Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
OVERRULED
Louisiana Estate and Injury Attorneys
New Orleans • Covington
June 2024
(504) 384-7978
www.ScottVicknair.com
Between the office and the courtroom, we have plenty of work and issues to resolve in managing the firm and our client’s cases. The day-to-day stress can be a lot, and I have learned it’s healthy to get out when I can and go on a trip. While I love relaxing in Florida most of all, I have begun to be more focused on learning about and following history, which is why I believe traveling to new places and learning new things is really an important part of growth – especially in Europe because of its deep roots in history. With it being summer, I thought I would share the vacation destinations I have enjoyed most and why I found these adventures so rewarding. Stepping Into a Time Machine Have you ever wondered what stepping into a time machine would be like? Once you go to Pompeii, you no longer need to wonder. The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were built in the shadow of Vesuvius, a towering active volcano in Southern Italy. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Vesuvius erupted, calamitously smothering Pompeii in ash, while Herculaneum, situated along the Gulf of Naples and nearer to the blast, disappeared under mud and debris. It wasn’t until the 1800s that archaeologists began exploring the area, eventually leading to full-scale excavation efforts. To this day, a third of the excavation site — encompassing both Herculaneum and Pompeii — is still buried, waiting to be discovered. But what they have uncovered to date has been immaculately preserved, and it’s the ideal spot for a history fan like me. When I was in Italy, I was lucky to be able to make an excursion to Pompeii. To my delight, walking the ancient, unearthed streets feels SUMMER SOJOURN Journeys From Vesuvius to the Alps REFERRALS WELCOME! We sincerely thank everyone who has sent us a referral this past month. We appreciate being your personal trusted legal advisor; even if we cannot handle your case, call us and we will work on finding someone who can assist you. CALL NOW – OPEN 24/7 (504) 285-7675
like walking in the shoes of those who lived there millennia ago. They had built crosswalks to accommodate wheeled carts, villas with mosaics portraying guard dogs, accompanied by the words Cave Canem (which translates to “Beware of the Dog”), warehouses full of Roman pottery, and even restaurant stalls that once served hungry tourists thousands of years ago. The Alps and Beyond I also had the pleasure of going to the Alps — a less volcanic mountain range but no less beautiful than Vesuvius and the Italian countryside. The traditions and history there are a joy. Vienna, the seat of the Holy Roman Empire for about 250 years, impresses with its countless museums and landmarks. I don’t vacation just to get out of the office; I also go because it allows me to think about how to best reach my goals and improve the service we provide to our clients at the firm. The more the firm grows and the busier we get, the more cognizant I am that I need to take vacations when I can to get out of my normal settings and routines and think about the big picture. When I am away from the office and not engrossed in the day-to-day work, I think more clearly, see the big picture, ponder strategic decisions, and reflect on what works and what doesn’t. I encourage all of you to take the time to focus on yourself and get away from work to enjoy life, history, and other locations!
– David Vicknair
www.ScottVicknair.com | 1
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? Weird State Laws Safeguard Salamanders and Seaweed
Robert and Owen of Swine Krewe recently joined our “OVERRULED” podcast and discussed their “why” for participating each year in the annual Hogs for the Cause BBQ and music fest. Swine Krewe is a nonprofit organization based in New Orleans that helps raise money for children across the country battling brain cancer. Tune in to “OVERRULED” to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to participate in the competition, from the meticulous preparation that goes into this great local live event to the year-round practice and strategic menu planning. Additionally, find out how you can get involved and support families battling pediatric brain cancer. Come for the barbecue and stay for the pizza: Anthony Cortello, the new co-owner of Mid City Pizza, joined Brad and David on “OVERRULED” to discuss how he’s infusing his New York culinary skills into the New Orleans pizza scene. Their conversation delves into the meticulous process of ingredient JOIN ‘OVERRULED’ FOR A TASTE OF THE TOWN!
Ignorance about the law is usually not a defense if you’re caught in a violation. Some oddball state laws, however, are so strange that they could only be described as booby traps for the unknowing. Here are two legislative oddities sure to surprise any hapless offender. 76 Salamanders A popular YouTube commentator has called out the state of Illinois for barring anyone from owning more than 75 salamanders. Why? Several salamander species are classified as endangered in Illinois, and the commercially — illegally. The law estimates the value of a salamander at $5, suggesting it actually prohibits owning 120 salamanders. But who’s counting? Nighttime Seaweed From the annals of lawmaking history, a 1973 New Hampshire law banned any effort to “carry away or collect for the purpose of carrying away any seaweed … between evening and daylight.” state regulates the commercial trade of these amphibians. The law assumes any resident who possesses salamanders valued at $600 or more intends to market them The backstory: Farmers in New Hampshire once collected seaweed from the beaches to use as fertilizer,
selection, the alchemy of dough in the face of Southern humidity, and the vital role that a supportive, innovative team plays in maintaining high standards across multiple locations. Tune in to “OVERRULED” to get your fill of these and other local flavorites!”
leading at least one town to ban nighttime harvesting to “give everyone an equal chance” at stocking up on seaweed. However, after a group of high school students singled out the law as the state’s dumbest, lawmakers repealed it in 2016. Not all states with stupid laws are culpable. Internet jokesters questioned South Dakota about a law supposedly barring people from falling asleep in a cheese factory. The actual law makes a lot more sense: It bans setting up your bedroom in a space used to prepare food for the public. Noting the error, a Sioux Falls radio station, Hot 104.7, fired back at critics, creating their own new category of missteps: “Stupid questions people ask about South Dakota.” Fair enough!
