Page 8 - Southern California Gaming Guide • February 2018

Chumash Casino Resort Honored with Environmental Award
humash Casino Resort was one of 13 California organizations to receive the state’s highest environmental honor, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), in a ceremony on
January 17th at the California Environmental Protection Agency in Sacramento.
Owned and operated by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Chumash Casino Resort was recognized in the Waste Reduction category
“for dramatically reducing its waste stream and lowering recycling costs even as casino visitation increased.”
As reported in the Santa Maria Times, since 2006, using innovative recycling programs, the total wastestreamattheresorthasgonefrom7.2million pounds per year to an estimated 2.3 million pounds in2017,whiletotalvisitationrosefrom2.8million patrons to a projected 3.75 million last year.
“We are honored to be recognized by Governor Brown’s o ce, once again, for our e orts in waste reduction at the Chumash Casino Resort,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman. “Our team members have excelled in upholding our tribe’s environmental values while maintaining our goal to become a zero-waste facility by 2019.”
Established in 1993, geela is awarded to individuals, organizations and businesses that
have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions to conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the state’s economy.
“ is year’s geela recipients are demonstrating exceptional leadership in addressing some of our most signi cant environmental challenges,” said California Secretary for Environmental Protection Matthew Rodriquez. “Whether it’s ghting climate change, conserving our water supplies or reducing waste, they inspire us with their creative and collaborative approaches. eir success expands our view of what is possible. Collectively, they are proving that a healthy environment is inextricably linked with a vibrant economy.”
Previous environmental awards awarded to Chumash Casino Resort include the EPA Food
Recovery Challenge—Sports and Entertainment Venues Award in 2016, WasteWise Tribal Partner of the Year in 2015, Food Recovery Challenge EPA Certificate of Achievement in 2014, Southern California Gas Co. Energy Smart Award in 2012 and EPA Wastewise Certification from 2007 to 2017.
In addition to the Chumash Casino Resort located on the Tribe’s reservation on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians also owns and operates Hotel Corque, Root 246, and Hadsten House Inn & Spa in Solvang, and two gas
stations in Santa Ynez.
Valley View Casino & Hotel Awards Three Team Members with AMedals for Saving Guest’s Life
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
FEBRUARY 2018
ceremony was held on Tuesday, January 8th, to honor three team members at Valley View Casino & Hotel for saving the life of a casino guest who began choking in October of 2017. e heroic team consisted of Black&Blue Manager
Luis Dominguez, Security Corporal Tre Harper, and Security O cer TJ Albergo. All three team members received certi cates and medals during the ceremony held in the Event Center at Valley View Casino & Hotel.
e ceremony honored the great e orts of the skilled team members that came to the rescue of a guest who began choking while dining in the steakhouse on October 6th. When the Valley View team members responded, the guest was unable to breathe and a food item had caused a complete airway blockage. e team members immediately began abdominal thrusts which allowed oxygen to pass long enough for paramedics to arrive and dislodge the item.
“Without our emt training program here at Valley View Casino & Hotel, it is likely that we would not have had the great outcome we did that
day,” said Boyd Long, Vice President of Security at Valley View Casino & Hotel.“ e coordination
and training of everyone involved was paramount in saving this guest’s life. We are so grateful that our team members were present to help.”
“As both Vice President of Human Resources and a San Pasqual tribal member, I’m incredibly proud of the training we o er to all of our team members here at Valley View Casino & Hotel.
While we o er many bene ts and instruction for all team members, perhaps none is more important than our emt training,” said Judy Wright. “We are happy to see our emt training continually being provided throughout the year.”
Valley View Casino & Hotel puts emphasis on rst-rate training in every department. As a result of their expert training, attention to detail and
Pictured from left: Boyd Long, Vice President of Security and Transportation, TJ Albergo, Security Of cer, Tre Harper, Security Corporal, Luis Dominguez, Black&Blue Manager and Chris Alvarado, Director of Security and Transportation.
team collaboration, the security team members are prepared to provide assistance whenever needed.
Valley View Casino & Hotel is located in Valley Center, just east of Escondido and south of Temecula. For more information, visit ValleyViewCasino.com. All guests 21 and older are invited to enjoy the casino, hotel and restaurants.
Gaming News (Continued)