Check out our June newsletter!
June 2023
718-948-3500 | OConnorLawFirm.net
Summer Breeze
Seasons Old and New at Breezy Point
Breezy Point in Queens holds a special place in my heart. When I was growing up, the small beach community was populated mainly by Irish-American families, including many firefighters, police officers, and other middle-class families. A lot has changed since then, but my childhood memories and the continued sense of community keep me coming back year after year. My family never had the money for a summer bungalow in Breezy Point, but we rented a beach locker every summer at the Breezy Point Surf Club to store our stuff and enjoy our summers at the beach. The neighborhood is on the Rockaway Peninsula, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Jamaica Bay on the other. My four brothers and I spent a lot of time together then — there was only a seven-year gap between the oldest and youngest — so the pool, ocean, and baseball field felt like a playground made just for us. Although we stopped going to the Surf Club as we became teenagers, our family continued to visit Breezy Point a few times each summer, as our Aunt Terri purchased a summer bungalow and renovated it into a year-round residence. Jenny and I began taking our boys as soon as they could walk. Though she had less experience there than I did, Jenny also grew to love the community. Eventually, we saved up enough to purchase our own place, spending our summers there every year since our youngest son Finn was born. At least we spend most of the summer there. Things have started changing since Owen started playing travel baseball. Now Jenny is at Breezy Point while I take Owen all over New Jersey for tournaments. We’re even going to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for baseball this year. How quickly things change!
activities, there’s a kids’ camp where they learn to cook, swim, and do arts and crafts, but most days are pretty unstructured. Things there haven’t changed very much from when I was a kid. In Breezy Point, there aren’t really any streets with cars to worry about, and the neighbors all know each other. The boys have their summer friends they spend time with every year. Today we’re all helicopter parents, but there wasn’t much parental oversight back then. We’d leave the house in the morning and return when it got dark at night. Our kids don’t necessarily disappear for 12 hours like we used to, but Jenny and I feel comfortable letting them wander with their friends. They can hop on their bikes and play in a way we’d never feel safe letting them do in the city, and it’s rewarding to see them foster a sense of independence. Wherever and however you spend it, I hope you and your family have a fun and safe summer. Maybe I’ll see you down at the beach!
But all our kids still love it at Breezy
Point when they’re not away for sports. We usually go down around July 4 and watch the fireworks on the bay over Coney Island. In addition to all the usual summer
-Brian O’Connor
OConnorLawFirm.net | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
HE
That Doesn’t Look Quite Right
Common Restaurant Health Code Violations
If you’re a foodie, then you may agree with other restaurant enthusiasts when they say that the top deterrent to dining at a particular food establishment is an adverse health inspection. When a restaurant is plagued with that on their record, images of rats, mold, filth, and grime may pop into your head — and then your appetite tanks. Restaurants must comply with a health code designed to ensure that their food is safe and customers don’t experience foodborne illnesses. When restaurants violate this code, they expose themselves to potential fines and sometimes forced closures. If you’re a person who enjoys dining out, it’s important to be familiar with some of the most common health code violations. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for. Cross-Contamination Cross-contamination takes place when bacteria are transferred among different people, objects, and places, causing foodborne
illnesses to become more likely. In all stages of the cooking process and behind-the-scenes prep work, cross-contamination can occur. While it might be difficult to see how your food is being prepared at a restaurant, some signs of cross- contamination that occur in the dining area include waiters and waitresses carrying plates by the rim instead of the bottom of the plate, hair dangling into the food, using a glass to scoop ice, and forgetting to sanitize towels between each use. Unsanitary Restaurant Exterior and Interior As mentioned, restaurant guests typically aren’t invited back into the kitchen, but the dining room and exterior of the restaurant are on full display. Is there trash around the exterior that could potentially attract rats and pests? Are there cracks and crevices in the walls? Is there stagnant water, debris, or places for pests to hide? Are blinds and window sills dusty? Is there dirt, trash, or food particles on the floor? All of these signs may point to poor cleanliness in the kitchen. Employee Presentation You might never actually see the chef and the cooks on the line, but you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the rest of the staff. Are employees wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE)? Are they tidy, in proper uniform, wearing aprons, with their hair tied back appropriately? Are their hands free of debris, food, and dirt? As a general rule of thumb, employees should not be eating in dining and food preparation areas. If you ever catch your waiter sneaking a bite of a breadstick, this could also be a cause for concern. While it may be difficult to pinpoint whether or not a restaurant is lacking in the health code area, these are some great identifiers to keep an eye out for. They may even reveal whether or not the establishment and its protocols are up to snuff — so you can feel comfortable and confident indulging in a great meal there. Happy dining!
