Dear participants: Most of you should be travelling within a week to Washington, and I'm sure you have all been eagerly waiting to hear your first match time. That information will be on the web very soon, compiled in a format you can all understand. Here are some almost-last minute points to make note of (copies of this and upcoming e-mail notifications will also be stored on our website). 1) The website is still: http://www.astro.umd.edu/badminton/seniors/ The schedule of events has not changed, and is: Thursday, March 21 3.00-7.00 pm registration at the gym 4.00-6.00 pm umpire clinic at the hotel 4.00-7.00 pm Play begins for 50+ and older events 7.00-8.30 pm Wine and Cheese Reception (hosted by Washington DC 2012)[NOTE, this will be a very nice reception in a beautiful riverside restaurant -- a "not to miss" event!) Friday, March 22 8.30 am registration continues at the gym 9.00 am All events start play Saturday, March 23 9.00 am All events continue play 7.30 pm Dinner and dance (with DJ and wine included!)at the Marriott(casual) Sunday, March 24 9.00 am FINALS (play concludes by 5.00 pm, please plan your flights accordingly) 2) There will also be a tournament shuttle between hotel and gym, the schedule of which will be posted in the lobby of the hotel, and in the gym. There is also an official hotel shuttle, that takes you to campus, but that is about a block or so away from the gym itself. 3a) airports: we will try to do a few group pick ups at Dulles and/or National(Reagan)Airports IF we get enough people needing it at workable times. For example, one such time will likely be 2pm on thursday at Dulles. Please RSVP if you would like to be included in this 2pm pick up, or if you would like to be included in another "group pick up" IF we are able to arrange it, and if there is sufficient demand. It's first come first served, and must be clearly arranged in advance. If you would like to be included, please rsvp to this e mail and copy damian diccox (damian_diccox@hotmail.com) with information on your arrival time and airport. We will get back to you. 3b) Peter will arrive at Dulles airport himself at 3.10pm on thursday, and probably be through customs by about 3.45 or 4pm, and will drive to the gym. He can probably take 2 people with me. RSVP and make sure we both understand the limitations of this arrangement (i.e. you should have a backup plan if his flight is delayed) 4) Party reminder: there is a dinner+party on Saturday evening, with a DJ and wine/soft drinks included. There will be more tickets available, but try and get them before the tournamant starts. $25 per person. 5) Cell phones: Please call Prakash on 202-255-2129 if you have any urgent questions next week, as both Diane and I are in limited communications. I will certainly be on pretty regular email, but just not phone. 6) There is indeed an umpire clinic thursday afternoon, from 4-6pm in the hotel. If you have not done so, RSVP to Diane and me. -- Diane Cornell Peter Teuben