[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When it’s time to ring in 2019, you’ll find celebrations for every age and budget within the Ak-Chin Indian Community. On New Year’s Eve, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino will serve up live entertainment in The Lounge, with The Walkens performing from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Based in the Valley, this band plays everything from Top 40 to country to classic rock and more. Come dance your socks off! While you’re grooving, try the December drink special for just $5: Texas Madras, with Deep Eddy Cranberry vodka and orange juice, garnished with a cherry. Come in New Year’s Eve, and come back on New Year’s Day to take advantage of promotional offers, including a progressive reward credits multiplier. Swipe your Total Rewards card at a designated promotional kiosk between 8 a.m. on Monday, December 31 and 5 a.m. on Tuesday, January 1 to qualify. Step 1: Play on Monday, December 31, between 6 a.m. and noon, to receive a 5X multiplier after earning at least 100 tier credits. Step 2: Play again on Tuesday, January 1, between 12:01-5:59 a.m., to receive a 19X multiplier. If your New Year’s Eve plans include a formal date night, check out dinner at Arroyo Grille at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. Troon Award Winning Chef Neil prepares a four-course meal that will delight your taste buds! The price for this feast is $69 per person plus tax and gratuity, which includes a sparkling wine toast. Dinner is offered at one of two seatings: 6:30 or 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required: call Danielle, 602-301-2685. Do you have children in your New Year’s Eve crowd? Bring the whole family to Glow Into the New Year at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle. The fun starts with an outdoor showing of Ghostbusters II on the Jumbotron in the amphitheater. Bring blankets or low-back lawn chairs to enjoy the show. An outdoor concession stand opens at 6:30 p.m. to satisfy your cravings. Afterward, head inside with the kids to Ten Pins Down for the 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve Balloon drop, along with glowing drink specials. Don’t miss your chance to enter a raffle to win a year’s worth of free bowling!
Photo credit: UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle
After the kids (hopefully!) go to bed, it’s time for the adults to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center. Guests aged 21 and older can head to the Glow Party starting at 10 p.m. upstairs in the Luxe Lounge! Dance to tunes spun by a DJ, enjoy great drink specials and free party favors, and stick around for the free champagne toast at midnight. After celebrating at the Luxe Lounge, take advantage of the Luxe Bus as your designated driver. The bus will be available starting at 6 p.m. to transport guests aged 21 and older to and from the Luxe Lounge. Call 520-840-3159 for more information or to reserve a ride. Your biggest challenge in making New Year’s Eve plans might be deciding which of these great options to choose! [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Photo credit: UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle
Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.
