Simon Law Firm - December 2019

Simon Law Firm - December 2019

www.christophersimon.com

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december 2019

For All of You Thankful

A s the days get shorter, it grows depressing sitting around a dark office at 6:30 p.m. That's why it's important to remember why we work. We have so many kind and deserving clients who have just had terrible things thrown their way and are all working hard to get back on track. As I look back on 11 years of running this office, I realize how thankful I am for all the care and concern that my staff put in and all of the patience that you, our clients, show with us. This is a challenging business, and helping people who have lost family and suffered through terrible pain takes a toll on everyone. My teammates here at the firm make all the difference in what would otherwise be an industry of gloom and sadness. We truly appreciate the opportunity to make a difference in your lives. As we all take the opportunity the season affords us to spend more time with family and friends, I think of all of you. We are always here for you. Stay warm and thank you for being our clients!

–Christopher Simon

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Lights Out FLORIDACITYBATTLES TOEND ‘EXTREME’ LIGHTSDISPLAY

There’s nothing quite like the magic of twinkling Christmas lights. But for city officials in Plantation, Florida, Christmas lights are a stark reminder of a prolonged fight, nearly $500,000 in court fees, and continued drama. In 2014, Plantation sued residents Mark and Kathy Hyatt for their “Hyatt Extreme Christmas” lights display, claiming it was a “public nuisance.” Each year, the Hyatts decorated their yard with more than 200,000 lights, snow, a Christmas tree, a Nativity scene, a functioning Ferris wheel, and more. Their creation was featured on two nationally televised programs and attracted flocks of visitors. But, for the Hyatt’s neighbors, extreme didn’t even begin to explain the chaos. Neighbors complained to the city about increased traffic, litter in their yards, and potential injury or death to pedestrians due to the traffic. Police officers in Plantation were dispatched to the light display

multiple times each season for complaints by neighbors, accidents, and traffic control.

After a two-year battle in court, a judge ruled in favor of the Hyatts, claiming the city could not prove the display was dangerous or a nuisance. The city had spent nearly half a million dollars fighting their case. For the Hyatts, Christmas 2016 was a celebration, though their display was restrained due to the timing of the court’s decision. By 2017, “Hyatt Extreme Christmas” was in full swing again, much to their neighbors’ chagrin. Mark Hyatt rode the wave of support for his display all the way to a vacant seat on the Plantation City Council in 2016, but the highs would soon stop there. Plantation news outlets reported in 2018 that Mark Hyatt filed for divorce, effectively ending any hope of another “Hyatt Extreme Christmas.”

As the snow has settled, an extravagant lights display has instead become a story of nasty court battles with a sad ending for the Hyatts and their “extreme” Christmas devotees.

More Than Just ‘You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!’ LESSONS FAMILIES CAN LEARN FROM ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

In 1983, one movie introduced Red Ryder BB guns, fishnet-clad leg lamps, and bright red bars of soap into America’s everlasting Christmas mythos. Now, over 35 years later, “A Christmas Story” continues to delight audiences every holiday season with timeless lessons for viewers of all ages. In a story where kids are clever and kind, and parents are

bumbling and wise, “A Christmas Story” has more lessons to offer families than just, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Your kids are listening to you (oh, fudge!). They aren’t always obedient, but that doesn't mean they’re not listening. After Ralphie lets slip the “queen mother of dirty words” in front of his father, the narrator reminisces about first hearing that word from his old man — possibly when he was trying to get their furnace to work. He doesn’t admit this to his mother, but it’s a lesson for parents everywhere that kids may hear more than they let on. Kids won’t believe in magic forever. Magical stories about Santa or even “Little Orphan Annie’s” Secret Society fill children’s hearts with wonder but won’t enchant them forever. Belief in certain parts of the Christmas season can fade slowly or die as quickly as the

spin of a decoder pin, but parents can always be there to remind children about what’s really important during the Christmas season. Sometimes ‘disasters’ lead to new adventures. Christmas Day can be hectic, and, in the hubbub of it all, sometimes disaster can feel inevitable. Ralphie’s parents certainly experience their fair share of disaster in hilarious fashion when the Bumpus Hounds destroy their holiday turkey and leave nothing but the heavenly aroma. But, when Ralphie’s father takes them out to eat at a local Chinese restaurant, it creates a whole new Christmas tradition for the Parker family. Our holiday mishaps, no matter how tragic, are rarely the end of the world.

Consider one final tip: Do not stick your tongue to any flagpoles this winter! Happy holidays!

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WORD SEARCH

Coming to a Store Near You

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRODUCTS FOR ALL

Holistic wellness is sometimes seen as an inaccessible form of care. Holistic treatments and products can be hard to find, but access to them should never be restricted based on location, demographics, or affluence. Thankfully, this problem is becoming less relevant as more stores begin stocking holistic products. Holistic health products, which were often reserved for expensive online shopping or limited boutique releases in the past, are becoming more accessible as drugstores and big-box stores around the country jump on the holistic health train. Chains like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Target have started stocking their shelves with notable holistic staples, especially those related to digestive and immune health. You can even find cleaner beauty and cosmetic products from brands like Burt’s Bees and Tom’s of Maine in many of these stores. Safer baby products, like cough syrup made with all-natural ingredients and diapers from brands like The Honest Company, are being placed in the eyesight of more people everywhere. With this shift in availability, customers have more options than ever before when shopping for holistic care. These stores have an incredible opportunity to bring alternative wellness to areas that haven’t experienced it. Citizens in small, rural, or distressed communities where specialty stores and holistic medical practices are scarce can now explore more options. And if more options at reasonable prices result in healthier and happier people, then that’s great for us all.

HOLIDAYS FLURRY FROZEN PENGUIN

WREATH SNOWFLAKE WINTER SLEIGH

COOKIES ORNAMENTS REINDEER STOCKINGS

Classic Roast Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• • • •

1 chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper 1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 1 lemon, halved

1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

• •

Olive oil

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425 F.

2. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included. Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string. 3. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme. 4. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. 5. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. 6. Slice and serve with the vegetables.

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Happy Holidays 1 Florida City Sues Family Over Extreme Christmas Display Lessons Families Can Learn From ‘A Christmas Story’ 2 The Rise of Holistic Products in Big-Brand Stores Classic Roast Chicken 3 Your New Favorite Holiday Special 4 When the weather outside is frightful — or your family is on your last nerve — there’s nothing like settling in to watch a classic holiday special. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” hold top spots on the TV guide, but there are plenty of overlooked specials that are sure to delight. Here are a few seasonal suggestions that might become your new family favorites. ‘A Muppet Family Christmas’ In this musical masterpiece, Kermit and friends prepare to celebrate the holiday season. What makes this special truly unique are the appearances by characters from “Sesame Street,” “Fraggle Rock,” and “Muppet Babies.”

Move Over, Rudolph! THE 4 MOST UNDERRATED HOLIDAY SPECIALS

There’s even a cameo from the Muppet creator, Jim Henson, himself. If you can find this holiday special, consider yourself lucky. Complicated copyright laws can make it hard to track the movie down. ‘The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus’ The stop-motion film “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” is one of Rankin/Bass Production's lesser-known works. Based on a story by L. Frank Baum, the author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” this fantasy epic introduces a new Santa Claus story, one with light elves, wood nymphs, and benevolent immortals. It’s an unusual tale, but the strange elements are what make the story worthwhile. ‘A Rugrats Chanukah’ Praised by critics and audiences alike, “A Rugrats Chanukah” covers the story of Chanukah through the eyes of Nickelodeon's beloved animated babies. In addition to putting a “Rugrats” spin on the Chanukah story, this

special episode also features themes of family and forgiveness. “A Rugrats Chanukah” is a delightful experience for audiences who celebrate Chanukah and those who would like to learn more about the holiday. ‘Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol’ Here’s one for your nerdy family members. In this episode of the British sci-fi classic, the titular Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space, must save his friends by teaching a bitter old man the true meaning of Christmas. Time travel shenanigans ensue as the Doctor reminds us of the importance of kindness, the value of loss, and the magic of spending the holidays with those we love. This special puts a unique spin on the Christmas Carol formula and is even accessible to audiences who have never seen “Doctor Who” before. May these specials bring you some much- needed cheer and a moment of relaxation this holiday season.

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