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The country has made significant progress in narrowing the gender wage gap in recent years; however, a wage gap persists. Despite the fact that women have earned more college degrees at every level than men for several years. In 2017, women earned 82% of what men earned, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full-and part-time workers in the United States. By comparison, the Census Bureau found that full-time, year-round working women earned 80% of what their male counterparts earned in 2016. As bad as these numbers are, they are far better than the 36 cent pay gap in 1980. The reasons for the gender wage gap are multi-faceted, but one of the reasons involves the type of jobs typically held by women. Irrespective of the level of qualification, jobs predominately done by women pay less on average than jobs predominantly done by men.  Women have in recent decades made significant movement into jobs and occupations previously held almost exclusively by men, and this has helped narrow the gap. At the same time, however, there are some occupations—like construction jobs—that remain heavily male dominated. This occupational segregation is a major contributor to the gender pay gap. Pay discrimination is also a factor contributing to the pay gap, even though pay discrimination based on sex has long been illegal. Both the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit paying a person less for the same work because of gender. The difficulty comes in proving a case. For example, the Equal Pay Act offers affirmative defenses to employers to overcome a discrimination charge. Specifically, an employer must demonstrate that the difference in pay is justified by a seniority system, a merit system, a pay system based on quantity or quality of output, and finally, any other factor other than sex. This last “catch all” category allows for some creative arguments by employers. In addition, just obtaining the salary information to demonstrate the pay differential can be quite difficult, particularly given that employees are discouraged from discussing their pay. Title VII also has its difficulties for a plaintiff in bringing a gender pay discrimination case. Some of those were addressed in the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, named after a woman who discovered that her employer was paying her less than men doing exactly the same job. Lilly Ledbetter took her pay discrimination case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled in 2007 that claims like hers had to be filed within 180 days of an employer’s decision to pay a worker less—even if she did not learn about the unfair pay until years after the discrimination began. To ensure that people can effectively challenge unequal pay, the Lilly Ledbetter Act amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to permit complaints to be filed within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck. Furthermore, that 180 days resets after every such paycheck is issued. The Lilly Ledbetter Act was signed by President Obama in 2009, and it is retroactive to May 28, 2007, the day before the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Ledbetter’s case. Despite the gains women have made in the workforce, the gender pay gap persists. Women and men should be a part of the fight for equal pay, as it affects us all.

The decision to file a lawsuit can be fraught with concern for the person who has been injured due to someone else’s carelessness. One of the biggest worries we lawyers hear about is whether or not the case will actually proceed to trial. For a variety of reasons, many people just don’t want to end up in front of a judge and jury. The truth of the matter is that very few cases actually proceed to trial. Experience has shown that somewhere in the neighborhood of 90% of cases that are filed end up being settled, either through old-fashioned negotiation between the parties, or through settlement mediation ordered by the court. In either case, the injured party has to sit down with his or her attorneys and reach a decision about the value of the case. Unfortunately, there is no specific formula we can use, where numbers and other factors are plugged in, and an answer pops out that tells us what a particular case is worth. Instead, your attorneys will analyze multiple different factors that all play into the ultimate decision as to case value. The purpose of this article and the ones that will follow is to give the reader some insight into some of those factors. In determining the overall value of your case, your attorney is essentially trying to predict what a jury is likely to do with your case if it goes to trial. We are trying to gaze into a crystal ball and look into the future. It’s a difficult task to accomplish, not only because crystal balls don’t seem to work, but also because no two juries are the same. In a civil case in West Virginia, your case will be decided by a jury of six people you have likely never met. I like to tell my clients that I can video my presentation of their case and play the video to two different juries. Jury #1 may award $25,000 while jury #2 would award $100,000, and both juries will think they have done a great job. This is because jury #1 is made up of people who are fiscally conservative, while jury #2 is made up of folks who are more progressive in their financial views. The make-up of the jury is probably the single most significant factor in your ultimate recovery, yet you have almost no control over the folks who are chosen to serve. Taking a case to a jury really is, to a significant degree, a roll of the dice. So, what factors do we consider in determining the settlement value of your case? Factor #1 is liability. Is this a case where the defendant ran a red light in front of four witnesses and plowed into your car? Or is it a case of a crash where the stories of the respective drivers are completely different, and it’s going to be up to a jury to decide who was at fault? It’s easy to see why in the former case your settlement position is going to be a lot stronger than in the latter. In most states, a jury is required to allocate fault between the parties, with the total percentage being equal to 100%. Thus, it’s possible that in the typical car wreck case, the jury would conclude that the defendant was 70% at fault, and the plaintiff was 30% at fault. In such a case, the amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff would be reduced by his share of fault. In the example case, if the plaintiff were to be awarded $50,000 in damages, the verdict would be reduced by $15,000 (30%), so his ultimate recovery would be $35,000. You can see why liability is such an important factor in determining the settlement value of your case. Factor #2 is medical bills. What is the total amount of expenses you have incurred in undergoing treatment for your injuries? Assuming that we are in good shape on the liability argument, it’s likely that a jury is going to at least award you an amount equal to the bills you have already incurred. However, in some cases the defense will argue that a portion of the medical expenses you claim to have incurred were not related to the accident which gave rise to your claim. That kind of argument typically comes up where the plaintiff has a pre-existing injury which was made worse by the accident. The defense always wants to argue that the medical expenses were due to the pre-existing condition, when in fact the plaintiff’s condition was made substantially worse by the crash. These are only a few of the many factors that are considered in determining the overall settlement value of your case. Part 2 of this topic will follow shortly, so keep watching the Bordas & Bordas blog for more information.

Despite the seemingly endless rain and snow, spring sports are finally underway in the area. Baseball, softball, lacrosse, spring soccer and track and field meets are in full swing. As child who grew up playing baseball, I loved this time of year. I loved going to practice, loading into cars for games and spending as much time on the field as I could. Now I get great joy out of taking my own kids to practice and games. I have been fortunate enough the last few years to get involved with the Glen Dale Baseball and Softball Association and coach my kids. This year both my daughters are on the same team: The Glen Dale Ladybugs. This may be the only time that we ever get that opportunity and I look forward to what will be an all too quick season. Not enough credit is given to the people who volunteer their time for these organizations. They give up a tremendous amount of their personal time not just during the season, but all year long dealing with a myriad of issues including all the fundraising, planning and preparation that it takes to run these leagues. This year’s officers, Kevin King, Zack Clark, Mike Finley, Mike White, Brandon Ward and Joy Vanscyoc have put in a lot of work and the season is only just beginning. I want to thank them all for all the time that they put in so that our kids have a chance to play! No one really knows what all these people do for our kids! Thanks also to all the businesses that support these teams, including Bordas & Bordas who have sponsored the Ladybugs for the past two seasons. Team sports, whether recreational league or travel teams, are important experiences for kids. The experience of being on a team, working together and winning and losing as a team are irreplaceable experiences. Hard work, success and failure are things that we all need to experience in order to become better people. Seeing the kids have fun, learn new skills and make break throughs after struggles are tremendously fulfilling. I can’t imagine where I might be today without the opportunity to play team sports as a kid. In an era where there seem to be fewer kids willing to get outside and be active I would encourage anyone and everyone to try and get their kids out for the fun and the learning. Some of the best times I have had over the past three years have been with the kids on our teams and hanging out with the other parents.  The rush and hustle and bustle of practices and games can be stressful on the parents, but the enjoyment the kids get make it all worthwhile. For me I can sum up the happiness that I have from an experience last week. My daughter Allie has worked hard on her hitting and is starting to see the results pay off. While small in stature, Allie is tenacious. She has wanted few things more to hit a homerun. It finally came together for her last week.   Leading off the fifth inning she swung hard, connected and lined a shot over the third baseman and in the left field corner. She was rounding second by the time the fielders go to the ball. As the third base coach, I realized she was going to make it and the look on her face as she rounded second showed that she knew it too. I was filled with joy as she rounded third and headed for home. I can honestly say that watching her do that was more fulfilling than anything I ever did on a sports field. To make it even better, Lewie Osborne, a local resident and photographer known for taking great pictures at local events captured it all! I can’t wait to get the pictures printed and have them sitting on my desk for the next 20 years!

Want to go to the movies? How about a concert and grab a bite to eat? Better yet, want to send the kids to school or take the family to church? All the above-mentioned activities should be a joyful experience feeding into our liveliness and affording us the opportunities to eagerly look forward to while relaxing and having some fun. Sadly, it’s just not that way anymore. I cannot remember the last time I watched the nightly news; turned on the television first thing in the morning or listened to the radio simply to hear of yet another tragedy where someone was harmed or killed at a special event or just living their everyday lives in what should be some of the safest and most sacred locations. When is this going to stop and how is this going to stop? My plea is for people to step back and realize we are all here for the same purpose. We are all intertwined someway; somehow. We share the commonality of being human beings. No matter, race, religion, economical status; sexual preference, we all have minds and bodies. While mostly everyone goes through life developing some sort of imperfection caused from an experience they may have had or came from that damaged them in one way or another, overcoming these are what true life-warriors do. We don’t act out and certainly don’t disrupt the lives of others to feel our pain for us; we face it head on. Life is not fair. No one said it would be. Life is not easy. Some are dealt a nicer hand to start with while others may have to climb a little higher, but it can be done. Don’t let people and circumstances that have caused you to stumble cause you to cave by being a coward by harming others because of your own pain. Moreover, what can we all do to help each other be better human beings? Let’s feed each other’s souls. We all need it. Be someone’s cheerleader. Be a true human that cares for others. Admit your faults and own them. Instead of pushing someone to the verge of insanity to take some heat off of facing your own misgivings, use them to share your experiences and help to sustain someone in need. Each person, family, neighbor, and community need to come together and take a stand. A stand that says this is not okay. The power of words can make or break a person’s soul. Help build it up and protect the fragile state of our spirits and of others. Be someone’s rock to lean on and find one for you to turn to as well. Changing the world doesn’t happen overnight, but we can start inside our own homes. We can begin with those whose lives we encounter and those who encounter ours. Selflessness is huge tool and using it can make an enormous impact on ourselves and for others. Get active by becoming proactive. Speak up loudly but speak up with kindness. Set an example for your children and the adults in your life. Make someone’s day. If we all undertook making small changes, little by little, perhaps along the way, you just may save a life or make a positive impressionable statement for someone truly down and in pain. One thing is for sure, we cannot allow ourselves to look away. Let’s not pretend this isn’t our problem. It’s a community problem, it’s a nationwide problem and we must come together to stand up for change. Let’s help stop this violence. Be a positive influence today!

It’s always hard to lose a loved one. My dad died earlier this year after a long battle with cancer. We gathered for the funeral, and then a few weeks later my sister and I began going through my dad’s effects. It’s not an easy task, I’ll admit. Everything seems to bring back memories – some good, some painful, some sad. But as we emptied drawer after drawer, we found hidden treasures that will keep the good memories going into the future. First of all, we found some of the equipment my dad used years ago when he worked as an insurance adjuster – papers, a briefcase, an old polaroid camera. I can remember seeing dad with the camera in his hands as he headed off to the office. That was high tech stuff in the 1960s! None of these things are worth a plug nickel, but they are priceless to us because they can transport us back to our childhood. I had the same experience when we located an old portable radio. It’s not much to look at, but it reminded me of times that my dad and I would listen to the WVU basketball games on the radio. Back then the games weren’t televised. My dad and I would make our own score sheets and then follow the games on the radio, keeping all of the team’s stats. It’s a favorite childhood memory of mine, and I was glad to find the radio we used – beaten and battered, but the memories still alive and well. We also found things from when my granddad served in the navy during World War II. There were some old, gray blankets I remember sleeping with as a kid. There was also a cigar box filled with memorabilia from his time in the navy. As a kid, I was always fascinated by the colorful currency and odd-looking coins he collected from all of the Pacific ports he visited. We even found a couple of his navy uniforms. But the biggest surprise was a trove of letters that my granddad wrote during the war. I can’t wait to go through them one by one! Speaking of letters, we also found that my dad had written regularly to my mom during his college years. I read one of the letters just to get a taste. I laughed as I read the opening lines. It seems that my dad was writing from class because he found the professor to be boring. If only I could have tormented my dad about that! But as I kept reading, I was struck my dad’s concern for my mom’s welfare and mine. You see, mom was pregnant with me at the time and dad was worried. Was he making the right choice by pursuing a degree? Would he be able to take care of us like he wanted? As long as I can remember, my dad was a man of quiet confidence. I saw a different side of my dad in this letter. It was reassuring to hear how much he cared and how much of a sacrifice he was willing to make to provide for us. I’m sure there will be other treasures as we continue to go through dad’s effects. It’s bittersweet, I know, but I think being able to savor those memories, and save them for the future, makes it all worthwhile. What about you? Have you uncovered a hidden treasure that brought back old memories?

“You can’t shake hands with the devil, and say you’re only kidding.” That’s the line that came to mind when I read about an effort by West Virginia Democrats to help Don Blankenship become the Republican nominee for US Senate by running ads attacking his competition. The scheme has awful risks, and a huge downside even if it “succeeds.” The idea is that the state will not elect Blankenship in the fall, so by helping him in the primary, the “Duty and Country PAC” will have won the general election for Joe Manchin before it even begins. The ads go negative mainly against Jenkins, and put in a few bad words against Patrick Morrisey. Polls have differed about the race, but Blankenship has made good showings in all of them and is a serious threat to win. It shouldn’t need to be said, but here it is: if you are a Democrat in West Virginia, you don’t do Don Blankenship any favors, and you sure as heck don’t do anything that gets him closer to becoming a United States Senator. Blankenship is a criminal with blood on his hands. His election would be a catastrophe for West Virginia and it is immoral to help it happen, even indirectly. But the hard truth is that West Virginia remains a plus-40 state for Donald Trump. Trump will campaign extremely hard for every Senate seat he thinks he can win this fall, as his political life will be at stake. A Republican has an excellent chance to win the race no matter which one wins the primary. If it is Blankenship, he will have unlimited money to spend and the team of consultants that won the state for Republicans in 2014. Blankenship has done more to hand the Republicans control of West Virginia than any other single person. People thought he was wasting his money ( and his company’s) when West Virginia went heavily blue in 2006 and 2008, but the loser then was later to win. His massive spending on Republican candidates over more than a decade finally bore fruit in 2014 when Republicans took over the Legislature, and again in 2016, when they won practically everything. Now Blankenship plans to cut out the middleman and take power directly. If you think it is impossible for him to become a Senator, ask yourself if you thought Donald Trump would surely be President in April, 2016. Alabama nearly made Roy Moore a Senator last year, and he was credibly accused of fondling a fourteen-year-old girl when he was a district attorney. Moore lost by half of one percent. Is Blankenship as tarnished as Moore? Are you sure? We are about to see most vicious national campaign in memory as Trump fights to hold onto the Congress. The amount of air cover the Republican nominee will have in West Virginia is going to be staggering. Moreover, Republicans have already begun to air video of Senator Manchin endorsing Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, two figures who remain reviled in West Virginia. Even if you think he can survive that, you can hardly be certain of it. In 2016, Doug Reynolds ran an excellent campaign for attorney general and found himself in a dead heat with Patrick Morrisey a few weeks out from election day. Morrisey’s campaign then ran an ad linking Reynolds to Hillary as many times as there were commercial slots to buy, right up until election day. The connection was tenuous, relying on an alleged 2007 campaign contribution, and there was certainly no video, but the ad worked, and Morrisey won by ten points. Manchin has a much bigger Hillary problem than Reynolds ever did. So far, over half a million dollars has been spent by Democrats to try to pick the opponent Manchin wants. With a few weeks to go, another half million may well be sunk into this effort to put Blankenship within an arm’s length of the US Senate. That is a large sum in West Virginia politics and it makes me think about what Democrats are not doing with it, because the things we are not doing are the very reason we have “Don Blankenship for US Senate” to worry about in the first place. The Republicans didn’t take over the state by intervening in Democratic primaries and making us choose unpalatable candidates. Republicans won West Virginia by convincing the voters that Republican policies would be good for them. West Virginia Democrats need a statewide campaign based on what they are going to do to help West Virginia, not a tricky strategy to pick the worst opponents they can find through anonymous advertising. This scheme of putting the words in the mouth of some PAC might seem clever now, but what happens when people don’t trust you later? With a million dollars, West Virginia Democrats could make it clear that Republicans would have taken health insurance away from hundreds of thousands of West Virginians if they had even one more vote. With a million dollars West Virginia Democrats could make it known they will not only protect Medicare for our seniors, they will expand it to every American who doesn’t have health insurance. With a million dollars in ads, West Virginia Democrats could make sure every West Virginian knows which party supported our school teachers in their fight for decent pay, and which one forced them to strike just to receive a modest and overdue raise. Cutting taxes on corporations and the rich as a solution to everything hasn’t helped West Virginia and even Republicans know it. People are ready to listen to a new vision. There’s a new generation waiting for a chance to rebuild West Virginia. But even an inspirational message needs a way to make itself heard, and a credible messenger to deliver it. In other words, you can spread the gospel, or shake hands with the devil, but you can’t do both. Christopher Regan is the former Vice Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party, and an attorney at Bordas & Bordas, PLLC. He blogs at www.HomeYesterday.com.

Did you know? May 1 is Law Day! While it seems as if there is a new “holiday” to celebrate each day (i.e. national margarita day, national pizza day, national siblings day, etc.), for more than 50 years May 1 has been recognized as the day we celebrate Law Day in the United States. Law Day reaffirms our commitment to the rule of law. It recognizes the importance of our legal system as well as its contributions to our society. Law Day was first established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. On February 3, 1958, President Eisenhower issued the following Proclamation: On April 7, 1961, Congress passed a Joint Resolution officially designating May 1 as Law Day in the United States.  The Joint Resolution states that the President must issue a “Law Day Proclamation” each year.   Therefore, every President since President Eisenhower has issue an annual Law Day Proclamation.  For an example of a more recent Proclamation, you can see President Barack Obama’s 2009 Law Day Proclamation here. Bar associations, courts and various other organizations hold events each year in celebration of Law Day.  This year, the Belmont County Bar Association will be holding a luncheon for attorneys and judges in the Ohio Valley.  What ways will you be celebrating Law Day this year?

The annual Wheeling Health Right Chefs’ Auction is coming up on Friday May 4 th, 2018. The event will take place at WesBanco Arena from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and will feature a variety of great food and an auction with many exciting prizes. The proceeds of the event help benefit Wheeling Health Right, and this event is the organization’s major fundraiser each year. Tickets can be purchased by telephone, at (304) 233-1135, and more information is available on the Wheeling Health Right website. The organization hopes to set a new record for its fundraising from the Chefs’ Auction this year and welcomes contributions of any amount. Wheeling Health Right is a nonprofit organization that provides health care to the uninsured and underinsured populations in the Wheeling and Ohio Valley area. The clinic opened in 1985 and has been recognized as one of the best free clinics in the United States. The staff and board members work tirelessly to obtain funding from many different sources, including government grants and donors. The clinic has expanded over the years to include a pharmacy and dental clinic and provides an opportunity for resident physicians and dental students to gain valuable experience treating patients in a hands-on setting, while providing much needed care for those who otherwise may not have access to it. With ongoing changes in the political and government climate, it remains a challenge to generate money to sufficiently fund everything that Health Right does, and the clinic relies upon the generous donations of other organizations and individuals to continue to provide healthcare assistance to our community. In addition to the Chefs’ Auction, which is a wonderful event, there are many other ways that you can contribute to Wheeling Health Right and the work that they do. Please consider checking out their website for more information about the organization, the Chefs’ Auction, and other ways to get involved.

The saying is that actions speak louder than words, but what does this really mean in light of technological advancements in society today? We live in a place in which all of our daily interactions are often published for the world to see. Not only do we use the Internet, and social media specifically to connect with our family and friends, but also we use it as a forum to express our feelings, expectations, and desires. It is a daily occurrence for someone to log onto an online network such as Facebook or Twitter and see a post by someone explaining the intricate details of their life to their audience of “friends,” most of whom would not know such personal information without access to such a forum, or by even talking to this individual on a face to face basis. In addition to these types of revelations, social media has become a diary for individuals to express their thoughts and emotions through lyrics, quotes, photographs, and videos. For the most part, people across the world find this to be the benefit of social media, they have an online diary in which they can instantaneously post what they want and get a reaction from those they connect with. However, a problem occurs when these networks are used in a reckless and demeaning manner. For example, the internet has become a large source of shaming, in which people who do not agree with others’ behavior can take to the internet to broadcast such actions and seek a reaction from others leading to the overall “shaming” of the original persons’ behavior. This action has led to a number of individuals losing their jobs, facing demotion, or even limiting their choice of schools in the future. Although shaming can be detrimental in a number of ways, the worst acts on these social forums are those done by individuals who seek to threaten, bully, or even harm those who their words, videos, lyrics, and overall actions on these forums are directed at. Thus, the issue then occurs when these “threats” are brought to light and an individual who is put in fear as a result of these threats seeks to bring action against the “cyber-bully.” Specifically, officers, prosecutors, judges, and juries are often unable to tell what is simply an online rant by an angered or upset individual when compared to that which is a true threat against a specific individual. The court system has been called to address the issue of inappropriate language and behavior on the internet time and time again, and to decipher the line between online ramblings aimed toward a specific person, and an actual intent to harm an individual immediately or in the near future. Not only must judges and juries decide what is meant by the post but also, they must decide whether this is the type of language and action protected by the First Amendment. Although we as individuals have the right to freedom of speech, society as a whole must be cautious in what we post on the internet and how our posts will be read by others. The law is catching up on these technological advancements and therefore, one should think before they speak – or in this case, post!

We all have such different ideas when it comes to vacations. Some people like the beach, some the mountains and some like the big city. It does not matter that much to me where I am, it’s who I’m with that counts. Being with my adult kids and my six grandkids is my dream vacation. My boys race dirt bikes through the GNCC motorcycle association. This year, we have taken several long journeys over a two-day period. It’s exhausting! In April, the race was scheduled an hour east of Asheville, North Carolina. We had visited that area the year before at a race and decided we wanted to spend a couple of extra days exploring. While looking for a place to stay, I came across the VRBO website. There are other similar websites such as Home Away and Airbnb. If you have never used one of these websites, you are in for a treat. I love to peruse and search for places where I have always wanted to vacation, just to see what is available. We found a nice cabin to rent for our five days in North Carolina that accommodated four adults and four kids and there was space for additional people. There was a nice kitchen, a dining room that seated 10 people and four bedrooms. All of the towels and linens were included which was a real plus. I fixed meals and froze them ahead of time and both of my sons planned a meal as well. There were plenty of plates and silverware, pots and pans, utensils, a crock pot and everything else we needed. They even supplied coffee for the single use Keurig. There was even a dishwasher, so we didn’t have to do dishes while on vacation. This cabin had a fire pit out back and firewood was provided. We cooked hot dogs and s’mores and had a great time sitting around the fire. While it’s a little unnerving renting a place sight unseen, there are reviews on the website. I pretty much relied on these reviews in choosing a place. Make sure there are current reviews. If there were no recent reviews, I skipped over the rental unit. You are able to filter your searches but, of course, where you would like to go, how much you want to spend, how many people will be vacationing and lots of other features. You can choose a place that is beach front or lake front; has a fireplace or pool; has three bedrooms or six bedrooms with the same number of bathrooms. You can find a nice place in your price range almost anywhere you want to be. Check it out before your next vacation. Or start planning your vacation around one of these amazing rental houses. Or you can be like me, just dream!

Denim Day, which takes place today, is an event in which people are encouraged to wear jeans (denim) in order to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault. In Rome in 1992, a 45-year-old driving instructor was accused of rape. When he picked up an 18-year-old girl for her first driving lesson, he allegedly raped her for an hour, then told her that if she was to tell anyone he would kill her. Later that night she told her parents and her parents helped her press charges. While the alleged rapist was convicted and sentenced, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 1998 because the victim wore tight jeans. It was argued that she must have had to help her attacker remove her jeans, thus making the act consensual ("because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them...and by removing the jeans...it was no longer rape but consensual sex"). The Italian Supreme Court stated in its decision “it is a fact of common experience that it is nearly impossible to slip off tight jeans even partly without the active collaboration of the person who is wearing them.” As of 2008, the Italian Supreme Court has overturned their findings and there is no longer a "denim" defense to the charge of rape. This ruling sparked widespread protest. The day after the decision, women in the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans and holding placards that read “Jeans: An Alibi for Rape.” As a sign of support, the California Senate and Assembly followed suit. Soon Patricia Giggans, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women (now Peace Over Violence), made Denim Day an annual event. As of 2011, at least 20 U.S. states officially recognize Denim Day in April. Wearing jeans on this day has become an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. Wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate yourself and others about sexual assault.  Sexual violence is difficult to discuss and often goes unmentioned. But 1 in 5 American women have been raped at some time in their lives — and 1 in 71 American men. Nearly 1 in 2 American women and 1 in 5 men have experienced other forms of sexual violence, including forced penetration, sexual coercion and unwanted sexual contact. And young people are at the highest risk: it is estimated that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys have had an unwanted or abusive sexual experience in childhood. To learn more, visit the Denim Day official website: http://denimdayinfo.org/about/

I love springtime and after this beautiful weekend, warm weather surely cannot be far away. I spent the past few days cleaning off the porch, setting up the patio furniture, and finally uncovering the grill. Cooking out is one of my family’s favorite things to do. We love to grill and then eat outside. One of our favorite things to prepare is Pineapple Shrimp Packets. They are so easy to make and are absolutely delicious. Hopefully, you and your family will also enjoy this recipe, which comes from the Taste of Home website. 6 canned pineapple slices 1-1/2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/3 cup chopped sweet red pepper 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning 3 tablespoons butter, cubed DIRECTIONS For each packet, place a pineapple slice on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 12 in. square). Top with shrimp and red pepper. Combine the brown sugar and seafood seasoning; sprinkle over shrimp. Dot with butter. Fold foil around mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Yield: 6 servings.