The first major event on the local curling calendar is set to kick off, but the party will be a bit smaller this year.

The Bullas Autoservice and Bridgestone Tires Mixed Curling Classic begins tomorrow at nine area curling clubs with more than 50 rinks entered in the open division.

That's down by about 20 rinks from last year's total, and the event's organizers are left scratching their heads to come up with a reason for the decline.

"Nobody seemed too motivated," said Wendy MacMillan, one of the mixed classic's co-ordinators.

"I don't know if it's the weather or if people's lives are just getting overwhelmed because it's so close to Christmas."

All of this year's finals will be held at Hamilton Glendale Golf and Country Club, with the senior event finals to be held at noon on Sunday and the four open event finals scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

All of the draws and results for the mixed classic will be posted on the Hamilton and Area Curling Association's website.

MacMillan said that she expects this will make it easier and quicker for rinks to check what's happening and when they'll be playing their next games.

Go to www.hamiltoncurling.com and follow the links to find the draw results and schedule.

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Here's a quick rundown of the major curling events this season: The Canadian mixed championships are under way this week in Calgary, with coverage available only through CurlTV's webcasts.

There's a new gimmick in play with the mixed championship this season. The winning team will send two of its members to represent Canada at the first-ever World Mixed Doubles Championship, which will be held in Finland in March.

The Canadian men's and women's junior championships will be held Feb. 2-10 in Sault Ste. Marie, the Scott Tournament of Hearts will be held Feb. 16-24 in Regina, and the Tim Hortons Brier runs March 8-16 in Winnipeg.

The world juniors run March 1-9 in Ostersund, Sweden, the Ford world women's championship will be held March 22-30 in Vernon, B.C., and the men's world championship runs April 5-13 in Grand Forks, N.D.

Here in Ontario, the provincial Scott Tournament of Hearts runs Jan. 21-27 in beautiful downtown Espanola, and the men's TSC Stores Tankard is set for Feb. 3-10 in Waterloo.

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BITERS: The Opening Bonspiel at the Hamilton Victoria Curling Club was won by John Scott, Ken Lee, Mark Fordham and Nancy Phillips. Second place went to Ed Avolio, Sharon Lederman, Keith Hillmer and Judy Rowat ... Winner of the Classy Lassies Bonspiel at Glendale was the rink of Marilyn Johnston, Penny Mitton, Linda MacLean and Linda Spratt. The Diamond Masters Bonspiel was won by the Hamilton Vic rink of Larry Belmore, Ken Lee, Al Fraser and Ron Ferguson. For Lee, it's his second bonspiel win of the young season.

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A new season brings a renewed call for results, upcoming events, information or comments. I can be reached by any of the following methods: fax at 905-526-1395, e-mail at sbuist@thespec.com or by phone at 905-526-3226.

The curling column will appear on Wednesdays this season, and the deadline for weekly submissions will be 10 a.m. on Tuesdays.