Mel Shields: Rancheria celebrates remodel

Jackson Rancheria recently unveiled its $80 million expansion and remodel in a ceremony that included Mi-Wuk tribal dancers and drummers. The new facility features a completely refurbished hotel, five new restaurants, a remodeled 35,000-square-foot gaming area, several new design features and a new main entrance.

In most hotel-casinos, the debut of a single new restaurant is cause for celebration. Jackson Rancheria unveiled five, which include the Lone Wolf Restaurant and Lounge, focusing on entrees with local ingredients and California wines, and the Rancheria Buffet, with seven stations – six of them at which you can watch your food being prepared – and seating for 300.

The Asian Grill and the California Grill have been combined into the Pacific Grill, specializing in quick-serve items like wok creations, Vietnamese-style grilled meats and rice bowls.

The California Grill is now home to Uncle Bud's Burgers, with a menu that also offers Indian tacos and fry bread. The 24-hour restaurant is now Margaret's Café and Bakery, and JoBo's Junction is a coffee stop which also serves house-made ice cream and floats.

Entertainment coming up at the new facility includes Jimmy Ray's Black Train tribute to Johnny Cash on Nov. 24 (7 p.m.; $20, $40), the Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards on Dec. 15 (7 p.m.; $20, $40), and the Whispers on Jan. 20 (7 p.m.; $20, $40). The casino also offers a series of "Dinner and a Movie" evenings which feature Hollywood classics including "To Catch a Thief" Nov. 27 and "It's a Wonderful Life" on Dec. 10 (from $30 depending on choice of dining location).

The KWS Championship Car Show and Toy Drive is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Jackson Rancheria. It will feature hot rods, classics, motorcycles, race cars, trucks, a model-car display and music by the Sterling Silver Band (800-822-9466 or JacksonCasino.com).

Out and about

• The 22nd Women's Wellness Weekend is Saturday and Sunday at the Granlibakken Lodge and Conference Center. Speakers include Kim Bateman on "The Power of Humor," Dr. Johanna Koch on "Medicines with Supplements," and Betsy Taylor on "Intuitive Eating." Activities include daily morning yoga, walks, Zumba, acupuncture treatments, body scans and more ($99 per day; Granlibakken.com).

Robert Cray has released 20 albums, received 15 Grammy nominations, and last year was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. He also received one of the more memorable descriptions in music when his longtime keyboardist, Jim Pugh, described him: "Robert sings like Johnnie Taylor, plays like B.B. King, writes songs like Elvis Costello and looks like Sidney Poitier." Cray plays tonight at the Grand Sierra Showroom (9 p.m.; $25, $45; grandsierraresort.com).

Wisely, it will be adults only Saturday at Harrah's Tahoe when the Dan Band appears. The group alters lyrics of popular songs with a wicked expletive-driven sense of humor. The Dan Band arrives just in time to start the festive season and might perform "Please Don't Bomb Nobody This Holiday." One can only wish (7:30 p.m.; $38.50; Ticketmaster.com).

If you're a veteran and find yourself in the Carson City area Sunday (Veterans Day), stop at the Carson Valley Inn for the free traditional spaghetti luncheon, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A military ID gets lunch for the vet and a friend.

CASINO GUIDE

Boomtown, Reno – Events Center: Little River Band, Nov. 17. (800) 648-3790.

Carson Nugget– Elvis tribute artist Donny Edwards, Nov. 17. (775) 883-3093.

Carson Valley Inn – Cabaret Lounge: Chili Sauce, through Saturday; George Pickard, Tuesday-Wednesday; Stew Stewart, Thursday-Nov. 17; Paul Covarelli, Nov. 20-21; Midnight Express, Nov. 22-24; Steve Lord, Nov. 27-28; Escalade, Nov. 29-Dec. 1. (775) 782-9711.

Eldorado, Reno – Showroom: "Jersey Nights," through Tuesday; "Aladdin and His Lamp," Nov. 20- Jan. 13. (800) 648-5966.

Harrah's Reno –Sammy's Showroom: The Magic of Eli Kerr, Fridays-Saturdays, through Feb. 23. (800) 427-7247.

Harrah's Lake Tahoe – South Shore Room: the Dan Band, Saturday; Average White Band, Nov. 17; Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Shootout, Nov. 23-24; Toad the Wet Sprocket, Dec. 1. (800) 427-7247.

Horizon, Lake Tahoe – Illusion Fusion starring Alex Ramon, Thursdays-Tuesdays. (775) 588-6211.

MontBleu Resort, Lake Tahoe – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Nov. 17; Daniel Tosh, Dec. 15. (888) 829-7630.

Silver Legacy, Reno – Grande Exposition Hall: BB King, today; Dennis Miller, Nov. 17; Rodney Carrington, Nov. 24; Randy Travis, Dec. 1. Reno Events Center: Eric Church with Justin Moore and Kip Moore, Sunday; the Fresh Beat Band, Thursday. (800) 687-8733.

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