ABE Rep Charlene Stubbs

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow...

2011-07-25T09:59:00.001-05:00

After two years of blogging via “Blogger”, the American Bar Endowment has decided to switch to WordPress! The process will take a few weeks, so we appreciate your patience as we try to make your interactive blog experience worthwhile.

For smartphone users, be sure to download WordPress to your mobile devices so you can view our blog whenever you want; where ever you want.

Please visit our site on WordPress to preview the new site. We look forward to your comments, questions, and even suggestions.

Thank you for your continued patronage!

- American Bar Endowment

Time is Money

2011-07-14T14:35:00.000-05:00

Here at the American Bar Endowment, we understand that, as an attorney, every minute you spend not practicing law could have an impact on your practice - time is money! If you are are planning to apply for ABE-sponsored insurance and are unsure of which plan(s) would best meet your needs, use our Needs Assessment Tool, a six-question online feature that quickly determines the best insurance plan(s) for you based on the answers you provide. It is a simple, powerful resource if you are researching your ABE-sponsored insurance options that is available 24/7 for your convenience. If you need an in-depth explanation of the insurance plan(s) you select, or just have additional questions or concerns, feel free to call me directly at (312) 988-6419 or 800-621-8981 ext. 6419. I am available Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM CT. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Beat The Heat... and Burns Too!

2011-07-06T13:58:00.000-05:00

Summertime is grilling time. But did you know this is also the time for increased burn accidents? In 2009, 17,700 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills. Roughly half (9,400) of the injuries were thermal burns. Children under five accounted for almost one-quarter (22%) of the thermal grill burns. These were typically contact burns rather than flame burns. *If you do not have adequate accident, hospital, or even disability insurance, give your personal insurance representative a call to talk about an ABE-sponsored insurance plan that might be right for you and your family – ABE-sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Disability, or Hospital Indemnity Plans are available exclusively to ABA members. Call (Nancy/Charlene), your Personal Insurance Representative today at 1-800-621-8981, ext. (6420/6419)!

*Source: Home Fires Involving Cooking Equipment, Marty Ahrens, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research, Quincy, MA, November 2010

These are group insurance plans, meaning coverage is issued to an ABA member under a certificate of insurance. It is not provided under an individual policy nor is it employer/employee insurance.

ABE Summer Outing: Arlington Park

2011-06-30T10:27:00.002-05:00

Meet our staff and enjoy some of the photos of our summer outing. We took a short break from helping ABA members with the ABE-sponsored insurance plans (exclusively available to ABA members) to spend a day at Arlington Park with our family and friends. We didn’t forget how important it is to provide quality, affordable insurance from trusted insurers so members can help protect themselves and their loved ones. In fact, ABE has a team of long-term, dedicated staff working exclusively with ABA members. As examples, both Pam and Nancy have been with ABE 25 years. Bonnie is celebrating 20 years with ABE and Maria and Charlene have been part of our team for 10 years.

Like our Facebook page so that you can view photos from our outings and keep up-to-date with what is going on at the ABE.

A City Within a Park

2011-06-23T09:50:00.001-05:00

Nathan Phillips Square

The site for the upcoming 2011 ABA Annual Meeting – Toronto - is also known as the “City within a Park”. This moniker is likely derived from the fact the city has an array of public parks and ravines protected by Toronto’s Region Conservation Authority, one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario, Canada. While in Toronto, you may want to visit Nathan Phillips Square, the city’s main square downtown which serves as the entrance to City Hall and holds several other notable attractions.

Here are some interesting facts about Toronto:

It is the financial center of Canada, the 3^rd largest in North America, employing over 205,000 people in the financial sector.

180 million customers live and work within a day's drive of Toronto, including 125 million Americans or roughly 40 per cent of the U.S. population.

Half of Toronto's population (1,237,720) was born outside of Canada, a slight increase from 48 per cent in 1996.

What other interesting facts about Toronto do you know or hope to find out about? Let us know!

Sources:

Toronto

Visit Toronto

Celebrate Father's Day!

2011-06-16T10:41:00.000-05:00

In June we celebrate Father’s Day. Whether father, grandfather or godfather, for some fathers, it may be an occasion to take a moment to see if they have adequate coverage to protect their loved ones or to investigate the costs and benefits of adding affordable, quality life insurance coverage. Whichever it may be, ABE-sponsors quality, affordable term life insurance from trusted insurers. And, each plan has a unique charitable giving feature. Get the coverage you need and give back to the good works of the legal profession at the same time. So fathers, get insurance that makes a difference because it’s sponsored by ABE.

Celebrate Flag Day

2011-06-09T09:29:00.001-05:00

Most of us know that July 4^th is the date when people take the opportunity to fly their American Flags and celebrate the birth of our country. What some people may not know is that the 14^th of June each year is National Flag Day, a day meant to celebrate the American Flag and its significance to the United States.

Here is some history about this important holiday.

On June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. One hundred and eight years later on June 14, 1885, the first observance of Flag Day was held. On that day, Bernard J. Cigrand, a 19 year old teacher in Wisconsin, placed a small flag on his desk and assigned his students an essay on the flag’s significance. From that day forward, Cigrand began a lifetime quest for a national observance of Flag Day. Each year different towns across the United States began holding Flag Day celebrations, but it was not until 1916, when Cigrand was 50 years old, that the federal government moved to recognize the holiday. On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing Flag Day as a holiday. It was not until August 3, 1949, however, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress officially designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.

Did any national holidays originate in your home state? Let us know!

Sources:

U.S. Flag

National Flag Day

The Second City

2011-06-02T09:08:00.000-05:00

As many of you may know, the ABE makes its home in Chicago, the third largest city in the United States.

Here are some famous attractions and people that call Chicago home:

Willis Tower (previously known as the Sears Tower) and John Hancock building, two of the tallest in the country.

Navy Pier

Shedd Aquarium

Museum of Science and Industry

Field Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

The country’s oldest and one of the last remaining free public zoos, the Lincoln Park Zoo

Numerous celebrities also call Chicago home:

Mike Ditka (coach of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears)

Vince Vaughn (who appeared in several Chicago shot movies including The Breakup and The Dilemma, which is set to release in January 2011)

Bill Murray (who was a cast member on Saturday Night Live and has starred in movies such as Ghostbusters and Lost in Translation)

John and Joan Cusack (the brother-sister duo who have been in numerous movies throughout the years and are frequently seen out and about around Chicago)

Roger Ebert (famous film critic)

Chicago is also the hometown of the current leader of our country, President Barack Obama.

What famous people are from your city or town? How about famous attractions? Let us know.

The City of Firsts

2011-05-12T11:16:00.000-05:00

*in lieu of the Boston Celtic's departure from this year's NBA Playoffs*

Boston, MA is one of the oldest cities in the United States and as a result, it is the city where many important American firsts occurred. Boston Harbor is home to the very first lighthouse ever built in North America called Boston Light. The original lighthouse was destroyed during the American Revolution; however, a replacement was built and remains there today. Here are some other important firsts that occurred in the city of Boston:

Harvard was the first college - founded in 1636

Boston Latin was the first public school - founded in 1635

Mather School was the first elementary school - founded in 1639

Boston Public Library was the first public library - founded in 1653

Boston was also the first city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, 1737. What firsts is your city known for? Let us know!

Source: Associated Content

Celebrate May!

2011-05-05T09:21:00.000-05:00

Everyone knows that in May we take a day to celebrate mothers. Remember: Mother’s Day is this Sunday - May 8th.

There are many days of celebration during the month of May. Here are some days you can celebrate:

· May 1: Hawaiian Lei Day

· May 6: International No Diet Day

· May 10: Clean Up Your Room Day

· May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day

· May 26: Blueberry Cheesecake Day

May is also:

· National Mental Health Month

· National Salad Month

· National Photograph Month

· National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

· National Strawberry Month

What other reasons have you found to celebrate in May? Let us know!

Sources:
About

Brownie Locks

March Was Disability Awareness Month – Get Peace of Mind by Being Prepared

2011-04-28T08:31:00.000-05:00

Fountain Valley, CA lawyer Betty Burnett wanted peace of mind and so she applied for, and received ABE-sponsored disability insurance coverage. “I was young and healthy and so underwriting wasn’t a problem.” Planning ahead is one of the easiest ways to achieve peace of mind. Hear Betty tell her story at www.abendowment.org/Media/bburnett.asp.

March Was Disability Awareness Month – Does Your Disability Insurance Plan Cover “Own Occupation”

2011-04-21T09:00:00.001-05:00

Disability insurance can vary from plan to plan. One reason ABA members turn to ABE-sponsored disability income insurance is the “own occupation” definition of disability. With this feature, you can receive benefits for up to 5 years when you are totally disabled and unable to perform your regular job or legal specialty – not just “any job”.

Definition of disability is one of the most important features of a disability income insurance plan. Call me and I’ll tell you more, Charlene Stubbs at 800-621-8981 ext. 6419.

March Was Disability Awareness Month – Be Prepared for the Unexpected

2011-04-14T08:20:00.000-05:00

“You never know when life will strike you,” explained Boise, Idaho lawyer Tom McCabe, who is a cancer survivor. Were it not for his ABE-sponsored Long-Term disability coverage, he and his family would have suffered “financial disaster.” Hear Tom tell his story at www.abendowment.org/Media/tmccabe.asp.

March Was Disability Awareness Month – What if your Income were to stop?

2011-04-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

If you become disabled and do not have disability insurance how would you pay your bills? Having disability insurance coverage is a cost effective way to protect your current income and lifestyle. You may think that other plans such as Workers Compensation, Social Security Disability or Employer-Sponsored Disability Plans will provide you with the income you need if you should become disabled and unable to work. Keep in mind that Works Compensation claims can only be filed if you are injured on the job and Social Security Disability may provide a modest benefit but may take a long time to be approved. In addition, your employer-sponsored disability may have a liberal definition of disability making it difficult to be eligible for payments or may not move with you if you change firms. One question you need to ask yourself is “Do I have the right disability coverage and do I have enough coverage?” Call me to talk about the ABE-sponsored Disability Plans and if they are a good fit for you. Charlene Stubbs at 800-621-8981 ext. 6419.

Baseball, Life Events

2011-03-31T08:32:00.000-05:00

As the first day of baseball season approaches, so do many important life events – graduations, First Communions and the start of summer break. When we think of all these good things, your ABE friends think of your insurance coverage. Are your loved ones covered in case of an accident? Do you have enough insurance in the event of a life change like an unforeseen disability? Be sure to enjoy life to its fullest – by helping to ensure you are adequately protecting yourself and your loved ones. Call me and we can discuss which ABE-sponsored insurance plans may be right for you.

March is Disability Awareness Month -- The Things We Do for Love

2011-03-24T09:06:00.000-05:00

We may shower our loved ones with flowers, compliments and gifts. But have you considered the gift of providing your loved ones financial security if you were to become disabled and unable to bring home a paycheck? Without your paycheck, how would you pay your mortgage or rent, make your car payments, buy groceries, pay for your child’s education or even save for your retirement. Having adequate disability insurance can be the gift you can provide your loved ones to be sure they have financial security if your paycheck were to stop due to a disabling illness or injury. To learn more about ABE-sponsored disability insurance plans call me at 800-621-8981 ext 6419.

March is Disability Awareness Month – How Much Disability Insurance Do You Need?

2011-03-17T08:09:00.000-05:00

Simply put, if you receive a paycheck, you most likely need some disability insurance. The possibility of a disabling illness or injury may seem remote, but statistics paint a different picture. Nearly one in three women can expect to suffer a disability that keeps them out of work for 90 days or longer at some point during their working years. For men, the odds are about one in four. And one worker in seven can expect to be disabled for five or more years before retirement. Do you have disability insurance? Want to know how much disability insurance is right for you? Check out the online disability insurance calculator at http://www.lifehappens.org/disability-insurance/disability-calculator. Then call me at 800-621-8981 ext. 6419 and let’s discuss the ABE-sponsored disability program and if it is right for you.

(Source for all facts: lifehappens.org).

Spring Ahead

2011-03-10T08:06:00.000-06:00

As many of you know, this Sunday, March 13, marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time when many of us will set our clocks forward an hour. Almost all of us do so this time every year and set them back to Standard Time again in November, but why?

The idea for Daylight Saving Time was suggested in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin as a way to prolong summer days and give us more exposure to the sun. The United States did not officially begin practicing this idea until 1918 and even then it was not mandatory for every state to participate or to have the same beginning and ending date. As a result, different states would begin observing Daylight Saving Time at different times throughout the year causing chaos especially for travelers who were never quite sure what time they would be departing or arriving places. To remedy this problem in 1966, the Uniform Time Act was passed stating that for states that wanted to observe Daylight Saving Time, it would begin the last Sunday of April and end the last Sunday of October.

Since then the start and end dates have been altered slightly, but it is still mandatory that every state observing Daylight Saving Time start and end on the same day. It is not, however, mandatory that each state participate in this time change. As a result, Hawaii and Arizona operate on Standard Time throughout the year.

Sources: http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/index.html

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/daylight1.html

The Capital City

2011-03-03T08:39:00.000-06:00

As the capital city of the United States, there are plenty of interesting facts about Washington DC. Many people know that the White House is the place where the President and his family live. What many may not know is that is not its original name. Originally it was called the “President’s Palace” or “President’s House”. It was not until a Baltimore reporter referred to it as the “White House” in an article that the name actually caught on. It became so common that in 1901 President Theodore Roosevelt made it the official name.

Another fascinating fact about Washington DC is that there are no skyscrapers there. Many believe the reason for this is that law dictates that no building may be taller than the Capitol, however there is another reason. In 1894 a law was passed restricting the heights of buildings because, at the time, firefighting equipment could not reach great heights. In 1989 the Height of Buildings Act passed in order to ensure that the city’s skyline would never be dominated by skyscrapers. As a result of these laws, the Capitol remains the tallest building in DC except for one; an apartment building built before the ‘89’ law went in to effect.

What are some interesting facts about the capital city of your state? Let us know!

Sources: http://washington.org/visiting/experience-dc/family/fun-facts

Home to More Than Hollywood

2011-02-24T08:15:00.000-06:00

As the second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles is a city that many people call home. Did you know the Great Wall of Los Angeles, the world’s largest mural, can be found there? It stretches 2500 feet along the LA River in San Fernando Valley. The city is home to over 300 museums which is more than any other city in the United States. LA is also the home base for the world’s largest toy manufacturer, Mattel, Inc. Perhaps Mattel’s most well known toy is Barbie who was born in LA in 1959. Other famous things born in LA include the hula-hoop, chaise lounge, space shuttle, and Mickey Mouse.

What interesting people, places, or things “live” in your city? Let us know!

