Johnson Law Group - June 2021

Johnson Law Group - June 2021

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JUNE 2021

A VACATION THAT SEEMS LIKE A DISTANT DREAM OUR HONEYMOON TO PUERTO RICO

With June bearing the official start of summer, and with the country slowly opening back up, your mind might be turning to thoughts of summer vacations and plans to get out of town. Believe me, I’m right there with you. While I can’t say with certainty that Myles and I have any trips planned for this summer yet, the changing season does remind me of what I think is my favorite summer vacation of all time: our honeymoon in Puerto Rico. That was in September 2015, just at the end of summer and the beginning of fall. We wanted to go somewhere that didn’t require us to update our passports and had a rich culture that we could enjoy. Puerto Rico fit that description and was our instant choice. We spent the whole trip in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, and the weather there at that time of year was perfect. Several people told us that there were tons of places worth visiting outside of the capital, but we never did make it to any of them. That was okay — San Juan had more than enough for us to enjoy! To start, Myles and I are both history buffs. If there are sites of historical significance that we can tour when we’re on vacation, we’ll be sure to visit them. San Juan has a lot of monuments from the days of the Spanish Empire, most notably Castillo de San Cristobal, a massive fort built by the Spaniards in the mid-18th century. It was a very important point in the Spanish Empire, which I didn’t know. We toured soldier

fortifications and stood where they stood hundreds of years ago. It was pretty remarkable that we got to see the same views of the Caribbean that they once saw and felt the same ocean breezes that they once did. While the historic tours were definitely cool, I think my favorite part of the trip was just how much we were able to connect with the locals during our stay in San Juan. Sometimes, when you vacation somewhere that’s popular with tourists, your stay feels somewhat inauthentic or prepackaged. Luckily, that was not the case in San Juan. As we strolled down cobblestone roads amidst colorfully painted houses and businesses, we saw probably just as many locals just going about their day as we did tourists just in town for a visit. At a Jamaican-themed bar, we met a Puerto Rican man who had actually lived in Aurora before. He told us how much he liked Colorado and wanted to go back sometime. We also met a man named Francisco, who gifted us some bracelets that he said were to give to our mothers. He was so focused on meeting us and making a connection that I honestly thought he might be an angel. On another occasion, we found a law office and, being young and bold, just knocked on the door to see if anyone was home. The attorney that worked there was incredibly inviting and spoke at length with us about what it was like to practice law in San Juan and in Puerto Rico in

general. I have no idea how busy his day was, but how many tourist destinations can you think of where you can make those sorts of connections with the locals? Of course, all of that was before we had kids, so it seems like a distant dream now. We could go out whenever we wanted, stay out all night, and do all those things that young people do. While we probably won’t make another trip to Puerto Rico anytime soon, I hope to visit again when the kids are a little older! Whatever your vacation plans are for this summer, I hope you and your family have fun, stay safe, and create some incredible memories! –Genet & Myles Johnson

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ARE GROCERY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES WORTH IT? June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, so let's explore one popular way to get more fresh produce into our lives: subscription-based delivery services like Full Circle and Imperfect Food. Are these services actually worth it? Do they save money and provide what they promise? Here's what the research turned up. Can they save you time? The Verdict: Yes, without a doubt. Subscription-based grocery delivery services appeal to consumers because they save time. With somebody else doing your grocery shopping, you don’t have to think about when you’re making a trip to the grocery store this week. Someone else is doing it for you! Plus, some services even offer meal kits if you can’t decide what to make. There’s no argument here — these services definitely save you time. Can they save you money? The Verdict : Sometimes, since it depends on your existing shopping habits. If you find yourself making impulsive purchases while strolling down the aisles at the grocery store, then a set (but customizable) weekly list of delivered groceries might be a great way to stick to your budget. Unfortunately, not many grocery subscription-box delivery services offer nonfood items like toilet paper or cleaning products, so you may still have to make a trip to the store every once in a while. Is the food quality great? The Verdict: Yes, but it depends on your area. You have a higher chance of getting better grocery items if you buy from an organic grocery box service, like Imperfect Foods or Farm Fresh to You, since these companies work closely with your local farms. Keep in mind that some services, like Imperfect Foods, are designed to deliver fresh foods that are a little “imperfect” in size, shape, or color to help prevent food waste — but, as a benefit, it’s more affordable! However, we’ve found some services, like Full Circle, will prepackage their boxes from warehouses that may not be local to you, so do a little research before picking one. All in all, we’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that these boxes aren’t such a bad idea. Consider looking into it if you’re tired of the weekly grocery store time crunch!

A Little Bit

of Eve

WHAT JAYLA BERZOZA LOVES ABOUT WO

As a legal assistant at Johnson Law Group, Jayla Berzoza does “a little bit of everything.” She helps with intake, finances, and office administration, to name a few of the hats she might wear on a given day. However, Jayla’s goal (at least in the short term) is to become a paralegal at the office. She’s been working toward her paralegal degree at the Community College of Denver for the past few years, and she’s almost finished. While she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be a lawyer, she says it's not out of the realm of possibility! Jayla previously worked as a paralegal at a personal injury law firm in the Social Security Disability department. She wanted to do something different and had always had an interest in family law.

“I was raised in a single parent household, and have encountered many forms of family law issues,” Jayla said. For that reason, Jayla wanted to learn more about family law and what it took to help families through what could be one of the most difficult times in their lives.

