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BIGGER
DAILY
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS , APC
THE
DRIVER Attorneys Defending Your Right to the Road
AUGUST 2018
FROM LEMONADE TO LAW SCHOOL
Paul’s First Job
Mark and I are big fans of summer jobs. Whenever one of the kids in our neighborhood sets up a lemonade stand, you can bet we’ll be buying a glass (or three). Not only does a summer job provide kids with a creative way to make a little money, it also teaches them valuable life skills, from counting coins to learning the real value of a dollar. I especially have a soft spot for the lemonade stand entrepreneurs. Growing up in Connecticut, I ran the gamut of classic summer jobs, from mowing lawns to hauling wheelbarrows of landscaping rocks around properties. But running a lemonade stand with my brother and sister is where I first understood the value of work when I was about seven years old. You see, whenever my parents had a yard sale, my siblings and I sold lemonade and cookies to those who stopped by. After the first or second time, our parents deciding to use it as a learning opportunity. They agreed to loan us $20 to buy the supplies, and we would have to pay it back at the end of the day. With that “seed money,” we purchased Country Time lemonade mix and our favorite cookie ingredients that we could afford. The morning of the sale, we baked the cookies from scratch and mixed pitcher after mouth-watering pitcher of our titular product. When it came time for the main event, our sales strategy was simple: Look as cute as possible — an easier task for my sister than for me and my brother. Mark, meanwhile, worked several interesting jobs unique to his Pacific Northwest upbringing. He used to go way up into the mountains and collect bags full of moss for sale in floral arrangements down here in California. He also got a “sweet” deal picking blackberries used in the pies at a local restaurant. Of course, anyone who has gone hunting for wild blackberries knows it’s pretty tough business, but Mark was willing to risk the thorns for the payoff.
Despite our seemingly disparate jobs, Mark and I both discovered the value of hard work and creativity at a young age. From farmwork to cookie sales, there’s a lot a child can learn by getting a summer job. It builds character, drive, and accountability.
For my part, those lemonade sales taught me to appreciate the value of money, investment, and the rewards of hard work. When I reached my teen years, I used those lessons to operate a yard maintenance business, which ultimately paid for my law school tuition. Those lessons were not forgotten when Mark and I founded Bigger & Harman. This is why I found the news of Country Time’s new “Legal-Aid” program so heartening. Earlier this year, the lemonade giant announced it would take a stand for the rights of children looking to sell their product
I might not be where I am today were it not for those long hours spent mixing Country Time powder with a wooden spoon.
in states with absurdly archaic business laws. Right here in California, a 5-year-old was ticketed for having a lemonade stand, or “operating a business without a permit.” We are all for the rule of law here at our firm, but applying business law to a child exercising their creativity is just wrong to the point of being farcical. We applaud Country Time for using their influence and funds to get these children free legal help. Young entrepreneurship should be celebrated, not punished! Lemonade law may not be our area of expertise, but our firm certainly stands behind these creative, hardworking individuals. They may be a long way out from needing a traffic attorney, but we can certainly support them financially — one glass at a time!
–Paul Harman
(661) 859-1177 | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
For his entire life, Utah resident Dan McManus has suffered from several mental health issues, including generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, night terrors, and severe panic attacks. Over the years, he’s utilized numerous coping mechanisms to stave off the symptoms, but there are two things that calm him more than anything else: hang gliding across the Utah skies and the companionship of his service animal, an Australian cattle dog named Shadow. MEET SHADOW: THE AMAZING HANG-GLIDING SERVICE DOG
Over the course of 37 years, McManus went from being a hang-gliding hobbyist to an expert instructor in Salt Lake City, going out gliding as often as possible. But it seemed that his passion gave his pup a bit of anxiety of his own. Whenever McManus would take off, Shadow always wanted to chase him. “So I would be out here flying, and he would chase me and jump up at me and sometimes get my foot and hang on a little bit … It felt like he wanted to keep me safe,” he says. And when he left the dog at home, he’d often come home to a
scratched-up floor and doors. It seemed that Shadow couldn’t bear to be away from his owner. So, about 12 years ago, McManus had a special harness made for Shadow, enabling the pup to join him while he took to the skies. They’ve been side-by-side on nearly every flight since. Some pet owners might balk at the idea of taking a dog on a hang glider, but it’s clear that, in this case, Shadow definitely wants to fly. Whenever they go out, Shadow wraps his paws around McManus’
arm, remaining stoic as they survey the landscape together from high above.
While we all struggle with our own obstacles in life, it’s nice to know that our canine pals will always be there to offer their furry support. As McManus and Shadow demonstrate, it’s a bond that remains strong even hundreds of feet above the ground.
HOT, HOT, HOT!
The Best Ways to Cool Your Mouth After Eating Something Spicy
When you pop something spicy into your mouth, it’s always good to have a cool beverage nearby. You never know when you’re going to need to put out a fire. But when your mouth feels like it’s going up in flames, some methods of cooling are better than others. Let’s get this out of the way first: Water and soda are two of the worst ways to cool off your mouth after eating something spicy. Water, soda, and even fruit juice will simply spread the heat around, meaning that fiery sensation will only last longer. To combat the heat, it’s important to understand where that sensation comes from. Many spicy sauces and dishes get their heat from capsaicinoids, or specifically, capsaicin, an oily compound that loves to stick to your tongue. It’s important to note that capsaicin is not water-soluble. Chili peppers are a primary source of capsaicin. Other foods, such as mustard, radish, horseradish, and wasabi, get their heat from a compound called allyl isothiocyanate. This compound does not usually stick around as long as capsaicin.
