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We’re following up our helpful tips for National Car Care Month with the latest edition of our Gearhead Guru Series in which we highlight how to properly wash your car like a pro!  You’ll find a helpful task list for the step by step process of cleaning your vehicle from the inside out.  Get your daily driver road trip ready before the warm weather hits! more We’re going to start with cleaning the interior! First, clean the interior surfaces of your car and wipe down all common surface areas which you and/or your passengers may come into contact with by using a vehicle interior safe antibacterial wipe, or a vehicle safe antibacterial spray cleaner and microfiber cloths.  Make sure you thoroughly clean the following heavily touched surfaces: Gear Selector Steering Wheel Turn Signal Lever EZ-Pass/Toll Tags Heat and AC Vents Phone and Device Chargers Center Console and Armrest Windshield Wiper Lever/Controls Passenger Armrest and Side Pockets Interior Door Handles and Lock Panels Center Console Controls, Buttons, Dials All Car Keys, Remote Start Fobs, and Start Button Seatbelt Fabric and Fasteners and Release Buttons Next, remove the interior car mats and clean them outside of your vehicle. Be sure to vacuum and sanitize after removing the mats.  Repeat the same process for any organizers, baskets, or small trash receptacles inside the vehicle.  Follow up by removing any child or pet friendly seat covers, making sure to shake out debris and give them a thorough vacuuming outside the vehicle. **To reduce the spread of germs and viruses, make sure you regularly wipe down all interior door handles, as well as the lock buttons, dashboard buttons, any of the pop-out drink or device holders. After you’ve cleaned those surfaces, it’s time to apply a vehicle upholstery cleaner to the seats to help remove mold and mildew, pet dander, dust/dirt and other allergens, as well as any other grit and grime from your travels.  Let it sit according to directions, and give it a thorough scrub or rub depending on your upholstery (leather, “vegan leather”, and fabric will all have different requirements.)  If you have leather upholstery, now is also a great time to apply a leather protectant and conditioner to moisturize the fabric and reduce wrinkles, rips, and other damage from heat and sun exposure. **The surfaces in your car’s interior are covered with a combination of synthetic fabrics or surfaces, natural fiber fabrics, or leathers.  Typical household cleansers or disinfectants may cause discoloration to hard surfaces, damage to fabrics, or deteriorate coverings.  Remember to select gentle cleansers and surfactants that are made for your specific interior coverings and fabrics so as not to cause damage. Once it’s been scrubbed and has been allowed to air dry thoroughly, give the interior another quick vacuuming for anything you might’ve dislodged during your scrub.  If you utilize a portable HEPA filter in your vehicle, this is the time to replace old filters or clean them.  If you’ve not done so recently, make sure to also vacuum the air filter for your car’s HVAC system to improve performance. Now it’s time to reinstall the floor mats, seat covers and car seats, and any other accessories you removed during the process over the clean, dry interior. To keep your car’s fresh clean scent, you may opt to spray the interior with an automotive fabric refresher, or add an air freshener or place scented HVAC vent clips around the vehicle. Let’s close the doors and get to cleaning the exterior of our vehicle! First, ensure that your vehicle is parked in a shady spot to reduce evaporation of cleaning solution and water, as well as protecting vehicle waxes and seals before they’ve cured. Next, gather your cleaning supplies and set up the 2 Bucket Method. Second, gather vehicle-friendly items such as microfiber washing mitts, microfiber cleansing cloths, and vehicle specific cleansers (avoid using dish soaps and other household cleaners.)  Place these items on an easily accessible and clean, dry surface so they don’t lie on the ground during the washing process and pick up more dirt. **We recommend using the “2 Bucket Wash” method to ensure a scratch free clean. You’ll need two large buckets: one will be filled with water and a vehicle safe cleaning solution, the second will be filled with clean water to be utilized for washing your cleaning mitt or microfiber pad.  This method ensures that dirt and debris do not contaminate the cleaning solution, and thus will not be reintroduced to the vehicle’s paint surfaces.  If the rinse bucket starts getting too dirty, dump and replace the water; we recommend doing this between each segment of your vehicle (top, windows, mid-section, bottom and wheels, etc)  This will help you to maintain your vehicle’s paint coat with less scratches and swirls. Then, give the vehicle a complete spray starting from top to middle to bottom as a quick rinse down. We’ll begin our washing process by thoroughly cleaning the vehicle’s wheels with a specialized tire soap. Using specially formulated cleansers for each area of your vehicle will ensure you’re removing the most dirt and grime, and protecting the vehicle’s components. Make sure to thoroughly scrub the wheel wells, tires, and any accessories or wheel covers. Rinse thoroughly!  If you notice any overspray has reached the rest of your vehicle, give that a quick rinse before moving on to the next step. You want to wash the rest of your vehicle from the top down, as the bottom is always the dirtiest! We don’t want to transfer that gross dirt and buildup to the rest of the vehicle.  Plus, we can use gravity to our advantage!  You’ll want to thoroughly suds up the roof and top components of your vehicle (roof rack, sun roof/moon roof, etc), and work your way down with gentle rubbing motions. Let the solution thoroughly penetrate dirt and buildup as per the directions on the bottle. Remember to rinse your mitts and cloths in the water-only bucket and not the cleansing solution! Rinse the vehicle thoroughly and perform a quick visual inspection to ensure you were enable to remove any buildup. Re-clean the areas you may have missed with the above methods and rinse again. Walk around and inspect your vehicle for any signs of rust, scratches, or dents. You can fill in minor cosmetic blemishes with vehicle-match paint that comes in options like pens for small areas and small paint cups for larger patches. In a pinch, you can also apply nail polish as a budget friendly alternative. When cleaning the glass and mirrors of your vehicle, make sure you choose a specialty car glass cleaner to avoid any reduction in visibility due to residue or build up. Consider adding a hydrophobic coating to your vehicle’s windows and windshields as well for improved visibility during inclement weather. Once the vehicle has been cleaned, rinsed, inspected, and paint repairs allowed to dry, it’s time to add a protective wax or seal of your choice. Once the wax and sealant and hydrophobic coating has cured, you’ll be ready to hit the road!

