Moving Wall Starts Here, New Promotions, Travis Tritt this Friday, More in CVI Blog

Travis Tritt This Friday

He’s had 19 top-ten country hits including five at  #1 and six at #2, won Emmy Awards, appeared in movies and over a dozen TV shows, was named Billboard Top New Male Artist, has won multiple CMA Awards, performed in the 1994 Super Bowl halftime show and he remains one of country music’s popular and well-liked artists. He’s Travis Tritt and, with his band, he’ll be performing this Friday night in TJ’s Corral!  While growing closer to a sellout, there are still tickets available and we hope you’ll join us! The remainder of our 2018 concert schedule includes:  Granger Smith Featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. on Saturday, June 16; Clint Black on Friday, June 29; Ted Nugent  Wednesday, July 4; Trace Adkins Saturday, July 14 and Creedence Clearwater Revisited  on Sunday, August 12. Purchase tickets through our website which allows you to see the seating layout map and pick your seat(s) for one or more concerts in one transaction. You can also purchase tickets in person at our Hotel Desk.

The Moving Wall to Start at CVI Thursday

The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. comes to Carson Valley for the first time this week. This Thursday morning the wall will be escorted from the Carson Valley Inn, through the towns of Minden and Gardnerville to Eastside Memorial Park on Buckeye Road where it will be on display 24/7 through June 4. The procession will gather in our east parking lot starting at 8 AM and depart at 9 AM. The Wall will be accompanied by over 100 motorcycles ridden by members of the Patriot Guard Riders and escorted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Patrol. The Moving Wall will be set up for viewing by 11 AM Thursday and the opening ceremony is this Friday, June 1 at 10:00AM and includes a flyover from the Fallon Naval Air Station at 10:10AM.  Carson City Mayor and Vietnam Vet Bob Crowell will speak and the program will include the reading of the names of our fallen soldiers from Northern Nevada & the surrounding areas. The Moving Wall has been “traveling” since 1984 and the CVI is honored to be a very small part of its first Carson Valley visit!  Please join us for this momentous event.

A Righteous Good Time!

Tahoe Onstage photos by Pheonix Gruneich

• How We Vanquished the Rain: Sure would be incredible if we had a logical explanation . . . but we don’t. All we know is if it’s a concert or event night at TJ’s, seems the precipitation does a go-around!
• The Walk from the Entrance to Your Seat: It really doesn’t matter how far your seat is from the main entrance. If you have a long walk to your seat, you then have a very short walk to the restrooms. If you have a short walk to your seat, you eventually make the rest of the walk when it’s restroom time.
• Lots of Newcomers: By show of hands, over half the guests were first timers to TJ’s. We heard so many comments from “locals” indicating they had no idea the venue was here or how great it was for watching a concert – no matter where they were seated! Thanks for your support.
• How Good Was It?  Nostalgia must trump all because this concert, both before and after, received the most social media engagement of any of our concerts so far. In addition to the dozens of positive comments both in anticipation and after the concert, this review by Pheonix Gruneich of Tahoe OnStage is a great wrap-up of the evening’s ambience and enthusiastic reception!

Two Views from the Sierra Canyon Trail
Click on Image to Enlarge

This Week’s Fun and Scenery

• Thursday is Leave the Office Early Day. In fact, some of us at the CVI may actually do so this Thursday and our bosses won’t mind . . . but only ‘cause we‘ll be here for a long day Friday getting ready for the Travis Tritt Concert and then helping you to enjoy the evening by selling and scanning tickets, walking you to your seats and doing the many dozen other behind-the-scenes tasks that make it appear as if our concerts “just happen.” Join us for a fun night!
• Friday is Trails Day and that’s a fabulous reason to acknowledge the Carson Valley Trails Association. This remarkably dedicated and focused non-profit, volunteer based organization has worked tirelessly to provide locals and visitors from around the world access to public lands through a recreational trail system for present and future generations to enjoy. The picture shows a scene from about 2 miles up the Sierra Canyon Trail taken this past weekend by one of our blog writers.
• Tuesday is Running Day. If you think about it, there’s something for everyone in this fabricated celebratory day. Could by running on one of the Carson Valley Trails, running late for work, running amuck, running on empty or, and with special thanks to those who subject themselves to the rigors and scrutiny, running for public office!

