Monday, August 23, 2010
Thanks to our troops!
I will not delve into political opinions, but instead want to appreciate the humanity that is invested across the world in the armed forces. The Bingham family has quite a few loved ones that served, serve, or will serve our country as a member of the United States Military. I truly commend those that endure the isolation, physical duress, mental challenges that are implicit to the duties of soldier. Really and truly its an accomplishment that few individuals can proclaim. To our armed forces! In all their strength and perseverance..
Monday, August 2, 2010
Econoimic Recovery? Corporate Parties in America
A third of respondents predict that their company's budget allocation for special events will remain the same in 2011 as 2010. Forty-one percent predict their company will allocate more money to special events in 2011, while 19 percent say their company will likely allocate less to events.
Corporate events mean business, now more than ever. The percentage of respondents saying they attempt to measure the ROI of their events is up to 57 percent this year, the highest rate seen since the survey started in 2002. That year, only 28 percent said they attempt to measure event ROI."
Food for thought my good people..... Did your company cut back on corporate events in the last two years? If so, is your company planning something more elaborate for this year? Feel free to leave any and all feedback below!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Small Business Spotlight: Lynda.com
Along with her husband, Lynda Weiman is the co-founder of Lynda.com, which specializes in software-training. Lynda.com offers consumers a chance to master the technology that has remained elusive and past their comprehension. The site boasts a comprehensive breadth of products; which include applications such as graphic design, data analysis, and blogging...... Hmm perhaps i should take a course! Give the pervasive integration of technology into our society, it is imperative to understand and even excel at certain software applications.
Besides offering a relevant service at a reasonable price and convenient location, Lynda.com resonates with my emotional being. Similar to D&E Casino, Lynda.com was founded by a husband and wife team and provides service to a niche-market. I think it is so exciting to interact with a set of successful small-business owners that initially took a great risk in targeting a category-specific market, which has expanded to include most of society. True innovation in society does not arrive without risk, thus I personally hold great admiration for entrepreneurs. Individuals, such as Lynda Weiman, function as blood pressure in our world. they provide the force to pump blood which maintain and develops vitality.
This week I hope everyone will consider a means which will create pressure and movement in their life and in the remainder of society.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Party Planning Checklist: Your Party Made Easy
Well all, we are half-way through summer party season. Which while fun can be a bit stressful!!
So I have simplified your party preparation with a detailed list of steps to make sure your next bash is an absolute hit.....
Party Planning Checklist
Make an invitation list. Remeber that usually 70 percent of guests will show up. Decide on a theme, if desired. Send invitations via Mail, e-mail, even phone invites are all acceptable. Coordinate invitations and the food menu with your theme. Pre-plan with a shopping list and cooking timetable.
2 weeks beforehand.....
Hire any waitstaff or party entertainment at least two weeks before. Remember that service people work on a as-needed basis and will need to schedule your event.
Clean your linens and glassware or purchase plastic utensils/tableclothes. Choose an upbeat and varied playlist of music that all of your guests will enjoy. Note that Itunes has compilation playlist that are grouped by theme.
Complete any advanced grocery shopping and cooking. Prepare any dishes that can be frozen.
One week beforehand.....
Early in the week, do a detailed cleaning job and arrange furniture to accomodate your expected guest count. Plan on touch ups for 15 minutes a day until the big event. Plan you bar: three bottles of wine for every four people, three to four cocktails per guest for a two- to three-hour cocktail party. Alcohol can be purchased at BevMo or Costco for very reeasonable prices.
Three days before...
Be considerate and tell your neighbors to expect extra noise and less parking on the day of your party. Typically, your best bet is to invite them as a guest. Make a detailed timeline of cooking preparation and doublecheck the ingredient list.
One Day Before
Set up tables or buffet and chairs. Place trash cans throughout the house to cut down on later cleanup. Anticipate spills and have plenty of paper towels, club soda, and other stain removers avilable. Buy and arrange flowers. Do all possible prep work for your food selections.
Day of...
Finish any last bits of cooking. Try to save yourself a headache and keep day-of-cooking to a minimum. the cooking ! .Display food. About two hours before guests arrive, set out appetizers and snacks that won’t perish at room temperature. Give yourself 30 minutes to relax and freshen up before guests arrive.... And lastly Enjoy!!!!!!!!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Wheel of Fortune Fun!
The wheel of fortune, as it is commonly called, has been to subject to increasing popularity in the United States within the last 8 years. In American casinos the wheel of fortune is more commonly known as the money wheel, in which symbols have dollar dominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20. The payoff for each segment corresponds to the dollar amount—such as the $20 section pays 20:1. Players win these odds if the ticker at the top of wheel lands on the section that the player has bet on. Similar to slot machines, the wheel is need more on chance than anything else. The high gamble involved in securing winnings, makes the game that much more fun.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Celebration of Fathers
Guinness-Braised Chuck Steak and Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Steak:
1 1/2 pounds boneless chuck steak, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, divided
1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
1 garlic clove, minced
2 bay leaves
1 (12-ounce) bottle Guinness Stout
Preparation
1.To prepare steak, sprinkle steak with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add steak; cook 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove steak from pan; set aside. Add 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped carrot, 2 tablespoons broth, and sugar. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 minutes. Stir in rosemary, mushrooms, and garlic. Cover and cook 2 minutes. Add bay leaves, stout, remaining broth, and steak; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour and 30 minutes or until steak is tender.
2.To prepare potatoes, place potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain. Return potatoes to pan. Add butter; beat with a mixer at medium speed just until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients. Keep warm.
However you spend it, I hope everyones Fathers' Day is fabulous and especially for the Fathers out there. To my Poppa Bear :)
Monday, May 24, 2010
Community Partners in Lakewood and Long Beach
First up! I really want to say thanks to Cindy Hinsberger. She is always telling her customers, friends, and family about D&E Casino Services. She is such a great referral that she keeps her own stash of business cards. In addition to frequesnt referrals, Cindy happen to be a fabulous stylist that ensures Ellie always looks her best on event days. Thank you Cindy for making sure Momma B. always looks fly!!!!
Our community partners play a vital role in the success and vitality of our company and as such I truly say thank you to Cindy and the Grand Management, for helping D&E Casino stay a prominent vendor of the Southern Californian event industry. We are eternally grateful.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Celebration of Mothers; the human population's cheerleaders
To Mothers Everywhere, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\
Monday, April 19, 2010
19th Anniversary!
Monday, April 5, 2010
New Crap Table!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Dal Jones Memorial Fundraiser
The Dal Jones IV Fund contracted D&E Casino Services for 30 poker tables at an event Hollywood Park Casino. the fund was established to give Mr. Jones' young family assistance. The party was a success and plenty of funds were raised for the cause. We were happy to showcase our new poker tables.
To Mr. Jones and his Family!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Cocktail Party Fun!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Irish national card game: Twenty-Five
Each player starts with a pre-arranged amount of chips determined by the table.The pool is started with one chip from each and usually limited to a certain maximum, allthough each dealer is required to "tit-up" the pool
The deal
The turn to deal and play always passes to the left, and after the first hand, each player deals in rotation. Where the game is strictly played, the person who misdeals, or who departs from the order with which the game began, of dealing either the three or the two cards first, forfeits his stake. Stack the rest face down, turning the topmost card for trumps.
Robbing
If the turn-up is an Ace, the dealer may "rob" the trump, i.e. put out, face downwards, any card from his hand and take in the Ace, but the trump suit remains unaltered. If the holder of the trump Ace does not wish to rob, and does not announce the fact that he holds it before playing to the first trick, then, whenever he does play it, it counts as the lowest trump. Similarly a player who holds the Ace of trumps may himself rob the trump at any time before playing to the first trick, putting out any card and taking in the turn-up, but need not disclose the fact until it is his turn to play. A player who fails to rob cannot go out that hand. The card put out may not be seen. Robbing must take place before the first player on the dealers left, leads. Some players make "robbing" optional
The cards
Rand and Order of the Cards When Trumps:
Five of Trumps
Knave of Trumps
Ace of Hearts
In Red Suits When not Trumps:
♥♦ K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 A
In Black Suits When not Trumps:
♠♣ K Q J A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
In Red Suits When not Trumps:
5 J A♥ A of trumps K Q 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
In Black Suits When Trumps:
5 J A ♥ A of trumps K Q 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
So it will be seen that when the suit is not trump, the Ace of Diamonds is the worst card in the pack, when the suit is trump it is the fourth best card in the game. When Hearts are trumps, there is no Ace of trumps and whether trumps or not, the Deuce of Clubs or Spades is better than all plain cards in their respective suit.
