DiBartolomeo Law Offices - July 2020

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

July 2020

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

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

PART I: LARRY GROWS A GARDEN AND A COMMUNITY

M ostly better weather allows for a nice long walk on the Oregon Coast, and when you do, there

a week-old deer fawn hanging around Franklin. One evening while walking downhill, I even saw a guy walking uphill, but backward! I tried not to stare. It turns out that walking backward uphill burns twice the calories than walking frontward like everyone else. I also noticed the Astoria Senior Center’s beautiful garden tucked along the steep hillside on the western edge of the senior center’s property along 11th Street between Franklin and Exchange Avenue. You will find an array of perennials blooming throughout the summer. If you are lucky, you may catch a peek of the gardener himself, Larry Allen, tied off from the sidewalk railing gardening away. This story was to be a short article about Larry Allen’s Astoria Senior Center Garden. But during my visit with Larry to write up this article, I quickly realized there was more to the story. Larry started this garden almost five years ago, and it’s becoming a success story with valuable lessons. It’s also a great example of how one person’s efforts can build community. So, in this issue, we will tell Larry’s story and perhaps share a couple of valuable lessons.

is more to see, especially on Astoria’s hillside. I recently learned of two friendly chickens living on Jerome Street and

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

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THE POWER OF THE GOLDEN SPICE

and one study even notes that turmeric seemed to work just as well as ibuprofen (Advil) for people with arthritis in their knees. Participants in that study took 800 milligrams of turmeric every day. CAN IT HELP THE LIVER? Yes. One of the spice’s most notable characteristics is its powerful antioxidant abilities. Antioxidants play an important function in our bodies. The average person is exposed to refined and processed foods, smoking, environmental pollution, and chemicals found in pesticides and drugs. Turmeric can protect the liver

People have raved about many superfoods over the past few decades, but one that’s garnered notable attention is turmeric. Fittingly known as the golden spice due to its orange-yellow hue, turmeric is famous for being a crucial part of Indian cuisine, ayurvedic medicine, and Chinese medicine. But does turmeric actually help people? And if so, how? Let’s start with the basics to find out.

WHAT’S IN TURMERIC? First, it’s important to know what the spice contains and why

from damage due to these toxins, which also aids those who take strong medications known to cause long-term liver damage.

researchers are so excited about it. Turmeric is packed with a chemical known as curcumin, which has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory effects, pain relief, antioxidants, and a decrease in the risk of cancer. Pro Tip: You should not consume excessive amounts of turmeric if you take medication that has blood-clotting effects, such as aspirin. However, a moderate amount typically doesn’t react with these or other medications and has many other benefits. CAN IT IMPROVE JOINT HEALTH? In many cases, yes! The Arthritis Foundation recommends taking a 400–600-milligram tablet of turmeric up to three times daily. Multiple studies cite turmeric’s ability to reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis pain,

CAN IT DECREASE SYMPTOMS OF HAY FEVER AND DEPRESSION? Some symptoms, yes. The curcumin in turmeric can help reduce hay fever symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. When used in tandem with antidepressants, turmeric may help reduce symptoms of depression. There are many benefits to using turmeric in your weekly meal routine. Try out some Indian or Chinese recipes or prepare some Instagram-worthy golden milk. In whatever you make, enjoy the rich flavor combinations turmeric offers!

PART II: LARRY STARTS HIS JOURNEY

Larry Allen always appreciated the value of public gardens, but gardens cost money and government budgets only go so far. Larry’s idea for a senior center garden started when Larry heard the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association’s call for sponsors to care for downtown garden areas. Larry noticed that the senior center’s remodel plan did not include landscaping and saw his opening. He proposed the creation of a garden on the hillside slope along the senior center’s western border. It seemed easy enough, but Larry admits he did not know what he was getting himself into. One of the first entries in Larry’s journal is titled “2016: There Were Weeds, There Were Rocks. The Sidewalk Fence Was Rusty. How Can It Be Done?” One of the first pictures of the garden area is titled “Weeds and Blackberries.” Where many would be deterred, Larry moved forward. First, he discovered a lot of rocks but not a lot of soil. Larry solved this problem by bringing the soil to the garden. From raking up leaves where he could find them and building his own compost, Larry single handedly built the garden’s fertile foundation — a good start. Here’s the lesson: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

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

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He discovered that although the lupin and foxglove do not work in the street-side plot, they would do wonderfully on the garden’s steep north-facing hillside to prevent erosion.

Here's the lesson:

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” –Albert Einstein

Tulips seemed like a good idea at the time, but Larry quickly learned that deer, which have been known to frequent the area, love sweet peas. Larry literally went back to the drawing board, employing his drafting talents to plan a new approach, one plot at a time. This drawing shows Larry’s vision for the strip of garden adjoining 11th Street. In it, Larry envisioned a rotating bloom of hardy and deer-resistant perennials. Larry also turned other “mistakes” into victories. Foxglove and lupin are hardy and plentiful, but aggressive. They seemed like natural choices, but Larry soon learned these plants thrive because they spread aggressively, choking out his other flowers and setting strong roots. Out they came, but Larry would turn this mistake into a victory.

THE BEST GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com

Ingredients

peppers, baby carrots, and yellow squash are great on the grill) • 5 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped

• 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning • 1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced • 2 lbs assorted vegetables, trimmed and halved (asparagus, mushrooms, red onion, red bell

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic. 2. Brush vegetables with olive oil and place in a large bowl. Top with lemon juice and seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 2 hours. 3. Prepare the grill at medium-high heat. 4. Grill vegetables in batches, cooking 3–5 minutes on each side until browned

and tender. (Carrots will cook longer, 6–9 minutes per side.) 5. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.

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

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1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

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Part I: Larry Grows a Garden and a Community

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The Power of the Golden Spice Part II: Larry Starts His Journey

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Part III: Turning Mistakes Into Victories The Secret to Delicious Grilled Veggies

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Part IV: Larry Shares His Gift

PART IV: LARRY SHARES HIS GIFT

Seeing a guy gardening is a common sight during the summer months in Astoria. Seeing a guy gardening while tied to safety lines that are connected to a sidewalk railing is not. Larry has met a lot of people, hundreds in fact, along the way. Slowly, day by day, the garden grew, and with it came fans and admirers. Larry is praised for his work. Some garden lovers bring visitors from out of town just to see what’s going on in Larry’s garden. He describes the love of working in his garden as a “joy,” and says he is often “getting lost in it.” Larry has come to realize that this garden is not just the Astoria Senior Center’s garden, but also a community garden for everyone to share. To share even more, Larry has invited volunteers to join in caring for the garden. It’s for all ages, and all Larry asks for is each volunteer to commit to tending to the garden one hour per week. If you’re interested, you can contact Larry at [email protected].

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

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