Travis Black- March 2020

Travis Black- March 2020

BLACK & D E PAOLI, PC THE LAW OFFICE OF Be Heard

MARCH 2020

916.962.2896 | BDLAWTEAM.COM

THE MOTORCYCLE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

JUST THE NATIONAL PARKS, MY SON, AND ME

I’ll always remember hiking Zion with my son. It was really foggy that morning, which hid the peaks from us. As we climbed up and through the fog, we finally saw the peaks. Ryan and I sat down at the very top, and we hardly talked to one another. We just sat there and looked at the scenery around us. It was a spectacular sight. In this newsletter, I’ve written about a few of the vacations and trips I’ve taken in my life, but nothing was as amazing as that particular one. Traveling is something I’ve always loved, and I’ll continue to travel for as long as I possibly can and create even more memories with the people I love. I’ve mentioned before that I’m an avid motorcyclist and enjoy traveling around with my boys, though when they were younger, I was avid about them not riding motorcycles. Still, they ended up getting their licenses, and now the three of us get together and travel whenever we can. Two years ago, we wanted to go on a trip, but it can be hard lining up our schedules because we don’t live very close to one another. (I’m near Sacramento, Ryan is in southern California, and Kent is in Denver.) We were trying to put together a trip for the summer, but neither of them could find the time. Then, Ryan said he had nothing going on in April, but Kent was completely booked. It was a lot earlier than what we’d been thinking, but we wanted to take any chance we could. So, Ryan and I decided to go on a motorcycle trip, just the two of us. He rode his

motorcycle to Sacramento, and we took off headed toward Utah, which was about the only plan we had. I knew I wanted to hit Zion on the trip but was unsure of what else to do or see. On our way to Zion, we stopped by Death Valley, which is one of the most beautiful places you can go to. Many people say it’s not a great place to visit in the summer, and I agree. It’s hot as hell, but in the spring, the valley is filled with flowers, greenery, and not as much smoldering heat. The air was so clear that we could see at an unbelievable distance, and the colors just seemed to pop. The entire time we were there, Ryan was absolutely enthralled. From there, we went through Las Vegas and finally hit Zion, where we spent 3–4 days. The weather was absolutely phenomenal, and we had a lot of opportunities to hike. One hike allowed us to experience that breathtaking view of the peaks. While we were there, I remember sitting at the lodge when I noticed that the flag was at half-staff, and I couldn’t understand why. We asked around and learned that Barbara Bush had just passed away. After we realized this, Ryan and I had a long talk about life and death and how every day is so important because you never know what’s going to happen next. Having that opportunity to have such a deep conversation was a unique experience. After Zion, we visited Bryce National Park and did a lot of hiking there as well. The best part about visiting Bryce in April was that hardly

anyone was there, making it almost like we had the park completely to ourselves. After spending a couple days there, we turned our bikes homeward. It’s not too often that a father gets to spend 8–10 days with one of his kids, and I was lucky enough to have that chance with Ryan. That trip is one of the best ones I’ve ever been on, and I’ll never forget it.

–Travis Black

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SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY Fellowship with your neighbors, family, friends, and everyone who lives in our great city. Don’t miss this chance to have fun and include yourself in these community events!

LIMONCELLO LIQUOR CLASS WHERE: Murer House & Learning Center WHEN: Saturday, March 21; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ADMISSION: $35 WEBSITE: MurerHouse.org/cooking_classes During this workshop, attendees will learn how to create their very own Italian liquor, limoncello. From the very first step that involves picking your lemons to creating your own label, you’ll craft a drink from scratch to keep for yourself or use for gifts. This workshop also includes uses for your limoncello in mixed drinks and desserts. Visit their website to enroll today! CARS & COFFEE WHERE: Palladio at Broadstone WHEN: Every Saturday; times vary ADMISSION: Free! WEBSITE: CarsandCoffeeFolsom.com

Join motorcycle and car enthusiasts every Saturday morning to have a cup of joe, chat with friendly people, and admire every vehicle that turns up. This is a good way to connect with like-minded people of the community and a great way to start off the weekend. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION WHERE: City Council Chambers, City Hall WHEN: First and third Wednesdays; 5 p.m. ADMISSION: Free! WEBSITE: Folsom.ca.us/city_hall/depts/cnc/ historic Every month, the Historic District Commission comes together to discuss the best ways to protect, maintain, and promote the cultural and historical significance of the city’s Historic District. The community of Folsom is welcome to sit in on these

meetings to learn about the steps taken to safeguard this vital part of our city. Get involved and remain an active member of the Folsom community!

MEET WITH THE MAYOR WHERE: Mayor’s Office, City Hall WHEN: Every Thursday; 2–5 p.m. ADMISSION: Free! CONTACT: 916.461.6000

Mayor Sarah Aquino cares about the city and its people, which is why she opens her Thursday afternoons to listen to the public. You can share your concerns, issues, and ideas to ensure Folsom is the best it can be.

WHOSE PICKS WILL GO ALL THE WAY? MARCH MADNESS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

One of the greatest things about March Madness is that you don’t have to be a huge college basketball fan to get in on the fun. Kids of all ages can fill out brackets — or have a parent fill one out for them — and watch their picks duke it out on the court. While healthy competition among family members can be fun all on its own, check out the following tips if you’re looking to go the extra mile and reap as much fun from March Madness as you can.

TURN EACH GAME INTO AN EVENT.

Not every kid may like watching basketball, but if they fill out a bracket, then they might gain at least a passing interest in who will win each game. To elevate their interest, turn each March Madness matchup into a little party. It doesn’t have to be fancy; make fun snacks to eat while you watch or bet pieces of candy on who will have the most points to create great family bonding opportunities.

deserves a bigger reward. Offer them the chance to see a movie of their choice in theaters or to eat a meal at their favorite restaurant.

CREATE A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY.

REWARD THE WINNERS WITH PRIZES.

Learning math or geography might not sound like your child’s idea of fun, but it can be when they learn it through the lens of March Madness. See if your kids would be interested in understanding the inner workings of the ranking system or studying where some of the qualifying colleges are located on a map of the United States. They may find it so interesting that they don’t even realize they’re learning valuable skills.

Offer prizes to each round winner as well as the overall bracket winner to get the whole family involved. Small prize ideas for each round can include a homemade dinner of the winner’s choice, a week’s supply of their favorite snack, or a coupon for getting out of a chore. Whoever wins the whole tournament (or makes it the furthest with their bracket)

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NEED A BOOST? NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS TO INCREASE YOUR ENERGY

As spring kicks off, many people will be tempted to grab a Monster, Red Bull, or Rockstar to get through the day. Energy drinks may give you a quick boost, but the high levels of caffeine and sugar can lead to migraines and increased anxiety. If over-consumed, these drinks can even lead to Type 2 diabetes. To avoid these health hazards, try out a few of these natural energy boosters instead. ASHWAGANDHA Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub found mostly in India. As part of the Ayurveda system, an alternative medicine practice from India, it’s also known as “Indian ginseng.” The Alternative Medicine Review published a study indicating ashwagandha increases the body’s resilience to physical and mental stress by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol by 28%. Ashwagandha can also help you through long workouts and the 9-to-5 grind because it may also improve brain function, including memory. You can get ashwagandha in pill form at most convenience stores around the world. CREATINE Many people don’t realize creatine is a natural energy booster because they get it mostly in processed, high-sugar energy drinks. However, in doses less than 5 grams, creatine provides impressive

benefits during high-intensity activities, short-duration exercises, and sports, including football, shot put, and weightlifting. This compound is found in red meat, pork, poultry, and fish, and when consumed, it releases phosphates that give your body a quick burst of energy. Ingesting more than 5 grams, though, will leave you feeling bloated with a lot of stomach discomfort. Creatine powder can be found at most wellness stores. BEETROOT POWDER Beetroot powder is made from the roots of the beet plant and is rich in nitrate. Nitrate relaxes blood vessels, creating increased blood flow and oxygen delivery. This enables your body to produce energy more efficiently and maintain energy levels, making beetroot powder a great aid for endurance sports like running, soccer, and biking. In the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, a study reported that athletes could work out for 25% longer when they used beetroot powder. Fatigue didn’t set in until much later in their workout, which improved their training and performance.