For heat brought on by chili peppers, you want a beverage that contains compounds capable of binding with the oiliness of capsaicin. The best compound? Fat. Whole milk will help, but here are some even better alternatives:
• Half-and-half • Yogurt • Kefir • Sour cream • Ice cream
And for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, soy milk and peanut butter can help too. The higher the fat content, the better!
What about those other foods, like mustard and wasabi? Unlike capsaicin, allyl isothiocyanate is partially water-soluble. This means water and soda will help cool you down — but you still can’t beat dairy. The next time you eat a habanero pepper or put too much hot sauce on your eggs, having a glass of half-and-half on standby can be a lifesaver. It may sound a little weird, but your mouth will thank you.
So, what can you do to beat the heat?
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CLASS DRIVERS The Penalties of CSA Points
HAVE A LAUGH
Running a red light can cost you a steep fine of $400–500, no matter what sort of vehicle you’re driving. However, for bus or coach drivers, the consequences of getting a red-light ticket can be much more catastrophic than the loss of a few hundred dollars. POINTS ADDED TO YOUR LICENSE Class A drivers can get additional points added to their license if they’re issued a red-light ticket. In addition to the fine, drivers will get assessed with 1.5 Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) points and 5 Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) points added to their commercial motor vehicle (CMV) license. These added points affect the driver’s chance of finding a new job and could even lead to termination by an employer. 7 BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CATEGORIES (BASICS) These BASICS are considered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under the CSA program. They are unsafe driving, hours of service (HOS), driver fitness, alcohol or controlled substances, vehicle maintenance, cargo, and collision indicators. CDL holders should be aware of the BASICS to avoid CSA and NOTS points against their driving record. EFFECT OF CSA POINTS The assessment of CSA points affects bus and coach drivers’ job security. If the holder of a CDL is issued a ticket while driving a personal vehicle, a driver won’t be assessed CSA points. However, a CDL holder must report all convictions to their employer within 30 days, regardless of whether it occurred in their CMV or personal vehicle. Many employers request a safety violation and collision report when hiring drivers so they can view a CDL holder’s CSA points. A CDL holder with zero points will naturally be more hirable than an applicant who has CSA points on his or her record. AVOIDING THE CONSEQUENCES Talking to a traffic attorney is the best way to fight back against an unjust ticket. Traffic court is complicated, and representing yourself is not recommended. An attorney can investigate the viewpoint of the LEO who issued the ticket, determine whether proper procedures were used, look into the yellow-light interval, and have access to information that may not be available to you. You don’t have to fight this alone. Call Bigger & Harman at (661) 349- 9300 to talk about your red-light ticket today. Let our attorneys ask the tough questions and investigate the incident for you.
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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
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1701 Westwind Drive Suite 203 Bakersfield, CA 93301
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Lemons and Legal Aid...................................... PAGE 1
Shadow: The Hang-Gliding Service Dog..... PAGE 2
The Best Ways to Cool Your Mouth After a Kick of Heat............................................ PAGE 2
Fighting a Red-Light Ticket............................ PAGE 3
The Strangest Holidays in August................. PAGE 4
Have a ticket in California? Give us a call, and we’ll help you out! Regardless of the location, we can point you in the right direction free of charge!
AUGUST’S SILLIEST HOLIDAYS Are These on Your Calendar?
February has Valentine’s Day; September has Labor Day; December, of course, has Christmas; and August has, um, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. August may not host any major holidays, but it doesn’t lack for some of the goofiest on the calendar. AUGUST 6: NATIONAL WIGGLE YOUR TOES DAY While the origin of this holiday is uncertain, it’s held every year on August 6. To celebrate, people are encouraged to wear sandals, flip flops, or other toe-exposing footwear. You can also frolic barefoot in the grass or simply stretch those digits throughout the day. Just don’t expect to see any Hallmark cards devoted to National Wiggle Your Toes Day anytime soon. AUGUST 13: LEFT-HANDERS DAY About 10 percent of the population is left-handed. Lefties may be stuck in a right-hand-dominant world, but on August 13, they rule the roost. Originally founded in England, Left-Handers Day has taken off in the U.S. Righties are encouraged to try out a left-handed approach for the day. Lefties, for their part, are free to be themselves.
AUGUST 17: NATIONAL THRIFT SHOP DAY Thrift shops are a staple of American commerce, so it makes sense that there is a day devoted to them. Take the day to hunt for lost treasures and screaming deals. Many thrift shops also benefit nonprofit organizations, giving you even more reason to frequent them. AUGUST 27: NATIONAL ‘JUST BECAUSE’ DAY This celebration is really scratching the bottom of the holiday barrel. Joseph J. Goodwin created National “Just Because” Day in the 1950s. It’s a day to do something “just because.” Be spontaneous and have a little fun. There’s no one way to celebrate, which is fitting, given that the existence of the holiday seems to defy logic altogether.
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