Check out our latest edition!
BERT’S BUZZ NOV/DEC 2023
®
A FEAST OF FLAVORS AND
TRADITION WITH A DASH OF DICKENS How ‘A Christmas Carol’ Rings in the Christmas Season
ensure that the final chapter is saved for Christmas Eve. Every time, without fail, I’ll shed a few tears as the story comes to a heartfelt close. I think when my kids were younger, they never noticed, but now, I’m sure they get a kick out of how much the story
November has always marked the beginning of the most magical time of the year, and even as an adult, this hasn’t changed one bit. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but I also can’t help but look forward to the Christmas season and all of the traditions I get to experience with my family. But before my family dives into reading “A Christmas Carol” together, we make sure to have a Thanksgiving celebration to remember. While turkey is on most people’s minds, I consider Thanksgiving my favorite holiday because it’s a time I can truly slow down and appreciate all that I’ve been given. Gratitude has always been a significant part of my life and personal philosophy. I’ll send Thanksgiving cards to all of my clients and partners in November to show my appreciation. Meanwhile, my family will also write gratitude notes each year to share exactly what we’re grateful for. I firmly believe that it’s almost impossible to be depressed or anxious when you’re filled with gratitude. Of course, my family also loves digging into our turkey and the delicious tarte Tatin we bake (gluten-free for my wife). Once Thanksgiving comes to a close, it’s time for me to bring out our copy of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and read it aloud with my children. This is a family tradition my father used to have with me, and now it’s a Christmas staple we carry on almost every year. We all look forward to reading the story, just a few chapters here and there. I’m always careful to
side, we’ll also dine on baccalà, which is flavorful cod with pasta.
moves me. They also can’t deny feeling emotional whenever we finish the story!
After dinner, the family will sing carols together, and one of my sons will play piano. Then, we’ll drive to Old Town, where we can witness the countless luminarias lit with candles and placed every 3 feet to light the way for Jesus. For Christmas Day, it’s time to head over to my parents’ house and eat some incredible prime rib and Yorkshire pudding. Presents are opened, songs are sung, and endless laughs fill the home. Before all this, though, we start with the reading of “A Christmas Carol.” There really is no better time of the year. I wish you and your family a happy holiday, and I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for my family and yours. Take care!
Aside from sharing the true spirit of Christmas with this beloved classic, most of our holiday traditions are centered around food. With a diverse array of cultures in our family, our dinners are certainly never boring! In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we cherish our Southern Italian heritage from my great-grandmother and eat pignolata, a delicious pine-nut-shaped dessert covered in honey. The tiny bite- sized treat can lead to eating a bowlful if you’re not careful! We also never forget to have a true New Mexico Christmas with posole and tamales on the day before Christmas Eve! For Christmas Eve dinner, we will head over to my wife’s parents’ house and enjoy a traditional Catholic Polish Wigilia feast. This includes herrings in white sauce, borscht, and plenty more. For my Italian
—Bert Parnall
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
2155 Louisiana Blvd NE #8000, Albuquerque, NM 87110 | www.hurtcallbert.com | 1
With Hit-and-Runs on the Rise, Know Your Rights THESE OCCUR EVERY 43 SECONDS IN THE US
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run If you ever experience a hit-and-run, there are a few steps you need to take to better locate the other driver and recover compensation: • If possible, take note of the other driver and the vehicle’s make, model, and license plate number. If you can’t remember them, try to take a picture with your phone. • Also note any particular characteristics of the car and driver, such as their appearance, unique bumper stickers, etc. • Stay at the scene and never try to chase down the other driver. • Call the police so they can file an official report. Exchange contact information with any witnesses. • Check if nearby security cameras recorded the accident. • Always seek medical attention after an accident. Even if you don’t feel pain in the moment, you could have an injury that you need on record to support your case. If Injured, Call an Attorney Given that nearly 1 in 5 wrecks involves a hit-and-run driver, it is IMPERATIVE that you purchase substantial uninsured motorist coverage. Often, your uninsured motorist coverage or other insurance type can help cover the damages resulting from a hit- and-run. Yet, you should contact a personal injury attorney to help build your case if you are facing severe and costly injuries. An attorney can help not only to complete an investigation to find the other driver and hold them accountable but can also help to uncover more uninsured motorist
Most of us could never imagine abandoning the scene of a car accident, yet these collisions happen every single day across the country. The American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation has revealed that there is a hit-and-run wreck every 43 seconds in the United States. As for New Mexico specifically, the state Department of Transportation shared that in 2021 alone, there were 7,788 hit-and-run crashes — a staggering 19.1% (nearly 1 in 5) of all wrecks in New Mexico! While we hope you never experience a hit-and-run, you should be prepared to know exactly what to do if the time comes. Getting the justice you deserve isn’t a lost cause because the driver flees the scene. What counts as a hit-and-run? New Mexico law clearly defines what a driver is legally obligated to do after a crash. According to New Mexico Statutes 66-7- 202, a driver must do the following:
• They must stop at the scene to provide their: » Name » Address » Phone number » Vehicle identification number » Insurance details
• If a driver is injured, the driver of the other vehicle must call for medical assistance or transport the injured person to the nearest hospital. • If damage is caused to a vehicle, but the
driver isn’t present, they must leave a note with all of their contact details and insurance information.
coverage that you do not realize you may have. The attorneys at Parnall Law excel in finding all coverage that you have been paying for to protect you in just this situation (and we also have three retired police officers to help investigate these crimes). If you or someone you know has experienced a hit-and-run collision, call the Parnall Law team at 505-268-6500 . We can help you receive justice, no matter what.
