Southern California Fire Danger Rises Amid Heat Wave
Forecasters say a heat wave building across Southern California will elevate fire danger through early next week.
The National Weather Service says temperatures will edge upward to around 100 degrees in warmest areas Friday and the peak of the heat wave will extend from Saturday through Monday, with records likely.
You’ll find me on the Long Beach Peninsula on Sunday for sure.
-JK
Surf In Long Beach – 8/27/2014
Wednesday 8/27/14 was a rare day in Long Beach and a crazy one in general for Los Angeles and Orange County beaches. Monster waves sparked by Hurricane Marie brought waves to Long Beach……and pretty nice and big ones too. Big enough to penetrate the breakwater barrier surrounding the Long Beach shorelines. The Peninsula was lined with surfers, spectators, and heavy equipment operators trying to maintain a barrier to protect beachfront homes.
I had a chance to see for myself for a few minutes yesterday morning around 9AM-ish It was a nutty sight considering we pretty much never see waves in Long Beach as a result of the breakwater barrier. I didn’t get any of my own photos or videos, but compiled others below. Who else in Long Beach witnessed this first-hand??
-JK
“It Started Like Any Other Day”
You never know when disaster will strike. Meet three survivors from three recent natural disasters: Hurricane Sandy; the Moore, Oklahoma tornado; and the Poinsettia Wildfire outside of San Diego. Watch their stories and then log on to www.ready.gov/prepare for more information on what you can do to prepare you and your family or your business. Be Smart. Take Part. Prepare.
-JK
The 10 Worst Cities for Drivers
Consumer advice website NerdWallet recently compiled a list of the 10 worst cities to drive in, based off five different criteria:
- number of days of precipitation
- annual hours of delay per commuter
- gas prices
- population density
- average city car insurance rates.
Here are the results:
- New York City, NY
- Detroit, MI
- San Francisco, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Washington, DC
- Seattle, WA
- Boston, MA
- Miami, FL
- Honolulu, HI
- Oakland, CA
I’m absolutely shocked that Los Angeles nor Orange County, CA is on this list. As the most dense city in America, New York City takes the top spot. While many of the others on this list are very dense cities as well, large
public transportation systems can be found in each and offer a less stressful option for getting around (Not true for LA or OC!)
-JK
Bank Robbery Conspirator/ Deadbeat Charged With Workers’ Comp Fraud
One of the various reasons we see Workers Compensation Insurance rates on the rise are due in part to deadbeats like this. Not only in aiding of the robbery of her on bank branch of $565,500, Aurora Barrera, 33, later filed a claim for post-traumatic stress disorder. “The bank’s insurance company subsequently paid her more than $35,000 in disability benefits and covered more than $9,000 in medical bills associated with the alleged workplace injury.”
See the full story from the Los Angeles Times. More than happy to see her locked up for 9 years. Honest employers pay the price for frauds like Aurora Barrera.
-JK
Long Beach “Lawn to Garden” Rebate Increases
As drought conditions continue statewide, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners approved a rebate increase for the popular Lawn To Garden program. Now, you can apply for rebates of $3.50 per square foot, up to $3,500, to replace your water thirsty grass lawn with a beautiful, drought tolerant landscape that can thrive naturally in our dry weather.
To get started, visit http://lblawntogarden.com/ You’ll find the rebate application, thousands of plant options, free design plans, budgeting tools and many other resources to make it easy to afford, design, and install your own water efficient landscape.
-JK
Insurance Agency Settles Claim In $21K Of Loose Coins
From CBS Los Angeles– “An insurance company has paid off a $21,000 settlement to an elderly east LA man in buckets of loose coins. Andres Carrasco, 76, filed a lawsuit against Adriana’s Insurance two years ago after he was allegedly assaulted by one of its employees. The company finally agreed to settle the case recently and paid Carrasco in buckets of spare change.”
In the age of social media, it appears this move by Adriana’s Insurance will cost a lot more in the long run. The company’s Yelp page has been hammered with negative reviews. In the past two days, I counted 59 new reviews, ALL one star. Prior to 8/4, there were only 3 reviews on the Yelp page. I’ve been seeing this story all over the news nationally too.
Something tells me Adriana’s would have been much better off cutting a paper check and putting this one to bed.
-JK
Is Sitting The New Smoking?
Some doctors are saying that sitting is the new smoking. According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting, like smoking, is a pervasive problem that harms your health. Approximately 80% of Americans work a non-active job, making all-day sitting a common occurrence.
Lengthy, uninterrupted periods of sitting cause poor circulation and low calorie burn and are linked to various health problems, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as stiffness, headaches and sluggishness.
Your job may require you to spend a considerable amount of time at a desk, or maybe you’re fond of all-day movie marathons. Try these tips to sit less, move more and improve your health:
- Stand while talking on the phone or watching television.
- Have a walking or standing meeting at work.
- Stand up and stretch at least every hour.
- Wear a pedometer and find ways to add steps into your daily routine.
- Take the stairs when possible.
- Consider walking or biking when commuting to work or running errands.
Source: Zywave, Inc.
JK
Access Your UV Index With This Online Tool
Did you know that you can access your UV index, which provides a forecast of the risk of overexposure to UV rays? This is a helpful tool for employers with outdoor workers.
Protect your outdoor employees from UV rays; check your UV index here: http://www2.epa.gov/sunwise/uv-index
As we speak, the temperature in long beach is 91+ degrees right now. The UV Index is 11 which is extreme:
At 11, protection against sun damage is needed. If you need to be outside during midday hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., take steps to reduce sun exposure. A shirt, hat and sunscreen are a must, and be sure you seek shade. Beach-goers should know that white sand and other bright surfaces reflect UV and can double UV exposure.
Check your UV index for yourself and be sure to keep outdoor employees protected from the sun.
-JK
About Me
I grew up in Fullerton, CA and graduated from Servite High School in Anaheim. I have my Bachelors degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I currently live in Tustin, CA.
Please contact me if you need help with any of the following lines of insurance for your business:
-Cyber / Data Breach
-Commercial Property
-Commercial General Liability
-Products Liability
-Workers Compensation
-Commercial Auto
-Umbrella/Excess Liability
-Errors & Omissions/ Professional Liability
-Employment Practices Liability
-Directors & Officers
-Life & Disability Insurance
Jimmy Kinmartin, CPCU 