Sonnier snares a big fish in Texas

By his own admission, Greg Sonnier is a light-tackle, inland saltwater angler who enjoys kayaking.

But that didn’t stop the Lafayette fisherman from landing a monster.

Read the entire article at LouisianaSportman.com.

The Ins and Outs of Renting a Car

When travelling on company business, Champion’s insurance covers all damage to rental vehicles. That being said, every employee should be diligent in driving safely when in a rental vehicle because automobile liability is one of the company’s largest exposures. An automobile incident can lead to an OSHA recordable event which has a very real and negative effect on Champion’s ability to remain an eligible vendor for many customers.

Picking Up Your Rental
Vehicle rental companies have different forms and rules on what is considered normal wear and tear. Enterprise, for example, once stated during a rental that they had already checked the vehicle for damage twice and not to worry about damage unless it is larger than a dollar bill or a dent unless it is bigger than a golf ball. No matter what method or rules a company uses, unless you have proof otherwise, there will be a situation of “he said, she said” if any damage or dents are found upon return of the vehicle. The most important thing from a liability standpoint is inspecting and documenting the condition of the vehicle before you drive it off the lot.

Below is a list of things to look for every time you rent a vehicle.

1. Document any/all damage: Take your time while reviewing the damage form, and take this process seriously. Don’t rush it, and don’t be timid about marking every flaw you see on the car. Also, do not assume that if the car looks perfect or new, it is not damaged.Your best protection here is to take photos or a video with your smart phone of a slow walk around the car.
   Make sure to document:a. Bottom trim, tires, and hub caps
   b. Side panels, bumpers, and lights
   c. Hood and trunk
   d. Side, front and rear windows
   e. Roof
2. Inspect the trunk: The car should have a spare tire in good condition, a jack, and a lug nut wrench. If any of these are missing, DO NOT accept the vehicle.
3. License plates: In certain states or countries, you are required to have front and rear license plates. Look around at the other vehicles that are being rented, and if many of them have front and rear license plates, DO NOT accept a vehicle that does not have both plates SECURELY attached.
4. Windshield: Check for cracks or chips before you leave, and make note of even the smallest flaw.
5. Fuel lid: Identify where the fuel hatch is located to avoid pulling up on the wrong side of the gas station.

Driving Your Rental
We’ve all done it—hopped into a rental vehicle, started it up, and headed out into the streets. Then, in the midst of busy airport traffic, you find yourself trying to read signage while adjusting the headlights, windshield wipers, window controls, defroster/heat controls, or radio.

The potential for getting into an accident in a rental car is more probable than in your own car because you are less familiar with the vehicle itself. For this reason, please take these precautionary steps before ever driving out of the parking spot:

1. Start the car, and allow it to warm up. This affords you the opportunity to make sure the car is running fairly well with no strange noises.
2. Find and turn on the heat/air-conditioning. This will also allow the interior to heat up or cool down while you get your bearings.
3. Consult your map, or setup the GPS with your destination. A vent phone holder like the one shown to the right is a handy tool for the frequent traveler. It assures that your phone is in a good position and not bouncing around if you are using it as a GPS.
4. Adjust your mirrors—not just the rear view but both of the side mirrors as well.
5. Figure out the radio and the volume control. This may be the most important step. In fact, more accidents are caused by drivers tinkering with radio dials than using cell phones. The best plan is to find a station you like and leave it there. Turn the volume all the way down if the radio is distracting.
6. Locate the window controls—it’ll save embarrassment at the first toll booth.
7. Test the turn signals.
8. Test the windshield wipers.
9. Figure out the lights—both low beams and high beams.
10. Figure out the parking break and/or emergency break.

Returning Your Rental
These days, many car returns are fairly quick. You follow the signs to the back of a row of recently returned cars, take out your stuff, leave the key in the car, and either get your receipt or walk away without ever speaking to anyone directly.

Once again, Champion’s best protection and yours is to take photos or a video with your smart phone while doing a slow walk around the car before leaving the rental.

Before and after proof of condition will go a long way in disputing any wrongful claims against Champion and, more importantly, against your integrity.

Spring Chicken & Blue Cheese Salad

This main-dish chicken salad has bright flavors of tarragon in a creamy blue cheese dressing with just a touch of sweetness from honey.

4 servings, about 2 cups greens & 3 ounces chicken each each   |   Total Time: 55 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

CHICKEN

• 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (see Tips)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon or 1
• tablespoon dried
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

CREAMY BLUE CHEESE-TARRAGON DRESSING

• 2 ounces blue cheese
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1-2 tablespoons nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste

SALAD

• 1 head butterhead lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 head radicchio, cored and very thinly sliced
• 1 cup baby arugula or mixed baby greens
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted (see Tips) and chopped

THIS RECIPE CALLS FOR:
Creamy Blue Cheese-Tarragon Dressing

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. To prepare chicken: Combine yogurt, garlic, oil and tarragon in a large bowl. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to the bowl; turn to coat. Place the chicken in a baking dish and cover completely with the yogurt mixture.
3. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a clean cutting board. Thinly slice the chicken when cool enough to handle.
4. To prepare dressing: Mash blue cheese, oil, vinegar, tarragon and honey together in a medium bowl with a fork until well combined. For a creamier dressing, add yogurt 1 tablespoon at a time, if desired. Season with salt and pepper.
5. To assemble salad: Gently toss lettuce, radicchio and arugula (or mixed greens) in a large bowl. Divide the greens among 4 plates, top with equal portions of the chicken, spoon 2 tablespoons of the dressing over each salad and sprinkle with walnuts.

TIPS & NOTES:

1. Thick and creamy Greek-style yogurt is made by removing the whey from cultured milk. Because the whey has been removed, you can cook with Greek yogurt without the normal separation that occurs when cooking with regular yogurt.
2. To toast whole nuts, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes.