Jackson Rancheria's Arrow Magazine by Jackson Rancheria Casino

APRIL 2009

Coco’s Back!

Coco Montoya and Shane Dwight Friday, April 17

BLACKFOOT Sunday, April 5 • 6 P.M.

EASTER DINING See Page 9

HOT JAZZ PARTY

Sunday, April 26 • 11 A.M. - 6 P.M.

Vote Rancheria Style™

You have two opportunities this month to vote for your favorite Northern California casino, which of course must be Jackson Rancheria. KCRA TV Channel 3 is conducting their annual A-List voting during which you can vote for your favorites in 126 categories. Jackson Rancheria

has been in the top five every year and you can help us make it to number one this year. To vote, just go to kcra.com and scroll down to the A-List section. Voting ends April 17. You can also vote in San Joaquin magazine’s annual Best of San Joaquin competition. Jackson Rancheria has been the

number one casino for the last two years and we want to keep that up. To vote, just go to sanjoaquinmagazine.com and click on “Best of San Joaquin.” Voting ends April 15. Vote in at least 30 categories and you’ll be entered to win dinner compliments of the magazine. If you haven’t joined the Dreamcatcher’s Club yet, you are missing out on so many extras, like points you can spend like cash, free slot play every month, and participation in our many exciting promotions with chances to win cars, cash, and free play. Stop by the Dreamcatcher’s Club booth today and sign up. It’s free, only takes a few minutes, and the rewards start immediately. Best regards,

Mike Pistoia Director of Marketing Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel

It’s Instant Refund Season WINNERS at Jackson Rancheria! Tax season can be a stressful time for many but at Jackson Rancheria Casino, April is Instant Refund Season and winning couldn’t be simpler.  No forms to fill out*  No consultants or software required  No IOUs just cold, hard, recession-proof cash! Grab your Dreamcatcher’s Club card and get ready to win your share of $130,000 cash!

CARL Stockton

$11,255

Qualifying hands are: • Flush with Diamonds Slot players get one entry for • Suited Diamond Blackjack every 100 points earned April 1-28. • Winning tie wager in Mini Baccarat Daily drawings will be held every • Winning tie wager in Casino War Monday, Wednesday, and Friday • Flush with Diamonds in Mini Pai Gow in April from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. One lucky player will win $1,040 and four lucky players will win $540 cash each. The IRS continues with the Grand Must be present to win. Prize Drawings on Wednesday, April 29 beginning at 6 p.m. Players receive one Grand Prize Drawing entry Table Games players get one for every 100 points earned on Slots, drawing ticket for each qualifying hand Tables Games, and Poker from April 1 April 1-28. Players must place drawing though April 29. Grand Prizes include: tickets in the drum in the Casino

SLOTS

DONACIANO Sacramento

$4,000

GRAND FINALE

TABLE GAMES

$10,400 (two winners)

Lobby and retain the ticket stub. Daily drawings will be held every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday in April at 6 p.m. One lucky player will win $1,040 and four lucky players will win $540 cash each. Must be present to win. Tickets for the Table Games drawings are only valid for the daily drawings and do not qualify for the Grand Prize Drawing.

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

DAVID Stockton

$12,500

$5,400 (four winners) $1,040 (six winners) $540 (eight winners)

Must be present to win. Winners have ten minutes to claim prizes. If winner fails to claim prize within 10 minutes, prize will be forfeited and a new name will be drawn. Management reserves all rights. *Unless, of course, you win more than $600 (and that’s not a bad thing)!

THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

AMANDA Wilton

$1,440

WINNERS

SHERRY Sutter Creek

$4,938

MICHELE Sacramento

$5,020

FLOYD Byron

$5,192

MANUEL Hayward

$7,200

What a winning weekend! Carol from Santa Clara celebrated Valentine’s Day in a big way this year. She won $5,000 on a Blazing Sevens machine on February 14, then came back the next day and won $10,000 on Bonus Times! That’s sweet.

Would you like to be on Wheel of Fortune?

Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel and News 10 will present a Wheel of Fortune contestant search on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine at the Stockton Ports Baseball Park. This is your chance to audition to be a contestant on the broadcast version of America’s Favorite Game Show! See the Wheelmobile, solve puzzles, and win prizes. For details, visit news10.net.

APRIL 2009 • VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 4

Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel • 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642 800-822-WINN • RancheriaStyle.com

Director of Marketing: Mike Pistoia Content Developer: Carol Cook Marketing Project Manager: Cleave Dal Porto

The Arrow is published monthly by Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the publisher. The Arrow shall not be liable for any errors in the publication. The publisher does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers. Management reserves the right to modify or cancel any promotion, event, activity, or program at any time without prior notice. Gaming Problem? 800-GAMBLER

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

WINNERS

Land of Lincoln Winners

Bouachine from Stockton won the red Lincoln MKS sedan during the big Land of Lincolns promotion. Although she doesn’t drive, she said her husband is very excited about the car. The winners of the white and blue Lincolns both asked to remain anonymous.

GLENNANNA Stockton

$6,394

‘Deal’ winner!

Diamond from Manteca won $24,268.50 playing a dollar Deal or No Deal machine. Now that’s a deal!

Mini Pai Gow now available

The newest addition to our Table Games is Mini Pai Gow, a six card Pai Gow Poker that that provides more action, speed, and simplicity. It also offers Double Down and No Commission. The rules are simple. Each player and the dealer receive six cards. Similar to traditional Pai Gow Poker, players make a “highest” five-card poker hand and a “second-highest” one-card poker hand. The rank of the five-card hand must be greater than or equal to that of the one-card hand. Once players hands are set, the dealers sets his hands. If the player’s two hands beat the JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

dealer’s two hands, the player wins with No Commission. If the dealer’s two hands beat the player’s two hands, the dealer wins. Any other outcome is a push (the house wins all tie hands). The player’s joker is higher than a dealer’s ace. Players may double down at any time. The dealer must qualify with a pair of eights or better on the Double Down wager only. Make two pair or higher to win a bonus. Winning bonus wagers are paid regardless of how players set their hands. Look for this fast paced new game on our gaming floor.

THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

GWENDOLYN Jackson

$1,438

JEANNE Stockton

$3,750

DON Jackson

$1,800

Blackfoot brings Southern rock WINNERS sound to the Mother Lode

REYNALDO San Jose

$1,299

PEGGY Stockton

$2,062

RICHARD West Sacramento

$15,804

JIM Woodbridge

$1,227

Blackfoot is back and bringing their Southern rock to Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel on Sunday, April 5, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for Dreamcatcher’s Club members at Jackson Rancheria Box Office or $40 at Ticketmaster. The Jackson Rancheria Box Office is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and accepts cash, credit cards, and Dreamcatcher’s Club points. Must be 18 to purchase tickets or attend the show. In 2003, a worldwide petition Blackfoot calling for the reunion of Southern rock legends Blackfoot, caught the attention of founding members Jakson Spires, Charlie Hargrett, and Greg T. Walker along with former Blackfoot lead guitarist Bobby Barth, who got together to check out the possibility of a reunion. Before the first note was struck, it was agreed by all, that should the band be unable to meet or exceed the expectations of both the members and the fans, it would not happen. From the first song it was obvious that all the members had gotten better at their jobs. The vote was quick and unanimous, Blackfoot was back! The band had a few more challenges to face. Jakson Spires died in 2005, but drummer Christoph Ullmann from Vienna was visiting at the time and took over as drummer. In early 2006 Bobby Barth was forced off the road for health reasons so the band asked old friend Jay Johnson (son of famed Swamper Jimmy Johnson) to step in until Barth could return. In late 2006 the stage was set for Barth’s return, and by early 2007 the band was back up APRIL 2009 • THE ARROW

and running. They were joined by New Orleans drummer Michael Sollars and are back as close as possible to the original lineup. One of the hardest working, multi Gold and Platinum acts to hit the charts and perform the world’s stages is once more performing classic tracks like “Train Train,” “Highway Song,” “Baby Blue,” “Fox Chase,” “Left Turn,” “Fly Away” and others, as well as new songs. Blackfoot’s bold and long history are what legends are made of. Touring the world with bands such as The Who, Deep Purple, AC/DC, ZZ Top, and Ted Nugent helped to solidify their place in rock music. Blackfoot’s headline tours gave America their first taste of bands like Def Leppard, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, and others who opened for them. The term Southern Metal was first coined to describe Blackfoot. Their history is a thing of legend and they have left their fingerprint on countless bands that came after them. Blackfoot is back and now we all have a chance to hear the real thing again for a long time to come.

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

WINNERS

JULIE Discovery Bay

$2,430

Shane Dwight

Coco Montoya

Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel will present a night of great blues with Shane Dwight and Coco Montoya on Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m. in the Hotel Ballroom. Tickets are $40 from Ticketmaster but Dreamcatcher’s Club members can purchase tickets for just $20 at the Jackson Rancheria Box Office. The Box Office is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and accepts cash, credit cards, and Dreamcatcher’s Club points. Must be 18 to purchase tickets or attend the show. In the past two years the Shane Dwight Band has performed at numerous prestigious concerts including the Monterey Blues Festival, Oklahoma Blues Festival, Fire on The Mountain Festival, Reno Blues & Brews Festival, Portland Oregon Waterfront Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, S.F. California Blues Festival, Florida Springing The Blues Festival, and many more. Although Shane’s music is blues based, the band’s ability to cross over to a variety of different audiences is shown in their current concert schedule which has them working at venues as diverse as county fairs, Disneyland Theme parks, and opening for major country, blues, and rock artists. The band includes Shane Dwight on lead guitar and vocals, Kevin Stuart on bass guitar, Jerome Kimsey on drums, Robby Z on rhythm guitar, and Steve Dore

on keyboards. For more on Shane Dwight visit shanedwight.com. Over the course of his 30-year career, guitarist and vocalist Coco Montoya’s explosive guitar playing and soul-driven voice have propelled him to the upper reaches of the blues-rock world. From his early days as a drummer to his current status as one of the top-drawing guitarists and vocalists on the blues-rock scene, Montoya has forged his reputation through years of hard work and constant touring. He was born in Santa Monica and raised by parents with a large record collection. As a youngster, he enjoyed picking out notes on the guitar, but he grew up playing drums in local rock bands. In 1969, Montoya saw Albert King opening up a Creedence Clearwater Revival/Iron Butterfly concert and was transformed. “After Albert got done playing,” says Montoya, “my life was changed. When he played, the music went right into my soul. It grabbed me so emotionally that I had tears welling up in my eyes. Nothing had ever affected me to this level. He showed me what music and guitar playing were all about. I knew that was what I wanted to do.” For more on Coco Montoya visit cocomontoya.com.

Dwight & Montoya headline big blues night April 17

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

TINA San Jose

$2,500

MILDRED Stockton

$1,250

MATHEW Fiddletown

$5,000

WINNERS

LINDA Stockton

$12,228

MONICA Lodi

$4,497

NORMA Stockton

$1,506

VIOLA Sacramento

$5,560

‘Rain’ and ‘Rebel’ movie classics coming up Our Dinner & a Movie series continues to be very popular with most events selling out early. There may still be a few tickets available for the April 15 event which features the classic “Singin’ in the Rain,” a 1952 comedy musical starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. It offers a comic depiction of Hollywood’s transition from silent films to “talkies” and is frequently described as one of the best musicals ever made. The film includes one of the most famous dance routines ever, with Kelly singing the title song while twirling an umbrella and splashing through puddles. Reserve your seats now for the May 6 event featuring the iconic “Rebel Without a Cause,” a 1955 film starring James Dean, Sal Mineo, and Natalie Wood. The film tells the story of a rebellious teenager played by James Dean, who comes to a new town, meets a girl, defies his parents, and faces the local high school bullies. It sought to portray the existing decay of youth in middle America, critique parental style, and expose the rift between two generations. Others who can be sighted in the film include Jim Backus, William Hopper, and Dennis Hopper. Much of “Rebel” was filmed at Santa Monica High School and Griffith Park Observatory in Southern California. The 1949 Mercury Coupe James Dean drove in the movie is part of the permanent collection at the National Automobile Museum in Reno. All three of the main stars died under tragic circumstances. Dean was killed in a APRIL 2009 • THE ARROW

traffic accident just months after filming “Rebel” at age 24, Mineo was murdered in 1976 at age 37, and Wood drowned in 1981 at 43. Call 800-822-WINN to check on availability and reserve your seats. Both events include a buffet dinner and the movie, and are from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Grand Oak Ballroom. For Elite and VIP Dreamcatcher’s Club members, the events are free and you’ll receive $20 in Promo Slot Play. All others can choose between two packages:  The $70 package includes dinner for two, a hotel room (subject to availability), the movie, plus $20 Promo Slot Play per person  The $20 per person package includes the dinner, movie, and $20 Promo Slot Play Seating is limited and these events tend to sell out fast, so RSVP to 800-822-WINN today to reserve your place.

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

Dine Rancheria Style™ WINNERS this Easter Dine with us for Easter, Sunday, April 12, and you have your choice of three excellent epicurean experiences. Raging River Restaurant will offer a scrumptious Brunch Buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring all your favorite breakfast entrees plus main entrees including Prime Rib, Spring Vegetable Blend, and Beef Burgundy, and a great assortment of seafood. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Raging River will offer a delicious Dinner Buffet, featuring Leg of Lamb and Prime Rib, plus seafood and additional entrees including Coffee Rubbed Pork Loin, Grilled Swordfish with Orange Butter sauce, and Grilled Chicken Breast with Hunter’s Mushroom Sauce. Both buffets include soups, salad bar, breads, and desserts. Prices for the Raging River Buffets are $27 for adults and $10 for children 7-12, but all Dreamcatcher’s Club members receive a discount. The buffets are complimentary for Elite and VIP. Premier members pay just $14, Preferred only $20, and Classic members are $24. Reservations are not accepted for these Raging River buffets. You can also enjoy an all day buffet in the elaborately decorated Grand Oak Ballroom at the Hotel from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This buffet features favorites like Eggs Benedict, Cheese Blintzes, and Golden Waffles, plus Leg of Lamb, Prime Rib, a terrific variety of seafood, and much more. Soups, salad bar, breads, and desserts are all included, and wine and spirits are available for purchase. This buffet features banquet style seating. Prices for the hotel buffet JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

are $27 for adults and $10 for children 712, but all Dreamcatcher’s Club members receive a discount. The buffets are complimentary for Elite and VIP. Premier members pay just $14, Preferred only $20, and Classic members are $24. For reservations call 800-822-WINN. And for a truly memorable experience, make your reservations now for Easter Dinner at Lone Wolf’s Steak & Seafood. In addition to the always exquisite menu, there is a special Easter Menu featuring Roasted Beet Salad with Shaved Fennel and Herbed Goat Cheese ($7), Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Minted Heirloom Baby Carrots and Potato Puree ($32), and a Carrot Cake Crème Brule ($5). As always, wine and spirits are available. For reservations call 800-822-WINN.

ARTHUR Bethel Island

$2,160

DOLORES Manteca

$2,700

CONRAD Lodi

$1,553

NICACIO Ione

THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

$14,400

WINNERS

DORA Stockton

$6,669

HELEN Tracy

$2,000

LACY Lodi

$98,697

HECTOR Stockton

$6,000

Your Lucky Duck Could be Worth $1 Million

One lucky winner might walk (or waddle) off with $1 million from the 22nd annual Great Sutter Creek Duck Race on Saturday, April 25, at Minnie Provis Park. Duck handlers also have a chance to head for the winner’s circle for $5,000 in cash and prizes. But, let’s face it, a million dollars is bound to make someone leave the duck armada and soar with the eagles. Sponsored by the Sutter Creek Business & Professional Association, the event starts at 9 a.m. with live music, followed by the duck races. Children are encouraged to get in the action with a number of free children’s games. The Duckling Race begins at noon and is a fun way for the younger kids to set their own pace in races. It’s free to children ages 14 and under. The Ugly Duckling Contest gives children a chance to create their own version of a duded up duckling. Children can compete for prizes for the most beautiful, ugliest, funniest ducks, and many more categories to win cash, toys. and new bicycles. “The Duck Race is always a fabulous day for kids and their families,” said Lisa

Klosowski, organizer for the event. “There is something wonderfully old fashioned about families, neighbors, and friends getting together for an event like this. This year, it should be even more fantastic with lots of people showing up to see if their duck wins the

million dollar prize.” Now’s the time to adopt one duck for just $5 or pick up a flock of five for $20. Donations are tax deductible. Checks made payable to Great Sutter Creek Duck Race can be sent to P.O. Box 600, Sutter Creek, CA 95685. Or pick up a duck at The Music Box Company, 64 Main Street, Sutter Creek. This year’s event benefits the following community organization - Amador County Kiwanis Club, Amador County Special Education, APERS, Gold Nugget 4-H Club, Knights of Columbus, Mother Lode Newcomers, Volcano Theatre Company, Immaculate Conception Men’s Club, Gold Wheels 4-H Club, Amador J.V. Baseball, and the Sutter Creek Business & Professional Association. For more information call 209-267-1344.

Amador Film Festival - Take Two!

The second annual Amador Film Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18. All films will be shown in the Sutter Creek Community Center, 33 Church Street, Sutter Creek. Presented by the Amador County Arts Council, this “Take Two!” festival includes an opening night event with hors d’oeuvres, a no host bar, and the North American premier of “Hope Eternal.” Admission is $15. Scarred by years of abuse, Hope is a young Madagascan nurse who has dedicated her life to helping other abused street kids get well. Through her APRIL 2009 • THE ARROW

humanitarian efforts Hope meets Evan, a Welsh doctor who wins over both her and her daughter Bantu’s heart. When tragedy befalls Evan, Hope and Bantu embark on a journey to honor Evan’s memory, encountering unexpected villains and heroes along the way. This is an official UK foreign language film for the 2009 Academy Awards. The festival continues with screenings all day Saturday in three categories - full length features, shorts (30 minutes or less), and student films. Individual screenings are $5, a season pass is $25. For more information visit amadorfilmfestival.com.

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

Jazz

t o H

31st Annual Mother Lode

Party

Official Program

Presented by

Benefitting the Amador/Argonaut Band Boosters and the ARC Program of Amador and Calaveras

Welcome to the 31st annual Mother Lode Hot Jazz Party The 31st annual Mother Lode Hot Jazz Party, presented for the first time by Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, will be held on Sunday, April 26, featuring 11 hot bands in four locations around Jackson, CA. This year’s locations include three areas at Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel in Jackson: • The Grand Oak Ballroom in the Hotel • The Garden Terrace at the Hotel • The RV Park Plus • American Legion Hall in Sutter Creek • Elks Lodge in Jackson • Mel & Faye’s Diner in Jackson Headlining will be Stompy Jones, a San Francisco based sextet, renowned for their jumping rhythm, wailing improvisations, hip charm, retro style, and explosive stage show.Also appearing will be the 10th Avenue Jazz Band, Creole Jazz Kings, Barkin’ Dawgs, Catsnjammer, Midnight Rose, Jass City, Natural Gas Jazz Band, Take 2 Youth Band, Yosemite Jazz Band, and the ACUSD Jazz Band. Acts are subject to change. The bands will rotate between the locations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, there will be two extra Gospel performances at 11 a.m. Midnight Rose will perform at the American Legion Hall and JassCity will be in the

Ballroom at Jackson Rancheria Hotel. The event benefits the Amador/Argonaut Band Boosters and the ARC Program of Amador and Calaveras. Over the years, the party has raised more than $280,000 for local organizations. Admission tickets are $17 in advance (by April 24) or $20 on the day of the event and are available at the Jackson Rancheria Box Office or by mailing checks made out to Dixieland Jazz Benefit Party to Sherry Hubbart, 13525 Running Gold Road, Sutter Creek, CA 95685, no later than April 15. Party goers can enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast at the Elks Lodge on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for $7. Continuous shuttle service between all venues will be available thanks to Jackson Rancheria. Although the main event is on Sunday, there are additional free performances from Thursday through Saturday. The 10th Avenue Jazz Band will perform at a Rancheria Dance Party in the Grand Oak Ballroom of Jackson Rancheria Hotel on Thursday, April 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on the Dalton Town Hall stage on Friday, April 24, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. There are also free Saturday Warm Up Sessions at the Casino, including an Afternoon Jazz Party with the 10th Avenue Jazz Band in the Ballroom from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and with Natural Gas Jazz Band in the Main Street Food Court from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., plus an Evening Dance Party with JassCity from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Ballroom.

