Barrios & Virguez March 2018

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

MAR 2018

THE MONTHLY ADVOCATE

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have their own language of signals and sounds, and even as I was just picking up English, I could still catch a ball with ease and hit a baseball with my friends. Although I don’t play as much anymore, many of the skills I learned from baseball have stayed with me. My favorite part of the game has always been the strategy. Being the fastest or most powerful person doesn’t always guarantee you a win. The most strategic players are the ones who master the game. To use strategy in baseball, you have to maximize your strengths and complement your weaknesses alongside your team. For example, because I wasn’t the tallest or most powerful player, I had to learn to be more consistent. Other members of my team who were more powerful took on different roles to make the most of their skills. Even now, I find elements of baseball strategy helping me. It translates into every part of life. Just now, it helps me with law. Members of our firm learn how to assist one other in areas where we’re not as strong. This is true among all our staff, especially with Keren and me. Keren is more of a realist, and I’m more idealistic, so we complement each other with these characteristics. Sometimes, my ideas can get pretty up in the clouds, and Keren helps bring me back to Earth. She’s very good at working with people in stressful situations, and watching how she does it helps me handle tough circumstances better.

ABOVE IS A PHOTO OF ME SWINGING FOR THE FENCES

Similar to kids growing up in America, spring means one thing for children in Venezuela: baseball season. It was a great motivation to get schoolwork done. My parents taught me discipline that way. If I didn’t do well in school, I couldn’t play baseball. I’d race through my homework so I could go outside and throw the ball around. When we moved to the United States, a lot changed. The weather was different and so was the language. Learning English was just part of the culture shock. Not long after we moved, a huge blizzard went through Georgia. After living the first six years of my life in a tropical climate, it was a surprise to see my breath outside when I exhaled. Despite struggling for a while with these changes, my love for baseball remained. It was early spring when we moved, and I quickly found a group of kids at school who were as enthusiastic about the sport as I was. Sports FIND YOUR FIELD OF DREAMS

I don’t think I’ll have time to play much baseball this spring, but you can bet I’ll use some of the strategies I’ve learned over the years in my work.

Inside the newsletter, we have a few articles to help you find your own strategy. We know there are a lot of transitions going on right now in our nation. We want to help keep you informed. That’s also why we post regular Facebook Live videos in Spanish and English about local and national concerns, from immigration to personal injury. Check out our channel at facebook.com/barriosvirguezlaw.

If you have any questions, we are here for you.

–Jorge Virgüez

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THE HISTORY OF

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day, celebrated March 8, is a worldwide event that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of

any one group, but it brings together governments, women’s organizations, corporations, and charities.

It’s difficult to say when International Women’s Day began. Its roots can be traced back to 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City, demanding voting rights, better pay, and shorter working hours. A year later, the first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on Feb. 28. Then, in 1910, Clara Zetkin, leader of the Social Democratic Party in Germany, suggested the idea of an International Women’s Day. A conference of more than 100 women from 17 countries agreed with Zetkin, and in 1911, on March 19, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. More than 1 million women and men attended rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, and hold public office. In 1913, the day of celebration was changed to March 8, and in 1975, the United Nations officially recognized the holiday. In 1996, the United Nations commenced the adoption of an annual theme, the first of which was “Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future.” In each subsequent year, a new theme was chosen to give the holiday more direction. Recent themes include “Empower Rural Women — End Poverty and Hunger”

As a nation, we are going through a lot of transitions, particularly in regard to immigration. There are many unknowns right now. When will the government come to an agreement? What will the policy look like? Will there be a path to citizenship? Either Way, We Are Here for You AT A FORK IN THE ROAD

and “A Promise Is a Promise — Time for Action to End Violence Against Women.”

We’re at a fork in the road, and depending on which direction we take, there could be many different outcomes for anyone living in our nation.

Those who celebrate

International Women’s Day aim to achieve full gender equality for women around

For now, we just want to remind you that we are here for you.

