Di Bartolomeo Law Offices - October 2021

Di Bartolomeo Law Offices - October 2021

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

October 2021

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

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

What to Do After the Rain Comes

It’s coming, or it’s already here: the rainy season. But there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and have some fun before the dark days of winter come upon us. LOCAL ONLINE FARMERS MARKET The North Coast Food Web is sponsoring Small Farms Market Day. The next market day is scheduled for Oct. 14. The Food Web operates an online local food marketplace for local food vendors of food and plants. Customers can shop online Sunday through Tuesday of each week and pick up their order on Thursday between 3–6 p.m. at the Food Web. The market features over 30 vendors with hundreds of products like eggs, veggies, bread, meat, prepared food, tea, and coffee. Find more information at NorthCoastFoodWeb.org .

delivered to your vehicle. The meal includes Laksloda, green beans, beets, freshly baked bread, and apple crisp for $15. Suomi Hall is located at 244 W. Marine Dr. in Astoria.

TALKING TOMBSTONES The Clatsop County Historical Society once again is hosting the popular Talking Tombstones on Halloween from 1 p.m. until dusk. Former citizens return from the great beyond for a graveside chat with anyone willing to visit their tombstone. This event is free, but donations are encouraged. The location is announced a couple of weeks prior, so keep an eye out at Members.OldOregon.com/ events/details/talking-tombstones-10-31-2021-504 . INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The Astoria International Film Festival happens from Oct. 22 through Oct. 24 at the Liberty Theater in Astoria. This event draws upon the outstanding talents of the Northwest and the world with the mission of attracting and showcasing the work of independent film and video artists writers. Workshops and seminars are also available to the public. Programming features regional filmmakers highlighting indigenous peoples and regional cultures. Check out the details at LibertyAstoria.Showare.com .

LAKSLODA TO GO Scandinavian roots run deep on Oregon’s North Coast. Laksloda To Go is coming up on Oct. 16, 2021. The Finnish Brotherhood Auxiliary will be serving up traditional Laksloda on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Laksloda is a traditional potato and smoked salmon casserole that's perfect for this time of year. The annual fall event will be a to-go favorite this year. Preorder by calling 503-440-9002 by Oct. 14, drive behind Suomi Hall on Oct. 16, and your meal will be

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

IS FALL 5 Corn Maze Safety

FUN FOR ALL TH

Tips

WEAR PROPER FOOTWEAR. Ensure that you and your family all have proper footwear, preferably closed-toed shoes, while exploring the maze. You never know what kind of critters or potentially harmful hazards may appear in your path. EAT BEFOREHAND AND STAY HYDRATED. Be sure to eat before setting out into the maze and don’t bring any glass bottles with you, as it can be dangerous if broken. Furthermore, do not consume alcohol before or while enjoying your time at the corn maze. BE PREPARED. Accidents can happen, usually at the most unexpected times! It is important to always have a first-aid kit handy. Be sure to call 911 in an emergency and let staff know what is going on.

If you’ve ever applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you know the process is neither fast nor simple. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that some conditions are more serious and debilitating than others and has created the Compassionate Allowances Program. This program allows people with certain conditions to receive expedited disability benefits approval. Currently, 223 conditions qualify for a Compassionate Allowance, and a full list can be found on the SSA’s website. Qualifying conditions include terminal or inoperable cancers, transplant failures, rare pediatric illnesses, and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As with all disability benefits claims, the SSA will require medical evidence of the claimant’s specific disability, and additional tests may be needed to prove eligibility. Once the evidence is compiled, there are no special forms to fill out. Applicants simply note that their disability is on the SSA Compassionate Allowance list when filling out their application form. DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR THE MOST SERIOUS CONDITIONS The Compassionate Allowances Program Fall brings apple cider, pumpkin patches, fun seasonal outfits, and corn mazes. Unless you are visiting a “haunted” corn maze, you and your family probably won’t be chased by a chainsaw-wielding serial killer while you try to navigate through. However, safety risks are still present. Here are five safety tips to keep the fun coming during your next corn maze experience. FOLLOW THE RULES. At the entrance to each corn maze, there should be a sign stating the rules for visitors. For the safety of yourself, your children, and others, be sure to read each rule and follow along. Always accompany your kids in the corn maze — it is a maze, after all! WATCH FOR TRIPPING AND FIRE HAZARDS. Keep your eyes peeled for any obstacles on the path, including holes, bumps, ruts, and corn stalks. While navigating a maze, it can be easy to forget to look down while searching for the exit. To prevent fires, you should also avoid smoking and never use matches or lighters.

As long as safety is the top priority this fall, fun will be had by all!

The SSA will automatically flag Compassionate Allowance claims and process them in as little as 10 days. If approved, benefits should begin arriving no later than five months after the initial application is completed. Since a successful disability claim relies on a thorough and accurate application, having an expert in your corner will maximize your chances of approval. Many initial applications are denied, but the experienced lawyers at Di Bartolomeo Law Office know the process inside and out. If you have a condition that qualifies for a Compassionate Allowance, we can help you compile, organize, and submit your application correctly to ensure the fastest possible turnaround time. Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your situation.

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

TIPS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE BOO! DON’T LET A HALLOWEEN ACCIDENT SNEAK UP ON YOU

FOR HOMEOWNERS If you’re handing out candy this year, prevent a potential injury on your property with some basic maintenance. Ensure your pathway and door are well-lit to prevent children from tripping. Replace any burnt-out bulbs and consider adding a few more lights if you have dark spots. Also, make sure to remove any hazards or debris from areas that will be highly trafficked. If you’ve got leaves hanging around — or if winter comes early and makes ice — clear it away to prevent a slip and fall. Finally, keep your pets away from trick-or-treaters. Even if you think your animal is friendly and safe, unfamiliar people can rile up even the calmest animal. Plus, you don’t want your furry friend to get loose! If everyone does their part with basic precautions, Halloween can be fun for all. Get out there, be safe, and make some memories!

For many kids, Halloween is almost as exciting as Christmas morning. The holiday should be a time of joy for little ones, but it does come with risks — and nothing will dampen Halloween fun like an injury. Whether you’re taking kids out trick-or-treating or staying home and handing out candy, it takes all of us working together to keep kids safe on Halloween. Here are some ways we can do just that. FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS If you’re taking kids trick-or-treating this year, you’ll want to take some basic safety precautions to avoid an accident or injury. The risk of a child being hit by a car is greater on Halloween than on any other day of the year, so your choices can prevent a tragedy. When putting together costumes, avoid full-face masks. These can severely limit a child’s field of vision, making an accident more likely. (Face masks covering the mouth and nose, of course, are highly recommended!) Ensure the kids’ costumes are well-fitting to avoid potential trips and falls as well as highly visible in the dark so drivers can see them. Add some reflective tape to the costume, if you have to — safety first.

PUZZLE

OKTOBERFEST SOFT PRETZELS Inspired by Tasty.co

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water • 1 tbsp salt • 1 tbsp sugar • 1 packet active dry yeast

• 4 1/2 cups flour • 3 tbsp oil, divided • 2/3 cup baking soda • 2 eggs, beaten • Coarse salt, for sprinkling

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine water, salt, and sugar. Add yeast and let rest for 5 minutes. Add flour and 2 tbsp oil, then mix thoroughly into a dough. 2. Remove the dough from the bowl. Coat bowl with remaining oil, then return the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and set it aside in a warm place for 1 hour.

4. Cut dough into 8 pieces. Roll them into thin ropes, then twist ropes into pretzel shapes. 5. In a large pot, boil water. Add baking soda, then boil each pretzel for 1 minute, flipping halfway through. 6. Transfer pretzels to a baking

sheet. Brush them with egg and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10–15 minutes. Enjoy!

3. Preheat oven to 450 F.

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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Get Outdoors and Get Social

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Corn Maze Safety The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances Program Explained

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Avoid Scary Accidents This Halloween Oktoberfest Soft Pretzels

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Corn Mazes Date Back to Ancient Greece?

A HISTORICAL LOOK AT THIS WACKY FALL TRADITION Corn Mazes Date Back to Ancient Greece?

Exploring a corn maze is a great way to get outside and enjoy the fall season with friends and family — but who came up with the idea of wandering around a corn field for fun? As it turns out, outdoor mazes are an ancient tradition, and the American corn maze of the '90s sprouted from the mazes of 17th-century European gardens. Don’t believe it? Here’s a quick tour of corn maze history.

This story isn’t the first recorded example of a maze or labyrinth — according to the World History encyclopedia, “[L]abyrinths and labyrinthine symbols have been dated to the Neolithic Age in regions as diverse as modern-day Turkey, Ireland, Greece, and India, among others” — but it’s perhaps the most famous ancient tale. If you’ve ever navigated a Halloween corn maze staffed by ghouls and ghosts, you can see the parallels! GARDEN ART TO GET LOST IN Mazes formed from bushes began popping up European gardens in the 17th century. They were a popular artistic feature of upper-class gardens in England, more for looking at than solving. One famous example is the half-mile-long Hampton Maze, which was planted in 1690 and still stands today. THE CORN MAZE: AN AMERICAN INVENTION Garden mazes eventually hopped the pond to America but didn’t become interactive puzzles until Don Frantz, Creative Director of the American Maze Company, came on the scene. In 1993, Frantz created the “first ever cornfield maze for private and public entertainment” to attract college kids in Pennsylvania. Today, every small-town corn maze is a descendant of his “Amazing Maize Maze.” To learn more about that wacky history, visit AmericanMaze.com.

THE MINOTAUR AND THE MAZE Have you heard of Theseus and

the Minotaur? This ancient Greek legend tells the story of the hero Theseus, who ventured into an elaborate maze to kill the half-man,

half-bull imprisoned there. The monstrous

Minotaur was known to eat heroes, and the labyrinth was known to trap them, but Theseus managed to slay the Minotaur and find his way home with the help of a string that he unspooled as he walked.

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