6
February 1, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
In Concert: LITTLE TEXAS
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Little Texas debuted in June 1 989, before a Nash
ville club audience often. By October of 1994 they
were performing before sold-out crowds of more than
16,000. The amount of success during the six years
in between could have been enjoyed only by a group
of talents that have collectively put a new spin on
country music. It is at the height of their success
that Little Texas delivers its Greatest Hits, a collec
tion of their ten best plus two new songs, "Life Goes
on," and "Country Crazy."
Simultaneously, Little Texas will take its sound abroad
with an overseas tour and a self-titled European release that
will include an extended dance-mix version of "God Bless
Texas." All this for a band that supported itself on the road,
making just enough to get to the next town, before signing
a development deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1989.
The band's concept was simple. Its six members brought
together the strengths of other vocal groups that each had
listened to and admired. It was simply a matter of writing
and rehearsing.
It wasn't long before the club gig reviews had young
country fans turning their attention to Little Texas, and its
popularity really grew especially in Texas. It was on
the grueling club to club tour that Little Texas wrote and
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later recorded their first top ten hit, "Some Guys Have All
the Love." A second top ten smash, "First Time For Ev
erything" came next.
In March of 1992, Warner Bros. Records quickly had
Little Texas record and release First Time For Everything,
which quickly turned to gold.
In 1993, Little Texas recorded their second album, Big
Time, which was released simultaneously with a single
"What Might Have Been" a ballad that reached number
one on the charts and earned Little Texas Billboard's award
for Video of the Year.
Greatest Hits is now available in stores, and represents
the niche Little Texas has carved for themselves among
country music's most elite vocal groups.
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Year of the Buffalo
Asian New Year Celebration
February 7, 8, and 9
Chow mcin, Chinese dragon dancers, and traditional
Asian music will transport guests to the far east on Febru
ary 7, 8 and 9, as Spirit Mountain Casino rings in the "Year
of the Buffalo" during their second annual Asian New Year
Celebration.
Surrounded by colorful and exotic decor, Casino guests
can enjoy the very best flavors of the far east in Coyotes,
Spirit Mountain's popular buffet.
At noon on Saturday, February 8, the Asian American
Foundation's 25-mcmbcr Dance Troupe will perform sev
eral Asian dances, including the festive Dragon Dance,
Southeast Indo-China dances and traditional costume shows.
Last year, the colorful, flowing dragon danced throughout
the Casino, delighting visitors in every area. Proceeds from
the troupe's performances go towards the Foundation's
scholarships, youth camps and other programs.
Hearts, Roses, and Bingo
February Bingo Specials
After you have given your sweetheart all the goodies,
join us at Spirit Mountain Bingo it's the perfect way to
show your loved ones how special they are on Valentine's
Day. Valentine's Day: Free dauber to every player. Ev
ery "single" winner will pick a box of Valentine candy and
receive an additional $25-$ 100. February 23: $30evening
buy-in with 15 games paying $500 each and four guaran
teed blackouts at $1,000 each. Every Monday through
Sunday: Doors open at 5 p.m., warm-ups at 6:30 p.m. and
regular session at 7 p.m. Senior citizens 55 and older, one
extra packet free on Mondays. Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday Mornings: Doors open at 10 a.m., warm-ups at
1 1 a.m. and regular session at 1 1 :30 a.m. Friday, Satur
day, and Sunday Afternoons: Doors open at 1:15 p.m.,
warm-ups at 2: 15 p.m. and regular session at 2:45 p.m.
Call the Bingo Hotline for information on Progressive
Bingo Payouts (503) 225-5555, extension 5041.
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MPlQyg SPOTLIGHT
As a Receiving Clerk,
Marlyn Connelly helps
keep everything moving
By Tracy Dugan
Marlyn Connelly, a
tribal member living in
Monmouth, has been
working at the Casino
as a Receiving Clerk
for a year now.
Receiving Clerks
are really the unseen
backbone of the Ca
sino. They make sure
everything is running
smoothly.
Part of Marlyn's job is to meet all the delivery trucks that
come in through the back entrance and unload whatever is
in their shipment, and deliver it to the proper department.
He is one of a few others who are responsible for deliver
ing all the foods to the kitchen. This includes not only
Coyote 's Buffet and Legends, but the Rock Creek Deli, the
Elk Horn Cafe, espresso bar, and beverage services.
"We usually have to deliver to the restaurants every couple
of hours," said Marlyn. In the back stockroom, there is a
giant refrigeration unit which holds all the frozen and per
ishable foods for all the eating places at the Casino.
"The main shipment days are every Monday, Wednes
day, and Friday," he said.
Receiving Clerks are not only responsible for food deliv
eries. They receive all the cards, poker chips, gaming tables,
and everything needed for the Casino itself. Additionally,
all office furniture and supplies for the offices located up
stairs in the Casino are shipped through Marlyn and his co
workers. "Just the other day we received our first shipment of rou
lette wheels," Marlyn said.
"When secured gaming items come in, we have to call
security and help them make sure everything we ordered is
all here."
Marlyn said that when the hotel opens, things will be
even more hectic, because all of the hotel furnishings will
be delivered to his department as well. Every week, the
Receiving Clerks receive a list of every shipment that is
expected, and are responsible for keeping records on all the
deliveries that come in.
A graduate of Cleveland High School in Portland, Marlyn
took some Computer Science classes at Portland Commu
nity College for a few months, then was offered a position
with Hewlett Packard in Corvallis. Then his mom told him
about all the job openings at Spirit Mountain Casino.
"I was a Warehouse Receiving Clerk for HP," Marlyn
said. "So I had some experience."
Marlyn is the son of tribal member Sonya Young, who
also works at the Casino. He has lived in different towns
all over Oregon, including four years in Grand Ronde. He
says that it's nice to work in a place where he already knows
a lot of the faces, and he meets new people every day. He
has a one year old daughter Kitana and Marlyn wants
her to know about her tribe and the feeling of contribution
that he receives through his job.
He says the Receiving department staff all functions as
one unit, and he and his co-workers have developed a posi
tive relationship with each other.
"In this job," Marlyn said, "you have to be positive. We
all motivate each other, and each knows what the other is
thinking so we can get everything done efficiently and fast."