Take a look at this month's edition of the Herrman Herald!
december 2020
www.herrmanandherrman.com • 844.567.6399 1201 3rd St., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 • 4121 N. 23rd St., McAllen, TX 78504 855 E. Harrison st., brownsville, tx 78520 • 8122 Datapoint Dr., Suite 816, San antonio, TX 78229
A Sigh of Relief as the Year Comes to an End
The holiday season is in full swing. For many families, December is a busy month, but unlike in years past, some families will be skipping the traditional holiday get-togethers. Much like Thanksgiving, holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day will be different this year — but that doesn’t mean we can’t get into the holiday spirit! At Herrman & Herrman, we’ve been celebrating the holidays online! Right now, you can visit any of our social channels to participate in our weekly giveaways. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to learn how you can enter. You can visit us through your favorite web browser or check us out on the apps! Just search for Herrman & Herrman to connect with us!
fun activity to do with extended family members or something you can do with friends or coworkers. There are several
Secret Santa generators available online. One good example is Elfster.com, which allows you to add everyone’s name and draw who you’ll be gifting. It also lets you create a wish list to make it even easier.
To take it a step further, buy your gift online and ship it to the recipient. Then, after
everyone has their gift, get everyone together on Zoom or Skype and open the gifts together. It’s a great way to connect, and it’s a lot of fun — plus, you get to see everyone’s reactions to the gifts. It’s almost as good as being together in person. And when you’re having that much fun, even if it’s virtually, you’ll forget that you aren’t in the same room! There are so many other ways to celebrate, but the point is, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. It’s a time for families and friends to make happy, new memories together. The holidays have a habit of being one of the most stressful times of the year, and after what’s already been an extra stressful year, we could all use a break. So, if you get the chance to take a break, embrace it! Take a day or a weekend out of your normal routine. Or do something different for the holidays — if you normally cook a big dinner, scale it back or order out. Every little bit helps and gives you more time to focus on what really matters — and time is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
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Facebook.com/HerrmanAndHerrmanPllc
Instagram.com/HerrmanLawFirm Twitter.com/HerrmanLawFirm
These weekly giveaways are just our way of saying thank you to our many followers and clients — and a way to add a little extra fun to the holiday season. And, as we all know, we could always use a little extra fun, especially this year. While people tend to have mixed views about social media, in general, it remains a great way for families and friends to stay in touch during the pandemic and into the holidays. Because fewer people are traveling to see family this year, they’re relying on social media to spend time together and to see one another. We may be apart, but we can still be together.
With that, we all wish you a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year!
–Gregory Herrman
Some people have even gotten creative with it. One idea that’s been going around lately is virtual Secret Santa. It’s a
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Can’t Afford That New Laptop for Christmas? There’s Still Hope!
How Buying Secondhand Can Save Your Wallet and the Planet
If your spouse wants a new tablet for Christmas, your daughter wants an iPhone, and your son is dying for a laptop, odds are it won’t be long before your gift budget runs out. High-tech presents add up fast, particularly this year when so many have fallen on hard times. Luckily, there is a way to get all of the gadgets you need without breaking the bank: refurbished or secondhand tech.
to Money Crashers, these gently used electronics are often discounted up to 50%, helping your Christmas budget stretch further. The best place to shop for refurbished products is directly from the manufacturer. Amazon, Apple, Walmart, and Best Buy all have sections for refurbished products on their websites. Overstock. com is another great place to check, and you can buy or sell secondhand items on sites like Decluttr.com, BuyBackWorld.com, and Gazelle.com. All that said, saving money isn’t the only perk of refurbished and secondhand electronics. These devices are also better for the planet! By buying pre-owned tech, you can rescue an old device from the landfill and save the resources that would have been used to make a new one. This is a bigger deal than you might think. Mother Jones reports that a United Nations study found “the manufacture of one desktop computer requires 48 pounds of chemicals, 1.7 tons of water, and 529 pounds of fossil fuels — about 10 times the weight of the computer itself.” By shopping secondhand this Christmas, you can save money and be both Santa and an eco-warrior. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Refurbished electronics are an affordable, eco- friendly alternative to the shiny new models. When something is labeled “refurbished,” it was returned to the manufacturer, fixed, and put back on
the market. Sometimes these products are restored to like-new condition — Apple and Samsung, for example, will go so far as to include batteries and put their products in brand-new boxes — while other times, they’re fully functional but without the bells and whistles, like charging cables. While refurbished technology isn’t brand-new, it’s pretty darn close. You can find almost any piece of everyday technology refurbished or secondhand, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, PCs, TVs, and digital cameras. According
“Very pleased with how the firm is handling my auto accident case. I love that I receive text messages regarding updates since I cannot always answer my phone. I recommend this firm to my family and friends. Amazing job!” –Gilbert C. “This law firm is the best! You can ask for Cindy; she is professional and is really looking out for your best interest. I'm glad to have had Cindy and her assistant, Alexandra, handle my case. She is highly recommended. Thank you for all your help.” –Jeremy P.
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3 Things You Need to Know About Spinal Cord Injuries
Lasting Impacts Spinal cord injuries are serious because the
Spinal cord injuries are among the deadliest injuries a person can sustain as the result of an accident, car collision, or fall. The spinal column controls much of our mobility, as well as certain aspects of brain function. Last month, we talked about brain injuries, which can occur as a result of trauma related to car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and other impacts. Like brain injuries, damaging your spinal cord is serious and can cause lasting damage to the way you live and your quality of life.
damage can be long lasting or even permanent. It can result in a lifetime of cognitive or mental impairment. Other long-lasting effects include paralysis, depression, anxiety, muscular pain, joint and nerve pain, and ultimately, a decreased quality of life. Many spinal cord injuries are also very expensive to treat. This includes the initial appointment regarding your injury, along with any subsequent physical therapy or medication. Thus, the financial struggle can be a lasting effect, as well.
Symptoms If you or a loved one are involved in an incident and suffer a blow to the back, seek medical attention. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for symptoms of a potential spinal cord injury. These can include a twisted back or neck, impaired breathing, extreme back pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, trouble walking or maintaining balance, and issues emptying your bladder or having a bowel movement. All of these symptoms could indicate a serious spinal cord injury, and you should seek immediate medical attention.
Your Options If you suffered a spinal cord injury and you believe you’re not at fault — that your injury is the result of someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior — you have legal options. Additionally, you may have a case if your injury occurred on someone else’s property. Hiring a personal injury attorney with experience winning cases will be your best course of legal action.
Not Your Grandma’s Fruitcake
INGREDIENTS
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1 tsp baking soda 1 cup sour cream
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1 stick butter
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
3 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit of your choice, chopped 1 cup nuts of your choice, chopped
1 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature
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Zest of 1 orange
1 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with greased baking paper. Ensure the piece running the length of the pan stands 1 inch above each side to form “handles.” 2. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and sour cream. 3. In a second bowl, combine fruit, nuts, and 1/4 cup flour. 4. In a third bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, zest, and sour cream mixture. Then, add remaining flour and salt. Mix, then add fruit mixture. 5. Pour batter into lined pan. Fill up a separate loaf pan halfway with water. Bake both pans in oven for 1 1/2–2 hours or until a skewer leaves the cake clean. 6. Use “handles” to remove cake from pan and cool completely on a rack before serving.
Inspired by SimplyRecipes.com
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Inside This ISSUE
Celebrating the End of 2020! Page 1
How to Save Money on High-Tech Gifts This Christmas Page 2
Spinal Cord Injuries Should Never Be Overlooked
Not Your Grandma’s Fruitcake Page 3
The Surprising History of the Snowman Page 4
Not Just a Corn Cob Pipe and Button Nose
The Surprising History of the Snowman
Building a snowman is one of the most picturesque winter activities, which is why snowmen have become a wintertime cultural icon. A snowman appeared on the very first postcards, was the subject of some of the earliest photos, and even starred in silent movies. Frosty may be a happy snowman now, but his ancestors have a much more varied — and sometimes dark — history. THE MIDDLE AGES Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. They were constructed with deep thought and great skill because, during a time of limited means of expression, snow was a free art supply that literally fell from the sky. These artistic feats were popular winter attractions for well-to-do couples who wanted to get their fix of temporary art. Snowmen were often created by famous artists,
The spectacle told stories on every street corner — some political and some demonstrating anger with the church, many too risque to speak of. For the people of Brussels, this Miracle of 1511 was a defining moment of artistic freedom. But when spring came and the snow thawed, the Belgians were left with damaging floods. THE SCHENECTADY MASSACRE Not all snowmen have an innocent history. In 1690, former Fort Schenectady in upstate New York was home to a remote Dutch settlement, which was under the constant threat of attack. Soldiers guarded the gates at all times because they were frozen open, but during a blizzard, they left a pair of snowmen to protect the gates while they sought shelter. That's when 200 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans approached. Naturally, they were unfazed by the snowmen and ruthlessly invaded the settlement.
including 19-year-old Michelangelo who, in 1494, was commissioned by the ruler of Florence to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard.
Building a snowman seems like a simple and charming activity, but after learning about its surprising history, you might find those piles of snow seem a little more complicated and a lot more meaningful than before.
THE MIRACLE OF 1511 In Brussels in 1511, during six weeks of subzero temperatures called the Winter of Death, the city was miraculously adorned with hundreds of snowmen.
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