Veteran's Day

Top 10 ways to honor a veteran on Veterans Day


Americans celebrate Memorial Day in the spring and Veterans Day in the fall. While it can be easy to confuse the two holidays, Memorial Day is set aside to honor American’s war dead; Veterans Day is intended to honor the service of all U.S. veterans, both living and dead.
In fact, celebrations surrounding Veterans Day often place a special emphasis on thanking all living U.S. military veterans who have or are currently serving in any U.S. armed service.  And it’s the perfect time for all Americans to show appreciation for their service.
The best way to thank a military U.S. veteran for his or her service depends on the individual and his or her needs. But the most important thing is to do something to show your gratitude.


Here are 10 ideas to get you thinking about how to be grateful for veterans on November 11.
1. Raise. Display the American flag in your yard to demonstrate your support of veterans everywhere.
2. Listen. Strike up a conversation with a disabled or homeless veteran and be an active listener as you hear about their experience.
3. Speak. Simply say, “Thank you” to veterans you see.
4. Reach out. Contact a disabled or homeless veteran whom you know and spend some quality time together.
5. Support. Send a donation to organizations that support the special needs of veterans.
6. Find. Trace your ancestry and identify how many veterans are in your family.
7. Write. Send a letter to someone who’s currently serving in the military.
8. Visit. Visit a disabled veteran in his or her home or a homeless veteran on the street.
9. Learn. Educate yourself on the challenges veterans face when retiring from service to rejoin civilian life.
10. Share. Use your social media to help celebrate Veteran’s Day and acknowledge the service of all veterans.


To learn more ways to honor a veteran on November 11, visit http://www.wallawalla.va.gov/Misc/Honor_Veteran.asp. 


To all our American heroes, we at the Mars Insurance Agency thank you for your service to our country.


Did you know? Veteran’s Day is always celebrated on November 11, regardless of the day of the week. It’s also a federal holiday, so federal government employees take the day off on Monday if the 11th falls on a Sunday, and they take the day off on Friday if the 11th falls on a Saturday.


Contact Us!
At Mars Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 815-459-0711 or send us a note at marsinsurance@marsinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!


Content provided by Safeco Insurance

Night Driving Dangers

A little extra caution can go a long way while driving at night.


Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their own pleasures — including high school football games and evening hayrides — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads.


You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23% of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50% of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC).


Because we’re big advocates for safety at Mars Insurance, we thought it would be helpful to take a look at why night driving is more dangerous, and what you can do to decrease that danger.






What’s dangerous about night driving?
1. Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different parts of the eye (such as iris, pupil and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is actually slightly improved, but it’s more difficult to focus on objects ahead of you. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well.

2. Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means, by the time they see something on the road, it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it.

3. Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66% of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts. 






So what do you do?
Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night. So here are some tips to help you make a safe trip — whether you’re just running to the store, or you’re headed all the way to and from a Bears game.

1. Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but turn signals, taillights, etc.

2. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip.

3. Be more aware of your surroundings. You shouldn’t be using your phone, messing around with the radio or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road anyway — and distractions are even more deadly at night.




Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, the best thing is to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out!




Sidebar:
We’re open all day!
When you’re driving around during the day, stop in to Mars Insurance for a review of your coverage. We won’t keep you after dark, we promise. Just give us a call at 815-459-0711. We’re here to help!


Contact Us!


Content provided by Safeco Insurance

Fire Hazard - From 9-Volt Batteries

Do you have a “junk drawer” somewhere in your house?  Most people do, and most of us probably don’t give a second thought to what we put in it.  We probably should since there may be items that, when thrown in together, can start a fire.  People have all sorts of stuff in a “junk drawer.”  One of those things could cause a fire, such as a 9-volt battery.

In a demonstration, items like keys, the clip of a pen and paper clips were put on a 9-volt battery and set next to a tissue.  In minutes, the battery heated up.  In approximately 10 minutes, the tissue had already browned.  The same process works even faster with steel wool.



There are easy solutions.  Just take a piece of electrical tape and put it across the battery posts.  It’s a simple move to protect your house from a common, but very real risk.  Experts also say it’s dangerous to store 9-volt batteries in containers with other batteries, as this can also cause a fire.



Article taken from Standard Mutual Insurance Company News & Views – May, 2014

Travelers Survey: Parents' Good Driving Behavior Decreases Likelihood of Teen Accidents

Travelers recently released the results of its Parent/Teen Safe Driving Survey, which reveals that teens who feel their parents are good role models as drivers are half as likely to have been in an accident.

