First Up:  The Bradshaws With News from Team Vardo East

“We received an Ames Park District booklet in the mail last week. Unfortunately, we must decline signing up for Team 12.4 again, as it's too long of a commute.”

“We recently learned that the inaugural Illinois Marathon will be passing by our house on April 11. We're located between miles 22 and 23. http://illinoismarathon.com If any Vardo is running this race, we'll be sure to wave they go sweatily by. We also would be able to host a person / skinny couple on our futon if desired, and our shower would be available too (we have 2 showerheads in our ginormous tub!)”

(Editor’s Note:  These fine animals moved to the high plains of Illinois last year.  We miss Dr. Jeff Bradshaw and Mrs. Dr. Jeff Bradshaw .. sniff . . )


 Would It Be A VardoGram Without Something From Art Barton?

“George, I've heard the spokes are turning for a Vardo bike branch, here's a couple interesting routes!”    http://www.letour.fr/indexPNC_us.html

(Editor’s Note:  Art is making good progress with his brief incarceration.  Cards and well wishes may be sent to: Cromwell Unit, State Mental Health Institute. PO Box 26.2, Independence, IA  50644.  Please do not include sharp objects with any correspondence.)


Get Your Garmins!  Get Your CatEye Bike Computers!  It’s A Free Lunch! 

Would you like a $15 gift certificate to the Ames restaurant of your choice?  Well, then be sure to enter Team Vardo’s Four on the Fourth Create-The-Routes Free Lunch Contest.  Here’s what we need:  Two routes (one 4 mile and one 4K) that start and end at the north shelter house at Ada Hayden Heritage Park.  (The routes don’t need to be exactly 4.000 miles or 4.000 K, but damn close.)  Upland Trails, figure eights, whatever.  Just stay within in the confines of the Park, and stay on the trails/paths. (Stay out of the lakes – this ain’t GAAR).

Submit your routes by May 1st to George Klotzbach or Art Barton, and YOU COULD BE A WINNER of what the professional literature refers to as a DDE (Deluxe Dining Experience)!  Think of how many damn Flying Burritos or Subway Tuna Fish Surprise sandwiches or Happy Meals you could gorge on for FIFTEEN BUCKS, man.  Enter early and enter often!


Hey, Look:  Here’s Barb Wheelock With The Routes For Tonight’s Group Run

“People can get water at Hawthorne Cafe and again at Lied Rec Center. Remind everyone to wear their green or prepare to be pinched.” 
Barbara Q. Wheelock

5 mile route    www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=277485 

Community Center to Main
Main to Northwestern up to 13th
west on 13th to Hyland - water at Hawthorne Cafe
Hyland to Pammel
Pammel to Stange
south on Stange to Osborn
east on Osborn to Wallace
south to Lied and bike path - water at Lied
bike path/6th street to Northwestern to Main
home again, home again clippity clop

7 mile route    www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=277486

Community Center to Main
Main to Northwestern up to 13th
west on 13th to Hyland - water at Hawthorne Cafe
Hyland to Union Drive
east on Union to Wallace
Wallace to Lied and bike path - water at Lied
bike path/6th to Brookridge
Brookridge/Ridgewood to 16th
16th to Northwestern
Northwestern to main to CC


Barb Wheelock - Little Rock Marathon Report

“Brenda (Bright) did GREAT!  A PR on a very tough course - I on the other hand finished, for which I'm am happy and we both got those HUGE medals - I couldn't even wear mine because it cut off circulation to my brain.”  Barb Wheelock

And In Other News - It’s A Vardo In Today’s Des Moines Register

Our good friend Hillary Olson on the Editorial Page.

Group Runs / Activities This Week

Tuesday:         5:30 PM  Group Run.  Vardaman Center for the Performing Arts -  Your RouteMaster:  Barb O’Wheelock
Wednesday:    “I love everybody and I love everything.”  Father  McFencl
Thursday:        Well, shoot the horse and paint me red:  It’s Art McBarton’s Birthday.      
Thursday:        5:30 PM Group Run – Ada Vardaman Heritage Warren Q. Madden I’d Pay Serious Money To Kick Rush Limbaugh’s Fat Ass Park
Saturday:        Group Run.  Your RouteMaster:   Sir Greg McWool