PHOENIX

The renamed U.S. Scrabble Open will be held in Phoenix, AZ, August 4-9, 2006.

It's a bird word and seven letters at that. A bingo waiting to happen to me.

I so badly want to go, but I'll have to get my DUCKS in a row. I'll have to start planning and saving now...as well as hydrating: Arizona in August, whew!

It will be held at the Biltmore, which I understand to be a fine hotel, albeit an expensive one ($120 a night!). Anybody want to share a room?

Originally, the tournament was going to be held in New Orleans, which would have been awesome. Katrina has had an awful effect on my Scrabble life, not to mention its effect on the real life of many people I know.