First Up:  Our Friend Bob Watson

IN AMES IOWA!  Yup, on January 24^th.  Mark your calendars.  Supposedly will be at Movies 12.

Spirit of the Marathon

1/24/2008

NCM Fathom, in partnership with Active.com and Wasserman Media Group, is proud to present “Spirit of the Marathon” on the big screen in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound on Thursday, January 24^th at 7:30PM (local). Don’t miss your chance to see the Chicago International Film Festival’s “Audience Choice Award” winner! “Spirit of the Marathon” is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the production brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries. As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. More than a sports program, “Spirit of the Marathon” is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph; a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike. 

Four years in the making, “Spirit of the Marathon” is the collaborative effort of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathon Harris, Telly Award winner and marathon runner Jon Dunham and producer/marathoner Gwendolen Twist. A “Behind-the-Scenes” featurette produced specifically for and shown only at this one-night event includes interviews with the director and producers as well as marathon veterans reminiscing about their first marathon experiences. The featurette highlights deleted scenes, dramatic race footage and previews the upcoming 2008 Olympics with a Q&A session with Olympians Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall. Tickets are limited – buy yours today! Just enter your zip code above to find nearby theatre locations. Please note: this event is at participating US locations only. After purchasing your tickets here, visit Active.com to enter an EXCLUSIVE “Spirit of the Marathon” sweepstakes for one of 35 event posters signed by Deena Kastor and for more information about the film.


And Art’s Buying A Stairway To Heaven

Happy New Year Vardo's!   Click on the link below to see what's going on in Des Moines on February 24th!

http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/part.jsp?rid=724486&id=1593&acct=4173312652

This is a great opportunity to help the American Lung Association with a fully tax deductible donation, and to help my Capital City Moose Lodge No. 2589 gain some local name recognition!  If you would like to climb with me, please join the Mooseheart team! Thanks in advance for whatever financial and/or muscle support you can give. Yours Sincerely, Art Barton


Professor Tom Schultz:  Internet Genius

Has anyone noticed what a fine job Professor Schultz continues to do with the Team Vardo website?  I mean, for crying in a bucket, there’s now a most delightful snow scene on the gosh-darned (I’d say damned, but it’s Lent) thing now. He’s got the calendar on there, and pictures, and links, and etc.  He makes me look like I are a idiot when it comes to organizing things.  I mean, look here: Team Vardo


The Other Bill:  He Bikes. He Runs. He Swims. He Crawls On His Belly Like A Reptile

“Attached in .pdf file format is a copy of an application for an indoor triathlon in Marshalltown on January 27^th.  This race’s availability made it a better idea for a Vardo mid-winter triathlon opportunity than trying to organize one myself.  Also, all the distances are doable for any Vardo true believer, and the Marshalltown facility is first rate. I’ve already signed up for it and I’ll be happy to organize a car pool and or a post-race brunch opportunity if there are enough takers.” The Other Bill  (wjp6838@gmail.com)

Father Fencl Farewell FAQ

Q:  So, what exactly is Father Fencl doing?
A:  He is going out to North Carolina or Virginia or Maine or something, and he will be training to become a commercial airline pilot.

Q:  Has the Our Lady of Vardo church council named an interim spiritual leader?
A:  Bishop Sacco will tend to the flock in Father’s absence. He will be assisted by Brother Mullins and Lay Leader The Other Jennifer.

Q: What role will Sister The Goodman play during Father Fencl’s sabbatical?
A: She will continue to monitor Father Fencl’s status as “mostly celibate”.

Q:  After Father Fencl becomes Captain Father Fencl, will it be necessary to show him any additional respect?
A:   No. You may address him as Father Fencl, Captain Fencl, or That Shit Head From Protovin.

Q:  What are Father Fencl’s plans upon graduation from commercial pilot school?

A:  Church bylaws pertaining to unpaid sabbaticals require him to return to Ames and reclaim his position with Our Lady of Vardo. VardoNation ordinance A-103(b) requires him to give all Team Vardo members free flights to running/triathlon events.

Group Runs / Activities This Week

The VardoGram Writer’s Guild is still on strike – please consult the Team Vardo website for this week’s events.

From our friend Mike Clayton, Ames Area Running Club:

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Clayton [mailto:m.clayton@mchsi.com]
Sent: 12/27/2007 9:22 PM
To: Mike Clayton
Subject: January Frozen Foot Run on New Years Day!

Hey, look:  It’s The Goodman -

-----Original Message-----
From: Kecia Goodman [mailto:kecia_goodman@yahoo.com]
Sent: 12/27/2007 10:41 AM
To: George klotzbach
Subject: Saturday's Route and Calendar

From Bishop Randall Q. Sacco

“I have the route mapped for Tuesday night. Starts at VCPA (Vardaman Center for the Performing Arts). It's little more than 5 miles J”

USATF - America's Running Routes - View Route

Kept the disclaimer from Saturday:

“We tried to pick clean routes and hopefully they will not be too slippery, BUT PLEASE BE CAREFUL and watch for those slick spots.  (talking real

fast....disclaimer note:  RouteMasters are not responsible for broken bones, loss of teeth, sudden pavement impacts, butt busters or any other accidents which may be implied.  Thank you for running with Team Vardo)”

Hey!  Is That Your Mom In The Picture Of  Obam-O-Rama On The Front Page Of  Last Sunday’s New York Times?

Good gravy, that’s noted Hillary supporter / Obama spy Mary Klotzbach. (See attached.) Wish she was wearing her Team Vardo shirt. Note how she is pretending she’s with the Secret Service, scanning the crowd, hoping for a chance to smack down a heckler, or get a few shots off with her Uzi. She’s a Red Hat Society Charter Member (Independence, IA) and she’s packin’ heat.
 

Hey!  Is That Our Mother Singing The Praises Of Delightful Truck Accessories on Light Country Favorites KIX 106.5?

Good gravy, that sounded like Our Mother, who art The Vardo, (Julie be her name).  And now, here’s another Yuletide favorite from Hank Williams . . .


Group Runs / Activities This Week

Tuesday:       5:30 PM Group Run – Vardaman Center for the Performing Arts (See The Bishop’s Route above)
Wednesday:   Now available in stores:  Team Vardo’s exciting new board game “Wait, Wait, Don’t Smell Me”
Thursday:      When I was a boy, we used to do a group run sometimes on Thursdays, followed by a fine dining experience at El Azteca.
Saturday:       When I was a boy, we used to have a Training Calendar with somebody appointed as a Saturday RouteMaster.

From VardoFriend Danny Wain

“In case Mike and Craig don't mention it, the three of us went down to the Sycamore 8 in Des Moines on Saturday and ran in 12 degree weather in four inches of snow on top of an inch of ice.  Dave from All 9 Yards sums up Mike's performance on the website:

“Oh, the race - Yes, Mike Mullen ran away from us all - I have watched Mike steadily improve over the years - he has been a top ten finisher at Sycamore for every year, but this year, he just took off and put 3 minutes on his nearest contender by the finish!"

And Craig won his age group. And according to the results, I am now apparently a man named Daniel Wain. At least my slow results won't come up when I am googled!”

(Editor’s Note:  VardoFriends – please refrain from googling Danielle.  Keep your damned hands to yourself.)


Musselcam

Mussels grow very, very slowly. Please check back often. Please do not tap on the glass.

A Note from Brother Mullins (now in his 4^th Decade)
 

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?RESET=0&CHECKSSO=1&EVENT_ID=1485894

“I did this in 05 and would like to go back this coming January.  Have people contact me if interested.” michaelamullins@hotmail.com


From AARC Friend Mike Clayton

Black and Gold Running Symposium, featuring Dick Beardsley and Joe Henderson

Location: Medical Education and Research Facility  375 Newton Rd. Iowa City, IA 52242

Date and Time: Saturday 2/23/2008, 9am-4pm

Phone Number for info: 515-290-7717, ask for Rachelle

email: Rachelle-Ruggle@uiowa.edu website: www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/physicaltherapy


All I Want For Christmas Is A New Bike

Dear Santa,

I am selling my bike in the hopes of upgrading in 2008.  (Please see attached description and picture.) But, if you would please leave a new bike under the tree for me, I promise I will be a good boy all year. 

Your friend,

mike mullins


From MasterAwardsBanquetPlanner Kirsten Peterson:

(RE: Tuesday Night Group Run) “ ... campus will probably be one of the first places to get cleaned off, and it's fairly free of vehicle traffic in the evening.  I know we tend to run quite a bit through campus and folks might be getting a little tired of the campus runs, so I tried to change it up a bit while still trying to focus on our safety.  Anyway, it's just a hair over 5 miles.”  http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=182004

Group Runs / Activities This Week

Tuesday:       5:30 PM Group Run – Vardaman Center for the Performing Arts (Route per above)
Wednesday:   Garage Sale @ Kecia Goodman’s:  Items include bed, couch, sofa, love seat, desk, stereo, and other household items
Thursday:      Group Run?   

Saturday:       Your RouteMasters:  The SchmittMeisters

Group Runs / Activities This Week

Tuesday:       5:30 PM Group Run – Vardaman Center for the Performing Arts
Wednesday:   People are starting to talk about your crummy shower curtain.
Thursday:      Happy Birthday to Animal Control Officer Jan Schmitt.  And if you don’t think Bill is an animal, you don’t know Bill.
Thursday:      6:00 PM Team Vardo Annual Awards Banquet at the Somerset-Vardaman-Hunziker-Furman Clubhouseplex
Saturday:       Your RouteMaster:  The Diva of Voir Dire, Chris Keenan