Parking at Jackson Rancheria

Parking for both the Grand Oak Ballroom and the Garden Terrace performances is in the parking garage. There is no parking at the Hotel. Access to the Hotel and Ballroom is from the third level of the garage. Access to the Casino is from the first level. For the RV Park shows, you can park at the RV Park, or park in the garage and take the free shuttle to the other venues.

Jazz 2

Stompy Jones

Headlining this year’s Jazz Party is Stompy Jones, a San Francisco based sextet renowned for their jumping rhythm, wailing improvisations, hip charm, retro style, and explosive stage show. Whether appearing at a posh supper club, concert hall, festival or cozy tavern, these journeymen of jump deliver the romping, joyous, overwhelming style of jazz that came to be known as Rock & Roll. Little David Rose’s thumping stand-up bass, the doubleshuffle drumming of Lee Beary, and the bounce piano of Scott Lawrence provide the rhythmic foundation of the band’s jump style. Riffing on top is the trumpet sound of Robert Dehlinger and Erv Ervin on the saxophone. These two create the fireworks

of vintage rhythm and blues for Christopher Binnings’ soulful vocals. “Stompy Jones came into existence in May of 1998 at the Hi Ball Lounge in San Francisco,” explains Little David. “I talked the owners of the Hi Ball into letting me host a swing jam session on Tuesday nights with the intent of finding musicians interested in helping me form a rhythm and blues dance band. After a month of Tuesdays, I was set with a six-piece jump band that could recreate the jaunty blues sound of Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five.” “This same scenario could have been told in the 1940s by Roy Milton, Joe Liggins, or TBone Walker. These musicians, all former big band members, Jazz 3

crafting a small group sound based on the enormous success of Louis Jordan, created the Rhythm and Blues Era, as well as, the independent record industry. This West coast phenomenon became the foundation of Top 40 radio and what is now called Rock & Roll.” “These small group sounds, the shuffle drumming, bounce piano, arpeggiated bass lines. were also the basis for Louis Prima’s success in Las Vegas in the late 1950s. Prima put lounge music on the map with his revved-up jump style.” “I have endeavored to recreate these historic sounds, as well as, combine these vintage elements with a contemporary sensibility, to craft the solid sound of Stompy Jones.”

JassCity Jazz Band JassCity Jazz Band was formed in the early 1990s by Jim and Sherry Hubbart under the name Jasstown Revelators. When Jim retired in 2004 Bob Sakoi took over and following Jim’s death in 2005, the name Revelators was retired and the band became the JassCity Jazz Band. JassCity has continued with the same swinging beat, the most requested fan favorites plus some new numbers, all in the tradition started more than a decade ago. Leader Bob Sakoi (trumpet) started his musical career playing in the Dixie band at Great America theme park. He worked his way through college playing Latin music in clubs and on the radio. After playing with many big names in Las Vegas, Bob became involved in the traditional jazz scene. Bob Edson (trombone and vocals) put himself through engineering school at Oregon State playing trombone and managing dance bands. He’s a former Navy helicopter pilot and retired engineer. Manny Costancio (banjo, guitar, and vocals) joined the Navy to become a boxer and retired as a bandmaster. He’s involved in several groups and is featured vocalist on some of JassCity’s most requested tunes. Bob Stover (drums) is a UOP graduate, retired music educator, private drum teacher, and full time musician. In addition to performing at jazz shows and making his own recordings, he is the principal percussionist with the

Stockton Symphony. Dick Douty (bass) is probably best known for his tuba playing, including with the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Opera Orchestra. He has performed with numerous groups and fronted several bands. He served as tuba player with the Creole Jazz Kings Band for 12 years before joining JassCity. Don Reiss (reeds) is one of the newer members of the band, after playing for many years with the Hogin’s Heroes Band. He is a retired airline pilot, deacon and choir members of his church. Making a special appearance with JassCity will be Pat Yankee, Queen of San Francisco Jazz.

Creole Jazz Kings A few grad students from CSU Stanislaus and Fresno State were moping over a pitcher of beer one night back in 1986. They were all music majors, bored with the daily life of a student and singing barbershop in the pizza joints for beer. Someone said “Let’s start a band!” Just like the old Mickey Rooney movies, the Creole Jazz Kings were born. With a lot of enthusiasm, a bit of talent, and lots on encouragement from the founding fathers of the Modesto Dixieland Jazz Society, the Creole Jazz Kings played their first gig in 1986. The band went on to become favorites of many jazz societies and festivals, performing nearly 2,000 gigs in the past 20 years, including multiple appearances at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, plus Monterey, Sisters Oregon, Pismo Beach, Three Rivers, Fresno, and many others.

The Creole Jazz Kings have been playing at The Barking Dog in Modesto every Wednesday since July of 2007. Currentmembersinclude leader Dan Talbert on trombone and vocals, Keith Blatz on tuba and vocals, Al Boomer on banjo and vocals, Joe Runnels on drums, Dave Johnson on cornet, trombone, and vocals, Tom Schmidt on reeds and vocals, and Daryl

Hosick on piano. And the group is proud to present 11-year-old Natalie Tout, “Vixen of the Valley,” whose surprisingly mature voice and stage presence are setting the local jazz scene on fire. From this group you will hear West Coast Jazz, blues, lots of great vocals, standards, and most of all, “Hot Jazz a la Creole Jazz Kings!”

Jazz 4

Pat Yankee

Pat Yankee, “The Queen of San Francisco Jazz,” will be special guest vocalist with the JassCity Jazz Band. Originally from Lodi, Pat’s career has taken her to New York, Europe, and back to San Francisco. She attended a New York school of talented children, which led to a role in the Ted Lewis Revue and chance to dance with Bojangles Robinson. An offer from Goman’s Gay Nineties brought her back to San Francisco for a fiveyear engagement. She performed for years with legendary jazzman Turk Murphy before marrying and moving to Spain, where she became the toast of Madrid. Since returning to San Francisco, Pat has been touring with her own group and making special appearances like this one. She is renown for her tribute to blues icon Bessie Smith.

