Louis Berk - June 2021

Louis Berk - June 2021

www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 June 2021

Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death

For me, Father’s Day means celebrating the two father figures in my life. I am lucky enough to be inspired by two men, both of whom taught me what it means to be a man and a business owner. My own father is one of these two, and the other is my father-in-law, who has become a second dad to me. I’ll start with my father, because that’s where my own story begins. From an entrepreneur in Venezuela to a worker bee after bringing us to the United States, Dad never slowed down when it came to providing for his family. He was the first person I knew who started his own business, and I learned a lot from him. What rubbed off on me the most was his work ethic. With his options limited by a number of factors after we left Venezuela, Dad found himself working hard at any job he could find. My gratitude cannot be overstated: He was working to create a better life for my sister and me, which, as an adult, I can see even more clearly now. Lucky to Have the Role Models I Do On Father’s Day, I Celebrate 2 Men

Although we are very close today, I can still remember the strained first few times we met. I came away from our early interactions with zero doubt that I was becoming involved with someone of great worth to him and that his focus first and foremost was to protect her. After some time, I learned that, while he may come across tough like my dad does, my father-in-law also has the same heart of gold. He’s watched me grow into my role as attorney and business owner, and as an entrepreneur himself, he’s been instrumental in helping me figure out the path I want to take. To that end, at least every other week, we have what I call our “mastermind” meetings: hour-long calls discussing the business. My father-in-law’s love for me is clear in the way he’s helped me understand what works and what doesn’t, how to attract the right people, and what my time is worth. This last lesson was particularly valuable because as a business owner, I need to manage time for the sake of my clients and myself. As he taught me, every minute I spend doing something is a minute I’m not spending on something else. That revolutionized the way I think about work, and it also made me value my time with my wife and family even more. He has saved me a lot of mistakes over the years by keeping me focused and calling my bluff.

Over the years, Dad worked at a funeral home, in the vending industry, as a beer salesman, at an assisted living facility, and more. For a while, he owned and ran a coin-operated laundry business; at other times, he’d assist people with their tech problems over the phone. Sometimes I wonder how he did it, but when I look at my own habits, I can’t say the apple fell too far from the tree. One thing I do know is that when times are hard, having the ability to hustle is invaluable. For my father-in-law, family was also of the utmost importance. Just as my father took care of us and still visits and looks after my grandma in Miami, along with my aunt, my father-in-law took care of his family.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have two father figures to look up to. I see both my father and father-in-law as role models and am extremely grateful for these relationships. I appreciate the time and advice they both give me. I look forward to the day when I can take on a similar role for some young man just starting to figure it all out. -Louis Bernardo Berk

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The Super Benefits of Yoga

June 21 is International Yoga Day, which makes it a great time of year to talk about the unique benefits of yoga — the “superfood” of fitness. As a mixture of exercise and mindfulness, yoga is not only challenging but also has myriad health benefits. Many people assume yoga is mainly useful for increasing your flexibility. However, it’s also excellent for further developing your strength, mobility, and balance. These can be key benefits for living a healthier lifestyle, whether you’re an athlete or concerned about aging. Kaitlyn Hochart, a yoga instructor from San Diego, California, writes on Healthline, “During yoga, your body goes through a full range and variety of motion that can counteract aches and pains associated with tension or poor postural habits.” Yoga can help you become more aware of these habits, “[allowing] you to fix these imbalances and improve overall athleticism.” Many forms of exercise are useful against depression and cardiovascular disease, but in yoga’s case, you don’t have to break a sweat to start benefiting from its stress-relieving properties. “The breathing exercises you practice during yoga can help lower your heart rate and shift your nervous system into a more relaxed state. It also promotes better sleep and increased focus,” Hochart writes.

Multiple studies agree: Yoga can significantly decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. In one study, 64 women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participated in a 10-week program, performing yoga at least once a week. By the end of the 10 weeks, 52% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD at all. As with starting any new hobby or regular exercise, it may help to set clear goals for yourself. By doing yoga regularly, there are several physical improvements you can look forward to, such as:

• Improved range of motion or ease of movement

• A reduction in pain, discomfort, or other symptoms

• An increase in physical strength and endurance

• Less weight fluctuation

• Changes in the way your clothes fit

• Better-quality sleeping habits and increased or stabilized energy levels One of the best qualities of yoga is that you can be of any age or fitness level. So, pull up a YouTube video, find a soft surface, and give it a try!

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However, more restrictions have come up. In Miller v. California (1973), the U.S. Supreme Court found that the First Amendment’s freedom of speech doesn’t apply to obscenity.

How does the court define obscenity? There are three things they’ll take into account:

1. Will the average person (applying contemporary “community standards”) find the work appealing to the overly sexual interests?

2. Does the work depict or describe, in an offensive way, sexual conduct or excretory functions as defined by state law?

censorship. That’s why when Twitter bans an account or Facebook deletes a post, these actions don’t count as violations of free speech. Could that change? According to legal experts, the big question now is how to treat large social media platforms. Clay Calvert, professor of law at the Levin College of Law, asks, “Should we treat them differently and regulate them more closely? Have we reached that stage where we need to antitrust litigation, perhaps, and say they have such powerful platforms, they’re like near-monopolies that we should do some trust-busting and break them up?” Would it be a good idea for the First Amendment to apply to private entities? We’ll leave that to the future debates that are sure to come.

3. Does the work, when taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value?

Certain types of hate speech are legal, so long as they don’t incite violence and cannot be categorized as obscenity as described above. But what about more ordinary political opinions? Can those be legally censored?

The First Amendment’s Boundary

Corporate censorship and censorship by private entities are legal because the First Amendment only applies to government

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TAKE A BREAK

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!

GRILLED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com

A spice-filled marinade and time do all the work in this recipe that features Middle Eastern flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp ground black pepper

• 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Directions

1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes

on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Lucky to Have the Role Models I Do

1

The Super Benefits of Yoga

2

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Are Grocery Subscription Boxes Worth It?

3

Legally Speaking, What Is Censorship?

4

Legally Speaking, What Is Censorship? A Brief Dive Into the First Amendment

The Freedom to Speak — Without Obscenity or Inciting Violence

The First Amendment has been the centerpiece of a contentious debate about what can legally be posted (and deleted) on social media like Twitter and Facebook. But before we can define “censorship,” we need to know what is defined as “free speech.” What exactly does the First Amendment say about free speech? What are the boundaries for what people can and cannot do?

The First Amendment covers the freedom of speech, press, and religion. It’s arguably one of the most fundamental amendments to American democracy, but its interpretations can vary significantly. This is how the full First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Why is it that the Ku Klux Klan and Westboro Baptist Church have gotten into legal trouble for expressing their opinions? Their groups often promote acts of violence against another group, which violates the “peaceably” qualifier to the people’s right to assemble.

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www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 June 2021

Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death

Para mí, el Día del Padre implica conmemorar a las dos figuras paternas que tengo en mi vida. Tengo la suerte de tener dos hombres que me inspiran. Ambos me han enseñado lo que significa ser hombre y ser empresario. Una de esas personas es mi padre y la otra es mi suegro, quien se ha convertido en un segundo padre para mí. Voy a empezar por mi padre porque allí comienza mi propia historia. Mi padre pasó de ser un emprendedor en Venezuela a ser una especie de abeja obrera cuando nos trajo a los Estados Unidos. Nunca se tomó ni un respiro en lo referido a mantener a su familia. Él fue la primera persona que conocí que hubiera fundado su propio negocio y aprendí mucho de él. Lo que más se me pegó de él fue su ética de trabajo. Sus opciones eran limitadas por una serie de factores, y se encontró a sí mismo trabajando arduamente en cualquier trabajo que pudiera conseguir. Es imposible exagerar la gratitud que siento hacia él. Trabajó para darnos una vida mejor a mi hermana y a mí, lo cual me resulta incluso más evidente ahora que soy adulto. A lo largo de los años, mi papá trabajó en una funeraria, en la industria de las máquinas expendedoras, fue vendedor de cerveza y trabajó en un geriátrico, entre otros trabajos. Durante un tiempo, fue dueño y administró una lavandería con máquinas a monedas. En otra época, brindaba asistencia tecnológica por teléfono. A veces me pregunto cómo lo hacía, pero cuando observo mi propia forma de actuar, pienso que es cierto aquello de “de tal palo, tal astilla”. Lo que sé con certeza es que cuando se atraviesan tiempos difíciles, saber trabajar arduamente es invaluable. La familia también era lo más importante para suegro. Del mismo modo que mi padre se ocupó de nosotros —y todavía visita y cuida a mi abuela en Miami, junto a mi tía— mi suegro se hizo cargo de cuidar a su familia. Suerte de Tener El Papel Modelos que hago en el Dia del Padre Celebro a Dos Hombres

Si bien ahora somos muy cercanos, todavía recuerdo lo tensos que fueron nuestros primeros encuentros. No me quedó ninguna duda de que me estaba involucrando con una persona que le importaba muchísimo y de que su primer y principal interés era protegerla. Luego de un tiempo descubrí que, si bien al principio puede parecer una persona difícil (al igual que mi papá), mi suegro también tiene un corazón de oro. Me acompañó en el viaje que me llevó a ser abogado y empresario y, dado que él también es un emprendedor, su ayuda ha sido de vital importancia para descubrir qué camino quiero seguir. Con ese propósito, tenemos lo que yo llamo “reuniones de cerebros” por lo menos cada dos semanas. Son llamadas telefónicas en las que conversamos sobre el negocio durante horas. El aprecio que siente mi suegro por mí queda de manifiesto por la forma en que me ha ayudado a entender qué funciona y qué no funciona, cómo atraer a la gente apropiada y lo valioso que es mi tiempo. Esta última lección es invaluable porque, como dueño de negocio, tengo que administrar correctamente mi tiempo para mi propio beneficio y el de mis clientes. Tal como él me enseño, cada minuto que invierto en hacer algo es un minuto que no invierto en hacer otra cosa. Eso cambió completamente mi forma de ver el trabajo y me hizo valorar incluso más el tiempo que paso con mi esposa y mi familia. Ha evitado que cometa muchos errores manteniéndome concentrado y desvelándome mis verdaderas intenciones.

No todos tienen la suerte de tener dos figuras paternas a quienes admirar. Veo a mi padre y a mi suegro como modelos a imitar y me siento extremadamente agradecido por la relación que tenemos. Valoro mucho el tiempo y los consejos que ambos me brindan. Espero algún día poder asumir un rol similar para con algún joven que esté empezando a entender cómo funcionan las cosas. -Louis Bernardo Berk

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Los superbeneficios del yoga

El 21 de junio es el Día Internacional del Yoga, lo que lo convierte en una excelente época del año para hablar sobre los beneficios únicos que brinda el yoga, el “superalimento” para un buen estado físico. Por tratarse de una combinación de ejercicio físico y meditación, el yoga no solo se convierte en un gran reto, sino que también ofrece innumerables beneficios para la salud. Mucha gente asume que el yoga es básicamente útil para incrementar la flexibilidad muscular. Sin embargo, también es excelente para desarrollar la capacidad de resistencia, movilidad y equilibrio. Estos pueden ser beneficios claves para poder llevar un estilo de vida más saludable, sin importar si usted es un atleta o si está pensando en su vejez. Kaitlyn Hochart, instructora de yoga de San Diego, California, escribió una nota para Healthline: “Durante la práctica del yoga, el cuerpo experimenta una gran variedad de movimientos capaces de contrarrestar los dolores y molestias asociados a la tensión o a las malas prácticas posturales”. El yoga puede ayudarlo a tomar mayor consciencia de estos hábitos, “(permitiéndole) corregir tales desequilibrios y mejorar la capacidad atlética en general”. Muchas formas de ejercitación son útiles contra la depresión y las enfermedades cardiovasculares, pero en el caso del yoga, no es necesario que se esfuerce demasiado para comenzar a percibir los beneficios emanados de sus propiedades para aliviar el estrés. “Los ejercicios de respiración que se realizan durante la práctica del yoga pueden ayudarlo a reducir la frecuencia cardíaca y a llevar a su sistema nervioso hacia un estado de mayor relajación. También propicia un mejor sueño y mayor capacidad de concentración”, señala Hochart.

Numerosos estudios lo acreditan: el yoga puede disminuir significativamente la secreción de cortisol, la principal hormona del estrés. En uno de estos estudios, 64 mujeres con trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) participaron enun programa de 10 semanas en el que

debieron practicar yoga al menos una vez a la semana. Al pasar las 10 semanas, el 52 % de las participantes ya no cumplian, en absoluto, con los criterios establecidos para el diagnóstico del TEPT. Al igual que al comenzar a practicar cualquier pasatiempo nuevo o ejercicios regularmente, puede ser útil que comience por establecer metas claras. Al practicar yoga con regularidad, hay un conjunto de mejoras físicas que usted podrá notar, como por ejemplo: • Mayor rango o facilidad de movimiento. • Reducción del dolor, la incomodidad u otros síntomas. • Aumento de la fuerza física y la resistencia. • Menor fluctuación de peso. • Cambios en su apariencia personal. • Mayor calidad en cuanto a los hábitos de sueño y aumento o estabilidad en los niveles de energía. Una de las más grandes cualidades del yoga es que usted puede tener cualquier edad o nivel de condición física. Por lo tanto, escoja un video de YouTube, busque una superficie suave ¡y empiece a practicar!

Una marinada llena de especias al igual que el tiempo hacen todo el trabajo en esta receta que cuenta con sabores de Oriente Medio.

Ingredientes

• 2 cucharadas de cilantro molido • 2 cucharaditas de sal kosher • 1/4 de cucharadita de pimienta de cayena • 2 cucharaditas de cúrcuma • 1 cucharadita de jengibre molido • 1 cucharadita de pimienta negra molida

• 2 cucharaditas de pimienta de Jamaica • 8 dientes de ajo picados • 6 cucharadas de aceite de oliva • 2 libras de muslos de pollo deshuesadosy sin piel

Instrucciones

1. Para crear la marinada, bate todas las especias con el ajo y el aceite de oliva en un bol mediano. 2. Añade el pollo al bol, cúbrelo bien con la marinada, tápalo y déjalo reposar en el refrigerador por lo menos 20 minutos - o hasta 48 horas. Cuela el exceso de marinada antes de cocinar. 3. Precalienta la parrilla a fuego medio-alto. Asa los muslos durante 10-12 minutos por cada lado, o hasta que un termómetro para carne indique 165 F. 4. Sírvelo con arroz, verduras o pan de pita con tzatziki.

Shawarma de pollo a la parrilla Inspirado en FeastingAtHome.com

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