Leland,
"Here's your chance to start coming on Tuesday nights. We would love to have you involved in this tournament. Thanks... Gary"
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Gary:
Thanks for your personal invitation to participate at the QCCC. Considering the length of my response, please let me make this perfectly clear. This is in no way an attempt to prevent anyone from participating in your event(s).
As I am sure you are aware, the CCC will begin operating at it's new location, the Seafarer, on July 16! Some have suggested that it may be difficult to play chess 2 evenings in a row!? Since most of my illustrious chess career is behind me, I personally have little interest in becoming an FIDE rated player... That seems to be something that would hardly affect lower rated players and cater ONLY to a handfull of elite competitors?! (Maybe a limited "invitational" would have been a better idea!)  I recall from a conversation with you a few months ago that the Asian Library was only meant to be a "temporary" location for your club?! (You followed that with a "candid admission" which I shall not repeat here). So, I visited the already overly stocked Asian Library last week to see for myself. Considering that I still suffer from a back injury, I would find it very uncomfortable to be squeezed onto a 6 foot table with 3 other full size adults, and be required to sit on a "metal folding chair," parch mouthed for 3 hours, playing chess?! There was no food, no drinks nor snacks... there must have been a water fountain and a bathroom!? Furthermore, there was no room for a skittles area or for people to socialize and talk without going outside to a marginal neighborhood where security could become a problem. Let's face it, that location can only be considered "makeshift" at best. I will wait until you find a more appropriate venue to replace your current one; like the CCC did!! - I hated Wendy's more than anyone!?? The Seafarer, which may require 15 more minutes of driving time for some, is perfect for our purposes!!!
I will promise you "FREE ENTRY," Gary Newsom, if you, (and your wife), would join us at the Seafarer beginning Wednesday, July 16, enjoy a wonderful meal and participate in Seafarer I.
Keep up the good work.
Leland