Dans Curling Bonspiel Blog

Curling in Oklahoma ???

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:21:00 +0000

This one little Video below attracted 37 would be CURLERS to show up for an Open House in Oklahoma City this past weekend !

As mentioned in the video, Jonathan Havercroft is our very own Jonathan the Membership Director of the DFW Curling Club.

Great video by KFOR TV in OKC.

Click the Title Bar above to be wisked away and get more information on possible curling in Oklahoma.

DFW Curling Club is MOVING !

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:53:00 +0000

WE ARE MOVING !!!

The D/FW Curling Club will hold it's 2009-2010 season at the FARMERS BRANCH Dr Pepper StarCenter.

This decision was made because of the pending demise of the Duncanville Dr Pepper StarCenter.

We have been offered a Sunday evening, 7pm-9pm slot in Farmers Branch. Click HERE for directions. Your board of directors has voted unanimously, albeit some a bit reluctantly, to approve this. The alternative was to risk the potential of no curling for the coming season.

Everyone understands that this move will create a hardship to some members and we are saddened that we may even lose some great friends and curlers who cannot adapt to this new location or time.

Curling at a new facility will be a challenge. However, we are convinced that this will be positive to the Club. This venue offers more exposure for curling and a more central location. Your board will be working hard to take advantage of the this new potential.

Our hoped for start date is October 4th. It could be put off one week as the StarCenter attempts to fit us into their schedule. Please check back here often for updates on our Times and Dates. Applications will be online soon. We WILL be offering PayPal payments this season.

The D/FW Curling Club Invites YOU to Our Last Open House of the Summer - Sun, Sept. 20th.

The Dallas/Ft. Worth Curling Club announces it's last Open House of the Summer. This learn to curl opportunity on Sunday afternoon is from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. on September 20th. This is the last Open House - Learn to Curl event before the curling leagues start in October.

The open house will be held at the Dr Pepper Star Center in Farmers Branch just Northeast of the intersection of Stemmons Frwy, I-35E and LBJ Frwy, I-635. Directions. If you know where Sam Moon is, it is just 300 yards to the north of it.

WHAT: OPEN HOUSE - LEARN TO CURL

WHERE: DR. PEPPER/STAR CENTER FARMERS BRANCH

WHEN: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH,11AM to 1PM

COST: A $5-10 DONATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED

The open house will feature instructors from the club and will include an orientation on rules and terminology, an overview of sliding and delivery techniques and instruction on sweeping and strategy.

Wear tennis shoes and a light jacket, we like to keep it coool....

Curling, a game that has been described as “chess on ice,” involves two four-person teams who alternate sliding rocks down 146 feet, sheet of ice. The team that places the most rocks nearest the center of a circular target at the end of 8 ends (similar to innings) wins. The game is an ancient Scottish sport (over 500 years old) and was wildly popular during both the Salt Lake City and Torino Italy Winter Olympics in 2002 and 2006. Many US Curling Clubs were swamped with curious folks wanting to learn and try this unique sport as the Olympics ended.

Beat the rush. Come out and get involved BEFORE the Olympics in Vancouver. Save Your Spot NOW!

The Curling Club is asking for donations of $5-10 to help pay some of the expense. All persons must sign a waiver as required by the Dr. Pepper/Star Center. The D/FW Curling Club is a 501 (c)(3) public charity. The public is cordially invited.

For further information, please contact Judy Willingham 817-933-1837 or visit our web site at www.dfwcurling.com

Olympic Curling Tickets Available

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:07:00 +0000

We (DFW Curling Club) got this information from the USCA about OLYMPIC TICKETS !!

Contact info in in the message below.

Cheers

======================================

The USCA has a limited number of unclaimed tickets for most, if not all, of the qualifying round draws for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. We do not have any tickets remaining for the playoff rounds, but, like everyone else, are told that these will likely become available as teams advance in the competition.

Mark Swandby, our team leader, has been coordinating the ticket requests and handling for the families and friends of the Olympic Team curlers, and is willing to try to fulfill other requests on a first-come, first-served basis. We are at the point where we will soon be returning any leftover tickets to either VANOC of CoSport, however. CoSport is the only official licensed US seller for Olympic tickets. Other tour companies (such as PSG, the one we are aligned with) are able to package tickets with tours, but CoSport is the only place you can go in the U.S. to buy tickets alone. Their prices are also significantly higher than what we have to offer at the moment, which is $65 per ticket for qualifying round games.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these tickets, please contact Mark immediately at swandby@engr.wisc.edu. We will be returning tickets soon in order to reduce the USCA’s financial exposure on these tickets.

Green Bay Tailgate Open

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Back from a weekend in Green Bay Wisconsin !

I LOVE THIS SPIEL ! Seriously, it is my favorite spiel of the summer, and great ice is only part of the reason.

Green Bay is an official training facility for the US Olympic Teams. They scrapped down the ice, added all new markings and logo's and added the magnetic strips in the ice for the sensor handles used during Olympic games.

This was Olympic caliber curling ice, 5 feet of curl both directions, 24.5 to 25 second ice absolutely awesome. I'm not claiming it was Olympic Ice based on my experience, heck what would I know, but there were lots of people that did know with years and years of experience that were as excited as anyone to play on this kind of ice.

One of the other really great things about this spiel is the FOOD. Lots and lots of food, and it was continuous feeding time it seemed. Brats, burgers, fixins, sandwiches, fruit more fruit, snaks, pancakes, eggs, sausage, soup, 150lbs of beef out on the barbecue grill....every meal WAS a meal, and you could always make a small sandwich if needed. You were always fueled up and ready to go curl. If you went hungry it was your own fault and if you went out to eat.....WHY ?? Everything you needed was in the club.

I was talking to one of the Green Bay guys and commented on how great the food was and how much there was and all the volunteers and the round the clock cooking....he just looked at me and said "this is Green Bay, food is supposed to cover your plate."

On Saturday Steph, Tim and I went into downtown Green Bay for a little wine tasting. A place called The Captain's Walk Winery. For $3 you could taste up to 7 of their wines ! What a deal, so we did and found some excellent wine. I had 6 bottles shipped home, I ended up spending alot more than the $3 I thought I would spend....but it is soooo good. They don't grow grapes in Green Bay, this winery gets them from Oregon and then does their magic on them.

Great time, not sure how long we spent at this tasting, but it was a very fun time while waiting for our next game.

Had a few Canadians come down for this spiel, not from "Winterpeg", but from Ontario. Elliot Lake area and some folks from the Guelph Curling Club. They were a little surprised at how far people had come to curl in July in Green Bay with people they didn't know (California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Ohio to name a few that I remember) AND make an absolute grand party with perfect strangers. You weren't strangers for very long. I think they will be back next year, I know they had a great time and did I mention the GREAT ICE !

I am really lucky to get to curl in this spiel that's in the shadow of Lambeau Field. I get to curl with Stephanie and Tim from Madison and Shana from Dallas. Steph and Tim are long time curlers and in my case teachers. They are fine tuning my game and understanding, I learn so much and of course we have a grand time in the process.

We got into the 3rd Event Championship Round, a missed shot here and there made all the difference.....as it always does. We lost and got Runner up. But HEY we were playing on Sunday - TWICE - and got 5 games not just the 3 that alot of teams got.

In fact our 3rd game we came back from a deficit of 4 to win the game on the 8th rock in the 8th end.

I LOVE this spiel, Thanks to the Wilbergs for putting on such a great event, thanks to the volunteers in Green Bay and Thanks to my Team Mates.

LUUCY don't forget to sign us up again next year !

Curling Getaway

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:15:00 +0000

Met these very nice folks from Elliot Lake Ont at the Green Bay Open Tailgate Bonspiel.

They either run or are associated with an Adult Curling Camp or Getaway in Elliot Lake. It is a 4 day camp with lots of ice time, limited to 40 persons, and all the instructors are Certified Level 3 and Level 4.

They told me that if you register before the end of August you get a $100 discount.

So here is another opportunity to get some fine tuning to your game or learn something you didn't know you were missing.

Click the picture for a super large version, or click the link to be wisked away to their web site.

Rocky Top Bonspiel - Knoxville TN

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:32:00 +0000

FINALLY !

Finally made it to the Rocky Top Bonspiel after hearing how much fun it was for the last 3-4 years. And I must say flying into Knoxville TN is one of the most beautiful countrysides I have ever seen ! Green rolling hillsides with a many a huge house at one end of the property, and pastures and green green green untouched land, simply beautiful.

My cheap-o GPS got us to the ice with no problem...except for one strange intersection just off the highway. Right, left, straight (sort of) or do we do one of the curvy options ? Our skip and broom bag hauler got a little lost.

NOPE that's not the ice house.....

At this point he called the Ice Rink and they gave him directions....his GPS needs a little updating I guess.