The survey also found that the vast majority of teens (96 percent) have had conversations with their parents about safe driving.  Key findings from the survey are as follows:

PARENTS AS ROLE MODELS

Parents play a critical role in influencing teen driving behavior.

1.  Accidents - 24% of teens who report their parents are not good driving role models have been in more than 1 accident as a driver, compared to 10% of teens who report their parents are good role models as drivers.

2.  Tickets - 15% of teens who report their parents are not good driving role models as drivers have been issued more than 1 ticket (speeding or other moving violation), compared to 6% of teens who report their parents are good role models as drivers.



DISCONNECT OVER TOP DRIVING CONCERNS

The survey found that parents and teens do not always see eye-to-eye when it comes to certain driving-related risks.  Among the largest disconnects are:

1.  Driving under the influence - 66%of teens are concerned about driving under the influence of alcohol, compared to 14% of parents.

2.  Distracted driving (mobile/smartphone) - 56% of teens are concerned about distracted driving as a result of mobile/smartphones, versus 35% of parents.

3.  Staying aware of other drivers on the road - 52% of teens are concerned about staying aware of other drivers on the road, compared to 31% of parents.



Make sure you are promoting and demonstrating safe driving habits for your teen driver.  Parents can visit Travelers.com for additional tips and resources to help their teens be safe on the road.



(Taken from Travelers Insights for January 2014)

Camping & Outdoor Safety

More and more families are enjoying the pleasures of camping and outdoor life. Some advance planning will make camping trips more enjoyable and safer.  Look for a campsite that offers good drainage, with a good combination of sun and shade.  Check the area for hazards, and instruct children about things to avoid such as poisonous plants, wild animals and moving vehicles.

Here are a few more safety tips to help you enjoy your time in the great outdoors:

• Wear shoes, sandals or moccasins at your campsite; glass, cans, sharp rocks and hot embers can hurt bare feet
• If you bring perishable food, use a portable ice chest to keep it from spoiling
• Keep the site clean. Dispose of cans, bottles and garbage safely in a campground trash can or appropriate receptacle
• Obey signs and warnings concerning wildlife.  If raccoons, skunks, porcupines or other small animals come to your campsite, scare them away with a flashlight or a loud noise.  IMPORTANT:  Don't keep food in your tent where it can be smelled by animals -- store it away from the campsite
  
• Never leave a fire unattended.  When finished with it, spread the burned pieces/embers out, soak them touroughly with water, and then cover them with sand

These safety tips will keep you and others safe but it will keep the campground clean and safe from fires.

Information was provided to us by Safety Sense Enterprises Inc.

Please remember while you are away, do not share your events on social networking sites as it tells people you are not at home and leaves your home vulnerable to break in.

Be sure to have someone check on your home regularly - having lights scheduled to turn on and off at various times in different rooms is recommended to appear as if you are at home.  Remember, lights turning on and off at the same time could indicate a homeowner is away.
If you have pets, remember to either board them away from the home or be sure to have someone come to check on them daily.

My brother is getting married this upcoming June to one of the most wonderful women I have had the honor of meeting.  I have volunteered to throw a bridal shower for them and I wanted to share a couple of the ideas that I have done to make it special for them.
The first game I decided to do for them was a word search.

Going to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Married!

The wedding bells are ringing
And the guests are seated. Help
Us find the wedding party so
We can cue the music!

L    B    M   A   R  Y   N  A   T   T    I   R   B

K   D    F    T    I    F    F  A   N  Y   W  R  J

G    Z    D   Q   C   Y   K  C   I    R   T   A  P

C   W   H    J     X   E    E  T   J    C   S   U  T

D   N    C   O    E    L   A   I   P   N   X  C   P

V   R    W   H    Z    L   N  V   Z   Q  U  B   T

W  I     E    N    H    E   A  Y   M  A  R   Y   L

V   E    R    M   P    I   D   H   S   G   O  P   S

O   B    D   T    E   N   Z   T    R   V   D  A  R

T   Q    N   D   S   A   A   O   B   U  R   L   I

W  M   A   Z   O   D   D   M  J   A  V   Q   E

J    S    A   B    J    Y   W   I    J   D  O   Q  O

E   N    P   G   N   W   D   T   P   Z  G   F    J

Andrew      Brittany
Joe             Danielle
Eirn            Dana
John           Mary
Joseph       Sara
Patrick       Tiffany
Timothy      Mary



By Mary Marsh



Everyone at Mars Insurance Agency sends best wishes to the happy couple!

Safe Driving on Ice and Snow

Driving safely on icy roads

Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

Keep your lights and windshield clean.

Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid:

Take your foot off the accelerator.

Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.

If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid:

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck:

Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.

Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.

Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.

Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

Try rocking your vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Most importantly, if you don't have to drive, stay off the road and stay safe.

Information provided by the Weather Channel.

Vacationing in Mexico - Safety

I recently went on a vacation to Mexico…yes that dangerous place where everyone tells you not to go because something terrible is bound to happen to you. I have heard this from so many different people the last couple of years and I find it very difficult to group an entire country into one statement. There are certain places in Mexico that I feel much safer in than I do in my own town. Today I am going to share 14 safety precautions to take while on vacation in Mexico, or anywhere for that matter, to ensure your safety and also to not get ripped off.

#1 Make sure to never say it is your first time visiting because you are a target to get higher prices.
#2 Do research on how much taxi rides and/or rental cars should be.
#3 If you are a female make sure when you are walking to keep your purse close to your body and on the side facing away from the street. Smaller purses, preferably ones that can be wrapped around your wrist, are better.
#4 If it is your honeymoon, as tempting as it may be, do not say you are honeymooners because you are once again a target.
#5 Always check your bill especially if you have been drinking because in resort and common vacation locations they will try to charge you for extra drinks.
#6 If you do rent a car, gas attendants will require they fill up your tank. Make sure to watch them zero out the amount from the previous driver.
#7 If you meet someone at the airport or on the plane and they seem nice never share a cab with them to your hotel/house/condo that you are renting. They then know where you are staying and can  break in when you aren't there or worse, when you are there. This is a scam that can happen anywhere. Don’t let anyone know where you are staying.
#8 An obvious one is to not walk around after midnight with a group or by yourself. It isn't safe in the States and it isn't safe while traveling.
#9 This is a personal preference, but if you are concerned about getting any jewelry stolen then leave them at home. Vacation is a time to relax, not to be paranoid.

#10 There are dangerous places in Mexico but the best place to go is an island like Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. Their livelihood is based on you coming back. There are typically police and military all over these island for protection, to ensure tourism keeps booming.
#11 Trip insurance is always a good idea. Don’t get it through the airlines because it will only cover your flight and it quite costly. Go through an independent trip insurance provider and it will run you about $60. It could save you a lot of money and hassle.
#12 It is a good idea to make photo copies of your passport, major credit cards and bank account information. This is not to carry with you but to keep in the hotel safe just in case something happens to the originals.

#13 Do not post on Facebook that you will be away because that allows for an easy home invasion.
#14 Ask a neighbor to get your mail instead of stopping it all together. Anyone at the Post Office can then see who is on vacation and, once again, that welcomes in an opportunity for a  home invasion while you are away.


Safe Travels!    

Mary K. Marsh

Safety For Your Home While Traveling

It’s so exciting to go on a vacation, isn't it?  To go on a trip to a new, exotic place.  It’s hard not to be excited, right?  There are so many things to do before you go – pack your bags, check with the airline, make sure the camera is charged….did you pack the sunscreen?  One of the most important steps in preparing for a trip is to make sure that your home is secure while you are away.  There are several easy steps you can take to make sure your home and property are safe in your absence.

First and foremost, make your home look like it’s still occupied!  There are several ways to do this.  This is an easy one especially if you have an animal at home that will need tending while you are gone.  Have a trusted friend or neighbor come by daily (at varying times) to take care of your pets.  If you don’t have a pet at home, have someone come by and bring in your mail.  Having your mail service stopped is a sure sign to a burglar that no one is home.  If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, have someone come by and shovel your walk or mow your grass, water the garden or take out your trash on garbage day.

Most people will use a timer on their interior lights to make it look like they are home.  While this is a good idea, if you set an interior timer to go off at the same time every day, if a would-be burglar is watching your house this will indicate that you are not home.  The trick is to purchase a timer that can be set for varying times of day or if you have the ability, control the lights at home from your cell phone while you are gone – at different times during the day and night.  You also might want to consider installing a motion sensor light inside that way if someone does get into your home they may be fooled into thinking that someone is there after all and change their mind about what they’re doing.

 In addition, DON’T advertise on-line that you are going to be away and for how long!  This is very hard for people to resist.  It’s so tempting to want to tell all of your 300 closest social media friends that you are going on a fabulous trip.  Try to resist uploading vacation photos while you are still away.  I know you think everyone else wants to see the play by play of your vacation but they can wait until you have returned.
Other good rules of thumb are to make sure to have your electronics plugged into a surge protector so that in the event of a power outage your computer and television are not damaged.  Keep your thermostat set between 55 and 80 degrees and have someone run the water for a bit when they come by to check on the house.  This will ward off damage from frozen pipes.   Be sure to take your insurance agents phone number and your insurance policy number with you on your trip.  This way in the event that something does go wrong while you’re away, you will know just who to call.  Bon voyage!

Airplane Travel - Protect Yourself From Illness

While traveling …seeing the person on your airplane wearing a surgical mask, can be rather frightening!  Are they protecting you or themselves?  As it turns out, it may be both, according to Flustore.com.  It can help you avoid breathing in the infectious germs as well as protect those around you, by you not breathing out the germs onto others.

There are several other ways to protect yourself during air travel from various infectious illnesses.  Some basic simple steps may help you get to your destination healthy.

 Drink plenty of fluids, before and during your flight.  To save money, bring an empty water bottle to the airport and fill it from a water fountain after going through security

 Wash your hands often.  When soap and water are not available, bring along hand sanitizer.

 Be rested before you travel so that your body is stronger to fight the germs

 Get vaccinated against the flu

 Bring along zinc lozenges, vitamin C and Zicam

 Avoid the seat pocket in front of you.  People put everything in there, tissues, baby diapers, used food wrappers all carrying germs you do not want





Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!  Eating healthy, reducing stress, exercising regularly and getting enough rest may be enough to help you stay healthy!

Super Bowl Fun Facts

In gearing up for the Super Bowl, we thought we would share some weird Super Bowl facts to keep you entertained.  On game day, be sure to throw a few of these useless informative facts out there just for fun.

1. On the Monday following the Super Bowl, on average, 6% of the workforce calls in sick to work. While it is often assumed that people are just faking, in reality, quite a few are actually sick – usually from overdoing it with the food, drinks or both.

2. Super Bowl Sunday is the second leading day for food consumption in the U.S., the first being Thanksgiving according to the USDA

3. The sale of antacids goes up by nearly 20% the day after the Super Bowl.

4. Chuck Howley of the Dallas Cowboys was the first defensive player ever named Super Bowl MVP and he was also the first player to be named a Super Bowl MVP from the losing team.

5. The first celebrity to perform at halftime during the Super Bowl was Carol Channing in 1970.
She sang a tribute to the City of New Orleans

6. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there are more alcohol related accidents on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year aside from St. Patrick’s Day.

7. It is estimated that 35% of all Super Bowl tickets that are sold are written off as a corporate expense.

8. 72 footballs will be on hand for use during the Super Bowl.

9. The toilet is flushed more times during halftime of the Super Bowl than any other time of the year.

10. The average number of people at any given Super Bowl Party is 17.

11. 1.23 billion Chicken wings fans will be enjoying more than 100 million pounds of chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday according to the National Chicken Council.

12. 9 out of 10 watchers are going to be at a home this Super Bowl, either their house or someone else’s house.  Boy that’s a lot of Super Bowl parties.

13. 11.2 million pounds of potato chips will be consumed during the televising of the big game.  But all those chips come with a price. Those many bags of chips will account for 27 billion calories and 1.8 billion grams of fat. Those grams of fat all add up too – it’s equal to four million pounds of fat nationally.  Information provided by Calorie Control Council and Snack Food Association.

14. 51.7 Million Cases of beer are sold to quench Super Bowl fan’s and help wash down all the food eaten on this day.

15. The first Super Bowl Rings were given to the winning team in the first Super Bowl played in 1967, the winning team……. The Green Bay Packers.

The Good and Bad of Credit Scoring

Most people are aware that one of many underwriting factors used in determining one's actual auto or homeowner insurance rate is credit scoring.  What many do not know is that a good credit score helps to lower your insurance cost.  The Insurance Information Institute, according to a recent article from Safeco Insurance, indicates that upwards of two-thirds of policyholders have a lower premium because of good credit.

The bad side of credit scoring is that the other one-third of policyholders have higher premiums due to their credit history.  The remedy is obviously trying to improve your credit in the future to more favorably affect your insurance premiums.

So, the next time you receive the privacy notice from your insurance company indicating that your credit score has affected your insurance premium, do not think that this is a bad thing.  You are most likely in the two-thirds of those policyholders who are getting better premiums because of good credit.


Frank Zimmerman

To Your Health.........

We are a society that is constantly on the go.  Between getting the kids ready for school, going to work, doing the grocery shopping, running to our children's events, sports events, taking care of the house, etc. we, often times, neglect our bodies and don't eat right or exercise.

During the cold winter months, taking care and eating right are increasingly more important.  However, that is the time we usually run through a drive through, go home and curl up with a blanket because it is just too cold to do anything.

With the Flu and illness on the rise, hospitals and doctors offices are feeling the stress of treating an overwhelming amount of patients these days.  Your health begins with you.  Eat right, exercise, rest an adequate amount and you will be stronger to ward off illnesses.

Each one of us has a unique sleep requirement but our sleep needs depends upon age, sex and various genetic factors.  On average, the human body (depending on age) will require between 7-9 hours of sleep a night.  Sleep recharges the body.  Much like a laptop computer, you can only run it so long before the battery fails and you need to plug it in to recharge it.  The human body requires rest to recharge.

We all hear about how we need to eat a balanced diet but how many of us who are on the go all the time actually eat balanced and healthy foods? Our friends at www.helpguide.org have some easy tips for planning a healthy diet and will help make it easier for you to stick to a healthy way of eating.  "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" isn't far off.  Healthy food increases the bodies ability to ward off virus'.

Exercise is something we all need but many lack.  In fact, for some, the most exercise they receive is running the other way when someone mentions the mere idea of exercise.  Did you know that after age 34 the human brain can lose up to 7,000 brain cells per day?  Did you know that exercise is what allows the brain to replenish those lost brain cells?  Drinking and smoking increases the number of lost brain cells.
So, lets provide you with some simple, no equipment exercises that you can do to help you on your way to a healthier you.  RealAge.com will provide you with some simple workouts that just about everyone can do and there is no equipment required, so don't feel like you have to run out to get that gym membership started.

I would like to leave you with a recipe that is great on these cold days and is good for you too.


TORTILLA SOUP from Eva Longoria's cookbook

I use between 4 to 5 pounds of skinless boneless chicken thighs (original recipe calls for 4 pounds chicken legs and 4 pounds chicken thighs)
12 cups cold water
4 dried pasilla chiles
4 dried ancho chiles
6 tomatoes, chopped
1 large white onion, diced
6 large garlic cloves, peeled
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
2 large bunches of fresh cilantro, leaves chopped
-------
For serving:
36 white or yellow corn tortillas, sliced into 1/4 inch think strips I personally like to use flour tortillas instead
1 head iceberg lettuce, cored and shredded
6 large avocados, pitted, peeled, and diced
A little more chopped fresh cilantro

1) In a large stockpot, place chicken legs and/or thighs in cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until the chicken is opaque throughout and tender when pierced with a fork, about 30 min. With a slotted spoon remove the chicken from the pot an set aside to cool. Set aside the stockpot of broth. As soon as the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull off and shred the meat; discard skin and bones (which you don't have to worry about if using skinless, boneless).

2) Place the pasilla and ancho chiles in a medium saucepan, add cold water to cover. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until the chiles are soft, about 10 min. Drain the chiles and remove their stems and veins. If you want a spicier bite, keep the seeds; if not, removed the seeds as well.

3) In the food processor, place the chiles  tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt. (reduce the salt if doctor recommends a low salt diet) Process until smooth, adding a 1/2 cup of the reserved chicken broth to loosen the mixture if it is too thick.

4) Stir the chili puree and half of the cilantro into the broth. Bring to a simmer over low heat, and simmer for 20 -30 min. Taste and add salt if needed (we never do). Stir in the shredded chicken and the remaining cilantro and remove the pot from the heat.

5) Original recipe calls for frying the tortilla strips for 45 seconds. Baking them in the oven will cut down on the oil simply by lining a baking sheet with the strips of tortillas, brush lightly with olive oil if you'd like, bake in oven 350 degrees for just a few minutes. Check them often and take them out when they seem to curl up and get crisp.

6) To serve, put a few tortillas strips and a big scoop of lettuce in a soup bowl. Ladle the soup into the bowl. Top with avocado and more fresh chopped cilantro, and enjoy!



Mars Insurance wishes you a Happy and Healthy day.

Alcohol and Tobacco Risks for Head and Neck Cancer

While tobacco and alcohol use are the main causes of head and
neck cancer, other risk factors include viral infections, sun exposure
and inhalation of carcinogenic materials.

The most common is cigarettes, but chewing tobacco has been gaining popularity, especially among young users. Although users of cigar and pipe tobacco tend not to inhale the carcinogens into their lungs, they are still at risk for lip, mouth, tongue, and throat cancers.


The use of chewing tobacco has tripled over the last 20 years, with a third of the users under age 21. Prolonged use increases the cancer risk five times when compared with a non-tobacco user. When heavy alcohol and tobacco are used together, the combined effect may increase the risk 100-fold. 75 to 80 percent of cancer cases are the result of heavy tobacco or alcohol use.


Risk also increases with age and is more often seen in men than in women. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiency can also make a person more susceptible to these types of cancer. Many believe that good oral hygiene helps prevent head and neck cancers. Genetic factors have been investigated as a cause, though head and neck cancers are not believed to be hereditary.

Information provided by : "Cure" Cancer Updates, Research  & Education

See the contents of the chemicals within a cigarette at http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm.

Life insurance premiums are higher for individuals using tobacco.
On average, the following table depicts how much more this age group will pay for Life Insurance if they use tobacco.

Age 20 - 25% higher premium
Age 30 - 50% higher premium
Age 40 - 100% higher premium
Age 50 - 250% higher premium
Age 60 - 250-500% higher premium
All numbers are approximate

Why Do You Need an Umbrella Policy?

An Umbrella policy provides liability coverage beyond the limits of your auto and and homeowner's insurance.  An Umbrella policy kicks-in once you have exhausted the liability coverage under your home or auto policy.  For example; if you have a homeowner's policy with a $300,000 limit of liability and a $1,000,000 umbrella policy, you would have a total of $1.3 million in liability coverage.  Why would you need so much coverage you ask?  Even if your net worth is less than $1,000,000, in the event of a claim resulting in a lawsuit you could be ordered to pay based on your current assets as well as future earnings. An umbrella can also cover your defense costs.

Parents of youthful or inexperienced operators may want to consider purchasing an Umbrella policy.  Have an inexperienced driver in your household can substantially increase your liability exposure.  As a parent and policyholder you can be held liable for injuries or property damages caused by your teenage driver.  It's important to have adequate coverage for a serious accident.

An Umbrella policy can be an inexpensive way to cover your assets.  The cost of an Umbrella policy can vary per risk, however someone who owns one home and two cars might pay an average of $150 for a $1,000,000 Umbrella policy.  Additional limits of $2,000,000 and up are available with most carriers for an additional premium of approximately another $100 per million.  If you break the annual premium down $12.50 per month seems like a small price to pay for an additional $1,000,000 worth of liability coverage.

Insurance Explained

Happy 2013!


We thought we would start off the New Year explaining the general principles of insurance.

Many people wonder why rates continue to go up when they have not had a claim; therefore we would like to explain the logistics of insurance.

Imagine a giant swimming pool; Insurance is much like that giant pool.

Looks refreshing doesn't it?

When you purchase a policy you are paying into that pool.
If you file a claim against your insurance policy because a roof has been damaged or a car was hit, the claim is being paid out of that pool rather than from the money you have paid in for your premiums.

In addition to that very few people stay with the same company for any extended period of time so you are starting over in a different pool every time you switch companies.

Say a neighborhood of 100 houses is hit with hail damage and they all need their roof replaced. Each roof may cost $18,000 to replace…that means one neighborhood in the U.S. could cost insurance companies $1,800,000 for one storm. Usually these storms hit several neighborhoods in any given region. Millions upon millions of dollars are paid out for just one storm.

Over the course of one’s life, it will take a long time to pay $18,000 in insurance premiums to account for the value of a roof replacement. Example: if your homeowners premium is $1,000 a year, it would take 18 years to pay enough premium to pay for the roof replacement that was claimed on your policy.

Because of the high rate of storms we have had in 2011 and 2012, insurance companies have needed to increase premium rates to be able to cover everyone within the "pool" mentioned above which we all share.

It may be very frustrating and inconvenient but we can all find comfort in knowing that if we get hit with some bad luck we will have insurance to fall back on. Insurance is there for those catastrophic losses.

We hope this has shed some light on the operations of insurance companies.

As always, if you have any questions or need clarification we are always willing to talk to you!

We at Mars Insurance hope that 2013 will be your best year yet!



Mary K. Marsh

Mars Insurance Agency Inc

How Are Your Winter Driving Skills????

Driving during the winter takes specialized skills  in order to stay safe.  While the seasoned driver  may feel as if driving  in the winter months is common sense and second nature, a newer driver may not be aware of what to do to avoid an accident.

Test your knowledge for winter safety........................

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY QUIZ (answers at end)

1.  Hydro-planing is caused by:

     A.  Water spray from other vehicles

     B.  Lack of windshield wiper fluid

     C.  Driving too fast on wet roads

     D.  Icy roads

2.  While water turns to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, ice can form on roadways when the air temperature is above 32 degrees.

     True

     False

3.  The first winter storm of the season is considered by many to be the most dangerous because:

     A.  Many motorists are not prepared for winter weather.

     B.  Emergency crews may not be prepared.

     C.  You may not be accustomed to driving during winter weather conditions yet.

     D.  All of the above.

4.  It is beginning to snow and the roadway is almost snow covered.  Any delay could cause you to miss your appointment.  What should you do?

     A.  Move to the left lane to pass slower traffic.

     B.  Find somewhere safe to park and call ahead to let others know you will be late.  Continue driving  
          cautiously  if it is safe to do so, or stay put until conditions improve.

     C.  Convoy with four-wheel drive trucks that drive fast.

     D.  Take an alternate rout with less traffic to slow you down.

6.  You are at a four-way stop.  The roadway is snow covered and icy.  You have the right of way and proceed into the intersection as a vehicle approaches from the right.  The other driver is unable to stop and hits your vehicle in the intersection.  This accident is:

     A.  Preventable because you failed to anticipate that the other driver may have difficulty stopping.

     B.  Non-preventable because the other driver failed to stop.

     C.  Non-preventable because the other driver did not anticipate ice at the intersection.

7.  Steps to reducing weather-related accidents include:

     A.  Reducing speed

     B.  Increasing following distance

     C.  Turning and braking carefully on slippery roads

     D.  All of the above

8.  Ice forms more readily in the following areas:

     A.  On bridges and overpasses

     B.  Shaded areas

     C.  At intersections

     D.  All of the above

9.  During severe, adverse weather, such as heavy snow, glaring ice, torrential rain. or very strong winds, you should:

     A.  Follow the vehicle in front of you.

     B.  Find a safe place to park and wait for conditions to improve.

     C.  Wait for a police escort.

     D.  Block the roadway to stop traffic.

10.  To increase visibility during adverse weather conditions, you should:

     A.  Flash your headlights.

     B.  Turn your four-way flashers on.

     C.  Turn your headlights on.

     D.  All of the above.



Answers:  1 = C, 2 = B, 3 = T, 4 = D, 5 = B, 6 = A, 7 = D, 8 = D, 9 = B, 10 = C.

Drive cautiously and defensively!!!

Let us know you you did at https://www.facebook.com/MarsInsurance

Wonderful Words to Live by.... A Message from Rob Jost

December 20, 2012, is my parents 65th Wedding Anniversary.
The most important values my parents always stressed to me were my attitude and work ethic. I have always believed that I wasn't the "sharpest knife in the drawer"but I also knew that I had a positive attitude and I liked to work hard.

But this blog is supposed to be about Christmas and include a family recipe. Well here it goes...

I really believe that everyday we walk the earth it is Christmas. We take so much for granted. We are so lucky. Yes, EVERYBODY has issues; family, money, job, and health. But to me that's Life. The old saying goes "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans". My parents had issues, family, money, job, and health. My father lost his dad in 1948 and his mom in 1968. My mother lost her dad in 1951and her mom 30 years next month. Believe everyday is Christmas. Be nice to people EVERYDAY! Smile, EVERYDAY! Laugh, EVERYDAY! I believe Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

This recipe was on the kitchen wall of my wife's parents home. Since we have been married it has always been on our kitchen wall wherever we lived.

