Di Bartolomeo Law Offices - December 2021

Di Bartolomeo Law Offices - December 2021

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

December 2021

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com

Explain Different Holiday Traditions to Your Kids CHECK OUT THESE CHILDREN’S BOOKS!

‘TOGETHER FOR KWANZAA’ BY JUWANDA G. FORD This is another book for preschoolers, and it follows the story of a little girl named Kayla who is worried that a snowstorm will stop her brother from getting home for their family’s Kwanzaa celebration. Penguin Random House calls the book, “A perfect introduction to Kwanzaa” that “will teach children all about the traditions and practices that make it a special winter holiday.” ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ BY CHARLES M. SCHULTZ In this adaptation of a classic children’s cartoon, a young boy named Charlie Brown explores American Christmas traditions like ice skating, carols, and Christmas lights, and learns from a friend about the true meaning of the holiday. For older readers, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a classic Christmas novella. ‘THE SHORTEST DAY: CELEBRATING THE WINTER SOLSTICE’ BY WENDY PFEFFER The winter solstice (Dec. 21) is an important day in dozens of cultures to mark the changing of the seasons. This book explains why some days are shorter than others, how people have celebrated the winter solstice for the last 5,000 years, and how it has influenced Christmas and other common celebrations. The book is perfect for 6–9-year-old kids, and “The Winter Solstice” by Ellen Jackson is a great alternative for those a bit older. ‘’TWAS NOCHEBUENA’ BY ROSEANNE GREENFIELD THONG This book invites readers into a Latino family’s Nochebuena celebration on Christmas Eve, which includes a midnight feast, special decorations, and traditional songs. In addition to learning about Latino culture, 3–5-year-old kids who don’t know Spanish may pick up a few new words! “Feliz Navidad: Two Stories Celebrating Christmas” is another good read for school-aged kids.

December is the ultimate cozy month, and if you have young kids, you know there’s nothing better than curling up in a blanket and reading them a bedtime story during the holidays. Reading out loud to your kids is a great way to improve their literacy, but there’s another benefit to doing it right now: Through the books you choose, you can help your children understand this special time of year and how it’s celebrated by other people. As we all know, the U.S. is a melting pot of different religions and ethnic groups. Yes, the radio pretty much only plays Christmas songs, but there are other traditions and celebrations going on too. As a parent, it’s easy to raise your kids in a bubble of your own family’s foods, decorations, and rituals, whether those are centered on Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. But studies show that exposing kids to cultures other than your own can help them grow up to be more empathetic, make friends with people from other backgrounds, feel more rooted in their identity, and better understand world events. To open your kids’ minds to new perspectives, try reading them bedtime stories that run the holiday gamut this month! Here are holiday children’s books to check out, plus a few bonus recommendations for kids old enough to read on their own. ‘HANUKKAH: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS’ BY BONNIE BADER This book is perfect for kids from ages 3–7 and explains both why and how people celebrate Hanukkah. It covers details ranging from dreidels to latkes and shares important history in a way that even preschoolers can understand. Plus, the illustrations are beautiful! For younger

kids, check out “Elmo’s Little Dreidel” by Naomi Kleinberg for a “Sesame Street” interpretation of the holiday. For teenage readers, the short story

collection “Snow in Love” by Melissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Friedman, and Kasie West includes a fun story about a Hanukkah romance.

Happy holidays and happy reading!

–Joe Di Bartolomeo | 1

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

IMPROVING LANGUAGE SKILLS Reading to your child when they are an infant can help strengthen their language acquisition skills. If you continue reading as they get older, these skills will only grow. They begin to latch on to spoken communication. Improving their vocabulary and grammar skills through hearing the written word is even more effective than what they gain from everyday conversation. Why? Because the human brain comprehends written communication differently than spoken communication. PREPARING FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 1 in 3 American children enter kindergarten without the necessary reading skills to succeed in school. But if you read to your children, you expose them to new words and help develop their listening skills as they listen to you read. You can also ask questions about their reading comprehension along the way to ensure they understand what is happening in the story. These skills are vital to academic success. IMPROVING YOUR RELATIONSHIP The best way to create a special bond with your little ones is simply by spending time with them, and reading to your child on a routine basis is a great way to do that. Plus, reading stories provides a positive and educational experience where they can talk to you and vice versa. This will help you learn more about your child’s developing interests so you can find new ways to encourage them to learn and explore their passions.

Even at a young age, reading to your children is an important tool to help them grow and learn while sparking their creativity. Your child will help develop their early literacy skills and ability to focus, plus increase their social skills and communication skills. When you begin reading to your child, they gain a greater understanding of the world, which allows them to make sense of the things they see, hear, and react to in their daily lives. But the benefits of reading don’t stop there. The Benefits of Reading to Your Children

No matter which way you look at it, reading to your children provides a positive experience that will help them grow.

Can You Change Jobs While Receiving Workers’ Comp? What You Need to Know

From low pay and bad hours to the length of the commute, there are myriad reasons a person might want to quit their job. After an accident at work, those reasons only multiply. Maybe you no longer trust your employer to keep you safe, or maybe you want a less risky or demanding workload. Whatever your reason for wanting to leave, if you’re receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you need to know how changing jobs will affect you. If you’re no longer working at the job where you were injured, can your benefits be cut off? The answer depends on the terms of your new employment. While changing jobs alone won’t disqualify you from your workers’ comp benefits, you’re also not allowed to “double dip.” Remember that your workers’ comp is intended to make up for lost wages due to your injury. Taking a new job with a

reduced salary will allow you to continue receiving benefits at a reduced rate, but you must report your new earnings to the insurance company. If your new job pays the same or more than your previous job, your benefits will cease. Some people who have been injured at work are tempted to take a second job to help make up the gap workers’ comp leaves in their budget. While this is understandable, any income you receive will reduce the amount of your weekly benefits. Some people are tempted to hide their second job, but doing so is considered insurance fraud and can get you in serious legal trouble. This is why it’s so important for anyone who was working two jobs at the time of the accident to report it to the insurance company within 30 days of filing their initial claim.

Before taking a new or second job, you should consult with your doctor and carefully consider the potential consequences of returning to work. Going back to work before you’re fully recovered could hurt your progress, prevent full recovery, or put you at risk for reinjury. Additionally, taking new work will disqualify you from vocational benefits that may have been available through your old job. If you have questions about your workers’ compensation benefits, the team at Di Bartolomeo Law Office is here to help. We have over 30 years of experience helping injured workers and can help you understand all of your rights and options. Give us a call today!

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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN Tips to Drive Safe This Winter Our winters in Astoria don’t tend to come with a lot of snowfall, but Mother Nature makes up for it with plenty of rain. You may be surprised to learn that driving in the rain is actually more dangerous than driving in the snow — 46% of weather-related accidents happen while it’s raining, while only 17% happen while it’s snowing.

likely. If you must go out, be prepared to pull over in the event that you can’t see or feel unsafe. You should also never enter even shallow flooding with your car. You might think the water is no match for your vehicle, but many people have been surprised with tragic results. SLOW DOWN. Rain brings out any oil on the roadway, so conditions can get slick quickly. Hydroplaning is also more likely to occur when a vehicle is going too fast, so slowing down will help you stay steady. Driving slower also gives you additional time to react in poor visibility. Lastly, driving at a reduced speed will make it easier to stop — which you should do by taking your foot off the accelerator and braking as gently as possible. STICK TO THE MIDDLE. Water tends to pool off to the side of the road, so conditions are likely to be drier if you stay in the middle lanes. By staying away from the shoulder, you’re also less likely to inadvertently splash water on pedestrians or cyclists. It also helps to drive in the tire tracks of a vehicle in front of you — though make sure to keep back a safe distance. Finally, keep your car maintenance up to date for the safest ride possible — in wet conditions, having good tires, working lights, and solid windshield wipers can make all the difference. Remember the rules of the road this winter for a happy and healthy season.

So, how can you stay safe while driving this winter? Here are some tips to help you stay in control and avoid an accident.

KNOW WHEN TO SAY ‘NO.’ When it’s raining hard, it’s not a good time to go on unnecessary trips. Heavy rain can severely reduce visibility, making an accident more

PUZZLE

Celtic Yule Cupcakes Inspired by RecipesForAPaganSoul.weebly.com

Want to add a traditional twist to your holiday season? Try these Celtic Yule cupcakes — a modern dessert for an ancient celebration. Ingredients Directions

• 2 eggs • 1/2 cup butter

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, butter, vanilla, orange zest, and sugar. 3. Add the flour and baking powder, then fold in the milk and raisins. 4. Grease a cupcake tin before pouring the batter into it. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool. 6. In a small bowl, blend the hot water and powdered sugar to create the icing. 7. Ice your cupcakes and serve!

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • Orange zest, to taste • 2/3 cup sugar • 1 1/4 cups flour • 3/4 tsp baking powder • 1 tbsp milk • 1 1/3 cups raisins • 2 tbsp hot water • 2 cups powdered sugar

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

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Children’s Books to Check Out for the Holidays

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Reading to Your Children Reaps Benefits Galore! Can You Change Jobs While Receiving Workers’ Comp?

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Drive Safe in Wet Conditions Celtic Yule Cupcakes

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The First of Its Kind: A GPS Lawn Mower

GETTING TO KNOW SEGWAY’S GPS LAWN MOWER Cut the Boundary Wire!

and gets the job done by relying on a virtual boundary put into place using Navimow’s app for your phone. The app gives directions to the mower, telling it which areas to avoid. Most other robotic mowers have boundary wire to outline the space for the robot to mow within, and changes in the yard mean tedious wire changes. With the Navimow, when the space to be mowed needs to be adjusted for a new tree planted or a temporary game of cornhole set up on the lawn, the changes can be made within the app. The GPS, or Exact Fusion Locating System, maintains the robotic mower’s positional accuracy within 2 centimeters. An algorithm helps the mower develop a path in which areas never need to be crisscrossed or mowed twice. If the GPS signal happens to be weak, the Navimow uses its many sensors on all sides to keep the mowing on track.

But what about surprise obstacles? Its Blade Halt Technology helps it detect unexpected pets, kids, or toys in the lawn and will bring the spinning blades to a halt. The Navimow is built to withstand rainfall, but when it senses rain, it returns to its charging station. With Segway’s four models of the Navimow, you might find one that works well for your yard. For those who live in warmer climates, the Navimow is the perfect option for year-round convenience. For those who live in colder climates, the Navimow makes sure you can spend your warm summer months doing something much more fun than mowing the lawn! For more free time to spend enjoying the things you love and an impeccable lawn, you can’t go wrong looking into the perks the Navimow has to offer.

Robotic lawn mowers used to stay in your yard using boundary wire. But they need to move over because GPS mowers are here to take over! Segway recently introduced its first robotic mower, which uses GPS to guide the mower. Robotic lawn mowers have been around for some time now, and thank goodness, because sometimes mowing the lawn can be a hot, sweaty, time-consuming process. Segway’s Navimow is both safe and efficient

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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com