The crew from Ice King came down from Ontario and for the cost of the entry fee and all the beer they could consume (even into Monday I hear) took arena ice and worked their magic on it, they made it flat, no falls, no ridges, no negative ice, no negative turns, predictable curl, what a great job. If you play on arena ice you know what I'm talking about and can really appreciate the hard work.
I don't have a picture of the Ice King Crew...sorry, but this was our team. Handsome Dudes ! (Picture by Shana)

One of the great things about summer spiels is not having to wear long pants. Of course if you are shy or have really knobby knees and skinny legs...well Todd and I don't or we don't care, we just wanted to be comfy. My knee brace just adds to the ??? effect don't you think ?I guess David and Don must have some of the aforementioned leg issues ???

I really need to be comfortable, and we must have been very comfortable as we seemed to really click on the 2nd game. I know I didn't miss a shot the first 4 ends, which freaked me out into missing both shots in the 5th. (Pictures courtesy of the Curling Club via their Face Book Page)

Our 2nd game didn't get going till about 1015pm, so by the time we had a few beers and chatted and got back to the hotel it was 2am. Good thing we won cause we didn't have to play till 2pm on Saturday.

It's always the goal to be playing on Sunday Morning, that's the goal next to getting some hardware, too bad we didn't have time to discuss that goal cause if you are going to lose a game it needs to be game 1 or game 2 NOT game 3. We lost game 3 to some nice folks from Milton Ontario, so we were OUT ! Time to head to the chow down at the Yacht Club on the river. Lots of beer, silent auction, lots of stuff, GREAT RIBS ! and did I mention lots of beer...just making sure.

Well since we didn't play well enough to play on Sunday and our flight didn't leave till 6pm, we said goodbye to Don and his wife Paula as they headed for North Carolina. Todd and Shana were heading to Nashville, so David and I took a drive to see a little of the Smokies and some really touristy spots that I would not want to see again.

The drive in the mountains was beautiful, the scenery was just as awesome, we made it all the way to North Carolina.

Can you believe these pictures were taken with my cell phone ? There is alot of history in these mountains, including the CCC (Citizen Conservation Corps) from the Great Depression days.

The Rocky Top is a good bonspiel, well worth your time and money, and they have unlimited beer ! Did I mention that ?

Click the link at the top of the page or click HERE to jump to the Great Smokey Mountains Curling Club.

P.I.C. 1st Shot

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Another comment from the PIC 2009.......

I had said I was hugely honored to be included in the "1st Shot" at the PIC, Yadranka sent me a couple of pictures of that moment.

Photo by Yadranka Thompson

Those aren't exactly small shot glasses as you can see in my hand, Leigh Armstrong is thinking "Oh my this is going to burn" as she takes a glass.....

Photo by Yadranka Thompson

It was actually quite smoooooth going down, it was cold on the ice, but I felt this nice warm glow on the inside. I had this stupid grin on my face that just got bigger and bigger.

What a great time we had !

Back from the Pacific International Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

WE are BACK from the Pacific International Cup, hosted by the Richmond Curling Club in beautiful British Columbia.

We won 3 and lost 4, losing all 4 to Canadian Teams and one of our wins was against our friends the Aussies !

So there you go, great time as always, great competition as always, and that's about it - right ?

OH HELL NO !!

CURLING is more than just the actual game, that's why those that curl get so hooked, it's also about the social aspect of the game. Curler's love the social side, and nobody throws a bonspiel or an event like the PIC (Pacific International Cup) quite as well as Canada. The PIC is special, just ask any of the BC teams that had never been before, but now vow to return next year. The PIC is a gigantic celebration of the best of club curling.

We Texans delight in the fact we are allowed to compete and try our skills in the PIC. This year was special for us as we missed getting here last year - AND - for me personally, I was given a huge honor.

During the official opening ceremonies teams march down both sides of the 8 sheet ice, following 2 Piper's and 2 RCMP's, cross and form two lines and then are lead forward by the Piper's and RCMP's to a designated point.

Some speeches given by the founders of the PIC, the Mayor of Richmond, Leigh Armstrong (Canadian Champion), singing of the National Anthem, and so forth. That's when the ceremonial scotch is brought on ice, then Jim Mann steps back to the mike and says he would like one curler to step forward to represent all the International Teams, so would Dan Johnson of Texas please step forward.

Holy Moly...I froze, surprised, and had Andy pushing me saying that's you go on go on...at least that's what I remember.

So I joined them on the platform and joined in with the drinking of the scotch, everyone was shaking my hand, I was HUGELY honored to be included in such a ceremony and my team mates were very excited for me.

It is a major highlight of my very short curling life, if you thought I was possessed with curling before....it's worse now.

Of course once we got off the ice all the guys said HEY....you started drinking without us...you got a head start....and every other silly thing you can think of.

The scotch, BTW, went down smoothly, and made me feel warm and fuzzy afterwards. LOL

Can you believe it ? I wonder what brand of scotch that was ?

The PIC has 20 Men's Teams and 16 Women's Teams, I am possibly exaggerating, but I think the 8 BC Men's and Women's Teams have more play down games to get to the PIC than we have in our entire season.

Right across the street from the Richmond Curling Club is the Vancouver Olympic Oval ! Walking distance, so the PIC was organizing tours of the Oval, giving us all a first hand look, up close and personal, very cool of course and don't plan on parking within even a mile of this Oval during the Winter Olympics. You will be catching a mass transit train instead.

Draws started Wednesday afternoon, Thursday was curling, Opening Ceremonies, curling and that evening was the fan-tab-ulous banquet. Friday was curling, nothing but curling, from 7am to really late PM. We had 5 on our team, me being the eldest. which I took advantage of by announcing I would GLADLY give up my spot on the 7am game. HEY it's seniority - can you blame me ?!

We went looking for breakfast after that 7am game Friday and found this place....

What can I say ? I'm shameless, and seemingly everywhere....hahaha

Saturday was curling followed by CASINO NIGHT ! Or perhaps I should say the CASINO NIGHT PARTY - heavy on the PARTY !! We won 2-3 million $, combined our winnings with another team and were bidding on loot. It was great all the teams were together all in one place everyone having a great time, talking about how organized the PIC was, how they were ABSOLUTELY finding a way to get back here next year.

Speaking of bidding on loot....these two somehow bid and won the lovely frock's they are wearing....altho I am not sure at the time if they even remembered taking this picture - and they sent it to me ?? HAThat's Matt on the left from Australia and an all around good guy and good curler. Nick on the left, my skip, a very good curler and having a great time - OBVIOUSLY !!

There was one other special thing that happened, after the games were stopped and before the bidding on loot began they announced the Sportsmanship Awards. These awards were voted on by the teams, Men for Men and Women for Women. We were selected as the Men's Sportsmanship winner ! Team TEXAS ! I cannot remember the name of the Women's team that won but here we are all together and having a grand time I might add.

Where's John ? Hmmmmmmmm

Ok Here's John, having fun over at the OVAL, all around great guy and excellent curler. I don't know why he is not in the previous picture, but if YADRANKA ever sends me the pictures she took - I know he is in her camera....isn't that right Chester ?

The Pacific International Cup is all about club curlers, it is unique, it is highly organized and the Winners (both from Okanagan) are now headed to the Dominion Club Championship in Toronto in September !

The PIC is special and we love it and plan to return next year.

Cheers and Good Curling !

Two Bonspiels

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Actually we are back from the Pacific International Cup in Vancouver BC....

While I wait on some pictures and get my thoughts together...

Here are a couple of spiels I picked up while in Vancouver...

We had a great time...

We actually played a group of guys from Kerry Park Curling Club, but we got the bonspiel info from some ladies from Kerry Park. It's a long ways to go if you live in Texas, but combine it with some vacation time and see Victoria, maybe some Orca's, maybe some golf....I'd love to go, perhaps next year.

We ran into some friends up from Chicago, I do believe we have been to this spiel before, great competition, free beer and free food all weekend....and as I recall they DID NOT run out of beer....this is in October, check it out....a really great time.

DFW Club Champions

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:43:00 +0000

Yeah that's right we WON the whole EN-CHI-LADA !
And we played terrible for the first half of the season. What a struggle !

We frequently only had one sweeper, altho there were times when we could let John hold the broom and have 2 sweeps, he had to be careful with the wheelchair and not knock any rocks around getting out of the way.

That's Nick on the left, Judy, John in the wheelchair, me (should have combed my hair) and Judy's son Ethan.

When Ethan could play we had him helping out with sweeping chores, he's getting pretty good, and sweeping a full length sheet not a half sheet like in little rocks.

Very nice win for us, we found our groove about halfway thru the season and in the playoff's....color us HAPPY !!

We get a trophy we call the Cardy Cup, get our names engraved on it and then get to each keep it about a month before handing it back in October or November. Sort of like the Stanley Cup.....we had one guy take it to his pool, photograph it with his dog, at a picnic etc etc...pretty funny stuff.

These are the guys and gal we played in the Final, Janet on the left, David, Cec and John.

We added a new trophy called the Presidents Cup, for the Team with the Best Overall Record. This group was very hard to beat, always on broom on weight a really good team.

Stephen on the left, Todd, Don and Leni.

The date on all these pictures is off by 1 month...should be 3/22/09

DALLAS - We Have Tuesday Curling !

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:29:00 +0000

So what's the big deal ? Well if you play on real ice, in a dedicated curling club, it's not a big deal.

But if you are an arena club (ie: hockey ice, public skate ice) just getting a second draw is a major ordeal. Just getting a second draw on the same day is huge, let alone getting a second draw during the weekday.

As alot of people know we have an active group that likes to get out and bonspiel. We have been all over the place, San Francisce, SLC, Knoxville, Madison, St. Paul, Rochester NY, Potomac, Brantford Ont, Vancouver BC, Houston, Chicago, Green Bay, Cape Cod, just to name a few of the places.

Pretty hard thing to do if all your curling is on a Sunday. You leave your teammates short handed. Tuesday curling could help that next season.

Our Tuesday Curling is about teaching beginners, and we have a bunch, nearly 1/2 the group are new to the sport or just could not make curling on Sundays. We also have a bunch of new skips-to-be (including me) getting their feet wet.

We are keeping it cheap !! $200 for 8 weeks, no club dues - no joining the club - no USCA dues, nothing but paying for the ice.

Wish us luck, the goal is for this 8 weeks to translate into 16 weeks next fall. Some like me will play in both weekday and weekend.

Good Times and Good Curling !

2009 Texas Open Bonspiel

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:39:00 +0000

The Texas Open Bonspiel is back !!

Originally planned to be hosted by the Austin Club, a situation arose that was out of their control and Houston Offered to Host.

The TOB (as we call it) was hosted by Dallas last spring and by Houston the year before that...we are trying to rotate it around to each club if at all possible.

This spiel is becoming very popular in that Texas usually has great weather and all the golf course are open. Nasa is very close to the Houston club's ice.

Click the Title Bar and jump to the Curling Club of Houston Web site.

WANTED: Curling Ice Plant Chiller Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:37:00 +0000

The Dallas/Ft. Worth Curling club is looking for an Ice Plant ! Used or New, 4-5 sheets would be ideal but a 2-3 sheeter would also work.

HUH ? They curl in Texas ? Really ?

YES REALLY !!

And we want to make our own ice, in our own place, and we are willing to work hard to make it happen.

So we need an Ice Plant and a Chiller to get things started. Do you have any idea how hard it is to curl on this stuff ?

Ok well it's not as hard as curling on this wing....but you get the idea.

If your club is upgrading to a bigger plant - LET US KNOW !
If you know of a club that is upgrading - LET US KNOW !
If you know of an abandoned skating rink that is willing to give the plant to anyone willing to take it out for FREE - LET US KNOW !

If you think you got a deal to good to ignore LET US KNOW !
If you think you could sell us something and finance it - HEY LET US KNOW !

We want to talk ICE PLANTS !!

Send an email to either or both of these address's:
vicepresident@dfwcurling.com
membership@dfwcurling.com

(I didn't hyperlink them on purpose)

We might even get this fabulous Level III Female Ice Tech from the Brantford Curling Club to come down and show us how to put in the ice. But don't tell her I said that because I haven't even asked. I'm just saying we want really good real ice.

Look at these poor people, they traveled all the way to Chicago to find real ice.
Help them get on their own real ice, help them find an Ice Plant, lets help them not look so pathetic and bring a smile knowing they can curl in DALLAS TEXAS !

Here is Something you Don't see in Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:13:00 +0000

GRASS !! You know it's true, it's about 100 degree's below ZERO up there - more or less - the GRASS has gone into hibernation or is moving to Texas or Arizona ! Oh did you notice the Curling Stone and the Palm Trees ??? Desert Ice Bonspiel in Arizona !

Santa Curling - Kent England

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:59:00 +0000

A little Charity Curling Fun in Kent England.

Some cool video of the event can be found HERE

Golden Handle Bonspiel

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:36:00 +0000

This has been sitting in my inbox for 10days, been to busy to post it....

Just when I thought I'd seen the coolest ever spiel poster - ol' JH Curl sends me this little jewel of a poster for the Nutmeg Curling Club.

If your thinking 'Hmmmm JH Curl where have I seen that name ?' Well look over there -----> yeah over on the right side is a link to JH's blog.

Check out their spiel, you still have plenty of time.

Wild West Bonspiel

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:20:00 +0000

Now this is a cool bonspiel flyer ! Perhaps the coolest, greatest, neato-spiffo bonspiel flyer I've ever seen....and I've seen alot !

Did you see the "Jeans are Appropriate" for Friday along with Line Dancing ? No spurs please....

Did you see the "Whiskey and Prettiest Petticoat" ? Not for you guys, they'd like you looking more like Batt Masterson or a more formal attire for Saturday Night. You still get to drink whiskey of course.

For those times between games did you notice they have swimming, whirlpool and sauna ? Oh yeah......

They also have club members willing and wanting to host some curler's and make the trip a little more affordable.

This is the 48th year for hosting a bonspiel, they obviously know how to throw a great event.

I'd bet there will be plenty of teams from Canada, I bet they would be happy to host some teams from the At Large (TEXAS in particular).

What are tou waiting for Miss Kitty is waiting for you at the Wild Wild West Bonspiel.

BIG News From the Richmond Curling Club - PIC and BC Curl

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:18:00 +0000

I keep saying that the PIC (Pacific International Cup) is my favorite (favourite) event. Some that know me may also tell you that I could be playing in a barn full of cows, and as long as there was real ice and some beer - IT WOULD BE MY FAVORITE EVENT !

But if you do a search of this blog (Upper left side where it says "Search This Blog") and type in Pacific International Cup - you will find numerous entry's, comments, posts, etc etc....I don't think any event I've been to has as many postings as the PIC. I even have a permanent link over there ----->

The PIC is ALL ABOUT CLUB CURLERS !

ANYWAY - back in August "The Dominion" Insurance Company announced an event for club curlers called "The Dominion Curling Club Championship".

For British Columbia curling clubs and club curlers, this is a national extension of the regional and provincial opportunities established over 10 years ago by the BC Club Challenge and The Pacific International Cup.

Through a new partnership and sponsorship agreement with The Dominion, the BC men’s and women’s curling club champions that win their regional Club Challenge events and finish on top at the Pacific International Cup, will become British Columbia’s Dominion Curling Club Champions and will represent BC at The Dominion Curling Club Championship.

The posters that follow are the official announcements, full of web sites and phone numbers and names and emails....whoooooo hoooooo if your from BC !

Or as my friend George Karrys might say...you can click here and here and over here and of course here here and here. Altho George does say it better....

If you click HERE you can get your own copy of the above in pdf format.

PIC - BC CURL - The Dominion, what a partnership !! And it's all about CLUB CURLERS !!

Madison BOO ! Spiel

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:16:00 +0000

I am really very lucky or fortunate to have met such great people in my short time of curling. I was invited to play with a great group of curlers in the Madison Halloween Bonspiel. In fact one of these guys was my skip - LOL - even funnier up close ! OK it was Tim Ebert a very competitive curler and all around good guy.

One of the great things about curling with that guy in the black hat is that he notices the little things I do that cause me to miss a shot, lets me know and reminds me of the correct way so I can fix it and not make another bad habit.

There were alot of people actually curling in costume, saw a bunch of Daisy May's, Village People, THE BLUE MAN GROUP (boy were they blue - I'd bet they are still blue), aliens, tinker bells, an AIG group knocking the AIG Bailout, there were some young hot looking women but for some reason I don't remember anything beyond hot looking women.

Saw one guy dressed as a banana...but he's not even close to the banana costume I've used. No I am not posting it !

This spiel also had the Team USA Wheelchair curlers, two teams in fact, playing against all of us non handicapped curlers. They can't sweep, imagine throwing your rock and it better be perfect because no one is going to sweep it. Think about how many times your skip has yelled to STOP SWEEP STOP SWEEP as it's getting close. They were very competitive and had alot of people watching their games in amazement.

Steve Brown of Steve's Curling Supplies is a major sponsor of Team USA Wheelchair Curlers. In appreciation of all he has done and continues to do for them they presented Steve, in front of a packed club house, with this great picture. The roar of laughter was deafening and there was no way that picture would not make it to the Internet !

Madison is a wonderful 6 sheet club with a huge viewing window, volunteers again painted a few of the houses in special designs. And the walls out on the ice have numerous banners celebrating the many National and World Championships members have won.

Our team did pretty good, we were in control of most games most of the time, altho I have to confess I got so wrapped up reading all those banners that one time Brad was throwing, Steph was sweeping and they went right past me....I was literally running down the ice trying to catch up ! I'VE NEVER DONE THAT - EVER ! I've always had my head in the game.....geesh.

Steph was laughing at me as I was trying to explain what happened. I think we won that game anyway. Gads - embarrassing !

We found ourselves in the Semi Finals for the 2nd Event - so we were playing Sunday Morning !! Whooo Hoooo always good to be playing Sunday Morning. Right next to us were two Mens teams playing for the right to be in the 1st Event Final. Both of these Men's teams had won World Men's or Senior Men's Championships !

Right next to us...way cool !!

We were playing one of Stephs good friends Nancy Powers (Nancy is a funny lady, funny sense of humor), We were hitting on all cylinders just not all at the same time. They didn't make any big mistakes and I don't think Nancy missed much if anything. They ended up taking the game after 6 ends, in celebration we asked Nancy to try and make the shot we had missed. Chipping off a stone just off the left side of the house and rolling to the button. She made it look easy so we gave her a hard time for not shooting that shot instead of what she threw.

This is our team, Tim on the left, Brad, Stephanie, Me, what a great group of people and curlers. Brad has curled forever, his whole family curls, it would not surprise me if he was born in a curling club. His dad was Stephanie's coach at one time. Speaking of Stephanie (Lucy Radhl) Erstad, what a great friend - we curled at Green Bay this summer, she's always giving me pointers, knows as much about curling as there is to know, a real competitor but down to earth and funny and a laugh as loud as it is funny. I think it's possible y'all may start seeing her at spiels outside of Wisconsin ! So just get ready to hand her the winning hardware if ya know what I mean.

Nancy - you were supposed to have waited to take the picture till AFTER I sucked in my gut !!

Cheers and Good Curling !

I wonder if that house was patterned after the TEXAS flag ???

7 1/2 Seconds of Fame - or - Tooting Your Own Horn

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Well this was a HUGE surprise ! Nothing like being on the same cover page with Debbie ! Whatever it takes to promote curling - they can count on us.

HEY - per the previous post, the USCA really does need an official airline and who better than the only money making, customer service focused airline than Southwest Airlines !

They will be starting a code share agreement with WestJet, so if you were thinking about getting to Vancouver for the Olympics, it just got a whole lot cheaper.

By the way that is Andy on the right, and Mary Phoenix stuck in the middle, not like she volunteered to be in that picture. We kidnapped her as I recall.

Hot Shots is a great camp, I made numerous posts ...see over there >>>>
and actually I am considering going back next August. Oakville is awesome, people are fab, instruction is great for someone like me who is stuck on Arena Ice and develops a few bad habits and then blames it on the ice.... who me ??

Dallas starts curling the first weekend of November, we still have a couple of spots left I think, and I do believe we will be adding Tuesday evening curling in January. Baby steps as we try to provide more opportunities to curl and grow the club.

Good Curling !

USCA Needs an Official Airline !

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Really ? Why Not ?

Andy and I were talking about the PIC - Pacific International Cup - our favorite (favourite) event ! That led to talk of flying and how and who and $$ and all of that stuff. We were also talking about bonspiels and out of nowhere Andy says ya know (use your best Canadian accent here) the USCA really needs an Official Airline, everyone else has one why not curling ?

Now I knew whom he meant, but I looked at the map and was amazed that this is not some random crazy idea. What follows is a loosely defined list of cities that this one airline flys to and it's curling club. Sorry but I am using the 3 letter aviation ID for the city, I'm a tad lazy today and don't feel like typing....much:

SEA - Granite
PDX - Evergreen
SMF SFO OAK SJC - Wine Country and Bay Area Curling ClubS
LAX BUR ONT SNA SAN - Hollywood, SoCal, Curl San Diego Curling Clubs
PHX - Coyote's
SLC - Ogden
BOI - Boise
DEN - Denver (5 total clubs in the area)
DFW - Dallas Ft Worth
AUS - Lonestar
HOU - Curling Club of Houston
MCI - Kansas City
OMA - Aksarben
MDW - North Shore, Chicago, Exmore
BNA - Nashville
DTW - Detroit, Midland, Glacier Pointe
CLE - Cleveland, Mayfield
CMH - Columbus, Newark
PIT - Pittsburgh
RDU - Triangle
BWI - Potomac
PHL - Philadelphia
ISP - New York Caledonian, Ardsley
PVD - Cape Cod
MHT - Nashua and at least 4 or 5 others
ALB - Albany
BDL - Norfolk and Nutmeg
BUF - access to Rochester (My first real ice Bonspiel) and Niagra ??

Now that is one heck of a list, and one airline flys to all these cities and will be starting service to MSP next year.

A N D They are trying to set up a code share with WestJet, a Canadian Carrier, who flys to all kinds of Curling Cities in Canada !!

Can you guess who this airline is ? No prizes for the winner - but it seems to me that we (USA) curlers should be hitting the USCA with email and letters to try and make something like this happen so it's in place for the 2010 Winter Olympics !!

CCC Gloamin' Spiel

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +0000

JUST FOR THE WOMEN !!

The Chicago Curling Club announces it's annual Gloamin'Gal Spiel for January 2009.

Two day spiel just for the ladies, several from our club have gone in the past and loved it !

Great Curling Name !

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:26:00 +0000

Ian Edward Mulligan - now tell me that is not a GREAT curling name !

I am now a Grandpa !! and young Ian is my little guy and eventual super curler.

The story goes like this, my daughter calls and says oh yeah my very FIRST weekly doctor visit went great, I am dilated 4-5 cm and have to go to the hospital for monitoring. On my end of the phone I've nearly fallen on the floor, she's 4 weeks early, she's driving herself and husband is out of town....Does Evan know ? Yes and he's freaking out !

We meet her at the hospital, she has checked herself in and in the Labor Delivery Room. Boy how times have changed, this room is huge, almost as big as my house ! No Really would I lie.....Ok so not that big, but huge.

This is where things get a little funny, she is now at 6 cm and isn't even sure if she's felt any contractions, the nurse is saying "honey you aren't leaving here today - you are having a baby today", She thought she was going home soon...she has her cell phone, we 3 have ours and texting and calling notifying our corner of the world.

You can feel the stress....here is a picture of her all stressed out.

When the nurse said no water but she could have ice chips or a Popsicle, her eyes lit up like a little kid. POPSICLE !!

Long story short, Evan (husband) made it with a little time to spare, daughter never did feel any pain, maybe some pressure, but certainly no agony. I am texting updates to my Son who is on his way to the hospital, other daughter who is in Colorado and crying because she's missing everything, my brother out in Las Vegas and of course my Mom. My wife and Becky are doing the same thing to their families. Thank goodness for texting !

Becky is Jennifer's sister-in-law, she called Becky while enroute to the hospital to apologize for not being able to take one of her kids to hockey practice. She had to be in the hospital instead. Becky dropped everything and got to the hospital lickty split. We love Becky !!

After delivery, Evan came out where we were waiting, huge smile still a little freaked out that he might have missed the birth, and says something like...the doctor and nurses were all laughing and talking aren't they supposed to be serious ? Jennifer was telling jokes and stories and making everyone laugh while she's giving birth....is that normal ???

It has occured to me that I am going to have to try and start a little rocks program in a few years. After all I have a new curler, but I need your help. If you are reading this from Canada chances are you know someone that moved to the states. Uh The State of Texas and North Texas to be more precise. I NEED you to contact them and let them know they can curl in Dallas ! Send them to us, more members more of a chance to curl multiple nights a week and get a little rocks program started.

Ahhhhh here's my grandson, isn't he cute ! And he's already watched his first Dallas Cowboys Game too !

Does anyone know where I can get some really small curling shoes and a broom ? It would be the perfect gift eh !

Ian Edward Mulligan - Tell me that's not a PERFECT name for a curler !!

Not Curling - But Good Music

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:43:00 +0000

This isn't about curling (GASP !!!) just a good song and music and directed by my cousin's son Hamilton Karl.

Just click and enjoy and if you have any comments please share them and I will pass them along to Ham who will pass to the musician.

6 Degree's of Separation

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:18:00 +0000

I've never really believed in the 6 Degree's of Separation theory, but check this out AND......it's actually related to this post !!

I know a guy, who knows a woman, who knows a woman in Houston, who knows a guy in the Houston Curling Club, they both went to this Spiel in Prague along with some friends from Toronto.

The Houston curler has a daughter who has a boyfriend in the Dallas Curling Club against whom I have curled.

Freaky eh ?

So I know Andy (in Texas) who knows Betty (in Toronto) who knows Melanie (in Houston) who knows Robert (in Houston) whose daughter has a boy friend in the Dallas Curling Club whom I've curled against. The daughters father was part of a Team from Houston and Toronto that went to Prague last year to attend this spiel.......whew ! But that is 6 degree's of separation.

Small world indeed !!

If you haven't started your end of season bonspiel planning....that's weird isn't it, season hasn't even started and talking about end of season spiels.....this is a good place to start.

From what I have heard this is a very fun event, you just need to get to Europe.

Click on any picture to get a bigger easier to read version.