Catsnjammer Jazz Band

Midnight Rose Jazz Band

Catsnjammer Jazz Band, now in their 28th year, combines the energy of a show band with the elegance of traditional jazz. The group is comprised of their irrepressible leader Gene Berthelsen on cornet; exciting Tom Schmidt on clarinet; Brian Richardson, the droll Englishman, on trombone; showman Kurt Abell on banjo; Jean Levinson, the Johann Sebastian Bach of the tuba; internationally acclaimed Mark Allen Jones on piano; and, returning after a few years’ absence, the lyrical Trent Teague on drums. “This may be the best Catsnjammer band ever,” Berthelsen says. “Tom Schmidt on clarinet takes us to a whole new level of virtuosity, and Trent Teague is that rare drummer who has both power and taste. We’re tight, we’re hot, and we’re fresh. I want people on their feet when we finish a set.” Catsnjammer is a regular at the Sacramento Jazz Jubliee and was chosen to represent the Jubilee on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Their latest album is “Live at the Sudwerk!”

Midnight Rose Jazz Band features one of the most exciting and unusual front lines on the jazz festival circuit. The group is known as much for its energy and hilarity as for its entertaining musical interpretation. Their style is best described as eclectic, mainstream Dixieland Swing with a taste of feature and novelty tunes thrown in. Prominent on the front line are two sisters, Nancy Kreis on clarinet and leader Dannie Balser-Singinghawk on trumpet. Both were born in Chicago and became interested in music at a very young age. Dannie started on piano before turning to the trumpet, and Nancy had a brief encounter with the violin before falling in love with the clarinet. Rounding out the front line are three accomplished gentlemen, distinguished by both their talent and bravery - Ken O’Brien on trombone and vocals, Reuben Smith on string bass and tuba, Carl Warmdahl on drums, and Ben Marcelo on piano. All live in Northern California.

Jazz 5

Yosemite Jazz Band

10th Avenue Jazz Band

The Yosemite Jazz Band was formed in 1994 in the mountain communities surrounding Yosemite National Park. Band leader Berl Howell approached reed player Red Strauss about forming a Dixieland band and before long they got their first gig at the local Pizza Factory restaurant, where they continue to play every Thursday night. The band’s repertoire includes an entertaining blend of Dixieland, early swing, gospel, and other traditional jazz favorites. Like most bands, they seen a few changes in personnel. The current lineup includes Leader Berl Howell on trumpet and vocals, Ted Strauss on clarinet, tenor sax and vocals, Larry “Curly” Vaccaro on tuba, Jeff Gurule on banjo, guitar, and vocals, Pat “Chops” Mierkey on trombone and vocals, Jim Kirin on drums, and James Mierkey (Pat’s son) on piano and vocals.

Combining Big Band, Swing, Chicago-style Dixieland, and specializing in both concert and swing dance performances, this dynamic five-piece group has ignited audiences worldwide for 30 years. With innovative arrangements that give new life to Classic Jazz and Dixie standards, the 10th Avenue Band’s high energy performances from Europe to Australia, from Russia to China, and all points in between always leave them rocking. Join the thousands all over the world who have become lifelong friends and fans of this innovative and exciting band that “simply swings, rocks, and cooks.” Pictured left to right are Lewis Keizer, trumpet and vocals, David Robinson, piano, Nancy Cassel, bass, Marshall Root, drums, and Ed Zimbrick, trombone and vocals

Barkin’ Dawg Jazz Band Barkin’ Dawg Jazz Band is eight musicians in search of “fun, friends, and good music.” With influences ranging from Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars to Lu Waters, Wynton Marsalis, Bob Romans, and the Professors, you know you can expect a good time and some great Dixieland music from this group. Members of the group are leader Rikki Nishimori on trumpet, Jeff Waters on clarinet, Katie Waters on tenor saxophone, Grady Gardenhire on trombone, Priscilla Ornelas on tuba, Bobby Henry on banjo, Jon Raman on drums, and Roger Coss on piano.

Jazz 6

Take 2 Jazz Band

Natural Gas Jazz Band

The San Francisco based Natural Gas Jazz Band has been delighting audiences since 1970. This surprising longevity of 34 years is the result of a singularly stable band line up, a musical book of broad appeal, and gifted musicians who enjoy creating jazz together. The band is strongly influenced of its late San Francisco friends, jazz legends Lu Watters and Turk Murphy. Its book is also rich with the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, Fats Waller, and others. Expect to hear stomps, blues, rags, marches, spirituals, and dances of all moods and tempos from this group. The band has played throughout the U.S. and around the world, including Mexico, Scotland, England, Holland, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Siberia, France, Germany, Shanghai, and New Zealand. Jazz festival appearances include repeated visits to most of the country’s major events, including Sacramento, Monterey, Pismo Beach, and San Diego in California. The Bix Fest in Davenport, Iowa, has featured the group repeatedly, as has the Swing’n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree in Sun Valley and the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival. One reviewer said of the band, “Everything about their performance sparkled: the virtuosity of the individual musicians, the variety of tunes and complete mastery of different styles, great arrangements and the band’s incredible tight execution. After 28 years, they still sound fresh and exciting.” Current members of the Natural Gas Jazz Band are leader Phil Crumley on cornet, Bob Murphy on soprano sax, Bill Carson on trombone, Carl Lunsford on banjo, Warren Perry on drums, Jim Brennan on tuba, and Rich Owens on piano.

Take 2 Jazz Band, one of two youth groups performing at the party, is a recently formed traditional jazz band comprised of seven 12 to 14 year old music students from Joseph Kerr Middle School in Elk Grove. Two of the members are siblings of the former Howlin’ Coyote Jazz Band (circa 2000-2005). Band members are, from left, Leah Carroll on drums, Jackson Levin on trumpet, Matthew Seno on piano, Christian Goodbrake on bass, Lindsay Russell on trombone, Tim Kreis on clarinet and alto, and Maddy Pringle on tenor sax.

Jazz 7

ACUSD Jazz Band

The Amador County Unified School District Jazz Band is made of students from Amador and Argonaut High Schools. It is a volunteer-only beforeschool enrichment course that meets from 7 to 8 a.m. five days a week. The band’s motto is “We don’t get up at 5 a.m. to be serious!” The band performs locally for school concerts and community events and travels near and far to participate in various educational jazz festivals. The birth of the ACUSD Jazz Band is a very special story. In the summer of 2008, Mic Gillette, original lead trumpet with the Tower of Power and Grammy nominated solo artist for his recent album “Ear Candy,” began teaching private lessons to a few student musicians in the Amador trumpet section. After learning about the ACUSD Band Program from these students, he offered to coach the Marching Band’s brass section. Following the first rehearsal, Mic offered to help start a Jazz Band. The rest is history. The band was formed last October under the management of ACUSD Music Educator Christopher J. Tootle, the direction of retired ACUSD Music Educator Hank King, and the inspiration of Mic Gillette.

2009 Mother Lode Hot Jazz Party Presented by Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel Don’t Miss the FREE Parties Before the Party Thursday, April 23 • 6-8 p.m. Rancheria Dance Party

Friday, April 24 • 7:30-11 p.m.

10th Avenue Jazz Band

On the Dalton Town Hall stage in the Casino

10th Avenue Jazz Band

In the Grand Oak Ballroom at the Hotel

FREE Warm-Up sessions at Jackson Rancheria • Saturday, April 25 Afternoon Jazz Party 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Afternoon Jazz Party 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Evening Dancing 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

10th Avenue Jazz Band

Natural Gas Jazz Band

JassCity Jazz Band

Dalton Town Hall in the Casino

In the Casino’s Main Street Food Court

In the Grand Oak Ballroom at the Hotel

2009 Mother Lode Jazz Party Schedule • Sunday, April 26 Schedule subject to change

American Legion Hall

Elks Lodge

Mel & Faye’s Diner

11 a.m. to 11:55 a.m.

GOSPEL Midnight Rose

Creole Jazz Kings

Stompy Jones

12:15 p.m. to 1:05 p.m.

YOUTH Take 2 Jazz Band

1:25 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.

Stompy Jones

Midnight Rose Jazz Band

2:40 p.m. to 3:35 p.m.

Natural Gas Jazz Band

3:55 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. 5:10 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel RV Garden Grand Oak Park Terrace Ballroom Natural Gas Jazz Band

Yosemite Jazz Band

GOSPEL JassCity with Pat Yankee

Yosemite Jazz Band

Barking Dawgs

Natural Gas Jazz Band

Yosemite Jazz Band

Creole Jazz Kings

JassCity with Pat Yankee

10th Avenue Jazz Band

Yosemite Jazz Band

YOUTH ACUSD Jazz Band

Barking Dawgs

Creole Jazz Kings

Catsnjammer Jazz Band

JassCity with Pat Yankee

10th Avenue Jazz Band

Barking Dawgs

Midnight Rose Jazz Band

Catsnjammer Jazz Band

Stompy Jones

Barking Dawgs

JassCity with Pat Yankee

Creole Jazz Kings

Catsnjammer Jazz Band

Stompy Jones

Midnight Rose Jazz Band

Catsnjammer 10th Avenue Jazz Band Jazz Band

Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Lodge in Jackson - All you can eat 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for $7 Continuous free shuttle service between all venues courtesy of Jackson Rancheria

Jackson Rancheria supports Blue Mountain Coalition

J a c k s o n Rancheria has partnered with Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families (BMCYF), a nonprofit youth, family and community resource center in West Point, to promote the local online search engines MyAmador.com and MyCalaveras. com. MyAmador.com and MyCalaveras. BMCYF and Tears of Healing, a Native American support group, com, where Amador called for the Sacred Hoop to come to West Point to help tie and Calaveras the community together. On September 11, 2006, the Hoop was businesses, services, carried to the West Point roundhouse for a special Native American organizations, and ceremony, then to West Point School. The Hoop was then carried communities can by the students to a ceremony at the BMCYF center, where a be found in one peace pole was dedicated to the community. searchable online location, are now operated by BMCYF as web site like this is promotion, but that a revenue-generating business to provide can be very expensive and is something we sustainable income for the coalition. otherwise could not afford to do. Though “We’re supporters of the BMCYF and we provide many community services, the work they do in the local community,” we receive no county funding and very said Jackson Rancheria CEO Rich limited state support.” Hoffman. “We know how challenging it is The coalition serves families with for a community organization to become young children, single adults, homeless financially self-sustaining. Helping to youth, seniors, immigrants and elders promote MyAmador and MyCalaveras is on a regular basis with referrals to something we can do to help them attain services, transportation, hot meals, food, that goal.” clothing, blankets, shelter, and provides a The coalition was formed in 1990 by community gathering place. a group of mothers who wanted quality Programs and activities include activities for their children in West Point. family advocacy, teen pregnancy and The organization grew in size and scope STD prevention and education, meals, a through the 1990s, culminating in a grant community garden, field trips, recreation, from the California Youth Authority in health education events, community 1999 to purchase property and a former service projects, peace project, ongoing art hardware/lumber store in downtown West projects and presentations, and clothing Point. The property had been converted and blanket distribution. into a youth and community center, where West Point resident Rick Torgerson, the coalition operates outreach programs developer of the MyAmador and and a drop-in youth center. MyCalaveras software application, “We are very grateful to the Jackson recently licensed the sites to the BMCYF. Rancheria for promoting MyAmador and When the sites went online five years ago, MyCalaveras,” said BMCYF president Torgerson’s vision was to not only create a Peggy Chambers. “A key to success for a See BLUE MOUNTAIN, Page 15 JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

WINNERS

HECTOR Dixon

$3,412

JOHN Ione

$7,256

NICHOLAS Stockton

$5,760

FRED Salinas

$2,250

T H I S M O N T H AT J A C K S O N R

APRIL 2009

SUNDAY Blackjack Tournaments Mondays & Wednesdays

MONDAY

TUESDAY

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Limited to the first 84 players (no re-buys) Dreamcatcher’s Club discounts available on Mondays

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Win up to $500 in Promo Slot Play Tournaments begin 90 minutes after registration opens.

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Senior Day Tournaments

Happy Easter!

I.R.S. TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS BLACKFOOT Grand Oak Ballroom 6 p.m.

I.R.S. RANDOM SLOT DRAWINGS

12 I.R.S. TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS EASTER

13 I.R.S. RANDOM SLOT DRAWINGS

19 I.R.S. TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS

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HOT JAZZ PARTY 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

I.R.S. TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS APRIL 2009 • THE ARROW

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I.R.S. TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS

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28 I.R.S. TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS

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SHANE DWIGHT & COCO MONTOYA Grand Oak Ballroom 8 p.m.

RANCHERIA DANCE PARTY Grand Oak Ballroom 6 to 8 p.m.

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3T PXOINTS

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I.R.S. MERRY CHRISTMAS TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS

SATURDAY

I.R.S. TABLE GAMES DRAWINGS

DINNER & A MOVIE Grand Oak Ballroom 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

I.R.S. RANDOM SLOT DRAWINGS

SLOT PO

THURSDAY

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Earn Triple Points on all Slot Play every Wednesday in April THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

JAZZ PARTY DANCE Grand Oak Ballroom 7:30 p.m.

Poker Room Tournaments Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.

May 1 fundraiser features Mic Gillette Band and ACUSD Jazz Band

Jackson Rancheria is proud to host the CD launch party for the Amador Country Unified School District (ACUSD) Youth Jazz Band. The party is on Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in the Grand Oak Ballroom and will feature performances by both the ACUSD Jazz Band and the Mic Gillette Band. The ACUSD Jazz Band is a volunteer before-school enrichment group that meets very early five days a week. They’ve been performing locally and regionally at community events and jazz festivals and have just completed recording their first CD, which will debut at the party. The youth band will also be performing at the Mother Lode Hot Jazz Party on Sunday, April 26. Following the youth group’s set, there will also be a performance

Mic Gillette Band by the Mic Gillette Band. Gillette, original lead trumpet with the Tower of Power, was instrumental in the creation of the youth group last fall. Gillette has been a leading horn player for over 30 years. In addition to Tower of Power, he was a member of Cold Blood and Sons of Champlin and has performed on hundreds of albums by some of the biggest names in the business,

including Santana, The Rolling Stones, Quincy Jones, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Jefferson Starship, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The band combines traditional and contemporary funk and jazz with Gillette’s sophisticated and compelling original arrangements, song writing, and performance. Members of the group are Mic Gillette, Matt Martinez, Clint Day, Steve Mason, David Hawkes, Greg Barker and Gillette’s daughter Megan. The party will climax with members of the youth band joining the Gillette Band for a terrific jam session. A donation of $5 is suggested for the party, with all funds benefiting the Youth Jazz Band. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the launch of a dynamic and talented new jazz band.

Community Calendar Pete Morelli Speaks Sutter Creek Community Center Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m. Well-known NFL Official Pete Morelli will speak at a benefit for the Sutter Creek Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund. Refreshments served. A $5 tax-deductible donation is suggested. To RSVP call 267-5652, for more information visit suttercreekwomansclub.org. Charlotte’s Web Sutter Creek Theatre April 3-11 Sutter Creek Theatre presents “Charlotte’s Web,” a play based on the book named by the Children’s Literature Association as “the best American children’s book of the past two hundred years.” This is a beautiful, knowing play about the value of friendship, directed by Monica

MacLean with a cast from the local community. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on April 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 5. Tickets are $10, with children under 18 $6, and are available at suttercreektheater.com. Photographer’s Day Preston Castle, Ione Saturday, April 11 - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Twice a year photographers can roam the historic Preston Castle on a self-guided tour with plenty of time to explore the non-restricted areas and set up shots. Admission $20 at the gate. Visit prestoncastle. com for more details on this 1894 building. 49er Bypass Challenge Sutter Creek Main Street Sunday, April 12 This family event includes a 1k run/walk, 5k and

To list your event, call Carol at (209) 223-8139 or fax (209) 223-8385.

10k bypass runs, and a 25k bike run. Sponsored by New York Fitness, it benefits the Amador County Recreational Agency. All kids eighth grade or younger who complete an event get a coupon for free ice cream at the Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium. Registration starts at 8 a.m. There’s a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the awards ceremony starts at 1 p.m. All events start on Main Street in downtown Sutter Creek. For registration and information visit suttercreek.org. Vineyards & Views Home Tour Shenandoah Valley Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This annual Home Tour, hosted by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) features four gracious, unique homes, lunch venues, art show, and wine tasting available at more than 30 wineries and tasting rooms. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 on day of the tour. Proceeds provide scholarships for local girls and women, and community education programs. For more information call 209-245-6052.

Senior Spectacular coming in May

The first of two Senior Spectacular events presented by Living Well Network at Jackson Rancheria will be held on Monday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Grand Oak Ballroom at the Hotel. The event will include entertainment and information on services and resources available to seniors. More details to come.

Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is a major sponsor of Living Well Network, a multi-source program designed for the 50+ crowd that includes the website LivingWellSacramento.com, a weekly radio program on KCCL-FM (92.1) Sundays at 7 a.m., and two Senior Spectacular events this year.

Check out RancheriaStyle.com Jackson Rancheria has a new address on the internet, but don’t worry the old one isn’t going away. In an effort to better define ourselves, we are now using RancheriaStyle.com as our official web address. Go to that address and you’ll find the same, familiar website with details on all our games, promotions, entertainment, and amenities.

All your old bookmarks and favorites still work, but now there are two ways to get to our site - both jacksoncasino.com and RancheriaStyle.com lead to the same site. Our website now reflects our commitment to providing you with Rancheria Style™ gaming, dining, and lodging.

Blue Mountain

MyAmador and MyCalaveras are content providers for the internet.” Sustainability is the core concept of MyAmador and MyCalaveras,” said Chambers. “We provide an inexpensive and level playing field for all businesses to effectively market themselves locally online. We make it easier for consumers to find these local businesses, thereby encouraging local spending, which recycles revenue back into the local economy. We provide free listings and web sites to non-profit organizations and community groups. Our income provides operational sustainability for the Blue Mountain Coalition. Our web site operations have a near-zero carbon footprint. And every penny of our revenue is recycled back into the local economy through BMCYF’s community programs, services and wages to employees. Everybody wins.” MyAmador and MyCalaveras also offer a free local online classified section and community bulletin board where locals can buy and sell items, announce community events, post employment opportunities, housing rentals, garage sale, local fundraisers, and generally communicate with the local market. “It’s like a ‘Craig’s List’ for our local area,” said Torgerson. For more information visit MyAmador. com and MyCalaveras.com, email sales@ mycalaveras.com, or call 209-498-3003. For more information on BMCYF, visit www.bmcyf.org or call 209-293-4500.

Continued from page 11 sustainable local business, but create one that promotes economic sustainability in the market it serves. “MyAmador and MyCalaveras are different than Google® or online yellow page products because we provide live, local service,” he explains. “If your business or organization is not on our site, contact us during regular business hours and we’ll get you online with us in a matter of minutes. No other search engine does this. Searches on MyAmador or MyCalaveras return only local information, not thousands of pages of results. Many of our listings do not exist anywhere else on the web. In this sense,

Karaoke contest returns this June The popular Jackson Rancheria

Karaoke contest will return this summer with competitions every Tuesday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., from June 2 through August 4. Warm up your vocal chords and get ready to perform! More details to come. JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

WINNERS

WILLIAM Stockton

$11,851

FLORIDA Mountain House

$3,134

ARIEL Sacramento

$20,000

REBECCA Lathrop

$1,440

WINNERS

MARY Stockton

$10,000

JAMES Sacramento

$2,905

DANIEL Stockton

$2,417

HOEU Stockton

$2,500

Rancheria Fire Fighter really loves his work

When you think of Jackson Rancheria, you may think of a casino, hotel, and restaurants, but the Rancheria is really a not-so-small town with many of the same shops and services as any town. In addition to the casino, hotel, restaurants, RV Park, and general store, the Rancheria includes a child care center for employees, Tribal Police department, plus electricians, plumbers, painters, wood workers, HVAC, locksmiths, landscapers, water treatment plant, and more. We even have a full time upholstery shop. One of our newest additions is the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department. The dedicated men and women of the department provide protection not only to the public buildings on the Rancheria, but also to Tribal homes and over 1,000 acres of mostly undeveloped woodland. Firefighter Ryan Drake is one of the newest member of the department’s well trained staff. Ryan was born at Vandenberg Air Force Base. His parents were both in the Navy and they moved around a lot, finally ending up in Amador County. Ryan graduated from Argonaut High