This spring, say goodbye to energy drinks and get the boost you need with one of these natural energy supplements.

BE INSPIRED

PESTO CHICKEN WITH BLISTERED TOMATOES

INGREDIENTS • 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 4 boneless and skinless chicken • Salt and pepper to taste • 1/4 cup whole- wheat panko • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted • 6 tbsp spinach pesto • 2 cups cherry tomatoes • 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced • 1 tsp red wine vinegar

DIRECTIONS 1. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium- high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil. 2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and add it to pan. Cook chicken for 5 minutes on each side, then remove pan from heat. 3. In a bowl, combine panko, Parmesan cheese, and butter. 4. Spread pesto over chicken and top with panko mixture. 5. Broil chicken for 2 minutes on high heat until browned. 6. In a skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. 7. Add tomatoes and cook for 6 minutes. 8. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. 9. Season tomato mixture with salt and pepper, and add red wine vinegar. 10. Serve tomatoes with broiled chicken.

“THE PESSIMIST SEES DIFFICULTY IN EVERY OPPORTUNITY. THE OPTIMIST SEES OPPORTUNITY IN EVERY DIFFICULTY.” –WINSTON CHURCHILL

breasts, pounded to a 1-inch thickness

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Inspired by CookingLight.com

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BLACK & D E PAOLI, PC THE LAW OFFICE OF Be Heard

1839 Iron Point Rd. #160, Folsom, CA 95630 Phone: 916.962.2896 bdlawteam.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Hell of a Trip PAGE 1 Local Events PAGE 2 March Madness Fun for the Whole Family PAGE 2 Ditch the Energy Drinks PAGE 3 Pesto Chicken With Blistered Tomatoes PAGE 3 Changes Around the Office PAGE 4

NEW FIRM NAME, SAME GREAT LAWYERS

FORMING A PARTNERSHIP

Our law firm is evolving to meet the opportunities of the new decade. As a smaller law practice, we pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service and on using our extensive legal experience to benefit our clients. We are proud to be a firm with a brand of “Be Heard.” This brand exemplifies the way we treat our clients during some of their most difficult experiences. Eight years ago, I brought on an associate, Kelsey DePaoli, to support the caseload and keep our practice in step with contemporary operations. Throughout her tenure, Kelsey has been an outstanding member of our team. She has demonstrated her depth of legal knowledge, strong practitioner skills, and true empathy for many of our clients. Her dedication to the growth of the practice and her leadership in many of our most important initiatives are all reasons we’ve asked her to become a full partner. We invite you to join us in celebrating this happy occasion! Effective Feb. 10, we have formally transitioned to The Law Office of Black & DePaoli, P.C. Look for our new website address: BDLawTeam.com. It has the same great content, just a new name!

Thank you for your confidence in our firm, and please know that we value your partnership. We take pride in our total dedication to our clients and in securing the best possible results for each of you. This strong partnership between Kelsey and me will further support the service and care we provide.

We send best wishes for a successful and prosperous 2020!

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MY PERSONAL PROMISE TO YOU

As a valued client, I want you to be 100% SATISFIED with your decision to hire me as your lawyer.

You should know within 90 days whether or not I am the right lawyer for you.

So I offer you a

RISK-FREE PROMISE, NO-QUESTIONS-ASKED GUARANTEE!

If you are NOT 100% SATISFIED with my services, you can fire me and

NOT OWE ME ONE PENNY!

CALL NOW! 916.962.2896

-Travis Black