Not happening?
AZ/onepocket.org Room at DCC 2010?
- Thread starter Roy Steffensen
- Start date
Where did you hear this?
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In the 4 or 5 years of this room being around I have played a total of I think 2 games in it. Even though I rearely get in there due to everything going on I like to always kick a little in toward the goal. There are some cool things that take place in the AZ/1P room but somehow I always seem to miss them.
Get on the ball Don.:wink:
Get on the ball Don.:wink:
Jerry Forsyth
Well-known member
Don usually does this on his own and I do not know if he is able to do it this year or not. He certainly has our blessing if he wishes to but I am not aware of what limitations the new venue may place upon him. Perhaps he will chime in here and let us know.
I talked with Don a few months back and he said he is not involved in the room at DCC 2010. He suggested I contact Steve Lomako to see is he was still doing it.
I am uncertain of the status of the room currently. Though I have organized the room since its inception, I decided last January to bow out, and let other people take over if they wish.
While nothing terrible happened, with the new venue there was much more trouble keeping non-members from playing (even several AZB'ers who knew better, continued to play without contributing). In addition, several gamblers decided they were entitled to play for free whenever and for however long they wished - it took a forceful discussion with Steve Lomako to get them to quit; and they continued to make extremely unpleasant threats on my life and health for the remainder of the week. Not that I was afraid of the little piss-ants (I think they didn't really want to fight), but I really began the venture to make friends, not enemies.
In any case, Greg Sullivan usually contacted me in the Fall with details - there was always a little doubt whether we could carry it off or not. The organizers this year should feel free to contact Greg and ask if he wishes to provide room again this year (space was at a premium last year, and the room a bit small). In the past it was a flat fee of $1500 for two tables and 1 room; and Greg could have made MUCH more by renting out the tables and the room - we considered it our contribution to the event; he probably would have done it a lot cheaper.
In addition, we have always communicated to Greg that if we had LOTS of extra money we would plow it into a mini-tournament, or sponsor a prize for some special event - it never happened, but would be a great way to contribute to supporting Greg's fabulous week of pool.
Steve Lomako has a Justis West black case kindly donated by Jack Justis to the room cause (can be auctioned or raffled for the room), and any of the money that remains from last year (we always tried to stay "revenue neutral" and use all of the money each year; but last year had less giveaways and less revenue).
I will remind the organizer's that Steve Booth and Mike Howerton both gave permission each year to use their website names in the promotion of the room - The AZB-onepocket.org MEMBERS Room. I emphasize the MEMBERS, because neither organization "sponsored" the room or assisted in the planning in any way (though Steve B. always contributed to participate, we would have provided it free for use of his website name). We provided a complimentary membership to the room for Mike H. each year, and he chose not to contribute, nor did we expect him to. The room always broke even, though 1 year did require a little juice from the organizers (and I think sjm kicked in a $100 that year). The organizers this year should definitely seek their blessing before pursuing things further - remember that anything bad happening in the room will in some way reflect badly upon the reputation of their websites.
On at least one occasion Greg Sullivan did offer to ban from the venue any players that persisted in "crashing" the room and using the tables without contributing. We decided we really didn't want to do anything like that, but it was almost necessary on several occasions. If the room is very close to the gambling tables this year, it would be prudent to discuss enforcement with Greg ahead of time; because it was MUCH more frequent this year than when the event was held at Executive West.
I am always available if the organizers have any specific questions about past events; and I certainly plan on contributing to play if the room flies this year. My new job schedule makes it impossible for me to be there at the beginning of the event; we definitely need organizers that can be there for the whole time, and organizers that do not mind a modicum of physical and verbal confrontation.
While nothing terrible happened, with the new venue there was much more trouble keeping non-members from playing (even several AZB'ers who knew better, continued to play without contributing). In addition, several gamblers decided they were entitled to play for free whenever and for however long they wished - it took a forceful discussion with Steve Lomako to get them to quit; and they continued to make extremely unpleasant threats on my life and health for the remainder of the week. Not that I was afraid of the little piss-ants (I think they didn't really want to fight), but I really began the venture to make friends, not enemies.
