Take a look at our February newsletter!
Malloy Monthly
MALLOY LAW OFFICES, LLC
Feeling Drained? LET FEBRUARY BE YOUR PERMISSION TO PAUSE Serving You In: Baltimore, MD • Bethesda, MD • Clinton, MD Ellicott City, MD • Frederick, MD • Germantown, MD Wheaton, MD • Washington, D.C. • Alexandria, VA • Manassas, VA Did you know February was known as the “month of purification”? This tradition dates back to the Romans, who celebrated “Februa” — a festival focused on cleansing and resetting for the year ahead (back then, the new year started in March). While we don’t go around performing purification rituals these days, taking a moment to refresh and recharge still holds up — especially after the holiday season’s craziness ends. February is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and embrace what helps you to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Personally, three things always help me hit my “reset” button: a challenging workout, an adventurous trip, and just spending time doing the things I love. I enjoy packing my bags and heading somewhere new (or familiar) to shake things up. Nothing beats a little adventure to remind you how big the world is and how good it feels to explore it. Traveling is an incredible way to break out of your routine, explore new cultures, and create new memories. It broadens your perspective, inspires creativity, and helps you connect with the world in new ways. Happy Valentine’s Day! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and sweet moments with those who matter most. Whether it’s with family, friends, or your favorite treats, take a moment to celebrate the joy of love!
February 2025
The Little Things Matter Not every reset has to be massive. Sometimes, the little things make the most significant difference. • Declutter Your Space: Clearing out a drawer or tidying up your desk can be incredibly satisfying. It’s like hitting a reset button for your brain. • Write It Out: Whether it’s journaling, making a gratitude list, or jotting down goals, getting your thoughts on paper can feel freeing. • Take a Break From Screens: Unplug for a day. It’s amazing how refreshing it feels not to be tied to your phone or laptop. How Others Find Their Reset Everyone’s got their thing. Some people bake. Some go all out with a spa day (hello, fluffy robes and massages). Others take up hobbies like painting, gardening, or even binge-watching their favorite shows guilt-free. The beauty of resetting is that there’s no right or wrong way — it’s whatever fills up your cup! February Is Your Permission to Pause This month, take a little time for yourself. Whether it’s a quick workout, a fun trip, or just an afternoon doing what you love, this is your month to refresh. Because let’s be real: life gets hectic. But February reminds us to slow down, reset, and enjoy what makes us feel whole. You’ve earned it!
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Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers’ Compensation • Slip and Fall • Premises Liability • And More
Winter brings tons of snow and cozy nights by the fire — but also icy sidewalks that turn a simple walk into a game of “don’t slip and fall.” When snow and ice pile up, it’s both annoying and dangerous! If you’ve ever wondered who’s responsible when someone takes a tumble on a slippery sidewalk, let’s break it down. Property Owners Have a Duty to Keep Things Safe Property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks safe in most areas, including clearing snow and ice. Whether it’s your home, a business, or even a municipal building, there’s generally an expectation to make walkways safe after a storm. However, the tricky part is what counts as “reasonable.” Local laws often spell this out, requiring snow removal within 24 or 48 hours after the snow stops. But what happens if someone slips before the shoveling gets done? So, Who’s Actually Liable? It depends on where the accident happens and who’s in charge of maintaining the sidewalk. Here’s a quick guide: Homeowners: If the sidewalk in front of your house is icy and someone slips, you could be held responsible. Shoveling and salting aren’t just helpful for your neighbors — it’s usually the law. Businesses: Business owners usually have an even bigger obligation to clear walkways. They invite people to their premises, so they need to ensure those people can come and go safely. Slip and Fall?
While some people are out at the gym, others are busy hitting the hay, thanks to the latest relaxation trends. Bed-rotting is Gen Z’s favorite new form of cozy self-care, encouraging you to embrace your inner sloth and indulge in professional-level pillow time. Designed to banish burnout, this drowsy routine is about getting under the covers in luxurious pajamas PILLOW POWER How ‘Bed-Rotting’ Is Redefining Relaxation
to lounge the day away. But before you hurry to catch some z’s with this sleep- core strategy, ensure you
know the safe way to stay in bed for hours. Rest Assured
Bed-rotting and other sleep-centric forms of stress reduction can work wonders on your energy and well-being. Small doses, like naps or snooze-free lounging, can
help calm your body and mind down. In our busy lives, it can be easy to feel guilty about doing nothing,
but that leads to burnout and fatigue. With this new focus on sleepy self-care, everyone from high-powered professionals to homework- heavy college students has a free pass to lounge in bed without feeling lazy. Just remember to limit your bed-rotting sessions so you don’t disrupt your sleep patterns or trigger your brain to associate bed with non-sleep activities like watching movies or playing games. Rot in Style Enhancing your bed-rotting routine can turn your sleep-core activities into a dream come true. As you curl up in bed to spend hours snacking, scrolling through social media, or watching your favorite shows, be intentional. Set a timer for when it’s time to get up and try another relaxation technique like yoga or a walk. Create a cozy environment with soft pillows, warm blankets, and relaxing fragrances from a lovely scented candle. Consider wearing a facial mask or investing in new silk pajamas to enhance your comfort levels. Bed rotting is the guilt-free way to lounge your troubles away and wake up refreshed. So, if you dream of a self-care routine that’s as comfy as it is relaxing, slip into your jammies and rest up!
