Newsletter December 2019
FSTN News
#FSTNGivesBack
At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, we recognize the importance of giving back to our community. That is why we established Community 1st. This all-encompassing charitable program is focused on safety, education, and aiding organizations committed to improving the wellbeing of others. To learn more about Community 1st, visit www.facebook.com/FleschnerLaw ______
A Year of Challenge, A Year of Discovery
2019 was a year of personal growth for me. In December 2018, it was a hectic time for my family. My family was met with a few health challenges that significantly impacted our lives. Several doctors suggested our family eat an anti-inflammatory diet — no dairy, gluten, soy, corn, refined sugar, dye, or peanuts. We took a deep breath and dove in.
The change took a lot of our time. Getting a quick bite to eat at a restaurant was not an option. We planned for every trip away from home to make sure we had meals and snacks for each day. We spent every weekend researching recipes, finding proper substitutes for ingredients, and prepping food for the week. Nearly everything had to be made from scratch.
In the beginning, it felt like we were drowning, and any little thing that did not go as planned sent us spinning. I’m embarrassed to say there was a lot of complaining, throwing our arms up, and saying, “Why us?!”
Thankfully, we had moments of clarity when we knew there had to be a better way. Our mantra became “Take one day at a time.” However, I began to feel lost. I was so concerned with our food plan, our health issues, keeping track of the medication schedule, and trying to give my children the love they needed that I forgot about me!
Somewhere along the way, I developed an unwritten goal: Fight hard for myself. I decided to not be guilty. In order to be the best mom I can be, I must also be my best self, which means respecting and giving time to the things that bring me joy. I want my children to see me do what I love because I want to teach them to do the things they love, even when it is not easy.
Joy is contagious, and I wanted to be sprinkling joy all over my family. I started out by making a list of activities I enjoy. Guess how much time I spent doing those things? None. A few items on the list included spending one-on-one time with my husband, reading fiction books and stories of inspiration, playing the piano, running, and yoga.
Because time was limited, I did not make a goal to read one book each month or run three times a week. Instead, I made a rule: When the feeling hits me, do it. Doing an activity, I loved just one time was enough to push me to do it again and again.
One book I read called “She’s Still There” shared the idea that “beautiful creations take time.” I found this idea comforting, and it encouraged me to stay committed to the process. I also learned from my most difficult runs in the summer that our greatest improvements are achieved by pushing through barriers.
A year later, I am joyful, and I feel more balanced. Over the past year, I read 10 incredible books. I also made time to run and do yoga. I play the piano while my boys dance around in the living room to my music, and my oldest son has now taken a liking to the piano. The joy of playing the piano was contagious.
My husband and I had a weeklong, restful getaway, and the more date nights we have, the more smiles you see on our faces. Through all the food prepping, cooking, and baking to meet our dietary criteria, we have become quite the chefs. We can make a mean chocolate cake with frosting and creamy homemade gelato. We eat delicious, healthy food, and our bodies thank us for sticking to the plan and not giving up.
Most of all, I am proud that we have learned to “respond” instead of “react” to challenges. We complain less and experience more gratitude and patience. Instead of living in difficult moments as if they’ll last forever, we know it is only temporary. Life moves in waves of ups and downs. When we are “down,” we know we will soon be “up,” and that is encouraging.
During this holiday season, I’m looking forward to doing more of the things I love, like watching Christmas movies, riding the Polar Express, driving in the cold with the family to look at Christmas lights, drinking hot cocoa, and simply just being with the people I love most. Heading into the new year, I challenge you to honor yourself and do something you really love. That one simple step may lead you to experience personal growth that lasts the whole year. Happy holidays!
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FSTN in the Community Salvation Army Bell Ringing
For the past several years, our employees have been volunteering to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. This is something we really enjoy doing and plan to continue. We volunteer 28 employees to take shifts at our local Walmart throughout an entire workday. Some of them dress up, sing to music, or hand out candy to try and brighten each shopper’s day. In fact, we’ve been known to raise over $1,000 during one of our volunteer days!
If you every get a chance to volunteer for the Salvation Army during the holidays, we strongly suggest it. It is very rewarding to give back and know you are doing something good for others. ______
FSTN Attorney sworn in with the US Supreme Court
Congratulations to Attorney Caleb Fleschner, who was in Washington DC this month to be sworn in with the U.S. Supreme Court. In doing this, Caleb will be able to practice law or argue a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. ______
Employee of the Month
Congratulations to our November Employee of the Month, Vikkie Russell!!!
Vikkie has been with the law firm for seven and a half years. She is the Accounting Manager and she also handles some aspects of Human Resources. Vikkie is an integral part of the firm, as some of her main tasks include paying the bills, submitting payroll, and keeping track of all the “ins and outs,” or as Ted would have said, “Counting the beans.” When we asked Vikkie about her favorite part about her job, she said this, “I am geeky, so I love all the numbers. Also, I love the people I work with.”
People who voted for Vikkie said this, “Vikkie has done an AMAZING job in Accounting since Crystal left and has caught on quite well! She is a great employee!!”
Here are a few fun questions she answered:
1. What’s the strangest talent you have? Not strange, but I love crafting! 2. Do you have any strange phobias? No, not really, well maybe fear of crickets. 3. If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? A judge. 4. If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring? Coffee, music and peanut butter. 5. Do you have a favorite quote? Do unto others as you would have done unto you! 6. What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love? Not ashamed, but I love The Masked Singer! Rottweiler is going to win this one! 7. Imagine you could step in a teleport for a day and go to any place and time in history. Where and when would you travel to? Any Christmas Eve from when I was a child and we were all gathered at my grandparent’s house. Those are my favorite memories. ______
Beware of New Phone Scams and Robocalls
Did You Receive a Strange Phone Call from Social Security?
Phone scams are everywhere right now, and chances are, they’ve called you too. It doesn’t matter what time of day, what area code they are calling from, or some may even show up in your caller ID as someone you know! I think it is safe to say that most everyone has encountered these issues, and it seems to have increased within the past couple years.
Phone scams have been around since landlines existed, but with all the smartphone technology and number of people who own smartphones, the scammers have more opportunity to call and trick you than ever. Many people would like to assume that only the elderly is affected by these phone scammers, but anyone can fall victim to them. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission released an annual data summary of consumer complaints from 2017, and 40% of Americans in their 20’s reported fraud that caused them to lose money, while 18% of fraud victims aged 70 or older said they’d lost money to the scam.
Telephone scammers try to steal your money or personal information. The scams may come through phone calls from live people, robocalls, or text messages. Some callers may offer you money or support, try to sell you something, or even threaten you with jail or lawsuits if you don’t pay them. Here are a few of the most popular phone scams we’ve seen recently:
Social Security is not trying to take your benefits
You might receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security or another agency. Calls may even display on caller ID like they are coming from the national customer service number for Social Security. The caller sometimes states that Social Security needs more information from you, such as your Social Security number. Others claim that Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or that Social Security will terminate your benefits if you do not confirm your information. Callers have even stated that your Social Security number is at risk of being deactivated or deleted.
The Social Security Administration scam is the number one scam reported to the FTC right now. People filed nearly 73,000 reports about Social Security imposters in the first six months of 2019, with reported losses of $17 million.
So, if you’re getting these calls, you’re not alone. Tell your friends and neighbors about this scam. Tell them to hang up the phone and then to report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Open Enrollment Scams
Winter is coming, which means open enrollment season is here. With 2020 just around the corner, now’s the time to add or change your health coverage through Medicare or the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here are some tips to protect your wallet and your personal information this open enrollment season.
Eligible for Medicare?
• Anyone who tries to sell you Medicare insurance while claiming to be an “official Medicare agent” is a scammer. There are no Medicare sales representatives. • Ignore anyone who says you must join a prescription drug plan to keep your Medicare coverage. The Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D) is voluntary and has nothing to do with the rest of your Medicare coverage. • Never give information over the phone to someone who says they need it so you can keep your coverage. Hang up on anyone who asks for a quick payment, threatens you, or offers you free equipment or services in exchange for your information. • If you need help with Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE or go to Medicare.gov.
Tech Support Scams
Tech support scammers want you to believe you have a serious problem with your computer, like a virus. They want you to pay for tech support services you don't need, to fix a problem that doesn’t exist. They often ask you to pay by wiring money, putting money on a gift card, prepaid card or cash reload card, or using a money transfer app because they know those types of payments can be hard to reverse.
• Phone Calls o Tech support scammers may call and pretend to be a computer technician from a well-known company. They say they’ve found a problem with your computer. They often ask you to give them remote access to your computer and then pretend to run a diagnostic test. Then they try to make you pay to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.
If you get a phone call you didn’t expect from someone who says there’s a problem with your computer, hang up.
• Pop-up Warnings o Tech support scammers may try to lure you with a pop-up window that appears on your computer screen. It might look like an error message from your operating system or antivirus software, and it might use logos from trusted companies or websites. The message in the window warns of a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help.
