by California Casualty | News |
Ok, so there isn’t actually a Chicken Wing Shortage. Much like the great bacon scare of 2012, it’s an overreaction to a simple press release. Chicken wings ARE a bit more expensive this year – so if you want to save some cash and have a delicious substitute, we have a great chicken wing dip recipe for you!
1 pkg. cream cheese
2 cans chunk chicken, drained
½ bottle hot wing sauce
½ bottle blue cheese dressing
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Break apart chicken in a sauce pan and add hot wing sauce. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
Spread cream cheese in the bottom of a 9×9 pan.
Spread chicken mixture on top of the cream cheese.
Pour ½ bottle of blue cheese dressing over chicken (more or less to taste)
Top with shredded cheese.
Bake for approximately 30 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Serve with celery sticks and Club crackers.
Recipe can be easily doubled and placed in a 9×13 pan for large crowds.
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, News |
We’ve been keeping a close eye on the wildfires raging in Colorado.
This is for a couple reasons. First and foremost, we like to know what’s happening in the ‘fire world.’ We have a big network of Firefighters and we work to stay in tune with what’s going on in their professional worlds. It’s part of the whole ‘understanding your profession’ promise. The better we know you and what you are up against, the better we can support you.
So, we’ve been watching. Updating our ‘Thank You Firefighters’ twitter account with updates on the multiple fires raging across the country and the brave men and women out there fighting them- even as their own homes burn down.
It’s personal for us. We work with these firefighters.
This week, it got even more personal.
One of our service centers is in Colorado Springs.
As those of you in the area, or following the fires, know: The Waldo Canyon Fire is getting close to the Colorado Springs area. As it moves towards homes, fanned by heat and dry conditions, some Colorado Springs residents are being evacuated from their homes.
Our employees included.
This is the view from our service center:
Here in Kansas City, we know a thing or two about seasonal extreme weather.
Tornadoes? Raised with ’em. Ice storms? Sheltered ’em. Snow storm? Expect ’em.
But fires?! Wayyy out of our comfort zone.
So as we’ve followed the fires, some of the issues surrounding them are completely foreign to us.
For example: Media coverage of active wildfires.
If you can’t tell by now, I like to read Fire blogs. I’m a total social media nerd.
And a LOT of the Fire bloggers are not happy with the media stations in the areas surrounding these fires.
Why?
Because of pictures like this.
Some media stations are running footage–especially footage captured from the air–of actively burning homes.
The major risk? That families will find out that their home-their memories-have burned to the ground by watching the news.
Now, this is a complicated issue.
As a journalist by training, I know that whatever you shoot from the air is (legally speaking) usually fair game.
But what about ethically? Do people deserve to be alerted about the fate of their homes BEFORE they see the emotional footage on air? Can you imagine turning on the news after dinner, only to see your house engulfed in flames?
I can’t imagine.
So, we’re asking you. Where do you fall on this side of the debate? To air or not to air?
And of course, our thoughts go out to ALL of those affected–nationwide–by this devastating wildfire season. Please keep the safety of our firefighters in your thoughts, along with all of those displaced by these fires.
Update:
Here is a new series of pictures, showing the effect the wind changing has…
by California Casualty | News |
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land,
Not a member ignored, when they needed a hand,
Service reps on their phones, showing how much we care,
Whenever you need us, CalCas is there.
The educators celebrated, in their made-over lounge,
For ice and supplies, they’d no longer scrounge,
Firefighters entered some great giveaways,
Riding new Seadoos into hot summer days.
Nurses kept watch over the tired and sick,
But had comfy clogs, from jolly St. Nick.
Law Enforcement patrolled, keeping us secure,
While dreaming of Spring, and a long Harley tour.
When in the home office, there arose such a clatter,
Everyone was so proud to do things that matter,
With grants and awards, and a few giveaways,
Every morning here felt like a new Christmas Day.
Then, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But our company’s leaders with a vision that’s clear,
Care for our customers, and follow the Code,
They called departments by name, and onward we rode,
On Sales and on Service, on Marketing and Claims,
On Field Marketing Managers (they know you by name),
Fill all their stockings with savings and surety,
And 100 more years of CalCas security!
by California Casualty | News |
Ever wondered what it’s like to work for an insurance company that really cares about its customers? Want to be part of a team that supports the people that make our communities better – police, firefighters, nurses, and educators? Would you like to do it all from a beautiful office in Colorado Springs? Just read on to learn how!
When:
Wednesday, October 26th from Noon-8pm
Where:
California Casualty
1650 Telstar Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
*Please bring your resume to the event and be prepared for an on-site interview.
We’re hiring for the following positions at our Colorado Springs Service Center:
– Inbound Sales Representative
– Sales Consultant
Unable to attend? Search for jobs online or email us at [email protected]
by California Casualty | News |
Ingredients
– 4 cups diced watermelon
– 1 seeded and sliced cucumber
– handful of thinly sliced mint
– 1/2 cup thinly sliced jicima
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– juice of 1/2 of a lemon
– salt to taste
– crumbled goat cheese
– 1/4 cup chopped cashews – optional
Directions
Pat dry 4 cups diced watermelon and 1 seeded and sliced cucumber; toss with a handful of thinly sliced mint and jicima. Optional: add chopped cashews to the salad. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and the juice of 1/2 lemon; season with salt and toss. Top with crumbled goat cheese.
by California Casualty | News |
It’s been two weeks since an F5 Tornado decimated a large portion of Joplin, MO – killing at least 142 people and causing widespread devastation. Much of the city still lies in ruin, but an army of volunteers is working side-by-side with area firefighters and police to help locate missing people and to begin the clean up and recovery efforts.
Out of this disaster stems a number of stories – some of which are inspiring, and some are heart wrenching.
Riverside Police Department
First – Riverside, MO Police Officer Jeff Taylor was quick to volunteer his assistance in the city – a 3 hour drive from his home. While helping, lightning struck the ground near him on May 23rd. Officials in Riverside announced today that he died from the injuries sustained in the lightning strike – making the ultimate sacrifice while helping others. Jeff was 31 years old.(read more)
Next – Dr. Kevin Kitka, an ER doctor at St. John’s Regional provided a dramatic and poignant account of that day – as his hospital was ripped apart by the twister and they struggled to care for patients and a large number of new critically injured patients. It’s a harrowing tale, and I encourage you to read it in its entirety, to try to paraphrase it here doesn’t do it justice. (read it here)
The crushed SUV
Lastly – one of the many heartwarming stories of everyday people doing what they can to help out. A personal friend of mine, Marty Fahncke took it upon himself to assist in the cleanup effort. The hero in his story though, is his 6-year old son – who happened to be in the right place at the right time to help retrieve an elderly woman’s medication from a crushed SUV. When they pried open the door, he was the only person who could fit – and he braved broken glass and sharp metal to help a woman he had just met. Read the entire story here.
