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Bordas & Bordas is proud to announce that attorney Tom Anderson has been selected to the 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. Multi-year Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, Tom Anderson, focuses his practice on helping individuals who have been injured or discriminated against in violation of state and federal laws. Anderson focuses his practice on employment law, personal injury, medical malpractice, premises liability, and commercial law. Anderson has tried many jury trials involving very serious personal injury claims, catastrophic damages, and high exposure employment actions in both state and federal courts. He has obtained seven-figure verdicts and numerous significant settlements. Recently, a jury in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania returned a verdict of $20,500,000 against American Home Patient/Lincare in a racial discrimination case arising out of its State College, Pennsylvania location. Anderson served as trial counsel for the plaintiff, Patricia Holmes. The 8-person jury awarded Holmes $500,000 in compensatory damages and $20 Million in punitive damages. It found that American Home Patient/Lincare, by and through its employees, including a manager, intentionally discriminated against Ms. Holmes by creating a hostile or abusive work environment because of her race in violation of federal law (Title 42, United States Code, Section 1981.) Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. Bordas & Bordas is a plaintiff’s litigation law firm with offices in Pittsburgh, Wheeling, W.Va., St. Clairsville, Ohio, and Moundsville, W.Va. The firm’s attorneys practice throughout the region in diverse areas of law and are licensed in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Texas.

April 1 brings with it a day of laughter and lighthearted chaos: April Fools' Day. But where did this tradition of pranks and hoaxes come from? The truth is, the origins of April Fools' Day are a bit murky, lost to the mists of time. Historians have proposed several theories, each offering a glimpse into the possible beginnings of this silly holiday.nnOne theory points to ancient Rome. The festival of Hilaria, held near the beginning of April, involved merriment and merrymaking. Some believe this Roman celebration might be an ancestor of our modern April Fools' Day. Another theory connects the holiday to the shift in calendars. In 1582, France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. People who continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1, according to the old calendar, became the target of playful mockery, thus birthing the tradition of April Fools' Day.nnThere's also a possibility that April Fools' Day arose more organically. Pranks and fooling around have been a part of human culture for centuries. Perhaps, over time, April 1 simply emerged as a dedicated day for such lighthearted mischief. Whatever its origins, April Fools' Day has become a beloved tradition around the world, a day to spread laughter and remind us not to take things too seriously.

National Catfish Day was established on June 25, 1987, to celebrate the value of farm-raised catfish. President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation after the U.S. Congress called for the day to be established in House Joint Resolution 178.nnGrowing up near the Ohio River, many fishing enthusiasts have caught their share of catfish. Many have also eaten their share.nnCatfish are interesting creatures, named for their whisker-like barbels, which resemble cat whiskers. So, in celebration of National Catfish Day, I thought it would be fun to learn more about catfish. Here are some interesting and fun facts pertaining to catfish you may or may not know:n n Catfish are found on every continent except Antarctica; n There are about 3,000 species of catfish; n Channel, Flathead and Blue Catfish are the most common species found in the Ohio River; n In the Southern United States, catfish may be called mud cats, polliwogs or chuckleheads; n The three largest species of catfish are the Mekong Giant Catfish, the Wels Catfish and the Piraiba Catfish; n The size of the catfish depends on the species and its environment; n The most common types of catfish eaten are Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish; n Catfish are largely nocturnal; n Farm raised catfish are taught to eat feed pellets that float on top of the water; and wild catfish are bottom feeders; n Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas account for about 95% of the farm raised catfish; n Catfish have over 100,000 taste buds all over their bodies; n Catfish do not have scales; n Catching catfish with your bare hands is called Noodling; and n Catfish are high in protein and vitamin D. n nHappy National Catfish Day!

This weekend is the unofficial kick-off to summer. With summer comes warmer temperatures. You may be hoping for those hot summer days to lounge by the pool, but staying cool in extreme heat isn’t just for comfort. There are health risks that can affect anyone out in extreme heat.nnAny time the heat and humidity are high, the risks of heat cramps and heat exhaustion are serious. When there are record-breaking highs, heat stroke becomes a serious concern for anyone that is outside. The following tips can help you keep cool all summer long.n 1. Drink electrolytes in addition to plenty of water nWhile water is the best way to stay hydrated, it is important to replenish the electrolytes that you lose through sweat. Sports drinks, coconut water, and electrolyte-infused water are some of the easiest ways to get your electrolytes in the summer.n 2. Limit caffeine and alcohol nSummer is perfect weather for a cookout with friends and family, but when the heat is extreme, try to avoid alcohol and caffeine. Both contribute to dehydration and in hot weather, it’s easy to become dehydrated rapidly. Try infused and flavored waters instead.n 3. Move outdoor work to the early morning or late evening nThings like working out or cutting the grass don’t wait for the temperatures to fall, so do these activities when temperatures are cooler in the early morning or late evening. If the time of outdoor activities can’t be moved, take extra breaks.n 4. Don’t forget about pets nIt’s easy to worry about other people when the days are sweltering, but don’t forget about pets either! They are just as susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Limit their time outside during the day, and put a couple of ice cubes in their water bowl to help keep them cool.nnThe important tip is to use common sense in extreme heat. If you’re feeling any unusual symptoms while out, go indoors and stay for as long as you can. As long as you use common sense and some of these tips, you’ll be ready for our next stretch of hot weather!

“A Neighborhood of Stories” Read, share, explore!nnKids are getting out of school for summer break across Ohio County this week! It doesn’t seem to take very long at all before they are “bored.” The Ohio County Public Library has set up fun, engaging, and learning activities for all ages for all summer long!nnEvents the week of May 30th - June 2nd will be hosted at multiple Ohio County parks (Edington Lane, Center Market, Garden Park, West Liberty Park) from 12 pm – 2 pm to sign up for the summer reading program.  It will include storytime, craft, and a promised good time.nnRead, share, and explore the city of Wheeling this summer with the Ohio County Public Library’s summer reading program will also have a token and prize giveaway! You can earn trolley tokens as you read and attend programs throughout the summer. The tokens can be exchanged for chances to win prizes. Prizes will be revealed the week of July 3rd, with prize drawings on Monday, July 31st.nnLastly, you are always welcome into the library to sit down, cool off and read. Or hear a story. They have story times every week listed below.n n Toddler Time: Monday and Friday at 10:30 am (June 5th - July 14th) n Storytime: Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am (June 6th - July 12th) n Storytime After Dark: Thursday at 6 pm (June 8th - July 13th) n nThe Ohio County Public Library is an amazing resource full of enthusiasm to foster the love of reading into the next generations. Stop by and check out some of their programs. I hope you have a fun and safe summer with your kiddos.

Freedom of Information Day is observed on March 16.  March 16 is also the birthday of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, the “Father of the Constitution” and chief author of the Bill of Rights.  Freedom of information was very important to James Madison.  He was a strong advocate that the government should not keep information from the people it serves.nnThe Freedom of Information Act was passed into law on July 4, 1966, and was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.  This act would allow Americans access to federal government information and records, subject to certain exemptions and exclusions.  According to the U.S Government Website of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the following are exemptions and exclusions to the Freedom of Information Act:nn Exemption One: Classified national defense and foreign relations information.n Exemption Two: Internal agency personnel rules and practices.n Exemption Three: Information that is prohibited from disclosure by another federal law.n Exemption Four: Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person that is privileged or confidential.n Exemption Five: Inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters that are protected by legal privileges.n Exemption Six: Personnel, medical, financial, and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.n Exemption Seven: Certain types of information compiled for law enforcement purposes.n Exemption Eight: Records that are contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions.n Exemption Nine: Geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells.nn (c)(1) Exclusion: Subject of a criminal investigation or proceeding is unaware of the existence of records concerning the pending investigation or proceeding and disclosure of such records would interfere with the investigation or proceeding.n (c)(2) Exclusion: Informant records maintained by a criminal law enforcement agency and the individual's status as an informant is not known.n (c)(3) Exclusion: Existence of FBI foreign intelligence, counterintelligence or international terrorism records are classified fact.nnThere have been amendments to this Act over the years.  For example, in 1996, President Clinton signed the Electronic Freedom of Information Amendment.  The following are some ways one may observe Freedom of Information Day:n n Learn more about the Freedom of Information Act by visiting the FOIA.gov website; n Learn how to access and request records under the Freedom of Information Act; and n Exercise your rights under the Act by submitting a request for documents from the government. n

