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JULY 2023 PAINTING FIRE HYDRANTS: A METAPHOR FOR LIFE How You Do The Small Things Says A Lot About You THE SLG ADVISOR
A robust work ethic is not something we’re born with; we develop it through various life experiences. This development often starts in school, as we must work through homework, and participate in athletics while ensuring decent grades and good performance on the field. When school let out for the summer, some of us tested our work ethic by getting a summer job. As we progress into summer, now is the perfect time to reflect on my first few jobs and how they helped shape me into who I am today. I’m incredibly grateful to my parents for instilling a strong work ethic in me. My dad lived by the ethos that everything you do in your work and life should be your signature. If you’re going to do something, you should do it to the best of your ability. Take pride in your work; it represents who you are. These are just a few lessons my dad would preach to me regularly. One of my dad’s favorite expressions was, “If you’re going to do something, don’t half-ass it.” He was telling me that if I put effort into anything, I should go all out. My dad was the epitome of this ideology. I remember watching him take the trash out in my childhood home in East Boston and duct-taping the bags shut so animals didn’t get into it. We teased him about it a lot! It took extra effort, but it was well worth it in his eyes. My dad never half-assed anything, and I admire that about him. (And yes, I now duct tape my trash bags, too). When it came time for me to start working summer jobs, I was incredibly fortunate. My mother was politically involved in Boston, so I was able to secure some very cool city jobs that people always wondered how I got. One job that sticks out in my mind involved working for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission when I was 18 or 19. My job was to drive around some of the worst parts of Boston and paint fire hydrants. Black bottoms, yellow tops! I remember watching other people on the job not care for the quality of their work. Their finished product would look sloppy, and they always dripped a decent amount of black paint onto the sidewalk. In these moments, my dad’s
advice to not half-ass anything echoed in my ears: “Paint it like you care, don’t half ass it Len.” I took great care in painting those fire hydrants, even if it was one of the most menial tasks I ever took on. I was the Picasso of painting fire hydrants! Even the full-time employees I worked alongside would laugh and joke that I had another masterpiece on my hands whenever I started. I took pride in that summer job, even though it was one of the least enjoyable jobs out there. That was one of the jobs that helped
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Why I Hate Insurance Companies
Heading to t STAY July is one of the best months of the year to get out on the golf course and play a round. While on the course, you’re likely trying to improve your game, sink your shots, and enjoy the weather. It’s important to remember that accidents and injuries can occur on the golf course, especially if you’re riding in a golf cart instead of walking. We don’t often think about golf cart accidents while playing because they seem rare, but they happen more often than you think. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, approximately 15,000 golf cart-related injuries require emergency medical attention every year. What’s surprising is how many of those injured are children. The American Academy of Pediatrics ran a 10- year study that found over 6,000 children are injured in golf cart accidents annually. If you plan to hit the green this summer, you must be cautious while riding around in a golf cart. Watch your speed and avoid turning too quickly, or you could flip
If you’ve ever had to deal with an insurance company for anything, you know how frustrating it can be. Insurance companies rarely have your best interests in mind when making decisions. It’s something we
see frequently in our line of work. Let me give you a great example of why I hate insurance companies.
An older woman was recently involved in a car accident that injured her. The at-fault party’s insurance company reaches out to her and says, “We’re so sorry you got into an accident. We want to do what’s right and take care of you.” They offer her $7,000, which she thinks is a reasonable amount. The woman didn’t do anything wrong and is in her early 80’s, so any injury could be life-altering. This woman has a niece who cares a lot about her. The niece says she should run the situation by an attorney before accepting the money. The older woman disagrees with her niece, but the niece is persistent and does her research. She finds out about us online, looks through our Google reviews, and gives us a call. I hear the story from the niece and tell her to make sure her aunt doesn’t sign any paperwork from the insurance company. I did not want the insurance company to take advantage of her. I met with the aunt, who was a lovely woman, and made a deal with her. I promised her she wouldn’t receive anything less than the originally offered $7,000 if she accepted our help. She agreed and retained us as her attorney. Within a short time, the insurance company paid approximately seven times what they initially offered. The only change was that we got involved and prevented the insurance company from taking advantage of her. As despicable and unusual as this story might sound, it’s a situation we see weekly. Insurance companies are not fair. They like to fight, but we make it a fair fight. Don’t blindly trust insurance companies.
Review of the Month
“This office was amazing. The communication was stellar. Emails and phone calls were answered promptly. The level of knowledge and professionalism was outstanding. I was rear-ended and sustained some serious injuries. The office met with me and after hearing the details, did all of the remaining work. Joan was outstanding to work with. Though I hope nothing like this ever happens to me again, if it did, I would have comfort in knowing I could seek Spada Law Group’s assistance again.” –Lauren Jallow
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the Golf Course? SAFE IN YOUR CART
the golf cart. The typical golf cart weighs between 800 and 1,100 pounds, so it won’t be fun if it lands on you. It’s also best to avoid drinking while driving a golf cart, as it is still a motorized vehicle. And if you want your kids to drive, make sure they’re of legal age. In Massachusetts, you must be at least 16 years old and possess a driver’s license to operate a golf cart. You should know your rights if you’re injured while driving or riding a golf cart. If you’re driving and hurt yourself, there’s not much you can do, but you may be entitled to compensation if you’re injured
by another driver or as the passenger while your friend is driving. You might be reluctant to try anything if your friend is to blame, but their homeowner’s insurance policy may cover the injured individual. Golf carts can be dangerous. They tip easily and don’t have seatbelts. The
INGREDIENTS • 2 large portobello mushrooms • 1 red bell pepper • 1/2 onion • Salt, to taste • 14-oz can refried black beans • Vegan crema (optional) • Avocados (optional) • 4 tortillas Chipotle Marinade • 1 tbsp oil • 2 tbsp sauce from canned chipotle in adobo sauce • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1/2 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp coriander DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice mushrooms and bell pepper into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Then, cut onion into 1/2-inch-thick rings. On a parchment-lined sheet pan, place all sliced vegetables. 3. In a small bowl, whisk marinade ingredients together. 4. Brush both sides of mushrooms with a liberal amount of marinade. Then, lightly brush the bell peppers and onions. Sprinkle salt on the mushrooms. Roast vegetables for 20 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. 5. Heat beans and prepare additional toppings if desired. 6. Spread refried beans on warm tortillas and top with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and any additional toppings. Easy Chipotle Portobello Tacos Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
injuries people sustain in golf cart accidents are often severe and can involve broken bones. Treat golf carts with the same respect as a car, and you’ll have a much easier time staying safe.
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me develop my work ethic, and I still hold the same values now that I had then. How you do the job in front of you speaks volumes about your character and work ethic. Your work ethic will determine where you end up in life. If you’re willing to half-ass your job, you’re likely willing to half-ass a lot of things in life. At Spada Law Group, we don’t half-ass anything. We treat the work we do with care and strive for excellence so our clients get our best, always. So, the next time you’re tempted to “half ass” something (and we all get tempted!) don’t give in; instead, dig down and give it your best. You won’t regret it.
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617.889.5000 | SPADALAWGROUP.COM
111 Everett Ave., #1F Chelsea, MA 02150 INSIDE Never ‘Half-Ass’ Anything
Insurance Companies Aren’t Your Friend
The Hidden Dangers of Golf Carts
Testimonial
Recipe of the Month: Easy Chipotle Portobello Tacos
How a Byzantine Princess Introduced Forks to Europe
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In Forks We Trust HOW EUROPE EVENTUALLY STOPPED EATING WITH THEIR HANDS
If you attend a dinner party, go on a date at a restaurant, or eat a plate of pasta, you’ll use a fork without thinking twice. This is proper etiquette — and the cleanest and most efficient way to eat a meal! Could you imagine trying to eat a plate of spaghetti and meatballs without one? Wealthy people in other parts of the world, such as the Byzantine Empire and the Middle East, have been using forks since the 17th century. However, before that, forks were considered to be sacrilegious and rude to use at the dinner table in Europe! In fact, in the 11th century, a Byzantine princess was ridiculed for bringing forks into her new husband’s home. Maria Argyropoulina, the Greek niece of Emperor Basil II of Byzantium, arrived in Venice, Italy, prepared to marry Giovanni, the son of Pietro Orseolo II, the Doge of Venice. She brought all of her belongings with her to move into her new house,
including a case of golden forks. At the
wedding, she pulled out one of her golden forks to partake in her wedding feast, and the reaction she got took her by surprise. The clergy lambasted her, saying things like, “God in his wisdom has provided man with natural forks — his fingers. Therefore, it is an insult to him to substitute artificial metal forks for them when eating.” However, this didn’t urge the princess to eat with her hands, and she stuck with her forks. Shortly after the marriage, the Byzantine princess, unfortunately, contracted the plague and passed away. Many believed this was “karma” for refusing to eat with her hands and bringing a fork to her husband’s home. But thanks to Maria Argyropoulina, Europe was introduced to the fork and never had to worry about eating spaghetti and meatballs — or any other dish — with their hands again.
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