Bakersfield
By Mimi Stull
The 2008 top winners of the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney masterpoint races for the unit were announced at the February unit game. The Ace of Clubs race measures points won at the club level, while the Mini-McKenney measures all ACBL points won during the year.
Congratulations to the following: (0-5 MPs): Garth Black, both Ace and MM. (5-20 MPs): Helen Moore, Ace; Claire Ridgley and Larry Hawke, MM. (20-50) Larry Hawke, both. (50-100) Fred Carlisle, both. (100-200) Norman Maxwell, both. (200-300) George Hollingsworth, both. (300-500) Connie Bruce, Ace; Richard Kemmerer, MM. (500-1000) Shirley Eide, both. (1000-2500), Deana Gratke, Ace; Teri Atkinson, MM. (2500-5000) Lois Short, Ace; Wafik Abdou, MM. (5000-7500) David Priest, both. (7500-10,000) Carreen Hinds, both.
Mea culpa from last month’s report: The first District 22 president from Unit 514 was Kathy Townsend. Starting in the 1990s, Kathy served on the district board for 12 years. She was in charge of two regionals in Bakersfield and one in Visalia among other duties. She also was on the unit board and twice served as unit president. Kathy had accrued more than 2400 masterpoints before vision problems made it impossible to continue playing bridge. She has two sons and their families who live in town. Her eldest son, a musician, and his family moved to Belgium for a gig for two years - but that was twenty years ago and he is still there. Kathy would love to hear from her bridge friends. We appreciate all her hard work that has enabled us to enjoy a great game.
Congratulations to Deana Gratke, one of the top players in our club, who recently became a Gold Life Master (more than 2500). Others moving up in rank include Sectional Masters Liz Brown and Linda Shidler, and new Regional Master Rich Wilson.
Gert Prejean, 92½- year-old “phenom,” recently came in first in her direction four out of five days with four different partners: Joan Bruce, Mimi Stull, Tom Rauterkus, and a whopping 70.14% game with Beverly Busacca.
The January unit game had 12 full tables. Shirley Eide was food chairman, but Connie Bruce brought a delicious pineapple upside - down cake (baked southern style) that was so good that it was “devoured” before the game began. Moral: get to the unit game early! Overall winners include: 1/A Bob Giragosian - Wafik Abdou; Maynard and Sandy Denison; Deana Gratke - Dene Ferris; 1/B Carol Burdick - JerrySchmitt; Barbara Jones - Marj Robertson; Joan Bruce - Caroline Littlejohns; 1/C Toni Poe - Libbie Stull; Bob Pilshaw - Mimi Stull; Connie Bruce - George Hollingsworth; GeorgeAnn Kerly - Bess Tafera; and Henry Reap - Phylis Dabbs.
While in the process of arranging partnerships for the Thursday afternoon game, director Shirley Eide felt heart attack symptoms and called 911 on herself. She was still on her cell phone arranging partnerships while the paramedics were taking her away on the gurney. She received a stent and was released from the hospital on Friday. She rested on Saturday, but on Sunday morning she baked a cake for bridge, played that same afternoon and came in 3/B with Jerry Schmitt!
There will be a 6:30 p.m. game Friday, March 6. The unit charity game (+$1) will be Saturday, March 21. There will also be a game Monday March 30 at the Guild House. Paid reservations to be made with Shirley E.
The board is considering places other than Hodel’s to cater our Holiday party. If you have any ideas, please share them with any board member.
Balboa
By Phil Pearl
There were 23 tables in play at the January unit game. The results: (A): 1. (Chris Larsen and son). 2. (Patricia Menefee - Andy De Leon). 3/4. (Xiaoxue Walker - Larry Sharp). 3/4 (Rai Osborn - Renee Alpert). 5. (Allen Golbert - Eddie Rose). 6.(Cathy Bauer - Lucille-Hovland). (B): 1. (Bauer - Hovland). 2. Mary Singer - Nola Simon). 3. (Phil Hiestand - Weidong Pei). 4. (Penny Wentworth - E. Mroz). 5. (Howard Morton - Susana Hegstrom). 6. (Diana Black - Jerry Schreider). (C): 1. (Wentworth - Mroz). 2. (William and Vivian Boulos). 3. (Alice and Ted Nicholas). 4. (Anthony Doria - Jeanette Estill).
Susana Hegstrom informs me that she earned her final gold points at Palm Desert and became an instant Life and Bronze Life Master. And, the word from Hawaii is that Sydney Stephan made Life Master at that regional. Congratulations to both.
The new chairman of the Mentoring Program for 2009 is Susan Powers. Susan told me that the major change for 2009 is that the six sessions played by the mentor and mentee can be completed anytime in 2009, instead of a six or eight month limit.
If you are a potential mentee or mentor, contact Susan Powers @ 949 642-6300, or spowers@spowers.com
Also, more information is given on the unit web site.
Overall finishes in the two-session championships and Knockouts at Palm Desert: Anne Whitaker (pairs 1st in C); Ed Wills - Theresa Martel (pairs 2nd in C); Ross Grabel (Barometer Pairs 2nd in A); Al Tuckman (3/4 in KO 3); Shirley Carroll (1st in KO 5); Ruth Ann Alpert - Colleen Cody (pairs 10th in A); V. Jay and Linda Tipton (3/4 in KO 1); Sydney Stephan - Julie Janss (2nd in KO 7); Jeanie Farquhar - Bart Jolin (3rd in pairs A); Joe Kivel - Ross Grabel (4th in Compact KO); Orhan Gurbuz (2nd in pairs A); Mary Lou Kiley - Phil Pearl (5th in A, D22 NAP finals); Carrie Macmillin - Nadine Nakai (2nd in KO 8).
On Super Bowl Sunday, 42 bridge fanatics showed up for the unit game. There were 29 women and 13 men, so that figures. The results: (A) 1. Chris Larsen - Norman Woo. 2. Maryanne Roode - Sofija Korff. 3. Faith Feldman - Huguette Saldinger. 4. Ruth Ableman - Jackie Cover. 5. (Xiaoxue Walker - Larry Sharp). (B) 1. Roode - Korff. 2. Feldman - Saldinger. 3. Ableman - Cover. 4. E. Mroz - Penny Wentworth. (C) 1. Mroz - Wentworth. 2. Sean Lui - John Loney. 3. Doris Wheatcroft - M. Hanefi Erten.
Marilyn Christy has headed up the nominating committee for unit officers. She successfully persuaded Diana Black to run for president of the board by assuring her that with Diana at the helm, the unit will hum like a well oiled machine. Now that Diana has presided as president for several months, every time she sees Marilyn she tells her, “Yeah, well oiled machine!” Speaking of Diana, I noticed that she and her partner played several hands at the right table number, but wrong section starting the second session of the Open Pairs in Riverside. I asked Diana how the director took care of this situation. She said the director came up with an equitable solution.
Also at Riverside, Bob Hinrichs made Life Master, partnering Chris Larsen and finishing 1st overall in the Open Pairs. More on Riverside next month.
I have been informed that Jeanie Frazer took a nasty fall and suffered some serious injuries. She is in the hospital, and we wish her a speedy recovery. That fearsome partnership of Nikki Repp and George Fisher has more in common than bridge. Nikki is on crutches with a foot injury and George will be back soon with crutches or a walker after recovering from a broken leg.
The latest rumor is that they have requested a lifetime North/South.
Jeanie Farquhar intends to start up the Tuesday night game again in February. Call Jeanie at 714 488 -3107 for details.
Coronado
By Jean Seager
Congratulations to Rose Vogt and Barbara Schafer, who scored 73 percent at Eastlake Bridge Club on January 7. Other Eastlake winners were Robert Shapley and Walt Bochenek (twice), Robert Shapley and Elaine Chan, Kathleen Hennessy and Sharon Gordon, Betty Stebbins and Judi Bunch, and Rose Vogt and Laurie Dodson.
Coronado crowned its club champions this month. Phil Akre and Alice Dudley were champions in A, proving that a 14-hour flight to New Zealand and back did not dull Phil’s bridge skills. Lori and Dick Morrow won the championship in the B and C strats.
Marguerite Cook and Hazel Metz played some excellent games, and they were three-time winners last month.
Other winners included Jan and Lynne Erikson, Dick Palmer and John Pizzato, Bill and Eleanor Kipperman, Betty Birmingham and Alice Dudley, and Sally Naumann and Mike Welsh.
Jan and Lynne Erikson and Bill and Jean Seager traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the Glitter Gulch Sectional, this year held on the Riviera Hotel Convention Center’s top floor, featuring a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip and the mountains beyond.
The Ericksons teamed with a couple from Oregon to win a Knockout match. The Seagers were third in C in a pairs game.
Closer to home, Jean and Bill Seager finished first in C, second in B and third in A in a pairs event at the North County Winter Sectional.
If you play bridge in Coronado, you now enjoy pre-made boards and hand records. Thank you to Lynne Erikson for her initiative in making this happen, and for printing the hand records. A big thank-you is extended to our directors, Eleanor Kipperman and Dick Palmer, who make the boards every week. Because of their efforts, we can play bridge in the afternoons and examine the hands in the evenings.
Dana Harbor
By Catherine Cram
A well attended unit game on January 18 saw the following winners: N/S 1st Pam and Michael Moreland, 2nd, Charles Messall, II and Al Martinez, 3rd, Laura Brill and Rick Goldstein. E/W 1st, Ann Gillespie and Eddie Rose, 2nd, Roman Matusik and Oliver Yildiz, and 3rd, Xiaoxue Walker and Lawrence Sharp.
Next unit game - March15.
2009 Mentor Program – Get in it if you can! Members with less than 300 master- points qualify to be mentored by volunteering higher ranking players. Our program is special in that newer players can be mentored by more experienced novices who are themselves mentored into the open games. The program runs through June when a closing luncheon is planned. The value of this program goes far beyond the new friendships it fosters. It adds to the cordial atmosphere of our club as people who normally may not even converse become friends. The positive vibes lift us all!
Easybridge! – starts at the very beginning again on March 11. If you have friends considering the game, this is the way to get a solid start. Sally Palmear is a great teacher with loads of experience!
New Officers – the following 2009 officers were elected by the board: president, Richard Leach; V.P., John Kissinger; secretary, Jacob Weisberg; treasurer, Ron Rudderow; and membership, Sandra Busby. Good luck to all for successful and effective terms. Along with this recognition comes a lot of hard work making our club so special.
New Members and New Ranks – Wow, lots of new members in January! Welcome to Michael Cohen, Gerald Fehrenback, Juan Guzman, Herbert Ludwig, Deedee Pichard, Cheryl Stelle and transfers Kathleen Friesen, Eileen Garbutt, Delene Hoff and Ruth Kubis. Attaining new ranks were Junior Masters B.J. Chammas and Emely Moeller; Club Masters Dan Fontanilla, Larry Hedge, Robert Jamieson, Ronald Leckie, and Judy Violick; Sectional Master Karen Powell, Regional Master Anne Kwo, NABC Master Leslie Levine, New Life Master Jennifer Porter; Bronze LM Patricia Al-Hakeem; and Silver LMs Ina DeMunck and Milton Levy.
Big Games –See the 70% game list for four big games at Dana Harbor.
Out there Competing – Dana Pointers were represented well at the Monterey Regional by Gale and Jim Senter, 28.89 points each, and Susan and John Kissinger 26.4 points each. At the Oceanside Sectional, Mark Itabashi and Steve Love won an Open Pairs; Steve came home with 24.07 points and Mark with 28.57. Marcia Holland and Bobbie Fightlin won 299er Pairs; Marianne Seldman and Carol Stiff got a 1st in C; and the Swiss team of Carol Armstrong, Sharon Donoff, Leslie LeVine and Marcia Holland won Flight C/D.
Winners at the Riverside Regional include: Mark Itabashi, two Open Pairs events, Dede Gansel and Betty Johnson a KO win, Sharon and Jack Rippy won an Open Pairs, a side game series (tied 1/2) and a Compact KO with Dollie Poulos. My, they were busy!
Coming away with more than 20 points were: Mark 68.77, Steve Love 41.59 and the tournament director himself, Barton Friedberg, with 21.89.
In Memory – Long time member Betty Bass passed away a few weeks ago. Her cheery demeanor and good play will be missed by many who knew her a long time.
Dana Harbor Unit 538 (949 248-1268) is located near the ocean, marina and Doheny Beach. We have friendly games daily.
See our ad or visit our web site for details:
www.danaharborbridgecenter.org
Inland Empire
By Paul McAdam
Writing a column once a month could never be considered too demanding on the author. Nevertheless, when club president Blythe Anderson offered to provide her annual Thank Yous for the January House of Bridge Sectional, I suddenly felt tired, so here is what she has to say:
“Our sectional had fewer tables this year, but the support and generosity of the members, not only Unit 536 but Unit 537, helped to make this a very special tournament. I received many compliments on the hospitality, raffle baskets, perfect weather, and warmth with which people were received. I don’t claim any credit for the third item.
“I give very special thanks to (1) Mary Ann Braden for the wonderful raffle baskets she created; (2) Jess Sellers who came from Seattle to set up and take down tables and chairs, in addition to dealing with the myriad of other necessary tasks; (3) Paul McAdam who is always a great partnership chair; and (4) Peggy Bader and Bess Hanson who were the hospitality chairs every tournament chairman dreams of having.
“I give my deepest appreciation to each of the following members of Unit 536 who played and donated various items ranging from food to raffle prizes to hard, cold cash to pay for Sunday’s lunch: Peggy Bader, Carmen Barry, Virginia DeGroff, Betty Freeman, Dick Freeman, Susan Garcia, Emoke Gaspar, Bob Glass, Elizabeth Haas, Bess Hanson, Don Jones, Karen Kamis, David Kennedy, Roz Mantei, Paul McAdam, Chris McCarty, Dolores McDonald, Marshall Miles, David Rose, Jerry Schlig, Gary Silvius, David Smith, Jerry Snow, Sharon Spencer, Sheila Stephens, Jim Tanner, Deanna Veitia and Ken Zurn.
“Finally, my heartfelt appreciation to all the members of Riverside Unit 537 for your warm welcome and for the food the following members donated so generously: Millie Garrison, Shari Hodge, Dale Klinzing, Rita Patton, Jean Schoppe and Dagmar Welker.”
And, oh yes, the games. The victors! First place overalls and section tops for House of Bridge (HOB) players: Marshall Miles, Jim Tanner, Blythe Anderson, Sheila Stephens, Deanna Veitia and Paul McAdam. More HOB scratchers: Jim Tanner, Jerry Snow, Susan Garcia, Diane Miller, Paul McAdam, Deanna Veitia, Dolores McDonald, Marshall Miles, David Kennedy, Lee Madinger, Gary Silvius, Don Jones, Roz Mantei, Sharon Spencer and Jerry Schlig.
So much for the sectional and its short term nature. Most, if not all of us, aspire to making Life Master. Most often it comes down to needing one or the other of the so-called pigmented points, silver and gold. For this month’s recognition, the sought-after precious metal points are known as Ag, silver. Tom Chen’s long term quest culminated in Sun City when he won his necessary Ag. In my opinion, young Dr. Chen is one of the most gentlemanly players you will ever run into at the bridge table. He credits much of his success to partner Diane Miller, for whom he is very thankful. When these two doctors play together, we may well be looking at the smartest bridge partnership in District 22. Well done, Tom!
La Jolla/Beach
By Alice Leicht
The January 11 unit game Flight A winners were Bette Cornelius with Joe Pennario. Second place was won by Elaine Chan with Alex Prairie, who took the #1 spot for both Flights B and C. Second place for Flight B was won by Charlotte Blum with Patricia Wilkey. The Flight C 2nd spot was taken by Wilfred Westlake with Lyle Kalish.
On January 25 several 2008 newcomers were formally welcomed into our unit. They joined in the game and we enjoyed having them there.
The first place winners in Flight A were Mac Busby with Suzanne LeBendig. Alan and Debbie Gailfus were 2nd. In Flight B Kathee and George Bessinger were the winners. Rex and Sheila Latus were in the 2nd spot. Elaine Laurvick with Charlotte Blum were 1st in Flight C and Belle Borack with Judith Newman were 2nd. Cheers for these fine performances.
And now welcoming applause, if you please, for a great group of new members who have transferred to 526: Jason Feldman, Marie and Robert Garin, Beverly and Irv Isaacman, Jay-Calvin Reyes, Russell Shepherd, and Greg Stander.
The final tallies are coming in for the Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs winners. They show that our own Elaine Chan is going to be our National winner in her 5-20 group. A wonderful accomplishment, Elaine! Oh yes, her point total for 2008 was 263.
Now for our unit advancers. New Junior Masters are Abdol Aalam, Ralph Dilley, and Sandy Dinnsen. Carl Cull is a new Club Master. Isabelle Wasserman has stepped up to NABC Master. Our unit website reporter, Matthew Kidd, has become a Life Master. It is a pleasure to congratulate all of you.
Lompoc
By Don Kerr
To start the year of 2009 off right, Kay Roland was our big winner with four wins, followed by Joyce Gehlhaar with three. With two wins were Ada Bakalar, Jo Gowenlock, and Barbara Holt. The rest of us with just one win included Trudy Balin, David Bakalar, Betty Brown, Margaret Courtney, Barbara Gustitus, Pat Hodges, Shirley Hoffert, Pearl Howerton, James Kelly, R. Lindquist, Eileen Niesen, Nelson Owens, and Barbara Robb. Does anyone have a good excuse why I didn’t win more?
Palm Springs/Coachella Valley
By Nancy Erickson
Our unit is looking forward to welcoming all of you to our annual Palm Springs Sectional at the Palm Springs Pavilion on March 13 through 15. Tournament chairperson Bill Dani and his team have done a fantastic job of planning for the event. Boxes lunches may be purchased on Friday and Saturday morning for those who do not wish to leave the venue and sample the eateries in Palm Springs. Tickets for a buffet to be served Sunday will also be available each day.
The flyer for the sectional appeared in the February issue of the Forum and can be accessed on our web site:
or www.acbl.org
It will be a busy weekend in the Coachella Valley. The 2009 BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament in Indian Wells and the La Quinta Arts Festival will be in full swing. There will be something for everyone - so plan to come and enjoy our little piece of paradise.
The committee for the annual Edith Hirschman Award for “Sportsmanship at the Bridge Table” will be distributing nomination forms at all club games beginning on February 1. All unit members are encouraged to nominate individuals who display excellent sportsmanship. Dale Thune, last year’s recipient, is a wonderful example of a player worthy of this significant award. The Edith Hirschman Award, the 2008 Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney Medallions will be presented at our April unit game at Mizell Senior Center.
Individuals who have achieved their Life, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Masters will also be recognized. Unit members are encouraged to attend to salute their fellow players on achieving excellence in the game we all love.
Congratulations go out to Connie and Gordon Swanson, who placed second in the 299er NAP competition and are headed to Houston carrying the banner of Unit 533. All 870 of our members are in their corner!
As our membership continues to grow, all of our club directors are offering opportunities for players to compete at various levels. Club director Bob McConnell has a 0-49 MP Newcomer Duplicate Game on Saturday at the Cathedral City Senior Center from 8:45-11:30 a.m. Contact Bob at 760 219-4018 for more details. Club director Jana McCormick has another 0-49er game at the La Quinta Senior Center on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Call Jana at 760 469-3371 for additional information. The schedule is on our web site and always up to the minute.
We tip our hats to new Life Masters Allen Bourgeois, Jean Chappell and to our new Silver Life Master Renee Rogers.
The unit salutes Jean Scripps for back to back 70%+ games on January 8 and 9.
On a personal note I would like to thank all of you who have volunteered for various committees and offered your expertise as I begin my presidency. Your advice and friendship has been invaluable.
Ridgecrest
By Tony Miller
We’ve officially changed our name from the China Lake Unit to the Ridgecrest Unit as of January 20. When the unit was originally chartered, most of the players actually lived on the China Lake Naval facility. Since the 9/11 attack, no games have been held on the base, so it made sense to change the name.
Betty Doig and Barbara Meggers both had incidents where they fell. Betty was off for a week and returned sporting a beautiful shiner. Barbara hasn’t returned to the duplicate tables yet, but is reported as doing fine.
Playing in the Riverside Regional, I had a session in the Knockouts where my partner and I bid three grand slams. One made, one was a sacrifice, which should have been a one IMP gain, and the last was down when neither red suit cooperated. I figure the latter was about 80% and was needed to have any chance in the round.
I don’t remember having three grands in the same session before.
Our unit game winners were Jody Skaggs and Craig Stump, followed by Margaret O’Neill and Charlene Stephens, then Greg Vernon and I. Susan Douglas and Charlie Wright also placed in Strat C.
In a very tight race for masterpoints in the TGiF Bridge Clubs, Charlene Stephens was the leader, followed closely by Sarah Carter and I. Other leaders were Yasuko Mullen, Greg, Margaret, Jody, Eileen Dietz, Esther Sires and Craig. In the COM Bridge Club, Jay and Mary Kay Bornfleth led the parade, followed by Dave Speer, Jack Waller, Sarah, Esther, Greg, myself and Jody.
Riverside
By Les Moore
The Inland Empire Sectional was held at the Elks Club on Brockton Avenue in Riverside on January 16-18. There were 158 participants. 130 players received a total of 362.5 masterpoints. Congrats to Dale Klinzing as point leader with 12.67. Also thanks to all attending and a special tribute to Blythe Anderson for her excellent job as tournament manager.
The Riverside Regional was held at the Riverside Convention Center January 26-February 1. Congratulations to all who participated, and to the winners in the various events - pairs, Knockouts, Swiss, and to the chairman for a well-managed tournament. Various players were interviewed who said it was an enjoyable event to participate in. Two of the Riverside Bridge Club members became Silver Life Masters: Owen Kustner and Debbie McManigal. Nancy Kulak became a Gold Life Master at the regional, and playing in the Sunday Swiss, Ginny Devoe, Bill Wood, Jon Harvey and Arlean Harvey were 1st overall in B, C, and D.
Congratulations to all you achievers!
Also, during the month, Ken Olivier passed his test to become a club director. Congratulations! “Uncle Larry” would be proud of you!
Happy Bridge to all of you playing in 2009.
Saddleback
By Bob Destino
It’s been a very busy month as our new board of directors began functioning. We can certainly appreciate all the hard work expended by the former board, especially by Jackie Jackson, who has been the driving force in our unit for about 14 years.
Our annual sectional tournament is coming up just a few days after this article was written, so we’ll publish the results next month. Our next unit game will be March 8 and will include the presentation of awards to 2008 Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney winners; let’s have a big turnout to honor our winners! Also save the dates of April 12 and May 10 for unit games. The May game will be a Great Western Spring STAC with silver points!
We want to welcome several players who have recently joined our unit: Frances Krause, Pat Masters, Raymond Burkholter, Claus Dieckell, and Judy and Michael Holtzman. And finally, let’s congratulate the following players who have recently moved up in their Masters ratings: Helen Abelson, Sue Miller, Cynthia Quinn, Caldwell Campbell, Kathleen McTernan, Rose Williams, Lisa Dessinger, James Kristiansen and Jim McKinney.
San Diego
By Vicki Creamer
Our new year got off to a great start with winners David Walters - David Oakley posting a 70.95% game! Second place went to Lena Jelusich - Alice Lane; #3, Bette and John Strauch; #4, Sally Naumann - Jacqueline Walker; #5, Phyllis Yates - John Coufal, and #6, Bette Cornelius - Dan Dayani.
The growing NLM game was won by Jerry and Patti Bischoff; #2, Barbara and D. Ross White; #3, Joan and Ken Maden; #4, Debra Sherman - Ralph Jarzembowski; and #5, Kevin Chaisson - Dean Altschuler. Congratulations!
Winners of our second Sunday game were: #1, Debbie and Alan Gailfus; #2, Lena Jelusich - Alice Lane; #3, Ed Kunkel - Brenda Mason Carter; #4, David Walters - David Oakley; #5, Mac Busby - Sam Jordan; and #6, Pat Chapman - Gary Mollenkopf. Strong competition!
Our NLM Strat Session was won by Barb Holles - Karen Dempsey; #2, Even Ziegler - Maria Uhry; #3, Joan Maden - Carolyn Crabtree, and #4, Harold Simon - Majid Aalom. This side game is becoming very popular, and your board voted to redefine it as a 499er session. This will include all players with fewer than 500 points, including Life Masters.
Thanks to unit club manager John Boackle for clarification of game rates: $7, regular games; $8, charity games; $9, NAP, GNT games, offering red/black points, and $10, sectionals. Rates for a game are posted on the Unit Bulletin Board by the check-in table for each game. We will also welcome “Special Occasion” cakes at each unit game. If you would like to honor someone, bring the cake and make the “Happy Birthday” announcement at our afternoon break. Please let any board member (or director Betty Riedler) know if you want to participate.
Our new election chairperson (to be announced) will be looking for candidates for our local board. Take time to give back to our positive bridge community! Contact any board member (with a name tag at unit games) to let them know if you’re interested.
Milestones: Bronze Life Master, Osman Guner. Life Masters, Marianne Klayman, Joan Maden, Ken Maden, Jane Petering. NABC Masters, Nancy Goldberg, Berdele Katz, Barbara Rozansky. Regional Masters, Pauline Altman, Mary Ann Houston, Michael Kohn, John Sack. Sectional Masters, Susan Ehrhardt, Barbara McPherson. Club Masters, Adele Gerstenhaber, Jerome Klusky. Congratulations!
North San Diego County Coastal
By Iris Allyn
Unit 531 is swinging, we have six new members and two more transfers. Welcome to: Sue Dixon, Mel Green, Mark Miller, Nicholas Miller, Barbara Reed, Samuel Reed Jr., John Trombold, and Marcia Trombold. Claire Green was reinstated into Unit 531, welcome! Margareta Carioba is a new Life Master and James Martin is a new Gold Life Master.
Congratulation on your achievements and keep having fun with us.
The Earl Warren School is still giving bridge lessons to their students, thanks to Ed Koch. Contact Pat Tirona, 858 350-7877.
Cardiff, Harvey Goldstein We had three Monday games this month. The following months will see two special games, the club championship and an upgraded club championship games with the anticipated distribution of some major masterpoints for the winners. Paul Foster and Donna Wood directed two of the three games during this past month.The 12 first place pairs include Judy Gruenberger - Marilyn Kalabsa, Wayne Holm - Don Howell, Susie Anson - Kay Childs, Susie and Tom Boardman, Ruth Aronsohn - Harvey Schleifstein, Anne Scott - Pat Astier, Jeanette Proctor - Norma May, Betty Serepca - Susan Lauer, John Steen - Sandy Kucha, Terry Maloy - Jag Bhola, Charlie Gilman - Wayne Holm.
We have changed our starting time for the game which includes a lesson geared for Non-Life Masters at 9:40 and the new game time of 10:00 a.m. Come join us, you’ll have a terrific bridge experience and a nice breakfast too!
Oceanside Monday, Ida Burcham We had three games this month, two of them Charity games. I think it was unusual that two C-strat players, Giulio Ghiron and Bernie Slavin, won first overall at the first charity game and two Life Masters, Nick Bailey and Mary Thompson, won first at the second. We handed out more than 122 masterpoints this month.
Encinitas FYI … There is now a club sanction assigned to the Encinitas Senior Center. Paul Landrum will direct the games, Ida Burcham will score, and Bill Eblen is the manager of the club. He will handle communication between the Encinitas Senior Duplicate Bridge Club and the Encinitas Senior Center. If Paul is relieved as director the sanction will be passed to the next director and the center will always have a sanction number. To start we are borrowing equipment from some other clubs and the unit until our supplies arrive. ACBL has assured us that the games we hold will be approved for points. They are expediting the sanction information. Next month there will be an official end of month report.
Oceanside, Tuesday, Ida Burcham Our regular Tuesday game report is a little different this time, I’ve got a name that doesn’t begin with a “K.” Dennis Cleary was able to edge out the two “K’s” this month. He was at the top of the masterpoint list with 3.87 points. The next two names are Kemble Provorse and Keith Stinson. They were right behind Dennis with 3.23 points. Dan Beck came in third with 3.17 points. Dan is moving up in the ranks, and he will soon have a letter in front of his ACBL number.
Fallbrook, Fran White This past month was very successful, as I am no longer a rookie. I think I have learned a lot and know that I will learn a lot more. Thank you for your patience. The top masterpoint winners for the month of January were Lucy Lockwood, Dave Horwitz, Wicker Gamble, Cari Reuter and Ed Oldham. Judy Hannaford led the field in both B and C! Congratulations to Sue Soderer and Donna Barton for another fine game. They always seem to have a great game when they play together.
Solana Beach, Donna Wood Solana Beach’s Esplanade Bridge Club held four games in January. Leading masterpoint winners in the open game are: Emily Berkov, Dan Denison, Mary Lou Denison, Barry Berkov, Bette Cornelius, and Dan Dayani. Leading masterpoint winners in the I/N game are: Tony Lubowe, Sandy Kucha, Margie Blitz, Sheila Feurst, Ginger Calvert, and Barbara and Sully Farfel. Thanks to all who are coming to the Monday night games. Hopefully by the time this is published we will have a new location!
North County Bridge by the Sea Bridge Club is back into bridge in a big big way! During January, the club held two invitational games at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club with a total of 33 tables. Leading masterpoint winners for January were Dave Nicol, Jeannette Proctor, Pat and Steve Reid, Jan Buffo, Dave Kimball, and Jan and Ken Dunford. Reminder - if you wish to play at this game, you either need to be a member or get a member to sponsor you. Please e-mail Lee Erickson at lericks@adelphia.net if you need a sponsor.
Don’t forget to check the web page at acbldistrict22.com/531/Lomas/info.html for the dates and times of scheduled games.
Just in! The results of the Unit 531 Feb. unit game: Big 1st place winners in A were Rosie Zakarian and Paul Svarcas; check their 70+ score below! B was won by Jane Felder and K. William Hess.
First in C were Nancy Wetteland-Read and Giulio Ghiron.
San Diego North County Inland
By Liz Nixon
Calling all 299ers and Non-Life Masters! Mark the date, March 14, when Unit 549 is hosting our first 299er Silver Splash Sectional of the year at North County Bridge Center, Escondido. There will be Knockout Teams opportunities available, so get your teams together now. Look for our ad in this issue of the Forum or go to www.sdbridge.com to download flyers for upcoming events.
North County Bridge Center had 10 pairs with 70%+ games in January: (check the listings below to find out who they were). Wow! What a bunch of winners!
Members reaching new levels of achievement are: Richard Hsieh – Junior Master, Clare Key and Suzanna McDowell - Club Masters; Jackie McGee - Sectional Master; Pat Goodson, Pete Kaufmann and Koto Schambora, Regional Masters. Congratulations to all! Unit 549 has several new members, including May Hsieh, Mitzi Seibert, Barbara Swiggett, Arleen Gimbel, Betty McGeehan, Sue Kane, Donna Wolfe, Gwen Cooksey, Betsy Illes, Fran Lamm, Shirley Malone and Judy Veljovich, Unit 549 welcomes you to our clubs and unit events.
January 24, Unit 549 held its first unit game of the year at North County Bridge Center, and it was a full house! The big winners in Flight A were Lorraine Suder and Hanna Elad, followed by Marilyn Florin and Jeri Adams, Shirley Steinman and Donna Cook, Lorraine Gordon and Ian Collins. Flight B winners were Matt Belau - Gary Beed, followed by Jan Gallagher - Benita Nadler, Polly Netzorg - Eva Hooper, George Blair - Peg Winkler, and Liz Nixon - Carolyn Scerni. Flight C was led by Pat Hill - Carol Reinhart, followed by Mary Fenton - Donna Carr, Joan Kroener - Janet Dunlap, Elizabeth Brekke - Adella Cloney, Ron and Nancy Perkins, Barbara and Martin Farfel.
Congratulations to the overall winners.
All unit games are the fourth Saturday of the month at North County Bridge Center. Go to www.sdbridge.com for unit events.
Top Achievers at North County Bridge Center for January in the following categories are Future Life Master: B.J. Amini; Under 100 - Suzanna McDowell; Under 300 - Doris Cubeisy; Under 750 - Howard Katz; Under 1500; Tom Nolan; and Open Player King - Tim Flaherty.
Don’t forget North County Bridge Center is hosting Mega Point games, Charity Games the third Saturday of each month in 2009. These games alternate between “Perfect Swiss” games and Barometer Pairs games, and there will always be standbys to ensure full teams and tables.
Check with Cathy or Lee at the NCBC for more details. Find out more about the NCBC’s schedule at the club or by contacting Cathy or Lee at 760 747-6092.
Over at Lake San Marcos Senior Center, the LSMDBC’s charity games supported Brother Benno’s, North County Humane Society and the San Marcos Senior Center. At the end of the month we celebrated our Esteemed Director’s, (Jean Holt) BIG Birthday! We are not telling the number, Jean. Thank you for all you do for us. Top five MP winners for January were Rima Sharron, Dennis Cleary, John Sharron, Jean Holt, and Shirley Malone. Way to go winners!
The Lake San Marcos DBC hosts open games on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., and Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Remember to call Jean at 760 734-4518 or Nina at 760 736-9386 to reserve a spot at the table (especially on Tuesday nights - nice turnouts!).
The BobMar Friday and Sunday games at Grandon Village turned out the following winners: Fridays: Edel Simons and Lois Zetter, George Berris and Louise Manganelli, Herb Schaffer and Lois Zetter and Herb Schaffer and Mary Fenton. Sundays: June Wood and Dan Carter, Rima and John Sharron, David and Elaine Gifford, Rolline and Mike Alaynick and Eileen Goss and Bob Handelman.
Just a note: Bob and Marcia will have their 50th Anniversary on Sunday, March 1, and hope you will come to celebrate with us! Thanks again for your patronage.
Remember our Friday games start with lunch at 12:00 and the game at 12:30 p.m., Sunday starts at 1:00 p.m. All games are at the Grandon Senior Center in San Marcos. Have a good year!
Did you know that you can get all of the latest Unit 549 news at www.sdbridge.com including the Unit 549 Calendar of Events, Unit Newsletter and game results?
San Luis Obispo
By Lynn Crawford
Missed the deadline to note the return of Kathleen Harrington to our clubs. Welcome back. In other news, we are sad to relate that Neil Beaumont’s mom died this last month. His frequent trips to England to visit her this past year had to have been so hard on him, but so appreciated by her. He deserves a much needed vacation/rest, and we hope to see him back in Paso at the tables soon.
By the time you read this column our sectional in Arroyo Grande will be over, but we would like to thank in advance all those who come from the far reaches of California to participate. (Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield were represented last year.)
The SLO club is starting up a new first Saturday of the month game in March. Each game will be a championship. More details will be forthcoming at the club levels soon.
Our unit’s Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs awards for 2008 are finalized. These honors go to the players in each masterpoint category who received the most points during the year - the Mini-McKenney going to the highest total earned in all ACBL tournaments, while the Ace of Clubs totals only include those earned in club games. Your point category is determined by the number of points you had at the beginning of the year. Here's our unit’s outstanding winners:
(0-5) Gina Kirk, San Luis, both Mini and the Ace of Clubs; (5-20) Jack Wolff, San Luis, both MM and AC; (20-50) Robert Schriefer, Morro Bay, both MM and AC; (50-100) Dolores Soll, San Luis, MM - Tom Garcia, Paso Robles, AC.
(100-200) Pete Schulkin, Cambria, both MM and AC; (200-300) Lynn Crawford, Paso Robles, both MM and AC; (300-500) George Sheffield, Los Osos, both MM and AC. (500-1000) Audrey Moore, Morro Bay, both MM and AC; (1000-2500) James Merzon, Templeton, MM - Barbara Diaz, Oceano, AC; (2500-5000) Susan Furchtenicht, Santa Maria, both MM, AC.
Dixie Hsu of San Luis is in a group all by herself with 7500-10,000 points. Naturally, she is competing against no one else in her category ... but having this many points is an honor all in itself, don’t you think?
Congratulations to all.
Santa Ana
By Joe Chaiken
Greetings everyone. I first played duplicate bridge when I was in high school in the early 1960s at the old Westwood Bridge Club, when Lew Mathe, Rhoda Walsh and Mary Jane Farrell were among the regulars. After an eight year hiatus during graduate school, my first marriage and first child, I returned to bridge and have been playing ever since. I retired three years ago from a career as a bureaucrat for the Orange County Housing and Community Development Program; so being a young bridge player is a distant memory.
They say being in good physical condition helps maintain concentration through multiple bridge sessions. Congratulations to one of our members who has taken this advice to heart - Robin Walton ran his first marathon and completed it under five hours in Carlsbad last month.
Many Santa Ana Unit members participated in the recent Riverside Regional. Frederick Soloman and Thomas Felice, and Oliver Yildiz and Roman Matusik, placed in B in the Tuesday and Saturday Open Pairs respectively. Our most successful member was Allen Golbert, who accumulated nearly 32 masterpoints highlighted by coming 2nd in Bracket 1 of the Wednesday Knockouts with Weidong Pei, Brian Gilbert and Philip Heistand, and winning the A/X strat of the Sunday Swiss, again with Wei as partner. Allen’s team won the match and the A/X title against my team on the following hand, which illustrates the preemptive value of the strong 1NT opening ... and how few HCPs can sometimes produce a game when the fit is good. Dealer West; N/S vul:
;Jxx
<AKxx
=K10xx
>xx
;xx ; KQx
<Qx
<xx
=AQJx
=xxx
>AKJxx
>Qxxxx
;A109xx
<J10xxx
=xx
>x
At our table Wei chose to open the West hand 1NT, saying later that due to the softness of the heart holding he didn’t think the hand good enough to reverse. I could have shown majors in the pass-out seat knowing partner had values. But vul without assurance of a fit and no chance of game (I thought), I didn’t. So 1NT was passed out. If partner had led a high heart, we would probably have set the hand, but not unreasonably he led a diamond.
At the other table, the auction went 1; , X(!), 3> , 3; , 4> , Pass, Pass, 4< , all pass. Seeing dummy, four hearts doesn’t seem like a good game, needing to pick up the =Q, find LHO with the =A, and RHO with at least one spade honor. But, knowing the A is probably right, it’s not so bad, and on this layout was worth 12 IMPs.
Santa Barbara
By Norma Zuchowicz & Ronnie Morris
Just a few things to report: Rand Franklin, our new board president, is healing from his hip surgery and will soon be back at the club “presidenting.” Len Jarrot, who has been a kind, stoic and productive (he was treasurer) presence for many years, recently celebrated his 87th birthday. You are a love. A few people from our club attended the Monterey Regional in January; Jim and Judy Edmondson came 1st in B in the Clambake Side Game Series.
A thank you to our bridge teachers at the club and in the community who have helped to ensure that we will have new players - Gail Steffan, Fran Pangburn, Nancy Trotter, Larry Klimko, Brian Berglund, Katie Beldon and Joyce Heaton.
Now to wax philosophical for a moment: as bridge players, new or experienced, every game we play involves “practicing” bridge. None of us are now and forever beyond making mistakes and/or learning something new. Cicero said (we don’t know if he was a bridge player): “To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.”
If we could all practice these qualities simultaneously with tolerance and acceptance while we practice bridge, our mutual experiences at the tables would be more enjoyable and fulfilling.
As Plato said: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
(Life, and sometimes bridge).
Santa Maria
By Joe Cohan
Wow! Five of our players found a great way to start the New Year - check out their successes on page 12 in the 70%+ column. Robert Faust achieved two such scores in January!
Back to the regular winners, including those with more human scores: Marilyn Bullock, Robert Faust (4), Jean Allen Faust, Jan Pettis (3), Dave Hickey, Barbara Basila (2), Irene Schlekau, Don Kerr, Judy English, Diane Bouquet, Me, Al Goldwyn, Diana Jackson, Bonnie Hales.
High scoring Cs were Wayne Johnson, Richard Sherman, Mary Goodspeed, Betty Hickman, Lee Kanehl, Cecil Ward, Criscza Goodrich, Kathi Lofti, Pat Aldred, James Kelly and Karen Bogard.
Barbara Basila shook all of us up when - near the end of the game - she needed to be taken to the hospital for evaluation. She left for a bit of rest and will probably be back by the time you read this. But talk about hanging tough: although she wasn t around at the time for the results, she and Al Goldwyn won the game!
Southern Gold Coast
By Sue Munday
The Spring Sectional may be history, but there’s plenty more bridge to look forward to. First and foremost, we have our very own regional coming up - June 8 through 14.
You’ll find the tournament schedule online at: www.venturaregional.com Get your teams and partnerships lined up now so you don’t miss a minute of playing time.
Save these Sunday unit game dates: March 8, March 29, April 19, May 17, May 31 and June 28. Please pay attention - we have a new start time; everything has moved up half an hour. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon and game time is 12:30 p.m.
Contribute to the festivities by bringing a dessert or salad/side dish.
There
is a Grand National Teams qualifier scheduled for Sunday, March 22 at the
club. Keep an eye out for sign-ups just in case a minimum number of teams
are needed to guarantee a game. Updates, tournament results and club recaps
are always available online at www.acbldistrict22.com/532
Good things happened at the Riverside Regional. Ellen Anten and Steve Gross kicked things off by winning the Charity Pairs game on Monday afternoon. And then they took second in a Knockout and second in a two-session Swiss event. Steve, playing with Jim Munday, won Bracket I of the Compact KO on Saturday. Ellen, playing with Larry Brasler, won both the single-session Swiss on Saturday and the two-session Swiss on Sunday. Both scored up a couple of miscellaneous third- and fourth-place finishes and, in the end, Ellen edged out Steve by 0.8 masterpoints to win the overall tournament masterpoint crown.
Bill Hall reeled in a second-place finish in a full-length KO (Bracket I), as did the team of Ocki Krogfoss, Jim Rupp, Dave Taylor and Suzi Robertson in Bracket II of the same event. Ocki and Jim also won the Thursday afternoon side game.
When you want to volunteer your assistance or if you have questions about unit activities, here’s who’s “in charge:” Joe Conti, president and tournament coordinator; Gladys Honigsberg, vice president; Pat Barnfield, secretary and publicity; Ann Dupont, treasurer. Chairing the various committees are: Don Glynn, recorder/ethics and web coordinator; Dee Minazzoli, hospitality; Jon Sutcliffe, membership; Karen Meyer and Loretta Rubin, partnership; Hetty Kallman and Jean Jolin, novice and education.
June Regional Ventura. Plan for it now!
Ventura
By Helen Elardo
Big turnout for the annual meeting and dinner. The dining was excellent and the spirited meeting very productive. We now have our own “Big Blue” that deals our hands and provides printouts. With this device we can have some interesting new formats for our games.
Another vote on the agenda will be to place a director on the unit board. This should provide nice continuity and a valuable resource for the board. While on the subject of the board, we should congratulate ourselves on voting in another superb slate of candidates. In their wisdom, they re-elected popular Mike Gaddis as president. He has served the unit well in the past, and his boards have encouraged a fine group of directors, kept us fiscally sound, energized our tournaments and fostered the best web site in California.
Judy Kupperman, a stalwart of boards past, is now vice president, Dennis Charles, secretary, Mary Anita Hill, treasurer and tournament, Arline Benzien, entertainment, Paul Reach, hospitality, Bob Gruber, membership and Web and Elinor Hood, education and publicity. June Shafer is now chairman of ethics and discipline committee.
This month we said farewell to Dr. Pete Bendorf. He will be remembered so many fond ways. Pete was our first president, and he mentored countless numbers of us through the past fifty years. Always on the leader board, he remained kind, thoughtful and his gentle humor lifted everyone’s spirits. My favorite story about Pete was his delight over a card Lee Horn sent him congratulating on his “streaking” the Chelsea Flower Show and winning first prize for his “dried arrangement.”
A pleasure to see Rosemary Reitz back in the game. Her nursing career has taken her across the county the past years, but she and Flo Haney are currently working on a new partnership that promises to give us all trouble ahead.
We are delighted to see Dennis Charles back from his “tune up” at the Mayo Clinic with his guarantee of another 100,000 miles.
Arline Benzien, Mike Gaddis and the O’Neals captured a bunch of gold and red at Riverside. They are sure good on the road.