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SEPTEMBER 2022
BRUSHING UP ON ELECTRIC BIKE SAFETY PEDAL IF YOU WISH!
A bicycle that feels, pedals, and handles just like a regular bike, but has a motor too? That sounds fabulous — and they are! Recently, electric bicycles have soared in popularity. In my neighborhood alone, I think we see more electric bikes than regular bikes, and they are especially popular amongst kids. According to research, while electric bike sales haven’t yet surpassed regular bikes, they’ve seen a 240% growth in sales in just the past year! A Bloomberg report attributes a large chunk of this growth to rising gas prices, which makes sense. Electric bikes are great for getting around and are fun — they can reach speeds of up to 28 mph! In the state of California, electric bikes are street-legal; however, they don’t require a license or insurance to operate on the road — this means that young children who don’t yet understand the rules of the road and safety protocols are riding them and possibly putting themselves and others in danger. As we head into back-to-school seasons, it is important for us to be extra cautious of children riding electric bikes in the neighborhood, near bus stops, and around schools as well as educate them on proper safety protocols. See and be seen. Whether it’s daytime, dawn, dusk, poor weather, or nighttime, ensuring that others
can see you at all times is vital. Wearing white has not been shown to make you more visible. Instead, always wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding. If you are
able, wear flashing lights or something that reflects light, such as reflective
clear before proceeding. This also means yielding to pedestrians who have already entered a crosswalk. Go with the traffic flow. Always ride on the right-hand side and in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow — not against it! Obey all traffic laws. Remember that a bicycle is a vehicle, and when you’re on your electric bike, you’re a driver. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings! Keep in mind that electric bicycles are just like regular bikes, but they can go much faster, making them more dangerous! Educate yourself and your children, and if you’re lucky enough to have one in your family, make sure that you all practice proper safety!
tape. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you!
Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. Electric bikes travel at high speeds, and if an accident were to occur, that means that the impact is going to be greater than it would be on a normal bike. Protect your brain and save your life! Ride in the street. The safest place for bicycle and electric bicycle riding is on the street, where bicycles are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorists and ride in the same direction. Yield to traffic when appropriate. Almost always, drivers on a smaller road must yield (wait) for traffic on a major or larger road. If there is no stop sign or traffic signal and you are coming from a smaller roadway (out of a driveway, from a sidewalk, a bike path, etc.), you must slow down and look to see if the way is
We wish all of the students a happy, healthy, and safe 2022-23 school year!
–Case Barnett
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As the leaves begin to fall and the air becomes cooler, it is a sure sign that summer is slowly coming to an end. Though we will miss the pool parties and backyard barbecues, there is still lots to look forward to during fall. Autumn is known as the season of change, and getting the kids outside allows them to understand and explore the changes going on in the world around them. Creating a fall scavenger hunt is a great way for kids to practice their reading and observation skills, all while still enjoying the outdoors. Signs of Fall Creating a specific scavenger hunt for signs of autumn is a great way to enhance your child’s observation skills. READY, SET, SCAVENGE! EXPLORE WHAT AUTUMN OFFERS
Fall Color Wheel The best way to explore autumn’s colors is by creating a fall color wheel hunt! Since the leaves are the surest signs of fall, kids can compare and contrast the different colors of each leaf they find, making this a fun hands-on activity. You can either download a color wheel template from the internet or make one yourself! All you need is a piece of paper that’s big enough for kids to tape the leaves onto and different areas for the colors red, yellow, orange, and brown. This will help kids see the different kinds of leaves as well as their visual changes during the season. The weather is getting colder, but it doesn’t mean you have to hibernate too! Bundle up with a cozy sweater and beanie, and encourage the family to get outside to explore all of the wonderful changes autumn has to offer.
Consider the following for your signs of fall hunt: 1. Leaves that have changed colors 2. Tree seeds or pine cones that have fallen to the ground
3. Items from a fall harvest (like pumpkins, sunflowers, or hay bales) 4. Changes among people’s apparel (such as jackets, hats, and scarves) 5. Animals hibernating or migrating
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This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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What happens if you’re in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have any insurance or not enough insurance to cover the damage that they caused? Usually, the at-fault driver’s insurance covers all medical bills and costs to repair damages. A confusing and often misunderstood type of insurance coverage is underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). Underinsured motorist coverage is part of most car insurance policies that will cover you if the at-fault party in an automobile accident does not have sufficient insurance coverage to cover any injuries or vehicle damage. After all, most minimum liability coverages aren’t enough to cover all of the damage resulting from severe accidents. How does it work? After an accident takes place with an underinsured driver, your UIM coverage kicks into action. After the claim is filed with your insurance provider, the at-fault driver’s insurance is contacted for payment. Anything that their insurance coverage is unable to cover will be covered by your UIM coverage, up to the limit of your policy. For example, if your medical bills and damage to your vehicle amounts to $200,000 and the other driver’s insurance only covers $100,000, your UIM coverage springs into action and covers the difference, up to the limit you carry on your policy. In many cases, underinsured coverage is sold alongside uninsured motorist coverage, which covers you when the driver at fault for the accident does not have any insurance. In almost a dozen states, UIM is required, however, California is not one of those states. With many policies, underinsured motorist coverage is very affordable. To protect yourself from ever being stuck with medical bills and damages to your vehicle that you aren’t able to pay for after an accident with an underinsured driver, carrying UIM insurance is essential! UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE EXPLAINED
Inspired by ThePlantBasedWok.com GREEN BEAN AND EGGPLANT STIR-FRY
In just 30 minutes, turn a pile of summer veggies into a Chinese-inspired dish.
Ingredients
• 2 Chinese eggplants, cut into 1/4-inch strips • Salt, to taste • 3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided • 6 oz green beans, trimmed • 6 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2-inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced • 1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp vegan stir-fry sauce (like Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian) • 1/8 tsp pepper
Directions
1. In a large bowl, add the eggplant and coat with salt. Cover the eggplant with water and soak for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry. 2. In a wok over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp of oil. Add the eggplant and fry for 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside. 3. Add the remaining oil and green beans to the wok. Fry for 5 minutes, then remove and set aside. 4. Add garlic, ginger, and chili before stir-frying for 1 minute. Return the green beans and eggplant to the wok and add the soy sauce, vegan stir-fry sauce, and pepper. Toss to coat, then serve over rice!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Page 1 How to Stay Safe While Riding an Electric Bike
Page 2 DIY Fall Scavenger Hunt for the Family
Our Clients Say It Best
Page 3 Understanding Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Green Bean and Eggplant Stir-Fry
Page 4 Your Guide to Family and Medical Leave
LIFE CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE PRESERVING THE BALANCE OF WORK AND FAMILY LIFE
When can I use FMLA leave? An eligible employee can be granted up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for the following reason(s): • Birth of and/or bonding with a newborn child • The placement of a child for adoption or foster care with the employee • To care for an immediate family member with a serious condition (child, spouse, or parent, but does not include parent in-laws) • To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work due to a serious health condition • For qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee's spouse, child, or parent is on covered active duty or call to covered active-duty status as a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces The FMLA exists so employees can tend to their families without worrying about their job, allowing them to provide the best care for their loved ones. For more information regarding whether or not your company is eligible for FMLA, check out your local government agency for more details.
Workers shouldn’t have to choose between the job they need and the family members they love. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to allow employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for a particular family or medical reason so they can maintain a work/life balance. What does it provide? The FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave a year with the requirement of group health benefits to be maintained during the leave as if employees were continuing to work. They are also entitled to resume their same or equivalent job at the end of their FMLA leave. Who is eligible for FMLA? FMLA applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees. Employees can be eligible for FMLA if they have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location that employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles.
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