Check out our March newsletter!
March 2025
PARADISE FOUND An Unexpected Journey to the Land of Pura Vida
Some of the best journeys in life may be ones you don’t expect. In recognition of March 25 as a celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien and his hobbits’ unexpected journeys, I am remembering a surprising trek I once took to Costa Rica. In a past life as an admissions officer at Smith College, I learned of an education benefit for employees. The cash was mine to use, for a learning program of my choice! As an erstwhile Spanish student, I looked for a Spanish immersion program and landed upon one that just happened to be in Costa Rica. And off I went! This was an adventure for me. I had never traveled to any destination where I needed any language other than English. I lived with a host family there, including a grandmother and a school-aged child, who introduced me to the culture and the area around their home. My host family was very patient with my Spanish (although it was humbling to be corrected like a toddler: “I like them .” … “No, you like those .”) My classroom teacher was patient and creative, and my Spanish improved a lot. Dance classes were offered over the lunch hour. I had learned a few Latin dance steps from a friend and I was eager to learn more, so my lunch-hour dance classes became another adventure. WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and the factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 351-4017.
On one of the cultural bus tours offered by the program, the guide said the literacy rate in Costa Rica is an impressive 98%, and Costa Ricans’ average life expectancy of 81 years is longer than the U.S. “We spend all our money on education and health care,” she warned, “so our roads are terrible. We are going to have a bumpy ride.” Costa Ricans are known for their open, welcoming culture and pura vida , a phrase that means “pure life” or “simple life,” signifying their warmth and optimism. One of my most salient memories was standing at a bus stop when a woman nearby started speaking to me in Spanish. Although I told her, “I don’t speak well. I can’t understand,” she just shrugged as if that didn’t matter and kept speaking. With her gestures and tone, she managed to explain the neighborhood and the nearby mountains, tell me about her country, and encourage me to appreciate it. There are so many ways we can communicate without a common language. Like many attorneys, I tend to strive for perfection. But while I didn’t come back from Costa Rica speaking perfect Spanish, there was so much more value in that
experience. Staying in a new place where you have to figure things out, getting to know a different culture and a different people, and appreciating them and how they live, these things are always good. –Geneva N. Perry, Esq.
www.PromiseLaw.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THE CTA Should You Wait or Act Now on Your Reporting Requirements?
One of your most important responsibilities as a business owner is ensuring your company stays compliant with your industry’s laws, regulations, and standards. Business owners always need to manage something related to finances, staffing, or workplace safety, but this past year, a new transparency standard went into effect. The federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) rules went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. This legislation requires nearly all small and medium-size businesses to report any beneficial ownership information (BOI) of their company to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The deadline to file was Jan. 1, 2025, but that was thrown into question when a federal district court in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking any enforcement of the CTA and its reporting requirements. This isn’t the first time that the CTA has faced legal challenges. In March 2024, an Alabama court declared the act unconstitutional. However, FinCEN quickly appealed and stated they would continue implementing and enforcing the act outside the small group of plaintiffs in Alabama. FinCEN’s response to the Texas injunction is different. It stated that companies were not required to file BOI with FinCEN and were not subject
“One of your most important responsibilities as a business owner is ensuring your company stays compliant with your industry’s laws, regulations, and standards.”
to liability. It also held that reporting companies could still voluntarily submit this information while they fight the injunction in court. Business owners who have yet to file their beneficial ownership information with FinCEN now have a decision to make. There is a chance the appeals in Alabama and Texas could kill the CTA and require Congress to take another shot at crafting a similar law. If you firmly believe this will be the outcome, hold off on filing your information, waiting for news that the CTA is no more. This may save you some time you could allocate elsewhere, but if the CTA remains, you might have to scramble to report that information before any deadline. Another option is to gather and sit on all relevant information until the court battle concludes. That way, you can submit it promptly, even on a shortened deadline. Your last option is to file your BOI with FinCEN now. You can save yourself from a potential future headache and get it out of the way early. Remember that punishments for failing to file include fines of at least $500 per day up to $10,000. There’s no telling how this will all play out right now, but the current situation leaves you with a decision: Will you be proactive or reactive?
2 | (757) 351-4017
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
TAKE A BREAK
By now, you’re probably tired of hearing about healthy aging. Every article says you should eat specific things and exercise regularly, but what if you’ve never enjoyed going to the gym or jogging? You’re probably not going to start running marathons, lifting weights, or joining a sports club at this point. It can make you wonder if other options exist to add more physical activity to your daily routine. The answer is yes. Instead of going to the gym or running through your neighborhood, you can find creative activities to provide extra movement to your day. Even better? You’ll improve your physical and mental agility. Here are two creative aging activities you can explore. Take the Stage Acting is an excellent activity for anyone to start, but it becomes even more beneficial to aging Americans. Through acting, you’ll notice improvements in your concentration and memorization. Depending on the play, you may be required to stay moving, which will benefit your physical health. Plus, you’ll get many opportunities to socialize with your castmates. Many local theaters actively look for aspiring actors to audition. Bust a Move You may have fond memories of dancing in clubs, at weddings, or during special events, but the opportunities to boogie become rarer as we age. Thankfully, dance classes and studios love sharing the enjoyment of dance with people of all ages. Whether you like salsa, tap, waltz, swing, or some other type of dance, you can find a class or group ready to welcome you. No Gym Required! Age Gracefully With Movement You Enjoy
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BLUEBIRD CLOVER GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS
PISCES SPRING TANGERINE TULIP
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into large chunks • 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt • 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
Directions 1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve.
www.PromiseLaw.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PromiseLaw Life happens. Plan on it. ™ (757) 351-4017 600 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Ste. 350 Newport News, VA 23606
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
An Unplanned Journey Yields Life-Changing Rewards
1
To File or Not to File?
2
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage
3
How Creative Activities Promote Healthy Aging
A Chef’s Truest Triumph
4
For culinary creators worldwide, earning a Michelin star is like winning an Olympic gold medal. Chefs with excellent kitchen skills and outstanding customer service receive the honor. Late French chef Joël Robuchon holds the world record with 31, while TV star Gordon Ramsay rose to international fame and marked his hot-tempered journey to TV stardom by achieving 17 stars for his many restaurants. But how did this legendary distinction in the cooking world begin? If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at a Michelin-honored establishment, you have the automotive industry to thank. As its name implies, the star system was the brainchild of the Michelin tire company. To help inspire consumers to drive more — and increase the demand for tire purchases — it began publishing “The Michelin Guide” in France in 1900. The publication included maps, tips on tire care, and recommendations for hotels and restaurants along popular French travel routes. As the guide grew in popularity, the company expanded its content to include anonymous MICHELIN MAGIC The Mark of Culinary Mastery
restaurant reviews. In 1926, it introduced “the Michelin star” to recognize the eateries it considered the best in the country. Today, the bestselling publication reviews more than 40,000 restaurants across three continents. Only 146 restaurants worldwide — or less than 1% of those rated by the guide — have received three Michelin stars. In Ramsay’s mind, receiving that rare level remains the ultimate benchmark in his profession. As he stated in a 2024 article in Parade, “As a soccer player, I wanted an FA Cup winner’s medal. As an actor, you want an Oscar. As a chef, it’s three Michelin stars; there’s no greater than that.”
4 | (757) 351-4017
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator