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Is there any better place to spend a sunny summer day than on the water? Illinois boat lovers would certainly say no. Whether you favor the zippy momentum of a power boat, the serenity of sailing, or even the exhilarating freedom of a jet ski, there's a refreshing quality to water-centered recreation that ensures its perennial popularity. On the water, one's worries seem to quite literally float away...until something goes amiss, and you think, "Uh-oh, am I properly insured?"
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Times have changed substantially since the dog-eat-dog days of fire marks-distinctive plaques fashioned of lead or copper that home and business owners displayed on their property to indicate that it was insured against a fire. In the 18th and 19th centuries, fire insurance providers gave these plaques to policyholders who paid in advance for their protection. If a home or business caught fire, the fire insurance provider (who also ran the fire brigade!) would look for that all-important fire mark before going to the trouble of putting out the flames. If there was no fire mark to be found, they would turn around and leave, letting the building burn.
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Earth Day is April 22, 2012. It's a time for those of us in Illinois to celebrate the miraculous beauty of our precious planet and all its offerings, as well as to make changes to our own habits and lives that will help to preserve the earth for many generations to come. Making such changes will not only benefit the planet; they will benefit you, and all of its present and future inhabitants.
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Do you consider yourself one of those people to whom nothing is shocking? Have you seen and heard it all? Do you merely roll your eyes, unsurprised and unimpressed, at the quirks and foibles of your fellow humans?
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It's the place where we seek rest and respite from the demands of the workday and the outside world. It's where we spend quality time with friends and family. It's where we cook, eat, sleep, shower, and sit by the fire. It's home, and it really is sweet.
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Is there anything quite so pleasant as coming home to a warm and cozy house on a cold winter's day? Home isn't just where the heart is; in the winter, it's also where the hearth is.
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Roads can be positively deadly in the wintertime. According to icyroadsafety.com, there were an average of 467 fatalities per year between 2008 and 2010 due to icy roads alone. And, even if you live in warmer climates, winter driving can be a wild and wooly experience regardless.
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In the Illinois, the holidays are a special time of year for so many reasons. They may be spiritually significant, or bring us closer to our friends and families. They are a time of giving, gathering, and sharing good food. For children, they may be a chance to receive some longed-for gifts. Despite all the magic that characterizes the holidays, they are not free from accidents. In fact, the holidays are one of the most dangerous times of year, when household accidents and injuries abound. Here are the ten most common holiday mishaps, and tips for avoiding them.
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