Nick Varner Visits Washington....See Pages 20 & 21
The Kid Rrrrrrrr olls!
By Rob Cameron win the B side and set up the showdown for first place. Piercing black eyes. The cap pulled low. A 24 bridge. Shape on the next shot. Who can it be other than Mike Vidas, from Vancouver, B. C.. Mike is Mike worked his way through the A side with wins over; Bob Heideman, Tim Tweedell (7-5), Mike now a two time champion of Jensen, Pon Kanlaya, and the Maltese Bar and Grill Kris Iverson (8-2) before Open 9-Ball Tournaments. losing to J. D. for the point. Vidas won his first As he has for the last two tournament at the Maltese in months, J. D. continued his Kelso, WA in January 2002. hot play as he cruised to win He tied for 8th in November. the point Sunday afternoon. In a match that resembled Victims who succumbed to the total domination he J. D. s quiet, confident displayed against Santos approach included; Mike Sambojan, (9-0), in The Reno Stevens (7-0), Joe Trevino (7Open in December, Mike 4), Bennie Renteria, Bryce outplayed the hottest player Avila (8-2), Dan Louie (8-7), in the Northwest, namely and Vidas (8-7) for the point. John (J.D.) Doherty for his Dan Louie finished third. His second win in three tries at performance reminded this the Maltese. The victory in the two day event held February writer that he was the best in th the world at one time as he 8 and 9th, along with Mike s (l to r) J.D. 2nd, Mike Vidas 1st, Bruce Birchfield-Owner Maltese Bar & Grill did not have his overall performance in tournaments precise game, but every time he needed to come with a shot he did. In the for the past 13 months, solidifies the fact that he has arrived as one of the match to see who would play J. D. in the single race to 13 final, Louie could top 9-Ball players in Western Canada and the Northwest. In the $1,000 championship match, Mike got out of the gate early and never not make the adjustment to the speed on the championship table as he lost to Vidas (8-2). J. D. sent Dan to the B side earlier in a hill-to-hill really gave J. D. a chance until the score was 9-2 in a race to 13. At that thriller. Dan ground out wins over Dave Reavis (7-3), Frank Martin (7-2), point, after some tough rolls and outstanding play from Mike, J. D. couldn t Merv White, and local favorite John Ward (8-4) before falling to J. D. Sunday get it going. Vidas showed a complete repertoire of shots on the Valley 8 afternoon. On the B side, Louie defeated Pon Kanlaya and Carlos Santos tables as he kicked, hooked, jumped and cut his way to a 13-2 victory. J. D. sent Vidas to the one loss side in the $4,200 tournament (8-7) in the (8-7). In the match with Carlos, Dan was down (7-5) when he ran out the (The Kid continued on page 11) set for the win. battle for the point, to set up the rematch. Mike defeated Dan Louie (8-2) to
What Was Old -- Is Now New
McMenamins Olympic Club By: Pat Sheehan
Yogie Berra had the words for my experience at the Olympic Club, It was deja vu all over again. I had heard of this place the McMenamins had brought back to life. On my way from Tacoma to Portland I had to see for myself. As soon as I walked through the front door I was transformed back to the days of my youth when Dad and I traveled to all the old Pool halls. The beveled glass windows and doors that let you into the bar, were very much like Lucky s before it was moved from Willamette Street. The bar was like the ones that Dad and I walked through to get to the pool tables in the 1940 s when they were on their last gasps as high rents were causing them to close their doors. The ornate Brunswick Balke Collander back bar, the stained glass windows, the beveled lead glass lamps and huge mirrors, were all the rage in the early 1900 s.
Club Patrons and Crew - Circa 1910
They weren t cheap in the money of those days but the big saloons were a gold mine. In those days it was a man s world and there was a Bachelors cult. On paydays the bar cashed his check and he spent
most of it before returning to work in the mines, logging camps or the railroad. I continued pushing my way past the bar, which was three deep. It was Friday and the joint was jumping.
Everyone was having a good time in the spectacular surroundings. I followed the signs to the Billiard Room; made a right turn at the end of the bar and sure enough there was the huge wood burning stove so typical of the old places and just beyond I could hear the click of the pool balls. And there they were, seven Brunswick Balke Collander Company Monroe Pool Tables and one Madison 5 x 10 Snooker Table. I felt that same thrill I felt as a kid. Hey Pat , a familiar voice came from behind me. It was Ron Spagle, an old friend and life long pool player. These tables need your special kind of help. We went back and looked things over. The tables were built after the First World War and the basic structures were sound but the rails were broken and they looked weird. They did need help. We continued to look around. I noticed a spot where the floor was worn through to the sub floor. Ron (Oly Club continued on page 3)