In the Casino
New Month, New Giveaways

• Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us from 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a Free 6-Pack of Washcloths for the first 150 ladies and All Wrapped Up Gift Baskets as hot seat prizes.  Also tonight: games, a weekly drink special, free bingo and your last chance to earn entries for tonight’s 8:15 PM drawing for a $500 Southwest Airlines Gift Card.    
• Free Camo T-Shirt Thursday: A Free CVI Camo T-Shirt – different color than last week – is yours this Thursday for earning just 50 base points the same day. You get the shirt plus keep those 50 points, so be sure to use your Inn Club card!
• Jet Skis or Cash Giveaways Saturday: Our drawings at 6, 7 and 8 PM are for cash, FreePlay and Golden Tickets into the Jet Ski Giveaway on June 30 . . . be sure to use your INN Club card while playing in the casino!
• 4X Points Saturday: Inn Club members earn 4 Times Points this Saturday which translates to quadruple the build-up of comp value!
• FreePlay Bonus Monday:  Automatically receive $5 in FreePlay when earning 200 points, another $5 in FreePlay when you hit 400 points and another $10 when you get to 600 points the same day!
• At the Sports and Race Book: Exciting times as the love-em-or-hate-em Warriors are in the NBA Finals, the you're-not-allowed-to-hate-em-around-here Vegas Golden Knights are playing for the Stanley Cup and we're a little over a week away from the Bob Baffert trained  Justify making a run at the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. Sports fans can also bet Major League Baseball and the NASCAR Pocono 400. Futures on the board include the FIFA World Cup Russia™ (June 14 – July 15), U.S. Open Golf (June 14 – 17), World Series, NASCAR Monster Energy Series, the NFL Conference Championships, the 2019 Super Bowl and the NCAA Football Championship!

In Our Restaurants

• Wednesday is Italian Day in Katie’s – three specials for $6.99 each served from 11 AM to 10 PM! The Friday and Saturday night special in Katie’s is Roasted Prime Rib & Fried Shrimp for $14.99 served from 4 PM. Thursday’s special in CV Steak is the CV Steak Mix Grill, a combination of our Filet Mignon, a Dijon and molasses Marinated Pork Tenderloin Medallion and Herb Marinated Lamb Chop for $26. This Friday it's Roasted Stuffed Quail for $28. Saturday night’s special is Garlic Studded Prime Rib for $26 and Sunday's special is King Crab Legs for $28. 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, Bodines Restaurant at Bodines Casino and Betsy’s Big Kitchen at Slot World Casino.

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge

Rye Brothers tonight through Saturday, Steve Lord Sunday and Monday and Tyler Stafford Tuesday and Wednesday. The Rye Brothers are a “power-pop” country act, mixing contemporary country music and rock n’ roll guitar driven songs. Steve Lord is a man of a thousand songs presenting an evening of oldies, country, pop, blues, jazz, soul and rock 'n' roll.  Tyler Stafford often draws comparisons to songwriters such as John Mayer and Paul Simon delivered with a candor and immediacy reminiscent of John Lennon.

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!

Righteous Brothers Friday, Travis Tritt Next Week, Much More

Bill Medley – What a Story!

Touring with The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, performing the most played song on the radio in the 21^st Century, early recording technology, teaming up with recording industry legend Phil Spector . . .  this is all part of the storied past of Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers and it’s covered in this interview with Bill done last week by Tim Parsons of Tahoe Onstage. The interview also includes Bill’s description of what it was like to be a “blue-eyed soul” artist in the mid-sixties and why he resurrected the act and hooked up with Bucky Heard. We invite you to read the article, reminisce, and react by seeing it all unfold before your eyes this Friday as The Righteous Brothers: Bill Medley & Bucky Heard perform in TJ’s Corral!

Concert Season Is Here!

Concert Season is finally here and we’ve dusted off all the chairs, opened up the permanent restrooms, stocked the bars and tuned up the PA . . . so bring it on! As a friendly reminder:

• The Box Office and Will Call open at 4 PM and the gates open about 45 minutes before the show starts. This Friday’s concert starts at 7:30 PM, the remaining concerts are scheduled to start at 8 PM.
• On the no-no list: Outside food/drinks, chairs, pets, drones, etc. As for smoking: only in the designated area.
• There’s no re-admittance into the concert area after your ticket has been scanned and the shows will proceed rain or shine.
• For handicap accessible information please call 775-783-7766 in advance.

Travis Tritt Next

Looking forward at the rest of the concert schedule: Travis Tritt and his band appear next Friday, June 1; Granger Smith Featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. rolls into town on Saturday, June 16; Clint Black has just about sold out TJ’s Corral for Friday, June 29; Ted Nugent will rock the stage Wednesday, July 4; Trace Adkins arrives 10 days later on Saturday, July 14 (now only standing room tickets available); and Creedence Clearwater Revisited ends a hot weekend on Sunday, August 12. Purchase tickets through our website which allows you to see the seating layout map and pick your seat(s) for one or more concerts in one transaction. You can also purchase tickets in person at our Hotel Desk.

Let Us Know You're At This Friday's Concert

Coming to The Righteous Brothers Concert this Friday night? Check in on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and post a pic of you, TJ’s Corral, Carson Valley Inn or The Righteous Brothers and be entered to win a pair of VIP section tickets to see Creedence Clearwater Revisited at TJ’s Corral on August 12. A random drawing from all entries will take place on May 26 with winner announced on our social media pages.

“The Rest of the Story”

Photo by Kathy Port, courtesy of Eagles & Ag

In our April 18 Blog we mentioned we were aware that our billboard on Highway 395 across from Sunridge Golf Course was still showing the promotion we ran in February and March. We also mentioned that the backstory would come out in time. So, while not dramatic or lengthy, here it is:  Turns out a hawk built a nest on the sign structure which put it totally off-limits until the babies hatched and flew away. First, that’s the law – all hawks and owls are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Second, even if we could have convinced the feds the sign could be changed without disturbing the baby hawks in any way (not an option) the territorial nature of hawks made it virtually impossible to get anywhere close to the nest without them mounting a “protective posture.”  So, as rightfully they should have done, the sign company waited until the coast was clear so they could proceed under the law and without presenting any danger to their crews. In the process, we learned more than we ever thought we’d know about how long it takes for the eggs to hatch,  how long until the babies leave, what hawks eat (when not trying to nibble on sign crews), etc.  Anyway, just “one of those things” beyond our control!

A Little Look Back and More of a Look Forward

Last Week at the Inn

• In his CVI appearance last week, Nevada Football coach Jay Norvell was like night and day compared to his 2017 CVI appearance last May. We were impressed with the progress and the outlook for the 2018 season.  Read more about the coach’s thoughts in this article posted by Record Courier Sports Editor Dave Price.
• Over 1,000 people attended Bandtastic 2.0 on Saturday and we cannot offer enough positives about how cooperative and helpful the students and teachers were in setting up, tearing down and cleaning up after the event. Kudos to the musically inclined youth of our community and their parents!
• We asked the staff at Sharkey’s about last Thursday’s Wine Walk and . . . well, seems like they all had too much fun! Don’t miss the next Wine Walk on Thursday, June 21 as the Sharkey's Bartenders will have a Free T-Shirt for each participant who stops in during the event.
• What a display of pink, motorcycles and combinations of both at and near our casino entrance during Sunday’s Ride for the Tatas.  Definitely not something we see around town on a normal Sunday!

This Week at the Inn

Have a Burger in Katie's or
Do a Burger Bar Bite at Your Casino Seat!

• Today is Lucky Penny Day. This gave us cause to take a look at the Penny Progressive Jackpot and it’s starting to get up there at over $54,000! One can only “hit” at one of our four properties: the Carson Valley Inn, Sharkey’s Casino, Bodines Casino and Slot World!
• Friday is Wine Day. In addition to inviting you to peruse the current  CV Steak WineList, we also suggest you take a look at our blog from this time last year as we covered how our wine lists came to be and how we keep it up to date.
• Saturday is Blueberry Cheesecake Day. If you like cheesecake and you like blueberries, talk to one of the servers in Katie’s and they’ll fix you up with a dessert to cover both cravings!
• Monday is Hamburger Day. Sure, we’ve got all the special hamburgers in Katie’s and in the restaurants at our other three properties . . . but for a quick burger while playing the bar slots or staying glued to one of the many sports events shown in the Cabaret lounge and bar area, order a burger from our bar bites menu and continue on with what you were doing!
• Tuesday is Learn About Composting Day. We have one of the most knowledgeable, interesting, eclectic and entertaining soil compost experts right here in the Carson Valley. Want to know more than you ever knew existed about this subject? Call or visit Craig at Full Circle Compost.
• Still in the Works:  Details on all the Food, Wine and Beer Offerings at the Carson Valley Music, Food & Brew Fest  coming up in TJ’s Corral on Friday, June 15 as part of the 8th Annual Mike Tice Charity Weekend “For the Kids.”

In the Casino - Free Stuff Plus
Grand Prize Giveaways this Weekend

CVI's Thomas Pagen Models the
Free Camo Shirt for This Thursday

• Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us from 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a Free 2 Piece Candy Dish for the first 150 ladies and Shelly Camp Gift Baskets as hot seat prizes.  Also tonight: games, a weekly drink special, free bingo and your chance to earn entries for the May 30 drawing for a $500 Southwest Airlines Gift Card.  
• Free Camo T-Shirt Thursday: A Free CVI Camo T-Shirt is yours this Thursday for earning just 50 base points the same day. You get the shirt plus keep those 50 points, so be sure to use your Inn Club card!
• Cash & FreePlay Grand Prize Drawings Friday and Saturday: Join us at 5 and 7 PM this Friday and Saturday as we wrap up the weekly drawings in our May cash in free play giveaway. We'll pull 10 winners at each drawing and the least can do is walk away with $100 . . .  Plus there’s a guaranteed $1000 winner each night. You automatically receive one free entry into these drawings for every five base points you earn during May!
• Cash & Freeplay Bash Saturday: This Saturday after the Grand Prize drawings at 7 we’ll roll right into Cash & Freeplay hot seat drawings from 7 to 8 PM with ten guaranteed $100 winners . . . be sure to use your INN Club card while playing in the casino!
• 5X Points Saturday: Inn Club members earn 5X Points this Saturday which translates to five times the build-up of comp value!
• Free Gift Mondays: We have a free gift for INN Club members earning just 100 base points the same day . . . You get the gift plus keep the points!
• Mystery Multiplier Drawings Tuesday: Join us at 6 and 8 PM for the month-end drawings in our May scratcher promotion.
• At the Sports and Race Book: This week racing fans can bet the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.  Also on the board: tonight's Game 7 of the Capitals-Lightning Match to see who faces off against the Vegas Golden Knights for the Stanley Cup. The NBA Conference Championship Series games are up as is daily Horseracing.  Futures on the board include the FIFA World Cup Russia™ (June 14 – July 15), U.S. Open Golf (June 14 – 17),  NBA Championship (really getting interesting now), NHL Stanley Cup, World Series, NASCAR Monster Energy Series, the NFL Conference Championships, the 2019 Super Bowl and the NCAA Football Championship!

In Our Restaurants

• Wednesday is Italian Day in Katie’s – three specials for $6.99 each served from 11 AM to 10 PM! The Friday and Saturday night special in Katie’s is Roasted Prime Rib & Fried Shrimp for $14.99 served from 4 PM.
• Thursday’s special in CV Steak is the CV Steak Mix Grill, a combination of our Filet Mignon, a Dijon and molasses Marinated Pork Tenderloin Medallion and Herb Marinated Lamb Chop for $26. This Friday it's Grilled Elk Medallions finished with a brandy cherry demi and sundried cherries for $32. Saturday night’s special is Garlic Studded Prime Rib for $26 and Sunday's special is King Crab Legs for $28. 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, Bodines Restaurant at Bodines Casino and Betsy’s Big Kitchen at Slot World Casino.

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge

Jeff Campbell tonight and Thursday, Buddy Emmer Band Friday through Sunday, and Hans Eberbach Monday and Tuesday. Jeff  Campbell is a vocalist,  impassioned  songwriter  and  lifelong  musician . . .  an  emotional,  evocative  poet  with  a  rock  lover’s  heart! A longtime favorite on the West Coast and Northern Nevada circuit the Buddy Emmer Band’s versatile style includes everything from blues to jazz, rock to reggae and top 40. Whatever your taste in tunes they will be sure to please! Vocalist and songwriter Hans Eberbach sings for Joy & Madness, an evolution of vintage soul sound with modern classic pop sensibilities. He also fronts his own band HANS! and the HOT MESS.

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!

Blues in TJ's Corral, Concerts Selling Fast, Wine Walk, Motorcycles, Bicycles, More

Our First Four Concerts are Almost Here!

Concert Ticket Update

We’ve been hinting it was getting close  . . . and now all seating tickets for the Clint Black Concert are sold out and we are counting down the remaining Standing Room Only tickets (actually, you don’t have to stand, you can bring a blanket and sit on the grass.)  Some of the other concerts are getting close . . . so please don’t miss out. As a reminder, our full schedule includes the romantic sounds of The Righteous Brothers: Bill Medley & Bucky Heard next week on Friday, May 25; Travis Tritt on Friday, June 1; Granger Smith Featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. on Saturday, June 16; Clint Black on Friday, June 29; Ted Nugent on Wednesday, July 4; Trace Adkins on Saturday, July 14; and Creedence Clearwater Revisited on Sunday, August 12.  You can purchase tickets through our website which allows you to see the seating layout map and pick your seat(s) for one or more concerts in one transaction. You can also purchase tickets in person at our Hotel Desk. We’ve also added a Blues themed event on June 15 - covered in the next article so please keep reading.

The Carson Valley Music, Food & Brew Fest in TJ’s Corral is the evening kickoff event for the 8^th Annual Mike Tice Charity Weekend “For the Kids” and coach Tice invites everyone to attend! Blues Music is the theme and the area’s longest-running blues band, The Blues Monsters start the evening at 4 PM. Formed at Lake Tahoe 27 years ago the “Monsters” are led by dual guitarists Chuck Dunn and Barry Slayton. Northern Nevada’s most active blues group, The Buddy Emmer Blues Band then takes the stage. Buddy is among a litany of blues gunslingers born in Texas, and his influence of ZZ Top is delightfully obvious. Singer Kim Emmer’s voice is dynamic and sultry. After their own set, Buddy and his band then back up three incredible blues talents appearing in succession as the blues jam continues until 10 PM.  Tenor saxophone player Nancy Wright has a huge, soulful sound. A 30-year resident of the Bay Area, she’s played with all the greats, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King and Albert Collins. Mighty Mike Schermer built a following over 20 years in Northern California before moving to Austin, Texas, in 2009 to join boogie woogie pianist Marcia Ball. As a solo artist, Schermer sometimes explores rockabilly and country areas. Chris Cain is as talented as any contemporary bluesman. His guitar virtuosity and baritone voice spark comparisons to B.B. King.

The $25 admission price includes a beverage tumbler and we'll have more on that plus details on the beer and wine tastings and the food in next week's blog. There will also be a raffle for sports memorabilia and all raffle proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada, Carson Valley Branch.

Sip ‘n’ Shine Third Thursday Wine Walk

Main Street Gardnerville’s first Third Thursday Wine Walk is tomorrow and, as usual, many of the wine walk pathways lead past or through Sharkey’s Casino. All those who sign up and are carrying the official event glass receive a free sampling of wine at Sharkey’s and (please don’t tell anyone because it’s a surprise for this month) a free Sharkey’s T-Shirt while they last! Details on the Third Thursday Wine Walk program including how to sign up are at this link and we do encourage you to click through and read the information.  There’s a different theme to each month’s event this year and tomorrow’s Sip ‘n’ Shine theme will bring a proliferation of classic cars displayed in the various lots along Highway 395 in Gardnerville. As you enjoy the evening, keep in mind that the proceeds from the Third Thursday Wine Walks help fund the ongoing revitalization efforts in Gardnerville’s Main Street District.

Bandtastic 2.0 in TJ’s Saturday

Band-tastic  . . . a long standing gathering of the different school music groups comprised of hundreds of students from Pau Wa Lu Middle School, Carson Valley Middle School, Pinion Elementary, Jack’s Valley Elementary and Douglas High School. The event thrived for years in the gym at Douglas High School. As the number of participating students increased, so did the number of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. So, last May the event was moved to TJ’s Corral, Bandtastic 2.0 was born and 1,000 people showed up to watch the various groups perform! The 2018 version happens this Saturday and our entire community is invited to enjoy a free concert featuring the Valley’s music students as they perform on the same stage as over two dozen national touring artists during the last few years. The gates open at 11:30 AM, the concert runs from noon to 1:30 PM and – to emphasize an important point – admission is free!

About Last Week’s Blog and the Coming Week

• Some thoughts - and comments we’ve fielded - after Last Week’s Blog:
• Yes, hockey fans, the penalty boxes did line up with the approximate location of the two bars at TJ’s and yes, it is quite appropriate!
• Thanks for pointing out that not only did the Vegas Golden Knights team not exist this time last year, but many Vegas folks weren’t hockey fans this time last year . . . and this year they are avid fans “competing” to get home game playoff tickets!
• No, we would not think it is cute if concert fans showed their appreciation for a good performance by showering the TJ’s Corral stage with some of the strange things that hockey fans have thrown on the ice. And to the Vegas Golden Knights fans, we apologize in advance that the lead image on the article shows Marc-André Fleury in a Pittsburg Penguins uniform (after all, they did draft him!)
• To the candlestick maker who called: sorry, we really can't use your talents as candles just aren’t permitted anymore. Please consider applying for one of these open positions at the CVI?!
• Motorcycles, Costumes and a Great Cause: it’s all part of the 9^th Annual Pinocchio’s Ride for the Tatas this Sunday and the CVI parking lot is one of the stops for the Poker Run portion of this annual fundraiser for Moms on the Run.
• If Human Powered Cycles are More to Your Liking:  The Amgen Tour of the California Alps comes through the Carson Valley this Friday along Foothill Road. Catch all the details at this link and watch carefully ‘cause they’re moving pretty fast!
• Thursday is World Baking Day. Great reason to acknowledge the bakers on our culinary staff who, in an average month, produce literally tens of thousands of items for Job’s Perk, Katie’s bakery counter, Katie’s restaurant, CV Steak and banquet functions. These include cookies, lemon squares, brownies, pies (full size and mini), cupcakes, cakes, a variety of pastries, individual desserts, loaves of bread, dinner rolls and more.
• Friday is No Dirty Dishes Day. We’ll make this one easy for you: stop in Katie’s for breakfast, enjoy lunch at the Jackpot Café in Sharkey’s, and come back for dinner in CV Steak at the CVI. Three meals, no dishes for you to worry about!
• Friday is Pizza Party Day, one of nine days designated each year to “honor” pizza in one form or another. Since this one specifically calls out party, we suggest gathering some friends, descending upon some of the tables around the circular casino bar at Bodine’s Casino, ordering  a couple of pitchers of beer and a few different kinds of pizza, all cooked to order in Bodines’ special brick pizza oven!
• Saturday is World Whisky Day. On this day last year, we mentioned that the roof had just been hoisted onto the silo building at Buckeye and Hwy 395 as part of the Bently Heritage project. So very much has progressed with this project over the last year! With landscaping just about done and most of the interior work completed, the final tweaking stages are happening as the necessary licensing is secured and plans are starting to develop for what is hoped to be a late-fall opening to the public. We are so looking forward to having this incredible project operating within steps of the Carson Valley Inn’s front door!
• Monday is Waitstaff Day. Nights, weekends, holidays . . . . Over 100 of these folks are there when we need to them in our restaurants at the Carson Valley Inn, the Jackpot Café in Sharkey’s Casino, Betsy’s Kitchen and at Slot World, and the restaurant in Bodines Casino. So on Monday, whether it’s at one of our restaurants or elsewhere, let’s all take a minute and thank them for always being there when we choose to go out for a meal!

 In the Casino

Free Thermo Bento Box to First 150 Ladies
at Tonight's Ladies' Night

• Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us from 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a Free Thermal Bento Box for the first 150 ladies and Wine Country Gift Baskets as hot seat prizes.  Also tonight: games, a weekly drink special, free bingo and your chance to earn entries for the May 30 drawing for a $500 Southwest Airlines Gift Card.
• A Different Color Free Camo Hat Thursday: Another Free CVI Camo Hat is yours this Thursday for earning just 50 base points the same day. You get the hat - and it's a different color than last week - plus keep those 50 points. Be sure to use your Inn Club card!
• Cash & FreePlay Drawings Friday: Join us at 5, 7 and 9 PM this Friday for drawings for cash and FreePlay. You automatically receive one free entry into these drawings for every five base points you earn during May . . . so stop by ‘cause you can’t win if you aren’t here!
• 5X Points Saturday: Inn Club members earn 5X Points this Saturday which translates to five times the build-up of comp value!
• Cash & Freeplay Bash Saturdays: Every Saturday in May from 7 to 8 PM our Cash & Freeplay drawings guarantee ten $100 winners . . . be sure to use your INN Club card while playing in the casino!
• Free Gift Mondays: We have a free gift for INN Club members earning just 100 base points the same day . . . You get the gift plus keep the points!
• At the Sports and Race Book: This week you can bet the Preakness Stakes and other Horseracing,  Major League Baseball, The NHL Conference Championships, NBA Playoffs and Saturday’s Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race.  Futures on the board include the FIFA World Cup Russia™ (June 14 – July 15), NBA Championship, NHL Stanley Cup, World Series, NASCAR Monster Energy Series, the NFL Conference Championships and the 2019 Super Bowl!

In Our Restaurants

• Wednesday is Italian Day in Katie’s – three specials for $6.99 each served from 11 AM to 10 PM! The Friday and Saturday night special in Katie’s is Roasted Prime Rib & Fried Shrimp for $14.99 served from 4 PM.
• Thursday’s special in CV Steak is the CV Steak Mix Grill, a combination of our Filet Mignon, a Dijon and molasses Marinated Pork Tenderloin Medallion and Herb Marinated Lamb Chop for $26. This Friday it's Bison Tournedos Rossini for $35. Saturday night’s special is Garlic Studded Prime Rib for $26 and Sunday's special is King Crab Legs for $28. 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, Bodines Restaurant at Bodines Casino and Betsy’s Big Kitchen at Slot World Casino.

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge

Roem Baur Duo tonight and Thursday, John Dawson Band Friday and Saturday, Bill Wharton Sunday and Monday and Jeff Campbell Tuesday and Wednesday. Roem Baur is a multiple award-winning touring songwriter and classically trained opera singer who ultimately answered the call of rock n' roll.  The John Dawson Band is a Reno based group of five fun-lovin' guys who just like to entertain with a variety of modern country and classic rock. Bill Wharton’s smooth, melodic tone comes out in his vast repertoire from old classic country thru modern country, pop to classic rock, blues and jazz. Jeff  Campbell is a vocalist,  impassioned  songwriter  and  lifelong  musician . . .  an  emotional,  evocative  poet  with  a  rock  lover’s  heart!

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!

First TJ's Event May 19, Bodines Turns 10, Derby Saturday, More

Three Weeks Until First TJ’s Concert, But First . . .

The first national-act of the TJ’s Corral 2018 concert season is just three weeks away, however that’s not our  season’s first event! On Saturday, May 19 we turn TJ’s over to the music programs of the Douglas County Schools to perform on the same stage that has seen the likes of the Charlie Daniels Band, Oak Ridge Boys, Michael McDonald, Chris Young, Kenny Loggins, Merle Haggard and dozens more (see Upcoming Events section below). Then, The Righteous Brothers: Bill Medley & Bucky Heard kick off the concert season on Friday, May 25 with their romantic sounds that defined the sixties and seventies and have continued to stand the test of time.  Country is the theme for the following three concerts with Travis Tritt on Friday, June 1; Granger Smith on Saturday, June 16; and Clint Black on Friday, June 29. We then switch to rock with Ted Nugent on Wednesday, July 4; back to country when Trace Adkins visits on Saturday, July 14; and wrap it up with more classic rock with Creedence Clearwater Revisited on Sunday, August 12.  Your best and fastest bet for purchasing tickets for any TJ’s Corral concert is through our website which allows you to see the seating layout map and pick your seat(s) for one or more concerts in one transaction. You can also purchase tickets in-person at our Hotel Desk.

Happy Birthday Bodines Casino!

Bodines Casino celebrates its 10th Birthday this weekend and here’s a peek into some of the history: In the mid-1970s the Mendeguia family was operating a bar called The Golden Horse on the corner of Highway 395 and Clear Creek Rd. where Bodines Casino is now located. They closed it down, remodeled, added a kitchen and opened a small Basque restaurant called Toki-Ona which they operated until the mid-1980s. When that restaurant closed, three restaurateurs from Lake Tahoe bought the old building and decided to refurbish it into a new restaurant. They then bought the Heitman Barn for $1000 that sat on property on the corner of Douglas Avenue and Gilman in Gardnerville - within a stone’s throw (for a major-league outfielder) from Sharkey’s Casino. The gentlemen dismantled the barn board by board and used the materials to redo the interior and exterior of the Toki-Ona restaurant, reopening it as Bodines (a nickname tagged on one of the partners in the military). The trio operated Bodines as a rustic and popular local restaurant and bar until 2005 when they sold the property to Mike Pegram and his partners who then opened the current Bodines Casino in May of 2008. Both Rick Murdock, one of the partners, and Larry Henry, the architect, grew up in Carson City not far from Bodines.

Upcoming Events

• Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13: Make your plans now to enjoy our Champagne Brunch in the Valley Ballroom from 10 AM to 2 PM (775-783-7768 for Brunch reservations), Mother’s Day Specials plus the regular menu in CV Steak (775-783-6650 for CV Steak reservations) or stop in Katie's for a Seafood Omelet from 7 to 11 AM and Grilled Salmon Oscar from 11 AM until 9 PM.
• The Wolf Pack Caravan with Coach Norvell, Tuesday, May 15:  Wolf Pack fans can meet second year head football coach Jay Norvell, get his inside scoop on the upcoming Wolf Pack football season and ask questions! Admission is free, doors open at 5:30 PM and the program runs from 6 to 7 PM.  Planning to attend? Try to give Holly a heads up at 775-682-6961.
• Thirsty Wine Walk, Thursday, May 17: More on this next week, but put it on your calendar and be sure to wander through Sharkey’s as you make the rounds that evening!
• Band-tastic 2.0, Saturday, May 19: A great opportunity for members of our community to enjoy a free concert featuring the different music groups comprised of hundreds of students from Pau Wa Lu Middle School, Carson Valley Middle School, Pinion Elementary, Jack’s Valley Elementary and Douglas High School.  The gates open at 11:30 AM, the concert runs from noon to 1:30 PM and admission is free!
• 9^th Annual Pinocchio’s Ride for the Tatas, Sunday, May 20: The CVI parking lot is one of the stops for the Poker Run portion of this annual fundraiser for Moms on the Run. The bikes are nice, but the costumes definitely make the day!
• 8^th Annual Mike Tice “For the Kids” Charity Weekend, June 15 – 17: Join in on this incredible fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada, Carson Valley Branch by checking the participation and sponsorship opportunities at the MikeTiceForTheKids website!  

Appreciation and Awareness

Friday is Firefighter's Day and Saturday is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.  We have a strong appreciation and admiration for the dedicated firefighters and paramedics who make up the East Fork Fire Protection District. They are always there when we need them at the Carson Valley Inn and their professional and swift responses are also exhibited daily as they respond to businesses and citizens within our community.  We also aknowledge the danger of wildfire in our community and applaud the efforts of the Living With Fire Program. Started 1997, this organization is a collaborative effort involving many organizations and is managed by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. They developed and update a set of consistent wildfire threat reduction recommendations for Nevadans and continue to share them with homeowners living in fire prone areas.

In the Casino

Watch & Wager Here at the CVI

• Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us from 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a Chocolate Shoppe Treat for the first 150 ladies and All Wrapped Up Baskets as hot seat prizes.  Also tonight: games, a weekly drink special, free bingo and your chance to earn entries for the May 30 drawing for a $500 Southwest Airlines Gift Card.
• Free Wearable Thursday: We have a free CVI wearable for INN Club members earning just 50 base points the same day . . . You get the wearable item plus keep the points!
• Cash & FreePlay Drawings Friday: Join us at 5, 7 and 9 PM this Friday for drawings for cash and freeplay. You automatically receive one free entry into these drawings for every five base points you earn during May . . . so stop by ‘cause you can’t win if you aren’t here!
• 5X Points Saturday: Inn Club members earn 5X Points this Saturday which translates to five times the build-up of comp value!
• Cash & Freeplay Bash Saturdays: Every Saturday in May from 7 to 8 PM our Cash & Freeplay drawings guarantee ten $100 winners . . . be sure to use your INN Club card while playing in the casino!
• Kentucky Derby Saturday: Catch the race on the big screen here at the CVI or our sister property Bodines Casino in Carson City and enjoy drink specials while you watch the pre-race festivities and the Derby itself! Wagering starts Friday at both properties for all the races on the Friday and Saturday Churchill Downs cards.
• Free Gift Mondays: We have a free gift for INN Club members earning just 100 base points the same day . . . You get the gift plus keep the points!
• At the Sports and Race Book: This week you can bet Major League Baseball, The NHL and NBA Playoffs, Horse Racing and the NASCAR AAA 400 Drive for Autism.  Futures on the board include the FIFA World Cup Russia™ (June 14 – July 15), NBA Championship, NHL Stanley Cup, World Series, NASCAR Monster Energy Series, the NFL Conference Championships and the 2019 Super Bowl!

In Our Restaurants

• Wednesday is Italian Day in Katie’s – three specials for $6.99 each served from 11 AM to 10 PM! The Friday and Saturday night special in Katie’s is Roasted Prime Rib & Fried Shrimp for $14.99 served from 4 PM.
• Thursday’s special in CV Steak is the CV Steak Mix Grill, a combination of our Filet Mignon, a Dijon and molasses Marinated Pork Tenderloin Medallion and Herb Marinated Lamb Chop for $26. This Friday its Grilled Duck Breast marinated with fresh herbs and grilled with natural duck jus for $28. Saturday night’s special is Garlic Studded Prime Rib for $26 and Sunday's special is King Crab Legs for $28. These specials are served with fresh vegetable, choice of rice or potato – au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato – tableside tossed salad and warm demi-loaf of bread.
• Sunday is No Diet Day which pushes throwing the diet out the window. We have avenues for such a rash celebration between many of the items in Katie’s Bakery counter and some (certainly not all) of our delicious home-style entrees. But, we would never mention anything like that! We find it somewhat ironic that Sunday is also Beverage Day which advocates, among other celebratory approaches, to drink only beverages on this day. Probably ought to leave it at “enough said.” 
• 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, Bodines Restaurant at Bodines Casino and Betsy’s Big Kitchen at Slot World Casino.

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge

Denver Saunders tonight, Full Blast Thursday through Saturday, Jamie Rollins Sunday and Monday and Chris Twomey Tuesday and Wednesday. Denver Saunders gives you a chance to dance, laugh and sing-along to this inspiring vocalist/guitarist who is a mainstay with the band Well Dressed Mannequins! Cliff Porter’s Full Blast is a high-energy, genre-crossing band that will take you on a trip through old school classics to today’s hits! Music styles range from funk, to jazz, from Gospel infused instrumentals to country and rock!  An upbeat and experienced entertainer, Jamie Rollins performs a variety of music from country to rock, to classic oldies and R&B – plus a few of his own songs. Chris Twomey’s roots are deep into a genre of folk-rock . . . from 2Me to The Diva Kings to Dad's LPs to whatever is next.

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!