PEARLAND
CELEBRATING & DISCOVERING LIFE’S FINEST
Local Happenings A Cinderella Team Visit Carmel, California UltraMagTexas.com
UltraMagTexas.com
UltraMagTexas.com
UltraMagTexas.com
PUBLISHER Juliet Hubbell
EDITOR Tamara Abel
ASSISTANT EDITOR Nancy Moreland
March 2017
ART DIRECTOR Adra Staord
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ann Greer
CONTRIBUTORS Byron Barclay Karen Bunch Julia Davila Newt Harlan Ahmad Khan Bobby McCallitt Anice Shelton Susan Scott Watts Reader correspondence, editorial submissions and advertising inquiries are welcome.
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@UltraMagTexas.com
Let Us Hear From You! editor@UltraMagTexas.com
CONTENTS CALENDAR
PETS
SPORTS
TRAVEL
Local Happenings
6
Fun Things to do and Places to go in March
Proper Pet Hygiene
Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
NCAA Basketball Tournament Lingo
Test Your Knowledge of No-Longer Just Basketball Terms
When Texans Visit Carmel, California
A Guide to Exploring All Beautiful Carmel has to Offer
Medicare Fraud
LEGAL
4
10
12
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BABY BOOMERS Ways to Prevent and Report Medicare Fraud
HUMOR
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ULTRA Magazine is published monthly. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. The magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented. Advertisers and their agencies assume all liability for advertising content.
Honest Lies and Other Misguided Thoughts Skills That Are No Longer Important to Master
How to Select a Lawyer
Tips for Selecting the Right Lawyer for Your Needs
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5
H
ULTRA CALENDAR
appenings
By Nancy Moreland
HOUSTON BIKE SHARE March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st Free Fridays Houston.BCycle.com
The St. Agnes Academy Mother-Daughter Luncheon and Senior Style Show will present the fashions of spring on the catwalk. This year’s theme “The Rest is Still Unwritten” focuses on the future that lies ahead for these young ladies. Check the website for reservations and tickets.
JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL March 5th – 19th erjcchouston.org/houston-jewish-filmfestival-schedule/
The Crawford Island station is the 14th downtown location for BCycle and the third station surrounding Discovery Green, offering easy access to Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Through the “Bike Share Free Fridays in March” program, individuals can receive free BCycle rides every Friday in March at all BCycle stations around Houston. Every ride will be free after the rider reserves the bike with a valid credit or debit card, and provides an email address or mobile number at checkout. Riders are encouraged to post photos to their social networks using the hashtag #WeAreMobile.
2017 SENIOR STYLE SHOW ST. AGNES ACADEMY Monday, March 6th Marriott Sugar Land Town Square St-agnes.org/mothersclub
6
Evelyn Rubenstein JCC of Houston presents the 13th Houston Jewish Film Festival March 5-19, 2017. The festival showcases 27 of the best Jewish and Israeli films from around the world. The 16-day festival is made up of current documentary and awardwinning feature films with meaningful Jewish or Israeli content. HJFF 2017 will host two visiting filmmakers with their films. Director Dani Menkin will introduce his film, On the Map and lead a postscreening Q&A on March 7. The documentary is about Israel’s 1977 basketball team, which won the European Cup just a few years after the Yom Kippur War and is told through the eyes of six American basketball players who joined the team. Director Shimon Dotan will speak with his film, The Settlers, on March 16 at 7:30 p.m. The film provides a comprehensive view of the Jewish settlers in the West Bank and an intimate look at the people at the core of one of UltraMagTexas.com
the most daunting challenges facing Israel and the international community today. The festival opens with Harmonia on March 5, which is a contemporary adaptation of the biblical tale of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, set in the world of the Jerusalem Philharmonic Orchestra. Other festival highlights include a sneak preview night on February 27 featuring the drama, Fever at Dawn and an Evening with Howard Rosenman on March 8. The Hollywood film producer shares stories from his career and how Judaism has impacted his journey. Rosenman produced Father of the Bride and The Family Man. And a children’s screening will be added to the line-up for the first time in several years. The Israeli film, Guavas will screen on March 5 at 2:00 p.m. and is intended for elementary aged children. The festival closes March 19 with Mr. Predictable. A charming and funny romantic comedy from Israel provides its main character with a crash course on how to live life to the fullest and fall in love. Screenings are held at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), Holocaust Museum Houston (HMH), Landmark’s River Oaks Theatre, Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH), The Emery/Weiner School, and Premiere Cinema in Galveston.
PAWS IN THE PARK Saturday, March 25th Veterans Sports Complex Free Admission 281-412-8907
City of Pearland Parks & Recreation is gearing up for the 23rd annual Paws in the Park presented by Westside Veterinary Hospital. Each year this event begins with a Fun Run and this year's races are 1K, 3K, and 5K. Compete with or without your four-legged friends!
COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS GALA
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The event kicks off Saturday, Mar. 25, with the H-E-B Pet & Owner Fun Run followed by the national Dock Diving competition. Please note for health and safety reasons, pets must remain on a leash throughout the event.
WAUGH DRIVE BAT COLONY
March 3th and 17th Waugh Drive Bridge between Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway Houstontx.gov/parks/bats.html
Come and support Covenant House Texas’ efforts to give our homeless youth a chance at the American dream. This year’s theme is “Let Us All Eat Cake…Each and Every One of Us.” Every year, Covenant House Texas supporters invest in the future of the young residents at Covenant House Texas through Scholarships of Hope. These scholarships provide basic care such as shelter, food, clothing, case management and counseling services. Julie & Jay Rogers and IBC Bank will be the honorees. Enjoy a fun evening supporting a great charity for homeless youth.
MUMMIES OF THE WORLD: THE EXHIBITION
Ends May 29th Houston Museum of Natural Science 5555 Hermann Park Dive hmns.org
The Houston Area Bat Team offers free, educational “Bat Chats” at the Waugh Street Bridge Observation Deck the first and third Fridays of every month. The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony lives in Houston year round. Every evening at sunset, 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from underneath the bridge as a group to feed on area insects creating an impressive sight. The cloud of bats is so immense that when they emerge, the Waugh Drive Bat Colony can often be seen on weather radar. Located in Buffalo Bayou Park, the bat colony can be seen by crowds from a variety of good vantage points. The bats prefer to emerge from the east side of the bridge, often in a whirling vortex to gain height, speed, and as a group to deter predators. The bats tend to emerge after sunset but as a natural event, it isn’t always predictable. Temperatures below 50° or rain sometimes delay or prevent the emergence.
Mummies of the World: The Exhibition presents a collection of mummies from Europe, South America and ancient Egypt-some 4,500 years old. Go behind-the-scenes and learn about mummies and mummification through state-ofthe-art multimedia, interactive stations and 3D animation, highlighting advances in the scientific methods used to study mummies, including computed tomography (CT), ancient DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating, all of which allows us to know who these mummified individuals were, where they came from and where they lived. Among the mummies on display are the Vac Mummies, an entire mummified family from Hungary believed to have died from tuberculosis; the Burns Collection, a group of medical mummies used to teach anatomy in the early 19th century; an Egyptian priest named Nes-Hor who suffered from arthritis and a broken left hip; Egyptian UltraMagTexas.com
animal mummies including a falcon, fish, dog and baby crocodile, many of which were deliberately preserved to accompany royals for eternity; and MUMAB, the first replication of Egyptian mummification done on a body in 2,800 years.
HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO March 7th - 26th NRG Park RodeoHouston.com
It’s rodeo time! Put on your best country duds and head to the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. Visitors may purchase a Grounds Pass to explore NRG Park, or purchase a Rodeo/Concert ticket to see an action-packed RodeoHouston® performance, featuring championship rodeo action and superstars in concert. Each RodeoHouston® performance begins with rodeo competition, and once the dust settles, the entertainer takes the stage. Weekday performances begin at 6:45 p.m. and the entertainer takes the stage at approximately 8:45 p.m. Weekend performances begin at 3:45 p.m. with the entertainer taking the stage at approximately 5:45 p.m. Here are a few things to remember when planning your visit: The cost of admission to NRG Stadium, NRG Arena, NRG Center and the carnival is included in the Rodeo ticket cost. Children age 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Season Passes to the grounds are available. No outside food or drink, including that purchased elsewhere in NRG Park, is permitted to be taken into NRG Stadium. Check out Value Wednesdays (March 8th, March 15th, and March 22nd) for extra savings. Have an event that Ultra readers want to know about? To be considered for publication, the information must be received two months prior to the issue date. Please email a 100-wordmaximum synopsis to editor@UltraMagTexas. com. Be sure to include the event name, date, time, venue, cost and website. Please send highresolution jpeg photos in a separate email. 7
PROPER PET HYGEINE College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
ULTRA PETS
L
ike humans, pets can experience skin conditions that may cause redness, itchiness, odor, and even wounds. Fortunately, many skin conditions can be prevented with routine bathing and grooming. Dr. Alison Diesel, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explained the importance of pet hygiene for both dogs and cats.
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On one hand, most cats do not usually require a bath to maintain a healthy skin and coat, Diesel said. However, she added that older or obese cats might benefit from bathing to help keep their coat and skin healthy. On the other hand, dogs require regular bathing and grooming with a frequency that depends on their skin and coat health.
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$20 OFF FIRST CLEANING! “Dogs without dermatological abnormalities benefit from a bath a couple of times a year or when they get dirty,” Diesel said. “However, dogs with skin problems often require more frequent bathing and sometimes benefit from specific kinds or medicated shampoos. If your dog has a skin problem, you should discuss bathing recommendations with your veterinarian.”
others and should be monitored more closely. Additionally, Diesel said pet owners should discuss recommendations for appropriate ear cleaning with their veterinarian.
Poor hygiene in dogs and cats can result in severe consequences if not addressed appropriately, Diesel said. Though it may seem like Fido hates his routine bath, proper hygiene for both dogs and cats is necessary to Though your veterinarian can examine your pet’s skin during a routine check-up, sometimes skin abnormalities can develop between appointments. keep your furry friend healthy. If you have any concerns about your pet’s grooming and bathing routine, consult your local veterinarian. If you notice any abnormalities while bathing or grooming your pet, you should have your pet examined by a veterinarian. Some noticeable changes might be increased odor and dander and may result in discomfort or itching in the animal. In addition, animals with long hair coats are prone to matting. This can irritate the skin and result in wounds when removed or clipped out, Diesel said. Furthermore, pets with long hair coats are at higher risk for fly strike and acquisition of maggots hidden within the mats and under the hair coat. These creatures can further damage the skin, causing wounds, infections, sepsis and potentially death, Diesel explained. More severe or persistent skin conditions may benefit from examination by a boarded specialist in veterinary dermatology. Another important part of proper pet hygiene is keeping your pet’s ears clean. Most pet owners regularly bathe their pet to maintain their coat, but clean ears are just as important and should be part of your pet’s normal hygiene routine. When cleaning your pet’s ears, Diesel recommended saturating a cotton ball with a veterinarian approved ear cleanser. “Gently place this in the dog or cat’s ear canal and massage to help deliver the solution along the length of the canal,” Diesel said. “An additional cotton ball can be used to wipe out excess fluid after the animal shakes their head. Q-tips should never be used to clean a dog’s or a cat’s ears as this can lead to potential damage of the ear canal.” Diesel added that ear problems often manifest with scratching or rubbing at the ears, redness, discharge, and a foul odor. Some animals, such as dogs that swim a lot, are more prone to ear problems than
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NCAA BASKETBALL
TOURNEY LINGO by Bobby McCallitt
ULTRA SPORTS
T
he NCAA basketball tournament is this month, and it has
After the “field of 68” is set, all participating schools are divided
produced terms and phrases that have become part of American
into four regions and placed in a single-elimination bracket. Each
sports vernacular.
team is "seeded" or ranked within its region and all games are played at predetermined neutral sites. “Top seeds” or “Number 1 seeds” are
When discussing college basketball, the one event nearly everyone
considered favorites to win, and are typically a college basketball
is familiar with is “March Madness” - the NCAA Men’s Basketball
“blue-blood” institution like Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, or
Championship Tournament.
North Carolina. “Lower seeds,” often schools from “mid-major” conferences, who advance well beyond what was expected make for
All things leading up to the tournament can be considered part of
quite the “Cinderella story.” Everyone loves Cinderella.
“March Madness,” but to participate in the actual tournament itself, you must secure an invitation to “The Big Dance.” Currently, it
Every game of the tournament is televised and it has become one of
consists of 68 teams; and thus you will hear such terms as “automatic
the premier sporting events in the country. “Filling out a bracket,”
bid,” which refers to the 32 conference champions which secure an
or predicting the outcome of the tournament, is done by millions of
invite, as well as “at-large bids,” referencing the remaining 36 teams
Americans as the outcome is always uncertain. Plus, it’s fun to try and
deemed good enough to participate.
predict who will win.
So as the regular season winds down, many teams find themselves in
This pseudo-science of picking which teams will advance has been
the precarious position of being “on the bubble” – not automatically
dubbed “bracketology.” Fill out your bracket with a great degree of
in but hoping they have impressed the judges enough to be “invited to
accuracy, and you too can become a certified “Bracketologist.” To do
the dance.” It’s quite an honor to get to go dancing.
so, you will need to distinguish yourself by correctly prognosticating which top-seeded teams might be vulnerable to upsets. In other words
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Everyone will find out who gets in on “selection Sunday,” the Sunday
you cannot simply pick “chalk,” or the favorites of the tournament all
evening following the conclusion of the regular season, this year on
the way through. Be bold, yet sensible in your selections. Come on -
March 12th.
you can do it.
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Since it is a single-elimination tournament, any school is subject to being “one and done.” You don’t want to be that school. What you want to do is “win and advance” so that you can “live to play another day.” That’s more fun.
since 1968… nurturing young minds
In order for your team to advance in tournament, they will need to be good at “crunch time,” the last few minutes of the game, and will most certainly be required to either produce or survive a “buzzer-beater” – the dreaded last second basket. As schools are eliminated, the field is narrowed to catchy numbers of
emphasis on individuality respect for students
focusing on academics
remaining teams. The first goal is to make it to the “Sweet Sixteen.” From there, you are but one win away from joining the “Elite Eight.” Win again, and you will advance to the always coveted spot in the “Final Four,” the last four teams left in the tournament. It will be fun to see which team gets to “cut down the nets,” the dubious honor bestowed on the winner of the tournament. Phoenix will host for the 2017 Final Four, so naturally “the road to Final Four” this year “runs thru the desert.” You will need to know this bit of
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watching the games. Now go “fill out a bracket” and keep your fingers crossed that “Cinderella” is wearing your team’s jersey!
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TEXANS VISIT CARMEL by Susan Scott Watts
ULTRA TRAVEL The age-old vacation dilemma: squeeze in an actionpacked schedule or just relax and recharge? In the Carmel CA area, problem solved. You can easily do either, or both! You may think of Carmel as the quaint City-by-the-Sea, where Clint Eastwood served as mayor, or the place where Father Junipero Serra founded the second of California’s missions in 1774, or maybe the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, founded by David and Julie Packard (of Hewlett Packard) comes to mind. Or you may think of whale watching, surfing, hiking and racing cars, but you may not know about the ways to “not” do anything around the Carmel area.
not to be missed and are good for people watching and celebrity sightings. A drive down the famous 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach, realizing you don’t have to manage the upkeep on one of those mansions, can be very relaxing as well. I find peace at Spanish Bay when a Scottish bagpiper strolls up at sunset as I sip my cocktail, warmed by fire pits. With five extraordinary golf courses, spa, tennis center and equestrian center in an oceanfront setting with white glove service…. you can’t go wrong at Pebble Beach Resorts! About 6 miles east, in fogless, sun-drenched Carmel Valley is Bernardus Lodge, where dining options include: fine dining, casual croquette courtside dinning, fire pit/water fountain dining and deck dining. Enjoy their romantic, private wine cellar for dinner, too! Bernardus is special because it has its own vineyard and award winning wines. When you go there, notice the ribbons displayed in the tasting room from Houston’s Rodeo Uncorked Competition. Houstonians will feel right at home there!
If your agenda is to not have an agenda, but rather lounge poolside and indulge in spa treatments, Bernardus Lodge & Spa, Post Ranch Inn & Spa and Pebble Beach Resorts are a three-way tie for me. I enjoy all three and recommend them all to my Texas friends. Pebble Beach’s events of Concourse D’ Elegance rare car show and auction, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Event and AT&T Pro-Am Golf Tournament are showcase events 12
The Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur has a 4 star spa and breathtaking views overlooking the Pacific Ocean where guests can experience a unique blend of rustic, earthy, nature with pure luxury. Other excellent lodging choices in walking distance of UltraMagTexas.com
shops and dining in Carmel are: Doris Day’s Cypress Inn, where dogs are treated like family and the people and dog watching are a pastime. La Playa Hotel was once owned by the heir of Ghirardelli Chocolate and has rooftop dining with ocean views. At La Playa, you may see Apple employees now, since the ban was lifted in 2013 because of a skinny dipping incident that happened 30 years ago. Carmel Mission Inn is surprisingly affordable for only $125/night, but not as convenient as other hotels on the ocean side of Hwy 1. The Hermitage is off the beaten path and offers a chance for silence and Catholic prayers with the monks for only $125 a night in solitude, no talking, no technology and lots of serenity. Renting a yurt for $265/night from Treebones Resorts in Big Sur offers unique nature experience, but showers and baths are common and a short walk away. Go ahead; look up yurt if that’s a new word for you! Lastly, at Esalen Institute Center for Theory and Research you can spend $800 a week, or $5K a week for a range of sleeping options from a sleeping bag to a luxury bed. Their tagline is “the religion of no religion.” Their mission is to explore human potential. As a Texan, if you ever wanted to see the California hippy lifestyle in action, you can find it here. You should look this one up too! After you satisfy your need for restful lodging, you can find endless choices to satisfy your taste buds. I like to bring guests to Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch near where the Carmel River empties into the Pacific Ocean, across a sheep-dotted grazing pasture, that was once a dairy farm. I admit, I take my Texas friends there to try to get a gawk at Clint when he comes off the golf course
around 5pm. I have seen him also gawk back at tourists and look them up and down in return. The food never disappoints, the menu is broad and the piano bar is a local hangout. I also like Grazings on 6th Street in Carmel, and so do a lot of Houstonians I know. It has great wine selections, atmosphere and bar area with giant TVs that run the sports action of the day. Forge In The Forest is another hit for their outdoor patio dining and entrees, garlic fries, and giant cookie dream. Texan-owned Christopher’s Restaurant showcases the finest and freshest seasonal bounty of the Central Coast. Rio Grill in Carmel, Montrio and Tarpy’s Roadhouse are three top-quality restaurants in the area that have the same owners and are amazing with food quality and service. Little known fact: the inventor of the “Oven Glove,” featured in infomercials, is Montrio’s Chef, Tony Baker; and Todd Fisher, of The Food Network’s “United States of Bacon,” is the chef at Tarpy’s. Vesuvio Bistro Italiano in Carmel is a local favorite for great food and happening rooftop bar. Please note Carmel has laws of no high heels, no loud noises, and quiet after a certain hour, curb any rowdiness, so Vesuvio’s is as happening as it gets around here. A “must do while you’re here” is a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway 1 to see “the ragged edge of the Western World.” There are many ways to enjoy the view. One way is to run the Big Sur Marathon; another is to drive and eat a juicy hamburger at Nepenthe and take selfies with the Pacific Ocean. Finding things to do for the active or adventure traveler is easy. continued on page 21 UltraMagTexas.com
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PROTECT YOURSELF
ULTRA BABYBOOMER
from
Medicare Fraud
Every day, Medicare fraud affects people with Medicare and their families across the U.S. - regardless of background or education robbing them of hard-earned money and peace of mind. Scammers know the ins and outs of the Medicare system and their attempts can be well thought-out enough that it's not always easy to know when and where fraud is occurring. By remembering some simple but effective tips, you can protect yourself against scams, including identity theft and prescription drug fraud. Remembering to protect, detect and report fraud helps everyone, including you.
1. PROTECT Protecting your personal information is your best line of defense against health care fraud. Treat Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security numbers like credit card numbers. Never give them to a stranger and don't carry your cards unless you need them for appointments. Medicare doesn't call or visit to sell you anything. Outside of a trusted health care setting, never give this information to anyone who asks for it.
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2. DETECT No matter how careful you are, you may be targeted for fraud. Always review your Medicare statements closely. Things to look for include charges for something you didn't purchase or receive, duplicate charges and charges for services not ordered by your doctor. Compare these documents to your personal records and receipts. Recording medical visits and procedures in a journal or on a calendar can help you keep track of what happened at each appointment and make it easier to spot inaccuracies.
satisfied with the response, help is available through your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). SMP volunteers work with Medicare beneficiaries and their families and caregivers to stop health care fraud, errors and abuse. You can also report suspicious calls and direct general questions through this resource. You can find your local SMP program by calling 1-877-8082468 or at SMPresource.org. Suspected fraud can also be reported to 1-800-Medicare or by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS. Don't hesitate if you need help!
3. REPORT If you suspect you've been a target of fraud, report it. This can help you and others at risk for fraud. If you have questions about your Medicare statements, call your health care provider. If you're uncomfortable calling or are not
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Funded by the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the SMP program provides outreach, counseling and education by highly trained volunteers in a variety of locations. For free, confidential support, contact your local SMP program. (Family Features) 
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e t e l o s b O
Driving a vehicle with a manual transmission
-- I first learned to drive when manual transmissions were all that were available so that’s what I learned to drive. Automatic transmissions began appearing as options on more expensive models in the mid-
SKILLS ULTRA HUMORIST
50s and by the 60s, they were fairly common on most passenger cars. Gradually automatics began to appear in pickups and other vehicles for vocational use. Today the automatic transmission is found in most all vehicles, including heavy trucks, buses, and construction equipment so knowledge of the operation of a manual transmission is almost an obsolete skill.
