Virgin River Celebrates 20th Anniversary!

Perhaps one of the most fascinating elements related to the development of hotel casino properties is how they were created.
The creation of the Virgin River hotel actually started when Jim Black stopped to find a restroom in Mesquite in 1988 while heading to Las Vegas from Utah. Considering that Mesquite had very little, Black envisioned a bar.
Thus, the creation of the Virgin River hotel casino, which opened in May of 1990; and is now celebrating its 20-year anniversary. If ever there was an example of “Build it and they will come,” the Virgin River is it.
The Virgin River opened with 10 employees, 76 rooms, and the immediate success of the hotel casino led to the addition of a 16,000 square-foot casino, a restaurant; and 76 more rooms.
One year later, 115 more rooms were added along with two movie theaters. Expansion continued in 1992 and 1993 when the casino was expanded again and a buffet was added.
In August of 1994, a race and sports book was added along with the seventh building. One year later, a bingo center took the Virgin River to yet another level.
In 1998 a 24-lane bowling center with pro shop and arcade was added. In 2005, the coffee craze was met with the addition of a Starbucks.
Now with more than 700 rooms and more than 700 employees, the Virgin River is a hot spot all year long.
Hotel General Manager Lex Hall and Black Gaming Vice President of Hotel Operations Marleen Szalay have been with the Virgin River since the establishment’s first days, and neither of them have any plans of leaving anytime soon.
“I moved to Las Vegas from Idaho in 1966,” recalled Hall. “Things were slow in Idaho. There were no jobs, so I decided to go south. My brother lived in Las Vegas.”
Hall went to work for a bar in North Las Vegas where he worked until the call came asking him to join the Virgin River.
“The Virgin River was under construction at the time,” said Hall. “The Black brothers wanted someone to open it. They asked me if I knew where Mesquite was, so I came up and visited. I spent the night there, liked what I saw and went to work.”
To Hall, the Virgin River represented a smaller area with friendly people and good old down-home country fun. He packed his bags never looking back and the Virgin River suddenly became a hot spot for everyone from the locals to residents from several other states.
“I think what made the Virgin River so successful was its Western feel,” said Hall. “Everyone knows your name, and it’s very close-knit. There are many nice people in Mesquite, and I know of several people who come here each year for their vacation.”
Szalay started three months before Hall. She was living in Las Vegas working at the Mirage Hotel and Casino when she received a life-changing call from Black Gaming CEO Randy Black of Black Gaming.
“Randy told me that I should come to work for them at the Virgin River and that it would be an adventure,” said Szalay, a native of Las Vegas who has lived in Mesquite for 20 years. “And no question about it, this has been an adventure.
“Randy is such a great genuine, family guy. It’s a pleasure working for him. The only reason Mesquite has become what it has is because of Randy. Because of his foresight and willingness to take a chance on a very small town and know in his heart it was all one big gamble, it’s a great story. He put everything he had into it and it turned out very well.”
“When we opened the River, we were one big family – and we are still one big family. “
Black also has fond memories of the creation of the Virgin River; along with both Szalay and Hall. In fact, Black Gaming has a total of sox employees who have been with the company since its inception also including Bertha Sandoval, Juan Delgado, Marina Munoz, all three in the buffet; Maria Galindo, the bar/lounge; and Ned Blackmon, security.
“Back in the old days, there were only 1,200 people in Mesquite,” Black recalled recently. “Jim stopped there and said that there really needed to be a hotel casino at that location.
“We actually turned a big mountain into a flat area so that we could build the Virgin River. We were in the earth-moving business at the time.”
The fact that both Hall and Szalay relocated to Mesquite and remain with Black Gaming is considered a big reason for the Virgin River’s continued success.
“I remember when Marleen was renting rooms before the casino was even open,” Black recalled. “She had a little office for a month of so.
“Lex has been voted Mr. Mesquite. He’s really the St. Peter of our organization. They are both awesome people.”
The memories of the creation of the Virgin River are further symbolized by the fact that Black’s uncle, Arthur Black, was the commissioner of the Arizona Highways Commission and was an integral part in the creation of the highway through the gorge between Mesquite and St. George thereby opening the route.
Things have not stopped since Day One either as evidenced by continued improvements and additions such as; all 700 rooms were remodeled earlier this year; swimming pools were also remodeled; and meeting space has been added for small meetings and family reunions.
In addition, the coffee shop is now being enlarged and remodeled.
Recreational facilities which are part of the Virgin River include the Palms Golf Club and the Oasis Gun Club where trap, skeet and sporting clays shooting are offered along with five stands.

Bunco or Bust Oct 2nd at CasaBlanca Resort

Bunco or Bust set Oct. 2 at CasaBlanca Resort

MESQUITE, Nev. – Hundreds of women – and some men -- from several states gather once a year to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research while also having a very enjoyable time playing Bunco at the CasaBlanca Resort.
And Bunco or Bust which is now in its third year is expected to draw a capacity field Saturday, Oct. 2 in the Grand Ballroom of the CasaBlanca.
Bunco has reached incredible popularity over the past three years.
“Basically, this is a social gathering which gives participants the opportunity to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation while also playing Bunco and bid on silent auction items.
“A portion of the costs for the hotel accommodations is also donated to the charity each year. This event is so popular that we fill the grand ballroom!”
Last year’s Bunco or Bust event drew more than 200 participants while raising more than $8,000 for Breast Cancer Research.
The interest for Bunco or Bust is so enthusiastic that some teams come dressed in pink apparel from head to toe sporting tiaras and pink feather boas.
“Some teams have names like “Save the Ta-Ta’s” or “Shake Your Dice,” added Evans, who is general sales manager for Black Gaming. “There is no end to the support for this event.”
A cash bar will be available in the Grand Ballroom during the event offering various libations including the most popular Bunco Juice.
Black Gaming officials are encouraging participants to enter early considering the turnouts for previous events.
As is the case with each of the Bunco events, the list of participating sponsors is long.
Among those helping with the event this year is Michael E. Minden Jewelers in Las Vegas; the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Cookie Lee Jewelry in St. George, Utah;
Further information can be found at www.casablancaresort.com and click special events to find the Bunco page; or by calling 888-711-4653, ext. 14.
The dice will begin to roll at 6 p.m.

CAPTION: The Bunco or Bust benefit raised more than $8,000 for Breast Cancer Research last year at the CasaBlanca. This year’s event is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 2 in the Grand Ballroom of the CasaBlanca Resort.

Contacts: Mike Henle, 702-279-3483; Michelle Yegge Evans, 702-994-7619.

Smokin' In Mesquite BBQ Championship Schedule

SMOKIN’ IN MESQUITE BBQ CHAMPIONSHIP
SCHEUDLE OF EVENTS

Labor Day Weekend at the CasaBlanca in Mesquite

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd

8:00 AM- 4:00PM
BBQ 101 Cooking Class by David Bouska of BBQ Butcher

5:30 PM-10:00 PM
KCBS Judging Class

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd

4:00-10:00 PM
Beer Garden and Event Pavilion Opens
Music, BBQ food, Kids Corner, Interactive Games

5:00-10:00 PM
Las Vegas Taildraggers- Rods N BBQ Car Show

7:30-8:00 PM
Crown Royal Whiskey Master Thomas Turner- Pairing Whiskey with BBQ

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH

11:00 AM-7:00 PM
Beer Garden and Event Pavilion Opens
Music, BBQ food, Kids Corner, Interactive Games
Las Vegas Taildraggers- Rods N BBQ Car Show

Noon-1:00 PM
Salsa Making Contest Sponsored by Get Fresh

12:30-12:40 PM
Monster Energy Stacker Challenge

1:00-1:30 PM
Salsa Making Contest Sponsored by Get Fresh Judging & Awards

2:00-2:30 PM
Team Eating Challenge- Must have 5 team members to participate and all members must be at least 21 years of age

2:30- 2:45 PM
Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Universal Bakery-Youth- Must be 12 years of age or younger

2:45-3:00 PM
Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Universal Bakery- Adults

3:30-4:00 PM
Malibu Rum Runner Daiquiri Challenge- Must be at least 21 years of age to participate

4:00-4:30 PM
Crown Royal Whiskey Master Thomas Turner

5:00-5:30 PM
BBQ Rib Eating Contest

3:00-5:00 PM
People's Choice- Come sample competitive teams pork and vote for your favorite!

6:00 PM
BBQ Awards and People’s Choice will be awarded

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

11:00AM-5:00 PM
Beer Garden, Event Pavilion Opens,
Music, BBQ food, Kids Corner, Interactive Games

11am-5pm
Rib Off Competition

10:00 AM -2:30PM
Backyard BBQ
11:00 AM- Competition Begins

2:30 PM- Backyard BBQ Awards, Las Vegas Taildraggers People’s Choice Awards and Rib Off Awards

Noon-12:30 PM
Watermelon Eating & Seed Spitting Contest

1:30-2:00 PM
Monster Energy Stacker Challenge

2:00-2:30 PM
How To Make a Championship BBQ Rub

3:00-3:30 PM
Rib Eating Contest

6 PM
Drawing inside CasaBlanca Casino for two trips to Bud Light Port Paradise Cruise



Contacts: Darrell Edwards, 888-711-4653, ext. 11, or email him at dedwards@casablancaresort.com; Christian Adderson at 702-346-7529, ext. 6981, or email him at cadderson@casablancaresort.com; or Mike Henle at 702-279-3483 or email mhenle@aol.com.

"Sweet Peppers" Returns to Defend Title in Mesquite BBQ

Sweet Peppers team returns to Mesquite to defend title in Smokin’ in Mesquite BBQ Championship Labor Day Weekend

Jim Ballog and his Sweet Peppers BBQ team are headed for Mesquite on Labor Day Weekend to defend the team’s title in the Smokin’ in Mesquite BBQ competition at the CasaBlanca Resort.
The event marked yet another brilliant marketing effort on behalf of Mesquite Resort Association last year, and Ballog and teammate Adrian Sanderson are making the trek again this year chasing their share of a huge $40,000 purse.
“We’re two old guys traveling in a mini van,” laughed the 59 year-old Ballog while heading for another event in Dillon, Colo. earlier this month. “Our trip to Mesquite is an all-day trip. We try to plan it out where we get there to set up and cook before heading back Sunday morning.”
If ever there was an ideal set up for a major automobile manufacturer to sponsor a good-hearted and dedicated couple of travelers, it’s most definitely Ballog and Sanderson. The team had an overall 12th place finish in Colorado, and Ballog and Sanderson are hungry for a repeat win in Mesquite.
“We travel in an ’09 Van which already has 90,000 miles on it,” said Ballog while traveling through the mountains of Colorado. “We’re on our third set of tires. We were actually working with a Chevy-Chrysler dealership in Albuquerque for a possible sponsorship.”
Sanderson, a 65 year-old resident of Pueblo, Colo., works as a motorcycle helmet rep and also sells motorcycle apparel; while Ballog sells and services electric motors in Albuquerque. When you add in sauce specialist Ben Mosier from Nebraska, Sweet Peppers is comprised of a top-rated team as evidenced by its success last year at the Smokin’ in Mesquite BBQ championship.
While the victory was a big one, the experience was also memorable for more reasons than one. Now in their seventh year of BBQ competition, Mesquite offered its own set of challenges.
“We weren’t used to the heat,” said Ballog. “Then, we had what appeared to be a tornado hit in the middle of the night, so we had our hands full. We even went out and bought a bunch of fans.
“There will be people from all over the world coming to Mesquite for this year’s event.”
No doubt. The Mesquite event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Association instantly became the place-to-be after the 2009 tallies had been totaled and the fever grew even more when it was announced that a round-robin format would also tie the Mesquite event with the Memorial Day Best Dam Barbeque held in Boulder City.
Sweet Peppers also competed in the Best Dam BBQ event and is now vying for the overall championship purse of $3,000.
Key to any BBQ competition is the science that goes into the planning. There are logistical challenges not to mention making sure vehicles are ready. Throw in the elements needed for the BBQ competition, and it is evident the path to Mesquite actually leads to Lynchburg, Tenn., the home of the Jack Daniels invitational championship contest Oct. 22-23.
“This is a hobby now, but there is no question that a lot of work goes into something like this,” said Ballog, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. “If you travel like we do, you’re on the road every weekend usually traveling 900-1,000 miles.
“It’s a fun deal. I cook a lot and really enjoy it. This sort of thing gives a guy a chance to do something without having to buy a $25,000 boat. He can spend that much money on a smoker, but he doesn’t have to. And besides, he can have an even better time when he includes his family in the competition.”
Of course, the key is making sure the team is properly equipped for the trip to Mesquite.
“I think we spend about $120 for the meat for each contest,” Ballog said. “Then, you have to make sure you have the Cheetos, bags of cookies, the iced tea and the Jack Daniels.
“We try to buy our pork butts and briskets at Sam’s Club and our pork ribs at Costco. Low quality meat is not something you want to have when you’re more than 500 miles from home.”
With the inaugural event under its belt, Sweet Peppers is heading for Mesquite convinced the team will win again.
“I believe we’re going to come into Mesquite ready for anyone,” Ballog predicted. “We’re not cocky. We’re just a very consistent team that comes in and cooks hard. I think we’re ready for anybody this year.”
Consistency is certainly important in the BBQ competition and Sweet Peppers has been a grand champion four times while also collecting numerous second (known as the Reserve) and third place finishes. In addition, the team has captured the Arizona Team of the Year honors as named by AZ BBQ of Phoenix.
Ballog never stops trying to improve his BBQ skills.
“My poor family eats chicken every weekend,” he says, “and the family is good at telling me if something is any good. You have to be objective and appreciate what people tell you.”
Yet another key is making sure the team doesn’t panic when a challenge is presented.
“We handle everything very well,” said Ballog. “We’re getting older, so we don’t get excited. If we’re having a problem with the fire or the meat, we make a quick decision and stick with it.”
The Smokin’ in Mesquite event will kick off Thursday, Sept. 2 with an eight-hour cooking class taught by noted meat expert Dave Bouska, a native Oklahoman who was ranked among the top competitors in Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) BBQ events last year.
Bouska will share his expertise with all ages beginning at 8 a.m. in a seminar-like event that is expected to last until about 4 p.m. A $150 fee will be charged to those participating in the unique class.
Further information regarding this year’s event can be found by visiting www.mesquitebbqchampionship.com or by calling Christian Adderson at 888-711-4653, ext. 51.