VanMeveren Law Group - February 2022

VanMeveren Law Group - February 2022

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

FEBRUARY 2022

VanMeveren Law Group Named No. 1 By Voters Thank You, Fort Collins!

This year marks an important milestone at VanMeveren Law Group: We will celebrate our 20th anniversary! It’s hard to believe we have been part of the Fort Collins and greater Colorado community for two decades now; honestly, it’s been a bit of a blur. I often think back to those early days, when I did so much extra work to ensure this firm took off, and while I always knew I would evolve into a serious injury attorney, I’m in awe of the ways we have grown. Thank you to every client who has trusted us for the past 20 years. Reaching this anniversary comes at another exciting time for our firm. VanMeveren Law Group was named the Best Law Firm in Fort Collins by Best of Fort Collins. Hosted every year by the Coloradoan, Best of Fort Collins is reader nominated and voted. It’s truly an honor that our community and clients felt compelled enough to nominate our team and then vote us into the No. 1 spot. This is a designation we don’t accept lightly, and we look forward to the challenge of continuing to meet the high standards we have put before ourselves.

to be honored with this Best of Fort Collins designation by those clients and our supporters means a lot to all of us. Perhaps one of the greatest parts about this award is that it’s genuine. That may seem like a confusing thing to say about an award, but you may be surprised to learn that there are many legal-focused and attorney awards that are created solely for purchasing by attorneys to make them look better to prospective clients. It’s completely legal, but I have never understood the value of doing so. It’s not an earned reward. This is something I cannot stress enough to people when they are searching for the right attorney. There are many “fake” awards that attorneys can sign up for, but the real awards will have independent selection processes. A few awards that fit this criteria for attorneys include Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and “Best of” awards given out by local newspapers across the U.S.

We’re proud to be part of Fort Collins’ “Best of” list this year, and we want to thank everyone who voted for us! It’s incredible to think this is our 20th

This is a mission I set in motion when I began this law firm. Every meeting, I drill into our team that the foundation of our law firm is the core values of trust, integrity, always improving, finding the best solution, and having open and honest communication. Regardless of the people we help, every decision we make has to be founded on those core values, and by doing so, we will do what is best for each of our clients. Our goal isn’t to be the biggest law firm; we strive to serve each client in a way that best helps them. In doing so, we have created a strong client family at VanMeveren Law Group. I know a lot of business owners say their clients are like family, but I truly believe it. We treat everyone as if they were a part of our family. And

year serving the community. Twenty years ago, my wife just had our fifth of six children, I began my Ironman triathlon training, we had just purchased a new home and this law firm began with the sole intent of providing the highest level of service to every single client. It was a full plate, but I’m grateful for each part of it.

Thank you, again, for your support!

–Bryan VanMeveren

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GOING TO BAT FOR CLIENTS

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults. Let your kids know they are the most important loves in your life with these sweet, inexpensive ideas that the whole family can enjoy! Your children will remember these traditions for years to come. Make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast. Guess what? Pink pancakes, pink milk, and even pink eggs are a thing! With strawberry milk, food coloring and strawberries in the pancakes, and food coloring in the eggs, you’ll have an effortless and special breakfast for the little ones. CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH YOUR LITTLE SWEETHEARTS

“I had no idea what to do when I was injured. I called around and had one name brought up by many. So, I called VanMeveren and set up an appointment. Jolene Blair met with me and explained how things work. Jolene and Andrea Harokopis went to bat for me. They led me through the process and got me through to a successful ending. I can’t thank them enough for their work and direction for me. I would definitely recommend anyone to VanMeveren for any personal injury!”

Tip: Set the table the night before after the kids go to bed to make serving Valentine’s Day breakfast easier the next morning.

Create Valentine’s Day cards for each kid. Tell your children all of your favorite things about them with their own personalized cards. There are so many ways you can get crafty with construction paper and glitter. Your kids are sure to love getting mommy-made or daddy-made one-of-a-kind valentines. Bake Valentine’s Day goodies together. What’s better than baking with your little ones? If you are short on time, you can find premade dough, usually with a Valentine’s Day theme. Or, you can try out your skills with heart-shaped cookie cutters and sprinkles. It can get messy, but it’s certainly worth it! Wrap up a small Valentine’s Day gift. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day outfit, candy, a teddy bear, or a necklace, it doesn’t have to be big or costly! Your children will enjoy feeling the love, and they’ll be excited to get something new. Don’t forget to have fun with the wrapping! Most stores have Valentine’s Day gift bags and wrapping paper around this time of year.

–Nate B.

Your baby valentines have stolen your heart — make sure they know it by spreading the love! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Pet of the Month

PET ADOPTION IS A LIFELONG COMMITMENT AValuable Reminder for Adopters

Animal ID: CAFA-A-40736 Breed: Domestic Shorthair Sex: Female Weight: 15 lbs Age: 4y/5m/1w Location: Foster Home

Hi! I’m Calla Lily and I’m happy you’re reading this to get to know me! I recently had a surgery called FHO, which if you look it up, sounds scary, but for me, it was necessary so I could walk without a limp and not be in pain anymore. My surgery went very well and I am in a foster home where I get to do a thing called PT, which for me is getting up to walk around and play a little bit with my toy and scratch on my scratcher. PT is pretty awesome and I am making fantastic progress. I am an independent kitty, but will ask you for pets and scratches when I feel like it, which is a lot of the time. I also love to be brushed. But mostly I like to lay around in my heated bed or on a soft squishy blanket. I think as more and more days go by and my leg feels better and better, I will be more active and really like to play. But for now, I am happy lounging the day away when I’m not doing my PT. I hope to meet you soon!

As we approach Valentine’s Day and enter the second month of a new year, our team at VanMeveren Law Group would like to remind our readers that a pet is a lifelong commitment — regardless of its circumstance. An owner may not have a pet for their entire life, but the quality of a pet’s life falls solely on their owner’s shoulders. Sadly, animals that are given as gifts during the holidays can land in animal shelters or wind up left abandoned shortly after — once the weight of responsibility sinks in. If you recently adopted a pet and are in need of additional guidance, our partners at the Animal Friends Alliance in Fort Collins have online and in-person resources to help you create a lifestyle that is mutually beneficial for you and your pet. Animal Friends Alliance offers new adopter courses and has online guides for various scenarios that cats and dogs can experience, including reactivity, destructive chewing or scratching, and potty training troubles. If you do decide, after professional consultation, that rehoming your pet is the best choice, please connect with Animal Friends Alliance to ensure your pet is safe. You can also choose to donate food, blankets, kitty litter, or towels to the alliance in lieu of adoption, supporting homeless pets, without taking on a commitment you may not be prepared for. You can learn more about the Animal Friends Alliance’s resources, classes, and adoptable pets online at SavingAnimalsToday.org . If you are unsure about your family’s ability to adopt, please consult with their team before making a decision. But if you are ready for the lifelong responsibility of owning a pet, check out the Animal Friends Alliance’s pet of the month for February! You can find other adoptable pets online.

Cherry Cordial Cake Balls

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

For a nonalcoholic version of these cake balls, swap the brandy for fruit juice.

Ingredients:

Directions:

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1 package fudge marble cake mix 1 1/4 cups and 3 tbsp brewed coffee, divided 1/4 cup canola oil

1. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 1 1/4 cups coffee, canola oil, and eggs. Beat on low for 30 seconds, then on high for 2 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. 3. Pour batter into a greased, floured 9-by- 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 30–35 minutes and let cool. 4. In a small bowl, combine cherries, brandy, cherry preserves, and remaining coffee. 5. Crumble cake. Add frosting and cherry mixture. Combine and shape into 1-inch balls. 6. Melt chocolate coating, following package directions. 7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip balls into coating. Let them stand on the paper for 20 minutes, then serve!

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3 eggs

10 oz maraschino cherries, stemmed, drained, and chopped 1/3 cup brandy 1/4 cup cherry preserves 1 cup chocolate frosting 1 lb chocolate candy coating, chopped

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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

Thank You for Your Support! Page 1

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Kids

Our Clients Say It Best Page 2

A Pet Is a Lifelong Commitment

Cherry Cordial Cake Balls Page 3

Date Night Done Right! Page 4

Date Night Done Right! 3 AFFORDABLE LOCAL IDEAS

Valentine’s Day is just days away, and if you are scrambling to find a last-minute date idea that won’t break the bank or disappoint your sweetheart, we’ve got you covered. Whether you celebrate this day of love or just need a fresh, easy date idea, check out these affordable spots in Fort Collins. Grab a ‘Slyce’ Every great date night involves food, but it can be difficult to narrow down your options. We have just the spot! Check out Slyce Pizza Co. Choose from traditional favorites or spice it up with some experimental pizzas, like the Mac-N-Cheese, Steak-N-Fries, Chicken Finger Basket, Mac-A-Dilla-Killa. (That’s a mac-and-cheese pizza on top of a quesadilla.) Slyce sells pizza either by the slice or whole, and you can enjoy it in the store or at home. Learn more at SlycePizzaCo.com Create a Mini Brewery Tour Did you know Fort Collins produces 70% of Colorado’s craft beer and it has the most microbreweries in the state? (That’s according to Visit Fort Collins.) So, if you and your date enjoy a brew or two, spend an afternoon exploring the local scene. There are a number of local

breweries within walking distance of downtown Fort Collins, but if you prefer to learn more about the brewing process, check out tours

at places like Odell Brewing Company, Anheuser-Busch, or New Belgium Brewing Company. Just don’t drink and drive! Order a ride-share or find an alternative mode of transportation. Walk in a Winter Wonderland Don’t let snowy, chilly weather deter you from adventures! Fort Collins has snowshoe and cross-country skis available to rent, so strap into your favorite mode of travel and explore. Check out the always gorgeous Horsetooth Reservoir or Poudre Canyon, which Visit Fort Collins identifies as the “best hiking areas during the winter.” In particular, Mineral Spring Gulch in Poudre Canyon is an easy, 4-mile jaunt, while the Big South Trail in the canyon offers fantastic views of frozen waterfalls. Get lost with your love and learn more at VisitFTCollins.com.

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