What to Do If You Were Scammed
If you paid a tech support scammer with a credit or debit card, you may be able to stop the transaction. Contact your credit card company or bank right away. Tell them what happened and ask if they can reverse the charges.
If you gave a scammer remote access to your computer, update your computer’s security software. Then run a scan and delete anything it identifies as a problem. If you gave your username and password to a tech support scammer, change your password right away. If you use the same password for other accounts or sites, change it there, too. Create a new password that is strong.
If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The more we hear from you, the more we can help fight scams. ______
Move Over, Rudolph! The 4 Most Underrated Holiday Specials
When the weather outside is frightful — or your family is on your last nerve — there’s nothing like settling in to watch a classic holiday special. A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life hold top spots on the TV guide, but there are plenty of overlooked specials that are sure to delight. Here are a few seasonal suggestions that might become your new family favorites.
A Muppet Family Christmas
In this musical masterpiece, Kermit and friends prepare to celebrate the holiday season. What makes this special truly unique are the appearances by characters from Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and Muppet Babies. There’s even a cameo from the Muppet creator, Jim Henson, himself. If you can find this holiday special, consider yourself lucky. Complicated copyright laws can make it hard to track the movie down.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
The stop-motion film The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is one of Rankin/Bass Production’s lesser-known works. Based on a story by L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this fantasy epic introduces a new Santa Claus story, one with light elves, wood nymphs, and benevolent immortals. It’s an unusual tale, but the strange elements are what make the story worthwhile.
“A Rugrats Chanukah”
Praised by critics and audiences alike, “A Rugrats Chanukah” covers the story of Chanukah through the eyes of Nickelodeon’s beloved animated babies. In addition to putting a Rugrats spin on the Chanukah story, this special episode also features themes of family and forgiveness. “A Rugrats Chanukah” is a delightful experience for audiences who celebrate Chanukah and those who would like to learn more about the holiday.
Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol
Here’s one for your nerdy family members. In this episode of the British sci-fi classic, the titular Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space, must save his friends by teaching a bitter old man the true meaning of Christmas. Time travel shenanigans ensue as the Doctor reminds us of the importance of kindness, the value of loss, and the magic of spending the holidays with those we love. This special put a unique spin on the Christmas Carol formula and is even accessible to audiences who have never seen Doctor Who before.
May these specials bring you some much-needed cheer and a moment of relaxation this holiday season. ______
Recipe of the Month Potato Latkes
Ingredients
• 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed • 1 large onion, peeled and cut into quarters • 2 large eggs • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp black pepper • Safflower or vegetable oil, for frying • Overs required
Directions
1. Using either a food processor with a coarse grating disc or the coarse side of a box grater, grate potatoes and onion. (If using a food processor, halve or quarter potatoes.) Once grated, wrap in a clean dishtowel or cheesecloth to wring out as much moisture as possible. 2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix in eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper. 3. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan containing 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat. Use a heaping tablespoon to drop batter into the hot pan, working in batches. Use a spatula or spoon to form them into discs. Fry about 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned. 4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack to drain and serve alongside 2 applesauce and sour cream.
Inspired by The New York Times ______
Check Out Our Website!
Click on the following link to easily access the Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin website. We have a lot of important information on our website, including active Mass Tort Claims we are handling, updates at our law firm, blogs, Attorney bios, and much more. The main page is also where you will find a link (green box) in the top left corner to quickly and easily access your FSTN Client Portal. Have you joined the Portal yet? Ask your Case Manager how you can join today!
www.FleschnerLaw.com ______
Real Client Reviews
“The best social security lawyers in the country! They got my claim fast! After being denied twice.”
-Teresa H.
“I found the law firm knowledgeable and there for me with all my questions. The attorney that came to the hearing was professional and knew my case. I was impressed with FSTM. They were upfront about things and were there when I needed them the most. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a good law firm. Thank you again.”
-Russell M. ______
Case Types We Handle
Did You Know We Handle All of These Types of Cases?
• Family Law • Medical malpractice • Bicycle crashes • Wrongful death • Car accidents • Social Security disability • Pedestrian injuries • Real Estate Law • Slips, trips, and falls • Wills & Estate Planning • Brain injuries
Whether you were injured in a car crash or disabled due to a medical condition, you deserve experienced attorneys fighting for you. At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our firm’s success depends on getting results for you. Contact us at 1-800-618-4878 or www.fleschnerlaw.com.
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