It's here! - 19 Dec 12

The last equipment order of 2012 is here! You can pick up your stuff at IWFC tonight between 7:00 and 9:00 or tomorrow night (Thursday) between 6:00 and 9:00.

Equipment orders due tonight 13 Dec 12

Don't forget to bring your equipment orders to practice tonight! (You can also email it if you won't be there.) Orders and payments are due to me by 10 p.m. tonight and the equipment should be in hand before next Wednesday.

Fencing tees, stickers, etc. including IWFC and PFC stuff - 12 Dec 12

Fencers always need more t-shirts and what could be better than fencing-themed shirts for your favorite Stabby McGhee? Short sleeves, long sleeves, hoodies, ringers -- all sorts of styles are available! See a design you like but can't find it on the shirt you want? Tell me and I'll take care of it. Stickers, mugs, travel cups, and more are also available! Thanks to Tristan doing exactly that, the IWFC and PFC designs are now available on lots more stuff! (None of that stuff was available when the store was first started several years ago so thanks for the nudge!)

Best of all, Cafe Press is running daily specials through the holidays. Today is their 12/12/12 sale which means you can use codes 12TEE, 12MUG, and 12CASE to pay just $12 for white/light tees, 11 oz. mugs, and smartphone cases respectively. (This code's good through 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.) If you're on Facebook, follow Pointed Comments as I try to post codes as soon as they come through my email. New designs will be posted as they're added, too!

There's still time to order! - 11 Dec 12

Still looking for gift ideas for your fencer? You've still got time to get in on the last equipment order of the year! So how about:

• A new equipment bag or blade cover
• An underarm protector (plastron)
• Their own set of electric equipment
• A new foil mask (Remember, the bib became target area as of 8/1/12 - it's not being enforced at club yet but why wait until the last minute?)
• A bib overlay to convert the bib on the old mask
• A foil test/repair kit
• A fencing journal - Handy for recording results and making notes between bouts at tournaments
• 2013 fencing calendar
• Check out Absolute's website for more great gift ideas!

Orders and payment are due to me by 10 p.m. Thursday, December 13. They can be turned in at any practice or you can send me your order via email and pay online.

Schedule notes - 7 Dec 12

'Tis the season for all sorts of crazy things to be happening with the calendar!

Poquoson beginner class: As you know, Sandy put us back by one class. But I had my dates crossed up last week when I said we'd still be done by the holidays. Our last class will actually be on January 13. After that you'll be ready for club practices!

All Poquoson fencers: We'll have fencing December 9 and 16, then no fencing December 23 or 30. Nor will we have fencing on January 6 due to the Hangover Classic in Richmond. Club practices will resume on January 13.

IWFC fencers: We're on the regular schedule through December 20. No fencing December 21 through January 1. The regular schedule will resume January 2.

Tournaments:

• Virginia Division Junior Olympic Qualifiers, Manassas - December 15-16
• Nightmare Before Christmas, Charlottesville - Dec 22-23 (Note: I am not available for coaching at this one.)
• Hangover Classic - Richmond - January 5-6 This is one of Virginia's major events with top fencers from all over coming to compete. It's a fantastic tournament to watch, too! (Note: While I will be there all day Sunday, my Saturday schedule conflict is still up in the air...)

Classes: The next beginner class at IWFC will start on Monday, January 7. Email to register. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented ($30 per month plus $10 glove purchase) or purchased (starting at around $120).

Private lessons: Because no classes are running this month, those evening time slots are available for private lessons. Want some extra time to work on something? Let me know what day and time you're interested in and we'll go from there. Lessons are also available during the day!

Socks and equipment - 5 Dec 12

A new batch of club socks has just arrived! These comfy, thickly-padded, never-fall-down socks are black with either IWFC or PFC down the side in grey lettering. PFC socks are available in youth, intermediate, and adult sizes and IWFC socks are in intermediate and adult, $15 for all sizes. You can get them at any class or practice - email me if you'd like to have a pair set aside or if you want to make sneaky arrangements.

According to UPS, last week's equipment order should arrive at my house tonight. Of course the question is will it make it here before I leave for the salle or not. So you might be able to pick up your new stuff tonight but you'll definitely be able to pick it up tomorrow night.

Missed last week's order but still want to order something for the holidays or for the Hangover Classic tournament in January? A second December order will be sent in next Thursday, December 13, so you've got plenty of time to turn in your order and payment. Items in this order should be in hand by the following Wednesday, December 20.

Jacket left at PFC tonight?

A black jacket was on the floor tonight after everyone left. I don't recall if it was already there when I arrived or not so I left it at the school's front desk. If it's yours, call Poquoson Primary School to claim it.