Todd Law Firm December 2019

December 2019

www.DavidToddLaw.com 512-472-7799

Don’t Go It Alone Hire an Eminent Domain Attorney Eminent Domain | Family Law | Personal Injury

When you find out the government or a private company wants to take your land to build a new pipeline, transmission line, or highway, after the initial shock wears off, you may wonder if you need to hire a lawyer to help you. You may think, “Why not do it myself so I keep more of the money?” But, in the case of eminent domain, hiring an attorney is usually a better way to end up with more money even after the attorney is paid. And you make the process a lot easier to deal with. Most people haven’t dealt with eminent domain before. They often understand the concept but don’t know how the process works. Whoever is taking your land (the “condemnor”) thrives in this situation because they know the process inside out. They know how to manipulate the situation in their favor, using time pressure, ignorance of the process, and fear of an uncertain outcome to get you to accept an unfair amount for your property. Experience and research play large roles in securing reasonable compensation, but you likely don’t have the time or ability to seek either before your land is seized. initial offer might seem reasonable to you, an attorney can put everything into perspective, including costs and compensations you may not have considered. Your attorney can advise you when to enlist outside experts, such as appraisers, land use experts, or engineers, to help you determine how a project may harm your land and what it is really worth. You should also consider compensation for damages if only a portion of your property is taken away, but its loss negatively impacts your remaining property or causes “damages to the remainder.” To level this playing field, you need an experienced ally on your side. While the

you know your rights and are willing to fight if necessary to make them pay fair compensation and provide terms in the agreement that protect you and your property. Being represented by counsel also lets whoever is taking your property know that you are willing to go to court if necessary in order to be treated fairly. Ironically, this often leads to cases settling sooner for more money without having to go to court. Todd Law Firm is equipped to provide the expertise you need to obtain an appropriate amount for your property. We act as the buffer between you and the condemning authority. And you do not pay any upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we get you more than the first offer you receive for your land, and our fee is a percentage of that increased amount. And we work on a sliding percentage, meaning the earlier in the process we can resolve your case,

the lower percentage you pay on the increased amount we get for you.

So, don’t wait. If you’re facing eminent domain, get the support you need. Start by downloading my free “Texas Eminent Domain Guide” at DavidToddLaw.com . Then, contact us to discuss your case and how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

-David Todd

Having an experienced eminent domain lawyer representing you signals to the condemnor that

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There’s No Expiration Date on Entrepreneurship THE JOYS OF STARTING A BUSINESS AFTER YOU ‘RETIRE’

As a nation, America is getting older. By 2030, 20% of Americans will be 65 or older. With people living longer than ever before and the baby boomers approaching retirement age en masse, older adults will continue to have a massive impact on the American economy at large. Normally, we think of seniors as people who cash in on the hard work they’ve already accomplished. Many young people even worry social security will be wiped out by the time they reach retirement age. But who’s to say older adults can’t contribute to the economy? If you’ve ever tried to change jobs late in your career or pick up some part-time work after retirement, you know it’s hard to be hired as a senior. Quartz recently called seniors “the economy’s most underused natural resource.” Until more employers understand the value and potential of older workers, entrepreneurship remains the most viable avenue for seniors wanting to work after their primary career has ended. There are a number of reasons why seniors find creating their own business to be rewarding and why they tend to succeed when they do. Unlike younger people, who often become business owners in an attempt to make a fortune, older entrepreneurs can be content with small, sustainable micro-businesses. They also approach their businesses with a wealth of experience that can’t be purchased. As a result, 70% of ventures founded by older entrepreneurs are still open five years later, more than double the rate of the general population.

With so much potential to be found in senior-run businesses, it’s no surprise that organizations are rushing to empower older adults with the tools they need to succeed. Senior Planet, a coworking space for seniors with outposts nationwide, teaches classes on skills like website creation in a space that makes older learners feel welcome and comfortable. On top of being an important economic driver, entrepreneurship can be a wonderful way for seniors to generate meaning and value in their lives. It’s never too late to start the business of your dreams.

Royal Rinks CURLING ATHLETES EVERY FAN SHOULD KNOW Every four years, as some of the world’s best Olympic athletes battle for gold medals, the world falls in love with curling. Curling originated in 16th-century Scotland and is most popular in Canada, where many Scots immigrated. Now, 480 years after the first recorded instance of curling occurred on a frozen pond in Scotland, many devotees have left their mark on the sport’s history. These are just a few of the greats. Harvey Mazinke Curling Team In 1973, Canada held its collective breath as the Harvey Mazinke Curling Team took their final shot in a world championship match against Sweden. The rock ultimately failed to reach the rings, crowning Sweden as world

champions and snapping the 10-0 record Harvey Mazinke had built during a week of competition. But regardless of that final score, Harvey Mazinke’s impact on the sport was not diminished. The teamwas crowned the Canadian Men’s Curling Champions in 1973, and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame recognizes them as“ambassadors to the game.” Joyce McKee Curling Team Without Joyce McKee, Sylvia Fedoruk, Donna Belding, and Muriel Coben, the Canadian Ladies Curling Association Championship, now called the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, would have never become the nationally recognized organization it is today. The aforementioned women were part of the Joyce Mckee rink and were the first winners of the championship in 1960. Their style, play, and knowledge propelled women’s curling into the leagues of men’s competitions, proving that women could compete at just as high of a level as their male peers. To this day, the Joyce McKee rink’s accuracy is unparalleled. If you can’t wait another two years before curling hits center stage at the Winter Olympics, check out the podcast “Curling Legends” to get your fix of curling greatness.

Roy Thiessen Choosing only one devoted coach to highlight is difficult, but it must be Roy Thiessen. Roy coached championship teams —or rinks, as they are called in curling— at both provincial and national levels. His expertise led him to chair the first Saskatchewan Summer Games in 1972, theWorld Junior Men’s Curling Championships in 1979, and theWorld Ladies’Curling Championships in 1983. Budding athletes can learn all of Roy’s secrets and the fundamentals of curling in the numerous books he wrote.

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TAKE A BREAK

We all know reindeer visit our rooftops every Christmas Eve, but what brings them there? Follow the unique and complicated history of Santa’s reindeer to find out. A visit fromwho on what night? In the 1820s, Clement Clarke Moore penned a holiday poem that became the foundation for a phenomenon still alive today. Commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,”“A Visit From St. Nicholas” is a beloved story shared by every generation. It is in this poem that reindeer were first credited with powering Santa’s sleigh around the globe. Many popular songs, movies, and plays have preserved Moore’s vision of St. Nick, and his reindeer and their names are no exception. (Well, kind of.) Rudolph wouldn’t join the squad until a department store added him as part of their promotions in the 1930s. What’s in a name? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, and Cupid were all brought to life by Moore, but have you ever heard of Dunder and Blixem? Though we now know the duo as Donner and Blitzen, Moore originally named them Dunder and Blixem— the Dutch words for thunder and lightning — but publishing companies wanted names that would rhyme better with the rest of the poem. Still, it was a few decades before Donner and Blitzen made their appearances in the version of the poem we know today. Reindeer burgers, anyone? Moore’s poem paved the way for Santa’s most famous form of transportation, but it was actually Carl Lomen, an Alaskan businessman, who mass-marketed reindeer as Santa’s companions. In the late 1890s, the Sami natives of Northern Europe, who were longtime reindeer herders, made their passage from Norway to the U.S. with a herd of reindeer to invigorate the Alaskan landscape and help their native neighbors. Lomen saw the reindeer as an opportunity and partnered with the Macy’s department store company to create a promotional Christmas parade in which Santa, led by his reindeer, a sleigh, and Sami herders, were prominently featured. Lomen’s goal was to promote his massive reindeer conglomerate for the production and sale of reindeer meat. Instead, a holiday story was born. WHAT ABOUT DUNDER AND BLIXEM? The Strange History of Santa’s Reindeer

CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN

Inspired by Ina Garten

Ingredients

1 chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs

1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise

Kosher salt

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Freshly ground pepper

1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed

1 lemon, halved

Olive oil

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included. Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string. 3. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme. 4. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. 5. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. 6. Slice and serve with the vegetables.

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Eminent Domain | Family Law | Personal Injury

3800 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 200 Austin, TX 78756

512-472-7799 Free Legal Guides at: DavidToddLaw.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Why You Should Not ‘Do It Yourself ’ When It Comes To Eminent Domain

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The Power of Senior Entrepreneurship Get to Know Some of Curling’s Best Athletes

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Classic Roast Chicken How Santa Claus Became Powered by Reindeer

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Glamping at Its Finest

YURT SWEET YURT GLAMPING IN BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS

Spruce Hole Yurt, Colorado

The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent. For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day. Treebones Resort, California

Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow- lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold. For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming. Falls Brook Yurts, NewYork

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