Wynonna Tickets Selling Fast, TJ's Alumni Have Hits, Getting to and from the Carson Valley Inn, More

Concert Ramblings:

• Great show at our Nashville Nights Showcase in the Valley Ballroom last Friday! Joey Whitacre our Director of Casino Operations and Marketing and Rob Brooks our Entertainment Manager, created a cozy and comfortable atmosphere and the vibe was spot on! The two are working on another Nashville Nights Showcase for the end of March – we’ll have word in our weekly blog as soon as we pin down the details.
• Two of our TJs Corral concert alumni have songs in the Billboard Top 10 this week: Dustin Lynch’s “Seein’ Red” is #5 and Chris Young’s “Sober Saturday Night” featuring Vince Gill is at #9. If we could get one of these two artists back for 2017, which one would you pick? Let us know in the Comments section below.
• Speaking of 2017 . . . We know you are clamoring for news on even more TJ’s Corral concerts for 2017 and if you’ve been one of our blog readers for a while, you know the news usually breaks here first. So for now we’ll just remind you of these two already-announced: Wynonna and the Big Noise Tour on Saturday night, April 29 (tickets are on sale now and are over half sold) and the Marshall Tucker Band on Friday night, July 28 (ticket availability will be announced in a future Wednesday morning blog). 

Assorted Useful Info – Links to Save:

• Working at the CVI Is a Good Gig and you can check out the open positions today or anytime on the CVI employment page on our website.
• Bartenders Rule – So It Seems: We’re not sure how the brotherhood of bartenders pulled this off, but in December they celebrated Bartender Appreciation Day and now this Friday is World Bartender Day. We hope you take good care of your bartenders on Friday – and every day. We checked around for a bartender joke that would be a good segue into the next item below, see what you think about the one we found!
• Start on Your Taxes Yet?  It’s less than 8 weeks ‘til the filing deadline and if your tax return includes the need for a Win-Loss Report from your gaming activities at the CVI, here’s a link to the Request Form.  Reminder: we can only report what you won or lost while playing using your INN Club card, so be sure to use your card anytime you sit down at a slot machine or table game!
• Getting to and from the Carson Valley Inn has more alternatives these days, and here are some helpful links:
• Minden Taxi (775-265-7060) has been providing service around the Carson Valley for 17 Years.
• The Carson Valley Airporter runs scheduled shuttles between the CVI and Reno Airport multiple times each day.
• The Ride-sharing Services Lyft and Uber are both available for trekking to and from the CVI.
• An Eclectic Mix of Rural Nevada and Mardi Gras is one way to describe the Austin’s House Cowboy Mardi Gras happening this Friday in the Valley Ballroom. Click on the link and check out the details - all proceeds go to the Carson Valley Children’s Home so please attend if you can!
• What Else is Going On In Carson Valley? We often ask that same question ourselves and we have found the Carson Valley Visitors Authority Calendar to be a pretty darn good source. The Visitors Authority Staff does an excellent job of keeping this up to date on what there is to do and see for those visiting the area - whether it’s you, or someone coming in to visit you. If you live locally and are more interested in non-visitor events, we offer our kudos to the staff at the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce who maintain this calendar with more local events.
• A Popular Year-Round Gift: Sure we sell a lot of CVI Gift Cards around any holiday – and most of the time people say they’re offering it to someone to have dinner in CV Steak. The other four most common uses: birthdays, anniversaries, employee appreciation and customer appreciation. The best one we’ve heard? “I didn’t ask for permission so now this is part of me asking for forgiveness!” CVI Gift Cards are quite versatile and can be used at all of our properties. Buy ‘em at the Hotel Desk and check the details at this link.
• Oops – We Had This One Wrong Last Week: We erroneously stated in last week’s blog that Tuesday was National Margarita Day.  It is actually today, Wednesday. We do occasionally make mistakes in this weekly blog . . . and even more occasionally we “fess up!”

Thursday, Friday & Saturday Nights in the Cabaret Lounge!

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge

Steve Lord tonight, Art Mulcahy and the Roadside Flare Thursday through Saturday, Bill Wharton Sunday and Monday and Patrick Major next Tuesday and Wednesday.  Country singer/songwriter/guitarist Art Mulcahy grew up in Key West, Florida, found his home in Sacramento, and graduated with a degree in guitar (as opposed to our blog writer who, at best, majored in "air guitar").  His songs are influenced by all varieties of Country, R & B, a touch of Reggae and a pinch of Metal. Riveted in his experiences, Art writes with raw emotion - truthful and unfiltered. Having spent 7 years as a United States Marine, Art knows what it is like to hurt, bleed and work hard. A “guy next door,” he will make you laugh, make you cry and make you feel like the most important person in the room.

In the Casino

• Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a free Wallet for the first 150 ladies, Chocolate Shoppe Gift Baskets as hot seat prizes, games, drink specials, FREE Bingo and last chance to earn entries for tonight’s drawings for a free Designer Handbag.
• Golden Ticket Days: Today through Friday. Stop by the Promo kiosk to see how many Golden Tickets you have earned 'cause they have been piling up for you at the rate of one Golden Ticket for every 100 points you've accumulated since January 1!
• $1,000 Guaranteed Friday: Free Cash and Getaway Giveaways Promotion drawings at 5, 7 and 9 PM. $1,000 in some combination of Cash, Free Play and Trips is guaranteed!
• 4X Points Saturday: That’s quadruple the benefits for your play!
• Golden Ticket Drawings Saturday: We’re giving away a guaranteed total of $20,000 in Cash and Freeplay between CVI and Bodines Casino and we’ll have 10 winners each at 6 and 8 p.m. at the CVI!
• February Scratcher Drawings Tuesday: Join us at 6 and 8 p.m. for the chance to win up to $5,000.
• Penny Progressive Over $67,000:  this Progressive Jackpot can only be won on one of the Triple Red Hot 7's slots at the CVI, Sharkey’s or Bodines.Sports and Race Book: This week you can bet the NBA, College Basketball, NHL and the NASCAR Daytona 500.  Futures on the board include winners for NCAA Basketball Championship,  Masters, NBA Championship, NHL Stanley Cup and World Series.
• Poker Room: Our two new Friday and Saturday high-hand-of-the-hour promotions and our new Saturday night Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament both started off strong last weekend. All of our Featured Games, Tournaments and Special Promotions are listed on our website, click here for the full story.
• Here’s a Handy Page with all our Current Casino Promotions!

In Our Restaurants

• Wednesday is Italian Day in Katie’s – three specials for $6.99 each served from 11 AM to 10 PM!
• Thursday is National Chili Day. Since the CVI has been the site of many chili cook-off events over the years – both sanctioned and non-sanctioned – we have been drilled in the protocol of the “proper” definition of chili. So, with blatant disrespect to the purists, we will simply say that Job’s Perk features our special 3-Pepper Chili & Beans every day starting at 11 AM – enjoy a bowl or a chili dog. And if chili is not your thing, we also feature clam chowder in Job’s Perk every day. Whichever you choose, it’s got to sound good after the last three days of weather we have experienced!
• Our Friday special in CV Steak is Braised Buffalo Short Ribs for $30.  Saturday night’s special is Garlic Studded Prime Rib for $26 and Sunday's special is one pound of King Crab Legs for $32. These specials are served with fresh vegetable, choice of rice or potato (au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked), tableside tossed salad and warm demi-loaf of bread.
• Click the restaurant name for more info, specials and links to menus for Katie’s, CV Steak and Jobs Perk at the CVI . . . or our nearby sister property restaurants, the Jackpot Café at Sharkey's Casino and the Bodines Restaurant at Bodines Casino.

Planning a Stay at the CVI? You will always get the best rate by booking directly with the Carson Valley Inn either online or by calling our Reservation Department directly at 775-783-6629 or 800-321-6983.

Comments? Have questions or comments about the CVI? Use the comments section below, shoot us an email or pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit “0” when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department.  We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning! 

More Concert News, $10,000 Guaranteed Winner, Cowboy Weekend Package

Guaranteed $10,000 Winner Thursday!  Our $80,000 All Cash Love & Luck Giveaways Promotion culminates this Thursday with a guaranteed $10,000 cash winner! We’ll have five more qualifying drawings at 6 PM with each winner getting $100 in cash and a Golden Ticket. All Golden Tickets from the last 6 weeks then go into the drum for the 8 PM drawings. Ten winners will be drawn - each winner will get a minimum of $200 in cash and one of the 10 will wind up with the $10,000 Grand Prize!

• There are still a few tickets available for the Lacy J. Dalton Concert in the Valley Ballroom on Friday, April 8.  Appearing with Lacy are Dale Poune, comedian Huck Finn and All Hat and No Cattle in an evening of support for Nevada's wild horses and Lacy’s Let'em Run Foundation. Tickets ($20) are available at the CVI hotel desk or call 775-783-6606.
• Tickets are now on sale for the Granger Smith Concert, the May 28 kick-off to our 2016 Outdoor Concert Series in TJ’s Corral. You can buy tickets on our web site or at the hotel desk.  Granger’s recently released album Remington is in the top-15 on this week’s Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. 
• Randy Houser’s Album Fired Up is #6 on this week’s Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Randy will appear in concert atTJ’s Corral on Thursday, September 8.
• The Eli Young Band (Sunday, August 14 in TJ’s) is one of the nominees for the 2016 ACM Vocal Group of the Year and the winners will be announced at the 51st ACM Awards this Sunday on CBS.
• TJ’s Corral as a Launching Pad? Two of last year’s TJ’s concert artists are on the country map this week.  Chris Young is nominated in four categories for this Sunday’s ACM Awards and both Chris Young (Think of You) and Dustin Lynch (Mind Reader) have singles in the top-15 of this week’s Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
• Congratulations to Kathy Jo Kidd and Noelle Ku'ulei Makuaole-Hart who each won Two Party Pit Tickets for the Granger Smith Concert in the contest we announced in last week’s Blog. Kathy Jo got in touch with us almost immediately – we’re still waiting to hear from Noelle? 

Wylie & The Wild West

How’s this for an All-Star Cowboy Lineup: Wylie & The Wild West with Andy Hedges and Larry Maurice on Friday night; The Legend Ian Tyson with Mike Beck and Larry Maurice on Saturday night; and a host of other activities going on during the days! It’s all part of the Genoa Cowboy Festival Weekend April 29 – May 1 and you can enjoy both evening concerts with Premium Level Seats and two nights at the Carson Valley Inn for a special package price! The details are at this link and there are a limited number of these specially priced packages available.

Penny Progressive Jackpot Tops $33,000

$30,000+ in Your Wallet? Friday is One Cent Day, a day dedicated to the history and origins of the one cent coin – a.k.a. the penny.  We couldn’t pass up this natural segue into our suggestion for the best way to mark the occasion: take a seat at the slots along the Hwy 395 wall, order a drink and try your luck on the Penny Progressive. The running meter topped $33,000 earlier this week and someone will win the Progressive Jackpot right here at the CVI . . . might as well be you!

April Promotions Start Friday: Our April Spin to Win Promotion provides weekly chances to win up to $5,000 plus $10,000 in grand prize giveaways on April 29. INN Club members also earn 5X Points every Saturday in April here the Carson Valley Inn and also at Bodines Casino and Sharkey’s Casino. On Mondays in April, club members earning just 75 points the same day receive a Free T-shirt - either long sleeve or short sleeve depending on the week. Claim your shirt and keep your 75 points to use for comps, free play and other benefits!

Strong Sports Weekend!

• Go Pack! The Nevada Wolfpack basketball team has played well so far in the College Basketball Invitational tournament and they need lots of good vibes directed their way tonight as they play game two of a best-of-3 series for the CBI Championship against Morehead State.
• Sports and Race Book: This week you can bet College Basketball tournament games (including the NCAA Women’s Final Four games), Major League Baseball (opening day is this Sunday), Horseracing, NBA Basketball, NHL, the Masters and Sunday’s NASCAR STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
• Giants and A’s – What’s Your Prediction? Will the San Francisco Giants win more or less than 90 ½ games this year? What about the Oakland Athletics. . . above or below 76 ½ games? If you have a hunch, you have until this weekend’s season opening games to place your bets on the total season wins for any or all of the 30 MLB Teams.

Free Cabaret Lounge Entertainment:

John Palmore is here tonight, The Nighthawks perform Thursday, The Blues Monsters take the stage Friday and Saturday and Patrick Major performs Sunday through Wednesday. The Nighthawks, is a local (Gardnerville/Wellington) country and rock band specializing in popular dance tunes from the 60's and 70's covering artists from Alan Jackson to ZZ Top, including great classic country tunes and expert performances of classic rock songs. The Blues Monsters are a red-hot rockin' blues band performing a powerfully unique combination of R&B, funk, jazz, and Chicago-style blues. Patrick Major includes his own mix of original guitar and vocals combined with rock classics from the last four decades. 

Interesting, Helpful and Even Useful Tidbits and News

• Ladies-Only Poker Tournament: Our monthly Ladies-Only Poker Tournament is this Sunday starting at 4 PM. The crew in the Poker Room can and will tell you all about how it works and how easy it is to enter and play.
• Ladies’ Night Tonight: The first 150 ladies who sign up for Ladies’ Night tonight receive the fourth of four Jennifer Aniston Luxury Fragrance items.  Also tonight: a ladies-only drink special, games and hot seat prizes – this week for Costco Gift Baskets.
• Elk Friday, Prime Rib Saturday, King Crab Sunday in CV Steak:  Our Friday special in CV Steak is Elk Tenderloin Medallions for $30, Saturday night’s special is Garlic Studded Prime Rib for $26 and Sunday's special is one pound of King Crab Legs for $32. All three specials are served with fresh vegetable, choice of rice or potato (au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked), tableside tossed salad and warm demi-loaf of bread.
• Because We Feel Like Mentioning It
• Friday is Sourdough Bread Day – nothing gets your appetite started like the whiff you get when the server brings that warm demi-loaf of sourdough we serve with all entrees in CV Steak!
• Sunday is Chocolate Mousse Day  - the mouthwatering sensation you get when the same server brings you Chocolate Mousse dessert in CV Steak!!

Comments? Have questions or comments about the CVI? Use the comments section below, shoot us an email or pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit “0” when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department.  We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning!

Football Returns, Chris Young Video, Half Off Tuesdays, Another Throw Back Thirty Picture

Football Season is Here!  Yesterday the season's first Parlay Card came out at the

Sports Book and it's all College this week with 41 games from which to choose. Starting next Thursday, the NFL returns and we're ready with: 

• Our Progressive Pro Pick'em offers a special $5 parlay card each week with all the NFL games and you pick winners without a point spread. Pick 'em all and win a minimum of $2,500 (ties split)!
• During all NFL Games, Bud & Bud Light draft beer is just $2 and all other Anheuser-Busch draft beers are $1 off.
• Monday Night Football drawings are held for items such as NFL hats, CVI shirts, Budweiser merchandise and other prizes.
• Also every Monday: two guests will be drawn to qualify for the Super Bowl Ultimate Tail Gate Package including two tickets to any Raider's home game in 2015, a BBQ grill, a $100 meat gift certificate to Costco, a Bud Light Easy-Up canopy, a couple of cases of Bud beer and assorted Bud Light T-shirts, hats and promotional items. 

When Aw Naw is Ah Yes! Whether you were there or not, this video of the Chris Young concert really gives the feel for what it's like attending a young country artist's concert at TJ's Corral! Thanks to all who made this concert a sell-out!  And thanks also for making this Friday's Charlie Daniels Band Concert another sell-out 'cause Minden's Gonna Do It Again with this Long Haired Country Boy!

More on Coach Polian's Visit: We now have more details on Nevada Wolf Pack Coach Brian Polian's visit to the Carson Valley Inn for a Blitz buffet lunch on Monday, September 22. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. Coach's candor, insight and humor was quite entertaining last year and we encourage all football enthusiasts to enjoy his presentation and jump in with questions. The cost is $17 per person and advance reservations are a must through the University of Nevada Athletic Department. Please call 775-682-6901 by Friday, September 19.

More Throwback Thirty: So we cheated a little last week with the picture of the CVI from a little less than 30 years ago. We'll go the other way this time and use a picture (above) from late 1983 shortly after groundbreaking. Using the Comments section below, can you tell us the approximate vantage point from which this picture was taken? Do you know what ever became of the structures on the left behind the construction equipment? And how about the small light green house in the background center . . . does anyone remember what two incidents happened the week before it met its demise?

Ya Just Had to Be There! Like the Flying Elvi, Giant Sand Castle and Splash Dogs that helped us celebrate our Birthday in recent Augusts past, the LivFast crew featuring X-Games Gold Medalist Lance Courey didn't disappoint last Sunday. Many aerial jumps, stunts, oohs and aahas plus over a dozen birthday cakes, cases of champagne, a thousand free anniversary tee shirts, the Blues Monsters, piles of free popcorn (wind + popcorn = mess), hundreds of free ice cream sandwiches, families and a zillion kids enjoying it all – what a day and night!

Run That By Me Again!? Our September casino promotions start next week, but here's a peak ahead. We'll start with the part that has even the Blog Department amazed. Inn Club members earn 5X Points on Saturdays and then get 50% off when paying with points in Katie's on Tuesday's from 2 to10 p.m. We're confident our Casino Marketing and Accounting folks checked in advance to make sure this makes financial sense, but it sounds to us writers as if this is a "don't miss" opportunity to dine in Katie's on Tuesdays for "pennies on the dollar!" Add in that CVI points have 5 times the value of the place just down the street (yep, we checked it out ourselves on the video reels and that's the majority of our slot play) and the multiplier effect becomes so high we can't even see it! Here's another one that has us non-numbers-types scratching our heads: On Mondays in September, when you earn 125 points that day, you just swing by the casino kiosk and swipe your card for a Free Omelet or Free $6.99 Platter (we have 6 of 'em on the menu) that same day. Plus, you keep the 125 points!

As Always, Interesting, Helpful and Occasionally Even Useful Tidbits and News:

• A reminder that the '65 Mustang Coup will be given away this Saturday at Bodines Casino. The drawings are at 5 & 7 p.m.
• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Greg Austin appears tonight, Stew Stewart entertains Thursday – Sunday and Jonathan "JB" Barton takes the stage Monday thru Wednesday.
• This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Mesquite Smoked Buffalo Prime Rib, a 10 oz. carving of American Bison Prime Rib, seasoned with a rock salt mixture of herbs, cold smoked and slow roasted to retain juices. Served with creamed horseradish, tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $32.00!
• Ladies' Night Gifts & Prizes: Each of tonight's Hot Seat winners will receive a Gift Basket from World Market . . . and the first 150 ladies will receive clip-on book lights. Next Wednesday night there will be more stuff from The Blue Cow (Blue Cow? We'll explain next Wednesday).
• Coming next Wednesday's blog: A September Top Ten Recreational & Adventure Activities in our area and an update on the scheduled bus service between Carson Valley and Reno Airport.

Get In Touch With Us: Use the comments section below, shoot us an email or just pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department. We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning!

Free Weekly $1000 Poker Tournament, List of August Events, Classic Cars this Thursday, NV State Fair, More

New Weekly $1,000 Free Roll Poker Tournament!  Not sure what this means? Neither were we at first, but it is amazingly simple and yes, we are giving away $1,000 each week! The Free Roll Tournaments will be held on Saturdays and Sundays in August at 4 p.m. You receive 1 FREE Entry for every hour that you play Monday through Friday PLUS 3X Entries on Thursdays. Drawings will be held on Fridays at 6 p.m. for the Saturday tournament and Saturdays at 6 p.m. for the Sunday tournament.  Thirty names will be selected to play each day and you must be present at the Draw to receive your spot. This is one of a whole list of Poker Room promotions, special games and progressive jackpots. All this plus free beer for our poker players - now that's something to bark at!

Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away: This is one of those "why did they do that" weekends with Hot August Nights and The Reno-Tahoe Open (we know, it's now called the Barracuda Championship) both in progress.  While the pro golfers will remain in Reno, hundreds of the Hot August Nights cars will be stopping in Minden this Thursday as Minden Park is the "lunch stop" for the annual Poker Run. Over 500 cars from the 50's, 60s and 70s are expected and it's all FREE! Feel free to park at the CVI, walk the 3 blocks to Minden Park, admire the cars and chat with the drivers, and come on back for lunch, a cold drink and . . . well we do have slots, ya know! Oh, and if you now can't get that Beach Boys tune out of your head, listen here.

What's Fair is Fair! The NV150 Sesquicentennial Fair runs today through Sunday at Fuji Park and the adjacent Carson City Fairgrounds which are conveniently located next to our sister property Bodines Casino. And, in looking through the Carson Valley Inn corporate philosophy manual in Chapter 4, sub section b, paragraph iii, we NEVER have a problem seeing CVI customers at Bodines! So, whether you visit Bodines before or after your stop at the Fair this weekend, Brent "Crash" Reins and his crew look forward to seeing you! For your convenience, here is a link to the fair schedule.

Concert Notes:

• A handful (literally) of seats remain for this Saturday's Chris Young Concert so watch for access to  "Standing Room Only" tickets through the concert web page. Hope to see you here!
• The Austinpalooza to benefit Austin’s House is Saturday, August 16 and we hope you'll come see The Stray Cat, Lee Rocker and the four other bands: The Engineered Disaster, Seymour's Trick Bag, Bootleggers and Lavish Green
• Still just a few "Standing Room Only" tickets available for the Charlie Daniels Band Concert on Friday, August 29. Bring a blanket and sit on the grass area! If you previously tried to make a room reservation for Friday August 29 and found we were full: We had a few rooms released this week, so please call again (soon): 775-783-6629.

CV Steak – Our Nevada Style Steakhouse:

• New in CV Steak:  Our Nevada Grill always included your choice on the "seafood" part (4 Grilled Shrimp or 4 Bacon-Wrapped Scallops or a Filet of Salmon). Now you can also choose one of the following for the "meat" part: Twin Tournedos or Medallions of Pork or Two Double-Bone Lamb Chops! Also new on the CV Steak Dinner Menu: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and Chopped Steak.
• The CV Steak Sunset Menu continues to be one of the best values in town and that's not just an idle PR claim – but you be the judge: Start with a first-class setting and experience top-notch service as you enjoy a three course meal with table-side tossed salad, your choice from 5 entrees with vegetable and choice of "starch" (rice or one of four potato options), and choice from three desserts all for just $18 daily from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The options change from time to time, click here for the current Sunset Menu.
• This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Braised Lamb Shank with Pearl Barley Risotto served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $26.00!

What's Happening in August?! Here's our monthly (at least this time of year) peak ahead at some

happenings  at and near the Carson Valley Inn. There is "a lot to do" around here and this is meant to be a selection (not everything) of things to do, see or experience for locals and those visiting our area:

• Minden Farmer’s Market: Tuesday evenings thru Sep. 30 on Esmeralda Street, just a 3-minute walk from the CVI
• NV150 Sesquicentennial Fair: July 30 - August 3 at Fuji Park.
• Community Concert in Minden Park:  Fri., Aug. 1, Mumbo Gumbo    
• Chris Young Concert: Saturday, August 2 in TJ's Corral Outdoor Events Center.
• Sweet Sippin Sundays: Sunday, August 3 in Genoa, Dougie L. Sinatra Baby
• Dangberg Home Ranch Summer Concert Series: Sunday, August 3, The Mental Notes, Milton Merlos
• Main Street Event Car Show & Shine:  Fri. Aug. 8, Minden Park/Esmeralda Ave. 
• Genoa Bar Friday Night Music Series:  August 8, 15, 22 & 29
• Movies in the Park: Fri., August 8, Heritage Park, Back to the Future
• Carson Valley Jr. Rodeo: Fri, Sat. & Sun., Aug. 8 - 10, Douglas County Fairgrounds
• Genoa Peak Completely Mad-A-Thon And Half Madathon: Sat., Aug. 9
• 2^nd Annual Dogapalooza: Saturday, August 9, Fuji Park
• Genoa Concert on the Green: Sunday, August 10, Genoa Park, Quake City Jug Band
• CVI Monthly Blackjack Tournament:  Tuesday, August 12, Table Games Area
• Carson Valley Arts Council Concert: Fri., Aug. 15, Charles Herrera, CVIC Hall
• Jethro's Charity King Crab and Steak Cookout: Friday, August 15
• No. NV Antique Power Club Tractor & Engine Show: Sat.-Sun., Aug, 16-17, Valley View Ranch
• Austinpalooza: Sat., Aug.16, sponsored by GE & CVI in TJ's Corral Events Center
• First Day for Douglas County Schools:  Monday, August 18
• Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walk:  Aug. 21, Gardnerville Main Street District
• Carson Tahoe Moto:  Aug. 21 – 24.  Headquartered at the CVI
• Community Concert in Minden Park: Fri., Aug. 22, JKC Band
• Relay for Life:  Sat., August 23, Lampe Park
• CVI 30^th Birthday Celebration: Sunday, August 24
• Dangberg Home Ranch Summer Concert Series: Sunday, August 24, Mark Sexton Band & Vanessa Littrell
• Dangberg Home Ranch Twilight Concert Series: Thursday, August 28, Ciana
• Charlie Daniels Band Concert: Friday, August 29 in TJ's Corral Outdoor Events Center

Interesting, Helpful and Occasionally Even Useful Tidbits and News:

• Mike's Horses: We're taking a week off from trying to second guess the trainers as to which horse(s) is/are running this weekend. We'll jump back in next week.
• In the Cabaret This Weekend: It's Jo Mama with Special Guest Stew Stewart, this Thursday through Saturday.  Jo Mama offers high energy whether they are playing funk, Latin, blues, swing, rock, country or calypso. With Paul Covarelli on guitar and vocals, Bill Heise on drums and Nancy Barker on keyboards and vocals, the group is lively enough. Add in the versatility and witty antics of Stew Stewart and no two sets will be the same! And remember, our Cabaret Lounge entertainment is Free!
• Coming Next Week: So, tell us about the $60,000+ you won on our penny slots!

Tell Us What You Think: Use the comments section below, shoot us an email or just pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department. We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning!

Concert Updates, Famous People Stay Here, Spend More Time at CVI & Less at DMV

Concert Notes:

• The Chris Young Concert on Saturday August 2 will definitely sell out. So, if you are planning to attend, please don't wait until the last minute 'cause you might just be saying "Aw Naw!" and miss hearing Chris sing that and his other hits! 
• To our friends in the Calaveras County area: If you absolutely, positively cannot visit the Carson Valley Inn this weekend, you can catch Lavish Green at the Mountain Vibe Music Gathering in Wilseyville, CA this Saturday . . . then be sure to come to The Austinpalooza benefitting Austin’s House here at the CVI on Saturday, August 16 and see them again along with four other bands including The Stray Cat, Lee Rocker.
• All seating for the Charlie Daniels Band Concert on Friday, August 29 is Sold Out and we have some "Standing Room Only" tickets on sale for $35.  Bring a blanket and sit on the grass area – still a great view of the stage and the surrounding Sierra and Pinenut ranges.
  

DMV Lines Causing You to Miss Time at CVI? Well, that problem is now mitigated! We learned first-hand about the new Nevada DMV Dash-Pass system last week and it works great! In simple terms: you "get in line" from anywhere by text, phone call or on their web site. You then go about your business until the system tells you to head over to the DMV office. And if you're on a hot slot machine here at the CVI or at our sister property Bodine's Casino in Carson City (just 5 minutes from DMV in Carson City), you can easily text back asking for more time without going to the back of the line! It's a Win-Win!

Like Who?  You may have seen his wording on the marquee sign outside our Motor Lodge over the past few weeks? Thought we should "pay off" the claim and share these few tidbits: Cliff Robertson stayed at the CVI the very first week the hotel opened in 1984 while here for soaring lessons.  There was only one floor of rooms completed at the time and, after one or two nights, he moved to David Walleys because of the construction noise above! Cloris Leachman and Dick Clark have also stayed with us . . . and so did Tiger Woods in the nineties when he participated in an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournament. Fred Savage and his family stayed at the CVI in the late 1980s when some scenes from The Wizard were filmed on Esmeralda Street in Minden. Also in that film were Luke Edwards, Jenny Lewis and a young and then-unknown actor Tobey Maguire.

You Had a Drink Where? 

Many folks share libations in our Cabaret Lounge, at our Casino Bar and at the CV Steak Bar. All three locations are regular gathering places for locals and hotel guests. But we are not naïve - we know that you are patronizing other area pubs. And it's no secret that one of the stops between the Carson Valley Inn and the Genoa Lakes Golf Courses or David Walley's Hot Springs & Spa is at the Genoa Bar - a well-known and oft-visited part of Nevada's history. Our friends at Getaway Reno Tahoe put together a short video on the Genoa Bar and we are pleased to share it above! Be sure to tell 'em the CVI sent you and we'll see you when you return!

As Always, Interesting, Helpful and Occasionally Even Useful Tidbits and News:

• Mike's Horses: When we were putting the final touches on this blog on Tuesday evening, word was that Brannaman and/or Global Hottie might be running this weekend at Del Mar. 
• In the Cabaret This Weekend: Just Us performs Thursday through Saturday nights with their unique blend of  the sounds of the Motor City and Oakland, CA . . . "Sweet, Grown & Sexy" music from the 60’s to the present. 
• This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Roasted Stuffed Quail with Prosciutto, Wild Rice and Plum Port glaze - served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $27.00!
• I Work at the CVI! Those words always bring a look of envy because . . . the CVI is a great place to work!  We do have some openings!
• Coming in Next Week's Blog: A listing of select August area special events and info on our August Casino promotions. 

Get In Touch With Us: Use the comments section below, shoot us an email message or just pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department. We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning!

Charlie Almost Sold Out, How to Make Coquille St. Jacques, Soaring, Tom Petty Tribute in Cabaret, More

Dining Show & Sam Shad: We managed to snag the Carson Valley Inn segment of The Dining Show that was recorded here last week. There are plenty of mouth-watering food shots, a short "tutorial" on how CV Steak Sous Chef Patrick Pierce makes the Coquille St. Jacques, another non-scene-hogging performance by our own Joey Whitacre and – well, somehow "they" rewound time and put Sam Shad on stage with the Oak Ridge Boys in TJ's Corral! The show will start airing fairly soon on KRNV (CH. 4) every other Friday at 12.30 pm and on Charter Cable (Ch. 190) in northern Nevada over 20 times a week.

Best Soaring in the West Takes Off Just 8 Minutes from CVI! 
Many of our readers know that the Carson Valley area is one of the very best soaring locations in the US and even in the world. We've seen visitors at the CVI from just about every state and dozens of countries who come to Minden just for the world-class soaring. Last week, the Carson Valley Visitors Authority posted their latest video featuring the Terri Arnold – the Carson Valley Rider. You may remember her exploits with Elvis here at the Carson Valley Inn last February? This time she's up in a glider (no, the horse didn't fly) and the scenery is spectacular. Thanks to Soaring NV for making this video possible - and for sending so many out-of-town guests our way!

Free In Our Cabaret Lounge This Weekend:

• Decades entertains on Thursday and Friday. This young and energetic group presents a vibrant and diverse act from Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" to Katy Perry’s “California Girls"  (big gap, huh!) Decades' 4 part harmonies and energized rhythm section truly shine when playing hits from the 1950's to today.  
• Petty Theft – A Tribute to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers takes the stage on Saturday night. Come on down and enjoy Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (sung in the video above by Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks – a definite rock classic and we'll bet you'll be humming it the rest of the day!) , Refugee, Free Fallin', American Girl, Don’t Do Me Like That, I Won't Back Down and many more. It's free in our Cabaret Lounge this Saturday night!

Concert Notes:

• The Chris Young Concert on Saturday August 2 has sold well past the halfway point – don't miss out!
• The Austinpalooza to benefit Austin’s House on Saturday, August 16 had a slight adjustment and we are now offering a total of five bands including Lee Rocker, formerly of The Stray Cats, as the headliner.
• The Charlie Daniels Band Concert on August Friday, 29 is basically sold out with a couple of handfuls of tickets remaining. If you missed out, check back as we may put some "Standing Room Only" tickets on sale – and, as we have said in the past, this is somewhat of a misnomer because you can bring a blanket and sit on the grass area.

Putting Contest in Poker Room? We know, on the surface it doesn't quite make sense. However, many of our poker players and dealers are golfers, so this putting promo is quite popular. It happens this Thursday thru Sunday as part of British Open ("The Open" for purists) weekend.  If you make a full-house, and win the pot, you get to roll one putt - make the putt and we'll add 1,000 points to your INN Club account on-the-spot! Speaking of Poker, be sure to check out the new tournament schedule,  Friday night drawings, double points days and more that we covered last week.

American Century Celebrity Golf this Weekend: With over 100 golf groups headquartering at the Carson Valley Inn each year it's only fitting that we put in this reminder about the 25th annual American Century Championship this Friday through Sunday at the majestic Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. While some of sports' and entertainment's greatest celebrities will be playing this week, you and your golf group can enjoy Edgewood Tahoe, too . . . it's one of the 13 Area Courses we offer in our group golf packages. And for smaller groups of 4 – 8 golfers, we have a special Clear-Edge Golf Package featuring a round each at Edgewood Tahoe and the private Clearcreek Golf Course.

As Always, Interesting and/or Helpful Tidbits and News:

• Mike's Horses: Didn't hear of any running this weekend – but there will definitely be some activity in the next couple of weeks as Del Mar revs up its summer run.
• This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is a Game Mix Grill with marinated Buffalo and Elk medallions, Venison and Rabbit Sausage and finished with a Brandy Cherry Demi-Glace. As always: served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $29.00!  
• Reminder Regarding 8-10-84: Were you at the Carson Valley Inn on August 10, 1984? If so, get in touch with us and tell us your story!

Get In Touch With Us: Use the comments section below, shoot us an email or just pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department. We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning!