Marc Lopez Law April 2018

APRIL 2018 LOPEZ’S LAW

Welcome to the first newsletter from the Marc Lopez Law Firm! Maybe I should have started a newsletter years ago, but you know the old saying: There’s no time like the present. In 2009, I opened my law firm with the singular goal of helping people. At first, my assistance often took the form of criminal defense. As my law firm has grown, however, so has its ability to handle different kinds of cases. Today, we provide assistance in three distinct areas: FROM THE DESK OF Marc Lopez

THE EARTH LOVES APRIL C elebrating A rbor D ay and E arth D ay

1. Criminal defense (including DUI/OVWI)

2. Personal injury

Environmentalism is a fairly new phenomenon, only gaining real popularity over the past several decades. Just 50 years ago, there were few laws and regulations to protect the environment or restrict pollution. This April, we celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day, two holidays that remind us to take care of our one and only home planet.

3. Issues related to driving and license reinstatement

Once upon a time, the Marc Lopez Law Firm consisted of nothing more than yours truly in a small office. Today the firm is four attorneys strong, with a support staff of four more. Who knows what tomorrow holds? I’m as

ARBOR DAY

Nebraska pioneer J. Sterling Morton set Arbor Day in motion. A lover of nature, Morton was eager to share this passion with others. As a journalist and newspaper editor, he often encouraged his readers to plant trees, either individually or as part of a group. In 1872, Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday called Arbor Day for April 10 that year. In 1885, it was proclaimed a legal holiday in Nebraska and given the official date of April 22 — Morton’s birthday. He proposed that prizes be given out to the community or organization that planted the most trees. On the first official Arbor Day, about 1 million trees were planted. The date was later moved to the last Friday in April, but it now varies from state to state based on each area’s best tree-planting season. If you’re curious to find out when Arbor Day takes place across the United States, visit www.arborday.org/celebrate/dates.cfm.

excited about this newsletter as I am about making you a part of it.

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Cover story, continued ...

WAYS TO CELEBRATE

EARTH DAY

educate the public about the fragility of the environment and the importance of taking care of the planet. Nelson sought help from environmental advocate Denis Hayes and U.S. Representative Pete McCloskey to start the movement. On April 20, 1970, approximately 20 million people across America flooded streets and parks to protest pollution and push for a healthier environment. It was after this movement that several environmental groups unified with one goal: to keep the Earth healthy. This movement also helped create laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, and the Endangered Species Act. In 1990, Earth Day went global. According to the website Live Science, around 200 million people from 141 countries participated. The numbers grew in 2000, expanding to 184 countries and 5,000 environmental groups. More than one billion people worldwide now observe Earth Day each year.

Ready to pitch in and help save the Earth? There are plenty of ways to volunteer your time. Help an environmental group plant trees. Organize a group of friends and neighbors to clean up a park or river. Offer your time to a local garden. Not only will you learn about nature and how to preserve it, you’ll also help your community! Environmentalism isn’t just for April, of course — you can take simple steps to help save the Earth all year long. Bicycle or walk to work. Recycle plastics, paper, and other reclaimable material. If nothing else, simply take time out of your busy life to enjoy nature. Take a walk in the park, and pick up litter along the way.

April 22 is now designated Earth Day. The holiday started in 1970 when Senator Gaylord Anton Nelson saw the need to address the worsening condition of the environment after witnessing a large oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, in 1969. After the devastating effects of the spill, he became determined to do something about it. His goal was to

Taking small steps to ensure a healthier environment inspires others to do the same. It might not seem like much, but these measures will add up to a more sustainable Earth. We’re all connected, and we’re all responsible for preserving the planet we live on. Family Time in the Great Outdoors

hiking is that you can tailor the distance to fit your family’s needs. If you have children or grandkids who aren’t up for the challenge of an arduous daylong trek, there’s sure to be a shorter scenic trail. If nothing else, you can always turn around and backtrack the way you came. FISHING Fishing is a great way to get out and do something relaxing yet challenging. It doesn’t require a lot of skill or investment. All it takes is the willingness to learn and the desire to connect with nature. This is why fishing is the perfect activity for youngsters of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and reel and head to the nearest lake or river. While these are all great stand-alone options, together they form an amazing three-headed monster for your next family outing. By combining camping with a hike to a river or lake where you can go fishing, you are sure to create lasting memories with your family that will draw you closer together. Ditch the lines at the airport and the stress of travel. Unleash the possibilities of adventure in the great outdoors.

Family adventures are a great way to grow closer and develop meaningful connections. But with lodging prices rising and the logistical nightmare that traveling with the entire family can be, many Americans are looking at a new option: ditching the beaches and resorts and heading to the great outdoors. Actually, we know this option isn’t new at all. Spending time outdoors with family may very well be one of the most time-honored traditions ever. CAMPING Lodgings and flights are expensive, so going on a family vacation can cost thousands of dollars — and that’s just for the basics! But camping only requires a tent, a fire, picnic food, and water. Rather than scarfing down fast food between flights and dealing with airport security, departure delays, and long flights, take a deep breath and roast marshmallows over the fire with the people you love. HIKING A hike with family is an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. All a hike requires is a trail and a sense of adventure. The best part of

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HIIT IT

An Action-Packed Workout in Half the Time

READY TO DO A HIIT WORKOUT OF YOUR OWN? HERE ARE A FEW TIPS. You can have too much of a good thing. While there are many benefits to this workout, it shouldn’t be your only exercise, and doing it too often will actually prevent you from making progress. Trainer and exercise physiologist Franci Cohen recommends trying HIIT three days a week with moderate cardio days between to allow your body time to recover and get back up to speed for your next workout. In addition, consult your doctor before beginning a new workout program to make sure it’s safe for you. You can try this workout at home. Since there’s little to no equipment involved, HIIT can be a great workout to try at home. There are many HIIT programs you can follow on YouTube fitness channels or sites like Self. com. Invite a friend to join. If you prefer a group atmosphere, many gyms have classes that incorporate HIIT principles for a fast-paced fat-burning workout. HIIT may have health benefits beyond burning fat. A study by the International Journal of Epidemiology found that women who did intense activity for just 1–2 minutes a day reduced their risk for osteoporosis.

HIIT promises an effective workout in under an hour, and it ranked third in the American College of Sports and Medicine’s worldwide survey of top fitness trends from 2017. What’s HIIT all about? One of the biggest fitness crazes to take gyms and backyards by storm in the last few years, high-intensity interval training, better known as HIIT, packs a lot of punch into a short amount of time. Unlike weightlifting and grueling gym sessions, HIIT is designed to burn fat in a minimum amount of time. Each interval in a HIIT workout is designed to push you to the max for a brief period of time —“short bursts of very hard work,” explains SELF magazine. Intervals may be as short as 20–90 seconds, enough time to make you breathe really hard (and burn a lot of fat) if you’re going all-out. Another key component of HIIT is resting between intervals so you can be ready to kick it up again in 20 seconds.

Take a Break!

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

with Lemon Breadcrumbs

Ingredients

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• •

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 pounds asparagus

1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

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2 teaspoons lemon zest

Kosher salt

Juice of one lemon (not packaged lemon juice)

Freshly ground pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. Toss

heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add breadcrumbs and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and fold in parsley and lemon zest.

asparagus with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on baking

sheet and bake for 20–26 minutes, turning asparagus halfway through. 2. When asparagus is nearly

3. Transfer asparagus to

serving platter, drizzle with lemon juice, and top with breadcrumb mixture.

done, heat remaining olive oil in a small skillet over medium

Recipe inspired by Food and Wine Magazine

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MARC LOPEZ LAW

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

(317) 632-3642 marclopezlaw.com 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Emergencies 24/7

120 E. Market St. Suite 710 Indianapolis, IN 46204

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Marc Lopez PAGE 1 Earth and Arbor Day Go Hand in Hand PAGE 1 3 Awesome Ways to Create Lasting Memories PAGE 2 What HIIT’s All About PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Roasted Asparagus With Lemon Breadcrumbs PAGE 3 Do Pets Fit Into Your Retirement Plan? PAGE 4 We tend to picture energetic dogs and cats thriving in young families with children, but animals are often happy to live with older, less active adults. These kinds of homes are especially suited to older animals that might otherwise have to spend their last days in the pound. Depending on your schedule and mobility, you might not want to adopt a large dog. But small lap dogs, cuddly cats, and even birds can make a great addition to your home. As long as you do not suffer from allergies, having a pet can be great for your health. The American Heart Association says pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, may be linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers found evidence to support this claim when they discovered that dog owners in Sweden had lower rates of cardiovascular disease and a lower risk of death than individuals without dogs.

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE

Benefits of Pets

Physical fitness is far from the only benefit of pet ownership. The love and companionship our animal friends offer can alleviate depression or loneliness. Linda Anderson, founder of the Angel Animals Network in Minneapolis, says, “Older pet owners have often told us how incredibly barren and lonely their lives were without their pet’s companionship, even when there were some downsides to owning an active pet.” Caring for a pet takes work, but for many people, the benefits greatly outweigh the challenges. An energetic dog encourages you to leave the house and go for walks, a talkative parrot makes time spent alone less lonely, and a soft cat curled up on your lap helps alleviate a stressful day. If you can’t have a pet in your home due to lease restrictions or mobility challenges, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of being around animals. Consider volunteering at a

local animal shelter. You can help care for cats, dogs, and other animals while they wait for their own forever home. There are thousands of pets in shelters across the country waiting for someone to care for them. If there’s room in your retirement plan, why not invite one into your home? You might discover both you and your new friend have something to gain.

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