Hi Everyone,
Wow! There is a lot of news!
Most importantly, Beard Team USA is undergoing major changes that affect all members. We are switching to a new email system for team newsletters. This means that, if you want to continue receiving BTUSA news by email, you must confirm your subscription. You will receive an email in the next few days with instructions on how to do so. If you do not confirm your subscription, this will be your last newsletter.
This change comes about because we have grown so big. We now have 1677 members and 56 local chapters, some of which are more active than others. With so many members, my computer just can't handle email blasts going out to all members. Also, I am sure many people are not receiving newsletters because their computers treat them as spam. The change should overcome these problems.
If you know of any team members who have not been receiving emails about BTUSA, please let them know they should go to www.beardteamusa.org and simply click on "subscribe."
Our websites (www.worldbeardchampionships.
Also if you have sent me a picture and asked me to put it on the BTUSA site, but your picture has not appeared, I apologize. Until now the process of adding the pictures has been very tedious and I frankly have fallen way behind. Here is the good news -- at the new site you can upload your own picture and biographical information which will automatically be added to the site. BTUSA reserves the right to edit any content of course. Even if you pic is on the site, I would encourage you to put up a new pic and add or update you bio info.
Coming events:
With four months to go before the HUGE first ever $5000 Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships in Bend, Oregon, on June 5, there are several warm-up events you should know about.
February 13 -- Southeastern Regionals, Charleston, South Carolina, hosted by the Holy City Beard and Moustache Society. Welcoming party Friday night, Contestants and VIP Oyster Roast on Saturday, Competition Saturday night. Further info here: http://blogs.myspace.com/
February 13 -- All American City Beard and Moustache Contest, Somerville, Massachusetts, organized by BTUSA member Todd Easton and the Somerville Arts Council. Time: 3 pm. Place: Precint, 70 Union Square, Somerville. For more info email Todd atgetyourbeardon@gmail.com.
February 19 -- Msiprint's Fourth Annual Beard and Moustache Competition, Austin, Texas. This is Misprint Magazine's gig, held with the cooperation of the Austin Facial Hair Society, a local chapter of Beard Team USA. This year's contest includes a six-month sprint category. In true Texas spirit, the AFHS is threatening to secede from BTUSA but for now they are still part of America's team. For info on the competition, see http://www.facebook.com/
March 20 -- First Annual Philadelphia Beard and Moustache Competition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A non-gendered, non-judgmental celebration of a love of all things bearded and moustachio'd! Competition will be in several categories, you can sign up at the door, with the judging by the audience, slam-style. Come share your facial hair, drink some local beard themed-homebrew, and meet the Philadelphia beard community! Location: Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Avenue. Time: 8 pm. Suggested donation: $5. Contact Roo (werdnus@gmail.com; 540.588.4101) or Mica (mica.bt@gmail.com) with questions.
BEND, BEND, BEND!
Planning for Bend is well under way. Registration, info on lodging, info on other activities, etc. will be online as soon as key decisions are made. For now, here is the tentative plan and schedule. Keep in mind it is tentative:
Thursday, June 3 -- As the Devil Dances (featuring former FBSM world champ Burke Kenny) concludes its tour of the Northwest with a gig in Bend.
Friday, June 4 -- Mountain bike tour ending at the Deschutes Brewery for brewery tour, beer tasting, and the call to order of the Official Somewhat Annual Beard Team USA meeting. Meeting progresses to other breweries for consideration of agenda items.
Saturday, June 5 -- The Nats take place at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. $5000 on the line for America's best beards and moustaches.
Getting there:
The airport nearest to Bend is Redmond/Bend (RDM), served by United, Horizon, Allegiant, and Delta. For most people, it will be cheaper to fly into Portland. We will try to organize a charter bus from Portland to Bend, but many people will want to simply rent a car and drive. It's about 2.5 hours from Portland to Bend.
Hint: Allegiant Air offers non-stop flights between Las Vegas and Redmond for only $49.77 each way but only on Fridays and Sundays. There are always lots of cheap deals from pretty much anywhere to Las Vegas, especially on Southwest. The Friday flight to Redmond departs at 7 am. So you will have to spend a night in V*E*G*A*S on the way to the Nats, but that's not a bad idea anyway. If I were considering this option for myself, I would book right away atwww.allegiantair.com. My guess is the flight will be full of people headed to the Nats. You'll miss As the Devil Dances, unfortunately.
See you in Bend,
Phil Olsen
Founder and self-appointed captain
Beard Team USA
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