2 | 718-948-3500 HELPING INJURED NEW YORKERS
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
TAKE A BREAK
Change the Way You Save What to Expect From the SECURE 2.0 Act
Beach Burgers Cycling Father Juneteenth Music
Get ready for more savings! Last year,
Pearl Pride Refugee Sailing Solstice Waterski
the SECURE 2.0 Act added new provisions that may change how you
prepare for retirement. In order to
increase your savings come retirement, these changes aim to make
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com HOMEMADE DOLE WHIP
saving more manageable and enticing. They also lower the cost for employers
to offer savings plans within the company. Now, it’s more attractive for employers to offer savings plans for their employees, and employees will have better plan options to choose from! Here’s what you need to know! RMD Age Extended One of the most significant changes involves required minimum distributions (RMDs). The previous rules stated that retirees were required to make withdrawals from their retirement accounts when they turned 72 years old. Now, the RMD age is 73, providing you an extra year to save in your tax-free retirement accounts instead of taking those taxable distributions early. On Jan. 1, 2033, this threshold age will be raised again to 75. Penalties Cut in Half In the past, if you missed an RMD deadline, the penalty was 50% of the amount you should have taken. This penalty has been reduced to only 25% of the amount. If you fix your mistake within two years, the number could be reduced to 10%. Pre-Death Requirement Eliminated In 2024, the pre-death requirement for Roth 401(k) accounts will be removed. This means Roth IRA accounts are not subject to the RMD rules if the account holder passes away before the required distribution age. These changes to RMDs are just a few things the SECURE 2.0 Act has set in motion. To learn more about how to continue saving through your golden years, set up a strategy session with your trusted financial advisor!
The summer heat is on! And what better way to cool off after a long day in the sun than a refreshing bowl of Dole whip? This frozen treat has everything you need in a summer dessert: the tangy sweetness of pineapple and the creamy taste of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice • 1 cup vanilla ice cream • 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 tbsp lime juice • Pinch of sea salt
Directions
1. In a high-powered blender, combine all the ingredients. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth, stopping to push the pineapple chunks down into the blender as needed. 2. Transfer to a bowl; cover and freeze for 30 minutes. 3. Scoop and serve. Alternatively, transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, then pipe into small serving bowls. (This method will make it look like it came out of a soft serve machine.)
OConnorLawFirm.net | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
HE
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
HELPING INJURED NEW YORKERS
718-948-3500 OConnorLawFirm.net 651 Willowbrook Road, Suite 104 Staten Island, New York 10314
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Brian Shares His Family’s Favorite Summer Tradition
1
Watch Out for Restaurant Health Code Violations
2
Homemade Dole Whip
3
More Ways to Save Are Coming!
A Wheely Good Time at the Drive-In
4
A Poppin’ Night at the Drive-In The Best Seats in the House
Do you remember the days of packing up snacks, hopping in the car, and heading out for an evening under the stars at the drive-in? Every year on June 6, we celebrate Drive-In Movie Day. Although movie-going has seen some modifications over the last few decades, drive-in movie theaters are still around and continue to draw a crowd! If you’re interested in reliving some of your best memories and watching a movie at your local drive-in, here are some tips to make the most of the evening. Pack the snacks. Most drive-in theaters have maintained the look and feel of the retro movie experience, so you may need to bring your own munchies and refreshments. So, before you go, pop the popcorn and refrigerate your soda. If you’re bringing your kids or grandchildren, you may want to pack some extra M&M’s and gummy bears along with their favorite juice box! Pocket some cash. For drive-ins with a concession stand, be sure you have cash on hand, just in case they do not accept cards. Before your movie, you can always call ahead to get the scoop on whether or not they have a concession stand and the rules and options.
Dress appropriately. The temperatures can get a bit chilly depending on where you live, and the bugs may be on the loose! Long pants and sweatshirts are a great option to stay comfortable, warm, and protected from the bugs. Tote along some chairs. If you’re with a large group of people, or your car feels a bit cramped, take the party outside: Set up a viewing area with some foldable chairs right around your car. If you have a truck, you can back into the parking spot and put chairs in the truck bed, too! When you arrive prepared, the drive-in is a fun activity all ages and generations can appreciate. As always, ensure you get there early to enjoy the previews, too — many argue it’s the best part of the entire experience!
4 | 718-948-3500 HELPING INJURED NEW YORKERS
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator