Brooks & Crowley - August 2021

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Review Brooks & Crowley

August 2021

781-251-0555

www.brooksandcrowley.com

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026

*Services Throughout Massachusetts

We Eat Lots of Cake in August! BIG BIRTHDAY MONTH FOR THE CROWLEY FAMILY

The August birthdays in my family are on the 6th, 7th, 10th, 17th, 26th, and 29th. Hey, that sounds like a Powerball winner. To call my wife, Diane, a good planner is an understatement. When we were thinking about having kids, she thought it would be ideal to have two kids two years apart from each other. She almost nailed it to the day! Our younger daughter, Lily, born on Aug. 7, came home from the hospital on Katie’s second birthday, Aug. 10. We thought a younger sister was a great birthday present. Like most 2-year-olds, Katie grew tired of her new birthday present quickly. A week or so after Lily arrived, Katie said, “When does she go home?” Needless to say from that comment, there weren’t shared birthday parties. Each got their own. I share a birthday with National #2 Pencil Day (seriously), Aug. 17. At this point, I just throw another birthday on the big pile of previous birthdays. My birthday wasn’t that big of a deal to me. Growing up, my birthday wasn’t celebrated in school because we were on Like most 2-year-olds, Katie grew tired of her new birthday present quickly. A week or so after Lily arrived, Katie said, “When does she go home?”

summer vacation. However, I did get a cupcake for my half birthday on March 17 (my middle name is Patrick). But it is fun to have a birthday season to share with so many family members. We don’t just have August birthdays, either. My mother’s is the Fourth of July and my Auntie Maureen’s is Christmas. I texted someone a few years older than me who had a milestone birthday and reminded him it was a big one. He said, “They’re all big,” and he’s right. They are all a blessing, and not everyone gets the same amount.

Whenever your birthday is, it’s a great time to reflect and enjoy yourself. Your birth had a big effect on your family and all of the people you’ve met along the way. Take at least part of the day to celebrate! After last year, I’m ready to go! So happy birthday to my brother Donald, Lily, Katie, niece Gabriella, nephew Brendan, and all of the other August birthdays out there. And don’t forget me if you hit on that Powerball tip. –Neil Crowley

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Have you ever felt that fate meant for you to take a different path than the one you took? In some fields, making that change is possible, or even common — as any law student can tell you, where the “average” age of students is in their 30s. But other worlds, like the world of professional sports, are less welcoming to those over 25. The Rookie

3 OLDEST ROOKIES IN SPORTS HISTORY

for three years and spitting them out, all in the name of entertainment, consider the case of another similar story that was turned into a movie, that of Vince Papale — played by Mark Wahlberg in “Invincible.” Of course, Papale — whose flag football prowess in his late 20s overrode his lack of college ball experience — signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s. Modern football has come a long way, critics will argue. But there’s no denying the old-school toughness and tenacity Papale showed in making it to the NFL. NBA player Pablo Prigioni’s career was twice as long as either Morris’ or Papale’s was, with four years in the big leagues starting in 2012 at age 35. But basketball is arguably less demanding on the body than football and even baseball if we look at the potential damage major league pitchers can do to their throwing arm. Their careers may not have been the stuff of dreams, but these three men showed something we all like to see: tough players hanging on long past their “prime.” And they lived the dream — if only for a while. We all love that!

Which only makes for a better story when it does happen, of course.

That’s what Jim Morris discovered when he signed with a Major League Baseball team in 1999 after his 35th birthday. Morris’ life became the subject of the 2002 Dennis Quaid movie “The Rookie,” filmed just after Morris’ major league career had ended. You might think that two years is a short time in the majors, but hey, you try throwing 98-mph fastballs for hours a week, 104 weeks in a row! Besides, the careers of pro athletes aren’t nearly as long as icons like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would have you believe. The average MLB career may be a few years longer than Morris stuck it out, but in the NFL? Most players make it less than three years and quit, depending on the position. While you’re meditating on the ethics of chewing up football players

How Courts Determine Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident?

Getting into a car accident can be a paralyzing experience, both emotionally and possibly even physically. After determining your health and safety, you may become concerned about being incorrectly labeled as the at-fault party. How do courts determine this? First of all, remember: Never admit fault to the other party, your insurance agent, or the police — be truthful about the events (lying could worsen the situation), but don’t say you were at fault. From there, the key to holding the other driver responsible when you are seriously injured in a car accident is proving that they were more than 50% at fault. Most car accidents are caused by some kind of driver error, including the following: Distracted Driving When a driver is texting or talking on a cellphone, their attention is taken from the road long enough to miss seeing another car or potential hazard. Drivers are also distracted by eating,

adjusting the radio, programming a GPS device, talking to passengers, dealing with young children or pets in the car, and daydreaming. When a distracted or inattentive driver causes an accident, they should be held accountable. Reckless Driving Excessive speed, weaving in and out of traffic, exhibiting road rage, tailgating, and other dangerous actions are considered to be reckless driving. Reckless drivers are responsible for a number of serious car accidents, especially on the highway. Traffic cameras and eyewitnesses are key to proving a reckless driver’s fault in an accident. Impaired Driving Drivers who are drunk or impaired by street drugs or prescription medications lack the judgment and response time necessary to avoid accidents. If a driver is arrested for OUI/DUI at the scene of your crash, your case for fault will be that much stronger. Impaired drivers should be charged with a crime, but they can also be held financially accountable.

Careless Driving A driver who breaks any traffic law — speeding, failing to signal, failing to yield the right of way, following too closely, or ignoring a traffic sign or signal, for example — should be ticketed and held responsible for a resulting crash. Even the simplest driving mistake can lead to a deadly collision. If the other driver committed one of these — or any other — driving offenses, they should be made to pay for the harm they have caused you and your family. Give us a call so our expert team can help you win your claim as soon as possible.

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Get Your Mind Into the Gutter 5 Tips to Make Gutter Cleaning Hassle-Free

2. Dress for the mess. To protect yourself from dirt and

No homeowner likes cleaning their gutters. It’s a universal truth, but unfortunately the smelly, messy job has to be done, and this is the month to do it! Why clean your gutters? If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, they’ll be too full of leaves and debris to ferry rainwater properly. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it can have disastrous consequences. Water can pool on your roof and cause a leak, seep into your basement, act as a breeding ground for insects, or even damage your foundation if it collects near the walls of your home and then freezes. Yikes! Make the messy job easy! According to the experts at Realtor.com, August is a prime time to clean out your gutters before late-summer storms hit. Luckily, there are dozens of ways to make the nasty job easier. Here are five of our favorites. 1. Invest in a gutter scoop. Gutter scoops are designed specifically for cleaning out gutters, and prices for them start at less than $3.50 at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon. Buying one will save you from digging through the gutter goop by hand! In a pinch, you can also use a pet food scoop or plastic cup.

bacteria, wear thick suede-type gloves, rubber-soled shoes, and protective glasses or goggles.

Dinner is ready in 30 minutes with this easy, seasonal August sausage and vegetable bake. Ingredients Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables Inspired by NutmegNanny.com 3. Let your hose do the work. As an alternative to the gutter scoop, you can attach a spray nozzle to your hose and blast the leaves out of the gutter! This method uses a lot of water, but it’s an easy (and clean) strategy. 4. Try gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal grates that you can snap onto the tops of your gutters. They let water through, but keep leaves and debris out. Outfitting your entire house with guards can get pricey, but they save you hassle come cleaning time. 5. When in doubt, hire it out. Of course, the best way to make gutter cleaning easier is to pay someone else to do it! Hiring an expert will keep you out of the muck and guarantee great results.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

• • • • • • •

4 sausage links of your choice

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3 tbsp olive oil

1 lb green beans

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 red bell pepper, diced 1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1 tbsp thyme 1 tsp oregano

1 red onion, diced 1 zucchini, diced 1 yellow summer squash, diced

1 tsp basil 1 tsp salt

1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 425 F. 2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Divide into four equal portions. 3. Prepare four 16-inch pieces of foil and place a portion in the middle of each section. Wrap each foil piece tightly and avoid holes. 4. Grill each foil packet for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also bake each packet for 20 minutes at 425 F. directions

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026

Inside THIS ISSUE

1 We Eat Lots of Cake in August 2 The Rookie: 3 Oldest Rookies in Sports History How Courts Determine Fault in a Car Accident? 3 Why You Should Get Your Mind Into the Gutter Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables

4 Boston Local Events:

Concerts Happening Now

After over a year of little to no business, there’s no better time to support your local venues than right now! No matter what decade of music you want to listen or dance to, you’ll be sure to find a concert you’ll love. ENJOY A BLOOMING SUMMER OF MUSIC What’s Going On, Boston?

Boston Jazz Fest Aug. 27 (5:30–9:30 p.m.) & 28 (12:00–9:30 p.m.)

Jason Mraz: Look For The Good Live! Summer Tour 2021 Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m. Leader Bank Pavilion 290 Northern Ave, Boston, MA Ticketmaster.com With the end of a pandemic in sight, join Jason Mraz and his 13-piece reggae band to celebrate, dance, laugh, and maybe even cry and enjoy all aspects of his wonderful, feel-good music. Many of his band members helped produce his 2020 album, and we think you’ll love listening to this extremely talented group!

Eagles Aug. 27–28, 8 p.m. TD Garden 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA TDgarden.com

South Boston Maritime Park 600 D St, Boston, MA 02210 BostonJazzFest.org

Want to attend a 100% free music event? Then you’ve found your match with the Boston Jazz Fest! Enjoy live music and delicious food by supporting the local, thriving jazz scene in Boston! The Boston Jazz Fest will be in its 11th year and is sponsored by many local businesses and corporations, including Capital One — you’re sure to have a wonderful time at no cost required to you.

The Eagles have produced some of the most classic rock songs of all time — now, for their Hotel California 2021 tour, you can listen to them in person, with a choir and orchestra! Bigger, louder, and better than ever, enjoy the performances and arrangements of music legends like Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit, with Deacon Frey and Vince Gill.

Thanks for reading, and we hope you catch some amazing live performances this month!

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