LIVE LIFE VIVE LA VIDA!
December 2017
8866 Gulf Freeway, Suite 440 Houston, Texas 77017
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page 1 An Exceptional Holiday
page 2 Which Charity Should I Donate To?
page 3 What to Do After a Refinery Accident
page 4 Don’t Miss These Houston Events
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A CHRISTMAS LIKE NO OTHER CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IN GUANAJUATO
Many of you know that Edith and the kids summer at the rancho in La Labor, Guanajuato, Mexico, where Edith is from. However, Edith hasn’t been home for Christmas since 1997, and we are longing to go within the next couple of years. Guanajuato is an extraordinary place in the heart of Mexico. It is a beautiful colonial town with no street lights, and there is so much history embedded in the land and people. In fact, Guanajuato is the place where Mexico started its revolution against Spain. If you’ve never been during the Posadas, I highly recommend it.
still live in Guanajuato, but much of her family now lives in the United States. Her siblings and many of her cousins go back home for Christmas, too, so we know that our future trip will be quite the celebration. It is tradition to stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve, and the festivities continue throughout Christmas day.
“Edith hasn’t been home for Christmas
On New Year’s Eve, Edith’s family stuffs a cloth man (much like a scarecrow) full of hay, old clothes, and firecrackers and sits him in front of the house. Once the clock hits midnight, they set the cloth man on fire, and watch him burn in the front of the house. This tradition symbolizes the burning of the old and embracing the new year. Although our trip to La Labor is a way down the road, we can’t help but feel excited. Our family loves Christmas, and we look forward to the day when we can all take part in Edith’s family’s celebrations. We wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year, and we look forward to seeing you soon. since 1997, and we are longing to go within the next couple of years.”
Posada starts 12 days before
Christmas. This celebration
is a representation of the journey Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem to find refuge when Mary was pregnant with Jesus. The people of Guanajuato act out the story through the streets. Actors ask to stay in someone’s home, hostel style, and homeowners greet their guests with open arms and plenty of food.
Nativity scenes are very popular in Guanajuato, and almost every single family owns a life-sized nativity scene that they set up in their home. You can see many of these displays during Posada. When guests arrive at each house, they ask for shelter, and the guests and owners of the home sing Christmas carols together. Most people also have piñatas to break in celebration, and they eat pozole and tamales, something we look forward to when the time comes to visit! At the end of the night, everybody holds a sparkler and sings to baby Jesus while he sleeps in the manger. This continues on for 12 nights, and the last Posada takes place on the 24th. All of the streets in Guanajuato are decorated to the extreme, and everyone will be in the Christmas spirit. Overall, a trip to La Labor would be so much fun. Edith’s aunts and uncles
-Don E. McClu re, Jr.
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“He’s a godsend! Don cleaned up the mess that my previous attorney’s incompetence got me in. Don represented me in my divorce and helped with all the aspects of my divorce, including my child custody. I went in not knowing anything, and at the end, I learned a lot. I had a very good outcome and would highly recommend Don McClure to anyone who is needing someone to fight for you in court. Thank you, Mr. McClure!” –Mathew “Don E. McClure and his great staff are the best at what they do. They will answer any question you have, are very honest and trustworthy, and will keep you informed on your case. I met them when I had an accident, and I got better results than I expected. I would recommend Don E. McClure to anyone looking for someone who is knowledgeable and willing to go above and beyond to get justice for you.” –Will Jasso “I highly recommend Mr. McClure. He’s an excellent, trustworthy, honest, and fair lawyer. My case couldn’t have turned out any better.” –Austin “I was very satisfied with the process. Don helped me through a divorce about five years ago. He kept me well-informed as we went through the steps, and the process was faster than I expected. Since then, he’s been there for me when I had questions after a car accident; and most recently, he’s been there for our living will. –Fanni THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
At the peak of the holiday season, many Americans find themselves overcome by a spirit of generosity and goodwill. Many people go beyond finding the perfect gift for friends and family and give their time or money to a charitable organization, seeking to make the holidays a little better for those worse off than themselves.
But with thousands upon thousands of charities to choose from, how we do ensure our dollars are truly going to the best possible cause?
It may seem obvious, but it’s best not to hand your credit card info to an anonymous organization soliciting your aid. The IRS has little regulatory power over most charitable organizations since they don’t typically pay taxes. As a result, it’s all too easy to be defrauded.
“Never give a gift where you didn’t initiate the communication,” advises Tim Meisenheimer, a certified financial planner. Calls can be a red flag, as
charities who employ telemarketers are much less likely to receive the entirety of your donation. If you’re donating online, he also advises you to check that there’s a “https” at the beginning of the URL, which indicates a secure connection.
But the best way to avoid shady scammers is to research the charity before you hand over your cash. One helpful resource is CharityNavigator.
org, a charity-screening website where you can scrutinize a charity’s rating, spending habits, category, and much more. When examining a charity, they look for all kinds of red flags, such as if they spend more than one-third of their budget on administrative costs or if they aren’t forthcoming about their operations and expenditures. If you’re unsure of where to donate, check out their list of “Charities With Perfect Scores.”
At the Law Office of Don E. McClure, Jr., we treat our clients like family, because many of you are family or have been referred by family! Almost every client we havae can be traced back to our family tree.
If you want to provide humanitarian aid, Direct Relief (DirectRelief.org) is a well-known charity, and it has a perfect rating of 100 on Charity Navigator. They provide medical treatment in resource-poor communities. If you’re more inclined to protect the
As a result, your case is not just business, it’s
environment, check out The Conservation Fund (ConservationFund.org), which seeks to preserve natural resources while fostering economic development in America. Education- minded donors should look up Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO-usa.org), another organization with a perfect
personal! That’s why every referral you send our way makes a difference. We get to help even more people and our family tree continues to grow. And for that, thank you for your referrals and thank you for trusting us to not only help you, but to help the people you care about.
100 from Charity Navigator. They strive to provide robust education for underserved communities. There are thousands of excellent charities to donate to, and many of them are probably right in your backyard.
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www.IndianaRestoration.com
As you read last month, oil and gas refineries are some of the most dangerous work sites in America. Immediately after a refinery accident, you should seek medical attention for any injuries that you have, no matter how minor. After you have received medical attention, here are the steps to take to preserve your work site injury claim.
DISCUSS FOLLOW-UP MEDICAL CARE WITH YOUR ATTORNEY You should discuss all medical visits with your attorney, particularly any medical visits with court-ordered, independent medical examiners or medical visits paid for by the refinery. Your medical condition is often critical to your recovery of damages, and talking with your attorney about medical visits can ensure that your medical care helps not only your health but also your legal case. Refinery accidents are commonplace in the Houston area, and the steps that you take after the accident are import- ant in preserving your right to legal compensation. An experienced attorney at the Law Office of Don E. McClure, Jr. can guide you through the legal process. If you have been injured, give us a call at 713-571-7777 so we can discuss your claim.
investigators understand how the accident occurred, and paint a story for the jury.
COLLECT WITNESS STATEMENTS Talk to anyone who might have witnessed the accident to learn what they saw. Witnesses may know important information about how the accident occurred. Collecting this information from them before the refinery does can result in smoother claim negotiations. TAKE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT SITE They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in the context of a court case, this old saying could not be truer. Pictures can reveal unsafe working conditions, help
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO RETURN TO WORK IF YOU CAN Complicated lawsuits can take months, if not years, to resolve. Waiting for a legal recovery can create financial strain and might make you appear less sympathetic in court. Remember to ask your employer for accommodation for any disabilities or injuries that may have resulted from the accident.
HOLIDAY STAR COOKIES HAVE A LAUGH INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • •
2½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt ¼ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
5 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
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1. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 2. In a small bowl, mix coconut oil, agave, and vanilla. 3. Mix wet ingredients into dry. 4. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick. 5. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 6. Remove top piece of parchment paper and dust dough with almond flour. 7. Cut out cookies with a small star cutter. 8. Using a metal spatula, place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 9. Bake at 350 F until edges are lightly browned, 5–8 minutes.
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Free Museum Tour When: Dec. 21 and 28 Where: Museum District
A Christmas Carol When: Dec. 23, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Where: Hubbard Stage, Alley Theater Penny-pinching and bad-tempered Ebenezer Scrooge goes on the adventure of his life and learns that the value of gold will never equal that of genuine love for his neighbors. This classic tale thrills with its beloved characters and message of compassion, love and kindness, and, of course, Christmas spirit. Children must have their own tickets, and children under the age of 5 are not permitted into this theater. The play runs 1 hour and 47 minutes with one intermission. Tickets can be bought at houston-theater.com.
J.U.S Lyric Presents: Everybody Eats! When: Dec. 29, 7–11 p.m. Where: Notsuoh 314 Main St. Houston, TX 77002 Come out and join Houston rapper J.U.S Lyric, the Houston Food Bank, and friends to make an effort to end hunger in Houston. The effects of Hurricane Harvey are still being felt by the community, and many do not have the funds to properly provide for their families during this recovery period. J.U.S Lyric is encouraging the community to come together to help make the recovery easier for the whole city. Nonperishable food donations are encouraged, but all donations are welcome.
Each Thursday, six Houston museums are free and open to the public. On Thursdays, take your family to visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science from 3–6 p.m.; the Children’s Museum of Houston from 5–8 p.m.; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the Health Museum from 2–7 p.m.; the Houston Museum of African American Culture from 6–8 p.m.; and Buffalo Soldiers National Museum from 1–5 p.m. The following are always free to the public: Asia Society Texas Center, Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston, Diverseworks, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston Center for Photography, the Jung Center, Lawndale Art Center, the Menil Collection, Rice Gallery, and Rothko Chapel.
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