Today is April 1st, canonically accepted as April Fool’s Day, but thanks to organizations like Greenpeace who are committed to sustainability, environmentally conscious living, and reducing our carbon footprint as a society, it’s now known as Fossil Fool’s day!
Efforts are being made around the world to transform the automotive industry into something more sustainable and energy efficient. Companies are pledging to reach carbon neutrality, commit to natural and sustainable production methods, and reach new heights in clean energy technologies. At Classic, we’re proud to be a part of brands that are striving to create a greener world and protecting the planet for future generations. Let’s take a look at how our manufacturers are moving forward with these efforts!
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Great Car and Travel Friendly Coloring Projects, Coloring Pages, and Neat Fun Facts for National Crayon Day
Remember when you were a kid stuck in the backseat on a long car trip? You whiled away the hours with car games, toys, and of course crayons! Today is National Crayon Day, and we’re sharing some fun facts about these beloved art supplies, as well as some great travel friendly coloring kits and other fun things.
Read the rest of this entry »Road Trip Tips for New and Young Drivers
We know a lot of young drivers are heading out for Spring Break soon, and Summer Vacation is just around the corner from that! That’s why today’s blog is dedicated to helpful tips for new and recently licensed drivers. We want to see you hit the road to adventure and make the most of life, but for you to do so as safely as possible! Check out these hints, tips, and advice from seasoned drivers to keep you and your car in tip-top shape no matter what life throws at you, and where the road takes you.
Read the rest of this entry »It’s National Cleaning Week: Why You Should Regularly Detail and Professionally Clean Your Vehicle
It’s National Cleaning Week! We’ve gone over plenty of ways to clean and organize your garage, and prep your work area for projects, but what about focusing on that car you worked so hard on? Keeping your ride pristine, crisp, and looking fresh as the day you got it is the name of the game, today! We’re going to share some reasons why detailing and cleaning your car regularly is important when it comes to vehicle maintenance. And we’re going to help you out even further with some top tier recommendations for products to get the job done right and looking professional.
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Today is National Puppy Day, and arguably the most adorable day of the year! Today we’re going to share some fun facts about why puppies can help improve your mental health, as well as local area shelters who need our help and support to save dogs and puppies in our community.
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Did you know that it’s National Agriculture Week? Agriculture is the world’s largest industry, employing more than one billion people, and creating more than $1 trillion in food every year. Did you know that 50% of our planet’s habitable land areas are devoted to pastureland and crops? Agriculture is also a leading producer of pollution through pesticide, fertilizer, and other chemicals. Massive, large scale farming has caused a significant impact on our environment. As a result, we need to be more concerned with sustainability than ever before, and support critical restoration and preservation of habitats, clean and protect global watersheds, and improve overall soil health and quality. Without sustainable agricultural practices, our planet would lose a significant source of food, shelter, and natural resources that support our wildlife and humanity!
Read the rest of this entry »Gorgeous National Forests in Wisconsin and Illinois to Visit on International Day of Forests
In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly instituted the International Day of Forests as a way to honor and raise awareness globally for the importance of all varieties and types of forests. The forests of our planet help to filter the air and water we breathe, provide vital food, shelter, and resources to both humans and wildlife, and also protect us from UV rays. Visiting forests has also shown proven benefits to improve your physical and mental health, as well as a sustainable source of energy and resources. The International Day of Forests is also an opportunity to raise awarenes for the devastating effects of industrial agriculture, logging, and mining efforts, and inform the general public about the importance of restoring forests, protecting the environment, and increasing our conservation efforts.
Today, we’re going to explore a few of the National Forests and Forest Preserves in Wisconsin, Illinois, and nearby states. We encourage you to get involved with conservation efforts, consider a more sustainable lifestyle, and get out there to appreciate nature with your friends and family!
Three wonderful forests to check out:
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin covers more than 1 million acres of land in northern Wisconsin. Early logging efforts in the 20th century saw fit to remove the “old growth” forest. In the 1930s, however, many new trees were planted by The Civilian Conservation Corps, resulting in an absolutely lush forest with breathtaking scenery. This National Forest was originally two separate forests, but are now managed as one property by the USDA Forest Service. Travelers can enjoy a multitude of activities such as camping (some of which are pet friendly sites), hiking, berry picking (in season), hunting, fishing, cross country skiing, and even snowmobiling. Nature lovers will rejoice to observe roaming wildlife such as deer, bears, foxes, coyotes, wolves, loons, and songbirds. If you’re an angler, you’ll be excited to find trout, bass, panfish, and northern pike! The forest has a number of lakes and streams; Twentymile Creek and the headwaters of the Marengo River also provide clean water flow to Lake Superior!
White Pines Forest State Park in Mt Morris IL covers 385 acres of parklands and is the perfect place for an outdoor getaway. You’ll enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, picnicking, nature photography, bird watching, archery, cross country skiing, hunting, and much more. There are more than 100 campsites and picnic areas along Pine Creek, where you’ll be able to observe wildlife, enjoy some fishing, or explore the incredible wildflowers and foliage of the area. It’s also home to the White Pines Lodge, which has 13 one room cabins, 2 four room cabins, and 1 two room cabin if you prefer less of a “rough-it” approach, and offers a dinner theatre, banquet hall, and delicious dining at the White Pines Lodge Restaurant.
Iron Oaks Forest Preserve in Olympia Fields IL is a fantastic family-friendly destination full of nature adventures, educational opportunities, and recreational activities. The forest preserve has everything from climbing walls to crate climbing challenges to a high ropes course physical challenge and so much more! In the winter, visitors can enjoy cross country skiing or snowshoeing excursions on the nature trails. There are numerous nature programs to enjoy that will put you up close and personal with the great outdoors, as well as multiple STEM based Nature Camps for kids! It’s a wonderful place to connect with our world on a personal level and learn about our environment.
Other Nature Preserves and National Forests in Illinois and Neighboring States:
- Shawnee National Forest in Herod IL
- Sand Ridge State Forest in Forest City IL
- Big River State Forest in Keithsburg, IL
- Hidden Spring State Forest in Strasburg, IL
- Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington,IL
- Hoosier National Forest in Bedford, IN
- Yellow River State Forest in Harpers Ferrry, IA
- Stephens State Forest in Chariton, IA
- White Pines Hollow State Forest in New Vienna, IA
- Shimek State Forest in Farmington, IA
- Merrit Forest State Preserve in Colesburg, IA
Spring Car Care Maintenance Tips from the Pros!
Spring has arrived! Today is the Spring Equinox, and we’re celebrating by sharing our best service tips for Spring. Get your car Road Trip Ready so you can enjoy your vacation for Spring Break, and drive with confidence knowing your vehicle is in tip top shape.
Read the rest of this entry »National Poison Prevention Week: How to Safely Store and Dispose of Automotive Chemicals to Keep Your Garage Safe
This week is Poison Prevention Week. We’ll be highlighting ways to keep your garage and vehicle organized to eliminate safety hazards due to chemicals, oil, and other fluids. We’ve got some tips on how to dispose of them safely, how to best clean up those messes, and even how to keep your pets out of harm’s way in the garage. Check it out on today’s blog!
Read the rest of this entry »Car Budgeting and Buying Tips for Young Drivers
We know a lot of young drivers are heading out for Spring Break soon, and Summer Vacation is just around the corner from that! That’s why today’s blog is dedicated to helpful tips for new and recently licensed drivers. We want to see you hit the road to adventure and make the most of life, but for you to do so as safely as possible! Check out these hints, tips, and advice from seasoned drivers to keep you and your car in tip-top shape no matter what life throws at you, and where the road takes you.
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