[Alan H]

The SHA has started out the throwing season for the past several years with the "Rhino" Games. These are an athletes-only gathering up in the foothills.. It's half party, half competition. Ask TimC, he loved them.

Well, the guy who opened up his land for those Games has decided not to do it any more. I thought I'd make a contribution to the SHA and find a replacement venue. I thought I had one, in the Kirigin Winery, in Gilroy.

Well, funny, but after all the smoke that got blown, the guy who owns the winery won't return phone calls or e-mail, and the people who work at the winery, won't either. It's supposed to be some problem with the County. riiiiiight.

The Rec deparment for the City of Menlo Park...none of their people will return phone calls. It's bizarre. three or four phone calls, several to different people and none of them have been returned. Not ONE. Who wants to work with people like that?

City of Palo Alto...they return phone calls, but their fees for using the Parks are prohibitive.

San Mateo County...no way will the County allow potentially dangerous activites like caber throwing in a County Park. Item closed.

City of Atherton...yeah, I can use the fields at the park if I RESERVE THE WHOLE PARK for the day...to the tune of about $6,000. Oh, and sorry, we only have parking for 88 cars.

Stanford University....permission denied by the Athletic Facilities Department, but we think you can throw on this packed-dirt parking lot, but you'll have to ask Parking and Transportation about that...Good Luck!

****************************

I've given up. I've been hunting this down for four months. It's just not worth it, and I'm just talking about bringing in 40-50 athletes and their friends and family, not pipe bands and dancers and clans and re-enactors and so on. I can't imagine the hoops you have to jump through to actually put on a full Games. With all the rules, regulations and everybody protecting their turf, I can't imagine how ANYTHING gets done.

[Farlander]

I hear you Alan. In a previous life, I used to organize and/or run events for a historical society. It was always a BIG challenge to find a new venue and devastating when you lost an old one.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Well, Alan, when I win the lottery, you may throw a games on my estate-free of charge!

Be well,

Star

[KD Burke]

Originally Posted by Alan H

I've given up. I've been hunting this down for four months. It's just not worth it, and I'm just talking about bringing in 40-50 athletes and their friends and family, not pipe bands and dancers and clans and re-enactors and so on. I can't imagine the hoops you have to jump through to actually put on a full Games. With all the rules, regulations and everybody protecting their turf, I can't imagine how ANYTHING gets done.

I've recently joined the committee that stages our local Games. It's been quite an education and I heartily encourage anyone with any interest whatsoever to volunteer. I can tell you with perfect honesty that it takes a room-full of people and a boat-load of cash! There's never (quite) enough of either!

KD