[Rich Wong]

**IMPORTANT FIRST REMINDER**

2004 Local kickoff events for the FIRST Robotics Competition:

The schedule is posted on the FIRST site at http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2004/remotekickoffs.htm
Basically we will be broadcasting from 10 AM to noon EST on January 10. Detail location, capacity and workshop information is posted for each of the sites.

As done last year, NO team may pick up a kit without signing a receipt. If teams want another team rep to pick up their kit, they need to make arrangements in writing with FIRST. Having valid signed receipts is critical to FIRST as part of our financial procedures.

You should all be aware that NASA has a Mars landing schedule just prior to the kickoff. If the landings are delayed, there could be a conflict with FIRST using the regular NASA television channel. We are working on contingency plans including a different channel on the same satellite or web casting. Additional information will be available later in December.