5 Million Point Giveaway and Did Elvis Really Leave the Building?

In this week's blog: How to win a free T.G. Sheppard Concert Weekend Package, what happens when you valet park a horse at the CVI, our 5 Million Point Giveaway in March, Cowboy Mardi Gras, a space shuttle developer speaking at the CVI and more!

Win a free T.G. Sheppard Concert Weekend Package: This is a free-to-enter contest on our Facebook page. We don't ask for any personal info – just check out contest posting on our Facebook page and Like, Comment or Share to enter. We are taking reservations now for the T.G. Sheppard Concert Weekend Package: Two nights in the hotel, two concert tickets, $50 in food credits and admission to a private pre-concert Meet & Greet. Check our web site for the details. Oh, if you win the Facebook contest, and you already made reservations for this package, we'll make the appropriate adjustment!

5 Million Point Giveaway: Yes, it's a lot of free player club points to just give away . . . but that's our guarantee between the Carson Valley Inn and Bodines Casino during March! The March Promotions start this Saturday and we'll remind you of pertinent days in each week's blog posting.

What Really Happened When Elvis Was Here? Remember Elvis Week last January? Our friends at the Carson Valley Visitor's Authority roped him into a short video for their Rugged, Relaxed, Reachable campaign and   . . . well take a look for yourself at this video and some of the horsin' around! 

This Friday's Game Dinner Special: Our Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is Roasted Stuffed Quail with prosciutto, wild rice and plum port glaze.  As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato – all for $27.00.

Interesting Happenings in our Valley Ballroom:      

• Cowboy Mardi Gras at CVI this Friday: Austin's House 2nd Annual "Cowboy Mardi Gras" is this Friday night in our Valley Ballroom. This is a fun and very casual event to benefit the kids of Austin's House- wear your favorite western wear and/or Mardi Gras clothes and colors - and join others in our community who care deeply about the welfare of children! A great western BBQ buffet, music, dancing, games, raffles, and a Silent Auction! Tickets are available by calling 775-267-6711. 
•  "Dream Chaser" Shuttle Developers at CVI: The Sports Aviation Foundation Annual Membership Dinner on Saturday, March 8 will feature Greg Stanley from the Sierra Nevada Corporation, a privately owned aerospace company in Sparks. They are developing the "Dream Chaser" the next generation shuttle to the space station. For tickets, call 775-782-9871.
• What's Next at CVI? How about you! Quite a few fundraisers, meetings, reunions, conventions and banquets happen at the CVI each year and there are many positive comments on our web site. To find out about holding an event for your group, business or association at the Carson Valley Inn, contact Carrie at 775-783-6673. 

Ladies Night Tonight! The hot seat winners at tonight's Ladies' Night festivities from 6 to 9 p.m. will receive a Gift Basket. Deanna and Julie will be handing out a compact mirror to the first 150 ladies who show up - and 20 of these will also have Free Play as a bonus!  Ladies Night Bingo games are at 6:45, 7:30 & 8:15 p.m. with the first 2 games "paying" $50 in Freeplay and the last game paying $100 Cash. 

Keeping You Posted:

·         New Bar in the Convention Center:  Progressing rapidly with framing this week. We hope to be completed by March 10.

·         Super Sunday Parlay Card $2,500 Winner: hard to believe, but someone took the time, and paid the $5, to play a ticket – and still has not claimed the second $2,500 prize.  Must have really been distracted by the Super Bowl commercials!

Lots More Coming Up: We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting each and every Wednesday!

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com or leave a comment on this posting.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!

Bring Men to a Bridal Fair?? Also, a Special Ski Weekend Package, More on Our Concerts

In this week's blog: More on our upcoming concerts, a special ski weekend package, our Clay Shooting Outing and Eagles & Ag this weekend, our Bridal Fair Sunday and more! PLUS – feel free to post your comments to this week's blog - but let us know who your are.

Ski Weekend: We have a specially priced Ski Package for the weekend of February 28 - March 2 with accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights, two days of skiing (Heavenly Tahoe and Kirkwood, a $50 per person food credit for use in CV Steak or Katie's and a CVI Logo Sweatshirt for après ski lounging. Get the details here or call our Reservations folks at 775-783-6629. Can't make it that weekend? Check out all of our "anytime" ski packages at this link.

Eagles and Ag: Congratulations to the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce for selling out most of the activities for this weekend's annual Eagles and Agriculture! Eagles & Ag is the Carson Valley's annual celebration of the interaction between our habitat that our cattle ranches provide and the eagles that come here during the calving season…it's 4 days of tours, workshops and events for any wildlife lover, admirer of the ranching life or history buff. If you missed it this year, put it on your radar to sign up in January 2015! Call the Chamber at 775-782-8144. Oh, thanks John Humphrey for the picture taken earlier this week.

Clay Shooting Weekend: Our Annual Clay Shoot is this weekend with a Thursday reception, sporting clays on Friday at Walker River Resort and Saturday at Carson Valley Clays, and a Saturday banquet.  As with over 100 golf groups each year, we are also headquarters for a number of different clay shooting events – let us know if you are interested in a trip our way for your group. Check this link for more information or call Bill at 775-783-6624.

Bridal Fair This Sunday - Bring the Men?: The Carson Valley Inn Bridal Fair is this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Valley Ballroom and admission is free! Produced in conjunction with "The Entertainer," the event features a variety of wedding vendors, free wedding related seminars, free refreshments and prize drawings and tours of our rooms and suites. The guys? Bring them! We have a special "VIP Room" for the grooms and fathers to hang out and enjoy a cocktail while watching an NBA game and perhaps planning a bachelor party. Plus, they are nearby if you need them to help make a decision . . . or enthusiastically support a decision you've already made!  Here's a link to all the details or  call Carrie at 775-783-6673.

This Friday's Game Dinner Special: Our Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is Braised Buffalo Short Ribs – one pound of American Bison short ribs braised and slow cooked, finished with natural pan sauce. As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato – all for $28.00.

Concert Update: As a follow-up to last week's announcement on some of our upcoming 2014 concerts in the Valley Sky Theatre, we now have links to the full schedule and an information page for each event. More information will be added to each page as it is available: Michael Martin Murphy (May 1), Oak Ridge Boys (May 15), Eddie Money (June 21) and The Charlie Daniels Band (August 29). 

What's in the Bag? The hot seat winners at tonight's Ladies' Night festivities from 6 to 9 p.m. will receive a scarf, beanie and glove set – that's what's in the bag (see it now?). Deanna and Julie will be handing out a candle holder with votive to the first 150 ladies who show up - and 20 of these will also have Free play as a bonus!  Ladies Night Bingo games are at 6:45, 7:30 & 8:15 p.m. with the first 2 games "paying" $50 in Freeplay and the last game paying $100 Cash. 

Keeping You Posted:

·        New Bar in the Convention Center:  We did get started this week and will have updates in the next few weeks.

·        Dollar Video Poker Progressive: It's now up and running on the front slots at CV Steak Bar. Jackpot was approaching $5,000 yesterday.

·        5 Million Point Giveaway: It's coming up in March all the details are in our March player mailer - plus we'll have more in next week's Wednesday blog.

·        Super Sunday Parlay Card $2,500 Winner: we are still waiting for the second $2,500 winner to claim his or her prize.

Lots More Coming Up: We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday!

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!

Eddie Money, More Valley Sky Theatre Concerts Plus More New Slots, $2,500 STILL Unclaimed

In this week's blog: One $2,500 Super Sunday Parlay Prize still unclaimed; The Oak Ridge Boys, Eddie Money and Charlie Daniels Band coming this summer; enhancements in our Valley Ballroom and more!

Super Sunday $5 Parlay Card – Still Waiting on a $2,500 Winner: We are still waiting for one of the two $2,500 winners to claim his or her Super Sunday Parlay Card prize. One happy camper came forward for half the $5,000 payout and the other – the card was played at the Bodines Race and Sports Book – still has the winning card somewhere and can pocket $2,500 by showing up!

Rumblings about a New Bar in the Convention Center?  It's true – here's what's happening. This coming Monday we'll start tearing out the small and seldom-used stage in the "Sierra" room of our Valley Ballroom. Also going away is the adjacent cramped service bar area and its unsightly "garage door" front. Coming in the next few weeks is an attractive and larger bar area that will enhance service and definitely improve the appearance and functionality of the Valley Ballroom. There will be minimal interruption during the short construction process and we'll keep you posted on the progress.

More New Slots at the Inn

Plants vs. Zombies – Seriously?: We have some new slots coming in next week . . . here's an advance peek . . . Plants vs. Zombies features a Graveyard Bonus (of course!) where players pick tombstones, collecting suns to win one of three progressives and avoiding the brain-craving zombies (a good thing to avoid)!  Zuma features the familiar Zuma frog shooting at an innovative moving ball track. There are incremental progressives and unique Power Frogs – as one might expect! (this all has to be true – we really don't have the creativity to make this up). We will also soon be introducing two new 3-level progressive jackpots at CV Steak Bar and you'll be able to play dollars or quarters while enjoying your favorite cocktail and enjoying basketball, golf or a number of other sports (no, football is over for now) on the flatscreens.

Our Cupid's Cash and Freeplay Promotion is in full swing and the first of two Grand Prize Giveaways is this Friday with drawings at 6 and 8 p.m. During February INN Club members also earn 4X Points on video reels and 2X Points on video slots all day Tuesdays and Triple Points from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays.

Tastefully Simple Gift Basket

Ladies' Night: Hot seat winners at tonight's Ladies' Night festivities from 6 to 9 p.m. will receive a gift basket from Tastefully Simple and with a gourmet food item and handy kitchen utensil. Deanna and Julie will be handing out Valentine coffee mugs to the first 150 ladies who show up - and 20 of these will also have a Free play!  Ladies Night Bingo games are at 6:45, 7:30 & 8:15 p.m. with the first 2 games "paying" $50 in Freeplay and the last game paying $100 Cash.

Monthly Blackjack Tournament Winners: Last night's monthly Blackjack Tournament paid a total of $1,475.00 as all the entry fees went out in prize money. John S. finished first for $740, Richard L. came in 2^nd for $440 and 3^rd place and $295 went to David B. Our next Monthly Blackjack Tournament is Tuesday, March 11.

Eddie Money

Charlie Daniels Band, OakRidge Boys and Eddie Money Coming this Year: Last week we mentioned that Michael Martin Murphy and his band will be performing in the Valley Sky Theatre on Thursday night, May 1. The 2014 schedule is starting to line up and here are three more concerts you can mark on your calendar: The Oak Ridge Boys will perform on Thursday, May 15, Eddie Money will be here on Saturday, June 21 as part of a fund-raising concert for the Boys and Girls Club of Carson Valley and The Charlie Daniels Band will appear on Friday, August 29. Watch this Blog and our web site for information on ticket availability and prices.

Mike's Horses: Midnight Hawk finished third in last Saturday's Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.

Valentine's Day Sold Out in CV Steak, but . . . CV Steak  is "booked solid" for this Friday night so come on "inn"and enjoy our Valentine's Day Specials and regular menu in Katie's. Or, do as many other thoughtful procrastinators and enjoy dinner with your beau in CV Steak on Saturday or Sunday of this 3-day President's Weekend. Reservations are easily made by calling 775-783-6650. 

Lots More Coming Up: We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday!

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!

Waiting on Two $2,500 Winners

In this week's blog we have information about two people who have yet to claim the $5,000 in Super Sunday Parlay Prize Money, more on Mike's horses, Tuesday's Blackjack Tournament, Ladies' Night and more!

Mike's Horses: Two of Mike's horses ran last week . . . Hoppertunity won the 6^th race at Santa Anita on Thursday and Secret Circle finished a close 2^nd in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes when long shot Wild Dude rallied late to win by a neck, Coming up this week, Midnight Hawk is scheduled to run in Saturday's Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. This race is an important prep for the Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5.

Ladies' Night Tonight: The hot seat winners at tonight's Ladies' Night festivities from 6 to 9 p.m. will receive a special vase with flowers, chocolate kisses and a scented candle – specially wrapped by Julia.  Deanna and Julie will be handing out a cute tin of CVI/Bodines mints for the first 150 ladies who show up - and 20 of these will also have Free play as a bonus!  Ladies Night Bingo games are at 6:45, 7:30 & 8:15 p.m. with the first 2 games "paying" $50 in Freeplay and the last game paying $100 Cash.

Our Monthly Blackjack Tournament is Tuesday, February 11. These tournaments are a low-risk opportunity to grab a decent cash prize and have some fun and laughs in the process! The premise is pretty simple: It's just $25 to get in, you're playing with tournament chips, all the entry fees are paid back in prize money and the top three finishers are usually sharing around $1,500! First place gets half the pot, 2^nd receives 30% and the 3^rd place finisher takes the remaining 20%. We figure that's a pretty good haul for just a $25 lay down. To enter, just stop by the pit on Tuesday, February 11 when we take sign ups between 5 and 6 p.m.

$5,000 Waiting on Two Winners of Super Sunday $5 Parlay Card: Super Bowl was a joy to some and a disappointment to many – seems we had lots of Broncos fans in house over the past weekend. There was a flurry of betting activity with many folks participating in the Super Sunday $5 Parlay Card.  As promised, the $5,000 was a guaranteed payout and it took most of Monday to figure out who won. We had two people who picked 12 of the 15 propositions correctly so they each have $2,500 coming. Like the lottery, we don't know who has those two winning cards. So, if you played a card and got 12 correct, stop by the Sports Book at either Carson Valley Inn or Bodines Casino and present your card to claim your winnings!

When Will Football Return!?!?!: Now that football is on its "never-short-enough" break, our Race and Sports Book is busy taking action on the many horse races leading up to the Triple Crown events, NBA and NCAA Basketball (March Madness starts March 18), NASCAR (the Daytona 500 kicks off the season on February 23), PGA Golf (The Masters starts April 10), NHL Hockey and more.  And if you really just can't wait for football, stop in and place a bet on who will win the 2015 College Football Playoff (formerly known as BCS) and who will win the 2015 Super Bowl!

Valentine's Day Dining Booking Fast: We took a look at the CV Steak Reservations book last night to check on Valentine's Day progress. As we speculated last week, many time slots are almost full so if you are planning dinner in CV Steak on Valentine's Day (why would you go anywhere else!) make your reservations NOW (like before you even finish reading this blog posting) by calling 775-783-6650.  As a reminder, both CV Steak and Katie's are offering their regular menu plus specials on Valentine's Day.  Our Valentine's Weekend Hotel Package (it's also President's Day weekend) offers accommodations for two nights with arrival on Friday or Saturday, a dining credit and more.

Birds of Chicago in Concert: The Carson Valley Arts Council's Winter Concert Series includes Birds of Chicago in concert on Friday, February 28 at the CVIC Hall, just a 5 minute walk from the Carson Valley Inn. We have a very attractive two-night hotel package for this concert and you can arrive on Thursday or Friday, February 27 or 28.

Lots More Coming Up: We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday!

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!

Super Weekend, Valentine's Weekend and More at the Carson Valley Inn

In this week's blog we have information about our Spring Stag Golf Outing, this Saturday's Tailgate Party, Super Sunday happenings, February promotions, Fridays Game-On special, Valentine's Day, and two of our owner's horses running this week.

Spring Stag Golf Outing: All the information on our Spring Stag Golf Outing is now up on our web site. This traditional season-kickoff guy's golf weekend includes a Thursday optional practice round and evening reception, golf on Friday and Saturday at the two Genoa Lakes courses, a Saturday-night banquet with an abundance of raffle prizes, a tee prize package for every participant and more.  This is our 30^th go at this event and anyone who has attended in the past will tell you it's a golf getaway you won't want to miss!

 Mike's Horses: As of post time for this blog (pun – get it!), two of CVI Owner Mike Pegram's horses are running this week. Hoppertunity runs in the 6^th race at Santa Anita on Thursday and Secret Circle (a Preakness Stakes winner last November) is scheduled in Sunday's Palos Verdes race at Santa Anita. Remember, with horse racing, it's never for sure until the starting gates open!

Saturday Tailgate Party: We don't get a chance to use our outdoor Valley Sky Theatre much this time of year but we're cranking it up this Saturday for a Tailgate Party – all part of our Super Weekend festivities.  The fun runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday with food and drink specials, a chance to meet former NFL players, free live entertainment with After Dark and drawings – both outside during the party and in the casino at 4:30 p.m.

$5,000 Guaranteed Pay Out on $5 Parlay Card This Sunday: If you've been following our blog you know the "why," so we'll just remind you of the "what" and "how." We have $5,000 cash to give away this Sunday to the winner of our $5 Super Sunday Parlay.  There are 15 bets on the card including picking the winner and proposition bets. Whoever picks the most correctly out of 15 wins the $5,000 (ties split)! Play as many $5 cards as you like - entries are accepted until 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 2 during any hours the Sports and Race Book is open at the Carson Valley Inn or Bodines Casino. Complete contest details are available at the Inn's Sports and Race Book.

Lots of Places to Watch Sunday's Game: It'll be hard not to catch the big game action and all the associated commercials on Sunday with the HD big screen in the Cabaret Lounge and over 35 more HDTV flats screens in the Cabaret and casino bar area, table games area, CV Steak bar and poker room. Stop by and enjoy our $2 jumbo draft beer specials and don't forget our served-at-your-seat Bar Bites Snacks!

February Promotions Start in a Few Days: Our Cupid's Cash and Freeplay Giveways and other February promotions kickoff this Saturday. Lot's going on, as always!

Valentine's Day Dining and Special Weekend Package: Less than three weeks to go until Valentine's Day – falls on a Friday this year so we added an attractive 2-night Hotel Package! 

First let's cover dinner: Both CV Steak and Katie's are offering their regular menu plus specials on Valentine's Day. PLEASE . . . if you are planning dinner in CV Steak on Valentine's Day – and we hope you are – make your reservations NOW by calling 775-783-6650.  Our Valentine's Weekend Hotel Package (it's also President's Day weekend) offers accommodations for two nights with arrival on Friday or Saturday, a dining credit and more.

This Friday's Game Dinner Special: Our Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is Wild Boar Tenderloin Medallions with a bourbon honey au jus and spiced grapes. As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato.

Lots More Coming Up: We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday!

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!

This Week's News from the Carson Valley Inn

A Wild Game Special in CV Steak, the Annual Senior Health Fair, a $5,000 Super Sunday Jackpot, our upcoming Bridal Fair, new ownership at the Genoa Lakes golf courses and more are covered below in this week's Carson Valley Inn blog posting.

Senior Health Fair Today: There's a big Senior Health Fair in our Valley Ballroom today from 8 a.m. to noon and admission is free! The event is actually open to anyone of any age and it’s the "15th Annual" sponsored by The Douglas County Senior Center. Over 30 vendors will be on hand including home health services, medical providers, County offices, community health nurse, social services, assisted living facilities, senior volunteer organizations and more.  Certain types of blood work will be available for a low cost. It's a great assembly of information all in one convenient location so come on by if you are in the area.

Game Dinner Special: Our Game-On Fridays in CV Steak features a different "game" oriented dinner special each Friday. This week (Friday, January 24) CV Steak is offering a Wild Game Mix Grill for $29. This hearty plate includes Rabbit sausage and marinated tenderloins of both Buffalo and Elk with Cabernet Demi-Glace plus fresh vegetable. As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato.

More Horse Racing News: Carson Valley Inn owner Mike Pegram had three horses run at Santa Anita Park this past weekend. In the $200,000 Stru Stakes for four year olds on Saturday, it was a one-two finish for Mike as Shakin It Up finished first and Govenor Charlie second. On Sunday, Fiftyshadesofhay finished fourth in the La Canada Stakes. One of the other horses broke sharply inward leaving the starting gate, interfering with Fiftyshadesofhay and forcing jockey Mike Smith to check sharply out of the gate.

Bridal Fair Coming Up: The next Carson Valley Inn Bridal Fair is Sunday, February 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. in our Valley Ballroom and admission is free! Produced in conjunction with "The Entertainer," the event features wedding vendors, free wedding related seminars, free refreshments, prize drawings and a special "man cave" for the grooms and fathers to hang out and enjoy a cocktail while watching an NBA game. All the details are on our web site (click here) or call Carrie at 775-783-6673.

$5,000 Guaranteed Pay Out on $5 Parlay Card Super Sunday: Our Progressive Pro Pick'em jackpot didn't hit on January 19 so we rounded it up to $5,000 and it must be given away on Super Sunday! There are 15 bets on the card including picking the winner and those always-fun proposition bets. This one is simple: whoever picks the most correct wins the $5,000 (ties split)! Play as many $5 cards as you like - entries are accepted until 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 2 during any hours the Sports and Race Book is open at the Carson Valley Inn or Bodines Casino. Complete contest details are available at the Inn's Sports and Race Book.

For the Thousand of Golfers Who Stay with Us Each Year: Yesterday, the Genoa Lakes Properties including both the Lakes and Resort Courses were acquired by the Genoa Golf Group IV, LLC. Both courses will undergo improvements under the new ownership and Lou Eiguren is staying on as General Manager.

Lots More Coming Up: We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting next Wednesday for information on our Spring Stag Golf Weekend in April and a very special Mother's Day Weekend Hotel Package in May.

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!

Parking Horses at the Carson Valley Inn?

Midnight Hawk

What do a Pro Football Coach, NHL Hockey Coach and a Casino Owner have in common? We'll get to that . . . and also talk about valet parking a horse, Two Tickets to Paradise, tickets to The Flamingos, our Monthly Blackjack Tournament winners and a few other things this week!

Monthly Blackjack Tournament: Last night was the 2^nd Tuesday of the month and that meant our monthly blackjack tournament!  Richard L. finished first for $725.00, Jack J. won $435.00 for 2^nd place and Bev. T captured the 3^rd place prize of $290.00. Our next tournament is Tuesday, February 11 and all it takes is a $25 entry fee!

About the Pro Football Coach, NHL Hockey Coach and Casino Owner: As some of you know, Carson Valley Inn owner Mike Pegram is also very active in Thoroughbred horse racing. We are often asked when his horses are running and how they are doing.  The "when they will be running" part is tricky as decisions are often made and changed based on many factors. The "how they are doing" part is a little easier as it involves reporting after the fact.

Two of CVI owner Mike Pegram's horses ran last weekend. Ridden by Hall-of-Fame Jockey and recent CVI guest Mike Smith, 3-year-old colt Midnight Hawk finished first in the $100,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park and accumulated qualification points towards the Kentucky Derby in May (much still needs to fall into place before the Derby!). Mike's partners in Midnight Hawk include friends Joel Quenneville, coach of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and former Minnesota Vikings head coach and frequent CVI guest Mike Tice who just took the job as the Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach. Later last Saturday at Santa Anita, 5-year-old Drill finished 3rd in the San Pasqual Stakes. Check our upcoming blogs for more on when Mike's horses will be running and how they did.

Eddie Money and More in the Valley Sky Theatre:  We're starting to pin down the first few events and concerts for the outdoor Valley Sky Theatre so watch our web site soon for information about Eddie Money ("Two Tickets to Paradise") on Saturday, June 21, Michael Martin Murphey ("Wildfire") and his band on Thursday, May 1 and the Carson Valley Sertoma Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair on April 26 & 27.

Did Someone Really Valet Parking a Horse at CVI Last Friday?  Actually, yes! The Carson Valley Visitors Authority was working on the Carson Valley Rider video campaign and Terrie (she's the face of the Visitor's Authority's campaign) did  ride up to the hotel entrance on a horse, get greeted by Elvis and get handed a valet ticket by Mark Breeden, our Bell/Valet Supervisor, who wound up with the reins! We'll let you know when the CVI segment of the video is used in an on-line or advertising message.

About our Progressive Pro Pick'em contest:  It didn't hit last Sunday so we have another $5 parlay card this week for a $4,480 jackpot.  Pick all 15 props and the pot is yours (ties split).  If it isn't won this Sunday it MUST be paid to whoever hits the most picks on Super Bowl Weekend. Entries are accepted until 8 a.m. Sunday during any hours the Sports and Race Book is open at the Carson Valley Inn or Bodines Casino. Complete contest details are available at the Inn's Sports and Race Book.

Flamingos Concert This Friday: Just a reminder that the Flamingos Concert is this Friday, January 17. Tickets are just $22 at the Hotel Front Desk.

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!