St. Patrick’s Day is here, and it’s time to celebrate!nnSome may do so with green beer and corned beef, while others may eat green-colored foods for the day. But did you know Ireland is known for its fresh produce, seafood and delicious breads? The following is a list of traditional Irish foods to try.n n Shepherd’s pie n Brown bread n Irish coffee n Fish pie n Dublin coddle n Corned beef and cabbage n Seafood chowder n Friend cabbage n Champ n Boxty-Irish potato cakes n Irish shortbread n nThose are only a fraction of the delicious traditional Irish foods available. And when it comes to Irish dishes, you don’t have to wait until St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy them. These simple family meals can be made anytime of the year. Which one do you plan to try?nnHappy St. Patrick’s Day!

Presidents’ Day is now a day to honor all of our Presidents.  It was originally established nationally in 1885 to celebrate President George Washington ’s Birthday on February 22nd.  However, in 1971, as part of Uniform Monday Holiday Act, it became known as Presidents’ Day.  We now celebrate all of our presidents every year on the third Monday in February.  This year it falls on Monday, February 20.nnIn honor of Presidents’ Day this year, I thought it would be fun to share some of the unusual presidential pets in the White House.  Many of the presidents had pets, but there were more than just dogs and cats.n n President John Quincy Adams had an alligator; n President Woodrow Wilson had a flock of sheep and a ram; n President John F. Kennedy’s daughter had a pony named Macaroni; n President William Taft had the last cow to live at the White House; n President Martin Van Buren had a pair of tiger cubs until Congress made him send them to the zoo; n President Warren Harding had a squirrel named Pete; n President Calvin Coolidge’s wife, First Lady Grace Coolidge, had a raccoon named Rebecca; n President Herbert Hoover had a opossum and his son had alligators; and n President Theodore Roosevelt was famous for his many pets. His kids had snakes, dogs, cats, a badger, birds, guinea pigs, and more. n nHappy Presidents’ Day!

Often times, we find ourselves discussing people for what they DO, and not for who they ARE. My daughter, Alexis, accomplished something Friday night that no one else in the history of Wheeling Park High School has ever done at her age-scored 1000 points as a sophomore. A HUGE achievement and honor that has put a lot of attention on her. I write this beaming with pride for her knowing how hard she worked and all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into achieving such a feat. Yet, I share my words so that she will always remember that she is so much more than the success she achieves.nnAlexis is no stranger to the spotlight or breaking records in her basketball career. She’s been an AAU National Champion, she’s been a two-time Elk’s National Free Throw Participant, she never lost a game her entire Middle School career at SVS, she was the first Freshman to score 50 points in a single game at Wheeling Park, she was the first Freshman to ever be named 1 st Team All State at WPHS, she was the youngest person WLU has ever offered a full scholarship to in the history of the University… Most recently, she was the first sophomore that has ever scored 1000 points at WPHS. I could go on and on about her accolades. There is quite an impressive list of things that I am so proud of her for. But these are all things you can find by googling her name, or reading an article, or searching her social media page. These are things that Alexis has DONE, but it is not who Alexis IS.nnEach and every accolade and milestone Alexis reaches fills my heart with so much joy and pride, as any mother will tell you. But at night when I close my eyes and thank God for the gift of her, I thank him for the gifts Alexis brings to the world that are not necessarily as tangible or well known as the ones you find in the newspaper. They are the gifts that only those who truly KNOW Alexis can testify to. And no one knows her better than me!nnIt is no secret that Alexis is a determined, hard-working and driven young lady in all aspects of her life, not just basketball. These traits I know will serve her well in life as she continues to shed God’s light on others. Sometimes I think society accepts someone’s success more easily if it came from hard work rather than good fortune. We say “she deserves this or that because she works so hard.” To Alexis, none of it has ever felt like work. I realized Friday night as I stood in the long line of people waiting courtside to congratulate her on her accomplishment, that Alexis has so many people that are rooting for her, happy for her, and that are being inspired by her. That touches a mother more deeply than the number of points she scores. As I stood there awaiting my turn to give her a hug, a man and his young daughter who I had never met before struck up conversation, and he asked me “How long has she been playing basketball?” I am certain as he stood there with his young, impressionable daughter, he was going to make some point to her about how long Alexis has been playing or how hard she works. I thought for a brief moment. At this stage of motherhood, the days are long, but the years are so very short. Bittersweet for sure. “She started playing organized basketball when she was 4.” I answered nostalgically as I could still see her sweet four year old face looking at me, with short Justice mesh shorts (you know the ones where the tee shirt was so big on her little body that it covered her shorts), and headband (often times glittery), pink water bottle sitting courtside as I coached her at the YMCA playing against first and second graders as a tiny 4 year old. The man gasped. I know his gasp was out of admiration for a young lady who had worked hard for 11 years to achieve a milestone so few ever do. But I wanted to tell him so much more about Alexis. I wanted to tell him about how much I have loved watching that little girl grow up. How I see inside her a pure and gentle soul that inspires even me every single day. I wanted to tell him all the things that I know about her that you can’t find when you google her name.nnMany who watch Alexis play basketball compliment her on some of those inner traits that manifest themselves on the court. She is described as a great teammate because you can always find Alexis there picking up a teammate who is knocked down. You can see her run over to a teammate when they are upset that they missed a shot and Alexis will tell her “Forget about it. Get the next one.” She will calm a teammate who is mad at themselves for getting another foul that will send that teammate to the bench. She will high five the one who makes a shot, point to the one who shares a great pass with her, thank the one who set a screen for her, and smile at her opponent when they have to foul her at the end of a game knowing that you can be competitors and still have mutual respect for one another. Alexis is described as coachable because she will look you in the eye and acknowledge criticism even when it’s hard to hear. Alexis has been described as even tempered while playing basketball. This is because she is guarded by the other team’s best player, double teamed, held, jersey pulled on, etc., yet you’ll never get a rise out of her. No more than you’ll ever see her get overly emotional and hyped up when all is going her way. She conducts herself with class and has good body language. Those things won’t be written in the record books, but they can be witnessed when you watch her play.nnWhat many don’t know and can’t see is how she analyzes film, how she breaks down the game and stats, how self aware she is, and that she will be the first person to tell you the things that make the TEAM better. She notices when certain players play more, how they impact the game. She notices when certain players score more points, they win the game. She’s less concerned with the affect things have on her and more concerned with how things affect the TEAM. Basketball is a team sport that requires so much from each and every person that takes the court. Each player has a specific and valuable role on the team. Alexis’ role has always been to score for her team. A role that she earned because she is a fantastic shooter. But that role comes with enormous responsibility. Often times, you can feel like you let your team down if you didn’t score enough. People judge the numbers they see if they aren’t as high as they usually are. Opponents’ game plans center around stopping you. Things are great when they’re great, but low when they’re low. There is a mental component to that, and it’s the part that ensures success long after Alexis’ days on the court are finished. You must be able to take the criticism as well as you take the praise. Alexis does just that!nnAfter Alexis scored her 1000 th point Friday night and we were inundated with congratulatory wishes and compliments, we smiled with pride. But the messages that meant the most to us were the messages received that spoke about Alexis’ heart, her personality, her goodness. Parents from the Eastern Panhandle telling me that their daughter’s school used Alexis as an example to their young athletes. People who told me how much their daughter looks up to Alexis, even sharing an excerpt of what they wrote about her in an essay. People telling me what a great young lady she is. People that study her body language and interaction with her coaches and teammates and complimented her. People that work at WPHS who told me how polite she always is. Teachers who texted who interact with her daily and know her as more than just the girl that scores a lot of points on the basketball team. Referees who pointed out her excellent fundamentals, but raved about her exemplary attitude. Those people touched my heart because they were complimenting Alexis for who she IS and not just for what she DOES. nnShe inspires me daily to live a life with a pure heart filled with good intentions for all (even those who have done her wrong). She sees the good in every situation and in all people (even when they give her reasons not to). She respects her competitors and encourages her teammates. She’s got a lot of little eyes on her and sets the right example. The coolest thing about Friday night and Alexis scoring her 1000th point as a sophomore is that she did it on a night that her TEAM set a record no other team at WPHS had ever set - 20 wins in a regular season! If you ask Alexis what her next goal is, she will tell you the same one she’s had since she started her high school basketball career- TO WIN A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!nnSports are filled with highs and lows. Mountains and valleys. The good days are always more fun than the bad ones. But when you measure success by who a person IS and not by what a person DOES the line is more steady and the road is more smooth. Someday when I am gone, or when Alexis is a mom herself, I want her to know that the person she IS meant more to me than any award she won, any standards she set, or any record she broke. If she someday is blessed with a daughter of her own that shares her love of basketball, if she is lucky enough to coach her daughter like I did her for many years, I hope that she passes on the most important traits that she possesses- the ones within her heart. I am so proud of my sweet, kind, talented girl! That 1000 point club just hits different when your daughter joins you in it!nnAlexis- may you always remember that winning is fun, accolades make you smile, and breaking/setting records is amazing, but nothing will ever feel as good as being a good person/doing good for others, being kind, and showing grace. Never change who you ARE!

Did you know that water makes up approximately 70 percent of the human body? It’s considered the second most critical factor in sustaining life, oxygen, of course, is number one. Most people do not drink enough water in a day. The amount you should be drinking in a day varies from person to person based on multiple factors such as age, gender, size, lifestyle, activity level, and training style. I shoot for 100-120 ounces of water a day, which is a generally a good starting point.nnThe following are a few benefits of proper water intake:nn-Brain functionnn-Digestionnn-Metabolizing fatnn-Proper joint functionnn-Nutrient deliverynn-Regulate body temperaturenn-Helps fight hungernn-Helps with natural energynn-Excretes wastes and toxinsnnWater is essential to your overall health and it’s important to understand the many benefits it has. If you struggle to drink enough water throughout the day try using a new cup or tumbler to make it more exciting. I like to add plenty of ice to my water and drink it with a straw. Something else I do is add an electrolyte packet or zero sugar drink packet to my cup once a day to add some flavor and make it easier to drink more.nnNo matter what lifestyle/fitness goals you have, drinking enough water in a day is essential to help reach those goals and live healthier!

Each day I get older, and each day I realize how often I (along with everyone else) get so caught up in our busy lives that we tend to forget just how important it is to appreciate and experience each and every moment in its simplicity. We all tend to live for the big things, the exciting things, instead of too, always appreciating the little things. Like giving our kids baths at night! Putting our kids to bed! Walking the dog on a beautiful day! Sharing a meal with your spouse! Talking to each other!  Most people, if not all, live for the weekends, the holidays, or vacation, instead of cherishing each day we get to spend with family, friend or experiencing new and exciting things. My son is going to be 10 years old.  The other day I sat at the pool watching the joy in his heart and actions.  How much fun he was having swimming with friends.  Before, I might have sat there worrying about what my next day was like.  What was on the work calendar. Bills. Every day I try, as we all should, to cherish the simple things, because soon, my son will not be running around a pool doing cannon balls, eating ice cream and laughing with his buddies. He will be off on his own, living his life and raising his own family. And while of course it’s great to have goals and things to work towards, I think it’s equally important to remember that each day, hour, or minute from now is never promised, and to thus, live accordingly by living in the now. By not taking life for granted. And by making each and every day the best as it can be. Yes, even those supposed bad days. Sure, we all have days we’d rather forget, and believe me, I have plenty. Always sit back and think… how bad is it really? You can choose to look at every situation in two ways: positively or negatively. Seems simple. And for the most part it is. You can either wallow and waste what you consider to be a bad day on the gamble that you’ll be given a new and better start tomorrow. Or you can accept that you are simply having a bad moment and move on. Trying to incorporate this simple mind set has helped me tremendously as a person. I also try to remember, as time goes on, so do we. We go on, living life, forgetting completely to live in the moment and to appreciate the little things and to not take things.. or life.. for granted. We go back to being overworked and becoming too busy for the moments that really matter in the grand scheme of things. We go back to planning our entire lives, down to the retirement we hope to have by age 65, and all of the things we’ll do once we reach this new age of supposed freedom and independence. Today, I am excited to hear how my son’s first competitive tennis match went.  I am excited to go home and have my 3-year-old tell me how much more she likes her mommy, smile, and give me a hug.  I am excited for my son to pepper me with questions about Fortnight, why I won’t buy him AirPods, an iPhone and/or V-bucks, but he will then share a story with me because he trusts I won’t tell his mother (which I usually do).  I am excited to walk my new dog and see her point at birds.  I am excited to cut up boxes that my wife has asked me to do for weeks (actually I am lying).  I want my 3-year-old to ask me “want to hear something crazy” and where she should go to the potty.  I am looking forward to traveling across the state to spend time with family and friends. All things I previously may have taken for granted. I think that we tend to view life as this never ending road in which we are guaranteed to wake up happy and healthy tomorrow, and for many years to come. And although, we all know that’s not necessarily the case, we live as though it is. Even though we are all very much aware, that one day, it simply will not be. So, tell him or her how you really feel, and live each moment to the fullest.

Growing up, there was always someone in the family who made sure that while we were away on vacation, we would find a local church ( because there was no excuse to miss) and we would educate ourselves on the areas we visited.  During my recent trip to Austin, Texas, my son took me to our first stop, the state capitol.  Breathtaking.  And, the peaceful park outside where you have a chance to sit and think about what a great country we live in. As we approach the 4 th of July holiday, it reminds me of that day sitting there in that park. Take a moment to digest the meaning of the word FREEDOM.  Reflect upon the very word and the importance it is to you in your life.  Freedom means many things to different people.  I think one of the most important things it means is that we have a choice.  We have a say and we have the ability to make a difference. The things we do; the opinions we voice, so many take for granted on any given day.  We cannot minimize the rights we have been rewarded.  Regardless of your economic status or the state you reside, you have been given opportunity and the right to be who you want to be.  You have been given the right to express yourself in all aspects of life.  You are able to make choices and you are able to be heard. Lives were sacrificed so that we can have our freedom.  Let’s remind ourselves just how precious those unselfish acts were and because of the bravery our Americans had in them to fight for our rights. We live in a country that anything is possible.  What a privilege. What a blessing! As you celebrate Independence Day, truly embrace just what this day means to you and as you reflect upon just how lucky you are, don’t forget those who have fought to make this country great so we can live the way we do today.  Now, what are your plans for the holiday?  See, you have that as a choice.  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY MY FELLOW AMERICANS!