December makes most of us think about colder weather, candy canes, Santa, and Mariah Carey singing All I Want For Christmas on an endless loop in department stores. It is the month in which we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the Winter Solstice. Everyone knows what Christmas and Hanukkah are, right? But what is Kwanzaa and what is the Winter Solstice?
Kwanzaa is often misunderstood as an alternative to Christmas. But, it is not a religious holiday and many people celebrate both. Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration created about sixty years ago by college professor, Maulana Karenga, as a way of uniting the African American Community in the aftermath of the Watts Rebellion. The word Kwanzaa is rooted in the tradition of African harvest festivals and the name comes from the Swahili phrase, “Mantunda Ya Kwanza” which means first fruits. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The Winter Solstice takes place on December 21st when the Earth’s poles reach its maximum tilt of the Northern Hemisphere away from the sun. The opposite event takes place in summer. The Winter Solstice has been celebrated since Neolithic times in the final portion of the Stone Age. The archaeological site, Stonehenge, in England is a monument to the Winter Solstice. Many cultures still celebrate the Winter Solstice. In my town, there is a silent paper lantern walk to mark the Winter Solstice. For many years, I have enjoyed making paper lanterns by hand with my kids and walking through the crisp dark night in silence with them and the other members of our community. It is a wonderful time for quiet reflection marked by the longest night and shortest day of the year. We are reminded of how the cycle of time moves by the physical manifestation of the sun and the earth. And we reflect with gratitude on what has been and what will be.
Happiest of holidays to all from Lanier Law Group.
- Lisa
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Personal Injury
Car Accident Injuries
Sex Abuse
Medical Malpractice
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Social Security Disability
Workers Compensation
Wrongful Death
Products Liability
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Lanier Law Group files lawsuit on behalf of 39 former UNCSA students alleging sexual abuse at the Winston-Salem school between 1969 & 2012
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Thirty-nine former high school students at UNC School of the Arts filed a new lawsuit in Forsyth Superior Court on Monday, alleging that they endured a culture of rampant sexual abuse and exploitation and that administrators and faculty failed to do anything about it.
The former students attended the arts conservatory between the years 1969 and 2012. One of the former students is Blair Tindall, author of “Mozart in the Jungle.” The book, which was made into an Amazon series, detailed her allegations of sexual abuse while she was a high school student at UNCSA, where she played oboe.
In the lawsuit, she said she was sexually abused by three different faculty members — Joseph Robinson, Bruce Moss and Phillip Dunigan. All three men are named as defendants in the lawsuit.
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Why Sexual Abuse Survivors Are Afraid to Speak Up |
We know that there are several thousands of sexual abuse victims each year. Unfortunately, the number of reports doesn’t match up to the number of incidents. Survivors of sexual abuse are often afraid to speak up against their abuser for numerous reasons. It’s vital for survivors to speak up for their situation and to help others in similar situations.
- Fear of Retaliation
- Fear of Not Being Believed
- Feelings of Self-Guilt
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Time is Running Out For Victims of Past Childhood Sexual Abuse |
The North Carolina General Assembly passed the SAFE Child Act in 2019 and one of its key provisions allowed anyone who was a victim of sexual abuse as a child to file civil claims against his or her perpetrator and the institutions that enabled the abuse
This provision revives older claims despite the fact that their statute of limitations for had expired. This law provided victims with two years - from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.
Time is running out for these victims. The deadline is at the end of the month. Spread the word. If you know someone who was sexually abused when they were under 18 years of age by a member of the clergy, teacher, doctor, etc. please urge them to take action before time runs out.
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Radio Spotlight with Lisa Lanier |
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Lisa Discusses Rust Cases
On The Two Guys Named Chris Show, Lisa discusses the case against Dave Halls, the assistant director of the movie "Rust," starring Alec Baldwin, about the on-set tragedy that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Listen Here
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Astroworld Festival Tragedy
Listen to Lisa talk with Jared & Katie on 107.5 KZL about the the Astroworld concert and Travis Scott’s potential liability for the tragic deaths. Listen Here
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Encrusted Garlic Parmesan Salmon |
Ingredients:
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2 pounds wild salmon fillet (portion hint: 1/2 # per person is a good rule)
- 2/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup panko crumbs
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray / sheet with a large piece of foil. Place the salmon fillet, skin side down, on the baking sheet.
- Mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour in the melted butter; season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste). Using your hands (it's easier than using a wooden spoon), mix the ingredients together until the breadcrumbs absorb the butter which takes less than a minute.
- Pour the mixture over the salmon, pressing it into the top until the fillet is completely covered. Lightly spray salmon with cooking oil spray for a golden crumb.
- Bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes (depending on the thickness of your fillet), until the crust is golden and the salmon is cooked and flakes easily with fork.
- Serve with lemon wedges and a squeeze of lemon (optional). Team with a salad, steamed vegetables, rice or mashed potatoes. I like to pair with steamed broccoli or sautéed asparagus.
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6518 Airport Center Drive
Greensboro, NC 27409
Please note our new address for the Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Jamestown offices.
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Totally Tasteless Lawyer Joke |
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