2000 NPC Heart of Texas, Temple, TX a -jabber review... Preamble: Not a big show, but this is the third year (not in a row) I'd gone to what I affectionately call the Heart of Nowhere, Temple, Texas, about 2 hours south of the DFW Metroplex. Considering how "uncrowded" Temple is, and how so many folks have to travel to a show like this, the crowd this show draws is definitely a tribute to its promoter, Prince Harrison. As far as shows go, this one was well-promoted. But, uncharacteristic for me, this is the second year in a row I'd missed Prejudging - logistically it would be difficult, being in Temple all day, as I'd had plans in Austin the next day, and this show doesn't draw "that" many FBB's historically. Overall Atmosphere: The Mayborn Center in Temple is a convention hall atmosphere with booths around the side. Plenty of room to walk, but with a flat floor. Other than that (the flat floor), this seems to be a good arrangement for FBB shows - you can frequent the merchants, talk with others and still see the show. Prince Harrison and others did a TREMENDOUS job with the lighting compared to the previous weekend at the OKC show (Red River Classic), although curiously, it was quite dark in the audience. Stage lighting was pristine, better than many national level shows - kudos... I call them celebrities, you know, those women who are "bigger" than average from a good deal of muscle? The most notable there was Amy Lindsay (she used to be long ago the blonde sidekick to Suzan Kaminga, now she's a good-sized FBB in her own right), Demetria Franklin, a black FBB who recently finally won the Ronnie Coleman Classic novice show, she was attention-getting if not for just her size, in a black spaghetti-strap dress, Sheilahe Brown who also performed with Universal Funk (a dance troupe), and Susie Vonnie Smith, winner of the '00 Lone Star Classic, and yet one of the many entrants in the Heavyweight class at the '00 USA's in Vegas. I'd done a photoshoot with her the day after the USA's in Vegas, and in Temple, telling her that she (and the others) were celebrities, well, Susie was refreshingly modest, not thinking that. But to most of us, they are. Masters: 1) - Patricia Elaine Hower Not much drama here. But I've seen Ms. Hower in shows since '98 at the North Texas, and she's steadily improved. Elaine is a tall statuesque blonde, now sporting shorter hair and a harder more granite-like physique than I've ever seen on her before. Novice LW: DNP - Melissa Baity DNP - Dina M. Lee 3) - Angi Bowers 2) - Renae Sassenhagen 1) - Traci Zino Dina Lee, I'd seen the weekend before in OKC. There she looked markedly nervous (I was even closer to the stage there than here - their 1st row was closer - lol), here, the attractive blonde looked a bit calmer. 2nd placer Renae Sassenhagen had a nice marketable look, the brunette, with a bit more muscle maturity will become formidable. 1st placer, Traci Zino had just a touch more of that muscle maturity. Novice HW: 1) Tammy LeMaster No drama, this woman had decent arms but could use a bit more size in her legs. Novice Overall: O) - Traci Zino Okay, no probs with the judging here. Open MW: 1) - Tekla Zeijlistra Still no drama, this attractive blonde with the "funny" name :-) I hope we'll see in more shows. Wish she had some competition as she was "pretty" good. Open HW: 1) - Patricia Elaine Hower Statuesque, and in great condition, as I'd said before. Open Overall: O) - Patricia Elaine Hower Sad to see so few women at this show, but this show is mainly a novice show, but it's great to see Elaine moving up, as she's been at many shows over the past two years. With her condition at Temple, she definitely deserved the win. Fitness: 2) Mayra Velez 1) Laura Baca Wow, "this" is probably the only reason I wrote this review. Unfortunately there really were so few women in this show worthy of a review. But... This was the BIGGEST mismatch I've ever seen. Mayra Velez wasn't in condition for this or any fitness show. I almost wonder if a person's entrance can be denied, based upon her condition. Certainly, maybe since she was from Temple, friends and relatives may have said, go ahead and enter. But has she (and anyone in her family) actually seen a show before? No, I'm not being mean here, there were gasps and even a few snickers from the polite, friendly Texas audience as Ms. Velez flat out didn't belong on stage. The phrase "what were they thinking?" I repeated over and over to myself. I've never seen a "heavyset" fitness competitor - until then. Plus, her routine reminded me of something out of the runner-up at a middle-school talent competition. I took almost no pictures of her. That's surprising. And the winner, Laura Baca, was good. I can't recall if I've seen her before, but this muscular relatively thin blonde was as good as many of the "middle-of-the-pack" women you see at the National shows (you know where they get 80 fitness competitors - sheesh!), and actually her routine was better. Laura did one push-up where she balanced on her hands for longer than I think I've ever seen, even compared to IFBB Pro routines! She brought the house down with that one - and would've killed the competition - if she had any. :-) Sorry, I'll be nice now... Overall Observations: There were 3 guest posing segments, Jason English and his daughter (you heard me right), Universal Funk, a dance troupe starring Sheilahe Brown, and the big man, Nassar El Sonbaty. I don't recall how old Mr. English's daughter was (but it was under 10), but she's got to be the youngest girl I'd ever seen actually flex on stage! This was a rousing start to the show, and brought the house down. Unfortunately, her segment wasn't that long. Yeah, yeah, I'd seen Universal Funk before maybe 5 times at various Texas shows. Always nice to watch muscular women dance, even if there was -0- flexing this time around, and I personally felt I'd seen better routines from Universal Funk. Sheilahe's condition was just okay this time around, but her mass is there. Some of the other members of Universal Funk (who seem to be Black, Hispanic, possibly Oriental, I believe one member was White) were quite attractive, if they only slowed down a bit... I didn't get a chance to see Nassar -forgive me... Ironically, we did NOT see Ms. Vicki Gates in the audience, who seems to be a staple at all Texas shows - certainly ones within 2 hours of the DFW Metroplex. Always fascinating IMO. An enjoyable evening, I'd heard a few folks in the audience of this show and the last one (Red River Classic in OKC) remark that this was the first show they'd attended. And it wasn't bad, was kind of fun, interesting, and different. Yes, bodybuilding IS different, but if more folks get the impression it's also fun and interesting (not to mention I feel the artistic quality of the female physiques are a sight to behold), maybe just maybe, it will become more popular? Forever the optimist, Until next time, I remain... -jabber