VanMeveren Law Group - April 2021

VanMeveren Law Group - April 2021

Foundations 970

OLD TOWN 123 North College Ave., Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524 APRIL 2021 VANMEVEREN LAW GROUP COMES TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF

For several years, VanMeveren Law Group has operated out of two different offices in Fort Collins. We had our south office on Caribou Drive and our Old Town office on North College. This month (fingers crossed), we’re bringing our two offices under one roof downtown. Why make the change? We haven’t gotten any smaller, but we have changed, especially over the last year in the context of COVID-19. We’ve thought a lot about how we want to work together as a team, and we concluded that our team would function best if we were all together in a single space. This month, we expect (and hope) our new Class A office space will be ready for us right in the heart of Fort Collins. Our team will be in a new space as we work to promote increased collaboration and efficiency and an improved sense of well-being. We expect this change to have a positive impact on us and our clients. Over the last year, we've noticed that many people have experienced a change in their mental health and well-being. This seems especially true for folks who have transitioned to working remotely from home. While the work-from-home model works well for some people, it has many downsides, especially over a longer period of time. One of the challenges of working remotely is social isolation. While we can connect over the phone, email, Zoom, or other apps, it’s hard to replace face-to-face interaction and engagement. You don’t have the same sense of being on a team, and it's more difficult to collaborate.

Another challenge we’ve noticed, and research has confirmed, is that productivity doesn’t necessarily go up when you’re working from home. For some people, productivity and focus might increase, but for others, it decreases. You have to consider all of the distractions that come with working from home, such as family, pets, people going in and out, and various daily activities. That isn’t to say there aren’t distractions at the office, but working from home makes it harder to separate your two worlds and draw the line between work and home. If you value a work-life balance, that balance can easily be lost. According to a Buffer survey, participants named “unplugging from work” as the biggest challenge of working remotely, with 22% of remote

workers saying it was a problem. The second biggest challenge was loneliness, which 19% of respondents cited. Finally, 17% of respondents said collaboration and communication were difficult, making it the third biggest challenge. While remote work still has many benefits, at VLG we wanted to invest in our team and give everyone a work environment that was safe and promoted a greater sense of team and

collaboration. As we move into our new space, we’re excited to see how it all comes together.

–Bryan VanMeveren

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‘This group will always have my trust’ “I had a fantastic experience working with this group of professionals. Karl and Andrea took their time to completely satisfy my expectations throughout my case, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work together. I highly recommend this law firm if you are still searching, as they do astounding things for this community to help out and will continue to do so. This group will always have my trust and I appreciate the diligence towards my case.” –Alex Yekel

With spring officially underway, April showers starting to bring May flowers, and Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time for outdoor family activities. With 3 Fun Earth Day Projects One for the Birds Making a pine cone bird feeder is a fun and inexpensive project. In addition to creating and hanging your bird feeder, you’ll get hours of extra entertainment from watching the birds it will attract to your yard. If your kids are older, take photos of the birds or note their colors and features and look them up in a field guide or online. This craft just requires a pine cone (the bigger the better), peanut butter, and some twine or string. Top the peanut butter with “sprinkles” of mixed birdseed or small pieces of nuts and fruit to appeal to even more birds. For full instructions, visit TheSpruce.com and search “pine cone bird feeder.” An Egg-cellent Planter Save those eggshells from breakfast (and the paper carton, too!) and use them to start a garden! Your little ones will enjoy planting some seeds, watering them, and watching them sprout and grow into something new. When the sprouts are big enough and it’s warm enough outside, you can plant the shell and carton directly into the ground! This easy project just requires rinsed eggshell halves, some lightly moistened potting soil, and seeds of your choosing. Note that smaller seeds, like those for herbs, lettuces, peppers, or tomatoes, work best for this project. For full instructions, visit GardenBetty.com and search “starting seeds in eggshells.” Stick With Magic Nature is a magical place. Many kids know this instinctively and often point out things adults take for granted or overlook, like bright-colored leaves, fun-shaped rocks, and acorn “hats.” Making a nature wand is a great way to let your kids explore their environment, whether that’s in your backyard, on a neighborhood walk, or in your favorite park. Let their imaginations run wild with what their magic wand can do! This simple project starts with a stick and masking tape. Your kids add all the extra flair by hunting for natural treasures and sticking them onto their wand. Complete instructions can be found at LaughingKidsLearn.com/nature-wands-outdoor-play . Sprout Your Kids’ Imagination

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When Facebook Becomes Your Worst Enemy WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER USE SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER AN ACCIDENT Social media plays a big role in our daily lives.

to be covered on top of the cost of taking care of your car.

Many of us use it to communicate with family and friends or share the day’s events. However, while you may only intend to communicate with family and friends, much of what you share can end up in the public space. If someone — such as a potential new employer — wanted to learn more about you, chances are they can find out about you online. But potential employers aren’t the only people snooping. If you file a claim with an insurance company after an accident, that insurance company will want to knowwhat you’re up to. This means they are likely to monitor your social media activity. It’s always a good idea to take an extended break from social media after an accident or injury. The insurance company will look for anything they can use to deny your claim. All you have to do is make a post or share a photo that indicates your injuries may not be all they seem. Let’s say you’re involved in a car wreck and you take time off work to deal with doctor visits and recovery. You have medical bills that need

However, during this time off, you go out with friends for a night out. While you’re out enjoying yourself, you or a friend snaps a few pictures and posts them online. In the photos, you appear to be having a great time with no indication you’re injured. In reality, you may be fighting neck or back pain as the result of an injury. You might think you are posting a perfectly innocent photo, but the insurance company may take that image and try to use it against you. The image isn’t going to show any pain or injury. They may argue that if you’re well enough for a night out, your injuries must not be that bad or that you might not even be injured at all. When it comes to posting online, always use your best judgment. On top of that, be sure to check and update your social media sharing preferences. Securing your accounts and being careful with what you share can make a significant difference when it comes to your claim.

SUDOKU

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

Ingredients:

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1 cup cooked chicken, diced 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces

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1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided

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1/2 cup carrots, grated 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

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2 tsp minced garlic

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

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Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F and

3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.

grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.

2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken,

artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan.

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123 North College Ave, Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-495-9741 www.vanmeverenlaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

VLG Is Now Under One Roof Page 1 3 Fun Earth Day Projects for Families Our Clients Say It Best Page 2 How Social Media Can Be Used Against You After an Accident Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe Page 3 Myths and Magic Come to Fort Collins This April Page 4

CELEBRATE SPRING IN STYLE

Magical & Mythical Animals in Human Imagination April 2–July 24 Global Village Museum Starting April 2, explore the world of magical and mythical beings as interpreted by children around the globe. Artwork featuring well-known creatures like the chupacabra, the jackalope, and many other cryptozoological wonders will be on display. This exhibit is perfect for the whole family or for anyone with interest in the bizarre world of myths and legends. Find all the details, including current admission information, at GlobalVillageMuseum.org .

The Sustainable Fun Run/Ride April/May Anywhere!

Loveland Classic 5K & 10K May 31 (tentative) The Lakes at Centerra

This monthlong virtual run/walk/ride is a great way to celebrate spring. You can choose your distance and your form. You can run or walk a 5K or up to a marathon, bike 10–100 miles, or do a combination of running, walking or biking for 100–750 total miles. You can also choose your course — road, trail, track, treadmill, and so on. All you need to do to join in the fun is register and participate on the appointed dates, which can be found at GreenEventsColorado.com/sustainablefun .

The Loveland Classic was canceled for 2020, but it’s expected to return this year in May! The 5K and 10K races will be both virtual and in person. The in-person event is expected to take place at the Lakes at Centerra, as in years past. This race is still several weeks out and organizers are working to finalize the details. Stay up to date on the latest information by monitoring the race's website at LovelandClassic.com .

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