$20,000 Guaranteed This Weekend, Free Jackets, More

Over $20,000 To Be Given Away this Weekend - Guaranteed! We don't get to make this kind of claim very often . . . So we are taking advantage of today's blog posting to SHOUT IT OUT!

• On Friday night we start with our progressive drawings at 5, 7 and 9 PM with a guaranteed winner of $12,000! Yep, one lucky INN Club member will get $12,000 and this one will go out half in cash and half in free play. Tell you what, give me $6,000 in cash to put my pocket and $6,000 more to run through any of the slots at the Carson Valley Inn . . . Heck, I'll come down and wait for the drawings and I'll do my best to get as many tickets accumulated as possible (Guest Services has all the details on how it works)!
• On Saturday night, we again have drawings at 5, 7 and 9 PM with $5,000 in cash guaranteed to be given away along with some more free play. Same entries that get you into the Friday drawings also get you in for Saturday.
• On Sunday, we reach the part where we must give away our Pro PK'EM progressive jackpot.
  
  We ended the year at a little under $5000 so we rounded up to $5000 and it has to go on Sunday's Super Bowl game. As we've explained before, the premise is very simple: there is a $5 parlay card and you can play as many of these cards as you wish. There are 15 proposition bets on the card, all based on Sunday's game. The first of the "props" will be settled on the coin flip, the last will be settled when we know what type of score is the last of the game. In between are 13 other "props" and whoever picks the most wins the jackpot (any ties split).  Enter at the CVI or Bodines . . . ya can't win if 'ya don't play!  

Super Weekend at the Inn: As if all the guaranteed money we mentioned above wasn't enough to make this a Super Weekend at the CVI there's more!

• Outside: Looks like the weather's going to be mostly sunny and in the 50s for our Saturday afternoon tailgate party in TJ's Corral from 1 to 4 PM. We'll have burgers and chili bowls for sale plus beer, soda and, if it's really cold, hot chocolate . Add in live music by The Blues Monsters (it's free!), shenanigans and stories with former NFL players and some drawing prizes and you have quite a nice party! Can't believe we're saying this in January, but don't forget your sunscreen!
• Inside: On Sunday, we'll fill out the squares pool in the poker room (the crew down there can tell you how it all works) . . . then up in the casino we'll give away some NFL hats and shirts during the afternoon (somehow without interfering with the game or the commercials), $2 draft beer will be available, bar snacks will be ready for delivery right to your seat and we'll be taking bets on the game right up to kickoff and again at halftime.  

Jackets & Jackpots in February:  Our Friday and Saturday night drawings take on a little different twist in February and we'll tell you more about that in next week's blog.  The Jackets part of our February promotions kick in on February 1 which is a good enough reason to tell you about it now. We're also hoping that by talking about jackets, we might entice some winter weather which produces moisture and, maybe even some snow . . . and maybe even the need for a jacket! Anyway, there are two ways to win a CVI Logo Jacket during February and there are multiple colors in both men's and women's styles.  INN Club members receive a jacket by earning 200 points on any Monday in February (you keep the points) and also with every slot jackpot of $1,200 or more any day in February.

Poker Room Adds More New Twists: We don't know what's gotten into the crew in the poker room but they've come up with even more new stuff for February on top of the ongoing special games, tournaments, and promotions. The February Friday Night Hot Seat Drawings are every 45 minutes from 6 to 9 PM. Each winner gets $25 in cash and a chance to spin the promotions wheel for cash, free points, restaurant certificates and more. On Saturdays from 1 to 6 PM, the high hand each hour also gets to spin the wheel. Monday nights in February starting on the 9th, drawings for $40 will be held at 6, 7 and 8 PM. Players will accumulate drawing tickets all the previous week for any hand of a full house or higher in live play. Any unclaimed $40 prizes on any Monday carry over to the following Monday. This one is kind of like a Monday Night Football squares pool but without the football game or squares grid! There's also a free $2,000 Poker Tournament coming up, but more on that next week.

Valentine's Day Dining at the INN: Now is the time that restaurants start posting their specials for Valentine's Day. Some places get quite elaborate, others keep it simple. We have a pretty straightforward approach here at the Carson Valley Inn: both Katie's and CV Steak offer all of the regular menu items at the regular prices on Valentine's Day plus, we have two fantastic specials in each restaurant. If you are the one making the dinner plans: CV Steak always fills completely on Valentine's Day so we suggest you make your reservations as soon as possible by calling 775-783-6650.

