John Gray passes away at 88

Long time runner and race walker John Gray passed away on January 10 at the age of 88. A member of the North Medford Club, John competed in the Boston Marathon 34 times with 6 top-35 place finishes. He finished 11th in the 1964 Olympic Trials marathon held in Yonkers NY. He was also an avid race walker, earning many New England championship and national age group medals and writing a book, "Racewalking for Fun and Fitness". A schoolteacher and coach in Massachusetts through much of his life, John closed his career on Cape Cod working as the sports editor of the Cape Codder in Orleans for twelve years.

John Gray is standing (left) next to Paul Schell in the 1993 photo above. Kneeling is Rick Bayko. It was the last time I saw John. Rest in Peace, old friend.



And here's a photo of John and I back in 1967. We are both standing. Gary O'Zias is in the photo with us.

October NWC online color edition

Cover: Steven Breckenridge; photo by Jeffrey Roland.

This was the third of my four issues as Editor.

October 2012 Northwest Chess

Summary: 48-page issue with Oregon Open report and games; Oregon Open Gallery of Past Champions; Additional U.S. Open Games and Photos; Washington News by Russell “Rusty” Miller; Emerald City Open report by Carol & Fred Kleist; Idaho News by Jeffrey Roland; Oregon News by Frank Niro; Book Review by IM John Donaldson and a Dr. Ralph Hall Memorial Northwest Grand Prix report by Murlin Varner.

Contents:

Steven Breckenridge photo credit: Jeffrey Roland..Cover
Northwest Chess Information Page......2
Contents, USPS Statement of Ownership......3
Six-Way Tie at 2012 Oregon Open.................4
Oregon Open Gallery of Past Champions........8-9
2012 Oregon Open crosstables.............11-12
30th Annual Sands Regency - Reno - Entry Form...13
Additional U.S. Open Games and Photos.....14
National Chess Day Events, October 13, 2012.....24
Washington Class Championships - Entry Form.....25
Washington News by Russell “Rusty” Miller.........26
Emerald City Open by Carol & Fred Kleist.....29
Oregon News by Frank Niro..................35
Washington Challengers Cup - Announcement.......39
Book Review by IM John Donaldson............40
Western Idaho Open - Tournament Flyer...........45
Dr. Ralph Hall Northwest Grand Prix by Murlin Varner...46
Seattle Chess Club Tournaments and Events....47
Upcoming Events.....................Back Cover

Northwest Chess web site

Grapefruit League 2013

Last weekend Tash and I were able to catch our first two Spring training games together. We saw the Orioles defeat the Phillies in Sarasota, FL, and then watched the Red Sox take on Tampa Bay down coast in Fort Myers.

Game time in Bradenton, Orioles vs. Phillies, March 3, 2013

If only we had brought some cash, this chapel on the water behind our hotel in Bradenton, FL, was available for the right price.

Yep, that's the name of the restaurant and, yep, we ate there. Sarasota, FL.

The Boston Red Sox Spring training venue in Ft. Myers, FL, is a miniature Fenway Park, more or less.

One of the Red Sox' biggest fans, pictured here, was guardedly optimistic concerning another World Series championship in 2013.

Red Sox newcomer Jonny Gomes, as "the beard" was in its formative stages.