Just two days remain to RSVP for the annual Holiday Party. All RSVP's must be received by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 28 -- either by sending an email to euchrechicago@yahoo.com or signing up at the Center on Halsted or Big Chick's.

Sign-up begins at Noon, lunch at 12:45pm and tournament play (with partners!) starts at 1:30pm (New Time!). Because of another function in our room at 5pm, we'll need to play as quickly as possible, so we thank you in advance for your help. As always, there'll be great prizes for the winning teams too!

Please keep in mind that you must sign up with a partner for this tournament, and both you and your partner must be present to check in (we don't do the "he's just parking the car" thing for tournaments). If you don't have a partner, let us know and we'll do our best to pair you up -- but we need to have even tables, so the very last team to check in may not be able to play if it leaves us with half a table.

And following the tournament we invite you to join us for the after party at Gentry on State Street (click here for a map to Gentry).

For more information on the tourney, see Sunday any board member.

To accommodate a few schedules, we're moving our Spring Break trip back a week to March 12 through 16 (Wednesday through Sunday) in Fort Lauderdale at the Grand Resort (click here to visit their website). Based on double occupancy, airfare and hotel should be about $500 per person -- less if you shack up more than two in a room.

If the club can book at least 10 rooms, we'll be able to lower the price even more. We're planning some beach outings, bar nights (for all tastes) and plenty of Euchre fun around the pools.

If you'd like more information, or to put your name on the reservation list, send us an email at euchrechicago@yahoo.com. The rooms book up fairly quickly (many resorts are already sold out), and airfare is only going to go up, so get your name on the list as soon as possible. Reservations will close by December 15.

See ECC president Ron Hall if you have any other questions.

Your weather for the week, provided by the meteorologists at WFLD-TV Fox Chicago.

TUESDAY 48 / 29 Cloudy
WEDNESDAY 38 / 28 Cloudy
THURSDAY 35 / 24 Cloudy
FRIDAY 35 / 24 Cloudy
SATURDAY 32 / 24 Cloudy

This week, not so much as amusing as something that's for a good cause. We encourage you to visit freerice.com. Not only will you improve your vocabulary, but each time you correctly learn a new word, the site will donate rice to the hungry around the world. There's no limit, only your own patience. You'll feel better, and maybe a little smarter, when you're through.

Tenebrous anyone?

November 25 - Board Meeting
December 2 - Annual Holiday Party!
December 16 - Variation Night
December 25 - Christmas-No Play! January 1 - New Years-No Play! March 12 - 16 - Spring Break!

Congratulations to the following recent winners!

Tuesday, Nov 20 - Gregory Ward with a 54!

Sunday, Nov 25 - David Franks with a 53!

In case you didn't notice from the dates to remember, please take note that there is NO PLAY on Tuesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) or Tuesday, January 1 ( New Year's Day). Enjoy your holiday and your hangover.

"Mine's the smallest one."
-ECC member Rick Madsen. Sometimes these just write themselves, folks.

Schadenfreude [SCHAD n froi Duh] n. Pleasure derived from the misfortune of others.
Usage: [name deleted]couldn't help but notice the schadenfreude in the room when he scored an 11 for the night.

Dear Hoyle,

Why aren't there more women in the club? - Very Jolly

Dear VeeJay:
That's a question that's plagued the club for years. For every women who pays her membership dues and sticks around for a while, there are a half-dozen or so who play once or twice and never come back. Is it the lack of women that keep other women out? Do lesbians just not like Euchre? Do they just not like Euchre with us?

The club strives to be open and welcoming to anyone, regardless of sex, race, religion or sexual orientation (except jerks -- no jerks allowed). If there's something that the club can do to make women feel more welcome, share your ideas with a board member -- no idea is a bad idea. Oh, and ECC member Bailey is a little desperate for some fine female companionship, so the sooner your ideas come in, the better for everyone, but more so for Bailey.

-Hoyle

If you have a question about Euchre strategy, ECC club rules, relationships or just life in general, send an e-mail to resident expert Hoyle at euchrechicago@yahoo.com. We promise all e- mails are anonymous, and the answers may just