Event Reminders:

• Ski Weekend: Our special ski weekend package for arrival on Friday, February 6 includes two nights in the hotel, a day of skiing each at Kirkwood and Heavenly, dining credits for CV Steak or Katie's, and a warm CVI Logo sweatshirt for après ski lounging! Click here for more.
• Ducks Unlimited Carson Valley Chapter Dinner: This annual fundraiser will fill our Valley Ballroom on Saturday, February 14. Tickets and more information are available from Scott Shattock at 760-221-3431.
• Republican Lincoln/Reagan Dinner: This long-standing tradition at the CVI is Sunday, February 15 and the go-to person for all the details is Linda Ruisi at 775-392-1038.
• Clay Shooting in February: Still a few openings for our 2015 Clay Shooting Weekend February 19 – 21. All the information is on our web site.
• Eagles & Agriculture: February 20 – 22 and  we suggest you register soon as some events are already full. Get all the information by clicking here or call the Chamber at 775-782-8144. 

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

• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: George Pickard tonight, Just Us Thursday – Saturday nights, the Super Bowl Sunday afternoon and evening and Steve Lord Monday through Wednesday nights.
• Braised Buffalo Short Ribs This Friday in CV Steak: One and a half pounds of American Bison short ribs braised and slow-cooked, finished with natural pan sauce. Served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $$29.00.
• Wednesday Ladies' Night 5:30 to 8:30 PM: Get the 4^th collectible mug tonight and also enjoy hot seat drawings (four Wine Country Gift Baskets), ladies-only drink specials, a ladies-only slot tournament and more.
• Deflategate: That one's been kicked up one side and down the other this week so we aren't going there!

Comments? Have questions or comments about the CVI? Use the comments section below, shoot us an email or just pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department.  We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning! 

Hoppertunity Wins, Snow Dance Needed, BLM Wants Your Opinion, Savor the Flavor, More

Hoppertunity Wins San Pasqual Stakes!   Mike's horse Hoppertunity, ridden by Martin Garcia, gave Hall of Fame trainer and Mike's good friend Bob Baffert his fifth crown in last Saturday's $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita. Bob is one of the three finalists for the Trainer of the Year at this Saturday's Eclipse Awards ceremonies at Gulfstream Park in Florida. You may remember that Hoppertunity was scratched from the Kentucky Derby just days before the race last May with a small hoof crack. The colt has now won half of his eight career starts with two seconds.

Anyone Know a Good Snow Dance?  Actually, it really doesn't have to be "good" or even entertaining – just effective! The nearby Sierra skiing is good now, but the slopes will need a refreshed white coating in the next couple of weeks . . . Thus the request for a snow dance! And of course we have an ulterior motive: We have a specially priced ski weekend package for arrival on Friday, February 6! There's two nights in the hotel, two days of skiing (one each at Kirkwood and Heavenly), dining credits for CV Steak or Katie's, and a warm CVI Logo sweatshirt for après ski lounging! How does it all work? What is the cost? Click here and check it out!

A Hawk and an Eagle Decide to Race - Who Wins?  Different birds fly and dive at different speeds. You'll learn about all about it - and much more - at the annual Eagles and Agriculture event on February 20 – 22 with most of the indoor events right here at the Carson Valley Inn. There are also ranch tours, owl prowls, photography seminars, and, if everything goes like it usually does, plenty of opportunity to see and photograph the eagles and other raptors that visit the Carson Valley every February during the calving season. Get all the information from the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce by clicking here or calling them at 775-782-8144. And please don't wait too long . . . The most popular Eagles and Agriculture events usually sell out in advance.

BLM Wants Your Opinion – Here at the CVI: The Bureau of Land Management is asking for comments about its Carson City District Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The plan addresses areas of critical environmental concern, lands and realty, utility corridors, wind energy, travel management, recreation, fish and wildlife, minerals, wild and scenic rivers, public health and safety, and visual resource management. Three public meetings to review comments are coming up including one here in our Valley Ballroom from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 22. Copies of the documents are available in the Carson City District Office or at this link. How big is the Carson City District?  Try approximately 4.8 million acres (bigger than the size of New Jersey) of public land in 11 counties within two states!