Sources: http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/losangeles/a/lafacts.htm

http://discoverlosangeles.com/guides/fun-facts/did-you-know.html

The Big Apple

2011-02-17T08:23:00.000-06:00

As the largest city in the United States, New York City is inevitably the place where a lot of things occurred for the first time. The New York Post is the oldest printed daily newspaper in the United States and was established in 1803. New York was also the first city to require cars to have license plates and was the first capital of the United States from 1789 to 1790. New York is also known for various landmarks throughout the city, the most famous, perhaps, being the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty was presented to the United States from the French on July 4, 1884 but it was not until 1886 that the statue was fully reconstructed in New York. The Statue of Liberty is 152 feet tall from base to torch and weighs 450,000 pounds. She also has a 35 foot waist and an 8 foot long index finger! When Ellis Island opened on January 1, 1892, the Statue of Liberty became more then just a gift from France. To many immigrants traveling to the United States the statue symbolized hope and welcomed them to their new life. From 1892 to 1924 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island to begin a new life in the United States.

What historical landmark is your city known for? Let us know!

Sources: http://www.statueofliberty.org/default_sol.htm

http://www.50states.com/facts/newyork.htm

River Reversed

2011-02-10T08:58:00.000-06:00

Chicago is home to many interesting attractions, but perhaps one of its most interesting sights is the Chicago River, which flows through the center of the city and right past the offices of the ABE!

The Chicago River is the only river in the world that flows backwards! In 1900 the direction of the river was changed to prevent it from flowing into Lake Michigan and contaminating the source of the city’s water supply. Instead, the river now flows into the Des Plaines River which eventually connects to the Mississippi River, making it the first and only river to have its direction successfully reversed!

Do you have a fun fact from your city or town you want to share? Let us know.

Sweet Home Chicago

2011-02-03T08:06:00.000-06:00

As many of you may know, the ABE makes its home in Chicago, the third largest city in the United States. Here are some famous attractions and people that call Chicago home:

Willis Tower (previously known as the Sears Tower) and John Hancock building, two of the tallest in the country.
Navy Pier
Shedd Aquarium
Museum of Science and Industry
Field Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
The country’s oldest and one of the last remaining free public zoos, the Lincoln Park Zoo

Numerous celebrities also call Chicago home:

Mike Ditka (coach of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears)
Vince Vaughn (who appeared in several Chicago shot movies including The Breakup and The Dilemma, which is set to release in January 2011)
Bill Murray (who was a cast member on Saturday Night Live and has starred in movies such as Ghostbusters and Lost in Translation)
John and Joan Cusack (the brother-sister duo who have been in numerous movies throughout the years and are frequently seen out and about around Chicago)
Roger Ebert (famous film critic)

Chicago is also the hometown of the current leader of our country, President Barack Obama.
What famous people are from your city or town? How about famous attractions? Let us know.

Why ‘Windy City’?

2011-01-27T08:20:00.000-06:00

Chicago is known as the ‘Windy City’ but many people, including Chicagoans, do not know the real reason the city was given this nickname.

Many believe it’s due to the strong and frequent winds the city experiences coming off of Lake Michigan. Although this has become an accepted reason, it is not the original one. The title was actually given to the city in 1893 by an editor for the New York Sun who was tired of long-winded Chicago politicians bragging about the great things that were to come at the World’s Columbian Exposition to be held in Chicago later that year. Hence, the nickname the ‘Windy City’ was born.

Does your hometown or city have a nickname? Do you know where it originated from? If so, share it with us!

Born in Chicago

2011-01-20T10:45:00.000-06:00

Chicago, the hometown of the ABE, is also the birthplace of many exciting inventions, including some we use or see everyday.

Chicago is where the roller skate, the elevated railway, Cracker Jack®, the window envelope, and Hostess Twinkies® were all invented. It is also where the first Ferris Wheel was built at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and where the world’s first skyscraper was built in 1885.

Other familiar “Chicago-born” people, places, and things include Walt Disney, deep dish pizza, zippers, pinball, spray paint, Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonalds, and the Butterfinger® candy bar. In addition, although she never spent any of her actual life here, the skeleton of Sue (the largest and most complete T. Rex ever discovered) was born in to fame when she took up residence at Chicago’s Field Museum.

Do you have interesting people, places or things from your hometown? If so, tell us about them!