IS ANIMAL THER Your G

There are just some things only a dog can understand — same with a cat, or a horse, or a bird, for that matter. That’s the idea behind animal-assisted therapy (AAT), a treatment designed to help those with mental and physical challenges. AAT may look like snuggling and playing

with animals, but it's much more involved than you may think.

What is AAT? AAT relies on an innate human need to connect with animals. The idea is that humans form bonds with living things, and this connection can have a calming effect on our minds. Physical therapy and massage therapy involve tangible actions on the part of the therapist, while AAT relies on the relationship between a human and an animal. This could help someone cope with grief, lessen a medical patient’s pain related to chemotherapy or surgery, provide connection to residents in long-term care facilities, or even offer exercise for those with limited mobility. Aren’t those just emotional support animals? In recent years, emotional support animals have become increasingly popular both in the media and in their use. Emotional support animals offer their owners vital emotional assistance, but they differ greatly from trained therapy animals.

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THE GOOD NEWS!

ORKING IN FAMILY LAW erything

"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times

She loves being able to console clients when they’re really stressed out about their divorce, their child custody agreement, or one of several issues that could pop up throughout the case. “I’m kind of an empath,” Jayla said. She can genuinely feel the frustration and sadness that her clients are dealing with.

of trouble." – Psalm 9:9

Even though Jayla has only worked at Johnson Law Group for about six months now, she’s been able to see a handful of cases through from start to finish. She loves seeing the clients she helped during the intake process find some measure of peace and happiness through their whole ordeal. Their gratitude is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job for Jayla.

When she’s not at the office, Jayla spends all her free time with Jojo, her mischievous 1-year-old pug, or caring for her “garden,” which currently consists of two plants.

Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways

RAPY RIGHT FOR YOU? Guide to AAT

Ingredients

•

2 tbsp loose-leaf green tea

•

1 tbsp whole coriander seeds

•

4 cups filtered water, divided

Option 2: Ginger Mint •

Option 1: Rose and Coriande r • 1 tbsp dried rose petals

1 handful fresh mint leaves

AAT requires the use of a trained animal under the direction of a handler, who will also coordinate with medical professionals to ensure the strategies that they deploy will target what a patient needs. Prior to practicing, trainers and their animals must each pass certification processes intended to help each party gain the skills needed to help patients. To qualify, animals also need to be clean and vaccinated, and the type of animal that is used during AAT also depends on a person’s condition, the location of the therapy, and a patient’s need. Is AAT right for you? AAT isn’t for everyone, but it can be a vital component of your healing process. It’s often seen as a supplemental form of therapy intended to bolster other therapies. The important thing to remember when considering AAT is to establish reasonable goals. Discuss the possibility of using AAT with your doctor or therapist and consider which animals may bring you the most comfort. Be realistic about what you want and need before attempting AAT.

•

1 inch fresh ginger, cut into coins

Directions

For Rose and Coriander Tea: 1. In a large pitcher, place green tea, rose petals, and coriander seeds. 2. Bring 1/2 cup water to just below boiling. 3. Pour hot water over tea leaves, petals, and seeds. Let steep for 10 seconds, then add the remaining 3 1/2 cups water. 4. Refrigerate 4–8 hours until tea reaches your desired strength. Strain and serve over ice. For Ginger Mint Tea: 1. Follow the instructions above, substituting the mint leaves and ginger coins for the rose petals and coriander seeds. 2. Strain and serve over ice.

Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

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INSIDE

The Best Vacation I’ve Ever Had

Are Grocery Subscription Boxes Worth It?

Spotlight: Jayla Berzoza

Should You Try Animal Therapy?

The Good News!

Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways

Summer Fun in the Denver Area Begins Here

SUMMER FUN IN THE DENVER AREA BEGINS HERE A Few Local Events to Check Out in June

on up to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre to see quality films such as “Black Panther,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “Independence Day,” just to name a few. If the price seems a little steep, just split the cost between 3–4 of your close friends, and you’ve got a movie-watching experience like no other!

behind the curtain of time to that era. Plus, each visitor gets their own free yellow bandanna to use as a face covering! Denver BBQ Festival When: June 18–20 (Father’s Day weekend) Where: Empower Field at Mile High (1701 Bryant St., Denver, CO 80204) Admissions: Free Website: DenverBBQFest.com Do you like eating meat? Like, do you really like it? Well, then the Denver BBQ Festival is the place to be on Father’s Day Weekend. Vendors from all over the city will be there to grill, smoke, and otherwise prepare all sorts of tasty meats for your consumption before you douse it in delicious BBQ sauce. Live music will also be provided to drown out the sounds of lip‑smacking and finger-licking.

Summer is here, and with it comes plenty of ways to get outside in the Denver area for some community fun! There are plenty of one-of-a-kind events all over the place in June, so if you’re at a loss for how you should spend your evening or weekend, you won’t have to look very far! Below are just three of those events that you can use to kick off your summer fun schedule. Film on the Rocks Drive-In When: Various nights throughout the month Where : Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison, CO 80465) Admissions: $59.50 per car Website: RedRocksOnline.com/film

Wild West Walking Tours When: Daily

Where: Golden Visitors Center (1010 Washington Ave., Golden, CO 80401) Admissions: $25 Website: GoldenHistoryTours.com/walking-tour Back in limited capacity since March 2021, the Wild West Walking Tour takes visitors back in time to an era of gold mining, saloons, and shootouts. If you’ve ever wondered what the early days on Colorado’s frontiers were like for early settlers, this tour will give you a peek

If you haven’t been able to get to a movie theater for the past year, then you should swing

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