This just in: tickets to see World Renowned Psychic Sylvia Browne at The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park in February have sold out. However, we have set aside 2 tickets for a lucky winner to see Sylvia Browne live and to be our guest on Friday, February 17.

Enter The Sylvia Browne Hotel Package Giveaway before midnight on February 3, 2012 and you could win:

• Accommodations for two in a deluxe Bay-view room (based on availability)
• 2 Tickets to see Sylvia Browne on Friday February 17
• Dinner for two at any of our fabulous restaurants

This package is good for a one night stay February 17, 2012 at The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park Sunday through Thursday only and is based on availability. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 800-953-4800, ext. 3.

Sylvia Browne is a world renowned spiritual teacher, psychic, author, lecturer and researcher in the field of parapsychology. She lectures, teaches, and counsels people from all over the world including Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Throughout her 50 year professional career, Sylvia Browne has proven herself to be the undisputed #1 icon in the psychic world.

The new year is about committing to resolutions and making yourself better, right? For us, this means introducing a new and improved Mill Club. Many of you are already enjoying the great benefits and perks from this rewards program. Here are some answers to some of our frequently asked questions:

1. What is the Mill Club? The Mill Club is points reward system for our customers. Essentially, the more you play the more points you earn, the more benefits you can enjoy such as gaming, free perks (like priority parking, personal host and access to the players lounge), and discounts on shopping, entertainment, Hotel rooms, RV Park, gas and more.

2. How is the Mill Club different? Guests can earn rewards faster because now you will receive $1 for every 400 points earned. It used to be 500 points =$1. Also, it is much clearer how a guest can earn Gold Club status because the guidelines are transparent and simple. It used to be that Gold Club member status was based on play with other variables. And finally, we have tiered the club into three levels versus two former levels.

3. What is the difference between Preferred, Premier and Elite members? The more points you earn, the more perks you have access too. Our membership is broken down into 3 tiers:
Preferred Members have earned 0-12,500 points;
Premier members have earned 12,501-65,000 points;
And our Elite members have 65,001 + pts (and qualify for the most benefits)

4. What are the benefits of joining the Mill Club? Mill Club Members instantly receive all the following benefits:

• 1 point for every $1 spent at any dining venue, Hotel, RV Park or KoKwel Gifts
• RV Park Discount
• Discount at KoKwel Gifts
• Play slots while using your Mill Club card on your birthday and you’ll receive double points
• Discounts on Concert Tickets
• Mill Certified Adventures Discount
• Coupons and Special offers exclusive to Club members
• invitations to exclusive special events
• Free Slot Play based on points!
• 3 cents/gallon off at participating Shell stations
• Banquets – room rental discounts

See our The Mill Club loyalty chart for a complete list of benefits.

5. How do you sign up and is there a charge? Signing up is free. You can sign up online then activate your membership by visiting the Mill Club booth on the gaming floor and presenting your picture ID.

It is a little known secret that you will find the world’s best clam chowder on the Oregon Coast. We are so confident about this, that we have teamed up with the The Coos Bay – North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau for Chowder Bounty!

When you book the Chowder Bounty Lodging Special at a participating hotel (such as ours) now through March 1, 2012 you will receive 2 free cups of chowder at participating restaurants (The Plank House is a participating restaurant) along with a coupon book with over $500 in savings to local businesses, restaurants, and 2nd stay offers.

Must reserve Chowder Bounty Package Rate. Cannot be combined with other offers. All rates good through March 1, 2012. Rates begin at $90 + tax. No minimum stay required. To book this special stay, call reservations at 800-953-4800, ext. 3.

Featured Recipe: Chef Dan’s Oregon Coast Clam Chowder

By Chef Dan Catanio of The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park

3 dozen- chowder clams
2 ½ cup bottled clam juice, or as needed
2 slices bacon, minced
1 medium onion, diced (about 1 ¼ cups)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 yellow or white potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
3 cups heavy cream or half & half
6 tablespoons dry sherry, or to taste
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tabasco sauce, to taste
Worcestershire sauce, to taste
Oyster crackers, as needed

Scrub the clams well under running water. Shuck, reserving the juices. Cut the larger clams in half. Mix the reserved juices with enough bottled clam juice to equal 3 cups.

Cook the bacon slowly in a soup pot over medium heat until lightly crisp, about 7 minutes.

Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent – 4-6 minutes. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, 2-3 minutes. Whisk in the clam juice, bring to a simmer, and cook, 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The liquid should be the consistency of heavy cream. If it is too thick, add more clam juice.

Add the potatoes and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, place the clams and cream in a saucepan and simmer, until the clams are cooked, 5-8 minutes.

When the potatoes are tender, add the clams and the cream to the soup base.
Simmer, 5 minutes.

Stir in the sherry. Season with salt, pepper, Tabasco, and Worcestershire.

Serve in heated bowl, with oyster crackers on the side. Serves 8.