Soroptimist Savor the Flavor: We mentioned this event in last week's blog and a few people asked us what it's all about. Pretty simple . . . It's an evening of fine wines, microbrews and spirits! Enjoy all you want of food samplings from almost a dozen area restaurants and wash it down with a variety of wines and microbrews – it's all included in the $50 ticket price! The 19th Annual Savor the Flavor is here in our Valley Ballroom on Saturday, January 24 and it's produced proudly by Soroptimist International of Carson Valley to raise funds for the many community organizations they support. More information is available by calling Jeri at 775-771-6432.

Winter Weekend for Two Still Up for Grabs: Great response so far to the note we had in last week's blog about this giveaway!! As a reminder, you can win a Deluxe room for two for Friday and Saturday nights, February 4 and 5 plus $100 in Dining Credit for use during your stay in any of our restaurants.  To enter to win this complimentary weekend visit, simply click here and send us an email with your name. We'll choose a winner this coming Tuesday and announce the winner in our blog on Wednesday, January 20. One entry per email address, please.

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

• Monthly Blackjack Tournament Winners: David Myers captured first place and won $590 in our first monthly blackjack tournament of 2015 last night. The remainder of the pot went $350for second to Teresa Sexton and  $235 for third to Diana Plavala. The next tournament is Tuesday, February 10 and the entry is just $25.
• Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Greg Austin tonight, Decades Thursday – Saturday night, NFL Divisional Championship Games daytime Sunday, Dale Poune Sunday through Wednesday nights. Decades presents a vibrant and diverse act from Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" to Katy Perry’s “California Girls."  The energetic young group's harmonies and energized rhythm section truly shine when playing hits from the 1950's to today.
• Roasted Stuffed Quail Friday in CV Steak: with prosciutto, wild rice and plum port glaze, served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable all for $28.00.
  
• Wednesday Ladies' Night 5:30 to 8:30 PM: Tonight and every Wednesday in January we're giving away a different collectible mug to the first 150 ladies who sign up. We also have ladies-only drink specials, a ladies-only slot tournament, hot seat prizes and more.
• Pro PK'em Progressive Jackpot Update: Another week without a winner so the pot goes up to $4684 and we try again with this weekend's two NFL Conference Championship. It's just $5 per parlay card - pick all 15 propositions and you win progressive jackpot.
• Super Weekend Kickoff: We're working on the final details for a Tailgate Party on Saturday, January 31 from 1 to 4 PM in TJ's Corral with entertainment by The Blues Monsters, food and drinks for sale, former NFL players on hand and more . . . watch for details in next week's blog.

Comments? Have questions or comments about the CVI? Use the comments section below, shoot us an email or just pick up the phone and call us @ 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automated voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator who can get you to the correct person or department.  We have a lot more coming up at the Carson Valley Inn so check our Blog posting every Wednesday morning!

Bring Men to a Bridal Fair?? Also, a Special Ski Weekend Package, More on Our Concerts

In this week's blog: More on our upcoming concerts, a special ski weekend package, our Clay Shooting Outing and Eagles & Ag this weekend, our Bridal Fair Sunday and more! PLUS – feel free to post your comments to this week's blog - but let us know who your are.

Ski Weekend: We have a specially priced Ski Package for the weekend of February 28 - March 2 with accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights, two days of skiing (Heavenly Tahoe and Kirkwood, a $50 per person food credit for use in CV Steak or Katie's and a CVI Logo Sweatshirt for après ski lounging. Get the details here or call our Reservations folks at 775-783-6629. Can't make it that weekend? Check out all of our "anytime" ski packages at this link.

Eagles and Ag: Congratulations to the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce for selling out most of the activities for this weekend's annual Eagles and Agriculture! Eagles & Ag is the Carson Valley's annual celebration of the interaction between our habitat that our cattle ranches provide and the eagles that come here during the calving season…it's 4 days of tours, workshops and events for any wildlife lover, admirer of the ranching life or history buff. If you missed it this year, put it on your radar to sign up in January 2015! Call the Chamber at 775-782-8144. Oh, thanks John Humphrey for the picture taken earlier this week.

