Pinnacle Pipeline Team Member News
L’Auberge Baton Rouge Donates $5k to the Food Bank
L’Auberge Baton Rouge answered the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank’s call for support with a $5,000 donation which was used to purchase non-perishable food items that will help the food bank to restock the emptying shelves of the food bank’s warehouse. This grant helped to secure enough food for approximately 35,000 meals which will be provided to families in need throughout the 11 parishes that the food bank serves. Photo, from left: Kim Ginn – L’Auberge Baton Rouge VP of Marketing; Mickey Parenton – L’Auberge VP and GM; Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden (who attended a rodeo event earlier in the day); Mike Manning – Food Bank Director.
Salsiccia Sausage Smackdown
Anthony Sanfilippo presented a check for $13,944 to the South County Police Business Association for the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle with trailer so Police and rescue groups can navigate through rough terrain when searching for lost children and suspects, and to assist with other police activities. The funds were raised during the First Annual Cops vs. Cooks Salsiccia Smack Down event at Lewy Nine’s at River City. South County Precinct Capt. Marion Monteleone and his brother Jim won top honors for their spicy sausage, just barely beating out River City’s own Chef John Johnson. Photo, from left: Jim Monteleone (Contender); Anthony Sanfilippo; Marion ‘Monty’ Monteleone (contender); Jeff Babinski – VP and GM, Lumiere Place; Tim Fitch – Chief of Police, St. Louis County Police Department; Councilman Steve Stenger.
L’Auberge Lake Charles Hosts Culinary Students
A big ‘thank you’ to the L’Auberge Food & Beverage team for another successful site visit by students in the culinary program at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School. The 270 students and teachers rotated through six L’Auberge food outlets spending time with our chefs and F&B professionals for some hands-on learning and demonstrations. The group then enjoyed lunch at Jack Daniel’s. Thank you to our chefs and the whole team for inspiring the next generation of foodies, and potentially, our future team members. Photo: Jared Rising, Chef at Ember Grille, shows visiting students and teachers how to make macaroni and cheese during a tour of the property’s restaurants.
L’Auberge Lake Charles Supports Civic Ballet with a $5k Donation
L’Auberge Casino Resort recently presented a $5,000 donation to the Lake Charles Civic Ballet in support of the organization’s upcoming season. The ballet was founded in 1968 and plays to over 25,000 Louisiana students each year. Photo, from left: Donita Helms – Lake Charles Civic Ballet; Julie Ragusa – L’Auberge VP of Marketing and Ballet board member; Lady Holly Hathaway – Lake Charles Civic Ballet; Keith W. Henson – L’Auberge VP and General Manager; and young dancers from the cast of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
L’Auberge Lake Charles Supports the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk
L’Auberge is a longtime supporter of the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk. All of the funds raised at the walk will stay in Southwest Louisiana to assist women with prosthetics and other needs during treatment and recovery. The property donated $4,000+ in cash and in-kind donations, and had the largest team entered in the walkathon – 241 team members strong! The team participated under the L’Auberge Cares civic outreach program. Photo: L’Auberge Cares team members gather for a quick photo after the walk.
Boomtown Bossier Community Home Build – Fuller Project
Boomtown Bossier team members participated in the annual Fuller Legacy Build – named in memory of Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers helped build 5 different houses, starting early and working through the afternoon. The biggest benefit for team members was getting to meet the individuals who would become the homeowners, as Habitat requires every home recipient contribute “sweat equity”. Photo, from left, back row: Glennie Shyne, Mike Wilson, Ashton McEachern, Mike Gallagher, Michelle Blake, Lawanda Thomas, Charity Myers. Front row, from left: Beth Goetz, Mimi Floyd.
Family Feud Contestant
Pinnacle Entertainment’s own Randy Schriever, Dealer at L’Auberge Lake Charles, was a participant on Family Feud recently. He was joined by his sisters Crissie and Robin, mom Phyllis, and brother Rick to compete on the game show, hosted by Steve Harvey. He stated that the experience was phenomenal and that they felt pampered the entire trip. The best part for Randy and his siblings was having this experience with their 85 year old mother, who was the hit of the show! Phyllis and Steve picked on each other a lot and had really fun chemistry. Although the Schrievers did not win, it was definitely an experience they will never forget! Photo (left to right): Rick, Philly, Crissie, Steve Harvey, Robin and Randy Schriever.
L’Auberge Lake Charles Wins Prestigious Convention South Magazine Readers’ Choice Award
Congratulations to our L’Auberge Lake Charles team for winning the Convention South Magazine Readers’ Choice Award! Convention South is a national multi-media magazine for planning events in the South. L’Auberge has earned the award multiple times since opening in 2005. For more than a decade, Convention South has been recognizing the most talented meeting professionals in the nation for their excellence, creativity and professionalism. To view the entire list of 2011 Readers’ Choice Award winners, please click here.
CUREiosity Gala in St. Louis
Lumiѐre Place Casino and River City Casino hosted the sixth annual CUREiosity Gala to benefit the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center. The party was held at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and included a live performance by rock band, Smash Mouth. Siteman Cancer Center recognized the renowned Rock Docs – doctors deserving recognition for their rock star research. The properties donated a combined $90,000 for this event, and Lumiѐre Place raised an additional $1,000. Smash Mouth concluded the event with a bang, commemorating the Roc Docs and celebrating the World Series win! Photo: A few of the Rock Docs in their custom white coats.
Boomtown Bossier City Kickball
Boomtown Bossier City team members participated in the Providence House Kickball Tournament. Providence House is a nonprofit organization that assists people in abusive relationships and families suffering domestic violence. BBC was the largest sponsor, donating $2,100 for program support. The two Boomtown Bossier teams entered made it to the final four and had a great time! Photo (l-r, standing): Nina Diaz, Kenneth Cook, Mark Walton, Mike Gallagher, Ashton McEachern, JT Thames, Rod Centers, Scott Warren, Curtis Washington; (flexing): Christina Taylor, Jordan Hennigan; (kneeling): Emily Baxter, JP Schmidt, Cortez Bates.
Millennium Park Volunteer Build
Updated information about the Park Rebuild – L’Auberge Cares team members volunteered to rebuild Millennium Park. The park is now substantially completed, and final landscaping and surfacing is currently taking place. A formal ribbon cutting for the grand reopening of the park will be coming soon! The funding provided by local casinos went toward the largest structure at the park; a giant tree house. Photo: Keith Henson helps to nail the frame for the treehouse at the Millennium Park Rebuild.
Boomtown Bossier Food Drive
Boomtown Bossier hosted a food drive on-property to benefit Providence House. The food drive was turned into a fun competition between Rod Centers, GM, and Charity Myers, Marketing Manager. Each was designated a collection box for donations to be placed; the box with the most non-perishable goods won. The loser had to dye their eyebrows pink for an entire day (those photos are coming soon), all for a good cause! The drive brought in more than 1000 pounds of food from Bossier team members! While there was only one winner, Providence House benefitted greatly from the fun event. Photos: Team Charity and Team Rod fliers posted around the property.
Boomtown New Orleans – Veterans Day Plaque Dedication
On Veterans Day, Boomtown New Orleans dedicated an elaborate brass plaque honoring American veterans. The marker, uncovered during recent property renovations, now has a permanent landscaped berth laid in stone just outside Boomtown’s side entrance. Barry Regula, military members and veterans were joined by local dignitaries for the dedication ceremony. Pictured: Boomtown VP & GM, Barry Regula, and members of the US Marine Corps.
Louisiana Properties – Veterans Day Free Lunches
Over 300 veterans enjoyed complimentary meals at Boomtown New Orleans’ Bayou Market Buffet in honor of Veterans Day. L’Auberge Lake Charles was able to serve over 200 meals to local veterans. And Boomtown Bossier City served over 125 meals on Veterans Day. Statewide, Pinnacle’s Louisiana operations served complimentary meals to 678 veterans. Great job, teams! Left photo, from left: Eric Kunzler, Ernie Allen, Larry Andre, Jamie Clausen – Veteran L’Auberge Lake Charles Team Members. Right photo, from left: A Veteran shares a memorable and magical moment with Boomtown Bossier Director of HR, Kimberly Haigh.
L’Auberge Lake Charles Donates Thanksgiving Meals to the ABF Community Development
L’Auberge recently donated more than $2800 to the ABF Community Development organization for their 2nd Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Meals event benefitting local seniors. State Representative AB Franklin launched this effort to feed people in need during the holiday season. Baskets were filled with nonperishable foods which were distributed by volunteers to seniors in the community. Photo (l-r): Rep. AB Franklin – Founder; Kerry Andersen – PNK Regional Director of Community & Public Affairs; Alfretta Gauthier – Board Member; Keith W. Henson – L’Auberge VP & GM.
St. Louis Properties Served Free Meals to Veterans on Veterans Day
Pinnacle St. Louis team members recognized Veterans Day by serving lunch to local veterans. River City and Lumière Place partnered with Veterans Affairs Medical Center to serve 400 guests after a special Memorial Service hosted at Third Baptist Church. Team members jumped into the philanthropic spirit and served food, refilled drinks, bussed tables and, of course, thanked each veteran. The veterans were happy to visit with the team members and were delighted to be served. Photo: Team Members from River City and Lumiere Place pose for a group photo prior to serving meals to local veterans.
