Carson Valley Inn

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

CVI Best of Carson Valley,$10,000 Guaranteed Giveaway Tuesday,Candy Dance Shuttle, More

We're Number One! Blah, blah, blah . . . any company can hype or "twist" the facts or numbers to make the We're Number One claim in one area or another. In this case, we're just reporting what the 40,000+ votes in The Record Courier's Best of Carson Valley poll will show this Friday: The Carson Valley Inn won a whopping 19 awards – ten for 1st place and the other nine for 2^nd or 3^rd. Wow – we are honored! We'll proudly put these 19 kudos next to our 2014 Best Casino in Nevada award as voted by the print and online readers of Nevada Magazine!

September $10,000 Cash Giveaway Drawings Conclude Next Tuesday: We're bringing September to an end Inn Style next Tuesday evening by giving away the rest of our guaranteed $10,000 between the Carson Valley Inn and Bodine's casino. CVI drawings are at 6 & 8 p.m.

The annual Genoa Candy and Craft Faire is this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. As a friendly reminder, downtown Genoa is closed to through traffic from 7 a.m. to early evening both days so you'll have to use Jacks Valley Road if you are heading to either of the Genoa Lakes golf courses. To help make it easier for you to attend the event, the Town of Genoa is running Shuttle Service between the Carson Valley Inn and Genoa during the Candy Dance hours. The fare is $3 round trip, payable to the driver.

Speaking of Genoa, our friends at Getaway Reno/Tahoe ran a great blog about Genoa last week and we are pleased share it with you along with the above video on Genoa.

Update on Scheduled Bus Service between Reno Airport and Carson Valley: We spoke to the folks at Amador Stage Lines a few days ago and they are still on target to start this service in early November. The schedule is just about finalized and there will be four round-trips 7 days a week between the Carson Valley and Reno (both the airport and downtown). They hope to have complete details finalized in about 10 days.

This Part's About Golf:

Golf Joke Contest Winner: Congratulations to Darrell Schue of Lake Tahoe who won a spot on the Divine Nine Golf Media Tour next Tuesday with the golf joke he submitted in the Hooked on Golf contest we mentioned the last two weeks. We got a chance to look at the top half-dozen jokes and, as you might expect with golf jokes, they were all quite humorous . . . and most a little too risqué for our blog.
This is No Joke: What we can and will mention is the incredible popularity the Carson Valley Inn enjoys as headquarters for about 100 different golf groups each year. We arrange all of the tee times, food and beverage functions, side trips for the non-golfers, etc. Many groups have already booked for 2015 and we'd welcome the opportunity to learn more about your group. Click here for a starting look at our golf package approach and then give Greg a call at 775-783-6615 for more information!

Events at the Inn: The Business Council of Douglas County Critical Issues Conference is sold out for this Thursday but there are still tickets available for the Douglas County Republican Women Dinner & Fashion Show this Saturday. Call Janet at 775-267-2991. The playing spots are now all filled for the Bunko for Breast Cancer fundraising event on Saturday, October 11. If you'd like to get on a waiting list, or to make a donation to the cancer center or provide a prize for the event, contact Pamela at 775-215-1027. There are many more community events coming up in our Valley Ballroom this fall and we will continue to mention them here in our blog. If you are interested in holding a banquet, Christmas party, meeting, seminar or other function in our convention center, please call Carrie at 775-783-6673.

Interesting, Helpful and Occasionally Even Useful Tidbits and News:

Mike's Horses: Global Hottie returned from a 10-month break to win the feature race for California-bred fillies and mares at Los Alamitos last Thursday. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Global Hottie has two wins in three career starts. West coast thoroughbred racing now shifts to the L.A. area as the fall season starts at Santa Anita Park this weekend. It's all leading up to the Breeders' Cup races at Santa Anita on October 31 and November 1. Remember, we have full pari-mutuel horse betting at both the Carson Valley Inn and Bodines Casino. Bet the horses, watch the races, have a snack delivered to your seat and then go through the cycle again when the football games start!
Progressive Pro PK'em Jackpot: the pot is now hovering at $3000 for this weekend's games . . . simply pick the card's 15 NFL winners straight up and the jackpot is yours. It's just $5 and you can enter as often as you like!
Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: George Pickard appears tonight, After Dark entertains Thursday – Saturday, NFL Football fills the Cabaret Sunday and Monday nights and Paul Covarelli takes the stage Tuesday and Wednesday.
This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Roasted Stuffed Quail with Prosciutto, Wild Rice and Cherry Port glaze served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $27.00!
Ladies' Night –Tonight! Each of tonight's Hot Seat winners will receive a gift basket from World Market and the first 150 ladies to check in tonight will receive a specially made CVI logo cookie from the local Chocolate Shoppe in Gardnerville.

Your Turn to Talk to Us! Use the comments section below and let us know your comments, suggestions or questions. You can also 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!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Clay Shoot Weekend, New Visitors Guide, Lots More

2015 Clay Shoot Details Set: We've lined up all the details and have the registration form ready for our 2015 Clay Shooting Weekend on February 19 – 21 and we hope you'll check it out. There's a Thursday reception, Friday sporting clays at Walker River Resort, Saturday sporting clays at Carson Valley Clays, a Saturday Awards Dinner and some new twists this year.Not a clay shooter? Please pass this along to a friend or relative who enjoys this sport!

Deadlines are Imminent for:

Golf Joke Contest Deadline is Noon Today to Win 3 nights at CVI & 3 Rounds of Golf: Quick - go to this link for the details and send your best golf joke by noon today! We guarantee the winner will have an experience you won't soon forget – for more on the "fun" part, scroll down and read last Wednesday's Blog.
The Annual Bunko for Breast Cancer Party is just over 3 weeks away and the deadline for getting your official t-shirt is coming up even sooner – this Friday, September 19! All t-shirt funds raised will be go directly to Carson Tahoe Resource Center for Bunko for Breast Cancer.

The Northern California PGA Chapter held their Northern California Senior Open Championship at nearby Clear Creek Tahoe earlier this week and congratulations to Shawn McEntee, a PGA instructor at Chardonnay Golf Club who won by one stroke over Stuart Smith, Director of Golf at Somersett Golf and Country Club in Reno. What does this have to do with the Carson Valley Inn? For starters, many of the participants including the winner stayed here at the CVI on Sunday and Monday – another of the 100ish golf groups who headquarter at the CVI each year. Also, this is a good reason to remind all of our golfing guests there is still time to enjoy golf at Clear Creek Tahoe this year if you are staying at the CVI. Call Greg at 775-783-6615 for more on golf group packages or access to Clear Creek!

A CV Steak Did Ya Know? CV Steak at the Carson Valley Inn is the only restaurant in our area that offers tableside tossed salad – and it's included with every entrée!! Choose our house-made special dressing (sure, we'll let you taste it first) or a dressing of your choice – it's the last thing to go on before the tossing begins. Our tip for a relatively unusual and exceptionally special CV Steak appetizer? The Salmon Tartare – try it! While not mandatory, reservations are always suggested and sometimes necessary for CV Steak – call today at 775-783-6650.

Four Ways to Check Out the new Carson Valley Visitors Guide! This very new (came from the printer Monday) 42-page Guide is full of information about all there is to do, experience, see and enjoy in the beautiful Carson Valley. Check it out in one of these ways:

To read the guide online, Click Here. thesr is also an option to download a PDF file,
To request one by mail, Click Here.
Stop by the Carson Valley Inn Bell Desk or the Carson Valley Visitors Authority and pick one up in person!

Don't Just Talk the Talk . . . Walk the Walk!

Walk for Wine: The season's last Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walk is tomorrow from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the theme is "Happy Birthday Nevada!" Register at the Town of Gardnerville Offices or Stratton Center North near Big Daddy’s Bike Shop and enjoy the wine stops at many of our local merchants.
Walk for Health: Enjoy the great trails system in the Carson Valley Hike for Health Trail Adventure Day this Saturday, September 20.

Poker Fun to Help Basketball Programs: Stop by our Valley Ballroom this Saturday night and jump in on the special poker tournament to benefit the Douglas High School basketball program. Just $40 gets you in and prizes are $500 for first place and $250 for second place. For more information, call Steve Walsh at 267-4321.

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

Progressive Pro PK'em Jackpot Climbs: As you might expect from the upsets the first two weeks, our Progressive Pro PK'em Jackpot hasn't hit yet. $2,825 is now up for grabs – simply pick the winners straight up of the 15 NFL Games on the card and the jackpot is yours . . . just $5 and a shot, enter as often as you want!
Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Steve Lord appears tonight, Lisa-Marie Johnston entertains Thursday – Saturday, NFL Football fills the Cabaret Sunday and Monday nights and George Pickard takes the stage Tuesday and Wednesday. Lisa Marie Johnston ("LMJ") is a singer & songwriter from Oakland who blends country, Americana and blues into a unique style she calls "Stomp and Groove." A regular in the Fillmore Poster Room at the historic Fillmore West in San Francisco, she has also played venues in New York City and New Orleans. Joining Lisa this weekend are Arion Salazar (Third Eye Blind) on bass, Isaac Bolivar (Taking Back Sunday) on guitar and John Morales (Ten Mile Tide) on drums.
Don't Duck this Punch Next Time: If you passed on last Saturday's boxing in TJ's Corral because you saw the words "collegiate" or "exhibition" or "amateur," . . . consider that your "oops" for the month. All the bouts were quite exciting with two being won by TKO and one by knockout. Our thanks goes out to all the boxers, trainers, coaches, judges, referees, announcer and ringside doctors who conducted the day just like any professional card. When this event pops up next year, mark it on your calendar and don't miss it!
Reminder: Coach Brian Polian's Wolf Pack Blitz lunch at the Carson Valley Inn originally scheduled for this coming Monday, September 22 will now be on Monday, November 3.
Ladies' Night –Tonight! Each of tonight's Hot Seat winners will receive a surprise gift basket (Julie was still assembling them when we wrote this last night) and the first 150 ladies to check in tonight will receive an acrylic cup with lid & straw. Local merchants interested in getting involved in our Ladies' Night promotion; please contact Stephanie at 775-783-7711. We gather six hot seat prizes and 150 of something every week!
Next time you see our dealer D.J. in the Poker Room, ask him about his golf game!

A Look Ahead:

The Carson Valley Inn won a whole bunch of Best of Carson Valley awards in The Record Courier's recent poll and we are sworn to secrecy until the official announcement . . . but we will leak some of the info next Wednesday.
The Carson Valley Visitors Authority's new online Interactive Map is almost ready – we'll let you know more as soon as some of the final details are tweaked.

We'd Like to Hear from You! Use the comments section below and let us know your comments, suggestions or questions. You can also 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!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Win a 3-Night Golf Trip to CVI, Boxing this Saturday, More

Win 3 Nights at the CVI and 3 Rounds of Golf - No Joke!! If you are a golfer, you definitely want to read this one. Your best golf joke can win you exactly what the headline states and more. One of the rounds of golf is part of the Divine 9 Golf Media Tour on Tuesday, September 30. On the surface, it's a round of golf. However, it is one of the most unique rounds of golf you will ever play: two holes at each of nine area courses - all in one day! You start with breakfast at o dark thirty, the bus leaves at dawn and you'll be joining a dozen media types who will be writing about, tweeting, blogging, or recording the day's events to help promote the courses and lodging in our area. This day is not for the feeble. It's long, the crowd gets loud towards the end of the day, and there's no time for practice swings or whining. There are plenty of liquid refreshments on the bus, lunch and snacks are included, and everyone gathers for dinner at the JT Restaurant and Bar after the last two holes at the end of the day - and it's all included. Sound like something you'd enjoy? Here's how you enter: Go to this link for the details and then just send your best golf joke by noon on Wednesday, September 17. We guarantee the winner will have a golf and social experience you won't soon forget.

The Collegiate and Amateur Boxing card in TJ's Corral this Saturday starts at 4 p.m. and tickets are just $10 . . . get 'em online or at the hotel desk. Catch boxers from Nevada, Airforce Academy, Cal and Washington as they tune up for the 2015 season. You'll see 2014 National Champions and National finalists in action and have a chance to meet the Nevada Boxing coaches and some of the Nevada Boxing alumni.

Was that the Real Billy Joel? If you thought you heard Billy Joel singing in TJ's Corral last Saturday . . . it wasn't the real Billy Joel! We had a summer BBQ for our INN Club members with a Billy Joel Tribute Act as the evening's entertainment. Why point this out? It's just another reminder to use your INN Club card whenever you play at the CVI. All the invites to this event went to folks who had earned a certain level of points in the past few months and, the best part: No points were charged to attend the event! We have more of these events coming up . . . so please always use your card!

100 Days 'Til Ski Season: Actually, as of today, there are 72 days 'til ski season . . . because we are just now getting around to including this link to the "100" list that our friends at Heavenly Lake Tahoe send us on August 13. So, you can go through the first 28 days on fast-forward and pick up from today, scan thru all 100, or pick 'n' choose as you wish. No matter how you shake it, Ski Season is on the horizon and the Carson Valley Inn will be posting our 2014/15 Ski Packages soon! And for the record: we're going to take a swipe at the day-71 tip as soon as it warms up today!

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

We mentioned a lot of the details of our NFL Football Promotions last week but forgot to remind you that that our Bar Bites Snacks are available during all games (because they are served 24/7) and we invite you to check out the offerings at This Link. Nothing like having food delivered to your seat while you watch sports at the CVI!
Speaking of Football - After Further Review: Nevada Football's first 2-0 start since 2010 has everyone pumped up at the University of Nevada and "things" are happening fast . . . including a change in date for Coach Brian Polian's Wolf Pack Blitz lunch at the Carson Valley Inn. Originally scheduled for September 22, the trip to Minden by the Coach and Athletic Department staff will now be on Monday, November 3. All other details are the same: The cost is $17 per person and advance reservations are a must through the University of Nevada Athletic Department at 775-682-6901.
This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Seared and Braised Antelope with Cranberry Port Glaze and Smoked Potato Croquettes, served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for just $26.00!
Congratulations to last night's winners in our September Blackjack Tournament as the top 3 finishers shared the prize pool of $1250. Mickey Bennett finished first for $625. Second place and $375 was won by Joshua Gutierrez. The $250 for third place went to Ron Perreira. It's just a $25 buy-in and the next monthly tournament is Tuesday, October 14.
Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Dale Poune appears tonight, The Vegas Road Show entertains Thursday – Saturday, NFL Football fills the Cabaret Sunday and Monday nights and Steve Lord takes the stage Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ladies' Night –Tonight! Each of tonight's Hot Seat winners will receive a Cosmetic Travel

Bag filled with goodies assembled by Julie and Stephanie. And the first 150 ladies to check in tonight will receive a deco-magnet (some pictured). Remember, if you are a local merchant interested in getting involved in our Ladies' Night promotion, please contact Stephanie at 775-783-7711. We are looking for six hot seat prizes and 150 of something smaller every week!
A reminder about two big events in our Valley Ballroom this Weekend:

The Sierra Nevada Republican Women “September 11” Dinner is Friday evening. Tickets for this official NV Sesquicentennial event are available thru Nancy, 775-267-6937.
The Friends of the NRA dinner is Saturday and last minute tickets are available through Blayne at 775-450-2349.

What's On Your Mind? 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!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Ten September Activities, Community Events at the CVI, Bakery Topples Blog Writers, Much More

Sunset at the Charlie Daniels Band Concert Courtesy of Brian Aspenleiter

A September Top Ten! September is the ideal time to stay at the CVI and enjoy our area's recreation and adventure. Here are just a few of our suggestions:

Go Soaring at Minden-Tahoe Airport (775-782-9595)
Experience Skydiving (on your bucket list?) at Minden-Tahoe Airport (775-790-7602)
Marvel at The Fall Colors in Hope Valley on Hwy 88
Take A Hike on one of the many Carson Valley Trails (775-782-8145)
View Lake Tahoe from above with a Hot Air Balloon Ride (775-790-7572)
Take a Walking Tour of Minden's Historic District (775-782-8145)
Stroll thru Nevada's oldest settlement with a Walking Tour of Genoa (775-782-8145)
Take home one of the top three cash prizes in the CVI Monthly Blackjack Tournament this coming Tuesday, Sep. 9
Sip Wine & Visit Local Shops at the Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walk on Sep. 18 (775-782-8027)
Feast on a Fantastic Dinner in CV Steak!

Our Community Comes Together at the CVI! Our Valley Ballroom is in the spotlight this fall with many of our community's most prestigious organizations holding annual events. As always, one of the benefits of holding these events at the Carson Valley Inn is the assistance we often lend in getting the word out (space available, of course). Some of the upcoming events (all numbers are area code 775): Sierra Nevada Republican Women 911 Dinner on Friday Sep. 12, an official NV Sesquicentennial event (Nancy, 267-6937), Friends of the NRA Dinner on Sat., Sep., 13 (Blayne, 450-2349), Douglas County Republican Women Dinner & Fashion Show on Sat., Sep. 27 (Janet, 267-2991), Business Council of Douglas County Critical Issues Conference on Thu., Sep. 25 (Renea, 782-6715), Bunko for Breast Cancer on Sat. Oct. 11 (Pamela, 215-1027), D.A.W.G. Celebrity DAWG Pound Dinner & Comedy Show on Sat., Oct. 18 (Allison, 267-7325) and A Touch of Class Show on Oct. 23 – 25 (Sue, 265-1097). To book your next event, convention, reception, meeting or reunion at the CVI, call Carrie at 775-783-6673.

Please Don't Forget these Two Events Coming This Month:

Garrett Felling at Nevada
Boxing Hall of Fame
Induction Last Month

The Collegiate and Amateur Boxing in TJ's Corral on September 13 presents a great opportunity to see some National Collegiate Boxing Association Champions in action including Nevada boxer Garrett Felling who won the NCBA boxing title last spring at 185 pounds and Jacob Berggren who captured the NCBA 139-pound championship title over Nevada's JJ Mariano. You'll also get a chance to meet the Nevada Boxing coaches and many Nevada Boxing alumni, a caring brotherhood of now successful businessmen who continue to keep the sport alive and well. Tickets are just $10 and are available online.
Nevada Coach Brian Polian's Visit is less than three weeks away so plan now to attend his Nevada Wolf Pack Blitz buffet lunch here at the CVI on Monday, September 22. The cost is $17 per person and advance reservations are a must through the University of Nevada Athletic Department. Please call 775-682-6901 by Friday, September 19.

CVI Bakers 2, CVI Blog Writers 0:

They Threw a Cupcake at Me! Last week we mentioned a great deal for September: 50% off

when paying with points in Katie's on Tuesday's from 2 – 10 p.m. We also mentioned that on Mondays in September, when you earn 125 points that day, you can just swing by the casino kiosk and swipe your card for a Free Omelet or Free $6.99 Platter that same day. About an hour after last week's blog went live, a couple of the bakers showed up in the Blog Office and pelted us with cupcakes. Good thing for us the cupcakes are always fresh and thus the damage was more embarrassment than the "ouch" which would come from a stale cupcake. The reason for the onslaught? We forgot to mention that every Monday in September all bakery items at the Katie's counter are 50% off when paying with points!
And Then They Attacked Our Waistlines! A day later, a frequent CVI Guest Reggie Gold asked an innocent question on our Facebook Page inquiring about what flavor of pies we would have that weekend. Foolishly, one of us went down to the bakery to ask. A half hour later we had been sweet-talked into tasting all of the weekend's offerings and the result?? Not even a dent could be made with 50 minutes on the treadmill that night!
Bottom Line: Our bakery operates seven days a week making the cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and other goodies served in our restaurants and sold at the bakery display at the entrance to Katie's. Order is advance for birthdays, anniversaries, office or home open houses or receptions, holidays, or any special occasion. The heavy volume of sales assures freshness and, as we found out, if you try to eat a whole room full of this stuff (way past the "moderation" level) by yourself, it will require a few extra minutes on the treadmill . . .but it's worth it!!

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

NFL Football Starts This Weekend and we're all set with Parlay Cards, our Progressive Pro Pick'em where you pick the NFL games without a point spread, beer specials during all NFL Games including Bud & Bud Light draft beer for just $2 and $1 off all other Anheuser-Busch draft beers, Monday Night Football drawings and more!
We are in touch weekly with the folks at Amador Stage Lines as they work out the details for Scheduled Bus Service between Reno Airport and Carson Valley. Their web site should be coming soon with rates, schedules and a more definitive starting date.
Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Jonathan "JB" Barton appears tonight, Steppen Stonz entertains Thursday – Saturday, NFL Football fills the Cabaret Sunday and Monday nights and Dale Poune takes the stage Tuesday and Wednesday.
This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Grilled Game Brochette with marinated Buffalo and Antelope, Venison and Alligator Sausage finished with a red wine demi and served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $28.00!
Ladies' Night –Tonight! Each of tonight's Hot Seat winners will receive a Gift Basket from

The Blue Cow - a relatively new Gourmet Food Shop in The Record Courier center offering custom gift baskets and a wide array of food goodies and gifts for every foodie and cheese lover in your life. Oh, and the first 150 ladies to check in tonight will receive a lucky stone paperweight. If you are a local merchant interested in getting involved in our Ladies' Night promotion, please contact Stephanie at 775-783-7711. We are always looking for a few hot seat prizes and 150 of something – every week!
Speaking of Gift Baskets: We saw the list of some of the Gift Baskets that will be auction prizes at the Bunko for Breast Cancer event in our Valley Ballroom on Saturday, October 11.Those dedicated ladies at GE are VERY creative!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You . . .

. . . for making the Charlie Daniels Band Concert a sell out and an overwhelming success. At the top of today's blog is just one of the hundreds of stunning photos taken that night as the sun set in spectacular fashion over the Sierra Range. Thanks to Brian Aspenleiter of Minden Grill Company for sending us this one!

. . . for supporting the recent Austinpalooza which raised $7,435 for Austin's House. Left to right in the picture: Derek McReavy, Julie Keller and Chad Cox (all GE); Conrad Buedel, Austin's House; Bill Henderson and Stew Stewart (Carson Valley Inn).

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

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Football Returns, Chris Young Video, Half Off Tuesdays, Another Throw Back Thirty Picture

Football Season is Here! Yesterday the season's first Parlay Card came out at the

Sports Book and it's all College this week with 41 games from which to choose. Starting next Thursday, the NFL returns and we're ready with:

Our Progressive Pro Pick'em offers a special $5 parlay card each week with all the NFL games and you pick winners without a point spread. Pick 'em all and win a minimum of $2,500 (ties split)!
During all NFL Games, Bud & Bud Light draft beer is just $2 and all other Anheuser-Busch draft beers are $1 off.
Monday Night Football drawings are held for items such as NFL hats, CVI shirts, Budweiser merchandise and other prizes.
Also every Monday: two guests will be drawn to qualify for the Super Bowl Ultimate Tail Gate Package including two tickets to any Raider's home game in 2015, a BBQ grill, a $100 meat gift certificate to Costco, a Bud Light Easy-Up canopy, a couple of cases of Bud beer and assorted Bud Light T-shirts, hats and promotional items.

When Aw Naw is Ah Yes! Whether you were there or not, this video of the Chris Young concert really gives the feel for what it's like attending a young country artist's concert at TJ's Corral! Thanks to all who made this concert a sell-out! And thanks also for making this Friday's Charlie Daniels Band Concert another sell-out 'cause Minden's Gonna Do It Again with this Long Haired Country Boy!

More on Coach Polian's Visit: We now have more details on Nevada Wolf Pack Coach Brian Polian's visit to the Carson Valley Inn for a Blitz buffet lunch on Monday, September 22. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. Coach's candor, insight and humor was quite entertaining last year and we encourage all football enthusiasts to enjoy his presentation and jump in with questions. The cost is $17 per person and advance reservations are a must through the University of Nevada Athletic Department. Please call 775-682-6901 by Friday, September 19.

