Chronicles JULY 2019 COUNCIL
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W hen you think about people who relocate for the summers, what comes to mind? If the image in your head resembles a retiree heading back home to spend the summer with their family after escaping the cold in Florida, I don’t blame you. There’s even a term for a person who escapes the cold confines of the Northern states for the warm Southern sun during the winter: a snowbird. I guess you could say my childhood migratory pattern was just the opposite. Rather than flying south for the winter, my brother and I spent our summers flying north. We’d stay with family members in Connecticut and experience a total change of pace between school years. At the time, I thought our months in the Constitution State were a blast. Today, I hold them in even higher esteem. Looking back on it now, those voyages were probably where I contracted the travel bug I still have today. What I remember most was just how different Connecticut was from South Carolina, where I grew up. The Northern and Southern states move at different paces, and the people have different personalities. Spending the summers about 1,000 miles from PERSONALITIES. SPENDING THE SUMMERS ABOUT 1,000 MILES FROM HOME WAS THE BEST KIND OF CULTURE SHOCK.” THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN STATES MOVE AT DIFFERENT PACES, AND THE PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT
Northern Summers
MEMORIES OF OUR TRIPS TO CONNECTICUT
home was the best kind of culture shock. I had the chance to see an entirely different part of the country, meet new friends, and build a strong bond with my extended family. Every year, I’d complain about having to leave my friends for the summer, but I’d forget about my complaints upon arriving to my seasonal surroundings. from Beardsley Park, so my brother and I spent countless afternoons playing and fishing there. It was an ideal place for two kids with no schoolwork to keep busy. We were never bored because there was always something to do. Whether we were out playing or at home reading books, we had each other, family, and what we’d call our “summer friends” for company. One summer tradition was the ice cream cones my brother and I would eat every day. Our Aunt Eva would give us each $1.25, always in quarters, to head over to Carvel for a sweet treat. (Those of you who grew up in New England probably have fond memories of Carvel ice cream cakes.) We did this so often that I can even remember our exact regular order: I would get vanilla with rainbow sprinkles, and my brother would get chocolate with chocolate sprinkles. We were like two adults with a “usual” at the local diner. My family lived in Bridgeport, a small seaside city. My aunts lived directly across the street
creative. We’d talk about options and
ask questions about flavors before settling on our old standbys. Kevin, the kid whose summer job was working
at Carvel, never seemed to get impatient with us, even though I’m sure he thought, “Oh, these two again,” whenever we
walked through the door. I don’t know what happened to Kevin, but I’m willing to bet his exceptional customer service skills served him well long into adulthood. Those annual trips to Connecticut didn’t seem like a huge deal at the time; they were just our yearly routine. However, I can’t help but think of them as a formative experience that helped make me who I am today. To this day, I love meeting people from other places and exploring those places for myself. My first taste of cultural exchange came from those trips up North. I’m forever grateful for them.
–Lashonda Council- Rogers, Esq.
Despite the fact that we always ordered the same items, we had plans to be a little more
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SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR SUMMER STAY COOL AND SAFE ON THE ROADS The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that July and August have a higher frequency of car crashes than any other month. There’s no single reason for the spike. Roads tend to be more congested in the summer — in Atlanta they’re even more congested than normal — but that doesn’t explain all of it. A high number of teen drivers and out-of-towners also contribute. Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to exercise extra caution during the summer, whether you’re heading out on a road trip or simply running an errand in town. Follow these tips to minimize the risk of a summertime accident.
Even if someone doesn’t consider themselves a movie buff, they’ve likely heard about Disney’s decision to harness — and capitalize on — the power of viewer nostalgia with live-action remakes of its beloved classics. Back in 1996, Disney tested this formula for the first time, releasing “101 Dalmatians” with Glenn Close starring as the brilliantly deranged Cruella stalking puppies for their fur. After breaking box office records on the first weekend, Disney decided to create a slow trickle of other live-action remakes using the same blueprint: “Alice in Wonderland” in 2010, “Cinderella” in 2015, “The Jungle Book” in 2016, and “Beauty and the Beast” in 2017, among several others. By promising viewers the storyline they loved as a child, a star-studded cast, some vaguely cheeky references, 3D visuals, and added action, Disney has created a recipe for box office success. Here are three live- action remakes that have been or will be released in 2019. ‘DUMBO,’ MARCH 2019 Unlike the animated classic released in 1941, this live-action version introduces a former circus star, played by Colin Farrell, and his two children as caretakers of the big-eared, flying mammal. Directed by Tim Burton, “Dumbo” doesn’t use real elephants on screen. Disney instead uses a mixture of CGI and live-action. Other major stars in the film include Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, and Eva Green. ‘ALADDIN,’ MAY 2019 The original “Aladdin” hit theaters in 1992, ultimately pulling in Oscars for best score and best song. Now, 27 years later, Disney has decided to retain many of the original’s musical and narrative elements. While fans of the first film will surely miss hearing the voice of the late Robin Williams, the genie will still play a central role in the film’s story and will be brought to life by Will Smith. Actors Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott will play Aladdin and Jasmine, respectively. ‘THE LION KING,’ JULY 2019 The original film became one of the biggest animated features at the time of its release in 1994, and all of the beloved characters will return in a live-action/CGI version. While James Earl Jones will return as the voice for Mufasa, the remake will also feature Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, John Oliver as Zazu, and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, as well as a long list of other talented men and women. THE POWER OF NOSTALGIA D I SNEY ’ S L I VE-ACT I ON REMAKES I N 201 9
GET YOUR CAR SERVICED
The start of summer is a great time to get your car checked out by a mechanic. Pay special attention
to tire pressure, fluid levels, and, of course, air conditioning. You don’t want to be 30 minutes into a six-hour journey and realize you’ll be sweating the whole
time. While you’re at it, make sure your oil is clean, your wiper blades work, and your brake pads are in good shape.
KEEP YOUR CAR COOL There’s nothing pleasant about hopping into a car
the temperature of an oven. Use a sun shade, let the car cool off before driving, and keep plenty of water on hand. Never, ever leave children or pets unattended in a car. An average of 37 American children die every year in a hot car. That’s 37 too many!
DON’T ASSUME When drivers are new to being behind the wheel or unfamiliar with an area, they can drive erratically. If you’ve ever watched somebody with out-of-state plates swerve over four lanes to avoid missing an exit, you know what we’re talking about. Always leave adequate space between yourself and other vehicles and drive defensively and alertly. That killer beach selfie can wait until you’re home before making its Instagram debut.
Hopefully these three remakes will dredge up some of the same wonder and joy the original stories evoked.
Sadly, not all accidents are avoidable. If you or someone you know is injured in a car accident this summer, call us today at 404.465.1252 for a free case review.
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Zucchini, Avocado, and Swiss Chard—OhMy!
A GUIDE TO EATING SEASONALLY THIS JULY
When you eat something during its harvesting season, you get the most out of your meal. In- season fruits and vegetables are more nutrient- dense than their out-of-season counterparts, and there’s no matching the flavor profile of fresh, in-season produce. Even better, because in-season foods are so bountiful during their peak, you can save a lot of money by shopping with the season. This July, enjoy some tasty foods during their prime with this handy guide. FRUITFUL HARVEST Avocado toast lovers rejoice! Your season is here. Avocados are in season during July, joining many other fruity favorites. Gorge yourself on scrumptious blackberries, sweet strawberries,
and bountiful tomatoes. Don’t forget about the cherries and blueberries, too! Because these fruits are so plentiful this time of the year, it’s easy to find ingredients for your favorite recipes. Host a Latin-inspired foods night with fresh guacamole and salsa, or make a delectable shortcake with a blackberry and strawberry mixture on top. GRILL GAME SO STRONG There’s no better time to fire up the grill than July, and not just because of the weather. Zucchini and corn reach their peak during July, and these grilling favorites pair well with steaks, burgers, hot dogs, or fish. Go low-carb by stuffing your zucchini with vegetables and a protein for a charred skillet bowl. Even better, add some corn to your fresh salsa to
add an extra zing to your tacos. Regardless of how you utilize them, zucchini and corn are sweetest, juiciest, and freshest during July. GO GREEN Filling your plate with plenty of greens is never easier than in July. Pick up a bundle of spinach, arugula, lettuce, Swiss chard, or any other leafy green, which are all juiciest and freshest during July. Cucumbers and green beans are bountiful this time of the year, as well. This July, add some fresh flavor to your water with cucumbers or create hearty salads with any of the leafy greens mentioned above. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the middle of summer than by consuming its most delicious foods.
