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LEGAL BRIEF
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DECEMBER 2024 FriedmanSimon.com
CHRISTMAS CHAOS AND COZY MOMENTS
WHY I LOVE LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY SHOPPING
There are two different kinds of holiday people in this world. Some people head out to the malls and stores to buy their Christmas presents as soon as the Halloween decorations come down, if not before that. Then, there’s my wife and me, the spontaneous type who wait until closer to the last minute in those final weeks counting down to Christmas.
holiday spirit more than anything, especially when combined with all the season's jolly movies, decorations, and songs. I’ve always had a fake tree growing up, but my wife is all about the real deal, and last year, our first Christmas living together, was my true introduction to her tradition of securing a real Christmas tree for our home. We picked the tree up in early December and decorated it while listening to Christmas tunes, a new tradition that I look forward to continuing. It may be messier than a fake tree, but it certainly smells nicer and is more fun to set up. Growing up, I always spent Christmas Eve at grandma’s with my mom’s huge side of the family and Christmas morning at my parent’s house, before we would visit cousins on my dad’s side who lived nearby for an afternoon of togetherness and fun. As kids, we would open some gifts after midnight, unable to control our excitement for the big day. In more recent times, we prefer waking up together for a nice Christmas breakfast before we tear into the presents.
Over the last few years, the way I celebrate Christmas has expanded, as now, we juggle four Christmas events. Christmas Eve starts with my wife’s mother and her family in the afternoon, before heading to my uncle’s for an evening of family fun with my parents, grandma, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Christmas morning stays low-key and relaxed, we open our presents as a couple before heading to my parents for more gift opening and our traditional Christmas breakfast. We still visit my cousins in the afternoon before heading to my wife’s uncle’s home on Christmas evening. It’s a crazy whirlwind with lots of delicious food, quality family time, and laughs with the four celebrations, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve always found Christmas traditions to be special, whether they are planned out far in advance or come together a little more spur of the moment. For me, the thrill of last-minute shopping is just part of the fun and buildup to Christmas. It’s all about thinking of the people who matter most in life and going out of your way to find something special that shows how much you care. Dashing around and looking at the options makes you think about the person, their passions, and what makes them unique. Sometimes, I find the most thoughtful gifts come impromptu as I shop, finding items a person might like along the way. Christmas gifting is like an extension of Thanksgiving, another way to show gratitude to your loved ones. This appreciative and giving sentiment always gets me into the
-John G. Papadopoulos
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HOW A KITTEN HELPED SAMSON UNLEASH HIS INNER PUP A Purr-fect Match Picky Eaters How to Help Kids Enjoy More Foods
Golden retriever Samson takes his job as a medical service response dog very seriously, maybe even too seriously. For owner Lea Hendy, it became apparent quickly that the loveable giant didn’t know how to dog. On their days off at the dog park, Samson was the odd man out, sitting alone in the corner while the other pups played. It seemed like he couldn’t turn off work mode or form bonds with other dogs. Samson joined Lea’s family to train as a service dog. When she noticed his seeming lack of social skills with other dogs, she was determined to find a way to bring him out of his shell. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a cat would change everything. While they were out traveling, Samson spotted a kitten in the window of a building and immediately wanted to play. It was an “aha!” moment that Samson could indeed make deep bonds; it just had to be with the right animal. A couple of months later, they brought home a tiny kitten named Cleo, and the instant friendship surprised everyone. They gently placed the backpack with the little kitten inside in the middle of the room, and Samson immediately sprung into excited barks and tail wags. Lea said they were never expecting him to be so excited about his new friend, and the two have been inseparable since.
No matter where you go in the world, most kids are picky eaters. According to a study published in Frontier, about 54% of kids are reluctant to try new foods. In the U.S., many kids will scoff at anything but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In France, it’s probably peanut butter and creme fraiche. And good luck getting Scandinavian kids to eat anything that doesn’t taste like black licorice or pickled herring! In all seriousness, parents everywhere have a similar problem. So, what’s the solution? SMALL STEPS Kids go through many different dietary phases as they grow up. While frustrating, it is common for young kids to go through their “picky eater” phase. Some common tactics parents employ to counter this, however, are counterproductive . For instance, making kids eat everything on their plates can be stressful and make them even pickier than before. Instead, serving smaller portions is more helpful, especially when the foods are unfamiliar. ROLE MODELS When it comes to food, parents should lead by example. Eating together as a family and demonstrating how you enjoy the foods you are trying to introduce to your kids can go a long way to getting them to try new cuisine. While you’re at it, describing what you’re serving is a good idea so the textures and flavors don’t catch them off-guard. INTRODUCING NEW FOODS Building on the previous tips, introducing new foods, even in very small amounts, can help expand a child’s culinary boundaries over time. Even if the child does not eat the food the first time you put it on their plate, or even the fifth time, they will naturally become more familiar and comfortable with it. Studies show that you may need to feature new foods on their plates up to 15 times before kids are willing to try them!
“It was so heartwarming to see him come out of his shell and immediately form a connection with Cleo,” Lea said.
Now, the pair spend every moment they can together, playing, napping, and enjoying each other’s company. Cleo has become an avid adventurer since the family started taking her on hikes. When the kitty tires out, she takes a ride on her older brother Samson, who looks so proud to be transporting his sister. Cleo, a tiny kitten with a big heart, allowed Samson, a workaholic looking for a friend, to break out of his shell and explore his world in ways his family never thought possible. Now, thousands of people worldwide watch their friendship and adventures on the animal-odd couple’s Instagram page @calvin.andco .
“It shows that friendship has no bounds,” Lea said. “Anyone can be friends.”
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WHY SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE IS YOUR SAFETY NET Protect Your Family Beyond the Basics
help the family much more than $25,000 would have given this horrible accident.
This case highlights the benefits of supplemental coverage. Supplemental uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage applies to pedestrian knockdown accidents as well. Even if an at-fault driver only carries the minimum coverage, having supplemental coverage provides peace of mind that if a terrible accident or injury occurs there will be additional coverage to help compensate an injured family member. This extra protection can provide crucial financial relief when a family needs it most. Supplemental coverage is a small price to pay on a monthly car insurance bill for the peace of mind that every member of your household will be taken care of if a car accident occurs. At Friedman & Simon, we understand how stressful navigating insurance claims after an accident can be, especially when the at-fault driver’s coverage falls short. Supplemental coverage can be a game-changer for your family, and so can the right legal team. Contact us today if you have been in an accident.
Accidents happen when we least expect them, and if you or a family member have been injured by a motorist who only carries minimum insurance coverage, or a motorist that flees the scene, you might wonder how we might seek recovery for you. This is where supplemental insurance can make all the difference, especially for parents who have children or elderly parents living with them. Even if a young person is not driving or not in their parent’s car, the supplemental underinsured motorist coverage can help cover family members injured by a hit and run driver or despite an at-fault driver’s inadequate coverage. A recent client of ours was a passenger in a friend’s car when her friend veered off the road into a tree, badly injuring our client.
The friend had the minimum required liability insurance of $25,000. Our client’s injuries, which required surgery, were worth well more than the $25,000 in coverage. Thankfully, the client’s parents carried supplemental coverage of $100,000. Even though their vehicle wasn’t involved in the accident and their daughter wasn’t a driver, their policy kicked in because she still lived under their roof. The supplemental coverage ensured they were able to protect themselves as well as their child. Using the supplemental coverage our client was able to claim $25,000 from the at fault insurance company and $75,000 from her family’s insurance. If the family carried higher coverage than $100,000, this client’s injuries would have justified a larger settlement, but at least $100,000 will
SUDOKU
Chicken Caprese Salad Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 tsp ground pepper • 2 1/2 tsp honey • 3/4 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 2 (8-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
• 8 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce • 1 lb grape tomatoes, halved • 1 (8-oz) container fresh small mozzarella cheese balls in water, drained • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
1. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer 6 tbsp of mixture to a smaller bowl and whisk in honey; set aside. 2. To mixture in the medium bowl, add 1/2 tsp salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add chicken; toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Coat a grill pan with oil. Over medium heat, add chicken and cook until grill marks appear on each side, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let stand for 5 minutes. 4. Arrange romaine, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a large platter; sprinkle with salt. Top with the sliced chicken and drizzle with the honey mixture. Directions
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2
Pine Needles, Presents, and Family Gatherings Conquer Picky Eating Samson and Cleo’s Tail- Wagging Tale How Supplemental Insurance Saved the Day Chicken Caprese Salad The Greatest Christmas Sports Moments of All Time
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STUFF YOUR STOCKING WITH TIMELESS SPORTS MEMORIES
Christmas is a time for tradition, family, and joy, but it’s also one of the best sports days of the year. The NBA has hosted games on Christmas Day since 1947, and this year’s lineup features five matchups between potential playoff contenders. If you’re more of a football fan, you’ll be pleased to hear the NFL has two games streaming on Christmas this year. In honor of this year’s Christmas Day games, let’s look back at some of the most monumental matchups in Christmas sports history. CHIEFS VS. DOLPHINS, 1971 In 1971, the NFL scheduled games on Christmas for the first time. Not only was this game on Christmas, but it was also an AFC Divisional Playoff game. At the end of regulation, the game was tied 24–24, sending these teams into the NFL’s first overtime game. The game was still tied
after another 15 minutes, leading to a second overtime period. The game finally ended after 82 minutes and 40 seconds of gameplay and has remained the longest game in NFL history. The Dolphins walked away victorious, 27–24, and lost Super Bowl VI against the Dallas Cowboys. While we’d probably be happy about extra football gameplay now, many fans were upset about the game's length. Some speculate this is why the NFL didn’t schedule another Christmas Day game for another 18 years. LAKERS VS. HEAT, 2004 Many people consider the Los Angeles Lakers of the early 2000s one of the greatest NBA teams ever. Led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, the team won three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. However, tensions reached a boiling point between the two superstars, which led the Lakers to trade
Shaq to the Miami Heat in 2004. The two met as opponents for the first time in 2004’s Christmas Day matchup. The game was neck and neck, leading to a 104–102 overtime victory for the Heat. Kobe finished with 42 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Shaq had 24 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter. This was the most-watched regular season game between 1998 and 2008.
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