301.476.1020 • www.PEREZHALPERN.com
October 2019
PLAYING DRESS UP The Fun of Halloween I have fond memories from when I was little of the night before Halloween. I thought it was a blast staying up late, getting my costume ready, awaiting how it would turn out, and unveiling it to my friends at school the next day. As for my mom, who worked late into the night sewing my costumes, I don’t think she enjoyed the sleep exhaustion as much as I did. Still, she always made sure I had an amazing costume, and she did enjoy designing and sewing them herself. Halloween was the one time a year my dad would come home early from work to take me trick-or-treating. My mom usually came, too, because she wanted to see people’s reactions. We would go around the neighborhood, and I loved it because it was one of the few times a year I saw all my neighbors.
Fortunately, Jacob is more into superhero costumes than impersonating the boogeyman or Jason of “Friday the 13th” fame. My sewing skills are not up to par like my mother’s were, but I’m fortunate that Jacob is okay if I don’t make his costumes from scratch. He was Batman last year, and I’m not sure what he’ll pick this year. In the past, I’ve dressed up as Snow White, Dorothy, and the Green Lantern. Last year I dressed up as a unicorn, and, alongside me, Josh was wearing a T-shirt that said, “This is the best costume ever. Believe me. It’s tremendous.” He probably got the most laughs in the history of our Halloweens with that costume. For Jacob, it’s very important that someone stays at our house to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. Usually, Josh ends up with that role, and I go with Jacob and his friends trick-or-treating. I think Josh would like to do both, but, for now, I go out with Jacob and Josh hangs out at home. Halloween is a fun excuse to feel like a kid again. You can’t help but get in on the excitement. In addition to trick-or-treating, we usually get together with some of our friends for a Halloween party for kids and adults. We enjoy getting together with our friends and celebrating this fun holiday.
As a kid, I loved playing dress up. Now, as an adult, I get to do it for Halloween and share Jacob’s joy in picking out a costume. While I really enjoy the excuse to dress up and have some fun, I’m not so much into the spooky side of the holiday. It makes me a little nervous when everyone has masks on and I don’t know who I’m surrounded by.
Do you dress up for Halloween? Who will you be this year?
–Meliha Perez Halp ern
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A Difficult Discussion TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT CANCER
As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?” Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH Telling a child that you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional.
while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their
questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth.
Meliha (after chemo) & Jacob
FOCUS ON PREVENTION EDUCATION A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too.
The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.
When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts,
Helpful Tips
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TO HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN!
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SAFE COSTUME OPTIONS When picking out or making a costume, it’s crucial that it fits the body correctly. Any costume that is too tight will restrict movement, and if it’s too big, the extra fabric can create a tripping hazard. Kids Worldwide recommends using face paint instead of masks, as paint won’t narrow your child’s field of vision. It’s also a good idea to place reflective stickers or tape on the costume to help improve visibility. Halloween, drivers must be extra careful. It’s best to get all your errands done earlier in the day and avoid driving if possible. However, if you find yourself in desperate need of a candy restock, make sure to drive slowly through neighborhoods, take extra time to look for people who might be crossing the street in front of or behind you, and make sure there’s nothing to distract you while you’re driving. FOR DRIVERS Given the number of people walking on sidewalks during
Halloween is an exciting holiday for kids who are eager to dress up as their favorite princess, hero, or ghost. While trick-or-treating is on the forefront of everyone’s mind, safety needs to be the main priority for kids and adults alike. THE DANGERS OF HALLOWEEN Practicing safety with your kids can be essential this Halloween. Kids Worldwide states that the chances a child will be hit by a car are higher on this night than on any other night of the year. By taking precautionary steps early, you can ensure the safety of your children throughout this highly anticipated holiday. STREET SAFETY TIPS Make sure your kids know what the lights on the back of a car mean. Teach them never to walk behind a vehicle that has reverse lights on and what to do when a driver is using their turn signal. It’s imperative that children look both ways before crossing the street, always heed traffic signals, use crosswalks, and never run across the street. Don’t forget to tell them the importance of making eye contact with a driver before walking in front of their vehicle.
By following these helpful tips, both you and your family can have a fun and safe Halloween this year!
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BUT I DIDN’T RECEIVE A TICKET! WHAT’S AT STAKE WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE
We come across it all the time: Someone is stopped for a traffic violation, and they’re found driving without a license. The cop doesn’t issue a ticket. Weeks go by, then one day a court notice shows up in the mail. BUT I DIDN’T RECEIVE A TICKET! People think that because they didn’t receive a ticket, they can ignore any court notice. On the contrary, because driving without a license is a jailable offense, an officer will likely issue a court notice for a hearing instead of simply writing them up for the offense. In these cases, people often wait until the last minute to look for legal representation. The problem with that is that it doesn’t allow for enough time to remedy the matter or take steps toward resolving the infraction so that a deal can be made with the state’s attorney ahead of time. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DRIVE WITHOUT A LICENSE? A driver who has been issued a license but fails or refuses to display a valid license to a requesting uniformed police officer can be convicted of a traffic infraction and fined $50.
In Maryland, driving without a valid license can result in a fine of up to $500 and a maximum of 60 days in jail. A second offense can lead to up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $500. Unlicensed driving will also add points to your driving record, which may prevent license application in the future. If you drive with a suspended or revoked license, it’s punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A second offense can carry a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum of two years in jail. Driving while suspended adds 12 points to your driving record.
The bottom line? It’s not worth it. Do what you can to avoid driving without a license, whether it’s asking a friend for a ride, taking the bus, or using a ride app like Lyft or Uber. If you’ve been stopped and found to be driving without a license, call the team at Pérez Halpern LLC right away. We can recommend an attorney we trust to help you!
sudoku
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients • 1 broiler/fryer chicken (about 4 pounds), cut up • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 2 large eggs, beaten • 1/4 cup canola oil • 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder, divided • 1 tsp salt, divided • 1 tsp coarsely ground pepper, divided • 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 F. Sprinkle chicken with cumin, oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. 2. In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs with remaining garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. 3. Dip chicken pieces in flour to coat all sides; shake off excess. Dip in eggs, then in crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere. 4. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in butter. 5. Add chicken in batches; cook until golden brown (2–3 minutes per side). 6. Place chicken on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake uncovered until chicken is no longer pink (30–35 minutes).
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inside Halloween Fun PAGE 1
Find us on Facebook! Pérez Halpern, LLC
Educating Your Kids About Cancer PAGE 2
Keep Your Heroes and Princesses Safe PAGE 2 Traffic Infractions: What’s at Stake PAGE 3 Mama’s Puerto Rican Chicken Recipe PAGE 3 The Meaning of Dia de los Muertos PAGE 4
Contact me for all of your auto accident and personal injury needs! Dia de los Muertos
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Despite the common misconception, Dia de los Muertos is not an offshoot of Halloween. While the two holidays often happen simultaneously, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday that originated with the indigenous people of Central America, including the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Each year, they gathered and gave offerings to their dead. When the Spaniards came to Mexico, they fused the indigenous celebrations with their traditions of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2). ANCIENT BEGINNINGS Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations viewed death as a beginning rather than an end. This was likely tied to agricultural practices and the seasons, with crops dying in the winter and being reborn in the
spring. Dia de los Muertos evolved from those roots and is now observed throughout Mexico and the United States. It’s a time of remembering your loved ones by celebrating their lives. FULL OF LIFE Though the name might lead you to believe differently, Dia de los Muertos is a joyous time. If you visit Mexico during the holiday, the air is filled with music, and the streets are full of dancing and color. Instead of a sorrowful mourning of the dead, it is a vibrant, joyous celebration of life. Intricate altar displays, called ofrendas, honor the spirits of relatives who’ve passed. Families fill them with photographs and the relatives’ favorite food and drinks. It’s believed that during Dia de los Muertos, the boundary between the living and the dead is lifted, and for one night only, spirits come back to visit and enjoy what their families have set out for them. Today, the multiday celebration takes place throughout Central and North America. As tiny Batmans and Skywalkers add the final adjustments to their costumes, other families clean their homes and prepare to honor the spirits of their loved ones. And in today’s beautiful blend of cultures, many families celebrate both holidays.
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