If you’re worried the changing immigration policy will affect your status, contact us and we can discuss your options. We know it’s a scary time, and you may not feel comfortable turning to just anyone with your immigration questions. Our office is a safe space. Our firm has a lot of experience with immigration law, both personally and professionally. Many members of our staff either watched their parents go through the immigration process or went through it themselves. We know times are changing, and we are here to help. Our staff is bilingual, and we’re happy to talk with you in Spanish or English. For additional updates, you can watch our show on Facebook Live. Every other week, Keren and Jorge share a video on Facebook Live and open it up to your questions. They share news of what’s going on in our community, personal injury information, and immigration updates. We do videos in Spanish and English, and we’re happy to answer your questions in either language. Visit facebook.com/pg/barriosvirguez/video to watch the most recent video.

the world. Because of the recent

Hollywood film industry scandals, and because the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap Report found that gender parity is at least 200 years away, this year’s theme was “Press for Progress.” Events were held in Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and in cities all across the United States. The world has witnessed significant change and a shift in attitude in regard to women’s equality. However, we still have a long way to go. Those who celebrate International Women’s Day strive to make sure girls’ futures are bright, equal, safe, and rewarding.

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DID WE MENTION THEY’RE FREE? LOCAL EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

If you’re looking for some fun family activities, you don’t have to look far. There are many great opportunities to celebrate spring in our community. Take the kids out for a day and check out one of these events. We bet you’ll have as much fun as they do. Every second and fourth week of the month, the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center hosts Movie Mondays. Visit the Community Center for a free movie, popcorn, and treats. You can also bring your own lunch or dinner while you enjoy the movie. Two times are offered, a matinee at 1:30 and an evening show at 6:30. On Monday, March 12, the feature is the 2017 best picture winner “Moonlight.” Head into Atlanta on March 17 and you’ll witness a sea of green as the St. Patrick’s Day parade goes by. You don’t have to be Irish to join in the fun. Bring a chair and blankets in case it’s a chilly day. The kids will enjoy watching the colorful floats and lively dancers.

hunt begins, your kids can race to find eggs filled with candy and toys. The egg hunt will be separated by age group. There’s even a pet parade afterward in case you want to bring a furry friend. If you don’t make it to Avondale Estates, there’s also an Easter Egg Hunt at the Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta on April 1. The kids can get their photo taken with the Easter Bunny, decorate cupcakes, get their face painted, and visit the storybook station. The event is free, but reservations are required. Call 404-261-1776 to learn more.

The Easter Bunny visits Avondale Estates on March 31 and will leave behind plenty of

eggs for the kids to gather during the Avondale Estates Egg Hunt and Parade. When the TRIVI I I HOWMANY DAYS ARE IN THE MONTH OF MARCH?

TAKE A BREAK

WHICH OF THESE SAINTS’ DAYS IS NOT IN MARCH?

a. 31 b. 27 c. 30 d. 28

a. Saint David b. Saint Joseph c. Saint George d. Saint Patrick

WHICH HISTORICAL FIGURE WAS KILLED ON THE IDES OF MARCH?

WHICH U.S. PRESIDENT WAS BORN ON THE 29TH OF MARCH?

a. Joan of Arc b. Plato c. Julius Caesar d. Socrates

a. Woodrow Wilson b. Herbert Hoover c. John Tyler d. Grover Cleveland

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How Baseball Helps Me Succeed, On and Off the Field Do You Know the Origin of International Women’s Day? 678.934.4958 www.barriosvirguezlaw.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2

4799 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Suite K. Lawrenceville, GA 30044

The State of Immigration

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3 Local Family Events

Trivia

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Spring Clean Your Utility Room

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPRING CLEANING YOUR UTILITY ROOM

Don’t Forget to Clean the Heart of Your Home

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR AIR FILTER?

The start of spring brings everyone’s favorite seasonal chore — spring cleaning! As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected. This year, give special attention to the utility closet. The utility closet

• Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: 6 to 12 months.

houses your furnace, boiler, water heater, A/C junction, and other similar large appliances.

• Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: 3 to 6 months.

• Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: 2 to 3 months.

Homeowners often forget about these

• Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: 1 to 2 months.

appliances because they are out of sight and out of mind, and this can cost a lot in the long run. Like all the other rooms in your home, this space needs to be kept clean. Dust, for instance, can

In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!

be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, it accumulates in the HVAC intake and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a short lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home.

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