BER
By the Beer Dude
Happy Firecracker Day! May the weather be sunny & calm, your chow superb, & the liquids flowing freely; for sure the latter two will be the case at our house!
Thanx to the 22 teams who made our BBQ Swiss & Kudos to all the BER members who finished high in the overalls! Christine Wright was on the winning team; Cris Barrere & Eugene Sor were 2A/1B; Steve Kanzee, Paul McDaniels, Mike Levinson 3A; prez Jim Scott & fellow “Boarder” Jack Ackrell 2B. Eric’s chicken & spicy BBQ sauce got rave reviews, as did all the other goodies. I almost blew the beef, as I was playing a match whilst it was pre-cooking in beer. Fortunately, I got it out of the oven in time to keep it from becoming shoe leather. Thanx, Paul McD, for slicing it & keep it moist in the roasting liquid, & for bringing those spicy veggie beans again. Helen & Gale, first class beans & salad, as usual; Peggy, another great directing job; & Sandi, thanx for the use of your pairing board!. We do it again 9/16; mark your calendars!
May 10 unit game died for lack of interest; May 31 found more folks in Sacto than in El Cerrito. Barbara Gamba & Janice Kosel topped the 3-table game, with Veda & Ben 2nd. Our July game is on the 26th; Stratified Pairs, at Madera Clubhouse. On the membership front, we “traded” Jan Parker to East Bay for Martin Laplaca & bid adieu to David Goldfarb (Houston). New Junior Masters are Rich Dibenedetto & Frank Lin; Jannes Van’t Oever is our newest Club Master (20+) & soon to go many levels higher after ACBL credits him for the 5K points he earned in the Netherlands; he’s no slouch at the table.
More STAC champs to brag about! Jan Straus & Miye Takeuchi shot 70.43% in the Wednesday afternoon game to finish 2A/1B (winning A was an 80% game from somewhere in the Southland. In the regular club games, Helen alone was the Monday MP champ (Carol was en vacance part of the month); she & Cris Barrere had the best game @ 69.59%. Live Oak saw Jack Shiffer dethrone John Begley as the MP champ (STAC games count for %, not for MP). Best games: Jan & Miye’s 70.43% Wed. STACer; Jack & Eric’s 66.3% on Fri.
For ye headed to my old stomping grounds for the NABC may the weather be sunny & dry, & may your table wizardry be workin’! DC Metro’s cheaper than BART, especially in off-peak hours, & the Red Line stops a short walk from the playing site. If it’s your first-ever trip there, take a day off from bridge & check out some of the great free museums/monuments on/around the Mall! Space restrictions cost me my last paragraph in June; to see the last 12 months’ worth of my original submissions, visit www.berunit497.org & click on the “Beer Dude” button.
By Rich Tirissini
Congratulations to Barbara Barros, who has become a Life Master. Barbara reached this milestone after teaming with Jony Sellers at the CA Capital Regional held in Sacramento during May.
Ken Grafton’s 5.06 masterpoints was the highest at the Carson Bridge Center in April. Thelma Nelson was second with 3.42, while Martin Sklar and Kathleen St. Germain compiled 2.57 and 2.46 MPs for 3rd & 4th places, respectively. In May at Carson Bridge, Thelma Nelson compiled the most masterpoints with 3.68, while Ken Grafton’s 3.58 MPs were good for second. Al Monroe and Imogene Meyer had 3.38 & 3.13 masterpoints for 3rd & 4th places.
At the Carson Valley Bridge Club in Gardnerville, Theresa Pinney had the most masterpoints for May with 1.32. Beverly Batdorf and Leona Pchelkin were tied for second with 1.25 MPs, and Carol Voge was 4th with 1.16 masterpoints.
Game Results: Carson Bridge Center: the unit game was held at the Carson Bridge Center on May 3 with the following results: 1A, Bob & Roberta Anderson; 2A, Barbara Barros & Jony Sellers; 3A, Imogene Meyer & Thelma Nelson; 4A, Edwin & Regina Straver.
Carson Valley Bridge Club: May 25: 1A, Bob & Roberta Anderson; 2A, Carole Voge & Kathleen St. Germain; 3A, Theresa Pinney & Imogene Meyer; 4A, Nick Pchelkin & Ben McLeod. May 18: 1A, Kal & Charlotte Gezi; 2A, Theresa Pinney & Geoffrey Stokes; 3A, Beverly Batdorf & Leona Pchelkin; 4A (3B), Carole Voge & Jony Sellers. May 11: 1A, Ken Grafton & Aleeta Jones; 2A, Beverly Batdorf & Leona Pchelkin; 3A, Ben McLeod & Nick Pchelkin. May 4: N/S: 1A, Bob & Roberta Anderson; 2A (1B), Leona Pchelkin & Beverly Batdorf; 3A (2B), John Ide & Rudolph Shelley; 4A (1C), Carole Voge & Jony Sellers. E/W: 1A, Bob Allgeier & Nancy Palmer; 2A, Kenneth Grafton & Geoffrey Stokes; 3A, Ben McLeod & Paul Ringer; 3A (2B), Marie Coffey & Joyce Barret.
By Chris Pisarra
The Sacramento Regional, as usual was a smashing success. Over 2500 tables, a 15% increase from last year. Perfect weather, good friends, decent bridge, what more could you ask for?
Well, I can ask for one thing more. I can hope never again to sit behind the cretin who insisted on passing the boards by throwing them dismissively on the floor, then taking smug pride in his bad manners. The best way to pass the boards every round is to get up and bring them courteously to the next table. The acceptable way is to hand them over your shoulder to the person behind you. The ill bred bozo way is to thrown them on the floor with a loud crash. We like to think of bridge as a game for ladies and gentlemen, but we need to live that, not just say it.
Please pass your boards politely.
On to the winners: Let’s start with the Thursday Senior Pairs. Danny & Linda Friedman were 3rd overall. Larry Miller & Brad Komsthoeft were 2nd in B, while Dennis Teifel & Barry Bosworth were 7th in B. Beating out many pro teams, Mike Katz, Dan Scarolo, Buzz Kribs and Art Ferman scampered home with 2nd place in the Gold Rush KO, top bracket. Grant Robinson & Terry Boyd were on the top team in Bracket 2, where the team of Tom Holmes, Al Dessayer, Lo Pesavento and Millie Sherman tied with Heidi Lippitt, Sheryl Nagy, Nancy Munson and Linda Gross for 3rd/4th. In the fourth bracket, Ellen Beltran, Jeanine Dolgin, Finbar Yuen and Jeanne Mok were 2nd. Randy Corr made Life Master in Sacramento. Along with Marvin Suchman, and John & Linda White, Randy won the Kings KO, Bracket 3. Congratulations, Life Master Corr.
Unit Grand Pooh-Bah Iris Libby, along with Carol Cottam, Keith Freeman & Virginia Sykes, took third in the Auburn KO’s Bracket 3. In the Monarchs KO, Bracket 3, Kathy Von Dohre, Patricia Perry, Shirley Rodenborn and Glenn Boyce were tied for 3-4. Bracket 4 was won by Cecilia Ip, Rosalind Juo, Gerald Cunha and Lee Medeiros. Coming out of bridge retirement, Steve Wiseman & Mary Lindquist were the C winners of the Capital side game series. Then they were 3rd in C in the Friday Open Pairs. Welcome back.
Harry & Sheilah Fish were 2nd overall, first in B/C in the Wed. evening 299er Pairs. My girlfriends Eldonna Dayton & Joyce Goodman tied for 2-3-4 on Thur morn in the 299er Pairs. Bob Munson, Dan Friedman, Mike and Linda Bandler and Bill Heid took 5th in the Eureka Swiss Teams. Then Mike & Linda, along with Bob Pastor, Tom Jacobson and moi were 7th/8th in the final Swiss Teams, Flight A. Munson, Katz, Pastor and Mike Bandler were 4th in the weekend Compact KO. Nancy Blaustein, along with some guy from the partnership desk, came in 8th in the Thur. Open Pairs. Lynn Humprhey & Bill Barron won the 299er Pairs on Thurs. eve. That team of Tom Holmes, Al Dessayer, Lo Pesavento and Millie Sherman, still playing, were tied for 5th in the Thur. eve. Swiss. Friday, Lorin Waxman & Bud Miller were 3rd in B in the Senior Pairs. Friday evening, Marj Russell, Sue Eltringham, Pat Krock & Joyce Mirwald tied for 3rd in the Swiss, while Iris, Keith, Virginia and Carol were 5th. Pat George, Elizabeth Golamco, Bob Collins and Judy Lowe were 2nd in the weekend Compact KO bracket 2. Linda & Tony Davito, Suzanne Bremer and Jo An Reid were 3rd in Bracket 5. Judy Berg, Eva Hyman, Frank Concepcion and Hedy Wee were second in the Bracket 4 Consolation, and Jane Ellingsen, Sally Adams, Doris Wolfe and Lois Daley were 2nd in the Bracket 5 Consolation.
Okay, one more event from Sacramento, then I have to move on. In the Saturday Open Pairs, Grant & Terry were 5th in B, Carol & Iris were 4th in C and Jo An Reid & Suzanne Bremer were 5th in C.
I needed to save some space because Arlene Mahlberg writes: “we had our Second Annual World-Wide Bridge Contest competition June 6 with seven tables competing here at the Bridge on the Lake Club in Discovery Bay. The overall winners were Carl DeLong of Discovery Bay & Ken Henry of Brentwood playing N/S with a 61.61% game. Hopefully they will place well worldwide. E/W winners were Evelyn Vonpoederoyen of Discovery Bay & June King of Antioch.”
As usual, I print all the news that fits, and this is it. If I missed you, my apologies. Please pass your boards the good way.
Chris@Pisarra.com
By Sandi Davis
The Membership Appreciation picnic/NAP qualifying game is Sunday, July 5. The cost is $6.00 for Unit 502 members and $9.00 for everyone else and promises to be good eatin’ with several new dishes added to the old favorites.
If you haven’t done so already, call Mary Payne at 510 339-1778 to reserve a spot for good food and a chance to qualify for the unit finals of the North American Pairs event held on September 13 at Redwood. You will have a second chance to qualify at the Mosswood game on August 16.
Welcome to our three new 502 members: Bud Crist, Jan Parker, and Mamie Thornbourne. In addition, we want to recognize four members advancing in rank; Isabel Bradshaw is a Junior Master; Dianne Macleod and Jeffrey Toman are Club Masters; and Simon Goldsmith is now a Sectional Master. Congrats one and all.
Thanks to everyone that contributed food, money and time to make June’s charity food drive successful; and special thanks to Dick Hart for all of his hard work. The big winner is the Alameda County Food Bank, recipient of these gifts.
At the unit game on May 17, Betty Kael & Sam Gurbaxani (N/S) placed 1st OA with a 59.48% game to edge out Cass Hawes & Nadine Levine’s 59.06% E/W score.
Great Western STAC week in May paid dividends to some of our players. At Lorene’s Redwood game Susan Kovacevic & Carl “Chilly” Larsen placed 11th of 230 tables in play. At Betty’s Dimond game, Corey Largman & Neal Mazaroff came in 1st in a smaller but tough field. At Lorene’s Friday game, Bob Berger & Joel Teller placed 11th in C in a 672 table field.
The next Great Western STAC will be August 24-30 so watch for participating games to compete for your silver points. You can’t win if you don’t play!
At the Sacramento Regional I didn’t see as many names in lights as usual but there were still some success stories. Mark Moss received the most total points for the week of events followed by Nick Weibe whose name seemed to be everywhere in the Daily Bulletins. Andrea & Michel Schneider had some very good games, both together and partnered with others. Greg Vance’s game remains strong in preparation for the Nationals. Tom Pajak & Donna Rolle picked up a fistful of points, as did Russell Barlow. Others making the papers were Jack Scott, Carol Scott, Joel Teller, Bob Berger, Carin Caroe, Gretchen Smith, Jim Canty, Joyce and Dick Hart, Glenn Boyce, and Doris Weiner Gluckman. Rose Ann Kase, Liz Silverman, Adrienne Hillebrandt and Eileen Thompson won the Gold Rush KO V (which had the largest number of competitors for the bracket).
Well done; if I missed your name, that e-mail at the bottom is to let me know!
It cannot go without mention that we lost a most beloved member last month. Dorothy Gale was a regular at the tables for many years achieving Bronze Life Master. She frequently played with Lorene Lamb & Jean Pinador. My favorite recollection of Dorothy was her colorful hair; sometimes pink or blue or lavender, and sweet smile. Although she has not graced the table often in recent years, she came out to honor her good friend and neighbor Barbara Harmon at that recent celebration.
She will be missed.
That’s it for this month. Please e-mail me at sandstress@mail2sandra.com with your corrections, glories and debacles!
By Laura Da Costa
We always knew that one of the big advantages of the move to the new clubhouse was going to be the two rooms. This feature has allowed for less disruption during turnovers of morning and afternoon games, and for restricted games to be held in the back room while open games were in the front. However, on May 22 we experienced a new use for the back room when the clubhouse hosted its first Social Bridge function. Players came with their regular one or two table groups, ate lunch, and then played for a couple hours. All of this was done while the regular Friday afternoon open game was conducted in the front room. This inaugural event drew praise from the six tables of players who participated. Thanks go to Dora Gostanian and Mary Jo Davila who served as hostesses. This type of event allowed the clubhouse to raise extra funds (each player paid $8), and to introduce these players to what a duplicate game is like. Hopefully some of these players will be joining our lessons and games in the future.
