We kicked 2011 Wild West Style this past weekend, and had a blast doing so!   Not to mentions tons of big winners in the casino (check out our January Casino Winners Hall of Fame) The party started on New Years Eve on the casino floor when guests were treated to triple points, line dancing lessons, trick roping demonstrations and chances to wrangle gift cards and other prizes for having the slickest boot scootin’ moves and snappiest bib and tucker (aka Wild West duds).

Later in the evening, the Salmon Room was hopping with party-goers in outrageous costumes at the Boots and Boogie dance party featuring The Brick House band.  Next door in Warehouse 101 partygoers danced to the tunes from one of our favorite regular bands Hookah Stew.

Here are some fun photos from our Sales Manager, Lucinda DiNovo-

Some Familiar Faces!

The holiday spirit officially arrived at The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park when we hosted our annual Festival of Trees earlier this month.  This is an annual event when volunteers decorate and auction Holiday trees and wreaths to raise money for local charities. The Bay Area Rotary and The Mill Casino co-sponsored nineteen fresh cut and five artificial trees, along with five decorated wreaths, each with its own theme and community sponsor. The decorated trees were on display in our lobby for 5 days and were sold at the December 2 auction held in the Salmon Room. This event raised over $15,000 to benefit local charities like the Women’s Safety and Resource Center and Shots for Tots.

This year’s Festival of Trees decoration contest winners are as follows:

Best of Show: Port of Coos Bay, Ferne’s Family Memories-an Old Fashioned Christmas
Best Use of Color: Ocean Ridge & Ocean Crest Retirement, Emerald Green and Royal Blue
Best Theme: KCBY, Survivor
Most Original: The Mill Casino- Service Ambassadors, The Nightmare Before Christmas
Most Whimsical: The Mill Casino-Banquets, A Griswold Family Christmas
Judges Choice: Morgan Veterinary, 12 Spays of Christmas
Best Wreath: The Mill Casino-Revenue Audit, Holiday Cheer

Gobble Gobble!  Need a last minute Thanksgiving getaway?  Whether it is for the weekend or just a few hours- The Mill Casino Hotel & RV park has no shortage of Thanksgiving and holiday fun.  We have so many activities planned this week, that we need to publish a guide for our guests!  Here are the highlights of events happening at The Mill Casino:

Festival of Trees Each year, The Mill Casino is transformed into a holiday wonderland with beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. We kick off this annual holiday-themed fundraiser sponsored by The Mill Casino • Hotel and the Bay Area Rotary this year on November 23! Join us November 28 for a family-friendly viewing featuring Santa Claus. December 2, final auction of trees and wreaths to benefit local charities. FREE ADMISSION

Thanksgiving Cribbage Classic November 26, 2010 – November 28, 2010: For complete information including entry fees, tournament schedules, etc. contact Larry or Donna Hassett 541-672-1474 or email at ACC@cmspan.net.  Download Flyer and Tournament Information

The Mill Casino Millionaire$ Club enjoy perks and discounts and get more chances to win big!  Check out some of the Millionaire$ Club games happening this week

• Monday Free Spin (Each Monday in November) 9 am – 9 pm You could win up to 1500 bonus points! Show your Millionaire$ Club card & valid photo ID at the Millionaire$ Club booth and get a free minute of play on Sawmill Sam.
• Play Sam’s Bounty Spin You could win up to 1500 Bonus Points when you Show your Millionaire$ Club card & valid photo ID at the Millionaire$ Club booth and get a free minute of play on Sawmill Sam on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 9 am – 9 pm
• Bountiful Points in the Casino Thanksgiving Weekend Earn bonus Millionaire$ Club points 2x as fast when you play slots using your Millionaire$ Club card from 6 am to noon on November 24 & 25, 2010

Shore Acres Package To make the most of this beloved annual Holiday Lights Display, book our package that includes an overnight stay, dinner for two, a FREE pass to Shore Acres and a FREE Casino Fun Book on us — all at a discount price! The Shore Acres volunteers have already hung hundreds of thousands of holiday lights which light up on Thanksgiving. You have to see it to believe it.

The Saw Blade Buffet will host our annual Thanksgiving Buffet.   The Wampanoags and the Pilgrims were onto something, and a meal of tasty fare indigenous to the American continent was born. The tradition continues at The Saw Blade Buffet, Thursday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Win a Camaro Each week, someone will get a shot at winning a Camaro, until our guaranteed Grand Prize Camaro Drawing, December 19!

Live Entertainment at Warehouse 101
Don’t miss Comedy Night on Wednesday November 24: Two Shows 7 & 9 pm featuring Geof Sargent! Geof is one of the brightest of the new comics working today and was recently the subject of a documentary about life on the road. Today Geof still tours as one of the country’s top headliners as well as hosting the TWO MINUTE TALENT SHOW.

One of our crowd favorites, Hookah Stew will be playing November 25, 2010 – November 27, 2010 9 pm – 1 am . Hookah Stew has become a well known buzz band on the West Coast music scene. The Portland, Oregon trio has played 200 shows in the last year, and their latest single/video RollerGirl is being heard on West Coast radio from Alaska to San Diego.

Two charity slot tournaments at The Mill Casino • Hotel in November will pay out for the South Coast Food Share. By bringing at least two cans of food or a $10 donation, guests of The Mill may participate in a charity slot tournament to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13.

Guests making a donation will have three minutes to accumulate points on a designated slot machine. Players may try again for a $10 donation per additional entry. The top five scorers will win a share of a $2,000 prize pool.

In addition to the participant donations, The Mill will add a dollar donation to the first 1,000 entries. All food and cash donations will go to the South Coast Food Share. The Mill will also give employees a chance to get in on the fun during a three-day charity slot tournament open to employees of the Coquille Indian Tribe and Tribal entities and businesses. On Nov. 16, 17 and 18 a food donation will buy two minutes on a designated machine and a chance to win one of 20 prizes.

“Our guests and, in particular, our employees regularly show a willingness to help individuals and families who are in need,” said General Manager Larry Close. “This is yet another opportunity to share some of our bounty in a manner that reflects the character of The Mill Casino.”

Planning to visit us on the Oregon Coast this month?  You are in luck! November is a fabulous time to visit!  We have no shortage of nonstop casino action and entertainment .  Here are eight ways to make your visit even better this November:

1.  Check out the Festival of Trees Each year, The Mill Casino is transformed into a holiday wonderland with beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. We kick off this annual holiday-themed fundraiser sponsored by The Mill Casino • Hotel and the Bay Area Rotary this year on November 23!  Join us November 28 for a family-friendly viewing featuring Santa Claus. December 2, final auction of trees and wreaths to benefit local charities. FREE ADMISSION

2. Play in the $2,000 Charity Slot Tournament Saturday, November 13, 10 am – 4 pm, You could win $2,000! Your $10 entry fee (or two cans of food) goes straight to South Coast Food Share and we’ll throw a buck a player into the donation to boot — up to $1,000!

3.  Book the Chowder Bounty Package. Book this  fun package then sample the best clam chowder in the universe (we happen to think the Plank House has the best!) This package includes two $25 gift certificates that can be used at any of our dining venues or at participating restaurants in the area. A two-night stay is required for this package. Rates begin at $110 plus tax. To book this special stay, call reservations at 800-953-4800, ext. 3

4. Join the Millionaire$ Club Members of The Mill Casino Millionaire$ Club enjoy perks and discounts and get more chances to win big!  Check out some of the Millionaire$ Club games happening this month!

• Monday Free Spin (Each Monday in November) 9 am – 9 pm You could win up to 1500 bonus points! Show your Millionaire$ Club card & valid photo ID at the Millionaire$ Club booth and get a free minute of play on Sawmill Sam.
• Earn Triple Points on Veteran’s Day Play slots with your Millionaire$ Club card on Thursday, November 11 and earn 3X points!
• Play Sam’s Bounty Spin You could win up to 1500 Bonus Points when you Show your Millionaire$ Club card & valid photo ID at the Millionaire$ Club booth and get a free minute of play on Sawmill Sam on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 9 am – 9 pm
• Bountiful Points in the Casino Thanksgiving Weekend Earn bonus Millionaire$ Club points 2x as fast when you play slots using your Millionaire$ Club card from 6 am to noon on November 24 & 25, 2010

5. Book the Shore Acres Package To make the most of this beloved annual Holiday Lights Display, book our package that includes an overnight stay, dinner for two, a FREE pass to Shore Acres and a FREE Casino Fun Book on us — all at a discount price! The Shore Acres volunteers have already hung hundreds of thousands of holiday lights which light up on Thanksgiving. You have to see it to believe it.

6. Dine at The Saw Blade Buffet for the Annual Thanksgiving Buffet The Wampanoags and the Pilgrims were onto something, and a meal of tasty fare indigenous to the American continent was born. The tradition continues at The Saw Blade Buffet, Thursday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

7.  Start Earning entries to Win a Camaro Starting, November 15, Your play earns you entries into our weekly Camaro drawings. Each week, someone will get a shot at winning a Camaro, until our guaranteed Grand Prize Camaro Drawing, December 19!

8.  Unwind at Warehouse 101 Warehouse 101 is THE place on the South Coast to watch Football, Stand Up Comedy, and Live Music. There is never a cover, there is always 7 plasma screen TVs (Bonus for Football fans NFL and NCAA teams on ESPN and NFL Sunday Ticket), a tempting menu and over 30 microbrews on tap.

Annual Event Raises Funds for Local Charities

Businesses, organizations and individuals have an opportunity to help families in need while getting into the holiday spirit through the annual Festival of Trees, a holiday-themed fundraiser sponsored by The Mill Casino • Hotel and the Bay Area Rotary.

Raising over $16,000 last year, the Festival of Trees lets participants demonstrate their holiday-decorating talents while raising money for local charities. This year’s goal is to raise $18,000 for such charities as Shots for Tots & Teens and The Women’s Safety & Resource Center and Coddington Place.