Local Business Spotlight
QP SELECT Whether you’re hosting a family get-together, a party with friends, or a romantic evening with your beau, your beverage selection needs to be special. While beer and wine do the trick for many, some folks simply prefer a high-quality mixed drink. The problem is that creating those drinks is a time-intensive process. Unless you have a dedicated bartender mixing up cocktails, you’re stuck with simple options like vodka sodas and gin and tonics. Luckily, a new local business is bringing premium, pre-blended cocktails to events across Atlanta. It’s called QP Select.
QP Select is named for Queen Patsy, the nickname of the owner’s family matriarch. The company’s first blend, Leverage, takes Patsy’s bold personality and classy elegance as inspiration. Leverage begins with a base of high-quality rum and includes freshly squeezed fruit juice and spices. It’s the type of beverage you’d expect to find at a high-end cocktail bar, but you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it. It’s so delicious that even the pickiest drinkers at your next party will be going back for glass after glass.
You can head to QPSelect.com to learn more about this new business and order a bottle or three of Leverage for yourself. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
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Inside
A CHANGE OF PACE FOR SUMMER 1 DISNEY HARNESSES THE POWER OF NOSTALGIA IN 2019 HOW TO NAVIGATE HOT AND CROWDED ROADS 2 EAT SEASONALLY THIS JULY LOCALLY CRAFTED, PREMIUM MIXED DRINKS FROM QP SELECT 3 NATIVE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ATLANTA 4
Famous Atlanta Residents Past and Present
LOCALS WHO MADE THEIR MARK
Today, Atlanta is rightfully regarded as one of the most vibrant cities in the nation. However, that wasn’t always the case. Atlanta grew steadily, both in terms of size and cultural importance, during the course of the 20th century. In honor of the Fourth of July, let’s take a look at some of the people who’ve helped make Atlanta what it is today. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. It goes without saying that Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the most important Americans to ever live. His contributions to the civil rights movement in this country are incalculable, and he continues to be a source of inspiration worldwide. No matter how you define “hero,” it’s clear that King is a hero of the very highest order. While his campaign for equality took him all over the country, his early years were spent in Atlanta. He grew up in the area around Auburn Avenue and attended Morehouse
College. When it comes to famous sons and daughters, Atlanta will never have one to be prouder of than Reverend King. SARAH BLAKELY When thinking of a female entrepreneur to feature on this list, it’s hard to choose someone other than Sarah Blakely, the owner of Spanx, an underwear and apparel company many readers of this newsletter are familiar with. Blakely is a billionaire businesswomen who appeared on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2012 and has been listed as the 93rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. After coming up with an idea for legless pantyhose and realizing the pantyhose industry was run largely by out-of-touch men, Blakely started a revolution.
ANDRÉ ‘ANDRÉ 3000’ BENJAMIN AND ANTWAN ‘BIG BOI’ PATTON Nobody would dispute that Atlanta is the sun around which the contemporary hip-hop scene revolves. Not too long ago, though, it was considered a rap backwater struggling to compete with the likes of New York and Los Angeles. No group did more to put Atlanta on the hip-hop map than Outkast, who earned the respect of even the most South-averse fans and critics. From their debut album onward, they ceaselessly waved the flag for Atlanta rap. The only shame is that they don’t seem interested in making another album together, but we can keep our fingers crossed!
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