Tis better to give than to receive, but don't try to convince the cats. In an alley filled with Christmas music the spirit of the season ran high. Everyone was friendly and exchanging greetings and gifts. It was a wonderful day. The restaurant put out special plates of goodies for both teams and the furniture store had just thrown out new boxes from the Christmas sale. There was holly and mistletoe all around the alley. A beautiful Christmas tree stood on the loading dock near where the Big Dog sits. Another tree, equally as wonderful, stood on the dumpsters across the alley. Both trees were surrounded by piles of presents. There was a wondrous party before the Ryder this week with singing and dancing and lots of food. Presents were exchanged by friends. I even saw some dogs and cats exchanging presents over a warm hug. It was truly a site to see. It was even more of a site when Harle smacked Kalinkascoyote with an empty candy box. Insisting it was an accident seemed to have no credibility as the comment "Take that you ugly dog" was heard as the box flew through the air. The partying was obviously over and the alley was back to normal. Dogs on one side, Cats on the other. The presents were set to the side and the battle was on. Things were pretty even throughout the day but at the end the dogs took home the biggest present. We cheered and cheered and held our breath as it came to a 27-27 tie with one table left. As I looked over the alley, there were no more tables playing. It had ended and I must have missed one result. Franticly, I looked over my notes. There it was - Orla and Pob against Iain and Lori. How fitting that the day would come down to these two teams. The winner of that match would lead their team to the end of the alley to hang the banner. I didn't need to ask who won but I did. Orla let out a scream knowing they were the ones to push the dogs over the top for a 29-27 win. 

Max Award - I have run into a problem with this. As most of you know, I have been asking some of you to help me select a winner of the award for the first year. The process was not easy as there were so many candidates to choose from. The problem is that today many of the folks in the alley insisted I be given the award. I was, needless to say, both filled with pride and embarrassed. As flattering as it is, I cannot in good faith, create an award and then win it. I thought long and hard about it and came to this conclusion. It isn't any one person who makes the alley so nice. It is everyone of you who comes to play every week. It is the chatter in the lounge and the friendships and mutual respect that comes from people who are just plain nice people. I can't remember any day in the alley when we didn't have a wonderful time. Win or lose, we all came away winners. We have all met new friends and although we fight like cats and dogs I don't know of anyone who has made an enemy here. I guess what my rambling is getting to is this. The Max Award isn't really meant for one person. It is meant for everyone in the alley who has the spirit of the community and the spirit of Max. He left us all with a gift of love and friendship. So my official decision is this:

The 2000 Max Award winner is officially - The inhabitants of Max's Alley.

The winners are herewith charged with the responsibility of continuing their qualities which earned them this honor.

I further declare the Max Award to be retired.

Seen on the fire escape: Cave_Draco, Julie, Dutchie, Connie, psspill, hbear

Welcome newcomers: Jrss1nz, Im_Rod, Momscottie, Claude

Welcome back old friends: Dutchie was here to say Merry Christmas - Coach stopped by and subbed a round.

Supersubs were: Catwitch, Rueful Reindeer

Slams were bid and made by: Scanty_Claws/Scantilypawed - 6D; Jrss1nz/Jcrayk - 6NT; Dittny/Errikos - 6H; Little_Ladybug/Silverwind - 6S; DixieDeez/CEDean - 6H & 6H; Kenny_ha2/Cathugo 6H; Roholte/Jean - 6D

The trophy for purrrrfect 3-0 tournament goes to:

The dogs were: Orla/Pob; Kalinkascoyote/Kalinka; DixieDeez/CEDean; Kenny_ha2/Cathugo; Lorainew/John_Keneith; Snoefte/Upho; Catherine/Joelf; JimKat(sub-Gazettedaily)/Seaweed; Ryderpuppy/Greenmeanie; Harriett/Woo(sub-Catwitch&Coach); Rebos/Barbara; JamesGreyWolf/Sandrajoy; DeltaGayl/Im_rod; Roholte/Jean

The cats were: Scanty_Claws/Scantilypawed; Jrss1nz/Jcrayk; Harlequin_smiles/Scorpiokirsten; Bassman/Momscottie(sub-Claude); Bobmt/Nanook; AlanMitchell/Lynh_uk; Dittny/Errikos; Glossit/Suegloss; Mel/Roblyn; Littlegirl_Mary/Xwing_fighter; Nonny/Nuageman; Little_ladybug/Silverwind; Ccwaxman/Rzzjohn; Patdean/Bjbjr