Distasio Law Firm January 2019

Distasio Law Firm January 2019

Commemorating MLK Jr. A MESSAGE OF UNIVERSAL LOVE In many of his speeches and sermons, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about love. He wasn’t talking about the romantic kind, though. King often used the term “agape,” an Ancient Greek word used to refer to the unconditional love of God for man, to talk about universal love for all people, regardless of race, religion, or circumstance. We commemorate King on Jan. 21. It’s a celebration and a National Day of Service, so take the opportunity to honor King’s message of universal love. Here are three ways to put agape into practice. 1. PAY A VISIT TO A HISTORICAL SITE. Immerse yourself in King’s message this month by visiting the places where these historic events occurred. Our nation is full of opportunities to become better acquainted with the birth of the civil rights movement, from the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, to Selma, Alabama, where protest marches

3. SHARE THE MESSAGE OF NONVIOLENCE AND GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY. At the center of King’s message was the principle of nonviolence. Consider how you can advocate for nonviolence in your community. You could donate your time or money to a local shelter for victims of abuse, or volunteer your home to foster abandoned pets. If you’re part of a PTA or another school organization, encourage students to put an end to bullying. The Mix It Up program has anti-bullying lessons and activities that support King’s message. Take some time to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision this month and take part in the universal message of love. Don’t we all want more of that?

were held in 1965. After all, if we don’t know our past, we are doomed to repeat it.

2. EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS ABOUT THE STRUGGLES PEOPLE HAVE FACED. Learning about the experiences of others cultivates empathy. When you interact with someone across cultural or subcultural boundaries, it helps to reduce prejudice. Promote positive interactions in your community by hosting a film night or book club focused on the civil rights movement. You can feature a movie like “Selma” or “13th.” For a book club, select an autobiography or biography that puts yourself in someone else’s shoes, like Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” or Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.”

SIGNS OF A SUBSTANDARD CARE FACILITY

Red Flags to Watch Out For

When somebody makes the decision to live in a nursing home or long-term care community, their loved ones’ worst fear is that they’ll be mistreated or receive inadequate care. While the vast majority of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other communities geared toward older adults are reputable and trustworthy, instances of misconduct do happen. Obviously, a care provider isn’t going to broadcast that they don’t treat their residents well, so you’ll have to be on the lookout for signs that something is amiss. While there’s no single marker that determines whether or not a facility is up to snuff, there are consistent red flags of substandard care that crop up time and again. If you notice any of the following at your loved one’s residence, it may be time to start asking hard questions.

RAPID NEGATIVE CHANGE Your loved one’s overall health and wellness is the surest barometer of the care they’re receiving. If a once-social senior is suddenly withdrawn and uncommunicative, there could be cause for alarm. Similarly, if someone is consistently injured or unwell, they may not be receiving proper attention. It’s important to distinguish between degeneration that results from abuse and decline that results from old age or disease. If you notice Dad or Mom growing worse, ask the staff what’s going on with them. EVASIVE ANSWERS Whether inquiring about the status of your relative or asking about any other aspect of the care facility, you should receive direct, straightforward answers. Employees who give you the runaround have likely been trained that way, so it’s important to be persistent. A low-

level staff member may not have all the answers, but they should be able to put you in touch with someone who does. POOR HYGIENE Making sure residents are properly washed is a fundamental service. Failure to provide this basic level of care is one of the most worrying signals you can observe. The same goes for the cleanliness of the facility, which should be spotless. When you notice a lack of hygiene standards, it’s a good idea to question whether your loved one is in the right place. If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of elder care abuse or neglect, call our office at (813) 259-0022. We’ll help you get the care and compensation your family deserves.

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WHY JANUARY?

The Origin of New Year’s Day

T he month of January kicks off by the ball drop in a freezing-cold Times Square. But why? Why do we start our calendars when much of the U.S. is in the dead of winter? Why January? The short answer is Julius Caesar and Roman politics. The calendar had long been a political tool in Rome. Depending on who was in power, Roman pontifices would add or subtract entire weeks from the year, manually adjusting the term limits of elected officials. As you could imagine, this caused a lot of chaos, because months frequently slipped out of time with the changing seasons. After becoming emperor, Julius Caesar brought about some much- needed reforms. welcoming the new year — there are countdowns, fireworks, and of course,

Inspired by the Egyptian solar calendar, Caesar fixed the Roman year at 365 days and instituted the leap year to keep months aligned with the solstices. He moved the new year from the spring to the day that elected officials traditionally began their year-long terms, Jan. 1. This choice carried spiritual significance, since January was named for Janus, god of doors and gates. What better month to celebrate new beginnings? Under Caesar and subsequent rulers, the Roman Empire expanded its reach, carrying its calendar with it. While much of Europe adopted Caesar’s calendar, New Year’s Day remained a hot-button issue for centuries. Thanks in part to the spread of Christianity and to the colder conditions in Northern Europe, there was a lot of resistance to the January start date. Religious leaders saw it as

a pagan holiday, and much of Europe chose to restart the calendar on March 25, during the Feast of Annunciation. Much of Catholic Europe officially recognized Jan. 1 as the start of the new year after Pope Gregory reformed the solar calendar again, correcting certain mathematical errors made in Caesar’s day. There were still holdouts, however. In fact, England and its American colonies continued to celebrate New Year’s Day in March until 1752. So there you have it — we were very close to having our fireworks celebrations in lovely spring weather. Ultimately, the ubiquity of the Gregorian calendar won out, as the demands of our increasingly interconnected world made a shared calendar a necessity. So if you struggle to start your New Year’s resolutions this winter, blame Julius Caesar.

Pet of the Month C O N T E S T

CHICKEN CHOP SUEY

INGREDIENTS

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2 teaspoons sugar

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2 large or 4 medium chicken thighs 3 pounds bok choy, cut into 3–4-inch ribbons

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2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 4 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

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These three four-legged cuties belong to Faith and Scott, but next month we want to feature your pets! TO ENTER: • Go to Facebook.com/ DistasioFirm. • Like our page. • Post a picture of your pet to our feed (@DistastioFirm) by Jan. 20, 2019. Check back on our page on Jan. 25 to see the pet of the month winner. If your pet is chosen as the pet of the month, please contact our office at (813) 259-0022 to claim your gift card. The winning entry will receive a $50 gift card and get to see their pet in next month’s newsletter. • •

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4 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons oyster sauce

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Salt and pepper, to taste

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DIRECTIONS

1. In large pot, boil three cups of water. Add chicken and reduce to simmer, cooking for 30 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool. Once cooled, remove skin and bones, chop, and set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil. Once shimmering, add bok choy and cook for 1 minute, stirring throughout. Add half of reserved cooking liquid, cover skillet, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer bok choy to a plate. 3. Add remaining cooking liquid and chicken to the pan, maintaining high heat. Heat chicken, then add oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch-and-water mixture, sesame oil, and bok choy. Season to taste, toss together, and serve over rice. (813) 259-0022 3

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1112 Channelside Dr Ste 5 Tampa, FL 33602

Inside This Issue

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What I Learned in India

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Put MLK Jr.’s Message of Love Into Practice

How to Spot a Bad Nursing Home

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Why Start the New Year in Winter?

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Meet Our Pets of the Month

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Chicken Chop Suey

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The Best Pasta in Tampa

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CENA RESTAURANT IN TAMPA Local Business Spotlight

When you think of Italian food, you probably imagine heaping plates of pasta with red sauce, served on checkered tablecloths. There’s nothing wrong with that tried-and-true favorite, but it’s hardly representative of the bounty Italian cuisine has to offer. At Cena in the Channelside District, you’ll find a modern, refined take on Italian fare. Under the careful stewardship of executive chef Michael Buttacavoli and general manager Joe Daitch, Cena has been delighting diners for the past six years. The restaurant has received many accolades, including a 2018 Golden Spoon Award from Florida Trend magazine. The team at Cena believes the guest is No. 1 and strives to wow every diner with their level of customer service. The food is just as five-star-worthy as the service, with options spanning many regions of Italian cuisine. The octopus salad antipasti spiked with Calabrian hot sauce is not to be missed. Pasta

options include a stunning Bolognese and an oxtail gnocchi that you won’t soon forget. No matter what you choose, you’ll be impressed by the bold flavors and skillful cooking coming out of chef Buttacavoli’s kitchen. And you’ll definitely want to save room for dessert — the options range from a classic tiramisu to a tangy sheep’s milk cheesecake. In addition to a diverse, delicious menu, Cena offers a robust beverage program and a great selection of charcuterie and cheese. If you’ve never had duck prosciutto, you’ll certainly want to order some. The same goes for the pepperoni aged in-house, which barely resembles the discs you’ll find at your local pizza joint. Cena combines the past and present of Italian cuisine to stunning effect in an intimate, welcoming setting. Their fare is unlike anything you’ll find at the Italian restaurants of your childhood — and all the better for it.

Cena is located at 1120 East Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa. They are open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Parking is available at the Grand Central parking garage with the first two hours free. Reservations are encouraged, especially on the weekends. Call (813) 374-8840 or visit CenaTampa.com to book a table.

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