Live Comedy in Valley Ballroom, 38 Special in TJ's Corral, Jets in the Sky

Live Comedy in Our Valley Ballroom

Brian Lee Headlining
Core 4 Comedy 

Core 4 Comedy is coming to our Valley Ballroom  November 10 with a night of hilarity showcasing four professional touring comics including Host Jeff Anderson, Special Guest Luke Westberg, Feature Act Andy Picarro and Headliner Brian Lee. Tickets will go on sale in the next few days and will be available online.

Headliner Brian Lee started doing stand-up comedy in 2000 and has gone from being a 10-minute opening act to headlining all over the United States and Europe.  In addition to being a veteran of the stage, he is also a Veteran of the U.S. military.  A combined 24 years between the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy has given him quite a unique perspective and the opportunity to perform around the world.  Brian invites all military to join him in honoring our veterans at the CVI on Veteran’s Day Weekend!

Brian’s motto has always been “talk about what you know,” and that’s just what he does. Drinking, relationships, lousy day jobs, family life, more drinking, and the possibility of a new religion are just a few of the topics Brian tackles. Brian also takes audience participation to a new level with his off-kilter game show, “Cerebral Punishment.” Brian is the co-founder of Core 4 Comedy, a.k.a. C4 Comedy which also includes the evening’s other three performers.

38 Special Concert Almost Here

38 Special has a sound that Stephen Thomas Erlewine defines as "halfway between country-fried blues-rock and driving, arena-ready hard rock."  Sounds like the perfect way to describe their more popular hits which include "Caught Up in You," "If I'd Been the One," "Back Where You Belong," and "Like No Other Night," Their hit ballad "Second Chance" probably doesn't fall under that definition, but it certainly was a smash!  All these and more will be on the playlist when 38 Special wraps up our 2018 Concert series in TJ’s Corral on Friday, September 21. You can buy tickets on our website or in person at the Hotel Front Desk.

Aviation Roundup Just a Month Away

The 2018 Aviation Roundup at Minden-Tahoe Airport is just a month away and now is the time to make your plans, get your tickets and start getting ready for a very active weekend in the Carson Valley! The 30-second TV commercial above will definitely get you in the mood . . . as will reading this article put together by the Carson Valley Visitors Authority regarding the various acts. The Carson Valley Inn is proud to be a major sponsor of this event and we hope you’ll join us in supporting this event with your attendance on one of the two days!

Sports Book - Mostly Football!

• Reminder: Enjoy $2 Domestic Draft Beer during all NFL games at the CVI. Our staff will bring your bar bites order to you right at your seat.
• The Progressive Pro PK'EM did not hit week one so it has incremented to $2,647 for this week. Pick all 15 games straight up and the Jackpot is yours! If no one hits the mark, the amount will increase again for next week.
• Monday Night Football Grid: We have a new one in our poker room every week and you obtain squares by making various hands during the week in live poker games. There’s a $40 payout for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters and for the final score. You have to be present to win and any unclaimed winnings roll to the following week. Last Monday, winner was not present the first quarter, and, believe it or not, one person who had two different squares hit all three of the other prizes. So, the first $40 rolls forward and this week’s squares are worth $50 each! Check the details on this page.
• Our Guys Picks:  it was an average week for three of our prognosticators going 1 & 1. Greg was the shining star with a perfect 2 & 0 weekend.   Now it’s on to week two with Alan taking the Niners -5½ & the Chiefs +5.  Mike loves the over 71½ of the Houston – Texas Tech game and the Oklahoma Sooners -18.  Steve will ride with the Nevada Wolf Pack -4 and the Saints -9.  Mr. Perfect will play the Patriots -2½ and the Seahawk +3½.  
• Sports and Race Betting: You can place and collect sports bets any time the Sports Book is open at the Carson Valley Inn or Bodines Casino. At Sharkey’s and Slot World, all sports betting is done at Guest Services. A winning sports bet placed at any of our four casinos can be cashed at any of our four casinos.  Horse Race bets can only be placed or cashed when the Race and Sports Book is open at CVI or Bodines Casino.
• What’s On The Board: This week you can bet NCAA and NFL Football, Major League Baseball, WNBA Championship Games, Canadian Football League, Sunday’s NASCAR South Point 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Horseracing. Futures include winners of the World Series, NASCAR Monster Energy Series, the NFL Conference Championships, the 2019 Super Bowl, the 2019 NCAA Football Championship and the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Just for Fun

The Smile that Comes Out
with a $4,500 Win!

• Tomorrow is Fortune Cookie Day. It is also Defy Superstition Day and Positive Thinking Day. So, we suggest you combine all three of these in whatever manner you feel is best and plop down in front of one of our 20+ slots that have the Fortune Cookie game option. Forget your superstitions, think positively, and go for it! Not sure, but positive thinking a couple of days early might be what Christine S (pictured) did on Monday night when she won a $4,500 jackpot on one of our Triple Diamond Wheel of Fortune slots.
• Saturday is Double Cheeseburger Day and Tuesday is Cheeseburger Day. We're not sure why each of these configurations needs its own "day" - nor are we sure why either one of them actually needs a "day" - but we do have plenty of options for both every day in Katie's!
• Saturday is also Linguini Day. Our favorite, hands down, is the Seafood Linguini in CV Steak: shrimp, scallops, and diced lobster with your choice of lemon butter sauce or spicy Pomodoro sauce. . . . A hearty dish served with warm bread, and our tableside tossed House salad, of course!
• Sunday is Guacamole Day. Since this falls between Double Cheeseburger Day and  Cheeseburger Day, either go back to basics and order avocado (the early "stage" of guacamole) or our special guacamole "side" for your burger!
• Monday is Monte Cristo Sandwich  Day. The Cook of Monte Cristo (whoever he was!) was reported to have said, "There are two things man thought they could not improve on. The Club sandwich, and French toast. Our culinary hubris was found in err when the Monte Cristo Sandwich was invented.”  We doubt there really is a "Cook of Monte Cristo" and  we double checked to make sure that "hubris" was a real word and appropriate to the quote. Having said that, celebrate the day by enjoying a Monte Cristo every in Katie's: A deep-fried sandwich with ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, American cheese and syrup!

This Week in the Casino

• Ladies’ Night Tonight: Join us from 5:30 to 8:30 PM with a Free Dual Sided Vanity Mirror for the first 150 ladies and Chocolate Shoppe Baskets as hot seat prizes.  Also tonight: games, raffles, a weekly drink special and free bingo for ladies playing in the pit or at slots.
• Point Multipliers Friday: 5X Points on Reel Slots and 3X Points on Video Poker Slots all day every Friday in September, Watch those points add up fast and use them for dining, FreePlay, Katie’s Bakery products and more!
• Big Game Drawings Friday and Saturday:  Join us at 6, 7 and 8 PM for our giveaway drawings for cash, hunting and fishing gear and FreePlay. Big Big Win Saturday:  A guaranteed $2,500 winner every Saturday this month during our Big Game Drawings.
• FreePlay Bonus Up to $50 Monday: Use your card while playing and you are the guaranteed winner of $7 - $10 in FreePlay for each 250 points you earn on Monday up to 1,250 points! The FreePlay downloads automatically to your account.

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 with a Brandy Cherry Demi 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.

Revival in the Cabaret Lounge the Weekend

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge

Denver Saunders tonight, Revival Thursday thru Saturday, NFL Football Sunday and Monday nights and Jeff Campbell next Tuesday and Wednesday. Denver Saunders is the inspiring vocalist/guitarist who is a mainstay with the band Well Dressed Mannequins! Revival recreates the music of the '60s, '70s, and '80s with a stunning accuracy and precision that's rarely found in today's live music scene. They will take you from the British invasion, through the muddy fields of Woodstock, to the diverse songs of the 80's! 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!

New Year's Week at the Carson Valley Inn

New Year’s Eve Dining – CVI and Sharkey’s . . . Enjoy these three choices for New Year's Eve specials and regular menu items:

• CV Steak has a Duo of Tournedos with Seared Scallops (a blackened Filet Mignon with southwest au jus, a blue cheese crusted Filet Mignon and Seared Scallops) for $36 and King Crab Legs (One pound of Alaskan King Crab Legs served with drawn butter) for $35. New Year's Eve reservations are a must in CV Steak – call 775-783-6650.
• Katie's is offering an Apple Stuffed Roast Pork Loin with a glaze of spiced cranberries and orange zest, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables, choice of soup or fresh garden green salad, fresh bread and creamery butter for $13.99. Also available is the usual Saturday night special, Roasted Prime Rib & Fried Shrimp Dinner served with baked potato, vegetable and soup or salad for $14.99. Both of these specials are served from 11 a.m.
• Sharkey’s Jackpot Café is featuring its regular Friday and Saturday Night Special starting at 4 p.m. – Prime Rib and Lobster with twice baked potato and choice of soup or salad for $20.
• New Year's Day: All restaurants will be open regular hours.

Poker Players - get in on our NCAA Championship Game Grid

Poker Room Squares for NCAA Championship Game: $160 is on the table for Poker players starting Monday in our annual College Football Playoff National Championship Football Grid. From January 2 until the chart is full, win a square by making a Full House or higher in live action Texas Hold’ em or any hand of Tens Full or higher in Pineapple or Omaha. Grid numbers will be drawn on Monday, January 9 when the board is full and the payout is $40 each for 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters and for final score. Complete guidelines will be posted in the Poker Room.

Another beautiful winter day in Carson Valley
Photo by Jan Vandermade

#WhyCV Contest Starts Today: Submissions can  now be made for the #WhyCV Contest sponsored by the Carson Valley Visitors Authority and Carson Valley Times. Gather your favorite photo (like the one above), video or written story depicting why Carson Valley has carved out a special place in your heart. Prizes include an iPad, a GoPro, smartphone camera lenses, and a variety of gift certificates to the best in local dining – including CV Steak of course! All the details are on this page and we hope you’ll include the CArson Valley Inn if we are part of your story on how you came about visiting or moving here!

Sports and Race Book:

• On the Board: This week you can bet NFL Football, the remaining NCAA Bowl Games, NBA, College Basketball and NHL.  Also on the board: futures bets on who will win the NCAA Football Championship, Super Bowl, NBA Championship and NHL Stanley Cup.
• The PRO PK’EM Parlay Progressive is now at $4,395 – pick all 15 NFL props straight up on the $5 card and it’s yours! And if no one hits this week, we will carny this over to the NFL playoffs.
• Around the Sportsbook with Mike, Alan and Greg:
• Last Week, 3-3: Mike skunked as he took Maryland at -1½ over Boston College (B.C. won) in the Quick Lane Bowl and the Rams at -4 over the 49ers (seriously, did anyone bet the Niners to actually win?). Alan had the Ravens at +5 over the Steelers (got it by 1 point) and the Raiders at -4 over the Colts (another win). Greg got the Niners at +4 over the Rams and was “off by a mile” on the Jets at +16 ½ over the Patriots.
• Last Week Trivia Quiz: The Quick Lane Bowl is backed by the Detroit Lions. It is a de facto replacement for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The Ford Motor Company serves as title sponsor of the game through its auto shop brand Quick Lane.
• This Week:  Mike likes Oklahoma State at +3 over Colorado and the Clemson Tigers (+3 ½) over Ohio State. Alan’s going pro on his picks: Raiders to beat Denver in a pick ‘em game and the Dolphins at +9 ½ over the Patriots. (Per Mike, “there’s still fight in them there fish!”)  Greg tapped the Giants at +8 over the Redskins and (get ready) the  “overs" on the Falcons-Saints game at 56! 
• Trivia: Only about 17% of NFL games have a point total over 56 points. The highest point total in an NFL game was 113 points when Washington beat the N.Y. Giants 72 - 41 on Nov. 27, 1966.

Relatively Unimportant but Fun: Some people make lists. Still others compile lists of lists. Then there are those who find an article like this: The Master List of Year End Lists - over 350 of 'em! We certainly don’t have time for all this so we "borrowed" this link from an update Bill Chernock from the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce sent to Chamber members yesterday. How did he find the time? We suspect he plans on picking up time this Saturday on Leap Second Time Adjustment Day! What did all these list makers do before the internet provided a forum for publishing such lists?

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.

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge:  Tyler Stafford performs tonight, Just Us entertains Thursday, After Dark takes the stage Friday and Saturday and the Novelists Acoustic Duo appears next Tuesday and Wednesday. Just Us blends together the sounds of the Motor City and Oakland, CA to develop "Sweet, Grown & Sexy" music from the 60’s to the present. The high energy of After Dark Band will have you up and dancing and singing along with the guys! With a great variety of rock and roll, country, blues and R & B their “must not miss” show is filled with the songs you know and love and the energy of the group creates a party waiting for you to join in. With Bernie DeLaCruz and Dave Vasquez on guitar, Dustin Taunton on bass, Don Peterson on drums and Scott Anderson on vocals this award winning band will get you rockin’! The Novelists Acoustic Duo provides cliffhanger storytelling, dual lead singing personalities and their signature harmonies. Click here for the upcoming lineup of free entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge.

