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TRUE NORTH
BY
STEVE LINGENBRINK | CHRIS CAZARES
It happens to the best of us — your alarm didn’t go off and now you’re running late to work. Before leaving the house, you had time to get dressed, brush your teeth, and heat up a frozen breakfast burrito in the microwave. Now, you’re in the car, battling traffic on the highway, stuffing your face, and chatting away on the phone to make plans for the evening. Then, just like that, you miss your exit. A bad day takes a turn for the worse. In 2020, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA), 3,142 individuals lost their lives as a result of distracted driving. When you hear the term “distracted driving,” you likely picture a person operating a vehicle at 50 mph with their body completely turned around searching for an item in the back seat, applying makeup in the mirror, jamming out to music with a car full of people, or with their nose in their cellphone as they sound out an important text message. However, these obvious activities aren’t the only things that can lead to drivers being distracted. While Bluetooth allows us to talk on the phone hands-free and our hands are still able to stay on the wheel with our eyes never once leaving the road, how many times have you been so absorbed in conversation that you miss a turn, pass your destination, or even run a stop sign? Every time we get behind the wheel, there is a small amount of risk that we take on. We place a certain amount of faith in the drivers sharing the road with us that they will do their part to ensure we all arrive safely. In turn, this means that it’s important for us to do the same! The month of April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and we’d like to stress the importance of eliminating distractions while driving. IT CAN WAIT! DISTRACTED DRIVING TAKES LIVES
Limit your phone usage. It can always wait. While driving, turn your phone off, store it away, and avoid responding to texts until your car is parked in a safe location. You can also download an app for your phone that silences calls and texts while your vehicle is in motion. Avoid multitasking. While it may be tempting to adjust your tie on the way to work or to scarf down lunch quickly in between errands, multitasking in your car can be very dangerous. Avoid checking your calendar, changing the radio, or fixing your hair while driving. Anything that takes your eyes or attention off the road, even just for a second, can be life-threatening. Pull over. If you need to complete a task, adjust settings on your car or radio, or check your map or GPS, it’s important that you pull over into a safe parking lot or rest area to do so! Again, it can always wait! This month (and every month), I encourage you to go the extra mile to ensure that when you get behind the wheel, you are focused both physically and mentally on the road. Your life comes first!
To ensure that we all arrive alive, here are some tips to eliminate distractions and maintain focus on the most important task at hand: driving safely.
CHRIS CAZARES
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ALL ABOARD THE EXTENDED VACATION TREND
TOP 3 VACATION DESTINATIONS FOR A LONGER STAY
The pandemic slowed us down. Over the past few years, we collectively took fewer vacations, boarded fewer cruise ships, and avoided airports. However, many studies and reports show that now, more than ever, Americans are taking longer vacations! Why might this be, and what are some of the greatest destinations for an extended stay? According to Amex Travel’s 2022 Global Travel Trend Report, 55% of vacationers are interested in taking longer trips because they can work remotely. The trend of swapping homes is also on the rise. HomeExchange’s website reports that home exchanges of two weeks or more increased by 13% in January-May last year. According to Travel Pulse, 26% of people opt to take a trip that exceeds 10 days.
remote, you lost out on travel time in 2020-2022, or you saved on gas money while working from home, here are some great destinations that support a longer stay.
and breathtaking views to absorb, you’ll need at least two weeks to experience them properly. You’ll want to explore the Redwood National Forest, the
Lost Coast, Pebble Beach, Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, Venice Beach, and many more!
Visit the national parks. There is no better way to connect with nature than to tour the national parks. Several epic national park road trips could allow you to pack in a dozen or more
Hop aboard a cruise. A cruise is one of the best ways to see many
of these natural gems in just a couple of weeks! Many national parks also accommodate RVs for comfort and convenience.
destinations in one trip. You could visit several countries
in just two weeks, stopping in different ports to explore! On a cruise,
you could see the Caribbean one day and wake up somewhere completely different the next day with a new adventure ahead!
Drive the California coast. A trip up and down the California coast never disappoints. With so many great places to stop
If you are interested in taking a more extended vacation, whether it’s because your job went
YOU NEED YOUR ZZZS!
We all know that when it comes to taking care of our bodies and getting in shape, diet and exercise are extremely important. What you eat, how much you eat, the type of exercise you engage in, and how consistent you are with the two play a large role. However, did you know that getting the proper amount of quality sleep is crucial? When we exercise, we put a lot of strain on our bodies. Building muscle actually creates tiny tears in the tissue, and when they are repaired, muscles grow. For this repair to take place, our bodies require rest. If you’ve ever placed yourself on a strict workout regimen, after about a week or two of consistent activity, you may feel burnt out and exhausted easier if you don’t get enough sleep. That’s why rest days are key! QUALITY SLEEP WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE FITNESS GOALS!
perform better and make breakthroughs in your fitness goals. On the flip side, working out regularly can help you get more quality sleep, too!
Motivation If you’ve ever missed out on sleep and still had to go about your normal, busy day, you know that it can be difficult, especially when it comes to staying motivated. The same applies to your fitness. When you are feeling run down and sluggish, it can be tough to get excited about going to the gym or heading out on your evening run! Recovery As mentioned above, sleep is the best way to help your body recover from an intense workout. After physical exertion, your muscles require circulation and a break from pressure and strain. It’s important to allow your batteries time to recharge and your body to heal, or else you may open yourself up to injury! For your body to perform the best and to help you achieve your fitness goals, you must make sure you’re getting quality sleep! The next time you want to hit the snooze button, if time allows, go for it!
Let’s take a look at some of the major ways sleep improves our fitness.
Performance When our bodies are more active and engaging in regular workouts, they require more energy. When you are well-rested, you are more likely to
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SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS WITH AXE THROWING
AXE THROWING: MORE THAN JUST A FUN NIGHT OUT
You may have seen venues in your town lately for an unexpected sport: axe throwing. And while this historic sport is often used as a popular stress reliever or date night, it has a scoring system and techniques similar to darts. Axe throwing is a sport that started small, as a pastime for loggers between jobs since the 1800s. Then, in the 1940s, it was brought into Loggersports competitions that circulated through lumberjack camps as a fun way to determine the top logger. Now it has gained popularity among the general public, and the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) and National Axe Throwing Federation (NATF) exist for those who have taken the sport to the next level and “throw” competitively. When axe throwing, each match consists of three rounds, and each participant gets five throws per round. To win the match, a player must win two out of the three rounds. In the case of a tie, players will compete in a sudden death round, with the higher- scoring player deemed the winner.
An axe-throwing target board is positioned 12 feet away from the competitors, with three rings that increase in point value the closer they are to the center. The bullseye in the middle is worth 5 points, the middle ring is worth 3, and the outer ring is worth 1 point. If an axe strikes the board, then falls, or even sticks into the target and then falls out, it is worth 0 points. Axe throwing is different from archery as some boards also contain two smaller targets in the corners of the board, referred to as the “clutch.” A player must call aloud that they intend to aim for these targets and can only do so on their fifth and final throw; these smaller circles are worth 7 points each. Points are awarded based on where most of the axe head lands on the board, with the outermost ring the axe hits used as the marker. While many participants in axe-throwing leagues are professionals, you don’t have to go pro to join! Skill levels in some competitions range from first- time throwers to pros, so next time you’re looking for a new sport to sharpen your skills, consider tossing your hat into the axe-throwing ring!
TASTY SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP INSPIRED BY DINNERATTHEZOO.COM
PUZZLE BREAK
INGREDIENTS •
8 oz spinach leaves
• • •
1/4 tsp black pepper
• • • • •
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
•
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, wring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 4. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 6. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
(SOLUTION ON PG. 4)
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The Dangers of Distracted Driving Are Real
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Top 3 Extended Stay Destinations
To Stay Fit, Hit the Snooze Button
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Axe Throwing: More Than Just a Fun Night Out
Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip
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Steve’s Corner: Let’s Be Proactive — Dog Bite Prevention
SUDOKU SOLUTION FROM PG. 3
STEVE’S CORNER
3 WAYS TO PREVENT DOG BITES
According to the California Department of Public Health, dog bite cases have increased exponentially over the past few years, and according to information provided by State Farm Insurance, California is the No. 1 state for dog bites nationwide! Here at Polaris Injury Law, we commonly represent victims of dog bites, and in some situations, the injuries can be extensive and devastating. To mark National Dog Bite Prevention Week from April 9–15, and in an effort to reduce the chances of dog bites, here are some great tips to follow, especially if you have children, nieces, nephews, younger siblings, or grandkids. While dogs are pets and an integral part of the family, they are also animals and anything can happen. It’s important to always be proactive! Don’t pet a ‘stranger’ dog. If you meet a dog out on the street, at a gathering, or in the park, be cautious. That dog
isn’t familiar with you and you are also a stranger to them. In these cases, it’s always best, especially for children, to avoid petting the dog or putting your face near him or her. Always present the back of your hand first. If you are going to pet a dog for the first time, before you do, present the back of your hand first so they can sniff it. This allows both of you time to become acquainted and gives you an opportunity to gauge the body language of a dog. If they attempt to appear larger or show their teeth, this may be a sign of aggression. If they try to become smaller, this may mean that they are shy or timid. If they wag their tail or lick your hand, this can mean that they are friendly and warm. Just like people, every dog is different! Give them space. Allow a new dog time to come to you. Many, but not all, dog bites occur because a dog feels “provoked” or bothered by the human trying
Steve Lingenbrink is the founding partner of Polaris Injury Law, formerly Lingenbrink Law and Lingenbrink Cazares Injury Lawyers.
to pet or interact with the dog. When strange people surround or approach a dog, they may feel threatened and act out in a way that is not normal for their character and behavior. If you or someone you love unfortunately suffered a dog bite, give us a call today! We are experienced in these types of cases and are ready to step in and help!
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