Gary Allen Concert Announced, Sharkey's Job Fair Reminder, Pinyon Trail Dedication, More

Gary Allan Concert in JTs Corral: Country artist Gary Allan will appear in concert in TJ's Corral on Thursday, June 4! Allan has registered four #1 singles and his latest single "Hangover Tonight" is impacting radio stations across the nation. His top-10 hit "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" from his "Set You Free" album is in the video above. He has amassed seven gold albums so far, three of them certified platinum.  Tickets will be on sale within a few weeks.

Best of Nevada: The Carson Valley Inn is very proud to have been voted the Best Casino in the 2014 best of Nevada poll taken by Nevada Magazine last spring. We won it for the category of "everywhere in the state except Reno/Sparks or Las Vegas" as each of those areas has their own award winner. The publication just announced the opening of voting for the 2015 awards and. . . Well, we'd feel even more honored to win it two years in a row! If you're feeling inclined to give us a favorable nod, we'd also appreciate your consideration in the Best Hotel and Best Restaurant (CV Steak) categories also. Take the 2015 poll here.

Panoramic Valley Views: Sounds like the beginning of a real estate listing for a home in the foothills! Actually, we're talking about the absolutely incredible and often breathtaking views from many of the groomed trails that surround the Carson Valley, both from the Pinenut Mountains to the east and the Sierra Nevada Range to the west. Many of these views are made possible to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians thanks to the efforts of the Carson Valley Trails Association, "a non-profit, volunteer based organization working with partners to provide access to public lands through a recreational trail system for present and future generations to enjoy."  Yet another option will be added to the list this Saturday with the dedication of the new Pinyon Trail, located east of Carson Valley and accessible off Pinenut Road.  Many of the guests staying at the Carson Valley Inn enjoy the trail systems in our area and our hotel desk staff has maps to help make it easy to get to the trailheads. We encourage you to check out all of the trail maps, projects, events, photos and more available on the Carson Valley Trails Association website.

Final Four of a Different Kind: Nope, not basketball – that Final Four is still a few weeks away. However, the CV Steak Sampler Platter made the Final Four in App Wars - a poll in search of Carson Valley’s Signature Appetizer or Starter. Voting starts Monday by clicking on this link. Give us a shout out!

Sharkey's Casino Job Fair This Saturday: Just a reminder that hiring will begin for a number of positions at Sharkey's Casino during the Job Fair here at the Carson Valley Inn this Saturday, from 9 AM to 2 PM.  The action will be in the Picon Room located just inside the hotel entrance to the left. Job Positions to be filled include Slot Floor Persons, Sports Book Writers, Security, Cleaning Attendants, Cashiers, Main Bank, Cook, Host, Servers and Bartenders.

It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports: ‘Chrome’ - For Steve Coburn, California Chrome was a literal dream come true. In Errol Morris’s fifth of six shorts for ESPN Films, we meet the passionate owner of the horse who nearly became the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years!  This one is a must watch .

No Wisecracks in This One: You may have read that we had a small fire on the Katie's cooking line late Monday night. No one was hurt, the suppression system functioned exactly as designed and there was no damage. Katie's was closed for about 17 hours while we replaced sprinkler heads, cleaned up, recharged the fire suppression system and got the green light from the Health Department and Fire Department.  Our sincere thanks to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the East Fork Fire and Paramedic District who responded very quickly to the alarm. While our fire suppression system did its job in extinguishing this fire almost immediately, it's heartening to know that we live in a community where this type of support is so readily available.

Active Weekend at CVI: The Carson Valley Arts Council and the Proscenium Players, Inc. are presenting "Polter-Heist: A Hauntingly Hilarious Show!" as a fundraising murder mystery dinner theater show in our Valley Ballroom this Friday. Seems the Bogeyman Outreach Organization (BOO), a support group for ghosts, is holding its annual convention and . . . . well we're just tellin' ya 'cause there may be some unusual characters roaming the halls outside our convention center. Moving on to Saturday night, we do not anticipate there will be any wild game creatures roaming the halls when Minden Rotary hosts its annual Beast Feast fundraiser. We offer our thanks to both of these organizations for choosing the Carson Valley Inn. If you're considering a fundraiser, business meeting, social gathering or any type of large event, please contact Carrie in our Sales department at 775-783-6673.

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

• Merle Tickets – Almost! Still working out the final details on the seating chart with our online ticketing service . . . should have tickets on sale very soon for the Merle Haggard Concert on Friday, May 1 in TJ's Corral.
• Wednesday Ladies' Night 5:30 to 8:30 PM: The first 150 ladies to sign up tonight receive the third in a series four March Bakeware products. Also enjoy hot seat drawings for Chocolate Shoppe gift baskets, ladies-only drink specials, a ladies-only slot tournament and more.
• Braised Buffalo Short Ribs This Friday in CV Steak: One and a half pounds of American Bison short ribs braised and slow-cooked, finished with natural pan sauce. 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.
• St. Patrick's Day Tuesday, March 17:  INN Club members earn 5X Points from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Cash and FreePlay Giveaways will be held at noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m.; $2 Green Bud Light draft will be served at the Cabaret Bar, a traditional Bag Pipe Salute will take place at 3 and 7 p.m. and Cabaret Lounge entertainment starts at 6 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day.
• Royal Flush Progressive Bonus Hits: Richard S gathered up $3,834 last Monday when he drew a Royal Flush in Clubs – just one of the many promotions and extras in our Poker Room!
• Blackjack Tournament Pays Out $1650: Last night's monthly tournament brought $825 to Joy T. for finishing first, $495 to Blaze H. for second and $330 to Gary H. for third. The next Monthly Blackjack Tournament is Tuesday, April 14 with all the entry fees and re-buys going to the prize fund.
• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge: Dale Poune is here tonight, 7se7en5 makes a one-night appearance tomorrow, After Dark entertains Friday & Saturday nights, and Steve Lord takes the stage Sunday through Wednesday nights.
• We Thought You Should Know: This Friday is Open An Umbrella Indoors Day. This is important in case you see someone opening an umbrella indoors or, and this is really a stretch, in case you want to know the proper indoor umbrella procedures on this day.

Comments? Have questions or comments about the CVI? 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!

Win A Winter Weekend at CVI, Antiques Show, New Trails Video, More

Carson Valley Trails: Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders all have a a variety of trails to enjoy in, around, and overlooking the beautiful Carson Valley. The latest Carson Valley Rider video from the Carson Valley Visitors Authority gives a visual overview . . . and trail maps and more information are available on the Carson Valley Trails Association website. Naturally, the Carson Valley Inn is right in the heart of this system and the perfect "base" for a recreational visit to our area!

It’s Happening in January at the CVI! 

When you hold your event at the CVI we always try to help get the word out in this blog, in our Carson & Valley Voice newspaper mailer and through our Social Media – all at no extra charge. Here are just a couple of upcoming events:

• Antique Show, Sale & Appraisal: This Saturday & Sunday. Contact Marsha Williams at 775-782-4951 for more information. Admission is $2.50 and part of this fee benefits the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra. 
• Soroptimist Savor the Flavor: Saturday, January 24. Contact Jeri Johnson at 775-771-6432 for tickets. 

Win A Winter Weekend for Two at the Carson Valley Inn!

How would you like to stay at the Carson Valley Inn on the weekend after Super Bowl for free? That's a great time to visit our area for any of the many winter sports available in the nearby Sierra range: Skiing (Heavenly's Nevada side lodges are less than a half hour drive), snowmobiling, snowshoeing or whatever your favorite activity. Or, kickback and enjoy a relaxing weekend get-a-way with great food, entertainment and some casino fun. We'll provide a Deluxe room for two for Friday and Saturday nights, February 6 and 7 plus $100 in Dining Credit for use during your stay in any of our restaurants . . . the winter recreation - or the kicking back and relaxing part - is up to you. To enter to win this complementary weekend visit, simply click here and send us an email with your name. We'll choose a winner on January 20 and announce the winner in our blog on Wednesday, January 21. One entry per email address, please.

Football and More Sports This Weekend at the Inn

With the NFL Divisional Playoffs this Saturday and Sunday, and College Football National Championship on Monday, we'll have three days of exciting football action at the CVI. Throw in a full schedule of NBA basketball games, hundreds of NCAA college games, horse racing around the country (see Tidbits section below), NHL Hockey and the resumption of the PGA Tour with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Maui . . . and you have many opportunities to watch, bet and enjoy sports at the CVI. The Big Screen in Cabaret Lounge will have the "game of the hour" and three dozen more TVs will be carrying sports action in the Cabaret Lounge, Casino Bar, Table Games Area, CV Steak Bar and Poker Room. And if you get hungry while you're watching at the CVI, no need to get up - we'll deliver any of our mouthwatering bar munchies right to your seat while you keep on watching!

Sports Car, Jet Fighter or Video Slot?  Here's the answer to last week's question: it's the new Sphinx video gaming device located near the casino bar. Our slot techs gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how the 3D works and a full tour of the visually stimulating high-definition 3D bonus scenes complete with all the enhancements including rumbling, vibration and sound. We tried to capture it on a video . . . but the 3D just doesn't come out and the vibration made it difficult to steady the camera. This is a truly an incredible multi-sensory experience unlike no other slot device we've seen! The entertainment value is reason enough to give it a try . . . and winnings are a welcome extra!

As Always, Interesting, Helpful and Even Useful Tidbits and News –A Little More Than Usual This Week:

• Monthly Blackjack Tournament: the first in our series of 2015 monthly blackjack tournaments is Tuesday in the table games area of our casino. It's just $25 to get in and all the initial buy-ins and all re-buys go into the prize pool. There's usually $1000-$1500 up for grabs with 50% of the pot going to first place, 30% for second and 20% forthird. The $25 entry fee is worth the entertainment value of the tournament . . . Win, place, or show and you'll have more than your original investment back in your pocket!
• Poker Room Squares Pool: the crew in the poker room always has some little "extra" going on and this Monday it's a Squares Pool for the NCAA football championship game. Players are earning a spot in this pool with every Full House or better during live play this week until the board is full. The payoff? $50 at the end of the first three quarters and $50 on the final score.
• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Paul Covarelli tonight, Stew Stewart Thursday – Saturday night, AFC & NFC Divisional Playoff Games daytime Saturday and Sunday, Greg Austin Sunday through Wednesday nights and the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday evening.
• Grilled Elk Medallions Friday in CV Steak: two 3 oz. elk tenderloin medallions grilled and finished with demi and sundried cherries. 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.
• Wednesday Ladies' Night 5:30 to 8:30 PM: Tonight and every Wednesday in January we'll be giving away a collectible mug (different each week) to the first 150 ladies who sign up. We also have ladies-only drink specials, a ladies-only slot tournament, hot seat prizes and more.
• Pro PK'em Progressive Jackpot Update: Another week without a winner so the pot goes up to $4621 and we try again with this weekend's NFL playoff games. It's just $5 per parlay card - pick all 15 propositions and you win the progressive jackpot. Four of the 15 props are First Half scores - so they pay both ways in cases of a tie.
• Are the Horses Racing in Your Home State? Check this list and then stop by our Race and Sports Book to place your bet, watch the races, and perhaps when a few dollars! We are taking action and showing races from the following tracks this weekend: Aqueduct (NY), Fair Grounds (LA), Golden Gate Fields (CA), Gulfstream Park (FL), Laurel Park (MD), Santa Anita Park (CA), and Turfway Park (KY).

Comments?? Have questions or comments about the CVI? 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!