2008 Unit Reports in the Contract Bridge Forum
Each month the La Jolla unit contributes to the What's New in District 22 section of the D22 edition of The Contract Bridge Forum, the newspaper members receive. Gathered below are the reports for 2008. The month refers to the publication month but the newspaper is delivered slightly before the publication month, reports are submitted a couple of weeks in advance, and the reports cover the preceding weeks.
December 2008
Think “celebrate.” Not only for the end of year festivities but also for the year itself. We’ve added to our collection of master points, we’ve had the company of our partners, we’ve met new people who share our interests, and we’re here to tell about it. Hurray!
Let’s have an other “Hurray” to welcome transferee Susan Taylor. And now inhale and then let out a salvo of cheers for our unit achievers. Ron Evanko is a new Junior Master. Alexander Prairie and Mary Ann Scher are new Sectional Masters. Let’s hear it for Ursula Kantor who has become a Life Master. Topping our list for this month is Charlotte Blum, our newest Silver Life Master. Celebrate!
The biggest party of the year for our unit is (was) on December 14. The plans are set to celebrate the holidays this month in grand style. Brunch (of the gourmet type), bridge, prizes and lots of nice people are the features of our celebration.
Going back to October 12, our unit game ended with David Oakley and David Walters in the top spot. Martha Woodworth with Greg Michaels were second in the A flight and then were first for Flight B. Jean Louis and Pat Astier were second in B and first in C, followed by Dave and Jules Borack.
At our second October game, Flight A winners were Dayou Zhou with Ivar Stakgold. Alan and Ray Rowen placed second in this flight and first for Flight B. Steve Johnson with Diana Marquardt were second. Flight C on that day was won by Elaine Chan with Paul Alesu. Dave and Jules Borack were in the second spot.
We have added quite a few newcomers to our unit membership during this past year. The board is planning a collective welcome day for all of these wonderful people. This will be on the fourth Sunday of January. Please make this a “must do” activity. It’s a celebration of the vitality of our unit and of bridge itself. Plus, it will be an opportunity to demonstrate the “open arms” policy of our unit.
So let’s Celebrate!
November 2008
The turkeys are ready to take their bows in anticipation of their holiday. But they will have to wait for our unit celebrities first. We have three new Junior Masters: Susan Cavolo, Bill Gore, and Victoria Nardone. There is one new Club Master, Scott Van Hoften, a new Life Master, Ronald Ignelzi, and there is Michael Levine, our new Bronze Life Master.
Dona Mehlhouse and Patsy Millard have transferred into our unit. We are happy to have you with us.
Unit Championship winners are next in our line-up of celebrities. On September 14 Diana Marquardt with Steve John son were top scorers in the A flight and Bill Grant with Ed Layton took the second spot. Flight B winners were Marcia Schulman with Larry Roberts and Hal Simon with Mafid Aalam were 2nd here and first in Flight C, while Anwar Hafeez with Donna Fried man placed 2nd.
The unit game on September 28 had these results. First place in Flight A was won by David Oakley with David Walters. Second place went to Diana Marquardt with Steve Johnson. For a repeat win in Flight B we have Marcia Schulman with Larry Roberts. Belle Borack with Paula Monderer were second in B, first in C. Lyle Kalish with Will Westlake were 2nd in C.
We want to recognize some unit members who have distinguished themselves in tournaments elsewhere. At the Las Vegas National our unit board secretary, Steve Johnson, took first place in the Bruce Life Master event. A great achievement, Steve. Debbie and Alan Gailfus placed 23rd in a field of 130 teams in the Mixed B-A-M Teams. Adding to their glory came a 12th (out of 354) place in the Wernher Open Pairs. Another of our members, Marvin French, placed 20th in this event. Congratulations to all!
It’s time to start your plans for the holidays. Our unit Holiday Party will be on December 14. A gourmet brunch followed by bridge is in the plan. Reservations will be absolutely necessary so watch for the flyer, mark your calendars, and reserve your spot. You don’t want this one to get away!
October 2008
This is the month to leave the beach and arrive at bridge. Although it’s cooler outside, the cards are hot. Proof of that is in the list of advancements our members have achieved. John Adams is a new Silver Life Master. Jerry Woodworth is a new Bronze Life Master. And a couple who are almost always playing together, Michael Levine and Geraldine Weiss, have become Life Masters. Also in our upward bound group are Elaine Chan, Regional Master, Carol Abramowitz and Alexander Prairie, Club Masters and Nira Levy, a new Junior Master. May golden leaves of autumn shower your path in honor of your success!
On the tenth of August the Great Western STAC game resulted in the following section winners: Flight A, Steve Clark with Ivar Stakgold, David Oakley with David Walters, Debbie and Alan Gailfus, and Otto and June Newman. Flight B, Jules and Da vid Borack, Paula Monderer with Belle Borack, Jill and Steve Seagren, and Cass Donovan with Marge Hughes. Flight C: Dave and Jules Borack and Paula Monderer with Belle Borack.
As you may have no ticed, the Borack family went on the winners’ track with Mom, Dad, and son in a first spot. Was it something they had for breakfast?
The game August 24 had these results. David Oakley with David Walters in first place for Flight A and Russ Novak with Sally Naumann second. Flight B 1st place went to Russ and Sally and 2nd place to Mary Uhry with Evan Ziegler. Mary and Evan were 1st for Flight C with Jill and Steve Seagren 2nd.
The fifth Sunday in August belonged to unit 526. We took the opportunity to hold the first “Eight is Enough” Swiss Teams event in our area. With each team lim ited to an “eight” points maximum credit, the competition was leveled out. The top winners were the solid B group made up of Freda Anderson, Gail Dunham, Manoocher Bahmanian, and Sally Ishihara. What a great come back for Manoocher in as much as he had been out of the game for several weeks due to a serious illness.
