32 - Wednesday, February 18, 1987 - North Shore News Lifestyles Top spell Scrabble win to **YOU’RE NOT speaking to a genius. I’m an average player who just got hot,’’ says North Vancouver resident Alan Banwell, winner of the first round of the 1987 North American Scrabble Open. Banwell was one of 73 contes- tants who participated in the popu- lar word game tournament held in Vancouver recently. Approximate- ly 35 contestants were from the North Shore. Banwell attributes his win to luck: ‘‘Some games are blood and guts, some are pure luck. It was one of those days where my oppo- nents did a lot of things wrong and I fet them do it. One opponent fouled up and virtually laid down and let me trample him.” He says he did absolutely nothing to prepare for the tour- nament. ‘‘I was told to look up a few things, but I went into it cold.”” Banwell, who is ‘‘over 55’', has been playing Scrabble since about 1970. He learned the game playing with his wife June on cold winter nights. The two do their playing now with the Vancouver Scrabble Club. This was Banwell’s first tour- nament outside of inter-club rounds, ‘‘I’ve never won before,’’ he said. ‘‘And I never will again...There are lots (of players) who are as good or better than I am. To be good, you have to have a sense of the jugular for point scoring at the right moment.’’ June Banwell came I4th in the competition. Other North Shore participants who ranked among the top 20 in the tournament were: sixth place: Garth McSween, North Van; sev- enth place: Lynda Sharpe, North - Van; 10th place: Mrs. B.L. Van Gruen, North Van; 15th place: Ruth Binnie, West Van; 18th place: Barry Promislow, West Van; 19th place: Lisa Binnie, West Van. Each ccatestant at this first round of competition played four games. Banwell and five other contestants won all four of their games. Banwell, however, had the highest number of winning points. Anyone who won two of the four games in this first round of play goes on to the next elimina- tion round to be held March 14 and 15 in Vancouver. Forty-eight players from the first round game Set realistic diet By LYNN SACKVILLE News Reporter are eligible. Of these, 18 are from the North Shore, At the second tournament, each player will participate in 10 games, and anyone winning cight games will go on to the North American championship in July. Here, the top 300 players from eight coun- tries will compete for $60,000 in cash and other prizes. Due to the high interest shown by North Shore residents in the re- Chevy’s new fun car is going your way. ACTER TS lUCK cent tournament, competition or- ganizer Michael Spencer would like to set up a Scrabble club on the North Shore independent of the club in Vancouver. “If there's anyone on the North Shore who would be interested in helping or- ganize a club, they can give me a call," he said. Spencer can be reached at 731-5790, Banwell stresses that Scrabble can be a fun activity, that it doesn’t have to be “a jugular thing.’’ ‘Tam in no sense one of the real crusaders although I have to be serious when | play them. It’s a fun thing just like crib or black jack. Although black jack might cost me more money.”’ space galore. With room for four and cargo goals YOU DIET and you take the weight off. You stop the diet and you put it back on. If you have suffered from this yo-yo approach to losing weight, an upcoming seminar at the West Vancouver Recreation Centre could help. The ‘undiet’ approach to con- trolling weight will be the subject of a seminar being held on Sun- day, Feb. 22. from | to 4 p.m. Participants will learn to set re- alistic goals and establish a positive mental attitude. Without changing their choice of foods, they will be able take control of their eating habits. There will be advice on ap- propriate fitness. Pre-registration is required. For further information call the West Van Recreation Centre at 926- 3266. The new Chevy Sprint is priced to be affordable. The way you wanta car to be today. But don’t be fuoled by the low price. Chevy Sprizit’s a loaded value. Made for Chevrolet in Japan, this hi-tech, front-drive’s equipped witha slick 5-speed. Azippy 1.0 Litre engine with high-revving OHC, independent MacPherson-strut front suspension along with rack-and-pinion steering for sporty handling. An available intercooled turbo for quick performance. But what’s incredible is Sprint’s fuel economy. 55 MPG (5.1 L/ 100 km)**. Unbeatable in Canada. The Chevy Sprint. its how Chevy hearing loss? See us for good hearing aid service — sales, repairs, batteries and advice. northwestern hearing centre 1910 Lonsdale North Vancouver Open Tues.-Fri. 9:30-5 Sat. 9:30-1. Closed Mon. Cette cats gives ycu what you want today. Because Chevrolet's always going your way. So see your Chevy dealer. Go sprinting now. CHEVROLET GONG YOUR WAY °M.S.R.P. Freight, PST and license not included. Dealer may sell for less. **Combined fuel economy based on Transport Canada approved test methods for 1987 Chevy Sprint equipped with 1.0 Litre L.3 engine and 5-speed manual transmission. Your actual mileage may vary.