South Charlotte Living Jan/Feb 2013

LIVINGLiving the Good LifeJANUARY | FEBRUARY 2013

Priceless

Also Inside:

Destination...

Arriving Safely,

& The Silver Brush

Art Society Art Show

LIVINGSouth CharlotteSouth Charlotte

CRANFILL SUMNER &

HARTZOG LLPWorking With Your Lawyers Shouldn’t Be

A Trial

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4 sclivingmag.com • JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2013

FEATURE 8 • Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP Working With Your Lawyers Shouldn’t Be A Trial

DESTINATION14 • Arriving Safely

OUR HEARTS ARE IN THE ARTS18 • The Silver Brush Art Society Art Show

WELLBEING & BEING WELL

22 • New Years Resolutions

26 • Protect Yourself From Medical Identity Theft

SOUTH CHARLOTTE LIVING HITS THE ROAD24 • Silver Brush Art Show

JAN | FEB 2013

Tell us what you think! Let us know what you want to see in future issues!

| CONTENTS |

ABOUT THE COVERIn this issue we sit down with several attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP to learn about the history of the firm and what makes them different. Find out more in our featured article on page 8. Photos by Lorayn DeLuca. Cover story by Nancy Moore.

IN EVERY ISSUE5 • Nancy’s Notes

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JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2013 • sclivingmag.com 5

JAN | FEB 2013

PUBLISHERDavid Simms, Jr.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE EDITORLEAD WRITERNancy [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHYLorayn DeLucawww.MamaLucaMedia.com

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Well we survived the impending doomsday, but were we really expecting it to happen at all? I have enough confidence in scientists to believe that if such a cataclysmic event were to occur, we would have known about its coming for quite some time and would have been given the opportunity to prepare.

I’ve never been a fan of the “live each day as if it’s your last” mentality and the media brew-ha-ha over the lackluster event reinforced that sentiment. Think about it: How many times can you tell your boss you won’t be in the office because you’re going to live that day as if its your last? Eventually your boss is going to tell you that, yes, today is your last day; now clean out your desk. It’s also somewhat morbid to live each day as if it’s your last. How do you choose what to do? Shopping is out of the question since if you believe you’re living like you’re not going to be around the next day, it’s hardly worth spending the money for something you may not be able to use and enjoy; unless, of course, it’s for someone else. In that case, feel free to contact me through the magazine and I’ll give you a list of my favorite things. Traveling a great distance won’t work because by the time you arrive, you’re consumed with your departure (for lack of a better term). Maybe I misunderstand the idea behind ‘live each day as if it’s your last’ philosophy.

My philosophy is to live each day as a new beginning. Sure I may have made mistakes yesterday, but today I have the opportunity to start afresh. I continue to make plans, set goals, check things off my to do list, while enjoying the day as much as I can. I’m a huge believer in the ‘be here now’ principle. I don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. This philosophy ties into my thoughts about New Year’s resolutions – why wait until January 1? Do it now! Do it today! Most importantly, enjoy your day and do the best you can with what you have. Now onto 2013 . . .

Chief Executive Editor,

Tell us what you think! Let us know what you want to see in future issues! Q

South Charlotte Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or list-ing that does not meet South Charlotte Living standards. Submissions are wel-come, but unsolicited materials are not guar-anteed to be returned. South Charlotte Living assumes no responsi-bility for information, products, services or statements made by ad-vertisers or editorial con-tributors. All rights re-served. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

{ }Nancy’sNotes:


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By: Nancy Moore | Photos: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media

Working With Your Lawyers Shouldn’t Be A Trial

Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP


There is certainly no shortage of lawyers in North Carolina. There are over 6,000 lawyers in in the state and close to 1,000 in Mecklenburg County alone. Selecting an attorney to help you can be a daunting task – especially when you’re

in an emergency situation and you need guidance immediately. You could flip through the phone book or hit the Internet, both of which may leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused. You may be comfortable calling a friend or family member for a referral. If these options are not available, where do you go?

Full disclosure

I have worked in (and temporarily out) of the legal field since earning my paralegal degree in 1987. Naturally, I am asked for referrals and am fortunate to know attorneys in many areas of law. When I provide a referral, I am sure to recommend someone who is both knowledgeable and personable. Obviously an attorney needs to be good at what she does, but I also believe that an attorney needs to be personable – she needs to listen and be understanding. These are two of my requirements that are easily met by the lawyers of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP.

History of the firm

Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary. While the three named partners, Cranfill, Sumner, and Hartzog, had already been practicing in Raleigh for nearly twenty years, they decided to organize a firm that would practice law differently and would be one of the best firms in the state. The firm began in Raleigh with 27 attorneys. Over the course of twenty years the firm has grown to more than one hundred attorneys serving clients from offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington, with the Charlotte office employing 26 attorneys and 25 staff members.

The comfortable, and somewhat soothing, atmosphere the attorneys and staff have created within the firm is palpable. CSH takes pride in taking care of its attorneys and staff members so that everyone can take care of the firm’s clients. Along with client service, creating an enjoyable and collegial place to work is an important part of the daily operations of the firm.

The Charlotte Business Journal recently named CSH’s Charlotte office as one of the “Best Place to Work” in the medium-sized company category (companies with 50–249 employees). This designation recognizes companies whose benefits, policies, and practices are among the best in the region. In addition, several of the firm’s lawyers have been recognized by their peers as being the ‘best of the best.’

Lee Poole was one of the original 27 founding members. Lee currently serves on the firm’s management committee and as

managing partner for the Charlotte office. A few years after the firm was established in Raleigh, Lee relocated his family to Charlotte to establish the Charlotte office. “Moving to Charlotte and establishing a second office of a successful firm was a frightening undertaking,” says Lee, “but it was well worth it. I attribute the success of the firm to our people.” In fact, Lee is so proud of the attorneys and staff, he would much rather talk about them than about himself!

Following in the footsteps of his father, Samuel H. Poole Sr., who was recently recognized by the North Carolina Bar Association for his fifty years of being a lawyer, Samuel H. “Lee” Poole Jr. earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina in 1982 and 1986, respectively. Lee has three children – Sam, 20 and a sophomore at UNC, Ben, 13, and Lindsey, 11. When he’s not practicing law, Lee devotes much time to the activities of his two younger children, including coaching Ben’s basketball team. He also enjoys reading and running.

Lee has tried numerous cases to verdict in North Carolina Superior Court and presented oral arguments to the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He was selected for inclusion in 2013’s The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of commercial litigation and for the last three years was selected as one of the North Carolina Super Lawyers®, a distinction largely garnered through peer recommendations and peer evaluations.

The Charlotte office

The Charlotte office is located on the corner of Providence and Sharon Amity Roads, and occupies the entire second floor. In addition to staff and attorney offices, there are six conference rooms –

CSH takes pride in taking care of its attorneys and staff members so that everyone

can take care of the firm’s clients. Along with client service, creating an enjoyable and

collegial place to work is an important part of the daily operations of the firm.[ ]


four in the front and two in the back, with each bearing the name of a Charlotte street. Walking into the office, your eyes are immediately drawn to the beautiful window-lined conference room overlooking the busy street corner. The reception area is oversized and comfortably lit. The office’s receptionist and initial point of contact for many is Nancy, who welcomes clients and visitors with a warm smile.

A selection of the lawyers

During my visit to the Charlotte office, I had the opportunity of speaking with several of the office’s attorneys, including Pat Flanagan and Nick Valaoras, who were among the first attorneys to begin practicing with Lee in the Charlotte office.

Pat Flanagan was born and raised in Genesee, New York, and earned his undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, and his law degree from Wake Forest University. He entered the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) in 1990 and handled criminal and civil matters in the U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Hood during Desert Storm. Pat also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney. In 1994, he left Ft. Hood to join the firm.

Pat focuses on representing North Carolina businesses and

municipalities facing labor and employment litigation. Like Lee, Pat was selected for inclusion in 2013’s The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of litigation – labor and employment.

Pat’s wife, Leslie, is an artist and co-owner of Lemondaisy Design, where she, along with her partner, design and create hand-painted home decor. Pat and Leslie have three children, Houghton, 20, Laney, 15, and Eliza, 12. An only child, Pat grew up on a farm with lakes nearby and enjoys outdoor activities such as running, hiking, fishing, and skiing. He serves on the Charlotte Preparatory School Board of Trustees.

Nick Valaoras was born in Indiana and moved to Rolling Meadows,

a northwestern suburb of Chicago, Illinois, while in elementary school. Nick followed his older brother to Wake Forest University with the intent of earning a medical degree. While working on his undergraduate degree, Nick developed a strong interest in law and, after graduation, continued at Wake Forest to earn his law degree.

Nick worked in the Raleigh office of the firm prior to graduating from law school. In the fall of 1992, after receiving his law degree, he was hired full time for the Raleigh office and moved to Charlotte the following spring to help establish the office. Nick represents employers and workers’ compensation insurance carriers and has Ph

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appeared before the North Carolina Industrial Commission, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the North Carolina Supreme Court. Nick has experience in handling traumatic injury by accident cases, occupational disease, repetitive motion disorders, asbestosis, and permanent-total disability claims. He has also served as a mediator in Industrial Commission cases.

Nick and his wife Kay, a former teacher with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, have two children – George, 14, and Kate, 12. George is involved in Boy Scouts and plays basketball and soccer in a church league, while Kate enjoys dance and basketball. Nick coaches Kate’s basketball team and in the past coached George’s basketball and baseball teams. The family is active in the First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, where Nick has served on the board of elders and deacons, and currently teaches Sunday school.

Looking ahead

As the firm moves into its next twenty years, it is preparing for the next generation of leadership through its mentoring program and other initiatives. In addition to meeting with Lee, Pat, and Nick, I also sat down with three inspiring and exceptional women: Mica Nguyen Worthy, Janelle Lyons, and Kelly Beth Smith.

Even as a young girl growing up in Charlotte, Mica Nguyen Worthy knew that she wanted to be a lawyer. She is a problem solver and likes to help and protect people. When Mica joined the firm right out of law school in 2008, she practiced in the workers’ compensation section. She recently transitioned to construction law working with builders, contractors, subcontractors, architects, designers, and other industry professionals. While she liked practicing workers’ compensation, Mica really enjoys the multiple ‘moving parts’ of construction law.

Mica’s mother, Wendy, a controller with a real estate firm, is from Pennsylvania and moved with her family to North Carolina. Mica’s father, Michael, a translator, is from Vietnam and immigrated to North Carolina to attend college, where he and Wendy met. Shortly after they married, Michael brought his parents to North Carolina. A newlywed, Mica’s husband Kyle is a healthcare consultant.

Mica founded the Mecklenburg County Asian Pacific American Bar and currently serves as past president. In addition, she participated in the first “Leaders Under 40” program established by Charlotte’s Community Building Initiative and was nominated and successfully graduated from the Bar Leadership Institute through the Mecklenburg County Bar Association. In 2012, Mica served as an adjunct professor to the Charlotte School of Law, where she taught a Ph

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class on international commercial arbitration.

A Charlotte native, Janelle Lyons graduated from East Mecklenburg High School and earned her undergraduate degree from UNC. Before applying to law school, Janelle worked for the Department of Social Services and in 2005 earned her law degree from William & Mary Law School. While in college, she volunteered at a battered women’s shelter. Janelle practiced family law and civil litigation with a Virginia firm before joining CSH in 2008.

Because of her experience in family law, Janelle, along with Kelly Beth, was chosen to assist CSH Raleigh attorney Michelle Connell in developing the family law section in the Charlotte office. Michelle has practiced family law in North Carolina for more than twenty years and is one of only two attorneys in the state who is a Board Certified Specialist in both family and appellate law.

In addition to building the family law practice, Janelle also practices in the fields of general litigation, employment law, municipality law, and represents several homeowners’ associations.

When she’s not at the office, Janelle serves on the nominating committee of the Junior League and is vice co-chair of the John S. Leary Association of Black Attorneys. She also enjoys reading, cruising, shopping, and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. An admitted news junkie, Janelle reads everything about anything.

Kelly Beth Smith was born and raised in Raleigh. With a professional goal of being a psychologist, Kelly Beth earned her undergraduate degree from Meredith College and her master’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest. The legal field stole her attention and Kelly Beth continued her education by earning her law degree from Wake Forest in 2011, the year she joined the firm. Her psychology

education comes in handy when negotiating and resolving situations.

While her practice currently focuses on general liability, as mentioned earlier, Kelly Beth is working with Janelle and Michelle to grow the family law section in the Charlotte office. Kelly Beth recently passed the South Carolina bar exam and, along with several of the firm’s attorneys, is licensed to practice in both North and South Carolina. “The firm supported my efforts 100 percent,” says Kelly. “Representing clients in the Charlotte region goes beyond geographical boundaries, including the state line.”

Kelly Beth enjoys developing long-term relationships and achieves this by being approachable, communicative, and responsive. She is passionate about giving back to the community and, as such, volunteers with the Junior League serving on its Mental Health Awareness Committee and provides free legal services through the Council for Children’s Rights, a Charlotte nonprofit agency. Kelly Beth is also a member of the Arts & Science Council Young Donors’ Society.

An advocate for healthy living and a strong work-life balance, Kelly Beth has run seven marathons and numerous half-marathons, and hopes to participate in the Boston Marathon. She also practices yoga and is slowly, but surely, working on her tennis and golf games.

The takeaway

As I write and review this article, I think “this is a firm of overachievers!” You might think so, too. But let me say this: This is a firm of people who strive to be their best, so they can do their best for their clients. Their combined accomplishments are stunning and are reflected in their success rate. They are a group of people who


truly like, appreciate, and value each other. They are like a family and spend time together outside the office. They work hard and they enjoy what they do. The reward in that, though, is to the benefit of their clients. I’d want them on my side. Wouldn’t you want them on yours?

The Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog is located at 2907 Providence Road, Suite 200. The office can be reached at 704-332-8300 or by visiting its website at cshlaw.com.

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By: Nancy Moore

DestinationArriving Safely


We’re taking a break from a true ‘Destination’ article to remind our readers of the dangers of texting while

driving. It is illegal in North Carolina to text while driving – at any time of the drive, even while at a stoplight. In fact, in North Carolina, texting while driving is considered a ‘primary’ law, which means a police officer can stop a texting driver for texting without there being any other infraction.

Do you send or read text messages while driving? Do you send or read text messages while the car is in motion? Do you text a friend or family member when you reach a stoplight? Did you know that in many states you would be breaking the law?

Taking your eyes off the road can lead to car crashes. In some states it can also lead to jail time, as in the case of a 19-year-old Massachusetts driver who, in June 2012, was the first person in the state to be convicted and sentenced to jail for causing a traffic death while texting and driving. On the day of the crash, the then 17-year old sent 193 text messages, including one just before impact. In addition to a one-year jail term, he was stripped of his driver’s license for 15 years. In November 2012 a 31-year old Ohio man was sentenced to nearly five years in jail after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide. The man was reading a text at the time of impact.

With the growing use of smartphones and other electronic devices in today’s automobiles, including GPS units installed in the dashboards of many new vehicles, auto crashes have risen significantly over the past five years. According to a 2010 statement by the National Safety Council, 21 percent of crashes, or 1.1 million, in 2010 involved drivers talking on handheld and hands-free cell phones. Anywhere from an additional 3

to 9 percent (160,000 to 490,000), crashes involved texting. Add it up and you have one-quarter of all traffic crashes involving cell phone use, where the driver is either talking or texting. To further put this into perspective, every 24 seconds there is a crash involving drivers using cell phones.

As a result, and at the urging of the National Safety Council, the U.S. Department of Transportation has called for a complete ban on cell phone (including smartphones) use by drivers. Thirty-nine states and Washington, DC, have banned text messaging while driving. Ten states and Washington, DC, have also banned hand-held use of cellphones while driving. It should also be noted that in North Carolina it is illegal for school bus drivers and novice drivers (18 and younger) to use a cell phone while driving.

Texting while behind the wheel of a car is only one aspect of a growing number of laws and regulations that address distracted driving. Here are ways you can avoid being distracted by your cell phone:

Turn it off. For some, this is easier said than done. If you must answer the phone, tell the caller you are driving and will call them back, or pull off the road to continue the conversation.

If you have a passenger, ask him to answer the phone, make a call, send a text, or find directions.

Change your voice mail greeting to include telling callers that you may be unavailable because you are driving.

Plan before you drive. If the route is unfamiliar, review a map before you begin the drive. Leave early in case you have to pull over to get further directions.

Check the cell phone laws if you’re driving in another state. Many states have signs posted saying that cell phone use is illegal, i.e., California, but you may already have the phone in your hand and an officer behind you before you see such a sign. It’s best to not use the phone at all.

If possible, include in your email response that the message

was sent from your smartphone, but not while driving. It’s a subliminal message to the recipient that they shouldn’t text or email while driving either.

Something else for drivers to consider: if, while texting, you are involved in an accident and you think that by tossing the cell phone into the back seat or onto the floor will appear as if you didn’t have the phone in your hand, you are misguided. Your phone, and your phone records, can be analyzed to determine the last activity in relation to the accident. Since it’s often difficult to determine the exact time of an accident, if the accident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. and your last text was at 2:10, there’s a good chance a correlation will be made.

Here’s the bottom line: put the phone down. Arriving safely is more important than the text.

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Arriving Safely

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Sarah Painter hasn’t graduated from high school yet, but is quickly becoming a star on the rise in the arts community. On November 10, 2012, the Artists Music Guild recognized Sarah

as a New Artist of the Year. The second annual awards ceremony was a star-studded event that included country music legends Terri Gibbs and Barbara Mandrell, and Christian music icons Betty Jean Robinson, David Meece, and David L. Cook. Cook, executive president of the Guild, said, “Having Sarah as a Guild artist is setting a standard of excellence among the Guild’s younger performers. Sarah is a go-getter and someone whom we have high hopes of being a name that people will hear on a regular basis very soon.”

In addition to New Artist of the Year, Sarah was nominated for an additional two awards: Actor/Model and Youth of the Year. Sarah is the daughter of Union County attorney John Painter, who escorted his daughter onto the red carpet. John and his wife Gina are very supportive of their daughter’s desire to work in the arts. In June, they attended the Emmy Awards with Sarah during which time John had the opportunity to appear onstage with David L. Cook as David presented comedy relief and several Emmys.

More than just a pretty face

Sarah is more than a pretty girl with many talents. She, along with her mother Gina, are on a mission to give voices to those who were born without because of an illness called Angelman syndrome, a neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in one in 15,000 live births. It is often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism and is characterized by a severe intellectual and developmental disability, lack of speech, seizures, frequent laughter or smiling, and usually a happy demeanor. People with Angelman syndrome require life-long care.

This is a personal cause for the family, as the Painters son, Will, suffers from the syndrome. Will is a happy-go-lucky boy who lacks the ability to speak, yet is high-functioning and easily intermingles with those around him. AS, as it is sometimes called, is named after British pediatrician Dr. Harry Angelman, who first described the syndrome in 1965. People with AS are sometimes referred to as ‘angels,’ both because of the syndrome’s name and because of their youthful, happy appearance.

Our Hearts Arein the ArtsThe Artists Music GuildHeritage Awards

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Rising Star and Local Girl Sarah PainterBy Nancy Moore


Imagine having a child who seems perfectly fine, yet cannot speak a word. The Painters live with this plight every day. The Painters have vowed that they will do whatever it takes to make sure that Will’s voice can be heard someday. Experimental drugs and testing are on the horizon, but are very expensive and not yet approved by the FDA.

This is why Sarah and her mother are establishing a nonprofit capable of accepting donations and other services that will help the families of these little angels. The Painters’ Angelman syndrome charity will be up and running soon, with details being announced at a later date. For more information contact the Artists Music Guild at 615-469-1595. (

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Sarah Painter hasn’t graduated from high school yet, but is quickly becoming a star on the rise in the arts community. On November 10, 2012, the Artists Music Guild recognized Sarah as a New Artist of the Year.

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The following is an updated version of last year’s article about making New Year’s resolutions. So, if it looks familiar, some of it is.

January 1 is a day filled with good intentions. This year I am going to . . . lose weight; exercise every day; stop smoking; spend more time with my

family; save money. The list is endless. Almost half of all Americans make a resolution for the New Year. But do they stick with them? Interestingly, out of the almost 50% who do make a resolution, 46% are maintaining that resolution six months later. Also interesting is that 25% of the initial 50% gave up after the first week. How can you make a resolution and stick with it? Or, should you make a resolution at all?

After six weeks of eating everything in sight, Americans decide on January 1 (or the 2nd) that they are going to get in shape and lose weight. Exercise facilities love January – membership is up, the gyms are crowded, etc., but they don’t care too much for February. By the middle of the month, those with good intentions have stopped going to the gym and returned to their old habits.

One of the challenges with making a resolution is that in order to eliminate a bad habit, it has to be replaced with a good habit. If your bad

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Here We Go Again!By Nancy Moore


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habit is eating your way through the latest episode of Downton Abbey, find something to do with your hands while you watch. Take up a hobby that requires little concentration, such as knitting or crocheting, where you can do your craft while you get caught up in the continuing saga. If you’re not in front of the television at night, but the computer gets your attention along with a bowl of butter-laden popcorn, try reading a book without the bowl.

Mind over matter

I am a big believer of mind over matter. I also believe that resolutions can put a lot of pressure on some people. The first time someone has the notion that they failed at committing to the resolution, they have. Setting short-term and long-term goals is the way to go. Make them realistic and something you can accomplish. Don’t say, “I’m going to save $2,000 by May so I can take my family to Disneyworld.” Nope. Not going to happen, unless you have enough disposable income. Instead, set a long-term goal of going to Disneyworld when you’ve saved $2,000. The short-term goal is to save a reasonable amount every pay period. If you can realistically afford to put away $10 twice a month, then you’re not going to have enough to go to Disney in May. Even if you could afford to put away $25 a week, you’re still not going to have $2,000 for your trip, but you will have $525 to put toward it. So what if it takes one year to save the $2,000? Disneyworld is still going to be there, your family will still love it, and you’ll feel great that you saved the $2,000!

As for exercising and weight loss, rather than saying, “I’m going to work out every day,” say, “I’m going to exercise at least twice a week.” Rethink your ‘workouts.’ You don’t need to go to the gym or run five miles to get a workout. Take a walk on a nice day. Kick the ball with your dog. Get outside to play with your children. The easiest way to set this goal and stay with it is to exercise with a friend or family member.

Then there’s smoking. Resolutions to quit smoking are very popular and admirable. Just don’t do it on your own. See your doctor to kick the habit.

Something else to keep in mind is that your goals don’t have to revolve around self-help. You can set a goal to get more organized, to volunteer at a local hospital, to join a service organization such as Kiwanis, to learn another language, etc. Self-improvement can be as valuable as self-help. Maybe you’ve always wanted to practice yoga. Find the most convenient class closest to where you live or work and give it a try. If you didn’t care for it, don’t stop there. Try another style of yoga and see how you like it. The key here is to not go out of your way to try something new. If you have to drive thirty minutes to get to a class and you’re stressed the entire time thinking you’re going to be late, that’s not good for you and could be a big deterrent in returning.


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It’s still the same 24 hours

I’m amused when I hear people say that they’re going to spend less time at the office and more time at home. Unless there’s a drastic change in circumstance, i.e., retirement, if your life is hectic on December 31, it’s still going to be hectic on January 2. The only difference between December and January is the number at the end of the date – the hours in the day did not increase. Keep that in mind when you set goals. You’re still working with the same 24 hours.

Tomorrow, you’re always a day away

As I said in Nancy’s Notes, every day is a new day. You don’t have to wait until the first of January to set a goal. You can set a goal March 7, May 17, September 4, or November 27 – it doesn’t matter. What matters is making the goal realistic and following through. Sharing your goals with a friend or family member will help you stay on track. Accountability is key in attaining goals. It’s also important to not be overly critical of yourself when you’re developing a new habit. Cut yourself some slack and turn your attention to why you set the goals.

Want to share your 2013 goals or resolutions with us? Visit our Facebook page and let us know!

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With millions of Americans slated to gain access to healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, many may find themselves unknowingly at risk

for medical identity theft, a crime that costs the country $41.3 billion annually. In the United States, an estimated 1.5 million people have their ID stolen each year.

“It is a cruel twist on the traditional crime of personal identity theft,” says Jo-Ellen Abou Nader, senior director of Express Scripts’ Fraud, Waste and Abuse program. “When a person’s medical identity is stolen, they may find that false information is added to their personal health record such as a change in blood type or inaccurate allergies.”

Stolen medical identities often fuel another crime: prescription drug fraud and abuse. Thieves can use stolen information to illegally obtain prescription drugs and sell them on the secondary market. Illegal drug diversion costs the nation $73.5 billion each year, and prescription drug abuse is responsible for more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.

Abou Nader offers the following tips to consumers to help fight against medical identity theft and fraud:

Guard your card: Protect your medical identification

card at all times and keep it in a safe and secure location. Some healthcare companies, like Express Scripts, have Fraud, Waste and Abuse programs in place to identify fake or forged prescriptions and other signs of fraudulent activities. If your card is lost or stolen, immediately alert your insurance company.

Toss with caution: When throwing away prescription bottles and vials, remove the labels or black out your personal information so it is illegible. When throwing away documents containing protected health information, shred the documents instead of discarding them in the garbage.

Protect your personal information: Be alert to impersonators or email phishing scams asking you for your personal information and never give out your passwords over the phone, internet, or via email. If you are unsure, call the company directly to inquire about the request.

Be privy to privacy policies: Before agreeing to the privacy policies of anyone you do business with, read through their policies in detail to completely understand how your personal information will be used. If you have questions, request more information.

Is fraud in your future? Protect yourselffrom medicalidentity theft

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Lock up your bottles: Keep your prescription bottles hidden or locked away, especially during the holiday season when you may have an increase in visitors that will have access to your personal belongings.

Read your EOB Statements: It is important to carefully read any explanation of benefits (EOB) statements you receive from your health plan after treatment to make sure the services listed are accurate. Review the name of the provider, the date of service and the service provided. If it includes information that does not look familiar, be sure to immediately report it to your health plan provider.

For more information about how to protect yourself against medical identification theft, visit Express Scripts’ Healthcare Insights blog at http://lab.express-scripts.com/. (

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The twelfth annual Silver Brush Holiday Art Show and Sale was held on Friday, November 9, and Saturday, November 10. The event, which benefits Matthews

Help Center, was graciously hosted by and held at the law offices of Weaver, Bennett & Bland PA at 196 North Trade Street in historic downtown Matthews. What began in 2000 has quickly become one of the ‘events of the year’ in Matthews.

Fine artist Prudy Weaver, and wife of attorney Lee Weaver, is a founding partner of the Silver Brush Art Society. She, along with son Eran Weaver, also an attorney with the firm, serve on Matthews Help Center’s board of directors. Joining Prudy in the Silver Brush Art Society are other fine artists John Moeslein, Cynthia Howard, Shane Somerset, Sharon Furner, Sandy Wilkinson, Sharron Burns, and Max McLeod, and jeweler Julie Johnson.

Matthews Help Center opened its doors to the public in November 1979 after a year of planning and organizing. The Help Center was located in the little yellow house on North Trade Street (the Massey Clark House and future home of the Matthews Heritage Museum), which, in 1976, was purchased by the Town of Matthews. Many long-time residents may remember how jam-packed the little house was with all sorts of merchandise: clothing, jewelry, toys, books, food, etc. Eventually the Help Center outgrew the space on North Trade

Street and was able to design and build a new ‘house’ located at 119 North Ames Street. The merchandise for purchase is still there – in the thrift store called Backporch Treasures. All of the money generated from the sales at Backporch Treasures allows Matthews Help Center to fulfill its mission: “To care for those in our community by providing programs and services that will meet life’s basic needs and by connecting those in need with resources that improve quality of life.”

So what exactly does Matthews Help Center do for the community? Nine employees (eight of whom are part-time) and over 300 weekly volunteers work to secure assistance for clients who need crisis assistance, such as paying rent, utility bills, and other basic needs. In addition, they maintain a food pantry to provide grocery and hygiene items to families who would likely go without. Arming students with tools for success is very important to Matthews Help Center. At the beginning of the school year, the Help Center, with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Matthews, provides back to school supplies to 376 children in need. Kiwanis Club members take approximately 100 children shopping for school supplies and clothing for the first day of school.

The ‘BounceBack Backpack’ program provides sixty elementary school students with a backpack containing healthy, kid-friendly, nonperishable food. Through a coordinated effort

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The Silver Brush Art Society Art ShowShow

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with local schools, the children, unbeknownst to the other children, are given the backpack on a Friday and return it to the school the following Monday. This allows children to have food to eat over the weekend when free breakfast and lunches are not available to them.

What can you do to help Matthews Help Center? According to Executive Director Kim Rhodarmer, the Help Center is in desperate need of volunteers for Backporch Treasures. Kim also needs strong men to volunteer between the hours of 2 – 5 pm, when the heavier items at the thrift store are brought inside. Also, donating food to their pantry is always needed and a significant help to the almost 6,000 people they fed last year (a one week’s supply of food).

Matthews Help Center is funded by donations and grants.

It does not receive federal, state, local government funding, or United Way funds. While the Town of Matthews provided financial support in the early years, after some time the Help Center’s board was proud to say that they were no longer reliant upon the Town’s funding. State and federal funding is too restrictive for the mission of Matthews Help Center. If a client needs to pay childcare, the Help Center wants to be able to do that without restricted funding or strings attached. Last year, the Help Center spent $300K for financial assistance payments on behalf of clients.

If you have a few hours a week and would like to volunteer or you’d like to make a financial donation, contact Matthews Help Center at 704-847-8383. If you have never been to Backporch Treasures, you have got to go! Many items are donated with the tags still on. Most are gently used and everything is very, very reasonably priced. If you already love shopping or browsing at consignment and thrift stores, shop where your purchase makes a huge difference.

Matthews Help Center: The House With A Heart. (

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Photos by: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media


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South Charlotte Living Jan/Feb 2013