August 2024
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR Time to Get Your Backpacks Ready
ADVICE FOR A STELLAR SCHOOL YEAR AHEAD
started before the new school year, but I appreciated returning to the routine of practices and games. As a parent, the first day of school remains an exciting start to a new year. I look forward to seeing my kids grow, flourish, and make new friends. This is their chance to learn new things, have new experiences, and continue to grow. My best advice to returning students is to cherish all those moments with your close friends. They could be by your side for many years. Sometimes, your school friends end up being your lifelong buddies. School can seem boring or even terrible, but when you reflect on these days, they will probably be some of your favorite memories. Appreciate and share those moments while you’re in them. School can be nerve-wracking, and you may feel anxious about having new teachers, learning new subjects, or making new friends. Just remember, everything will be fine. Nick: I had a different school experience; I wasn’t a big fan. We moved from Florida to Wisconsin when I was in first grade, and I was far ahead of the other students at my new school. I got into a bit of trouble because the work didn’t challenge me as much as it should have. Because of the program I was in, I didn’t have friends in my classes. It wasn’t until high school that I had the chance to develop friendships with other kids. Once that happened, I really enjoyed going. I have a cherished memory from middle school: I met my beautiful wife in seventh grade! This time of year is always bittersweet for me as a parent. Seeing my kids grow, develop, and take
We love the summer and all the extra family time and fun it brings. But it’s time for kids and college students to load up their backpacks to prepare for classes. The first day of school is an exciting time when new experiences and learning opportunities are right around the corner. It’s also a bittersweet time for students who have to get back into the groove of homework again and for us parents who loved the summer activities. To all the students in our community, we hope you have a great new school year. We have a little advice for you to make it a successful semester! Zac: Going back to school was always a good time when I was younger. I grew up with the same group of friends since kindergarten, so I looked forward to getting back together with all my pals. In high school, that return to school signaled a return to sports, one of my favorite parts of my teenage years. Soccer always
on new challenges is absolutely exciting. But I love the summer with them when we spend more time together doing fun family activities. We don’t have as much free family time in the school year, but my kids love class and are motivated to take on new experiences. Returning to school means you must take time to prepare. If you want to reduce anxiety or stress, don’t wait until the last minute to get things done. Work ahead every chance you have. School is not all stressful, either. If you are working on schedule and not scrambling to get things done, you can enjoy fun after-school activities or time with friends. Be prepared to block out time for all your different obligations, but most of all, enjoy these days.
Here’s to the start of a great new school year!
– Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
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Brand Mascots That Stand the Test of Time
Brand mascots can make a surprisingly deep cultural impression. Some, such as GEICO’s famous talking gecko, have become almost universally recognizable. Others, such as the M&M spokescandies, evoke a backlash that banishes them to oblivion. Those with warmth and personality tend to last because they spark pleasant emotions, according to a survey of 1,630 people by Crestline Promotions. The most enduring brand mascots, such as the iconic Betty Crocker, manage to evolve with the cultural zeitgeist. The mythical homemaker was invented in 1921 by the predecessor company to General Mills. In the Flapper Era, she became a radio personality, then evolved into a World War II-era heroine creating recipes for homemakers beset by food rationing. From the 1950s through the 1990s, she morphed from a friendly, curly-coiffed homemaker to a stylish Jackie Kennedy lookalike and then to an increasingly confident career woman. The 2022 publication of the 13th edition of Betty Crocker’s famous cookbook attests to her astonishing longevity. Another enduring mascot, the Quaker Oats Man, originated in 1877. His pleasant visage, which leaves nothing to dislike, is one reason he has served as the Quaker brand image for over a century. Most people say the Quaker Man was adopted because of the denomination’s values of integrity, honesty, purity, and strength. Today, he endures as a slimmed-down version of his former portly self, with a more genial smile.
Other mascots have been sidelined after colliding head- on with cultural trends. Ronald McDonald debuted in national TV ads in 1965, and Generation X
grew up with him. By 2016, however, Ronald was under fire for persuading small children to eat unhealthy food. After reports of creepy clown sightings further darkened his image, McDonald’s benched him. Today, Ronald is mainly confined to promoting Ronald McDonald House Charities, the nonprofit that provides housing for families with seriously ill children. Other once-popular mascots have ended up on the ash heap. Aunt Jemima, the figure who adorned millions of boxes of pancake mix, was abandoned as a caricature from the era of slavery. The same fate befell Uncle Ben of Uncle Ben’s Rice. The company tried to salvage Uncle Ben by promoting him to chairman of the board, but they eventually deemed his image beyond repair.
STEER CLEAR OF THESE ODDITIES ON YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP America’s Wackiest Traffic Laws
California’s Speedy Ghost Cars Head to California, where no vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 mph. Yes, even those futuristic self-driving cars have to obey the speed limits. It’s an interesting precaution against our potential AI driver’s need for speed and flipping into joyride mode. Denver’s Color Coordinated Sundays In Denver, Colorado, black cars are banned on Sundays. The origin of this law is murky, but it adds an extra layer of consideration for your Sunday drive. You’d better pick a different color for a leisurely weekend cruise. Oklahoma’s Driving Distractions Finally, put down the comic books if you’re driving through Oklahoma. It’s illegal to read them while driving, which sounds reasonable enough considering the focus required to operate
a vehicle safely. Save Spider-Man and Superman for later, and keep your eyes on the road!
