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The Claringion/Courticc Independent, Bowmanvillc, Saturday, September 5, 1998 Page 7 Congratulations Piano Winners! James Jennings, Grade 2, and Jenny Hill, Grade 1, outstanding performers at Kiwanis Festival. James and Jenny are private piano students of Margrit Voisin, Neighbourhood Music Studio. Agriculture Calendar V Red Light Runners Pay the Price In Higher Insurance Dear Paula C.: I wes rushing from work to take my daughter to her soever soever gatjte. I saw the traffic light turn yellow, but I thought I could make it through before it turned red. Wrong! As luck would lave it, a policeman spotted me, and gave me a ticket ticket for rlinning a red light. It cost me a $150 fine and three demcrij points on my driving record. As if that wasn't bad ienougr, now my insurance broker is telling me it will affect 1 the cost of my insurance, since I also had a speeding ticket last year. Haven't I already paid for my mistake? And how did tm insurer find out about these tickets, anyway? i, --Seeing reel Dear.led: -, Byraising your rates, your insurance company is send- ' ing ydu a "red alert" about your driving habits. While the • compiny will generally forgive one so-called "minor con- . victioi" -- like speeding and running a red light -- it may - not oymlook two within three years, as you have discov- ' cred. / driver with a flawed record like yours is considered - a higlir risk on the road, and is charged accordingly. Mat insurance companies assign their insured drivers a rating[ip to six stars. To stay at the top level -- and pay the - least fir your insurance -- you can have no more than one ' minoreonviction in a three-year period. Otherwise, you '-drop t a lower classification, as you did, and pay more -- ' generaly about 15 to 20 per cent at the five-star level. Thi stakes get even higher in the event of a third minor convijion. In that case, you might be shunted from the reg- , ular isurance market into a special high-risk market, « whereyou could pay as much as 100 or even 200 per cent , more :>r your insurance. A major conviction, like impaired negligent driving causing death, and careless dri- ill also knock you out of the regular insurance mar- Sept. 5 York Region Plowing Match, Sherview Farms, Woodbine Avc. and Davis Drive area (contact 905-936-4403) Sept. 5-7 Port Perry Fair (contact 905-985- 9819) Sept. 7 Ontario County Holstein Show, Port Perry Fair Sept. 8-10 Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock (contact 1-800-563-5441 or www.tdg.ca/farmshow) Sept. 9 7:00 a.m. Durham West Soil & Crop Improvement Association Bus Trip. to Outdoor Farm Show (everyone welcome, contact contact 905-725-8355 or 705- 357-3040) Sept. 10-13 Durham Central (Orono) Fair (contact 905-983-9510) Sept. 10 7:00 p.in. Durham County Holstein Show, Orono Fair Sept. 10 7:00 p.m. Shepherd's Calendar Meeting, Bob and Judy Comfort's, Zephyr Sept. 11 - 1:00 p.m. Kawartha Jersey Club Show, Orono Fair Sept. 11-13 Orillia Fair (contact 705-325-0353) Sept. 11-13 Uxbridge Fair (contact 905-852- 7647) Sept. 15-16 Sunderland Fair (contact 705-432- 2833) Sept. 15-19 International Plowing Match, Frontenac County (contact 1-800-661-7569 or ! 1,1 I I is.him) Sept. 17-20 Port Hope Fair (contact 905-885- 1325) Sept. 18-19 Ramona Fair (contact 705-325- 8526) Sept. 18-20 Beaverton Fair (contact 705-426- 5055) Sept. 18 7:00 p.m. Durham West Dairy 4-II Championship Show, Beaverton Fair Sept. 18 6:00 p.m. "Spotlight On Agriculture Dinner and Dance", Scugog Community Centre, Port Perry (contact Scugog Chamber of Commerce 905-985-4971 ) Sept. 19 Regional "Go For The Gold" 4-II Competition, Peterborough (contact 705- 652-1274 for further details) Sept. 19-20 Durham Countryside Adventure, Claringlon and Scugog (for more information contact 1-800-416-2057) Sept. 22 8:00 p.m. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture, OMAFRA Port Perry Sept. 22-23 Ontario Dairy Discovery, Brampton Sept. 23-27 Lindsay Exhibition (contact 705- 324-5551) Sept.. 23 East Central Beef & Dairy 4-H Championship Show, Lindsay Exhibition Oct. 1 -4 Markham Fair (contact 905-642-3247) T I Holstein Show, Markham Fair Oct. 6 8:00 p.m. York Region Federation of Agriculture Annual Meeting, York Region Civic Centre, Newmarket Oct. 8 11:45 a.m. Agri- Outlook, OMAFRA, Port Perry Oct. 10-12 Woodbridge Fair (contact 905-851- 6274) Oct. 24 Durham East 4-H Awards Night, Baseline Community Centre Oct. 26 7:00 p.m. Durham Beekeepers Association Meeting, OMAFRA, Port Perry Oct. 27 8:00 p.m. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture Annual Meeting, OMAFRA Port Perry I i Guardian Drugs I 130 Waverley Road, Bowmanville Tel: 623-2333 E HOLISTA j GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE I Sodium Free $fl99 ■ with this 500 mg. 90 Capsules gSffflawBj www.ipm98.Kingston/cven Oct. 1 7:00 p.m. York SAIL CLEAR OF POWER LINES! When you're launching towing your boat i when it's on the water, don't make the fatal mistake of letting the boat's mast or antenna touch overhead wires. It could knock the wind out of your sails, forever. Ontario Hydro drivir ving, ket. Ar convictions on your driving record remain in the Minis-y of Transportation database. If the insurer accesses your icord, as yours apparently did, it will take note of any infradons. Most companies check the driving records of all ner policyholders, and often perform random checks on existig policyholders. An insured's involvement in an -accidnt may also trigger a database search. Sjif you want to save money on your insurance, drive safe! and reach for the stars -- all six of them! A careless drivj pays the price, in more ways than one! ■pite: Remember, policies vary, so when in doubt, con- sulfour insurance representative. where There's a Will | There's a Way (ire you among the 50% of Canadians over age 18 w |) does not have a will? When you consider that a bac will can be drawn up by a lawyer for as low as $X), but not getting one could cost your family mentis mentis and loved ones countless amounts of dollars, there ino reason to delay getting your will done. (Many people put off having a will because they Hievc they don't own enough to justify spending the ibney. The truth is every adult should have a will, no latter how large or small their estate. "If you die without having a will, your property will jî distributed by means of a predetennined formula recording to provincial law. In essence, the government i/ould be writing the terms of your will for you," said John Dark, an estate planning expert from The Co-operators. Co-operators. "A valid will ensures your property will be dealt (with according to your wishes and with a minimum of (complications and expense for your estate." Without a twill, your heirs may not receive as much of your estate {as you may wish, instead your heirs will receive fixed I percentages, regardless of their needs, and an adminis- I trator will have to be appointed to handle your affairs. > "At The Co-operators, we advise all of our clients who arc interested in healthy estate planning to make a will. It's important that you give careful thought to what persons, needs, or organizations you would like to benefit," benefit," said Dark. "It's best to consult a lawyer to ensure your will is properly drawn. Appoint an Executor or personal personal representative whom you trust to carry out the responsibilities of handling the affairs of your estate. It usually is wise to appoint someone younger than yourself." yourself." Still not convinced you should have a will? Take a look at the benefits: Nine Reasons to Draft a Will 1. It's your property. A will guarantees that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. 2. Childrcn/Grandchildrcn. A will provides for the care of your minor children, enabling you to choose a guardian. Should both parents die, it assures the children do not become wards of the court. 3. Speedy Settlement of Affairs. Without a will, lengthy court delays could create undue hardship for your family. _ 4. Estate Planning. When skilfully drafted, a will allows you to incorporate tax-saving measures and avoid unnecessary taxes. This will result in increased funds for your beneficiaries, 5. Simplify the Disposition of your Estate, By providing providing a blueprint and a list of directions, families will not have to speculate as to what you would have wanted. 6. Peace of Mind. A certain peace of mind comes from knowing you've drafted a will that sets out your true intentions. - 7, Reduces Chances of Disagreements. Your wishes arc laid out carefully and legally therefore people arc less likely to diagree with your decisions. 8. Ability to he Creative. There are relatively lew mies that limit a Testator's (person who writes a Will) ability to make creative, thoughtful dispositions of property. property. , 9. Supporting Important Causes. A will assures that you can continue to help your favourite organizations, such as a charity, long after your passing. Remember that without a will, your lifetime earnings will he distributed - through a legislated lormula. Attention Readers DON'T MISS OUT - DEADLINE FOR RECIPE SUBMISSIONS IS SEPT. 25TH We invite you to submit your favourite family recipes to be included in our 3rd Annual "Clarington Country Cookbook" coming to your home this fall. Exciting Prizes to be Won, Wa tch for dent ils. Mail or drop off your recipes to: James Publishing, 62 King St. W., P.O. Box 190, Bowmanville L1C 3K9 Be sure to include your name and address to he eligible for exciting gifts.