http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/blog/View C & E Insurance and Financial Services's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.mdautoinsurance.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:f8ef39c9-e7cf-4b99-9acf-3764197dc109urn:uuid:afc079da-63b3-4923-bde0-a0a876347f4d Above: Owners of C&amp;E Insurance, Jon Christiana(left) and Crystal Ellis(right) with Marketing Director from Westminster American Insurance Company, Jack Rasmussen(center). Every Year Westminster American Insurance Company takes the lead in enco...Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:15:58 -0500<span style="font-size: 16px;"><img width="478" height="312" alt="" style="width: 583px; height: 440px;" src="/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/Troop%20Trunk.JPG" /><br /> <br /> <em><span style="font-size: 13px;">Above: Owners of C&amp;E Insurance, Jon Christiana(left) and Crystal Ellis(right) with Marketing Director from Westminster American Insurance Company, Jack Rasmussen(center).</span></em><br /> <br /> Every Year Westminster American Insurance Company takes the lead in encouraging employees, families, industry partners, local businesses, and agencies like us, <em>C&amp;E Insurance</em> to collect care package items to send to soldiers in need. This year they collected over <strong>3,300 pounds</strong> of care package items&nbsp;that were sent to 46 different groups found through agents, friends, goarmyparents.com, anysoldier.com, operationshoebox.com, and many other support websites. <br /> <br /> The following note was received from soldier, Richard Boone, who is serving in Afghanistan. <br /> <br /> <em>&ldquo;</em><em>We received the two boxes today. I opened them and put them on the table and told everyone in the unit here to please take what you need. You have no idea what it means to us over here, living a dust bowl daily, what it is like to receive care packages from home. Every one of us want to say a great big thank you from the bottom of our hearts.&rdquo;</em><br /> <br /> It is so&nbsp;important to help our soldiers and support the troops. Good efforts&nbsp;were made by&nbsp;our clients who helped us gather care packages. <strong>Thank You!</strong></span>urn:uuid:f139ddce-5283-446e-bdd6-c0da4c6f5facCheck out this fun article about local Dundalk Skateboarder Star, Buckey Lasek. http://dundalk.patch.com/articles/dundalk-skateboard-star-in-ocean-city-eventWed, 27 Jul 2011 09:09:31 -0500<span style="font-size: 18px;">Check out this fun article about local Dundalk Skateboarder Star, Buckey Lasek. <br /> </span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://dundalk.patch.com/articles/dundalk-skateboard-star-in-ocean-city-event">http://dundalk.patch.com/articles/dundalk-skateboard-star-in-ocean-city-event</a><br />urn:uuid:439a461c-c9d0-49f9-88e8-40d4d646db6aCheck out this cool video showing how choosing an independent insurance agent, like&nbsp;one at C&amp;E Insurance and Financial&nbsp;Services,&nbsp;will help you have more options when it comes to protecting the important things in life.&nbsp;&nbsp; ...Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:53:37 -0500Check out this cool video showing how choosing an independent insurance agent, like&nbsp;one at C&amp;E Insurance and Financial&nbsp;Services,&nbsp;will help you have more options when it comes to protecting the important things in life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelersagentvideo.com/VLP1CD91C.aspx"><br /> <br /> <br /> https://www.travelersagentvideo.com/VLP1CD91C.aspx</a>urn:uuid:7e97794b-9608-48bd-93cd-3df126b2e9d2<img src='http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/summer-car-maintenance-7.jpg' align='left' /> Replace Your Windshield Wipers The summertime is notorious for sudden, violent thunderstorms. When buckets of water are beating against your windshield, you need wipers that really work. Even more so at night, when a rain storm can decrease visibi...Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:30:57 -0500<div class="bd"> <div class="line"><span style="font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Replace Your Windshield Wipers</strong></span> <div class="bd"> <div class="line"> <p>The summertime is notorious for sudden, violent <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/question646.htm">thunderstorms</a>. When buckets of water are beating against your windshield, you <em>need wipers that really work</em>. Even more so at night, when a rain storm can decrease visibility to 15 or 20 feet in front of your vehicle.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <center> <div style="padding-bottom: 3px; width: 400px; text-align: center;"><img width="400" height="300" class="article" alt="driving in a storm" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/summer-car-maintenance-7.jpg" /><br /> Altrendo Images/<a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.gettyimages.com">Getty Images</a><br /> <strong>Powerful storms can dump a lot of water on your car. Can your windshield wipers handle the downpour?</strong></div> </center> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>Winter can be tough on <a href="http://auto.howstuffworks.com/wiper.htm">windshield wipers</a>. Ice, snow, salt and extreme temperatures make cracks and tears in the rubber that lower the effectiveness of the wipers. If your wipers are leaving visible streaks or take several passes to clear away light rain, they need to be replaced.</p> <p>When replacing a wiper blade, it's <em>better to replace the whole blade</em>, not just the rubber part [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.napaonline.com/NapaKnowHow/NapaKnowHow.aspx?sect=w">NAPA Online</a>]. Go to an auto parts store and they'll be able to give you the right blades for your make, model and year. If you've never replaced wiper blades before, it can be a little tricky. Just take your time, read the instructions carefully and everything should work out. It's also a good idea to observe the way your original wiper blades were attached. This may prove more valuable than anything printed on the new wiper blade box.</p> </div> </div> <span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Clean Your Battery</span></strong></span> <div class="bd"> <div class="line"> <div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; width: 200px; text-align: center;"><img width="200" height="251" class="article" alt="Baking soda paste on car battery" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/summer-car-maintenance-10.jpg" /><br /> Mark Weiss/Digital Vision/<a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.gettyimages.com">Getty Images</a><br /> <strong>Corroded battery terminals prevent your car from running at its best. A paste of baking soda and water can clean it off.</strong></div> <p>Wintertime is notorious for dead <a href="http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm">batteries</a> and early morning jumpstarts. But the truth is that hot weather is even tougher on your battery.</p> <p>Summer heat can speed up the chemical reaction inside a battery, causing the battery to be overcharged [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/05/27/earlyshow/living/home/main510253.shtml">CBS News</a>]. This can dramatically shorten the lifespan of your battery. Heat can also damage the battery by evaporating internal battery fluid [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/dec2005/bw20051230_520984.htm">Car Care Council</a>].</p> <p>The best way to <em>keep your battery running smoothly is to keep it clean</em>. Regularly detach the battery cables and wipe off the terminals. Make sure the battery is strapped down tightly and that all connections are secure.</p> <p>If you suspect that your battery is being overcharged or isn't holding a charge well, take it to a service shop where they can run a quick battery inspection. And if you need to replace the battery, make sure that it's the right battery type for your specific make and model of car.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 10px;"><em>Source: How Stuff Works.com</em></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div>urn:uuid:46453997-f139-40e7-9227-d21dc3af8793Check Your Tires &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a car. According the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), only one out of 10 drivers checks his or her tire pressure correctly, compared with almost seven out...Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:21:01 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Check Your Tires</span></strong> <div class="bd"> <div class="line"> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a car. According the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), only one out of 10 drivers checks his or her <a href="http://auto.howstuffworks.com/pressure-gauge.htm">tire pressure</a> correctly, compared with almost seven out of 10 who wash their cars regularly [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.rma.org/tire_safety/tire_maintenance_and_safety/national_tire_safety_week/partner_kit_2008/Downloadables/FACTS%26%7E1/Tire%20Care%20Fact%20Sheet_2008.pdf">RMA</a>]. But the truth is that an under-inflated, over-inflated, worn down or misaligned tire can be extremely dangerous, particularly in hot summer weather.<br /> <br /> </p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tire pressure changes with the rising temperatures -- approximately one to two PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10-degree increase in outside air temperature [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.rma.org/tire_safety/tire_maintenance_and_safety/national_tire_safety_week/partner_kit_2008/Downloadables/TIRESA%7E1/RMABrochure_2007.pdf">RMA</a>]. Consult your owner's manual or the sidewall of your tire to see what your tire pressure should be and check it with a hand pressure gauge or just let the guys at the service shop do it for you.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An under-inflated tire bulges outward and puts undo pressure on the <strong>sidewalls</strong> of the tire. With enough heat and pressure, that tire eventually will blow. An over-inflated tire, on the other hand, makes less contact with the road and can lead to hydroplaning in wet conditions.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Use the penny trick to see if you still have enough tread on your tires. Stick a penny in the tread, and if Lincoln's head disappears, you're good [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/05/27/earlyshow/living/home/main510253.shtml">CBS News</a>]. Your local service shop or specialty tire store can also check your tires for proper alignment and balance.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And don't forget about your spare! There's no point in having a spare tire if your spare is in worse condition than the rest. Make sure the spare is properly inflated and has ample tread depth. <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;">"Flat" Tax<br /> </span></strong></p> <div class="body">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Besides being a safety concern, improperly inflated and misaligned tires can lower your car's fuel economy. If your tires are a total of eight pounds under-inflated -- not uncommon at all -- <em>you'll waste up to up to a gallon of gas per month</em> [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=summer-car-maintenance.htm&amp;url=http://www.partsamerica.com/Maintenance/MaintenanceFuelEconomy.aspx">PartsAmerica.com</a>]. </div> <br /> <span style="font-size: 10px;"><em>Source: How Stuff Works.com</em></span></div> </div>urn:uuid:c492bc48-aee0-47d5-bfc1-5bae1f2c0761In Travelers new TV commercial, the beloved Travelers dog overcomes the anxiety brought on by a pesky cat burglar with the help of Travelers. http://youtu.be/Siz4Q-valXkFri, 24 Jun 2011 11:21:33 -0500<em>In Travelers new TV commercial, the beloved Travelers dog overcomes the anxiety brought on by a pesky cat burglar with the help of Travelers. <br /> </em><br /> <a href="http://youtu.be/Siz4Q-valXk">http://youtu.be/Siz4Q-valXk</a><br />urn:uuid:0ce2604a-1bae-48ae-92b8-76febe3741e3What to do before, during, and after a Tornado strikes. Tornado Before Learn the warning signs and alert signals of your community. Understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch means that tornadoes may d...Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:26:38 -0500What to do <strong><em>before</em></strong>, <strong><em>during</em></strong>, and <strong><em>after </em></strong>a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Tornado</strong></span> strikes.<br /> <br /> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tornado</span></h3> <p><strong><em>Before</em></strong></p> <ul sizset="71" sizcache="3"> <li>Learn the warning signs and alert signals of your community. </li> <li>Understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch means that tornadoes may develop, while a warning means that a tornado has been sighted and you should seek shelter immediately. </li> <li sizset="71" sizcache="2">Prepare a <a href="http://www.travelers.com/claim/catastrophe-resources/disaster-tips.aspx#1" cmImpressionSent="1">survival kit</a>. </li> <li>Conduct drills with your family. Designate an area of your home as a shelter and practice what the plan would be should a tornado occur. </li> <li>Move cars and other outside objects inside the garage. </li> </ul> <p><strong><em>During</em></strong></p> <p><em>At home:</em></p> <ul> <li>Seek shelter away from windows in the center of the room. Basements and storm cellars are the best havens, but if there is no basement, take cover in a bathroom, closet, or under a sturdy piece of furniture. </li> </ul> <p><em>At work or School:</em></p> <ul> <li>Go to the basement or an inside hallway at the lowest level. Keep away from large, open areas such as auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums. Lie low and use your arms to protect the head and neck. </li> </ul> <p><em>In a car:</em></p> <ul> <li>Do not try to outrun the tornado. Stop the car, get out, and if there is no facility nearby to take shelter in, lie in a low area such as a ditch. </li> </ul> <p><strong><em>After</em></strong></p> <ul> <li>Keep calm. Stay in your shelter until after the storm is over. </li> <li>Listen to the radio or television for the latest storm information. </li> <li>Check for gas leaks or electrical system damage. </li> <li>Watch for downed power lines when going outside. </li> <li>Promptly report the loss to Travelers using the toll-free claim reporting number. </li> </ul>urn:uuid:149d4eb7-8660-46c7-9e39-dd97b1d7551dIt's a smart idea for every family to have a survival kit in case of emergencies. Survival Kit When preparing for a disaster, be sure to make a survival kit that includes: Canned or other non-perishable food Non-electric can opener F...Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:47:08 -0500<em>It's a smart idea for every family to have a survival kit in case of emergencies. <br /> </em><br /> <strong><span style="font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Survival Kit</span></strong> <p>When preparing for a disaster, be sure to make a survival kit that includes:</p> <ul> <li>Canned or other non-perishable food </li> <li>Non-electric can opener </li> <li>First aid kit and manual </li> <li>Portable radio and/or television </li> <li>Flashlights </li> <li>Extra batteries </li> <li>Water in non-breakable containers </li> <li>Prescription medicines as needed </li> <li>Extra clothing and blankets </li> <li>Emergency cash and credit cards </li> <li>A copy of your insurance policy </li> </ul> <p><em>Incase of a flood you want to do the following:</em></p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Flood</span></h3> <p><em>Before</em></p> <ul sizset="68" sizcache="3"> <li>Learn the flood warning signs and alert signals of your community. </li> <li>Collect emergency building materials if you live in a frequently flooded area: plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, nails, shovels and sandbags. </li> <li sizset="68" sizcache="2">Prepare a <a href="http://www.travelers.com/claim/catastrophe-resources/disaster-tips.aspx#1" cmImpressionSent="1" originalPath="http://www.travelers.com/claim/catastrophe-resources/disaster-tips.aspx#1" originalAttribute="href">survival kit</a>. </li> <li>Plan and practice an evacuation route. Establish a meeting place should your family get separated. </li> <li>Review how to shut off utilities in an emergency with all family members. </li> <li>Check your insurance policy. Ask your agent at C&amp;E Insurance about flood insurance. Homeowners policies do not usually cover flood damage. </li> </ul> <p><em>During</em></p> <ul> <li>Listen to a battery operated radio or television for the latest storm information. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. </li> <li>Move to high ground, avoid rising waters and do not walk or drive through any floodwaters. </li> <li>Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. </li> </ul> <p><em>After</em></p> <ul> <li>Listen to the radio and do not return home until authorities indicate it is safe to do so. </li> <li>Be watchful of snakes that may have found their way into your home. </li> <li>Throw away all food that has come in contact with floodwaters. </li> <li>If your basement has flooded, pump out the water gradually. Remove about 1/3 per day to avoid structural damage. </li> <li>Promptly report the loss to&nbsp;your insurance company. </li> </ul>urn:uuid:63ee9e9c-b731-4ba7-962d-2a9f8c6c80c3This time of year, &ldquo;trees&rdquo; are on many people&rsquo;s minds&hellip; Christmas trees that is! But what about the trees out in your yard and (especially) the ones near your house?&nbsp; No, we are not talking about how to get the lights up ...Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:13:59 -0600This time of year, &ldquo;trees&rdquo; are on many people&rsquo;s minds&hellip; Christmas trees that is! <p>But what about the trees out in your yard and (especially) the ones near your house?&nbsp; No, we are not talking about how to get the lights <em>up there</em>, but rather, about how to <em>keep those trees from coming down </em>in the next windstorm.</p> <p>Take some time to take a closer look at the large trees on your property, and check&nbsp;them top to bottom&nbsp;for warning signs&nbsp;of poor tree health.&nbsp;</p> <p>- Mushrooms around the base of the tree or on the&nbsp;trunk can be an indicator&nbsp;of rot or disease.</p> <p>- Watch out for cracks in the base of the tree or in the soil around the tree, or for mounding of soil around the tree.&nbsp; These may be indicators&nbsp;of broken or damaged roots that may cause the tree to begin leaning. (If the tree is already leaning, it is high time to call a specialist!)</p> <p>- Check for rot, cankers, cracks or splits, or other wounds on the tree trunk.&nbsp; These defects are harmful for the tree and can weaken it.</p> <p>- Trees with forked trunks or two tops can be more susceptible to&nbsp;breaking and faling in a storm.</p> <p>- Prune and/or cut dead and diseased wood as well as crossing and rubbing branches.&nbsp; This will keep your tree healthy.</p> <p>- Be aware of dead or dying branches:&nbsp; Especially in winter, the weight of ice and snow can cause them to fail.</p> <p>- If you have a dead tree or snag on your property, it may be safer to remove it even if it&rsquo;s still holding up.&nbsp; Dead trees are structurally unstable and are a safety hazard.</p> <p>- Also, check the drainage on your property.&nbsp; Very wet soil may have an impact on your tree&rsquo;s stability, and may also cause a variety of other problems such as root rot and decay.</p> <p>- If you live in a fairly new development, the land may have been cleared of trees.&nbsp; Trees that may have been protected by&nbsp;denser woods may now be free-standing&nbsp;and&nbsp;be more susceptible to disease.</p> <p>By the way:&nbsp; If a tree falls due to a windstorm or due to the&nbsp;weight of ice and snow, your homeowner&rsquo;s insurance will provide coverage to&nbsp;remove the tree and fix the damage&nbsp;<em>if there&nbsp;has been&nbsp;damage to your home (</em>a deductible will apply<em>)</em>.&nbsp; However, if there is no damage to your home, your insurance will <em>not</em> pay for tree-removal services.<br /> <br /> </p> <br />urn:uuid:83829e80-a330-472b-b19c-b28e184f4a45 Just like Flo says, you can save money when you bundle your auto and home insurance!&nbsp; Give us a call for more details!Mon, 24 May 2010 08:19:52 -0500<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r5hGJ0g8OgQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x2b405b&amp;color2=0x6b8ab6" width="480" height="385" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" originalPath="http://www.youtube.com/v/r5hGJ0g8OgQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x2b405b&amp;color2=0x6b8ab6" originalAttribute="src" /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Just like Flo says, you can save money when you bundle your auto and home insurance!&nbsp; Give us a call for more details!urn:uuid:c98db667-0729-4d60-b9ed-86fc6c9587b5Is your computer too SLOW?  Are you contemplating buying a new one?  While it's thrilling to buy a new piece of technology, sometimes your current computer can be improved to avoid buying a new one. Here are some easy tips on speeding up your comput...Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:20:15 -0500Is your computer too SLOW?  Are you contemplating buying a new one?  While it's thrilling to buy a new piece of technology, sometimes your current computer can be improved to avoid buying a new one.<br /> <br /> Here are some easy tips on speeding up your computer, courtesy of <a href="http://www.CNNMoney.com" class="ApplyClass" target="_blank">www.CNNMoney.com</a>, and the best thing is that you do not need to purchase anything in order to reap the benefits:<br /> <br /> <ol> <li><span style="color: #fac08f;"><strong>Get rid of trash</strong>.</span>  The more files and programs you store on your computer, the slower your machine will be.  Deleting unnecessary things from your hard drive can definitely speed up the CPU.  Eliminate trial versions of programs (games, Internet services, etc).  Don't forget about temporary interfiles and system logs.</li> <li><strong><span style="color: #fac08f;">Clean up the desktop.</span></strong>  If you have documents, folders, photos and programs scattered on your desktop, your computer must load all of these files when turn on your computer.  It is very time-consuming to load all of these items.</li> <li><strong><span style="color: #fac08f;">Manage Launches.</span></strong>  This is another term for "Start up Programs."  Applications meant to help speed up the loading of programs really just slow down the computer when you start it up.  Some programs (like iTunesHelper, for example) are not needed until you actually start up the main program.  Disable auto-launch where possible.</li> </ol> <p>For the complete list of tips, visit <a href="http://www.CNNMoney.com">www.CNNMoney.com</a>.  The site give instructions for both PC and Mac users on how to accomplish the above.<br /> </p> urn:uuid:c2eeb02f-2aa0-4d93-88c0-10863ef620fdAs you enter the spring of 2010, you have likely already started working on your New Years resolutions. We hope it's not to late to add one more to the list: home protection.  We always do everything we can to keep our homes safe and keep intruders ...Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:26:10 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As you enter the spring of 2010, you have likely already started working on your New Years resolutions. <br /> We hope it's not to late to add one more to the list: home protection.  We always do everything we can to keep our homes safe and keep intruders out, and we're sure you do the same. Here at C &amp; E, we have learned you can never do too much. Here are some simple tips we have picked up that you can employ to help make your house an uninviting target for thieves this year: </p> <ul> <li>Iluminate your home's entry points (doors and windows)  and make sure the lights shine ON the house, and not in the eyes of any "observers."</li> <li>Don't give burglars hiding places.  Trim bushes away from doors and windows, and at least two feet up from the ground.</li> <li>Participate in or organize a neighborhood watch program.  A decal placed on a window near the entry points of your home will convey to burglars that htey possibly are being watched.</li> </ul> <p>These are just a few of the many ways you can help protect your home from intruders.  They are simple steps that can make a big difference in protecting your home and your possessions.  We don't want you to ever come home and find your house has been broken into and valuable possessions stolen.<br /> <br /> C &amp; E Insurance and Financial Services</p> urn:uuid:0546d312-0abe-4a49-904d-9e29a940d79aNew car shopping can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a car enthusiast. But others can find the experience stressful and tedious. Either way, there’s a lot to think about. According to a survey of car shoppers, overall purchase price is the most...Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:50:21 -0600<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">New car shopping can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a car enthusiast. But others can find the experience stressful and tedious. Either way, there’s a lot to think about. According to a survey of car shoppers, overall purchase price is the most important factor when shopping for a new car (46 percent), followed by make and model (31 percent). <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Safety and performance come in a distant third, tied at seven percent. But whether you’re turned on or turned off by the dizzying array of car choices, trim options, “expert” reviews, incentives and other deals, it definitely pays to approach car buying strategically. <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and you find yourself having trouble keeping a clear head, just keep these strategies, courtesy of C &amp; E Insurance, in mind: </p> <ol> <li>Decide how much money you can spend and what type of vehicle best suits your needs. Just looking for the basic transport capability of a small or medium sedan? Or do you need the hauling capacity of a van or SUV? Something practical?  Something sporty?  Something in between? </li> <li>Research crash tests and accident data available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. </li> <li>Shop around for financing. If you can, apply for and get approval for a loan from a bank, credit union or other financier before you even visit the dealership. Being a “cash buyer” gives you an advantage when you do finally meet with the dealership’s financing person. </li> <li>Test drive the car.  Try to drive in conditions that will be similar to those under which you’ll drive every day. </li> <li>Check pricing for your desired make and model at two or three dealerships and use that information to help you negotiate the best deal. </li> <li>Get a firm quote, in writing. This should include not only the cost of the car, but any fees and the sales tax. </li> <li>Inspect your new car carefully before driving off the lot. Make sure all the options you’ve ordered are included and that the body and paint are free of scratches or dents. </li> </ol> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Finally, it’s important to consider the cost of auto insurance, although it seems that few people realize that what they pay for insurance can add significantly to the vehicle’s total cost. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wise car buyers know to shop around for insurance and find out how costs compare. They also know to visit an independent insurance agency – like C &amp; E Insurance.  We can check with several companies to find the best combination of coverage and price. <br /> <br /> C &amp; E Insurance<br /> 7324 Holabird Avenue<br /> Baltimore, MD 21222<br /> (410) 282-4416</p> urn:uuid:f86db77f-e668-4c5c-891c-51f1b819692f<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/penguin%20walk.jpg' align='left' />Here are safety tips, courtesy of IWIF: Walking to and from parking lots or between buildings at work during the winter requires special attention to avoid slipping and falling. Slips and falls are some of the most frequent types of injuries that IW...Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:27:03 -0600<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Here are safety tips, courtesy of IWIF:<br /> <br /> Walking to and from parking lots or between buildings at work during the winter requires special attention to avoid slipping and falling. Slips and falls are some of the most frequent types of injuries that IWIF sees &ndash; especially during the winter months. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">No matter how well the snow and ice is removed from parking lots or sidewalks, your employees will still encounter some slippery surfaces when walking outdoors in the winter. It is important for everyone to be constantly aware of these dangers and to learn to walk safely on ice and slippery surfaces.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> IWIF recommends keeping these <span style="color: #ffffff;">important safety tips in mind:</span></p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: windowtext;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;">In cold temperatures, approach</span> with caution and</span> <b><span style="color: #fac08f;">assume that all wet, dark areas on pavements are&nbsp;slippery and icy.</span></b> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">During bad weather, avoid boots or shoes with smooth soles and heels.&nbsp; Instead, wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice; boots made of non-slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles are best. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">Use special care when entering and existing vehicles; use the vehicle for support. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">Walk in designated walkways as much as possible.&nbsp; Taking shortcuts over snow piles and other frozen areas can be hazardous.&nbsp; Look ahead when you walk; a snow- or -ice-covered sidewalk or driveway (especially if on a hill) may <span style="color: #ffffff;">require travel along its grassy edge for traction.</span> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: windowtext;"><b><span style="color: #fac08f;">Point your feet out slightly like a penguin!</span></b>&nbsp; <span style="color: #ffffff;">Spreading your feet out slightly while walking on ice increases your center of gravity.</span> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;"><span style="color: #ffffff;">Bend slightly and walk flat-footed with your center</span> of gravity directly over the feet as much as possible. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">Extend your arms out to your sides to maintain balance. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;"><b>Keep your hands out of your pockets.</b>&nbsp; Hands in your pockets while walking decreases your center of gravity and <span style="color: #ffffff;">balance.&nbsp; You can help break your fall with your hands free if you do start to slip.</span> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: windowtext;"><span style="color: #ffffff;">Watch where you are stepping and ...</span> <b><i><span style="color: #fac08f;">GO S-L-O-W-LY !!!</span></i></b> </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">Take short steps or shuffle for stability. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">Wear a heavy, bulky, coat that will cushion you if you should fall. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">Try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists, or spine.&nbsp; Try to fall on a fleshy part of your side. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: white;">Try to relax your muscles if you fall.&nbsp; You'll injure yourself less of you are relaxed. </li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Stay safe in this historic winter&nbsp;the Mid-Atlantic&nbsp;is receiving!&nbsp; As a reminder, if you need to report a claim, here's the link to the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/category.aspx?id=MISC5" class="ApplyClass" target="_blank">Claims Hotlines</a> of the insurance companies we carry.<br /> <br /> <br /> <img alt="" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/penguin%20walk.jpg" /></p>urn:uuid:872f41cb-edce-40ed-850e-2914dde44c64Brrr!! &nbsp;How are you holding up in these blizzards? &nbsp;C &amp; E advocates safe driving, so unless you absolutely need to drive, stay in the safety of your home until the local authorities say it is safe to travel. Are you still digging out ...Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:19:37 -0600Brrr!! &nbsp;How are you holding up in these blizzards? &nbsp;C &amp; E advocates safe driving, so unless you absolutely need to drive, stay in the safety of your home until the local authorities say it is safe to travel. <div><br /> </div> <div>Are you still digging out your car? While we can't dig out your car for you, we've put together a couple of tips to make digging your way into the world a little easier:</div> <div><br /> </div> <div> <ul> <li>The 1st and most important rule for digging out your car is DO NOT USE HOT WATER. &nbsp;Well, unless you like the shattered glass look. </li> <li>Before you begin, start your car and turn on the front and rear window defrosters. &nbsp;This will help soften the ice and snow, and warm up your car as a bonus. </li> <li>When you're ready to begin scraping the ice, choose a plastic ice scraper. &nbsp;Plastic ice scrapers are less likely to damage or scratch the surface of the glass. </li> <li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Use your windshield wipers ONLY after you've removed all snow and ice from the windshield. &nbsp;Remember, they were not made for heavy lifting.