obinette Reporter
www.RobinetteLaw.com Local: 304-594-1800 24 Hour Help: 304-216-6695
March 2019
FROM THE DESK OF
Jeffery L .Robinette
Life has challenges, and unexpected things happen. No matter how rich or healthy — two of the most coveted qualities of life — a person is, there are always challenges and sometimes failures to face. I realize that this statement is at odds with the title “When Failure Is Not An Option” but we can’t get around the stark truth that failures occur every day in life. Those responsible for failures that injure others should take measures to mend the harm and injuries caused Unfortunately, that does not happen very often, so those who are injured or harmed by other’s failures are left to fend for themselves and hope for the best. We are in the business of finding justice for those who have been injured by the failures of others. Whether the injury is from a negligent medical procedure, automobile or trucking collision, or workplace negligence, my law firm stands ready to bring those who have caused harm to others to justice and pay for the injuries they have caused.
Last year, video games eclipsed television as the most profitable and popular form of entertainment in the world. According to a Reuters report, the estimated revenue for the video game industry totaled a whopping $116 billion in 2018. If you have children of any age, odds are some of that revenue came from your household. For the most part, parents today don’t suffer from the“games will rot your brain”thinking that was pervasive a generation ago. Books like Jane McGonigal’s“Reality Is Broken”persuasively argue that games can be beneficial in all types of ways, including improving problem-solving skills and self-confidence.“You [gamers] have not been wasting your time,”she writes.“You have been building up a wealth of virtual experience that can teach you about your true self: what your core strengths are, what really motivates you, and what makes you happiest.” But just as the perceptions of gaming have changed since the days of“Pac-Man”and“Super Mario Bros.,”so have the games themselves. The biggest change in recent years has been the rise of online multiplayer games. Whether your child plays“Madden,”“Fortnite,”“Street Fighter,” or“Splatoon,”they’re probably playing online with friends and strangers. Online gaming presents all sorts of social risks that gamers of the past never had to deal with. And with games being more popular than ever, it’s time that parents gain the tools to help kids navigate this new world. KIDS ANDONLINEGAMING H ow to K eep T hem S afe
When it comes to serving our clients, failure is not an option.
-Jeff
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Cover story, continued ...
LEARNWHATTHEY’RE PLAYING
games will allow you to add funds to a player’s account piecemeal or connect a bank account directly. Always choose the first option. That way, your child will never spend an exorbitant amount without you realizing what’s happening.
Both consoles and games have settings that will allow you to adjust which types of chats are permitted and who can access them. If your child wants to set up a private chat with their friends, you can configure it so nobody else can enter. This middle ground allows for the positives of a shared online experience while limiting the negatives. Games are expensive to make, so developers and publishers have to be creative when it comes to monetization methods. One fashionable model uses in-game purchases, called microtransactions, to bolster revenue. At best, these add-ons are optional content that have a minimal impact on the gamer’s experience. At worst, they’re a rapacious play- to-play tactic designed specifically to obtain more money from players. MONITOR MICROTRANSACTIONS Horror stories of children spending thousands of dollars on in-game purchases are not uncommon, so it’s important to keep financial information out of your child’s hands. Most
Before we get to the online-specific portion of this guide, here’s some advice that’s as true today as it was when people still called games “the Nintendo”: Learn about the games your kids play. The Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) provides movie-style ratings for all titles, as well as descriptions of what you’ll find in the gameplay. You can also learnmore about a game through a quickWikipedia or YouTube search. In doing so, youmay learn some hip slang tomake yourself sound cool around your tween’s buddies. If even you’re totally confident that the content of a game is appropriate for your child, you can’t protect them fromwhat a stranger may say over chat. Online voice and text chats are notoriously toxic places, full of bigoted comments, bad attitudes, and bullying. Unless you’re okay with your child engaging in trash talk with college boys and 40-year-olds, it’s best to entirely disable the public chat feature for young children. DISABLE PUBLIC CHAT
PRACTICE SAFE ONLINE BEHAVIOR
The same tips that apply to every area of our digital lives also apply to gaming. A username like“bigdog2k19”may sound dumb, but it protects a child’s anonymity. All online accounts should have strong passwords, and children should never respond to unsolicited messages. Teaching your kids these tactics early will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Online gaming can be a pastime parents regard with skepticism or contempt. Whether you think it’s a revolutionary new form of entertainment or a nonsensical pursuit, you owe it your kids to learn a little about online gaming.
Fire and Ice When Do You Apply Heat or Ice to an Injury?
your healing process. However, icing your chronic pain can be detrimental due to the stiffening reaction that decreases swelling. This is the opposite of the muscle relaxation you need for chronic pain relief. Eventually, heating treatments can be worked into a healing plan, but ice is a quick solution to a small problem. As with most treatments, what works for one person may not work for another. If icing an injury feels best for you and you see improvement, continue icing away your pain. Additionally, some patients find relief while rotating between cooling and heating. Regardless of your preferred method, it’s best to seek professional guidance in order to find a viable long-term solution.
Many medical professionals suggest using heat treatment for 30 minutes to four hours, depending on what is needed to fully relax the muscle. Heat often works best for chronic pain because it supports blood flow and loosens your muscles. Heat treatments can also be used to relieve stress and tension, but you should never use heat on an open wound or fresh injury. Ice: Cooling treatments can also be found in cream or wrap form, but a bag of peas or ice from your freezer will work just as well. Ice should be used for short periods throughout the day. Icing treatments are best for bruised wounds and minor injuries because the cold can reduce the swelling in your blood vessels — the cause of bruising — and expedite
When it comes to relieving pain, everyone has an opinion. Your mom might suggest taking pills and a nap, while your neighbor swears it’s best to walk it off. Meanwhile, yearly advancements offer more options — and opinions — for patients seeking relief. Among the plethora of available treatments, two remain constant — heat and ice. However, many people don’t know which to use, and unfortunately, the wrong decision can make your pain or injury worse. If you are unsure which method is best for you, here’s the answer to your heating or icing dilemma.
Heat: These treatments can come in several forms, such as creams, pads, and wraps.
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Keep This Off Your Breakfast Table Sugary Cereals Are No Better Than Candy It’s no secret that most breakfast cereals are loaded with sugar and carbs. Starting your day with a hefty bowl will inevitably give you a sugar high that crashes into a haze of fatigue not long after. What’s worse, however, is that some cereals are even more unhealthy than you might realize. Do you remember the old Reese’s Puffs slogan: “Candy?! For breakfast?” Reality isn’t far off. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks and Post Golden Crisp are two of the biggest offenders when it comes to sugar content. By weight, Honey Smacks and Golden Crisp are more than 50 percent sugar. That’s more sugar than your average cake or cookie. And there isn’t much more nutritional value to make up for the excess sugar. These puffed rice cereals contain less than two grams of protein and one gram of fiber per serving, which is remarkably low. For reference, Honey Smacks lists 1 1/4 cups as a serving, while Golden Crisp considers 3/4 cup a serving. That said, most people don’t measure out food based on the recommended serving size. With these two cereals, the combination of puffed rice and a lack of protein means you won’t feel full until you’ve overindulged. By eating twice the recommended serving (about two cups), you’ve consumed the same amount of sugar found in one can of soda.
This type of oil keeps the cereal shelf-stable for longer, but the American Heart Association points to it as a major dietary cause of heart disease.
Many other cereals are just as bad, including Kellogg’s Froot Loops and General Mills Trix. These two cereals hide behind the guise of“fruit,”which many people associate with better nutrition. But you won’t find balanced nutrition in either of these cereals. Froot Loops is just under 50 percent sugar by weight, and Trix is just under 40 percent. Both cereals also contain artificial food dyes and flavorings. Trix also contains corn syrup, which has been linked to the rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. When you eat 10 grams of sugar in any form— which is in just one cup of Trix —or more, depending on the cereal, you can expect a spike in blood sugar. A blood sugar spike early in the morning can often translate to low energy later in the day. Over time, a diet high in sugar can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Honey Smacks is the worst of the two because it contains hydrogenated vegetable oil —one of the unhealthiest food-based oils you can consume.
Take a Break!
Recipe courtesy of LoveAndLemons.com
Everything
POPCORN Everything is the best bagel flavor. This is not amatter of debate. Sprinkle the seasoning on popcorn for a delicious snack that will have people asking, “What does this remindme of?”
Ingredients
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3/4 cup popcorn kernels 2 tablespoons flaky sea salt
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2 teaspoons granulated garlic 2 teaspoons granulated onion
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
1/3 cup canola oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
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Directions
1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds. Shake skillet often and cook until white seeds are golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and add garlic, onion, and salt. 2. In a large saucepan, combine
until corn kernels start to pop. Once popping, continue cooking and shaking the pan intermittently until popping ceases, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer popcorn to a large
mixing bowl. Pour in butter and toss to coat. Finally, add seasoning, toss again, and serve.
corn kernels and oil. Cook over medium-high heat, covered,
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Jeffrey Robinette PAGE 1 Online Gaming Safety and Privacy Tips PAGE 1 When Should You Heat or Ice an Injury? PAGE 2 Candy? For Breakfast? PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Everything Popcorn PAGE 3 Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day PAGE 4
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Celebrating Employees are the backbone of any business, big or small. If you’re looking for a way to give thanks to your hardworking staff, there’s no better time than now. Employee Appreciation Day is a non- official holiday that takes place on the first Friday of March. However, this holiday doesn’t have to be confined to a single day, nor does it have to be expensive. Employee Appreciation Day
THE IMPORTANCE OF APPRECIATION
HISTORY
parties, buy lunch for the whole office, or give their workers part of the day off. Other ways to celebrate on that day, month, or throughout the year include:
No matter where they work, employees want to be treated like human beings. When they’ve reached a personal or professional goal or they accomplish a feat for their team, they want to be recognized. And when that recognition is given, employees feel proud of their work and valued as individuals within the company. It doesn’t take much effort to give that praise, and when you do, it affects the whole company in a positive way. Taking the time to value people for the work they do will create a happier and more productive workplace. Let this year’s Employee Appreciation Day be the first day of many to celebrate the efforts of hardworking employees.
In 1995, the idea came to Dr. Bob Nelson — also known as the “Guru of Thank You”— and he put it into action. Dr. Nelson is a founding Recognition Professionals International board member, head of Workman Publishing, and author of “1,001 Ways to Reward Employees.” His goal was to create and bolster the bond between employee and employer in all industries.
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Organizing an after-work gathering Buying surprise snacks for the entire office Practicing flexibility in the office Giving thank-you cards to your staff Creating an encouraging environment
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Praising team efforts and accomplishments Celebrating birthdays
OBSERVING EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY
Giving rewards
Recognizing team and individual achievements publicly
An employer can use many different methods to give thanks to their employees. To celebrate, employers across the country throw office
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