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March 2023
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EMBARKING ON UNEXPECTED JOURNEYS
In Honor of Tolkien Reading Day
One of the first books I can remember reading in my youth and immensely enjoying was J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” I loved reading as a kid and was a total bookworm, but something about this book connected with me. I stayed up all night to finish reading it. When I was a little older, I moved into “The Lord of the Rings” books, which proved to be a much more difficult read. But I persevered and loved all three books. It’s estimated that Frodo Baggins would have destroyed the ring on March 25, so that day has been recognized as Tolkien Reading Day. This special occasion gives us the perfect opportunity to read a Tolkien classic or watch a movie inspired by one of his works. One of the main things people enjoy when reading Tolkien’s works is the idea of a hero’s journey. Both “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” primarily focus on an unexpected hero going on a grand journey involving various life-and-death situations. We all like to think we’re the hero in our own stories so we can be inspired by the acts of Frodo or Bilbo Baggins to be as great as we can be. When you read the first few chapters of “The Hobbit” or “The Fellowship of the Ring,” you realize that Frodo and Bilbo have no idea what they are getting into. They truly are embarking on an unexpected journey, which many of us can relate to. We’ve all gone on a journey that progressed quite differently than we would have imagined and left a lasting impact on our lives. I’m going to share a few of my own unexpected journeys below. If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, these stories may sound familiar. Meeting My Wife I had no idea I would meet my soulmate when I did. I was in my mid-20s and hanging out with a few friends when we decided to go to a local bar in Hollywood to get out for the night. I was completely caught up in my phone at the time. I had recently returned from studying abroad in London, where texting was prevalent before it hit America. One of my friends invited this woman, Kristine, to the bar with us. She asked what I was doing, and I completely ignored her, responding, “I’m talking to a couple of girls who can’t get enough of me.” What a horrible thing to say!
Eventually, this creepy guy starts trying to make a move on her. He almost looked like a fat Gollum from “The Lord of the Rings,” but with a much higher-pitched voice. I overheard him asking Kristine if she was a ballet dancer. She responded affirmatively, and he came back with, “Does that mean you’re flexible?” Wow, gross. That was enough for me to take action. I ran to the bar, grabbed a couple of drinks, and asked Kristine if she wanted to dance. The rest is history. Now, we have two beautiful children together. Running With the Bulls I loved the book “The Sun Also Rises” when I was growing up. It focuses on Spain and the running of the bulls in Pamplona. After reading it, I was determined to participate in the running of the bulls, and I finally got my chance in 2007 when my wife and I were still dating. Pamplona doesn’t have its own airport, so my wife and I had to fly in elsewhere, rent a car, and drive for five hours. When we arrived at the rental car place, we were informed that they had no automatic transmission cars available, even though I had requested one before our arrival. I wasn’t comfortable driving a stick shift, but the salesperson said he would teach me. It didn’t go well, but he eventually said I was good enough for him to trust me with the car. We made it to Pamplona, and I turned on the TV to unwind. They were talking to a macho matador who said you’d have to be crazy to attempt the running of the bulls. Kristine overheard this comment and became worried. I started to second-guess my choice and decided against participating. You have to hold your spot overnight, so I wouldn’t have been able to run with the bulls anyway. You never truly know where your journey will take you until you start putting one foot in front of the other. I hope you all can enjoy an unexpected journey this month on Tolkien Reading Day or, at the very least, watch your favorite from “The Hobbit” or “The Lord of the Rings” trilogies.
-Adrianos Facchetti
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The Mac and Cheese Legal Debacle Can This Lawsuit Elbow Its Way to a Courtroom Win?
Here’s a fun fact for you: In the fall of 2022, a woman in Florida sued food giant Kraft Heinz — all because it took her a few extra minutes to prepare her mac and cheese. This may sound like a made-up plot straight out of “The Onion,” but it’s true! The woman’s name is Amanda Ramirez, and according to National Public Radio, she’s suing Kraft Heinz for $5 million over its “misleading advertising.” What exactly misled her? Well, Kraft’s cup of Velveeta Shells & Cheese claims it will be “ready in 3 1/2 minutes” — when in fact, that’s just the microwave time.
NPR reports that Ramirez’s lawsuit reaches beyond her kitchen and even beyond the state of Florida. It “looks to cover consumers in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, New Mexico, Alaska, Iowa, Tennessee, and Virginia who purchased the mac and cheese cups during the applicable statute of limitations period.” Over 100 people fall into that category, maybe including you!
Does Ramirez stand a chance? It’s hard to say. NPR reports that her legal team expects Kraft to try to get the case dismissed,
but the U.S. does have a history of successful lawsuits against misleading advertising by food companies. According to NBC News, a class- action lawsuit filed over a non-GMO advertising campaign cost Chipotle $6.5 million in 2020. And just last spring, a Florida attorney went to bat against Burger King, claiming its Whoppers were smaller than advertised. As we write this, the mac and cheese fiasco is still unresolved — but you can bet we’ll be watching the news. We may even chow down on a bowl of Velveeta Shells while we do it!
Apparently, Ramirez felt betrayed when it took her slightly more than 3 1/2 minutes to peel the lid off
the container and add water to the noodles. Her outrage only climbed as she waited for her pasta’s cheese sauce to thicken after 3 1/2 minutes of staring at the microwave window. Before long, she was steaming over the notion that she’d been ripped off by a greedy manufacturer intent on selling false convenience.
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What does parental alienation look like? Imagine you’re running five minutes late to pick up your child, and your ex tells them “Daddy/Mommy is late because they don’t love you anymore” — a blatant lie. In this case, you would be the “target” parent and your ex would be the “alienating” parent manipulating your child. One parent can also alienate the other by spoiling their child with gifts and travel opportunities while maliciously pointing out that the other parent can’t or won’t do the same. According to TMZ, Jolie has accused Pitt of child abuse and he now has “little to no relationship” with their six kids. If Pitt is not a child abuser — as a judge’s award of 50/50 custody seems to indicate — this would be parental alienation. Alec Baldwin details his experience with what he calls parental alienation in his book, “A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood and Divorce.” What can you do about it? The ABA reports that parental alienation has been recognized by lawyers, courts, and psychologists to varying degrees for at least 200 years. In many states, parental alienation is legally recognized, which means that proving it could impact your custody agreement. Other states don’t take parental alienation as seriously, so we recommend asking your family law attorney about your specific state and situation.
In the meantime, family lawyer Patricia Fersch offers this advice in Forbes: “Document everything in a diary — missed visits, alienating behavior in the presence of the child. Be consistent with your child no matter how they respond to you. Don’t abandon them.”
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VAN GOGH REINCARNATED? One-Eared Rescue Dog Becomes Master Painter
What Our Clients Are Saying “I’ve worked with this firm twice in the last several years. Unfortunately, things happen in life that require expert help. Luckily, Adrianos and his team were there when I needed legal guidance and physical help. His team was constantly guiding me through a difficult process of legal outcomes. The resolutions we arrived at were more than satisfactory, and I’ve continued to recommend his services to many a colleague as years have passed.” –Mark L.
When a one-eared shelter dog in Connecticut struggled to find a new family last year, one of his caretakers had a wild idea: Why not teach him to paint? With help from TikTok and peanut butter, the aptly named Van Gogh became a social media star. “I’d seen TikTok videos of other dogs creating paintings, so why not Van Gogh?” Jaclyn Gartner, the founder of Happily Furever After Rescue, told The Washington Post. “He certainly had the name and the ear for it.” To leverage what she calls Van Gogh’s “fast and creative tongue,” Gartner covered small canvases in dollops of paint, wrapped them in plastic wrap, and slathered them in peanut butter. Then, she presented the treats to the boxer-pit bull mix. He quickly licked the canvases clean, creating his “art” along the way. According to the Post, Van Gogh’s first few paintings flopped — just like the work of the human artist Vincent Van Gogh, who didn’t become famous until after he died in 1890. This star rose thanks to Jo Van Gogh, the wife of his brother Theo, who advocated for his work after both Theo and Vincent passed away. You could say that Gartner was dog Van Gogh’s Jo because, like the original painter’s, the pup’s art staged a comeback! After his first “art show” drew just two guests, Gartner started auctioning off his paintings online. His abstract work like “Peacock Swirl” and a rendition of human Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” quickly raised more than $3,000 for Happily Furever After Rescue. As his reputation soared on social media, Van Gogh also found his forever home with shelter volunteer Jessica Starowitz. He now spends his days painting and lounging on the couch. You can follow his exploits on Instagram under the handle @officialvgdog.
This month, we’d like to thank Daniel L., Flavia S., and Alison S. for believing we’re Thank You for Referrals!
the right firm to help their friends and family. Your continued support gives us the ability to reach more individuals and make a positive difference in their lives. If we can help anyone you know who needs our services, please send them our way!
CLASSIC CABBAGE ROLLS
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 1 medium head cabbage • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided • 1 tbsp butter • 2 14.5-oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided • 1 cup cooked rice • 1/4 cup ketchup • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 lb lean (90%) ground beef • 1/4 lb Italian sausage
Directions 1. In a Dutch oven, cook cabbage in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain. Rinse in cold water; drain. Remove 8 large outer leaves; set aside. 2. In a large saucepan, sauté 1 cup onion in butter. Add tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a large bowl, combine rice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and remaining onion and salt. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix. 4. Remove thick vein from cabbage leaves for easier rolling. Place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each leaf; fold in sides. Starting at an unfolded edge, roll leaf to completely enclose filling. Place rolls seam side down in a skillet. Top with sauce. 5. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cook 20 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted reads 160 F.
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FacchettiLaw.com 626.793.8607 301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 520 Pasadena, CA 91101
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Adrianos’ Most Unexpected Journeys
The Great Mac and Cheese Lawsuit of 2022
2
3
Classic Cabbage Rolls Meet Van Gogh, the Painting Dog
A Celebrity Problem You Could Face
4
Do You Have This in Common With Brad Pitt?
The Scoop on Parental Alienation
Whether you follow celebrity gossip religiously or just like to scan the tabloids when you pass a newsstand, you’ve probably heard about the latest conflict between famous divorcees Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. A recent TMZ headline blared, “Brad Pitt Sources Say Angelina Has Poisoned Kids Against Him ... She’s On a Hate Campaign.” These articles are chock-full of drama, but they also contain some legalese — specifically the phrase “parental alienation,” which journalists have applied to celebrities like Brad Pitt and Alec Baldwin and may even apply to you. If you’re divorced, have children, and aren’t on good terms with your partner, you should be on high alert for signs of parental alienation. What is parental alienation? According to a resource published by the American Bar Association (ABA), parental alienation is a “mental condition in which a child — usually one whose parents are engaged in a high-conflict separation
or divorce — allies him or herself strongly with an alienating parent and rejects a relationship with the ‘target’ parent without legitimate justification.” In other words, a child can fall victim to parental alienation if one of their parents constantly paints the other in a bad light through comparisons, exaggeration, lies, and manipulation. This can be emotional, verbal, or even financial.
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