During the week of Aug. 17-23, America's capital will host (for the first time) the 27th Gay Softball World Series (GSWS).
This annual week-long tournament crowns the champions in six divisions of softball play which make up the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA).
Several Chicago teams are attending, including the Nubians, making history as the first all-African-American team to attend.
See www.nagaaa.org .
__
Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) hosts its second annual Pride Ride Aug. 23 and 24, 2003. The two-day, 190-mile bicycle fundraising event will take riders from TPAN's North Side Chicago office to Lake Geneva and back. Registration for Pride Ride is $65 and participants are required to raise $1,000 to support TPAN's mission of providing peer-led HIV support and information services.
Pride Ride was created one year ago in an effort to create a grassroots fundraising event with all money raised going to charity. The inaugural event had 14 participants and raised nearly $15,000. Last year 100% of the donations collected by riders were returned back to TPAN.
For more information about Pride Ride 2 or to register as a rider or crewmember for Pride Ride 2, contact Jeffrey Allen at (773) 989-9400, or visit www.tpan.com to learn more about TPAN's programs and services.
__
The Windy City Athletic Association (WCAA) Wednesday Night Mixed Bowling League announces the formation of their Fall Bowling League for the 2003-2004 season. Registration for the Fall League is on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at Marigold Lanes, 828 W. Grace. League play officially starts Aug. 27 at 6:45 p.m. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to stop by Marigold Aug. 20 for registration and free open bowling. This league is ABC/WIBC sanctioned and welcomes all bowlers; men, women, individuals and teams. Send an email to bowling@wcaa.net or call the League Secretary, Dale Regnier at (219) 771-7365.
_____
The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) managers meeting for women's flag football was Aug. 9. The season begins Sept. 14 at Warren Park. Call (773) 398-4530, or e-mail to eplerner06@hotmail.com or visit Web site www.chicagomsa.com .
Registration for CMSA men's flag football is Sat., Aug. 16. League starts Sept. 13 at Warren Park; (773) 935-3723 or gtaliaferro@hotmail.com . Open division fall softball registration is also Aug. 16 (league starts Sept. 4 at Pottawatomie Park; contact CMSABall@yahoo.com). Both registrations 3-5 p.m., Spin, 800 W. Belmont, www.chicagomsa.com .
_____
Human Rights Campaign's Swing, the 2nd annual HRC women's golf outing, is Thursday, Aug. 14. This afternoon of golfing will be followed by a festive BBQ. Starts 11 a.m., $125, Sunset Valley Golf Course, Highland Park, (773) 338-8788, hrcswing@yahoo.com, www.hrc.org .
____
vAIDS Foundation Chicago hosts Marathon training workshops. Call (312) 765-0210, www.aidsmarathon.com .
Chicago resident Grisel Robles is training to 'Help Run over AIDS.' As a policy associate with AFC, she is responsible for providing education and working as a liaison with other community-based AIDS organizations.
So not only does she work full-time on AIDS issues, now she is also spending her free time to support the cause by participating in the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. Participants receive training for this fall's Chicago Marathon and commit to raising funds for HIV/AIDS programs.
Robles is a special guest for the charity event 'Help Run Over AIDS' Aug. 21, 6-10 p.m. at Bungalow Lounge, 1622 W. Belmont. A $7 contribution helps go towards her fundraising goal. Entertainment includes DJs Nick Athanasopoulos and Brad Owen.
_____
The registration deadline for the Senior Cup softball tourney 2003 is here. CMSA is the host for this open tournament, for players 40 and over, Sept. 6 and 7.
Last year's tournament drew teams from Dallas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland, as well as several teams from Chicago and one 'national' team of individual players from across the country.
E-mail joseph.dimartino@comcast.net or see www.ChicagoMSA.com .
_____
NCLR/National Center for Lesbian Rights Homophobia in Sports Project and ECWC, a division of Pride Sports, have teamed up to bring the GLBT community together to raise funds to expand the provision of services. 'Grab your sunscreen and set sail with us Jan. 25, 2004 aboard the Norwegian SUN!!' organizers stated. The boat goes to Miami, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, Mexico. Gay and lesbian athletes, and those who love them, will attend the seven-day event. See the Web site www.bookavacation.com; Bren927@aol.com .