Throughout May, we’re covering notable contributions, inventions, and innovations of Asians and Asian Americans in the automotive industry  as part of our month-long celebration of AAPI Heritage month! Today, we’re highlighting the brilliant work of Dawon Kahng who, along with his partner Mohamed Atalla of Egyptian-American descent, invented the “MOSFET” or metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (say that one 5x fast, we dare you.) Asian American, Pacific Islanders Heritage month - celebration in USA. Vector banner with abstract shapes and lines in traditional Asian colors. Greeting card, banner. more What is a MOSFET? In the automotive industry, the MOSFET is a basic switch element in electronics, and is used to drive motors in a variety of applications such as power steering systems, power brakes, pumps, ventilation, fans, airbags, seat adjustments, and even sunroofs.  It’s an integral part of modern automotive design!  Automakers use a system called “MOSFET” redundancy by employing multiple MOSFETs in parallel in order to increase reliability and safety. MOSFETs excel in low-voltage and high-voltage frequency applications.  SiC MOSFETs are used in EV designs to help the EV inverters deliver higher performance and efficiency.  In fact, it’s such a vital invention that this innovative MOS technology accounts for nearly 99% of today’s microchips. How was the MOSFET invented? Let’s learn a little more about one of the innovative scientists behind this ubiquitous technology! Dawon Kahng was born in South Korea in 1931, and emigrated to the US in 1955. He graduated from Ohio State University with a doctorate in physics in 1959. Soon after, he secured a position at Bell Telephone Laboratories and connected with Mohammed Atalla on the MOSFET. Although it had been theorized, Dawon Kahng and Mohammed “Martin” Atalla’s collaborative efforts led them to become the first team to build a working version of the field-effect transistor and bring it to physical fruition.  The practical field-effect transistor is a device that controls electronic signals by switching them either on or off, or amplifying them. Kahng and his colleague created the first working version in 1959 by coating a silicon wafer with an insulating layer of silicon oxide, allowing electricity to reliably penetrate to the conducting silicon below through a process called surface passivation.  Kahng and Atalla were both working for Bell Telephone Laboratories at the time, and although their invention was not widely embraced at first, the technology, now known as MOSFET, is one of the most widely used types of integrated circuits in both the computer and electronics industries!  Kahng and Atalla were awarded the Stuart Ballantine Medal at the 1975 Franklin Institute Awards for their work in creating the MOSFET. The pair continued their work through the 1960s, as well as Kahng also working together with Simon Sze, pioneering further advancements such as “a Schottky-barrier diode”, early versions of a metal nanolayer-base transistor, a floating-gate MOSFET and floating-gate memory cell, and more! After retiring from 29 years of work at Bell Laboratories, Dawon Kahng went on to become the founding president of the NEC Research Institute in NJ from 1988 until his death. He unfortunately passed away in 1992 of surgery complications, but his work left a lasting legacy of innovation.  Kahng was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of fame in 2009, as well as in 2014, the MOSFET was included on the IEEE list of Milestones in Electronics.  The Korean Semiconductor Conference unveiled their “Dawon Kahng Award” in his honor in 2017.

It feels like Spring has just arrived, but with Memorial Day fast approaching, we’ve also got Summer on our minds!  Today we’ve got a great list of amazing car shows and vintage cruise nights to enjoy all summer long.  Whether you love sports cars, muscle cars, trucks, or even rat rods, we know our list will have something that hits the spot for your niche.  And, of course, if you have a car show that you think our readers will enjoy? Leave us a comment on our social media!  We’d love to hear from you. more This Saturday May 5th is the Cars & Coffee event from 6 to 11AM in Waukegan at Classic’s very own Classic Kia dealership On Saturday May 4th in Cicero, come on out and peruse the vendors and vehicles at the Car Swap Meet and Classic Car Show Fundraiser starting at 9AM On May 10th at the Wendy’s in Peru from 5PM to 8:30PM, enjoy “Cruise Nights” with a special 50/50 raffle for the Christmas for Kids charity organization (event also repeats on Friday July 12th!) On May 11th at the Old Mill Creek Country Store in Antioch, the 8th Annual Cars & Coffee Car Show will be taking place from 10:30AM to 2:30PM on Saturday. On May 11th speed on over to the Scottish Rite Cathedral Association in Bloomingdale for their 2024 Car Show event from 10AM to 2PM on Saturday. On May 15th in Libertyville, head over to MainStreet Libertyville’s “CarFun on 21” event from 6PM to 9PM on Wednesday. On May 19th in Lake Zurich, come on down for the NWCG’s Midwest Motorheadz Muscle Car Show event happening from 5PM to 9PM on Sunday. On May 19th, the Gurnee Mills Mall is hosting the Rods for Remembrance Car Show from 11AM to 5PM on Sunday. On May 25th at Fatmans in Gurnee, the “Joe White Memorial Wounded Warrior Car Show” will be taking place from 7AM to 2PM on Saturday. On June 3rd on East 9th Street in Lockport, come join in the fun with Cruisin’ Into Lockport beginning at 4PM. On June 6th in Westmont starting at 5PM is the Westmont Cruisin’ Night events (And it repeats every Thursday evening from June through August!) On June 8th at Custom Classics in Island Lake is the Larry Simonsen Memorial Classic Car Show happening from from 9AM to 2PM . On June 23rd from 9AM to 4PM at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake is the Mopars at the Park 2024 Event on Sunday. On June 29th at the Community Garden Green of Fox Lake, enjoy the “Celebrate Fox Lake: Car Show” event from 9AM to 2Pm on Saturday. On June 23rd from 1PM to 7PM at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake is the exciting Slammedenuff Chicago Car Show event! On June 29th at the Community Garden Green of Fox Lake, enjoy the “Celebrate Fox Lake: Car Show” event from 9AM to 2Pm on Saturday. On July 16th in Wauconda, join the fun for a Tuesday evening July Cruise Night event on West Mill Street. On July 17th is another edition of MainStreet Libertyville’s CarFun on 21 events from 6Pm to 9PM on Wendesday. July 21st in Libertyville from 3Pm to 8PM on Sunday is the 12th Annual Lambs Farm Car Show event! On July 27th, the Performance Pavilion at Heritage Park in Wheeling is hosting a special Car Show event from 1PM to 4Pm on Saturday. On August 11th in Gurnee, join in the fun for the Gurnee Days Car Show event from 9AM to 3PM on Sunday. On August 11th at The Lot of Highland Park, enjoy the Vintage Car Show @ Th Lot from 12PM to 4Pm on Sunday. On August 30th and 31st in Crystal Lake, enjoy the “Summer Sunset Fest Classic & Custom Car Show” weekend event.

May is a very exciting month here in Lake County, Illinois!  We’ve got plenty of fun-filled activities for you to enjoy on our local community calendar of events for May. From Mother’s Day Brunches to Live Music Events to Paint Nights to Memorial Day PArades, there’s something exciting to do every weekend! more Special Mother’s Day Events at the following locations: Mother’s Day at Tempel Farms Organics (rain or shine!) in Old Mill Creek from 11AM to 2PM Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet in the 412 Lounge at O’Toole’s of Libertyville 11AM to 2PM Mother’s Day at Oaken Bistro and Bar in Lake Forest Mother’s Day at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer Mother’s Day at Dover Straits Seafood House in Mundelein Mother’s Day at Encore Events in Wadsworth from either 10AM-12:30PM or 1PM-3:30PM Mother’s Day Family Swim from 5PM to 6PM at Goldfish Swim School Mundelein Wild About Mom - A Twist on Mother’s Day from 6PM to 8:30PM at the Regent Center in Mundelein Mama’s 5K Run on Saturday May 13th at 8PM Zion Park District Sports Arena in Zion Tulip Festival is running now through May 11th At Richardson Farm and Corn Maze in Spring Grove from 11AM to 6:30PM. Illinois Craft Beer Week is running from May 3rd through May 10th in Gurnee, hosted by the Illinois Craft Brewing Guild; free admission to attend, 21+. It’s Flight Night at North Shore Distillery on Thursday May 2nd! Come on down and enjoy a fine sampling of creative cocktails and drinks. This Friday, May 3rd, it’s First Friday on MainStreet in Libertyville where you can enjoy live music, local food and beverage specials, local business discounts, and more! Celebrate Cinco De Mayo at the Village of Round Lake Cultural Center on Friday May 3rd with Live Music, Latin Dance Lessons, and a professional DJ.  There will be alcoholic beverages and food available to purchase; 18+ event. On Saturday May 4th at the Lake County Fairground and Event Center in Grayslake, head out for an exciting day of earth shaking, ground pounding, exhilarating, adrenaline pumping fun with Chicagoland Monster Truck Wars from 11:30AM to 2PM. Mayfest at the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum is back on Saturday May 4th from 12PM to 4PM in Grayslake! It’s an exciting Family Friendly weekend event at the Village of Antioch on Mainstreet in Antioch’s Touch-a-Truck event from 10AM to 1PM on Saturday May 4th! On Sunday May 5th, do a little Mother’s Day Shopping at the Prairie Crossing Conservation Barn from 12PM to 5PM in Grayslake. Shop for some local Native Plants grown by Possibility Place, grab some gardening and composting supplies, and enjoy some organic vegetable, herb, and flower plants at the farm festival! Enjoy a beautiful afternoon of Mother’s Day cookie decorating at the Joyful Gourmet with your kids, grandkids, and special someone on May 5th for some motherly love and bonding time. Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein is hosting a special Pop-Up Museum at the Brewery with the Mundelein Historical Commission from 1PM to 4PM with a unique exhibit of antique artifacts. If you can correctly identify 13+ of the artifacts you can win a prize! On May 8th, North Shore Distillery is hosting the Crafts and Cocktails: Garland Experience from 7PM to 8:30PM with Maggie from Three States Fiber Art, including a craft cocktail and cocktail demonstration! (Additional supplies and cocktails available for purchase NIcole Devine will be performing live at Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein on Thursday May 9th from 7PM to 9PM. The Brushwood Center is hosting their fantastic 3rd Annual Mother Earth Market at Ryerson Woods! Saturday the event runs from 10AM to 5PM and Sunday from 12PM to 5PM On Saturday May 13th at 9AM, put on your best running shoes and get ready to run in the Foodie 5K i n Libertyville; benefits the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The Lake County Fairgrounds will be hosting the Zurko Antique and Flea Market on Saturday May 13th from 9AM to 4PM and Sunday May 14th from 9AM to 3PM. The Volo Antique Mall is hosting their own special Mother’s Day Event on Sunday May 14th from 10AM to 5PM. Tilt Studio in Gurnee Mills is hosting a Mother’s Day Special event starting at 11AM; for each mini golf outing you purchase, mama will get a game for free! May 15th is the perfect day to gather all your car enthusiast pals and head over to MainStreet in Libertyville for CarFun on 21,featuring vintage and collectible cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The Lake Zurich Water Lantern Festival will be illuminating the evening on May 18th at Paulus Park! A Family friendly event filled with fun, hope, happiness, and community. The Blue Moon Gallery is hosting guest artist Roger Shule, The Matchbook Artist on Saturday May 25th from 6PM to 9PM in Grayslake. Enjoy an afternoon of local food and fine cuisine at the Lake County Food Truck Festival from Friday May 24th through Sunday May 26th from 4PM to 6PM at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake. Memorial Day Parades in Lake County, IL: Monday May 26th in Downtown Waukegan is the Waukegan Memorial Day Parade starting at 10AM May 26th starting at 10AM is the Barrington Memorial Day Parade and Service Monday May 26h  at 10 AM is Deerfield’s Memorial Day Service and Parade Monday May 26th Memorial Day Parade and Service starting at 9:30AM at Memorial Park in Grayslake Monday May 26th at the Gurnee American Legion Post 771 starting at 12PM is Gurnee’s Memorial Day Ceremony Gurnee SixFlags Memorial Day “Rock the Block” Weekend from Saturday May 24th through the 26th Monday May 26th Lake Villa’s Memorial Day Parade starts at 1PM Monday May 26th at 9:30AM is Libertyville Memorial Day PArade and Ceremony at the American Legion and VFW Monday May 26th the Lindenhurst Memorial Day Ceremony runs from 10AM to 11:30AM

It’s festival season! Weather is warming up all across the country, and everyone’s itching to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. What better way to celebrate your love of life than enjoying a music festival with hundreds of like-minded people who know all the lyrics to your favorite songs?  We’re so excited about returning to music venues and have a busy summer planned, filled with lots of live music, band tours, and concerts galore.  Today, we’re planning our road trip out to the Greenbelt Music Festival in Iowa happening just a few weeks away in May! more What’s the Greenbelt Music Festival and who’s playing? This is a fully immersive, multi-day musical experience in May with indoor and outdoor events, held in a huge grass field west of the Horizon Events Center off of Greenbelt Trail in Clive, Iowa!  Tickets also support a great local cause; for every festival pass sold, $5 is donated to the Clive Community Foundation. This year’s star studded event is host to amazing bands like Railroad Earth, Umphrey’s McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, Sierra Hull, Arkansauce, and others!  But that’s not all there is to do at the Greenbelt Music Fest, there’s plenty of local food and merch vendors, a silent disco zone, face painting, a kids area, local entertainment, and lots more. Yes, that’s right! It’s a family-friendly affair, and kids 12 and under enter free.  There are three ticket pass tiers: GOAT 2-Day Pass, GA 2-Day Pass, GA 1-Day Pass, to give you flexibility and access options to the features you’d like to explore. What is there to do in Clive before and after the festival? We’re glad you asked! Clive has a lot of fun activities, as does nearby Des Moines! There’s plenty for guests and visitors of all ages to enjoy. Clive is home to Greenbelt Park and trail system, for which the festival is named, which offers a wonderful opportunity to explore local wildlife, get in touch with nature, and do plenty of hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.  Local hiking enthusiasts also recommend checking out Volksweg Trail, High Trestle Trail, Raccoon River Valley Trail, and Green Valley Lake Trail. Love Museums? We’ve got some options for you! Explore local history and culture at the nearby Clive Historical Society and Living History Farms. Living History Farms is a delightful step back in time as this 500-acre open air museum’s focus is educating and demonstrating to visitors more than 300 years of agricultural history!  Enjoy seasonal events, live demonstrations, historic tea and dinner parties, and more. The Des Moines Children’s Museum is a fabulous way to spend the day with your family, enjoying hands-on learning and educational activities through play. The Des Moines Art Center is free to visit and full of an eclectic mix of contemporary and historic works of art across many styles and subjects.  The Salisbury House and Gardens combines history, botanical gardens, antiques and artwork in a historic home.  There’s plenty of activities like this in the area to explore if you extend your stay! Where to eat and drink during your Festival stay? Enjoy a sit down dinner and a sip of a craft beverage at the delicious local breweries, wineries, and restaurants in the area. Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant offers New American cuisine, and offers wine tasting in the front room before you enter the restaurant. Locals are raving about Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar! And Jasper Winery has a wonderful tasting room and hosts special seasonal events. Enjoy a craft brew at Twisted Vine Brewery, 515 Brewing Company, Kinship Brewing, Confluence Brewing Company, Lua Brewing or a specialty beer and New American cuisine at Barn town Brewing!  Roots 95 Craft Kitchen and Bar is a hot spot recently opened offering Asian Fusion cuisine.  Tito’s Lounge is the place to be with a fun ambiance offering Mediterranean food. Clive and the surrounding region are a true foodie’s paradise! If you’ve been to the area before, feel free to chime in on our posts on social media. We’d love for our followers to see your suggestions, and we may even add them to a future blog update!

Looking for a fun day out with family and friends this Spring and Summer? Well, ladies and gents, step right up! We’ve got a great list of carnivals, state fairs, and county fairs that will surely razzle and dazzle you. We’re dishing up plenty of fun, excitement, and delicious foods with our lineup on today’s blog. more Fantastic Fairs and Festivals for Spring and Summer 2024 From April 25th through April 28th, the Grayslake Carnival will offer rides, games, and delicious food for all ages, and a special $25 unlimited ride wristband on Thursday evening, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday afternoon! The Long Grove Craft  Beer Festival is for visitors 21+ to enjoy an incredible lineup of local participating breweries, live music, and good eats! You’ll also get a commemorative glass and unlimited 3oz samples with your admission. On April 27th, the Adler Arts center in Libertyville is hosting their Annual Earth Day event featuring family-friendly activities, educational demonstrations, recycled artwork, and more. On May 18th in Lake Zurich, enjoy a unique family-friendly event for an unforgettable experience at the Water Lantern Festival at Paulus Park. Design your own lantern to join in on the lantern launch, sample some delicious eats from local food trucks, enjoy the live music and try some fun games and activities. From May 24th through the 26th, the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center will host the annual Lake County Food Festival featuring everything rom wood-fired pizzas to delectable seafood to gourmet sliders and more. It’s a great family-friendly event for foodies! June 1st and 2nd at the Lake County Fairgroudns and Event Center is “Illinois Vintage Fest” - a gathering of more than 200 vendors with vintage clothing, fine handicrafts, artisan works, antiques, retro collectibles, and more. Running June 7th through the 29th at Port Clinton Square on Fridays and SAturdays is the Bitter Jester Music Festival, featuring live music from local musical acts and  bands from all across the Midwest in Downtown Highland Park The 4th Annual LAke County Pride Fest is happening on June 8th at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center. Long Grove’s Strawberry Festival promises to be “berry fun” this year from June 21st through the 23rd! On June 8th the B4 Summer Festival from 4:30 to 11 PM featuring the largest corn maze in the world is coming to Spring Grove! 2024 County Fairs in Illinois July 24th through July 28th Lake County Fair in Grayslake July 25th through the 28th Dupage County Fair in Wheaton July 30th through August 4th Mclean County Fair in Bloomington July 31st through August 4th Kankakee County Fair and Expo in Kankakee September 4th through the 8th Dekalb County Fair in Sandwich 2024 Summertime State Fair Fun for the Midwest The Illinois State Fair is back this August 8th through the 18th in Springfield, IL.  This wonderful fair is inspired by our state’s long, rich history of agriculture, and features an incredible yearly lineup of live music and entertainment, unmatched food and beverage from local vendors, a plethora of family-friendly activities, and more games and rides than you could ever imagine. It’s one of our favorite annual activities. The Wisconsin State Fair returns to West Allis from August 1st through the11th, which gives you plenty of time to split your days and visit this and Illinois!  The Wisconsin State Fair also focuses on the state’s agricultural achievements, and highlights the best in local eateries and food trucks.  There’s also lots of live entertainment, games, and rides for visitors of all ages, making it a great family day out! The Indiana State Fair runs August 2nd through the 18th, highlighting the best of the state’s agricultural and cultural heritage, with fun and interesting exhibitors and vendors, lots of  live entertainment, and plenty of classic fair foods as well as dining from local favorite establishments. The Iowa State Fair rolls out on August 8th through the 18th in Des Moines, and is home to some of the most incredibly interesting butter sculptures. Yes, you read that right!  In addition to these unique edible art installations, there will of course be live entertainment, music, and rides and games galore!

Get ready for warm weather weekends and plan those Summer Vacation itineraries! We’re coming at you with another fantastic travel guide to help you make the most of your adventure excursions. With one of the country’s largest concentrations of freshwater lakes, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular destination for anglers and outdoor aficionados. If standing and waiting patiently for something to swim by and take the bait isn’t your idea of excitement, you can leave the fishermen to their moment of zen and pursue some adrenaline. There’s also a plethora of outdoor excursions and adventures to be had besides fishing! more Tips for Fishing in Minocqua Game fishing season opens the first Saturday of every May for walleye, northern pike, and bass, but you can snag perch, crappie, and bluegill as open options year round. During the month of May through the first week of June walleye northern pike crappie perch and bluegill are top priority. But where to start on your journey to the catch of the season?  Let’s try the Minocqua Chain of Lakes region! The Minocqua Chain of Lakes area encompasses 5 different lakes with ample opportunities to catch plenty of impressive fish. First up is Tomahawk Lake, a 3,462 acre lake that’s 84 feet deep with unparalleled clarity.  You’ll find muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish.  Minocqua Lake has 1,339 acres and is 60 feet deep with moderately clear water.  You’ll find muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish.  Kawaguesaga lake is 700 acres and 44 feet deep; you’ll find panfish to be the most common catch followed by muskie, smallmouth bass, and walleye.  Mid Lake is 221 acres, and just 12 feet deep; its most common catches are muskie, northern pike, and panfish.  Little Tomahawk Lake is 153 acres and 48 feet deep; common catches here include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass,walleye, and muskie. If you’d like to branch out and try some new fishing spots, we recommend heading just outside the Chain of Lakes region to these three fine destinations!  Squirrel Lake is a gorgeous 1,309 acre lake with a 46 foot depth, and anglers have noted muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish as the most common fish to catch, although northern pike have been found as well.  Clear Lake is 95 feet deep and 873 acres, with common catches including muskie, walleye, trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish.  Shishebogama Lake is 700 acres and 42 feet deep and a great spot to snag some muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, and panfish. Fun for the Angler-Averse For the adventurous traveler, we highly recommend trying out the Northwoods Zip Line Adventure Tour! It’s one of the most popular activities in the area since opening in 2014. You’ll take a heart pounding zipline tour of the forest canopy, and see the area like never before. If you’re looking to make a memory that will really stick with you, this is the activity for you. There’s nothing quite like the wind whipping through your hair and the magnificent view of the woodlands and lake region.  Plus, you can book a package to try their other activities and make a day of it. For another unique perspective of the Minocqua area, consider booking a horseback trail riding session!  Nearby Rock Falls Riding Stable offers guided trail tours for all ages. Your knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the forest and help you identify plants and wildlife as well as answer your questions about equine interests. Plus, they offer a wonderful option for families with a package offering 18-hole mini golf, a 45-min horseback ride, and go-karts, which just can’t be beat for the value. HIking and mountain biking enthusiasts will be enamored with the incredible scenery and well-groomed trails of the Bearskin State Trail area. Hikers and walkers will enjoy the nice woodsy trail, and if you keep your eyes peeled there’s plenty of local wildlife to observe as well. Bring your camera and you may be treated to some really fabulous nature photography ops. Another fantastic excursion is a visit to the Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo and Nature Center, an incredible 168 acre zoo and safari park. Explore, observe, and learn facts about more than a thousand animals encompassing more than two hundred species!  It’s the second largest zoo in Wisconsin, and is just a short drive away from the fisherman’s paradise.  You can opt to stroll on your own, or take a guided tour from the local staff. As you can see, there’s plenty of reasons that this is one of the best nature inspired vacations in Wisconsin! Feel free to tell us about your favorite places in the Minocqua area and we may just feature them in a future blog post.

We’re bringing you even more educational car content today as part of our gearhead guru guide series! For today’s edition, we’re explaining the different types of vehicle bodies and the qualities and characteristics of each one. We want to help you be better equipped to make the right choice for your needs and driving style when buying or leasing a car from our dealership.  We’ll break down the look and functionality of each basic type and category to help you better differentiate between them, and how it may fit your driving style.  Let’s get started! more Convertible - This body style has a retractable roof that exposes the passenger cabin “to the elements”.  Many convertibles have a retractable fabric roof that folds done, but some models offer an alternative “targa top” or “hard top” feature; modern vehicles generally have an electronic powered roof retraction, but some are manual. These cars are more of a sports car and niche market, rather than being an acceptable family-friendly vehicle. A majority of convertible vehicles are sports-car or coupe styled, or more suited to off-roading adventures. When the top is retracted, they’re fairly noisy vehicles due to road noises and wind, and are also far less fuel efficient than their aerodynamic roof-covered counterparts.  However, the appeal lies in that unique feature of a retractable roof, unforgettable breezy feeling of the wind in your hair, and the head-turning look of this uncommon style. Coupe - The general rule of thumb for a coupe is 2 doors, a trunk, and a solid roof. They’re a sportier cousin of the 4-door sedan, and can sometimes offer convertible options as well.  While they generally offer more seating space and cargo room than the average sports car, they’re not not high on the list for family vehicles.  Some vehicles that feature a lower or sleeker rooflines or a shorter crossover vehicle are referred to as “coupe styled”, but may not fit into the official definition as they have 4 doors. Hatchback - Generally this refers to a compact or subcompact sedan with a rear flip-up hatch door cargo area and a squared-off roof design.  They offer more cargo area than a conventional trunk, and a sleeker, sportier styling than the average sedan.  In recent years the hatchback has grown in popularity, and some smaller SUV models have adopted a raked hatchback door o access the cargo area.  Hatchbacks are a wonderful alternative to the previous generations station wagon, offering a more attractive design but with all of the convenience of a sedan’s external footprint for maneuverability and handling.  They’re generally more fuel efficient than the typical station wagon, and perfect for people who travel with pets in tow.  If you’re looking for something in between a sedan and an SUV, the hatchback is a great choice as it marries the best of both vehicle styles! Minivan - This is a world class choice for families on the go thanks to their efficient ability to carry large passenger loads and a significant amount of cargo.  Most minivans are built on a passenger car platform and have a lower body than a full-size van.  They feature sliding or hinged rear doors, and 3 rows of seating to accommodate up to 8 or 9 passengers.  They’re very practical, easy to get in and out of, and are an excellent value for the cost.  Some of the drawbacks include lower fuel economy than a sedan, a large external footprint that can make them difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or on-street parking, and they’re less aesthetically pleasing than an SUV.  However, they continue to remain a wise choice for a family car, and especially in single-car households, thanks to their fantastic comfort and roominess, cargo capacity, reputation for being a reliable workhorse, and stupendous standard safety features. Pickup Truck - This vehicle style features a passenger cab in the front and an open cargo bed in the rear. Nearly all pick-up trucks offer all-wheel drive or an option to toggle into four-wheel drive for off-road use as desired.  Pickup trucks are offered in two size categories: full-size and mid-size.  Most pick-up trucks offer limited space in the cabin for seating, generally with 2 larger seats and an optional, minimum leg room 2nd row.  Pickup trucks are the workhorse vehicle on this list, able to tow, haul, and carry very large loads.  They’re sturdy, powerful, and great for those who do a lot of adventurous traveling or need to carry heavy items.  However, the majority of models do not offer as efficient fuel mileage as an SUV or hatchback, which can be costly.  Additionally, repetitive towing or hauling can put a lot of wear and tear on the transmission over time if you’re not mindful.  They’re not a great choice for families due to their lack of seating options, but are often a popular option for people with large animals or livestock due to the tow capacity and rear truck bed space.  They’re tough vehicles inside and out, and are prized due to their rugged appearance and styling, making them very popular with outdoor enthusiasts and tradespeople alike. Sedan - This type of body style is a 4-door car with a separate trunk. It’s considered a “three-box” body: the front box is where the engine is, the middle box is the interior cabin and seats, and the third is the trunk area.  Sedans are accessible by a wide variety of drivers as well as families. They’ve got a great reputation for being reasonably priced and affordable, offering ample performance + comfort, as well as great fuel efficiency, wonderful handling, and plenty of cargo capacity.  Overall they’re easier to drive and park than a larger vehicle like a truck, van, or SUV. As for disadvantages, they do offer smaller cabins and less seating capabilities than the aforementioned. Sports Car - In general these are the sleekest, fastest, and least practical of the coupe and convertible crowd. They’re generally quite low to the ground, offer low cargo space and seating capacity, and are often quite pricy; high-end exotic cars can look quite futuristic and more like a toy or concept car than a practical vehicle.  Exceptions to this “rule” include vehicles like muscle cars, which are generally bigger, louder, and more impressive than a tiny roadster. Muscle cars are American made, built to appear tough and strong, and offer high-performance driving in a large 2-door sporty looking package.  Cars of this category are impractical to use as daily drivers, and certainly not a great choice for those looking for spacious cargo capacity or family-friendly seating. However, if you’re looking for something that will catch the eye of everyone you pass by, offer supreme speed and power, and don’t have any qualms about spending big bucks? They’re the perfect car for you!  Many sports cars also retain high value on the collectible market, making them a popular choice for vehicle enthusiasts around the world. Station Wagon - This body style actually has a similar build to a sedan, but also features an extended roofline and a hatch style door instead of a trunk.  Unlike a sedan’s smaller trunk, they offer significantly more cargo capacity, and many also offer an option for a removable third row of rear seating in the hatchback area.  They have similar safety features and are just as spacious and practical as an SUV, but offer more fuel economy mileage and are lighter in weight.  This design is significantly less popular now, as it has been replaced in popularity as a family vehicle by the SUV/crossover market.  Stylistically, they’re generally considered “outdated” and less sleek than their SUV counterparts.  For those who prefer a smaller vehicle than an SUV but still desire more room than the average sedan, many shoppers have instead swapped over to a small to midsized hatchback sedan.  However, you can certainly find a fair amount of them on the collector’s market with quite an enthusiastic fanbase! SUV - The sport utility vehicle, sometimes also known as a “Crossover”, is taller and boxier than the sedan, and has higher ground clearance than a car. They’re offered in sizes such as subcompact, mid-size, and full-size. This vehicle body type offers more than ample space for interior cabin room as well as cargo, many offer optional 3rd row or additional seating configurations, all-weather driving capabilities, impressive towing capacity, higher driving position for visibility, and generally more state of the art safety features. They are typically heavier, and have higher centers of gravity, are more expensive to purchase and operate, and may not be as easy to navigate through narrow spaces or busy cities. Many of them also offer all-wheel drive options. They’re very popular for active families as well as those who travel with pets in tow, and well-received by that demographic for their comfort, power, and room! If you’re in the market to replace your current vehicle, but are undecided as to what style you’d like next? Let us help guide you to the vehicle of your dreams so you can get out there and explore the open road. Come on down to our Classic dealerships and we’ll get you behind the wheel so you can test drive your top choices and see for yourself!

Writing travel guides for our readers is one of our favorite things to do!  We love sharing inspiring places for your road trip itineraries. (And, of course, we also have plenty of guides on our blog for how best to prep your car and pack for the drive!)  Today, we’re sharing our picks for must-see midwest sculpture parks for an unforgettable road trip experience. What better way could there be to celebrate the growth and beauty of Springtime than taking gorgeous nature walks through sprawling grounds dotted with larger than life artwork against a scenic backdrop? Exactly. We love that many of these parks are also free and open to the public year round, making them a wonderful option for a budget-friendly road trip stop.  Who says you can’t have fun while watching your wallet? Not us, that’s for sure. more (Image from Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park Website) Here are some of our picks for incredible Midwest Sculpture Parks to visit this Spring and Summer! Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at University Park in Illinois - Situated in the tallgrass prairie and sprawling across more than 100 acres, 30+ sculptures stand tall and impressive on the grounds of Governors State University.  It’s open 365 days a year with free admission, making it a fantastic destination for families without breaking the bank.  The park also runs a schedule of selected programs, lectures, and workshops for both adults and children focusing on the integration and relationship of art and nature.  The enormous sculptures feature everything from carved stone, sculpted metal, to a 30-foot tall larger than life Paul Bunyan!  It’s absolutely beautiful to behold during the Spring and Autumn seasons especially.  29 of the sculptures are permanent collection pieces, and a variety of limited-viewing and rotating temporary pieces are available to view each year. Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park in Skokie, Illinois - Located just north of Chicago, this park especially highlights local Chicago artists and other creators through four different sections of park area. Artworks here are created from a variety of media including resin, metal, wood, clay, wire, and more.  It’s worth a visit during each season, as the dynamic and aesthetic of the sculptures in its natural environment changes with each season and type of weather!  Hop on a free tour with a volunteer docent, or walk the grounds on your own accord.  Got a pet in tow? Well-mannered and leashed pets are allowed on the property, just remember to clean up after your dog and be respectful of the landscaping, sculptures, and other guests.  It’s a great space as well for picnic lunch, a leisurely bike ride, or a change of pace for your usual running routine!  Be sure to check the calendar of events to find out if there are any hands-on workshops, artistic activities, or guest lectures during your visit.  There are more than 60 large-scale installations and sculptures on display, and the park is divided up into four sections, each about a half-mile long, with different creations in each sector.  Be sure to check out the venue’s “Art in the Park” event if you can! Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park in Mount Vernon, Illinois - This sculpture park is one of the largest in the Midwest, with more than 70 sculptures, each lovingly crafted by a variety of both local and regional artists, and placed across the park’s 80 acre grounds.  It provides an immersive experience seamlessly blending nature with art created from bronze, steel, stone, wood, concrete, and mixed media materials.  You can walk through the grounds’ three trail options, or enjoy the unique “Art After Dark” driving tour experience.  The sculpture park is open all year round, and offers an interesting experience with a “Seek and Find” directory of different sculptures to find and identify in Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter through their downloadable materials. It’s a wonderful option to engage with the artwork in a new way!  The garden is open on from 10AM to 5PM Tuesday through Saturday, and Sundays from 1PM to 5PM; it is closed on Mondays and on National Holidays, so be sure to factor that in to your schedule.  Check out their recent calendar of events and you may be able to catch a special guest lecture, hands-on activity, or the Art and Craft fair event. For some smaller-scale but equally beautiful entries into the sculpture parks of Illinois, you may also want to check out The Sculpture Park of Schaumburg, West Street Sculpture Park in Galena, and Scovill Sculpture Park in Decatur, Enos Park Sculpture Garden in Springfield. Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park in Indianapolis, Indiana - This is one of the largest art parks in the US, with 100 acres of wetlands, forests, and beautiful interactive sculptures and public art installations dotting the land around a 35-acre lake, and it’s completely free to visit!  It’s also home to the largest native pollinator meadow in Indianapolis, an impressive sight to see.  The intent of the park is to inspire visitors to explore the relationship between humans, art, and nature.  If you’re looking for an accessible destination, a large portion of the park contains accessible pathways for mobility access, and there is a designated ADA and stroller friendly lot on grounds as well.  Visitors will delight in the fact that they’re encouraged to interact and play with many of the features, including relaxing or sitting on the “Bench Around the Lake” exhibit, or enjoy a game of basketball or free-throws at the incredible “Free Basket” sculpture court.  This summer, three new sculptures will be added as part of the Home Again Exhibit featuring work by Heather Hart, Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood, and local Indianapolis-based artist Anila Quayyum Agha!  It’s the first major activation at the park since 2010, and the first installation of The Hawryluk Sculpture Green outdoor public art installation.  Make sure you add this stop to your next Indiana trip so you can witness this historic art event in person! Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota - This incredible 11-acre garden is filled to the brim with native plants and blossoms, as well as an outstanding amount of stunning sculptures and art installations, and is free to explore and visit from 6AM to midnight!  It’s open 365 days a year, offering visitors a chance to explore more than 40 outdoor sculptures in different weather and seasons.  There’s even a miniature golf course on site featuring yearly updates with artist-designed holes ($10 to play for guests 7 and up, but 6 and under are free with paid adults)  It’s a fantastic place to take the family for an outing, especially during the Springtime and prime picnic weather!  Enjoy a stroll around the grounds and observe how art and nature blend together to create a unique viewing experience for each peace.  It’s the perfect opportunity to learn how art is in the eye of the beholder, as you find new ways to check out the larger than life 3D sculptures from different angles, distances, times of day, and even repeat visits during different seasons!  Plus, with free admission it makes a great family friendly excursion if you’re vacationing on a budget.

With the spring sunshine and lengthening days, we’re hankering to get out there and enjoy nature!  Today, we’re sharing a great guide for super springtime sites and activities in the Indiana Dunes State Park. Located along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll find no shortage of outdoor thrills and activities here all year round!  From exploring the sand dunes to hiking the trails to biking and bird watching, there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast.  Spring is the perfect time to visit, too, as you’ll avoid the heavy crowds of summer tourism and be able to enjoy a nice peaceful visit. more Have you been to the Indiana Dunes National or State Parks? Tell us about your favorite things to see or trails to hike in the comments! Let’s take a look at some of the top attractions and activities to try while you’re there! The Cowles Bog Trail is a moderately challenging almost 5 mile loop near Dune Acres, shaped like a balloon on a string with a straightaway and then a loop.  This gorgeous trail walks along the marsh and through the woodlands leading to the lake.  It has a beautiful boardwalk and trail through several habitats with plenty of animals and birds to observe!  In the spring, you’ll notice the ferns unfurling and wildflowers blossoming, making a beautiful painterly backdrop.  There are some hills on the route, so it may be challenging to some visitors.  You’ll observe marshes, wetlands, woodlands, shoreline, and beach habitats, so get that camera ready to spot some beautiful creatures along the way. Enjoy some Wildflower spotting along Heron Rookery Trail, Paul H Douglas Trai, and Tolleston Dunes Trail. Flowers in these areas are in peak bloom in late April and mid-May, though some flowers linger until June!  Flowers in this area include violents, buttercups, wild ginger, spring beauty plants, dutchman breeches,wild lupine, butterfly weed, prickly pear cactus, and more! Traditional GeoCaching and EarthCaches are available for adventure seekers of all ages!  With traditional geocaching, visitors can go on a hunt for secret areas with different locations, then take a picture and sign the guest book to mark their visit. Some geocachers also leave behind small treasures in the hidden containers for others to find. EarhCaches are special locations that you can visit with unique characteristics and find educational notes with fun facts and make their own scientific observations.  Experimental and unique caching options such as Lab Caches and Virtual Caches are limited, but are located at various locations in the park and surrounding areas. Caching sites are located at Chellberg Farm, Mt Baldy, Kemil Beach, Cowles Bog, Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, West Beach, Miller Woods. Explore the Bailly Homestead National Historic Landmark and Chellberg Farm. This trail allows you to visit two historic sites in one fell swoop.Once the home of Joseph Bailly de Messein, a fur trader and one of the first settlers in the region whose trading post served as a meeting point for those traveling between Detroit and Chicago.  The trail here is about 2.5 miles, leading you past the homestead and cemetery and through the forests and on to the farm.  You’ll follow a stretch of the Little Calumet River, and check out the recently restored Mnoke Prairie!  The Chellberg Family were swedish immigrants who farmed the land from 1870 through the early 1900s. It’s a live working farm, and you can also enjoy tours! Visit the Little Calumet River Water Trail or walk along the 15 miles of beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan to catch fantastic spots for fishing, kayaking, paddling, and other aquatic pursuits.  For those who prefer to stay on dry land, you’ll enjoy a wide array of hiking and biking trails nearby that are perfect for picnics and camping as well.

We’re so happy it’s Spring, and what perfect timing that today is National Gardening Day!  We are very excited to spend our day planning out our gardens and prepping the beds. Or maybe we’ll head out and take a walk through the botanical garden and enjoy some gorgeous flora. Or maybe we’ll explore the local garden centers and select some new house plants for our indoor gardens, too!  No matter how you choose to spend the day today, rest easy knowing that gardening and spending time in flowers and plants is great for your health, so there’s never a better excuse to take a day off and tiptoe through the tulips! more Let’s explore the local tulip fields nearby and take some gorgeous spring family photos!   Tulip season is very fleeting, just a few weeks in April and maybe early May, so make sure you visit soon. Sunken Gardens at Phillips Park in Aurora Kuipers Family Farm Midwest Tulip Festival in Maple Park Flowers on Fargo in Geneva Tulip Fields At the Morton Arboretum in Lisle Tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard The “Tulip House” at Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook Cantigny Park in Wheaton If you think of yourself as more of the DIY type, there's no time like the present to get out there in the dirt. Gardening has some truly wonderful benefits for your mind, body, and soul! You can boost your mood with just 30 minutes of gardening thanks to its ability to lower the stress hormone cortisol. It’s fantastic physical exercise and aerobic activity to help you raise your heart rate and break a sweat. It can improve your mental health by boosting confidence, increasing a feeling of happiness and satisfaction, and a dose of healthy self-esteem from a successful venture. Gives your body a boost of Vitamin D from working outdoors in sun! Hitting the stores for some new flowers or houseplants? Let us help you learn how to Transport Plants safely in your vehicle! You’ll need the following: Cardboard boxes, foldable storage bins, laundry baskets Sheet cake pans Small towels Small plastic bags or trash bags Recycled newspapers Optional: nonskid mats for your trunk, floor, hatchback First things first, line your car with the nonskid mats.  Next, line up your cardboard boxes or bins side by side. If you’re transporting smaller plants, sheet pans are a great option!  Wrap the bottom of the pots in plastic bags or newspaper to prevent dirt and moisture from getting into your vehicle.  Then, place your plants gently into the boxes or bins, grouping small plants together closely as possible, and medium or large plants in their own boxes.  Place rolled up newspaper or small towels between the plants to ensure they don’t slide around while driving. If you’re driving a long distance, or making a few stops for more errands, make sure to place low-light plants in the shadier areas of the car, and the ones who like direct sunlight in where they’ll get the most sun to avoid wilting. If you’re taking plants with you while moving house or apartments, you’ll want to make sure the plants are in a temperature-controlled environment so avoid too-hot or too-cold temps blasting from the vents; likewise, if they’re making a big move with you, be sure to give them adequately wet soil before the drive!  You’ll also want to consider pruning your plants before the big move to get rid of dead leaves and the like. Check out our picks for local area garden centers and more!  Then pack up your new Classic Auto Group home with some trunk storage supplies, and get started on your own container garden and urban agriculture project. Garden Centers in the Area: Gurnee Garden Center in Gurnee Buena Vibra Plant Shop in Waukegan Larsen Florists & Greenhouses Mary’s Greenhouse in Gurnee Larsen Florists and Greenhouses in Waukegan Plant House in Waukegan Lurvey Landscape Supply in Park Cit y Country Gardens Garden Center in Lake Villa Pasquesi Home & Gardens in Lake Bluff Country Bumpkin Garden Center in Mundelein Roses & Roses & Roses in Wadsworth Windy City Garden Center in Evanston Reds Garden Center & Fireplace Logs in Northbrook Rolling Hills Nursery in Lincolnshire J&E Nursery in Libertyville Perricone Garden Center & Nursery

On today’s blog, we’re sharing a shortlist of things to remember if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here’s a handy checklist you can print out and keep in your vehicle in case of emergency such as an accident or vehicle collision. Our checklist is intended to be merely informational only, but it may help you keep a clear head to gather all of the necessary information if you’re in a tough spot. more Ways to Be Prepared In Case of a Collision or Car Accident: Keep an Emergency Car Kit in Your Trunk or Backseat with the following: Bottled Water Basic First Aid Kit Flashlights Blankets Jumper Cables LED Flares Blanket/Towels Note Pad and Pen/Pencil Always make sure you have the following items in your glove compartment or on your person: Updated license and registration Copies of your insurance ID cards Emergency contact information of friends/family What to do if you’ve unfortunately been in an accident or collision with another vehicle: Take a deep breath, stay calm, and assess the situation.  You’ve just been involved in a stressful and frightening situation, so emotions will be running high! Do your best to stay calm and collected, and assess the scene and safety of your passengers. Stop your vehicle, turn on your hazards, and turn off your engine. Assess the situation as best you can, and determine if it is safe to exit your vehicle. If the vehicles pose a threat to traffic or other drivers, and it is safe to do so, get your vehicles moved to the side of the road and out of oncoming traffic.   Take photographs of the situation as best you are able before moving any vehicles; this may be helpful to insurance/law enforcement’s ability to assess cause/fault. Get yourselves to safety if you are unable to move the vehicles; find a safe space in the median, the shoulder, or other safe distance from oncoming traffic or dangerously damaged vehicles. Contact 9-1-1 or local law enforcement and let them know that you have been in an accident.  The operator or local police will arrange for an ambulance and officer to arrive on-site and assess all parties. Stay calm, avoid getting into arguments, and be sure to have a clear exchange of information with the other party/parties involved: Their name, age, address, phone number, work number/employer info if possible Car insurance company and policy number and policy expiration date License plate number for the driver/owner of each vehicle Thoroughly document the situation (for use with your personal injury lawyer and insurance claims agent): Note the date, time, and weather at the time of the incident. Take photos with your cell phone or camera. Create a simple diagram of the incident and the vehicles involved and direction of travel. Document the condition of each car Document any injuries to all involved persons/pets and note if the person is a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or member of the other party Request medical assessment and seek medical help. If you feel you have been seriously injured on site, request transport to a hospital or local emergency room. If you do not feel immediate transport is required, call and schedule a doctor’s appointment ASAP and let them know you’ve been in an accident. File an accident report, and pick up a copy at the police station or via the Department of Motor Vehicles website.  Report the accident to your insurance company, even if you think the other driver is at fault.