4 cups of love Take love and loyalty, mix it thoroughly with faith,

3 cups of forgiveness blend in tenderness, forgiveness and understanding,

6 cups of understanding friendship and hope - Sprinkle abundantly with laughter

2 cups of tenderness - Take it with sunshine.

1 barrel of laughter

2 cups of loyalty Serve Generous Helpings Daily!

4 cups of friendship

5 spoons of hope

6 cups of faith



Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!! Happy 2013

Rob Jost
Mars Insurance Agency Inc

A Special Gift from Santa - Jim Klocek's Walk Down Memory Lane

When everyone in the agency decided to share a part of Christmas on this blog, it took some time for me to think of what I should share. But as time passed, I had to think of my favorite Christmas present ever, and then it came to me.

When I was 2 years old I received a new rocking horse from Santa, which I still have today. That horse and I spent years watching Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, The Lone Ranger and The Cisco Kid on our 10" Black & White TV. How times have changed, but I still cherish this present.

Now that I have grandkids, they enjoy a ride on my trusty old steed. Not bad for a 63 year old nag!

Hey Cisco; Hey Pancho and a Hi Ho Silver....Now I watch ME TV to see all the reruns I enjoyed as a boy.



Growing up in a Polish family, I have carried out the traditional baking of my family. This bread is made every Christmas and every Easter. I hope you enjoy.

Babka

(Polish Bread)



3 cups scalded milk


1 cup shortening
3 cups sugar         
2 tsp salt

combine the above 3 ingredients and melt by adding the scalded milk while it is still hot


  6 large eggs well beaten

1 ½ cakes of yeast or 4 packages dissolved in 1 cup warm water ( add a little sugar )



12 cups of flour

2-3 cups of raisins



Combine all ingredients after yeast has doubled. Knead the dough well until smooth. Place in 5-6 bread pans (greased) filled about half way and let rise.

Bake in oven about 1 hour at 350 until starts to brown, brush top with egg or butter and let brown the last 5 minutes.


Great plain or toasted, with butter and makes awesome French Toast.

Have a Merry Christmas Jim Klocek

The Little Christmas Cabin - Julie Shoffner

The Little Christmas Cabin


I have always considered myself a creative soul so it’s not surprising that most of my favorite holiday memories revolve around the act of making something either with someone or for someone. Whether I’m preparing a meal, baking cookies or making ornaments I have always enjoyed creating something unique and special for the people I love. Now that I am a parent I especially enjoy making things with my seven year old son. Aside from the usual cookies and candies we make, we have a special project that we work on every year for my husband. Many years ago my husband’s grandfather crafted a small log cabin that he placed under the family Christmas tree. When my husband was a little boy his mother started adding some additional details to the little Christmas cabin. A light was added on the inside as well as some little chairs and a tiny table. She even added a tiny flower painting on the wall. My mother-in-law has since passed on and my husband has inherited the little Christmas cabin. Now every year my son and I add a little something to it to make it more like a cozy little home. One year we added a Christmas tree inside. Last year we added a reindeer and some bears outside. This year my son added six little Christmas carolers. If you look close enough at the photo below you can see two tiny carolers singing by the tree. Maybe next year there will be a turkey dinner on the table too.

Another project my son and I do each year once the weather is below freezing is to make Ice Lanterns. A easy way to make your home look warm and cozy on a cold winter night. This is espcially pretty when there is snow on the ground or when you are hosting a holiday party.

How to Make An Ice Lantern:

You will need a large bucket, a plastic container smaller than the bucket (a coffee can works well), duct tape and a tea light or flamless candle.

1-fill the bucket 3/4 full of water. (if you want to get fancy you can add a bit of food coloring to the water)

2-place the smaller container inside the bucker of water but don't let it fill up with water.

3-place some rocks inside the smaller container to weigh it down so it sits about half way down into the water in the bucket but not all the way to the bottom.

4-place a strip of duct tape across the top of the large bucket so it holds down the smaller container in the water. Set aside until frozen solid.

5-run warm water over the outside of the large bucket to remove the ice from the bucket. Run some warm water inside the small container to loosen and remove it. This leaves an indentation in the lantern into which you can place the candle.

You can make several of these to line your front stairs, sidewalk or driveway!

Have a wonderful Holiday.

Julie Shoffner