The trees are trimmed, the lamps are lit, and the bidding will soon begin at the annual Festival of Trees. The Bay Area Rotary and The Mill Casino co-sponsored 13 fresh cut and three artificial tabletop trees, along with seven decorated wreaths, each with its own theme and community sponsor.

All of the decorated trees are on display in the lobby of The Mill Hotel. A family viewing reception will be held from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 in the hotel’s second floor reception area. A cookie reception and a visit from Santa are all part of the festivities. Photos with Santa will be available through the Women’s Safety & Resource Center.

The Festival of Trees auction festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 in the Salmon Room at The Mill Casino • Hotel. A live auctioneer joins the party at 7:00 p.m. to start the bidding.

Jolly Rotarian elves will then deliver the trees within a 30-mile radius on Dec. 2. Successful bidders can choose to donate the tree 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.

While all of this year’s trees are sure to put even the biggest Scrooge into the holiday spirit, the judges have spoken. This year’s Festival of Trees decoration contest winners are as follows:

Most Original: International Port of Coos Bay

Best Use of Color: Life Care Center

Best Theme: Engles Furniture

Best Wreath: Ocean Ridge Assisted Living

Best of Show: Hough, McAdam & Wartnik, CPA

Judge’s Choice: Kitty Kitchen, Bay Area Hospital and The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park Service Ambassadors

The decorated trees will remain on display in the lobby of The Mill Casino• Hotel through Dec. 1.

Millionaire$ Club Members Will Receive a free pair of fuzzy dice this weekend (while supplies last).

2011 Bay Area Fun Festival is coming to Downtown Coos Bay this weekend! The festival features the famous Cruz the Coos, Prefontaine Memorial Run, parade, music, fun, vendors, art, food, beer, wine and so much more!  Musical entertainment provided by Bay Area Teen Idol Finals and ROCKounty featuring Molly Hatchet& The Marshall Tucker Band!

More than 400 classic cars can be seen at the 26th Annual Cruz the Coos event. Highlights are a Friday night beach party at Sunset Beach, Saturday registration and poker run at the Mill Casino Hotel, Saturday night Cruz the Coos through downtown Coos Bay, and a Sunday show and shine at Shore Acres State Park.

For more information, call Darrell King of Sunset Classic Chevys at 541-888-3863. www.sunsetclassicchevys.com

As an added bonus, we will be handing out FREE Fuzzy Dice to Millionaire$ Club members the weekend September 16-18, 2011
from 10 am – 6 pm (while supplies last) . Visit our site for details and to learn how to sign up for the Millionaire$ Club for free!

Visit oregonsadventurecoast.com for lodging specials and availability.

Coos Bay, Ore. – The brig Lady Washington and her companion ship Hawaiian Chieftain have moved up their arrival at Coos Bay by one week, which extends their scheduled visit from six days to 13 days starting March 25. And the two ships have added sailing excursions and other activities for K-12 students and the general public. The stop marks the first time Lady Washington has visited Coos Bay since 2008.

The two ships were originally scheduled to arrive April 1, but they changed plans after the March 18 tsunami severely damaged the harbor at Crescent City, Calif., forcing the boats to cancel their scheduled stop.

In Coos Bay, the ships will tie up on the waterfront near 200 S. Bayshore Drive and open to the public on these dates and times: 3/26-27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 3/29-4/1, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.; 4/2-3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 4/5-6, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. A $3 donation per person is appreciated.

Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will host guests on three-hour Battle Sails, which feature booming cannon fire and close-quarters, naval-style maneuvers. Battle Sails are scheduled for March 26, 27, April 2, 3. All sails depart at 2 p.m. Tickets are $60 adults, $50 students/seniors/active military, $40 children 12 and under. Purchase tickets at www.historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239.

At 10 a.m. March 27 and April 3, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will take guests on three-hour value-priced Adventure Sails, which feature demonstrations of tall ship handling and a chance for guests to help sail a real tall ship. Tickets are $55 adults, $45 students/seniors/active military, $35 children 12 and under. Tickets are available by calling 800-200-5239 or visiting www.historicalseaport.org.

The Historical Seaport is also seeking Coos Bay-area businesses and service organizations which can sponsor K-12 students for living history experiences aboard its tall ships. The cost is just $5.25 per student. For information, contact Roxie Underwood, 800-200-5239, education@historicalseaport.org.

Lady Washington is a 1989 wooden replica of one of the first U.S.-flagged vessels to visit the west coast of North America. The modern ship appeared as HMS Interceptor in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Hawaiian Chieftain is a steel-hulled representation of a typical early 19th century South Seas trader. She accompanies Lady Washington on her educational voyages.

The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) public development authority based in Aberdeen, Wash. that owns and operates the tall ships Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington, the Official Ship of the State of Washington. GHHSA provides educational, vocational, recreational and ambassadorial activities and experiences that promote and preserve the maritime history of Grays Harbor, the Pacific Northwest, and our nation while serving the needs of the community.

Spring Whale Watching Week : March 19 -26, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Image Credit: www.whalespoken.org

The Whales are coming, The Whales are coming! Twice a year, Whale Watching Spoken Here volunteers are placed at various points along the entire Oregon Coast to help visitors learn more about the estimated 18,000 whales passing by on their migration journey.

Beginning Saturday, March 19 volunteers will be at Shore Acres State Park and other locations along the Oregon Coast through March 26 from 10am-1pm. For information, call 541-888-3732 or visit www.ShoreAcres.net or www.WhaleSpoken.org.

