Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
Review Brooks & Crowley
January 2024
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
Uncover Your Passion Life Starts at the End of Our Comfort Zone
January is a natural time to start new things or pick up an old favorite again. For me, that feeling started during the fall. Let me explain. We’ve been blessed with a successful NFL franchise with the Patriots for a long time.
being outside to take in the beautiful scenery. One of my favorites is grabbing a bowl of chili from the ski lodge and grabbing a seat on the deck that overlooks the slopes. It’s breathtaking.
But that changed this past season. By not attending as many games this year, I had extra time on Sundays that I hadn’t been used to. So, I started thinking about other interests to dedicate time to in the new year. One area I plan to invest in is relearning Italian. A long time ago, I took five years of Italian. But I didn’t use it, so I lost my knowledge over time. It will be good to get back up to speed. I also want to learn more Spanish, as our daughter will be in Spain for a college semester next fall. When we visit her, it would be a great feeling to converse in Spanish with her.
Do you have ideas for activities you could start or rekindle? You can learn how to cook a new dish, take singing lessons, create a new exercise regimen, or start volunteering in a new way. Many options may interest you. The key is committing and giving yourself time to do what appeals to you. I discussed how Sunday afternoons opened up, and a great way to find time is to schedule it on your calendar. Setting up small chunks of time might be enough to get you moving in your desired direction.
The value of taking on new or renewed activities like this goes beyond the specific action. Getting involved helps us keep learning and makes life even
Other older activities feel new for me as well. I used to enjoy skiing quite a bit — we used to go on ski trips once or twice a year together. But it’s not something we have done as a family for quite some time for various reasons. This year, our youngest is a freshman on the high school ski team. So, I feel I’ll have the opportunity to spend time on the slopes again. I’m looking forward to that. The environment is refreshing when you’re skiing, and I love “The value of taking on new or renewed activities like this goes beyond the specific action. Getting involved helps us keep learning and makes life even richer.”
richer. One quote that reminds me of this is from Eleanor Roosevelt, who advised, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” While it may sound ominous, it’s about forcing ourselves to leave our comfort zones. It’s easy to do the same things over and over. But if you can step out of your comfort zone and pick up a challenge, it helps you grow. You may make a few mistakes. But you will feel like you learned something along the way and may discover other interests in the process. As we begin this fresh calendar year, I wish you and your family every success. A year from now, you may be able to look back and recount all the new, rewarding steps you took in 2024!
–Steve Brooks
1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Beauty and fashion trends come and go throughout the years, with some — such as matte makeup, fringe, and ripped What Did Mayans Consider to Be ‘Model’ Looks?
Hair accessories were big during Mayan times — really big. It wasn’t unusual for women to construct large, elaborate headdresses adorned with precious metals and gems and shaped to honor local animals. Another Mayan beauty standard relates to one of their prized crops: corn. It is said that Mayans correlated beauty with face and head structures that were long and narrow, much like an ear of corn. To accomplish that, Mayan families bound the heads of their infant children between two boards while the skull was growing to achieve an extended cranial shape that would last the child’s whole life.
jeans — even making comebacks in recent years. The ancient Mayans also sought to be beautiful, but their practices were different compared to modern standards, as they were willing to completely change their bodies to conform to their beauty standards. A smile is a universal expression of happiness, which was also true in Mayan culture. However, the difference came with what you saw when they smiled, as Mayans enjoyed shaping and filing their teeth to sharp points. They then drilled holes through the center of their teeth to insert gems.
Eyes are a universal source of beauty, but the Mayans thought the ultimate set of beautiful eyes were crossed eyes. To create crossed eyes, they put a band around the heads of children with a bead suspended right in front of their eyes. They continued this until the children were permanently cross-eyed.
Noses were also a central sign of beauty among Mayans, and for them, the bigger the better. A large, hooked nose symbolized their bird-like gods and was so important to them that they added specially designed artificial nose bridges that were often multicolored and decorated with gems. Beauty is influenced by cultural values, and the Mayans invested a lot of time, energy, and creativity to achieve their vision of beauty, even if that vastly differs from today’s standards.
Tattoos were also considered stylish among Mayans, but they weren’t like modern tattoos. The big difference in their skin designs was that they were achieved by actually carving into the skin to create 3D wounds.
A Closer Look at the Advantages Is a Trust Right for You?
One of our honors is assisting our clients with protecting the assets they have worked a lifetime to put in place. We take pride in helping them leave their legacy to their children in the way they intended. One of the tools that does an excellent job of achieving that goal is a trust. There are a few points to keep in mind when considering a trust. Trusts Compared to Wills Many naturally think of having a will as they plan for the future. While wills have value, there are important considerations to remember. When a will is in place, the assets it controls must pass through the probate process to ensure they are distributed the way you want. On the other hand, assets in a trust do not normally have to meet that same standard. There is also a privacy advantage to trusts. Since they don’t go through probate, they aren’t
automatically available for public view. In addition, trusts tend to be a faster and easier way to distribute assets, especially real estate trusts, which we regularly create for our clients. Potential Tax Advantages Trusts are either revocable or irrevocable. With a revocable trust, you can change it after it’s signed. With an irrevocable trust, changes are typically not allowed after the agreement is put in place. In general, trust contributions are subject to gift tax requirements. Some
conditions allow assets placed in a trust to be sheltered from estate taxes after you pass. Providing Customized Planning Another advantage that trusts provide is you can customize your plans for your estate. For example, you may want to stipulate that funds will be distributed once the person receiving them reaches a certain age. With a revocable trust, you also have some options that help you and your family if you cannot manage the assets. In those cases, the trustee you have designated can distribute assets, file your tax returns, and pay bills. By making these critical decisions now, you can make the task of passing assets easier for your loved ones, and you will be assured that those distributions are happening the exact way you want them to.
4 2
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
YOUNG AND EMPLOYED: A TEEN’S GUIDE TO EARNING FROM HOME
Virtual Assistance: Teens can provide administrative support services to businesses or entrepreneurs. Tasks may include scheduling, email management, or data entry, which are valuable skills for future office jobs. Parental Involvement For teens under 18, parental guidance and
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the modern job landscape has evolved to offer jobs that can be accessed entirely from home. Fortunately, this has given more people, particularly teenagers, more opportunities
to break into the workforce and earn money. While some platforms may require a potential employee to be at least 16 years old, younger teens still have several ways to explore work-from-home options and kick-start their journey toward financial independence. Work-From-Home Opportunities
involvement are essential. Parents can help their teens set up accounts, understand the platforms, and ensure their safety online. They can also provide valuable insights into financial responsibility and budgeting. Safety First While exploring these opportunities,
Freelance Work: Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork allow teens to offer their skills, whether it’s graphic design, writing, or social media management. With parental guidance, teens can create profiles and take on small projects, gaining experience and building a portfolio.
teenagers must maintain their online safety and be warned about the dangers of sharing personal information and entertaining offers that seem too good to be true. They should always consult with parents or guardians when faced with unfamiliar situations.
Have a Laugh! Remote Tutoring: If your teen excels in a particular subject, they can consider offering online tutoring services to other students. It’s a great way to not only help peers but also make some extra money. Online Surveys: While some survey sites may have age restrictions, some platforms allow teens under 18 to participate in paid surveys. Websites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks offer opportunities to share opinions and earn rewards.
Helping your teen earn money and gain work experience can be a fulfilling and empowering journey for them. With determination, guidance, and a commitment to online safety, teenagers can embark on their path toward financial independence and personal growth.
Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a zesty dish that combines salmon with the vibrant flavors of garlic and lemon!
Ingredients
• 2 lbs salmon fillets • 4 cloves garlic, minced • Juice of 2 lemons • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried thyme • Salt and pepper, to taste
directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the baking dish. 3. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salmon. 4. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
1 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 The Reward for Surpassing Our Limits
2 Mayan ‘Model’ Looks
Advantages of Trusts
3 Work-From-Home Opportunities for the Under-18 Crowd
Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon
4 Your Guide to Boston’s Happenings
What’s Going On, Boston? A Peek Into Boston’s Local Buzz
‘Dinosaur World Live’ Sunday, Jan. 14, 2 p.m. 106 Boylston St., Boston, Mass. EmersonColonialTheatre.com/events/dinosaur- world-live See the great lizards up close at “Dinosaur World Live” at the Emerson Colonial Theatre! You and your family will discover a world of life-like dinosaurs, including the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex, the clever Microraptor, and the long-necked Giraffatitan. Once the show ends, a meet-and-greet allows everyone to interact with a friendly dinosaur. New England Boat Show Jan. 10–14 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center 415 Summer St., Boston, Mass. NewEnglandBoatShow.com
Embrace the vibrancy of the new year with local events gracing the Boston area this January. As we bid farewell to the holiday season, Boston continues to buzz with exciting opportunities for cultural immersion and community engagement. Discover the gems that await you in the city, and mark your calendars for these enriching experiences. 21st Annual Celtic Music Festival Various locations Jan. 11–14 Tickets: Passim.org/live-music/bcmfest-2024 Celebrate Celtic Pride at the 21st Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest). The four-day festival showcases much of Greater Boston’s expansive and diverse culture, featuring music from our Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, and Quebecois communities. Contemporary and classic converge for a festival like no other.
There’s something for everyone at the New England Boat Show. Exhibits include many naval innovations and all the latest and greatest seafaring vessels on display. Learn more about fishing, boating, and conservation at the several workshops. If boats aren’t your thing, you can listen to live music and have a drink. Don’t Tell Boston Comedy Show Friday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. Theatre District DontTellComedy.com/shows/boston-01-19-24 Don’t Tell Boston offers a unique and unforgettable event for daring comedy lovers. Don’t Tell doesn’t reveal the comedians until you’re in the venue. Where is the venue? It’s in the Theatre District, but that’s all they’ll say until the event day when they send the location to ticket holders. As a result, tickets are a requirement.
4
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator