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August 2018 815-726-9999 | www.blocklaw.com THEBKMS BULLETIN
Broadway, Beers, and a Hair Goddess The Shell Family Takes Manhattan
Summer is a time for trips, and this year, I got to enjoy a pretty neat trip with my family. My daughters, Macy and Madelyn, are in a dance group, and at the beginning of summer, my wife and I helped chaperone a group trip to New York City. I’ve never been to the Big Apple before, and though I wasn’t too excited at first, I ended up having a great time. Our first stop after getting off the bus from the airport was to walk right to the nearest pizza place. Yes, it did live up to the hype, though as a Chicago guy, deep dish is still the way for me. But we didn’t fly 800 miles just to try the pizza. The girls in the dance group were there to take a class from a real Broadway dancer. This woman currently plays one of the flying monkeys in the musical “Wicked,” and the girls were all excited to learn from her. Later that night, we all went to see a showing of “Wicked.” Broadway musicals aren’t necessarily my scene, but it was pretty good — even if the ending made no sense — and the girls all loved it. The rest of the trip was spent sightseeing. We visited the New York City Public Library, where a lot of movies have
been filmed, most notably the original “Ghostbusters.” We also wandered through a food festival in Rockefeller plaza, took photos in Central Park, checked out the Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Station, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, visited the Radio City Music Hall where the girls met a Rockette, and did some window shopping on 5th Avenue. At one point, we even took the Staten Island Ferry and cruised right by the Statue of Liberty. While in Staten Island, we ordered an Uber, which was on my older daughter’s to-do list, so my youngest could visit the Olivia Christensen Salon. The woman who runs this place, Christina Olivia, starred in “Hair Goddess,” a reality show Madelyn loves. The salon is by
of the trip came when I was able to break away from the group. After grabbing lunch at this place in Times Square called Ellen’s Stardust Diner — where the food was underwhelming but the music was good — I got to check out Other Half Brewing, a huge brewery in Brooklyn. I’m a big craft beer guy, and when I heard this place was releasing a new beer during our trip, I knew I had to try it. I wasn’t the only one who wanted to try the beer. I waited in line for two hours, and the line still stretched out for blocks behind me. There were six beers on tap, with some incredible New England-style IPA. They were well worth the wait. We managed to fit a lot into only a couple days. I had a great time, but I was plenty ready to get on that plane and be done dealing with crowds. That said, I went in expecting not to have as much fun as I did. If you’re looking for a fun way to send a weekend trip with the family, you can’t go wrong with New York City.
“I’VE NEVER BEEN TO THE BIG APPLE BEFORE, AND THOUGH I WASN’T TOO EXCITED AT FIRST, I ENDED UP HAVING A GREAT TIME.”
appointment only, but when we knocked on the door, the Hair Goddess herself answered. Madelyn’s eyes got so big, and this woman couldn’t have been sweeter. She talked to us for 20 minutes and let the girls take a picture with her. It was pretty cool.
And if you like craft beer, Other Half Brewing will not disappoint!
–Brya n Shell
As much fun as I had exploring New York City with my family, my favorite part
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Become a ‘Dog Whisperer’ Train as a Pack for Better Results
Your whole family adores your dog — but not the barking. This issue can lead to feelings of frustration, and the more frustrated you get, the more your dog barks. It’s their only way of communicating, and they’re telling you, “My needs are not being met.” As Cesar Millan, the original “dog whisperer,” explains, “A barking dog needs exercise, discipline, and affection, in that order.” EXERCISE Part of the barking issue may be due to pent-up energy. According to the humane society, “A tired dog is a good dog and one who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration.” If you already take your pup on a morning walk, try adding in an evening walk. You could add it to your child’s chore list and help get out some of the kid’s pent-up energy, too. It may also be beneficial to practice
obedience exercises and games that challenge your dog. DISCIPLINE To put a stop to the behavior, you’ll first need to change any of your behavior that’s reinforcing it. Any attention your dog gets when he’s barking — even yelling, “Rover, stop!” — teaches him to keep going, because you’re rewarding him with attention. Wait until your dog has stopped barking to give him any sort of attention, including looking at them. “To be successful with this method, you must wait as long as it takes for him to stop barking,” advises the Humane Society. AFFECTION Of course, your dog needs love and attention to thrive — a lack of it could contribute to barking behavior. Reinforce
silence by giving your dog a treat and an encouraging pat when she demonstrates good behavior, like not barking. “Our pups want to work for our attention,” Cesar Millan reminds us. “Allowing her to do that and to see your happiness is, to your dog, the biggest reward of all.” To make your training program successful, consistency is key. Enlist the help of the whole family to stick to the principles. Together, you can foster a calm, peaceful home where you and your dog happily coexist.
THEY HAVE A CASE Strange Workers’ Comp Cases That Paid Off
Workers’ compensation cases are usually straightforward. Even if some employers or insurance companies try to deny it, it’s usually obvious when an employer needs to take responsibility for a work- related accident. But there are times when the situation falls in a gray area. Here are a couple cases that might surprise you. SIDE OF FRIES Fast food may not be healthy, but it prides itself on being speedy. It was this speed that resulted in the manager of a Virginia McDonald’s injuring herself while on the job. Under pressure by her employer to serve customers more quickly, when an order of french fries slipped from her hand, the manager dove to catch them before they could hit the floor and have to be remade. The quick bend-jerk-twist movement she had to perform to rescue the fries resulted in a painful neck injury. The manager filed a workers’ comp claim, and because the unusual movement was done to “advance employer’s business,” the court ruled in her favor. SECRET SHOPPER GONE WRONG In 2011, the office of the West Kern Water District in Taft, California, was robbed. A masked man approached the cash register with a paper bag and a note that read “I have a gun. Put your money in the bag.” After the man fled with the money, three
district managers walked in to announce
the robbery was a test staged by the general manager.
The goal was to test the female staff on how to respond to a burglary. Instead, the clerk, Kathy Lee, was shaking, sobbing, and nauseous.
Traumatized from believing her life was in danger, Lee spent four months on medical leave and sought counseling for nightmares, depression, and insomnia. Lee sued for emotional distress and assault and was awarded $360,000 in damages. Would these cases play out the same way in Illinois? It’s possible. Workers’ comp laws vary from state to state, but all employers have a responsibility to provide their employees with a safe work environment. If you are injured while on the job, don’t hesitate to call 815-726-9999. Learn your rights and how to receive the benefits you’re entitled to.
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Putting Your Life on Hold Can I Take a Vacation While on Workers’ Comp?
Summer is drawing to a close, and many people use this time to take one more vacation. An occasional trip is good for the mind and body, but what if you are receiving workers’ comp benefits? Will it look bad for your case if you want to get away? While going on vacation won’t instantly ruin your case, there are a few
important rules you need to remember. KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENTS
When you receive workers’ comp benefits, you will likely be required to see a physical therapist or some other specialist regularly when in recovery. You cannot miss these appointments. Missing a scheduled appointment with your medical provider can be viewed as a failure to comply with medical treatment and result in your benefits being stopped. This includes trying to reschedule your appointments around your vacation time. But what if you planned a nonrefundable family cruise months before you were injured, or your child is getting married in another state? Do you have to miss these important life moments because they overlap with a physical therapy appointment? It depends. An insurance adjuster will likely threaten to cancel benefits no matter the circumstances, but a good attorney will be able to push back or look for a workaround so you can keep your benefits and still live your life.
FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S ORDERS If you hurt your shoulder and aren’t supposed to lift anything over 5 pounds, do not try to carry any heavy luggage. If you are recovering from a back injury, don’t sign up for Jet-Skiing or get on Space Mountain at Disneyland. Even if you are away from home and on vacation, you need to respect your doctor’s restrictions. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to hire a private investigator for the sole purpose of catching you doing something you aren’t supposed to do. A photo of you on a roller coaster is all they need to “prove” you aren’t as hurt as you claim to be. Even if you are injured and receiving workers’ comp benefits, you aren’t expected to spend the rest of your life sitting on your couch. You can go out and have fun. Just be sure to call 815-726-9999 and talk to your attorney at Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell to make sure a little fun in the sun won’t cost you big time.
LAUGH OUT LOUD
SUMMER GRILLED HALIBUT
INGREDIENTS
• 4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling • 1 lemon
• 2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced • 1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained • Basil leaves, for garnish • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve. Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine
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February has Valentine’s Day; September has Labor Day; December, of course, has Christmas; and August has, um, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. August may not host any major holidays, but it doesn’t lack for some of the goofiest on the calendar. AUGUST 6: NATIONAL WIGGLE YOUR TOES DAY While the origin of this holiday is uncertain, it’s held every year on August 6. To celebrate, people are encouraged to wear sandals, flip flops, or other toe-exposing footwear. You can also frolic barefoot in the grass or simply stretch those digits throughout the day. Just don’t expect to see any Hallmark cards devoted to National Wiggle Your Toes Day anytime soon. AUGUST 13: LEFT-HANDERS DAY About 10 percent of the population is left-handed. Lefties may be stuck in a right-hand-dominant world, but on August 13, they rule the roost. Originally founded in England, Left-Handers Day has taken off in the U.S. Righties are encouraged to try out a left-handed approach for the day. Lefties, for their part, are free to be themselves. 1. A Bite of the Big Apple 2. How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking Weird Workers’ Comp Cases 3. Will a Vacation Ruin My Workers’ Comp Benefits? Summer Grilled Halibut 4. The Strangest Holidays in August August’s Silliest Holidays INSIDE
Are These on Your Calendar?
AUGUST 17: NATIONAL THRIFT SHOP DAY Thrift shops are a staple of American commerce, so it makes sense that there is a day devoted to them. Take the day to hunt for lost treasures and screaming deals. Many thrift shops also benefit nonprofit organizations, giving you even more reason to frequent them. AUGUST 27: NATIONAL ‘JUST BECAUSE’ DAY This celebration is really scratching the bottom of the holiday barrel. Joseph J. Goodwin created National “Just Because” Day in the 1950s. It’s a day to do something “just because.” Be spontaneous and have a little fun. There’s no one way to celebrate, which is fitting, given that the existence of the holiday seems to defy logic altogether.
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