Rink

The webcasts transitioned to subscription-based viewing on November 28, with coverage of all three recent U.S. Figure Skating sectional championships. For a season subscription fee of $29.95, fans receive unlimited access to U.S. Figure Skating qualifying events through June 30, 2007, including coverage of all five disciplines: ladies, men's, pairs, ice dancing and synchronized team skating. Secretary Rice Appoints Michelle Kwan Envoy for U.S. Public Diplomacy S ecretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced in November that she had appointed figure skating champion Michelle Kwan as the first American Public Diplomacy Envoy. Kwan, a five-time World champion and two-time Olympic medalist, will work to help promote cross-cultural dialogue with international youth and to increase understanding of America by sharing her story and life experiences. Two-Time Stanley Cup Winner Joins FMC Arenas F ormer Boston Bruin and two-time Stanley Cup winner John McKenzie was recently hired by Facility Management Corporation (FMC) as the Director of Hockey Development. His role will focus on promoting the sport across Massachusetts to players of all ages and abilities through on-ice clinics, special events, and public appearances. FMC operates 23 publicly owned community ice rinks in Massachusetts and organizes recreational hockey programs for beginners through adults through its internal hockey division, Bay State Hockey. The mission of the programs is to provide great hockey experiences for players of all ability levels, which is the message McKenzie will spread. "Such a small percentage of players make it to the professional or even collegiate level," reminds McKenzie. "Young players shouldn't feel like they need to constantly work towards that end. Hockey needs a lot less pressure and a lot more fun. It's important that fun be the major focus." McKenzie's primary function as the Director of Hockey Development will be spreading the fundamental values of teamwork, commitment, achievement, and — of course — fun. Wisconsin Ice Arena Management Association Announces Spring Conference W isconsin Ice Arena Management Association, an organization of arena and associated personnel dedicated to sharing ideas and innovative techniques and continued ice arena management professionalism, recently announced its Spring Conference. The 16th Annual Spring Conference and Trade Show will be held April 25-27, 2007, at the Kalahari Waterpark, Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. For more information, log on to wiama.com. ★ 10 R INK MAGAZ INE j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 Industry news ■ DO YOU HAVE NEWS? Send us your industry news and we will consider it for publication in the next issue. Please include a high-resolution company logo or photo. Email to info@rinkmagazine.com. ICE IS DONE. YOU HUNGRY? YEP. YOU BUYIN'? YEP. YOU DRIVIN''? YEP. BUT LET'S RIDE IN STYLE. HOW 'BOUT BURGERS? HOW 'BOUT ICE CREAM??!! GET IT? NO, NO...A SLUSHY! BETTER YET, A SNOW CONE! HANDLES PRETTY GOOD OUT HERE. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EAT? HOW 'BOUT A GAME MISCONDUCT? HOW 'BOUT THE PENALTY BOX??!! GET IT? NO, NO...PUT 'EM ON ICE! BETTER YET, FREEZE THEIR ASSETS. HOW DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HANDLE THESE JOKERS, O'MALLEY? SWEET RIDE, DUDES. I LIKE HOW LOW YOUR SPOILER IS ON THE BACK. HOW FAST SHE GO? NOT VERY, BUT IT HANDLES GREAT ON ICE. ENJOY YOUR BURGERS AND KEEP COOOOOL! Rink rangers by Mike Curti Editor's note: While the cartoon is meant to be humorous, it is based on a real incident. The drivers that took the machines out of their facility were fired immediately. Ice resurfacers are for on-ice use only.

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