we gather with our families to eat apple pie and watch the fireworks, we must remember the sacrifices that were made to protect those freedoms, and that we all have a duty to do whatever is necessary to preserve those freedoms for our children and grandchildren. This country is a special place, and I am proud to call it my home. –Walter E. “Pete” Moak
We’re fortunate that the Constitution, with the Bill of Rights and the numerous
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July 2019
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Zucchini, Avocado, and Swiss Chard —Oh My!
A Guide to Eating Seasonally This July
When you eat something during its harvesting season, you get the most out of your meal. In-season fruits and vegetables are more nutrient-dense than their out-of-season counterparts, and there’s no matching the flavor profile of fresh, in-season produce. Even better, because in-season foods are so bountiful during their peak, you can save a lot of money by shopping with the season. This July, enjoy some tasty foods during their prime with this handy guide. Fruitful Harvest Avocado toast lovers rejoice! Your season is here. Avocados are in season during July,
joining many other fruity favorites. Gorge yourself on scrumptious blackberries, sweet strawberries, and bountiful tomatoes. Don’t forget about the cherries and blueberries, too! Because these fruits are so plentiful
and a protein for a charred skillet bowl. Even better, add some corn to your fresh salsa to add an extra zing to your tacos. Regardless of how you utilize them, zucchini and corn are sweetest, juiciest, and freshest during July. Go Green
this time of the year, it’s easy to find ingredients for your favorite recipes. Host a Latin-inspired foods night with fresh guacamole and salsa, or make a delectable shortcake with a blackberry and strawberry mixture on top. Grill Game So Strong There’s no better time to fire up the grill than July, and not just because of the weather. Zucchini and corn reach their peak during July, and these grilling favorites pair well with steaks, burgers, hot dogs, or fish. Go low-carb by stuffing your zucchini with vegetables
Filling your plate with plenty of greens is never easier than in
July. Pick up a bundle of spinach, arugula, lettuce, Swiss chard, or any other leafy green, which are all juiciest and freshest during July. Cucumbers and green beans are bountiful this time of the year, as well. This July, add some fresh flavor to your water with cucumbers or create hearty salads with any of the leafy greens mentioned above. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the middle of summer than by consuming its most delicious foods.
When Everything Changes Fight for Your Future After a Brain Injury The ancient Egyptians believed a person’s heart held their mind and soul. It was said that to enter the afterlife, your heart must be lighter than the mythological Feather Beyond changing a person’s personality, TBIs can demand a lifetime of medical care. Medication, rehabilitation therapy, speech therapy, and psychological counseling are often necessary for TBI survivors to have a shot at enjoying a normal, happy life. Unfortunately,
of Truth. While we can’t speak for the soul, today we know our minds — all our memories, thoughts, and personality — reside in the brain. For something so valuable, our brains can be easily damaged. The Centers for Disease Control reported that over 2.8 million people visit the emergency room due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. The most common causes of TBIs are falls and motor vehicle accidents. A brain injury can drastically change a person’s personality and demeanor. After a brain injury, it is common for a once loving and kind person to change: losing interest in the things they once enjoyed, becoming unable to continue their job, or growing distant from their family members.
even when brain injury facilities do accept insurance, most insurance companies may refuse to pay for treatment. If you or a loved one has suffered from a TBI due to another person’s negligence, don’t hesitate to reach out for help! After three decades practicing law, Walter E. “Pete” Moak knows the impact a brain injury can have on a person’s life. He has experience handling these challenging cases and knows how to approach each case with understanding and compassion. TBIs are serious injuries, which is why TBI survivors are often entitled to serious compensation. Call The Moak Law Firm at 480- 755-8000 to fight for the future you deserve.
Do you know anyone overwhelmed with debt o
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How to Rebuild After Bankruptcy: Part 6
After filing for bankruptcy, people dream of just having a good credit score again. But if you work hard and are responsible with your money, it’s entirely possible to have a great score again. Once you’ve built a strong credit foundation, a smart way to turn your score from good to great is by improving your utilization ratio. This means you want to have access to a lot of credit, but you don’t want to be using all of that credit. For example, imagine you have $10,000 in credit across five different cards, and you’re using $5,000 of that credit. That’s a ratio of 50%, and that’s not a good number. Your credit score will suffer. However, if you can double your limit to $20,000 and only use $5,000 in credit, that’s a ratio of 25%. Credit companies like that ratio much better, and you’ll see your score improve. What’s the best way to increase your credit limit? Just ask! You can contact your credit card company and ask for an increase on your credit limits every six months. If you’ve been responsible and paid your bills on time, they’ll often say yes. How to Increase Your Credit Limit 1. Call the phone number on the back of your card and ask to speak with someone in the “risk
portfolio department” or a “credit analyst.” While you can request credit increases online or through automated systems, credit experts agree that it’s better to speak with a real person and build a rapport with them. 2. Give them a reason to give you an increase. Maybe you want to invest in your business or you’ve been getting offers from other companies, but you’d rather keep using your existing card with them. This shows the credit card company that you aren’t asking for an increase “just because.” 3. Request a reasonable increase. If they ask you how much you want, be smart about negotiating. Don’t ask for too little, but don’t ask for too much either. Request no more than double your current credit limit. It may take some time to increase your credit limit, especially if you only have a $500 limit right now. But with time, if you stay on top of your credit and create a strong track record showing you can handle more, that $500 can grow to $1000, $2000, $5000, and even $10,000. And if you keep your spending low the whole time, your score will increase too.
Sky’s the (Credit) Limit
Juicy Lucy Sliders
Word Search
The Juicy Lucy is a burger with cheese hiding in the patty, and it is a staple in Minnesota. We think it should be a Fourth of July favorite nationwide.
Ingredients:
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2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean 8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar)
4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently form balls into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties.
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16 small potato rolls, toasted Salt and pepper, to taste
Your favorite burger accompaniments
5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high.
Directions:
6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium.
BARBEQUE CAMPFIRE CAMPING FIREWORK
HOT INDEPENDENCE JULY
SUMMER SUN SWIMMING TANNING UFO VOLLEYBALL WATERMELON
1. Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls.
2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions.
LEMONADE OUTDOORS
FISHING FRIENDS HIKING
7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.
SANDALS SKEWERS
3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball.
who was injured in an accident? We can help!
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INSIDE This Issue
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Freedom and Independence
Eat Seasonally This July How to Move Forward After a Brain Injury The Smart Way to Increase Credit Limits Juicy Lucy Sliders
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A Tail of Bravery
Amid the devastation of the wildfires that tore through California in the fall of 2017, a few heroic tales rose up to give people hope. One such tale was of Odin, a loyal Great Pyrenees guard dog. Along with his sister, Tessa, and eight rescue goats, Odin is part of the Hendel family. It was mid-October when the Hendels were awoken by the smell of smoke, a fierce orange sky, and sounds of destruction — urgent warnings from Mother Nature. Gathering everyone as quickly as they could, the Hendels got their human family members and Tessa in the car, but Odin, seated proudly next to the eight goats, refused to get in. Try as they might, the Hendels could not get him to come with them, and there wasn’t enough room in the car for the eight goats. With the firestorm quickly approaching and the risk of losing even more family members increasing with each passing
minute, the Hendels made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Odin and the goats behind. The family made it to safety with Tessa in tow, relieved to be together but heartbroken that Odin and the goats weren’t with them. After several agonizing days, it was finally safe enough for them to return home and survey the destruction.
What did the Hendels find? Ashes, rubble, their barn and home burned to the ground — and Odin. There he was, still guarding his eight goats and some small deer that had sought shelter with the brave canine. Weakened, burned, and limping, but nevertheless steadfast, Odin had never left his goats, even as the fire raged around them. Odin wagged his tail as he saw his family, happy to see they were also safe. The Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and the Goatlandia Animal Sanctuary provided temporary shelter for the goats and pups while the Hendels rebuilt their barn. Odin received all the care he needed, along with a lot of love and treats. Today, Odin and his goats are back with their family, rebuilding their lives after this devastating wildfire. But the Hendels, and anyone who’s heard the story, won’t soon forget the bravery of Odin, the amazing pup.
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