If a driver leaves the scene without doing any of these requirements, they’ve committed a hit-and-run. Anyone who commits a hit-and-run is subject to hefty fines and even jail time. Yet, if the driver is never located, the victims don’t need to take the brunt of the damage.
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
2 | 505-268-6500 | 2155 Louisiana Blvd NE #8000, Albuquerque, NM 87110
SUDOKU
The tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011 was unimaginable; the natural disaster killed nearly 20,000 people in minutes. But amid the chaos, there was at least one tiny miracle: an 11-year-old Shih Tzu named Babu. Tami Akanuma, an 83-year-old woman living in the coastal city of Miyako, had her typical morning interrupted by a 9.0 earthquake that shook her house roughly 200 yards from the coast. When it stopped, she breathed a sigh of relief, but Babu became extremely agitated. The small dog began frantically pacing around the living room, moaning, and jumping at the door. Though it was early for Babu’s morning walk, Akanuma decided to appease her. Sources differ on what happened next. Some say officials broadcast a tsunami warning, and Akanuma realized she must evacuate, while others state she knew nothing of the impending disaster. But everyone agrees that Babu jumped into action. She instantly headed for a large hill near Akanuma’s home — the opposite direction of the pair’s usual walk. Akanuma did not dismiss the dog’s instincts. Babu tugged urgently at her leash, running as far as she could before turning to her owner. Akanuma said Babu seemed to be encouraging her to move faster, and the dog ran ahead every time Akanuma caught up. Akanuma later estimated they walked more than half a mile in a few minutes. Only moments after the duo finally reached the top of the hill, they watched an enormous wave wash over their home. The house was destroyed, but Akanuma and Babu escaped with their lives. How did Babu do it? People have long suspected that animals can predict natural disasters, but the truth is elusive. Scientists agree that animals aren’t psychic but disagree on whether something else might be at play. Some attribute the supposed phenomenon to the “psychological focusing effect,” or a human tendency to emphasize one detail in our memories while discarding others. But others point to dogs’ heightened senses of hearing and smell, suggesting animals may be able to detect small atmospheric changes that humans can’t. A DOG’S INTUITION: How Babu Saved Her Human From a Tsunami
Solution on pg. 4
Bert’s Italian Pignolata Recipe! It’s not Christmas without this Southern Italian classic: pignolata! For a larger serving, adjust this family recipe as needed. Simple and delicious, these tiny treats will be devoured in no time! Ingredients
• Honey • Sprinkles
• 1 egg • All-purpose flour • Vegetable oil
Directions 1. In a bowl, beat egg, and add flour until the dough won’t take anymore. 2. Pinch off a bit of dough and roll it between your hands to form a long snake-like rope. Start at one end of the rope and cut into tiny ‘pinon’ looking pieces. 3. Heat oil in a saucepan and fry the pieces a few at a time until they are golden and float at the top of the oil. Scoop them out of the oil and drain on paper towels. 4. When all pieces have been fried, heat honey in another saucepan and dip the fried pieces in the hot honey quickly and take out, put on a paper plate, and top with sprinkles!
No matter the explanation, Akanuma credited her dog with saving her life, and the two gratefully celebrated Babu’s 12th birthday from an evacuation shelter only weeks later.
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
2155 Louisiana Blvd NE #8000, Albuquerque, NM 87110 | www.hurtcallbert.com | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
If you are a medical professional or a lawyer practicing in another area of law, we welcome you to refer your patients or clients. We know you want the best for your patients and clients, and so do we. Call us today at 505-207-0144 or visit HurtCallBert.com for more information on our services.
®
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Thanksgiving Traditions Set the Stage for a Magical Christmas
1
2
How to Seek Justice After a Hit-and-Run
3
Take a Break! Bert’s Italian Pignolata Recipe! The Heroic Hound Who Saved a Life in Japan’s Tsunami
4
Help Your Teen Thrive in the Social Media Age
Smart Social Media
BUILD BETTER HABITS FOR YOUR TEENAGER’S BRAIN
rewards you for responding to the stimulus, or in this case, the sound of a notification. And, just like the morning social media, it creates a habit of constantly checking our phones to receive more of the reward.
thoughts or behaviors. In that case, they’ll be more likely to absorb and accept that information. Our brains balance out these waves 5 -15 minutes after waking, so it’s a good idea for them to avoid using their device until then.
Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, stay updated on current events, and cool off after work or school. But using social media has drawbacks, especially for the developing minds of teenagers. It’s been proven to distract them, disrupt their sleep, and negatively impact their mental health. Luckily, you can implement a few simple rules with your teens to make social media better for their brains. Rule No. 1: No social media when they wake up. When we wake up in the morning, our brain is still producing a lot of alpha and theta brain waves. These brain waves are associated with deep rest and an almost meditative state, making our brain more suggestible.
Rule No. 3: Limit aimless scrolling. In a study of 460 participants, researchers found that aimlessly scrolling through social media resulted in psychological
Checking social media first thing in the morning also triggers a fresh dopamine reward, creating a cycle of craving throughout the day that keeps your child constantly scrolling for more. Rule No. 2: Keep notifications turned off! The sound of a notification triggers our brains’ stimulus- response behavior, which is why even you may become antsy when you hear your child’s phone buzzing through dinner. This behavior is also driven by dopamine, meaning your brain
distress, decreased overall life satisfaction, and diminished mental well-being. If possible, give your children structured time on social media so their scrolling won’t continue for hours. You can also educate your teen on these risks so they can hopefully break themselves out of endless scrolling when they realize it’s happening.
So, suppose your child uses social media and sees a post that may suggest negative
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
4 | 505-268-6500 | 2155 Louisiana Blvd NE #8000, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator