Five Things You Need To Know Today: Nov. 10

A full moon tonight, a rare day tomorrow

The  will hold a ceremony tomorrow to commemorate Veterans Day, focusing on World War I. The day marks the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918.

At 11 a.m. on 11/11/11, the event will begin, and is scheduled to include a historical overview of the war's impact on Woonsocket, a flag-folding ceremony, a reading of a brief history of “Taps” with trumpeters and even - weather permitting - a cannon! Look for more about this unique city event on Woonsocket Patch later today. 

Call for Artists-

is calling for work that expresses peace in all aspects of the inner and outer self. The work will be entered in Stage Right's first juried art show. The show is open to anyone ages 16 and older and all entries will be displayed. Judging will be performed by local artist, Rick Cardoza of Blackstone, MA. All information can be found by going to www.stagerightstudio.org and clicking on the Gallery page. There will be an opening reception and awards on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Food Bank Fundraiser & Celebrity Judged Baking Contest today-

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be holding a Rhode Island Community Food Bank Thanksgiving fundraiser at 1 p.m. today in the lobby of RIDOT’s Providence headquarters at Two Capitol Hill. All of the money raised through staff donations will go directly to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
 
In addition, a baking contest will be judged by Johnson & Wales University, College of Culinary Arts Associate Instructor Frank Terranova. Chef Terranova has been with Johnson & Wales since 1990. He has received the College's prestigious Escoffier Award as well as their Publishing Award and their Professional Development Award.
 
Awards will be given for First Place in the contest categories of Cake or Cupcake, Pie, Cookie, and Brownie.
 
WJAR Channel 10’s Weekend Sunrise Anchor Mario Hilario will also be in attendance to assist with the judging and present the awards. Hilario has been with NBC 10 since 1997. He won an Associated Press award for his work on "Where Do We Live?" and is a five-time Emmy award nominee.
 
Donations of $5 will give participants access to a homemade and store bought dessert buffet. All of the sweet treats will be donated.

Monday meeting

The Woonsocket City Council will hold a Work Session at 6:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room on Monday with administration to discuss resolution 11-R-108 regarding the settlement of certain tax appeal lawsuits. At 7 p.m., the regular meeting begins at Harris Hall. The agenda is attached above.

Local Law Firm Wins Major U.S. Court of Appeals Case-                                                                    

The United States First Circuit Court of Appeals recently awarded 30 years of retroactive Social Security disability benefits to Rhode Island widow Cecelia Frusher. The decision marks the end of a legal battle that spanned more than three decades for the Frusher family, who was represented by the law firm of .

The case began in 1974 when Dr. Richard Frusher, a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division, began to experience symptoms of severe mental illness. Frusher was diagnosed with schizophrenia but was denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The veteran reapplied for benefits in 1978, but it was found the claimant “not disabled.”

Twenty-five years later, showing no signs of improvement, Mrs. Frusher applied for Early Retirement benefits for her husband when he turned 62.  Once again, she inquired about disability benefits and filed yet another application.  Citing the expiration of Dr. Frusher’s “date last insured,” SSA determined he was no longer eligible for SSDI but allowed him to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI.)

The next decade would be marked by appeals by the law firm, during which Frusher died in a veteran’s home. Despite her grief, his widow decided to press on with his disability claim.

In a decision dated April 29, 2011, the judge found that Frusher’s schizophrenia was, in fact, good cause pursuant to SSR 91-5p for his failure to appeal the denials in 1975 and 1978. Therefore, his estate would be entitled to Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) dating from 1975 until the date of his death.

“Finally, 36 years after his initial application, and after six long years of litigation, Richard’s family has seen justice done,” said Marsaco & Nesselbush Partner Donna M. Nesselbush. “Richard deserved nothing less than equal protection under the law, and I knew that the law was on his side, given his factual situation. I am proud of our firm for taking this case, and extremely proud of our judicial system. We are a nation of laws, and the law clearly says that, no matter what mental health takes away from you, it can never take away your legal right to be treated fairly.”

Marasco & Nesselbush is a leading personal injury and Social Security disability law firm, with offices throughout Rhode Island (in Providence, Wakefield, Warwick and Woonsocket). For more information, visit www.M-N-Law.com