We advise boaters to take necessary precautions to be safe during the summer season, the time of year when boat accident claims increase in frequency, according to an analysis of claims incidence at Travelers, a leading provider of boat and yacht insurance. “Substantially more people are on the water during the summer, so that is the time boaters should be extra careful to protect their family, friends and watercraft from a loss,” said Tony Scurich of Scurich Insurance.  “It’s also a good time to review your boat and yacht insurance with an independent agent to be sure you have adequate coverage.” We recommend the following boat safety tips:

• Wear a life jacket:  80 percent of drowning victims were not wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) or life jacket.  Most states require that children under a certain age wear a life jacket and that every boat be equipped with one life jacket per passenger.
• Take a boating course:  Even if your state does not mandate the completion of a boating course prior to obtaining your boating license, both you and your passengers will benefit from a formalized course.  To learn more about boating safety classes, visit http://cgaux.org/boatinged.
• Schedule a vessel safety check:  The Coast Guard auxiliary offers free safety checks.  For more information, visit www.vesselsafetycheck.org/getvsc or http://www.uscgboating.org/default.aspx.
• Equip your boat with an emergency kit and be familiar with how to use each of the items.  Travelers recommends including the following:  fire extinguisher, first aid kit, visual distress signal and/or a Coast Guard-approved throwable PFD, such as a life ring or a horseshoe.  Organize an emergency plan and make sure that passengers are familiar with it.  Remember to test equipment and be knowledgeable of the suggested guidelines for usage and replacement.
• Be prepared for the weather:  Check the weather forecast before going on the water and be equipped for changes.
• Know where you are:  The Coast Guard recommends having charts, a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a reliable means of communication on board.
• Know how to contact the Coast Guard:  Marine radio is the preferred method to communicate on the water because it broadcasts to other boaters in the vicinity.  If using a cell phone on the water, test it for a maritime emergency by dialing *CG (*24).  There is no charge or penalty for calling to test the signal.
  • Do not drink and drive:  According to the Coast Guard, a boat operator with a blood alcohol level of .10 percent is 10 times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than a boat operator with a blood alcohol level of zero.  Operating a boat while drinking is illegal in several states.  Remember that the effects of alcohol are exacerbated when combined with sun exposure and being on the water.

Established in 1924, Scurich Insurance is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products including Auto, Home, Life, and more…  Scurich Insurance is a member of [ASSOCIATIONS] and supports [LOCAL CHARITIES OR ORGANIZATIONS]. For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please visit Scurich Insurance at 320 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95077-1170 or call (831)-722-3541.   About Travelers The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business.  The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage sold primarily through independent agents and brokers. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has operations in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Ireland. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.

Are you confident that your loved ones would have financial security if you were to die today? If not, consider purchasing life insurance. It pays a death benefit to your loved ones when you die, and it provides peace of mind and financial security to your survivors. Smoking, however, can limit your ability to afford life insurance.

Life Insurance is Based on Risk

Insurance companies offer a variety of policies, but they reserve the right to adjust rates based on risk factors. If you smoke or engage in other behavior that's considered high-risk or unhealthy, expect to pay more for coverage.

Why is Smoking a Risk?

Whether you've smoked for years or recently picked up the habit, life insurance companies see you as high-risk. They base their perspective on two factors.

1. Smoking increases potentially fatal health issues like cancer, heart disease, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
2. Smoking is the leading cause of premature death in the U.S. How Much More do Smokers Pay?

Every policy is different, but on average, smokers can expect to pay around 15 percent more for life insurance. So, if a non-smoker with a similar demographic and health pays $50 per month, a smoker could pay as much as $57.50.

Is There an Affordable Solution?

Before you give up on finding affordable life insurance, shop around. Your insurance agent can assist you in finding the most affordable life insurance premium.

Additionally, remember that insurance companies factor in how long you've smoked and how much you smoke. While their preferred rates may not go into effect until you've been nicotine-free for 12 or more months, you can start maintaining a smoke-free lifestyle now by enrolling in a smoking cessation program.

You may also find affordable premium rates if you bundle your life insurance with other policies like health, home and auto.

Talk to your insurance agent today. Find the most affordable life insurance policy for you, and give your loved ones financial peace of mind.

31st Annual Mother’s Day Run for Shelter

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services Benefit Fundraiser

Where: Ramsay Park, 1301 Main Street, Watsonville When: Sunday May 10, 2015 First race starts at 7:45 am – see race times below

Online Race Registration:  http://tinyurl.com/oepnnoh Or call: 831 728-5649 x107

Download 2015_Walk-Run_Registration

RACE INFORMATION

Registration: Race day registration and bib pick-up starts at 7:00 AM, Sunday, May 10th 2015.   Course closes at 10:15. Bibs are not transferable. Registration fees are non-transferable & non-refundable. For online registration go to Fees:   Registration Form required for EACH participant.

• 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk – $35 for individuals (1 T-shirt)  Registrations after Thursday, May 7, 2014: $45
• 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk – $115 per family of four, max. 2 adults Registrations after Thursday, May 7, 2015: $125
• 1K Kid’s Fun Run – $10 per child under 12 (no T-shirt) With T-shirt: $20  Registrations after Thursday, May 7, 2015 add $5

Race Start Times:

• 1K Kid’s Fun Run @ 7:45am
• 5K Walk @ 8:00am
• 5K Run @ 8:00am
• 10K Run @ 8:45am

COURSE CLOSES AT 10:00 am

• Course:   The course is certified: computerized time results will be announced & on the web site
• All runs and walks start and end at Ramsay Park.  Run and walk courses are different this year.  Course maps available at www.pvshelter.org
• Features:   Event T-shirt included in the fee (except Kid’s Fun Run); T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR FIRST 600 RUNNERS WHO REGISTER; Roses for the moms; Goody bags with goodies; Refreshments and water; music
• Awards:  10K Run & 5K Run/Walk – Medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, male/female per 5-year age division; plus gift certs for the overall male and female place first placers in 10K and 5K.
• 1K Kid’s Fun Run – all youth receive accomplishment medals, 3-year age divisions. Kids’ Awards 8:30-8:45.

Want to contribute to PVSS- BECOME A SPONSOR!

THE EVENT

Entering its the 31ST consecutive year,  the Mother’s Day Run for Shelter will bring nearly 600 participants and 100 businesses, plus crowds of spectators together to raise a goal of $100,000 in support of services to homeless families in our community. Sponsors have the ability to market to almost 800 enthusiastic runners and supporters.

“The Mother’s Day Run is one of the most prominent events in Watsonville!”

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS

Download sponsorship packet

• Sponsoring the race provides your business with the wonderful opportunity to reach new customers    and build a brand that promotes healthy living, outdoor fun and care for the community.
• Increase visibility and brand awareness through Mother’s Day Run for Shelter promotions.
• Employees will feel good about your company.
• Your business will further connect with community.
• It’s tax deductible!

LAST YEAR’S RACE NUMBERS

• 540 registered runners plus a huge crowd of supporters cheering them on!
• 84 sponsors had their information shared with our community.
• Sponsors included Graniterock, Bay Federal Credit Union, S. Martinelli & Company and Union Bank
• Some racers travelled from 11 countries and 6 states
• The race raised $64,700 to support Pajaro Valley Shelter Services’ mission to end homelessness in our community.

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services presents the 31st Annual Mother’s Day Run/Walk for Shelter on Sunday, May 10th at Ramsay Park in Watsonville and will include a 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and a 1K Kids’ Fun Run. Goodies include t-shirts, roses for mothers, medals for winners, continental breakfast and a live DJ. This year, families with strollers will be allowed in the event.  For 31 years, the community of Watsonville has supported PV Shelter’s Mother’s Day Run to ensure the continuation of services for homeless families. The first race was held in 1984 and raised $8,000. with a small crowd in attendance. This year we expect over 600 people to help raise $100,000!

This well-loved event can be enjoyed by attendees of all ages and skill levelS, from the competitive runners to the weekend joggers to families who want to walk together. Starting and ending in Ramsay Park, the race route is a beautiful trek around Watsonville’s slough trails. Start your Mother’s Day off by joining the community in supporting the end of homelessness for mothers, their children and families in South County.  The first race starts at 7:45 and the entire event ends at 10:00 am just in time to enjoy the rest of Mother’s Day.

“The Mother’s Day Run has become a tradition. For many, there are three generations who do the run/walk together, and then go to brunch afterwards. It’s a great family tradition –to help end homelessness on Mother’s Day.” PVSS Executive Director, Kimberly Ferm

Community Support

PV Shelter has the recipe for successfully changing the lives of families experiencing homelessness, by giving them the tools to help themselves. The Mother’s Day Run for Shelter is PV Shelter’s biggest fundraising event. The Race/Walk is an opportunity for the community to partner with PV Shelter to raise funds, so we can continue our mission of promoting self-sufficiency and changing the lives of families experiencing homelessness.

About Pajaro Valley Shelter Services: About Pajaro Valley Shelter Services:

Since 1983, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services has helped women, children, and families end the causes and cycles of homelessness. PVSS currently serves and helps house 80 families annually, while they complete a program to overcome financial barriers, and develop goals, skills and attitudes necessary to move on to stable housing and improved personal and economic self-sufficiency. Serving Santa Cruz County and focusing on Watsonville and Pajaro Valley, PVSS owns and operates an Emergency Shelter (for women and children), a Shelter Annex (for families with males over the age of twelve), thirteen units of Transitional Housing, and four units of Long-Term Supportive Housing.  Participants learn how to manage money, obtain employment, housing, care for themselves and their children, and more.

Source: http://pvshelter.org/

If workers don't use what they've learned in safety training sessions, they've wasted their time – and their employer's money. In many cases, the reason is a lack of reinforcement when they get back on the job. The first step in avoiding this problem is to meet with participants beforehand to agree on mutual expectations and objectives for the session. Depending on the type of training, this discussion can take place up to four weeks before the program begins. Don't wait until the day before the meeting. After the session, simply asking trainees how they liked the program is not enough – even though that's where reinforcement often stops. Instead, meet with workers individually and as a group for follow-up to help determine whether the training met everyone's expectations, the work environment is supportive of the concept(s) taught, and the participants know how to implement what they learned on the job. To reinforce the effectiveness of training, job safety experts recommend these guidelines:

1. Be sure that the trainer(s) have a solid understanding of the participants' jobs and make the content relevant and practical.
2. Link the training to your company's goals and objectives so that workers understand the importance and the relevance of the information.
3. Minimize interference from the job during the session so that trainees can give their full attention to the content.
4. Allow for reflection and application throughout the training, giving participants a chance to think about how to use this knowledge and skills back on the job.
5. Provide opportunities for practice and feedback to reinforce the training.

We're always ready to advise you on implementing an effective follow-up program on your job safety programs.

Playing outside isn't just for kids. It has tons of benefits for adults. One of the unexpected ones may be that it can lead to lower life insurance rates. It's not always easy to make yourself go outside and exercise, but knowing that the effort can keep you healthy and save you money can be enough for you get off the couch. The more fun you have exercising, the better the results will be. Benefits of Exercise Exercise burns calories and improves your health. Since life insurance rates are based on your health risk factors, regular physical activity can help lower your life insurance rates. These are some of the benefits of exercise. * Lower risk for heart disease and stroke. * Lower blood pressure. * Lower blood sugar levels and risk for diabetes. * Stronger bones. * Better mood. * Clearer mind. Make a Commitment to Exercise Set aside some time to exercise most days of the week. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes, but even 10 minutes is better than nothing. The trick is to find some activities that you love, and any activity that is fun and gets you moving is a good choice. These are some options. * Walk, jog, bike, swim laps, or hike. * Join a local sports league. On the days your league doesn't meet, train for your sport by doing drills, lifting weights, and getting in some cardio. * Take Zumba, boot camp or kickboxing in the park. * Go surfing. Take Advantage of Your Kids! If you have children, they're probably a significant reason why you have life insurance in the first place. Why not use them to help you get in shape? They'll keep you laughing while you exercise. * Play Tag, Follow the Leader, or Hide-and-Seek with younger children. * Play catch, shoot hoops, or kick a soccer ball with older children. * Walk around the field at your children's sports practices, and run to chase any stray balls. Everyone can find an activity that they love as long as they keep searching for it. Keeping yourself in shape will give you more energy and can keep your life insurance rates down.  

One of the best things about living in California is the gorgeous climate. It makes getting out and enjoying the outdoors an everyday occurrence. Considering how much water is available to residents in the state, combining your outdoor adventures with a boat, jet ski or wave runner brings a whole new level of fun to your life. Before you make arrangements to put your watercraft to good use, though, you need to make sure that you are covered in the event of an accident.

California Watercraft Laws

Each person who is on board a watercraft must be wearing a life jacket that has been approved by the Coast Guard. The approved types are Types I, II, III and V. Operating a personal watercraft such as a jet ski is prohibited between sunset and sunrise even if the craft is outfitted with the correct navigational lights. Only individuals that are aged 16 and older can operate a boat that is more than 15 horsepower unsupervised. Children between the ages of 12 and 15 can do so under the direct supervision of a person who is over the age of 18. There are also specific stipulations against negligent and unsafe behavior while operating a watercraft.

Insuring Your Watercraft

It is safe to assume that you need specialized insurance for your watercraft before you take it out to play. Rather than simply purchasing a cookie cutter insurance plan, however, work closely with your insurance agent to craft a customized insurance package that meets your unique needs. In most cases, this insurance plan will include liability in case you accidentally damage someone else's property or cause injury to another person. Collusion and comprehensive insurance is also a standard addition and protects your own boat and other watercraft in the event that it is damaged.

Taking your fun off road ratchets up the fun quotient considerably. There is nothing quite like the thrill of hitting the rugged trails and backwoods roads in your ATV or dirt bike. Keep the fun flowing all year round by making sure that you have the right insurance before you head out on your favorite recreational vehicle.

Don't Make Insurance Assumptions

The last thing you want to do is assume that your current insurance will cover any mishaps that might occur involving your ATV or dirt bike. The reality is that this is not likely to be the case. In nearly all instances, your homeowners' insurance and auto insurance will not cover any damages incurred by or to your off road recreational vehicles. For example, if you wreck your ATV on your own property, it is not likely that your homeowners insurance will pay for it.

Taking Your Recreational Vehicles out in Public

California is blessed with a gorgeous climate and many different types of terrain. Taking your dirt bike or ATV to one of the many recreational areas that exists within the state adds variety to your hobby time while also giving you much needed space to test your speed and agility. Before you make plans to do so, though, you need to make sure that you have the necessary insurance as required by California.

Specialized Insurance for Specialized Equipment

Speaking with your insurance company about your ATVs and dirt bikes can help them craft a unique insurance plan for you. This plan will provide you with the liability, collusion and comprehensive insurance that covers any issue that might arise while you are enjoying your hobby.

One of the scariest moments of a parent's life is when they hand a teen the car keys and watch one of their most precious possessions, their own flesh and blood, roll out of the driveway. Most parents wonder at this moment whether their kids are really ready for the massive responsibility of driving a car. Will their teen follow the rules of the road? Will she take unnecessary chances in the vehicle? Do their kids really understand how quickly a car can spin out of control or how it takes just a moment's inattention to cause a serious accident? Many parents find that driving adds a whole new set of issues to argue about with their teens. Some parents find that creating a safe driving contract helps everyone in the family get on the same page with regards to driving. This contract outlines what parents expect of teens when they are on the road. Use the following ideas to craft a safe driving contract for your own kids. Passengers Do you want to allow your teen driver to transport friends across town? If so, you should specify how many passengers are permitted in the car. Remember that having other teens in the car can cause the driver to become distracted and possibly cause an accident. Late Nights With the busy schedules that most teens keep, you may want to discuss what time you need your teen to be home. Emphasize that this is a safety issue, rather than a control issue, since sleepy driving can cause accidents. No Drinking and Driving Many teens know this already, but don't be afraid to write it down to emphasize how very foolish the choice to drink and drive is. Tell them that they can always call you to get a ride home, even if they are ashamed of where they are and who they are with. Tickets and Accidents Spell out the consequences of moving violations and accidents. You may want your teen to pay for his own tickets and pay for repairs to the car if the accident is his fault. No Texting and Driving Tell your teen that the cell phone should be on silent and out of his reach while driving. Even reading an incoming text can be dangerous while driving. After you have written down your thoughts about safe driving, discuss the points of the contract with your teen. Be sure to keep the conversation positive and affirming, and remind your teen that driving is a privilege. If he wants to keep this privilege, he has to play by your rules, even if he thinks they are overprotective and silly. If you need advice about your teen's auto insurance, contact Scurich Insurance Services today!

As parents, sometimes we never want our kids to grow up. It is no secret that adding a teen driver to your California auto insurance is a costly choice. In some cases, you might see your insurance premium double almost overnight when you add your teen. There is good reason for this jump in price as the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) notes that car crashes are the top cause of death for people ages 15 to 19. There are ways you can save money though.

Take a Safe Driving Course

With accident rates disproportionately higher for teen drivers than for other segment of the population, more education can help tip the balance. Taking a safe driving course can give your teen valuable skills while teaching them to be a more defensive driver. Many insurance companies provide discounts for the successful completion of such a course.

Purchase an Older Car

While every teen wants a brand new sports car as their first set of wheels, the insurance on such a vehicle will be quite high -- especially when combined with the hit your premium will take for having your teen on your insurance plan in the first place. Consider getting your freshly-minted teen driver an older set of wheels. While new cars tend to have safety features that many older cars lack, buying a used car that is a few years old can provide you with a good compromise.

Be a Good Student

Many insurance companies want to reward teens that are also good students. While the criteria can vary depending on the insurance company, if your student is on the honor roll or dean's list, is in the top 20 percent of standardized tests or maintains a B average or above, they could be eligible for a significant discount on their insurance.

“Would you like some warm Spring pie? Then, take a cup of clear blue sky. Stir in buzzes from a bee, Add the laughter of a tree.

A dash of sunlight should suffice To give the dew a hint of spice. Mix with berries, plump and sweet. Top with fluffy clouds, and eat!”

Paul F. Kortepeter, Holly Pond Hill: A Child's Book of Easter