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S pada L aw G roup INJURY LAW LLC
THE SLG ADVISOR
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MAY 2019
Gratitude at Altitude
Living in the Moment With My Son
W ith summer vacation right around the corner, many people are planning trips to get away for a while. This month, I’d like to share one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. Just this past March, I took my son Jake on a ski trip to Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia, Canada, for his 21st birthday. Jake has always talked about going out west to snowboard, and for six days, it was just the two of us. Whistler Blackcomb is considered one of the premier ski resorts in the world. I can confirm that it’s a spectacular place, but the amazing mountains aren’t what made the trip so special for me. This trip meant the world to me because I got to share it with my son, doing something he loves. I’ve been skiing since I was 25, but my son has always been a fanatical snowboarder. But since Jake was recruited to play college baseball out of high school, he always had to put his passion for snowboarding on the backburner. He was dedicated to baseball and his coaches, and I didn’t want him to risk getting hurt on the mountain. But at the start of his junior year in college, Jake decided he was done playing baseball. It had stopped being a pleasure pursuit and felt more like work. So, for the first time since he was 7, he was free to do as much snowboarding as he could fit in to his school schedule. Snowboarding has always brought him more joy than baseball. When we were at Whistler, I could see how happy he was. It was awesome getting
to watch my son do something he truly enjoys.
My son and I in 7th Heaven.
A section of the summit on Blackcomb Mountain is aptly called 7th Heaven, and the view was awe-inspiring. The first time we got off the chairlift, we were speechless and couldn’t stop smiling. We had perfect weather the entire week, with sunshine and blue skies. Jake was so excited to be snowboarding on the best mountains in North America, and I was so grateful to be sharing that moment with him. I was literally overcome with gratitude and emotion. The resort and the skiing were great, but being there with my son made it perfect. He gave up spending his spring break on a tropical island with his girlfriend
“This trip meant the world to me because I got to share it with my son …”
relationship. Gone are the days of father and son knocking heads, and God knows we’ve had those moments. He’s a grown man now, and we’re able to interact on a new level. I loved the experience, and I love getting to know the good man he’s becoming. He makes me proud. I didn’t want to be anywhere else in the world. That week in Canada, I truly did experience gratitude at altitude! -Len Spada
and his fraternity brothers to go skiing with me. I couldn’t believe how lucky that made me feel. Jake is a junior in college. He’ll be graduating soon and starting down his own path as an adult. I don’t know if I’ll ever get another chance to spend six days alone with him again. I spent the week just soaking it all in. The whole trip was spectacular. After skiing and snowboarding all day, we would go out for a nice dinner, get a drink together, and just talk. The simple joy of just spending time with Jake felt like a birthday gift to myself, not him. I really enjoyed entering this new stage in our
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W hat I s I t G ood F or ?
There are many different opinions on the healthiness of snacking. Some people think of snacks as processed foods with high calories, but snacks don’t have to be junk food. Depending on what snacks you’re eating, and how often, these little in-between- meal bites can be highly beneficial or detrimental to your overall health. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Snacks
surround yourself with healthy alternatives. Fill your fridge and pantry with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and legumes. With those in your kitchen, you’ll have plenty of healthy options to choose from when you’re hungry. Who Benefits From Snacking? Depending on your weight, fitness level, and medical conditions, snacking throughout the day can be more effective than eating three large meals a day. Individuals who are crunched for time, have particular health conditions, are athletic, or are trying to lose or maintain weight all benefit from healthy snacking throughout the day. People who have high cholesterol or diabetes can better maintain their cholesterol and blood glucose levels if they eat frequently during the day. For athletes, snacking helps distribute the consumption of nutrients their body needs throughout the day instead of all at once. This way, their energy levels stay the same instead of fluctuating with their meal times. If you find yourself in need of a quick bite, think clementines and almonds instead of chips and Pop-Tarts. You’ll still satisfy your hunger without jeopardizing your health or increasing your waistline.
People snack when they’re hungry, but
they also do it when they’re stressed, bored, or have a habit. When people snack on unhealthy junk food when they’re bored, the result is weight gain. An excellent way to avoid unhealthy snacks is to
A Force for Good
Hot Meals and Dignity at My Brother’s Table
and sex are welcome guests. For many of these people, the meal they have at MBT is their only source of daily nourishment. This is why MBT is open every day of
Hunger and poverty are real and present problems in our society. In Massachusetts alone, over 652,000 people struggle with hunger, and 1 in 8 children will go to bed hungry tonight. Hunger and poverty don’t
the year, regardless of weather or holiday. They have been open for over 10,000 consecutive days, and last year alone, they served over 186,000 meals. In addition to serving meals at their kitchen, MBT also has a meal delivery program for homebound individuals, provides meals to at-risk seniors, hosts a free weekly medical clinic, and participates in a family dinner program.
just eliminate material goods and deprive people of their health — they steal away a person’s dignity. My Brother’s Table (MBT), the largest soup kitchen on the North Shore, was founded on the belief that all people, regardless of their circumstances, deserve to have a comfortable place where they can enjoy a hot meal and be treated with respect.
