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THE SLG ADVISOR
617.889.5000 | SPADALAWGROUP.COM
DECEMBER 2019
For the First Time What Keeps Us From Trying Something New?
to get me prepared. I was sore constantly, and I complained a lot! When I first started, I couldn’t even run 3 miles without being totally exhausted. But slowly, through regular training, I made progress. I eventually got to the point where I even enjoyed my runs. This came soon after I made a powerful mental breakthrough. There was this phenomenon I noticed as I trained. When my training called for a 5-mile run, I would start to feel fatigue setting in around mile 3.5. Then two days later, when my training said to run 10 miles, I wouldn’t start to feel any distress until mile 8 or 9! I realized that my mind would take the known goal and put up a barrier just before it was accomplished. This mental block would trigger a physical response telling me that I was “close to the end” and I must be getting tired. My body wasn’t the problem. I knew I could handle the distances. Either I am a psychological mess (a distinct possibility according to some) or this was a common experience among people pushing themselves toward new goals. As I got deeper into my training routine, I fought against that mental barrier. I would tell myself, “You aren’t tired. Your mind is messing with you. Now get over it and run harder.” It really helped me physically when I knew the goal post was farther away. I moved faster and stronger to get there. When I made this realization, I took this new mindset to other places. I wasn’t just running a half-marathon to do something for the first time. I was also raising money for cancer research and the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute. At first, I set a goal of $2,500. Once I became aware of how this mental game was limiting my progress in my
“When was the last time you did something for the first time?”
This line comes from one of my favorite songs by Darius Rucker, “For the First Time.” It is a line that has resonated with me more recently as I get up into my mid-50s. There comes a point when we settle into our daily routines of work, family, and other obligations. We very seldom get a chance to do anything really new, something we’ve never done before. This is a real shame, so I told myself that I would do at least one really new thing per year. something big , bold, and exciting, something that challenges me to push myself past my comfort zone in some area of my life whether it be professionally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. I want to have more first-time experiences as I move through the remainder of my life. As I reflect on my 2019 goals and accomplishments — some achieved, some not — one goal stuck out in my head. It was something I did “for the first time,” something I didn’t think I was capable of doing: On Oct. 13, I ran the B.A.A. Half Marathon. For some people, a half-marathon is no big accomplishment. But for a devout nonrunner like myself who lives with an obsessive-compulsive runner (aka my wife), this was a huge deal! I didn’t start training until August. At first, I was overwhelmed with the amount of running I had to do to stay on a training program designed When I say “new,” I don’t mean something small or easy to accomplish. I mean
physical training, I dramatically increased my goal to $10,000. I had to put myself out of my comfort zone. Race day came, and I finished the race comfortably and even enjoyed the 13.1 miles. To my surprise, the experience turned me into a runner! More importantly, I was able to raise over $10,000 for cancer research from people who sponsored my run. That was truly amazing! I learned a very valuable lesson by running a half-marathon for the first time: Our minds often present the biggest challenge and obstacle to our achieving goals that require us to do “something new.” As I go forward, I plan to keep my “goal posts” sufficiently far away, outside my comfort zone, and be more aware of how my mind can conspire to hold me back. In 2020, I will once again strive to do something for the first time. Stay tuned, there may be a mountain adventure coming up! -Len Spada
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Build a Stronger Community
R ecognizing M assachusetts ’ F inest C harities
Danvers People to People Food Pantry —Volunteer- Run Food Pantry
At Spada Law Group, we have a responsibility to support members of our community who are struggling. We are proud to do this every day by being there for those who need personal injury help, but we have an obligation to do so much more. Each year, we look for opportunities to support organizations and people who make a positive impact in the world. Here are a few we were fortunate to work with in 2019. Respond — New England’s First Domestic Violence Prevention Agency For over 45 years, Respond has helped over 100,000 vulnerable members of our community through their emergency shelters, support services, crisis hotline, training, and education. We’re proud to support the Respond mission by donating a portion of the firm’s revenue each year. In 2019, we were able to donate over $8,000 to support Respond’s lifesaving mission. Respondinc.org My Brother’s Table —The Largest Soup Kitchen on the North Shore My Brother’s Table (MBT) was founded on the belief that all people, regardless of their circumstances, deserve to have a comfortable place where they can enjoy a hot meal and be treated with respect. Len Spada sits on MBT’s board of directors, and we were able to donate $1,000 this year during a charity walk supporting the organization. MyBrothersTable.org
Created by the Danvers Community Council, this pantry is operated by a team of volunteers who provide families in Danvers with much-needed assistance. Each December, Spada Law Group, along with St. Richard Parish in Danvers, co-sponsors a Holiday Concert with The North Shore Philharmonic nonperishable food, which is donated to Danvers People to People Food Pantry. DanversCommunityCouncil. com/danvers-people-to- people-food-pantry Orchestra. Admission to the concert is a bag of
Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 PM St. Richard Church, Danvers, Featuring
DOORSOPENAT 3:00 SEATING LIMITEDTO 800 Each guest is requested to bring a generous donation of non-perishable food to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry
Sponsored by
Doors open at 3:15 Seating limited to 800
If you are looking for organizations to support this holiday season, we strongly recommend checking out these groups. They do so much good in our community and deserve to be recognized for it.
review of the month
“Attorney Spada and his team are devoted and committed to timely, zealous, and expedient legal services. As an attorney practicing in a different area of law, I always know who to call for matters related to personal injury. In addition to the devotion to its clients, Spada Law is a partner in the community. They not only take pride in the legal services and representation they undertake, but they also give back and invest in their community! Kudos to Spada Law — keep up the great job!” –Ruth Adeyinka
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Danger Underfoot How Property Owners Can Prevent Slip-and-Fall Accidents Harsh New England winters quickly turn sidewalks, streets, and parking lots into ice rinks. These chilling dangers are why hospitals and law firms see an increase in serious injuries from slip-and-fall cases this time of year. If you own a home or business in Massachusetts, then you have a legal responsibility to keep walkways and driveways clear. Property owners are expected to make a “reasonable effort” to remove snow and ice. Once the snow stops falling, property owners have a certain amount of time to make their property as safe as possible. The City of Boston gives people three hours to clear away snow or ice, while other communities offer up to six hours. Check your local ordinances to see what rules apply to you. Snow Removal Safety Tips 1. Don’t wait for the snow to stop falling. If the snow is expected to fall for many hours, make a schedule and shovel the snow from your walkways every two hours. Waiting until the snow stops can make your job much harder. The exception to this rule is safety. If you’re faced with a severe blizzard, don’t risk yourself to shovel snow; stay warm and safe inside. 2. Throw the snow as far as possible. When shoveling, don’t make piles of snow near the walkway. If the snow starts to melt, these piles can drain onto the walkway and freeze into ice. We have had cases involving this exact issue. 3. Pre-apply salt. Applying ice-melt before a snowstorm can help prevent ice from accumulating on walkways. 4. Salt only works to 15 degrees F. At colder temperatures, salt will no longer be effective. Have calcium chloride pellets on hand to melt snow and ice in temperatures down to -20 degrees F. Even when property owners are diligent about removing snow and ice, accidents can still happen. Were you injured in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property this winter? Many people mistakenly believe that it was merely their clumsiness that caused them to fall. That is often NOT the case. Stairs, handrails, and walkways are often not compliant with State Building and Sanitary Code regulations and, as a result, may make the property owners liable for accidents on these areas. You don’t have to carry the burden alone! It makes sense to have someone thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your fall before you decide on a course of action. You could be entitled to compensation for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When Mother Nature is involved, it can be difficult to prove who’s liable for an accident. The experienced team at the Spada Law Group knows how to help slip-and-fall victims understand the law and their rights. Call us at 617.889.5000, we’ll answer your questions and help you decide what’s best for you.
HOLIDAYS FLURRY FROZEN PENGUIN
WREATH SNOWFLAKE WINTER SLEIGH
COOKIES ORNAMENTS REINDEER STOCKINGS
Courtesy of Inspired by Charm
White Christmas Martini Local Chef’s Corner
‘Tis the season for holiday parties! If you need a drink to liven up your next gathering — or to help you get through that visit from the in-laws — then let this festive cocktail make the season a bit more merry. Always drink responsibly!
INGREDIENTS • Honey • Coarse sanding sugar for rim garnish • Ice
• 2 oz vanilla vodka • 2 oz white chocolate liqueur • 1 oz white creme de cacao • 1 oz half-and-half
DIRECTIONS 1. Prep martini glasses. Pour honey into a shallow dish and place sugar in separate shallow dish. Carefully dip the rim of the glass in honey before quickly dipping it in sugar. To ensure an even coating of sugar, do not twist glass. Lift glass straight up and set aside. 2. Fill cocktail shaker with ice, vodka, white chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and half-and-half in that order. Shake vigorously and strain into prepared glass. 3. Serve during a holiday party, lively gathering, or at the end of a very long day.
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Inside This Issue More Firsts to Be Found How to Create a Better Future Review of the Month A Toast! Property Owners Can Help Prevent Slip-and-Fall Cases How Santa Claus Became Powered by Reindeer
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What About Dunder and Blixem? T he S trange H istory of S anta ’ s R eindeer We all know reindeer visit our rooftops every Christmas Eve, but what brings them there? Follow the unique and complicated history of Santa’s reindeer to find out.
A visit from who on what night? In the 1820s, Clement Clarke Moore penned a holiday poem that became the foundation for a phenomenon still alive today. Commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “A Visit From St. Nicholas” is a beloved story shared by every generation. It is in this poem that reindeer were first credited with powering Santa’s sleigh around the globe. Many popular songs, movies, and plays have preserved Moore’s vision of St. Nick, and his reindeer and their names are no exception. (Well, kind of.) Rudolph wouldn’t join the squad until a department store added him as part of their promotions in the 1930s. What’s in a name? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, and Cupid were all brought to life by Moore, but have you ever heard of Dunder and Blixem? Though we now know the duo as Donner and Blitzen, Moore originally named them Dunder and Blixem — the Dutch words for thunder and lightning — but publishing companies wanted names that would rhyme better with the rest of the poem. Still, it was a few decades before Donner and Blitzen made their appearances in the version of the poem we know today.
Reindeer burgers, anyone? Moore’s poem paved the way for Santa’s most famous form of transportation, but it was actually Carl Lomen, an Alaskan businessman, who mass-marketed reindeer as Santa’s companions. In the late 1890s, the Sami natives of Northern Europe, who were longtime reindeer herders, made their passage from Norway to the U.S. with a herd of reindeer to invigorate the Alaskan landscape and help their native neighbors. Lomen saw the reindeer as an opportunity and partnered with the Macy’s department store company to create a promotional Christmas parade in which Santa, led by his reindeer, a sleigh, and Sami herders, were prominently featured. Lomen’s goal was to promote his massive reindeer conglomerate for the production and sale of reindeer meat. Instead, a holiday story was born.
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