NowX May 2019
THE
FACTOR
Ma y 2 0 1 9
FROM THE DESK OF Terri
6 THINGS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HACKERS
1. Use fake answers for security questions. You know the usual suspects — the street you lived on in 3rd grade, your high school mascot, a pet’s name. You don’t have to use your mother’s correct maiden name, either! 2. Don’t participate in social media quizzes. Smart hackers will take note of the most benign answers (your favorite anything … pizza topping/animal/movie/color, wedding date, college attended) and track your other accounts, perhaps using your public email address as a username to access them without your knowledge. 3. Avoid sharing specific details when a little one arrives. The full name, date, weight, and siblings’ names are an arsenal of information. 4. Be wary of publicWi-Fi. Someone else on the same network can monitor your online activity. 5. Cautiously post pictures. Even new homeowners are susceptible. Many take a celebratory picture of the key and geo-tag their new house without realizing a key can be duplicated from a photo. 6. Enable two-factor authentication as another layer of security.
As kids get older, making time for family vacations becomes more and more important. Once the kids move out of the house, the demands of adulthood make scheduling a time when everyone can get away from work nearly impossible. While parents recognize the importance of continuing to make memories as a family, older kids can be a little harder to convince. Unimpressed teens scoff at the idea of visiting fairy- tale theme parks, and exhausted college students question why they should spend a week in the woods when they could be catching up on some much needed sleep. When you need to take your vacation planning up a notch, rest assured that you won’t have to break the bank to do it. Here are some exciting family vacation destinations that delight kids of all ages. A NEW KIND OF VACATION 7 T ravel D estinations for T eens and P arents
WISCONSIN DELLS, WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Dells is “The Water Park Capital of the World,” and that’s not just a clever slogan from the tourism board. There are over 10 different indoor and outdoor water parks in this city alone. Enjoy lazy rivers, heated pools, wild rides, and miles of slides. Some water parks even offer dry attractions, like the Hades 360 at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park, which is the world’s longest underground roller coaster. Described as “Las Vegas for Kids,”Wisconsin Dells is the best place to beat the summer heat.
Dedicated to your success,
-Terri
PARK CITY, UTAH
Park City is a top-rated ski resort and a fantastic vacation destination, even without the snow. This time of year, the chairlift will take you to the top for some wild mountain biking or nature hiking. Thrill seekers will take delight in zip lining through the treetops or gliding through the sky in a hot air balloon. This is the great outdoors at it’s very best.
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN: SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS
get them to look up from their phones. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, which is the West Coast’s premier entertainment district.
ready to call it a night, the 20-somethings can take advantage of New Orleans’ world-famous nightlife. Step off the beaten path with your loved ones and experience something new.
Looking for a vacation where you don’t have to plan every second yourself? Board a cruise ship and let the amenities take care of the rest. Symphony of the Seas isn’t just the biggest cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet — it’s the biggest cruise ship in the world! Every inch is filled with something fun for people of every age group. Catch a marquee show, play a few rounds of glow-in-the-dark laser tag, enjoy some fresh-caught New England seafood, or relax and lounge by the pool. On this ship, everyone can plan their own perfect day. How do you decompress after a stressful week? Do you want to lay on the beach, get moving with some outdoor activities, or do a little retail therapy? However you like to relax, San Diego offers the best opportunities. Older kids might not be impressed by the animals at the zoo, but kayaking on the ocean is sure to SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Beautiful beaches? Check. Wild zipline tours? Check. Mind-bending magic shows? Check. Rich historical museums and art galleries? Double check! Lake Geneva really has it all. No matter what your family members’ interests are, they are sure to make some great memories at Lake Geneva. Who knew Wisconsin had so many hidden gems? New Orleans is a city built on rich history, delicious food, and legendary music. Almost every building boasts some historical significance, from Pirate’s Alley in the French Quarter to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the infamous Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is buried. When parents and younger siblings are NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
If you really want a vacation your family will love no matter how old they are, consider taking a trip Down Under. While you’re there, take the opportunity to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge together! And no one can say no to a day frolicking in the waves of Manly Beach. This international city offers a thriving nightlife and culinary scene set against amazing natural wonders. Once you’re done at the Sydney Opera House, you can venture to meet some koalas and kangaroos. Australia offers a whole new world of family experiences. There comes a time when family vacations become rare occasions instead of yearly occurrences. Take advantage of today and plan a trip your whole family will love and remember forever.
Genealogy Sites and the Warming of Cold Cases The Revolution in Forensic Science Continues to Captivate the Masses
We’ve come a long way in the field of forensic science since 1986, when DNA was first used to convict someone in court. In 2019, criminals who would have gotten away with
Whatever the motivation was behind genealogy sites in the beginning, they’re now some of the most sought-after databases in the world and are worth billions for their collection of the most personal consumer data in existence. Using these websites’ data, investigators can make DNA matches with potential offenders. The most famous recent case is the successful apprehension of Joseph James DeAngelo, otherwise known as the Golden State Killer. After 13 murders and dozens of assaults, he was finally brought to justice after investigators matched his DNA to the evidence found at the crime scenes. They gained access to his DNA from the personal genomics site GEDmatch. Although access to the data of popular sites like 23andMe and Ancestry. com is restricted to its customers, law enforcement agencies successfully subpoenaed the companies to hand over the requested data. With the ability to theoretically solve any crime with preserved DNA, law enforcement and websleuths alike are foaming at the mouth at the possibilities genealogy testing has to offer. If only we’d preserved some of Jack the Ripper’s DNA!
their crimes in the past are now put behind bars where they belong. The advent of genealogy testing has been thrust into the spotlight with high-profile cases that were solved by sequestering information from
sites like 23andMe and Ancestry.com. With this revolution in DNA testing on the rise, there’s really no end to the impossible- to-solve cold cases that can finally be put to rest.
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Leaving a Legacy of Giving Making Charity a Part of Your Estate Plan
MATCH THE ASSETS TO THE CHARITY
Your estate plan is far more than just a set of documents. It’s a declaration of what you find most important and a roadmap of the legacy you’d like to leave. Not only does a proper estate plan ensure that your loved ones will be taken care of when you’re gone, but it also allows you to make an impact on the wider world through charitable giving. Many avenues exist for making planned gifts to nonprofits, but here are some of the basics on how to make giving a part of your plan. The most basic way to give to a charity is by naming it in your will. Simply name the charitable organization you wish to support among your beneficiaries, and specify the assets you wish to give. If estate or income taxes are a concern, ensure your chosen organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. These are the charities the IRS deems tax-exempt. NAME A CHARITY IN YOURWILL
Almost all charities will accept cash bequests, though it is always a good idea to notify an organization about what you are planning to give. Smaller philanthropies may not accept complex assets, such as stocks or real estate. On the other hand, some charities may specialize in specific assets. For example, if your home is considered a historic site within your town, you may want to gift it to a preservation society so that it stays properly maintained. There are different ways to structure a charitable bequest, giving you the flexibility to make sure your estate planning goals are met. If you have a set sum of money or a particular asset you wish to leave to a charity, you can make a specific bequest in your will. However, if you want to ensure your loved one’s needs are met before giving a portion of your estate DECIDE HOW TO GIVE
to charity, you can make what’s known as a residuary gift. With a residuary gift, once debts have been paid off and your other beneficiaries have received their bequests, a specified percentage of your remaining estate will go to a charity of your choice.
OTHER AVENUES
Depending on your income level and the kinds of assets in your estate, more complex means of making a planned gift may be available to you. Talk to your estate planner to see if creating a charitable trust or establishing a foundation is the right move for you.
Take a Break!
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
STRAWBERRY MANGO PALETAS Ingredients
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1 1/4 cups strawberries, chopped 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 medium ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped
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Directions
1. In a saucepan, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cook strawberries until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. 3. Remove fromheat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée mangoes with 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth.
purée strawberry mixture until smooth. 5. Into 8 3-ounce ice pop molds, spoon 2 tablespoons mango
purée. Add 2 tablespoons strawberry purée to each mold, then top with
remaining mango purée, leaving 1/2 inch between filling and top of mold. 6. Using a small knife, gently swirl layers together. 7. Insert ice pop sticks and freeze until solid. 8. Dipmolds in hot water for a few seconds, then unmold paletas and serve immediately.
BLOOMING BOUQUET BUMBLEBEE CINCO DE MAYO
DAFFODIL EMERALD GEMINI MEMORIAL DAY
MOTHERS DAY REMEMBER ROSE TAURUS
Scrape into a mediumbowl and clean the blender. Then,
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Terri PAGE 1 Are Your Family Vacations Getting Stale? PAGE 1 Genealogy Sites Provide Breakthroughs in Cold Cases PAGE 2 Making Charity a Part of Your Estate Plan PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Strawberry Mango Paletas PAGE 3 The War PigeonWho Saved the ‘Lost Battalion’ PAGE 4
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Long before the invention of radios and cellphones, homing pigeons were used to send messages as early as the sixth century. During World War I, war pigeons carried lifesaving messages past enemy lines for the American and French armies, often being wounded in the process. In 1918, Cher Ami, a black check hen used by the U.S. Signal Corps, became the most famous of them all. On Oct. 2, the United States 77th Division was trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a three- month push by the Allies during the final throes of WorldWar I to force the Germans to surrender. It became the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. For six days, the encircled division endured relentless attacks and suffered heavy casualties, but their orders were clear: don’t retreat and don’t surrender. The division dispatched two homing pigeons with requests for help, but both birds were shot down. When friendly fire began raining down on the 77th, Major Charles White Whittlesey felt he had no choice but to send the last pigeon, Cher Ami. The pigeon’s desperate note read: BRAVE LITTLE CHER AMI The War Pigeon Who Saved the ‘Lost Battalion’
As Cher Ami rose from the brush, she was shot down, to the despair of the watching soldiers. However, after a few seconds, she fought her way back into the air, flew through a torrent of gunfire, and made it to division headquarters 25 miles away. She had been shot in the breast, the eye, and the leg. Because of Cher Ami’s brave flight, 194 of the original 554 men of the 77th Division survived the battle. One month later, WorldWar I came to an end. Cher Ami survived the war as well, thanks to the surgeons who performed emergency surgery on her. One soldier even carved her a little wooden leg. She became a well-known hero to both soldiers and children in the States. For her service in Verdun, the French Army awarded her the Croix de Guerre, and she was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame. Cher Ami finally succumbed to her wounds in June of 1919 and is now on display in the Smithsonian alongside Sergeant Stubby, a terrier who served 18 months on the Western Front.
“We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.”
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