Take a look at our newsletter this month!
the Phillips and Blow Monthly Bulletin
7700 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite 100 Centennial, CO 80112 303-741-2400 www.phillipsandblowlaw.com
09 .2019
A Bright Future Ahead
For Phillips and Blow
After seeing this newsletter, you might be thinking “why the name change?” Since opening our doors in 1993, our firm has been called JR Phillips & Assoc. PC. JR Phillips and Associates was founded by John Phillips after working for a number of businesses in high tech and international industries. John soon found that a life of constant travel between the United States and Europe was not conducive to raising three kids with his wife, and he eventually settled in Denver and started his firm. Even after 25 years, the firm still continues to grow, and Justin Blow is an indicator of that. Now, we’re Phillips & Blow PC. The change in name does not reflect any actual change in our firm, but it does reflect our desire to plan for the firm’s continuity. Justin is a bright young lawyer who has proven his potential within the firm during the five years he’s been with us, and we thought it was time our name reflected that. When he was younger, Justin wanted to pursue a career in law because his father was an attorney. After he decided to attend law school, his wife, a native, convinced Justin to move to Colorado and attend the University of Denver so she could show him the state she loved so much. After law school though, Justin knew he wanted to learn more from his dad so he and his wife moved to Florida where he not only gained experience working with his father, but also welcomed his son, Maddox, into the world. Justin believes Colorado was meant to be his home (when he’s not on a sailboat), and he and his family moved back to Denver, where they now spend their weekends camping, jeeping, and rafting in the mountains.
in helping people avoid future legal problems and understand the frustration that comes watching families tear themselves apart over money. It’s that compassion for others that really sets Phillips & Blow apart from other estate planning attorneys. Successful estate planning attorneys need to be proficient in three areas: technical procedures, educating clients on their options, and counseling them through what could be the most difficult time of their life. Many estate planning attorneys are only proficient in the first area, knowing how to take clients through the motions — but they don’t make any effort to understand each clients’ unique situation. At Phillips & Blow, we strive to excel in both the technical side of things as well as the emotional and psychological aspects. We serve many of our clients for generations, and Justin’s presence here allows us to continue to assist future generations. 1 – John Phillips and Justin Blow 303-741-2400
After years of defending people from the full weight of an often-unjust justice system, Justin decided it was time for a change of pace. Estate planning and probate appealed to him because he wanted to practice an area of law that helped people prepare for, and deal with, the unexpected. He impressed John and his associates with his capacity for quick learning and compassion for people — both of which set him up for success as an estate planning attorney. Both he and John take a lot of pride “AT PHILLIPS & BLOW, WE STRIVE TO EXCEL IN BOTH THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF THINGS AS WELL AS THE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS. WE SERVE MANY OF OUR CLIENTS FOR GENERATIONS, AND JUSTIN’S PRESENCE HERE ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO ASSIST FUTURE GENERATIONS.”
To unsubscribe from this monthly newsletter call our offices at 303-741-2400
Two of the most common scams are phone scams and robocalls. These calls are incredibly annoying and can trick you out of valuable information if you’re not careful. While it might seem like these scams are inescapable, there are some precautions you can take to avoid their traps. GIVE THEM THE SILENT TREATMENT. One thing you can do to avoid these fraudulent, time-wasting calls is to simply hang up. If possible, it is best to not answer at all. It’s always good to have a list of numbers you can reference, so you never have to guess who is calling. Think of it as going one step beyond caller ID. In some cases, answering and then hanging up can actually do more harm than good. Answering the phone gives the scammers confirmation that the number works and that they should try again. Once your number is confirmed as active, it often gets put on an “active number” list that can then be sold to other scammers who market in these types of phone numbers. If you can’t verify who is calling without picking up, don’t answer. Let it go to voicemail. If it’s important, the person will leave a legitimate message and you can respond afterward. PUT UP SOME DETERRENTS. You can even go a step further and block the calls. Many phone service providers offer call-blocking options, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You can sign up for this service in-store or on your service provider’s website. Each service costs about $4 per month. There are also a number of call-blocking apps available on Android and Apple devices, but if you subscribe to a blocking service through your phone provider, these apps are unnecessary. Finally, you can sign up for the Federal Trade Commission’s “Do Not Call” program (DoNotCall.gov). While the Do Not Call program can help cut back on calls, this list is largely ignored by scammers. If you’re getting a ridiculous number of robocalls every day, signing up can offer you some brief respite. Thankfully, Congress is already attempting to fix this problem by making it harder for scammers to call you. But until they are able to pass tough, effective legislation, it is up to us as consumers to remain vigilant and do what we can to keep our personal and financial data safe and secure. Ring, Ring — It ´s a Robot What You Can Do to Protect Yourself From Phone Scams and Robocalls
Getting to Know John Phillips MoreThan Just an Attorney
“I Practice What I Teach.”
I don’t think anybody can say their life and personality can be summed up by their career, and I’m no different. Even though I’ve worked as an estate planning attorney for the past 25 years, it’s not the only thing I do. With that in mind, I want to share with all of you some of my interests and things I’m involved in outside the office. For longer than I’ve been with Phillips and Blow, PC, I’ve sung low bass in the Colorado Symphony Chorus. I started singing when I was in high school, and I was a music major in college. Joining the chorus was a natural progression for my interest in music. Everybody in the chorus is a volunteer, but we’ve performed with some of the best professional choirs and orchestras in the United States. We’ve also been to cities across Europe, performing in Paris, Strasbourg, and Munich back in 2016. Along with my passion for singing, I have opportunities to use my expertise and talent for finance to help others in a few different ways. As a certified financial planner, I teach finance at Metropolitan State University in their CNP program. To provide assistance for the more at-risk population of our city, I also serve on the board of directors and the finance committee for AllHealth Network. AllHealth provides mental health and substance abuse counseling for people in the south Denver metro area. When I’m not singing in the Colorado Symphony Chorus or teaching finance, you might find me sailing out on one of Colorado’s lakes. I’ve heard it said that every sailor has a deep desire to drop everything and just sail across the ocean, but only 1 in 1,000 actually acts on it. I may not be that one , but I still love getting out on the water when I can. My wife and I enjoy traveling to visit our children who are spread across the country and in Italy. We also enjoy spending time with our dogs, Lezak and Loki. At Phillips and Blow, PC, we’re more than just attorneys, and we know that you’re more than a case file. We want to get to know you and your situation, so we can give you the help you deserve when you need it. Let us get help you get started with a free consultation. Give our office a call today at 303-741-2400.
2
WWW.PHILLIPSANDBLOWLAW.COM
Trusts • Probate • Long Term Care Planning • Elder Law
A Potential Cure for Alzheimer’s
A Promising New Vaccine in the Works
Around 5.8 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s. It affects 1 in 10 people over the age of 65. In recent years, a number of biotechs have attempted to develop vaccines to combat Alzheimer’s, but none have made it past early trial stages due to their problematic side effects such as brain swelling. Will a vaccine against Alzheimer’s ever be developed? While the answer to that question is still uncertain, one recent vaccine trial has shown some promise. United Neurosciences is currently developing drug UB-311, which made it through a phase 2a clinical study and will go on to a 2b study before moving onto the crucial third phase. If UB-311 clears the third phase of testing, it may be approved to be tested on large groups of patients. Phase 2a involved testing UB-311 on 42 patients presumably in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. They were divided into three groups, with one group receiving a placebo and the other two receiving the drug every couple months. Of those who received the drug, 96% showed signs of improved cognition and lower levels of beta-amyloid, a toxic plaque that builds up in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains.
on the theory that beta-amyloid buildup is a primary cause of Alzheimer’s, but recently, that assumption has been called into question. Other similar clinical trials that operate under that assumption have been halted by drug companies for that reason. Nevertheless, UB-311 has been received as a noteworthy development in the fight to end Alzheimer’s, and the results of the trial were presented at the 14th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases last March. Even if a cure seems far off, the fact that there are people working tirelessly to eradicate the disease is reason enough to hope that the last days of Alzheimer’s are fast approaching.
A similar drug developed by scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center also saw success. Their study also hinged
Trivia
Roasted Corn Salsa Inspired by Bon Appétit
Who was the first baseball player to have his number retired?
INGREDIENTS:
•
2 medium ears of corn, shucked
• 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced • 1/2 red onion, diced • 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped • 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced • Juice of 1 lime • Kosher salt, to taste
A: Willie Mays B: Babe Ruth C: Lou Gehrig D: Cy Young
DIRECTIONS:
Submit your answers to email@jrphillipslaw.com
1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.
Correct answers will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.
Drawing will be held September 30,2019
5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
3
303-741-2400
To unsubscribe from this monthly newsletter call our offices at 303-741-2400
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
7700 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite 100 Centennial, CO 80112
303-741-2400 www.phillipsandblowlaw.com
inside
WHY WE CHANGED OUR NAME this issue
1 2 2 3 3 4
GETTING TO KNOW JOHN PHILLIPS
HOW TO BEST PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAM CALLS
A POTENTIAL CURE FOR ALZHEIMER’S
ROASTED CORN SALSA
PHYSICAL THERAPY IS FOR MORE THAN INJURIES
Beyond the Break
PhysicalTherapy Helps With Stroke Recovery, Parkinson’s, and More
In TV dramas, physical therapists often urge the hero back into action. Usually, their patient has suffered some dramatic injury, like breaking every bone in the right side of their body or losing a leg to a rampaging horse. And while many physical therapists do specialize in helping athletes recover from injuries, applications for the practice go well beyond that stereotype. People battling the aftereffects of a stroke or suffering from long-term ailments like Parkinson’s disease can also benefit from regular physical therapy sessions. In fact, the National Stroke Association lists a physical therapist as a vital member of any stroke recovery team, placing them alongside experts like dietitians, psychiatrists, neurologists, and speech-language pathologists. In those cases, physical therapists are on hand to help stroke survivors with movement and balance issues and to recommend exercises that rebuild strong muscles for walking, standing, and other everyday activities.
Parkinson’s disease afflicts the central nervous system and makes movement difficult, and its symptoms can also be mitigated by physical therapy. Denise Padilla- Davidson, a Johns Hopkins physical therapist who treats people with Parkinson’s, recommends PT to her patients for improving their balance, strength, and flexibility. Specifically, bike or elliptical exercises can help those with Parkinson’s remaster reciprocal patterns (movements from side to side or left to right). There’s also a form of therapy called LSVT BIG, which involves performing exaggerated physical movements, and it can help those with the disease stave off hypokinesia, which is the decrease of movement that becomes more severe as Parkinson’s progresses. Similar physical therapy programs can be adapted for those with other chronic diseases, like multiple sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease, by slowing the disease’s progress and making the people who have them more capable and comfortable. Of course, treatments vary on a case-to-case basis, so be sure to consult your doctor before starting PT.
4
WWW.PHILLIPSANDBLOWLAW.COM
Trusts • Probate • Long Term Care Planning • Elder Law
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker