Brooks & Crowley - February 2022

Review Brooks & Crowley

February 2022

781-251-0555

www.brooksandcrowley.com

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026

*Services Throughout Massachusetts

It’s hard to believe that “Forrest Gump” first hit big screens more than 25 years ago. The movie stars Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, a simple-minded but good-hearted individual who unintentionally influenced important historical events. The movie did phenomenally well and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. Now, 28 years later, the movie is still seen on television and even spawned a successful restaurant chain, Bubba Gump, with locations in major tourist destinations across the country. While the story of Forrest is incredibly touching and brilliantly performed, the film has maintained its relevance for 25-plus years because of its many life lessons, like these four memorable moments. Try new things often. As humans, we are creatures of habit. We like to stick to regular schedules and do things that we find comfortable. When removed from our comfort zones, we can experience tremendous growth. In the movie, Forrest never backs away from trying something new. When he was recovering from a gunshot wound he sustained in Vietnam, he’s introduced to the game of Ping-Pong. He quickly discovered he was a natural and was eventually brought on board the All-American Ping- Pong team as part of the Ping-Pong diplomacy program. We can all learn from this example and do our best to try new experiences, food, and activities. You never know where your true talents lie. Money does not necessarily bring happiness. We’ve all heard that money does not bring happiness, but it’s a difficult concept for many of us to grasp. Throughout the course of the movie, Forrest earns a tremendous amount of money, but despite all that wealth, he still loses his mother and the love of his life, Jenny. When he faces these traumatic events, he’s completely grief-stricken, and no amount of money can bring back the people he loves. Be optimistic even when things get tough. During the movie, Forrest never gets pessimistic, regardless of the situation. One of the greatest examples of Forrest’s intense optimism comes from his relationship with Lieutenant Dan. Dan was wounded in 4 LIFE LESSONS LEARNED FROM ‘FORREST GUMP’ ‘Mama Always Said …’

Vietnam but was saved by Forrest. Dan develops a pessimistic outlook on life because he did not die on the battlefield and became an amputee. Forrest continued to support him for years. When they went into the shrimping business together, things started to look grim, but Forrest never dropped his optimism. They were soon gifted with an abundance of shrimp after a hurricane. It’s an important reminder to always try to find the silver lining in any bad situation, no matter how dire it appears. Life is like a box of chocolates. To put it simply, tomorrow is never guaranteed. We can make all the plans in the world only for something to happen and our plans fall apart. When you open a box of chocolates, you get a variety of flavors but can’t tell what they are until you bite into them. Life is very similar. We don’t know what each day will necessarily bring us when we wake up. Sometimes we just have to dive in and be ready for whatever opportunity presents itself. Over the past 28 years, “Forrest Gump” has left a lasting impact on viewers from multiple generations. Each time you watch it, you may pick up yet another life lesson. By watching the movie with an open mind, you’ll learn the importance of compassion and optimism and the power of love.

–Neil Crowley

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Feel Confident in Business! 3 STEPS TO IDENTIFY YOUR VALUE

We’ve all been taught that bragging is annoying, but

notice all the people you’ve helped, the accomplishments you’ve achieved, and the difference you’ve made, the motivation it fosters is monumental. Keep your happy emails, texts, and reviews from clients and create an easy reference for instant, uplifting support. If a client seems happy, never be afraid to ask for a testimonial. Many people simply need to be asked, and they’ll be happy to provide one. In the same stride, consider the people who help you and your business every day and find ways to show appreciation. Passing that love around can make a huge difference in energizing the way you perceive your value. No. 3: Make the final game plan. After considering what your offerings are likely worth, whom you’re looking to serve, and what they’d be willing to pay, you can name your final price. After all, prices don’t fall from the sky. Without obsessing over it, look at what kind of value your competitors have set for themselves. That’ll give you a great starting point.

when you’re afraid to identify your worth, it can really hurt your confidence and success in business. To prevent that from happening, here are three tips to make it easy to name your price! No. 1: Get to know your value. How do we figure out our value?

Specifically, how do we come up with a quantifiable method to reach an exact, irrefutable

number? Well, we don’t. The best place to start is deciding who you want to be in your business and industry and building from there. With a solid mission statement and concrete affirmations that support your value in the business, you’ll gain more confidence in arriving at a price point. No. 2: Be open to receiving — and giving — love. Accepting compliments can be tough, but in business, compliments can be powerful catapults to your continued success. When you take time to

Take good care of yourself, friends — and don’t forget that a confident price tag is a great way to do just that in your business.

How Does the NHL Manage Outdoor Games?

Since 2003, the National Hockey League (NHL) has hosted 33 outdoor regular season games with two more on the schedule for this year. From 2003–2013, the outdoor games were held in cities with colder climates at the beginning of the coldest month of the year. Chicago, Boston, and Edmonton were some of the cities to host during that time period. In 2014, the NHL began experimenting with playing outdoor games in warmer climates when they held the very first Stadium Series game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Since then, the NHL has not shied away from playing outdoor games in warmer climates. In fact, the 2016 Stadium Series game between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche took place in temperatures of 65 degrees F.

This year, the NHL plans to host an outdoor game in Nashville in late February when the temperature usually sits around 50 degrees F. It can be difficult to maintain ice in warmer climates, but the NHL has developed a foolproof method to ensure their players stay safe during any type of weather. To help the ice stay frozen, the NHL uses a revolutionary mobile refrigeration unit. Crews arrange aluminum trays across the football field or wherever the game is taking place. They then pump as much as 3,000 gallons of glycol coolant through the trays until they reach a temperature of 22 degrees F. After the ice reaches the ideal temperature, crews install rink boards. Lastly, they spray a fine mist of water across the rink,

which builds the ice sheet until it reaches a thickness of 2 inches. The ice at an indoor rink is usually only about an inch thick, but outdoor games require a thicker surface to handle the warmer temperature. The NHL also had to find ways to manage much larger crowds at outdoor games. The record for the largest crowd at an NHL game is 105,491 — which took place outdoors at Michigan Stadium in 2014. The average attendance for indoor games is around 20,000 for most teams. Luckily, they usually get an extra hand from volunteers and the staff that regularly works at these venues.

You can catch outdoor games this season on Feb. 22 and March 13.

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THE 1930S AND PUSHCART MARKETS A Big NYC Attraction Becomes Illegal

If you were an immigrant who just arrived to New York City in the 1880s, you probably didn’t have much money to spare. But, if you had at least 10 cents, you could rent a pushcart and become a pushcart merchant and business owner. For more than 50 years, pushcart markets in New York City offered immigrants immediate access to an $828 million industry (in today’s money) that sold competitively priced goods like groceries, household items, clothing, and much more. Pushcart merchants would line up their carts along the streets of New York City and create vibrant and diverse markets that even tourists could enjoy. But not everyone in the city seemed happy about it. Although technically “merchants,” in the late 1800s and early 1900s, pushcart sellers were not described as such. Many of New York City’s middle class and wealthy residents reserved this favorable term for sellers who had brick-and-mortar stores since they did not see pushcarts as a traditional means of honest work. Instead, they saw it as a public nuisance and a source of embarrassment. Politicians, city planners, and anti- pushcart movements complained primarily about poor sanitation in the open-air markets. So, in 1938, Mayor La Guardia proclaimed in The New York Times that “peddling on the streets of this city is a thing of the past.” INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

To ease opposition, La Guardia opened indoor markets, which required pushcart sellers to apply for limited spots and pay higher fines. Upon opening the first indoor market, Mayor La Guardia proclaimed to the crowd, “I found you pushcart peddlers, and I have made you MERCHANTS!” Despite the cheers that followed, thousands of pushcart sellers lost their jobs after the final ban of open-air pushcart markets. The ban surprised the people who supported it; some brick-and-mortar stores lost as much as 60% of their business with the decrease in nearby foot traffic. New Yorkers eventually became nostalgic about pushcart markets. Once described as dirty and a “menace to the health of New York City,” people began to describe them as “fresh and attractive,” even “picturesque.”

To this day, pushcart selling is still illegal, and New York City’s licensing policies make it extremely difficult for vendors to obtain permits, leading to an underground black market of selling and buying outdoor permits. However, in the city, you’ll still find street food with hardworking vendors making their American dream a reality!

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

Ingredients

• • • • •

2 chicken breasts

• • • •

2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 tsp curry powder

2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 10 large basil leaves, chopped

1/2 tsp paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables! directions

Get Neil Crowley’s comprehensive guide to Massachusetts car accident claims and expert advice you need to get your life back on track. Go to BrooksAndCrowley.com/reports to request your free copy!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026 Inside THIS ISSUE

1 Life Lessons to Learn From ‘Forrest Gump’

2 3 Steps to Identify Your Business Value

How Does the NHL Manage Outdoor Games?

3 Why an NYC Attraction Became Illegal

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

4 Local February Events in Boston

What’s Going On, Boston? 3 Events for You to Enjoy This Month

February has several events that will keep you busy all month long. From celebrating the Chinese New Year to country music, there is a little something for everyone this February!

Chinese New Year Parade Feb. 13, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Chinatown (Phillips Square) Boston-Discovery-Guide.com/chinese-new-year- parade.html Welcome the Year of the Tiger by attending Boston’s famous Chinese New Year Parade. Chinese New Year officially starts on Feb. 1, but the celebration will take place on Feb. 13 in Chinatown. This parade will have traditional lion dances, drums, firecrackers, and fantastic food. This event is free to the public and is also family-friendly. There is something for everyone to enjoy at this parade!

Romantic Harbor Boston Cruise Feb. 12–14, 4–9 p.m. $78 per ticket Boston Harbor, 60 Rowes Wharf Boston-Discovery-Guide.com/boston-events.html Have a romantic night with your loved one this Valentine’s Day aboard a 1920s style yacht cruising around the Boston harbor, sampling champagne, and listening to jazz music. This is an intimate, low-capacity cruise with couples seating that is perfect for snuggling up to your partner and taking in the beautiful scenery around you.

Darius Rucker Live Feb. 24, 8 p.m. Boch Center Wang Theater, 270 Tremont St. DariusRucker.com/Tour Are you in need of a country fix? Then look no further! Darius Rucker is coming to Boston and will make you get your country on. This Charleston, South Carolina, native will take you on a journey through the south with his hit songs such as “Wagon Wheel,” “Homegrown Honey,” and “Alright.” Get your tickets today and see some live music!

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