Participants simply choose to sponsor a tree, a wreath or pre-decorated tree. Then, at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 sponsors bring their chosen decorations to The Mill Casino’s Salmon Room for the annual Festival of Trees Decorating Party, complete with complimentary refreshments and holiday tunes.

Following the party, a panel of judges will award the top choice in the following categories: Best Use of Color, Best Theme, Most Original, Most Whimsical, Best Wreath and, of course, Best of Show. The decorated trees and wreaths will be placed on display throughout the hotel lobby through Dec. 1.

Each tree and wreath will be auctioned off to the highest bidder during a public auction that begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 in The Mill’s Salmon Room. Doors open at 6 p.m. to allow potential bidders to take one more look at the trees.

The fully decorated trees will be delivered (up to 30 miles away) to the winning bidder’s home or office by a member of the Bay Area Rotary. Auction winners may request to have their tree donated to a needy family.

The Mill Casino • Hotel contributes to the purchase of the trees and wreaths so that sponsorship and auction proceeds from the Festival of Trees can go directly to local charities. In addition, local vendors are used when purchasing trees and wreaths for this Bay Area fundraiser.

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping those in need are encouraged to participate by sponsoring and/or decorating a tree and/or wreath. To learn more about how to get involved with this event, contact Festival Coordinator, Debbie Webb at 541-808-1969.

We are very proud to announce that our very own Chef Dan Catanio will be sharing his culinary genius at the 10th Annual Oyster Cloyster Festival in The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. This years festival features a Chef’s Competition.

The Oyster Cloyster Festival is an elegant evening of fine food surrounded by talented musicians creating merriment throughout the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s captivating exhibits. The event is a fundraiser for the Aquarium Science program at Oregon Coast Community College.

This year is “The Year of the Oyster” and Chef Dan plans to make: Smoked Oyster wild Mushroom Sushi Roll & Baked, Huckleberry glazed Bacon wrapped Oyster, on a bed of wild Oregon Mushroom Ragout….Served with Warm Saki

To purchase tickets or to learn more about this annual fundraiser, visit www.oregoncoastcc.org or “Like” their Facebook Page!

The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park wants you to “Zoom into Fall” with a chance to win an instant $100,000. Other cash prizes range from $50 to $5,000 – It’s fun!

It’s Instant Cash! Come on in and play. There’s $12,500 total in secondary prizes so don’t miss your chance at some instant cash playing Zoom Ball. It’s Fast – It’s Fun – It’s Easy.

Just push the button and watch as 6 balls fill the tube – get all 6 orange balls in the tube and you win $100,000! Cash prizes awarded by the number of orange balls that collect in the tube.

The action starts Sunday, September 26 at 9:00 a.m. We’ll do random drawings on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m.; 2 to 4 p.m.; and 8 to 10 p.m.and those lucky hot seat winners will play Zoom Ball. On Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., just show your card at the Millionaire$ Club and take your shot at the $100,000. Two ways to play – Hot Seat Drawings and Show Your Card every Tuesday. The more orange balls in the tube, the more you win.

Everyone knows The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park is the place to go on the Oregon Coast for casino thrills and fun! Did you know that we are also an ideal destination to host your organization’s Meeting, Seminars, Conventions and more?

We have put together a dream team to accommodate any gathering and special event and ensure each detail is attended to for:

Meetings and Seminars
Conventions and Trade Shows
Weddings, Showers and Receptions
Tour/Motor coach Groups
Luncheons
Reunions
RV Groups
Car Shows & Rallies

Our Sales Manager Lucinda DiNovo received a glowing letter this week from the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters who held their conference here in August.   Participants traveled to Coos Bay from 5 states to attend this event.  We are so proud of the work Lucinda and staff did for this event.  Here are some exerts from this letter:

I want to thank you and your entire staff for your efforts in making our stay at your facility…such a positive experience. It was refreshing to see everyone so involved in making sure our conference was successful.

Of course you in particular, went above and beyond, from accommodating lat minute requests, to insuring the timeliness of A/V set up, to assisting with banquets during our Friday night event; non of which unnoticed or unappreciated. You exemplify the concept of a team effort.

You were organized, accommodating, and on top of even the smallest of details. Meeting rooms were ready and situated according to our requests. It all made my job easier.

We want to extend a special thank you to the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters for this wonderful testimonial!  We also want to commend our outstanding staff for another job well done!

Providing our guests with the best service possible is a top priority for our staff (We call it Million $ Service standards).  You can imagine how thrilled the hotel managers were to receive this letter letter from one of our recent hotel guests and we want to share it with you:

I live in Las Vegas, and have become quite familiar with the gaming and hotel industry.

You guys have exceeded all of my expectations within 24 hours of my arrival.  Most hotel-resort casino properties give this service at start up, but soon fade within a year or two.  It appears that this great level of service is status quo around here.  Friendly, outgoing employees equal excellent management.  I will most definitely stay here again in the future.

This guest also specifically acknowledged Lynn in housekeeping; Tammy, Nick, John, Pete, Paula, Pamela, Colleen and Caryn in Table Games. Thank you to our wonderful staff for demonstrating our Million $ Service standards!

Got feedback to share?  Send to us or post in on our Facebook Page!