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Review Brooks & Crowley
April 2023
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
One More Thing Off My Bucket List I RAN THE BOSTON MARATHON!
mark — as I was reminiscing on the parties I had with my buddies on race day — my brother Donald volunteered to run beside me the rest of the way. He didn’t want me to lose my marbles, so I was grateful to have some entertainment for the final stretch. The theory is simple enough. It’s really just left, right, left. In reality, it works out differently. Heartbreak Hill was littered with runners who started too fast or got injured along the way. There were buses stationed along Heartbreak Hill to take the beaten runners to the finish line. No thanks. As we raced (relative term) across the finish line, I had a feeling of accomplishment. I participated in and completed the Boston Marathon — I mentally checked that item off my bucket list! The biggest takeaway from the event were the thousands of people encouraging me and the other runners. It’s incredible to see the things you can accomplish when you have an outstanding amount of support behind you. But I also admire the runners, their individual stories showcase the triumph of the human spirit. Marathons are a metaphor for life. You need to pace yourself and not give up. There will always be ups and downs. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I will always remember this experience. However, you won’t catch me running in the marathon again! If you need to find me, look for a barbecue — you’ll see me there. Bonus Marathon Trivia: What did the original marathoner, Greek messenger, Pheidippides, say when he arrived in Athens?
To us Boston locals, Patriots’ Day is a huge holiday that we celebrate. Not only are we honoring the soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, but it’s also the day the Boston Marathon takes place. Every third Monday of April, you can see thousands of people swarming the city of Boston as they cheer on the runners in their pursuit of the finish line. If you were to have an aerial view of the city during this time, we would all look like dozens of ant colonies piled on top of each other. I remember watching press coverage of the Boston Marathon growing up. It is truly an international event. I was fascinated by the camaraderie participants had with each other, the motivation that helps runners complete the challenge, and all the people that come to participate in the marathon or cheer on their loved ones and strangers. It sort of made me want to give it a try. One year, I decided to give it a go. Let’s be clear-this wasn’t recently. This was before I went to law school. I ran the marathon before there were charities that you could join and run. Runners in my age group had to qualify with a time of three hours (3:00) flat. That wasn’t happening so I just ran unofficially. I really liked the idea of running the Boston Marathon. I didn’t like the training for the marathon, and I have a lot of respect for people that run it every year. Just for perspective, my race in high school was the fifty-yard dash. That’s a long way from 26.2 miles. I felt like a fly on the wall of a society that I knew little about. I didn’t train with any other runners so I just went along with the crowd on race day. There were many of us unofficial runners. The scale of the logistical operation was incredible. The organizers
thought of every detail. There were shuttle buses from various points around Boston to the starting line in Hopkinton. Thousands of runners wore older sweatshirts at the start when it was colder and discarded them along the way. There was a charity with bins that collected them, cleaned them and donated them to those in need. Water stops, bands, banners, signs, people of all ages shouting encouragement non-stop. It was a surreal experience. During my college years, watching the Marathon by Boston College was always great. When the weather was nice, it was an unbeatable spring day. Later, I watched the marathon from my buddy Stevo’s place on Commonwealth Avenue, right at the 21-mile mark. It was a blast every year, Stevo had the grill going, great music and a great crowd. The Boston marathon is no joke — it challenges you mentally and physically. I trained a little bit before race day, but not nearly enough to prepare for that distance. They say the crowd can get you through the tough spots and that is true. There were crowds along almost the entire route, which is very impressive. There are points where doubt creeps in. I do not remember ever being in Ashland before that day so when I saw the “Entering Ashland” sign, I thought I’m really in for it now. I didn’t know where Ashland was and had to run home. Another lifesaving tip was being told that it was a good idea to have someone meet me along the way that could run the latter part of the race with me in case I was out of gas after Heartbreak Hill. When I reached the 21-mile
Legend has it he said “Nike”, Greek for victory
–Neil Crowley
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BEATING THE CLOCK ‘FREE TIME’ HELPS US SAVE OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE
Time is money, as the adage goes. But author Jenny Blake believes time is our life force, making it much too precious to waste. In her 2022 book, “Free Time: Lose the Busy Work, Love Your Business,” she argues that
There’s no one-size-fits-all system for every business, but “Free Time” will help any reader discover theirs. The exercises and recommendations will give you plenty of food for thought and actionable ways to find your ideal work/life balance — which, as Blake notes in the book, is different for everyone.
many entrepreneurs aren’t making the most of this crucial resource and suggests sustainable changes to how many of us do business. Being busy has become a virtue in our culture. People who aren’t constantly busy are seen as lazy and unproductive — and no one expects an unbusy entrepreneur to be successful. But Blake turns this thinking on its head. She argues that you can build the business you want without sacrificing the rest of your life.
Business leaders are used to books and courses that promote growth at all costs. That’s fine for some, but not everyone wants to scale their business endlessly. Sometimes, small-business owners want to keep their businesses small — and there’s nothing wrong with that. Blake shares that she limits her work to 30 hours a week because she values her other pursuits. The idea may sound impossible now, but there are many ways to reduce your current workload without sacrificing your continued success.
Further, many things we spend so much time on are unnecessary. Blake’s approach to conquering the hamster
wheel of entrepreneurship involves creating workable systems and a winning team. Many tasks we think no one else can handle can often be automated and outsourced to others. While many entrepreneurs think their only options are to do it all or hire a small army, Blake advocates for a “delightfully tiny team” that can get more done with improved processes.
“Free Time” is for people currently bogged down with “The Burdensome B’s.” If you’re bored, bottlenecked, burned out, or buried by bureaucracy, this book will help you reclaim your life. Blake reminds us that our time is much more precious than money. Isn’t it time you learned to use yours more wisely?
It’s Dog Bite Prevention Week! How Does Massachusetts Protect Victims?
abusing the dog, the animal’s owner would not be liable for damages or injuries. Can a ‘beware of dog’ sign protect the owner? While in some states, like Florida, “beware of dog” signs protect pet owners if their dog harms someone or their property. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Massachusetts. A “beware of dog” sign won’t protect you from lawsuits. In fact, these signs may strengthen the plaintiff’s claim! The plaintiff’s lawyer could persuade the courts that a “beware of dog” sign on the property means the owner is letting others know about the harm their pet could cause. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put a sign on your property. But it’s best to use more neutral terms such as “dog on premises” or a “no trespassing” sign. Trespassing is a crime
in Massachusetts, and it’s one of the factors that can protect pet owners from being held responsible for dog bites if the victim enters their property without permission. How can owners prevent dog bites? We never know how our pets will react in certain situations. However, it’s best to install a fence around your property for preventive measures. But some dogs can jump over fences or find a broken link where they can exit. Therefore, if your dog is skittish around new people or becomes aggressive, keep them in a kennel or closed room when guests visit. If you or someone you know received injuries due to a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. Please allow your friends at Brooks & Crowley to assist you. We will happily review your case and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
A dog is considered a man’s best friend — and they’re not wrong! Dogs are very loyal and will do anything to protect their owners. However, sometimes our furry friends can cause severe injuries to those around us. And victims may consider legal action. What are Massachusetts’ dog bite laws? Our state has some of the best laws for protecting dog bite victims. We are a strict liability state meaning that the dog’s owner is fully responsible for any harm the dog does to people or property. Additionally, the victim doesn’t need to prove negligence to receive compensation. However, there are some things you need to consider. If someone was trespassing, teasing, tormenting, or
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Cheese and Desist!
McDonald’s Customers Sue for Being Forced to Pay for Cheese
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, things got a little crazy! Two McDonald’s customers sued the fast-food chain for $5 million, alleging they were unfairly charged when they ordered Quarter Pounders without cheese. According to the lawsuit, the fast-food restaurant chain historically had four menu options: a Quarter Pounder with cheese, a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, a Quarter Pounder, and a Double
These customers ordered Quarter Pounders but asked for no cheese on their burger, and they did not receive cheese on their burger but were charged the same price as a Quarter Pounder with cheese. Their lawsuit states that they, and other customers who do not want cheese on their burgers, are forced to pay for two slices of cheese anyway, and they sued for damages as a result of being overcharged and required to pay for American cheese when they did not want or receive it on their burger.
Quarter Pounder. The “with cheese” options were roughly between 30 cents and 90 cents more expensive than the “without cheese” burgers. At some point, McDonald’s discontinued the “without cheese” options.
According to USA Today, a McDonald’s spokesperson advised that the company does its best to allow customers to customize their food orders. If someone doesn’t want cheese as it is listed on the menu, the fast-food chain will not include cheese, thus they didn’t think the lawsuit has any merit.
Only a Quarter Pounder with cheese and a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese were available at the time these two customers visited the restaurant. The ingredients listed on McDonald’s website for these items include a sesame seed bun, quarter-
And because the McDonald’s customers failed to prove they were damaged by an overcharge, the case was dismissed!
pound 100% beef patty, ketchup, onions, pasteurized processed American cheese, and pickle slices.
Have a Laugh!
Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com
Start your March mornings off with a seasonal flair by making these traditional Irish pancakes! Thick yet crispy, these pancakes are a sweet way to fuel your day.
Ingredients
• 8 oz spinach leaves • 8 oz cream cheese, softened • 1 cup sour cream • 3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts • 1 tsp minced garlic • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided • Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, ring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 4. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 6. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026 Inside THIS ISSUE
1 I Will Always Remember Crossing the Finish Line 2 Make the Most of Your Day With ‘Free Time’ You Don’t Have to Prove Negligence for These Cases 3 Hold the Cheese, Please! Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip 4 Spring Happenings in Boston
What’s Going On, Boston? Celebrate Spring With These 3 Events
If you’ve been hibernating inside for the past few months, now is a great time to get outside and attend some of the fantastic events the city of Boston has to offer. Here are a few of our favorites. Cheer on the Boston Red Sox! Fenway Park 4 Jersey St. MLB.com/RedSox Baseball season is back! This month is full of home games you and your loved ones can attend. You can cheer on the Red Sox as they go up against the Minnesota Twins on April 18–20 and the Cleveland Guardians on April 28–30. If you want to spend the entire day at Fenway Park, you and your family should tour the stadium before the game! During your visit, you can learn more about your favorite team, Fenway Park itself, and observe over 170,000 stadium artifacts and 150,000 photographs. Please go to MLB.com/ RedSox/BallPark/Tours for more information.
Necklace. The 1,100-acre conservancy links together several parks and waterways in Boston and Brookline. You can visit Franklin Park, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Pond, Olmsted Park, The Riverway, Back Bay Fens, and many public gardens! Now is the perfect time to welcome the spring season with open arms! Take a chocolate tour! Jan. 31–June 17, 2023 Harvard Square Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA OffTheBeatenPathFoodTours.com/tour/ harvard-square-cambridge-chocolate-tour/ If you have a sweet tooth for chocolate, then you definitely don’t want to miss this delicious event! As you walk through Harvard Square, you will hear stories about the area’s rich history, learn some fun facts about chocolate, and even get to try some of the best chocolate in town. Please reserve your spot as soon as possible!
Visit Emerald Necklace! Various locations EmeraldNecklace.org
Since the weather is getting warmer, the flowers and trees are beginning to bloom, and we will hear the birds chirping again; now is a great time to visit one of Boston’s amazing parks! The first area that comes to mind is Emerald
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