We are 30 days out from the kickoff of North America's most appropriately named Diplomacy Tournament -- Weasel Moot III, along Chicago's lakefront. Rumor has that our Alpha Weasel, Nick Rohn, is deep into the second week of his South Beach Diet so that he will fit into his gown for the evening-wear competition.

The tournament committee is happy to report that we expect to have more traveling personalities attending this year's tournament than the last two years combined, with more and more far-flung individuals purchasing their tickets and planning their weekends. Of course, this may or may not include YOU yet, oh traveler or local personality, and we need to have you present in order for the weekend to be considered a success, so:

Get off your hind ends, put Weasel Moot III on your calendar, tell the significant other that they're watching the kids/dog/goldfish that weekend, buy a cheap flight or train ticket, and plan to be with us. No excuses -- it's time to push little wooden blocks around and pretend like it's life or death.

When: September 18-19, 2009.

Where: Day's Inn Chicago, 644 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60614. If you have never been to Chicago in early autumn, you are missing out.

What: A three-round Diplomacy tournament. Best two rounds count for score. It only takes one round to be eligible for awards. And the awards are HOT, and you will want them.

How much: $35 before the tournament, $40 at the door. ($20 for students and kids; $18 if they preregister. ) You may preregister through September 11 by PayPaling to wcwsneak at gmail dot com (NOTE: If you're a $25 paid-up member of the Weasels, we'll knock $5 off your registration fee. What a deal!)

Schedule:

Round 1 - Fri. Sept. 18
Registration: 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.
Board Call: 6:30 p.m.

Round 2 - Sat. Sept. 19
Registration: 9:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Board Call: 9:45 a.m.

Round 3 - Sat. Sept. 19
Registration: 5:15 to 5:45 p.m.
Board Call: 6 p.m.

The tournament will end at a predetermined time between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. A brief (but rousing) awards ceremony will follow within 15 minutes of the completion of the last game, so plan to stick around, booze, socialize and play other games if you're knocked out early.

Additionally, I am expecting to have many of the 62 scheduled college football games up on the big screen as we play on Saturday, so you won't be missing out.

Who's coming?

Sincerely,
Your Weasel Moot III Tournament Committee

Jeremiah Peterson, War Weasel
Jim O'Kelley, Prime Weasel
Kevin O'Kelly, Sub-Prime Weasel
Christopher M. Davis, Secretary
Christian MacDonald, Treasurer
Paul J. Pignotti, Chittering Weasel