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kinds. We are embedded with a notable display of hope and pride that we can create a better future for ourselves, our children, and our communities. I love that this country is ever-changing and our goals continue to grow. History teaches us incredible lessons for these moments of change. It offers us the wisdom of past successes and the ill-fated steps taken during the failures. We receive a road map of strategies to avoid and wise opportunities to follow in order to strengthen that very future we are all working toward together. Today, it is my privilege to uphold those rights the colonists fought so hard for on the battlefield. As a criminal defense attorney here at Denmon Pearlman, it is my duty to protect our nation’s citizens from tyranny in the criminal justice system. It’s an incredibly difficult field, both emotionally and professionally, but my clients keep me motivated. Being a criminal defense attorney intertwines your professional life with the lives, stories, and raw struggles of your clients and the obstacles they face. There’s never a shortage of motivation to go to war for them. I fell in love with criminal defense work because I’m in the trenches every day from the moment a potential client contacts us. I’m regularly communicating with prosecutors’ offices, the courts, and my clients, and I spend a lot of my time in trial. My work requires me to not shy away from tough situations but to instead offer the support system my clients need. At the end of the day, getting the best possible results for my clients, their futures, and their families fires me up! I’m honored to serve them when they need it the most, and I’m forever grateful to have the opportunity to do so — all thanks to the revolutionaries who never gave up on freedom.
Nearly 250 years ago, our country’s founders went to war believing in a nation that could be built on freedom. The American Revolution began with the “shot heard round the world” at the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, and our country would continue fighting for its rights and the birth of this nation for the next eight years. It’s fascinating to look back at the changes this country has made since those first battles of the American Revolution. Learning about history is about so much more than memorizing dates of important events. It’s about the lives, events, courage, movements, and situations that led to the very moments we all remember. History is valuable, no matter how old it is. The most important reason for us to learn is that our ability to stimulate change — no matter how big or small — is valuable. Every revolutionary fighting for freedom in the years leading up to, during, and after the American Revolution played a powerful role in the founding of this country. “The American Dream” is constantly being adapted by small and big changes at local, state, and federal levels by Americans of all WHO CAME BEFORE ME CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYMARY- KATHERINE BLECKLEY ON THE POWER OF AMERICA’S FOUNDING
BEING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY INTERTWINES YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE WITH THE LIVES, STORIES, AND RAW
STRUGGLES OF YOUR CLIENTS ... THERE’S NEVER A SHORTAGE OF
MOTIVATION TO GO TO WAR FOR THEM.”
—Mary-Katherine Bleckley
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IN HONOR OF LIBRARIES AND MENTAL HEALTH! TOP 3 BOOKS YOU’LL WANT TO CHECK OUT
the world, Hari’s book explores his personal quest to understand depression and concrete reasons we experience it. He’s found that certain lost connections with ourselves are often the reason we feel depressed — and, luckily, solutions exist. Even Elton John loves the book, saying, “If you have ever been down, or felt lost, this amazing book will change your life. Do yourself a favour — read it now.” ‘Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, and Worry’ by Seth J. Gillihan, Ph.D. Too anxious to go into therapy? Thankfully, you can practice cognitive behavioral therapy on yourself in a few ways. Start your healing process today with this easy-to-understand yet medically sophisticated workbook, which contains 10 soothing strategies like setting goals, maintaining mindfulness, and more. You can also use this
workbook in tandem with clinical cognitive behavioral therapy or post-therapy.
N o matter where you or a loved one are in your mental health journey, books can provide new insights through someone else’s experiences or the medical field’s scientific understanding of mental health. So, in honor of National Library Week (April 4–10) and National Librarian Day (April 16), let’s open up a few contemporary, definitive works on mental health to celebrate books and their availability through our public libraries. ‘Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression — and the Unexpected Solutions’ by Johann Hari This is one of the most recent mental health books that shocked the world. Featuring interviews with experts across
‘This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression’ by Dr. Diane McIntosh Are you completely lost on what depression is exactly? Is it a clinical or emotional issue, or both? Whether for a loved one’s sake or your own, this book can give you a thorough understanding of depression that a simple Google search simply can’t offer. You’ll love Dr. Diane McIntosh’s evidence- based approach to showing the causes, impact, and treatment of depression. Even if your local library is still closed due to the pandemic, we hope you check one of these — or any book — out! And if you have a great book recommendation, we’d love to hear it. Have a wonderful, book-filled April, friends.
DENMON PEARLMAN ATTORNEY FIGHTS FOR FLORIDA’S UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY
the early weeks of working as a state representative. Rayner-Goolsby joined the Denmon Pearlman team this past fall and was elected as the first queer Black woman to serve in a Florida state congressional seat around the same time. While she was still an incoming first-year representative, Rayner-Goolsby pressured Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office to set up vaccination sites in underserved communities with racial minorities in Sarasota, Florida, this past February. Multiple studies have found that the COVID-19 death toll has been disproportionately worse in communities with poverty and racial minorities. In August 2020, the American Medical Association (AMA) published results from numerous studies that found counties that were non-white and with a median income of just over $60,000 faced a death toll that was nine times higher than white communities with the same income level. (Note: The AMA has also said that more studies are necessary to fully understand the scope of COVID-19’s impacts on different communities.)
