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Corn-Nut

Welcome to the 36th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home.

Corn-Nut

Meet Corn-Nut

A good source of protein and healthy fat, meet Corn-Nut, an eleven year old Maltese mix at Little Shelter in Huntington. Knowing the importance of staying fit and active in his senior years, he’s always ready for a walk, throwing in an occasional sprint as interval training! While a bit reserved when meeting new friends, word on the street is that you can win him over with a good butt scratch! Known to be intelligent, curious, and playful, Maltese have trusting and gentle dispositions. If you’re looking for someone bursting with flavor and fun, stop by Little Shelter to meet the one and only Corn-Nut! *Corn Nut is mostly housebroken* 631-368-877

Manny

Meet Manny

Meet little Manny about town, an adorable six year old Maltese mix available for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Handsome and stylish, he’s always well dressed and ready for any occasion, the perfect plus one for this holiday season and beyond. This affectionate fellow loves belly rubs, treats, and sweet talk…in that order! Take a stroll around town to see the Christmas lights, and with Manny by your side, the winter blues will be a thing of the past. It’s not what’s under the tree (or menorah) that matters, it’s who’s gathered around it. Stop by to meet the one you’ll want to kiss under the mistletoe…his name is Manny. *Manny is not completely housebroken.* 631-368-8770

Shelby

Meet Shelby

This adorable 60 lb shar-pei mix at Brookhaven Animal Shelter is approximately 3 years old and ready to bring joy into your life! Shelby is a sweet and lovable girl with a happy-go-lucky personality. While she’s still learning how to play with toys, her enthusiasm for life is infectious.

Shelby arrived at the shelter as a stray, so her previous history is a mystery, but she’s eager to create new memories with a loving family. She’s always excited for walks and enjoys those delightful Zoomies in the yard. Since she is so strong on leash and high energy Shelby would need a home with a yard to zoom around in. Shelby is also a people-person (or should we say, people-dog) who loves checking in for pets and being social.

Shelby seems to have a liking for other dogs, but a meet and greet would be necessary to ensure compatibility with your furry friend. We’re unsure about her compatibility with cats, so further testing would be needed. Shelby would thrive in a home with children aged 16 and up.

If you’re ready to provide Shelby with a loving home and help her continue to blossom, please fill out a match maker application at the shelter’s website. She can’t wait to be your loyal and loving companion! 631-451-6955

Fleetwood Mac

 

Meet Fleetwood Mac

This sweet and incredibly outgoing tabby cat was found as a stray in November and was never claimed. Estimated to be approximately 2 years old, he is now safe at the Smithtown Animal Shelter and looking forward to a bright future. If you are looking for a clingy cat that craves your attention, this is the boy for you. He does have a runny eye that needs to be cleaned periodically. Don’t “Go Your Own Way,” — come visit Mac today and be the hero of his “Dreams.” 631-360-7575

Mark Freeley and Storm

Good Boy Storm

The staff at TBR News Media would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mark T. Freeley and his family on the loss of their beloved dog Storm. The English Golden Retriever passed away on Nov. 12 at the age of 14. Storm became a local hero when he rescued a fawn who was struggling to stay afloat in Port Jefferson Harbor. We know the Three Village community and beyond will miss him. He was a good boy.

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‘Home for the Holidays’

Did you know? The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter, 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven will waive all adoption fees for the month of December. Come meet their amazing dogs and cats looking for their forever homes this holiday season and make their only wish come true. 631-451-6955

Rescue is a lifestyle. Adopt, don’t shop.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of January 23.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.

 

An old adage suggests that someone drowning in shallow water doesn’t always realize that the easiest fix is to simply stand up. This is not an official slogan for Laura Blasberg and her law firm—Laura Blasberg Law PLLC Tax and Estate Planning—but maybe it should be.

Laura-BlasbergwBlasberg’s small, Hauppauge based firm handles two major areas of law that would seem daunting to someone trying to tackle either alone. She specializes in representing clients large or small in tax controversy cases against the IRS. Her other area of expertise is in estate planning. Either of those tasks might feel like drowning, but Blasberg can be there to remind you that solving your problems could be as simple as standing up.

To call Blasberg’s practice small doesn’t tell the whole story. After attending Duke Law School and earning a Masters degree from the New York University School of Law, Blasberg spent nearly 20 years at large firms both on Long Island and in Manhattan. However, the Stony Brook resident said she has always dreamed of opening up a small practice near her hometown. As a result, she now has established the perfect blend of large firm experience with small firm rates.

“I think that I’m very approachable and I really care about the clients,” Blasberg said. She understands that people coming to her for her services usually feel intimidated by what the future might hold.

Tax controversy: no matter how bad you think your situation is, she’s seen worse.
“If you’re in a situation where you haven’t paid your taxes and the IRS doesn’t know, or the IRS is after you, people can feel very vulnerable,” Blasberg said. “If the IRS or New York State is sending you letters and you ignore them, that’s the worst thing you can do because the next thing you know the IRS and New York State can start garnishing your wages or they’ll put a levy on your bank account, so you go to take money out of your bank and it’s not there.”

No matter how bad a tax situation might seem Blasberg said she has the experience to ensure clients that in every situation, she can handle it. She said that she once represented a client that hadn’t filed a tax return for their business for over 10 years. Facing millions in unpaid taxes and potential criminal liability, Blasberg was able to help the client get in compliance with the IRS, avoid jail and pay a fraction of what he actually owed.

“That could be a pretty disastrous situation where someone comes to us and they are at that point where the IRS has already started taking money from them, but again it’s a relatively easy fix,” Blasberg said. 

Estate planning: hope for the best, but prepare for the worst
“If you don’t do a will your kids might be 18 years old and all of the sudden something happens to you. They are now inheriting a bank account and some assets, they’re going to blow through it, whereas you would want that money to go towards their college or a wedding or buying their first house,” Blasberg said.

As a mother to two boys, a fourth-grader and a second-grader, and three dogs that live like children three through five, Blasberg admitted that planning for the possibility of tragedy is not a pleasant thought, but clients should remember that the alternative is much worse, regardless of the size of the estate being left behind.

Blasberg’s extensive experience in tax planning is a vital asset in estate planning. She understands the ins and outs of planning for estates worth more than $10 million, which are taxed at nearly a 50-percent rate. However, those are not the only people that Blasberg suggests should have an estate plan.

“It’s never too early to do estate planning, especially if you have children,” she said.

Contact
In addition to estate planning and tax controversy, Laura Blasberg Law is a resource for businesses that conduct large transactions. Tax planning is essential to avoid surprises, especially for businesses.

Laura Blasberg Law PLLC Tax and Estate Planning
Phone: 631-364-9010
Email: [email protected]
Website: laurablasberglaw.com