 Here are five things you can do to ensure your kids have a great learning environment at home, while you have a great living environment. 1. Designate a homework space. Set up an inviting spot for your child to work and study. It should have plenty of light, be stocked with the needed supplies and be located in a quiet place without too many distractions, though keep in mind that some kids may work better with a parent nearby. You’ll be able to assist when needed and ensure that they stay on task. 2. Set up a system for school stuff. Have kids put their backpacks in the same place each day when they get home. When they need materials, they go to where their backpack “lives” and don’t have to hunt around. Before bedtime, everything goes back to the designated spot to minimize morning scrambling. Similarly, you should create a filing system for homework, forms and completed items. No more rooting around for 15 minutes trying to find that permission slip. 3. Eliminate clutter as much as possible. Yes, this is easier said than done, but it’s important. “Most kids are able to focus better when there are fewer distractions in their home environment,” says professional organizer Stacy Erickson of Home Key Organization in Seattle. So this is a great time for you to let go of some things you haven’t used for a while, as well as things your kids have outgrown or no longer like. For the best results, Erickson says, clear out stuff before going on the annual back-to-school shopping spree. 4. Consider using a family calendar. Limiting physical clutter is great, but what about those cluttered calendars? Families can easily get bogged down and confused by schedules that seem to have activities and events every night of the week. An easily accessible dry-erase calendar, or even a sheet you print weekly and post on the fridge, will keep everyone on the same page. 5. Once you’re in good shape, do a weekly sweep. Taking that first step to getting organized is the daunting part. So once you’ve tackled the monster, don’t let the clutter build up again. Everyone — including kids — should sort through papers and other items each week to stay on top of things. By getting organized, you’ll be setting your kids up for success and saving yourself a couple of things that historically are in short supply for parents: your time and sanity!
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In the world of insurance professionals, there are generally two kinds of agents:captive agents and non-captive, or independent agents.
Captive Agents By definition, captive agents work exclusively for one insurance carrier and are obliged to give business only to that company. While some captive agents belong to affiliated groups of their parent company, the captive agent's priority is to develop business for the parent company above all others. In return, the insurer usually provides its captive agents with an allowance for office expenses and benefits such as pensions, life and health insurance, continued insurance training and credit union membership. And, while maintaining an estimated 5,000 captive agents worldwide, the captive agent population has reportedly been on the decline. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, many insurance carriers are trying to contain business costs by shedding their captive agents and relying more on independent agents or direct marketing through the mail, by phone and on the Internet. Despite the decline, many captive agent groups maintain that captive insurers are the simplest and purest forms of agencies, which will enjoy continued success by offering a wide variety of coverages—greater than the coverages available through independent agents and brokers, leading to longevity in an array of markets. Is becoming a captive insurance agent right for you? Take a look at the benefits and challenges to find out. Benefits of captive agents:
In direct opposition to captive agents, non-captive, or independent agents, represent multiple insurance companies and work on behalf of the client to find them a policy. Non-captive agents receive the majority of their earnings through the commission of policies sold, although they may also be compensated by their sponsored agencies. While some non-captive agents are completely independent of a primary company, most non-captive agents report chiefly to one company, while still maintaining more selling freedom than captive agents. How? As an independent agent of XYZ Company, the agent must report the majority of their business to XYZ. However, if XYZ is unable to sell a policy to a customer for any reason, the non-captive agent can then find the customer a policy through another affiliated insurer. Theoretically, non-captive agents are able to pick and choose the best policy for their clients. And yet, despite the non-captive's flexibility, the road to success is not an easy one. Often times, independent agents are responsible for providing their own resources to start their business, and although the agent can work with multiple companies, they may still feel pressure to sell a healthy number of policies from one insurer in particular. Are you ready to become a non-captive insurance agent? Take a look at the benefits and challenges facing independent agents. Benefits of non-captive agents:
 Hello again Sitting around a backyard fire pit is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a nice summer evening.
Without the proper precautions, however, it can also be quite dangerous. So before you get out the graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows for National S’mores Day on August 10, check out these guidelines to make sure you won’t get burned by an unsafe fire. Decide what style is best for your yard. You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to fire pits — from ready-made metal bowls to the classic, do-it-yourself pit ringed with rocks. And they don’t even have to burn wood. Gas models can be more convenient and may actually reduce the risk of a fire blazing out of control. Make sure you follow the law. As the popularity of fire pits has grown, some municipalities are creating new regulations around their use. And general burn bans are often in effect to protect air quality. Check with your city or county to determine whether you can use a fire pit, along with the rules you need to follow. Take a look around. Make sure there aren’t any flammable materials near your fire pit or flammable surfaces, such as a wooden deck, under it. Your pit should be at least 10 feet away from any structure. Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby in case of emergency; you can also use a bucket of sand to put out your fire. Finally, check the wind direction before you start a fire, and make sure kids and pets remain at a safe distance. Build a safe fire. Only use seasoned hardwood if possible, as softer woods, such as cedar, can spark and pop. Never burn garbage, leaves or paper, and don’t use fluids — even lighter fluid — to start or restart your fire. If you have a metal fire pit, use the included screen, and don’t overload it. Make sure it’s out. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Spread the ashes out and let them cool. Pour some water (or your sand) over them — but don’t leave just yet. Always give it a little extra time to ensure the fire is totally out and won’t flare up. Besides, it’s still a nice night out, right?  Whether you’re headed to the nearest state park or traversing multiple state lines, a little planning will help you make the most of your summer motorcycle getaway. North Carolina being the best of both worlds, in my slightly biased opinion since we have the mountains on the west, and and beach to the east!
Not sure where to start? Our tips will help you figure out where to go, what to pack (spoiler alert: not too much) and how to get there safely. Where to go No, you don’t need an exact plan. But you do want to have a general idea of where you’re headed; you can always switch it up on the fly.
Packing smart – not just light – is one of the best ways to prepare for an extended motorcycle ride. We’ve all been on a trip with someone who brought four bags for three days. Don’t be that person.
Regular motorcycle maintenance is vital, but so is inspecting your bike prior to hitting the road.
 Ah, summer. It’s warm outside and comfortable inside, with air conditioners and fans blowing a cool breeze throughout the house. What a perfect time of year!
Until the power goes out, that is. Now it feels just as warm inside as it is outside — possibly worse. Everyone’s frustrated, including the pets. And you can’t even turn on the television for a little distraction. It doesn’t have to be totally miserable, though. Here are a few strategies to help you through when the power is down, the mercury is rising and you don’t know what to do: First things first, stay safe. Drink enough water to stay hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty. Alcohol and caffeine can accelerate dehydration, so avoid them. If you get dizzy or weak, sit down in a cool place, drink water and wipe your face and body with a damp cloth. If that doesn’t have you on the road to recovery, get medical attention quickly. Also consider taking the family, especially seniors, to an emergency cooling center in your area. Watch when you open the windows. Don’t open the windows when it’s scorching outside. Instead, open your windows at night (if you can safely do so) and let your home fill with that cooler air. Then, as soon as it starts to heat up, close your windows and blinds so that air sticks around as long as possible. Dress for success. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing and as little as possible (when you’re at home, at least). A water-soaked bandana or rag on your neck can work wonders, too. Now’s not the time to worry about fashion — it’s all about comfort. Undress for success. If you have a pool, well, what are you waiting for? Get suited up and jump in. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and be sure not to leave kids and pets unattended around pools no matter how shallow they are. If you don’t have a pool or even a sprinkler, a cool bath or shower is an excellent way to bring that body temperature down. Don’t forget about Fido (or Fluffy). Animals can get heatstroke too, particularly if they are very young, very old, overweight or have other medical issues. Make sure they are drinking plenty of water and that they have access to shade if they go outdoors. A cool bath or damp towel can be soothing, too, as well as a swim in the morning or evening. We know there’s just no substitute for that feeling when the air conditioner kicks back on. But following these tips can help ensure that you’ll be safe — and sane — while you’re waiting for that to happen.  At the end of the week – perhaps before – the night sky will light up with red, white and blue. It’s all part of our nation’s annual Fourth of July fun.
Yet, in recent years, along with the fireworks frenzy have come fires numbering in the tens of thousands and property damage totaling millions of dollars, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), not to mention injuries ranging from minor burns to blindness. It may be enough to make you forgo your own fireworks and enjoy a free public show in your community instead. That’s exactly what the NFPA advises. If not, celebrate with common sense and these fireworks safety tips:
And for our folks that stay or have property out at the coast, please be careful with hurricane Arthur moving in! Here's some local places/times listed for firework events! The Triangle is bursting with firework displays and Independence Day celebrations. WEDNESDAY DURHAM Baseball and fireworks? What could be better? On Wednesday and Thursday at 7:05 p.m., the Durham Bulls face the Gwinnett Braves at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, with fireworks following both games. Tickets available at durhambulls.com. SMITHFIELD Find the early birds in Smithfield on South Third Street near Johnston Street. The Coco Loco Party Band will play at 6:30 p.m., and fireworks will go off at 9:30. In between, enjoy games and other activities. THURSDAY CARY The Applause! Cary Youth Theatre will perform at 6:30 p.m. and the Cary Town Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. 919-469-4069 or go to www.carytownband.org. DURHAM Durham Bulls versus Gwinnett Braves at Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 7:05 p.m., followed by fireworks. Tickets available at durhambulls.com. GARNER Independence Day Celebration at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road. The event will include concessions, a kids’ adventure zone and a performance by the N.C. Symphony before fireworks at dusk. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the Carolina Soul Band will accompany a townwide Garner All-American City Shuffle. 919-773-4442. FUQUAY-VARINA Vendors, music, inflatable rides and fireworks from 6 to 9 p.m. at South Park, 820 S. Main St. MORRISVILLE Fireworks show will begin at dark, about 9:30 p.m., at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. WAKE FOREST A two-day celebration begins Thursday with a night of picnics and fireworks at Wake Forest High School, 420 W. Stadium Drive. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and The Band of Oz starts playing at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5, children 6 and under are free. ZEBULON The first of three nights of Fireworks Extravaganzas at Five County Stadium at 7 p.m., following the Mudcats game versus the Lynchburg Hillcats. Tickets are available at milb.com. FRIDAY APEX Downtown Apex will celebrate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The flag will be raised at 9 a.m., Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels will begin at noon, and the Fire Department Splash Down will spray away at 12:30 p.m. BENSON Celebration will get underway at 3 p.m. in the Singing Grove at 406 E. Main St. The afternoon will offer live music, dancing and activities for children. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. CARY From 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., games and family-friendly contests will occur at Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 801 High House Road. CARY Gates open at 3 p.m. for a celebration at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway. The Kids Zone will be open from 3-7 p.m. The Cary Town Band will perform at 6 p.m., and the N.C. Symphony will perform at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow the concert. Lawn seating is free. CHAPEL HILL Independence Day would not be complete without a Watermelon Eating Contest emceed by The Dirty South Improv Comedy Troop. Kenan Stadium gates open at 7 p.m. with a juggling Uncle Sam, face painting and inflatable sports challenges. The winner from each of three heats will compete on the Kenan Stadium stage, followed by the Bull City Syndicate Band and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Donations of $1 per person or $5 per family are encouraged. CLAYTON Festivities and fireworks will occur at Municipal Park on West Stallings Street. Starting at 4 p.m., families can participate in relay races, basketball competitions, cornhole and bingo. Fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m. DURHAM Catch some all-American sports with the Collegiate National Team’s two-game lineup against Chinese Taipei at 6:05 p.m., followed by the City of Durham’s official July 4th Fireworks celebration. Tickets available at durhambulls.com. DURHAM The Eno River Asssociation will be hosting a full day of music – beer garden included – at the 35th Annual Festival for the Eno at West Point on the Eno in Durham from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets and the lineup are available at enoriver.org/festival. DURHAM 65th Annual Watts Hospital-Hillandale Fourth of July parade will begin at 10 a.m. in Oval Drive Park, 210 W. Club Blvd. FRANKLIN COUNTY Louisburg High School gates will open at 5:30 p.m. On tap are games, inflatables, music, food and fireworks. Rain date July 5. HILLSBOROUGH Celebrate in a more historic fashion at the annual Picnic in the Park. The West Tryon Street parade will begin at 9 a.m. The day will include a reading of the Declaration of Independence with Mayor Tom Stevens, free performances at the Farmers Market Pavilion, pony rides at River Park a pie bake-off. 919-732-7741. KENLY A fireworks show is scheduled from 8 to 9 p.m. at Kenly 95 Petro on Johnston Parkway in Kenly. KNIGHTDALE The July Fourth Celebration at Knightdale Station will begin at 5 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park, featuring music from The Embers, food trucks, vendors and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. The event will begin at 5 p.m. A shuttle will run from Knightdale Community Park. RALEIGH The State Capitol celebration will include music, historical and military displays, carriage rides and face painting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the steps of the Capitol at noon, 30 new citizens will be naturalized followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence. RALEIGH Gates open for “The ’Works” in downtown Raleigh at noon, with 20 bands on three stages, an art sale, food vendors, a beer garden and children’s activities. Contests for hot-dog chowing, watermelon-seed spitting and ice-cream eating round out the listings. Bands start playing around noon on two Fayetteville Street stages. The gates at Red Hat Ampitheater open at 5 p.m. If you’re attending just to catch the fireworks, officials recommend you arrive by 8 p.m. for the 9:30 p.m. show. From noon to midnight, people may park their vehicles along streets in and around downtown and Glenwood South and catch the free R-LINE at one of its designated stops.www.raleighnc.gov/transit. RALEIGH For a more historic celebration, visit the Joel Lane House, 160 S. St. Mary’s St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to ask costumed docents questions about colonial life. RALEIGH If downtown’s crowds are too daunting, Brier Creek has a fireworks display planned for Friday night at dark. The show will be visible from the parking lots of both Brier Creek Commons and Brierdale Shopping Center on Brier Creek Parkway. SELMA For the 11th year, Selma’s All-American Festival will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. in the heart of downtown. The festival will feature live entertainment, a children’s area, vendors and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. WENDELL The Wendell parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Main Street near Mortex and proceed to the J. Ashley Wall Town Square. Food and music by the Seaside Band from noon to 2 p.m. ZEBULON At 7 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday, the Five County Stadium Fireworks Extravaganza will follow the Mudcats game with the Salem Red Sox. Tickets at milb.com. SATURDAY ARCHER LODGE Archer Lodge Community Center at 14009 Buffalo Road is hosting a Family Fun Day. Starting with a 7 a.m. 5K and fun run, the day includes a 2 p.m. parade, bingo and cakewalk. The Army Ground Forces Band will play at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks will blast off at 9:15 p.m. DURHAM Collegiate National Team against Chinese Taipei at 7:05 p.m., followed by fireworks. Tickets available at durhambulls.com. DURHAM The Eno River Association will host another full day of music at the 35th Annual Festival for the Eno at the West Point on the Eno from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. enoriver.org/festival. HOLLY SPRINGS Keep up the red, white and blue feelings from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Sugg Farm Park, Grigsby Avenue. Festivities – including music, food, inflatables, games, potato sack races and crafts – will begin at 5 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free.  Keeping your hands on the wheel and off your phone can keep you safe. When you text, reach for your phone or dial a phone number while driving, you’re three times as likely to get into a crash, according to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of car wrecks stem from distracted driving, leading to nine fatalities a day, according to figures on the US Department of Transportation website Distraction.gov. And mobile phones aren’t the only culprit. Distracted driving can just as easily involve eating, drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio, using your navigation system or talking to passengers. In response to distracted driving deaths, nearly every state has passed some form of law governing mobile phone usage while driving. Depending on where you live, you may be pulled over and ticketed for texting while driving. However, the risk of causing a crash or a fatality is far worse. As part of National Safety Month, the National Safety Council (NSC) is dedicating the final week of June to distracted driving awareness. Remember these tips to keep you, your passengers and others on the road safe:
 One of the richest aspects of the boating life is its deep historical roots and the sweeping impact that sailing has had on all aspects of modern life. A late-winter visit to a maritime museum is a great chance to learn how boats shaped the course of American exploration, commerce and migration. But bundled with these lofty accomplishments is sailing’s natural beauty—from graceful hulls and billowing sails to intricately carved figureheads—and the maritime-themed paintings it inspired. The following museums harbor some of the country’s finest collections and, weather (and seasonal hours) permitting, they’re accessible by land or water.
Herreshoff Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame If you love the America’s Cup and/or the exquisite yacht-design sensibilities of Captain Nathaniel G. Herreshoff (America’s greatest naval architect), then the Herreshoff Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame, located in Bristol, Rhode Island, is a must-visit museum. Here, visitors will discover a grand and historically important collection of Herreshoff-designed power and sailing yachts, including Aria, a Buzzard’s Bay 25,Amaryllis, the world’s first catamaran, and Torch, a Fishers Island 31, not to mention a fine collection of H12½-meter boats, S-Class yachts and Buzzard’s Bay 15 sloops. Additionally, the museum houses the late “Captain Nat’s” collection of hand-carved, scaled half-hull models, which he used to design yachts (including America’s Cup contenders) before lofting them into real boats in his shop, which stood on the same land that’s now occupied by the museum. Mystic Seaport Maritime Museum The Mystic Seaport Maritime Museum presents its guests with a portal back to a time when whaling ships and sailing ships plied the oceans and when bustling seaports existed to support the seafaring trades. Visitors can tour the museum’s four National Historic Landmark Vessels, the Charles W. Morgan, Emma C. Berry, L.A. Dunton, and Sabino, as well as 19th-century replicas of a village and a working shipyard. The 30 buildings that comprise the village are actual period structures that were relocated here to create this historical composite, which offers visitors a real-world perspective of life in a seaport village. The Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard continues to service and restore the museum’s fleet, while also providing a look at the tools, techniques and materials that built America into the world’s greatest seafaring nation. San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park Given San Francisco’s prominent role in 19th-century trade, exploration and westward expansion, it’s little wonder that the National Park Service built a world-class historic park dedicated to its rich maritime tradition. The San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park houses impressive collections of some 35,000 seafaring images and artifacts that range from actual bits and pieces of sailing ships to naval documentation and fine art. The museum berths eight historic vessels including a square-rigger, three schooners, two tugboats and a houseboat, and its Small Craft collection houses more than 100 “traditional and significant” boats (mostly powered by oars). Visitors can tour the museum’s fleet and then take in the art that resides in the “Bathhouse Building”, before retiring to the library to learn more about how maritime trading helped to define the city’s future. Just some food for thought on something interesting to take in this summer. What are your plans!?  From 2009 to 2012, emergency rooms across the United States treated more bathroom injuries than chainsaw, ATV and lawnmower injuries combined. Each year, bathroom injuries send an estimated average of 400,000 people to the ER, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. The National Safety Council is dedicating the second week of June – National Safety Month – to stopping slips, trips and falls. So here are some bathroom safety tips to help keep you securely on your feet: Don’t Slip on the Bathroom Floor
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Jason Thompson-Agent/Founder 
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