to the Aug 2012 Edition

The Distributor
Smokey Point Distributing, Inc.
Aug. 2012 Volume IX, Edition VIII
Happy Anniversary
Happy Birthday
“Age is not measured by years. Nature does not equally distribute
energy. Some people are born old and tired while others are
going strong at seventy”. - Dorothy Thompson
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Martinson, Duane
McClure, Danny
Mosher, Robert
Breese , Paul
Gillian, Yvonne
Solano, Kim Oliver
Martin, Kris
Lee, Janice
Wert, Archie
Barbour, Wendell
Fuller, Troy
Talley, Ronald
Zondlo, Chris
Adams, Robert
Bales, Judith
O'Brien, Neil
Wilson, John
Aug 04th
Aug 04th
Aug 04th
Aug 05th
Aug 07th
Aug 09th
Aug 10th
Aug 11th
Aug 11th
Aug 16th
Aug 12th
Aug 19th
Aug 19th
Aug 21st
Aug 23rd
Aug 23rd
Aug 29th
“(What is good in life?) To crush your enemies, drive them before
you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.”
~ Conan the Barbarian
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Elliott, Steve
Funderburg, David
Warren, Willie
Bourland, Grayson
Caruthers, Steven
Gadotti, Trishia
Phelps, James
Johnson,Tyler
Weber, Joseph
Adams, Robert
Hillyer, Jeff
Hillyer, Kim
Surber, John
Surber, Robin
Kemner, Russ
Leoso, Lisa
Tauzin, Chris
01 Yr
01 Yr
01 Yr
02 Yrs
02 Yrs
02 Yrs
03 Yrs
04 Yrs
04 Yrs
05 Yrs
05 Yrs
05 Yrs
05 Yrs
05 Yrs
06 Yrs
07 Yrs
13 Yrs
Aug 15th
Aug 24th
Aug 10th
Aug 04th
Aug 06th
Aug 16th
Aug 27th
Aug 25th
Aug 13th
Aug 14th
Aug 07th
Aug 07th
Aug 07th
Aug 07th
Aug 10th
Aug 18th
Aug 02th
SPD Giving Back to the Community
Smokey Point Distributing donated a large tank to the “Garden of Hope” to be used
for irrigation. The Magill family (Ethan – Truck Mechanic in the shop) donates
land to the “Garden of Hope” to grow fresh food for the needy. The garden grows
fresh, organic produce for the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank, Neighbors in Need
Food Bank (Mt Vernon), Tri Parish Food Bank (Burlington) in collaboration with
Viva Farms/Growing Washington. Last year King 5 News did a report on playing
their part in the difference you can make in people’s lives.
http://www.king5.com/community/making-a-difference/Seeds-of-inspiration-grow-Garden-of-Hope124816759.html
http://www.sunrisefoodbank.org/our-programs.html
The food banks serve hundreds of people per week. The garden also gives volunteers a place to work the
soil and feel good about doing their part in the community to grow the produce. Arin Magill, formerly
from our payroll department, is the Board President for the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank.
Way to go Magill family in giving of yourselves and your land to help others in need…….
SPD is glad we could be of help to support your amazing cause.
TWIC cardholders
get expiration date extension
Headline News ~By CCJ Staff Published 6/18/12
The Transportation Security Administration is granting
a temporary exemption from certain Transportation
Worker Identification Credential regulations regarding
card expiration and replacement requirements.
This exemption, which applies to U.S. nationals who
hold a valid TWIC expiring on or before Dec. 31,
2014, permits eligible TWIC holders to obtain a
replacement card that extends the expiration date of
their current security threat assessment and TWIC by
three years.
During 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security intends to publish a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking to seek comment on card reader
requirements and deployment requirement plans. At
the end of the three-year extension period, pending the
outcome of the rulemaking activity, DHS expects card
reader requirements to be in place and readers to be
deployed at facilities with the highest risk.
If cardholders so choose, they will have the option to
renew the card for a full five years. Eligible
individuals choosing the three-year TWIC extension
may obtain it by ordering the credential via telephone,
paying a $60 card replacement fee & visiting a TWIC
enrollment center to pick up and activate the card. For
more information, go to www.regulations.gov; the
docket number is TSA-2006-24191.
Owner Ops Remember 2290
due at the end of this Month!!
IRS no longer sends reminders, so heads up on the
Form 2290 payment due 8/31/12
Truckers are all too familiar with the federal highway
use tax for heavy vehicles, also known as the HUT or
HVUT tax. It’s that $550 fee you pay each year when
you file an IRS Form 2290.
For trucks and other taxable vehicles in use during
Aug, the Form 2290 and payment are due on Aug. 31.
State governments are required to receive proof of
payment of the federal heavy vehicle use tax as a
condition of vehicle registration.
The tax year begins on Aug 1, and ends on June 30.
The balance due shown on the Form 2290 must be
paid in full by the due date of the return. In most cases,
the deadline for filing the return and paying any tax
due is Aug. 31.
An owner operator will need several specifications in
order to file Form 2290, including the following:
employer identification number, vehicle identification
number, and taxable gross weight.
The Form 2290 can be found at www.irs.gov.
The IRS is no longer mailing out reminders for the
2290.
The tax is based on weight and is normally $550 per
vehicle.
Submitting Photos for Newsletter
We love getting great photos of your truck and loads when
you are out on the road, but, unless we get written
permission from shipper that we can use pictures of their
freight and any information about the load, we cannot
publish this information in our newsletter. Please keep this
in mind when framing your shots when you have an
exposed load on your trailer.
Also be mindful of where you are when taking your
pictures in case you are in a restricted area. Please frame
your shots so other company logos cannot be seen in the
shots. Absolutely NO photos should be taken an ANY
restricted area! No photos on Boeing property for example.
When in doubt, ask.
Johanna Martin, Trucker Buddy
From truck 096, submitted a photo of Michael
Stroud’s highly polished aluminum wheel. Thank You
Johanna!
Secrets of Better Fuel Economy
From the Cummins MPG guide:
Introduction: Understanding Fuel Economy
The importance of fuel economy to the successful
operation of a trucking company cannot be
understated. Fuel is one of the largest variable costs in
a trucking venture, and while no trucking operation
can control the cost of fuel, it has at least some control
over the amount, or rate of consumption
Rock-Solid Rules:
 Every 2% reduction in aerodynamic drag
results in approximately 1% improvement
 Above 55 mpg, each 1 mph increase in vehicle
speed decreases fuel economy by 0.1 mpg.
 Worn tires provide better fuel economy than
new tires, up to 7% better fuel economy.
 Used lug drive tires can get up to 0.4 mpg
better than new lug tires.
 Ribbed tires on the drive axles provide 2-4%
better fuel economy than lugged tires.
 Every 10 psi that a truck’s tires are
underinflated reduces fuel economy by 1%
 The break-in period for tires is between 35,000
and 50,000 miles.
 Tires make biggest difference in mpg below
around 50 mph; aerodynamics is the most
important factor over around 50 mph
 The most efficient drivers get about 30% better
fuel economies than the least efficient drivers.
 Idle time is costly. Ever hour of idle time in a
long-haul operation can decrease fuel
efficiency by 1%.
Efficient Driving Behavior
The following is short list of behaviors exhibited by
those drivers that consistently obtain good fuel
economy. Simple behaviors, like coasting to a stop
instead of staying on the accelerator until the last
minute and then braking hard, add up to significant
fuel savings after thousands of miles.
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High average vehicle speeds with minimum
time spent at maximum vehicle speed
High percent trip distance in top gear (90+%
recommended)
High percent distance in cruise control
Minimum percent Idle/PTO operation
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Minimum service brake activity.
*Number of Sudden Decelerations
* Service Brake Actuation’s / 1000 Mi
Rock-Solid Rule
The most efficient drivers get about
30% better fuel economies than the least
efficient drivers.
Operation in Hilly and Mountainous Terrain
In rolling terrain, use a light throttle and allow
momentum to carry the vehicle over short grades. In
Hilly and Mountainous terrain, where possible, use the
engine’s entire operating range before gearing down.
When cresting steep grades, use gravity to bring the
vehicle back to the desired cruise speed.
Engine Idling
Idle time can significantly affect the vehicle’s fuel
efficiency. Therefore, avoid unnecessary engine idling.
The vehicle gets its worst mpg when the engine runs
and the truck don’t move. Every hour of idle time in a
long-haul operation can decrease fuel efficiency by
1%.
Idle / PTO Fuel Consumption
Engine Speed RPM
Average Fuel Consumption (Gal/Hr)
650
1000
1200
~0.5
~1.0
~1.5
Idle/PTO fuel consumption increases exponentially
with engine speed (0-10% impact on mpg). When
idling is necessary to maintain cab/bunk compartment
temperatures, select the lowest idle speed possible (no
Higher than 800 RPM)
Rock-Solid Rule
Idle time is costly. Every hour of
idle time in a long-haul operation
can decrease fuel efficiency by 1%
Executive Dunk
Tank 2012
On July 6th the employees
of SPD were given the chance to dunk the upper
management in the first and hopefully, annual event
we have now dubbed “Executive Dunk Tank”.
Above, Dave Dyke tries to dunk Greg Hirsch, while
Lee Michaud gives words of encouragement.
The tank was setup in the shade of the northern side of
the shop where it was filled with cool 40 degree water.
Bags of ice were added to keep the temperature down
till the dunking could begin.
Greg Hirsch was first up for a dip in the tank.
Here is a shot
of him
adjusting his
shower cap
after his first
dunking.
Troy Fuller took the seat fully clothed while Diving
Champion Lee Michaud came prepared to brave the
chilly waters in swim trunks.
Michelle
Ilgenfritz
playfully
splashes the cold
waters of the tank
with her feet,
taunting the
“Dunkers” that
they cannot hit
the broad side of
a barn.
Michelle was
dunked many
times that day.
Last but not least Clay Salisbury enters the tank clad in
a bright yellow shirt and Hawaiian shorts.
Executive Dunk
Tank 2012
Continued:
President Dan Wirkkala
happily takes his place on the dunking seat.
Some of our best pitchers of the day were Dawn Craig
and Dan Green, many a “Dunkiee” was unseated when
either of these two was up at the pitch.
Here is a shot of
Michelle Ilgenfritz
right after she
scored a hit, dunking
Dan Wirkkala
In the back ground,
with towel draped
around his neck,
future “Dunkiee”
Clay Salisbury looks
on from a safe
distance.
All of our upper management entered the tank many
times that day, no executive walked away dry.
The employees of SPD look forward to Executive
Dunk Tank of 2013 and promise that a new, sunnier
spot will be found.
Get “The Distributor” in COLOR
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address to lrasmussen@spdtrucking.com and request to be
put on the mailing list.
Then each month we will send you a PDF copy of the
Distributor in full color!
Not only will you not have to wait till you get to the office
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paper used to publish the newsletter.
Save a tree today and subscribe!
SPD in Picture’s
We have received many excellent pictures from our drivers showing off their trucks. In an attempt to catch
up we would like to present some for your viewing pleasure:
To the right you can see
Truck 112 driven by Ron
Garcia as he stops to show
off his rig at U.S. 90 along
the Pecos River in Texas.
Below -- Mark Huffman
driver of truck 560 and
now 530.
Mike and Janice Lee from Truck 302
were able to meet up with a driver from
our sister company, Wylie and took this
picture.
Not only are they our sister company it
looks like these trucks could also be
sisters.
SPD Shows Pride on the
4th of July
Russ Wallace in truck 325,
washed, polished and decorated up his truck for the
Point Roberts 4th of July parade. What a great looking
truck! Thank you Russ for sending in the pictures!
On The
Road Food
With Linnea McCormack
from truck 108
Chicken and Pumpkin
Goulash
Ingredients
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless
chicken breast halves, cut into bite size pieces
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
3 pounds fresh pumpkin, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
1/4 cup water (optional)
Directions
1. Set a slow cooker to High, and place diced tomatoes and brown
sugar into the cooker; stir to combine.
2. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and
cook and stir onion until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Mix
in the ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander; cook and stir until
the spices release their fragrance, about 2 minutes. Stir in the
chicken, and cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink. Mix the
garbanzo beans into the chicken mixture, and bring to a simmer.
Transfer the mixture into the slow cooker, and mix with tomatoes.
3. Place pumpkin into the same skillet, and reduce heat to
medium. Cook until the pumpkin is hot and some pieces are
slightly browned, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Place pumpkin
into the cooker, and cover.
4. Cook the stew on the High setting for 1 hour; reduce cooker
setting to Low, and cook until pumpkin is tender, 3 to 4 more
hours. Season with salt and black pepper. If stew seems too
liquid, mix cornstarch into water in a small cup until smooth, and
stir the slurry into the stew. Cook until thickened, about 30
minutes.
Cook's Notes
I recommend using a 5-6 quart slow cooker. If your cooker has a
plastic lid, it may not create sufficient moisture and you may need
to add additional liquid. If so, I suggest chicken stock. Avoid
opening the cooker, as this releases the moisture build-up needed
for the additional liquid in this recipe. This will also make a good
vegetarian dish -- just omit the chicken!
Linnea says,
I think people will enjoy this recipe and it for a single driver they
can eat on it for a week give or take a day or two.
Drainage in South Lot
We have installed some drainage in the South lot to help
direct the standing water to the detention pond.
Smokey Point receives the
2011Great West Casualty
Platinum Safety Award
Please do not park your axles on the drain rock
around the edge of the yard and compact the rock and pipe.
The back of the trailer can hang over it but please do not
park the axles or drive on the rock/ditch.
We have enlarged the
South pond and dug
approximately 800 feet
of drainage ditch. We
lined it with felt,
installed drain pipe,
filled the ditch with
clean drain rock,
covered it all with felt
and more drain rock
and sloped the pipe to
the pond. There is also
a drain vault at the end
of one of the legs in the
yard to try to help
catch some of the run
off. This should help
drain the yard much faster than it used to drain. When it
rains heavy there will probably still be some standing water
but should only take a few days to drain off compared to
weeks or months. We plan to keep adding gravel to the
yard over time to build it up even more to get it to drain to
the ditches.
Remember PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE or PARK on
the drain rock – Pass the word…….
If we find
that it keeps
getting
parked on
we may
have to put
up some
type of
blocks or
some sort of
stop.
Please see
attached
map – let me
know if you
have any
questions.
Thank you for
your cooperation.
Chris Tauzin, Special Project Manager
For the 5th time in the past 6 years Smokey Point Distributing,
Inc. has earned a Platinum Safety Award for having the highest
safety rating per miles driven.
Less than 100 companies a year receive this award for having the
lowest cargo claims per million miles in the industry.
Pictured left to right: Lee Michaud (Operations Director), Dan
Wirkkala (President/CEO), Jim Jermyn (Great Western Casualty),
Ken DeRocher (Safety)
Driver Trip Packs
To ensure timely processing of your payroll, we
need to adjust the cut off dates for trip packs to
adhere to the deadlines with ADP.
Effective September 1, 2012, the cut off dates
for all trip packs will be moved back one day
from the 8th and 25th to the 7th and 24th.
If you have any questions, please contact your
Fleet Coordinator.
2012 Susan G. Komen
3-Day for the Cure
Smokey Point Distributing has two ladies who will be
taking part in the Susan G Komen 3 Day walk for
breast cancer.
First is Dana Haugstad one of our Fleet Coordinators.
I have signed up for the 2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the
Cure again! I had such an incredible experience doing the Komen
3-Day for the Cure for the past few years, which I have decided to
join them again.
I'm so excited
about this event!
This event isn't
easy, but I
promise you, I
wouldn't be
doing it if I
didn't believe
100% that it was
worth every
muscle ache,
weary night and
training walk!
I need your
help!! I need to raise at least $2300 and I’m counting on you - my
friends and family – and I hope that you all will so generously
donate and help end breast cancer. I am at $1700.00 right now
and need $600.00 by Sept 10th. The walk is Sept 14th – 16th.
Walking 60 miles in 3 days is the least I can do. We don't get to
choose, we don't have a say whether or not we are diagnosed with
breast cancer. No one gets a choice in their diagnosis. But, I DO
have a choice. I have a choice to support and help the fight to end
this dreadful disease. I have chosen to fundraise and to walk. It is
the least I can do for all the people in our lives that weren't given
a choice.
Ways to donate:
 Give cash or check directly to me
 Send check to the Susan G Komen – I can email/give
you a form.
 Go online – www.the3day.org – click on donate now,
click on search for participant, type my name “Dana
Haugstad” and donate.
 I will be raffling off great stuff for the month of August,
come and check out the raffle items and buy a ticket.
Maybe you will win! 
Thank you for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have
people like you in my life!
Love, Dana Haugstad ~ A Pink Warrior
P.S. Do not wait - donate today!
Samantha Bean your payroll person will also take part in the 3
day walk.
Samantha is
walking to honor
her late
Grandmother, Iris
Faith Justice.
Her grandmother
passed away three
years ago from
lung cancer but
that isn't where
her journey began.
Her grandmother
was first
diagnosed with
Breast Cancer in
1992 when Samantha was only 6. She began chemo therapy,
radiation and had a mastectomy to remove her entire breast. After
8 months of treatment she was then in remission and was there for
the birth of her third grandchild.
Eight years later Iris found another lump in her other breast and
had an immediate mastectomy and began a more aggressive
treatment of radiation and chemo once more.
Within five months her cancer was in remission and she
continued to have a very active part in raising her grandchildren.
In 2008 she was then diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and
again began a very intense and very aggressive chemo and
radiation treatment as this time the cancer was far more
progressed than ether times before. Iris continued to fight her
cancer every day even when it was getting the better of her.
Samantha was in her early twenties this time and remembers the
strength her grandmother demonstrated through the years and
especially through this tough battle.
Although Iris ultimately lost her fight with cancer in January of
2009 her memory will forever live in her families’ hearts.
Samantha is walking 60 miles to show the strength her
grandmother passed on to her and help find a cure for breast
cancer.
Ways to donate:
 Give cash or check directly to me
 Send check to the Susan G Komen – I can email/give
you a form.
 Go online – www.the3day.org – click on donate now,
click on search for participant, type my name “Samantha
Bean” and donate.
Or use direct link http://tinyurl.com/bwaedgh
Thank you to all donors, sponsors, friends and family for your
support! Let's find the cure and end breast cancer!
Samantha