November 2012                If email not displaying correctly? View online version.

the dangers
OF DISTRACTED DRIVING

Driving can be an adventure even when you’re doing everything right. After all, you can’t control what the other guy is doing.

But you can control what you do to stay focused on the task at hand. Eating, applying makeup, and reading the newspaper are a few of the things one should never attempt while driving. Two other hazardous activities that far too many engage in are talking on a cell phone and texting while operating a vehicle.

There are three basic types of distraction: visual (taking your eyes off the road); manual (taking your hands off the wheel); and cognitive (taking your mind off what you’re doing).

Texting involves all three, making it particularly dangerous. Many states are enacting laws that ban texting/cell phone use while driving. Some states are utilizing graduated driver licensing systems for teen drivers to hopefully raise awareness of distracted driving and prevent its occurrence.

Here are some sobering statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control pertaining to distracted driving:

• In 2009, over 5,400 people died as a result of distracted driving, with nearly 1,000 of those fatalities attributed to cell phone use. Over 448,000 more suffered injuries.
• Overall, 25 percent of U.S. drivers report that they talk on their cell phones “regularly or fairly often” while driving. The number was nearly 40 percent for those ages 18–29.
• Approximately 9 percent of all drivers reported texting or e–mailing “regularly or fairly often” while driving. The figure was 25 percent for drivers ages 18–29.

Take the proper measures to protect yourself and others who share the roads with you. If you need to text or call, pull over to a safe location to do it. No call or text is worth risking lives. 

lung cancer
rate rising

IN WOMEN AND NONSMOKERS

mini snickers
cheesecakes

For the crust: 2 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 tbsp. melted butter, 3 tbsp. sugar

For the filling: 2 lbs. cream cheese, at room temperature, 1½ cups sugar, Pinch of salt, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 4 large eggs, at room temperature

For the topping: caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, Snickers bars cut up into small pieces

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Stir together with a fork until well blended and all the dry ingredients are moistened. Press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Bake for just 5 minutes to set the crust. Then let cook before adding the cheesecake mixture

To make the cheesecake, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth. Mix in the salt and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

To assemble, spoon 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake batter over the crust in each cupcake liner. Bake until the filling is set, about 22 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. (They will look quite puffed initially but will return to normal quickly.) Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

When you are ready to eat, just drizzle cheesecakes with caramel and chocolate syrup and top with cut up pieces of Snickers. 

BULLYING CAN CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE...
sometimes lethal

Bullying has been featured more prominently in the public eye over the past few years–and for good reason. Nearly a third of students ages 12–18 report having been bullied, sometimes on a daily basis.

Generally speaking, bullying comes in two varieties: physical and emotional. Physical bullying may encompass shoving, hitting, punching, tripping, or spitting. Physical threats may also be utilized to coerce someone into doing something they normally wouldn’t.

Emotional bullying is more pervasive and covers a wide swath of territory. It includes insults, teasing, spreading false rumors, and cyber bullying (bullying through the use of social media).

Bullying is not a “kids will be kids” type of situation. The harm it causes can be long–lasting and may result in low self–esteem, difficulty in trusting others, lack of standing up for oneself, aggression and anger issues, and isolation.

In addition, a strong link has been established between bullying and suicide. Bullying victims are 2–9 times more likely to consider suicide than nonvictims, according to a Yale University study. A study conducted in Great Britain found that bullying was responsible for over half of youth suicides (or for the conditions that led to suicide–e.g., depression). Another alarming statistic is that for every suicide, there are at least 100 suicide attempts.

Parents, keep an open line of communication with your children. Many kids are embarrassed to admit that they’re being bullied. Don’t be afraid to go to school authorities when a bullying situation is apparent. Early intervention can save a world of heartache.

(For more information about bullying, including indicators that it might be happening to your child, visit www.webmd.com or www.aap.org.). 

reminder – GET YOUR FLU SHOT

While the flu season typically peaks in the U.S. around January or February, it can sometimes begin as early as October and even hang around until May. Ugghh!

It’s important that you get a flu shot every year since the flu viruses are constantly changing. Because of this, each year’s flu vaccine is formulated to keep up with the new strains.

Not only that, studies have shown that the body’s ability to fight off influenza viruses declines over time.

So, if you haven’t already, we encourage you to get your flu shot as soon as possible. Once you receive your vaccination, it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide you with protection against the flu.

Flu vaccines can be obtained in many locations, including pharmacies, doctor’s offices, health clinics, some employers, and even some schools. 

Chester Law Group
430 White Pond Drive
Akron, OH 44320-1122
330-253-5678
www.ChesterLaw.com

VISIT WWW.CHESTERLAW.COM
       OR CALL 1-800-218-4243

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Thanks for reading!