As you buckle up and hit the road across the U.S., you might want to brush up on more than just your driving skills — some local traffic laws are as quirky as the attractions dotting the country. From the bizarre to the downright hilarious, cruise through four of the weirdest traffic laws that could have you scratching your head or chuckling all the way to your next stop.
Drunk Driving … by Association? Strangely enough, in Texas, any driver who is within arm’s reach of alcohol while driving is breaking the law, and this includes a passenger’s bloodstream! So, Texas drivers must think twice before offering their tipsy buddies a ride home. As for Virginia, drunk passengers can also receive a DUI if they’re riding with an intoxicated driver! So, always call an Uber if you and your buddy have had a drink or two. Whether born from safety concerns or legislative sessions that got wildly out of hand, these rules add a dose of humor to road-tripping across the U.S. Remember these oddities as you navigate the highways and byways — they’re not just funny anecdotes but actual laws that could impact your journey!
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THE PITFALLS OF PROVIDING SOLUTIONS How to Help Our Children Solve Problems Independently
Our children will encounter countless challenges and complex problems throughout their lives. As parents, we want nothing more than to put them on the right track and help them find solutions, but we might not always take the best approach. Often, we try to give them the answers to the problems they’re facing to provide support. While this helps them overcome the obstacle, it could also stunt the development of their problem-solving skills. Let’s say your toddler is working on a puzzle. They keep placing pieces in the wrong spot and grow frustrated when nothing fits properly. You may want to offer a helping hand and direct them to the pieces they need, but this isn’t going to help them in the long run. Any time they encounter a problem, they’ll look to others for a solution. Instead, encourage and support them by saying something like, “Those puzzles can be hard, but you’ll get the hang of it.” That encouragement will help them push through the challenge until they figure out the solution independently. You can use this same tactic throughout your children’s lives. When they’re learning to read and experience difficulty pronouncing words, encourage them to sound them out instead of telling them directly how to pronounce them. When teenagers struggle with a friendship, don’t offer solutions that may have worked for you in the past; simply confirm their feelings and tell them you’ve had similar experiences. By supporting your kids’ efforts and affirming their feelings, you’re empowering them to problem-solve and overcome any obstacles in their path. It’s not easy watching your children struggle with problems, but they must work
out solutions independently or else they will likely struggle to form solutions well into adulthood. The next time your child comes to you with a problem, or you notice them struggling on their own, try to offer support instead of a solution. It can go a long way toward their personal growth!
Have a
Lime Chicken With Corn and Poblano Salad
Laugh
Inspired by Purewow.com
Ingredients Chicken • 3 tbsp olive oil
Corn and poblano salad • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 poblano peppers, diced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 14-oz can of corn • 4 scallions, minced • Juice of 2 limes • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro • Salt and pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 3/4 tsp black pepper • Zest of 1 lime • 8 chicken thighs
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a large oven-proof skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. In a bowl, whisk flour, spices, and lime zest. Dredge chicken in the mix to coat. 4. Add chicken, skin-side down, to skillet, then place skillet in the oven for 30–35 minutes. 5. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil and add poblanos. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. 6. In a bowl, add poblano mix, corn, scallions, lime juice, and cilantro, toss and serve with the chicken.
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Inside This Edition
2 1 Embracing the Bittersweet First Day of School Brand Mascots in the Shifting Sands of Culture Bizarre Traffic Laws You Won’t Believe Exist!
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Lime Chicken With Corn and Poblano Salad
Why Kids Need Support, Not Solutions
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Legal Showdowns Highlight Power of a Performer’s Name
THE WAR OF THE JELLY ROLLS Band Battles in Court
Other famous bands have clashed in trademark disputes. Original members of The Beach Boys sued each other over the use of their iconic band’s name after they split up, although they eventually settled the dispute. Members of the rock band Van Halen sued one member’s ex-wife, who had taken and kept her ex-husband’s surname, for using the band’s name for her interior design company. (The ex-wife eventually prevailed.) In another case, The Stone Temple Pilots and their former lead singer sued and countersued each other over alleged misappropriation of the band’s trademarked name. In the battle of the jelly rolls, Jellyroll is seeking to force Jelly Roll to change his name. Meanwhile, Jelly Roll has gone on a concert tour and is no doubt soaring even further past Jellyroll in web searches. Mandy Kay Schendel, a Seattle area influencer and public relations specialist, described the situation on TikTok as the most unique trademark battle she has seen. “This lawsuit is honestly very dramatic,” she says, “and I love it.”
You read that right. A Pennsylvania band called Jellyroll is suing Jelly Roll over charges that the famous entertainer violated the band’s trademark. The band Jellyroll claims in court papers to have performed at various celebrations and charitable events for more than 40 years, including an appearance at the White House during the presidency of George W. Bush. Jellyroll claims to have begun using the name in the 1980s, before Jelly Roll, whose birth name is Jason Bradley DeFord, was even born. Jelly Roll says his mother gave him his stage name as a young child. Now that Jelly Roll has risen to fame, members of Jellyroll say they must work much harder to be discovered for performance opportunities. According to court papers, Jelly Roll surfaces 18–20 times in internet search rankings before any user even sees a first mention of the Pennsylvania dance band.
Country singer and rapper Jelly Roll has risen to fame in recent years, winning Best New Artist honors at the 2023 Grammy Awards. But Jelly Roll has run into some unlikely opposition on the way to the top — from Jellyroll.
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