Page 8 - February 2005 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Barona Band of Mission Indians, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and Sacramento Area
TOribes Donate Over $1M for Tsunami Relief
n December 26, 2004, a massive 9.0 surviving victims were children. He decided to do earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean, something to help.
o the west coast of northern Sumatra, ‘’We as Indian people have lived through disasters
bringing the reported amount to at least $155,000. Chairman of NIGA, Ernest Stevens has said that his goal is to raise $1 million for the tsunami relief.
The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, which owns Cache Creek Casino Resort in Yolo County, and the United Auburn Indian Community, owner of Thunder Valley Casino in Placer County near Lincoln, made a combined contribution of $1 million. It will be split equally between Save The Children and Habitat For Humanity International.
e Habitat For Humanity donation is intended to help restore stability to the hardest-hit regions by replacing buildings destroyed when the massive ocean wave sloshed ashore.
To give to the relief fund, donations can be mailed to: Indian Nations UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund, Borrego Springs Bank, 5005 Willows Rd., Alpine, CA 91901 or call (619) 659 9770, ext. 223.
Indonesia and launched a devastating series of tidal waves or tsunamis. e giant waves devastated coastal areas from Southeast Asia to the eastern coast of Africa, a space of over 3,000 miles, making this the most widespread disaster in human history.
It is thought that more than 150,000 people were killed by the devastating waves, some as big as a four-story building. e continuing need for help in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and ailand, the most signi cantly a ected nations, has prompted at least four tribes and the National Indian Gaming
Association (NIGA) to donate to the tsunami disaster relief.
Vice Chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Bobby Barrett, said that he was especially taken with a statistic that said the majority of
of our own and we knew that we just couldn’t sit by — we had to do something to help,’’ said Barrett.
Teaming together with another Kumeyaay tribe, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, each tribe agreed to pitch in $50,000 for a total of $100,000. The Barona Band of Mission Indians also agreed to donate an amount that will be determined by their tribal council.
ese San Diego County Tribes chose to donate their funds to the UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund. UNICEF is a branch of the United Nations that is dedicated to the world’s children, providing relief in devastated areas.
In addition, NIGA pledged $5,000 and continues to raise even more money. NIGA has promised to match Viejas’ and Sycuan’s donations with $50,000,
World Series of Poker Circuit Tournament at Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort from February 20–March 1!
F or 35 straight years the World Series of Poker has been the biggest and most prestigious event in the world. What began back in 1970 with a
small gathering of poker players has blossomed into a full- edged national circuit, taking place at six casinos operated by Harrah’s Entertainment throughout the United States. e World Series of Poker Circuit includes six major tournaments at Harrah’s Atlantic City, Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Harrah’s Resort in Lake Tahoe, Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, and, this month, at Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort in San Diego.
e World Series of Poker Circuit Tournament includes nine events, starting with a qualifying No- Limit Hold’em tournament on February 20th, and alternating Limit Hold’em tournaments until the satellite tournament day on February 26th, and then culminating in days one, two and three on February 27th – 28th and March 1st of the World Series of Poker Circuit Championship Event. Buy-ins range from $250 to $1060. Check with the casino for more details.
The Circuit Championship Event held from February 27–March 1 will be taped for broadcast
on ESPN. Players at Harrah’s Rincon, along with players at each Harrah’s venue, will earn points based on their performance in all circuit events. At the conclusion of the circuit, the top 100 point- earners will receive a free-roll invitation into the 2005 World Series of Poker “Tournament of Champions,” where a single winner will take home a top prize of $2 million. The 2005 Tournament of Champions will take place soon after the conclusion of the World Series of Poker Championship event and will be held at the Rio All-Suites Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.
ALunar New Year Celebrations at Southern California Casinos!
rea casinos are gearing up to (see details on Entertainment, served at the International Bu et and Fortunes
celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year on February 9th: e Year of the
Rooster!
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino will celebrate the Chinese New Year in style with a 2005 Mustang prize and a $25,000 cash giveaway! See Promotions on page 24 for all the details. Plus, you won’t want to miss the excitement of the traditional Lion & Dragon Dancers at 7:30 p.m. on February 9, 12, and 23.
At Sycuan Resort & Casino look for the annual Chinese New Year Lion procession and gaming specials in the Pai Gow room. Plus don’t miss the Chinese New Year Celebration on Friday, February 11, 2005 at 7 p.m and 9:30 p.m in the Showcase eater
page23). restaurant during the New At Harrah’s Rincon Casino Year celebration.
& Resort the Year of the At Pala Casino Resort
Rooster will have a four-day
long celebration from February
9 – 13. e Stars of the Peking
Acrobats will perform ve free
shows daily on the casino oor.
Show times are 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m.,
8 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11:40 p.m.
Each show includes the Chinese
Lion leading the New Year procession,
a contortionist and a demonstration of a human pyramid. Asian food specialties will be
& Spa, there’s the New Year Good Fortune Show on February 9, plus Nu
Cuoi Xuan, Smile of New Year on February 13.
At Pechanga Resort &
Casino on February 11th the Chinese Acrobats will perform
withtheiramazingacrobaticartistry.
KungHeiFattChoi!(HappyNewYear!) ...Continued on Page 11
Page 8 FEBRUARY 2005
Gaming News (Continued) Tribes in the News