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Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS , APC BIGGER
DAILY
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DRIVER Attorneys Defending Your Right to the Road
DECEMBER 2019
A GIFT WORTH GIVING How a Basketball Hoop Can Be so Much More
Christmas is about giving: from God to the world and from us to our loved ones. I feel like most people have a particular present from their childhood they look back on fondly. The classic example might be a bike, or maybe a dear stuffed animal. But for me, it was something else. It was a basketball hoop, the kind you keep in the driveway and scale in height. I loved that hoop and the games my family, friends, and I would play around it. Even during the dead of the Oregon winter, my dad and I would head out on snowy nights and shoot free throws on the packed snow with our gloves on. Thanks to memories like those, that one Christmas present has only grown in value with time. As longtime readers will know, I still love playing basketball. It’s something Paul and I bonded over at the outset of our friendship — and the urge to play is still there even if the knees protest. Not only did that old hoop help foster my love of basketball, but it also embodied my definition of a good gift. I’ve found that giving people experiences is more worthwhile than flashy objects. Sure, toys and books are great, but I usually try to pair them with something more when I can swing it. Flying my family out from freezing Michigan to come and enjoy the California sunshine, planning our trips to national parks, beaches, or famous roadways — these are my ideas of a great gift. You see, it’s not as much about the cost of the basketball hoop or the plane ticket that matters. It’s about giving the gift of some truly great memories. Objects lose their shine with time — even sturdy hoops eventually rust or just prove too unwieldy to move as you outgrow your home. But the time you
spend with people, the bonds you make with them, and the happy memories you create — those are gifts that last a lifetime.
This Christmas I’ll be going up to visit my parents and other loved ones back east. Even though they moved there from Oregon years ago, it still doesn’t quite feel like I’m going “home” for the holidays. But the location is all just a backdrop. Being with family, reminiscing, and having new experiences with them is what’s most important. Besides, I’ll always have my memories of shooting hoops with my dad as the snow came down on those cold Oregon nights. “Objects lose their shine with time — even sturdy hoops eventually rust or just prove too unwieldy to move as you outgrow your home.”
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year,
–Mark Bigger
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ROYAL RINKS CURLING ATHLETES EVERY FAN SHOULD KNOW
Sports Hall of Fame recognizes them as “ambassadors to the game.”
JOYCE MCKEE CURLING TEAM Without Joyce McKee, Sylvia Fedoruk, Donna Belding, and Muriel Coben, the Canadian Ladies Curling Association Championship, now called the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, would have never become the nationally recognized organization it is today. The aforementioned women were part of the Joyce McKee rink and were the first winners of the championship in 1960. Their style, play, and knowledge propelled women’s curling into the leagues of men’s competitions, proving that women could compete at just as high of a level as their male peers. To this day, the Joyce McKee rink’s accuracy is unparalleled. If you can’t wait another two years before curling hits center stage at the Winter Olympics, check out the podcast “Curling Legends” to get your fix of curling greatness.
Every four years, as some of the world’s best Olympic athletes battle for gold medals, the world falls in love with curling. Curling originated in 16th-century Scotland and is most popular in Canada, where many Scots immigrated. Now, 480 years after the first recorded instance of curling occurred on a frozen pond in Scotland, many devotees have left their mark on the sport’s history. These are just a few of the greats. ROY THIESSEN Choosing only one devoted coach to highlight is difficult, but it must be Roy Thiessen. Roy coached championship teams — or rinks, as they are called in curling — at both provincial and national levels. His expertise led him to chair the first Saskatchewan Summer Games in Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores — drivers and fleet managers alike worry about them. A high CSA score can lead to higher insurance premiums, cause shippers to look elsewhere, and cost drivers their job. Here are five ways drivers can improve this important metric. MIND YOUR FORMS AND MANNERS Form and Manner violations are the most common hours of service (HOS) and e-log violations. While electronic logging has cut down on these errors significantly, missed logs can still happen. After every change of status, remember to update the current date, number of miles you’ve driven that day, shipping document numbers, and your codriver’s name if they’ve changed. DO A DVIR EVERY TIME The daily vehicle inspection report (DVIR) can be easy to rush through if you aren’t
1972, the World Junior Men’s Curling Championships in 1979, and the World Ladies’ Curling Championships in 1983. Budding athletes can learn all of Roy’s secrets and the fundamentals of curling in the numerous books he wrote. HARVEY MAZINKE CURLING TEAM In 1973, Canada held its collective breath as the Harvey Mazinke Curling Team took their final shot in a world championship match against Sweden. The rock ultimately failed to reach the rings, crowning Sweden as world champions and snapping the 10-0 record Harvey Mazinke had built during a week of competition. But regardless of that final score, Harvey Mazinke’s impact on the sport was not diminished. The team was crowned the Canadian Men’s Curling Champions in 1973, and the Saskatchewan careful. After all, you perform it every day . How much could change? It’s this kind of thinking that can lead to serious violations, like submitting an incomplete report or failing to spot maintenance shortcomings. We recommend getting into a routine using your 2019 CA Commercial Driver Handbook as a guide unless your firm requires another form. CHECK THOSE BRAKES Proper brake inspections can be a pain, but it could save lives, including your own. Even when you aren’t on the road, failing to do these inspections will cost you. Brake violations can land you a whopping 10 CSA points alone. Work with a codriver and help one another perform this vital inspection before the worst happens. DRIVE HEALTHY While it’s important to maintain your vehicle, don’t neglect your personal health. Driving while ill or fatigued
5 WAYS TO LOWER CSA SCORES
can be dangerous and can impact your CSA score significantly. A repeat incident could hit you with 30 points — not something easily recovered from. CHALLENGE ALL VIOLATIONS If you do wind up facing a violation, it’s not the end of the road. You have a right to challenge these charges. Consult with a knowledgeable California traffic attorney when facing an infraction and keep your record clean.
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FACING A TAILGATING CHARGE? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
HAVE A LAUGH
Speeding isn’t the only driving violation that can land CDL holders in hot water. Following too close, or “tailgating,” convictions crop up often and can cost drivers more than just a fine. If you’re facing this serious charge, here’s what you need to know. CSA CONSEQUENCES A following too closely conviction will leave a bad stain on your driving record. On its own, you’re looking at adding 5 CSA points to your total. But if you or your carrier has another unsafe driving violation, those 5 points will get tripled. This alone may be enough to impact your carrier and insurance premiums. However, you face more than just CSA consequences. A SERIOUS OFFENSE Following too closely is considered a serious offense under California law, which means it can negatively impact your future. After one conviction, if you are convicted of another serious offense of the same category within three years, you’ll face a 60-day disqualification. Other tickets resulting in this disqualification include being charged with an unsafe lane change, railroad crossing violation, or speeding at 15 mph or more over the speed limit. MAKE YOUR CASE Many drivers are charged with following too closely tickets due to situations outside their control; for example, a car may change lanes directly in front of your vehicle. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, seriously consider fighting the charges rather than paying the fine. Paying means you admit fault for the incident, which impacts your driving record and puts your employment as a CDL holder at risk. Before you pay the fine, talk to an expert California traffic attorney. These legal professionals will listen to all the details of your case and can advise you on your best course of action moving forward.
PUZZLE
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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Basketball, Snow, and Memories ........... PAGE 1
Get to Know Some of Curling’s Best Athletes ............................ PAGE 2
5 Ways to Lower CSA Scores ................. PAGE 2
3 Facts About Tailgating Tickets ........... PAGE 3
Yurts: Glamping at Its Finest .................. PAGE 4
Have a ticket in California? Give us a call, and we’ll help you out! Regardless of the location, we can point you in the right direction free of charge!
The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent. YURT SWEET YURT GLAMPING IN BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day. TREEBONES RESORT, CALIFORNIA
trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold.
FALLS BROOK YURTS, NEW YORK
For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.
SPRUCE HOLE YURT, COLORADO
Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow-lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking
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