Two finalists are now in the running to become the winner of Predator Cue’s MyKon Cue-Design Contest! The contest, held Nov. 8 through Dec. 31, 2010, gave fans the opportunity to contribute to the design of Predator’s next generation of Ikon cues.
 
Michael Zingale of Tallahassee, FL, and Mike Ipjian of Glenview, IL, were selected as the top two contest finalists by Predator based on their design submissions. A black, white and gray cue with pronged accents, Zingale’s entry balances traditional cue design with modern elements and materials. Ipjian’s entry – an ebony wood and micarta cue with turquoise accents – represents a bolder, sleeker version of the current Ikon 7 cue, inspired by elements of Predator’s original Blak Series.
 
“We were impressed by the creativity and level of detail exhibited by the many entries we received,” explained Karim Belhaj, president of Predator Cues. “We offer our special thanks to Michael and Mike for capturing the essence of the Ikon series in their designs.”...

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The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF), a 501c3 corporation that raises funds for scholarships, the annual Junior Nationals, and pool in school programs, has a new poster!

The poster is being mailed to hundreds of BCA members as part of their BCA membership packet to display in rooms and retail outlets. But, if you want one of your own (it's a 24" x 30" beauty), we'd suggest making a $25 donation to the BEF (visit their homepage at billiardeducation.org and type in your amount on the left hand side under where it says Donate to Help Kids) OR call executive director Laura Smith at  303.926.1039 OR email Laura at laurasmith@billiardeducation.org. Your donation is fully tax deductible AND is an investment in the future of our sport.

The Billiard Education Foundation is the gateway to the next generation of pool players and is committed to promoting education and  the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. The BEF supports youth by funding academic scholarships, produces the Junior National 9-Ball Championships and sponsors billiard athletes to attend the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships.

The BEF encourages youth to stay in school and further their education while building and maintaining a lifelong love of billiards through the “Pool In School” program, which promotes billiard clubs, teams and billiards as part of the physical education “Lifetime Sports” class.

It's a great organization doing great things in our sport, and one worth promoting and investing in. Go on, get involved, and tell 'em P&B sent you!

The number 2 ranked WPBA USA player Vivian Villarreal “The Texas Tornado” (at right) and number 5 WPBA USA ranked player Melissa Little “The Viper” (at left) will be performing a pool exhibition at “The Rack” located at 28410 Joy Road, in Livonia, MI this Monday, January 3rd, 2011 starting at 7:00 PM.

Vivian and Melissa will play a single set of 9-ball, race to seven. After the competitive set, the two pros will perform challenge the pro matches, conduct Q & A with fans, and then an autograph session. VIP tickets are being sold for $20 at “The Rack” and the first 20 seats sold will receive a special signed poster of Vivian and Melissa.

 To purchase tickets please contact Luke at 734-422-POOL.

Vivian and Melissa will be performing these special performances throughout the year and if you have interested in a show near your hometown then please contact VIP Sports Agent Steven Thomas at 720-255-6893. For more info on the pros visit www.melissalittle.com, www.vivianvillarreal.com, and www.wpba.com

Little and Villarreal are in town for the upcoming Women’s Professional Billiard Association's “2011 WPBA Masters” event taking place January 5-9 at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, MI. For information on tickets and schedules please visit www.soaringeaglecasino.com.

2011 Tour Season Kick Off to Feature World's Top 48 Women Pool Players including top ranked Jasmin Ouschan, shown here!

MT. PLEASANT, MI - The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will host the best female billiard players in the world January 5-9, 2011 when the Women's Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters kicks off the 2011 Women's Pro Billiard Tour season.

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Legendary pool player Wade Crane was killed in a car accident in Knoxville, Tennessee on Christmas Day. Wade, aka Billy Johnson and nicknamed "Boom Boom" was a former 8 and 9-Ball champion, voted by his peers to have the best 9-Ball break in history...

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The Black Widow, Jeanette Lee, may be coming to an area near you in 2011, courtesy of the American Poolplayers Association (APA).  The APA Black Widow Tour will open with two shows on January 12 & 13 in Chicago, Illinois.  Other tour stops include:

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During December, Brunswick Billiards Facebook fans can register to win an exclusive piece of memorabilia – the limited edition Exposition Novelty cue, which was designed to commemorate the company’s 165th anniversary. To win the cue – a retail value of $999 – contestants must be a Brunswick Billiards Facebook fan and enter the sweepstakes by Dec. 31, 2010 at noon CST. The winner will be chosen at random...

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Watch your blog posts for a few fun holiday offers, beginning with our own! From now until December 31st, readers can select a one or two year subscription as a gift for a friend, and get a second subscription for themselves at no charge!

A one year subscription is just $34.95, and the second subscription is free. CLICK HERE to order your gifts right away!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Pool & Billiard Magazine, and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

This year for the holidays, Brunswick Billiards is offering a fun consumer promotion packed with savings. Brunswick Dealers all across the country will be asking customers to “Play it Your Way” for the holidays.
 
“We’re excited to offer an opportunity for our customers to complete their gameroom,” said Austin Rothbard, president of Brunswick Billiards. “We’ve been connecting generations for 165 years and the holidays are a perfect time to start your own tradition.”
 
For a limited time, customers will receive free Brunswick merchandise with a qualifying purchase, up to a $1,200 value. Upgrade to Brunswick Centennial® cloth, a 100 percent luxurious Merino wool blend that is spill-proof and has professional playability and longevity (a $399 value). Other free product options include Centennial® or Contender® Floor Cue Racks and play packages, a choice of billiard lights, table tennis conversion top, dartboard cabinet and much more.
 
Total retail purchase will be calculated on Brunswick and Contender brand products, such as pool tables and game room furniture. Brunswick Home Theater products are not included in this offer. The “Play it Your Way” promotion is also available to those who prefer to shop online through the Brunswick Billiards website.

About Brunswick Billiards
Connecting generations through superior craftsmanship and innovation since 1845, Brunswick Billiards has been the leader in designing the highest-quality billiards and pool tables and game room furnishings preferred by experts around the world.  Based in Bristol, Wis., the billiards division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has more than 300 retail dealer locations across the United States and international distributors in more than 40 countries. For more information about Brunswick Billiards and its product line, visit www.brunswickbilliards.com.

The 7th Annual University of Michigan Team Pool Championships (UMTPC) kicked off in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a full field of 16 collegiate 4-person pool teams from 9 states and one Canadian province.  College students wield their cues school-against-school in three events:  a modified version of Straight Pool, 4-person team 8-ball, and Scotch Doubles 9-ball, striving for trophies in medals in each event and the coveted all-around title and trophy.  Sportsmanship and MVP winners are also recognized with medals.  Past winners include University of Akron, Virginia Tech, University of Michigan, and Purdue University.  Four new schools also joined the UMTPC ranks.  This year’s teams are:
California University of Pennsylvania “Vulcans”
Indiana University “Bangers”
Mansfield University “Mountaineers”
New Jersey Institute of Technology “Highlanders”
Penn State University “Workin’ the Tip”
Purdue University “Boiler Breakers”
Purdue University “Shrimp Chips 2.0”
University of Akron “Blue”
University of Akron “Gold”
University of Illinois “The Orient Express”
University of Illinois “United Nations”
University of Maryland “Wobbles”
University of Michigan “Naked Cue”
University of Western Ontario “Strokin’ It”
Virginia Tech “Hokies”
West Virginia University “Air Jordan”
 
At the end of Friday night, it was down the final 12 in the Scotch Doubles 9-Ball event. On the winner's side:
University of Michigan: Ryan Lawrence and Winston Seow
University of Akron (Gold): John Weigand and George Mansour
Virginia Tech: Corey Sykes and Stephen Svarka
University of Western Ontario: Ross Campbell and Sean Snider
Play resumes at 10:00, and the 8-Ball event begins Saturday afternoon.

More about the tournament:  www.umich.edu/~billiard/tournaments/teamchamp/index.html