Don’t blink, or you might miss the town of Mettler as you head south on Highway 99. In two years, though, you won’t be able to ignore it.

The old Mettler School has seen better days since its closure 35 years ago, but the town of Mettler itself? Hardly. Its best days are ahead.

Two hundred yards behind the principal’s office, earth-moving equipment is preparing the rich valley silt for some rock ‘n’ roll – a Hard Rock Casino, to be specific.