World & Internationals Events
"AYYA Sanctioned"
(This is a e-mail from the AYYA to the event organizer)
"Dear Dale: I have review the proposed trick lists and rules (including tiebreakers) for this years World Yo-Yo Championships to be held on Sunday, August 22, 1999, in Honolulu, Hawaii and have determined that they meet the sanctioning requirements of the AYYA. Therefore, it is my pleasure on the behalf of the AYYA to grant sanctioning to 1999 World Yo-Yo Championships.
In addition, I'm equally pleased to grant sanctioning to the International Yo-Yo Championships to be held in Niagara Falls, New York on Thursday, July 29, 1999. This competition will be held in conjunction with the Summer Festival
of the International Jugglers Association and will utilize the same tricks, rules and tiebreakers as the World Championships.
Good luck with both competitions,
Bill deBoisblanc
AYYA Sanctioning Chairperson
Current Recognized
AYYA YO-YO Champions
By: Lucky Meisenheimer
The following individuals are recognized AYYA National and World Champions. The listing below identifies the year, the individual and the yo-yo or yo-yos used to win the title. The AYYA only recognizes a championship title for events that do not restrict the brand of yo-yo used in the championship final. AYYA Recognized National Champions
And the YO-YO's used:
AYYA Recognized World Champions and the YO-YO's used:
1992 Dale Oliver - Playmaxx/Pro-Yo
1993 "Rocco" Ysaguire:
1 hand Duncan/Wheels
2 hand Playmaxx/Pro-Yo
1994 Bill deBoisblanc:
1 hand Playmaxx/Pro Yo
2 hand American Spinners
1995 Bill deBoisblanc:
1 hand Playmaxx/Pro-Yo
2 hand American Spinners
1996 Dale Myrberg:
1 hand Playmaxx/Pro-Yo
2 hand Jack Russell/Coke
1997 Bill deBoisblanc: Spintastics/Technic
1998 Jennifer Baybrook
"Lucky's Collectors Guide to 20th Century Yo-Yos "
A Book Review By: Chuck Short
Considering that the anticipation level has been so high for the publication of this book, I prepared myself to be disappointed. Sort of like expecting a BB gun for your birthday and getting a sweater. Here it is, in my hands, anticipation over. It's not unlike finding a BB gun, and a million dollars wrapped in a giant red bow!
Lucky Meisenheimer has delivered an incredibly informative and entertaining volume with his Collectors Guide, and the collecting world will never be the same again.
The layout is simple and accessible, the reference system easy to use, and most importantly, the value guide is reasonable and realistic. So many times the collector is at the mercy of the seller, and with recently published books that reflect arbitrary and uneducated prices for collectible yo-yos, the yo-yo collector has found a true champion in Lucky.
Lucky comes to our rescue with an explanation of the perceived value of any given piece, and explains that just because someone has paid a certain dollar amount for that item in the past, that doesn't necessarily become the market value of that item.
There is an opportunistic trend to overvalue collectible yo-yos due to their increased popularity, but Lucky's book will keep that in check for many years to come, and brings a much needed expert opinion on the matter.
The history section is the most comprehensive compiled to date, and dispels the myth of the yo-yo as an ancient weapon quite effectively. It also provides a time line that will settle a lot of arguments.
Another tremendous boom to the collector is the grading system that Lucky, and others, have devised for grading the condition of yo-yos. This will also keep overvaluing in check, and arms the collector with a reference that will prove incredibly helpful when bartering with their local merchant for a collectible.
Another pleasant surprise that one encounters when reading this book is just how hip and funny Lucky Meisenheimer M.D. can be. When he is conveying historical fact it is obvious that he is speaking from the perspective of an expert in this field, but much of this could be considered dry and boring, if it were not approached with a sense of humor, and a modern sense of style.
The yo-yos are bright and colorful, and a great way for someone who is only casually interested in this topic to have a great "collection" on paper. The one "flaw" ? While most yo-yos are represented and detailed, I question some of the choices in selecting which were presented in color and which were not. That is what second printings are for, and until then we have an exquisite volume that would be hard to improve on.
Yo-Yo Clubs and Contests
By: Valerie Krantz - AYYA Secretary
The most frequently asked questions I get as Secretary of the AYYA, as yo-yo manufacturer, or as simply a member of the yo-yo community relate to the procedure in starting a yo-yo club and running a yo-yo contest. In the September 1996 issue of the AYYA Newsletter, I wrote an article identifying ideas in how to form a yo-yo club, that is, how to even FIND yo-yoers in a community. In 1999, with the popularity of yo-yoing where it is, the need is different. We are now in the situation where in many areas of the America, there are yo-yoers who WANT to get together as a club, but don't know the process, or DESIRE to have a yo-yo contest, but simply don't know how. My intent here is to review the valid points of that initial article, expound on others, and share the information I have gathered in my interaction with clubs and contests as I have traveled around the country.
As we all know, the popularity of yo-yoing is immense. We all love the attention it is getting and would love it to continue. The popularity of yo-yoing is not a typical fad. Oh sure, it will eventually calm down somewhat, but should never be as low as it was after the similarly intense high of the 1960's. Why? It is because people are learning a skill...a lifetime skill. There are demonstrators (many of them are you) out there TEACHING and that is what is needed to keep the interest high. Young people, in particular, NEED that constant motivation in order to stay interested. They need to be learning new tricks, new techniques (freestyles), new forms of the sport (off-the-string tricks) and to have outlets for such activities. Forming yo-yo clubs and organizing contests is the best way to do this and I encourage you to consider instigating either one or both of these activities in your town.
Clubs: In 1995, I started the still-in-existence Twin Cities Spinners Yo-Yo Club in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. In Minneapolis, the challenge was to even locate fellow yo-yoers. In 1998, I formed the Lone Star Spinners Yo-Yo Club in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. By that time, the situation had changed. Finding the players was fairly easy...what to do with them was quite another.
Finding yo-yo players for your club OR notification to the public of the existence of your club. In this age of technology, the quickest way to locate and notify yo-yo players for your club is through the Internet via the AYYA web page (http:\\ayya.pd.net). Fred Culbertson is the AYYA Web Master who will gladly place a notification in the "club news" web page of your yo-yo club. A simple "all-alert" such as "Dallas/Ft. Worth: Anyone interested in joining a yo-yo club in xyz area should contact xyz person at xyz@whatever.com" or "Dallas/Ft. Worth: Lone Star Spinners meets monthly in the DFW area. Contact xyz at xyz@whatever.com for details" is sufficient. Keep in mind, however, that the more detail about dates, times and locations that you can give, the better. Email Fred at fredd@sonic.net with your request.
Notification to the subscribed yo-yo community can also be of benefit. If you request it, Fred Culbertson (fredd@sonic.net) can also direct your announcement to the AYYA Board Member assigned as editor of the AYYA Newsletter to include it in that publication. Email Yo-Yo Times publisher, Stuart Crump, at yoyotime@aol.com for notification in the Yo-Yo Times Newsletter. Keep in mind that since these are both periodic newsletters, the turnaround time for public responses will be delayed. In addition, many local community newspapers will have a calendar of events section to notify the public of such club meetings, and frequently provide this service free of charge.
Location, location, location. You get the idea. A convenient location will result in the highest club participation. Finding such a location can be a challenge, especially at the right price (like free). A "yo-yo active" store can be an excellent location, where players can not only share information, but where they can have access to yo-yos and supplies as well. If this is not an option, try a local school or church for use of their facilities. Another option is a local restaurant (pizza!) that will allow you the use of a party room, provided, of course, that you purchase some eats!
Club procedures. The more detailed your notification of your club, the better off you will be. This means that it appears to work best if you set a specific date and time for club meetings. Everyone is extremely busy these days. Setting a consistent date, time and place for your club will result in the highest participation. If your club meets monthly, specify that your club meets, for example, on the 1st Saturday of each month from 6:30pm-8:00pm at XYZ location. This allows members to pencil in the dates on their calendars far in advance and alleviates the need to update the web page club notification so often (Fred will appreciate that!) The minimum you should meet is monthly. Due to the busy-ness of people's schedules, this may be all you can do. However, I believe that bi-weekly can be the most effective. This results in consistency and the opportunity for club members to progress more quickly in their yo-yoing skills, and therefore remain motivated. I have also learned through my club experience that an hour and a half seems to be the optimum amount of time for a club meeting.
Club Activities. Now what? Well, the most obvious is to share and work on tricks. Be sure to pay special attention to the youngsters in the group. The impact you are making on them can be lifelong. Everyone loves to learn a new trick, but there are many more things you can do.
Prepare for contests. Look to the AYYA web page for AYYA recommended contest trick lists. Trial run contests can be of great help to the inexperienced contestant.
Play Games. For example: Yo-Hockey. Designate a yo-yo hockey area and using a large piece of Styrofoam, play one-on-one looping, attempting to knock the styrofoam block into opposing goals.
Yo-Yo Drag Racing. Do the Runaway Dog trick to see who's yo-yo can "drag" the furthest.
Lights-OUT Yo-ing. Have each club member bring their favorite lighted yo-yo...turn the lights out...and glow-for-it!
Test for skill awards. Spintastics and Yomega each have developed award incentive programs. Contact these yo-yo manufacturers for details. Participants earn embroidered patches or stickers for varying skill levels. This is a great club activity. Work on the tricks needed to accomplish these skill levels and provide testing stations to earn awards. Recognize those who have reached a new level.
Freestyle practice. Turn on some music and invite others to show their skill! No need to have a prepared 3-minute routine. The invitation is to show their skill...maybe a new trick...to music. You'll be amazed at the talent that can appear, and the yo-rhythm that develops when music is turned on. This gives yo-yoers an opportunity to get used to performing in front of others, without the pressure of a formalized contest. Show appreciation for obviously difficult or newly accomplished maneuvers.
Watch Videos. No, not of the latest feature film out on videotape, but of various fine instructional videos, of which there are many. Future videos available may even include recordings of National or World Yo-Yo Championships and freestyles, which could be of great help in sparking creativity. In many areas, there are no demonstrators for yo-yoers to see and to learn from. Many are trying to put it all together through books and trick sheets. Watching both the pros and high level competitors will introduce players to tricks and skills that cannot be found in any yo-yo book, particularly as it relates to freestyle and off-the-string tricks.
Team Routines. At National and World Yo-Yo Championships, team competition is evolving. At the local level, it can be fun to simply have a team routine to show at local events such as school functions or fairs. Yo-Yo teams usually consist of between 4-10 players. The routine can be as simple as having each team member repeat the same trick down the line, or performing the same trick simultaneously. This concept can be enhanced to the point where each member comes out of the team line to "show off his/her stuff". However it is done, it is great fun and a real crowd pleaser, whether the crowd is at a formalized event or whether it is only for your club itself. Be sure to choose some upbeat music to help set the mood!
Contest. The first question is, HOW! Resources include others who are already gone through the contest process. Use the AYYA web page to identify other contests and contact those organizers with details on how they organized their contest.
Venue. Again, if you are working in conjunction with a store, the store or mall location itself is an excellent venue. Propose the increased mall traffic to the building owners for increased sales.
Identification. A frequently asked question is about naming a contest. You can name your contest whatever you wish, however, it would not be appropriate to name a contest, for example, the "Texas State Yo-Yo Competition," unless there have been prior city or regional state contests and/or without sufficient publicity and marketing efforts throughout the state so that the draw of contestants is actually from the area you are naming.
Sanctioning. Sanctioning of your yo-yo contest by the AYYA gives your contest credibility and lets the participants know that you are basically following AYYA approved rules for your contest. AYYA sanctioning does not mean that you must follow their rules exactly. Web Board member Bill deBoisblanc, is the contact for AYYA sanctioning. Contact Bill at bdebois@aol.com with your contest details such as date, time, location, tricks and rules in order to apply for AYYA sanctioning.
Announcement. Use the same Internet contacts listed above for club notification to place your contest on the AYYA events pages, and the AYYA and Yo-Yo Times Newsletters. If affiliated with a retail store, they can be of great assistance in publicizing the event and distributing flyers. If you have a yo-yo club, members can also spread the word by passing out flyers to their friends and acquaintances.
Procedure. The AYYA has a beneficial video filmed in 1995 by Dale Oliver called simply "How to Run a Yo-Yo Contest", that can be purchased for the copy charge of $5.00. This video, though obsolete and intended to be updated, does contain valid contest procedures relating to how tricks are to be performed, scored etc. according to AYYA rules that were in effect at that time. The obsoleteness of it relates mainly to what specific tricks are used and the fact that transaxles were not allowed at that time. The current trick list and suggested rules can be found on the AYYA web page itself.
I have experienced that it is helpful to have some sort of qualification trick during registration, particularly for the higher levels of competition, to be assured that players are competing in an appropriate category. Also, depending on the number of contestants, it may be advantageous to have two judges, and/or to judge 2 or even 3 contestants "on deck" at once, particularly at the lowest levels of competition, in order to expedite the contest process.
Prizes/Awards. Retail store sponsorship can help with prizes for contest winners. Some yo-yo manufacturers may also provide a limited number of contest prize yo-yos for bonofide contest organizers. Also, by providing camera-ready artwork, some yo-yo manufacturers offer customized yo-yos that allow you to have a yo-yo with the actual event name on it. These customized yo-yos can easily be mounted on trophies from your local trophy shop.
