OCR Text |
Show Titstfai,Harcfe1.1tM IRaiCkrtBlcle Wend over fun buses economical way to feed gambling habit Stateline and Silversmith Casinos, Nevada Tours, which BY HEIDI HOFMANN Chronicle Feature Writer Dancing at the Powerplant and playing pool at Hy and Mike's are delightful forms of entertainment in Salt Lake City, but let's face it most people, unless they're professional dancers or pool sharks, can't win any money boogying and racking up balls. However, Nevada Tours and Casino Caravans offer inexpensive daily tours to Wendover for those in need of a buck and weary of the Salt Lake scene. "It's an inexpensive day of entertainment for most people," Richard Maben, owner of Casino Caravans, said. The Casino Caravan trip is $12 per person. Yet on Mondays through Fridays people receive $11 in cash once they arrive in Wendover. On Saturdays and Sundays they are given $7 in cash and always receive a food discount, two free drinks, free Lucky bets and Keno tickets, according to Maben. "I think it's a really good deal," student Jeremy Aston, a veteran of two bus trips, said. "You end up paying almost nothing because they give you free drinks and poker chips so it works out almost even." While Casino Caravans is best known for serving the serves Mac's, has a similar coupon plan. Nevada Tours' cost is also $12. On weekdays, travelers are given a casino fun book of coupons worth $11, and on weekends a book worth $8, according to the marketing director Diana Gierhart. One of the Nevada Tours' coupons is good for a $2 pool on the Dollar Carousel game and has even been lucky in the past, Gierhart said. "A couple of weeks ago a person who took their $2 coupon over to the Dollar Carousel hit a $1,600 jackpot." Another Wendover traveler, student Matt Keane, believes the low cost of the buses as a result of the coupons provided to riders is the primary reason for taking the bus. "The trip paid for itself because they gave me back an equal amount as I paid in coupons," he said. Aside from the cost, the ability to drink without driving is another motivation for Because both tour services offer free cocktail Wendover-goer- s. coupons in the casinos, and Casino Caravans even allows alcoholic beverages on the ride to Nevada, customers and tour representatives both said it is a safe alternative. "We're very concerned of course, with the safety of our customers. With the alcohol levels being what they are for CHRONICLE the DUI's, we suggest that we do the driving," Gierhart said. Macey also said the buses save many from encounters "It is possible to get kicked off the bus, although it has never happened to me. If you're drunk and disorderly, they'll just drop you off by that big tree in the middle of the desert," he said, joking. Comfort is another factor Aston appreciates about the buses. He finds it convenient to sleep with ease on the late night ride home. Tour directors also take comfort as a consideration. "Buses are very nice these days in terms of their quality and comfort," Macey said. "In terms of Casino Caravans in particular, we have the nicest buses." 'Whatever the motivation for taking the buses is, Salt Lakers are undoubtedly attracted to the nearby gambling city. with the police who are known to guard the long expanse of road. "I'm sure we've probably saved a lot of people a lot of money and kept them with a clean driving record," he said Keane, who traveled with friends, enjoyed being able to drink freely without worrying about a designated driver. "It's definitely a good thing because I enjoy partying and I worry about my safety on long drives." Yet he cautioned against drinking excessively and poor becoming conduct could result in being expelled from the ride. out-of-ha- nd ski jump (MmflHHP QrjUEDXirnflBas eo fJiiB from page seven we've got five year olds who are watching the Olympics and saying, 'That's gonna be me someday,'" he said. When the bobsled and luge run are eventually built at the Winter Sports Park, the Bear I i Hollow club will also train aspiring athletes in those events, in addition to the freestyle jumping, Volmrich Child care volunteers are needed to fill teachers aid positions at the Garfield learning Center. No experience is necessary, and both morning and afternoon shifts are available. Contact Kris Zollinger at 485-620- 7 added. Though the U.S. Olympic ski jumping team practiced at the for details. site during the summer, Volmrich attributed the United States' weak standings ski jumping events to the country's lack of jumping areas. "No where else in the country is there a facility that has as much to offer as this. Never A group of Tibetan Monks from the Ganden Jangtse Monastery in exile in India will discuss I their experiences on Wednesday, March 2 at 12:30 in the Olpin Theatre. Also, an evening of music and dance will follow on March 4th and 5th from 7-- 9 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the I Ganden Jangtse Monastery and the 1 ibetan Resettlement Project. Contact iSJt rite at 1 1 in Lillehammer's f 581-48- PHOTCJonathan Barth Dozens of free casino coupons, comfort, and even a few senior citizen friends can be found on daily bus tours to Wendover. "Wendover is growing extremely fast, especially because of its Salt Lake City business," Callie Brazier, sec- of Stateline and Silversmith casinos, said. retary Brazier attributed 80 percent of Wendover's business to customers from Salt Lake. The Wasatch Front is Mac's primary target for customers, Gierhart said. Wendover has steadily gained popularity among Utahns who want a nearby getaway, she added. "It's only a two hour ride away and offers a selection of gaming entertainment that's not available on the Wasatch Front," she said. For departure times on the daily bus tours, call Casino Caravans at or Nevada Tours at 363-930- 0. before in this country has there been a facility so near to metropolitan area," he said. Taxpayers and members of the state are in a good position, he believes. While New York's Lake Placid jumping site is located near only 3,000 people, the park here can benefit the entire Wasatch Front population. "For Utahns it is having world class training facility in their back yard. It is a really valuable asset for those who care to find out about it and use it," Volmrich said. Adults and children can learn to ski jump for $12 and $10 respectively on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 3 p.m. Because ski jumping skis are difficult to find in large quantities, the public learns to jump on their own alpine or cross-countr- y skis and with their own helmets. For more information, call 649-544- 7. for more information. The Crossroads Urban Center needs one or more volunteers to help administer a survey zssess- learn about ing their food pantry and thrift store services. This is an excellent opportunity to for additional information. Salt Lake City. Contact Glenn Bailey at 5 poverty in ; :; 364-776- V Up to $125month in your spare time Volunteers are sought to provide clerical support for Red Cross Emergency Services. Training can provide more infor- - x will be provided by Red Cross Personnel. Holly Muir, at 467-733- 9, mation. 1 in need of driver or readers to volunteer once a week. Readers will help clients read mail and pay bills, while drivers will help clients attend doctor appointments. For more inforThe Center for the Blind mation contact Audrey at is 533-939- 3 ext. 339. a WE HELP RECYCLE LIFE YOUR PLASMA DONATIONS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE |