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March 2025
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Teach Kids and Teens the Rules of the Road
Absolutely Incredible Kids Deserve Absolutely Safe Roads
Unfortunately, in my line of work, I’ve seen time and time again how a split second can change lives forever. This March, as we celebrate National Teenager Day and Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, I’m reminded of how vital it is to prioritize safety for young drivers and passengers alike. Whether your teen is just getting their license or you’re ferrying younger kids in the backseat, the road can be a dangerous place, but it doesn’t have to be with the right precautions. Ready your teens for the road. I’m sure we can all remember the thrill of being a teen, given a new sense of freedom behind the wheel. But with this brimming excitement comes a whole new set of risks on the road. Their lack of experience, paired with a tendency to get distracted, often leads to tragic outcomes. In 2022 alone, over 2,500 lives were lost in crashes involving teens aged 15–18. These aren’t just numbers. They’re entirely preventable tragedies. Parents, you have more influence than you might think. You should always start by modeling good habits behind the wheel. If you don’t want your teen texting while driving, don’t do it yourself. Remind them that even glancing at their phone for five seconds can have life-altering consequences. The statistics are sobering, and sharing them with your teen may be the stark reminder they need. Dialing a number while driving increases a teen’s crash risk sixfold, and texting makes it 23 times more likely. Add friends into the mix, and the odds worsen — teens are 2 1/2 times more likely to engage in risky behavior with one passenger and three times more likely with multiple. The solution? Clear, unwavering rules: No phones, no extra passengers, no speeding, no alcohol, and no excuses for not buckling up. It is vital to instill defensive driving techniques in them as they practice on the road, such as maintaining safe speeds, anticipating others’ actions, and keeping a proper distance. Finally, night driving is another dangerous challenge. Be sure to practice with them and set curfews to avoid late-night drives, when fatal crashes often spike.
REFERRALS WELCOME Thank you for referring clients to us over the years. You will never be
embarrassed by a referral to our office. We’re always available to lend a helping hand to anyone with any legal need. Just give us a call at (314) 961-5678 or visit us at BeckLawMO.com .
Keep younger passengers safe. Of course, we can’t forget about our own safety practices, especially if we have small passengers aboard. For parents of smaller kids, the back seat is where safety starts. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under 13 sit in the back to protect them from airbag-related injuries. Additionally, you should also teach your kids that cars are not play areas — no games, no hide-and-seek. They should honk the horn or shout for help if they ever get trapped. Meanwhile, you must always ensure you use booster seats and seatbelts correctly. Kids might outgrow car seats but still need proper restraints until they meet age or height requirements. A calm and distraction-free backseat is essential, so explain to your children how jumping or yelling can put everyone at risk. It’s up to all of us to create safer roads. Whether you’re raising an eager teen driver or caring for backseat passengers, the goal is the same: teaching habits that protect lives. Rules might seem strict now, but they’re lessons that last a lifetime. Let’s make sure every incredible kid and teenager grows up to experience the joy, freedom, and responsibility that come with being on the road.
-Paul Beck
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LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THE CTA Should You Wait or Act Now on Your Reporting Requirements?
One of your most important responsibilities as a business owner is ensuring your company stays compliant with your industry’s laws, regulations, and standards. Business owners always need to manage something related to finances, staffing, or workplace safety, but this past year, a new transparency standard went into effect. The federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) rules went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. This legislation requires nearly all small and medium-sized businesses to report any beneficial ownership information (BOI) of their company to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The deadline to file was Jan. 1, 2025, but that was thrown into question when a federal district court in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking any enforcement of the CTA and its reporting requirements. This isn’t the first time that the CTA has faced legal challenges. In March 2024, an Alabama court declared the act unconstitutional. However, FinCEN quickly appealed and stated they would continue implementing and enforcing the act outside the small group of plaintiffs in Alabama. FinCEN’s response to the Texas injunction is different. It stated that companies were not required to file BOI with FinCEN and were not subject
“One of your most important responsibilities as a business owner is ensuring your company stays compliant with your industry’s laws, regulations, and standards.”
