Swerdloff Law Firm August 2018

SWERDLOFF In The Know

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AUGUST 2018

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER

Opening Doors, Opening Hearts

When you think of William Shatner, you probably think, like most of us, of James Tiberius Kirk. The pivotal role captured our attention and made the man an icon to Trekkies and mainstream folk alike. But as with most celebrities, there’s more to William Shatner than his fame. You probably don’t think of horses or charity when it comes to the former Star Trek star, but those are two things Mr. Shatner has been bringing together in Hollywood for almost 20 years. This past June, William Shatner put on his annual charity event, the Hollywood Charity Horse Show. The idea for the show came about in the 1980s, when Mr. Shatner saw an exhibition put on by children with severe handicaps. Some of them had such severe physical limitations that they could not hold their heads up, but they were still performing intricate exercises on horseback. Thanks to therapeutic riding group Ahead With Horses, the children were given the opportunity to do more than what they thought they were capable of. The show had a big impact on Mr. Shatner, and he knew he wanted to support the cause. “You can’t watch these kids without knowing you have to help, somehow,” Mr. Shatner said. A few years later, the first Hollywood Charity Horse Show took place, and it’s been growing ever since. It’s also one of the rare events that gives 100 percent of its proceeds to charities. We were fortunate enough to be guests of Mr. Shatner’s, and the evening did not disappoint. They put on an equestrian show and provided plenty of entertainment,

The incredible Captain Kirk (akaWilliam Shatner) with CRE Outreach Director Greg Shane at this year's Hollywood Charity Horse Show.

music, and fun. There were also many generous volunteers who devoted their time to helping the event run smoothly. It truly was an evening to remember. The event benefited 15 charities, including one dear to my heart, CRE. In fact, my friend Greg Shane, co-founder of CRE, attended the event to support the cause. Afterward, he shared these kind words about Mr. Shatner and his wife, Elizabeth: “You both have hearts of gold and your support for the past 10 years has helped give the opportunity for so many individuals to have their voices heard.” As Greg said, it was a magical evening. Mr. Shatner’s compassion and generosity reminded me why it’s so important to be involved in events like this one. If there’s

one thing I want to use my knowledge and influence for, it’s programs like CRE. These organizations change lives and give me a renewed passion for the work I do with families and their loved ones. They’re opening up opportunities and breaking down boundaries for people who are different. Reaching out to the community and doing charitable events like the Hollywood Charity Horse Show is so important to me, and I’m excited to be involved in more events like Mr. Shatner’s this year. They help connect people from different backgrounds and highlight the good things that organizations like CRE are doing. Keep up the good work, Mr. Shatner and Greg!

–Arthur J. Swerdloff

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WANT TO IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH? GRAB A SWORD! THE BENEFITS OF OPEN-SKILL SPORTS

of Sport and Exercise (PSE) suggests activities defined as “open-skill sports” like fencing can do more to improve brain health than “closed-skill sports.”

and move your body, you also have to think on your feet and react quickly to your opponent's attacks. Researchers from the Foro Italico University of Rome believe that it’s the required adaptability that makes open-skill sports so good for your brain. You challenge your body with complex motor movements and your mind with fast decisions. In the study from PSE, the researchers reported that “the open-skill athletes used less brainpower to do the same thing than the closed-skill exercisers did.”

OPEN OR CLOSED?

The difference between an open-skill sport and a closed-skill sport lies in the dynamic nature of the activity. Going for a jog is great for your heart health, but your body is doing the same thing during the entire workout. This makes it a closed-skill sport. The same goes for swimming; you might have different strokes to choose from when you jump in the pool, but your brain is focused on repeating the action while doing your laps. Open-skill sports require players to respond to unpredictable circumstances in unpredictable ways. Fencing is a great open-skill sport because, while you have to learn the right way to hold the saber

Did you know fencing is making a comeback? No longer just for heartsick gentlemen of the Regency era, fencing is increasingly being taught in public schools, displayed in the pages of popular indie comics, and practiced among seniors. Plenty of baby boomers are picking up swords, or “sabers” — and it’s not because they’re preparing to fight dragons. Exercise is important no matter your age, but some activities are more beneficial than others. Research published in the journal Psychology

WHAT’S THE BEST OPEN-SKILL SPORT?

If fencing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other great open-skill sports, including tennis, badminton, basketball, and racquetball. What are you waiting for? Swing by your local rec center and find out what open-skill sport will be your new favorite pastime!

FIND PEACE OF MIND

With Our Estate Planning Services

My husband and I went to Art for estate planning — wills, trusts, etc. We were clueless, but Art spent a lot of time walking us through various options, and he gave us a lot to think about. He is an outstanding attorney who takes care of his clients. And most importantly, Art is a really good man. We came to trust and admire him very much. His staff was wonderful as well, and you can see that he nurtures a great environment. We recommend the Swerdloff Law Firm with enthusiasm!

Estate planning can be a daunting process. You probably have a good sense of what you’re looking for — the security you want to create for your family, the peace of mind and freedom from worry that you will put in place, and the knowledge that your wealth is protected. You also want to know what your choices are, but maybe you’re not sure how these all fit together or whom to turn to when it comes to making a strong plan that withstands the test of time. That’s where we come in. The Swerdloff Law Firm has helped many families create a plan that provides freedom, security, wealth, and options. With the right attorneys, you can find all of these things in an estate plan. Just look at what others are saying about us. Our client, Whitney, had these kind words to share about her experience with Swerdloff Law Firm:

When you meet with the Swerdloff Law Firm, we are here to help you and your family. You don’t have to know everything, because we will walk you through the process. As your legal guides through the estate planning process, we will help you create a lasting legacy through an estate plan. Contact the law offices of Art Swerdloff today at 310-577-9104 and see why others recommend us with enthusiasm.

–Whitney T.

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‘MARCHING ON’ IS A MUST-SEE PRODUCTION CRE AND WALLIS THEATER COLLABORATE TO EMPOWER THOSE WHO’VE SERVED

In June, we shared some of the amazing things that CRE is doing in the LA community, and the incredible news continues. At the end of June, CRE debuted “Marching On,” an original play written by and starring eight military veterans. It gave a firsthand view of the experiences of these veterans, many of whom are part of CRE’s Veterans Empowerment Theatre (VET). VET is a form of art therapy that encourages patients to use artistic expression to overcome addiction, deal with PTSD, and reintegrate into society.

after noticing the way veterans were being underrepresented in art or media. “I saw the need with members of our organization that military veterans were just not being given a chance to share their stories.” Greg and CRE looked to change that with their production and debut of “Marching On.” In collaboration with Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, “Marching On” gave audiences insight into the challenges faced by veterans returning from deployment. When asked about the importance of “Marching On,” actor and veteran Judy Levisy states, “There are so many things that we as veterans

go through that a lot of people don’t understand and probably never will — until they hear our story.” Another actor and veteran of the show says that he wants “the audience to come in here and feel a sense of camaraderie.” It seems it hit its mark. “Marching On” showed to sold-out audiences and impassioned applause. According to Levisy, “This is our life. I look at this as a healing process for all of us.” Keep a lookout for CRE’s next production by following their Facebook page and visiting their website at CREoutreach.org.

Greg Shane, co-founder of CRE, says he was struck by the need for this program

SUDOKU

CHANA MASALA

This classic Indian dish of chickpeas in tomato sauce is a great vegan main course. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Serve it with basmati rice.

Ingredients

• 1 28-ounce can peeled whole tomatoes, crushed • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed • Salt and pepper, to taste • Chopped cilantro, for garnish

• 1 onion, chopped • 1 garlic clove, sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and chopped • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon curry powder

Instructions

1. Over medium heat, cook onion, garlic, ginger, olive oil, and curry powder for 8–10 minutes, until onion is soft. 2. Add chickpeas and can of tomatoes with juice. Simmer 25–30 minutes. 3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over rice and top with cilantro.

Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

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INSIDE

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A Fundraiser to Remember

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Fence Your Way to Better Brain Health How We Give You Peace of Mind

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‘March On’ Premieres at Wallis Theater Chana Masala

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Shadow: The Hang-Gliding Service Dog

MEET SHADOW: The Amazing Hang-Gliding Service Dog

For his entire life, Utah resident Dan McManus has suffered from several mental health issues, including generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, night terrors, and severe panic attacks. Over the years, he’s utilized numerous coping mechanisms to stave off the symptoms, but there are two things that calm him more than anything else: hang gliding across the Utah skies and the companionship of his service animal, an Australian cattle dog named Shadow. Over the course of 37 years, McManus went from being a hang-gliding hobbyist to an expert instructor in Salt Lake City, going out gliding as often as possible. But it seemed that his passion gave his pup a bit of anxiety of his own. Whenever McManus would take off, Shadow always wanted to chase him. “So I would be out here flying, and he would chase me and jump up at me and sometimes get my foot and hang on a little bit … It felt like he wanted to

keep me safe,” he says. And when he left the dog at home, he’d often come home to a scratched-up floor and doors. It seemed that Shadow couldn’t bear to be away from his owner. So, about 12 years ago, McManus had a special harness made for Shadow, enabling the pup to join him while he took to the skies. They’ve been side-by-side on nearly every flight since. Some pet owners might balk at the idea of taking a dog on a hang glider, but it’s clear that, in this case, Shadow definitely wants to fly. Whenever they go out, Shadow wraps his paws around McManus’ arm, remaining stoic as they survey the landscape together from high above.

our canine pals will always be there to offer their furry support. As McManus and Shadow demonstrate, it’s a bond that remains strong even hundreds of feet above the ground.

While we all struggle with our own obstacles in life, it’s nice to know that

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