In any case, Greg Sullivan usually contacted me in the Fall with details - there was always a little doubt whether we could carry it off or not. The organizers this year should feel free to contact Greg and ask if he wishes to provide room again this year (space was at a premium last year, and the room a bit small). In the past it was a flat fee of $1500 for two tables and 1 room; and Greg could have made MUCH more by renting out the tables and the room - we considered it our contribution to the event; he probably would have done it a lot cheaper.
In addition, we have always communicated to Greg that if we had LOTS of extra money we would plow it into a mini-tournament, or sponsor a prize for some special event - it never happened, but would be a great way to contribute to supporting Greg's fabulous week of pool.
Steve Lomako has a Justis West black case kindly donated by Jack Justis to the room cause (can be auctioned or raffled for the room), and any of the money that remains from last year (we always tried to stay "revenue neutral" and use all of the money each year; but last year had less giveaways and less revenue).
I will remind the organizer's that Steve Booth and Mike Howerton both gave permission each year to use their website names in the promotion of the room - The AZB-onepocket.org MEMBERS Room. I emphasize the MEMBERS, because neither organization "sponsored" the room or assisted in the planning in any way (though Steve B. always contributed to participate, we would have provided it free for use of his website name). We provided a complimentary membership to the room for Mike H. each year, and he chose not to contribute, nor did we expect him to. The room always broke even, though 1 year did require a little juice from the organizers (and I think sjm kicked in a $100 that year). The organizers this year should definitely seek their blessing before pursuing things further - remember that anything bad happening in the room will in some way reflect badly upon the reputation of their websites.
On at least one occasion Greg Sullivan did offer to ban from the venue any players that persisted in "crashing" the room and using the tables without contributing. We decided we really didn't want to do anything like that, but it was almost necessary on several occasions. If the room is very close to the gambling tables this year, it would be prudent to discuss enforcement with Greg ahead of time; because it was MUCH more frequent this year than when the event was held at Executive West.
I am always available if the organizers have any specific questions about past events; and I certainly plan on contributing to play if the room flies this year. My new job schedule makes it impossible for me to be there at the beginning of the event; we definitely need organizers that can be there for the whole time, and organizers that do not mind a modicum of physical and verbal confrontation.
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WBM, a big thank you to you, Steve Lomako, and anyone else that has helped you guys with the room. It seems every yr someone involved in doing a nice thing for the members here end up with more grief than gratitude and thats very sad.
I don't blame you for not stressing yourself out & trying to work around your lifes schedule to try to do something for people that are so ungrateful and rude. The majority of people involved are good, upstanding people but unfortunately it only takes one or two to ruin it for everyone.
Mr. Lomako is authorative yet patient enough to do the job effectively but I certainly could see where he would be tired of the continued problems and not want to fool with it anymore. It was good while it lasted. :wink:
Crack-man,
Just a slight clarification; I did not find ANY AZB'ers "ungrateful"; and can't say any were rude. The non-member gamblers that insisted on playing were certainly rude beyond a doubt.
I didn't post this looking for sympathy - in fact none is needed, the AZB room organizing was one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done in pool - I thank all of the members that made it possible.
For me, the AZ room is one of the main reasons I go. Last year it was tougher keeping non paid members out because of the open and exposed location and the lack of clear signage, but if the location of the room needs to stay in the same place, I think a few little things may go a long way to help.
For example, it might help to be able to point to a sign inside the room that explains the rules rather than verbally having to do it yourself.
Maybe some smaller signs that can hang or be attached to the table lights that say (AZ/OnePocket.org members only).
Also it helps to keep the door closed if you're the last one leaving.
Like the song says, "Sign says you gotta have a membership card to get inside"
I really hope we can keep the AZ/Onepocket.org room thing going!
For example, it might help to be able to point to a sign inside the room that explains the rules rather than verbally having to do it yourself.
Maybe some smaller signs that can hang or be attached to the table lights that say (AZ/OnePocket.org members only).
Also it helps to keep the door closed if you're the last one leaving.
Like the song says, "Sign says you gotta have a membership card to get inside"
I really hope we can keep the AZ/Onepocket.org room thing going!