to liability. It also held that reporting companies could still voluntarily submit this information while they fight the injunction in court. Business owners who have yet to file their beneficial ownership information with FinCEN now have a decision to make. There is a chance the appeals in Alabama and Texas could kill the CTA and require Congress to take another shot at crafting a similar law. If you firmly believe this will be the outcome, hold off on filing your information, waiting for news that the CTA is no more. This may save you some time you could allocate elsewhere, but if the CTA remains, you might have to scramble to report that information before any deadline. Another option is to gather and sit on all relevant information until the court battle concludes. That way, you can submit it promptly, even on a shortened deadline. Your last option is to file your BOI with FinCEN now. You can save yourself from a potential future headache and get it out of the way early. Remember that punishments for failing to file include fines of at least $500 per day up to $10,000. There’s no telling how this will all play out right now, but the current situation leaves you with a decision: Will you be proactive or reactive?
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TAKE A BREAK
By now, you’re probably tired of hearing about healthy aging. Every article says you should eat specific things and exercise regularly, but what if you’ve never enjoyed going to the gym or jogging? You’re probably not going to start running marathons, lifting weights, or joining a sports club at this point. It can make you wonder if other options exist to add more physical activity to your daily routine. The answer is yes. Instead of going to the gym or running through your neighborhood, you can find creative activities to provide extra movement to your day. Even better? You’ll improve your physical and mental agility. Here are two creative aging activities you can explore. Take the Stage Acting is an excellent activity for anyone to start, but it becomes even more beneficial to aging Americans. Through acting, you’ll notice improvements in your concentration and memorization. Depending on the play, you may be required to stay moving, which will benefit your physical health. Plus, you’ll get many opportunities to socialize with your castmates. Many local theaters actively look for aspiring actors to audition. Bust a Move You may have fond memories of dancing in clubs, at weddings, or during special events, but the opportunities to boogie become rarer as we age. Thankfully, dance classes and studios love sharing the enjoyment of dance with people of all ages. Whether you like salsa, tap, waltz, swing, or some other type of dance, you can find a class or group ready to welcome you. No Gym Required! Age Gracefully With Movement You Enjoy
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BLUEBIRD CLOVER GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS
PISCES SPRING TANGERINE TULIP
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into large chunks • 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt • 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
Directions 1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Protect Precious Cargo With These Kid and Teen Safety Tips
1
To File or Not to File?
2
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage
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How Creative Activities Promote Healthy Aging
A Chef’s Truest Triumph
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For culinary creators worldwide, earning a Michelin star is like winning an Olympic gold medal. Chefs with excellent kitchen skills and outstanding customer service receive the honor. Late French chef Joël Robuchon holds the world record with 31, while TV star Gordon Ramsay rose to international fame and marked his hot-tempered journey to TV stardom by achieving 17 stars for his many restaurants. But how did this legendary distinction in the cooking world begin? If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at a Michelin-honored establishment, you have the automotive industry to thank. As its name implies, the star system was the brainchild of the Michelin tire company. To help inspire consumers to drive more — and increase the demand for tire purchases — it began publishing “The Michelin Guide” in France in 1900. The publication included maps, tips on tire care, and recommendations for hotels and restaurants along popular French travel routes. As the guide grew in popularity, the company expanded its content to include anonymous MICHELIN MAGIC The Mark of Culinary Mastery
restaurant reviews. In 1926, it introduced “the Michelin star” to recognize the eateries it considered the best in the country. Today, the bestselling publication reviews more than 40,000 restaurants across three continents. Only 146 restaurants worldwide — or less than 1% of those rated by the guide — have received three Michelin stars. In Ramsay’s mind, receiving that rare level remains the ultimate benchmark in his profession. As he stated in a 2024 article in Parade, “As a soccer player, I wanted an FA Cup winner’s medal. As an actor, you want an Oscar. As a chef, it’s three Michelin stars; there’s no greater than that.”
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