Counting out change -- It’s a shame this simple skill is no longer
Honest Lies and Other Misguided Thoughts
taught in schools. Few clerks and cashiers nowadays, when paid
By Newt Harlan
with cash instead of a credit card, can manage a simple transaction. Without a computing cash register to tell them how much change is due a customer, they’re completely shut down. Have you ever noticed the panic it causes when you include the correct amount in coins in order to receive a bill in change?
Signaling turns with your left arm out the window when driving -- Extend the arm straight for a left turn, bent upwards 90
degrees at the elbow for a right turn and arm bent down 90 degrees at the elbow for stop. I think you still have to know these signals to pass the driving test, but when was the last time you saw somebody
actually use them? Hell’s bells, lots of today’s drivers don’t even bother to use their electric turn signals.
Milking a cow by hand-- I’ve written about this one several
times. Many of our fellow citizens nowadays have no idea where milk comes from, other than the neighborhood grocery store. Even most of those who know milk generally comes from cows, are aware only of the automated dairies where twice daily the animals are herded into the barn and their milk is extracted by these automatic thingies hooked onto their teats. Suffice it to say, milking a cow by hand isn’t what you’d call a fun thing to do, but if the time ever comes I have to extract the juice from a bovine, I’ll know how to proceed.
Do you know the times tables by heart? -- In case you’re so young that you’re wondering what I’m talking about, back when I was in elementary school, that’s what we called memorizing the
16
Here lately there’s been lots of talk and several articles on the Internet
multiplication tables. It was required to learn up through 9 x 9 and
concerning things that were once important to know how to do, but
some show offs even learned up to 12 x 12 and higher. I understand
nowadays are no longer of much use. These lists got me to thinking
that the progressive schools of today no longer spend time learning
about some of those things I’ve learned during the course of my life.
the times tables since everyone always has access to calculators and
Here are a few which come to mind that I used to know how to do and/
computers and that sort of thing--somehow I think they’re missing
or enjoy, but for one reason or another are no longer a part of my life.
something--maybe some brain exercise if nothing else.
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Changing the TV channels by hand with a rotary knob
just about my only lifeline to friends and family, so there could never
-- This was primarily in the days before remote controls and involved
family in the service please remember this.)
turning a rotary knob to match the desired channel you wished to
Making chains from “pop tops” -- Back in the 60s and 70s
watch. Sometimes it was necessary to fine-tune the reception using
be too many letters for me at mail call. (Those of you with friends and
another knob to adjust picture quality and occasionally it was even
beverage cans were opened by pulling a ring tab which was attached
necessary to adjust the rabbit ear antennae for proper reception. One
to a teardrop shaped piece of metal in the top of the beverage can,
also had to get up off the couch to turn the TV on or off, adjust the
which when removed provided an opening from which to pour the
volume, and deal with vertical-hold and antenna alignment. All this
beverage. The ring and teardrop shaped piece remained together after
really wasn’t as involved as it sounds as usually back then we had a
the can was opened and were commonly called “pop tops.” Artsy-
maximum of about 5 channels and since there was no channel surfing,
crafty types soon discovered these pop tops could be strung together
folks usually planned their viewing ahead of time... Life was much
by bending the teardrop through the ring of another pop top, and so
harder then.
on indefinitely. They made necklaces, bracelets, decorative belts and
Letter writing and receiving -- I can’t begin to tell you the
hatbands, among other things...Unfortunately, it was decided that
last time I sent or received an actual letter by “snail mail.” Nowadays
by a new type can with non-removable tops thus ending “pop top”
my use of the U.S. Postal Service is generally limited to receiving and
jewelry making. I still have an old hat around here somewhere with a
sending what are affectionately called “bills.” Letter writing was most
pop top hatband.
useful for expressing your feelings to others. The advent of telephone
Dialing a rotary dial phone -- Telephone numbers were
service began the demise of letter writing, as “just calling” someone
“pop tops” were a hazard to the environment and they were replaced
became easier than the work involved in writing a letter, in spite of the
once prefixed by words, such as PEnnsylvania 65000 or CApitol
pleasure that re-reading a letter can provide after the telephone call
22800. That’s why today’s phones still have letters as well as numbers continued on page 20
is long forgotten. When I was in the service letters from home were
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Let Us All Eat Cake...
Each and Every One of Us Help Give Our Homeless Youth
BYRON K. BARCLAY
“A Piece of the Cake and The American Dream”
BKBarclay@lawyer.com www.BarclayLawFirm.com 713.224.2334
Covenant House Texas Invites You to Join Us
Saturday, April 1, 2017
BIOGRAPHY & DISCLAIMER Byron K. Barclay is a Houston, Texas attorney and Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law. In addition, Mr. Barclay handles estate planning matters and is regularly appointed to serve various courts in Harris County as an Attorney Ad Litem for the estates of persons who have died without a will. Mr. Barclay also handles commercial litigation, divorces, family law and child custody issues.
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www.CovenantHouseTX.org
18
The foregoing article is offered only as a public service to this community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site and column should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author. Nothing in this column or on any website where it may be published is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and nothing posted by Mr. Barclay constitutes legal advice. Should you have questions, you may forward them via email to Mr. Barclay at BKBarclay@lawyer.com. Questions may be edited for length or clarity. Mr. Barclay will choose questions submitted for brief answers and possible publication. Mr. Barclay reserves the right to choose which questions to answer, and submission of a question does not guarantee that he will provide an answer.
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Picking an attorney to help you with a legal problem is really no different than any other important choice in life. How does one go about picking their favorite band, or beer, or barbecue? Ask friends what (or who) they like, check out the Internet for webpages, and ultimately, start your search to find the best choice for you. Here are a few things to remember about picking and hiring the right lawyer.
ULTRA LEGAL
A Match Made in Heaven? (or how to pick the right attorney) Courtesy of Byron K. Barclay
Just like there are rock and roll bands, and within that category, there are punk, classic, speed metal and party jam bands, there are all kinds of lawyers within a specific category of the law. A criminal lawyer is the one to call when you’ve got problems with the police. (Do it quickly.) Divorce lawyers will help when you’ve got domestic issues (husband/wife/kids). Are you injured? You’ll need a personal injury lawyer. If you plan to die someday (that’s most of us), you could probably benefit from speaking to an Estate Planning/Probate lawyer. But how do you find a good one?
1. 2. 3. 4.
The first step in finding a lawyer is to collect some names from friends or the Internet or the State Bar website, (TexasBar.com) or even call a non-profit Lawyer Referral site. With a little research, you’ll be able to determine what kind of lawyer you need. (I always recommend hiring a really good one. If you need a name, call me!) Once you’ve got some names, call them up. Most lawyers will take a quick (five minutes or less) phone call about a potential case, and if they can’t handle it, many will give you a name of someone they know who would be more interested or capable. Because I am Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (in Personal Injury Trial Law), I believe that a “board certified” attorney may be more experienced in a specific area than one who is not. Board certification does not always mean that lawyer is a “better”lawyer, but he or she certainly has met some specific, heightened qualifications that at a minimum suggest that they are imminently qualified to handle a matter in their specific area. The next step is to call that lawyer up for a more in-depth chat. Have a clear idea about what it is you want to achieve. Few problems are so complex that they can’t be described in five minutes, but once you’ve got past that point, the lawyer will ask you more pointed and specific questions to narrow the issues. At this point, you should remember to be completelyhonest here. COMPLETELY. Everything you say to a potential lawyer is protected by attorney-client privilege, meaning you can tell them your secrets without worrying about them sharing those secrets with others. Even if you haven’t hired them yet. Finally, be prepared to discuss the costs for these professional services. Don’t be shy. If you are hiring a lawyer, ask him for his hourly rate. If you can hire a lawyer on a contingency fee (more common in personal injury matters), ask for the percentage of the fee that the lawyer will keep if the case is settled or tried to verdict. A qualified, experienced lawyer will always be your best bet. If you need one, good luck to you. ADVERTORIAL UltraMagTexas.com
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continued from page 17 OBSOLETE SKILLS
B G REAK N I R P S BIG DEAL
on the dial. When dialing the number, you’d dial the first two letters of the word prefix, followed by the number, You could tell from the
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prefix the general area of town where the exchange was located. This was handy when trying to decide if a potential girlfriend lived too far away to see often…How about operating a phone where you turned a crank or jiggled the switch hook to summon an operator and gave her a number such as 72-J3? I still have all these obsolete talents.
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Push starting a vehicle -- This was possible back in the day
when most vehicles had a manual transmission. When the battery was down and wouldn’t turn the starter to start the engine, you could push start your truck. Actually you couldn’t do it alone; you needed the help of a friend or
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two. It was a fairly simple operation--you’d depress the clutch pedal with the truck in gear and get the truck rolling. When you reached what you thought was the right speed, you released the clutch, the transmission would engage and the engine would turn over and, hopefully, start. It was possible to accomplish this alone if you were fortunate enough to be stopped on an incline, and then gravity took
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the place of friends pushing. My friend, Barry Canterbury, spent
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a whole year up at Sam Houston State with a dead battery in his infamous “Blue Breeze Studebaker” simply by being careful to always
DR. GREGORY PALMER, D.M.D. Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
either park on a hill or have friends along to push.
Ironing clothes -- Back in the days of yesteryear, back before
everything was wash and wear, clothes were made mostly of cotton, linen and wool. While these fabrics were fine for comfort and durability when they were cleaned by washing and drying they turned into a wrinkled mess. Regrettably, the rumpled look wasn’t in fashion. Mankind discovered these wrinkles could be removed by pressing the fabric with a warm smooth stone. Man invented the iron and it replaced the stone for smoothing wrinkles. The iron was called a flatiron and the process became known as ironing. Progress soon brought new and improved irons and eventually science invented fabrics which required no ironing and the world rejoiced. I was a pretty fair ironer in my day, but I really excelled at finding ways to
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con my sisters into doing it for me. Also, I think there were a lot of
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young ladies whom were professional ironers back when I was looking
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date, only to be declined because she had a big ironin’ to do. I could probably go on for quite some time about obsolete tools and gadgets and the skills it took to operate them, but suffice it to say
DR. GREGORY PALMER, D.M.D.
that thinking about all the things listed here brings back many fond
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memories. As bad as many of us old fogies hate to admit it, for the
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for girls to date because I can recall asking any number of them for a
most part, the gadgets, tools and skills that replaced the old and obsolete are a definite improvement. UltraMagTexas.com
continued from page 13 TEXANS VISIT CARMEL
Monterey Bay offers scuba diving, surfing, parasailing, snorkeling, swimming, sail boating, sunset cruises, whale watching, fishing, kayaking, and jet skiing. The cool climate and sunshine allows for lots of golf, tennis and biking. You can hike the vast area trails, with mountain and ocean vistas, including Point Lobos, just a few miles south of Carmel. Learn to drive a race car at Laguna Seca Raceway; drive the “Experience Land Rover” course at Quail Lodge; attend the Jazz Fest in Monterey, Carmel Art and Film Fest, Carmel Plein Air and Art Show or Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering. Tour the Carmel Mission, Big Sur Lighthouse, Monterey Bay Aquarium or the architecturally-noted homes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Comstock, or Jeffers. A day exploring in Carmel is only complete with fine dining and local wine. Monterey County boasts 175 wineries, with 42 grape varieties and is known for excellent Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. There are 14 tasting rooms in downtown Carmel, a wine walk in Carmel, a wine trolley to Carmel Valley and River Road wine area. Take note of a few local wineries: Bernardus ; Boekenoogen; Talbott ; Georgis; (Also visit other Georgis’ establishments, Cowgirl Winery and Corkscrew Cafe in Carmel Valley, and Casanova restaurant in Carmel.) De Tierra hosts an incredible vineyard lunch in Steinbeck’s “Pastures Of Heaven”; Galante Vineyards is noted as one of the best Cab makers in Monterey County, and his wife’s winery is Dawn’s Dream hosts a pilates and wine class! Silvestri Vineyards; Alan Silvestri is a famous composer who created music for many movies such as Back to the Future, Forest Gump, and Castaway. Carmel was originally established by artists and art is everywhere! Many famous established artists’ works are here as well as talented artists just waiting for you to discover them. Shopping the streets around Ocean Avenue for unique treasures and sampling the variety of cheese at The Cheese Shop in Carmel Plaza is a must. At the end of the day, when the leisure traveler joins up with the active traveler, or the combo traveler has had their fill of fitness and leisure, it’s time to build a bonfire on the Carmel beach, sip fabulous wines, nibble on cheese and roast s’mores on the white sand in the cool ocean breeze. Jacket required… for warmth, not style! Whatever your taste; whatever your pace... Carmel CA is the place for the Texas traveler! UltraMagTexas.com
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2017
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