We have started booking our buses to Portland away trips here. The presale price of $80 includes roundtrip bus and ticket to the match. These are for Gorilla FC Members only, so get renewed in the Gorillafc.com store. http://www.gorillafc.com/2011/12/get-gorilla-fc-2012-membership-here/ The buses leave from Fado on the morning, and will have a keg on the bus, so bring ID if you plan on drinking.

The 6/24/2012 Sounders @ Portland bus trip can be purchased here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/226081 The bus leaves at 8a, from Fado and returns after the game.

The 9/15/2012 SSFC @ Portland trip can be purchased here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/226072 The bus leaves at 7am and returns after the game.

The new season is almost here and our Sounders have been busy making changes, and new additions for what awaits in 2012. Active in 3 tournaments, they will need all the energy and support from each and every player.

Membership drive!

If you haven’t picked up your 2012 membership kit, our second meet up of 2012 will be he Dray (http://thedray.com/) Wednesday, February 22nd between 5-8pm The Dray will be showing Champions League replays during this time frame as well so come down, meet some members and watch some footy. This year Gorilla FC is donating a pair of tickets in section 120 for each game to a charity in Seattle.  These are paid for partially by each members dues!  Do you know of a charity partner we should reach  out that we should extend to?  If so, email the charities name and contact if you have it to Gorillafc@gmail.com

GFC MEMBER OF THE MONTH AWARD!!!

As a way to thank you for continuing to support GFC, the chosen lucky member will receive a gift card courtesy of our friends at FADO. Must be a current 2012 paid GFC member to win.

January’s award goes to… (drum roll) Mary York!!!!

February’s award goes to… (more imaginary drums please) Chris Yard!!!

Congratulations! to claim your prize, please send this Gorilla a message to Gorillafcnews@gmail.com

CONCACAF UPDATE:

GFC will be @ FADO for the pre party on March 7th before heading to CLINK

The viewing party for the away match on March 14th will be @ NAKED CITY kickoff is 5pm

Are you media savvy and enjoy working with the press?  Enjoy being well connected and staying up with the news?  Gorilla FC is looking for a member that can become our Media primate.  This captain should be able to communicate with all facets of the media to help get the word about events, keep the public informed about accomplishments and Gorilla FC news.  If this is of interest, email Gorillafc@gmail.com and join our captains team.

Rain City Pariah

For the first time ever, Gorilla FC has announced an addition our family. Rain City Pariah Football Collective (RCP) is a Seattle Sounders FC Supporters Collective and Gorilla FC subgroup dedicated to the Arts. The mission of Rain City Pariah is twofold. First, it is to celebrate the rich history of the Arts in Seattle by creating a subgroup of GFC that both follows the credo and code of GFC and incorporates those from the Arts communities (or fans of the Arts communities) into GFC. Second, RCP will seek to support the local Arts Organizations, especially those that provide arts opportunities for children. For more information visit www.facebook.com/raincitypariah or to pre-order a membership visit www.raincitypariah.com.

Ron Lamb, Gorilla abroad

GFC’s own sent us this picture from Craven cottage in SW London after watching a Fullham vs Arsenal match.

If you would like to be featured as a Gorilla abroad, send your pics to Gorillafcnews@gmail.com

New partner bar

GFC would like to welcome 418 Public house to our group of partner bars. During a Sounders game or Euro Cup Match, GFC members get happy hour prices with membership card.

Pelada

The name Brazilians give to pick-up soccer, is also the name of a 2010 documentary that follows Luke and Gwendolyn, two former college soccer stars that embark on a trip around the world in search of this “version of the game played by anyone, anywhere”

After watching this a few weeks ago, I contacted Gwendolyn, she was very kind and agreed to answer a few questions for our newsletter.

G #222: How long did the entire trip take?

Gwendolyn: I have not been to a Sounders match although I’ve heard that it’s a not-to-be-missed sporting experience. The only time I’ve really gotten to go to professional games was while I was playing for Santos in Brazil. The onslaught of color and sound was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. (And Robinho, who made Brazilian defenders look very, very silly, also contributed to the general awesomeness of the experience.)

This is a great documentary showing a different side to the beautiful game. Thank you Gwendolyn.

For more info on this film please go to http://www.pelada-movie.com

This month’s newsletter is brought to you by Auto battery on capitol hill.

http://www.autobatterybar.com/

Not Enough Gorilla in your life? Follow Us on Twitter, or “like” Us on Facebook.

Anything else you would like to see in this newsletter? Send Us your questions, suggestion, concerns (other acronym ideas for SOPA and PIPA) to Gorillafcnews@gmail.com

Don’t forget Valentine’s day is Feb 15th…

Claudio (Gorilla #222)

Gorilla FC will be at The Dray (http://thedray.com/) Wednesday, February 22nd between 5-8pm for your second opportunity of 2012 to sign up for a membership kit or pickup your kit order. The Dray will be showing Champions League replays during this time frame as well so come down, meet some members and watch some footy.

Seats in 120 are available now in the GFC online store now and are $11 for GFC Members and $17 for non GFC Members.

Wish to be a GFC member for 2012? One of the perks is cheaper ticket access to our section. 2012 Membership Kits available now.

Current and renewing members can purchase your tickets in 120 for the March 7th match here.

We hope you had a great end to 2011 and are ready for season IV. Let’s hope 2012 is nothing like that terrible, terrible John Cusack film… 

Membership drive!

If you haven’t picked up your 2012 membership kit, our first meetup of this year is January 14th between 5-8pm at Auto Battery. If you are interested in joining GFC for the upcoming season this is your first chance to do so as well. Come meet other members and sign up in person.

Matchday Group

Match Day group looking for creative types to participate in the making of game day Tifo and to add to the overall game day experience of being a part of GFC  Next meeting is going to be on Thursday, January 12th at 6 p.m. and folks should send a message to us at: http://gorilla-fc—match-day@googlegroups.com to get in on the fun.

Are you media savy and enjoy working with the press?  Enjoy being well connected and staying up with the news?  Gorilla FC is looking for a member that can become our Media primate.  This captain should be able to communicate with all facets of the media to help get the word about events, keep the public informed about accomplishments and Gorilla FC news.  If this is of interest, email Gorillafc@gmail.com and join our capitains team.

Rain City Pariah

For the first time ever, Gorilla FC has announced an addition our family. Rain City Pariah Football Collective (RCP) is a Seattle Sounders FC Supporters Collective and Gorilla FC subgroup dedicated to the Arts. The mission of Rain City Pariah is twofold. First, it is to celebrate the rich history of the Arts in Seattle by creating a subgroup of GFC that both follows the credo and code of GFC and incorporates those from the Arts communities (or fans of the Arts communities) into GFC. Second, RCP will seek to support the local Arts Organizations, especially those that provide arts opportunities for children. For more information visit www.facebook.com/raincitypariah or to pre-order a membership visit www.raincityparah.com.

2012 Sounders schedule and where we will be watching: http://www.gorillafc.com/game-schedule/

This month’s newsletter is brought to you by Auto battery on capitol hill.

http://www.autobatterybar.com/

Not Enough Gorilla in your life? Follow Us on Twitter, or “like” Us on Facebook.

Anything else you would like to see in this newsletter? Send Us your questions, suggestion, concerns (title ideas for CIV’s upcoming autobiography) to Gorillafcnews@gmail.com

MMXII !

Claudio (Gorilla #222)

$5 of your membership dues are donated to a pair of tickets given to a different charity partner of Gorilla FC each match.

Order your 2012 membership here

All designs by Method Designs.

(Membership cards will be available for the new season in March. )

“Big John”

In the early morning of December 24, 1995, a fire in the World of Primates building at the Philadelphia Zoo killed 23 animals, including a family group of six lowland gorillas, a family group of three orangutans, four white-handed gibbons, and ten lemurs.  All were members of endangered species. The animals died in their sleep from smoke inhalation (carbon-monoxide poisoning); none were burned.  In short – thankfully, they never knew what happened.  Many of the animals had been present with them for many, many years.  The loss was so severe to the staff at the zoo that many bereavement specialists came to help them cope with the loss of their “family”.

In addition to rebuilding their Primate Building, part of the healing process included how best to honor the lives of the animals that had passed – most importantly – the Lowland Gorilla Family that had been with them for almost 30 years.  It was decided that the best way was to allow their memory help educate others, and help rebuild a better and safer environment at the zoo.

“Big John” – had been a resident there since he was a baby – 1967.  His family (mates Snickers  & Samantha as well as their newborn Maandazi) also perished in the fire.  “Big John” played an integral role in keeping his species alive and well.   He had fathered many offspring and, at 28, had been in the prime of his health and life.  For this reason, Big John was selected to provide example for museums and schools around the country and casts were made of his face and hands.  Every time someone purchases a cast replica of Big John, a portion of the proceeds is donated back to the zoo in Big John’s honor – to help with the continued preservation and growth of the primate facilities for the Lowland Gorillas.

The Lowland Gorilla depicted on our new trophy was made from this cast.

Big John in 1985 with one of his offspring

Big thanks to GFC member Elizabeth S. for doing the legwork for the amazing award hardware and compiling the backstory!

Until our home opener on March 10th. It’s never too early to begin thinking about next season, and after a record breaking one we had this year, 2012 will be even better.  Here’s a quote taken from the Sounders FC website to get you prepared:

“Sounders FC will open the MLS season at home for the fourth consecutive year. Seattle hosted the league’s first match of the previous three seasons, and the 2012 opener will be the club’s earliest in MLS and the first time the Rave Green will open on a weekend”

COME PARTY WITH GFC AND NEF TOMORROW DEC 2nd!

As another year comes to a close, GFC and NEF would like to welcome all to our end of the year celebration. As if prizes, a cash bar provided by the good people at Sun Distilleries (Where you get to taste their new Gin) music and prizes wasn’t enough, GFC will present the Gorilla FC Player of the Year to Kasey Keller and say goodbye to James Riley, both will be our special guests there, along with many more.  It will also serve as a benefit for One Hundred For Haiti. For more deatils and ticket info, visit http://www.gorillafc.com/2011/10/gfcnefeoy/ 

GFC WANTS YOU TO JOIN OUR RANKS

The GFC 2012 Scarf and Shirt will be debuted at the Dec 2 End of the Year party.   You can order them at: http://www.gorillafc.com/products-page/apparel/2012membershi/  In addition to the pride and joy  that comes with becoming a Gorilla, in 2012 $5 of your membership dues are donated towards a pair of tickets to be given to a different GFC charity partner. For details, visit our website.

Sounders FC Invite Ticket Holders to Approve Membership Constitution and Charter

Alliance Council drafts statutes to bring ‘Democracy in Sports’ to life
RENTON, Wash. – The Seattle Sounders FC and Alliance Council, comprised of Sounders FC member representatives, have approved a constitution and charter and now invite all season-ticket holders and Alliance members to submit a vote to approve. The documents and voting information are available at www.SoundersFC.com/Alliance.
The online voting will begin on Monday, November 28 at 3 p.m. (PT) and conclude on Monday, December 12 at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Similar to previous votes, there is one vote per season-ticket account.
The charter and constitution will be ratified if approved by at least a two-thirds majority of all legal votes cast by Alliance members.
The Alliance Council and representatives from the front office recognized the need for a governing document that outlines the rights, responsibilities and powers of the fans, the organization, the community, and the relationships between one another. The Alliance Council drafted the documentation which has been approved by the organization.
Highlights from the Sounders FC Alliance Constitution include:
* An annual business meeting for the Alliance to provide feedback to the club;
* Opportunity to commend or critique Club through member resolutions;
* Recognition of Supporters Groups as unique partner in the club’s success;
* Greater transparency in Alliance Council activities;
* Bylaws that govern Alliance operations.
Highlights from the Sounders FC Alliance Charter include:
* The right to decide on the retention of the Club’s General Manager via an Alliance-wide vote as scheduled by the Club, but not sooner than every four years;
* The right to decide, via methods determined by the Alliance, two of the Club’s charitable partners annually;
* The right to decide, via methods determined by the Alliance, matters regarding game-day experience;
* The right to decide other matters that primarily affect the fans’ and supporters’ game-day experience.
Membership in the Alliance is complimentary for season ticket holders, and non-season ticket holders can join the association for an annual fee of $125. Members receive voting privileges, a pin for years of membership, a membership card, discount at the team shop, information on matters relating to the association and the team, and an invitation to the annual meeting and season review highlight film premier.
For information on Sounders FC Members Association and Sounders FC season tickets please visit
www.SoundersFC.com/Alliance

GFC welcomes Rain City Pariah

For the first time ever, Gorilla FC has announced an addition our family. Rain City Pariah Football Collective (RCP) is a Seattle Sounders FC Supporters Collective and Gorilla FC subgroup dedicated to the Arts. The mission of Rain City Pariah is twofold. First, it is to celebrate the rich history of the Arts in Seattle by creating a subgroup of GFC that both follows the credo and code of GFC and incorporates those from the Arts communities (or fans of the Arts communities) into GFC. Second, RCP will seek to support the local Arts Organizations, especially those that provide arts opportunities for children. For more information visit www.facebook.com/raincitypariah or to pre-order a membership visit www.raincityparah.com.

GFC matchday group is born

The matchday group will be holding it’s first meeting for the coming season on Thursday, December 15th on Capitol Hill.  We’ll be focusing on getting to know each other and exchanging ideas. If you’d like to participate in the creation of game day tifo for GFC, why don’t you join our band of primates. Send an email to         gorilla-fc—match-day@googlegroups.com with your name, phone number and neighborhood and we’ll be in touch with you.

This month’s newsletter is brought to you by:

 
 
Not Enough Gorilla in your life? Follow Us on Twitter, or “like” Us on Facebook.

Our away games move around, so remember to check our schedule on gorillafc.com

Anything else you would like to see in this newsletter? Send Us your questions, suggestion, concerns (gift ideas for Timbers fans) to Gorillafcnews@gmail.com

Happy Gorilladays!

Claudio (Gorilla #222)

At the End of Year party on December 2nd, GFC will be presenting the Gorilla FC Player of the Year award to Kasey Keller who will be our special guest. Yes, along with the USOC trophies the Legend himself will be in attendance. Don’t miss this special moment – buy your tickets to the EOY party now.

More information about the End of Year party can be found here.