Lee Rocker's Big Bass, Quarterback Club Returns, HI-Flying Motorcycles, A Point Well Taken, More

Concert and Events Notes

• My What A Big Bass You Have!! And that big bass belongs to Lee Rocker, founder of the Stray Cats! Lee and his rockabilly band are the featured act at the Austinpalooza to benefit Austin’s House this Saturday in TJ's Corral and all ticket sales go directly to Austin's House. Buy your tickets on line in advance or at the gate and catch five bands with in-and-out convenience from 2 to 10 p.m.
• What about the High-Flying Motorcycle Acrobatics you'll see during our 30^th Birthday Celebration on Sunday, August 24? The video above shows a similar event in Las Vegas and we know this will whet your appetite for the Free event in our parking lot. Also on tap a week from Sunday: Free entertainment with the Blues Monsters in TJ's Corral plus free games for the kids and more.
• The Charlie Daniels Band Concert on Friday, August 29 is totally Sold Out – Thank You for making this concert a big success so far in advance!

Hey, It's Me on the Sign!  Donna was playing "my machine" (one of our Quick Hit Platinum Slots in her case) when the bells and whistles started going off.  She knew she had won something and thought she had 8 "Quick Picks" which would have been about a $3,000 payout. Even thought the Jackpot light was flashing she still counted the Quick Picks three times and came up with 9 each time – just what it took to trigger the top jackpot of $13,647. Donna told us she had won a few $1,000 jackpots before on the Quick Hit Platinum and had been joking to friends about hitting the Big Jackpot. Well, she did! Per Donna, "I am extremely excited that when I was driving through the Valley it was MY name that was up on the big sign!"

Getting to the Point! Points – seems every casino talks about the benefits of earning points. We have an impressive list of ways you can redeem your points here at the Carson Valley Inn: free play; dining in CV Steak, Katie's or Job's Perk; accommodations in our hotel, motor lodge or RV park; gas, diesel or merchandise at the Carson Valley Market; cakes and pies at the Katie's Bakery Counter . . . and more.

But here's another point of view on earning points at the CVI: There are many benefits you can realize without actually using or redeeming your points.  In other words, you get the benefits and You Keep the Points! There are dozens of examples over the last few months – here are just a few: 

• Every one of our concerts (Valley Ballroom and TJ's Corral) has seats reserved for INN Club players who receive invitations based on recent points earned. No points are "charged" for these concert tickets.
• A variety of special buffets are held each year for INN Club players who received invitations based on recent points earned. No points are "charged" for these feasts.
• Themed parties (Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, etc) are held each year for INN Club players who receive invitations based on recent points earned. No points are "charged" for these feasts.
• Just about every month we have one or more days when we giveaway tee shirts,sweatshirts, mugs, hats or something - just for earning a minimum number of points that day. You get the item and You Keep the Points!
• Many of our promotions have giveaway drawings each week and you accumulate drawing entries based on points earned . . . but no points are "charged" for these giveaways.
• A monthly mailer is sent to INN Club members based on recent points earned. These mailers have a variety of offers such as food credits, overnight stays, free play and more . . . and all of these offers can be redeemed with no points "charged!"    

Are we suggesting you play in the casino more? No - we always encourage our guests to enjoy gaming as entertainment within your comfort level and your means. We are suggesting that whenever you play at the CVI (table games, slots and poker room) you always use your INN Club Card. The point is – your points do add up to so much more at the Carson Valley Inn.

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Popular soloist Steve Lord appears tonight and is then joined by some of his favorite musician friends for a special treat on Thursday. The John Dawson Band takes over the stage on Friday and Saturday – these five fun-lovin' guys entertain with a variety of modern country and classic rock. Dale Poune is in on Sunday night and Johnny Smokes entertains Monday through Wednesday. If you Johnny last time you already know this is an act well worth seeing. While carrying the label of "One Man Band," this moniker fails miserably to even begin to define the high tech and energetic live experience of a Johnny Smokes show.

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

• Nevada Wolfpack Football Coach Brian Polian brings the Quarterback Club back to the CVI
  
  for a luncheon on Monday, September 22, 2014.  Coach will break down the season after the first three games and preview the upcoming week's game against San Diego State.  More information will be coming soon, but mark your calendar now.
• Speaking of Football: Monday Night Football will have some new twists at the CVI this year . . . watch for more information coming in a week or two. 
• This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Veal Scaloppini with Lemon and Capers - served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $28.00!
• Our monthly Blackjack Tournament was last night and $1,300 in prize money went out to the top three finishers: Daphne Gaines (1st for $650), Jack Jordan(2nd for $390) and John Smith (3rd for $260). Mark your calendar for the next tournament on Tuesday evening, September 9.
• Here's a great story published on motorcycling around Carson Valley, the upcoming Carson-Tahoe Moto on August 21 – 24 at the CVI and eating pie at the CVI. 

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!

What Would Yo Do with a Sudden $50,000, Action Oriented Events, Hard Knocks, More

Inn-Side Inn-formation on Some Upcoming Events at CVI:

• The Carson-Tahoe Moto on Friday - Sunday, August 22 – 24 is a gathering of motorcycle riders
  
  and it’s a rally with an emphasis on discovering great roads—whether you prefer pavement or dirt—and meeting new people who love motorcycling.  While the "Moto" is headquartered here at the CVI, it’s about getting out on the road and riding—not standing around looking at bikes. Sound like something you'd enjoy? Sign up today!
• Our 30^th Birthday Celebration is Sunday, August 24 with Blues, Brews & Motocross plus much more! The day's events include activities all day in the casino plus free outdoor high-flying aerial motocross acrobatics demonstrations and free entertainment with the Blues Monsters in the evening. Plus . . . free popcorn, free ice cream and free games for the kids.
  
• Our 30th Annual Mixed Scramble Golf Tournament is September 5 & 6 and this is the perfect event for golfers of ALL levels and abilities. The blind draw of teams makes it easy to meet new people and enjoy a round of golf without undue pressure. Check out all the details including a sign up form.
• The Annual Bunko for Breast Cancer night is just two months away on Saturday, October 11 and this is one of the most un-corporate-like events that our friends at the Minden GE facility sponsor all year! Suffice it to say that earplugs are so advised that they are actually provided 'cause the noise, shouting, laughter and general merriment is . . . you'll just have to dive in and enjoy it! To sign up, volunteer, or find out what this can all possibly mean, call Pamela at 775-215- 1001. And be warned, as soon as you mention Bunko to Pamela she might start babbling – this event knocks her and the GE committee sideways every year . . . but it  always raises five figures for Cancer Services in our community! 
• The Annual CVI Shooting Outing is February 19 – 21 and we're working on the flyer and web page now. Look for more details soon, but get it on your calendar now for two days of sporting clays, an opening night reception and an awards buffet with game and traditional fare. 

Concert Notes:

• Chris Young put on a great show to a sell-out crowd last Saturday and we commend this young artist and his crew for their professionalism, friendliness and cooperativeness. Keep an eye on Chris . . . he's a good one!
• The Austinpalooza to benefit Austin’s House is a week from this Saturday (That's August 16) and
  
  all ticket sales go directly to Austin's House. As a reminder, this is a full day of music running from 2 to 10 p.m. and the whole day complete with in-and-out access is just $25! The Stray Cat, Lee Rocker anchors the show and four area bands will take the stage before him including The Engineered Disaster, Seymour's Trick Bag, Bootleggers and Lavish Green. Austin's House is the only Emergency Children’s Center in Northern NV. The children who are placed at Austin's House have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect . . .  and  Austin's House provides care until these children are either reunited with their family or an appropriate long term placement is made. These are very sad situations but Austin's House makes it good . . . and your purchase of a $25 ticket or two will help them continue!
• Somehow, we found fifty more Standing-Room-Only tickets for the Charlie Daniels Band Concert on Friday, August 29 and they went on sale last night. If you're thinking of attending, better act quickly 'cause they will certainly go fast!  Remember, you really don't have to stand - bring a blanket and sit on the grass area! 

What Would You Do with a Sudden $50,000? Whether the amount was $50,000 or a Million Dollars (remember Steve Martin's quick advice as to how to become a Millionaire?), we've all had that question posed to us or a least thought about it. And most of us either blurt out something definitive – from frivolous to practical to philanthropic – but soon the thought dissipates because it's all hypothetical anyway. Nancy, a local resident guest, recently faced the question for real! It went like this: Nancy was walking by the Penny Progressive and saw the jackpot was quite high so she sat down, inserted the $27 ticket she had cashed out from another machine and started playing. Soon the machine stopped working and some people came over." Turns out it was our CVI staff looking like they were going to start clapping and singing Happy Birthday like they do in some of those many restaurants. Nancy assumed there was something wrong with the machine – and there was: it stopped automatically 'cause she had just won the $50,184.00 jackpot! We caught up with Nancy a few days later and asked that stupid question that casino people, reporters and PR flacks always ask, "What was your first thought when you realized you had won?"  Her answer was one word, "flabbergasted!"  Of course we followed up with the equally required and trite "What are you going to do with the money?" By then, Nancy and her husband Leroy had thought it out and they choose to forgo the frivolous (at least for now) and stick with the practical (invest for the kids) and philanthropic (10% to United Methodist Church). What would you do?

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

• The HBO show Hard Knocks 2014 season debut was last night and this year HBO is following the Atlanta  Falcons throughout training camp and the preseason as they whittle their roster down for the season opener against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 7. So why is this in the CVI blog? Mike Tice is the Offensive Line Coach of the Falcons and Mike is a frequent CVI visitor, a friend of CVI owner Mike Pegram and the driving force behind the Mike Tice Charity Golf Tournament that has raised over $250,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada Carson Valley Branch over the last 4 years. Viewer discretion is advised as HBO has no language filters!
• In the Cabaret This Weekend: For more than ten years Escalade has been entertaining northern Nevada with a blend of R&B, jazz and pop. The group performs the best of the artists of Motown such as The Drifters, Coasters, Temptations and Four Tops plus the hits of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Band leader Jeff Odom’s strong vocals and infectious personality make this band a local favorite.
• Our monthly Blackjack Tournament is Tuesday, August 12 . . . check at the Pit for details.  Pit? That's totally acceptable casino-talk for "table games area." 

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!

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!

CVI Wins Best of Nevada, Austinpalooza Announced, July Events, More

Carson Valley Inn is Best of Nevada! It's True!!! Carson Valley Inn was voted Best Casino in Nevada by the print readers and online followers of Nevada Magazine! We are thrilled and offer our sincere "Thank You" to all who made this happen! Here's how it was explained to us: Statewide there are three "Best Casino" winners: one for Reno/Sparks, one for  the metro Las Vegas area and one for the entire rest of the state (including Tahoe and Carson City) - and that's the category we won! Pretty good honor considering how many casinos there are around the state outside of Reno and Vegas!

A Peak at Our July Promotions: The details for our July promotions went "to the printer" earlier this week and we'll have more in next week's blog posting. As a heads-up, there is a special promo next Wednesday, July 2: Earn 125 points that day and receive a free USA T-Shirt while they last, plus you keep the points!

$100,000 for the Boys & Girls Club Last Weekend! What an incredible team: The Eddie Money Concert audience, the Mike Tice Charity Golf Tournament participants, a dozen very generous local sponsors and the Carson Valley Inn – we all teamed up for a most energetic weekend that raised $100,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada Carson Valley Branch! A sincere Thank You to all who helped, participated and dug deep! Eddie Money didn't disappoint - see the short clip from "Take Me Home Tonight" courtesy of our Host Deanna Lucier Ness and her trusty iPhone!

Austinpalooza in TJ's Coral on August 16th to Benefit Austin’s House!  The CVI is proud to be teamed up with GE’s Bently Nevada to sponsor the fourth annual Austinpalooza to benefit Austin’s House, a vitally important emergency children’s shelter.  Lee Rocker, formerly of The Stray Cats, will headline the event starting at 8:30 p.m.  A string of local bands will precede Lee including Lavish Green, Metal Echo, the Bootleggers, Seymour’s Trick Back and The Engineered Disaster.  All-Day tickets (on sale now) with in-and-out access are $25 for adults and $15 for children age 12 and under . . . and all proceeds from the ticket sales go directly to Austin’s House. The event will run from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Drinks will be available for purchase all day and food will be available for purchase after 5 p.m.

Blood Drive this Coming Tuesday: United Blood Service is conducting their annual All American Blood Drive this coming Tuesday, July 1 here at the CVI. The Bloodmobiles will be in our west lot from noon to 6 p.m. and you can just show up or, better yet, schedule an appointment by calling 800-696-4484 or click here to schedule online. All donors are entered into a drawing for two tickets to the B. J. Thomas Concert in TJ's Corral on Thursday, July 10^th.

Old Olds? Ok, feeble attempt at humor. It's actually the National Antique Oldsmobile Club and they are holding their 2014 National Meet here in the Carson Valley over the next few days. Look around the CVI and the area for over 50 pre-1950 Oldsmobiles and Olds enthusiasts from all over the country! Our thanks to local residents Doug and Kathy Hone (that's Doug's Olds on the left) for putting this event together over the past 24 months - their efforts are benefiting the entire community as the group tours around the area Thursday and Friday before the Saturday judging at CVI.

July Happenings in and Around the CVI and Carson Valley (things do change, so if we have something incorrect in the following, please let us know):

• All American Blood Drive: Tuesday, July 1. CVI West Lot.
• Cowboy Fast Draw – Nevada State Championships: July 3 – 5. Genoa.
• Independence Day:  Friday, July 4.
• Town of Minden 4th of July Celebration:  Minden Park.
• Freedom 5K Fun Run & Walk & Yankee Doodle Chalk Artfest:  Heritage Park. 
• Genoa Americana Celebration:  Genoa Park.
• Big Boy Toy Show: Saturday, July 5. Lampe Park.
• Sweet Sippin Sundays: Sunday, July 6. Genoa. Nevada Hazzurd
• CVI Monthly Blackjack Tournament:  Tuesday, July 8.  Table Games Area.
• Fast Pitch Softball World Series Tournament: July 10 – 13. Lampe Park.
• B. J. Thomas Concert: Thursday, July 10. TJ's Corral Outdoor Events Center.
• Community Concert in Minden Park:  Fri., July 11. The Chicago Tribute Authority.
• Death Ride:  Sat., July 12.  Markleeville.
• Genoa Concert on the Green: Sunday, July 13.  Genoa Park. Stardust Cowboys
• American Century Celebrity Golf:  July 15 – 20.   Edgewood Tahoe.
• Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walk:  July 17.  Gardnerville Main Street District.
• Movies in the Park:  Fri., July 18.  Heritage Park.  Despicable Me 2
• Elks Carnival: Thu. – Sun., July 24 – 27. Lampe Park.
• Splash Dogs-Dog Days of Summer: Fri. – Sun., July 25 – 27. Heritage Park.
• Hot August Nights on South Shore:  July 25 & 26. 
• Color Blast Genoa 5K Fun Run: Saturday, July 26. Genoa.
• Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Youth Program: Monday, July 28. CVIC Hall.
• NV150 Sesquicentennial Fair: July 30 - August 3. Fuji Park.
• Hot August Nights Poker Run Stop in Minden Park:  Thurs., July 31. 

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

• Friday's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Grilled Elk Tenderloin Medallions with a brandy cherry demi glace for $28 - includes tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato. 
• CVI is a Great Place to Work! We have a constantly updated property, a nice benefits program, an energetic approach . . . and we do have some openings!
• More Best of Nevada Kudos:  Three of our important tourism partners also won "2014 Best of Nevada" honors in the expansive "Everywhere Else in the State" category: Golf Course - Genoa Lakes Golf Club & Resort; Ski Resort - Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort; Spa - 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort and Spa. 
• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge: Michael Furlong performs tonight, Atomika appears Thursday through Saturday and Jonathan "JB" Barton takes the stage Sunday through next Wednesday. Here is a link to the schedule through July.
• When Did CVI Open? We posed this question in last week's blog and we did received a few blog comments and emails with the correct answer of 1984. It will be 30 years in a few months and we are gathering pictures from opening day – do you have any?
• Be sure to keep tabs on our upcoming concerts and we hope to see you often at TJ's Corral!

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!