June 7 was our clubhouse “graduation day” for the new Life Masters we have gained in the past 12 months. This fun pro-am game honored Al Crane, Morgan Johnson, Pat Simpson, Howard Reed, Olivia Stockton, and Pete Weber. Pete managed to just achieve this accomplishment in the Sacramento Regional the week before the graduation. Congratulations to all six new Life Masters!
I want to remind all of you that if you have bridge friends who are not members or have let their memberships lapse, the requirements for making Life Master will be more stringent for those who join after December 3, 2009. So, encourage your friends to join soon.
Congratulations go out to the following pairs that cracked 70% in May. John Schnell & Monique Irion started the month off well with a 70% game on 5/1. In our Tuesday night 49er game Andrew & Kathleen Graves had a 75% game on 5/5, and John Jonassen & Karen Laws had a 75% game the following week (5/12). While Glen Ford & Terri Stitt were having a 73.51% game up in Oakhurst on 5/18, Belva Quattrin & Curt Reeves were having a 71.16% game in Fresno.
The following week (5/25), the act was repeated with Joe Fox & Corey Cole having a 70.36% game in Oakhurst, while Ginny Dow & Shirley Blum had a 72.69% game in Fresno. Finally, Maggie Mahaffey & Jim McKoane finished the month off with a 70.37% game on 5/28.
We hope to see you at a few upcoming events. Sunday, July 12, your teams will be provided for you in the always popular am-pro team event. Sunday, July 19 and Wednesday evening, July 22, the unit will be conducting North American Pairs qualifying games. These games not only allow you to play in the unit finals in the fall, but they also pay more points (black and red) than most games. Finally, I want to remind you that our Non-Life Master Sectional will be August 22 & 23.
By Paul Dubois
Upcoming events in Livermore include a club championship on June 29 and a unit game on July 13. Pleasanton will hold a club championship on June 26 and a unit game on July 10.
During April the Livermore and Pleasanton clubs held five charity games, which raised nearly $200 for charity. The extra dollar per person does not seem like much, but it adds up. The ACBL Charity Foundation has an annual financial statement available on the ACBL web site. The fiscal year that ended last September showed a nice increase in revenue, including almost $214,000 from club charity games. While some of the recipients are selected on a national level, the districts select local charities as well, on a rotating basis. D21 will be choosing charities in 2012.
Club participation is definitely up in the Livermore Valley. Attendance at the four dates in May at each club, compared to the four dates played in May 2008, was up from 91 pairs to 102 in Livermore, and from 48 to 56 in Pleasanton. As the leading edge of the boomer generation reaches retirement, we can hope for more participation at the clubs. In my view, it is not true that only older people play bridge; it is that only older people can play duplicate bridge in clubs very often. First, you have to lose those kids and that job! Our task is to snag the retiring boomers who have been playing on their lunch hours for years. After all, the product sells itself; once you’ve played duplicate, it is pretty hard to go back.
Winning their strats in events at the Sacramento Regional were Paul Zarcone & Bill Berck, Jean Barry, Teresa Duewer & Gilbert Reeser (twice!), and Anne Lindl & Martha Eddleman.
Also scoring points in Sacramento events were Jane & Jerry Cupps, Dudley Alexander, Carlton Furnberg, Linda Williams, Janice Batcheller, Linda and Tony Davito, Vern Gabrielson, Terri Kiyota, Jane McCoy, Gary Minnig, Indira Somayajula, Sharon Wulferdingen, Katherine Love, and Donald Smith.
By Bob Sampson
Marin was sunny and mild in the month of May which coincided with salubrious bridge results. Motoring to the Monterey Sectional, Laura Kenney & Gene Simpson were fourth in Swiss Teams and Lynne Redding & Irene Lam were 2nd in Strat C Pairs. Loretta Bromberg attended the Orangevale Sectional, placing third in A/X Pairs.
Let’s segue to nearby Sacramento where gold was found in 1849 and is still sought each May in masterpoint form at the California Capital Regional. Here’s how the hunt “panned out” for Marin players.
Bob Roman won the most masterpoints (35+) and had the most finishes in the overalls. Close behind with 34+ was Bruce Blakely; Loretta Bromberg had 26+; Diane Williams & Roy Hoppe earned over 21 masterpoints.
Loarn & Louis Thoelecke were fourth in Tues. Senior Pairs. Frank Aftowicz & Ed Talmus paired up to win two 299er Pairs. Wallace McOuat & Clair Young were fifth and Don & Phyllis Kreider were second in 299er Pairs; after which these four teamed up to win a KO 4 event. Deborah & Gerald Levine were first in KO 5 teams with Anita Stone & Gwen Toso. Ingrid Purcell & Sue Parker took a fifth in C Open Pairs. Jean Wildberg teamed with Ron Mulcare & Susan Bowser to tie for third in KO 5 and paired with Linda Bacon for second in 299ers. Anita and Ron Studen were fifth in B Side Series and fourth in A Sat. eve. Swiss Teams. Michael Nistler & Cassandra Mani tied for third in KO 2. Jackie Greenberg was fourth in B Wed. eve. Swiss. Carole Liss was third in an A Side Series. Irene Lam was second in Compact Consolation KO 6 and with Molly Anderson second in B 299er Swiss. George Duncan was sixth in 299er Pairs. Linda Danzig placed high three times: fourth in B in Thurs. Open Pairs, first in Compact Consolation KO 3 and tied for tenth in B Swiss Teams. Patricia & Dr. Ed Rothenberg, Norma Conner and John Heisler were fourth in KO 3.
Also among the 1,512 who won masterpoints in Sacramento were Laura Kenney, Gene Simpson, Michael Day, Nancy Ferguson, Barbara Walsh, Jeanne Radtke, Alyce Zahorsky, Cindy and Gary Kirk, Richard Marchand, Dick Crocker, Bob Liss, Ellen Schiller, Sabra Drohan, Lani Valentine, Jim Cohen, Barbara Curley, Mary Teply, Susan Angel, Nancy Zakim and Kirsten Wibroe.
In the clubs in May there were many big games, including Carl Caven & Peter Sorensen 73% and Martie Gilweit & Rose Nieda 71% at Crossley’s Mon. night limited game, Andy Johnson & P.J. Perring 70% at Terra Linda’s Wed. eve. limited game, Jerry Meislin & Carol Liss 70% at Hoppe’s open game, Jerry Meislin & Adrienne Feuer 70% at Crossley’s Fri. open game and Michael Hartnett & Bob Sampson 71% at the open game on Memorial Day in Terra Linda.
Many of us saw the story about the USC study of aging that touted bridge playing as an ideal activity to enhance memory. The article featured some Laguna Woods card players in their 90s but easily could have cited our sharp nonagenarians: Bob Houston, Louise Tindle and Lucien Wernick.
Go to Jim Oser’s wonderful web site www.fournotrump.com/ for in depth data about player results in Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Rosa and Sonoma, and to www.marinbridge.com/ for Marin Unit 508 information and links to District 21 and ACBL.
By Lee Striplin
Chris Brown & Barbara Price were first overall in last month’s unit game. Following them were Ralph Jungwirth & Latrelle Uhl, Robert & Frank Frohman, Lyn Rabinovitz & Lee Striplin, Jinsoon Chan & Juanita Kaufman, and Jan & Pieter Mastenbroek. Faye Salmon & Dick Uhrhammer were third in A in their section, and Kathleen Bulgheroni and Joyce Rudesill placed second in N/S B. Players enjoyed a nice lunch of sandwiches and fruit prepared by the board.
Player of the month was Gary Capwell, followed by Frank Frohman, Charlotte Martin, and Hayward Hawke. At the California Capital Regional in Sacramento Chris Brown & Barbara Price had a 4th overall in an Open Pairs game, and Ralph Jungwirth & Latrelle Uhl scored a 7th overall in a seniors game. Sharon Cole has reached the rank of NABC Master.
Several of our players are traveling to far-away places this summer. Pat Martin, along with five relatives and friends, is touring in six European countries on a five-week trip. They are staying in a castle in Galway and a villa in Tuscany.
Besides Ireland & Italy they are visiting Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Each person chose a favorite place to stay. Pat Gallo recently enjoyed a cruise to South America.
Vicky Sweet has recently become a Life Master, and the Turlock/Merced group had a party for her at the Turlock Club. Sharon Cole has reached the rank of NABC Master.
The next unit game will take place July 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Finally, I would like to thank the unit for the Kings mug and cap given to me at a recent game. It was very thoughtful of you!
By Maja
For a change of pace, here is part of an article by Benedict Carey, NY Times, that is of interest to us all. “At The Bridge Table, Clues To A Lucid Old Age.” The men and women are playing bridge, and at their age the game is no hobby. It is a way of life, a daily comfort and challenge, the last communal campfire before all goes dark. In recent years scientists have become intensely interested in what could be called a super memory club; the fewer than one in 200 of us who have lived past 90 without a trace of dementia.
It is a group that, for the first time, is large enough to provide a glimpse into the lucid brain at the furthest reach of human life, and to help researchers tease apart what, exactly, is essential in preserving mental sharpness to the end.
“These are the most successful agers on earth, and they’re only just beginning to teach us what’s important, in their genes, in their routines, in their lives,” said Dr. Claudia Kawas, a neurologist at the University of California, Irvine. “We think, for example, that it’s very important to use your brain, to keep challenging your mind, but all mental activities may not be equal. We’re seeing some evidence that a social component may be crucial.” Laguna Woods, a sprawling retirement community of 20,000 south of Los Angeles, is at the center of the world’s largest decades-long study of health and mental acuity in the elderly. Begun by University of Southern California researchers in 1981 and called the 90+ Study, it has included more than 14,000 people aged 65 and older, and more than 1,000 aged 90 or older. Such studies can take years to bear fruit, and the results of this study are starting to alter the way scientists understand the aging brain. The evidence suggests that people who spend long stretches of their days, three hours and more, engrossed in some mental activities like cards may be at reduced risk of developing dementia. Researchers are trying to tease apart cause from effect: are they active because they are sharp, or sharp because they are active? The researchers have also demonstrated that the percentage of people with dementia after 90 does not plateau or taper off, as some experts had suspected. It continues to increase, so that for the one in 600 people who make it to 95, nearly 40 percent of the men and 60 percent of the women qualify for a diagnosis of dementia. At the same time, findings from this and other continuing studies of the very old have provided hints that some genes may help people remain lucid even with brains that show all the biological ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Staying in the game so far, scientists here have found little evidence that diet or exercise affects the risk of dementia in people over 90. But some researchers argue that mental engagement, doing crossword puzzles, reading books, may delay the arrival of symptoms. And social connections, including interaction with friends, may be very important, some suspect. In isolation, a healthy human mind can go blank and quickly become disoriented, psychologists have found. “There is quite a bit of evidence now suggesting that the more people you have contact with, in your own home or outside, the better you do” mentally and physically, Dr. Kawas said. “Interacting with people regularly, even strangers, uses easily as much brain power as doing puzzles, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is what it’s all about.” And bridge, she added, provides both kinds of stimulation.
The full article is available at www. nytimes.com/2009/05/22/health/research/22brain.html?_r=1
By Keith Vincent
The first unit game of May brought in 12 tables. Overall winners in A/B were Clyde & Kathleen Smith; C winners were Wayne Miller & J Davis. We had 10 tables for our May 17 game. N/S leaders were Anastasia Loban & Barbara Kiesel; E/W winners were Tim Jeans & Dawne Dicksenson.
Congratulations to our newest Life Master, Maury Schumacher and to Joan Garcia who is now a Gold Life Master.
We held a STAC Swiss Teams event on May 9 at Sonoma with 15 tables in play. A rather amusing exchange occurred when a player who is rather notorious along with her former partner, for making director calls. This time the director informed her that this was the last director call that she would be allowed for this session. I had a little problem with the tournament with 15 tables in play Thus there was a round robin group. Apparently one or more teams withdrew before the final round was started.
I wrote rulings@acbl.org and got the following reply: “I assume that this was during a sectional or regional tournament. If so, withdrawals are generally allowed by the director in charge so long as the movement can continue. The only case I can think of where withdrawals would not be allowed would be in a round robin Swiss event.”
By Bud Brewer
Bob Hattrup Retires. On a brisk April morning in 1934, the serene atmosphere of the farming town of Cottonwood Idaho was breached by the wails of a larger than usual baby boy named Robert and born to Ben & Marie Hattrup. The members of the American Contract Bridge League Community didn’t know it at the time but Robert Hattrup, was to become a large person not only in stature but also in service to all duplicate bridge players who came to know him as “Bob” and play at his club in Reno, Nevada. Bob started playing duplicate bridge back in 1966 at the age of 32 and soon became a force in the local and regional duplicate tournament scene. He moved to Reno in 1981 and became a favorite partner of many local expert players. In 1989 he achieved the rank of Life Master and never looked back. Having reached the first platform of the numerous pigmented master- point rankings, Bob elected to return something to the game by becoming a director at the Reno Bridge Club. Bob’s games provided Reno’s duplicate bridge players an atmosphere of friendliness and enthusiasm for almost 19 years. On May 1, 2009, Bob retired from his role as co-owner and director of the Reno Bridge Club and became a full time player. On behalf of all the members of the Reno Unit of the ACBL, this editor wishes you well Mr. Hattrupt, at least until you come to my table.
Member achievements in May include the ascension of Commander Stephen Dunn and Mrs. Susan Dunn to the rank of Junior Master. Richard Michelsen and Ed Plotsky have become Regional Masters and Bud Pate is Reno’s newest NABC Master. Lillian E. Johnson and John Young have earned the required points to become Bronze Life Masters.
The May unit championship game saw Lin Goldstein partner with Sheila Wimer and walk away with the overall win as they posted a 66.99% game scoring 225 points and holding off Charlotte Falk & Adam Lanchandini who finished with 218.50 points, a 65% game. Gil Ramirez & Neal Moore were 3rd, followed by Irene Harlow & June Adkins in 4th. Reba Jo Berland & Jinny Anderson were 5th and David Weinberg & Roni Maktenieks were 6th. The game’s thirteen tables hosted players from two or three California communities as well as several areas of Northern Nevada.
Reno Youth Bridge, Inc. held their first Annual Youth Tournament on June 6 with a total of five tables participating. Students from the five participating middle schools took their seats at tables in the Reno Bridge Center to test their learning for the past year for the first time against students at other schools in the Washoe District. Kathy Lane, president of the tax free organization has advised that over seventeen members of the Reno Unit served as volunteer teachers for this year’s Pilot after school activity programs and expects to have even more assist in the teaching at 10 participating schools in the 1009-2010 school year.
By Bob Olsen
The next Unit 505 Annual Meeting, awards and Swiss Teams game is scheduled for 7/11, time 1:00 p.m. at Kilaga Springs Lodge, 1167 Sun City Blvd., Lincoln. Also we need to vote on two updates to the unit bylaws. The unit provides the main dish, and we ask the participants to provide appetizers, salads and desserts.
The ACBL Board of Directors voted that effective 5/1/09 Stratified Pairs events at local sectional and regional tournaments may be based, at sponsor’s option, on average masterpoints of the pair.
The 2008 club reports for table count show three online clubs (Bridge Base, OKbridge and Swan Games) totaled 470,854 “tables.” In comparison, the top 10 actual clubs totaled 127,060 tables. Your comments concerning the advantages or disadvantages of the two playing systems are encouraged, such as point awards, etc. (bob3209@hotmail.com). The results will be summarized in a forthcoming Forum.
The New York Times (5/22/09) contained a long article “At the Bridge Table, Clues to a Lucid Old Age.” A decades long-term study by UC at a Laguna Woods retirement community for people 90+ shows that challenging mental engagement and social connections may be very important in delaying mental slow-down. Of course, bridge provides both kinds of stimulation. Research is ongoing to distinguish cause/effect. Are they active because they are sharp, or sharp because they are active?
The ACBL National Goodwill Committee is now accepting nominations for the Goodwill Member of the year. This honor is bestowed upon an ACBL member who has continually exhibited unselfish dedication to the causes of good conduct, worthy participation, ethical behavior and who has made bridge contributions above and beyond the call of duty. Quite an achievement. The deadline for submission is 9/15/09. Nominations must go to the Unit 505 Board only (the ACBL is unable to accept nominations from an individual).
Some good scores: Dan Fong,72.9%, Arden Manor Club; George Blondin & Ken Carlson, 73.8%, Sierra Bridge Club.
The Folsom Bridge Center hosted a Workshop, “Duplicating Bridge Players.” Bill Carli, Barbara Vann, Lou Ann Partridge, Terri Smoot, Al Beckner gave lessons to introduce social bridge players to duplicate bridge in the morning.
Judy Grube and Judy Clark provided a wonderful lunch for the 48 players. After lunch the new people played some duplicate bridge. Charleen Gorrell & Laura Williams were first overall (N/S). Becca Smith & Jeanette Clark were first E/W.
Call your local clubs for their North American Open Pairs events scheduled for June, July and August. Qualifiers will compete in the unit final in the fall.
STAC winners of note: Phil & Lyn Benner 75% game first overall in the Western Conference for 17.32 MP; Mary Glaser & Louise Heil had 64% Wednesday for 8.83 MP; Stacy Walthall & David Baskin rang up 10.59 MP on Friday for their 67% game.
Mark your calendar for July 19 at Folsom BC for the Workshop on “Competitive Bidding” with Al Beckner.
Call 351-1139 to RSVP.
By Kim Fanady
Have a star spangled Fourth of July, everyone! What better way to celebrate our nation’s brave beginnings and rich history than with some fireworks and flashes of brilliance at the bridge table?
Many San Franciscans scored big successes at the recent Sacramento Regional! Kudos to these winners: David Neuman, first in a one session Swiss; Don Friedman & Vicki Lerner, winners of the Open Pairs; yours truly and Steve Kipperman, first in B in the Open Pairs, twice; Norrie Cavallero, first in a Bracket 2 KO, twice; Linda Golm & Gay Yamigawa, first in E & F in a 99er Pairs; Judy Salgado, Maxine Sigel, Connie Shapiro, first in a Bracket 6 KO; Linda Bucklin & Helen Spalding, first in F in a 299er Pairs; Nancy Thompson & Andrew Kerr, first in F in a 99er Pairs; Dean Wangsvick & Joanne Allen, first in A & B in side pairs; Mike Bozarth, Jeff Reid, Christopher Friday, Jeanette Shinsako, first in a Bracket 4 Compact KO; Lauren Friedman, winner of the Flight A Swiss and first in a Bracket 2 Cons. Compact KO; Sally Foster, first in a Bracket 3 Cons. Compact KO; Zak Mohammed & Stan Chow, first in a one session Swiss; Christopher Friday & Bob Weaver, first in C in the Fast Pairs; Tom McLaughlin, first in Flight A Swiss.
Many others had overall placings and section tops. Check out the results elsewhere in this issue. Good going, all!
Sacto also produced the leading candidate thus far for “Worst Hand of the 21st Century.” How would you feel if you picked up Í65 Ì764 Ë7532 Ê6532? Worse than a yarborough, the highest card in your hand isn’t even a 10, but a 7! At my table the opponents held the dreaded sevenborough, and the auction went 1Í - 1NT - 2Í - Pass (thank the bridge gods!) - Pass - Double (?) all pass. Making 3, +570 for us. At another table, it was 1Í - 1NT - Double - Pass (no thanks to the bridge gods!) – all Pass for +1100. If you’re ever dealt a worse hand, send it to me!
Last month’s San Francisco Summer Sectional was held in mid-June, too late for my deadline, so next month’s column will include kudos and bragging about the victories of Unit 506ers. Stay tuned! I’ll also report on my foray to the Penticton Regional in Canada.
Due to the sectional, we skipped the June unit game. This month’s game will be the annual Pro/Am on July 11, always a fun and popular event. The Pro/Am split is over/under 300 MPs. Established Pro/Am partnerships must be cleared by the unit game coordinator.
Next month’s event will be Great Western STAC pairs on August 29. All games are at noon at the Masonic Temple, 850 Brotherhood Way, and all are welcome.
Club players chalked up a spate of 70% games recently. At the Presidio Club (St. Mary’s), Allan Unger & Fred Morris had a 72.02% on 6/4, Nancy Ferguson & Michael Hartnett had a 71.13 % on 5/14, and Sig Ketterrer & Tom Stein had a 70.54% on 5/12. At QuickTricks, Bob Chase & Alan Bostrom had a 70.24% on 6/1.
Wow! Terrific games, everyone!
Congratulations to our newly ranked: new Junior Masters Diana Blank, Kathryn Edelman, Samuel Kuang, Robert Lavine, and Betty Schafer; Sectional Masters Don Kahn and Lynn Norris; Regional Master Alan Bostrom; NABC Master Foster Geng, and Life Master Ron Goodman.
Well played, all!
Welcome as always to our new members: Lucy Buchanan, Etan Cohen, Whitney Davis, Coleen Ehrlich, Marjorie Feder, David Jamison, Hazel Kajawa, Scott Murchison, Peter Myers, and Ted Pyle. Be sure to say hello to these new players when you meet them at the table.
By M. C. Hevener
Freshly back from the Sacramento Regional, we have success stories, from the very first event: Dan Stowell & Don Doolitle and Norrie Cavalleo with partner Rob Roman kicked off the tournament with wins in the Welcome Charity Pairs. Norrie & Rob and team scored again in the Auburn KOs, while Dan & Don took 1st place in the River Cats Side Pairs. Wed. Senior Pairs found Ted Richmond & Dariush Youssefi in the money. The Monarch KOs were won by Dan & Don and frequent team mates, the Portola Valley Piagets. Arlie Lamb & Ed Hornung scored in the Capital Side Game and again in the Thurs. Senior Pairs. Ted Richmond & Greg House also scratched in the Thurs. Senior Pairs.
Other local winners included Dan Raider, Joel Steinberg, Ed Frymoyer, Mie Thiemmedh, Mary Jane Armacost, yours truly, Kate Talbot, Tony Baranski, Linda Schwarz, Jan Grove, Gretchen Schmeeckle, Carol Knowles and Hugh Huff. Congratulations to all of the above plus Marg Conner, Nancy Finney, Phil Scatera and Carl Sutherland.
If you scratched and I missed your name, please let me know.
Unit 498 has a new board of directors with lots of enthusiasm. The first event on the docket is the unit game for Sat., June 20 entitled “Play Against the Champs.” A compilation of 36 boards from past NABC’s, Vanderbilts, Spingolds, Blue Ribbons, NAOPs and other ACBL tournaments will be served up to you right after lunch at the club. Come at 11:30 to meet and greet, have lunch and see how you stack up to the experts. Hand analyses and hand records will be provided for your very own post mortem.
(Don’t beat yourself up!)
Then stay tuned for the July unit game which will be a Pro-Am event. You are welcome to make up your own Pro-Am team, but we can match you with another player for this great event. Sat., July 18 is the date to watch. At that time, we’ll also honor Dr. Gordon Binder, a loyal member of our unit for some time. More about our own celebrity later.
Mary Bates and Al Malouf have started a new class for beginners at our club on Wednesday nights. With just a little bit of advertising, they have recruited six tables of players! Unbelievable!
After orientation they all bought books and committed to the series of eight lessons. We’ll be growing our ranks this year with the help of Mary and Al.
Al Malouf continues the Thurs. morning game with Ted Richmond providing hand analysis. Some of the more courageous morning players are venturing into the afternoon fray and many will be seeking partners for the ProAm in July.
We have weekday players from San Francisco, Greenbrae, Atherton and Palo Alto at Bayshore.
Milestones: Joelle Benioff is a new Bronze Life Master and Art Quey has achieved Silver status.
We have two new Junior Masters in our unit: Richard Ihrie and Jack Lewis. Welcome to the ranks.
Things to look for in the future: a new (big, fat) Suggestion Box in the club and a once per month Free Play day for those with birthdays in that particular month. Keep an eye open for our soon to be revamped web site. Games at the Bayshore Bridge Club take place at 12:15 Monday through Friday, and Monday & Thursday evenings as well. See you at the tables.
By Ray Yuenger
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but if you are a member of Unit 507, there will be a free dinner and unit game on Sunday, July 12. We will be returning to the Sonoma Chicken Coop in Campbell for dinner at 5:00 p.m. This dinner is also the annual unit membership meeting. A Stratified Pairs unit game will follow the dinner in the Orchard Room of the Campbell Community. If you plan to attend, please sign up at the San Jose Bridge Center or online at sjbridge.org
Mich Ravera is now directing on Monday nights along with Wendy Dewell, so give the game a try.
My recent trip to the Sacramento Regional again involved short pants, long meals, good friends, heavenly beds, and even some bridge. In the premier two-day Swiss, in 2nd place were Stephen Tu & Gary Porter, in 9th was Sathya Bettadapura, and in 10th were Marcia & Robert Dean.
On a winning knockout team were Gerry & Joan Piaget. Prevailing in their two-session Swiss stratifications were Y. Chen, Samuel Shat, Paul Lee & Cassandra Leung; Don Nemiro; Neal Webb (giving himself an early birthday present); and Joel Koransky & Ken Rosenfeld.
Earning strat tops in two-session pair games were Beverly Wright and Dale & Lynn Johannesen (who took first in their event). In the limited games, it was Bob & Carole Woldstad and Lynn Bartz & Leslie Perkins (who had a 73.75% game).
At the Monterey Sectional, our unit supplied the Swiss Teams winners of Flight A (Don Nemiro, Lynn & Dianne Shannon, Fran Dickman), Flight X (Michael Bodell, Teddi & Derek Fiero), and Flights B and C (Claire & Thomas Feury). In Open Pairs events, strat tops went to Don Nemiro (twice) and Stu Goodgold & Mike Cailean. In limited events it was Rosemary Heath and Bob & Carole Woldstad.