Scan the QR code to learn how you can download our Ebook!
2 | (504) 384-7978
Recently, people have been spending big on Father’s Day, and many wait until the very last minute. Last year, Americans spent a record $22.9 billion on Father’s Day, up nearly 10% from the previous year, according to an industry survey. And more than half of consumers don’t start shopping until the week before Father’s Day, while 3.5% wait until the very last day before the holiday, according to another survey. The second survey also revealed that over 75% of shoppers struggle to think of good Father’s Day ideas. Most settle on outings, clothing, gift cards, personal care items, or electronics. Here are three low-budget ideas you can do with your kids that are sure to charm any dad, offered by What’s Up Moms, a top parenting site on YouTube co-founded by vlogger Elle Walker. Interview Cards If your kids are preschoolers, have them answer questions about their father and record their answers on notecards. Things like, “How old do you think Daddy is? 100? What is one thing Daddy says? What does Daddy do for work? Why do you love Daddy?” The simplicity and innocence of your children’s answers will warm Dad’s heart more than any store-bought gift ever could. Shopping Spree Give each child $10 to pick out something for Dad, all by themselves, then take them to the nearest big-box store. Walker’s youngsters came up with a mirror, a pair of swim trunks, and crib sheets, and they clearly loved being empowered to make choices. Photos From a Kid’s Perspective You may be surprised at some of the angles children choose and the tender moments they capture, “even if they’re not wow-worthy,” Walker says. Her daughter caught a captivating shot of her husband, Ross, napping with their preschool son resting on his shoulder. IT’S FATHER’S DAY! CHILDREN CREATE UNIQUE DAD’S DAY GIFTS
WE LOVE OUR CLIENTS! Recently, we rolled out the red carpet for
our current and former clients at a special dinner event aimed at steering the course of our
firm’s future. In return for their valuable opinions and pearls of wisdom on our strengths and areas for improvement, we treated them to a delightful evening filled with good food, laughter, cool swag bags, and exciting door prizes. A massive shout-out to our fantastic clients who are championing our mission to deliver top- notch customer service to all our future clients! #FIGHTFORTHEWIN
DELIGHTFUL BANANA BREAD
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar • 2 large eggs • 2 cups mashed ripe bananas • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. 2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. 3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 4. Add eggs and mashed bananas and mix until blended. 5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until blended. 6. Stir in walnuts. 7. Pour batter into prepared pan. 8. Bake for 65–70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool before serving.
www.ScottVicknair.com | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Louisiana Estate and Injury Attorneys
(504) 384-7978 www.ScottVicknair.com 909 Poydras St., Suite 1225 New Orleans, LA 70112
Inside This Issue
1 2
A Lawyer’s European Adventures
Odd Laws Protect Salamanders and Seaweed Join ‘OVERRULED’ for a Taste of the Town!
3
We Love Our Clients! Delightful Banana Bread 3 Easy Father’s Day Ideas
4
Steiner’s Emotional Road to Olympic Glory
FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH Olympian Steiner Overcame Adversity to Win Gold
In June 2007, just one year before the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, an SUV traveling on the wrong side of the road hit 22-year-old Susann Steiner — wife of German Olympic weightlifter Matthias Steiner — while she was driving. She was rushed to the hospital, and it was there that Matthias promised her he would win a gold medal in her honor. Tragically, Susann died as a result of her injuries, but Matthias’ promise to his late love lived on. Wanting to make his wife proud, Matthias trained harder than ever before. He had been lifting weights since he was just a teenager, and though he had won medals and championships before, he had never claimed the ultimate prize: an Olympic medal. Matthias also had to compete in the super heavyweight category against the strongest weightlifters in the world. Among his competitors were the formidable Russian
Evgeny Chigishev, an Olympic veteran and champion, and the Latvian Viktors Scerbaiths, who won the silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. “Weightlifting is a sport without mercy [and] it is very tough to make progress,” Matthias said in an interview with the Olympic Channel. “Every time you touch the bar, you realize that you are always alone in weightlifting, the weights are getting heavier and heavier, everything hurts.” But Matthias was not alone. His memory and dedication to Susann inspired him to attain strength he never imagined possible. As it turned out, he needed every ounce of his strength to claim victory. The competition was incredibly close. Matthias’ victory was not secure until the last lift; he needed to clean and jerk an astounding 569 pounds — more than he had ever lifted before — to fulfill his promise.
Photo: Dacoucou
Incredibly, he succeeded. He edged out Chigishev by 1 kilogram, winning the gold medal with a score of 461 against Chigishev’s 460. After he had completed his lift, he fell to his knees in tears. At the podium, he held his gold medal and a bouquet of roses in his right hand and clutched a picture of Susann in his left. Matthias honored Susann’s memory with his gold medal victory, exactly as he promised.
4 | (504) 384-7978
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator