Carson Valley Inn: February 2017

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

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!

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Nashville Nights Showcase Friday, Wines, Margaritas,

Travis Denning Songs Recorded
by Jason Aldean &Justin Moore

Up and Comers with Solid "Already Arrived" Credentials

Our first Nashville Nights Showcase is this Friday in the Valley Ballroom featuring up-and-coming country singer/songwriters. Last week we mentioned Cole Taylor has had songs recorded by Florida Georgia Line, Chase Rice and more. Since then we learned Cole has released two of his own EPs and had two songs reach #1 on the country music charts; “Sippin’ On Fire” by Florida Georgia Line and “Home Alone Tonight” by Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. Travis Denning has had songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Justin Moore and Chase Rice and he spent the Fall of 2016 on Cole Swindell's Down Home Tour. In addition to Cole and Travis flying in from Nashville for the show, singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer Hannah Jane Kile will also perform. She has “opened” for acts including Birds of Chicago, Blame Sally, Nina Gerber, Eliza Gilkyson, The Steel Wheels, Joe Craven & the Sometimers, and most recently Ingrid Michelson. It’s $19 for all three performers and we’ll have a free Nashville Nights Showcase T-Shirt for everyone who attends and posts on Facebook or Instagram at the show. Tickets are available at the Hotel Desk or call 775-783-6606.

The Easy Part After an
Adventure Getting Here!!

True Willie Band - An Arrival to Remember!

We don’t usually look back on events that have passed. However, we have to give a great big “thank you” and express our appreciation to the 300+ people who turned out for the True Willie Band concerts last Friday night. Road conditions were changing all afternoon and into the evening, yet people found a way of getting here . . . and from all of your comments you really enjoyed the show! The band itself had quite an adventure getting to the CVI to make sure the show could go on. They were planning to fly in on Thursday which, had they done so, would’ve been an adventure of a lifetime as winds were gusting as high as 85 mph. Friday morning our Bell/Valet captain Mark Breedon made it up Hwy 395 to pick up the band and their equipment. Then things started changing rapidly as the waters rose and more roads closed. Here at the CVI, we monitored the Twitter posts from Douglas County, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Highway Patrol, NDOT and also a couple of Facebook Community Forums to keep up on the road conditions. As we got new information, we texted it to Mark who then changed his return route accordingly. After a long and bumpy trip down Foothill to the end and a jaunt north on Hwy 88, Mark cut through the Ranchos on Centerville, went over the Riverview Bridge, north on Hwy 395 (follow the yellow brick road, right?), and got the group here just in time to walk into the Valley Ballroom and set up for the dress rehearsal. Cliff, the bass player from the group, captured their adventure in pictures and words and posted it online - it’s a quick read, take a look!

Wine or a Margarita?

Saturday is National Drink Wine Day. We

CV Steak Features
Ferrari-Carano Wines

’ve got a full selection of wines by-the-bottle and the glass in CV Steak and we’ll be glad to serve ‘em to you with your meal in the restaurant, at CV Bar or the CV Steak Lounge . . . and also in Katie's! Additionally, Katie's features Vista Point Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay for $2 a glass or $8 a bottle!
Tuesday is National Margarita Day. We started wondering how many different ways there are to make a Margarita and found these 49 margarita recipes all tucked into one neat article! Just for fun, we went by the Cabaret Bar and asked Erin what she would do if someone asked her to make a Beer Margarita. Turns out she is pretty quick on her feet and instantly came up with three or four ingredients and a “plan.” Want to know how she would approach it? Stop by the Cabaret Bar and ask her!

New in the Poker Room Starting this Weekend:

Fridays we’ll pay $15 to the high hand each hour from 2 to 8 PM.
Saturdays, the high hand of the hour spins the wheel from 2 to 10 PM.
A Saturday night Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament has been added starting at 6 PM with a $20 buy-in and one reentry. On the last Saturday of the month, the same tournament will have a $40 buy-in with one reentry and we will add $300 to the prize pool!
All of our Featured Games, Tournaments and Special Promotions are listed on our website, click here for the full story.