Earlier in the month of May the following players had games over 65% in Great Western STAC week games: Bill Reister, Will Watson, Erin Gove & Joseph Chui, Diane & Lynn Shannon, Judy Fisher & Bonnie Beardsley, Elaine Elkin & Ted Finlayson, Derek & Teddi Fiero, Alan Malloy & Michael Bodell, Michael Fleisher & Mindy Foos (a STAC top), Bill Langlois, July Joyce & Miwako Wong, Jim Tseng & Fung Bao, and Jack Clinch.
Congratulations to our newest Masters: Arkady Estrin, Devesh Goyal, Scott Heise, Parul Mehta (Junior); Perry Segal (Club); Lynn Bartz, Cecelia Musicant (Sectional); Stacie Bowman (Regional); Manju Agarwal (NABC); David Sisson, Miwako Wong (Life); Mike Cailean (Silver).
Did you notice that the ACBL has approved stratifying pair events at sectional and regional tournaments by the average masterpoints of the pair? Do you like the idea? Would it change your partnerships? Your unit board is discussing this option for our next sectional.
I regret to report that Cyrus Coupal, a recent fixture at the bridge club, has passed away.
Still at rayyuenger@comcast.net
By Susan Benich
So, when is the last time you thought about mineralogy, geosciences, and/or gemology? What are the properties of a diamond? Well, we have a diamond among us, a Diamond Life Master. She is the first and only one in the history of our club. Congratulations to Ann Ottenberg for earning 5000 masterpoints.
She is a real gem.
Jim Slinger is certainly one to be envied! He finished 1st & 2nd in the conference in two events during Great Western STAC week. Compared to all members from our club participating in the Monterey Sectional he earned the most silver points. He and his wife Susan placed first in A at our May unit game scoring a 70.99% game. Such a humble man; he never told you any of this now, did he?
Other unit game winners: April 11: 1st overall C, Patty & Larry Palmer; 1st overall A/B, Roxanne & Bob Vatoune. April 25 1st/2nd overall A/B, Carol & Mark Maggipinto along with Annemarie Moller & Phyllis Cramblet. In May: N/S 1st A/B/C, Vee Duvall & Mary Simoni; E/W 1st B/C, Bruce Dau & Ken Martin.
Some high-scoring pairs for the month of May: Alice del Core & Dick Wasserstrom, 70.19%; Ken Llacera & Don Seldeen, 69.64%; Mary Canepa & Mary Simoni, 66.50%; Ann Ottenberg & Jane Basilico, 66.47%; the brothers Silas & Dick Wasserstrom, 66.30%; Patty Palmer in an individual NLM game, 66.07%; Ken Llacera & Mark Wainer, 65.97%; Nancy & Mark Wainer-65.51%.
Of the 1,512 prospectors at the California Capital Regional the following members from our club found some fool’s gold and some real gold, too: Bill McIntosh garnered 11.59 MPs, followed by Wayne Stuart, Diana Schilling, Susan Benich, Jane Jennings, Vicki Kuhlmann, JoAnn Bruno, Jane Basilico, Ann Ottenberg, Mick Friedberg, Peggy Kiefer, Irene Thomas, Dennis Webb, Claire Swetland, Mary Pulliam, Nancy Driscoll, and Mary Peterson.
Nancy Driscoll’s 40 beginner and advanced beginner players completed their Spring 2009 lessons with a B-B-Q and game at Nancy’s Bridge House (www. nancysbridgehouse.com). Ginger Stone and Cheryl Martin, familiar faces at the Santa Cruz Bridge Center and two of Nancy’s students are currently leading the field of Unit 550 players in the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney races at their level. Nancy is offering a class for intermediates in July.
Thank you to all who made our first “Timeless Treasures and Classic Collectibles” rummage sale to benefit our club a huge success. A very special thank you to Teri Handzel for her vision and her leadership in working with her planning committee, Nancy Wainer, Bruce Dau, Pam Benz, Bev Moore, and Joanne Nelson.
There’s a new game in town! Welcome Pam Benz as the new owner of the Monday evening game. Her first night was proof of the players’ enthusiasm and support for Pam as they filled eleven tables.
Congrats to Pam!
Check your calendars and bulletin board at the club for July’s special games.
Once again we must offer condolences to our dear friends. Roxanne Vatoune unexpectedly lost her husband Bob in May. Virginia Calhoun’s mother passed away quietly with her family members in attendance. We offer our sympathies to them and to their families.
By Randee Dimond
First off, let’s rectify an omission: Debbie Tesler & Pat Frenaye won a prior month unit game. Congratulations to both. May unit game winners were Joanne Pransky & Larry Spanier and Meryl Fischer & Mark Hersko. Joanne Pransky and Greg Merenbach are now bronze LMs, a wonderful achievement. Then there was Great Western STAC week with Nancy Johnson & Mary Spellman setting the standard for NLMs and Kate Hill taking top honors for the week. The “greater love hath no man” trophy goes to Helene & Roy Gay who came in at the last minute to fill out a team in a pro-am event. Several of our players placed in overall awards; check the bulletin board to see who got what. Teammates Jennifer Jones, Bob Klein, Kate Hill & Gary Robinson got top honors at Sonoma’s big Saturday STAC event.
The siren song of Sacramento’s Regional drew many local players. See the centerfold for pictures and data, but a special ovation to Kate Hill & Gary Robinson for bringing back a wheelbarrow full of MPs (among their wins a Swiss with Bob Klein) and a shoutout to the Flight C players who risked life and limb to play. Kudos also to Lee Grams & Mark Hersko who with teammates Mary Omodt, Larry Borsian & Sara Rothmuller won two, count ‘em, KO events. It was never easy; they just made it look that way.
To all who competed, we say well done.
Club winners in May included Jane Wahler, Ron McEwan, Tom Gee, Mary Omodt, Larry Borsian, Elise Henderson, Gladys Sawyer, Gloria Hersch, Anna & Dave Webster, Pat Scoville, Helene Gay, Bob Klein, John Kozero, Larry Hansen, Erwin Linzer, Wendy Merget, Ramona Haller, Gary Robinson, Kate Hill, Sue Snow, Oak Sawyer, Sara Rothmuller, Evelyn Holtz, Mark Hersko, Jennifer Jones, Lynn Blumenthal, Dave Pankratz, Kathy Venton, Barbara Mcauliffe, Lynn Dondero, Shelly Schuster, Debby Walton, Debbie Tesler, Loy Mott, Linn Erickson, Dorothy Gummerson, Barry Samuel, Lou Bailin, Jackie Ortiz, Ann Slater, Donna Edwards, Patricia Gittings, Kate Wilmore, Pat Frenaye, Paul Scheinberg, Larry Wyner, El Shaw (congratulations on the Human Race walk), Laura Camm, Sally Jamison, Andy Holroyd-Sills, Barbara & Lou Meola, Caryl Putnam, Peggy Leiser, Nina Arrabit, Asher Nathan, Angela & James Coons, and Sarge who brought us so many starters for our summer gardens.
Though many knew Monti better than I, this WWII hero will live on in my memory as the first guy I ever played with at the Gallery. His kindness, especially to rookies, good humor and zillions of bridge gadgets set him apart.
We will certainly miss him.
July 26 is our unit game, and a club championship will be held on July 29. Also, July will start “salad days” - great salads will be served during the Wednesday daytime pairs game. Watch for details. Coming in August are sessions on defense and squeezes. Watch for dates TBA.
Also for novices, ask Kathy about the raffle. If you win, you’ll play with an expert and will love it; I promise.
By Jim Solomon
Our Spring Pairs Brunch on May 22 was a grand success, with very tasty quiche, lovely flowers, and a lot of work by our unit board, plus some good bridge. The overall winners for the latter are mentioned below; for details, go to the South County web site:
http://u500.bridgeforyou.com
Our annual sectional tournament is only a month away: August 7-9, and it’s not too soon to line up your partner for the (single-session) pairs events on Friday and Saturday mornings and afternoons and your teammates for the (Bracketed) Swiss on Sunday. This year we’re holding it at a new site, the Transfiguration (Catholic) Church Hall, at 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd. in Castro Valley. We’re delighted to offer you a spacious playing space, lots of on-site parking, a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings (you guess the continent), and both varied and plentiful refreshments throughout all three days of the tournament. Come join us for some hot August bridge! You’ll find details on our flyer that’s available at other area tournaments; in Table Talk, our monthly newsletter, and on our unit web site (vide supra).
Notable Recent Tournament Performances: California Capital Regional, Sacramento: Tue. eve. Swiss Teams: 5A/2B, Richard Feinberg. Wed. Open Pairs: 10A/3B, Doug Burke & Kevin Schoenfeld. Thurs. eve. Swiss: 2A/1B, Richard.
Fri. eve. Swiss: 4B, Virginia Herring. Kings Bracket Team KOs: Bracket. 1: 3/4, Jim Solomon. Fri. Open Pairs: 5B, Steve & Collette Castellino. Fri. Capital Side Game: 2A Joyce & Dave Denyven. Sat. Capital Side Game: 4A, Kunio Okui. Sutter Swiss Teams: 4B/4C, Jim. Weekend Compact Bracket KOs: Bracket. 2 1st, Richard.
Sat. Open Pairs: 2A, Elena Ziuleva; 6B, Jim; 3C, Bob Hamilton & Charlie Conrad. Sat. eve. Swiss: 1 OA, Bill Cubley.
California Capital Open Swiss: 2nd, Jay Magid; Jey Jeyakumar & Richard; 17, Steve. Sun. B/C/D Swiss: 13/15, Venkat Sivasankaran, Bill Hodges, & Jim.
Special Club Games in the Next 30 Days: Sat., June 27: Tri-City BC (TCBC): unit championship game (U.C.). Mon., June 29: TCBC Club Championship game (C.C.). Tue., July 7: Marina BC: U.C. Mon., July 13: Redwood BC: North American Pairs qualifying game (NAP) (a separate NLM flight will be added if there’s sufficient interest; contact director Terry Terzian at 510 581-4424 or terryterz@comcast.net to sign up). Sat., July 18: TCBC: NAP. Wed., July 22: Lakeside BC: C.C.
Winners at Recent Special Club Games: Marina BC club championship (C.C.), May 12: 1 OA: Jim Kelsey & Gary Peck; 1 N/S, Richard Feinberg & Darrell Fung. Tri-City BC (TCBC) C.C., May 16: 1 OA, Darrell & Gil Reeser; 1 N/S, Sherard Wood & Indira Somayajula. Redwood BC C.C, May 18: Open: 1 OA, Mary Ramos & Jan Hollowell; 1 E/W, Joyce & Dave Denyven; NLM: 1 OA, Jim Groh & Nancy King; 1C N/S, Pat Krock & Randy Corr; 1B E/W, Ferne Freitas & Donna Russell; 1B N/S, Dottie Reid & Tina Chen.
Lakeside BC Unit Championship (UC), May 20: 1 OA, Darrell & Jim Kelsey; 1 N/S: Vince De Pasquale & Richard. Unit 500 Spring Brunch Pairs UC (at MBC), May 22: Open: 1 OA, Richard & Jim Merzon; 1 E/W: Lynne Bromley & Ravi Bhalla; NLM: 1 OA: Issi Stefani & Lori Fields; 1 E/W, John & Lynne White.
MBC ACBL Interclub Championship, June 2: 1 OA, Kunio Okui & Jim Merzon. Ashland BC C.C., June 4: 1 OA, Civia Rudman & Darrell; 1 E/W, Andrew Gumperz & Kunio.
Welcome to Our Fold: Elen Stoops of Fremont and Katy & Kenneth Green of Castro Valley.
Moving up the masterpoint Ladder: Congratulations to Sharon Mistry and Henry Hornstein, who’ve become Club Masters, and to Barbara Watts and Ilya Chizhov, who’re now Junior Masters.
By Jim Barnett
Someone ought to teach Margaret Quinn canasta became she is too good a bridge player. Then again, she would probably be just as good a canasta player. All Margaret did is win Monday’s player of the month honors, same as Wednesday, same as Friday and needlessly to say over all player of the month honors. She won 11.44 masterpoints for her efforts. By the way, she and her partner Larrie Sweet had high game, a 64.58% effort. Next month I am just going to write Margaret at the top of the column and let it go at that.
Top B player of the month was Jim Higgins and the top C player was Dennis Northern.
Monday’s first place winners included, Frank Frohman & Joan Miller; Toots Wade & Ray Adams; Dee Heller & Judy Smith, Audrey Mackell & Margaret Quinn; Jack & Lenore Ellery and Toots Wade and Vicki Sweet. Finishing in first place on Wednesday evening were George Loscalzo & Glenn Wyn, Margaret & John Quinn, Larrie Sweet & Margaret Quinn, and George Loscalzo & Dave Terry. Friday’s first place finishers were George Loscalzo & Margaret Quinn, Gary & Larry Smith, Art Konecny & Judy Westerburg, Roland Wilson & Gary Capwell, Pat Kaufman & Jim Higgins, Toots Wade & Ray Adams, Betty Brown & Art Konecny, Jack & Lelore Ellery and Ed & Louise Thiner.