</span> </li> <li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Refill your windshield fluid, if necessary, before venturing out to roads full of slush, sand and salt.</span> </li> <li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Work your way from the roof of the car down when you brush snow off.</span> </li> <li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Don't forget to brush off your mirrors, headlights and licence plates!</span> </li> <li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Carbon monoxide is dangerous. &nbsp;Check your tailpipe and make sure it's free of snow whenever your car is running.</span> </li> <li><span style="font-size: 12px;">When you are ready to drive, clear any snow around your tires and under your front and end bumpers.</span> </li> <li><span style="font-size: 12px;">BE SAFE!</span></li> </ul> </div>urn:uuid:03eb9a65-8ed8-4a68-a27f-ccd55bbbf5c8The Consumer Products Safety Commission suggests following these tips to make your holiday a safe one. Trees: When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire,...Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:15:50 -0600<strong>The Consumer Products Safety Commission suggests following these tips to make your holiday a safe one.<br /> </strong><hr /> <strong>Trees:</strong> <br /> <ul> <li>When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.</li> <li>When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.</li> <li>When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.</li> </ul> <hr /> <strong>Lights:</strong> <ul> <li>Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.</li> <li>Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.</li> <li>Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.</li> <li>Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.</li> <li>Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.</li> <li>Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores). </li> <li>Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.</li> <li>For added electric shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.</li> </ul> <strong> <p><hr /> Decorations:</p> </strong>: <ul> <li>Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.</li> <li>Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.</li> <li>In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.</li> <li>Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.</li> </ul> <hr /> Fireplaces<br /> <ul> <li>Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children. </li> <li>Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.</li> </ul> <hr /> <br /> <br /> Get a free brochure with more holiday decorating safety tips at CPSC's web site <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov" class="ApplyClass">www.cpsc.gov</a>. urn:uuid:62164be1-7d82-455c-80fc-86524c4b37aaDo you MySpace?  How about Facebook, or Twitter?  If the answer is 'yes,' be careful. Cyber thieves are now taking advantage of online social networks and stealing personal information from their victims.  It's as simple as this: your friend posts a...Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:12:11 -0600Do you MySpace?  How about Facebook, or Twitter?  If the answer is 'yes,' be careful.<br /> <br /> Cyber thieves are now taking advantage of online social networks and stealing personal information from their victims.  It's as simple as this: your friend posts a link on their profile that piques your curiousity.  <br /> <br /> All you have to do is click.<br /> <br /> You click on it, and it takes you to a legitimate looking website that asks you for your password or for personal information.  This process is known as a 'phishing attack' or 'malware.'  Once your account is compromised, it can do the same for the rest of your 'friends' on the social network.  Pretty sneaky, huh?<br /> <br /> Or, let's suppose you're <strong><em>not </em></strong>on a social network and you come across a site that looks like a legitmiate site -oh- but wait!  You must first 'download this application in order for the webpage to load correctly.'  You think your computer has an outdated software version and you click the pop-up bar on your internet browser.  As easy as 1-2-3 these cyber criminals trick you into letting them hack into your computer and they can steal personal information.<br /> <br /> So, although criminals prefer low-technology old-fashioned theft, there's a new breed of criminals breeding out there.  Be careful, and protect yourself from Identity Theft by avoiding these common pitfalls.  Also, double check to make sure your homeowners or renters policy carries the Identity Theft endorsement that covers costs involved in restoring your good name.<br /> <br /> For more information on this, read the CNN.com article: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/24/tech.social.networking.crimes/index.html" class="ApplyClass">Facebook, Twitter crooks just a click away</a> urn:uuid:e38a0ef5-0428-4362-badb-8063a9c4c896According to a recent Travelers article, thieves prefer low-technology old-fashioned theft. What does that mean for you?  If you, like most people, previously thought that a computer was to blame for identity theft...you were wrong. According to th...Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:11:54 -0600<p>According to a recent Travelers article, thieves<em> </em>prefer <em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">low-technology</span></strong></em> old-fashioned theft.<br /> <br /> What does that mean for you?  If you, like most people, previously thought that a computer was to blame for identity theft...you were wrong.<br /> <br /> According to the date compiled by Travelers' research, the following are the top known causes of identity theft:</p> <ul> <li>78% - burglary and theft of wallet/purse/personal identification/computer </li> <li>14% - online or data breach </li> <li>5% - change of address/postal fraud </li> <li>3% - lost credit card and other miscellaneous causes </li> </ul> <p>In addition, over 75 percent of these cases involve criminals using the information to open new credit card accounts or use the existing credit cards to make charges.  Twenty percent will withdraw money from an existing checking, savings and online account, while another 16 percent open utility accounts in the victim's name.<br /> <br /> This means that our <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TRASH</span> </em></strong>and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>MAILBOXES</em></strong> </span>are prime targets for identity theft!  Think about it...how much information is contained in a mailed bank or credit card statement?  How about a notice from the MVA that includes your driver's license number?  Restoring a stolen identity is <strong><em>time consuming, costly and requires expertise.</em></strong>  Most of us do not have this expertise.<br /> <br /> Most insurance companies will  make sure all the required phone calls are made, all the letters written in order to get your identity back for a nominal fee.  The Identity Fraud Expense Coverage is available as an endorsement on a most homeowners, condo and renters policies for as little as <money />$25 annually and offers protection up to <money />$25,000 with no deductible.<br /> <br /> Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar job in a America, and you may not be aware that your identity has been stolen until a merchant or collection agency contacts you, seeking payment for a bill you know nothing about.  Or, you may be declined for a loan or employment because your credit records show defaults on loans unknown to you.<br /> <br /> Contact us today if you are unsure if you and your family are currently protected from this financially devastating scenario.</p> urn:uuid:73f6fc75-f701-42b1-a6f2-fe0c16e2b561The event was a complete success!  The rain did not deter people from attending.  We were VERY grateful for all of the  people that attended: Pastor Kristi Kunkle Delegate John Olszewski, Jr. Delegate John Olszewski, Jr. Senator ...Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:43:40 -0600<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The event was a complete success!  The rain did not deter people from attending.  We were VERY grateful for all of the  people that attended: </p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: disc;"> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Pastor Kristi Kunkle </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Delegate John Olszewski, Jr. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Delegate John Olszewski, Jr. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Senator Norman R. Stone </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">John Hohman, Baltimore County Fire Chief </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Dondald P. Hutchinson, Former Baltimore County Executive </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Rayner family </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Kimble family </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Kenwood High School JROTC </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Firemen from Station 6, Dundalk, Maryland </li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Policemen from Precinct 12, Dundalk, Maryland </li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It was a beautiful and heartfelt dedication, and we look forward to the completion of the granite memorial.<br /> <br /> The following is only a small clip of the event.<br /> </p> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1T20yXV7iog&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" /> urn:uuid:1f2ebbb6-bdc8-4827-b37b-f5432096fd79For all of those who were curious about Halloween's event, here is a treat (not a trick) for you! Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:41:54 -0600For all of those who were curious about Halloween's event, here is a treat (not a trick) for you!<br /> <br /> <br /> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-OHWyLa9n9c&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" /> urn:uuid:c66255ca-735f-4bc1-a4fc-2a5821cd5e94<img src='http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/Flos%20and%20Jinx.jpg' align='left' />The Family Fall Festival - Our Flo's and Jinx, the Independent Agents  Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:26:01 -0600The Family Fall Festival - Our Flo's and Jinx, the Independent Agents  <img alt="" src="/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/Flos%20and%20Jinx.jpg" /> urn:uuid:c349d047-9792-4b6a-a5c1-704096415098The first rule of the road is to expect the unexpected. The second rule is to be ready for whatever happens — and that includes emergencies. Here is a list of common emergencies that can happen while you’re driving, and suggestions for how to handle ...Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:56:12 -0600<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The first rule of the road is to <span style="color: #fbd5b5;"><em><strong>expect the unexpected</strong></em>.</span> The second rule is to <strong><em><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">be ready for whatever happens</span></em></strong> — and that includes emergencies. Here is a list of common emergencies that can happen while you’re driving, and suggestions for how to handle them safely: </p> <ol> <li><strong><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">Tire blows out.</span></strong> Keep a firm grip on the wheel to maintain direction until you slow down; don’t over steer. A blown front tire will pull the vehicle to the blowout side, and a rear blowout will cause the rear end to weave. Never jam on the brakes, or you might cause a spin. Brake smoothly and drive slowly until you can pull safely to the side of the road and change the tire. </li> <li><span style="color: #fbd5b5;"><strong>Headlights go out.</strong></span> Steer as straight as you can until you can brake to a stop. Ease onto the shoulder as far from traffic as possible. Set out flares or place road hazard markers and turn on the emergency flashers if they are still working. Scrape the lead terminal posts on the battery cables and the inside of the connector lugs to make a better connection. If only the headlights are out, the circuit breaker might have opened. It should continue to open and close, giving enough intermittent light so you can get to a service station. If emergency four-way flashers are on another circuit, turn them on for intermittent light. </li> <li><strong><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">Engine quits.</span></strong> Signal a right turn and try to use the vehicle’s momentum to coast off the road and on to the shoulder. If this is not possible, stay in your lane or as far to the right as possible and pump the brakes to alert drivers in the cars behind you. Turn on your emergency flashers. After coming to a stop, wait for a break in traffic to exit the vehicle. If possible, exit from the side away from traffic flow. Put out flares or reflectors at least 300 feet behind your vehicle. Keep taillights on, raise the engine hood and tie a white cloth to the radio antenna or left door handle as a distress signal. If you are unable to make repairs, flag down a cruising highway patrol car, or use your cell phone to call for assistance. </li> <li><strong><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">Accelerator sticks.</span></strong> If a quick stop is necessary, turn off the ignition and brake to a stop. Your power assist will go off, so steering and braking will require effort. If there is a positive connection between the pedal and throttle linkage, try lifting the pedal with your toe. Don’t lean down to do it by hand. </li> <li><strong><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">Vehicle skids.</span></strong> DON’T OVER STEER AND DON’T HIT THE BRAKES. Take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction of the skid until the rear wheels regain traction. Then straighten the wheels. Never jam on the brakes when the skid begins. To stop quickly without skidding to one side, rapidly jab and release the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes in your vehicle, keep your foot on the brake. Maintain firm and continuous pressure on the brake while steering. </li> <li><strong><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">Brakes fail.</span></strong> If the brakes offer any resistance at all, pump rapidly. This might build up enough hydraulic pressure to slow down the car. If the road ahead is clear, coast in drive and then use the parking brake. Use your horn. If it’s nighttime, flash your lights to warn other motorists and pedestrians that you’re out of control. If you’re on a steep downward grade look for something to sideswipe like roadside hedges, a snow bank, a guardrail or parked cars. If your system light indicates a brake failure, either the front or rear of your brake system is not functioning properly. If this occurs but the brakes seem to be working, proceed at a reduced speed to the nearest repair facility and have the condition checked. </li> <li><strong><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">You’re on a head-on collision course.</span></strong> Brake hard and steer for the right shoulder. If time permits, blow the horn. If necessary, drive on to open ground or into a ditch on the right. Don’t try to swerve to the left of the oncoming car, because the driver of that car may recover and instinctively steer back into the correct lane, and hit you straight on. </li> </ol> <br /> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: windowtext;"><span style="color: #ffffff;">When you’re in a driving emergency situation, it’s difficult to think clearly about how to handle the challenge. By familiarizing yourself with these safety suggestions beforehand, and discussing them with other drivers in your family, you’ll increase your — and their — chances of safely coming out of a driving emergency.<br /> <br /> <strong>C &amp; E Insurance and Financial Services<br /> 7324 Holabird Avenue<br /> Baltimore, MD 21222<br /> </strong></span><a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/" class="ApplyClass"><strong>www.mdautoinsurance.com</strong> </a></p> urn:uuid:578f152d-542e-491b-a728-acab9e414869Thank you to all who participated in our Autumn 2009 newsletter trivia question! The question was: What year was the first commercial microwave introduced? The answer: b) 1954 The first commercial microwave was the Raytheon 1611 Radarange model i...Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:07:29 -0600Thank you to all who participated in our Autumn 2009 newsletter trivia question!<br /> <br /> The question was: <br /> <span style="color: #fbd5b5;"><strong><em>What year was the first commercial microwave introduced?</em></strong></span><br /> <br /> The answer:<br /> <strong><em><span style="color: #fbd5b5;">b) 1954</span><br /> </em></strong><br /> The first commercial microwave was the <em>Raytheon 1611 Radarange model</em> in 1954.  It used 1600 watts and sold for $2000 to $3000.  In 1947, the company built the <em>Radarange</em>, the first microwave oven in the world.  It was almost 1.8 m (6ft) tall, weighed 750lb and cost about $5000 each. It consumed 3 kilowatts, about three times as much as today's microwave ovens, and was water-cooled.  In 1967, Raytheon acquired Amana introduced the first countertop, domestic 100-volt microwave oven, which cost $495 and was smaller, safer and more reliable than the previous models.<br /> <br /> <hr /> Sources:<br /> Raytheon: <a href="http://www.raytheon.com/ourcompany/history/leadership/">Technology Leadership &amp; History</a><br /> Wikipedia: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven">Microwave Oven</a><br /> U.S. Department of Labor: <a href="http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpimwo.htm" class="ApplyClass">Microwave Regression Model</a><br /> <br /> <hr /> <br /> C &amp; E Insurance and Financial Services<br /> 7324 Holabird Avenue<br /> Baltimore, MD 21222<br /> Tel. (410) 282-4416<br /> <a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com">www.mdautoinsurance.com</a> urn:uuid:98c55336-d146-42a7-b5a1-0837a6469ce8Anniversaries come and go for many different reasons. Some of these anniversaries don’t get the recognition they deserve. This Wednesday, October 22, 2009 marked the 25th Anniversary of The Shillers Furniture Store fire (currently Gavigan’s Furnitu...Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:49:08 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Anniversaries come and go for many different reasons. Some of these anniversaries don’t get the recognition they deserve. <br /> <br /> This Wednesday, October 22, 2009 marked the 25^th Anniversary of The Shillers Furniture Store fire (currently Gavigan’s Furniture) located on Holabird Avenue in Dundalk. This inferno took many hours to get under control and eventually the entire building collapsed.  The ensuing five-alarm inferno  wreaked $4 million in damage.  In the early hours of the morning a roll call was taken and the lives of three brave firefighters had been lost. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Presently, there is no memorial at the site commemorating their brave efforts.  <br /> <br /> On November 11^th, 2009 at 6pm we will be holding a memorial for family, friends, and the community that were so tragically affected by this fire.  We are asking for donations in any amount to help this great cause.  A memorial stone and bronze plaque will be placed at Holabird Ave and Randolph Ave surrounded by a perpetual garden.  If you would like to contribute to this, please go to our <a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/DocumentLibrary.aspx">Forms Page</a> and download the donation form.  You may mail your donation to our office.<br /> <br /> More information is to follow for this event.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> For more information on the Shiller Fire, please visit the following:</p> <a href="http://www.dundalkeagle.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=30267:fatal-shillers-fire-occurred-25-years-ago&amp;catid=2:slideshow"> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Dundalk Eagle</p> </a><br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD-3Df1R2u0">WBAL TV 11 - YouTube video</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://wjz.com/local/fire.department.blaze.2.1264608.html">WJZ</a> <br /> <br /> <br /> C &amp; E Insurance and Financial Services<br /> 7324 Holabird Avenue<br /> Baltimore, MD 21222<br /> <a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/www.mdautoinsurance.com">www.mdautoinsurance.com </a><br /> urn:uuid:7eb21f5e-da12-471f-9120-a2506289de23<img src='http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/essex%20fair%20pic.jpg' align='left' />Did you see C &amp; E's table at the Essex Day Festival on September 20, 2009?   Boy did you miss out! Essex Day was a fun day!  There were food vendors, games, raffles, live entertainment and more!  We...Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:10:12 -0500<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">Did you see C &amp; E's table at the Essex Day Festival on September 20, 2009?<br /> </span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"> <table style="width: 192px; height: 91px;" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <img alt="" src="/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/essex%20fair%20pic.jpg" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">Boy did you miss out!<br /> <br /> Essex Day was a fun day!  There were food vendors, games, raffles, live entertainment and more!  <br /> <br /> We met lots of fun people and had a blast.  We also held a raffle and three people won fantastic prizes!!<br /> <br /> <strong>Third place:</strong>  Arlene S. won a $25 gas card<br /> <strong><span style="color: #c00000;">Second place:</span></strong> Elena S. won a $50 gas card<br /> <strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;">First place:</span></strong> Barbara W. won a $70 gift card for Salty Dogs.<br /> <br /> <br /> Thanks to all those who came out to see us!  We hope that you come to see us at Dundalk's Family Fall Festival on Halloween Day.  Your children will be able to trick-or-treat and your pet can participate in a Pet Costume Contest!<br /> <br /> Remember, if you dress like Flo, you will be awarded a gas card!</p> urn:uuid:e35e60f6-30d9-46d6-b29f-9b9e4629957b<img src='http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs061/1102570283397/img/7.png' align='left' />Veteran's Park, Dundalk, Maryland   LOOK OUT FOR THE FLO'S!!!   C &amp; E Insurance will be out and about in The Dundalk Renaissance Corporation's Third Annual Family Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Veterans Park (between Dundalk Aven...Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:27:22 -0500<div><em><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Veteran's Park, Dundalk, Maryland</span></strong></em></div> <div> </div> <img contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px solid; float: left;" alt="Flo the Progressive Girl" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs061/1102570283397/img/7.png?a=1102739235817" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.7" /> <div><strong><em><span style="font-size: 16px; color: #c6d9f0;">LOOK OUT FOR THE FLO'S!!!</span></em></strong></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family: tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 16px; color: #ffffff; font-family: arial;">C &amp; E Insurance will be out and about in The Dundalk Renaissance Corporation's Third Annual Family Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Veterans Park (between Dundalk Avenue and Shipping Place).</span>  </span></div> <div><span style="font-family: tahoma;"> <br /> <br /> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">You'll know where we are...in the spirit of Halloween, <br /> we will  be dressed like</span> <div> </div> <span style="font-size: 48px; color: #fbd5b5;">Flo</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; color: #666666; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: tahoma;">Enjoy Main Street Trick-or-Treat, Pet Costume Contest, Food Vendors, and Games!  For more information visit</span>  <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=j4ycgadab.0.0.fmy5e8cab.0&amp;ts=S0414&amp;p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dundalkusa.org%2F&amp;id=preview" target="_blank" linktype="link" track="on"><span style="font-size: 16px;">www.dundalkusa.org</span></a> <span style="font-size: 13px; color: #ffffff; font-family: tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">or call the DRC office at 410-282-0261</span>.</span></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; color: #666666; text-align: left;"><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 13px; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;">Event Info</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">October 31, 2009</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">10am - 4pm</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Veteran's Park, between Dundalk Avenue and Shipping Place</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">Notes:    <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Come dressed like Flo and we will give you a FREE GAS CARD!!!</span></span></strong></div> urn:uuid:343a958b-29d1-4434-a87c-3426e0111799<img src='http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/kids%20crossing.jpg' align='left' />Back to school time means new clothes, new friends, and the dreaded never-ending school supplies shopping list. It can also mean safety hazards for distracted children to and from school. Please read the following to help you get back in the swing of...Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:30:58 -0500<span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: georgia;">Back to school time means new clothes, new friends, and the dreaded never-ending school supplies shopping list. It can also mean safety hazards for distracted children to and from school. Please read the following to help you get back in the swing of things. We hope you enjoy the "snack" portion of our post! There is no charge in passing this informative e-newsletter along to other parents! :)<br /> <br /> <strong>Pedestrian Safety</strong> <br /> It's estimated that 24 million students nationwide start their school day with a trip on the school bus. Children are the most common pedestrians and also the group that is most at risk for pedestrian-related injury and death. Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, teach your kids these few tips to ensure they get to and from school safely. <strong>Remember, children under the age of 10 should not cross the street alone.</strong> <br /> <br /> <ul> <li>Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus </li> <li>Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack and never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it </li> <li>Line up facing the bus, not along side it </li> <li>Move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus </li> <li>Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street and walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you </li> <li>Cross the street at corners using traffic signals and crosswalks. </li> <li>Never run out between parked cars or in the middle of the block</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>FOR PARENTS OF TEENS</strong>: Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You may want to limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone </p> <br /> <img style="vertical-align: middle;" alt="Children crossing" src="/img/~www.mdautoinsurance.com/kids%20crossing.jpg" /><br /> <br /> <p style="text-align: left;">********************************************************** <br /> <br /> <strong>Smart Snacks for Kids</strong> <br /> Snacking is smart when kids are hungry and need fuel to get through a long stretch between meals. Smart snacks give kids important nutrients, too. The snack suggestions below are nutritious and taste great.* </p> <ul> <li>Cup or tube of low-fat fruit yogurt </li> <li>Bowl of cereal (preferably whole grain)-hot or cold </li> <li>Cheese stick </li> <li>Handful of peanuts, almonds or trail mix </li> <li>Frozen fruit bar </li> <li>Any fresh fruit such as grapes, an apple, banana or orange </li> <li>Any dried fruit such as raisins, apricots or cranberries </li> <li>Easy-to-eat veggies such as celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and cut-up green peppers </li> <li>Graham crackers </li> <li>Cereal bar or granola bar </li> <li>Pudding cup </li> <li>Fruit cup (in water or juice) or applesauce </li> <li>Whole-wheat crackers smeared with peanut butter </li> <li>Salsa and baked tortilla chips </li> <li>Hummus (chickpea dip) and pita bread </li> <li>Microwave popcorn (light) </li> <li>Cold piece of roast chicken or slice of pizza </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br /> <img style="border: 0px solid; width: 257px; cursor: hand; height: 159px;" alt="Bowl of strawberries" src="http://blog.ediets.com/uploaded_images/HealthySnacks-736282.jpg" /></p> <em>*To decrease choking risk, keep the following foods from children until 4 years of age: Hot dogs, nuts and seeds, chunks of meat or cheese, whole grapes, hard, gooey, or sticky candy, popcorn, chunks of peanut butter, raw vegetables, raisins, and chewing gum.</em> <br /> <br /> ********************************************************** <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Backpack Safety</strong></div> <div style="text-align: left;">We see i<a href="http://blog.ediets.com/uploaded_images/HealthySnacks-736282.jpg"></a>t all the time: children hunched over by the weight of their backpacks with heavy school books. To make sure your child is carrying the correct weight on her back, follow these tips: </div> <ul> <li> <div style="text-align: left;">Pack light. A backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of a child's body weight. </div> </li> <li> <div style="text-align: left;">Organize the backpack so that the heaviest items are closest to the center of the back. </div> </li> <li> <div style="text-align: left;">Choose a pack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. </div> </li> <li> <div style="text-align: left;">Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may increase curvature of the spine.</div> </li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;">For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.childrenshospital.org/views/october06/backpack_too_heavy.html" class="ApplyClass" linktype="link" track="on">Pediatric Views</a> from Children's Hospital Boston and read their October 2006 article. </p> <br /> <a href="http://blog.ediets.com/uploaded_images/HealthySnacks-736282.jpg"></a><a href="http://brockelementary.stpsb.org/ThistleGirlDesigns/schoolbuskids/aug09_boy12.gif"><img style="border: 0px solid; float: left; cursor: hand;" alt="Cartoon boy wearing backpack" src="http://brockelementary.stpsb.org/ThistleGirlDesigns/schoolbuskids/aug09_boy12.gif" /></a> C &amp; E Insurance and Financial Services<br /> 7324 Holabird Avenue<br /> Baltimore, MD 21222<br /> (410) 282-4416<br /> fax: (410) 282-1770<br /> <a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com">www.mdautoinsurance.com</a></span> urn:uuid:cda6a0d7-7ace-4719-81f8-59d6e88e9bf1 Car insurance lingo clarified! We would like to pass this information on to you on behalf of Progressive insurance, one of the many quality insurance companies we represent. Although we have this information on our website, we encourage you to vis...Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:32:35 -0500<div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"><a name="1257290057001194241"></a> <h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://ceinsurance.blogspot.com/2009/08/car-insurance-lingo-clarified_13.html" originalPath="http://ceinsurance.blogspot.com/2009/08/car-insurance-lingo-clarified_13.html" originalAttribute="href">Car insurance lingo clarified!</a> </h3> <div class="post-header-line-1"></div> <div class="post-body entry-content">We would like to pass <a href="http://www.progressiveagent.com/articles/auto-insurance-made-easy.aspx">this information</a> on to you on behalf of Progressive insurance, one of the many quality insurance companies we represent. Although we have this information on <a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/">our website</a>, we encourage you to visit Progressive's site for a quick overview of auto insurance lingo.<br /> <br /> We know that insurance terms can be a bit confusing to understand, so we found a simple explanation from Progressive. Here, Progressive clarifies the differences between Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, and Medical Coverages.<br /> <br /> Remember, if you find yourself in need of an independent agent, you may always visit <a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/">your friendly insurance agents in Dundalk</a>. Please tune in to learn about what the advantages are in having an independent agent at your side.<br /> <br /> <br /> C &amp; E Insurance and Financial Services<br /> 7324 Holabird Avenue<br /> Baltimore, Maryland 21222<br /> Tel: 410.282.4416<br /> Fax: 410.282.1770<br /> <a href="http://www.mdautoinsurance.com" class="ApplyClass">http://www.mdautoinsurance.com</a></div> </div>