VanMeveren Law Group - March 2021

VanMeveren Law Group - March 2021

Foundations 970

SOUTH 2038 Caribou Drive, Suite 101 Fort Collins, CO 80525

OLD TOWN 123 North College Ave., Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524

MARCH 2021

Why Did Car Crashes Increase in 2020? It seems to defy logic, but in 2020, the number of car collisions — and car collision deaths — went

speeding and paying less attention to the road. With fewer obstacles to be aware of, general awareness decreased. However, as traffic began to increase in the late spring/early summer, some drivers did not correct these behaviors. As a result, more people were driving recklessly, even with more vehicles on the road, and there were more collisions and fatalities. Here’s an interesting stat from the WSJ: Between April 1 and May 21, 2020, the Minnesota State Patrol issued tickets to 232 drivers for driving more than 100 mph. By the end of 2020, they had issued more than 1,000 speeding tickets to drivers going more than 100 mph. This was more than double the number of tickets issued for the same offense in 2019. Other communities in states like New York and California reported similar issues.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over the course of the first half of 2020, traffic was down about 17% across the country (compared to the same period in 2019). And yet, traffic fatalities were only down 2% during that time — though they ultimately increased by 18% for the entire year. So, there was a disparity between the number of cars on the road and the number of deaths. The NHTSA also found that more people were driving while impaired or driving without a seat belt. In April 2020, the number of people who were ejected from their vehicle during a wreck was double what it was in 2019 — all because fewer people were wearing seat belts. Once again, the end result was an increase in serious injury and death. To make matters worse, one year later, traffic is now close to or at where it was prior to COVID-19. However, as WSJ points out, many drivers are continuing to practice poor and unsafe driving habits as a result of complacency and bad habits formed in 2020. As a driver, the best thing you can do is increase your awareness on the road. Please wear your seat belt, be attentive to changing traffic conditions, and obey the rules of the road. Please pay attention to your own driving behaviors — if they’ve changed in the last year, it’s important to recognize any bad habits and return to responsible, attentive driving. As always, we're here to protect and inform you. If you've been the victim of someone's negligent driving, don't hesitate to call us.

up. Starting in March of last year, there were fewer people on the road. Many communities around the country shut down in an effort to curb COVID-19-related infections. As a result, fewer people were commuting, traveling, and running errands. For a while, traffic was remarkably light. So, you would think that there would have been fewer car crashes as a result. And yet, as The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports, that was not the case. What happened? There are several reasons for the jump in traffic fatalities. For one, people became complacent. They treated light traffic as the “new normal,” which increased reckless behavior, such as

–Bryan VanMeveren

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‘Abundant Clarity and Generosity’

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring. Grow Fun Foods We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home-cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. Go With the Flow Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course. Plant for Your Health Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver. Do Something Better in the Garden 3 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HARVEST

“My attorney, Karl, attended to all of my

questions and concerns with abundant clarity and generosity. The best of council was always given, and the most assertive actions were set in motion on my behalf. I respected his ethical, yet assertive, approach very much. He called every week to find out how I felt and to see if I had any needs or questions in regards to my incident. I would use this law group again without hesitation.” –Marie Alkire

Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

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From the Animal Friends Alliance Emmett Is All Love This month we bring you another profile of a great animal from the Animal Friends Alliance ( SavingAnimalsToday.org ). Emmett is a sturdy, sweet goofball! He is always happy to see people but can be loud when he sees other dogs and is selective with his dog buddies. He's working on his leash manners and is making progress on focusing on the pleasure of just being on a walk. Emmett is currently in foster care, and his foster dad has provided some great feedback: “Emmett is a softy at heart. He loves to watch the squirrels and snuggle at any given chance. His size is something that he doesn't really understand, but his gentle nature makes up for any clumsiness. At his core, he’s just a sweet and lovable boy that just wants to be near you. He also loves walks and sniffing everything; his curious nature wants to know who and what has been at every tree in the park. His loyal and loving demeanor is nothing but infectious, and if you can get him to smile it will light up your life, I promise.”

To learn more about Emmett or to express interest in adoption, please call 970-224-3647 for more information!

Keep in mind, by the time you read this, Emmett may already be adopted! As with all the wonderful animals we feature in this newsletter, it’s hard to keep up with the community’s demand for furry friends. However, you can always check the Animal Friends Alliance website to check out the profiles of all their current adoptable animals. Visit SavingAnimalsToday.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs for more amazing dogs!

All About Emmett Breed: Bulldog, American Sex: Male

Weight: 78.5 lbs Age: 6 years, 9 months Location: Foster home

SUDOKU

Asparagus and Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Ingredients:

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1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

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1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese

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1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced

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2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped

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1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn

1/4 tsp salt

Zest of 1 orange

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts' edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.

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2038 Caribou Drive, Suite 101 Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-495-9741 www.VanMeverenLaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

Car Crashes Increased in 2020 Page 1

Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas!

Our Clients Say It Best Page 2

A Dog That’s Ready for Adventure

Asparagus and Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes Page 3 Local Events to Check Out This Spring Page 4

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SPRING?

Spring Equinox Half Marathon & 4-Mile Sunday, March 21 The Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch Brewery It’s one of the biggest runs of the spring — on the first day of spring! While last year's Spring Equinox Half Marathon & 4-Mile event was canceled due to safety concerns, the event for this year is still on. However, be sure to check the website frequently for the latest updates. We wrote about this event last month, so here’s a quick recap of what to expect: The half marathon starts at 9 a.m. and the 4-mile race starts at 9:10 a.m. Both races feature a course that’s half-paved and half-dirt. Participants will find a choice of food and drinks at The Biergarten following the race. Again, be sure to check EquinoxHalfMarathon.com for updates and registration details.

More March Events As of this writing, March events in Fort Collins are scarce due to continued postponement and safety concerns. However, we have a number of resources you can check out if you are looking for something to do! Here are a few options:

Washington’s FoCo — WashingtonsFoCo.com

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The Lincoln Center — LCTix.com

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Downtown Fort Collins — DowntownFortCollins.com/promotions/ events-calendar

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Visit Fort Collins — VisitFtCollins.com/events

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The Coloradoan — Coloradoan.com/things-to-do/events

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