Clay Shooting Weekend: Our Annual Clay Shoot is this weekend with a Thursday reception, sporting clays on Friday at Walker River Resort and Saturday at Carson Valley Clays, and a Saturday banquet.  As with over 100 golf groups each year, we are also headquarters for a number of different clay shooting events – let us know if you are interested in a trip our way for your group. Check this link for more information or call Bill at 775-783-6624.

Bridal Fair This Sunday - Bring the Men?: The Carson Valley Inn Bridal Fair is this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Valley Ballroom and admission is free! Produced in conjunction with "The Entertainer," the event features a variety of wedding vendors, free wedding related seminars, free refreshments and prize drawings and tours of our rooms and suites. The guys? Bring them! We have a special "VIP Room" for the grooms and fathers to hang out and enjoy a cocktail while watching an NBA game and perhaps planning a bachelor party. Plus, they are nearby if you need them to help make a decision . . . or enthusiastically support a decision you've already made!  Here's a link to all the details or  call Carrie at 775-783-6673.

This Friday's Game Dinner Special: Our Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak this Friday is Braised Buffalo Short Ribs – one pound of American Bison short ribs braised and slow cooked, finished with natural pan sauce. 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 – all for $28.00.

Concert Update: As a follow-up to last week's announcement on some of our upcoming 2014 concerts in the Valley Sky Theatre, we now have links to the full schedule and an information page for each event. More information will be added to each page as it is available: Michael Martin Murphy (May 1), Oak Ridge Boys (May 15), Eddie Money (June 21) and The Charlie Daniels Band (August 29). 

What's in the Bag? The hot seat winners at tonight's Ladies' Night festivities from 6 to 9 p.m. will receive a scarf, beanie and glove set – that's what's in the bag (see it now?). Deanna and Julie will be handing out a candle holder with votive to the first 150 ladies who show up - and 20 of these will also have Free play as a bonus!  Ladies Night Bingo games are at 6:45, 7:30 & 8:15 p.m. with the first 2 games "paying" $50 in Freeplay and the last game paying $100 Cash. 

Keeping You Posted:

·        New Bar in the Convention Center:  We did get started this week and will have updates in the next few weeks.

·        Dollar Video Poker Progressive: It's now up and running on the front slots at CV Steak Bar. Jackpot was approaching $5,000 yesterday.

·        5 Million Point Giveaway: It's coming up in March all the details are in our March player mailer - plus we'll have more in next week's Wednesday blog.

·        Super Sunday Parlay Card $2,500 Winner: we are still waiting for the second $2,500 winner to claim his or her prize.

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 about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 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!

Is Elvis Still Alive? We Know Someone Who Knows!

We are in the heart of  Elvis Week here at the Carson Valley Inn, so today's posting has some interesting Elvis related tidbits, info on how you can win two free tickets to the Flamingo's Concert on January 17 or a free ski weekend on January 24 and 25 and some insight into the Pro Pick'em leftover jackpot . . .

Is Elvis Still Alive? This is actually the most common question asked of Dave Hebler, a former Elvis bodyguard who will be part of the Elvis Week festivities in the Cabaret Lounge this Wednesday through Saturday. Dave's primary responsibility was the personal safety of Elvis at home as well as at recording sessions, personal appearances, concert tours and various recreational activities. Dave also taught Elvis martial arts and, with two other Elvis bodyguards, was one of the three collaborators on the book Elvis What Happened?  Over the years, Dave has fielded literally thousands of Elvis questions with the most common being - Is Elvis Still Alive? No questions are off limits for Dave who has first-hand Elvis insights known by only a very few!  He also shares some interesting and often funny stories about Elvis that you may not have heard before. Dave had some truly great times and outrageous experiences with the man who was not only the greatest entertainer who ever lived but, per Dave, one of the best persons as well.

Backed by the CVI band, Brian Andrews performs as Elvis Wednesday through Saturday in the Cabaret Lounge twice each night with Dave's Q &A sessions in-between.  A jam session featuring fifties and sixties music and plenty of Elvis tunes wraps up each night. Be sure to check out all the Elvis Week activities on our web site.

Here's the straight scoop on the Progressive Pro Pick'em contest: We had one winner during the regular season, the pot is back up to $4,360 and we have to (MUST is a better way to say it) give away the progressive jackpot by Super Bowl weekend at the latest. The special $5 parlay card has 15 picks for the four NFL games this Saturday and Sunday. We are really trying to make it easy – picks include Winners, First Half Winners (first half ties win both ways), First Score type (touchdown or field goal) and Over/Unders (we made 'em even numbers so if the score lands on that number, both bets win). Play as many cards as you want for just $5 each . . . pick 'em all and win the jackpot (ties split)! If the Progressive doesn't hit this weekend, the pot increases based on the number of bets this week and we'll put it out again next week for the Conference Championships. Entries are accepted until 8 a.m. Sunday during any hours the Sports and Race Book is open at the Carson Valley Inn or Bodines Casino. Complete contest details are available at the Inn's Sports and Race Book.

About winning the two free Flamingo's Concert Tickets or a Free Ski Weekend: Keep an eye on our Facebook page this week as we'll be posting a couple of free-to-enter contests. One is for a Free Ski Weekend on January 24 & 25 and the other is for a pair of tickets to the Flamingos Concert on Friday, January 17. It's a pretty simple "like, share or comment to enter" process, so don't miss out. 

Have questions or comments about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 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!

News and Views from the Carson Valley Inn

Happy New Year! The Carson Valley Inn Blog is up and running! We'll be making regular postings to relate what's going on at the Carson Valley Inn and, when possible, we'll share some behind-the-scenes information about the CVI. Today, a few musings about Elvis, flights to warm climates, income taxes, outdoor entertainment (no, not now – in the summer!), our Pro Pick'em jackpot and skiing . . .

In this blog posting, you'll see certain words become underlined when you hover over them – these can be clicked upon to take you directly to the appropriate page on our web site.

Our January Promotions, January Katie's Dinner Specials and information on our 2014 Elvis Week are all on our web site.  The Cash and Getaways promotion will have plenty of winners and you might as well be one (or more) of 'em! A Southwest Airlines flight to somewhere warm would certainly be welcomed by most folks this time of year . . . and there's also a cruise and freeplay and cash!  We have a new twist to Elvis Week this year with one of Elvis' former bodyguards and his martial arts instructor (same guy!) on hand to answer questions about "The King."  Dave Hebler is his name and we'll give you a little more about him in next week's blog posting.

A common question we get this time of year has to do with a obtaining a gaming win/loss statement from the CVI for tax preparation purposes (yep – it's just about that time again!).  We have a pretty simple procedure and details are on the form you can obtain by clicking here. This brings up a good point: We suggest you always use your INN Club card when playing in the casino at the Carson Valley Inn. Using your card is the only way we can capture what you'll need for that all-important win/loss report.

Our Entertainment Manager, Stew Stewart, has been working on concerts for our new outdoor Valley Sky Theatre and we will be announcing some of these concerts soon. The information will be on the Valley Sky Theatre web page so check back often. Speaking of entertainment, The McBride Brothers are performing in our Cabaret Lounge nightly through Saturday and they won't start Saturday until after the evening NFL Playoff game. As a reminder, all CVI Cabaret Lounge entertainment is presented with no cover charge and no drink minimum . . . it's just plain FREE!

If you happen to be a skier, why not take advantage of one of our attractive hotel ski packages!  Already have one of those incredible Epic Passes that get you on to the local Vail Resorts trio of Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar? We can still help you out with special room rates for Epic Pass Holders.

Our Progressive Pro Pick'em wound up the regular NFL season with a Jackpot of $4,266 not-yet-won. It's someone's to win, so our Race and Sports Book Manager Walt Matson is carrying it over into the NFL Playoffs!  Walt and his crew came up with a $5 parlay card with 15 picks for the first round of the NFL Playoffs this weekend: There are Winners, First Half Winners (remember, ties count on both sides), Point Totals, First Score type, etc. Play as many cards as you want . . . pick 'em all and win the jackpot! Oh, if more than one person wins, the pot is split! If the Progressive doesn't hit this weekend, the pot increases based on the number of bets this week and we'll put it out again next week. Entries are accepted until 8 a.m. Sunday during any hours the Sports and Race Book is open. 

Have a question or comment about the Carson Valley Inn? Send us an email using info at carsonvalleyinn dot com.  Please also feel free to call us at 775-782-9711. Hit "0" when the automatic voice comes on and you'll go right to the hotel operator. He or she will get you to the correct person or department!

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