VanMeveren Law Group's online newsletter for February 2018
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As we roll into the new year in Colorado, we can count on a few things: folks hitting the gyms to achieve their New Year’s resolutions, heavy traffic on I-70 because of all our great skiing destinations, and treacherous driving conditions created by our unpredictable winter weather. Colorado has some unique traction and chain laws that are worth reviewing before you venture out on your next winter driving excursion on our mountain roads. These laws are particularly important when one considers that while driving at 60 miles per hour on snowy pavement, regular/ all-season tires require 668 feet of stopping distance. That’s over two times the stopping distance required when using winter tires with good tread. During severe winter storms, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) requires vehicles to have chains or an alternative traction device. For example, AutoSock and ISSE are textile products that fit over tires and provide an alternative to clunky snow chains. This is known as Rule 16, and vehicles that do not comply can be fined more than $130. The fine increases if your vehicle blocks the roadway due to inadequate compliance, and the fine can be more than $650! Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles are not necessarily in the clear, and neither are vehicles equipped with tires with mud or snow designations. Under Rule 15 tires must have one- eighth of an inch of tread. CDOT suggests a quick way to test if your tires are up to snuff. It’s called the quarter test. If a quarter is placed in the tread of the tire and the head is covered, you are okay. If the top of the head is visible in any part of the tire tread, you are not in compliance.
All motorists are subject to the same tire restrictions under Rule 16 and must also have chains or alternative traction devices in severe winter storms. CDOT would like drivers of passenger vehicles to remember to pull off in a designated area when putting on snow chains and to keep in mind that this applies to all state highways, not just the I-70 Mountain Corridor. In 2014, one of the worst traffic delays was caused by vehicles with worn tires. Of the 22 vehicles spinning out of control and causing crashes, 19 of them had worn tires. Crashes can delay traffic for hours and account for 60 percent of all traffic delays.
CDOT wants to help, and they have partnered with tire companies across the state to offer discounts on new tires. Peerless Tires 4 Less, with branches in Fort Collins, Greeley, and Loveland, is participating in this program. For more information or to find a location near you, please visit winter.codot.gov/tires.
–Bryan VanMeveren
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Education in the Kitchen
of some of the educational lessons hiding in your kitchen. Math Baking is a numbers game. Just take a look at any recipe, and you’ll recognize the importance of math in building a beautiful cake. Having children measure out ingredients helps them learn about fractions and ratios. You can also test your kids by
from the instructions for a pastry to go from delicious to disgusting. Spending time in the kitchen, then, is a great way for kids to learn the importance of reading directions carefully and comprehending what they’ve just read. Cultural Understanding Cuisine is a fundamental part of every culture. Introducing your child to dishes from around the world will expand their horizons. Want your child to be a less picky eater? Involving them in the cooking process is the surest way to get them excited about trying new flavors and ingredients. Nutrition Now, you might not think that baking cookies will encourage greater nutritional awareness, but hear us out. Sugar is often buried within packaged foods. When you bake something at home, a child gets to see, firsthand, just how much sugar goes into certain sweets. Meanwhile, cooking savory dishes also allows them to learn what constitutes a balanced, healthy diet.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you’re probably wracking your brain for the perfect recipe to bake for your loved one. There’s nothing wrong with store-bought chocolate, but there’s no topping the personal touch of some homemade baked goods. If you have kids, baking alongside them can be just as rewarding as enjoying the fruits of your labor. As an added bonus, baking is a hands-on opportunity where your child can learn all sorts of important concepts. Here is a short list
doubling or halving a recipe for multiplication and division practice. With older kids, practice unit conversions by asking, for example, how many pints are in half a gallon. Following Directions Not unlike computer science, baking requires a strict order of operations. The wet and dry ingredients often need to be mixed separately and then folded together. It only takes one deviation
TESTIMONIALS
“My experience was very thorough, informative, and honest, which my family and I appreciate. If I ever had to, I would return to their office. Everyone was polite, respectful,
completely stonewalled me, as if doing so would make me just go away. “Trying to deal with the conniving claims adjusters was honestly worse than the months of rehab I had to go through to get back on my feet. Fortunately, Bryan, Matt, and Katie were even more dogged than they were! With the team handling all the legal headaches for me, I was able to focus on what was really important: getting healthy again. “In the end, our side’s resolve won out, and we walked away with a settlement that everyone, except the underwriters, was pretty happy with.” –Reunald B.
and kind.” –Beca V.
“Bryan and his team are top-notch. If you need a firm that is strong enough to get the job done, yet sincere enough to understand the things you are going through, look no further. These guys are the real deal.” –David B. “I was struck by a car while riding my bike home from work. There was no question who was at fault and what needed to be done, but the driver’s insurance company
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Bringing Balance to the Office As an office manager and case manager, Joan Luymes is something of a legal jack-of- all-trades. She handles much of our general office administration while also handling a number of client cases with our attorneys.
Throughout the day, you’ll find Joan on the phone speaking with clients about their cases, as well as medical providers and insurance adjusters. This is balanced with her administrative duties — a balance she has down to a science.
It goes without saying, Joan’s days are often busy, but she’ll tell you those days go by with lightning speed, and there is rarely a dull moment.
Joan loves talking with our clients, whether it’s a conversation over the phone or in the office. “I like getting to know each one of them as a person,” she says. “It makes my day when I feel that I have been able to help someone.”
And Joan has been there for many of our clients. As a member of the VanMeveren Law Group team since 2016, she’s touched a lot of lives.
This year, however, Joan’s life is changing in a very special way. At the end of February, she will become a grandma for the first time. She says she can’t wait to hold her baby granddaughter. Of course, family is huge for Joan. She loves visiting her kids in San Diego and Seattle, though her kids really make her day when they come back to Fort Collins to visit their mother. Joan also tries to do a 5K with her sister at least once a month.
DETOX SALAD
(Recipe inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com.)
Ingredients
For the Salad •
For the Dressing •
3 cups chopped kale leaves 2 cups chopped broccoli florets 2 cups chopped red cabbage
1 large carrot, roughly chopped 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
1 cup matchstick carrots 1 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds 1/3 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon white miso 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil Salt and pepper, to taste
1 diced avocado
Directions
1. To make the salad, add all
Season to taste with salt and pepper or add extra honey for a sweeter taste. 3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve immediately.
ingredients to a large bowl; toss to combine.
2. To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth.
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Inside
This February in Fort Collins Music, Dancing, and Food
ChristopherCross Feb. 23 Lincoln Center 417W. Magnolia St. Fort Collins, CO 80521 Still on the music scene after near 40 years, Grammy Award winner Christopher Cross is coming to Fort Collins. On tour for his latest album, “Secret Ladder,” Cross evokes a sense of nostalgia for those who grew up with his music in the ‘80s and ‘90s. For more information and to buy tickets, visit lctix.com/ christopher-cross. WinterWizardsBall Feb. 24 NewThought Northern Colorado Center for Spiritual Living 5628McWhinney Blvd. Loveland, CO 80538
Do you love Harry Potter or know someone who does? Then this is the perfect event! Celebrate the literary and film characters while supportingThe Matthews House and Fort Collins Creator Hub. The event is put on by the Wizards Yule Ball Charity and is a great event to attend while dressed up in your best wizarding robes and dresses. The event is open to people 16 and older. For more information, see the event Facebook page at facebook.com/ events/1916190278642953. Great Plates ofDowntown March 1–14 Downtown Fort Collins 19 Old Town Square Fort Collins, CO 80524 Last year, Great Plates of Downtown raised a record number of donations. This year, they hope to smash 2017’s record of $110,731.96. Take part by enjoying
a selection of dinner specials at any of the 28 participating downtown restaurants. It’s a great chance to try a new place or a unique dish while supporting a great cause! Dinner starts at 5 p.m. at the associated eateries, and each dinner special costs $25 (not including tax, tip, or additional donation).
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