More Throwback Thirty: So we cheated a little last week with the picture of the CVI from a little less than 30 years ago. We'll go the other way this time and use a picture (above) from late 1983 shortly after groundbreaking. Using the Comments section below, can you tell us the approximate vantage point from which this picture was taken? Do you know what ever became of the structures on the left behind the construction equipment? And how about the small light green house in the background center . . . does anyone remember what two incidents happened the week before it met its demise?

Ya Just Had to Be There! Like the Flying Elvi, Giant Sand Castle and Splash Dogs that helped us celebrate our Birthday in recent Augusts past, the LivFast crew featuring X-Games Gold Medalist Lance Courey didn't disappoint last Sunday. Many aerial jumps, stunts, oohs and aahas plus over a dozen birthday cakes, cases of champagne, a thousand free anniversary tee shirts, the Blues Monsters, piles of free popcorn (wind + popcorn = mess), hundreds of free ice cream sandwiches, families and a zillion kids enjoying it all – what a day and night!

Run That By Me Again!? Our September casino promotions start next week, but here's a peak ahead. We'll start with the part that has even the Blog Department amazed. Inn Club members earn 5X Points on Saturdays and then get 50% off when paying with points in Katie's on Tuesday's from 2 to10 p.m. We're confident our Casino Marketing and Accounting folks checked in advance to make sure this makes financial sense, but it sounds to us writers as if this is a "don't miss" opportunity to dine in Katie's on Tuesdays for "pennies on the dollar!" Add in that CVI points have 5 times the value of the place just down the street (yep, we checked it out ourselves on the video reels and that's the majority of our slot play) and the multiplier effect becomes so high we can't even see it! Here's another one that has us non-numbers-types scratching our heads: On Mondays in September, when you earn 125 points that day, you just swing by the casino kiosk and swipe your card for a Free Omelet or Free $6.99 Platter (we have 6 of 'em on the menu) that same day. Plus, you keep the 125 points!

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

A reminder that the '65 Mustang Coup will be given away this Saturday at Bodines Casino. The drawings are at 5 & 7 p.m.
Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Greg Austin appears tonight, Stew Stewart entertains Thursday – Sunday and Jonathan "JB" Barton takes the stage Monday thru Wednesday.
This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Mesquite Smoked Buffalo Prime Rib, a 10 oz. carving of American Bison Prime Rib, seasoned with a rock salt mixture of herbs, cold smoked and slow roasted to retain juices. Served with creamed horseradish, tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $32.00!
Ladies' Night Gifts & Prizes: Each of tonight's Hot Seat winners will receive a Gift Basket from World Market . . . and the first 150 ladies will receive clip-on book lights. Next Wednesday night there will be more stuff from The Blue Cow (Blue Cow? We'll explain next Wednesday).
Coming next Wednesday's blog: A September Top Ten Recreational & Adventure Activities in our area and an update on the scheduled bus service between Carson Valley and Reno Airport.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Reno Airport Shuttle Coming, A Message from Charlie Daniels, Exhibition Boxing in September, Skydiving and More

Lots of interesting information and news this week, thanks for reading!

Charlie Daniels Offers These Remarks: If you are one of the 1300+ people with tickets to the sold-out Charlie Daniels Band Concert on Friday, August 29, the message from Charlie in the video above is for you!

Our Carson Valley Inn 30^th Birthday Celebration this Sunday features Blues, Brews & Motocross plus much more! Outside, the free high-flying motocross aerial stunt shows are at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. next to TJ's Corral. We'll have free activities for kids plus free popcorn and free ice cream for kids of all ages. There's also free entertainment in TJ's Corral from 6:30 to 8:30 with the Blues Monsters. Inside the Carson Valley Inn we're serving free cake and champagne from 2 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. We'll also be giving away free birthday t-shirts at random times while they last. INN Club members earn triple points from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and drawings for up to $5,000 will happen at 3, 4, 9 & 10 p.m.

Boxing in TJ's Corral on September 13: Collegiate and Amateur Boxing is "on the card" in TJ's Corral on Saturday, September 13^th starting at 4 p.m. The Collegiate bouts feature boxers from the Air Force Academy, University of Nevada, University of Washington and University of California, Berkeley. There will also be a few amateur bouts and all the usual fanfare that surrounds boxing events. Tickets are on sale now – just $10 for the whole card!

Scheduled Bus Service between Reno Airport and Carson Valley: Great news for locals and visitors to our area . . . it looks like the long-anticipated Scheduled Bus Service between the Reno Airport and Carson Valley may finally be in place by this November if all goes well. We have been working with Amador Stage Lines for over 2 years as they have weaved through the process of obtaining a grant that will enable them to get this service started. At this point, they are looking at four scheduled round-trips every day (yes, 7 days a week) with the times based on the inbound and outbound flight patterns. Local stops will definitely include the Carson Valley Inn and the new Community Center. Amador Stage Lines also runs the South Tahoe Express which connects the Stateline area with Reno Airport. We've known these folks for 30 years and they don't do something unless they can do it right! They promised to keep us informed and we'll provide updates on start date, costs, schedules, etc. as we get the information.

Throwback Thirty: Our version of Throwback Thursdays is Throwback Thirty - some pictures from 30ish years ago when the CVI was first born. The picture on the left was actually taken slightly after 1984, but it shows the hotel and casino entrance (check-in was originally at the casino entrance on the main level) as it was when the CVI first opened. We had 150 slots and 99 rooms at the start . . . what a story since then!

Carson Valley Inn Goes International! Two dozen Rotary Youth Exchange students from around the Northern NV/CA Rotary District gathered at the Carson Valley Inn this past weekend for their start-of-year orientation session. Countries from all over the world were represented by these students who will be staying with host families until next summer. Our Thanks to Rotarian Jon Greene who posed the group and took this picture at our hotel entrance on Saturday.

How Would You Look in this '65 Mustang Coup? Darn good we'll bet! Someone will have the chance to find out because our sister property Bodines Casino is giving this car away soon. Bodines players are earning entries every time they play this month and Qualifying Drawings are every Friday and Saturday with the car giveaway on Saturday, August 30. Stop by Bodines on your next trip to Costco and check it out!

Jump? Are You Out of Your Mind?! If you are not of the "Why jump out of a perfectly functional airplane" persuasion, then this is for you! Another exciting outdoor activity is joining the plentiful list of Carson Valley area recreational opportunities: Skydiving!! Based at one of the finest General Aviation Airports in the west, Skydive Lake Tahoe opens for business this month at Minden-Tahoe Airport, just 5 minutes from the Carson Valley Inn. And if the song "Jump" popped into your mind when you read this (bet it just did now) hopefully it was the Van Halen version - the only single the group released in their career to reach number one in the U.S. Will you "jump?"

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

Free Entertainment in the Cabaret: Johnny Smokes appears tonight, Atomika entertains Thursday - Saturday, Dale Poune is in on Sunday & Monday and Greg Austin takes the stage Tuesday & Wednesday.
This Week's Game-On Fridays special in CV Steak is Seared and Braised Antelope with Cranberry Port Glaze and Smoked Potato Croquettes; served with tableside-tossed salad, vegetable and your choice of potato - au gratin, baked, or a one-pound, twice-baked potato . . . all for $26.00!
How Much is in Your Piggy Bank? You'll have to let us know after Ladies' Night tonight. Each of tonight's Hot Seat winners will receive a Piggy Bank pre-loaded with a surprise amount of cash.
An Super Bowl Ultimate Tail Gate Package is just one of the many reasons to watch, win and enjoy during the 2014 football season at the Carson Valley Inn and Bodines Casino. Watch for all the details in next week's blog posting on Wednesday, September 27.
Would You Fit in at the CVI? We posted some new job openings recently and again invite you to consider joining the CVI Team. You couldn't ask for a nicer property – with a great benefits program to boot!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

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

Concert and Events Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nevada Wolfpack Football Coach Brian Polian brings the Quarterback Club back to the CVI

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