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THE DEFENSE REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2023
“We don’t own the planet Earth, we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife.” —Steve Irwin Wildlife is an essential part of our world. Everywhere we turn, wildlife surrounds us — it’s the birds in the skies, the trees that create beautiful canopies to provide shade, shelter, and food for thousands of species, and the microorganisms that live in the soil below. Sept. 4 is National Wildlife Day, which reminds us of the importance of all forms of wildlife and a healthy and sustainable ecosystem for our planet to thrive. Do you enjoy walking through nature or taking in the beauty of the mountains, hills, fields, meadows, and trees? Do you love bird watching? Does the idea of snorkeling or spotting animals in the wild excite you? Here in Atlanta and the surrounding areas, there are so many ways to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Here are some of my top recommendations for embracing wildlife and all nature has to offer. DISCOVER ATLANTA’S WILD SIDE EXPLORE SCENIC TRAILS AND WITNESS FASCINATING WILDLIFE AT THESE NATURE PRESERVES
CONSTITUTION LAKES This 200-acre urban park nestled just a few miles outside of Atlanta’s downtown area is loaded with things to see and do. You can take a stroll along the wetlands boardwalk — hopefully, you’ll spot a green heron, cedar waxwing, goose, or kingfisher, all of which are native. Hiking on the 1.6-mile Doll’s Head Trail is always a fun, adventurous time! CASCADE SPRINGS NATURE PRESERVE Along with tons of wildlife that live within the 135-acre preserve in Cascade Springs, there is a lot of history to explore! Here, you can hike to Utoy Creek, the site of a Civil War battle, and explore Civil War-era trenches. One of the hikes leads to Cascade Falls, a gorgeous waterfall. MORNINGSIDE NATURE PRESERVE This destination truly is for the whole family — even the dogs can go! At the Morningside Nature Preserve, you have 33 acres of woods to explore. The South Fork Peachtree Creek runs right down the middle of it, leaving about 2 miles of trails, connected by a suspension bridge, on each side of the creek to find wildlife and amazing views. EAST PALISADES TRAIL Hike along the Chattahoochee River on the East Palisades Trail. You can climb to stunning views or hike through a bamboo
forest — there is plenty to explore. The Chattahoochee whitewater rapids attract kayakers to the area, one of the most scenic in the Atlanta metro. But you can also run, birdwatch, or just take in the beauty. MARY SCOTT NATURE PARK This certified wildlife sanctuary encourages visitors to preserve the land for wildlife. In this 10-acre greenspace in central DeKalb County, you can walk along nature trails, visit the children’s play area, and explore the nearby tributary of the South Fork Peachtree Creek. The area is loaded with indigenous plants and animals, too! It’s a wonderful place to spend an afternoon with the whole family. BLUE HERON NATURE PRESERVE Within Blue Heron Nature Preserve, you will find an enchanting 3-mile Blueway Trail where you can explore 30 acres of wetlands and woodlands and encounter birds, bats, turtles, otters, butterflies, snakes, and many different species of plants. Keep your eyes peeled — you never know what you’ll see! –Jim Yeargan
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like a no-brainer to use trending audio to get you on people’s “For You” page, but in the end, original audios are what help you get noticed. All you need is the sound of your own voice! PROVIDE A HOOK, VALUE, AND CTA. Start your video with a hook, anything to keep your audience from immediately scrolling away. It doesn’t have to be crazy; an intriguing fact or statement works fine. Next, share your valuable educational content that helps viewers learn something new. Lastly, include a call to action (CTA) to persuade your audience to follow your account and look further into your business. With this formula, you’ll reel a viewer in and encourage them to engage with your business. CRAFT YOUR CAPTION AND HASHTAGS. No business accounts should ignore their captions and hashtags! Leaving your captions blank or not adding hashtags is the same as throwing your social media posts in the garbage. Keep your captions simple and full of hot keywords to catch viewers’ attention. Then, follow the three-by-three hashtag rule to make your video visible to the right audience. Here’s how it works: First, create 1–3 hashtags that describe your intended audience, not you. Are they small-business owners? Single parents? Car fanatics? Whatever your client demographic looks like, add hashtags that match them. Second, create another three
hashtags that define what you offer. What are your products or services? Finally, use three more hashtags that relate to your business’s “why” or the pain points of your potential customers. Add those hashtags to the bottom of your post, and over time, you’ll see your engagement boom. LEARN TO PLAY THE ALGORITHMS. Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are all powered by algorithms that determine how quickly content spreads and who sees it. These algorithms vary across platforms and can change at the drop of a hat! To be successful, you need to research the algorithms on the platforms where you post and follow their “rules.” On Instagram, for example, you’re more likely to show up in users’ Home feeds and Explore pages if you post Instagram Reels (short videos) instead of static images. You’ll lose points for watermarking your Reels or bogging them down with too much text. On TikTok, you should make sure your videos are more than 10 seconds long, shot vertically, and use TikTok’s library of text and visual effects. Now, get out there (aka online) and start creating content that builds your following list! Soon enough, you’ll see that social media isn’t complex. It might be the easiest way to call attention to your business.
You don’t need to bust trendy dance moves or be a meme machine to earn a following on social media. Countless business owners have shared their secrets about growing their list of followers and bringing their social media accounts to new heights. With these easy-to- implement tips, you can easily increase your social media presence — no pricey ads or ridiculous choreography required. CREATE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT. When you share valuable, educational content, viewers will not just hit the like button. They’ll also start following your account to learn more and maybe even check out your business website! Emphasize evergreen content, as you want the video to circulate and not lose its value over time. Show that you have practical, exclusive knowledge, and you’ll see people flock to you. USE ORIGINAL AUDIO. This one may be a shocker: Don’t use trending sounds, songs, or automated voices. Instead, use your own audio that adds value to your content and helps you stand out from countless other content creators. It may seem HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS LIKE NEVER BEFORE!
NAVIGATING U-TURN LAWS IN ATLANTA: HOW TO SAFELY AVOID ACCIDENTS ON BUSY ROADS
Proceed forward: While continuing to scan the road and surrounding area, proceed with caution, being ready to brake if necessary. Stay to the right side of the lane: When performing a U-turn, be sure to stay to the right side of the lane, preparing for the vehicle to swing to the left. Turn the wheel: After your vehicle clears the median, turn the steering wheel as far to the left as possible. Accelerate and resume normal speed: If it’s safe to do so, gently accelerate to reach a safe speed within the speed limit. If you or someone you know needs assistance after a traffic incident involving an improper U-turn, give us a call today! Our experienced attorneys are available and ready to help!
At one point or another during a commute to the office, grocery store, or your favorite restaurant, you have to turn around, and sometimes, a U-turn is the easiest way to do it. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way to “pop a U-turn” here in Atlanta. WHY DO U-TURN LAWS EXIST? The goal is to keep everyone safe. U-turns can cause confusion, which leads to large and dangerous accidents on our Georgia roads. In fact, U-turns are one of the biggest causes of accidents on the road because they are complicated — to complete a U-turn, a driver turns directly into oncoming traffic. WHAT DOES STATE LAW SAY ABOUT U-TURNS? The state of Georgia says that motor vehicle drivers should not make U-turns on any curve or stretch of road that is near or approaches the crest of a hill. Drivers are
not permitted to make a U-turn in areas marked with a “no U-turn” sign or if the turn can’t be safely completed without obstructing oncoming traffic. HOW CAN DRIVERS SAFELY PERFORM A U-TURN IN GEORGIA? To safely perform a U-turn in the state of Georgia, drivers must: Look: Before navigating a U-turn, check to make sure the road is clear. This includes both approaching vehicles and cars traveling in the same direction. A good rule of thumb is to ensure approaching vehicles are over 200 feet away and there aren’t any pedestrians in or near the crosswalk. Signal: Use your left turn signal to let other drivers and pedestrians know you intend to make a U-turn.
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LAUGH IT OFF
BEWARE: CYCLING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IN GEORGIA CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
Did you know it’s possible to get stopped while riding a bicycle and charged with a DUI?
While it sounds a bit bogus, operating a bicycle should still be taken seriously, as you can injure yourself or others, or put lives at risk if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or narcotics. Just like driving a car, riding a bicycle requires due care, your full attention, and the ability to react quickly. The state of Georgia considers a normal bicycle to be a vehicle, and a cycling while intoxicated charge is serious and should be treated with concern — just like a normal DUI charge. Because bicycles are viewed as vehicles, the same laws that prohibit a driver from operating a car or truck while intoxicated or under the influence apply to riding a bicycle. To be considered guilty of cycling while intoxicated, one must be under the influence of alcohol or another drug (including glue, toxic vapors, aerosols, or a combination) to the extent that operating a bicycle is unsafe. If a person is stopped for cycling under the influence and their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher or they are under the influence of marijuana or a non-prescribed controlled substance, they can be pinned with a DUI charge. Even if the cyclist has a prescription for a controlled substance, they could still be arrested for cycling under the influence if that drug is impairing their ability to ride the bicycle safely. Remember, even if you are charged in a court of law for cycling under the influence, you are not guilty until all legal elements required for the conviction are proven. Cycling under the influence is a misdemeanor offense in the state of Georgia, and if found guilty, you may face up to 12 months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
WALNUT AND BLUE CHEESE TOMATO SALAD
This salad makes a unique side dish and healthy next-day lunch!
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup walnuts • 2 lbs ripe heirloom tomatoes • Kosher salt, to taste • Black pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup smoked blue cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill • Chopped fresh Italian parsley, to taste • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. On a baking sheet, toast the walnuts in the oven for 12–14 minutes. 2. Wash and slice the tomatoes. Place slices on a platter, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. 3. Scatter toasted walnuts and blue cheese on top, followed by dill and preferred amount of parsley. 4. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, wine or vinegar, and garlic to make the dressing. 5. Spoon dressing evenly over salad and serve.
For all DUI charges, questions, or concerns, our experienced legal team at Yeargan & Kert, LLC is available to assist you. Call us now to find out how we can help!
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Yeargan & Kert, LLC 3715 Northside Parkway Building 100 Suite 500 Atlanta, GA 30327 404-467-1747 AtlantaDUILawyer.com
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INSIDE
Discover Atlanta’s Wild Side
Revolutionize Your Social Media Reach
Safely Maneuver and Avoid Accidents on Busy Roads
Cycling Under the Influence 101
Walnut and Blue Cheese Tomato Salad
Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling Alone
KEEP YOURSELF SAFE WHILE TRAVELING ALONE Traveling alone can be a memorable and adventurous experience — it’s a great way to step outside your comfort zone and continue learning about yourself. While solo travel is chock full of exciting perks, staying alone in a hotel can be dangerous if you aren’t careful to take certain safety precautions. The next time you take a trip by yourself, keep these tips in mind! CHECK IN THE SMART WAY. When you check in to your hotel, always ask for two room keys — this way, hotel staff and anyone else in earshot will automatically assume someone else is traveling with you. If they ask how many guests will be staying with you, don’t admit you are alone. If you have the option, request a room that isn’t on the ground floor, as research shows they are the easiest to break into! INSPECT YOUR ROOM. As soon as you enter the room, make a quick sweep to ensure no one is present in closets, in the shower, or under the bed and that nothing appears to be amiss. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry!
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED. Any time you leave your room, even if it’s just to scope out the vending machines, be alert for anyone watching or following you, and always keep your room number discreet. If you ever feel like someone is following you, get off on a different floor and avoid going to your room. USE THE DEADBOLT. If the door in your room comes equipped with a deadbolt, use it! This extra safety measure keeps even those with a key from entering your room without your knowing! SHARE THE HOTEL INFORMATION. Let your family and friends know where you are staying! Provide them with the hotel name, address, and phone number in case an emergency arises! Traveling solo is a thrilling experience, but it comes with some extra steps to stay safe! Trust your instincts and use these tips to ensure your trip goes down in the memory books as safe and exciting!
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