Stubbins Watson & Bryan August 2018

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THE LEGAL NAVIGATOR AUGUST 2018

FROM THE DESK OF

Mike Bryan

Hello everyone! This month I would like to say a few words about Veterans Benefits — specifically, the Improved Pension Program. If someone is experiencing home health care, assisted living, or nursing home costs, this is one of the most valuable benefits available. This benefit can work for Veterans or widowed spouses of Veterans. The Veteran must have served at least 90 days active duty with one day during a wartime period. The Veteran must have received a discharge something other than dishonorable. The household must have limited income and assets available as well. In order to maximize benefits, the applicant must also require some assistance in order to meet “Aid and Attendance” requirements. The applicant must be very careful to ensure that they qualify on an income, asset, and healthcare basis. In many cases, irrevocable trusts are used in order to help qualify for VA Benefits, but still provide appropriate protections. It is also important to understand how planning techniques can affect a potential Medicaid application in the future as well. This benefit can allow the applicant to receive anywhere from $14,113 to $26,036 per year in tax-free income from the VA.

AMIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FESTIVAL August Bucket-List Events

August may be void of any major U.S. holidays, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t events worth celebrating during the eighth month of the year. Perhaps owing to its location on the calendar, right at the peak of summer, August plays host to some of America’s most unique festivals and events. No matter where you are on the map, there’s something remarkable going on this month in or near your neck of the woods. Here are a few of the August’s bucket-list events. Maine Lobster Festival August 1–5 Rockland, Maine For much of American history, lobsters were considered the“cockroaches of the sea”and awarded no culinary prestige. Around the turn of the 20th century, however, their reputation as a delicacy began to grow. Diners in Boston and NewYork helped raise the prestige of Maine lobsters, which are now as prized as truffles from Piedmont and bluefin tuna from Japan. It’s no surprise, then, that Maine lobsters have an entire festival devoted to them. During the first weekend in August, upward of 30,000 seafood fanatics from all over the country head to Rockland, Maine, to dine on the country’s most famous crustaceans. In addition to lobster in every form imaginable — grilled, boiled, served in bisques, and heaped on buns — the Maine Lobster Festival features local art, music, and games for kids. It also crowns a “sea goddess” during its yearly pageant. Oh, and if you want to burn off some calories, there’s a 5K and 10K race during the festival. 127 Yard Sale August 2–5 Addison, Michigan, to Gadsden, Alabama

If you have questions about this program, please contact our office!

- Mike Bryan

Summer is yard-sale season, and they don’t come any bigger than the 127 Yard Sale. Billing itself as “the world’s longest yard sale,” it features more than 2,200 vendors from the Midwest

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to the Deep South, all clustered along 690 miles of Highway 127. It passes through six states and features an uncountable number of treasures just waiting to be discovered. Because of its vast nature, the 127 Yard Sale offers travelers the chance to combine two of America’s most storied pastimes: road trips and bargain hunting. There are plenty of scenic destinations to stop and admire between looking for antiques, collectibles, and everything else you could imagine. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t miss an episode of “Antiques Roadshow,” you might mistake the 127 Yard Sale for paradise. The 78th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally August 3–12 Sturgis, South Dakota Even if you only have the most passing interest in motorcycles, odds are you’ve heard of Sturgis. The country’s most famous motorcycle rally attracts more than a half- million visitors every year, all eager to show off their bikes, rev their engines, and have some

fun. Since its inception in 1938, the 10-day rally has become a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts of all stripes. The centerpiece events of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are the rides themselves, which include trips around Devils Tower, Bear Butte, and Deadwood. There are also rally races and hill climbs. Hop off your bike to take in the concerts, enjoy some street food, and participate in the tattoo and beard contests. Bike lovers from all over the worldmake the pilgrimage to Sturgis, so you can bet you’ll see some jaw-droppingly cool rides, frompristine vintage bikes to one-of- a-kind custom creations. Minnesota Renaissance Festival Weekends, August 18–September 30 Shakopee, Minnesota With an annual attendance of 300,000, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival has grown to be the country’s largest Renaissance fair. Technology may not be advanced enough to actually transport you back to the 16th century, but you’d never know it from the sights, sounds, and smells of the fairgrounds.

Get dressed up in your fanciest lord or lady outfit, enjoy some jousting, and shop for artisanal products made by local craftspeople. Each weekend during the festival, you can also enjoy themed events. This year, for example, August 18 and 19 will host the“Buccaneer Beer Bash,”while September 8 and 9 will feature “Shamrocks and Shenanigans.”Whether you love Shakespeare, mead, or“Game of Thrones,” you’ll find something to interest you at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The next time somebody tells you, “There’s nothing happening in August,” direct them to one of these or many other festivals and events. You don’t need a federal holiday to have a reason to mark your calendars.

When Life Gives You Lemons ... 4 Business Lessons From Young Entrepreneurs

Lemonade stands are rumored to have originated with New York journalist Edward Bok, who, as a kid growing up in Brooklyn, sold ice water on hot summer days to thirsty passersby. When other water salespeople tried to move in on Bok’s profit, he got creative by adding lemon juice and eventually sugar to the mix. The result of this innovation? Sales soared. Lemonade stands continue to be a popular summer pastime for burgeoning entrepreneurs, and there are a few things we can learn from these humble business endeavors. Be adaptable.

says, “I advertised through Facebook and word of mouth. I created my own business page. I shared it with friends, family, and the community. ArkLaTex Horse Rescue advertised my stand, and I posted advertisements to many local Facebook groups as well.” Build your business around your values. Have you heard of anyone starting a million- dollar lemonade stand? There’s one person who has, and her name is Alex. She was diagnosed with cancer as a young girl, and her determined spirit motivated her to fight back. She started a lemonade stand to raise money for other kids with cancer. The message of the stand with a purpose spread, and Alex raised $2,000 in a single day. Sadly, Alex passed away when she was 8, but her legacy continues to thrive through her family, who turned Alex’s Lemonade Stand into a foundation. It’s raised over $127 million for cancer research.

of the stand was frequented by many French- speaking Canadian customers, and since the friend was born in Montreal and spoke French, the girls greeted each customer in English and French. More conversation makes more sales. Ask for referrals. Megan, kid entrepreneur and owner of “Dr. Megan’s Mad Mango Lemonade” in Louisiana, knows a thing or two about the value of word-of-mouth marketing. Megan makes sure customers have an easy time spreading the word about the refreshing lemonade. In her second summer running the stand, Megan

Warren Buffet has had business on the brain since birth. During his childhood, when he noticed that a friend’s house got more foot traffic than his did, the future tycoon moved his lemonade stand to the prime realty. Buffett obviously benefited from this innovation; the jury is still out on his friend. Go above and beyond for your customers. When Ann Handley’s daughter and her friend opened up a lemonade stand, they found a way to connect with their demographic. The location

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What’s at the Core of Your Back or Knee Pain?

The Muscle That’s Key to Your Mobility

Support your seat.

If you’re not on close terms with your psoas, it’s time to get familiar. This muscle, pronounced “so-as,” is a key player in your core and comprises the group of muscles called hip flexors. As the only muscle group that connects your spine to your legs, the psoas has a big effect on mobility and posture. Psoas imbalances can contribute to back and hip pain because the muscles in these areas get overused to compensate. Imbalances are usually caused by short and tight or weak and overstretched psoas muscles. Activities that compress your hips, such as sitting, excessive running or walking, and excessive sit ups, can shorten your psoas and even lead to weakness. If your psoas muscles are short and tight, you may benefit from stretching and lengthening exercises. If the muscles are weak and overstretched, they may require strengthening movements. Here are a few ways to begin addressing imbalances. Try the constructive rest position. This neutral position can help release tension in your psoas. Lay on your back with your knees bent and heels on the floor, and set your feet hip- width apart at comfortable distance from your buttocks. Don’t force your back to the floor, but simply rest your hands on your belly and let gravity do the work. Try this rest position for 10 minutes a day.

Sitting for long periods of time can compress and shorten the psoas. To decrease this effect, take regular breaks to get up and move, and practice good posture. If you’re going on a road trip, consider sitting with a rolled-up towel under your sitting bones, which can release pressure on the psoas. Get a massage.

Here’s permission to treat yourself. Because of where the psoas is located, it can be difficult to stimulate, and a certified massage therapist will know how to access it. Regular massages can help with circulation and may improve function. Consult a physical therapist. If you’re experiencing pain in the lower back, hips, or knees, an imbalanced psoas may be to blame. A licensed physical therapist can recommend appropriate stretching or strengthening exercises depending on what’s right for your body.

Take a Break!

Parmesan

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano

4 sprigs thyme

4 garlic cloves, unpeeled

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Cut cauliflower into florets. On a large baking sheet,

3. Roast for 35–40 minutes, tossing occasionally. 4. Sprinkle with Parmesan

toss cauliflower with onions, thyme, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

cheese and finish roasting, about 10 minutes longer.

5. Serve while hot.

Inspired by BonAppetit Magazine

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Mike PAGE 1 August Festivals Throughout the US PAGE 1 What You Can Learn From the Most Successful Lemonade Stands PAGE 2 Why You Should Get to Know Your Psoas PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower PAGE 3 Safe SailingThis Hurricane Season PAGE 4

BOOK A CARIBBEAN CRUISE Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season

Flexibility Is a Must The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white- sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!

After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise.

could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. Safety and Savings Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather.

Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what

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