3,000 additional vaccines would be distributed to residents in Manatee County, where Rayner-Goolsby partially serves. However, that excitement was quickly dampened when it was discovered that the 3,000 vaccines would go to residents of the two wealthiest zip codes in the county. Rayner-Goolsby was quick to respond, using knowledge and expertise to advocate for minorities by questioning this decision and promoting social justice. “Governor DeSantis has made a choice to prioritize affluent neighborhoods in Manatee County over our underserved populations, knowing the numbers are criminally low when it comes to equitable distribution of this vaccine,” Rayner-Goolsby was quoted as saying in an article published by FloridaPolitics.com. We’re proud to have Rayner-Goolsby, who advocates for all Floridians, on our team. She exemplifies our commitment to fighting for your rights!
The production and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is a welcome, hard- fought light at the end of one of the world’s darkest tunnels. Florida Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby serves Florida’s 70th district in the state House of Representatives and is a criminal defense attorney at Denmon Pearlman. For her, distributing the vaccine to the vulnerable populations of the district has been a main priority of
Rayner-Goolsby’s commitment to the district was heightened when Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that
Please visit FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov for more details on vaccination sites.
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‘HEART OF THE COMMUNITY’ MASTRY’S BREWING CO. ADDS TO FAMILY LEGACY IN ST. PETE BEACH
Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com Celebrate spring with this easy, tasty, herb-packed pasta bake.
INGREDIENTS
This story begins at home; let us tell you how St. Pete Beach got its first craft brewery.
• • • • • • • • • • •
1 cup cooked chicken, diced
1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered
Matthew C. Dahm began brewing on the weekends while his wife, Louise “Danie” Danielle Dahm earned her doctorate degree. That homegrown passion transformed into a real business in 2014, when Matthew began operating Mastry’s Brewing Co. out of the family’s CD Roma Restaurant in St. Pete.
1 cup fresh asparagus pieces
1/2 cup carrots, grated
1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided
Just two years later, Mastry’s found its own home in St. Pete Beach.
2 tsp minced garlic
For Matthew and Danie, venturing into entrepreneurship was a natural step. They watched both of their parents build businesses from the ground up, and for Matthew, a third-generation member of the Mastry family — a well-known family in St. Pete — opening the brewery was an opportunity to honor a family legacy in the community he loves. “It’s really all about making a difference,” Matthew says. “Being a small-business owner involved in the local community really gives you a chance to make a change and have a positive influence in people’s lives.” Mastry’s Brewing Co. offers a select style of traditional and unique brews. Start your tour with its award-winning Hefeweizen and get more exotic with beachy sours and richly flavored IPAs. Mastry’s perfectly blends together traditional flavors with specialty craft flavors and local ingredients. “We like to say that we brew what we drink, and we are a fan of all beer styles,” Matthew explains. “Our primary focus with our beer is clean, smooth, and great- tasting quality brews.” The brewery also offers food and operates a food truck, which became beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Matthew explains that breweries of their size rely on in-person consumers to sell 95% of their products, but three-tier laws prevent Mastry’s from doing direct-to-customer delivery and shipping. So, Mastry’s had to adapt. It hasn’t always been easy, but for Matthew and Danie, who also have a 19-month- old son named Maverick, the community they have built for the past five years — pandemic or not — has continued to inspire everything they do. “Community support really is everything,” Matthew says. “I believe breweries are at the heart of the communities they are in, and it’s more important now for the community to reach back out and support their local small businesses that have been here for them over the years.”
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.
TAKE A BREAK!
Learn more about Mastry’s Brewing Co. online at MastrysBrewingCo.com and find them on Facebook and Instagram.
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What Motivates Criminal Defense Attorney Mary- Katherine Bleckley
Top 3 Mental Health Books to Check Out Denmon Pearlman Attorney Fights for Florida’s Underserved Community Celebrate National Beer Day on April 7 at This Local Brewery! Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake
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Go Green in 3 Easy Steps
3 EASY WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT DON’T THINK — JUST GO GREEN!
Living a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle is all the rage these days. Celebrities like Mark Ruffalo, Jessica Alba, and Emma Watson continue to make big waves by supporting eco-conscious causes and by boasting their eco-friendly products. Not everyone has the budget or the ability to go as eco-friendly as our celebrity counterparts, but “going green” isn’t as difficult as you may think. This Earth Day, try adapting some of these easy eco-friendly tips into your daily life!
can cut up old shirts to use as rags, fill up reusable water bottles instead of buying throwaway plastic ones, and use cloth bags instead of plastic sacks at the grocery store. If you’re looking for new products, consider shampoo bars or refillable bottles for hair care products from companies like Plaine Products or EcoRoots. EAT LESS MEAT. We’re not saying you have to give up your cheeseburgers or ribs, but opting for fewer meat-focused meals could create big impacts on a global scale. According to the Center for a Livable Future, if just 32% of Americans opted for meatless meals one day each week, it would be equivalent to reducing the impact of emissions from 1.6 million cars each year. Swap meat for beans, tofu, cauliflower, squashes, or a vegetarian soup. Delish.com has a
great selection of vegetarian-based meals if you’re ready to start.
SHOP LOCALLY. When you venture into “Meatless Monday” or search for products that reduce your single-use footprint, consider shopping locally. According to Transport & Environment, shipping could contribute to 10% of all carbon emissions by 2050. One way you can help reduce the reliance on global shipping is by focusing on locally sourced products and foods. Shop for produce at the local farmer’s market, seek out local crafters for gifts, and buy your clothes from local retailers who purchased the materials locally. Large store chains can also have local sections that make this endeavor easier! To get started, check with your local chamber of commerce for a list of shops to visit.
REDUCE YOUR RELIANCE ON SINGLE-USE ITEMS.
Swap out items like paper towels, plastic water bottles, shampoos and conditioners, straws, plastic bags, and other single-use products that fulfill a need for you once and then end up in a landfill. Instead, find creative ways to avoid these single-use products. You
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