Two years ago, MBT was Spada Law Group’s charity of choice for our Lawyers Pay It Forward Program, and we donated a percentage of the firm’s revenue to their cause. Recently, Len Spada was invited to join their board of directors, an honor he humbly accepted.
All their funding comes from donations from the public, events, and private grants. MBT doesn’t seek federal, state, or local funding in order to protect guests’ privacy. If you would like to learn more about My Brother’s Table or support their cause,
visit their website at MyBrothersTable.org .
This amazing organization has served needy members of our community since 1982. Children and adults of every race, creed, color,
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A Scary Situation
Steps to Help Prevent Dog Bites After centuries of living beside humans, dogs have earned their title of man’s best friend. There are 79.5 million lovable and loyal dogs living in the United States. Most of these canines are pets, living in households where they are considered members of the family. However, no matter how nice a dog may be, it’s important to remember that any dog can bite. Over 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year, and at least half of those victims are children. Dog bites account for a third of homeowner’s insurance liability claims, costing around $700 million nationwide. Most of these bites were completely avoidable. There is no specific breed of dog that poses a higher risk of biting, and even the most well-behaved dogs can bite if startled or provoked. Everyone, especially children, needs to know how to behave around dogs appropriately and how to interpret the signs of when a dog may bite. Never interact with a dog that is: Being cautious is the first step to preventing dog bites, but they can still happen. If you or your child is a victim of a dog bite, it’s important to take appropriate steps. Seek immediate medical attention for any bite, document the attack, get the dog owner’s name and insurance information, and report the incident. Remember, you are not overreacting if you call the police, animal control, or an attorney after an attack. Some people worry the dog will be put down if other people get involved. If the dog owner is someone they know, the victim may hesitate to get help. Regardless of what will happen to the dog, you will need help paying for medical bills, lost wages, and potential plastic surgery. You can only get this help if you file an official report and pursue a personal injury claim. Dog bites are scary, and if you need help after a dog bite, give Spada Law Group a call at 617.889.5000. We have decades of experience handling dog bite cases and can help you navigate your way through the process of recovering damages for your injuries. • Alone • On the other side of a fence • Sleeping or eating • Growling or barking • Resting with her puppies • Hiding
Garden Blooming Day
Memorial Nightingale
Emerald May Remember
Spring Cinco Mayo
Gemini Mother
Pasta Primavera Local Chef’s Corner Inspired by Food Network
INGREDIENTS • 12 ounces pasta, ideally fusilli • 1/2 pound broccoli florets • 2 carrots, shredded • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano • Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large pot, liberally salt water and bring to a boil. Add fusilli and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper during the last 2 minutes of cook time. 2. Drain the pasta and veggies, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta and veggies to pot. 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent and golden, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until tomatoes are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water.
4. Add tomato mixture to pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. 5. Divide into bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve.
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Inside This Issue
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Trip of a Lifetime A Healthy Snack Fighting Hunger in Our Community Pasta Primavera What to Do After a Dog Bite The War Pigeon Who Saved the ‘Lost Battalion’
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Brave Little Cher Ami THE WAR PIGEON WHO SAVED THE ‘LOST BATTALION’
As Cher Ami rose from the brush, she was shot down, to the despair of the watching soldiers. However, after a few seconds, she fought her way back
Long before the invention of radios and cellphones, homing pigeons were used to send messages as early as the sixth century. During World War I, war pigeons carried lifesaving messages past enemy lines for the American and French armies, often being wounded in the process. In 1918, Cher Ami, a black check hen used by the U.S. Signal Corps, became the most famous of them all. On Oct. 2, the United States 77th Division was trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a three-month push by the Allies during the final throes of World War I to force the Germans to surrender. It became the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. For six days, the encircled division endured relentless attacks and suffered heavy casualties, but their orders were clear: don’t retreat and don’t surrender. The division dispatched two homing pigeons with requests for help, but both birds were shot down. When friendly fire began raining down on the 77th, Major Charles White Whittlesey felt he had no choice but to send the last pigeon, Cher Ami. The pigeon’s desperate note read: “We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.”
into the air, flew through a torrent of gunfire, and made it to division headquarters 25 miles away. She had been shot in the breast, the eye, and the leg. Because of Cher Ami’s brave flight, 194 of the original 554 men of the 77th Division survived the battle. One month later, World War I came to an end. Cher Ami survived the war as well, thanks to the surgeons who performed emergency surgery on her. One soldier even carved her a little wooden leg. She became a well-known hero to both soldiers and children in the States. For her service in Verdun, the French Army awarded her the Croix de Guerre, and she was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame. Cher Ami finally succumbed to her wounds in June of 1919 and is now on display in the Smithsonian alongside Sergeant Stubby, a terrier who served 18 months on the Western Front.
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