Freestyles. While freestyle routines are difficult to judge for most contest organizers, a non-competitive freestyle opportunity can, again, be a great crowd pleaser, which can be used between competition levels, while scores are being tallied, or as a finale at the end of the contest.
Obviously, you don't have to do all of these things. These are merely ideas to roll around in your head. I do encourage you, however, to do SOMETHING in your geographic area to promote and proliferate yo-yoing for some time to come.
Upcoming Events
West Coast Regional YO-YO Championships - AYYA Sanctioned (Pending)
The event promoter is still waiting for confirmation of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Santa Rosa, CA. for the 1999 WCR. The event will be AYYA Sanctioned and will strictly adhere to the 1999 AYYA Tricks and Rules. For more information or to be included in the mailing list e-mail John Stangle at yotopia@yotopia.com.
California State YO-YO Championships - AYYA Sanctioned
(Pending)
The event promoter is still waiting for confirmation of the downtown square in Sebastopol, CA. The event will be AYYA Sanctioned and will strictly adhere to the 1999 AYYA Tricks and Rules. For more information or to be included in the mailing list e-mail John Stangle at yotopia@yotopia.com.
May 15th 1999 - 2nd Annual Northern California YO-YO Championships - Grass Valley, California
Discovery Garden Toys will be hosting the 2nd Annual Northern California YO-YO Championships at the Shopping Center Stage located at 762 D. Freeman Lane, Grass Valley, California 95945. The plans for this event are still being made. It is expected to be an AYYA Sanctioned event. For more information contact Discovery Garden Toy Store at (530) 477-8331.
May 16th 1999 - Midwest Regional's - Bloomington, Minnesota
The Midwest Regional's will be held on Sunday, May 16th at the Rotunda at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The event is - All ages of yo-ers welcome - four different levels to compete in from Novice to Championship - totally FREE!!!
Registration will begin at 11:00 AM, and the contest at 12:00 PM. And we've heard through the grapevine that there's going to be a few big names attending.... For more information contact the Air Traffic Juggling Academy at (612) 895-5540 with any questions or e-mail Dan Stanchfield.
May 22nd 1999 - Marin Area YO-YO Contest - San Rafael, California
Toy Symphony is planning a YO-YO contest May 22nd. The details are still pending but will following the AYYA Tricks and Rules for 1999 and be a Sanctioned event. For more information contact Toy (415) 491-0302.
May 22nd 1999 - DATE/LOCATION CHANGED - Martisville and Henry County Open Yo-Yo Tournament - Martinsville, Virginia
DATE AND LOCATION HAS CHANGED! The Martisville and Henry County Open Yo-Yo Tournament will be held on May 22nd at 10:00 am. It will be at the Liberty Fair Mall in Martinsville, VA. There will be
three divisions and two age groups. The prizes will be money. This is a non-profit event. It will follow the 1999 AYYA format and should be sanctioned soon. For more info Roby Farmer at Roby@digdat.com.
June 6th 1999 - Rocky Mountain Yo-Yo Championships - Denver, Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Yo-Yo Championships will take place on June 6, 1999 "National Yo-Yo Day" from 12:00 - 4:30 PM (sign in starts at 11 am). The event will be at the Wizard's Chest 230 Fillmore St., Cherry Creek North Denver, Colorado. Admission is free and open to everyone There will be 3 divisions and pros from several different companies. The prizes are described as "awesome prizes" which include many many different types of yo-yos, gift certificates to the store, a unicycle and pass to Six Flags Elitch Gardens (here in Denver) to mention a few. If anyone has questions, they can contact (303)321-4304 and ask for Jerry or Betty or contact John Gates at YO1998@aol.com.
June 19th 1999 - North West Regional YO-YO Championship - Washington State
"UPDATED CONTACT" The details are pending but Chris Barack is planning the North West Regional YO-YO Championships to be held in Washington State this year. Anyone wishing more information should contact Chris Barack at cbarack@nwlink.com.
July 10th 1999 - Pacific YO-YO Championships - AYYA SANCTIONED - Bakersfield, California
The City of Bakersfield Department of Recreation and Parks is holding the 1999 Pacific YO-YO Championships at the Silver Creek Community Center 7011 Harris Road, Bakersfield, California on July 10th 1999 starting at 9:00 am for Registration with contest starting at 10:00 am.
I have pre-sited the event venue and have to say that the facility is GREAT! The event will be held in a huge building that holds four Basketball Courts. Three of the walls are open to the outside yet there is a roof with lights (structure is made out of masonry bricks). The building was designed to "draft" so that it stays cool during the summer heat. The Community Center also has Basket Ball Courts, Disc Golf Course, Exercise Course, Horseshoe Pits, Playground Equipment, Beautiful Swimming Pool (1,000 yards from the YO-YO stage) and Tennis Courts.
This is going to be a really big event. The contest will be free for both spectators and competitors. The tricks and rules will follow the 1999 AYYA Tricks and Rules. The event is also SANCTIONED BY THE AYYA. The City has made arrangements for lodging at the Courtyard by Marriott for $54.00 per night (plus tax). You can call (800) 321-2211 for reservations and be sure to mention that you are with the Pacific YO-YO Championships for the special rate. It is possible that the Marriott can provide shuttle service to the event venue, check with the hotel for more information.
John Stangle (AYYA President) will be Announcing the contest. Paul Buethe (AYYA Board of Directors) is one of two Judges at the event. Prizes will be awarded. There will be food booths at the
event along with a beautiful park area for everyone's enjoyment. For more information contact the event location at (661) 326-3117 and they can send you a flyer in the mail.
July 10th 1999 - Family Museum YO-YO Contest - AYYA SANCTIONED - Bettendorf, Iowa
This event will be held at the Family Museum of Arts and Science 2900 Learning Center Campus Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa on July 10, 1999 from 10:00 AM - Noon and is AYYA SANCTIONED following the AYYA Tricks and Rules for 1999. There will be an entry Fee of $3/person by the event promoter. For more information e-mail BQuigley@bettendorf.lib.ia.us.
July 17th 1999 - Champion Spinners Yo-Yo Classic - Rochester Hills, Michigan
The Classic II will be held at Meadow Brook Village, July 17 1999. Novice divisions will begin at 10:00AM. A separate Invitational Freestyle event will begin at 4:00PM. Participation in compulsories is not necessary to compete in the Freestyle.
Substantial prize money will be offered in addition to trophies, yo-yo's, merchandise, etc. Also, throughout the day there will be many one trick contests on a separate stage. For example, yo-yo's might be awarded for most around the world, longest sleeper, anyone who can do 50 loops, anyone who can do Atom Bomb with a fixed axle yo-yo, etc.
This contest is open to all from novice to champion. Any yo-yo may be used. An added incentive is being offered by our major sponsor, BC Yo-Yo's / What's Next Mfg., Inc. - Anyone who wins any division with a fixed axle BC Yo-Yo will be awarded an SB2 in addition to the prize already offered. For more information contact the event promoter at Event Promoter or via their web site at www. home.earthlink.net/~walldon/index.html.
July 29th & 30th 1999 - International YO-YO Festival - Niagara Falls - New York
Dale Oliver, Fiend Magazine and the AYYA are planning the International YO-YO Championships at the annual International Jugglers Annual convention this year on July 29th 1999. The 1999 International Yo-Yo Festival will be held in historic Niagara Falls, New York. In fact, the falls will be within walking distance of the festivities. The Festival opens on Tuesday, July 27th, and runs through Saturday, July 31st.
If you are a yo-yo player, then you won't want to miss The 1999 International Yo-Yo Festival. The Festival will be a week-long gathering of top-level players, featuring performances, workshops, new
skills and techniques, collectible yo-yo swap meets, and culminating in a series of major competitions.
The International Yo-Yo Festival is held in conjunction with the International Juggler's Association Convention, marking the 8th year of cooperation and shared learning between the yo-yo and juggling communities. Last year several hundred players from four continents attended and competed, making that contest the largest international contest of its kind anywhere. This year will be even bigger.
The 1999 International Yo-Yo Festival will be held in historic Niagara Falls, New York. In fact, the falls will be within walking distance of the festivities. The Festival opens on Tuesday, July 27th, and runs through Saturday, July 31st.
If you're serious about yo-yo, you can't afford to miss this Festival. Make your reservations now and we'll see you in Niagara Falls!
Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28
Tuesday and Wednesday will feature workshops, top-spinning demonstrations, and a chance to catch up with your friends and trade new tricks.
Thursday 29
Thursday 11:30-5:30 will feature standard American Yo-Yo Association contests for various levels of compulsory tricks and one and two-handed freestyle.
Trading of yo-yos and yo-yo memorabilia will be hosted by Lucky Meisenheimer, author of Lucky's Collectors' Guide to 20th Century Yo-Yos.
Friday 30
Friday 1:30-5:30 will have an open freestyle competition (no compulsory tricks) and the team competitions.
Also planned for the Festival are the 2nd World Miniature Yo-Yo Contest (sponsored by Basic Fun, makers of the Duncan Yo-Yo key chains) and a wood-only, fixed-axle competition sponsored from (5:30-6pm on Friday) by What's Next (makers of BC and Tom Kuhn yo-yos). More great events are in the works.
How to attend:
The International Yo-Yo Festival is a part of the International Jugglers Festival (IJA). Registration is handled by the IJA. At the time of the printing of this flyer, admission prices, and the non-yoyoing schedule has not been released. For up to the minute information on this, please check out the IJA web site (www.juggle.org), the Fiend Magazine web site (www.fiendmagazine.com), or call Richard Dingman at 800-367-0160.
Where to stay Hotels:
The Clarion Hotel Niagara Falls, is conveniently connected to the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center (where everything is) and is a four minute walk to the falls. Rooms are available at a convention rate of $59.00 per night plus tax for single through quad occupancy. Reservations for this rate may be made by calling (716) 285-3361 before June 27th, 1999. Tell them you are with the International Juggling Association to get the group rate.
Other accommodations can be found through the Niagara County Development and Tourism organization (800) 338-7890. There is a KOA campground located seven miles from the site (716) 773-7583.
How to get there: Call Global Network Travel (800) 940-9292 and identify yourself as a yo-yoer or a juggler and receive a discount on US Airways flights.
International Airports: Buffalo International Airport is 30 minutes from the convention center. Pearson International Airport (Toronto) is 90 minutes away.
Shuttle service is available from the Buffalo airport baggage claim area, from ITA shuttle service (800) 551-9369. The shuttles cost $18 one way, or $31 round trip (subject to change) and are currently scheduled to leave at 9am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm.
Sponsors: What's Next (BC, Tom Kuhn yo-yos), Spintastics, Fiend magazine.
For more information e-mail Greg Cohen at greg@pd.net or Dale Oliver at yopro@aol.com.
August 20th-22nd 1999 - World YO-YO Championships, Honolulu, Hawaii
This is going to be one of the biggest USA YO-YO Events to ever happen! This event will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center 1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 (808) 943-3500.
Travel arrangements can be made through ITC Travel Sharon Lester at (800) 860-5364 or Fax (808) 599-4979.
This event has normally been held in conjunction with the International Jugglers Associations annual conference/ competition each year but will be moved this year. Dale Oliver (event Director) has
acquired the promotion services of HPK Marketing to make this event one of the biggest ever seen by the YO-YO Community anywhere!
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: The event will be held over several days August 20th through August 22nd. August 20th plans are to have a Welcome and Reception, YO-YO Trading and Manufacturer's Display.
August 21st (Saturday) there will be World Ranking (Ranking by Testing) with an expected participation of 2000 - 3000 people. There will also be a Precision Team Competition (4-5 members), a Mega Team Competition (10-12 members) and YO-YO Vendors.
On Sunday August 22nd there will be the Individual Competitions that include the Compulsories and Freestyle. There will also again be YO-YO Vendors from 8:00 am to 1:00 P.M. all followed by an Awards Banquet.
The events are listed as follows: ADVANCED DIVISION - Compulsory Tricks, SINGLE A DIVISION - Compulsory Tricks and 3 minute Freestyle, DOUBLE A DIVISION - Compulsory Tricks and 3 minute Freestyle, PRECISION TEAM DIVISION - 3 minute Freestyle, MEGA TEAM DIVISION - 3 minute Freestyle, WORLD RANKING - Where do you place?, WORLD RECORD BREAKING - Live official record breaking, NIGHT DEMONSTRATIONS - Demonstrations using glows, Mirage/Torch, individual team and Mega team, FUN EVENTS (May consist of:) - Relay, Rocket to the pocket, Most loops, Longest sleeper w/standard, Brain YO-YO.
For more information visit the HPK web site at HPK Web Site at www.hpkmarketing.com/events/world99_main.html or e-mail them at info@hpkmarketing.com or the Event Director at Dale Oliver at yopro@aol.com.
October 30th 1999 - Southern California Regional YO-YO Competition - Morro Bay, California
The sky's the limit toy shop, will be hosting the So. Cal. regional on October 30th. 1999. There will be the following division: beginner 12 and under, beginner 13 and up, novice, intermediate, advanced and expert levels.
For more info. (i.e. prizes, trick list, location, etc.) contact Ellison Westling or Ted Shaw at (805) 772-3915. The event promoter is not expecting the biggest turn out, but it will be a lot fun in sunny Morro bay. This event will be held outdoors at the Marina Square mall, at 601 Embarcadero, in front of the Blue Skyy cafe.
My Yo-ography & A Short History of Duncan Yo-Yo Contests in California
Circa 1950
By: Bill deBoisblanc - AYYA Board Member
I was born in Chicago in 1940, along with my fraternal twin brother Bob. I still remember, almost 50 years later, being fascinated with my first yo-yo at age seven or eight, a black and red Duncan beginner Model 44 (or was it the smaller Model 33?). I don't think Bob remembers his identical toy. After moving to Southern California in 1950, I really got hooked on yo-yoing in the spring of 1951 when the first of six "yo-yo seasons" arrived. Bob, was not too shabby a yo-yo player in his own right. In fact, losing to him in one of my first contests, coupled with the fierce competition that often develops between twins, drove me to practice the yo-yo intensely at an early age. Although I loved football, basketball and baseball the anticipation of the arrival of yo-yo season was the most exciting and important event of the year for me; it clearly was the pinnacle. Each year as soon as the state championship contest was over, I would put the yo-yos down and not resume practicing for the next year's contests until late December or early January. Yo-yo season was over and it was time for baseball.
It is amazing what you take for granted as a child and what you perceive as the order of things. Spring wasn't just a time of the year, for me and thousands of other kids, it was yo-yo season plain and simple. Duncan would be back year after year, no doubt about it. I can't even imagine how I would have handled it if the demise of Duncan Yo Yo Company had happened during my glory years. But like all good things those days did end and it must have been a traumatic experience for the kids that had assumed, like I had, that these contests were part of Americana as much as baseball and apple pie.
The contest structure throughout California, organized by the late Bob Allen, was very extensive and had already become a long-standing annual tradition by the time I came on the scene. As best I can remember, a school champion would emerge after three or four weeks of preliminary contests. This would be happening concurrently at all the schools in every participating city throughout the state. The school champs would then vie for the city championship. City champions would then be eligible to compete in one of the eight District contests statewide. Up to 60 kids would qualify each year at these contests for the state championship. This unbelievable network of thousands of schools and playgrounds pushing Duncan Yo-Yos, was yet another example of the genius of Donald Duncan. This grand marketing ploy would result in the sales of millions of yo-yos annually just in California! Except for one occasion, I never saw a Duncan demonstrator at any of these school ground or city contests held in the suburbs. It was left to the after school playground directors, who often couldn't do the contest tricks, to run these contests using "contest kits" supplied by the Duncan Yo-Yo Company.
In 1952 when I was 11 years old, I won the Inglewood (a suburb of LA) city championship and a trip to the Los Angeles Area District Championship. At this contest, I got my first taste of the unbelievable level of yo-yoing required to qualify for the State championship. I had never seen two handed tricks or even the advance level one hand string tricks such as brain twister, man on the flying trapeze, double or nothing and other amazing variations. Although I was totally blown away, I was captivated forever and totally committed to mastering the extraordinary tricks I had just seen.
The next year I won the 1953 Monrovia (another suburb of LA) city championship and another trip to the District contest. This time I knew what it would take to be competitive and after what must have been hundreds of hours of serious practicing, I was ready. Without the aid of instructional videos or a mentor and using only my memory and the 1951 version of the Duncan trick book as a guide, I had learned all of the advance level one-hand tricks. In addition I could do a few two-handed loops and reasonable attempts at a number of other two hand tricks. I placed fourth, and along with the top eight finisher won a Schwinn three speed bike, valued at $90, and an airplane trip to the California Championships in Berkeley. I tied for third place that year and set my goal to win the State title before my eligibility was up. For the next two years, I qualified for the State championships, placing third again in San Diego in 1954 and second place in San Mateo (A suburb of San Francisco) in 1955. My prizes along the way included two more plane trips, another Schwinn bike for winning the District championship in 1954 and $250 for the second place finish in 1955.
For the record, I must let you know oh so how ever close I came to winning the California title in 1955. My downfall was due to a momentary loss of concentration and not due to a lack of skill. Half way through the two hand tricks we (about a dozen other kids where still in the hunt at this point in the competition) had to do 15 repetitions of milk-the-cow. Up to then we had been doing ten each of the other two hand tricks including loops, criss cross and ride the horse. I guess Mr. Allen felt that milk the cow was an easier trick, so he required fifteen not ten repetitions. Maybe I wasn't listening very closely, some say I still have this tendency, but I did ten of the best milk the cows you ever saw and deftly caught the yo-yo's in my sweaty palms. Immediately I knew, even before looking up at Mr. Allen, who was always the judge at the big show, that I had probably blown any chance of winning and achieving my goal to be State Champion. Because as I mentioned at the beginning of my story, and as the next chapter will attest to, the level of these competitions was truly incredible even by today's high standards.
Picture the scene. Year after year Duncan would bring together city champions from up and down the state for a great competition with incredible prizes at stake. Out of this elite group, a dozen or so kids ranging in age from 12 to 15 years, vying under the extreme pressure of the state championship tournament, would go perfect on the preliminary one hand tricks and advance to the finals which included the advanced level one hand tricks and all the two hand tricks. Of course all the other competitors were capable of doing the basic contest tricks in their sleep but some, including some of the best, had faltered under the intense pressure.
The California contest tradition had evolved over many years and had created an astounding pool of talent that was waiting each spring for yo-yo season to arrive. It seemed that these contests had been going on forever and ever (well at least twenty years or more) and would certainly never stop. Look at the fabulous prizes that were being offered, not to mention the prestige that went to all the champions. In the early 1950's, cash scholarships of $1000 for first place, $500 for second and $100 for third were being awarded. In 1996 dollars you would have to offer a prize of more than $10,000 to be equivalent to a $1000 in 1954.
In 1955 Duncan Yo-Yo company made perhaps a "politically correct", but more likely an economic decision, to split the boys and girls into separate contests. As luck would have it, that was the year I finished second so I won only $250 and not $500. Again Duncan had figured out a way to sell more yo-yos by encouraging more girls to compete. Perhaps in part due to this strategy a young girl from southern California by the name of Connie Scarlet, went on to become, in the opinion of some including Bob Allen who had crowned them all, the greatest California champion of all time. Considering that Dennis McBride was yet another of the great California champions and one of her contemporaries, she must have been an awesome talent. In later years, I was to find out that there were many other "hot beds" of yo-yoing through out the country. Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland to name a few, also were also producing incredible talents year after year until it all came to a crashing end in 1965.
My last year of eligibility was in 1956 when I had reached the ripe old age of 15. That year, as it turned out, was a disaster waiting to happen. For the last three years I had been competing with perhaps the best yo-yo player in the state just to win my city championship. His name was Ronny Young and he was a truly great technician of the art of yo-yoing. I had been really lucky to prevail the previous three years. Ronny actually won the city championship in 1955 but we both were allowed to go to the district contest, which I won, and where we both qualified for the state contest. Oh how I feared him and I think he did me but we both had nerves of steel back then and wouldn't let the fear show. When I look back, he was sort of a combination of some of the recent prodigies like Robert Litton, Mark Sitton, Paul Buethe and Alex Garcia.
The Monrovia City championships of 1956 turned out to be a two-day contest, not by design but necessity. The first day both Ronny and myself went perfect on 15 or so one hand tricks and all the two hand tricks in the old Duncan book of tricks. We had been required to do ten repetitions each of the two hand tricks, including punching bag/loops and loops with reach for the moon and we were both flawless. At this point in the competition the playground director was tired and had no idea how to break the tie so he decided that we would start all over after one day of rest. On the second day all was going well until the last of the one handed tricks, ten repetitions of reach for the moon.. To make a long story short, I missed he didn't and he went on to win the State championship that year. Although I did not achieve my goal of winning the California championship, I had the greatest time of my life trying and wouldn't trade the experiences I had during these glory years for anything. Clearly my overall skill level has improved significantly during the intervening 40 or so years. However, since returning to competition in recent years, I have yet to match the level of perfection I achieved in my last contest as a kid of 15 years of age, a losing effort at that.
After a hiatus of more than 37 years, I started competing again in 1993 at the first National Yo-Yo Championships held in Chico, California urged on by the likes of Dale Myrberg and others. Prior to 1993, the Chico contest was officially the California Yo-Yo Championships despite the fact that players were coming from all over the country. I finished third place behind runner-up Ben Serkin and the champion Ryan Carver having faltered on Triple or Nothing. Since then, I have gone on to win the last three national contests in Chico in 1994, 95 and 96. In addition, I have been fortunate enough to win three "World Championships" held at the International Jugglers Association's annual conventions in Burlington, Vermont in 1994, Las Vegas in 1995 and Pittsburgh in 1997. In 1996, I finished second in Rapid City, South Dakota to Dale Myrberg. Dale was clearly at his best that day soundly whipping the field to claim his long overdue title. In Las Vegas, the previous year, I had the honor to edge out Dale out for the coveted crown.
Joining Dale Oliver, Dale Myrberg and Dennis McBride in 1997, as one of the four National Yo-Yo Masters, was truly a great honor and one of the highlights of my yo-yo career. Just being a part of the incredible "Return of the Yo-Yo" during the last seven years has been too much fun. Let's all hope it continues forever as I always new it would since I was a kid back in the 50's. My hat is off to the manufactures that are producing incredible new products and to all the new talented players around the world who will continue to advance the "State of Yo."
"YO-YOPHOBIA"
By: John Stangle - AYYA President
Fredd Culbertson is the AYYA Web Master since the inception of the AYYA Web site. Fredd lives in Santa Rosa, Ca and works at the Willie Bird's Turkey Restaurant in Santa Rosa (that is where I caught the YO-YO virus).
Besides running the AYYA web site Fredd also maintains one of the largest "Phobia" lists in the World. Fredd just received a new Phobia suggestion and coincidentally is was YO-YO related:
"There is a yo-yophobia. You should add it to your list. It may not be documented but this friend of mine has it. Whenever I pull out my yo-yo he gets like this anxiety attack and tells me to put it away because someone might see it..." :)
You can visit the Phobia List at
www. sonic.net/~fredd/phobia1.html
CURRENT WORLD RECORDS
By: Lucky Meisenheimer, M.D. - History & Collectors Committee Chairman
Shoot the Moon 2 hand (fixed axle): 148 Dale Myrberg
Milk the Cow (fixed axle):
138 Dale Myrberg
Outside Loops two hand (fixed axle): 250 Dale Myrberg Whirlwind (fixed axle): 91 Dale Myrberg
Loops and Punching Bag (fixed axle): 87 Dale Myrberg One hand behind back loops (fixed axle): 159
Dale Myrberg Inside Loops two hand (fixed axle): 187
Ride the Horse (fixed axle): 110 Dale Myrberg
Punching Bag two hand (fixed axle): 9 Bill deBoisblanc
Longest Sleeper (fixed axle to extinction): 51 seconds by Dale Oliver in 1991 using an original Pro-Yo with a modified axle
Longest Sleeper (Transaxle to extinction): 7 minutes, 8 seconds by Hans Van Dan Elzen October 1998 using a Cold Fusion with no modifications
100-Meter Dash: 13.85 seconds by Taro Yamashita in August 1998 using a fixed axle yo-yo doing continuous loops
Highest Revolutions Per Minute: 14, 300 rpm by Dale Oliver in 1991 using a Tom Kuhn Silver Bullet II
Highest Altitude: by David Griggs in 1985, on the Space Shuttle Flight #51D
Longest Shoot the Moon: by Hans Van Dan Elzen with 12-foot string
Largest Workable Yo-yo: 10 feet 4 inches, 897 pounds made by students at Stockport College, England on August 1, 1993 using a 187 foot crane
Largest Yo-yo by Name Brand Manufacturer: 50 inches in height, 256 pounds by Tom Kuhn No-Jive Yo-yo
Most People Yo-yoing at One Time: (as an organized event) 630 people in 1991 at Marley Station in Glen Burnie, Maryland
Largest Reward: $10,000.00. In the 1970's, Linda Sengpiel offered $10,000.00 to anyone who could do her ten-trick routine...nobody collected.
Most Tricks Performed in 60 seconds: 34 by "Fast Eddy" McDonald of Toronto, Canada using a one-piece fixed axle yo-yo, with a return to hand after each trick.
Most Loops in One Hour: 8,437 by "Fast Eddy" McDonald of Toronto, Canada on July 14, 1990
Most Loops in Three Hours: 21, 663 by "Fast Eddy" McDonald of Toronto, Canada on October14, 1990
FLORENCE, Alabama
This club meets every-other Saturday at the Broadway recreation center in Florance Alabama @ 3:OO. Our name will be THE SHOALS SPINNERS. You can contact us at ESTANFI198@AOL.COM or 1-256-767-4839 fax 256-740-4142 or write to 213 Baker dr. Florence, Al. 35630.
CALIFORNIA
ALAMEDA, California
David Capurro, Matthew Kirkendall, and Cynthia "kiki" Petit are forming a Yo-Yo Club called the Spin Doctors in Alameda, Ca. When: Tuesdays at 3 PM and Thursdays at 2:30 PM near the Basketball Courts at Encinal High School in Alameda, CA. For more information call David Capurro at (510) 720-3784 or e-mail him at David Capurro for more info.
BAKERSFIELD, California
The Bakersfield Yo-Yo Club Activities include Yo-Yo demonstrations, tips, instructions, games, contests; as well as help with preparations for major contest routines, showmanship, and much more.
The club will meet from 2:30 to 4:30pm on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month at the Greenacres Community Center located at 2014 Calloway Drive in Bakersfield, CA. Any one who wants to Yo-For-It*, With or without a Yo-Yo; Including: 1997 Masters Class World Champion and 1997 California State Champion Jason Tracy.
* Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult! Our purpose is to involve Bakersfield area youth and adults alike in a positive activity while promoting the art and sport of Yo-yoing; not to mention just a having a good time. For more information call Blake at: (805) 392-0978 or visit our web site at www.btownhomepage.com/yoyo
LONG BEACH, California The Los Alamitos YO-YO Club meets in the Long Beach area every Friday at lunch. For more information e-mail Noah.
LOS OSOS, California
SLO Spinners Club. This is an instructional club for teaching everyone from beginners to advance players. We are currently located in Los Osos, California. We meet every Tuesday at 2:00pm. This is a club mainly for having some fun with your yo-yo and learning how to master it. For more information on the SLO Spinners Club please contact "The Sky's The Limit" kite shop at (805)772-3915.
NAPA, California
The BGC Yo-Yo X-Treme Team Club meets every Wednesday usually from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (The club meet is always extended for devoted players). The location of the club meetings is at the Napa Valley Boys and Girls Club (BGC) at 2310 First St off Monroe St. East corner of Nevada and Rio Grande. Come join us with all the fun! For more information contact BGC YO-YO Club at (707) 255-8866 or Rubin Reyes via e-mail or call him at (707) 224-1316.
PALO ALTO, California
We meet the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at the Ventura activities center in Palo Alto. We have been averaging about 20-25 kids each time. I was also hoping that you could come down and check us out! For more information contact Dave Bazan at (650) 906-8377 or e-mail him at Dave Bazan.
SACRAMENTO, California
The name of this club is the Wizards of YO! Cool Name. They meet in the Sacramento area. For more information call David Harris at (916) 363- 2650.
SAN FRANCISCO & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, California
Dale Oliver ("YO-PRO") lives in this area and is interested in starting a YO-YO Club. For more information contact Dale at yopro@aol.com
CANADA
MONTREAL, Canada
The MONTREAL YOYO CLUB is located in the province of Quebec, Canada more
exactly in Montreal City. They meet every Sunday between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM at the foot of the Mount-Royal Mountain also known for the locals as the "TAM TAM". There is no cost to join us and all style of yo-yos (Fixed or Transaxle) are welcome. For more information people can contact Justin Adam at 514-948-4534 or e-mail at Joseph Dalkiel.
COLORADO
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado
Yo-Yo instructor Danny Addie has started a new club called the Spin Wizards Yo-Yo Club The club will be meeting every Saturday starting 11/21/98 at 2:30 P.M. at the Colorado Springs Police Operations Center Community Room, 705 S. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. There will be a Registration Fee: $5 for: youth ages 8-15. Anyone needing more information contact Danny Addie at 719-574-7609 or Chris Brownlow at 719-578-6757. This club is Sponsored by: Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation.
DELAWARE
Bear, Delaware
The "I Qubed's" YO-YO club is meeting twice a month at I Qubed, Fox Run Shopping Center, 140 Fox Hunt Drive, Bear, DE 19701. The club has been set up to foster each member's enjoyment and skill of the YO-YO Sport. All members are eligible to be part of "Team I Qubed's performing group" and receive automatic entry into Yo-Fest 99. For more information contact Jim Feeney. Anyone can get information on the club by calling: (302) 832-9409.
Florida
BRANDON, Florida
Brandon Pro Spinners. We meet every Friday night from 8-10pm at the Brandon
Recreation Center-Sadie Park, Brandon Florida. The club is free of charge and open to people of all ages. For more information, contact David Brunner at 813-671-8640 or email David Brunner
TALLAHASSEE, Florida
This is a club coordinated by Infinite Illusions. They have regularly scheduled clinics and contests. For more information you can call (904) 385-6463 or e-mail Greg Cohen
GEORGIA
Atlanta, Georgia
This club is called YO Atlanta. It is being held the 3rd Saturday of each month. Currently they are meeting at the Five Forks Trickum Library (Forks Trickum Road and Ronald Regan Parkway) in Atlanta, Georgia. They meet from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Young and old are invited.
"We just hang around for a while playing and talking. Then we do a demonstration of the basic tricks used for contests. We then try and break up into small groups, and work with the members and help them perfect tricks and learn new ones." Sometimes they have video available and have been fortunate to have some prizes donated for drawings. The youngest member is 4 years old and the oldest won't tell. The club is FREE. For more information contact Bob Rule or David Devlin
HAWAII
Hilo, Hawaii
We have a club in Hilo, Hawaii. It is called Pro Spinners Hilo. We meet at KTA Super Stores Puainako every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in conference room A. We get choke kids and have "full on" fun. My name is David Stringfinger Sellars. David
KANSAS
LENEXA, Kansas
Wind Wizards Pro Spinner Club meets on Tuesday and Friday's 5:00 to 6:45pm 913-894-KITE 12944 W. 87th Street. Everyone is welcome and we have a dedicated yo-yo building where we teach yo-yo tricks for FREE!
ILLINOIS
MONTICELLO, Illinois
Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The GSLIS YO-YO Club was formed with 5 Yo-Yos and a dream on July 16, 1995 at Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois. The GSLIS YO-YO Club is open to any library science student interested in the theory and practice of yo-yoing. Prospective members do not need to know how to yo-yo. All that is needed is the desire to learn.
PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Illinois
Barry North's YO-YO Club meets the first and third Tuesdays each month from 7:30 9:00pm at the Prospect Park Park District. Call Barry at (847) 392-0884 for more information.
INDIANA
BEDFORD, Indiana
The Stone City String Breakers meet every other Saturday at the Stone City Mall in Bedford, Indiana beginning at 3:30 and ending when the last dog is walked or the new moon is shot. The 4:00 "Sleep War" is held during each meeting with a prize going to the winner. The club is free for anyone with a string and a disc. Contact Mitch Sanders at 812-275-3412 or e-mail at Mitch for more information or just to say yo!
KENTUCKY
LEXINGTON, Kentucky
The Bluegrass Yo-Yo Club meets the last Sunday of the month from 2-4 P.M. at different library locations in Lexington. Membership is free and everyone is welcome with or without yo-yo. As of April '99 we have 122 members!. Contact Bill Mahan at 1-888-SAY-YOYO (Toll-Free) or e-mail at Bill for more information!
MASSACHUSETTS
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts
This is a new club just forming. There will be both YO-YOing and Juggling when this club meets. For more information contact Shawn Fumo at (413) 732-9008 or send him e-mail at Shawn Fumo
SWANSEA, Massachusetts
Funz-A-Poppin'! toy store sponsors a weekly yo-yo school. It is held every Saturday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at at 147 Swansea Mall Drive, Swansea, MA 02777. There is no admission fee or registration required. Our goal is to enhance the awareness and interest in yo-ing as a sport by teaching those who attend any and all tricks they want to learn. When we first began we had yo-yo professional Chris Ciosek leading the class each week. Since his yo-yo is really taking him around the world, we have developed a strong core of about 25 kids who share advanced skills with each other and teach beginning skills to newcomers. For more information contact Lisa at (508) 675-5511 or send her e-mail at Funz-A-Poppin'!
MINNESOTA
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota
This is the location of the Twin City Spinners YO-YO Club. Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area. Twin Cities Spinners Yo-Yo Club meets the first Sunday of every month barring a holiday...call for details. For location and information, contact Mike or Mari McCabe at (612) 929-0610 or email at MCCAB001@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU
BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota
Free Yo-Yo Club held Tuesdays 6-8 PM at Air Traffic Kites and Games in the Mall of America. Club includes the Pro-Spinner Club, 6pm-8pm, FREE, learn tricks and earn free prizes Held at Air Traffic Kites and Games. For more information contact 858-9599.
BURNSVILLE, Minnesota
Free Yo-Yo Club held Wednesday 6-8 PM at the A.T. Juggling Academy. Club includes the Pro-Spinner Club, FREE, learn tricks and earn free prizes Held at Air Traffic Kites and Games. For more information contact 895-5540.
ROSEVILLE, Minnesota
Free Yo-Yo Club held Mondays 6-8 PM at Air Traffic Kites and Games in the Roseville Mall. Club includes the Pro-Spinner Club, FREE, learn tricks and earn free prizes Held at Air Traffic Kites and Games. For more information contact 631-3150.
EDINA, Minnesota
Free Yo-Yo Club held Mondays 6-8 PM at Air Traffic Kites and Games in the Southdale Mall. Club includes the Pro-Spinner Club, FREE, learn tricks and earn free prizes Held at Air Traffic Kites and Games. For more information contact 928-8010.
MISSOURI
KANSAS CITY, Missouri
Wind Wizards Pro Spinner Club 6202 NW Barry Rd 816-746-1197 Every Wednesday and Thursday evening 5-6:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome and we have a dedicated yo-yo building where we teach yo-yo tricks for FREE!
Wind Wizards Pro Spinner Club 307 Main Street 816-472-KITE Meets every Monday evening at 5:00pm
ST. LOUIS, Missour
Wind Wizards Pro Spinner Club Crestwood Plaza Mall 314-918-TOYS Meets every Wednesday night at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome and we teach yo-yo tricks for FREE!
NEBRASKA
LINCOLN, Nebraska
HobbyTown USA YO-YO Club. There is a new YO-YO Club in Lincoln! The Lincoln, NE, HobbyTown USA Yo-Yo Club with instruction by master yo-yo player Tom Gates meets Thursdays from 4:30-6:00 at HobbyTown USA, Eastpark Plaza, 220 N. 66th Street, Lincoln, NE 68505. Contact: Chris Smith (402) 434-5056.. Please contact Mike Koehn at HobbyTown USA for further information.
NEVADA
RENO/SPARKS, Nevada
Northern Nevada Yo-Yo Club. The NNYC is currently on a seasonal hiatus, but will be hosting regular meetings soon. Please contact Chuck Short clsyoyo@concentric.net for further information.
"Club Yo-Go". This is an unknown club but has been holding it's meetings every Friday night at Sparks Car Wash but as of October 10th, the meetings will be held at Park Lane Mall, 310 E. Plumb, Reno (corner of Plumb and Virginia). Park Lane Mall is allowing us to have our meetings in a vacant store area which is located next to my "Yo-Go" cart - near Gottchalks. We also have been given permission to use the two window areas to use for displays, so one will be used for our "Wall of Fame" and the other to display yo-yo's and information on events, etc.
We are working on the local contest to be held October 17th at Park Lane Mall and the Nevada State Contest to be held October 24th, also at Park Lane Mall, our meetings will not be held on those dates but plan to start again November 7th. For more information contact Jeannie Ellis or call (702) 828-1945!
NEW YORK
BRONXVILLE, New York
Todd Depole is interested in starting a YO-YO Club. Anyone that is interested should please contact Todd at (914) 337-8145.
TENNESSEE
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee
"Extreme Yo-yo Club" and we meet every 1st and 3rd Sat. (Subject to change)We are located in Chattanooga TN. at Northgate mall our phone # is (423) 877-9885 and or fax # is (423)877-9820. Our mission we have none but to have fun and meet new people we MIGHT be having contests ect... but for now we are just doing demonstrations and meetings. you can visit our page @ our web page or e-mail the leader at: Extreme YO-YO Club
TEXAS
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
The Lone Star Spinners Yo-Yo Club meets at least monthly in the Grapevine/ Flower Mound area of DFW. If you are a yo-yo player, wanna-be, or just love to yo, call Val Krantz at 817-318-7746.
UTAH
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah
This is the New "Club YO" and they have their own web page at Club YO. Anyone that is interested should visit their web site link above or call them at (801) 908-0763.
VERMONT
ST. ALBANS, Vermont
This clubs meetings are on Monday nights and it is held at the Armory on main St. in Saint Albans also the time is 6:30 PM. For more information contact the Jenn's Saints YO-YO club at yoyorjb@together.net or visit their web site at http://www.jenniferbaybrook.com.
FRANKLIN, Vermont
This clubs meetings are on Tuesday night at 6:30 PM in the elementary school, for the next 10 weeks For more information contact the Jenn's Saints YO-YO club at yoyorjb@together.net or visit their web site at http://www.jenniferbaybrook.com.
WINOOSKIE, Vermont
This club meets in Winooskie Vt. at their elementary school and have been there all year and that will continue till end of school year they are all under Jenn's Saints YO-YO club. For more information contact the Jenn's Saints YO-YO club at yoyorjb@together.net or visit their web site at http://www.jenniferbaybrook.com.
VIRGINIA
SPRINGFIELD, Virginia
YO-YO Share, Show and Practice meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9:00pm in the Fellowship Hall of Grace Presbyterian Church at Grace and Bath Streets. For more information you can call (703) 451-3439 or e-mail Dick Stohr
WASHINGTON
GIG HARBOR, Washington
This is the Puget Sound YO-YO Club. Chris Arena has information about this club and future meetings. Write at 14117 57th Avenue NW., Gig Harbor, Washington 98332. You can call Chris at (206) 851-5753 or e-mail Chris Arena
HOUSTON YO-YO CONTEST
Location was The Woodlands Mall, The Woodlands, Texas (Houston area) at 3:00p.m. Sponsored by Igor's Dugout and Spintastics Skill Toys, Inc. Judged by Dale Oliver and Valerie Krantz.
The Houston Yo-Yo Contest sponsored by Spintastics and held in conjunction with Igor's Dugout in The Woodlands, Texas was a great success. 45 contestants from the Houston area competed. The results were as follows:
Beginner - 9 & Under
PIKES PEAK REGIONAL YO-YO CHAMPIONSHI
1998 1st Annual Pike Peak Regional Yo-Yo Championship. This was held on Saturday Dec. 12th from 8am to 1pm. The event was not sanctioned by the AYYA but used 1998 AYYA tricks and rules with the exception of Transaxles being allowed. The judges were Don Markworth and Danny Addie. All who entered were given wooden yo-yos and a 5 pack of yo-yo strings from Don and Danny. Prizes included plaques for 1st place, and ribbons for 2nd and 3rd. All were also given 10% off coupons for all yo-yos and supplies from Colorado Kite & Ski which was very generous and much appreciated by all who were in attendance.
Many thanks to all sponsors. Sponsors were Colorado Kite & Ski, Don Markworth, Colorado Springs Parks and Rec. Dept., Chris Brownlow, Spin Wizards Yo-Yo Club, Danny Addie.
Danny Addie said; "I would expect that all the gracious sponsors will continue the State of Yo and hold more events down the road with bigger and better and cash prizes." The event was held in a building next to Colorado Kite & Ski. About 80 people attended, with over 60 competitors. Free pizza and sodas were also furnished by Colorado Kite & Ski. All sponsors are now planning the 1999 1st Annual Colorado State Yo-Yo Championship to be held in mid 1999. Everyone enjoyed the State of Yo!
Beginner Division:
SPIN CITY II YO-YO COMPETITION
Dallas, Texas/ Spin City II Yo-Yo Competition was held 12/19/98 at Spin City II in the Valley View Mall. There were 45 contestants that entered the contest. The event was Judged by Valerie Krantz, Sponsored by Spintastics Skill Toys, Inc. and Spin City II, Dallas Texas. The results are as follows:
Beginner Division - 9 & under:
"YO to All"
By: Jim Johnson - Board of Directors
Mark Mcbride's Velvet Rolls (2-handed string trick invented somewhere around 10/1998) is now online and described in picture and video (as well as in the last issue of Fiend Magazine). The online address is: www.yoyoing.com/kwos/onstring/onstringvelvetrolls.html
Y'all probably already know this, but the next three months have plenty of new yo-yos coming out.
Custom Yo-Yo will have the Chain Reactor (shipped 4/1) which will be a 1.98" diameter modified design ball-bearing aluminum. They have also introduced their Performance Ring system kinda like the Playmaxx Brake Pads.
Spintastics is releasing their Tornado 2 with metal speed rings like the Tiger Shark. All of the Spintastics YO-YO's now have the Starburst (no more disc). Spintastics is also releasing their Wizard auto return metal bearing YO-YO and the Sidewinder Spin Top with Spinology instruction video.
Playmaxx's ProFire, a brass sliding Transaxle, will ship to stores in the 2nd week of April. Dave already has them online or $10. They have break pads and the brass sleeve and is supposedly better than a Fireball. Tom Van Dan Elzen of Playmaxx has gotten 38 seconds of sleep, but I assume that 1 min is possible since I just got 42 seconds this morning on the not-too-well-designed Duncan TransAxtion (I have also gotten 41 sec on a Fireball).
Playmaxx will also have a Vid-e-yo ProYo coming soon. It will be around $20 and have all 4 axle systems (wood, brass fixed axle, brass ProFire sleeve, and ball bearing). Each yo-yo will have side plates showing directions for 1 of 12 tricks (hence the name). The Vid-e-yo will come in a box like Bees have; Bees will now have hang card packaging.
Team Losi will have a new yo-yo "in a month or so." Steve Brown is yet to release any other details. Steve Brown is not too specific, but both will be more durable, causing less starburst wear. Replacement halves for TLs will be sold soon for $2-3. One of the new ones will be nearly indestructible, he claims, due to a special finish. Not exactly sure what that means but I would assume it has something to do with a stronger plastic.
Super Yo will have 2 new yo-yos: a ball bearing version of the Triple Play and a butterfly Sonic Spin 2. The first will be configurable in 3 shapes like the Triple Play or a No Jive 3 in 1. The second will be a butterfly version of the current SSII. Both will have an adjustable gap. The company is also fixing packaging.
Henry's has 5 new yo-yos coming soon as well as an axle kit: The Lizard will be $15, have plastic halves with rubber rings on the rims, and have a synthetic sliding Transaxle (like Fireball). The Cobra is a less expensive Viper. The new design will have the sliding Transaxle and plastic hubs. It will be about $25. The Viper will be $45. It will be the same as it is now except it will fit all 4 axles. The Tiger Snake will be a modified shape, have plastic hubs, and a sliding Transaxle. Halves will be rubber. It is designed to loop and regenerate well. About $25. The Coral Snake ($60) will be a better Tiger Snake with aluminum instead of plastic hubs and a ball bearing.
The axle kit will have 4 axles and a tool to unscrew the axle. About $8-$13. The axle styles are the Shockhead is a fixed wood axle. The WooDoo is a sliding wood Transaxle. The Slider is a sliding synthetic Transaxle and the Speed Racer is a ball bearing.
The current Vipers may be upgradeable to fit new axles (not decided yet). However, an upgrade kit would be about the full yo-yo's price since it would have everything but the rubber halves. Happy YO-ing.
YO-YOS IN THE MEDIA
By: Chuck Short - Board of Directors
Hollywood has not ignored the yo-yo. There has yet to be an epic adventure where the main character saves the universe with his Duncan, but there have been several passing references or scenes featuring yo-yos on television and in movies, and they have been documented in song several times.
My phone began ringing off the hook when Jerry turned to George one Thursday and said "I'm thinking about getting a yo-yo" to which George replied, "I can see that." The fact that the yo-yo had merited a mention on "the show about nothing" was a sure sign that it is recognized as an icon, a thread in the fabric of life on planet earth.
SECTION 1 YO-YOS ON TELEVISION
THE WALTONS
The yo-yo is part of American culture, and wholesome icon met wholesome icon on an episode of "The Waltons" ('The Secret" original air date 1-08 -76) in which the traveling "yo-yo king"(Eddie Reider) came to Walton's Mountain, and Jim Bob entered and won the contest held at Godsey's general Store.
THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS
Of course, no article on yo-yoing on television would be complete without The Smothers Brothers, but Tom and Dick Smothers act didn't always include yo-yos. In the 60s they were hipper than you might think, and their cutting edge political humor made them American icons as well.
According to legend, a phone call from Richard Nixon to a CBS executive prompted the cancellation of the original "Smother Brothers Comedy Hour" in 1969. Tricky Dick didn't want to be made fun of every week on network TV. Even if this story isn't true, its cool, and the SmoBros are still pretty hip, and they have a done a great deal to add to the popularity of the yo-yo.
In 1988s revival of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" Tom became the "Yo-Yo Man" and began spreading the "state of yo" around the airwaves in a big way. A portion of each episode featured the Yo-Yo Man in various adventures. One segment featured Tommy as "double yo seven", an international yo-yo man of mystery, and veteran character actor Geoffrey Lewis as "Yofinger" who carried a giant pair of scissors with which to cut double yo sevens string.
Other Yo-Yo Man episodes featured comedian Paul Rodriquez and Yo-Yo Man's adventures in the "Bar-E-YO", a magic trick with then- popular magician Harry Blackstone Jr. and two of the most ambitious yo-yo scenes ever filmed, a yo-yo "hoe-down" featuring yo-yo greats Dr. Tom Kuhn, Daniel Volk, Harvey Lowe and Tommy , and a dance piece ala Broadway featuring Harvey Lowe as a yo-yoing cop on the beat and Dale Myrberg as a man on the street caught up in the state of yo. The Smothers Brothers still tour, and the Yo-Yo Man is still an integral part of their show.
THE SIMPSONS
The yo-yo truly found its finest half hour on television on The Simpsons, episode "Bart The Lover" (original air date 2-13-92). This episode featured The Twirl King Yo-Yo Champions, and their leader, Ted Carpenter. Gathered at an assembly, the kids at Springfield Elementary watch as Ted introduces Team Twirl King. MR. AMAZING! who does a flip and lands doing forward pass with six yo-yos, SPARKLE! a beautiful young blond woman that does loop-the loops with yo-yos attached to her ears, ZERO GRAVITY! He throws the yo-yo into a shoot the moon, but the yo-yo stops in mid air. and hovers. THE COBRA! he pops out of a wicker basket and shoots a yo-yo from his mouth.
The team solicits Principal Skinner to stand in the middle while they do loops around his head. One team member tells him, "don't move, you could get really hurt". After the team performs, yo-yo fever catches on in the school yard, and Bart is the star, the yo-yo fun ends when Bart smashes the class aquarium doing his new trick, "plucking the pickle".
There was also a small yo-yo appearance on the fourth Halloween show (Treehouse Of Horror IV original air date 10-30-95) in which the shadow of Montgomery Burns, as Dracula, is seen doing the gravity pull as it is cast on the wall.
KING OF THE HILL
Featured a yo-yo as a prop in a "husky boys" fashion show at Arlen Mall (Husky Bobby, original air date 11-9-97)
SOUTH PARK
Kenny is seen playing with a yo-yo right before he is killed on South Park. (Chef's Salty Chocolate Balls original air date 8-19-97)
RECESS
The Saturday morning show Recess featured an entire story devoted to the yo-yo ("Gertrude and the state of YO" original air date 10-31-98) in which the character of Gertrude seeks out the help of the "tickler" a yo-yo man from the "old days" who hold the secret to the long lost trick "the invisible man" (actually doing forward passes down at a pair of shoes, making them walk along in front of you). Gertrude triumphs after the tickler gives her his golden yo-yo, beating a spoiled showoff to win the "yo-yo expo" championships.
SEINFELD
The yo-yo made a return appearance on Seinfeld in "The Junior Mint" original air date 3-18-93. Jerry uses a blue Imperial to do some simple tricks, before he and Kramer accidentally drop a junior mint into a surgery patient.
KIDS IN THE HALL
In an episode of "the kids in the hall" the guy that crushes peoples heads (Mark Mckinney) is attacked by a gang of ruffians, one of which is playing with a yo-yo and is referred to as "the lanky yo-yo boy"
MUSIC VIDEOS/ MTV
MTV uses a segment bumper featuring an unwinding yo-yo once in a while, and there are some subtle appearances in music videos, including the go-gos "vacation", four- non- blondes "what's up?"
Of course, there is the less than subtle appearance of the yo-yo in the Clint Daniels video for his country song "When I Grow Up" featuring John "Pookie-YO" Stangle, Val Krantz, Joel and Ryan Zink and Dale Myrberg. Producer Steven Goldmann set out to make a video that would become known as "that yo-yo video" and the final product is just plain cool. Lots of yo-ing, lots of fun.
COMMERCIALS
There was the recent Sears commercial featuring a male model flicking a yo-yo at the camera, in a somewhat irresponsible manner, (even pretty boys need to practice yo-yo safety).
SECTION 2 MOVIES
Wrongfully Accused 1998 Warner Home Video Ryan (Leslie Neilsen) is suspended by a wire (ala Mission Impossible) and things begin to fall from his pocket threatening to set the security system off. One of those things is a yo-yo, and he deftly executes a Brain Twister and rock the baby before replacing it safely.
The Philadelphia Story (MGM 1940) Dinah, (Virginia Weidler) is seen playing with a yo-yo in a scene toward the beginning of the film.
Grease (Paramount 1978) As the Pink Ladies walk through the school yard, a guy can be seen playing with a yo-yo in the background.
True Stories (Warner Bros. 1986) The climax of the film is a talent show, and two of the contestants (Edward Kwan and Otis Gray) do a yo-yo act.
Dragnet (Universal 1987) Kip Striebeck (Tom Hanks) fumbles with a yo-yo by a fountain in one scene.
Speed Zone (Orion 1989) In this film, the Smothers Brothers play a pair race car drivers, and Tommy yo-yos in a couple of scenes. He does some neat loops out of a moving car in a scene toward the beginning of the film.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II The Secret Of The Ooze (New Line Cinema 1991) One of the turtles uses an oversized yo-yo (built by Brad Countryman for the film) to beat up some bad guys.
Child's Play 3 (Universal 1991) Chucky (Voiced by Brad Dourif) Chokes a guy with a yo-yo.
Kalifornia (Polygram1993) Early Grayce (Brad Pitt) gives his ditzy girlfriend Adele (Juliette Lewis) a yo-yo to keep her occupied. She plays with it throughout the film.
Goodburger (Nickelodeon films 1997) Dexter (Keenan Thompson) tells Ed (Kell Mitchell) about a light up yo-yo that his father gave him as a small child, Later on in the film Ed gives Dexter a yo-yo as a sign of friendship
Meet The Deedles (Buena Vista 1998) Two yo-yo scenes: Mr Nemo (Robert Englund) is golfing, when Mr Crabbe (Richard Lineback) interrupts his swing by throwing some gravity pulls and forward passes, in the middle of the film. Toward the end, Mr Crabbe attacks the Deedles (Steve Van Wormer, Paul Walker) with two yo-yos.
The Substitute 2 (Live Films 1998) Treat Williams as the substitute uses a neat metal yo-yo to illustrate some points about the state of the world, and then to drive home a point that a student should have brought enough for everyone when he uses it to shatter a Snapple bottle that the student holds in his hand.
Ernest Goes to Africa (Action Entertainment 1997) There's a mix up involving stolen diamonds which Ernest (Jim Varney) made into a yo-yo(again, made by Brad Countryman for the film) and gives it to his would be girlfriend, Rene. (Linda Kash) After the bad guys come looking for the stolen diamonds and kidnap Rene, all of her fantasies come true as Ernest has to go to Africa to rescue her. Possibly the best film ever made.
SECTION 3 YO-YO SONGS
Billy Idol: "Cradle of Love" (Greatest Hits) says "rock the cradle" at least.
Buck-o-nine: "I'm The Man" (twenty eight teeth and "The Big Hit" soundtrack) This song casually mentions "I gave you the yo-yo" for some peculiar reason.
Rick Cuhna: "Yo-Yo Man" A hard to find single from the 1970s, cute little country rock song about being on the road as a travelling yo-yo man. The Smothers Brothers also recorded a brief version of this song,
The "Dancin' Yo-Yo" is the Yo-Yo Man's theme Music and can be ordered at the Smothers Brothers web site www.smothersbrothers.com
44 hyper: "Warp Speed" a Japanese release featuring a song about THP's Alex Garcia
Joe Jackson: "I'm The Man" (I'm The Man) The original version of the cover tune by Buck-O-Nine
Kenichi Nakamura: "Yo Check" another Japanese song, about THP Japans Nakamura
Larry Gross: "Its Yo-Yo Time!" (Its Yo-Yo Time!) recording sold here, its neat. "It's Yo-Yo Time" Tape Dept. P.O. Box 1519 - WB Herndon, VA 20172 or at YoYoTime@aol.com Lots of people "Shoot the moon" or variations there of (lots of songs with this name) Including but not limited to: Moon Mullican: (22 greatest hits) Voodoo Glow Skulls: Shoot The Moon (Firme) and Lanzar Luna (Firme, spanish version) Tom Waits: I'll Shoot Moon ( Black Rider) Linda Davis: Shoot for the Moon (Shoot For The Moon) Judy Tzuke: Shoot the Moon (Shoot the Moon) Slovenly: We Shoot For The Moon ( We Shoot For The Moon)
Lots of people walk the dog or variations there of (lots of songs with this name, lots of recording of the same song by different artists) Ratt: Walkin' The Dog (Ratt) Rufus Thomas: Walkin' The Dog (Best Of Rufus Thomas) Phil Carmen: Walkin' The Dog ( Walkin' The Dog) Areosmith: Walkin' The Dog (MTV Unplugged) Reverend Gary Davis: Walkin' Dog Blues (Reverend Gary Davis) Laura Nyro: Walk The dog and Light The Light (Walk The Dog And Light The Light).
The Osmond Brothers: "Yo-Yo" (The Osmond Brothers Greatest Hits) A catchy little song by the kings of bubblegum pop in the sixties and seventies.
Mandario Music: "Yo-Yo Mania" A 5 track yo-yo music CD. It comes from a cool group from Austria who have been hanging with the likes of Harry Baier (creator of the Moonstar). Cool Caribbean beat. Available at Infinite Illusions www.yoyoguy.com.
Primus "Over The Falls" (The Brown Album) Neat song in my estimation. Has nothing to do with the yo-yo trick, near as I can tell its about going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, but its a neat song.
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca: "Mambo Yo Yo" (Mambo Yo Yo) Its got a beat and you can dance to it! Its highly likely that whatever this means in Spanish, it has nothing to do with a yo-yo, but it says "yo-yo" a whole bunch of times, so it counts.
Wham!: "Wake me up before you go-go" (If You Were There, The Best Of Wham!) Wake me up before you go-go! don't leave me hanging on the line to yo-yo! Wake me up before you go-go! don't want to miss it when you hit that high! (what's wrong with you people why am I the only one singing?)
Yo-Yo Honey: "YO-YO" (Voodo Soul) It's a song called yo-yo.
Yo-Yo: "You Cant play with my Yo-Yo" (Make Way For The Motherlode) A funky rap song by a funky rap artist.
SECTION FOUR VIDEO GAMES
GOONIES II (NES) A yo-yo can be found in this game.
COOL SPOT (Playstation) On the playstation version of "cool spot" the protagonist plays with a yo-yo at certain times during the course of the game.
CRASH BANDICOOT WARPED (PLAYSTATION) Crash whips out a big purple yo-yo if you let him stand there long enough. He can walk the dog, does a forward pass and around the world.
A GLOSSARY OF YO-YO TERMS
By: Greg Bachman
Yo-ology: The study of the physics and practice of yo-yoing.
Yo-operation: The practice of two or more yoists performing together.
Yoism: The religion of yo-yoing.
Yoat: Large yo-yo capable of floating on water and carrying one or more yoists merrily down the stream.
Yo-Yo-Yo Your Yoat: The nursery rhyme sung by the children of yoists.
Whatever yos your Yoat: Phrase meaning whatever makes you happy.
Yo-girl: Young woman addicted to yoing. Yo-boy: Same for male gender.
Yoman: Geezer (over 30) who is still addicted.
Yo-mamma: Referring to the mother of a yoist.
Yolasses: When the yo-yo string gets tangled and slows down the ascent and descent of the yo-yo spool.
Yokahama: Asian center for the study of yoism.
Yogurt: The natural food for healthy yoists.
Yoward: The direction one moves in when inspired by yoist principles.
Yolk: The innermost part of the yo-yo; the heart of the spin.
Yope: The holy leader of yoism.
Yoque: Humorous statement shared, often over the Internet from one yoist to another, providing insight into the meaning of life.
Yor: The past, the legacy of yoist heroics, as "in the days of...".
Yorpedo: When the weapon of the past is used to destroy the fun a yoist is having when they probably should be doing something else.
Yote Bag: A tote for carrying a yo-yo.
Yaut: The French school of fashion design, as in "yaut couture," that is the highest use of yo-yo-inspired apparel; often modeled by overzealously thin young female devotees of yoism to accompaniment of loud music and flashing cameras.
Kyo-Kyo: Korean car powered by a tightly wound set of four hi-tech yo-yos.
Myo: Sound made by cat that has converted to yoism.
Nyo: Word frequently uttered by two-year-old child of yoism.
Pyo: Exclamation uttered when nose of yoism encountered old yo-yo under pile of dirty clothes in teenage yoist's bedroom or dorm room.
Zyo: Where animal yoists live for the entertainment of yominoids.
Yominoid: The species of being that can think about yoing.
Yo-my: Explanation uttered when yo-yo accidentally smashes into glass window behind yoist.
Yocal: The space within the span from finger to whirling yo-yo.
Yobal: All the other space around the earth.
Yodal: The sound a yoist makes when harmonizing with the vibrations of a whirling yo-yo string.
Yoan: To borrow a yo-yo.
Yoan-shark: Person who allows you to borrow their yo-yo but wants it back plus your next month'' paycheck.
Yotation: The 360-degree movement around an axis of a yo-yo on a string.
Yosaphat: One of the ancient prophets of yoism.
Yovercoat: What a yoist wears in the rain or cold to allow for the continuing outdoor practice of yoist even during inclement weather.
Yost: The person who greets you and offers their hospitality.
Yola: Usually caffeinated and/or diet beverage that is consumed by yoists to feel refreshed.
Yosher: The dietary practices of yoists. Yoagulate: When two or more yoists tangle their strings.
Yoatia: Ancient nation founded for the practice of yoism.
Yo-Author: The ancient writer who, another with the other Author, penned the original scriptures of yoism.
Yobra: Either a venomous hooded snake or a support garment worn by Yo-Mammas.
Yocain: Drug used by those who want a fake experience without doing the real work of yoing.
Yoing: Understanding the truth by the practice of yoism.
Yode: Secret language through which yoists communicate.
Yoefficient: Number used to multiply the cost of a good yo-yo since you were a kid.
Yohesion: The ability of yoists to stick together when the yoing gets tough.
Yoffeur: Hairstyle of a yoist
Yofu: A product produced from yoy beans.
Yoincide: When two yo-yos try to fit into the same space.
Yoincidence: The aftermath of the above.
Yolaborate: When two yoists decide to perform together.
Yolage: An art form when one yo-yo is assembled from the parts of others.
Yolumbia: University for the study of yoism.
Yolassal: Term used to describe the largest of yo-yos.
Yome: City in Alaska noted for its population of fervid yoists.
Yofuscianism: Asian school of yoism.
Yoordinate: What two yoists must do to both get on an elevator at the same time.
Yo, Gotta Go: Said to bid farewell at the end of a list of half-funny definitions.
"YOers Forum"
Note: This is a place where we can post letters and e-mail's that the AYYA has received. If you have something you would like to see in the AYYA Newsletter please send it to the AYYA via e-mail using our web site. Thanks for all of your great letters and keep them coming. YOurs in YO! John Stangle - AYYA President
Last July I contacted you concerning a market sizes of yo-yo sales. My was to convince publishers that yo-yos are big business and that a market exists for "The Book of Yo" which I was writing. After we spoke, I was busy at my counseling job at school, then an opportunity came up.
The Smothers Brothers are going to performing with the Omaha Symphony on May 7,8, and 9. Because I am from Omaha and I decided to take advantage of the publicity and save a year of going through editorial boards, etc., I have published the book through Insight Presentations a company I operate. The paperbacks are being boxed this week and the hard backs are being bound in the next two weeks.
If anyone likes the Philosophy of Yo as spoken of by Tom and Dick Smothers and Tom Kuhn, this is going to blow them away. I have created an ancient Chinese philosopher Yo Tzu who wrote the philosophy which I have commented on throughout the book. I am going to follow this with another book I am working on now.
I had hoped to have the books in hand three weeks ago, but I went several extra rounds with the printer to make sure that everything was right. Now I appreciate those editorial boards a little bit more.
I want to rush the book ( 114 pg.) to you or whomever might review it for the next issue of Yo-Yo Times. Again I am sorry I am pushing the envelope here, but the printing schedule was pushed back three times. Will you please reply with appropriate person(s) to contact and their addresses?
Express Mail will deliver copies early next week. I also am interested in advertising in future issues and in making contacts with anyone I can to spread the positive qualities espoused by Yo Tzu and the book.
My web page www.bookofyo.com will be constructed shortly. Besides all of this I had to move last weekend. My new address and phone are listed below. Insight Presentations will soon get a phone number also. Lots happening. I hope success is flying with you too.
Thanks for your help and YO!
Neil Feser
NOTE: Anyone with information or interest should visit Neil's web site I have the book and it is real ZEN!. A must!
Dear Sirs: Requesting information on the YO-YO Association. I remember as a very young boy I came in either 2nd or 3rd at a YO-YO Contest at a theater in Chattanooga, TN. Where I grew up. I still have a YO-YO and I often get it out and do a few tricks, takes my mind off all my troubles. It makes me relax some. Some of the children in the neighborhood have started YO-YOing because of me. I will be age 60 the 26th of March. I still believe that the Duncan is a find YO-YO. The wood ones.
Fred H. Shelton
330 - 7th Street
Cairo, IL 62914-2002
NOTE: Thanks to Fred for the nice letter. We have sent him a copy of the AYYA Newsletter. YO FOR IT!
Richard Windsor wrote:
Hi There it had to happen we have finally started the British Yo-yo Association we being myself Richie Windsor along with my wife Jackie, Matt Woodruffe and Martin Burton.
I am the author of two books and long time yo-player, Jackie is the best best book keeper I know Matt Woodruffe Mc`d a lot of the comps that where held in the UK last year and is a great fund raiser whilst Martin has been collecting and playing for longer then is natural.
This is a step which none of us take lightly as we all want to see the art and sport of yo-yo live on in the UK.
As it would be obviously best to keep rules and regulations universal and I gather from a conversation I had with Dale Oliver at the UK nationals last year that the Japan YO-YO Association (JYYA) is playing by the same rules as you are and we think it only sensible to do the same and as such we would like to have your permission to use the same rules as you any other help and info you can offer would be most appreciated.
yours in yo - Richie
NOTE: Great news! I am very excited for your group and country. YO-YO's are really booming over there and we are glad someone stepped up to help them.
I do not see any reason why you could not use our Tricks and Rules and other guidelines to establish your Association. As you indicated the JYYA (Japan) did the same with some slight variations for their Countries traditions and laws. Thanks for asking!
I have sent a copy of this message to the AYYA Board so they too will be aware of your Association and will post your message in the AYYA May Newsletter.
Please keep us informed with your progress and we will do anything we can to help. John Stangle AYYA President
Chad Holland wrote:
Hi John, I got your address from a web site. Hope to see you soon at a contest or demonstration.
I am a father who has gotten back into yo-yoing when my son and daughter got interested. I want to get a good yo-yo for myself. Money is not a concern, performance is. Should I get one of the aluminum ones or are the roller bearing plastic ones just as good. I currently have a Turbo Bumble Bee and a Yomega Raider that I share with the kids. Do you use one yo-yo for sleep tricks and one for loop tricks or does one do it all?
What would you recommend? I would be grateful for any insights you might give.
Thanks a lot, Chad Holland
NOTE: Great letter. I will try to give you my personal opinion below:
First you do not have to get a $100-$150 YO-YO to have it work good and be able to do all the tricks. Our parents tell us that they used to pay .25 cents for an old wood Duncan that worked great. Wood Axles do work great but the new trend is leaning towards the Transaxle Ball Bearing, Adjustable Gap Spinning Machines.
The high dollar YO-YO's are more a scientific instrument that works like a YO-YO but is truly a precision gyroscope. Not for the young kids as they can break like any YO-YO. When they break you have high dollar repair cost. Don't get me wrong. The higher dollar YO-YO's are great and have lots of features and accessories. Some high dollar YO-YO's claim an incredible amount of spin time and are usually purchased as a Status Symbol by many. As a YO-YO Collector I probably have one of each of the current high dollar models in my collection or coming but sadly usually use my inexpensive plastics to YO-YO in stead. I just like them more because that is all I use. If it works don't fix it!
In my opinion there are several things you need to decide when choosing a YO-YO. The first is decide what kind of material you want the YO-YO made out of (i.e.: Wood, Metal or Plastic). Next decide what kind of axle system you want (Fixed {metal or wood}, Transaxle Sleeve or Metal Ball Bearing not forgetting some also have adjustable gaps). Last you need to consider your budget. You know what you would like to spend so with a slight variance either way that should point you right to the style of YO-YO/s you want and can afford. Last thing you may have to consider will be the shape. There is either a Standard Configuration or Butterfly Configuration. Both will do all the tricks but the Butterfly is much harder to loop with. However the Butterfly shape makes it much easier for string tricks. It's fun to have both styles available if you can afford it.
I use a $7 (Standard Configuration fixed wood axle) for almost all of my tricks and when I show off I use the $15 (Butterfly Shape w/metal ball bearing and rim weights). I have access to over 100 of the newest products and I choose to use the less expensive plastics. They are durable, spin long, are rim weighted, loop well (the Fixed Axle) and the parts are replaceable and cheap. Not to mention I like them.
All of the Tricks are built into the good YO-YO's. I would personally classify "Good" as a YO-YO selling for about $5 or more and made in the USA. Some imports are also good (and expensive) but watch the Asian imports as most of those are Novelty Birthday Party styles. Many of the imported styles are poor copies of existing US Models with potential patent and trademark violations. All you have to do with any YO-YO is practice, practice, practice! Even a novelty YO-YO can produce the ten basic tricks with lots of practice. If you practice with one YO-YO long enough you will get real good with that one. If you try the same tricks on another style YO-YO it may not work for you as well as it did using the first YO-YO. Hope that makes sense. Every YO-YO has it's own
personality.
Good luck on your next purchase and remember:
1. Don't over tighten because they can strip the threads or crack the plastic around the nut.
2. Transaxle's have small parts in them when you purchase the YO-YO. If they are missing you lost them.
3. The string will wear out in about 6 hours of beginner play. Get extra string. When you play with the YO-YO you are playing with the String. The String Is The Thing! John Stangle AYYA President
Dear Mr. Stangle, I would really like your feedback on the following information garnered from a small Canadian newspaper article that was published in December/98. " A TRUE world yo-yo championship competition requires entries from at least five different nations." "The reigning international champion remains undefeated." Could you please comment Mr. Stangle?
NOTE: This question has come up more and more since other manufacturers and promoters have started having more and more contests. Because this refers more to what has been done in the past I have referred the answer to Lucky Meisenheimer who is the Chairman of the Historical and Collectors Committee. This is his response:
"Many individuals since the 1930s have claimed the title national or world yo-yo champion. Most never competed in any tournament it was just a title that the yo-yo company that they worked for bestowed upon them. In the 1930s almost all of Duncan's yo-yo demonstrators were called world champions. If two were working the same area one would be the national champ and the other the world champ.
If tournaments were conducted they were usually sponsored by a particular company and there were often restrictions on who could enter and the brand of yo-yo used.
The American Yo-Yo Association is the only player oriented organization that does not have ties to any particular Yo-Yo company. We have standardized tricks and rules for running tournaments so that there is consistency in all areas of the country. We are considered the governing body for yo-yo competitions.
We have tracked AYYA world records and National and World Champions since 1993. Although others may claim National and World titles the only ones that we recognize are the ones listed by the AYYA. Plenty of individuals may claim titles but if the title is not an AYYA title it carries little clout in most players minds. Hope this helps
Lucky Meisenheimer, M.D.
Chairman AYYA Historical, Collecting and Records Committee
Hilka Hollmann wrote:
Hi John, thanks for your prompt reply (about the AYYA). Just for your information, I have found a UK magazine which is solely devoted to YO-YO called Free Spin. If you want to find out about it contact Yo International (overseas at) +44 1225 466 999.Thanks for your help. Best, Hilka
NOTE: Thanks for the information. I did call and ordered several copy's. They are great and lots of good photos. YOurs in YO! John Stangle - AYYA President
Dear AYYA:
Hello. My name is Ryan Haley. I am in the process of starting a YO-YO club in my school in Argyle, NY. I would like any information you can send me about your association. I need a person in my area to help our club as either as a coach or to put on a demonstration.
Please, also send me any forms that I can hand out at our first meeting. I really want this club to be professional and offer a lot of fun and information to all of us kids in Argyle. We would be the first Yo-Yo club in the area that I know of. Let me know if there are any other clubs in our area.
So Far I have made a flyer to pass around in school asking for a parent (with tricks) to supervise us. I read in a YO- YO book that you can tell us about good Yo-Yoers in our area that can help us.
Ryan Haley - 57 Main Street, Arglye, NY 12809
NOTE: The AYYA receives all kinds of letters like the one from Ryan above. We usually send them a free current issue of the AYYA newsletter which has clubs and contact information (which we did for Ryan). Thanks for your letter Ryan. Hope you enjoyed the newsletter and are a member of the AYYA. Also be sure to read the article by Valerie Krantz titled "YO-YO Clubs and Contests" in this edition. YOurs in YO! John Stangle - AYYA President
Dear AYYA:
I am writing to request any information or materials on yo-yos that could possibly assist me with my project on the physics of the yo-yo. In my project I plan to demonstrate that the way the yo-yo works is based on simple physics principles. Also, I plan to show how the different models of yo-yos perform differently, This project will be entered in the annual SciMaTech Science Fair, which is sponsored by the Endicott branch of International Business Machines (IBM), and will also be counted as a grade for my Advanced Placement Physics class.
Thank you for your time and effort in assisting me with my project.
Melissa Bielecki, 309 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, NY 13850
NOTE: We did send Melissa a December AYYA Newsletter. Anyone that could help please contact her at the above address.
Dear AYYA:
Please enroll my wife, Patricia, and me for a years membership including YO-YO Times. I am a player, collector and manufacturer.
In 1985 I designed and manufactured the original Silver Bullet for Tom Kuhn. My company was General Precision Mfg., Inc. GPM was purchased in 1988 by another manufacturer, at which time I founded Tec Solver. Among my prized possessions is a duplicate of the commemorative SB designed for NASA and personalized for CDMR. David Griggs. Tom personally delivered the SB to CMDR. Griggs and taught him a few basics to be performed in the shuttle.
Here's looking forward to a long membership. Cordially, Dan Jow, Tec Solver, 5646 Cold Water Drive, Castro Valley, CA 94552
NOTE: Nice to have you as a new member. Thanks for your support. Don "Captain-YO" Watson is also a member. You must have worked in conjunction with him in the design of the SB model. Nice YO-YO and glad to hear you are still in the State of YO! John Stangle - AYYA President
Dear AYYA:
I am writing this letter in hopes of getting some help in promoting Yo-ing in Georgia & perhaps even more of the southeast. I am in the process of building a web page to promote & sale Yo-yos, I intend to dive into this wholeheartedly. I was in the skateboard industry in the early 70's & this is the first time anything has struck me this hard since then. I not only retailed, but wholesaled & manufactured skateboards & parts that I sold worldwide. I even designed a wheel which the style is used to this day. I have got together some of my old employees & they are just as stoked (excited) as I am. They are ready to help me put together & conduct contests throughout the state & more if needed. I have searched to find a contest near here (metro Atlanta), to only find one in FLA & it has been canceled. I would appreciate any help, guidance, tools (Banners, etc.) that you might provide.
I have enclosed $20.00 toward (adult, sales) membership in the AYYA.
Thank you in advance for any & all help you may provide.
Mike Maloof, 632 Buddy West Road, Newnan, GA 30263
NOTE: Thanks for your letter Mike and your support of the AYYA. Sounds like you are just a big kid like me. I have published your letter in hopes that another member in your area could contact and see if they can help. Remember, "If you YO, They will come!" YOurs in YO! John Stangle - AYYA President
Dear AYYA:
Could you please tell me the brand and type of YO-YO used by Tommy Smothers and Daniel Volk on the "YO-YO Man" video? Also, what ever happened to Daniel Volk, the YO MASTER, after he made the video with Tommy Smothers? We never heard from him again.
Sincerely,
James D. Robinson, P.O. Box 12065, Winston-Salem, NC 27177-2065
NOTE: Tommy Smothers lives about 15 min. from my home in Sonoma County, CA. I believe the YO-YO he and Daniel were using was the Hummingbird Wood YO-YO the same one that was packaged with the YO-YO Man Video (now discontinued). Tommy also likes to use the original Playmaxx PRO-YO (riveted models). He had lots of those in his Wine Store in Kenwood, Ca. with his profile logo on them. The Wine Store is now changed hands, Daniel Volk has been auctioning off his YO-YO Collection and moved from San Francisco, Ca to Southern California. I am sure Daniel is still YO-YOing as once you are that good it is in your blood forever! John Stangle - AYYA President
Dear AYYA:
Hi my name is (received and summarized these from Ashley Mecanna, Jennifer Hodges, Matt Dobson & Amanda Houchen) and I am in Miss. Smiths 5th grade class and our group is doing a project on YO-YO's. I would like you to send me some stuff about YO-YO's. My group and I would really like that a lot. So please send us a YO-YO or something that would help us.
Berylwood Elementary School, Miss. Smiths 5th Grade Class, 2300 Heywood Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065
NOTE: Thanks for those nice letter kids. I am glad to hear that your class has found the State of YO. We sent two of the AYYA December Newsletters to your school. I think you will find some interesting articles there and then don't forget to check out our web site. There is lots of information there and the past issues of the AYYA Newsletters are a great resource. John Stangle - AYYA President
Dear AYYA:
I collect YO-YOs with these names on them from all over the World: Fanta, Sprite, Pepsi & Coca Cola. I have three hundred + in my collection and one hundred + to trade. Would you or any AYYA Members like to trade? I will take YO-YO Strings, Photos or YO-YO Pins or Posters for my YO-YOs or used phone cards.
Jack Parsons, 2 Kelly Street, Dinmore, Qld., Australia 4303
NOTE: Anyone that can help this person or is interested in trades please contact him. Thanks!
Help!!!!!
I am helping my daughter (3rd grade) write a report and enter a contest on yo-yos. I have found a lot of history, but no future technological info. Benefits yo-yos will bring to our society in the future. How the yo-yo benefits our technological society. Can you help?? Send me the right direction???
Thanks, Julie Sankowski
bne-qne@k-online.com
NOTE: Wow! Good question and idea/thought. I guess I have never really looked at the future society benefit of YO-YO play but it has to be positive. I have posted your message here in hopes that someone a little more creative could possibly answer your question.
Spinology Video
By: Bob Kennedy (SoCô¿ôL Bob)
In keeping with the growing State of Yo, Robert Kennedy Productions ( SoCô¿ôL Bob ), Spintastics Skill Toys, Inc., Dale Oliver, Val Krantz, Cliff Coleman, Herman Lau, and several young Yo-Yo and Spinning Top stars and future stars, have introduced Spinology, A Yo-Yo and Spinning Top Training Video.
There are many interesting and intriguing aspects to the introduction of this unique video:
1) It's length ... Spinology's actual running time is 1 hour and 15 minutes, and a few seconds.
2) The number of tricks .. Spinology provides specific instruction and reward, for 32 Yo-Yo tricks and 24 top tricks. However, if seeing is believing, the total footage actually features well over 100 tricks.
3) Entertaining and motivating videos ... throughout the video, Spinology features a moving audio soundtrack, and 8 or more specific music video features. The combination of music and demonstration is conveniently spaced so that the entire video provides the same kind of motivation that might be experienced when attending any high powered yo-yo event, especially if that event includes some high end free style.
4) The outtakes .. don't turn off Spinology once the credits have rolled. Some extremely funny outtakes are bound to put a smile on yo'er face, and leave it there every time you watch this video again. There's also one more awesome routine from former World Champion Dale Oliver.
5) The INTERNET .. Spinology may be historical in it's use of the INTERNET to supplement and add INTERACTIVITY to the video. Each of the 56 tricks is featured, with description and or Real Video on the INTERNET at:
www.spintastics.com/team
In addition to the demonstration and description of all the tricks, the Team Spintastics Awards Program encourages the development of additional skill by offering a FREE award patch to anyone completing the tricks ( with a Spintastics Yo-Yo or Top ). The Bulletin Board and Java Chat offer the opportunity to ASK questions, BRAG about achievement, or just simply make more friends by sharing stories and experiences in The State of Yo.
6) Watch or ASK for it on a cable station near you. Rumor has it that video came out SoCô¿ôL, that the producer and partners at Spintastics have decided to test it as an "INFOMERCIAL." You have to be careful when you use that word in the industry, says producer SoCô¿ôL Bob. To some that means a 28 and a half minute video format full of outrageous claims and hype. It would rather be Spintastics intention to present portions of the video as a SNEAK PREVIEW, without too many claims about its significance or it's retail price.
Pay attention State of Yo. All the participants in Spinology are convinced that this video can be, not only a great addition to yo'er library, and a lot of FUN, but can also help stimulate and promote the sport. Throughout , Spinology carries the consistent message that YOU can too ! Just Say Yô¿ô !!!
English No Longer The Universal Language
By: Paul Buethe - Board Member
It's official! (sorta) Undeniable proof! (kinda) The language of YO is the new universal language! (definitely)
Have you noticed there's a yo-yo boom going on? What makes it so big, though, is that it's no longer confined to the borders of the U.S.A.
As a THP member, I've had the good fortune of travel to several foreign lands, including Japan, Hong Kong, and France.
One of my favorite things about fellow yo-yoers is that there's such a strong connection through this toy. This shows with working with kids all over the world. Whatever preconceived notions we may have of the French, Japanese, etc., fuggeduhbowdit! These kids speak fluent YO! It makes it much easier to teach with such common ground and understanding. And, particularly in Japan, easier to learn!
It's amazing that with such cultural differences, the yo-yo has busted barriers and provided an instant bond with kids worldwide. Spin on!
Q: What do you call a person who can speak two languages?
A: Bilingual
Q: What do you call a person who can speak three or more languages?
A: Multilingual
Q: What do you call a person who speaks only one language?
A: American!
Check out our New AYYA Color Embroidered Products!
Proud to be an yo-yo enthusiast? Members and non-members can show off their enthusiasm of this great sport with AYYA logo apparel. All items are made in the USA by TYCA Products.
This is the AYYA logo as it will appear on your selections. This unique sculpturing system results in subtle tone on tone coloration. This extraordinary look is permanent in construction.
To see photos of the products visit the AYYA web site at:
http://ayya.pd.net/store
DENIM JACKETS
This popular styled oversized jacket is made from 14-1/2 oz. denim.
Small to Extra-Large - $56.95
XXL to 7X - $61.95
(Baseball Style Denim Jacket - Add $15.00 to above prices)
WESTERN VESTS
Snap closure with front chest pockets.
Small to Extra-Large - $46.95
XXL to 7X - $51.95
DENIM TOTE BAG
.......for all your "stuff"
Medium (18"L, 15"W) - $15.95
Large (21-1/2"L, 20"W) - $17.95
SUEDE BASEBALL STYLE JACKET
Lightweight pig suede with metal zipper and black trim. Polyester black lining. Colors Available: Black, Hunter Green, Rust, & Navy Blue
Small to Extra-Large - 109.95
XXL to XXXL - $ 129.95
For more information contact the AYYA's Licensed distributor:
EMAIL: wmmjr@lex.infi.net
(888) SAY-YOYO (888-729-9696)
FAX: (606) 272-8484
SNAIL MAIL: ATW Enterprises
3410 Spangler Drive, Suite 18
Lexington, KY 40517
All orders will be confirmed by the same method in which they were placed. If you wish telephone confirmation on snail mail orders, make sure your telephone number is on the order form.
AYYA BUSINESS SECTION
(This is the section of the AYYA Newsletter where the AYYA post business items specifically related to the daily functions of the AYYA.)
When are your Dues due?
By: John Stangle - AYYA President
The AYYA Secretary has been sending out notices to members who's dues are now due and who's membership status has been downgraded to an Associate (inactive) status.
1998 and prior your dues were always due on December 31st. Now in 1999 your dues will be due 12 months after receiving them. See the mailing label on your newsletter for the status of your dues.
If there is a question about when your dues are due you can e-mail me at yotopia@yotopia.com and I will let you know.
Current Treasurer stepping Down - Volunteer Needed
By: John Stangle - AYYA President
There are many hidden functions to an organization that most forget about including volunteers who get little recognition for their efforts. The one thing these volunteers do get is the personal joy and satisfaction of participating/helping in something you/they love. YO-YO's!
Mark Brataas (Current AYYA Treasurer) is just one of the those volunteers! Mark volunteered for his position when the AYYA was first being created by Dale Oliver in '93-'94 and is a Charter Member of the AYYA. Mark lives in Washington State and coordinates all of the AYYA Mail and Membership Applications/Dues almost since the beginning of the AYYA. Mark also monitors expenses, coordinates Federal and State Taxes including meeting the requirements of his position as described in the AYYA Bylaws and Directors Descriptions.
When Mark first raised his hand at the AYYA Board Meeting in Chico, Ca he had no idea where the AYYA would go. His responsibilities were minimal in '94 & '95, started getting a little busier in '96 & '97 but now in '99 Mark is becoming overwhelmed and "burnt out". Because of this Mark has elected to Step Down from the position of AYYA Treasurer and allow another enthusiastic member the chance to help the AYYA grow and prosper.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Mark (and his wife for supporting him) for all of the efforts and energy he has spent on the AYYA. Mark has done an outstanding job and has set the groundwork for future Treasurer's success. If you ever see or speak with Mark be sure to say THANKS!
Any Active Member of the AYYA that is interested in volunteering for the position of AYYA Treasurer should submit their name and contact phone number to any of the AYYA Directors or Officers via e-mail, phone or writing prior to May 15th. 1999. The Board of Directors will then elect a new Treasurer using those submitted names and as outlined in the AYYA Bylaws. This is your chance to help the AYYA and its Members. Submit your name right away!
Paul Buethe Steps Down
By: Paul Buethe - Board Member
Yo, all! While it's been a blast working with you in strengthening the AYYA, I feel I must step down as Board member. As a travelling yo-yo pro and father, I've found myself far short on time necessary to efficiently serve the AYYA.
I will keep my position on the Board until a replacement is found, and will continue to be as active as possible in this position. Of course, I will remain a member, and still be "active" after a replacement is found.
Thanks for a great run of fun, everyone! Spin on!
Paul William Buethe
Steve Brown Steps Up to Board Position
By: John Stangle - AYYA President
With Paul Buethe stepping down the Board of Directors has elected Mr. Steve Brown to fill that vacancy until elections in December 1999.
Steve Brown was on the December 1998 ballot and was the next person in line per the votes of the general membership. He was elected to the position with a majority vote of the AYYA Board as outlined in the AYYA Bylaws.
Steve's election to the Board position was announced at the Bay Area Classics in San Jose, CA on May 1st.
Steve is very excited about being part of the AYYA Board and will be bringing lots of energy and personality to the Board. We all look forward to working with him! Congratulations Steve.
Membership Processing taking 4-6 Weeks!
By: John Stangle - AYYA President
Many of you may recall waiting some time to get your membership packages. Sorry! Yes our system is somewhat flawed but it is also run by volunteers. In an effort to explain the turn around time I wanted to explain the path your application or dues must take.
Our mailing address is in Spanaway, Washington. Conveniently that is where the AYYA Treasurer lives. Mark Brataas (AYYA Treasurer) receives all the AYYA mail! He processes it by depositing the dues and entering that information into our Accounting Spreadsheet/s. If anyone over pays he cuts a refund check. Once that is completed Mark sends the entire package along with a copy of the Spreadsheet and any correspondence to me in Santa Rosa, California.
When I receive the package I enter the names off the Applications into the AYYA Membership roster (as soon as I can find the time as sometimes the package can include over 35 applications which can take half a day to do correctly). Your membership actually starts once I enter your name in the roster.
Once you are in the roster I generate the Custom Color membership cards. So that they will not fade overtime I get a color copy made in town and then laminate the clear cover on top and the card to the plastic backing. Once the contact cement is dry I cut each card out by hand. Once the cards are made processing the membership packages is fairly easy. I do have to get copy's of the current Bylaws, Tricks and Rules and Membership Applications then collate them and stuff the packages. Once that is done a current Newsletter is inserted.
Now I make mailing labels to reflect the membership dues date and the category you are registered to including name and address. Once those labels, return address labels and postage are affixed we add the membership card (or group of family cards) and the appropriate quantity of membership patch/s. Finally we seal the envelopes and mail the packages via First Class Mail or Air Mail for International members.
Once that is completed we process a revised Roster and forward the new members names that elected to include the YO-YO Times to the YO-YO Times with a check for the subscriptions.
Finally the last thing I do is go through the applications one more time and send a e-mail to anyone that listed theirs telling them that they are now Members of the AYYA and that the packages have been mailed.
In summary the total process usually takes about 4-6 weeks and a little longer during Christmas time as many people give memberships for presents. I do apologize for any delay in processing your applications, dues or correspondence and thank you for your understanding.
Stockton, CA contest "Not AYYA Sanctioned"
By: John Stangle - AYYA President
On April 24th there was a YO-YO Contest held in Stockton, CA. This event was advertised as an AYYA Sanctioned event prior to formal sanctioning. The event had not completed all the required procedures for Sanctioning and was "Not" AYYA Sanctioned. The AYYA takes this very seriously and is working diligently to prevent this in the future. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Board/Officer Policy In Effect
By: John Stangle - AYYA President
(The below represents a new policy implemented for the AYYA Board of Directors and it's Officers on March 23rd 1999.)
Director and Officer Descriptions for the American YO-YO Association, Inc.
Board of Directors and it's Officers for 1999 (effective 3/23/99 revised 5/3/99)
by: John Stangle - AYYA President
Description: The American YO-YO Association, Inc. (AYYA) has multiple issues and goals being discussed, prompted and suggested sometimes on a daily basis. In an effort to better address the ever increasing responsibilities that the AYYA is assuming, creating or continuing we need to break down and assign those responsibilities to each of the volunteers that reside on the Board of Directors and the Officers that assist them.
Purpose: To evenly assign the routine responsibilities of the AYYA to the Board of Directors and their Officers as agreed by the AYYA Board of Directors in January 1999.
Positions: The need for the following Directors has been identified and assigned as agreed by the AYYA Board of Directors in January 1999 or as dictated by the AYYA Bylaws 1/1/99:
John Stangle - President
Administration
Dick Stohr - Board Member
Advertising & Corporate Sponsorships/ Memberships
Lucky Meisenheimer - Board Member History and Collecting
Jim Johnson - Board Member
Memberships
Bill deBoisblanc - Board Member
Tricks, Rules and Sanctioning
Chuck Short - Board Member
Newsletter and Printed Material
Steve Brown - Board Member
AYYA Club Coordination (Elected 5/99)
Paul Buethe - Board Member
AYYA Club Coordination
(Stepped Down 5/99)
Val Krantz - Secretary
Maintain Administrative Records
Mark Brataas - Treasurer
Control AYYA Funds & IRS/Tax Req.
Fredd Culbertson - Web Master
Design & Maintenance of AYYA Web Site
Others: The AYYA may from time to time delegate the responsibilities of their position/s to other AYYA members that may be able to produce more detailed results or may be an expert in a specific area/issue. Board Members and Officers are highly encouraged to solicit help from other members of the AYYA as many members want to participate/help more with the regular routines and decisions of the AYYA. However if an AYYA Board Member or Officer does elect to delegate the responsibilities of their position/s to other AYYA members it is still the responsibility of that Board Member or Officer to coordinate the issue directly. In other words, If you assign a responsibility to someone else you are still responsible to the Board for that. Think of a flow chart: AYYA - top of chart - down to the Board of Directors and Officers - down to the delegated helpers - bottom of chart. The bottom of the chart should communicate their results to the Board Member or Officer that delegated them the responsibility then that Board Member or Officer should communicate that to the Board. (I highly suggest that we keep this "Chain" of communication with our delegates or we will become overwhelmed with discussions. We need to depend on the final results being submitted to the Board by a Board Member or Officer for review, vote and/or approval).
Responsibilities: All AYYA Board Members and Officers (except Web Master) are responsible to submit a minimum of one written article for each (3) of the AYYA Newsletters one month prior to the publish months of May, September and December (i.e. For the May Newsletter article must be submitted by April 1st or for September by August 1st ). Because of the wide variety of assigned Directors it is highly suggested that your article is directly related to your position but is not required to be (you could also always submit several articles :)).
All AYYA Board Members and Officers (including Web Master) are responsible to submit a quarterly report to the Board of Directors regarding their assigned responsibilities. These reports should include as a minimum an update on the status of their position's responsibilities and future goals for the next quarter. These reports will also be used in the AYYA Newsletters.
Detailed Responsibilities: The following represents an outline of some of the detailed responsibility's for each of the Directors in the AYYA:
John Stangle - President
Administration (Reference AYYA Bylaws Article VI paragraph 5).
Besides what the bylaws indicate as the responsibility for the AYYA President the AYYA President will maintain the AYYA Membership Roster, answer general questions that occur daily either by e-mail or phone communication, process new membership applications & sending new member/s complete membership package/s, to assist in the layout & printing and mailing of the AYYA Newsletters and/or Ballots and to coordinate implementation of issues approved through e-mail votes of the Board of Directors. It will also be the President's responsibility to assure that all of the Board of Directors and Officers fulfill their responsibility's as outlined in this document or the President should as a last resort make a motion to the Board of Directors to remove that member from the Board and replace them as dictated by the AYYA Bylaws.
1st Quarterly Report dated May 3, 1999: By: John Stangle - AYYA President
It is again going to be another exciting year for the AYYA. I have created this Directors Descriptions to help delegate some of the daily responsibilities I have been doing. This is sure to bring lots of new energy and interest. Second the Treasure Position is open for a new volunteer and Steve Brown has replace Paul Buethe. WOW! The Web site is going through revisions all the time and the membership is growing faster than I can track in my head.
I have been tracking issues being presented to the Board and assuring that the procedures of the AYYA are carried o