Gillette Law - December 2018

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ILLETTE

GAZETTE

DECEMBER 2018

THE GIFT OF GIVING PREPARING FOR THE 20TH COUNTRY FOR KIDS CONCERT

Spring may still feel like it’s a world away, but music lovers across Hampton Roads are already purchasing their tickets to the 2019 Country for Kids charity concert. That’s because, come March 23, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery will take the stage, so seats are sure to disappear fast. Not only is this annual concert an unforgettable night out, all proceeds go to the Center for Child & Family Services, Inc., helping to provide counselling and support to local families. This will be the 20th year of the Country for Kids concert, so naturally we want to make sure it’s bigger than ever. This is the Center for Child & Family Services’ largest fundraising event, and every dollar raised makes a huge impact for children and families right here in Hampton Roads. It’s a chance to support an event that benefits the whole community. You can visit CountryForKids.com for more details. Every year, our staff attends the concert, and it’s always a great outing. Even those of us who aren’t country fans enjoy themselves! As someone who came of age listening to John Denver and the Eagles, I’ll admit that I don’t always stay up-to-date on the modern world of music — my daughter calls the playlist we listen to “dead white guys.” But at each Country for Kids concert, I’ve been very impressed with the young talent that exists in the country scene today and humbled that performers of such caliber would perform to help our non-profit organization.

Scotty McCreery

Regardless of whether you’re one of the lucky winners, we hope to see you at the Country for Kids concert this March! It meant the world to us that so many of you came out and enjoyed the Holiday Lights Stroll last month, which also benefited the Center for Child & Family Services. As a law firm that believes in doing all the good we can, inside and outside of the courtroom, we feel incredibly lucky to have readers who share our passion for community service. From all of us at the Gillette Law Group, PLLC., we hope you have a wonderful holiday season. We wish you and your loved ones warmth, joy, happiness, and a bright start to the new year. Thank you for being a part of what makes the work we do possible.

Regardless of whether you’re one of the lucky winners, we hope to see you at the Country for Kids concert this March!

Because I am the Chairman of the Board of the Center for Child and Family Services, Inc., our firm will once again be giving our readers a chance to win two pairs of VIP tickets to this great annual event! This VIP access not only gives you and your plus one the best seats in the house, it also includes souvenir lanyards, and free beverages, soda, and beer for those 21 and over, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. We’re proud to support such a great event, and for the chance to give back to our readers. You can check inside for more details on how to win these exclusive tickets.

N e x t D o o r Bu

Happy Holidays,

–Brian Gillette

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CoreyMiller Photography

BEARD BEAUTY

Whether you’re the proud owner of goatee or are shopping for a bearded loved one, it’s important to know the ins and outs of proper facial-hair care. With a few simple steps, you can turn a “no shave November” experiment into a glorious, shining mane. Wash and Scrub From tangled knots to last night’s dinner, you don’t want anything hanging out in your whiskers longer than it has to. Scrubbing your beard as you shower will keep your face happy, hairy, and healthy. Don’t worry about investing in specialty beard soap unless you have particularly sensitive skin. For most folks, regular shampoo or facial wash works fine. Just be sure to get all the suds out or things will get crusty. Use a gentle patting technique to dry your face afterward. Scrubbing with a towel is a recipe for face frizz. Oil or Balm? Just like the hair on your head, your beard and the skin underneath need to stay moisturized. The use of beard oil and utility balm (commonly known as beard balm) will keep your hair and face hydrated and add a little extra shine and fragrance to your facial ensemble. Deciding which product to use depends on your beard length.

Beard oil is quickly absorbed, making it a tonic for itchy new beards. Individuals with extra-dry skin or Civil War-general- length beards should consider switching over to balms. Applying either of these products will keep your beard smooth, shiny, and dandruff-free. Get a Beard Comb What makes a beard comb so special? While metal or plastic prongs are fine to use on your scalp, faces tend to be more prone to irritation. Wooden beard combs are gentler and absorb facial oils, redistributing them throughout your beard from root to tip. Plus, the lumberjack aesthetic is a nice touch. Remember that beards don’t grow on trees. Regardless of your fashion goals, your facial hair is an important part of your body and needs to be treated with respect! These tips won’t just have you looking dapper; they’ll have your face feeling better than ever.

WIN VIP ACCESS YOUR TICKET TO SEE SCOTTY MCCREERY UP CLOSE!

On March 23, 2019, the Gillette Law Group, PLLC, and other local businesses will be combining our efforts to put on the 20th annual Country for Kids music concert to benefit the Center for Child and Family Services, Inc. Over the past 20 years, Country for Kids has helped to raise over a half million dollars to support the programs and services of the Center for Child and Family Services Inc. As part of our support for this event, and because we love giving great experiences to our clients, we’re giving away two pairs of VIP tickets to this event, which features American idol winner Scotty McCreery! Beyond front-row table seating, VIP ticket holders receive free drinks from 6 to 8 p.m., as well as souvenir lanyards. Note: A meet and greet is not included in the VIP experience.

Here’s what you need to do to enter:

• Visit glgvip.com • Enter your name and contact information • Submit! It’s that easy!

Entries are limited to one per person. Duplicate entries will not increase your chance of winning . We’ll be doing a random drawing of these submissions on Jan 29 2019. Best of luck!

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GET IN THE RIGHT HEADSPACE

How is this possible? The secret is stress relief. Stress produces cortisol, a hormone that can affect the function of your brain and other organs, contributing to headaches, heart disease, and even early death. Mindful meditation puts your body in a state of relaxation, reducing stress and cortisol levels. Why Headspace? Like the muscles of your body, you need to exercise your mind if you want to see improvement. Meditation can help strengthen your mind. Headspace is an app that acts as a teacher, providing guided meditation courses to help you learn this new skill. Though not the only meditation app on the market, Headspace is one of the most in-depth and easy to use. Studies examining the effectiveness of Headspace found that individuals who used the app reported better focus, less stress, improved mood, and feeling less aggressive and reactive to negative feedback. Going through a disability claim can be a struggle. Headspace might be able to help you find a moment to relax and strengthen your mind for the next challenge. Learn more about Headspace at Headspace.com or download the app on your smartphone today.

This month, we want to talk about Headspace, a mindful meditation app that might be the tool you need to find peace of mind.

What Is Meditation? First, put away the images of beads, healing crystals, special rugs, chanting, and other stereotypes about meditation inspired by the hippie movement and consumer culture. Meditation isn’t about transforming who you are or becoming one with nature. It’s about building a greater awareness of yourself and your surroundings so you’re more prepared to deal with everyday challenges, whether those challenges are related to stress, sleep, focus, pain, or anger. How Can Meditation Help? The idea that sitting still and breathing for five minutes can help you deal with pain sounds like something from a snake oil salesman, but there’s research to back it up. Multiple studies and reviews published in the JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation helps fight insomnia, improves sleep, and helps relieve pain, anxiety, and depression.

SOUTHERN CLASSIC: BOURBON BALLS

DAD

JOKE

Recipe from Rhonda Ruckman, executive pastry chef of Herbsaint , Cochon Butcher , Calcasieu , and Pêche in New Orleans, Louisiana

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecan halves • 2 cups shortbread cookies, crushed into crumbs (about 10 ounces) • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream • 4 tablespoons light corn syrup • 2 tablespoons honey • 1/4 cup sugar

• 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (Ruckman prefers Valrhona Equatoriale 55%) • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon bourbon (Ruckman uses Evan Williams Single Barrel or Buffalo Trace) • 1 vanilla bean

Q: Why don’t penguins play football? A: Snowballs!

Directions

1. Place pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 F until fragrant. Set aside and allow to cool. 2. Chop 1 cup of the pecans into small pieces and add to shortbread crumbs in a large bowl. Set aside. 3. In a small sauce pot, heat together cream, light corn syrup, and honey. Bring to a boil and pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let stand for 1 minute and mix to combine. Pour mixture over shortbread and pecans, and add bourbon. Mix thoroughly. 4. Chill mixture for 1 hour in the refrigerator. 5. While mixture chills, slice vanilla bean in half and scrape out the vanilla inside. Add vanilla to sugar and mix together. Chop remaining pecans finely and add to vanilla-sugar mixture. Set aside. 6. Form chilled crumb mixture into small balls with a teaspoon and roll them through pecan-vanilla-sugar mixture. Enjoy immediately or store in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

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INSIDE This Issue

Country Music for Christmas page 1 3 Steps to a Better Beard page 2

Let’s Talk About Meditation page 3 Southern Classic: Bourbon Balls page 3 Antiquing in the Age of eBay page 4

Win VIP Tickets to Country for Kids! page 2

ANTIQUING IN THE AGE OF EBAY

HOW TO SCORE THE BEST DEALS

Haggle! Don’t forget to bargain with the seller! Being able to negotiate the price of an item is another huge benefit of visiting an antique store in person. While some sellers can ask for a “best offer” on their online listings, many don’t, giving buyers next to no flexibility. A lot of people may be too intimidated to haggle, but when you take the time to do it, you will almost always save a little money. Do Your Research As a buyer, you want to have reference points regarding authenticity, condition, and price. If you find an item you’re interested in, take some time to research it further. It’s great to have your smartphone on you so that you can do some digging before extending an offer or making the purchase. The more informed you are, the greater the chance you’ll get a good deal. Have Fun Antiquing is about discovering hidden gems and having fun along the way. When you’re traveling or exploring an area you’ve never been to, visiting antique shops can be a wonderful experience chock- full of history and one-of-a-kind items you wouldn’t otherwise come across. When you go in with an open mind, that’s when you find the greatest treasures!

Antique stores are not as common as they used to be. Thanks to online shopping and websites like eBay, it has gotten slightly harder to find quality antique items and good deals. All too often, it seems like sellers rely on eBay and similar websites as a point of reference to price their items, even if eBay isn’t the best avenue to gauge the market. For those of us who love antiques, this can be discouraging, but don’t fret! In the era of mass-produced, low-quality home goods, antiquing is very much alive, and it is still possible to find the unique items you’re searching for. The styles of yesteryear can still be found tucked away in dusty little shops — if you’re willing to put in the work to find them! Here are a few tips for finding those treasures in the age of eBay. Inspect the Item Good, old-fashioned antiquing comes with one major perk you won’t get on eBay: You get to inspect the item personally before making a purchase. You can investigate the condition of the piece and ask questions about its authenticity. If you notice certain flaws in the item, you can bring that up when it comes time to haggle.

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