Guest Blogger and Profile on your Blogger Holly Bingham

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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.

Miranda has worked with D&E Casino Services for the last two years, in which her hard-working spirit and positive demeanor has landed her a regular spot on the weekend line-up and special place in the heart's of all D&E Casino Service's Staff.

I could spend a whole entry detailing Miranda's awesomeness, however this week I would like to share news of Miranda's recent engagement!!!!!!!!!

Miranda and her fiance, Darryl Gunther, have been dating for the last 3 years, and as of yesterday are now engaged. The two met during their graduate studies in chemistry at USC. They have worked with each other in a small/cold chemistry lab and lived with each other for much of the time that have been together. Their relationship is testament to the idea that if you really love someone you can be with them constantly.

We are so excited for Miranda and Darryl. So excited that Ellie, co-CEO, jumped out of her chair when I informed her about this momentous news. Way to go Miranda and Darryl, we can't wait till the wedding :)

With love,

Your Blogger

Super Bowl Party Menu Extravaganza

This Sunday February 7th 2010 is the biggest day in football, the Super Bowl!

To help everyone out with game day prep, I have assembled an quick and easy watch-party menu that is still fun and flavorful.

Feta-Peppercorn Spread

Serves 10-12

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Place ingredients in a food processor or blender; pulse until smooth.

Serve with Pita Chips, such as Stacy's Pita Chips

Onion Rings

Serves 6

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

1. Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 450°F. Coat 2 large rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Serves 8

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 20

  Ingredients

  • 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 4

    Ingredients

    • 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!

    
    

  
  

  
  

Independent Contractor Spotlight:Kelly Hernandez

This week's post is dedicated to our multi-talented independent contractor Kelly Hernandez.

Kelly has worked as a dealer with D&E Casino Service for several years. His dealing skills are enhanced by a winning personality and intellect that he refined in business school. We are thankful to have on our dealing team.

One skill that Kelly possesses, which sets him apart from others on other staff, is his interest and ability in performing magic. He performs magic at private parties when he is not working with D&E Casino Services. He comments that hi interest in magic began as a child and never left.

Check out his webpage kellyspades.com and myspace profile http://www.myspace.com/kellyspades

Thanks for being part of our team Kelly!

Haiti Disaster: Fundraise and Help!

As everyone is aware, Haiti experienced a traumatic earthquake that killed an estimated 50 to 200,000 and left countless others injured, homeless, or orphaned. The Red Cross is providing much needed support in Haiti. At this time they need monetary donations to continue their relief efforts.

Quoted from redcross.org "You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org"

D&E Casino Services fully supports the Redcross efforts and would like to encourage everyone to do their part. We can help you plan and coordinate a casino fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the relief efforts taking place in Haiti.

Jennifer and Ellie will walk you through the entire event process. Call them at 562-925-1957.

Up in the Air and D&E Casino Parallels

The 2009 movie Up In the Air, starring George Clooney, was brought to my attention earlier today. The film possesses some interesting parallels to our company D&E Casino Services.

First of which the main character shares the surname Bingham. Ryan Bingham is the films protagonist, who travels around America firing employees for various companies. Unlike the Binghams I know( Ellie, Dan, Jennifer, and myself), Ryan Bingham does not value relationships and connections in life. Which is a major point of contrast within out company. Whereas Ryan tries to minimize personal connections, our company does our best to maximize personalization and increase relationships amongst independent contractors and with clients. We believe that a healthy company is full-bodied; possessing a brain, body, and HEART!

Our company, like Ryan, is accustomed to non-stop travel. in the last 11 days we have visited many Sheratons and other venues in the cities of:

Cerritos, Tarzana, Universal City, Fontana, Huntington Beach, Culver City, Irvine, Temecula, and more...

Company Jr. Partner, Jennifer Bingham, is currently in Belize vacationing with key independent contractor and her boyfriend Ken Miranda. We are excited that she has the chance to refresh and bring home some Belizian sugar.

My point in writing this piece is to reemphasize the message imparted by Up In the Air. There is more to life than work, work, work. If you spend your whole life running away from relationships and commitments, then what do you have except a bare wall and empty refrigerator. Enjoy life and be merry!

Celebrate National Trivia Day: Casino Fun Facts

January 4th, 2010 is National Trivia Day. I sought out some interesting trivia facts related to casino gaming tables and Las Vegas. Fun Stuff!

• Worldwide there are about 4800 casinos, with about 1790 in North America, 1670 in the United States and 26 in Michigan.
• The word "Casino" originally meant a small villa, summerhouse or pavilion built for pleasure, usually on the grounds of a larger Italian villa or palazzo. During the 19th century, the word "Casino" came to include other public buildings where pleasurable activities, including gambling and sports, took place.
• "Playing with House Money" refers to the situation where a winning player is placing bets with money that has been won from the casino.
• When it opened in 1989, The Mirage, in Las Vegas, was the first casino to use security cameras full time on all table games to catch cheaters.
• Dice have been made from wood, clay, stone, peach pits, animal horns, teeth, ivory, bronze, porcelain, even jewels. The oldest known dice with regular sides were found in northern Iraq. They're made of baked clay and date to about 3,000 B.C.
• The kings in decks of playing cards represent real leaders and conquerors from history, although not all had the title of king. The deck we use today is based on cards designed in 15th-century France. The king of spades represents the Biblical King David, the king of clubs represents Alexander the Great, the king of hearts represents Charlemagne and the king of diamonds represents Julius Caesar.
• Horizontal gaming wheels, such as those used in roulette, were invented in England in 1720 for a game called roly-poly. Roly-poly was similar to roulette, except there were no numbers on the wheel. There were alternating white spaces and black spaces, along with a "bar black" space and a "bar white" space. The "bar" spaces were the equivalents of zero and double-zero -- if the ball landed in either space, bets on black or white lost.
• In the Chinese culture, the number four is considered bad luck. High-rolling whales from China are very important to the gambling industry in Vegas. With this in mind, Wynn Las Vegas and Rio have no tower floors that start with four. The elevators count 38, 39, 50, 51 etc.
• Former President Richard Nixon won $6,000 playing poker n his first two months in the U.S. Navy during WWll. That is roughly equal to $42,640 in 2004 dollars. He used that money as well as more poker winnings to finance his run for the U.S. Congress in 1946, which he won.

I really enjoy the fact that casino gaming has had a place in society since ancient times and remains such a strong presence.

There is a plethora of these type of facts. Do you know any? Leave us a comment below:)

Hope everyone is enjoying 2010!!!!!!!!!