The Lake Dillon Theatre is putting on an outstanding round of summer shows. I saw Tommy last week and can't say enough about it! Well done to all. This award winning cast and crew bring the best to the county. The Red Cape and Godspell are up next and you don't want to miss it!

The Town of Dillon is putting on over 130 events in town this summer. From Friday morning Farmers Markets, Blues Festivals, and an amazing 4th of July weekend, you don't want to miss a minute. Go to the Town of Dillon Website for a complete list of concerts, markets, and special events.

The Barbeque is Coming! The Barbeque is Coming! Come in August for days of Q, beer, bands, and funnel cakes!

As always, be safe when visiting events in the High Country. Always have a designated driver plan in place before you pick up a frosty cold one. The Summit Stage is always an option as well. Money is tight enough and a DUI can cost $10,000 on the low end.

Great Summer Everyone!

Identify an out-of town contact.

• It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts. Teach family members how to use text messaging (also knows as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.

 Subscribe to alert services.

•  Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.

 Planning to Stay or Go

• Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information, including what you are learning here, to determine if there is an immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for information or official instruction as it becomes available. Further information on staying put or sheltering in place.

 Emergency Information

• Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door. Emergency Plans Use the New Online Family Emergency Planning Tool created by the Ready Campaign in conjunction with the Ad Council to prepare a printable Comprehensive Family Emergency Plan. Use the Quick Share application to help your family in assembling a quick reference list of contact information for your family, and a meeting place for emergency situations. You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.

One item that surprises many is your credit also affects your insurance premiums. Industry experts have proven that a strong correlation exists between credit history and insurance risk. A Risk Assessment Indicator is a code developed from and based upon credit report information. Insurance companies may use this indicator along with motor vehicle records, loss reports and/or other information to rate auto and homeowner insurance policies.

Information used may include things such as the length of credit history, late payments, and collections. Contrary to what you may think or read about Risk Assessment Indicators are not based on things like race, marital status, religion, nationality, age, gender, income, or address.

You can improve your indicator over time by using credit responsibly. A Risk Assessment Indicator is a snapshot of your insurance risk based on information in your credit report. It's a good idea to periodically obtain a copy of your credit report from the major credit bureaus to check for any inaccuracies.

If you find an error in your credit history, you should report the error to the credit bureau. The credit bureau must investigate and respond to your request. Once you are certain that your report has been updated, contact your agent.  The agent can re-order a new Risk Assessment Indicator and ask that changes to your premium be made retroactively to the original application or renewal date.

I recommend that if you need assistance with understanding your credit history or advice on using credit responsibly, you should contact a qualified credit counselor.

Make sure the information in your credit report is correct by reviewing your credit report from each credit bureau at least once a year. Call these numbers to order a copy (a fee may be required):

Choicepoint: (800) 456-6004

Equifax and CSC Credit Services: (866) 349-5183

When it comes to insurance, you want quality coverage from a solid, dependable company. You want the peace of mind that comes with knowing, in the event you need your company, we'll be there to help you get your life back to where it belongs quickly, compassionately and with as little hassle as possible. And you feel, rightfully so, that if you are a good risk, you should be rewarded with lower insurance costs. You want all of the above at the best price possible.

 Insurance companies are always looking for new ways to keep the cost of insurance affordable. A Risk Assessment Indicator is one of many ways that your rates are determined. So pay that credit card bill, auto payment, mortgage payment on time.

Drivers who engage in text messaging are 23 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash or narrowly avoid one.  A driver’s crash risk doubles when he/she looks away from the road for two or more seconds. 

Activities including things like using a cell phone, texting, eating, drinking, and talking with passengers are all forms of distracted driving.  One recent simulator study compared drivers using cell phones and drivers impaired by alcohol. Cell phone users had slower reaction times than drivers with .08 BAC and slower reaction to vehicles braking in front of them.

All drivers can do their part to make the roads safer for everyone. • Put down the phone. • When you're at the wheel, pick it up only when the car is parked. The same goes for using other personal electronics. • If you know someone is driving, don't call or text. Support their decision to not use their phone while driving. • Report it. If you see a distracted driver operating a car in a dangerous way, pull over to a safe location and alert the police by calling 911. • Educate yourself about the problem at Distracted.gov and ConsumerReports.org/Distracted. Remember, it takes only a moment of inattention. No text or call is worth a life.

Insurance companies incur the same costs you do in buying goods and servcies, and these costs can ultimately affect your insurance premium. Costs affecting the ultimate price of auto insurance include:

Medical costs to treat injuries
Auto repair costs
Costs to adjust claims
Inflation
Uninsured drivers (your policy pays when the other driver doesn't have an auto insurance policy if you purchase Uninsured Motorist coverage)
Although insurance companies can't directly control these costs, we regularly monitor them to see how they are affecting the costs of the claims we pay. As they change, auto premiums must be adjusted. These costs can affect your auto insurance premium whether or not you individually have had an accident or claim.

Changes you make to your auto insurance policy or coverage may also change the premiums. Adding or removing a driver, buying a new car, moving to a new location or changing how you use your car may influence the cost of your auto insurance.

He did the dishes

Rubbed my feet

Surprised me with tulips

Took me to musicals even though he didn’t like them

Carried my bags while I did the shopping

Held my hand

He died of cancer four years ago

Because he loved me,

I can stay in our home.

I can be here for our children

I can afford to pay for their college education.

I can worry about the other things in life besides money.

He still loves me. And he still shows it.

www.insureyour love.org

These larger than life figures left behind expressions of love that were both grand and enduring. What about you?

You don't need to have the special talents of Mozart of Shakespeare to commit a grand gesture of love. You can do it with a single stroke of a pen. 

This Valentine's Day consider the gift of Life Insurance.

Contact Woodworth Insurance today for a complimentary evaluation of your options and the correct amount you need.

I would encourage and recommend that everyone review all their insurance coverages.  Please do so with a licensed local professional in person.   Many of my clients are pleasantly surprised that I am there to ensure there is no gap in coverage but also no duplication on coverage.  New laws are going into effect in every state for every type of insurance.  Keep abreast to ensure you don't find out about a new law when you need it the most, during a claim.

Lastly, don't cut off your nose to spite your face. What I mean is keep your critical coverages high and convenient coverages low when you are looking to lower your premiums. 

Have a safe and Happy New Year!