The annual Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Christmas Mingle & Jingle luncheon was held at the CasaBlanca Resort on Dec. 12.

The ballroom was decorated beautifully with bright gold chairs, Christmas trees and holiday centerpieces. Lunch was served with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

Austin Whetzel, general manager of the chamber, took the opportunity to recognize all longstanding members of the chamber at five-year intervals, from five through 25. Whetzel also mentioned tables of special groups that attended, like the steering committee for Mesquite Tourism, the local Rotary Club, Mesquite City officials and the administration table for Mesquite Entertainment. Ben Rowley, new owner of the Mesa Valleys Progress newspaper, came from Alamo to mingle and jingle with other Chamber members.

Event sponsors the Mesquite Veterans Center, the Lindi Corporation, and Mesquite Entertainment each gave a short talk. Justin Moore, CEO of Mesquite Entertainment, told members of the new Chinese restaurant opening in February 2026, named 88 Seats. It will feature Chinese cuisine as well as an expanded menu with other Asian culture foods. The walls will feature a tribute to the Chinese settlers in Nevada’s early days. The food court in the CasaBlanca will open right after the Super Bowl, featuring Fresh Brothers Pizza, P.F. Chang’s, the Chicago Brew Company and Big Chicken. The room makeover at the CasaBlanca will be completed by October 2026. Moore said the exterior of the CasaBlanca will be getting fresh paint.

Manager of Lindi Corp Jason Rudnik told the audience Lindi Corp was doing some remodeling inside and out. Rudnick said, “We are adding additional training for our staff, and we are looking as a business to be more supportive of our community. We are here to serve people, and we want to keep the small-town feel of Mesquite.”

President of the Mesquite Veterans Center Bill Ennis announced that on January 15, 2026, there will be the first monthly visit from a mobile medical clinic to Mesquite from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be a doctor and a therapist who can prescribe medications, give vaccines, etc. Ennis also mentioned an upcoming show put on by Captain Kevin Smith, Mesquite’s original TOP GUN guy. The show is called “An Angry Sea Event: A True Event Experienced by Captain Smith and Bill Ennis.” This event will be held at the veterans center free of charge on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 3 p.m.

Raffle prizes were drawn and mingling continued after the chamber luncheon.