In the Casino

• Ladies’ Night is “off” tonight but resumes Wednesdays in January.
• Drawings Tonight: Cash & Freeplay Giveaways at 5, 7 & 8 p.m. Win up to $2,500 tonight.
• Bingo and Drawings Thursday:
• Come in and play Bingo on the even hour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and win $50 - $100 instantly!  Simply be in the casino playing slots or table games using your INN Club card and watch for our staff bringing around Free Bingo Cards. 
• Cash & Freeplay Giveaways at 5, 7 & 8 p.m. Win up to $2,500 tonight.
• $5,000 Guaranteed Friday: A total of $5,000 in cash and prizes is guaranteed in drawings between 4 and 9 p.m.
• Saturday:
• 4X Points from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Live Entertainment & Dancing: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Champagne Toast in the casino at midnight
• Penny Progressive Over $47,000 . . 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. 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! Check all the Katie’s Daily Specials at this link.
• Our Friday special in CV Steak is Grilled Elk Medallions with a Brandy Cherry Demi for $30.  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.

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!

TG Sheppard Returns, New Casino Promotions, Another Beer Day, More

His Last Acoustic Performance at the CVI Sold Out!

TG Sheppard Returning in November!  Combined with 21 number one hits, and being ranked among the top 100 country artists of all time, TG Sheppard’s unstoppable passion for music has made him one of the most popular live performers on tour today. T.G.'s first commercial album in over 13 years "Legendary Friends & Country Duets" was released a year ago - a duet CD with some of music's biggest icons including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Kelly Lang, Ricky Skaggs, The Oak Ridge Boys, Englebert Humperdink, Lorrie Morgan, Crystal Gayle, Delbert McClinton, The Whites, Mickey Gilley, Steve Cropper, Jimmy Fortune, and Wayne Jackson and the Memphis Horns. TG will bring an acoustical evening full of chart topping hits like "Last Cheaters Waltz","I Loved 'Em Everyone","Do You Wanna Go To Heaven", "Party Time" and many more to the intimate setting of the Valley Ballroom on Saturday night, November 12. Tickets are $25 and are available starting at 9 a.m. today at the hotel desk or by calling 775-783-6606. A special 2-night package is also available that includes tickets for TG’s Concert. All the details are at this link.

Which Would Your Choose: A New Harley or $10,000

October Rolls In Saturday – But First, A Harley?  Two quick suggestions: First, don’t miss out on the Grand Prize Drawings this Friday at 6 PM and 8 PM our September Cash/Harley giveaway promotion. It’s all about the Golden Tickets and the chance to win generous amounts of cash, free play and even a brand-new Harley or $10,000! Second, Saturday brings October and new casino promotions for you to enjoy so be sure to look through the In the Casino section below as there just might be something there that catches your interest.

19 Bottled Beers at Bodines, Over a Dozen at CVI &
Sharkey's, plenty of draft choices, what's that add up to? 

Not Another Beer Day!! Not to be confused with International Beer Day (August 5) or National Beer Day (April 7), today is National Drink Beer Day. Turns out that according to one survey, beer is America’s #1 social drink of choice (can you guess what came in second?), Americans love domestic beer over imported beer by a 2-to-1 margin and some states are more prone than others to have beer as the top drink to enjoy with friends at a bar or other social venue. We started counting up how many different bottled beers and draft beers we have between our two bars at the Carson Valley Inn, the Silver Dollar Bar at Sharkey’s Casino and the Casino Bar and the Sports Bar at Bodines Casino and . . . . well the total was close to one of the numbers in this song!

Bunko for Breast Cancer is coming up Saturday, October 8 and we hope you’re planning to attend this jubilant event with eclectically costumed wanna-be-sports-stars in our Valley ballroom. More information is available on the Bunko for Breast Cancer Web Page or the Bunko for Breast Cancer Facebook Page.  However you choose to get the information, please do get involved in some form or another – All proceeds support the Carson Tahoe Cancer Resource Center!

Sports and Race Book:

• This week you can bet Major League Baseball, Horseracing, NFL and NCAA Football, the semi-finals of the WNBA Playoffs and Sunday’s Citizen Solder 400 NASCAR race.  Also on the board: updated futures bets on who will win the World Series, the 2016 Season NCAA Football Championship and the February, 2017 Super Bowl.
• The PRO PK’EM Parlay Progressive is now at $2986 – pick all 15 NFL games straight up on the $5 card and it’s yours!
• Chatter around the Sportsbook: Lots of talk, speculation and action on three big college conference games this weekend between undefeated teams. Friday night, Stanford (3-0) battles Washington (4-0), midday Saturday Wisconsin travels to Michigan (both 4-0) and Saturday evening Louisville takes on Clemson (both 4-0).  On the NFL front, the Raiders (2-1) continued to draw more interest (and more bets!) for their Sunday morning game against the undefeated Ravens. You can watch and bet these games plus many more here at the CVI. 

The Nighthawks This Weekend in Cabaret Lounge

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge:  John Palmore entertains tonight,  The Nighthawks are in Thursday through Saturday, we show NFL Football on the Big Screen in the Cabaret on Sunday and Monday nights and Jonathon “JB” Barton performs next Tuesday and Wednesday.  A popular local (Gardnerville/Wellington) country and rock band, The Nighthawks specialize in popular dance tunes from the 60's and 70's. The group performs a wide variety of styles covering artists from Alan Jackson to ZZ Top, including great classic country tunes and expert performances of classic rock songs. The Nighthawks are Mike Clark (bass), Leon Leet (guitar), Mark Harris (guitar) John Mcknight (drums) and, when the guys are nice to her, Wendy Adkisson on vocals. Click here for the upcoming lineup of free entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge.

This Week at the CVI

• In the Casino
• Ladies’ Night Tonight: The fun runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with free lighted mirror gifts to the first 150 ladies, World Market Baskets as hot seat prizes, games, drink specials, FREE Bingo and the big drawing for a free Day Spa Package at Pure Glow.
• Bingo Thursday: Come in and play Bingo on the odd hour, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and win $50 - $100 instantly!  Simply be in the casino playing slots or table games using your INN Club card and watch for our staff bringing around Free Bingo Cards. 
• Friday Drawings: Grand prize drawings in our September Harley Promotion are at 6 and 8 p.m. with plenty of cash, free play at the chance to win a brand-new Harley or $10,000. Use your INN Club card while you play!
• 4X Points Saturday: this Saturday and every Saturday in October earn 4X Points all day.
• Ladies Poker Tournament Sunday: Our monthly Ladies-Only Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament is late Sunday afternoon with sign ups starting at 4 p.m. There’s a $40 buy-in, no re-buys and lots of fun extras.
• Free T-Shirt Mondays: We're giving away Free Long Sleeve CVI T-Shirts every Monday through October 24th!  To qualify, simply earn 75 points the same day and the free T-Shirt is yours . . . plus you keep the points!
• Senior Mondays: Seniors 55 and over are invited to our Senior Mondays during October from 8 AM to 11 AM in the Cabaret Lounge. We’ll have free coffee and cookies, free bingo games and a chance to win free play and cash!
• Our Penny Progressive had topped $19,000 on Tuesday Night – only can be won on one of the Triple Red Hot 7's slots at the CVI, Sharkey’s or Bodines.
• Poker Room: Our Poker Room offers a Monday Night Football squares grid plus Featured Games, Tournaments and Special Promotions with something going on every day of the week – plus an Omaha 4-8 ½ kill Hi-Lo game is back on Mondays (sure sounds like Peyton Manning calling an audible!)  Click here for all that’s happening in our poker room
• Here’s a Handy Page with all our September Casino Promotions!
• In Our Restaurants
• Wednesday is Italian Day/Night in Katie’s – three specials for just $6.99 each! Check all the Katie’s Daily Specials at this link.
• The 18-Piece Sushi Platter Special is served in CV Steak on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
• Our Friday special in CV Steak is Roasted Stuffed Quail for $28.  Saturday night’s special is Garlic Studded Prime Rib for $26 and Sunday's special is one pound of King Crab Legs for $32. All three 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!

The Oak Ridge Boys are SRO, B. J. Thomas Concert tickets on sale, Minden-Tahoe Airport, more!

In this week's blog posting: The Oak Ridge Boys are Standing Room Only for Thursday, B. J. Thomas Concert tickets are now on sale, Minden-Tahoe Airport in our spotlight, more!

Concert Notes:

Video Image of Grassy Seating Area

• The Oak Ridge Boys Concert has sold out for the regular and VIP seating BUT – we have opened up a limited number of SRO (Standing Room Only with a seating option) tickets for what promises to be a truly electrifying Carson Valley Event this Thursday!! Bring a blanket, sit on the raised grass area along the back of TJ's Corral - or stand if you wish - and you'll have a pretty darn good view! The grassy area is over 4,000 sq. ft. (see the video above) and it's the same distance from the front of the stage as it is from home plate to first base on a baseball diamond. Did you know that professional baseball players cover that distance in about 4.5 seconds! But, before we digress further (wait- isn't digressing part of the idea behind a blog?), here's the important part: SRO tickets are $30 plus processing fee and they are only available by calling our Events Center Hotline at 775-783-7766.
• Tickets are now on Sale for the B.J. Thomas Concert on Thursday, July 10. Once again, our blog readers are getting this information first . . . so we suggest you check our blog posting every Wednesday morning for a heads up on the latest news from the CVI!
• Kudos to the folks at Getaway Reno Tahoe who were most gracious in letting CVI's Bill Henderson write a guest blog for them. He talks about the summer concert lineup, the new TJ's Corral and – well heck, just read it – fairly short!
• Dustin Lynch's (June 13) Where It's At and Chris Young's (August 2) Who I Am With You continue to trend up on the iTunes Top 100 Country Songs and Billboard Top 100 Country Hits. 
• Speaking of Dustin Lynch, we'll be running a contest on our Facebook Page starting this Friday to giveaway two tickets for the Dustin Lynch Concert including a hotel room for concert night. It's free to enter, so check it out!!

 Everyone Loves Airplanes . . . 

. . . and our local Minden-Tahoe Airport (KMEV in airplane jargon) has just about the best general aviation access and services a pilot could expect. Sure helps the tourism economy, too, providing guests for our hotel whether here on business or pleasure. In early June, the airport will be hosting a 3-day visit by the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour with the opportunity to tour or take a ride (for a fee, of course) in a B-17 (see the modern-day tail gunner at the left), B-24, B-25 or P-51. Later in June KMEV will be the site of the Minden 18 Meter Nationals Glider Competition – just one of the many national or international soaring events held locally.

As Always, Interesting Tidbits and News: 

• Mike's horses:  Fiftyshadesofhay rallied to take the one-mile Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park on Sunday. Last we heard, none of Mike's horses are running this weekend, but we'll all be rooting for California Chrome in Saturday's Preakness Stakes!
• Game On! Chef Patrick's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is a Rabbit Stifado – a flavorful, slow cooked rabbit stew served with Orzo pasta – just $25.00! As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato.
• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge: George Pickard  performs tonight, The Vegas Road Show appears Thursday through Saturday and Brian Andrews takes the stage Sunday through next Wednesday. Here is a link to the schedule for the next couple of months.
• Pardon Our Dust: OK, so it's sealer and not dust. If you drive by this week and wonder what's going on in the west parking lot (between the CVI and the RV Park), we're having the lot re-sealed – half today and the other half on Sunday. This project will not affect the available parking for Thursday night's concert and we'll be sealing other sections of the lot next week.

I Turned $25 into $$650 in just 3 Hours! Sure sound like one of those too-good-to-be-true "come on" claims . .  but turns out someone really did exactly this last night here at the CVI. Richard L. finished first in our monthly blackjack tournament and turned his $25 entry fee into winnings equal to half the $1,300 prize pool. The rest of the money? 30% and $390 went to Rich R. for finishing 2^nd and 20% ($260) to David B for 3^rd. Pretty simple deal and you can take a shot for yourself in next month's Blackjack Tournament on Tuesday, June 10.

Let's Hear From You! To send us suggestions or comments, 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!

Kentucky Derby Saturday Plus Info on Over 15 May Events

In this week's blog: our owner's Horse running in Kentucky Derby (See Update Below), info on over 15 May events, win dinner in CV Steak, a $75,000 Giveaway and a bunch more!

Facebook Winner Plus Another Contest Today: "Shout out" to Becky Cohn Kendall who won two tickets to the Michael Martin Murphy Concert in our Facebook contest last week. In a "good karma" gesture, Becky is taking her friend Heather . . . who just happens to be the person who suggested she enter the contest! What's next? Check our Facebook Page today for an easy contest to win a Free Dinner for Two in CV Steak!

Cinco de Mayo at the CVI: Join us Monday, May 5 for Cinco de Mayo with 5X Points all day in the casino plus drawings at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. for a chance to win up to $5,000 instantly.  The casino bars are offering 16-Ounce Corona Light draft for $2 and Two Beef Tacos for $3.99. A few steps away, Katie's is serving $3.99 Chicken Enchiladas and $3.99 Beef Burritos.

Kentucky Derby Update: Graded stakes winner Hoppertunity, the 6-to-1 second choice on the morning line for the  140th Kentucky Derby, will be scratched from the first leg of the Triple Crown because of a problem with his left front foot, trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday.

Vroom, Vroom: Someone will win a Polaris Sportsman® 400 H.O tonight at the CVI!! Our thanks to the folks at Michael’s Cycle Works who were kind enough to provide one of these sporty units for display on our casino floor all month. Drawings are at 6 and 8 p.m. UPDATE: Lyndel G. of Gardnerville was the lucky winner who opted to leave the adventure to someone else and pocketed the $4,500 Cash option.

Are We Really Giving Away $75,000 in Cash? Yes – Guaranteed! Between the CVI and our sister property Bodines Casino we are giving away $75,000 in cash during May and June. That's a bundle of money and all the details are on this page!

Fun Events Coming in May: We routinely put together an extensive internal calendar so all of us at the CVI can try to keep up with "what's goin' on" around here. We thought you might like an edited version of just some of the many events (most with links) happening in May at or near the CVI. For those events nearby, perhaps you'll stop by before or after and enjoy some of our entertainment, food and hospitality!

• The Michael Martin Murphey Concert is this Thursday, May 1 in TJ's Corral Outdoor Events Center. Tickets are still available and the weather will be great!
• The Genoa Cowboy Festival is this Friday through Sunday in Genoa – same great weather.
• The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, May 3.  In case you missed our last few blogs, don't read the local paper, or have had blinders on: Keep your eye on Hoppertunity in the Derby this Saturday – the colt is owned by CVI owner, Mike Pegram! Oh, we really don't think any of our readers wear blinders, but some horses do while racing and we just took a stab at topical humor.
• Sweet Sippin Sundays start this Sunday, May 4 in Genoa.
• The NFL Draft is next week on May 8, 9 & 10. We only bring this up because the Draft marks the unofficial beginning of the 2014 Fantasy Football preseason for many local football fanatics!
• The Carson Valley Arts Council Tempest Celtic Rock Concert is Friday, May 9 at the CVIC Hall in Minden – less than a 5 minute walk from the Inn. Check out our Special Hotel Package.
• Big Mama's 9^th Annual Show & Shine Car Show is Saturday, May 10 in Lampe Park. 
• Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11 and we are offering specials in Katie's and CV Steak plus a  CVI Weekend Hotel Package.
• May 12 in CV Steak: OK, so this is not really an event as such. But we figure we can include whatever we want in our blog, so just a friendly reminder: Starting May 12, CV Steak is open 7-nights-a-week for the summer!
• The Monthly CVI Blackjack Tournament is Tuesday, May 13 with all the entry fees paid back out as prize money!
• The first 2014 Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walk is May 15 in the Gardnerville Main Street District. This is a great afternoon "tune up" for . . .
• The Oak Ridge Boys Concert is Thursday, May 15 in TJ's Corral Outdoor Events Center and tickets are selling fast with more tickets sold than there are remaining (HINT – get on the stick and get your tickets before we start our advertising blitz).
• The Action/Adventure Expo is Friday & Saturday, May 16 & 17 at the Fairgrounds Pavilion.
• The Preakness Stakes is Saturday, May 17 and we don't know yet if CVI owner Mike Pegram will have a horse running . . . but you can bet we'll let you know as soon as we know!
• The Minden Farmer’s Market Starts Tuesday, May 20 and continues on Tuesday evenings thru September on Esmeralda Street in Minden.
• The first GE Community Concert in Minden Park is Friday evening, May 30 featuring Heartache Tonight (A Salute to the Eagles).  The CVI is proud to be a series sponsor and the host hotel for all Community Concert performers.
• The CVI Food Truck Festival is Saturday, May 31 in and near TJ's Corral.
• More Concerts??: Of course - all the concerts are on this page.

Sous Chef Patrick Pierce's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is a Game Mix Grill with marinated Buffalo and Elk medallions, Venison and Rabbit Sausage and finished with a Brandy Cherry Demi-Glace for $29.00. As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato.

Talk to Us! To send us suggestions or comments 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. He or she will 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!

Free Four-Wheeler, Kentucky Derby News, Chili Cook-off & Craft Fair this Weekend

In this week's blog: Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair this weekend, what would you do with a free 4-wheeler?, two Kentucky Derby entries with two different owners from Douglas County.

What Would You Do with a Free 4-Wheeler? We don't know if this weekend's drawing winners will pick the $500 cash or a change to "go for" a free 4-wheeler . . . but we do guarantee that a free 4-wheeler (or $4,500 cash on the spot) will be given away at the grand prize drawings next Wednesday, April 30 at 6 & 8 p.m. "Where would I ride a 4-wheeler around here" you ask? Funny, we asked the same question and found that our Carson Valley Visitors Authority has a pretty good list of ATV/OHV Tours & Trails on their web site!

Carson Valley Sertoma Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair This Weekend:

The Carson Valley Sertoma Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair  takes two big steps forward this Saturday and Sunday with the return of the International Chili Society (ICS) chili cook-off competition and the expansion from our west parking lot to TJ's Corral Outdoor Event's Center and the adjacent parking area.  

• Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with live entertainment by "Carl & the Classics" from noon to 5:00 pm each day. Admission is free.
• Over two dozen cooks will be competing for cash prizes and to qualify for the ICS World Championship.  Each red chili cook will provide People's Choice Chili for tasting from 10am to 4pm. each day and Sertoma will sell tasting kits at $1.00 for 2 tastes or $5.00 for 10. Great way to warm up on a cool spring day! Green chili and salsa makers will also be on hand.
• The traditional Shoot & Holler contest (eat a jalapeno, shoot a shot of tequila and holler as loud as you can) will be held for adults and there will be games and contests for both adults and children. 
• Approximately 70 crafter booths will feature handcrafted items, jewelry, clothes, purses, wood crafted items, yard décor and bird houses, sunglasses, pet items, jams & jellies, spices, olives, jerky, salsa and much more. 
• Sertoma will be raising funds through their traditional Wheelbarrow of Booze raffle and by selling chili & chili-dogs, burgers, beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water. Sertoma supports local projects such as hearing aids, Backpack Buddies, the Senior Center, Carson Valley Community Food Closet, DAWG and scholarships for local students. 

Mike's Horses – and Steve and Carolyn's Horse, Also:

• Midnight Hawk finished 2^nd by a nose in last Saturday's $500,000 Illinois Derby. 
• Hoppertunity has already shipped to Churchill Downs and is still scheduled to run in the Kentucky Derby on May 3.
• To make the Derby even more of a "local interest" event this year: Steve and Carolyn Coburn, frequent guests at the Carson Valley Inn and south Douglas County residents, also have a horse running in the Kentucky Derby – the early favorite California Chrome. 
• We started calculating the odds of having two Kentucky Derby entries from two different owners in the same basically rural community in Nevada and . . . well, after applying every calculation and analysis in our tool box, this year the odds appear to be 100% if both horses stay fit and ready!

Concert Update:

• No new concerts to report this week, but we get a page up on our web site for the B. J. Thomas Concert on Thursday, July 10 . . . and all the concerts are now included on this concerts page.
• The Michael Martin Murphy Concert is coming up next week on Thursday, May 1.  BMI has confirmed that his song Wildfire is one of the most played songs in the history of radio. Take a moment to watch and listen to the lyrics of Wildfire as performed by Michael on the David Letterman Show . . . and then get your tickets and come on out and watch "Murph" and his Band in Concert next week live in TJ's Corral at the CVI!! 
• Facebook fans, here's a link to a post on our page - you can like, comment or share to get in on a drawing for two free Michael Martin Murphey Concert tickets!

In the Casino this Week:

• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge: George Pickard performs tonight, Stew Stewart appears Thursday through Saturday and Dale Poune takes the stage Sunday through next Wednesday. Known for his witty audience interaction and quips, Stew can always be humbled if you ask him about his dog who rules his life! Here is a link to the schedule for the next couple of months.
• Casino Promotions:
• Today:
• 3X points from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ladies Night 6 to 9 p.m.  First 150 ladies get Simply Tasteful Recipe Booklets and a Chi Tea Packet; Hot Seat winners get Simply Tasteful gift bags.
• Thursday: $3 Craps starting at 5 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: Four-Wheeler Promotion Giveaways at 5, 7 & 9 p.m.
• Monday:  Free 6-Pack of Pepsi or Diet Pepsi when earning 25 points (limit one).

 As always, some Interesting Information:

• We are half way through the re-carpeting of all of the rooms in the Motor Lodge – another of the seemingly endless and ongoing projects to freshen up every inch of the Carson Valley Inn.
• A few of us got a peak at some upcoming promotions (more next week) and we'll be giving away $75,000 in cash between the CVI and Bodines Casino during May and June.  We'll also be involved as the host hotel for the pilots and crew coming into town for the Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour on June 2 – 4 (hint – a chance to buy a ride in a B-17, B-52 or P-51).
• Sous Chef Patrick Pierce's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is Grilled Thresher Shark with Shrimp and Roasted Corn Salsa for $26.00 As with all CV Steak entrees, the Game-On Friday special also includes tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato. 

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

Have questions or comments? Post a comment below, shoot us an email using info @ carsonvalleyinn dot com 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. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!