Take a Break
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Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers’ Compensation •
Cities and Towns: Sometimes, the municipality is responsible for sidewalk upkeep, but holding a city accountable is complicated. Government immunity laws often apply and make these cases tougher to prove. What Affects Liability? Several factors can determine who’s at fault if someone falls: • Timing: Did the property owner have enough time to address the snow or ice before the accident? • Effort: Was there any attempt to clear or salt the sidewalk, or did the owner ignore the hazard completely? • The Pedestrian’s Role: Was the person paying attention to their surroundings? Were they wearing practical footwear for the weather? What to Do If You Slip and Fall If you take a spill on an icy sidewalk, here’s what you can do: HERE’S WHO MIGHT BE LIABLE FOR THAT ICY SIDEWALK
World War II, the largest conflict in human history, saw millions of soldiers engaged in fierce battles across the globe, from the deserts of Tunisia and the muddy fields of Kursk to the streets of Singapore and the tropical atolls of the Marshall Islands. Some oddities go overlooked among the countless acts of heroism, savagery, desperation, stalemates, victories, and defeats. Bizarre events, characters, and plans that sound too outlandish to be true (but are!) prove reality is often stranger than fiction. WEIRD STORIES FROM WORLD WAR II GHOSTS AND GOLD
• • •
Take photos of the scene.
Seek medical attention if you’re hurt. Gather witness info if anyone saw it happen. Contact our offices to understand your options.
•
For more information on unshoveled sidewalk liability and proving negligence, scan the QR code.
GINGER-GLAZED MAHI MAHI
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
The Ghost Army Deception is a prominent part of war, but the U.S. Army invented an entirely new way of misleading the enemy. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, nicknamed the “Ghost Army,” was a unit dedicated to creating a fake army capable of drawing enemy attention and resources away from the rest of the front. Deployed on Jan. 20, 1944, the Ghost Army comprised around 1,000 men, including artists, fashion designers, and geniuses. The unit utilized inflatable tanks and vehicles, sent out phony commands over the radio, and even created a landfill big enough to convince any aerial reconnaissance that a much larger force was camped at their location. Operation Golden Eye Following the Spanish Civil War, a fascist regime sympathetic to Nazi Germany, led by Francisco Franco, assumed control of Spain. While Spain was neutral during the war — partly due to skillful diplomacy by the Allies — the British Army prepared for the worst. If Spain entered the war and Germany invaded British Gibraltar, they needed a plan to repel the invasion and defeat the Spanish and German armies. The British tasked Commander Ian Fleming of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve with this task. The plan was nicknamed Operation Golden Eye. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Ian Fleming went on to write a series of spy novels starring its titular character, James Bond.
Ingredients • 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp grated fresh ginger root • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 4 (6-oz) mahi mahi fillets • Salt and pepper to taste • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 tbsp soy sauce • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 2 tbsp olive oil
Directions 1. In a shallow bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, ginger, and garlic. 2. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper, then place them skin-side down in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 25 minutes. 3. Add vegetable oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove fish fillets and add to skillet, reserving marinade. Fry fish for 4–5 minutes on each side, turning only once, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove fillets to a serving platter and keep warm. 4. Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet. Simmer over medium heat until reduced to a glaze. Spoon glaze over fish and serve over brown rice.
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• Slip and Fall • Premises Liability • And More
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7910 Woodmont Ave. #1250 Bethesda, MD 20814 (202) 933-7277 • Malloy-Law.com
Inside This Issue
1
February Is for Recharging
2
Snooze Your Way to Self-Care
2
Responsibility When Winter Walks Turn Slippery
3
Ginger-Glazed Mahi Mahi
3
2 Bizarre Stories From World War II
4
The Folklore Behind Groundhog Day
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL’S LEGACY
The Story Behind Groundhog Day
Every Feb. 2, we gather to see if a furry little creature will predict the weather. While Groundhog Day is a fun tradition now, its history is both interesting and unusual. Let’s take a look. The Beginning Groundhog Day’s roots trace back to an ancient Christian celebration called Candlemas Day. On Feb. 2, the clergy would bless candles and then hand them out to mark the halfway point between winter and spring.
way. Fast-forward to Germany, where they added a furry twist. In German tradition, a hedgehog became the weather predictor. If the hedgehog saw its shadow, it meant six more weeks of winter, and no shadow signified an early spring. Hedgehog to Groundhog When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, they brought their weather- predicting tradition with them. The only problem? Hedgehogs weren’t exactly native to the area. Thus, they bounced to the groundhog, who quickly became the star of the show. The Birth of Punxsutawney Phil In 1887, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, hosted the first official Groundhog Day celebration
Punxsutawney Phil was the celebrity groundhog and has been the go-to groundhog ever since. Groundhog Day Today
Today, Groundhog Day is a huge event. Thousands flock to Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney to see if Phil will spot his shadow. The event has also inspired movies, including the 1993 classic “Groundhog Day.” In it, Bill Murray’s character relives the same day over and over — much like how winter can feel endless at times! Why It’s Such a Hit Groundhog Day combines folklore, fun, and weather forecasting to brighten the chilly days of winter. Whether Phil sees his shadow or not, the tradition gives us something to look forward to every February!
Over time, this practice led to weather predictions, and European folklore even suggested that a clear, sunny Candlemas meant more winter weather was on the
and cemented its claim as the “Weather Capital of the World.”
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Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers’ Compensation • Slip and Fall • Premises Liability • And More
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