Here are some great whale watching tips from The Whale Watching Spoken Here program:

• This is not the only time you can see the whales. About 18,000 whales will pass by our coast during March, April, May and June on their way to Alaska’s Bering Sea.
• Gray whales may possibly be seen year-round on the Oregon, Washington and northern California coastlines.
• Winter migration has the highest numbers (30 per hour) but the whales are usually farther off shore (1-5 miles) because of stormy weather..
• During the spring migration (northbound), the whales are more spread out (6 per hour) but they are closer to shore (1/2 – 3 miles), sometimes stopping to eat.
• Summer feeding whales are very close to shore and eat tiny mysid shrimp that live in the kelp beds. They may feed for hours in the same location.
• Bring your binoculars and dress for the weather. Focus your binoculars and have them ready, but watch with your eyes. When you locate a blow, then bring up your binoculars for a closer look.
• Learn the diving and feeding habits of the whales (see the Whale Watching Center brochure) so you will know how often and where they may surface.
• Morning light (with the sun at your back) is often helpful for spotting blows. Afternoon light reflects off the water and makes viewing difficult.
• Calmer days are better whale watching days, by land, sea or air!
• Any spot with an ocean view may yield whale sightings, but higher locations are better than sandy beaches.

The Mill Casino is proud to once again be a participating venue for the annual South Coast Clambake Jazz Festival! This festival began in 1987 and is one of the most popular music festivals on the Oregon Coast featuring Big Band, Zydeco, Blues, Gospel, Oldies, Rock & Roll and Dixieland.

Lots of people ask- are there clams? Actually, a “clambake” is a jam session, so no- it is not about the clams. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get good seafood in the Bay area!

The music of Soulpie and Black Tuesday will kick off this years festival at the Festival Warm Up held here at The Mill Casino on Thursday March 10, 2011. The festival will continue at various venues in Coos Bay & North Bend throughout the weekend of March 11- March 13, 2011.

This year’s line up includes: Sister Swing, Gator Beat, Steve Lucky & The Rumba Bums, Toot Sweet, Stompy Jones, Black Tuesday, Evolution, Its about Time Big Band, Solid Brass, Soulpie and the Young Bucs.

For complete details including ticket prices, schedules, etc visit www.ClamBakeJazz.org or Download the Festival Brochure. Badges on sale at KoKwel Gifts and at the door of each venue. You may also contact South Coast Clambake Jazz Festival at (541) 269-0112

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

Image Credit: Shore Acres

There’s no place like the holidays at The Mill Casino.  Here are the top reasons to plan a visit here this month:

1.The dazzling holiday light display at Shore Acres is something to see. If you have never experienced the holiday lights at Shore Acres, you don’t know what you are missing!  Check out our Shore Acres Holiday Lights Package now through December 31. This package 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!

2. Awesome Live Entertainment all month in Warehouse 101. Warehouse 101 hosts live Comedy every Wednesday with some of the funniest entertainers in the country.    We are also the place to catch your favorite team (7 Plasma Screen TVs), and live music every weekend.  Check out some of the bands we have lined up this month!

• Phamous Phaces: December 10, 2010 – December 11, 2010
• Joy Box- December 17, 2010 – December 18, 2010
• Toyz- December 24, 2010 – December 25, 2010
• Hookah Stew- December 31, 2010 – January 1, 2011

3. Sawmill Sam wants to stuff your stocking with up to 1500 bonus points! On Thursday, December 23 between 9 am and 9 pm stop by the Millionaire$ Club, and get a free minute of play on Sawmill Sam!

4. You Could Win a Camaro.  Yep- a Camaro! Now through December 19, 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!

5. Most Rocking New Years Party on the Coast. Join us for the Wild West New Year on December 31, 2010 with Live Bands, Line Dancing, Party Favors & More!!!  Featuring The Brick House Band, midnight balloon drop and champagne toast.  For Ticket Information, Call 800.953.4800 or 541.756.8800.

6. Winter Whale Watching Week is coming December 26, 2010- January 1, 2011! Whale watchers rejoice!  The Whale Spoken Here volunteers will be at Shore Acres during Whale Watching Week!  It is a thrill to spot these glorious creatures as an estimated 18,000 grey whales travel southbound off our coast.

7. Double club points on December 24 & 25, 6 a.m. to Noon! Just play using your card and get bountiful points all morning on these two days!

8.We are a participating  “Chowder Bounty” hotel & restaurant. Love Oregon Clam Chowder?  You will LOVE Chowder Bounty!  Check out our Chowder Bounty Package: 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.

9. The Famous Saw Blade Holiday Buffet. Here’s an idea for a holiday gift – no dishes. Have your family dinner at The Saw Blade Buffet, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m on Saturday, December 25.

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.

Here on the Oregon Coast, we love our Chowder.  In fact, we love it so much  The Coos Bay – North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau has launched the first ever Chowder Bounty; a unique experience for visitors where they sample world famous Oregon Coast Clam Chowder at local participating restaurants, then vote for their favorite.

The Mill Casino is proud to be a participating hotel with Chowder Bounty through March 1, 2010. This package includes two $25 gift certificates that can be used at any of our dining venues or at participating Chowder Bounty restaurants in the area. A two-night stay is required for this package; rates begin at $110 plus tax.

And by the way; we hope you will try the Clam Chowder at The Plank House during your stay. It is supremely delicious- and we think you will agree!

To book this special stay, call reservations at 800-953-4800, ext. 3.