The play
The player on the dealers left leads first. Players must follow suit whenever is possible and the highest card of the suit led or the highest trump, wins the trick. Each player must follow suit when trump is led, under the penalty of forfeiting his stake, except in the case of the three best trump cards, the Five, Knave and the Ace of Hearts, each of which is privileged to renounce. If a player takes three tricks he wins the game. If no one succeeds there is a spoil, and a fresh stake, smaller than the original one as a rule, is put into the pool for the next round.
Reneging
When trumps are led, the Five and the Knave of trumps, and the Ace ♥, need not be played. This is called reneging (colloquially, "renigging"). The Five may always renege: if it is led, no card can renege. The Knave may renege if the Five is played, not led. Only the Five can renege to the Knave led. The Ace ♥ can renege to any inferior card. If Hearts are not trumps and the Ace ♥ is led, a trump must be played if possible, if not, it is not necessary to play a Heart.
Jinking
At Spoil-five a player winning the first three tricks straight off may claim the pool without further play. If however, he leads to the fourth trick (described as "jinking"), he thereby is obliged to win all five. If he elects to jink and fails, he cannot score during that hand. A player who jinks, if jinking is agreed upon, receives an extra stake all around.
Pay-off
If no one wins the three tricks, or if a player jinked and failed to win all five, the game is said to have been "spoiled". Everyone then adds another chip to the pool, which is carried forward to the next deal. Otherwise, whoever took three tricks wins the pool, with an additional chip from each opponent if he took all five.
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Peek at Baccarat: Shhhhhh!
Game Breakdown:
Each player is dealt 2 cards face down. Both cards are then turned over and added together in which the dealer calls out the total. The subsequent action depend on the cards' sum.
If either the Player or the Banker achieves a total of 8 or 9 on the initial deal (known as a 'natural'), no further cards are drawn. If not, play proceeds as follows.
If the Player has an initial total of 0-5, the Player draws a single card. If the Player has an initial total of 6 or 7, he stands.
The Banker's play depends on the Banker's initial hand, on whether the Player drew a card, and on what card the Player drew:
If the Player did not draw a card, the Banker draws if he has 0-5, and stands if he has 6-7.
If the Player drew a 2 or 3, the Banker draws if he has 0-4, and stands if he has 5-7.
If the Player drew a 4 or 5, the Banker draws if he has 0-5, and stands if he has 6-7.
If the Player drew a 6 or 7, the Banker draws if he has 0-6, and stands if he has 7.
If the Player drew an 8, the Banker draws if he has 0-2, and stands if he has 3-7.
If the Player drew an ace, 9, 10, or face-card, the Banker draws if he has 0-3, and stands if he has 4-7.
In Las Vegas baccarat is oftentimes separated from the main action, in a private room, and played by primarily "high-rollers". However for your private party, everyone is welcome to learn and play the game. Our dealers are pleased to help your guests become acquainted with game.
Bon Nuit!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Master Roulette Lingo!
One of the most frequently requested casino games at D&E Casino Services, is Roulette.
American wheel: This is a roulette wheel with 0 and 00.
Biased wheel: This is a wheel that favors particular sections of numbers out of proportion to probability, due to flaws in manufacture or replacement. Extremely rare and not recommended to be counted on.
Column bet: This is a wager that any one of the numbers in the 3 columns of 12 numbers will come up.
Corner bet: This is a single wager that is made on 4 numbers at a time by placing a bet on the point where the boxes of 4 numbers meet.
Croupier: European name for a dealer. Also commonly used when playing baccarat.
Dozen: This is a wager on either the first dozen numbers (1-12), the second dozen (13-24), or the third dozen (25-36). This bet pays 2 to 1.
En prison: This is an option only allowed when playing a European wheel when a 0 comes up. Even-money wagers are held over to the next roll instead of being lost.
European wheel: This is a roulette wheel where there are 37 pockets. It does not have the 00 that the American wheel has. This is the recommended type of wheel to play roulette on if you can find one online.
Inside: These are bets made on the individual numbers or combinations of these numbers on a layout closest to the dealer.
Line bet: When playing roulette this is a 6 number wager covering 2 adjacent rows of numbers, placed on one of the outside lines at the intersection of 2 rows.
Outside: This is a wager made on the outer part of the layout, furthest from the dealer. This includes even-money wagers, column bets, and even dozen bets.
Pocket: This is simply the slot where the ball will rest - marked by numbers 00, 0-36.
Street: This is a bet placed on a set of 3 numbers.
Below, you will find a complete list of terms you are most likely due to hear at a European roulette casino game. Not every European wheel feature only French terms, but if you are playing this casino game at a French online casino or in say Monte Carlo, you will want familiarize yourself with these terms.
En plein - Straight-up bet.
A cheval - Split bet.
Transversale - Street bet.
Carre - Corner bet.
Sixaine - Line bet.
Rouge/noir - Red/black.
Impair/pair - Odd/even.
Passe/manque - High/low.
Douzaine - Dozen bet.
Colonne - Column bet.
Below, are a few bets that are typically available in European casinos:
Quatre premiers - The first 4 numbers (0, 1, 2, 3)
Quatre derniers - The final 4 numbers (33, 34, 35 and 36)
Voisins - A neighbor bet. A number and the 2 numbers on either side of it on the wheel.
So now all you need to do is take this newly learned slang at use at the table!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Guest Blogger and Profile on your Blogger Holly Bingham
Love is in the Air!
In accordance with Valentine's Day, I want to write a post about love and one of our fabulous independent contractors, Miranda Hayman.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Super Bowl Party Menu Extravaganza
This Sunday February 7th 2010 is the biggest day in football, the Super Bowl!
Feta-Peppercorn Spread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow onions
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups fine dry breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon seasoning blend, such as Cajun, jerk or Old Bay
- Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray
Preparation
- Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 450°F. Coat 2 large rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
- Cut off both ends of each onion and peel. Slice into 1/2-inch-thick slices; separate into rings. (Discard the smallest rings or reserve for another use.) Place the rings in a medium bowl; cover with cold water.
- Combine flour and baking powder in a shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in another shallow dish. Combine breadcrumbs and seasoning in a third shallow dish. Working with one ring at time, remove from the water, letting any excess drip off. Coat in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg and let any excess drip off. Then coat in the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess. Place on the prepared baking sheets. Generously coat the onion rings with cooking spray.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Turn each onion ring over and return to the oven, switching the positions of the baking sheets. Continue baking until brown and very crispy, 8 to 10 minutes more.
Lemon-drop Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings, tips trimmed off
Preparation
1. In a large bowl or resealable plastic bag, combine vodka, lemon juice, sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt. Add the chicken wings and mix to coat. Cover bowl or seal bag and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a 9- by 13-in. baking pan with two layers of foil. Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the pan, and pour the marinade evenly over all. Bake until meat is well browned and pulling away from the bone, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve hot or warm.
Roasted Pepper Pesto-Tomato Pizza
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 large garlic clove, peeled
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 (5.2-ounce) bottle roasted red bell peppers, drained
- 1 (1-pound) Italian cheese-flavored pizza crust (such as Boboli)
- 3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 3 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced (about 6 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Preparation
Preheat oven to 450°.
Drop garlic through food chute with food processor on; process until minced. Add basil and next 6 ingredients (basil through bell peppers), and process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl once.
Place pizza crust on a baking sheet. Spread pepper mixture over pizza crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border; sprinkle with mozzarella. Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer on top of the cheese. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Sprinkle pizza with oregano.
Bourbon Fudge Brownies
Serves 20Ingredients
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- Cooking spray
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
Bring bourbon to a boil in a small saucepan; remove from heat. Add chocolate chips, stirring until smooth.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt, stirring with a whisk.
Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well combined. Add vanilla and eggs; beat well. Add flour mixture and bourbon mixture to sugar mixture, beating at low speed just until combined.
Spread batter into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.
Beer 'Garitas
Serves 4Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
- 1 cup tequila
- 1/2 cup orange liqueur
- Crushed ice
- 1/2 to 1 cup cold beer
Preparation
1. Stir together first 3 ingredients until well blended. Fill 4 medium glasses with crushed ice. Pour limeade mixture evenly into glasses. Add beer to taste.
Hope this simplifies your party prep!
Also D&E Casino is offering special prices and attractive male and female dealers for Super Bowl Sunday. Call 1-888-417-2121 for more details.
Happy Watching!