 Heat is a major killer! With the weather service predicting temperatures above 100 over the next few days, we wanted to give you some hot weather tips.How deadly can the heat be? According to the NWS website: "Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. In fact, on average, excessive heat claims more lives each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more than 700 deaths in the Chicago area were attributed to heat. In August 2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives."FIRST: Don't ever leave anyone or any animal in a parked car--even with the window 'cracked'..as a car's interior can climb to 123 degrees in less than an hour AND THAT'S WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ONLY 81 DEGREES! Can you imagine how how it must get when the outside temperature is 100 and above?! According to researchers, dark dashboards, steering wheels, etc can reach temperatures in excess of 200 degrees. SECOND: Check on elderly relatives and neighbors. We are never sure what is going on behind those closed doors---and it's possible that they aren't properly operating their air conditioning systems, and maybe don't even have air conditioning! OUTSIDE TIPS from the NWS:- Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
- Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods, like meat and other proteins that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
- Drink plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages and limit caffeinated beverages.
- During excessive heat periods, spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.
- Don't get too much sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
- Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
OUTSIDE PETS: Be sure they have plenty of clean water, replentished often. Also be sure they have a shady area to escape the sun. If you have a long haired dog, a summertime short haircut may be a good idea.-----------
 Vice President Joe Biden announced that "it's a depression for millions and millions of Americans." Finally, the guys in Washington D.C. are starting to admit to what we have known for months and months. Despite the government's attempt to put a positive spin on unemployment figures, often by applying formulas which suggest a false positive...the facts are becoming so overwhelming that even they can't support their own smoke & mirrors tricks any longer. Biden said, "when the guy in Dunmore is out of work, it's an economic slowdown. When your brother in law is out of work it's a recession. When you're out of work, it's a depression."
Click the photo to see a video of his comments.
If the recent economic situation has put you or a loved one into a difficult financial situation, there may be legal remedies to your problems. Contact us at the law offices of T. Verner Smith for a free consultation. We may be able to help you get your life back. Call us at (731) 423-1888.
 87 of Tennessee's 95 counties, including the vast majority of West Tennessee---reported an INCREASE in UNEMPLOYMENT in May! Only 3 counties showed a decrease (Lincoln, Union, & Morgan), with 5 remaining the same (Unicoi, Trousdale, Lake, Johnson, & Crockett). EIGHTY SEVEN of the 95 counties reporting an increase in unemployment? These are very difficult times, and if there is a light at the end of the tunnel, one has to wonder if its a train coming this way. These rates are termed as 'non-seasonally adjusted', meaning that the government hasn't factored in weather, holidays, school closings, and economic considerations. All that means is that these current numbers are as close to the TRUE numbers as we will get. Also remember that these numbers do not include OTHER unemployed sectors including: under 16, over 65, students, and those whose unemployment benefits have ended. While those people are still there, and are still unemployed, they are not included in the unemployment 'rate' statistics. As a result, the true numbers are significantly higher than reported. If you have been affected by the bad economic climate and your debt situation has become too difficult to manage. Contact us for potential legal remedies at (731) 423-1888.
 Congratulations to the new Miss Tennessee; Miss Chattanooga Chandler Lawson. She was crowned as the state's 60th 'Miss Tennessee' Saturday night at the Civic Center. The top 15 contestants were Lawson, Miss Bristol Amy Flynn, Miss Athens of the South Camilla Bratton, Miss UT Knoxville Morgan Moore, Miss Mountain Lakes Madyson Foster, Miss Metropolitan Ashley Sizemore, Miss Music City Shelby Thompson, Miss Memphis Cyrena Wages, Miss Shelby County Hannah Disterdick, Miss Walking Tall Ivy DePew, Miss Fall Fest Leah Beth Bolton, Miss Capital City Kristen Mosley, Miss Collierville Anna Leigh Phillips, and Miss Scenic City Kyndall Covington. Jackson and the West Tennessee regions always benefits from the statewide and national exposure as well as the economic impact. We would do well to remember the benefits and thank those who are responsible for organizing, promoting, and running the Miss Tennessee Pageant in Jackson every year.
 DON'T DRINK THE WATER! With temperatures into the upper 90's, and heat indexes breaking 100 this summer...if you're working outside you may be tempted to drink from the water hose. DON'T. New research has found that if the water filled hose has been sitting in the sun for hours, the water likely contains lead, PVC plastic additives, and other not-good-to-drink contaminants. Contaminants known to cause cancer, brain damage, and birth defects. Of the 90 water hoses used in the study, all water samples contained lead and phthalates (industrial chemicals used to make plastics) exceeding levels set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The research was conducted by healthystuff.org. a nonprofit environmental organization that studies consumer products and consumer safety in using those products. If you have used a product which you feel was faulty in it's design and you or a loved one was injured or worse, contact us for advice regarding product liability. The law offices of T. Verner Smith (731) 423-1888.
 36 contestants from across the Volunteer State will compete for the 2012 Miss Tennessee title this week in Jackson. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the pageant which produces Tennessee's representative in the Miss America Pageant. Jackson has been home to the pageant since 1953 and serving as host has been a great opportunity for the area to be showcased statewide. The pageant gets underway Wednesday evening at the Civic Center and continues through Saturday night when the new Miss Tennessee will be crowned. Tickets may be purchased by calling the pageant office at (731) 425-8590. Tickets may also be available at the door one hour before the pageant begins. The pageant begins at 8:00 pm on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd, and at 7:45 on the 23rd.
 Relay for Life events this weekend! This is a great cause which does wonderful work for those who are, or will be fighting cancer.
• Humboldt: 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. June 15-16 at Bailey Park.
• Gibson County North Area: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. June 15-16 at Gibson County High School football field.
• McNairy County: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. June 15-16 at Selmer City Park.
• Weakley County East: 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. June 15-16 at Northwest Tennessee Motorsports Park.
Funds raised through Relay For Life support the American Cancer Society’s mission to provide education about cancer prevention, early detection and healthy lifestyles; provide information, support and services to help cancer patients and caregivers; find cures through research to discover better ways to detect, prevent and treat cancer; and work with lawmakers and advocate for patients for research funding and screening programs.
 The Jackson Police Department invites you to have 'Coffee with a Cop' today (Thursday 6/14/12) at the McDonalds on South Highland, between 8am and 10am. This is a great community outreach program in which the police department is encouraging South Jackson residents to come and have a cup of coffee with officers who patrol their neighborhood. It gives residents the opportunity to meet the officers, and discuss issues which are specific to their area. We think that programs such as this are very important, informative, and helps bridge the gap between residents and the law enforcement officers who serve and protect them.
 Congratulations to the Jackson Generals - Champions of their division's first half! The Generals clinched the first half Championship with five games still remaining! This guarantees that the Generals will have home field advantage in the first round of the Southern League Playoffs in September.
The Jackson Generals have another travel day today (Tues. 6/12) before coming home Wednesday night to host the Chattanooga Lookouts for a 5 game homestand. The Generals will play Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday night at 7:05, Saturday at 6:05, and Sunday at 2:05. More info & tickets at www.jacksongeneralsbaseball.com
 The new requirements for unemployed Tennessee residents may be less about helping them find work, and more about making the unemployment rate artificially go down. New requirements, initiated over the past 60 days, inform Tennessee residents who are drawing emergency unemployment benefits that they must do the following in order to continue receiving benefits:- provide proof of two weekly job searches, when requested
- participate in specialized case management sessions
- remedial education at Tennessee Career Centers
Beneficiaries who do not meet these requirements will be purged from the emergency unemployment benefit roles.
While we are encouraged that the government is apparently encouraging unemployed workers to actively seek new jobs, we have to wonder if this is also a clever way to reduce the 'unemployment rate' in an artificial way. While the unemployment rate appears to be going down, in reality it's just more Tennesseans who are taken off of the program and still don't have a job.
If you have been affected by the bad economic climate and your debt situation has become too difficult to manage. Contact us for potential legal remedies at (731) 423-1888.
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