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December 2019
A TOUR OF THE WEST WING
Our tour took us through the briefing room, which was much smaller than you would think. There are four or five rows of chairs, and each seat has to do with a different position and where it’s ranked. Then we got to see the Oval Office, which was also really cool. Moving on, we learned that each First Lady gets to redecorate the White House restrooms in her style, and I marveled at the marble countertops, upgraded toilets, and pictures hung in brass frames. Because the West Wing is a working office, they don’t give tours during the day. The earliest tours start around 8:30 p.m., and ours was scheduled for 9:15 at night. Knowing it would be a late night, we did Jacob’s birthday celebration at home before the tour, then headed to D.C. for our night at the “museum.” Jacob was a super trooper. He was like a little grown up walking around and listening as our friend gave the tour. Sometimes it’s hard to believe he’s 9, but that night definitely proved his maturity. He is growing up.
One of the activities we enjoy doing as a family, especially this time of year, is visiting museums. Josh and Jacob love going on these excursions. They could spend hours looking at each historical artifact or piece of artwork. I, alternatively, prefer to look at an artifact and move on. I don’t need to read every word to take in my surroundings. This made our visit to the West Wing earlier this fall the best of both worlds for our family. We have a friend who works in the White House, and she kindly coordinated the tour for us. Our tour was hosted, so we moved along while still getting to learn a lot, and there weren’t placards at each turn the way there are in typical museums. For my parents, who were in town for the weekend, touring the West Wing was a dream come true. They had always wanted to visit the White House, and when I reached out to my friend, they set up our tour for right around the time my parents were visiting. My parents were happy to extend their trip slightly for the occasion. Our visit also happened to fall on an extra special day: Jacob’s birthday. It was the only day there was a tour spot available, and I worried that Jacob might be annoyed that the White House was going to steal his thunder. Instead, he was thrilled to see the West Wing and some of the things he’d been learning about in school in real life.
At the end of the tour, our friend gave us souvenirs: Hershey’s Kisses in special blue foil with silver stars. That was, hands down, Jacob’s favorite part. He was so excited. “You just toured the West Wing of the White House, but you’re excited about a chocolate with a special wrapper?” I joked with him. He is, after all, still a 9-year-old. I’m grateful we got to have this one-of-a-kind experience as a family. It’s pretty cool when learning and fun can go together.
Have a happy and safe holiday season,
–Meliha Perez Halp ern
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The Joy of a Gingerbread House EVERYTHING YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY TRADITION
THE LARGEST GINGERBREAD HOUSE In 2013, the world record for the largest gingerbread house in the world was broken. The house, topping out at 21 feet and covering 2,520 square feet, was built by Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas, to raise money for a local Level II trauma center. To construct the house, builders created a recipe that required 1,800 pounds of butter, 2,925 pounds of brown sugar, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour, 1,080 ounces of ground ginger, and a few additional ingredients. BUILD YOUR OWN! While you don’t have to challenge yourself to beat the Guinness World Record, you can still have fun creating your very own gingerbread village. Starting your gingerbread house from scratch can be a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy. Give the kids a chance to mix the ingredients, roll out the dough, and set out plenty of candies and frostings to use, and remember to have fun! If you’re looking for unique gingerbread house ideas, take a look at 20 gingerbread house ideas at TasteofHome.com/collection/ gingerbread-houses. PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S COTTAGE Break away from the crowds at the National Mall to visit this historical site across town. Lincoln’s former home gives visitors an in-depth look at his private and public life where he worked for over a quarter of his presidency. It’s where he developed the Emancipation Proclamation, and the museum fosters the importance of fighting for freedom. You and your kids will love learning new facts about this popular president. SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY If your kids (or you!) love animals and nature, this museum is a must. It’s great for taking a break from historical monuments, but still offers plenty to see and learn. The museum boasts a collection of over 145 million specimens and artifacts relating to all things plants, animals, and beyond. The Hall of Mammals, Butterfly Pavilion, and Sea Monsters Unearthed are just a few of the exhibits that will captivate the whole family. You could take a dozen trips to Washington, D.C., and still not experience all it has to offer. We urge you to get out and explore all of its fascinating history and instill your family with wonder and pride. THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN GET BEHIND
Of the many seasonal traditions that sweep our nation, few are as creative, delicious, and satisfying as building your very own gingerbread house. Whether you’re looking to create a simple table decoration or bake a tasty treat to nibble on, everyone can enjoy this holiday activity!
THE ORIGINS OF GINGERBREAD Ginger was first cultivated in ancient China, then traded into medieval Europe. There, Europeans incorporated it into culinary traditions and used it to bake cookies into elaborate shapes and works of art, including figures of animals and people. The gingerbread house first appeared in the early 19th century in Germany. Although historians don’t know an exact date, it’s speculated that it gained popularity around the same time that “Hansel and Gretel,” the popular fairy tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm, was published. D.C. Destinations
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Our nation’s capital has endless things to do and see. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, narrowing down your choices can be tough. So, we’ve got some great suggestions for places the whole family will enjoy. THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT When in Washington, D.C., how can you not visit its namesake monument? Completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world at the time. While no longer boasting that title, at 555-feet tall, it’s still a marvel to behold. Start your day of playing tourist by strolling through the National Mall, then purchase a ticket to the monument’s top and prepare yourself for a breathtaking view.
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HOW WE HELD THE INSURANCE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE AFTER OUR CLIENT WAS INJURED IN A COLLISION
HOLDING THE INSURANCE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE In the end, the judge stated the case was not about the quantity of the witnesses but the quality of the witnesses. The judge ruled in favor of our client on the issue of negligence. Our client was so moved she started to cry happy tears. She was relieved and glad the truth came out. This is the type of resolution we seek to provide to each of our clients. When the insurance company isn’t taking responsibility, we step in. We hope this holiday is a safe and enjoyable one for you and your loved ones, but we also know the unexpected can happen. If you or any family members are injured in a collision with a drunk or reckless driver, contact the law office of Pérez Halpern, LLC. We are committed advocates for personal injury victims throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We will guide you through your legal options, support you in whatever way we can, and work hard for the justice your case deserves.
What happens when an insurance company denies responsibility for an incident they should be covering? When that case comes to Pérez Halpern, LLC, we fight.
Too often, insurance companies try to find loopholes to pay injured individuals less than they owe or nothing at all. We are here to make sure they don’t get away with it. PARKING LOT COLLISION Last November, Meliha Pérez Halpern spent a morning at the Montgomery County District Court representing an individual involved in a parking lot collision. Initially, the insurance company for the other driver denied responsibility for our client’s injuries. At trial, the driver and an “independent witness” testified about the collision. Our client also testified.
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Arroz con Dulce (Coconut Rice Pudding)
Inspired by Goya.com
Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups medium-grain rice • 6 whole cloves • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled • 1 cinnamon stick Directions 1. In a medium bowl, add rice and enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Let rice soak 1 hour, drain, and set aside. 2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a boil 4 cups fresh water, cloves, ginger,
• 1 tsp salt • 1 (15.5 ounce) can cream of coconut • 1/2 cup raisins
3. Stir cream of coconut into reserved water and bring to a boil. Add reserved rice and raisins. Lower heat to medium- low and simmer, covered, until rice is soft and liquid is absorbed, about 15–20 minutes. Transfer rice pudding to a large casserole dish and refrigerate to cool. 4. To serve, scoop pudding onto serving plates. Serve with whipped cream, ground cinnamon, and berries, if desired.
cinnamon, and salt. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes. Remove and discard spices. Reserve water in saucepan.
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Build a Snowman With Science! PAGE 4
Contact me for all of your auto accident and personal injury needs! How to Build the Perfect Snowman
(ACCORDING TO SCIENCE)
PAY ATTENTION TO PROPORTION As you roll the snowballs to form the head and body pieces, keep proportions in mind. This is important for the visual aesthetic of your snowman and overall stability. Mathematician Dr. James Hind from Nottingham Trent University developed a formula for building the perfect snowman. He recommended
If you’re lucky enough to get a good snow day this year, building a snowman is a great way to spend it. That said, building a snowman isn’t all fun and games. It’s hard work, and you want to make sure the end result is worth the sore legs and soggy pants. Here are some science-backed strategies for building the perfect snowman. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SNOW Snow is your artistic medium, so make sure you have the right material for your project. Yes, there is a wrong kind of snow to use when building a snowman. You want the snow to be moist enough that it packs well but not so slushy that it collapses under pressure. The ideal snow for building your masterpiece is freshly fallen snow when the temperature is around 32 degrees F. If the snow isn’t quite right, you can moisten it a little by spraying water on it. LOCATION IS EVERYTHING Before you start stacking your snowman, pick the right location for it to hang out. Asphalt will heat up faster, so stick Frosty on a grassy lawn. If you can find a place that will be in the shade when the sun comes out, all the better.
that a snowman be 64 inches tall, while the sections of the snowman should be 31 inches in diameter for the base, 20
inches in diameter for the middle, and 12 inches in diameter for the head. Once your snowman is built, science has just one rule for decorating: Have fun. Grab a
scarf and a top hat, a carrot nose and radish eyes, or a fancy bow tie. Building the perfect snowman means building a snowman that will make you smile when you see it.
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