Month: October 2015

Avoiding Deer Collisions

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Avoiding Deer Collisions

October 8th, 2015 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Picture this: You’re driving along a winding country road enjoying the beautiful fall foliage and all of a sudden a huge buck runs in front of your vehicle. How would you react? Fall is peak time for deer-vehicle collisions thanks to deer mating season which begins in the fall and runs through January. During this time deer are very active and on the move. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large animal-vehicle collisions result in an average of 187 fatalities annually.

Back to the question — how would you react? Not sure? Here are some helpful tips on how to avoid a collision:

1. Say “no” to swerving — Never ever swerve. Swerving is especially dangerous because it puts the driver at risk for a head-on collision with oncoming traffic, trees or even a ditch and confuses the deer as to where to go.

2. SLOW DOWN — Slow down if you’re driving through an area with high deer populations. If you drive defensively, you’ll have more time to break if you cross paths with a deer.

3. Leader of the pack — Deer rarely travel alone so if you see one it’s likely another is close behind. (Ask our good friend Cory Poppitz about this one.)

4. Put your foot on the brake — If you cross paths with a deer, brake firmly while staying in your lane and blow your horn to frighten the deer away.

5. Green eyes — At night watch for the shine of eyes along the side of the road (their eyes usually look green.)

6. Sun up, sun down — Deer are most active at dusk and dawn.

7. Center lane — The center lane on a multi-lane road is the safest place to drive because it gives deer space and drivers additional time to react.

8. Faulty products — There are many products on the market that claim to protect against possible collisions with deer (whistles, repellent ect.) Unfortunately these products have not been proven to reduce the risk of an accident.

Remember deer collisions can happen to even the best of drivers. It you strike a deer never touch the animal. Pull over to the side of road as soon as you can, call the police immediately and report the damage to our agency as soon as possible.

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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Top Major League Baseball Stadiums

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Top Major League Baseball Stadiums

October 1st, 2015 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

With MLB season winding down our friends at buzzfeed.com decided to rank the top 10 stadiums in Major League Baseball. Does your favorite stadium make the cut? Let us know!

10. Nationals Park

Team: Washington Nationals Capacity: 41,341 Food Highlight: Chili fries from Ben’s Chili Bowl

Spacious and sleek, Nationals Park is a great place to catch a game. There’s tons of food options, from local treasure Ben’s Chili Bowl to national gem Shake Shack. And the Presidents Race in the 4th inning is always fantastic (#LetTeddyWin).

9. Safeco Field

Team: Seattle Mariners Capacity: 47,574 Food Highlight: Mariners’ Fish n’ Chips

This is one of the only baseball stadiums to master the “dome”: It’s just a partial covering of the seats when it rains, so you still feel outdoors. Also, baseball season is the best weather in Seattle, and the stadium keeps up with the classy culinary rep of the city at large.

8. Coors Field

Team: Colorado Rockies Capacity: 50,398 Food Highlight: Rocky mountain oysters!

Since the thinner air at high altitudes helps baseballs really soar, you got more chances of catching a stray one, right? This is also the only ball park to boast a working brewery (A+, Blue Moon), and delicious local favorites: If fried bull testicles aren’t your thing, go for a green chile burrito.

7. Wrigley Field

Team: The Chicago Cubs Capacity: 41,072 Food Highlight: The “High Plains” bison hot dog from Decade Diner

This place is truly timeless. From the ivy-coated walls to the old-school bleachers, it’s easy to feel like you’ve fallen back in time at Wrigley. The food is pretty classic if not exciting, and the consistent crowds are about as friendly as it gets.

6. Dodger Stadium

Team: L.A. Dodgers Capacity: 56,000 Food Highlight: A Kirin Ichiban draft topped with frozen foam

Always packed and always gorgeous, this place has stood the test of time. The California weather, view of the Chavez Ravine, and the Dodger Dog are all pretty reliable reasons to watch a game at Dodger Stadium.

5. Target Field

Team: Minnesota Twins Capacity: 39,021 Food Highlight: The Bloody Mary

This field is not only named for America’s favorite store, but it’s also in the heart of our kindest, most self-effacing state! And not only do you have bites from local standbys like Murray’s Steakhouse, but you can wash it all down with an epic, pizza-garnished Bloody Mary.

4. Miller Park

Team: Milwaukee Brewers Capacity: 41,900 Food Highlight: The Beast: A hot dog stuffed in a brat, all wrapped in bacon and topped with ‘kraut and onions.

If you were hoping a stadium and team named for beer would show you a good time, then you’re in luck. Brewers fans are an awesome tailgating crowd, and the sixth-inning sausage race will keep your appetite fueled for everything from nachos on a stick to classic cheese curds.

3. Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Team: Baltimore Orioles Capacity: 45,971 Food Highlight: Pit beef from Boog’s BBQ

Always ahead of the curve, Baltimore went for timeless charm when other stadiums were trying to cram everything in one concrete package. It’s nostalgic without being cloying, and celebrates Baltimore with all its best food and drink. You stay classy, Camden Yards.

2. Fenway Park

Team: Boston Red Sox Capacity: 37,673 Food Highlight: Lobster roll in the summer, clam chowder for fall.

This place is packed with character and history, and it’s genuinely beautiful. It’s also intimately packed with rowdy fans who are truly delightful so long as you pledge eternal allegiance to their fair city. Though the stadium eats are standard, just outside are tons of places to rally with another beer or enjoy a good meal.

1. AT&T Park

Team: San Francisco Giants Capacity: 41,915 Food Highlight: Garlic sourdough with crab sammie from Crazy Crab’z

Probably the most picturesque park in existence, the home of the Giants has A LOT going for it. There’s the varied and delicious food, some surprisingly good beer, consistently pleasant weather and a winning team to boot. It’s a breezy, retro park that, let’s face it, has pretty much everything you could ask for.

 

**Article courtesy of buzzfeed.com**

 

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com