Happy 2011!
Important Level A reminder: Effective TONIGHT, January 4, Tuesday Level A practices are from 6:30 to 7:30. Thursday stays at 6:00 to 7:00.
January equipment order: Orders and payments are due to me by 10 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, for this month's equipment order. As usual, the preferred vendor is Absolute and orders can be submitted either via email or at practice.
Big tourney weekend: This weekend is the annual Hangover Open in Richmond. (Note the new location.) If you even think you might enter, be sure to pre-register. It's $35 per event if you do, $50 at the door if you don't! It has a good history of being a strong event and this year's looking pretty good too with both women's and mixed events in all three weapons. Also, Absolute will be there so you can check out and buy equipment in person! If everyone who's been talking about entering actually does, there should be a good-sized contingent of us there to support and to cheer each other on. Sounds like fun!
Don't forget, you need to be a member of USA Fencing in order to enter the tournament. You can sign up online or you can do it in person at the tournament but it's much easier on everyone -- especially you! -- if you do it online. A competitive membership through the end of the current season (July 31, 2011) is $60 but you can also do a one-day membership for $10 if that fits into your budget better. Please be aware that one-day memberships must be done online and you must bring the resulting printout with you to the tournament. (And no, one-day memberships cannot be credited against the full membership rate if you decide to join up later.)
PFC schedule reminder: Due to the Hangover and its size, it's one of the few events I commit to for all day on Sunday rather than leaving early so I can also do club night in Poquoson. That means one more week without fencing -- but don't forget, your dues entitle you to come fence in Carrollton, too, so come give it a whirl!
