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January 7, 2008 Winning the GPS wars
Howdy from Texas!
We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year holiday in England with Jeanna's family and friends. When it was time to leave, the clever GPS / SatNav expertly guided us to the car rental return at London Heathrow airport.
After a long but pleasant journey home, we were eager to put the GPS back to work. As a traveling square dance caller, I have found square dance venues all over the world without ever using maps. But nowadays I use the GPS to go everywhere, even to the store. Technology!
When we first turned on the GPS in Texas, it said "locating satellites" for a full 10 minutes. Then it finally asked, "Are you indoors?".
We can all learn an important lesson from the GPS. A high-tech navigational device is probably embarassed when it gets lost. That's why, when it's lost, it asks if you're indoors. It wants to know if everybody can see that it's lost, or just close family and friends at home.
I almost hated to tell the GPS that it is -not- indoors (and therefore the whole world knows it is lost). The GPS then tried to save face by asking, "Have you moved hundreds of miles since last use?".
Hmmm ... hundreds of miles?? Hundreds??? England is actually -thousands- of miles from Texas. Maybe it was a trick question, but I answered "Yes" anyway.
The GPS then figured it out. If you're not indoors, and if you suddenly moved "hundreds" of miles, then you must be in Texas! All is well.
- - - - -
Our winter square dance program in South Texas is now in full swing. Check out www.nshukayr.com for our events and www.RGVSD.com (Rio Grande Valley Square Dancing) for all square and round dance info valley-wide.
Upcoming special events:
Saturday January 12 - annual salute to the King of Rock and Roll! Elvis would have been 73 this week. Come out and curl your lip with us. Pre-rounds at 7 pm, Plus squares at 7:30 pm, Advanced tip at 9:30.
Saturday January 19 - Free Root Beer Floats!
Friday, February 1 - Nasser and Jeanna call a special dance in Mesa Arizona with Mike Sikorsky, rounds by the Weisses.
Saturday, February 2 - Nasser and Jeanna call the annual Sweetheart Ball in Loveland Colorado. (The fun and knowledgeable caller Mike Kelly from Kansas City covers for us at Fun N Sun, where it will be Blue & White Party night with finger foods.)
Saturday, February 9 - Sweetheart Dinner Dance! Dinner at 5, dance at the usual time. Get tickets in advance from either the Shukayrs or the Fishers
Saturday, February 16 - Super-Duper Special at Fun N Sun with Mike Sikorsky! As the flyer says -- "More than a Dance ... a real SHOW!". If you've never danced to Mike Sikorsky, or even if you have, come out and enjoy Mike's one and only Valley appearance. Advanced Dance from 3 to 5, Pre-rounds at 7, Plus with Rounds from 7:30 to 9:30, Advanced tip at 9:30.
Nasser and Jeanna plan a full travel schedule for 2008. You are invited to join us on a fantastic Alaska Cruise. We (along with Doug and Priscilla Davis from Spokane) sail from Seattle on Friday July 18 and return to Seattle on Friday July 25. We cruise to Glacier Bay with several ports of call. We will dance squares and rounds, both on the ship and ashore.
I just loaded a full-color cruise flyer to our website. It's purrrty. Check it out at www.nshukayr.com/20080718.jpg, even if you're not going on the cruise. Of course if you -are- going on the cruise, you'll need the flyer for the super-secret phone number of the booking agent. (Chuck Olsen Tours in McAllen Texas, phone (956) 664-2916 or toll-free (800) 568-9890. Oops, now you know the secret).
Anyone can be in our cruise group even if you don't square dance, but if you do square dance you must book as part of our group to dance with the group. It makes such perfect sense.
- - - - -
We recovered from our England trip much quicker than the GPS did. Normally the GPS shows you driving down the exact middle of the street. But for the first two hours in Texas, it was not quite accurate. It showed us driving ten feet off the road. We had to choose between putting up with an inaccurate display, OR driving off-road so the display would look right. Which would you choose? :)
Bottom line: come to our dance events, or else we'll visit you with our GPS, and drive through your front yard! :) :)
Best wishes for a great 2008!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
January 15, 2008 Happy Ides of January
Howdy from Texas!
Jeanna was a bit under the weather this past week, so I offered to cook a nice meal for her. She got better FAST.
Local news:
All our square dance classes and dances are in full swing. We can accept new students into classes for just one more week (until January 22). Light a fire under your friends and tell 'em about the many benefits of dancing!
The Thursday morning dance (with free coffee and donuts) is moved to the Rec Hall this week only (January 17th). The Saturday night dance this week (January 19th) is our annual Free Root Beer Floats special. Come on out and enjoy a Cold Tall one with us.
We sincerely appreciate all the fun people who come to our dances!
The Thursday morning dance on January 31 is a two-caller special, Nasser calling with Mike Kelly from Kansas City.
Saturday February 9 is our first-ever Sweetheart Dinner / Dance. You'll be glad to know that I am -not- the cook. We hired the local caterers to get 'er done. Dinner at 5, dance at 7. You'll need tickets in advance. Tickets are $11 and you get your choice of entree. Get your tickets from Nasser and Jeanna or from Karen and Dick Fisher. Last date for tickets is Groundhog Day.
Visit www.RGVSD.com for info about Rio Grande Valley Square Dancing (and round dancing too). The site is updated constantly, and any mistakes are put there intentionally so you'll have something to gripe about. :)
Travel news:
Visit www.NShukayr.com for info about our calling schedule. If you ever get bored, scroll down to the Europe dates then click the links to read webpages and flyers in various foreign languages. :)
We look forward to seeing our Arizona friends on Friday February 1 in Mesa, and our Colorado friends on Saturday February 2 in Loveland.
Have a great week!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
January 21, 2008 Gourmet Dining Experience
Howdy from Texas!
My beloved Dallas Cowboys are losers (again). Every winter jacket I own features the Cowboys logo. Fortunately South Texas is warm, which spares me the embarrassment of wearing Cowboys gear. But on Groundhog Day we'll be in frosty Loveland Colorado to call their annual Sweetheart Ball. I'm torn between wearing a loser jacket (in shame) or freezing (with pride). :)
Do you ever wonder how they decide exactly which fancy-schmancy ingredients go into gourmet recipes? Me too! You will probably enjoy reading a menu of how a tippity-top gourmet chef might prepare the Sweetheart Dinner Dance on February 9
Go to http://www.nshukayr.com
Look at the bottom section under "Special Events".
Look for the date, February 9, 2008
Click on the link "FUNNY (but fake) FLYER".
( Here's the direct URL: http://www.nshukayr.com/20080209j.pdf )
You'll be relieved to know that instead of fancy gourmet, we're having home-cookin'. The real flyer is on the website right next to the fake one.
( Here's the direct URL: http://www.nshukayr.com/20080209.pdf )
The Dinner Dance meal requires tickets in advance. No tickey, no eatey, no jokey. :) Of course those who come to only the dance can pay at the door, same as always.
While you're on the website, check out the special events this summer including the Alaska Cruise in July and the Fun Valley week in September.
Mike Sikorsky is coming to the Rio Grande Valley! One date only: Saturday, February 16, Advanced dance from 3 to 5, Plus dance from 7:30 to 9:30 (pre-rounds at 7).
Have a great week!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
www.NShukayr.com
January 29, 2008 Be Careful What You Dream
February 3rd is the last date for tickets to the sweetheart dinner-dance on Saturday Feb. 9th. See the website (www.nshukayr.com) for flyers. Several folks asked about the "Fake Flyer". I almost hate to admit it, but it's something I dreamed up in the middle of the night. Be careful what you dream!
Also remember our Mike Sikorsky special on Saturday February 16th: Advanced dance 3 to 5 pm, Plus dance 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
Dreams are interesting! Almost all of them have a logical explanation. I recently dreamed about calling a square dance while wearing -only- shoes! What could it mean??
Mike Kelly is a very fun and experienced caller from Kansas City. I used to wonder why he often wears the same color shirt. It's obvious: his name is Kelly, and he likes to wear Kelly green.
Mike Kelly will be at Fun N Sun this week. The festivities start on Thursday morning January 31 when Mike and Nasser call a Plus donut dance together. He will then call the next three days while Nasser and Jeanna gallivant in Arizona and Colorado. Friday: A-2 class. Saturday: Mainstream class, Plus class, evening Plus dance. Sunday: Mainstream dance, A-1 class, A-2 dance. Full schedules are on www.RGVSD.com
If you're nearby, seize the opportunity to dance to Mike Kelly. A caller with 35 years experience will surely call something you'll enjoy. He might even wear Kelly Green. Hopefully he'll wear more than just a green shirt.
Which brings us back to the nightmare dream of calling a dance while wearing just shoes. Mike Kelly wears Kelly Green. Nasser Shukayr wears shoes. :-) Every dream has a logical explanation!
Happy dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
February 6, 2008 Celebrity Hunt
Mesa, Arizona (Friday, February 1) was nice. Phoenix airport was crowded with folks coming in for the Super Bowl. I kinda thought I saw some famous people, but they do sorta all look alike so I'm not sure.
Many dear friends were at the dance, including at least one celebrity: the YouTube caller. That would be Larry Kraber of Tucson. His entire set of square dance classes is on the internet at YouTube and also at the club's website www.saddlebrookesquares.com. Jillions of people have learned to square dance from those videos.
Larry and Bonnie Kraber asked me to call at their 50th wedding anniversary party in 2010. It's the biggest honor I've ever had (so far).
The celebrity hunt continues! In Mesa I got to call with one of my heroes (Mike Sikorsky). If you ever see Mike Sikorsky and me together, you need to just MAKE us do the song Kansas City as a duet. It was awesome. :-)
Mike will appear for one day only in the Rio Grande Valley, Saturday February 16th at Fun N Sun. Advanced dance, 3 to 5 pm and Plus dance, 7:30 to 9:30 pm (pre-rounds 7 pm). As the flyer says, "More than a dance ... a real show!". If you play your cards right, we might do our awesome duet. :-)
Loveland Colorado (Saturday February 2) was nice too. It's always great to see old friends and meet new ones. The celebrity hunt continues! In 2008 LaVern Johnson of Lyons, Colorado is celebrating 50 years of hosting summer square dances at Red Rock Ramblers.
Jeanna and I are now back home in the Rio Grande Valley. www.rgvsd.com has info about all square and round dances in the area.
Our dinner-dance is this Saturday, February 9th. Dinner at 5 pm, dance at 7 pm, tickets required. The ticket deadline has already passed, but there may be cancellations. If you want to go to the dinner and have no ticket, call or e-mail the Fishers or the Shukayrs: we might be able to scare up a ticket for ya'. You can always go to just the dance, even without a ticket (pre-rounds 7 pm, squares 7:30 pm) .
Happy dancing and celebrity hunting,
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
February 11, 2008 Car Spikes and Catsup Bottles
Sincere appreciation to all who made the Funtimers dinner dance on February 9th so spectacular. Special thanks to Lloyd, Karen & Dick, Ken & Maggie, John & Judy, John & Anita, Gene, and Bob & Carol ... you were fabulous!
We also owe -huge- thanks to that unknown person in history who decided, way back when, that flashy dance exhibitions are only done by round dance cuers (and never by square dance callers). It's such a joy to watch an expertly-performed round dance demo!
The winter Texas season will soon be over, and we are planning spring and summer travel. While it is certainly popular to wait until the last minute, you do not want to wait too long when booking a cruise vacation. We will cruise from Seattle to Alaska's Glacier Bay, sailing July 18 and returning July 25. See link below. You can reserve your place right now with one quick phone call. Contact Chuck Olson tours at (956) 664-2916 or (800) 568-9890.
When planning our travels we also plan various things to see along the way. Sometimes it's a no-brainer. In Paris France in April we want to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Mona Lisa, etc. In Brussels Belgium we'll see the famous Grand Place, NATO headquarters, etc. But what would you see while driving from Chicago to St. Louis at the end of March? Lots! There's "The Spindle", an outdoor sculpture in Berwyn, Illinois made of eight cars impaled on a 40-foot spike. There's also the World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois.
One thing we do -not- worry about is what to see and do while on-shore during the Alaska cruise. That's because caller Doug Davis is worrying about that right now. He is setting up square dances for us to enjoy during our ports of call. We will also dance on the ship while at sea.
Mike "he just can't stand still" Sikorsky is coming! Two special dances are at Fun N Sun this Saturday February 16th. Advanced dance from 3 to 5 pm, Plus dance from 7: 30 to 9:30 pm (pre-rounds at 7 pm, advanced tip at 9:30 pm).
Links to related sites:
Video clip of Karen & Dick Fisher's round dance demo at Fun N Sun on February 9
Alaska Cruise flyer, July 18-25 2008
Interesting roadside sights
Mike Sikorsky special dances in Texas on February 16
Happy dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
February 19, 2008 Bonjour Merci Error
We had a grand time Saturday at our Mike Sikorsky special. Of course every dance at Fun N Sun is special although some are more special than others.
There are a few minor schedule changes for the rest of the season. They mainly affect people in the Mainstream or Plus classes, but one change affects everyone. We added a second weekly Intro to Square Dancing at 3 pm Saturday. So hunt down all the good fun people you know and send them (or better yet, bring them) to try an easy fun square dance on Thursday at 7 pm and/or Saturday at 3 pm.
Check the www.RGVSD.com website for up-to-date info on all square and round dancing in the Rio Grande Valley.
The local Sunday newspaper had a whole article about glaciers. The accompanying photo showed people on a cruise ship looking at a glacier which seemed close enough to touch. The article said that seeing and/or walking on a glacier is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so if you ever get the chance, go for it. It is no small coincidence that we're going to Alaska this summer (July 18 thru 25) on a square dance cruise to and from Seattle. A quick phone call to the travel agent reserves your place: (956) 664-2916 or (800) 568-9890. See the link below for a flyer.
How do you say "this train does not go to Paris" in French?
Jeanna and I will be calling in Europe this April, and I need to book train tickets from The Netherlands to France. Thankfully the train's website has an option for English (-not- the fake American stuff but the real Queen's stuff).
So I enter my and Jeanna's info and click "Next". A new screen appears. I enter more info and click "Next", etc. A few screens later, everything is suddenly in French. I think (but am not sure) that if you answer any question wrong, everything changes to French from then on.
I will e-mail my caller friend in France. The last time I was in Paris, we went to a fancy French restaurant. He's American but speaks fluent French, so he did all the ordering. I wrote down the names of what we ordered, so I could look up those words later.
Have you ever regretted owning a dictionary? You won't believe what all we ate that night. Maybe that's why French error messages are so alarming. For all I know, the rail company is asking how many sauteed goose gizzards we'd like during the journey!
Links to related sites:
Video clip of Mike Sikorsky calling at Fun N Sun on February 16th - http://oshnock.com/tx-2008/images/a-sikorsky.wmv
Alaska Cruise flyer, July 18-25 2008 - http://www.nshukayr.com/20080718.pdf
Rio Grande Valley Square Dancing (and round dancing too) - http://www.rgvsd.com
Nasser and Jeanna's website - http://www.nshukayr.com
Happy dancing and happy travels!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
February 27, 2008 New Dancers are Wonderful
This year's new dancers are special! They attend classes, and they also study the book. They ask questions. They view how-to DVDs. They surf the net to find online dance instruction. They eventually learn to dance. Because of their dedication and diligence, this year's new dancers turned out more proficient than most. We're proud of them!
We appreciate all the experienced dancers who recruited a friend into square dancing. We also appreciate the numerous angels who helped with classes.
New dancers often believe their instructor is the best caller in the world. Sometimes it takes a year or longer before they finally wise up. :-) It's rumored that callers are not very good dancers. When dancing, a caller's mind wanders. Instead of thinking about how to do the dance, a caller thinks about what he/she would call next.
When new dancers go to their first real dance, they often discover they're better dancers than they thought. They can even help weaker dancers. It's great to dance in a square with a new dancer whom I have taught, especially when I go the wrong way and My New Dancer sets me straight! Yes indeed, this year's new dancers learned well!
Our weekly schedule has some minor changes for the rest of the season. We added a new Intro to Square Dancing, Saturday at 3. An intro is for anyone, especially those who have never square danced before. We will not start any more classes this season, but some folks who try an Intro will enroll in a class next season. Whether or not they eventually join a class, an Intro is good fun. Please send (or even better bring) a friend to an Intro: Thursday at 7 pm and/or Saturday at 3 pm.
Saturday night Plus dances continue until Easter Eve. Every Thursday morning in March is the Plus "Donut Dance". We added a Mainstream dance, Saturday at 1 pm.
This Saturday March 1st is our last "Blue and White party night" of the season. Wear blue and white if you want to, bring finger foods to share if you'd like, but in any case come on out and enjoy the party!
In March we venture out a bit, calling at: Wichita Falls TX, Denver CO, Rawlins WY, Colorado Springs CO, Fresno CA, Chicago IL and St. Louis MO. We look forward to each dance, and hope to see you in a square!
Links to related sites:
Rio Grande Valley Square Dancing (all square and round dancing in the valley) - http://www.rgvsd.com
Alaska Cruise flyer, July 18-25 2008 - http://www.nshukayr.com/20080718.pdf
Nasser and Jeanna's website - http://www.nshukayr.com
Happy dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
March 3, 2008 Just Passing Through
Square dance clubs often ask when a caller will be "passing through" so they can book him/her for a dance. What they -really- mean is they won't pay very much (grin). That's perfectly understandable, yet I can't figure out why clubs in far-flung corners of the world (like Fairbanks Alaska) ask when we'll be "passing through". Huh?? If you "pass through" Fairbanks, where are you headed?? Only nothingness lies beyond! (BIG grin)
We appreciate each inquiry anyway! The age-old question "When are you passing through?" is finally answered by a new page on my website "Available Dates" (http://www.nshukayr.com/opendates.htm). It shows when and where we're "passing through" looking for dances to call.
BTW Jeanna and Nasser -have- called in Fairbanks. We enjoyed the area and the people very much! If you ever get the chance to visit Fairbanks, do so. But turn around immediately and head home. Don't be "passing through" or you'll end up in the middle of nowhere!
This week in brief:
Tuesday March 4th: 9 am Plus Review, 11 am Mainstream class, 3 pm Plus class. Next week March 11th Doug Davis and Nasser Shukayr call together for the fun of it.
Wednesday March 5th: 10 am Advanced A-1 class / workshop (in Rec Hall). Next week March 12th Doug Davis calls.
Thursday March 6th: 9:30 am pre-rounds, 10 am Plus Donut Dance, 7 pm Intro to Square Dancing. Next week March 13th Doug Davis calls. "Intro" is aimed at first-timers. Only a few more opportunities remain this season to bring new people into square dancing, so please talk it up among friends!
Friday March 7th: Dark. Next week March 14th Doug Davis calls an Advanced A-2 workshop at 3pm.
Saturday March 8th: 7:30 pm special Plus Square Dance with Rounds, called and cued by Herb Oesterle. Next week March 15th has dancing for all levels with a Mainstream dance 1 pm, Advanced dance 3pm and Plus dance 7:30 pm all called by Doug Davis. The March 15th Plus dance is our Luck O' The Irish special with green refreshments, Irish music and leprechauns. Of course you won't see the leprechauns. They're magic hence they're invisible. :)
As to why Doug Davis calls from March 11th thru 15th, he is "just passing through". :) :)
This coming weekend (March 7-8-9) Nasser and Jeanna call the TASSD Round-Up weekend in Wichita Falls, Texas along with caller Doug & Priscilla Davis with rounds by The Beckers from San Antonio.
Links to related sites:
Rio Grande Valley Square Dancing - http://www.rgvsd.com
TASSD website for info about Wichita Falls weekend on March 6 thru 9 - http://www.tassd.org
Alaska Cruise flyer, July 18-25 2008 - http://www.nshukayr.com/20080718.pdf
Nasser and Jeanna's website - http://www.nshukayr.com
Doug Davis's website - http://www.callerdoug.com
Happy dancing ... and Passing Through!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
March 10, 2008 The Elusive Big Gig
The TASSD Roundup in Wichita Falls was fantastic! Great dancers, nice facility, Big Gig, major fun! Big thanks to all who helped make it happen (and Bubba for setting up speakers!)
Nasser and Jeanna are in Colorado and Wyoming this week.
Wednesday March 12 - Denver, Belles & Beaux
Thursday March 13 - Rawlins, Wyoming with Jim & Kathie Kline on rounds
Friday March 14 - Aurora, Colorado with Betty & Jim Falk on rounds. This is the club's annual Big Gig "Shamrock Ball". Betty & Jim also call together (as do Nasser & Jeanna). Surely we will do one of our famous four-part harmony songs, guaranteed to make men blush and women swoon.
Saturday March 15 - Denver, Polka Dots ... afternoon Advanced, evening Plus
Sunday March 16 - Colorado Springs ... B&B's 23rd anniversary Big Gig.
This week at Fun N Sun:
Tuesday March 11th: 9 am Plus Review, 11 am Mainstream class, 3 pm Plus class. Nasser calls with Doug Davis. We're practicing for our future Big Gig. :)
Wednesday March 12th: 10 am Advanced A-1 workshop (in Rec Hall) called by Doug Davis. It's a great opportunity for Advanced dancers to hear the calls from a different angle.
Thursday March 13th: 9:30 am pre-rounds, 10 am Plus Donut Dance, 7 pm Intro to Square Dancing. "Intro" is for first-timers and/or folks who used to dance but forgot how.
Friday March 14th: 3 pm Advanced A-2 workshop called by Doug Davis.
Saturday March 15th: Doug Davis calls three dances: Mainstream 1 pm, Advanced 3 pm and Plus 7:30 pm (pre-rounds 7 pm). The Plus dance is our Luck O' The Irish (Big Gig) special with green refreshments, Irish songs and invisible magic leprechauns.
Doug and Nasser enjoyed calling together in Wichita Falls this past weekend. We will call together in June at Nationals, and also July 18 thru 25 on an Alaska cruise to/from Seattle. Consider coming on the cruise: you'll have a lot of fun. The Alaska cruise just might be the elusive Big Gig we practiced for. :)
Links to related sites:
Rio Grande Valley Square Dancing - http://www.rgvsd.com
Alaska Cruise flyer, July 18-25 2008 - http://www.nshukayr.com/20080718.pdf
Fun Valley, Colorado week, August 31 to September 6 - http://www.nshukayr.com/funval08.pdf
Doug Davis's website - http://www.callerdoug.com
Nasser and Jeanna's website - http://www.nshukayr.com
Many of our Winter Texan friends will soon head north. We wish Happy Travels (and Happy Dancing) to all!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
March 17, 2008 A Sucker for Cold Weather
Colorado and Wyoming were wonderful, except the suction cup (which holds the GPS to the car windshield) works poorly at high altitudes. Thin air means less suction. As the day warms up, the air in the suction cup expands and the GPS drops off the windshield. We secretly wished it would stay cold so the sucker would work.
Be careful what you wish! We were in a blizzard in Colorado Springs. That much snow in south Texas would paralyze civilization for a month, yet our Colorado friends claimed it was only a "light" snow (2 inches). "Light snow" to Coloradans is "blizzard" to Texans!
At least the sucker works better when cold. Speaking of sucker, what do you call someone who trades warm sunny Texas for cold snowy Colorado in mid-March? :) It's all in the timing! Each year in late August we gladly trade Texas Heat for Crisp Colorado Cool at Fun Valley Square Dance Resort. Mid-March's sucker bet is September's smart move. We also expect major coolness during our cruise to Alaska's Glacier Bay in July. Cold is cool ... in the summer!
We thoroughly enjoyed our warm reception in Colorado and Wyoming. The dances were great, we visited many dear friends, met several new ones, and had an iceberg of a good time.
The square dance season at Fun N Sun continues until Thursday, March 27. We will run a summer square dance program on selected Tuesday nights. (See website for flyer.)
Next season we will call at Lakewood RV Park in Harlingen. We plan to call at Fun N Sun in San Benito as well (details are not final yet). Come dance with us at either place, or both!
Links to related sites:
Rio Grande Valley Square Dancing - http://www.rgvsd.com
Alaska Cruise, July 18-25 2008 - http://www.nshukayr.com/20080718.pdf
Fun Valley, Colorado week, August 31 to September 6 - http://www.nshukayr.com/funval08.pdf
Nasser and Jeanna's website - http://www.nshukayr.com
Happy dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
Howdy from Harlingen!
This winter season goes into the history books after just two more dance sessions: Advanced A-1 workshop Wednesday at 10 , and Plus donut dance Thursday at 10 (pre-rounds 9:30). Final tally for the season: had a lot of fun, visited old friends, made new friends, had some ups and downs, but mostly we are amazed by the kindness and helpfulness of square dancers. Everyone seems eager to pitch in and make things happen. We are grateful!
Next winter we will be at both Lakewood in Harlingen -and- Fun-N-Sun in San Benito. Once again we get to work with the outstanding Karen & Dick Fisher on rounds. We are grateful ... AND lucky!
Next season we inherit Tom Roper's famous "Donut Dance". We've never been to this dance. (We teach classes on Tuesday morning.) We will visit today to find out how Tom does things. Tom says he goes to the hall a couple of hours early to get everything ready. What in the world does he do for two hours so early in the morning? We have no idea, so we need to show up and find out. Even more importantly, we need to find out how to get other folks to do those things for us, so we can get our beauty sleep on Tuesday mornings. :) We are grateful and lucky ... AND night-owls. :)
We travel this weekend and hope to see many of you in a square somewhere.
Saturday, March 29 - Fresno - Travelin' Pioneers anniversary dance
Sunday, March 30 - two dances on the Southside Old Chicago (made famous in song as the hangout of Bad Bad Leroy Brown ... hope we dont' run into him!)
Monday, March 31 - West County Spinners near St. Louis, MO.
Tuesday, April 1 - Circle Square B Promenaders in Wever, Iowa. (Iowa is Nasser's 40th state in which to call)
Wednesday, April 2 - Ted's Track II's in Kenosha County, Wisconsin (our first-ever visit to Wisconsin ... Nasser's 41st state)
Thursday, April 3 - home for a few days before heading to Europe
Happy Dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
April 4, 2008 Your choice: Twain, or Kirk?
Nasser and Jeanna are enjoying dances and travels. On Saturday March 29th we toured the bizarre Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California then drove to Fresno to call for the Traveling Pioneers. Nasser got to sing a duet with the legendary Ernie Kinney.
On Sunday we flew to Chicago to call an afternoon Advanced and evening New Dancer dance. Both were fantastic. The American Squares advanced club is twice-special: they have extreme fun at Advanced and they also support other levels: many of them danced at the Flossmoor B&B's new dancer dance. Impressive! After the dance our designated chauffeur Tom drove us to the center of Chicago for some late-night sightseeing. Have you ever looked straight up at the Sears Tower at 11 pm? Awesome!
Monday March 31 was a 6-hour drive to St. Louis in the pouring rain, but it was well worth it to get to call for the fun friendly high-energy West County Spinners. We'll be back there in late September.
Tuesday was a short 3-hour drive to Burlington, Iowa to call for Tom Manning's Circle Square B Promenaders. We had a choice of visiting either Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, or the future (March 22, 2228) birthplace of Star Trek captain James T Kirk in Riverside, Iowa. Which would you choose? We chose the fictional Mark Twain instead of the real Captain Kirk. :)
Wednesday April 2 we drove to southeast Wisconsin to call for Ted's Track II's. Ted and Doris Palmen can dance 4 squares in their basement, but this special dance was at the Paris Town Hall. Paris Wisconsin is a great warmup for Paris France later this month.
Next trip: New York City, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, France and Finland with a quick stop in Austin, Texas on the way home.
For a nice summer vacation please consider our Alaska cruise. We sail from Seattle on Friday July 18 to Glacier Bay and several ports of call, returning July 25. We will dance on ship and also in Olympia WA after the cruise. Doug Davis is the other caller on the cruise. The travel agent warns that Alaska cruises definitely sell out during this peak season, so you will want to reserve your place soon. Call Chuck Olson Tours today at (956) 664-2916 or toll-free (800) 568-9890 or on the web at www.chuckolsontours.com .
Best wishes for Happy Travels and Happy Dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
April 13, 2008 Art Appreciation
Greetings from Norway!
Europe is fantastic. We recently saw world-class art masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa in Paris and The Scream in Norway. The two paintings are totally different ("pleasant contentment" versus "turmoil and angst") yet similar (both were famously stolen).
Why would someone steal a masterpiece? Perhaps they grew tired of the little emoticons (such as --> :) :( ;) <--) which show emotion on the internet. Flashing a famous piece of art is a superb way to display true feelings.
This past weekend we called the annual Jamboree for the Fjord Frolickers in Oslo, Norway. It was quite pleasant [MONA LISA]. The weather could have been better: it snowed [THE SCREAM]. The dancers [THE LITTLE DANCER] in Norway are fun and proficient.
Instead of callers, Norway has a superb group of "instructors". Upon further reflection [THE THINKER] I conclude they are actually callers who prefer the term "instructor". So please don't tell 'em [THE SECRET] they're callers.
This week we call in Belgium, The Netherlands, France and Finland. On the way home on Tuesday, April 22 we call the 25th anniversary dance for the fun and famous Waterloo Squares in Austin, Texas.
Here's to art appreciation!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
April 28, 2008 Luck Explains Most Things
Due to pure luck, we get to call all over the world. This past trip we called in Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, France and Finland. These places all have excellent dancing year-round with local talent, but we get to call there anyway. That's the highest form of luck!
After returning from Europe we were honored to call the 25th anniversary for Waterloo Squares in Austin, a fun Friday dance for Mike Kelly's and Pat Coster's KC Whirlaways in Kansas City, and a Saturday dance for good friend Larry and Donna McClain's Perry Promenaders in Oklahoma. At each dance, we renew old acquaintances and meet new friends.
France can be a bit strange. They talk to tourists in French. Even if you ask a question in English, they reply in French ... until it's time to pay. Then the conversation reverts to perfect English. "That will be 18 Euros, please." When money is involved, they don't leave anything to luck. At the Eiffel Tower, we got in line for the lift (elevator). Then we saw a much shorter line with a lower price and a big sign with the word "Escalier". We weren't sure what "Escalier" means, but we did fancy the shorter line and lower price. Who would have guessed that "escalier" means "staircase"? The Eiffel Tower has a LOT of steps!
Finland is unique. It's where "sauna" was invented. I just love Finnish sauna. You go into a hot room. A thermometer shows 95 degrees. You think "wow, it seems much hotter than 95". Suddenly you realize the thermometer is in Celsius. It's really 203 degrees F! You perspire profusely, which after all is the main point of a sauna. The entire experience is unique and wonderful. An hourglass on the wall shows how long to stay in. One of the luckiest feelings in the world is when the very last particle drops through the hourglass!
We call in San Benito, Texas at Fun N Sun Resort every Tuesday night when we're in town. We're in town the next three Tuesday nights. If you're in the Rio Grande Valley we hope to see you from 7 to 9 pm in the Table Tennis Room on Tuesday April 29, May 6 and May 13.
Upcoming travel dates:
Thursday May 8 in Fort Payne, Alabama
There's still time (barely) to reserve your place on our Alaska Cruise (July 18 thru 25, 2008). Flyer is at http://www.nshukayr.com/20080718.pdf . Contact Chuck Olson Travel at 800-568-9890.
Happy travels and dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
May 13, 2008 Unrecognized Friends
Howdy from Texas!
Driving to Alabama last Thursday the GPS showed an arrival time just 3 minutes before the dance starts! HURRY! But ... you change time zones at the Georgia-Alabama state line. Suddenly we had an HOUR and three minutes. SLOW DOWN! At the dance it was great to see many friends from the Huntsville, Birmingham and Chattanooga areas. Calling a duet with caller Ronnie Purser was well worth the hour wait.
Friday's dance in California was attended by several callers including a young lady (Ingebarg) from Germany. Jeanna and Nasser danced (um, attempted to dance) to her guest tip. It was fun, and dancers in Burbank gained a new signature in their Century Books.
In 1992 a seriously famous caller popped in while I was teaching a class in Louisiana. He made me extremely nervous. History repeats itself. That same famous caller (Randy Dougherty) was at Saturday's dance in Mesa, Arizona. He made me nervous again!
In Mesa I saw good friends whom I do not recognize! Let me explain. On shore during a Caribbean square dance cruise in 2004, I lost my ship ID card. You can't even get NEAR the ship without your ID card. They called the Mexican Police to escort me back to the ship. The policeman was actually a young attractive police-LADY. We had a nice chat (mostly in Spanish). She kinda-sorta believed I was a cruise passenger yet there was a tiny bit of doubt.
Luckily, I spotted some Arizona friends who were part of the square dance group. I told my Police-lady Captor that these people know me and will gladly vouch for me. But the Arizona dancers thought I was joking (WHY would they think THAT??) and they denied knowing me!
Payback is fun! To this very day, every time I see those same Arizona folks I pretend to have no idea who they are!
Soon we'll cruise again on that very same beautiful ship (Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas) with it's nice wood dance floor. On Friday July 18 we sail from Seattle to Alaska. For seven days we will square and round dance, enjoy various ports, see the ship's shows, dine like kings, cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage, and have a barrel of fun. Doug Davis from Spokane is the other caller/cuer on this cruise. There's still time to reserve your place. Contact Chuck Olson Travel toll-free at (800) 568-9890. You can download a flyer at NShukayr.com.
If one of the cruise callers happens to get captured by Mexican Police, please pretend to recognize him!
Upcoming dances:
Here's hoping your friends always recognize you!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Howdy from Texas!
Highlights from May:
Friends in Philadelphia gave us a personal tour of their great city including a real Cheese Steak from South Philly. Famous caller and M.I.T. alumnus Clark Baker gave us a personal tour of the university. Nasser and Jeanna gave ourselves a personal walking tour of Boston.
Deerfield Village in Massachusetts depicts the 1700s. One particular museum has an old-time schoolroom with a huge post in the corner. It's a "whipping post". In the old days, bad schoolkids were tied to the post and punished in front of classmates.
Today's museum personnel are not allowed to talk about it. They're supposed to say they're not quite sure how, or even if, the post was used. Wow, it's not only illegal to punish kids today ... it's also illegal to talk about how yesteryear's kids were punished. (But since no kids were around during our museum visit, we got the full story.)
If you're a kid reading this message, please ignore it. But do pay attention to upcoming highlights for June:
Enjoy these events today, because years from now the authorities might ask us to deny they ever happened!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
June 17, 2008 Greetings from England!
Greetings from England!
We're on the last day of an eight-day visit with Jeanna's family and friends. When we travel to England each Christmas, the weather is a bit cool. The current June visit will serve as a long-term reminder that England's weather is sometimes nice. When you add square dancing at the fun and friendly Aberdeen Kilt Kickers in Scotland, this trip was just about perfect!
Upcoming events:
Reservations for our Alaska / Glacier Bay Cruise next month with Doug & Priscilla Davis (July 18 thru 25 from Seattle) continue to be accepted while space remains on the ship. It's near capacity now, so if you're thinking about this cruise please contact Chuck Olson Tours today at (956) 664-2916 or toll-free (800) 568-9890 or on the web at www.chuckolsontours.com.
Likewise, reservations are still accepted for our Fun Valley week in the beautiful mountains of Colorado (August 31 thru September 6) with Lem & Sue Gravelle and the Shanes on rounds. If a fun square dance vacation is in your plans, please call Fun Valley toll-free at (800) 548-1684 to reserve your place.
As always our website has up-to-date info including our calling schedule at Nationals. We look forward to seeing many of you later this month in Wichita, Kansas!
Happy travels and dancing,
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
June 25, 2008 Paying for Last Week's Gasoline
Greetings from Wichita, Kansas!
We bemoan the high price of gasoline yet it costs much more in some countries. A week ago we filled up a rent car in England at 1.329 British Pounds per liter which converts to 9.92 US Dollars per gallon. Last Friday we filled up in Montreal for 1.289 Canadian Dollars per liter which equates to 4.83 US Dollars per gallon ... and we're still paying for it. I'll explain.
Montreal is in Quebec. Quebec's official language is French. Since I know very little French, I ignored all the French words on the gas pump. I stuck my credit card in the reader. The pump's video screen displayed a bunch of French words and the option of either "Oui" or "Non". I do know "Oui" means "yes" and "Non" means "no", but I had no earthly idea what question it was actually asking. I chose "Non".
The pump canceled the transaction! "Non" must be the wrong answer. I started over. When it got to "Oui" or "Non" again, I chose "Oui". A brand NEW screen of French words came up, and again it asked "Oui" or "Non".
I just don't like to say "Oui" when I have no idea what the question is. I chose "Non". The pump canceled the transaction again! So I started over.
Meanwhile, the credit card company thinks all this starting and stopping is suspicious. Their fraud department puts a hold on my card, and soon it won't read at all. I had to go inside the gas station and pay with a different card.
Fast forward to today. Ever time I use that same non-French-speaking card, the cell phone rings almost immediately. It's the credit card company. They want to make sure I authorized the purchase. I might just cancel the card and get a new one, but perhaps this new card feature will come in handy one day. In the future I might not have as many friends. Do you ever get lonely? Do you ever wish the phone would ring? Do you ever want to talk to someone, and it doesn't really matter who?
If I ever get that feeling, I can charge something to that particular credit card and the phone will ring immediately! It's such a comfort to know you can talk to a real live caring person any time day or night!
Oops, gotta run, the phone's ringing!
All the best,
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
PS - we're looking for a few good student callers for upcoming caller schools. They can be brand-new never-called-before might-wanna-try-it people, all the way up to call-every-week club callers. If you know anyone who fits that description, ask 'em to go to the website www.nshukayr.com and click around until they find info about the Reno Nevada caller school in November 2008 and/or the Livingston Texas caller school in June 2009!. Thanks!
July 14, 2008 Looking for Famous People
We hope you're having a great summer! Recently we called dances in:
When we travel we earnestly hunt for famous people, but seldom spot them. It's still fun to look. A few months ago in Helsinki, Finland while waiting to board our flight to the USA, Nasser recited his usual mantra, "I wanna see someone FAMOUS!".
A nearby stranger overheard it, walked away for a moment, then returned with someone in tow who matter-of-factly stated, "I understand you want to meet someone famous".
We did not actually recognize him, but he gladly explained who he was. He was Dr. Dan Netherland (http://www.boardbuster.net), the world champion at breaking things with karate chops. He has broken more boards and concrete blocks, with his bare hands, than you can imagine. He's been the world record holder for decades. You don't want to make this guy angry, okay?
Dr. Dan was returning home from the Martial Arts Olympics in Russia. The entire Team USA was on our same flight to New York. We understand Team USA kicked butt (literally as well as figuratively) in Russia. We had a nice chat with Dr. Dan. The chat was all about him and his fame. We never got the chance to tell him that in our own tiny universe of Square Dancing, we're famous toooo. :-) Still, a nice chat with a famous person is a pleasant way to pass the time at an airport in Finland. Dr. Dan even gave us an autographed photo.
Let's recap. Constantly mutter the mantra "I wanna see someone FAMOUS". Spend years carefully checking out every person in the airport and in every adjacent car on the freeway, trying to determine if they're secretly famous. Finally meet someone famous. Mission accomplished.
Calling schedule for the rest of July:
The heat of summer bring back pleasant memories of the crisp cool mountain air at Fun Valley Square Dance Resort in Colorado. We'll be there August 31 thru September 6, and you're invited. More info on our website www.nshukayr.com.
After we finally met someone famous, what's the next goal? Of course it's to meet someone ELSE famous!
Happy celebrity-spotting!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
July 23, 2008 Greetings from Prince Rupert Island
We are having a blast on our Alaska square dance cruise. If you like to square dance and you like to cruise, you should definitely consider a square dance cruise. We're beginning to plan our next one in late 2009. Details will be announced as plans are confirmed.
Where we live in South Texas, the temperature often exceeds 100 degrees F. We figured it might be slightly cooler in Alaska, so Nasser did the sensible thing and brought a light jacket. YIKES! It's WAY cooler in Alaska than in Texas. Let's just say Nasser was underdressed for Alaska.
Doug Davis to the rescue! Doug is a great caller and also a wonderful Lender Of Winter Jackets. His extra jacket was quite welcome, yet being warm carries a high price. Did you know that all of Doug's jackets are personalized with his name? Perfect strangers look at the name on the coat and automatically greet the wearer as "Doug".
Which would you choose? Being constantly greeted with a name not your own, or freezing? Just call me "Warm Doug"!
Upcoming dances:
We hope everyone's summer is going well, and that you're all staying warm, and that everyone calls you by your real name!
From the chilly Far North,
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
July 28, 2008 Hello and Goodbye, Dolly
Many folks have asked about the recent hurricane. Harlingen was hit by Hurricane Dolly on July 23-24. Hurricanes can be category 1 thru 5, and fortunately this was the weakest category (1). Jeanna and Nasser were away in Alaska, but our world's best next-door neighbor reports we had no storm damage, no power outage, no flooding, and only a few broken tree limbs.
There are no reports of damage to the dance floors at Fun N Sun or Lakewood. We're trying to get more complete info and will let you know. We do hope to see many of you this winter season in the Rio Grande Valley.
Oops! Our last newsletter omitted a scheduled dance in Gonzales, Texas. The club name "Come and Take It Squares" refers to an event in 1835. Texas was part of Mexico. The Mexican government loaned a cannon to the town of Gonzales, then asked for its return. Gonzales replied "Come and Take It". The Mexican army came to Gonzales to try to take back the cannon. This started the Texas Revolution which eventually resulted in Texas winning their independence. Now you know why the square dance club in Gonzales Texas has such an unusual name.
Upcoming dances:
We hope everyone is having a great summer so far!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
August 3, 2008 Tennis, anyone?
Howdy from Texas!
This past week we were on holiday in Cincinnati, Ohio. We saw a pro baseball game with super caller-and-spouse team Jack & Sherry Pladdys. Their beloved Cincinnati Reds lost the game, and we know exactly why. When we have a day off while traveling, we sometimes go to a local ball game, and the home team ALWAYS loses. It's uncanny. We are now searching for a baseball team to hire us to travel to their away games and make the other team lose!
Speaking of sports, Jeanna loves pro tennis. We mainly went to Cincinnati for a major tennis tournament. It was wonderful. We saw all the top players in action. Nasser had to leave mid-tournament to go call in California. Once again the incredibly kind Jack and Sherry Pladdys helped by taking Jeanna to the airport after the tournament.
What do baseball players, tennis players and square dance callers have in common? Give up? Let's agree they're all handsome well-trained adorable superstars, but even more than that, they all practice constantly. The endless years of practice suddenly become worthwhile when you get to do a smash-up duet with a good friend and a good caller. That's exactly what happened when Jack and Nasser called a tip together last Monday. This event just might repeat itself on November 10th.
Upcoming dances:
Here's hoping your local sports heroes (and your local square dance callers) all have winning seasons!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
August 17, 2008 Greetings from the Deep South of Sweden
Square dancing in Sweden and Denmark is wonderful, thanks to dedicated callers and leaders. The dancers in Scandinavia are quite adept, and they have a lot of fun.
The annual Festival is in town. It's like a state fair in the USA (with cool crisp state fair weather in mid-August!). One notable difference is that a festival in Europe features all kinds of exotic foods: Moose Kebabs, Grilled Elk, Reindeer Sausage, and who knows what all else. We're actually afraid to look up some of the Swedish words in a dictionary!
We have one remaining dance in Sweden. Then we'll be tourists for a day in nearby Copenhagen, and we'll also help our super-duper hosts (the caller team Hanna Tenenbaum and Lars Olofsson) with their demos at the Festival. Swedish square dancers roam the festival, find a good spot, do some public square dancing, then roam again. Interested onlookers are given invitations to the local square dance club. The plan is successful, producing several new dancers every year.
Upcoming dances:
We wish you happy times and interesting experiences!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
In August we enjoyed a long string of fun dances in Mobile AL, Slidell LA, New Iberia LA, Sweden, Denmark, Irving TX, Los Angeles CA and San Luis Obispo CA. We're home for two days between trips, and now off again to Grand Junction, Vallecito and Fun Valley Resort (all in Colorado).
Have you ever been to Chicago O'Hare airport? It's HUGE! Last Thursday we flew from Europe to O'Hare. Having been to O'Hare many times, we know our way around. We walked to the proper terminal, concourse and gate where we spoke with an airline agent about our onward travel.
The agent addressed us by name. A pleasant young chap nearby overheard it and asked, "Pardon me, did I hear correctly? Your name is Shukayr? Do you recognize me?".
It was Nasser's first-cousin Joe! Cousin Joe travels a lot on business. We figure we've often been in the same airport at the same time, but our paths crossed last Thursday for the first time in 25 years. We last saw each other in 1983. We had a nice visit in the airport. It was great to catch up on family news.
The odds against such a chance meeting are astronomically high. If either of us had been fifteen seconds earlier or later, we would not have met. We're still pondering the deep true inner meaning of such an amazing coincidental encounter.
Dances in the next 3 weeks:
The website (http://www.nshukayr.com) has more complete info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope all your chance encounters are pleasant!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
September 9, 2008 Fun at Fun Valley
Fun Valley is a square dance resort in Colorado at an altitude of 8700 feet. It's always the highlight of our year. For an entire week we square dance, round dance, play mini-golf, pitch horseshoes, enjoy great meals, ride paddle boats, fish, have skits and afterparties, soak up the beautiful scenery, visit, and experience a wonderful vacation.
We'll be back at Fun Valley in 2009, September 6 thru 12. Lem & Sue Gravelle will call squares with us again, with Jeanne and Warren Shane on rounds. If you enjoy square and round dancing, you'll love Fun Valley. Call them toll-free at 1-800-548-1684 to reserve your place.
A Fun Valley week includes various tournaments and awards. One of the most unique awards is the coveted Horse's Ass. The trophy looks like the south end of a northbound horse. It is awarded to the person or persons who most exemplify the Fun Valley spirit. Winning it requires a special act such as knocking someone's fish off their line, or sneaking into someone's cabin and rearranging their furniture. It's all in good fun.
Nasser almost won it. While out and about, the two callers stopped at a local ice cream store. Inside the store, Lem Gravelle ordered Rocky Road. The young lady behind the counter said they were out of Rocky Road. So Lem ordered chocolate. He was told they're out of chocolate. This seems a bit confusing as Lem could plainly see chocolate in the display case. Lem ordered strawberry and once again the lady said they're out of strawberry. Lem then asked what flavors do they have, and the reply was, "We're out of ALL flavors".
Unbeknownst to Lem, Nasser had pre-arranged with the ice cream store that no matter what flavor Lem orders, they were to be out of that flavor!
Ice cream store shenanigans were not quite enough to win the coveted Horse's Ass award this year. We were up against some big-league competition. The Horse's Ass went home with a young lady who terrorized the dancers all week by making funny signs and posters. At the end of the week, she got her own custom sign which said "I Won the Horse's Ass"!
Dances in the next 3 weeks:
The website ( http://www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope you richly deserve any prize or award you win!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
We called several dances this past week in California and Nevada. It's great to see old friends and meet new ones.
Have you ever seen half-a-coffee-cup? It's a novelty item in souvenir shops. The shape is half a circle instead of a full circle. In the good old days you'd find them everywhere. This past year they've been extremely scarce.
One year ago today, we called in San Jose, California. Earlier that day we visited the famous Winchester Mystery House. We saw half-a-coffee-cup in the gift shop. Jeanna wanted it. There were many reasons NOT to buy it. Expensive. Bulky. Fragile. No room in the suitcase. We could get it cheaper elsewhere. After all, half-a-coffee-cups are everywhere, right?
Wrong! One year ago today was the very last time we saw half-a-coffee-cup. We've been all over the world, yet today's shops do not seem to carry this once-common item.
Lesson to be learned: when you see something you want, buy it immediately!
Today it's one year later. We're calling in San Jose again. Since we're in the neighborhood anyway, we might as well swing by the Winchester Mystery House to pick up that half-a-coffee-cup from a year ago. In other words, that half-a-coffee-cup had BETTER still be there, else Nasser's name is MUD!
Guess what? A few days ago, almost immediately after we decided to finally purchase this novelty, we wandered into a random gift shop. They had an entire shelf of half-a-coffee-cups, on sale, cheap! We quickly bought one. After almost one year, the global quest for half-a-coffee-cup is now over.
Lesson to be learned: when you see something you want, don't buy it! You'll eventually find it cheaper somewhere else.
Upcoming dances:
The website ( www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope you find everything you search for, within a year!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
September 24, 2008 First-hand History
Lake Tahoe is high in the mountains near Reno, Nevada. Emerald Bay is the most beautiful section of the lake. Here you'll find Vikingsholm, a castle built in 1929 by a wealthy lady as her summer retreat.
Only hardy (foolhardy?) people can visit the castle. It's a one-mile hike from the parking lot. Of course the hike back to your car, uphill, feels more like five miles! Today this beautiful isolated mansion is a California state park.
Tours are given on the hour. The tour guide is a spry lady, quite a bit older than your typical state park employee. Her knowledge is superb. She seems to know everything about the castle.
As it ends up, the tour guide was a frequent houseguest at the castle for the first 14 summers of her life. She appears as a young girl in some old photographs in the nearby museum. Today she's a college professor who spent her past 39 summers as Vikingsholm's tour guide. Visitors are truly fortunate to have a tour guide who was actually there. Let's do the math: she's 78 years young!
It's interesting how she became a tour guide. 42 years ago she visited the castle as a tourist. The state was giving out incorrect and incomplete info. She wrote and sent in a nice document about the castle. The state park system replied, "since you know so much, why don't YOU become the tour guide?". And she did exactly that.
In the future, maybe each one of us will go back to some place from our childhood. We'll discover they're giving out wrong info, so we'll become tour guides. Wouldn't that be fun? What would you tell future visitors about various places from your childhood?
Upcoming dances:
The website ( www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope your tour guides always give correct first-hand info!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
October 2, 2008 A Friend in Need
We're responsible for our own actions, but are we also responsible for people who share our same name?
Robert Morris made headlines in 1988. He invented and unleashed the first internet virus. Fast forward to 1997. At the National Square Dance Convention in Charlotte NC, Nasser met a dancer whose name badge said Robert Morris and who kinda sorta bore a vague resemblence to the infamous inventor of the internet virus.
Nasser flat-out asked if he was the infamous Robert Morris. The reply was quick. "No, that was Robert _T_ Morris and I'm Robert _E_ Morris". (Of course his denial proves nothing, because it's pretty much what a real crook would say!)
Over the years, square dancer Robert Morris and his wife Vicki became extremely good friends with Nasser and Jeanna. We stay with them when we're in Los Angeles. We see them regularly at Nationals and at dances. They're super people. But doubt still lingers. What if he really IS the infamous virus guy? He does share the same name and even works in computer security.
Robert "Virus" Morris was born in 1967 and is now a college professor on the east coast. Robert "Los Angeles" Morris is a decade older and is a square dance caller and challenge-level dancer on the West Coast. But mere facts do not diminish long-lasting doubt!
Fast forward to last Saturday night. We drove to our dance in North Los Angeles. Actually, Robert Morris drove. He knows L.A. freeways like the back of his hand, so he usually does the driving when we're in L.A.
Nasser's computer developed a problem. The power adapter stopped charging, therefore the battery would be depleted before the end of the dance. Several computer experts gathered to try to cure the patient. No luck. The charger was toast. The battery was draining fast.
Robert E Morris jumped to the rescue. He left the dance in search of a new charger. A short while later he returned with a brand-new charger which worked perfectly. HURRAY! Disaster averted, and dance saved by Robert E Morris! His valor more than makes up for someone with his same name inventing the internet virus, 20 years ago!
Upcoming dances:
The website ( www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope that infamous people never have the same name as you!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
You've probably heard jokes such as:
Question: What's the difference between a full-time square dance caller and a large pizza?
With rising travel costs, calling square dances no longer seems a wise career choice. Nasser has been job-hunting. Someone finally made an offer we can't refuse. Nasser will start work next month as a computer software developer at Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union in San Antonio, Texas. He was in this same line of work prior to becoming a full-time caller in 2001. Nasser and Jeanna will relocate to San Antonio. Because of the new day-job, we will reduce our calling schedule as follows:
October 2008 - No change. We will call all scheduled dances.
November 2008 and beyond - We will call dances on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). We will graciously bow out of most weekday (Monday thru Thursday) engagements. We will contact each affected club to let them know we are no longer free to travel on weekdays, but do hope to see them at other dances in their area on weekends.
Rio Grande Valley - Fun N Sun - No change. The full winter program in San Benito will occur exactly as scheduled (Saturdays and Sundays).
Rio Grande Valley - Lakewood - will get a different caller. The new day-job makes it impossible for us to be in Harlingen on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. We are working closely with Lakewood to find another caller. There are several good candidates, and an announcement is expected soon.
Fun Valley in Colorado - we do plan to call our Fun Valley week (September 6 thru 12, 2009).
Let us count the blessings. We got to travel and call all over the world. When the era of cheap travel ended, Nasser was able to return to the same career as before. We keep most of our future bookings and all of the many friends we met during our travels. Although we will not call as many dances as before, we will still travel and call a lot. We have no regrets, and we are truly fortunate in so many ways.
Upcoming dances:
The website ( www.nshukayr.com ) has up-to-date info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope to see you in a square somewhere!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
October 16, 2008 What's in a Name?
We just got home from a nice trip through some eastern states (TN, GA, NC, SC). We met fun people and had great times.
So far in 2008 we have called in 29 states and 12 countries. It's fun to write about travel, yet the real reason we go is to visit square dance clubs. Here's a list of all the clubs we visited so far in 2008.
Some clubs are named for clothing: Boots & Slippers, Foot & Fiddle, Levis & Lace, Lucky Boots
Some are named for people you might find at a dance: Bachelors & Bachelorettes, Belles & Beaux, Dudes & Daisies, Duos & Solos, Guys 'N Dolls, Paws & Taws.
Associations often use standard names: Cumberland Square Dance Association, National Square Dance Convention, Northeast Georgia Square & Round Dance Association, Texas Association of Single Square Dancers, Top of Texas Square & Round Dance Association.
Some clubs are named for dance moves: Cast Off 8's, Checkmates, Circle 8, Circle N Squares, Ocean Wavers, Plus Unlimited, Promenaders, Swing Thrus, Swinging Squares, Track II's, and a couple of old-timey moves no longer in common use: Twirlaways and Whirlaways.
Some clubs are named for their location: Curahee Squares (named for a nearby mountain), South Windsor Square Dance Club
It's common to name a club after something you'll find nearby: Aberdeen Kiltkickers (in Scotland), Azalea Squares (in Alabama), Big Dippers (in Alaska), Coarsegold Nuggets (in the Gold Country of California), Fjord Frolickers (in Norway), Funtimers (at Fun N Sun RV Park), Monadnock Squares (in New Hampshire), Ocean City Squares (in Denmark), Salmontown Dancers (in Sweden), Tech Squares (in Massachusetts), Texas Bluebonnets (in Texas), The Flintstones (in The Netherlands ... it has nothing to do with Fred & Wilma ... flint rock is produced nearby).
Some clubs combine their location with a dance move: Canyon Lake Twirlers, Circle I (in Irving, Texas), Danube Waves (in Germany), Ouest Paris Swingers (Ouest is French for West), Perry Promenaders, Salt Castle Diamonds (the Salt Castle is in Salzburg Austria), Swinging Lakers, Tammany Twirlers, Vienna Swingers, West County Spinners.
Some names have an interesting story:
As to why the following clubs have these colorful names, your guess is as good as any: American Squares, Boston Uncommons, Crazy Daisies, Dancing Hearts, Double SD's, Energy Squares, Happy Squares, Heels & Souls (their badge looks like the sole of a shoe), Hoedowners, Jolly Jokers, Log Cabin Swingers, Meri Squares, Polka Dots, Red Ribbons, Roadrunners, Sage Swingers, Swinging Saints, Tanglefoots, Tiger Squares, Trail Dusters, Travelin' Pioneers, Unicorners, Waterloo Squares, Western Squares, Western Weavers, Wooden Nickels, Yellow Roses
- - - - -
Upcoming dances:
The website ( www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope the clubs you visit have interesting and meaningful names!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
October 21, 2008 A Day at the Rent-Car Races
We drive many rent-cars during our travels. Some are unique.
Let's start at the low end. Last month we had an ugly, noisy, cramped, anemic, aggravating rent-car. The transmission growled and whined, the air conditioner worked only part-time, and a broken sensor beeped constantly as it thought a seatbelt was unfastened. Because it had no central door locks, every stop required this rigamarole:
The next time you can press just one button to lock or unlock all doors on your own car, enjoy the luxury!
At the other end of the scale, we recently drove a Lexus. What a nice car! For starters (pun intended) you do not even need to insert the key. It knows if the proper key is nearby (i.e. in your pocket). Just press the dashboard start button and the Lexus springs to life. It does everything for you. It automatically adjusts headlights, mirrors, windows, gears, climate, and just about everything else. The car practically drives itself.
Of course we had the crummy car for a whole week but the Lexus for only one day. Go figure!
Some cars in Europe have exotic features. You can adjust the headlamps to point straight out front, or straight down at the ground, or any angle in between. Until you figure it out, you can't see to drive in the dark. After you figure it out, it's time to return the car and travel onward to the next strange rent-car. Some cars have tiny windshield wipers for each headlight. Others have a "back-up" sensor which beeps faster and faster as you back up closer and closer toward an object. Cars in England are driven from the right-hand side instead of the left. Fortunately, Jeanna is a native Brit who can very easily drive in England.
One time in Sweden, our hosts were driving a lady caller home after a dance. She was in the front seat while we were in the back. After we dropped her off at home, Nasser moved to the empty front seat which was extremely HOT! Nasser remarked, "That lady caller has the hottest, um, er, derriere in the world!". Several days later, our hosts finally explained that their car has electric seat heaters.
Upcoming dances:
The website ( www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope that if you're ever in the Hot Seat, you'll know why!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
October 31, 2008 Free Fillings
Our final road trip as a "full-time traveling caller" was wonderful. We called in Oregon and in Yuba City, California. Oregon's fall colors are stunning, and the California dancers are always fun. During the trip we stopped near Mount Shasta to see the water which flows out of a rock and begins the Sacramento River. In a similar beginning, Nasser's new day-job starts Monday, November 3. We will continue to travel and call in 2009 and beyond (not quite as often as in prior years, but still coast to coast).
Oregon does not allow you to pump your own gasoline. Instead, each gas station must hire someone to do it for you. New Joysee has a similar law. Because they're called "Filling Stations", an ad for a "Free Filling" would cause different expectations depending on where you are. In Oregon or New Joysee you'd expect a filled gas tank, but elsewhere a "free filling" might mean bargain dental work. So when we saw an Oregon sign for "Bridge Work Ahead" we were afraid to check it out. It might have been dentures. :-)
Nasser and Jeanna will move 250 miles north, to Live Oak (San Antonio), Texas on Friday, November 21. If anyone wants a 3-bedroom 2-bath home in Harlingen, we'll make you a swingin' deal. :-) The Harlingen home is practically unused, 'cause we were always on the road instead of home. :-)
The winter square dance season starts on Saturday, November 29 at Fun N Sun RV Park in San Benito. Weekly schedule:
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
We are pleased to report that good friend Mike Kelly from Kansas City is the new resident caller at Lakewood RV Park in Harlingen. His season starts on Tuesday November 11. For more info (in fact, you can see all schedules for the entire Rio Grande Valley) visit www.rgvsd.com.
Upcoming dances:
The website ( www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
Gasoline is cheap ($1.939) in Harlingen. At that price, it's almost a "free filling". So come to Texas for the winter. There's only one catch. You have to pump your own gasoline! :-)
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
November 18, 2008 Location, Location, Location
Dances are extra special when the building is owned by and for dancers. The last three dances were in dancer-owned halls:
During 2008 we called in several more "strictly for dancing" halls:
Each building has its own history and character. If you ever get to visit a hall built especially for dancing, please do so. You'll enjoy it!
"Move To San Antonio Day" (November 20) is fast approaching, soon followed by First Day of the Square Dance Season at Fun N Sun in San Benito, Texas. BTW that hall was built especially for dancing. :)
Upcoming dances:
We call at Fun N Sun in San Benito each Saturday and Sunday from November 29 thru March 28 (except between Christmas and New Years). The website ( http://www.nshukayr.com ) has more details. All Rio Grande Valley square and round dance info is online at http://www.rgvsd.com
Here's wishing you Safe Travels and Happy Dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
The move to San Antonio went extremely well. Times must be bad, because movers and tradespeople showed up on time and did great work. :)
We truly enjoy city life! San Antonio is the USA's 7th largest city (and 3rd fastest growing). The city has many theaters, museums, parks, restaurants, entertainment, stores, and other things you can only find in big cities.
Jeanna (from England) is very pleased that San Antonio has real British stores and restaurants. Our favorite British restaurant is totally authentic. Stepping through their door is like stepping into London. Their real British menu is only the beginning. They have British decor, British shows on the telly, and at your table you'll find an authentic and beautiful British lady. She's with you throughout the meal. You enjoy delightful sparkling British conversation. (I promise I am NOT making this up!)
After dinner you even get to take the lovely British lady home. The only catch is that you hafta already be married to the lovely British lady. :)
The winter square dance season is in full swing at Fun N Sun in San Benito. Weekly schedule:
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
We'll be back on the road fairly soon with Florida in February, Colorado in March, followed by Missouri, California, Tennessee, Utah .. and that's just through May. The travel schedule is reduced from recent years, but we will still travel and call a lot.
We will start a local square dance group in San Antonio in early 2009. Area dancers might want to keep the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month open. :) As always, the website ( http://www.nshukayr.com ) has more info as well as links to clubs and flyers.
We hope everyone has authentic experiences!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
December 19, 2008 This Weekend
As in previous years, no dancing between Christmas and New Years, so please join us this weekend for the last dancing in 2008:
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
The 2009 dance year will be fantastic! Sneak preview:
We wish our friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Friday May 9 in Burbank, California
Saturday May 10 in Mesa, Arizona
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
Wednesday 14 - Rutland, Vermont
Thursday 15 - Brunswick, Maine
Saturday 17 - Newark, Delaware
Sunday 18 - Dorchester, Massachusetts
Monday 19 - Esmond, Rhode Island
Wednesday 21 - Glen Rock, New Jersey
Friday 23 - Enfield, Connecticut
Saturday 24 - Keene, New Hampshire
Tuesday 27 - San Benito, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
- the super-friendly Sage Swingers in Maine
- the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport
- the fun and rowdy Swinging Squares in Rhode Island
- the famous Tech Squares who dance on campus at M.I.T. in Cambridge MA
- traffic gridlock in New York City at midnight on a weeknight
- calling in Connecticut's famous Powder Mill Barn, built in 1845
- a European Style square dance (no pause between tips) in Asheville NC
Monday 9 thru Wednesday 18 - visit Jeanna's family and friends in England
Friday 13 thru Sunday 15 - Aberdeen Kiltkickers in Scotland
Thursday 19 - Ottawa, Canada
Friday 20 - Columbia, Missouri
Saturday 21 - Arlington, Texas
Tuesday 24 - Perry, Oklahoma with Doug Davis (the other caller on our Alaska Cruise in July)
Wednesday 25 thru Saturday 28 - National Square Dance Convention in Wichita, Kansas
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
Thursday June 19 - Meri Squares in Ottawa, Canada
Friday June 20 - Tiger Squares in Columbia, Missouri
Saturday June 21 - Levis & Lace in Arlington, Texas
Tuesday June 24 - Perry Promenaders in Perry, Oklahoma with Doug Davis and alumni from our caller schools
Wednesday June 25 thru Saturday 28 - National Square Dance Convention in Wichita, Kansas
Wednesday July 2 thru Sunday July 6 - Germany
Monday July 7 thru Tuesday July 8 - Austria
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
- Augsberg, Germany where the area has not one but two callers under age 30
- Munich, Germany
- Deggendorf, Germany in the Bavarian Forest
- Vienna, Austria where the dance was visited by a club from nearby Slovakia
- Salzburg, Austria, hometown of Mozart (who did not attend the dance)
- Calabasas, California
- Canyon Lake, California
July 15 - San Benito, Texas - Fun N Sun summer dance
July 18 thru 25 - Alaska Cruise with Doug Davis
July 25 - Olympia, Washington special at Lac-A-Do Hall with Doug Davis
July 28 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
Friday, July 25 - Olympia Washington with Doug Davis
Monday, July 28 - Cincinnati OH
Friday, August 1 - Vista CA
Thursday, August 7 - Theodore (Mobile) AL
Friday, August 8 - Slidell LA (DBD Plus and Advanced)
Saturday, August 9 - New Iberia LA
then on to Sweden and Denmark
Monday, July 28 - Cincinnati OH
Friday, August 1 - Vista CA (Plus)
Saturday, August 2 - Vista CA (Advanced)
Monday, August 4 - Gonzales TX
Tuesday, August 5 - San Benito TX
Thursday, August 7 - Theodore AL
Friday, August 8 - Slidell LA
Saturday, August 9 - New Iberia LA
Tuesday, August 12 thru Wednesday, August 20 - Denmark and Sweden
Friday, August 22 - Irving TX
Saturday, August 23 - Los Angeles CA
Sunday, August 24 - San Luis Obispo CA
Tuesday, August 26 - San Benito TX
Friday, August 29 - Grand Junction CO
Saturday, August 30 - Vallecito CO
Sunday, August 31 thru Saturday September 6 - Fun Valley Resort in South Fork CO
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
Monday, August 4 - Gonzales TX
Tuesday, August 5 - San Benito TX
Thursday, August 7 - Theodore (Mobile area) AL
Friday, August 8 - Slidell (New Orleans area) LA
Saturday, August 9 - New Iberia LA
Tuesday, August 12 thru Wednesday, August 20 - Denmark and Sweden
Friday, August 22 - Irving TX
Saturday, August 23 - Los Angeles CA
Sunday, August 24 - San Luis Obispo CA
Tuesday, August 26 - San Benito TX
Friday, August 29 - Grand Junction CO
Saturday, August 30 - Vallecito (Durango area) CO
Sunday, August 31 thru Saturday September 6 - Fun Valley Resort in South Fork CO
Harlingen, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
Monday, August 18 - Halmstad, Sweden
Friday, August 22 - Irving, Texas
Saturday, August 23 - Los Angeles, California
Sunday, August 24 - San Luis Obispo, California
Tuesday, August 26 - San Benito, Texas
Friday, August 29 - Grand Junction, Colorado
Saturday, August 30 - Vallecito, Colorado
Sunday, August 31 thru Saturday September 6 - South Fork, Colorado
Wednesday, September 10 - Oakhurst, California
Thursday, September 11 - Mount Shasta, California
Saturday, September 13 - Santa Rosa, California
Sunday, September 14 - Reno, Nevada (Advanced)
Monday, September 15 - Reno, Nevada (Plus)
Wednesday, September 17 - San Jose, California
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
Friday, August 29 - Grand Junction CO
Saturday, August 30 - Vallecito CO
Sunday, August 31 thru Saturday September 6 - South Fork CO
Wednesday, September 10 - Oakhurst CA
Thursday, September 11 - Mount Shasta CA
Saturday, September 13 - Santa Rosa CA
Sunday, September 14 - Reno NV (Advanced)
Monday, September 15 - Reno NV (Plus)
Wednesday, September 17 - San Jose CA
Thursday, September 18 - Fort Worth TX
Friday, September 19 - Texarkana AR
Harlingen, Texas
www.nshukayr.com
Wednesday, September 10 - Oakhurst CA
Thursday, September 11 - Mount Shasta CA
Saturday, September 13 - Santa Rosa CA
Sunday, September 14 - Reno NV (Advanced)
Monday, September 15 - Reno NV (Plus)
Wednesday, September 17 - San Jose CA
Thursday, September 18 - Fort Worth TX
Friday, September 19 - Texarkana AR
Saturday, September 20 - Amarillo TX
Sunday, September 21 - Schertz TX
Tuesday, September 23 - San Benito TX
Wednesday, September 24 - Lago Vista TX
Friday, September 26 - San Marcos CA
Saturday September 27 - Simi Valley CA
Sunday September 28 - San Luis Obispo CA
Monday September 29 - Chesterfield MO
Tuesday September 30 - San Benito TX
Harlingen, Texas
Wednesday, September 17 - Cupertino CA
Thursday, September 18 - Fort Worth TX
Friday, September 19 - Texarkana AR
Saturday, September 20 - Amarillo TX
Sunday, September 21 - Schertz TX
Tuesday, September 23 - San Benito TX
Wednesday, September 24 - Lago Vista TX
Friday, September 26 - San Marcos CA
Saturday September 27 - Simi Valley CA
Sunday September 28 - San Luis Obispo CA
Monday September 29 - Chesterfield MO
Tuesday September 30 - San Benito TX
Thursday October 2 - Macon GA
Friday October 3 - Birmingham AL
Tuesday October 7 - San Benito TX
Thursday October 9 - Macon GA again
Friday October 10 - Toccoa GA
Saturday October 11 - Charlotte NC
Harlingen, Texas
Wednesday, September 24 - Lago Vista TX
Friday, September 26 - San Marcos CA
Saturday September 27 - Simi Valley CA
Sunday September 28 - San Luis Obispo CA
Monday September 29 - Chesterfield MO
Tuesday September 30 - San Benito TX
Thursday October 2 - Macon GA
Friday October 3 - Birmingham AL
Tuesday October 7 - San Benito TX
Thursday October 9 - Macon GA again
Friday October 10 - Toccoa GA
Saturday October 11 - Charlotte NC
Monday October 13 - Columbia SC
Tuesday October 14 - San Benito TX
Friday October 17 - Riverside CA
Saturday October 18 - Garden Grove CA
Harlingen, Texas
Thursday October 2 - Macon GA
Friday October 3 - Birmingham AL
Tuesday October 7 - San Benito TX
Thursday October 9 - Macon GA again
Friday October 10 - Toccoa GA
Saturday October 11 - Charlotte NC
Monday October 13 - Columbia SC
Tuesday October 14 - San Benito TX
Friday October 17 - Riverside CA
Saturday October 18 - Garden Grove CA
Tuesday October 21 - San Benito TX
Wednesday October 22 - Oregon City OR
Thursday October 23 - Grants Pass OR
Friday October 24 - Yuba City CA
Saturday October 25 - Yuba City CA
Sunday October 26 - Yuba City CA
Monday October 27 - Salem OR
Harlingen, Texas
Answer: A large pizza can feed a family.
Tuesday October 7 - San Benito TX
Thursday October 9 - Macon GA
Friday October 10 - Toccoa GA
Saturday October 11 - Charlotte NC
Monday October 13 - Columbia SC
Friday October 17 - Riverside CA
Saturday October 18 - Garden Grove CA
Wednesday October 22 - Oregon City OR
Thursday October 23 - Grants Pass OR
Friday October 24 - Yuba City CA
Saturday October 25 - Yuba City CA
Sunday October 26 - Yuba City CA
Monday October 27 - Salem OR
Friday October 31 - Texarkana AR
Saturday November 1 - Bakersfield CA
Harlingen, Texas
Circle Square B Promenaders (two or three clubs merged, so they combined all the names)
Come and Take It Squares (the phrase is part of the town's history)
DUF Square Dancers (in Finland - D, U and F are the first letters of three Finnish words)
K C Whirlaways - (this club has two callers whose initials are K and C. It also happens to be in the Kansas City area.)
Rockin' Jokers - (a club named Rafter Rockers merged with a club named Jokers)
Friday October 17 - Cowtown Singles in Riverside CA
Saturday October 18 - Church Mice in Garden Grove CA
Wednesday October 22 - Bachelors & Bachelorettes in Oregon City, OR
Thursday October 23 - Charlie Browns in Grants Pass, OR
Friday October 24 thru Sunday October 26 - Associated Square Dancers of Superior California, Harvest Hoedown in Yuba City, CA
Monday October 27 - Cascadians in Salem OR
Friday October 31 - Guys 'N Dolls in Texarkana AR
Saturday November 1 - Maverick Squares in Bakersfield CA
Saturday November 8 - Grand Rounds in Knoxville TN
Sunday November 9 - Allemande Hall in Chattanooga TN
Saturday November 15 - Log Cabin Swingers in Tool TX
Tuesday November 18 - Waterloo Squares in Austin TX
Harlingen, Texas
(1) Unlock driver's door.
(2) Unlock back door to get briefcase.
(3) Unlock passenger door.
(4) Unlock passenger back door to get purse.
(5) Unlock trunk ("boot" to Brits).
(6) Get everything you need out of the car.
(7) Individually close, lock and test each door.
(8) Reverse the entire process to get back in to the car.
Wednesday October 22 - Oregon City OR
Thursday October 23 - Grants Pass OR
Friday October 24 thru Sunday October 26 - Yuba City CA
Monday October 27 - Salem OR
Friday October 31 - Texarkana AR
Saturday November 1 - Bakersfield CA
Saturday November 8 - Knoxville TN
Sunday November 9 - Chattanooga TN
Saturday November 15 - Tool TX
Tuesday November 18 - Austin TX
Saturday November 29 - season opener at Fun N Sun RV Park in San Benito TX
Sunday November 30 - San Benito, where gasoline is $1.999 per gallon
Harlingen, Texas
1 to 3 pm - Plus Review. Beginner Class starts in January.
3 to 5 pm - Mainstream Review. Plus Class starts in January.
7 to 7:30 pm - Pre-Rounds with Karen & Dick Fisher
7:30 to 9:30 pm - Plus Dance with Rounds. Advanced tip at 9:30
1 to 3 pm - Introduction to Square Dancing - bring your friends - we're giving away free pedometers! (one per person, while supplies last)
3 to 5 pm - D.B.D. (Dance by Definition) Funshop
Friday October 31 - Texarkana AR
Saturday November 1 - Bakersfield CA
Thursday November 6 - Temple TX
Saturday November 8 - Knoxville TN
Sunday November 9 - Chattanooga TN
Saturday November 15 - Tool TX
Tuesday November 18 - Austin TX
Saturday November 29 - Fun N Sun RV Park in San Benito
Sunday November 30 - Fun N Sun in San Benito
Harlingen, Texas
Knoxville Square Dance Center in Tennessee
Allemande Hall in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Promenade Hall in Tool, Texas
Alabama - Azalea Hall in Theodore, Friendship Hall in Fultondale
Arkansas - Guys 'N Dolls Hall in Texarkana
California - Cederbrook Dance Center in Garden Grove, Cowtown Center in Riverside, Monroe Hall in Santa Rosa, The Barn in San Marcos
Colorado - Square Dance Hall at Fun Valley
Connecticut - Powder Mill Barn in South Windsor
Louisiana - Tammany Twirlers Clubhouse in Slidell
Oregon - Salem Square Dance Center, Square Dance Center in Grants Pass
Texas - Swingtime Center in Fort Worth, Yellow Rock Square Dance Center in Amarillo
Washington - Lac-A-Do Hall in Olympia
Tuesday November 18 - Austin TX
Saturday November 29 - Fun N Sun RV Park in San Benito
Sunday November 30 - Fun N Sun in San Benito
then we're off the road until:
February 13 & 14 - Melbourne FL
Harlingen, Texas
1 to 3 pm - Plus Review in December, Beginner Class starts in January.
3 to 5 pm - Mainstream Review in December, Plus Class starts in January.
7 to 7:30 pm - Pre-Rounds with Karen & Dick Fisher
7:30 to 9:30 pm - Plus Dance with Rounds. Advanced tip at 9:30
1 to 3 pm - Introduction to Square Dancing - bring your friends - we're giving away free pedometers! (one per person, while supplies last)
3 to 5 pm - D.B.D. (Dance by Definition) Funshop
San Antonio, Texas
1 to 3 pm - Plus Review (Beginner Class starts next month)
3 to 5 pm - Mainstream Review (Plus Class starts next month)
7 to 7:30 pm - Pre-Rounds with Karen & Dick Fisher
7:30 to 9:30 pm - Plus Dance with Rounds. Theme ... CHRISTMAS! (Hope you've been good all year!) Advanced tip at 9:30
1 to 3 pm - Introduction to Square Dancing - bring your friends - they get free pedometers! (one per person, while supplies last)
3 to 5 pm - D.B.D. (Dance by Definition) Funshop
Jan 3 - welcome back party (bring finger foods)
Jan 10 - tribute to Elvis
Jan 17 - free root beer floats
Jan 24 - dinner dance (tickets in advance)
Jan 31 - country music ... guest caller Mike Kelly.
San Antonio, Texas
