As I am sure that most of you are aware, Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard are in the midst of a civil trial where they are accusing each other of defamation of character. They have been involved in an ongoing legal battle for years and now the current civil trial is being televised. And, considering that two actors are involved, it has been entertaining, to say the least. 

There have been many Tiktoks and gifs of the highlights from the trial, and even if I weren't a lawyer, I would be hooked. It's like a soap opera that you just can't stop watching! In fact, I and my team members have been so intrigued with the trial that I had t-shirts with "That's hearsay, I guess" ~Johnny Depp printed up and gave them away from my Facebook page because it was just too funny to pass up.



However, yes it has made for great tv but it has not all been funny memes and gifs. It has also brought out some serious discussions and I will tell you one of them that has been very interesting to me.

Men Can Be Victims of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is, unfortunately, a very common thing in relationships but there is often a misconception that only women can be victims of it. I don't know if either party is telling the truth in their testimony but I am glad to see that we are now talking about how men can also be victims of domestic violence because it has been ignored for decades.

Since men rarely report it, there are no solid statistics but it is believed that one in three victims of domestic violence are male. Sadly, if a man is being abused by his partner, it is common for them to feel like no one will believe them or may make fun of them. If they do try and find support, there are not nearly as many resources for abused men as there are for women.  Domestic violence for either gender is a traumatizing thing for someone to go through, especially at the hands of someone who is supposed to love them, so I hope that more education and support will come from this. If you or someone you know is dealing with this, I urge you to find help and support.

Learning the Definition of "Pledge" and "Donation"

On a lighter note, we learned through the trial that the words pledge and donation do not mean the same thing. (I think all of us except for Amber Heard already knew that). In case you missed it, every time the attorney asked her if she had donated 7 million to charity, Amber answered yes that she had pledged it. It went back and forth many times. But watching how many times she tried to avoid admitting that she didn't donate 7 million dollars was quite entertaining, and just maybe a bit educational for some? In case you missed that gem, check it out below. 

No matter how this all turns out, it has certainly been more entertaining than most everything on Netflix, Hulu, and the other streaming channels. And who knows, maybe something good for society will come from it?

Free Concert at The MILL

If any of you have ever grown zucchini in your garden, you know that it can be very plentiful when it comes into harvest and I am always looking for good recipes that use it.

This one is a keeper because it is quick & easy, you can customize it based on the type of sausage you use (spicy, chicken, plant-based, etc.) and it is really good! The added bonus to me is that unless I want to get fancy and make something to go with it, it can be a one-dish meal- win/win!

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 1/2 tbsp olive or avocado oil
• 4 fully cooked sausages, sliced into circles 1/4 inch thick
• 2 medium zucchini, cubed
• 1 onion, cut into 3/4 inch pieces (close to the same size as zucchini)
• 1 bell pepper, any color, cut into 3/4 inch pieces (close to the same size as zucchini)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• OPTIONAL: FRESH BASIL FOR GARNISH

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add sliced sausage. Sautè, flipping sausage frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes or until sausage slices have some browning. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet with the zucchini, onion, and bell pepper. Sprinkle with salt, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir. Let cook until the onion is translucent and peppers and zucchini are close to tender about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add sausage back to the skillet along with minced garlic. Stir. Cover so everything heats through for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste. Add extra salt if desired. Garnish with chopped fresh basil (optional).

With summer here, many of the big celebrations include fireworks. I mean, what would the 4th of July be without them?!

But fireworks can be very dangerous. In 2020, there were over 10,000 injuries due to fireworks, and more than 75% of those required going to the emergency room. It's also interesting to note that 71% of those injured were men, so guys, be careful!

Below are some of the current laws in Georgia and some information on when & where you can enjoy your holiday fireworks, but when in doubt, it is always best to check with your local law enforcement or community. 

When Can You Shoot Fireworks?

For those of us who live in Georgia, being able to legally shoot fireworks is relatively new. They were completely banned up until 2005 and the regulations have been loosening up little by little through the years. The current laws in Georgia state that you can shoot fireworks any day of the year from 10 am-11:59 pm unless your local ordinances prohibit them. However, there are some exceptions no matter what local laws say.

Below are some holidays where using fireworks is legal until 11:59 p.m. regardless of local ordinances:

• Memorial Day (the last Saturday and Sunday in May, but not the Monday of Memorial Day)
• Independence Day (July 3 and 4 until midnight)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31 through 1 a.m. on Jan. 1)

Where Can You Shoot Fireworks?
 

According to the state’s website, it is illegal to use fireworks within 100 yards of any of these places:

• Electric plant
• Water treatment plant
• Waste-water treatment plant
• Gas station
• Refinery
• Electric substation
• Jail or prison
• Helipad
• Hospital
• Nursing home
• Other healthcare facility

It is also illegal to use fireworks within state property, including parks, historic sites and recreational areas.

Georgia law also prohibits a person from using fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Also, if you live in or are visiting a private community, it’s a good idea to check with the community before shooting fireworks. Private communities can set their own rules about fireworks use.
 

If It’s Dry, Fireworks Don’t Fly

The Governor may ban the use of fireworks in any area of Georgia that is under drought (as defined by a measure of 700 or higher on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index).

You don’t have to wait for an official declaration, though. If local conditions are dry, err on the side of caution. You’d probably rather call off fireworks than call in the fire department.

Also, keep in mind that fireworks can be frightening for many people and pets, which is why the times and locations for using them are regulated. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

I hope that all of you have a safe and wonderful summer, no matter how you choose to celebrate it!

After You Rob A Bank, What Do You Do With The Money?

So, last December, a man walks into a Wells Fargo bank and hands the bank teller a note that said "This is a robbery". The young bank teller handed over a whopping $150 and the robber, McRoberts Williams, fled the bank. Sounds like a "normal" bank robbery so far. You would think at this point that he immediately jumped into a car or ran as fast as he could to get away, right? That's what normally happens in movies at least. 

Nope, he walked out of the bank and stopped right outside the door and deposited his stolen $150 into the ATM that was in the bank parking lot! 

The good news is that the bank teller immediately activated the silent alarm which alerted the police. They were already on their way before Williams had even completed his ATM transaction. 

Once police arrived on the scene, they found Williams hiding behind a nearby shopping center and arrested him with no struggle. You would think that if Williams really wanted to get away with this crime, instead of depositing his stolen money into his account in the bank parking lot ATM, spending some to make a getaway would have made more sense. 

This is definitely a strange arrest story but overall it has a happy ending. Thankfully no one was hurt due to the robbery, the bank robber was arrested without incident and I am sure that the bank didn't have any trouble getting their money back- after all, it was sitting in their ATM!

Thank You for Reading!
~Julie

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