Tell us about your favorite Jackson Rancheria employee Is there a Jackson Rancheria employee who always makes you feel special? Or one who went out of their way to make your visit perfect? Tell us about your experiences with our employees and we may spotlight them in an upcoming issue of The Arrow. Simply email your comments to Carol Cook at ccook@jacksoncasino. com. APRIL 2009 • THE ARROW

Firefighter Ryan Drake School and then worked at Lake Camanche and for the local school district before joining the Jackson Rancheria team. He started out in Custodial, then went to Security for a while before qualifying for the Fire Department earlier this year. Ryan was headed for a military career like his parents when a horrible accident sent him in a different direction. In his late teens he came upon an auto accident. He was able to help one person get out, but several other people died. “I decided right then and there that I wanted medical training,” says Ryan. He joined the Jackson Valley Fire Protection District in Ione, became an EMT, and then “fell in love with fire fighting.” In order to join the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department, Ryan had to complete additional fire training. He did this while working full time as a Custodian. In typical Rancheria Style™, his supervisor changed his shift schedule to accommodate the training, but it was a tough time working See FIREFIGHTER RYAN, page 18

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

It’s Daffodil time in Amador County Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Amador County, thanks to hundreds of thousands of daffodils and other flowers blooming throughout the area. One of the most dramatic locales for viewing the big bloom is Daffodil Hill, a private ranch in the hills above Jackson and Sutter Creek. The farm began as a 36-acre ranch and toll road owned by the McLaughlin family since 1887. In the 1930s, the first visitors stopped to admire the family’s garden. Responding to public interest, the family began expanding the flower bed. Today much of the landscape around the old homestead is covered with more than 300 named varieties of daffodils. For the last 20 years, the McLaughlins have continued to plant up to 6,000 new bulbs a year. It is estimated that today, Daffodil Hill is carpeted with over 300,000 bulbs. Daffodil Hill is in a beautiful alpine setting at an elevation of over 3,000 feet. With pine trees, an old barn, wagon wheels, and rusting mining equipment and farming tools, it appeals to anyone with a love of nature. Flowers are everywhere, with peacocks, chickens, pigeons, and lambs making themselves at home. Nature determines when Daffodil Hill opens to the public. It opens when 25 percent of the flowers are in bloom and closes when only 25 percent remain (usually mid to late April). After that it goes back to a working ranch. Daffodil Hill is open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. depending on weather. Admission and parking are free. Call 209-296-7048 for information. Another great location to enjoy the spring blooms is along Steiner Road in the Shenandoah Valley wine region. The eight wineries on the road (among several dozen in the area) have worked together for years to get the entire road planted with daffodil bulbs. Charles Spinetta Winery & Wildlife Art Gallery alone has tens of thousands of daffodil and narcissus bulbs on their property, all purchased from the nearby Amador Flower Farm. On sunny days you can not only see the 30+ varieties from the tasting room, you can also smell them in JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

WINNERS

HENRY Sacramento

$2,400

Thousands of daffodils grow in nature areas viewable from Charles Spinetta Winery on Steiner Road. the picnic area. All eight of the wineries on Steiner Road planted thousands of bulbs, with the goal to have the entire road in bloom. The Steiner Road Wineries are Driven Cellars, Dobra Zemlja, Charles Spinetta Winery, Amador Foothill, Deaver Vineyards, Shenandoah Vineyards, Renwood, and Dillian Winery. Victoria Harvey, Terri Harvey, Jenna Speed, Michael Spinetta, Leon Sobon and many others helped plant. Terri is a local 4-H leader, and the caretaker and owner of the oldest zinfandel vineyard in California, right on Steiner Road. When possible, Matthew and Sarah Spinetta sell flowers at the Spinetta Winery, also for 4-H. If you’re planning to visit the wineries along the road, they suggest you start early in the day, start at the Spinetta Winery end of the road, and work your way back toward Plymouth, bring a picnic lunch, and get a map and directions from any of the winery websites, including charlesspinettawinery. com. You can also get additional information See DAFFODILS, page 18

THE ARROW • APRIL 2009

ESME Oakland

$5,000

NICOLE Stockton

$6,026

ROBIN Placerville

$2,007

WINNERS

GARY Manteca

$20,000

JOSEF Jackson

$4,205

GLENNA Cameron Park

$1,250 WILL YOU BE NEXT? YOU Your Town

$??,???

Daffodils

Continued from page 17 on the entire Shenandoah Valley wine region from Amador County Vintners at amadorwine.com. And while you’re enjoying the flowers of Amador, be sure to plan a stop at Amador Flower Farm on Shenandoah School Road in Plymouth. The Flower Farm specializes in daylilies, offering 800 varieties, but offers a wide variety of other flowers, plants, and information. The 12 acres of gardens includes growing grounds, a potted plant area, four acres of landscaped demonstrations gardens, a picnic area, and a terrific gift shop. Their annual Hello Spring! event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a celebration of the beginning of spring. The nursery will be filled with plants and the gift shop bursting with new items. Take a free tram ride tour of the farm every weekend (weather permitting). © Michael Spinetta, Charles Spinetta Winery & Wildlife Art Gallery Amador Flower Farm is open A transplanted olive tree from the old Spinetta daily except for Thanksgiving, Ranch in Jackson is flocked by California Poppies Christmas, and New Year’s Day. at the Charles Spinetta Winery tasting room on For more information, visit Steiner Road. amadorflowerfarm.com or call best when the spring bulbs are popping up 209-245-6660. See Amador County at its blooming everywhere.

Firefighter Ryan

Continued from page 16 full time and completing the rigorous training. Ryan recalls that he and a friend would like turns driving over to Columbia Community College in Tuolumne and sleeping on the way there and back. Ryan says for him fire fighting is “a love, it’s a passion. Some people think we do it for the money, but I love it. It’s a lot of fun. I get more satisfaction out of this.” When not responding to fires, the department works on prevention, cleaning and maintaining equipment, keeping the engines up and running, continual training, and responding to medical calls. Ryan, who is part of A shift, says they recently had 11 calls in one shift, a station record. The department responded to over 1,300 calls, last year, mostly medical. APRIL 2009 • THE ARROW

Having the department on site is one more way Jackson Rancheria works with the local community to reduce our impact on public services. The fire fighters work in the Rancheria’s new Public Safety Building, the first LEED certified building in Amador County. The state-of-the-art facility includes a kitchen, bunk room, exercise room, offices and room for all their equipment and vehicles. Because of the area they are responsible for, they must be prepared to deal with everything from structure fires to wild land fires as well as medical calls of every variety. And what does Ryan do on his day’s off? He’s still a member of the Jackson Valley Fire Protection District, so he’s just as likely to be working there. This is a fire fighter who really loves his work.

JACKSON RANCHERIA CASINO & HOTEL

12222 New York Ranch Road Jackson CA 95642