Justin Lee & His Band in Cabaret Lounge This Weekend

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge:

Tyler Stafford tonight, Justin Lee Thursday through Saturday, George Pickard Sunday and Monday and Steve Lord next Tuesday and Wednesday. Justin Lee is the west coast’s answer to new country music. With roots in small town Yerington, Nevada, Justin Lee is bringing a new level of excitement to country as we know it. Justin opened for Mark Chesnutt in October of 2014 at We Dig Mining, a fundraiser to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nevada. A Night In The Country – Nevada’s largest country music festival – featured Justin on the main stage prior to The Band Perry in 2015.

In the Casino

Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a free 3-Piece Bowl Set for the first 150 ladies, Wine Country Gift Baskets as hot seat prizes, games, drink specials, FREE Bingo and earn entries for the February 22^nd drawings for a free Designer Handbag.
$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 this Friday and every Friday through February 24^th.
4X Points Saturday: Every Saturday in February – that’s quadruple the benefits for your play!
5X Points Monday: all day for President’s Day.
Penny Progressive About to Hit $65,000: As this jackpot gets higher, more people play the carousels and the faster it grows. Remember, this Progressive Jackpot can (and will) only be won on one of the Triple Red Hot 7's slot carousels at the CVI, Sharkey’s or Bodines.
Sports and Race Book: This week you can “bet the games” for the NBA, College Basketball and NHL. Also on the board: wager on who will win the NASCAR Daytona 500, NCAA Basketball Championship, Masters, NBA Championship, NHL Stanley Cup and World Series.
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, 11 AM to 10PM!
Our Friday special in CV Steak is Beer Braised Wild Boar Shanks slow cooked in beer, tomato, mustard and fresh herbs for $27. 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.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

True Willie Friday, Valentine's Day Dinner, Pizza, Tournaments, More

True Willie Band This Friday

We came up with almost a thousand songs that Willie Nelson wrote, recorded, performed, influenced, or otherwise touched. When Roger Hegyi and the True Willie Band Show bring Willie to life in the Valley Ballroom this weekend they’ll only be doing the most recognizable including five of Willie Nelson’s most notable hits medleyed (OK, we made up this word but you know what we mean) in the video above. Experience these and much more this Friday night with True Willie Band Shows at 5:30 and 7:30 PM. Tickets ($20) are available at the Hotel Desk or call 775-783-6606.

And Come Back Next Friday . . .

. . . for the first in a series of Nashville Nights Showcases featuring up-and coming country singer/songwriters. Our kickoff event on February 17 features Hannah Jane Kile and two talents direct from Nashville, John Cole Taylor (singer/songwriter for Universal Music Publishing Group in Nashville, has had songs recorded by Florida Georgia Line, Chase Rice, and more) and Travis Denning. Just $19 for the full evening with all three. We’ll even throw in a free Nashville Nights Showcase T-Shirt for everyone who attends and posts on Facebook or Instagram at the show. Tickets are available at the Hotel Desk or call 775-783-6606.

Last Call for Valentine’s Day Dining at the Inn: Why last call? Because it’s this coming Tuesday and you want to be able to show some sign of having planned ahead (don’t you?)! So, here’s the quick recap: Katie's and CV Steak are offering their regular menu selections plus specials on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14. The specials are at this link – take a look and make your plan!

Feeling Relaxed in the Carson Valley

Winner! Congratulations to Mark Breedon, our Bell/Valet Captain whose photo (above) was the Judges Choice Winner in the Relaxed Category of the recent #WhyCV contest sponsored by the Carson Valley Visitors Authority and Carson Valley Times. You can read more about all of the winners of the photo, video and written word storytelling contest – and see the entries – in this Carson Valley Times article.

Sports and Race Book:

On the Board: This week you can “bet the games” for the NBA, College Basketball and NHL. Also on the board: wager on who will win the NASCAR Daytona 500, NCAA Basketball Championship, Masters, NBA Championship, NHL Stanley Cup and World Series.
PRO PK’EM Parlay Progressive - Who won the $5,000? We had three tickets with 13 of the 15 props picked correctly and thus the $5000 prize was split three ways. One ticket was played by a couple who are regulars at Bodines Casino and the two other tickets, slightly different, were both played by one regular at the CVI.
Super Game Pick Results: (7 – 5): As a reminder we gave the “boys” four picks: Winner, over/under, and their choice of any two props. Here’s how they did with the Pats at +4 and the over/under at 60½:

Mike, 3-1: Patriots (W), over (W), L. Bount will score a TD (L), neither team convert a FG in the 1^st Qtr (W).
Alan, 1-3: Patriots (W), under (L), there will not be three unanswered scores in the game (L), Edleman will score a TD (L).
Greg 3-1: Patriots (W), over (W), tails on the coin toss (W), Falcons final point total will be an odd number (L).

What’s Our Next Pick Challenge? We’ll plan on having a little picking rivalry with at least the first two weeks of March Madness.
Meanwhile at the Race Book: It’s been a while since we mentioned any of Mike’s horses and we have good news this week: Mike’s 6 year-old colt Hoppertunity won the San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita Park last Saturday. In a 25-race career Hoppertunity has only finished worse than fourth once and that was in his first race back in 2014.

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge:

Adam Bergoch tonight, The Vegas Road Show Thursday through Saturday, Cliff & Dave Sunday and Monday and Tyler Stafford next Tuesday and Wednesday. Cody Stevens and his wife, Barbara Christy are at the heart of The Vegas Road Show - a powerful variety act delivering first class entertainment including music, comedy and crowd participation. Share a "Slice of Vegas" with them as they take you back with music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, classic rock, country, smooth jazz or whatever the audience requests!

In the Casino

Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a free 3 in 1 Grater and a Large Chocolate Covered Strawberry (from the Chocolate Shoppe) for the first 150 ladies, Chocolate Shoppe Gift Baskets (Valentine’s Week – gotta have chocolate!) as hot seat prizes, games, drink specials, FREE Bingo and earn entries for the February 22 drawings for a free Designer Handbag.
$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 this Friday and every Friday through February 24^th.
4X Points Saturday: 4X Points this and every Saturday in February – that’s quadruple the benefits for your play!
Ladies Only Poker Tournament Sunday: This has turned into quite a fun event every month and, guys, feel free to stop by and watch but please don’t offer any advice to the ladies. The last guy that did that is just now getting out of rehab but a full recovery is expected. Free brush-up and strategy lessons for the ladies start at 3 PM and the Ladies-Only No-limit Texas Hold'em Bounty Tourney throws cards starting at 4 PM. There’s a $40 buy-in with no re-buys and . . . just stop by and the staff will answer any questions.
Monthly Blackjack Tournament Tuesday: These usually start off rather jovial . . . and they should because the buy-in is only $25 so no matter how you play or fare, next month’s mortgage payment can’t be on the line. As the field narrows to the final table, you’d think you were at the final round of the World Series of Poker. Laughter is nervous, anxiety becomes more obvious, and it all “breaks” with friendly chatter and congratulations when the winner is crowned and the top three finishers pocket their prize money. Sign up starts at 5 PM and cards fly at 6 PM.
Penny Progressive Now Over $62,000: Here is a unique idea – after all, we had to come up with something when the jackpot hit an amount that might let you take a year off (CVI employees – disregard that last sentence). Today is Laugh and Get Rich Day. So, sit down at one of the Progressive Jackpot Triple Red Hot 7's slots at the CVI, Sharkey’s or Bodines and just start laughing. Nothing would make our PR folks’ day better than to have a laughing player club member “hit” this Jackpot today!
Poker Room: Featured Games, Tournaments and Special Promotions with something going on every day of the week. Click here for all the poker room info and watch this blog next Wednesday for some new promotions starting President’s weekend.
Here’s a Handy Page with all our Current Casino Promotions!

In Our Restaurants

Wednesday is Italian Day/Night in Katie’s – three specials for $6.99 each!
Thursday is National Pizza Day so we’re giving every a one day pass from Katie’s and CV Steak and recommending you head to Bodines Casino where we hand toss and freshly baked every pizza to order in a special one-use-only pizza oven. Good thing we have this ‘cause our Bodines crew cranks out a lot of pizzas as they contribute to the over 3 billion sold in the USA each year – and that’s not counting the umpteen zillion frozen pizzas sold! How close are you to the national average of just over 20 pounds of pizza per person per year? Seriously, don’t even think about it – just enjoy! Bodines pizzas can be ordered in the restaurant, the Casino Bar, the Sports Bar or to take-home!
Our Friday special in CV Steak is Grilled Elk Medallions with a brandy cherry demi 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.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

RIP Stew, New Entertainment Showcase, True Willie Almost Here, Super Betting Weekend, More

“Something touched me deep inside the day the music died”

Stew Stewart

These lyrics are from the song “American Pie” by Don McLean, written about a tragic event on February 3, 1959 that deeply affected the music industry. Seems ironic that this Friday is February 3 and last Friday the CVI experienced a too-close-to-home “Day the music died” when Stew Stewart, our former Entertainment Manager and long-time northern-Nevada entertainer passed on. Stew had many sides to his modus operandi and what often was seen as a crusty exterior hid a heart of gold, true devotion to friends and a willingness to help others who showed they “got it.” We invite you to spend 3 or 4 minutes and read this tribute collectively written by the members of the band Decades who Stew took under his wing . . . they appeared in our Cabaret Lounge last Thursday and Friday and learned of Stew’s passing while they were here.

You May Be Able To Say "I Knew Him When!"

John Cole Taylor
One of Three Performers February 17 at CVI

Every year Joey Whitacre, our Director of Marketing and Casino Operations, and our owner Mike Pegram go to Nashville to meet with agents and view potential acts for TJ’s Corral concerts. As they have built relationships and made contacts, they have seen a lot of very talented singers and songwriters getting close to taking the next step. According to Joey, “we know that a percentage of the up-and-comers we see and meet will someday make it big . . . we just don’t know which ones. So, we decided to start a series of Nashville Nights Showcases. We’ll have ‘em every month or so in the Valley Ballroom and we’ll fly in the artists so our guests can hear, see and meet them in the up-close setting of the Valley Ballroom.“ And thus, the first in the Nashville Nights Showcases is Friday, February 17 featuring a regional singer/songwriter Hannah Jane Kile and two up-and-coming country talents direct from Nashville, John Cole Taylor (singer/songwriter for Universal Music Publishing Group in Nashville, has had songs recorded by Florida Georgia Line, Chase Rice, and more) and Travis Denning. The "tab" to catch the evening with all three is a flat $19 and, at least for this first show, we have a free Nashville Nights Showcase T-Shirt for everyone who attends and posts on Facebook or Instagram at the show. Tickets are available at the Hotel Desk or call 775-783-6606. This is not a guarantee, but in the months to come you may see some of these names pop up on the national country radar and be able to say "I knew him when!"

True Willie Band February 10

It took hours to “stage,” was a fleeting few seconds on screen, and was noticed by many! That’s the best way to summarize Roger Hegyi’s appearance as Willie Nelson in a Passat commercial (watch for the yellow bug at about :16) that ran last fall. Roger shares the “story behind the story” in this article from the Orange County Register. Not only does he look like Willie, but Roger and his True Willie Band act, sound and ooze the authenticity of the real man . . . so don’t miss the True Willie Band Show coming to our Valley Ballroom on Friday, February 10 with shows at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($20) are available at the Hotel Desk or call 775-783-6606.

Make Your Dinner Plans Now!

Valentine’s Day Dining at the Inn: It’s two weeks from yesterday and Katie's and CV Steak are offering their regular menu selections plus specials on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14.

CV Steak’s Valentine's Day Specials are a Tournedos Trio (a filet mignon wrapped in bacon with peppercorn sauce, a blackened filet mignon with southwest au jus and a blue cheese crusted filet mignon) for $34. The Grilled Salmon Oscar includes a salmon fillet served with crab meat, asparagus, béarnaise sauce and port wine glaze for $30. Both specials include the CV Steak signature table side tossed salad, sour dough baguette, creamery butter, and choice of twice-baked, baked or au gratin potatoes. Reservations are recommended in CV Steak and are a must for Valentine’s Day at 775-783-6650.
Katie's Valentine's Day specials from 2 to 10 p.m. are a half-pound Roasted Prime Rib and Fried Shrimp Dinner served with baked potato, vegetable and soup or salad for $14.99 and a Penne Pasta Shrimp Scampi special with soup or salad for $10.99.

Sports and Race Book:

On the Board: This week you can bet the Super Bowl, NBA, College Basketball and NHL. Also on the board: wager on who will win the NASCAR Daytona 500, NCAA Basketball Championship, Masters, NBA Championship, NHL Stanley Cup and World Series.
$5,000 PRO PK’EM Parlay Progressive Guaranteed Winner This Week! The Super Sunday $5 card is out with 15 props on the big game. Bet as many cards as you like at the Sports Books at the CVI, Bodines Casino or Sharkey’s Casino. Whoever gets the most out of 15 correct wins the $5,000 with any ties split. Why not play a couple of cards ‘cause the $5,000 will be paid out this coming week! And follow this carefully: The only people who can win this Jackpot are those who play cards at one of our three casinos this week, for this game. While the $100,000 card advertised elsewhere sounds nice, you are wagering against players at over 100 locations around Nevada. We like our odds better . . . a lot better.
Around the Sportsbook with Mike, Alan and Greg:

Last Week: The guys had a week off to ponder their choices for the Super Bowl Game.
So How Did it All Wind Up? We tallied up the results since we started last fall and here’s how it came out – remember; only Mike has been in since we started and the first few weeks Alan made only one pick:

Mike: The longest prognosticator this season, Mike went 18-14 for a 56.25% success rate.
Alan: Joining in after the first few weeks, Alan went 12-11 for 52.17%
Greg: Wanting more games on which to judge, Greg didn’t jump in until mid-December and he wound up at 9-5 for an impressive 64.29%.

Picks for the Super Bowl Game: We gave Alan, Mike and Greg the following “rules:” You have to make four picks: Winner, over/under, and your choice of any two props on our board. Here’s what they offered with the Patriots at +4 and an over/under of 60½:

Mike: Patriots, over, L. Bount will score a TD (1123) and neither team convert a FG in the 1^st Qtr (1094).
Alan: Patriots, under, there will not be three unanswered scoresi n the game (1022) and Edleman will score a TD (1129).
Greg: Patriots, over, tails on the coin toss (1030) and Falcons final point total will be an odd number (167).

Happening this Week!

Thursday is World Play Your Ukulele Day. How could that possibly mean anything to the Carson Valley Inn? Thanks to local resident Doug Reynolds, two very successful and well attended Ukulele Retreats have been held here at the CVI in the last year and we are working with Doug on more. What’s it all about? Doug tells the story best on his webpage.
Friday is National Carrot Cake Day and you can mark the occasion with a mini or full-size carrot cake baked fresh in our bakery and sold at the Katie’s Bakery Counter!
This week’s Cheesecake of the Week (thru Sunday) is Cappuccino!

Whiskey Maiden in the Cabaret Lounge

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge:

Jamie Rollins tonight, Whiskey Maiden Thursday through Saturday, Rock River Sunday and Monday and Adam Bergoch next Tuesday and Wednesday. Whiskey Maiden, February 2 – 4: Whiskey Maiden is making their CVI debut this weekend. This premiere country/rock/pop act out of California entertains with modern music, high energy performance & nonstop dance-floor-filling song selections. Fronted by the charismatic & soaring vocals of Sandy Nuyts, the members are highly skilled musicians who have performed with the likes of Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Neil McCoy, Hootie & the Blowfish, Edwin McCain & many more national & international artists. After the game on Sunday, Rock River (Buddy and Kim from the Buddy Emmer Blues Band) present an evening of blues (one of the teams will identify) and other music!

In the Casino

Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a free Manicure Set for the first 150 ladies, World Market Gift Baskets as hot seat prizes, games, drink specials, FREE Bingo and earn entries for the February 22^nd drawings for a free Designer Handbag.
$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 this Friday and every Friday through February 24^th.
4X Points Saturday: 4X Points this and every Saturday in February – that’s quadruple the benefits for your play!
Eat and Drink During Sunday’s Game: Enjoy $2 Draft Beer and the convenience of delivered-to-your-seat Bar Bites while you watch the big game in our Cabaret Lounge or at the Casino Bar or CV Steak Bar. And stick around after the game for cash drawings and the chance to win up to $1,000!
Penny Progressive Now Over $59,500 . . . someone will win this jackpot on one of the Triple Red Hot 7's slots at the CVI, Sharkey’s or Bodines.
Poker Room: Featured Games, Tournaments and Special Promotions with something going on every day of the week. Win squares in our $160 Super Sunday Football Grid. Click here for all the poker room info.
Here’s a Handy Page with all our Current Casino Promotions!

In Our Restaurants

Wednesday is Italian Day/Night in Katie’s – three specials for $6.99 each!
Our Friday special in CV Steak is Roasted Rack of Venison with cherry brandy demi for $32. 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.