Double congratulations!
Linda Dieckmann and Vicki John son are two new members of our unit. And Elaine Laurvick and Irvin and Mickey Malashock have transferred into 526. Please accept our warm welcome greetings. We hope to say this in person at our Sunday games.
The new webmaster for the unit website is Matthew Kidd, a first year member of the board.
Remember that if you need a partner or want to be available as a partner, Cass Donovan or Ron Ignelsi are your contact people.
September 2008
A record number of our members will take the stage this month. I’m here to tell you who, why, when, and how much. New mem bers Bill Gore and Michael Wisniewski are up front. Joining them in the spotlight are transferees Susanne Kornblit and Dr. Gerald Rosenbaum. Welcome to you all.
Up next are new Junior Masters, Val Frager, Sharon Gabriel, Alexander Prairie, and Carolyn Sher. Smiles, hand shakes and a bow. Well done. In the spot light next are Tony Basson, Joyce Blumberg, Robert Blumberg, Marti Eicholz, Mickey Esser, and Doris Philamalee. They are all Club Masters now. Applause, please. Evan Ziegler is now a Sectional Master and Kippy Gambill is a Regional Master. Both are off and running to their next goal. They may not hear our cheering.
And on the big stage in the Nevada desert, several of our unit people performed with great credit at the Las Vegas Nationals. Dayou Zhou was our top achiever with 100.7 points. Board member Steve Johnson was our second highest with 77.64. Debbie and Alan Gailfus had 47.45 each, Marvin French pocketed 25.64, and new comer Charlotte Blum brought home 24.26. Many other players also did well. Please take a bow - twice.
On July 13 the unit held an NAOP qualifier for the Sunday game. The top qualifiers in Strat A were Roger Doughman with Beverly Forman. Ed Layton with Alain Schreiber were 2nd. Strat B was headed by Freda Anderson with Gail Dun ham. Second in B were Kris and Deborah Subbarao. The C strat was won by Dave and Jules Borack, followed by Michel Levine with Geraldine Weiss.
The unit championship on July 27 showed Bill Johnson with Tom Tatham in 1st place for Strat A. Anne Terry with Brenda Carter were 2nd. Top spot in Strat B was occupied by Jeffrey Holmes with Alain Schreiber. Second place went to Freda Anderson with Gail Dunham. First place in Strat C went to Barry and Emily Berkov, fol lowed by Dave and Jules Borack.
At the July meeting of the board of directors David Oakley was elected to serve as president for another term. Vice-president is Bill Grant, secretary is Steve Johnson, treasurer is Diana Marquardt. The committee chair persons will be appointed at the August meeting.
Finally, for those among you who read bylines, Trudy Light is moving on to other pursuits. I will try to be as diligent and thorough as she has been in having our unit information available to you via this column.
August 2008
July is the time to celebrate. It begins with our wonderful July 4 holiday. Then all those people who were born in July celebrate birth days. Unit 526 can celebrate because we have the highest percent rate of membership growth in the district (25 units). Of the 304 units in ACBL, we rank 13th as of a report for the 12 month period ending June 30.
Our celebration now offers a toast of welcome to new members Ralph Dilley and Alexander Prairie. Another toast, if you please, goes to three people who have transferred into 526: Shirley Huffstutler, Matthew Kidd, and Patricia Lester. We are happy you are with us and hope that our activities will suit you. Three other play ers have stormed up Masterpoint Hill onto a new level of distinction. Sheila Fuerst is a Junior Master. Elaine Chan has become a Sectional Master. Steve Johnson, a unit board member, is standing over the Gold Life Master peak. Time to celebrate!
The June 8 unit game ended with these results. Flight A 1st place went to Greg Chaffee - Maritha Pottenger. David Oakley - David Walters were 2nd. Flight B winners were Sumiko Inagaki - Yoko Davis, and Alain Schreiber - Jeffrey Holmes were 2nd. Laura Chaffee - Mark Freundel were 1st in C, and Cass Donovan - Marge Hughes were 2nd. Remember, it’s never too late to celebrate your good play.
On June 22 Russ Novak - Sally Naumann were 1st over all. Ivar Stakgold - Ed Malmuth were 2nd in Flight A. Russ and Sally were 1st in Flight B, followed by Dorinda and Robley Lindvall. Flight C winners were Elaine Chan - Ursula Kanter, and in second spot were Marcia Schulman - Larry Roberts. If any of you champions need help in celebrating, just send the word. In the meantime, congratulations to this fine group of players.
To all of us who are not listed here yet, let’s celebrate the possibilities we have in the games upcoming.
July 2008
Happy June graduates are receiving diplomas to mark their progress. Many of our unit members are receiving new rankings marking their progress as well. Yel Chiang Wu is a new Bronze Life Master. Karen Perling is now an NABC Master. Jean McGrath is a Regional Master and Mary Coleman, Jay Rothbart, and Phyllis Rothbart are Club Masters. Two new Junior Masters, Carol Abramowitz and Doris Philamalee, complete our list of “graduates.” Congratulations!
Welcome to Jean Nappi, a new member of our unit. She transferred from Florida. On May 11 we had a successful STAC game with lots of winners. Leading the whole pack were Bette Cornelius with Dan Dayani. Alice Lane with Sandra Schumsky were in 2nd place for Flight A. In Flight B section tops went to Lyle Kalish with Menooch Bahmanion and to Avram and Susan Ninyo. Second spots in B went to Elaine Chan with Jennifer Prairie, and to Gene Sumn with Kevin Chaisson.
Flight C winners were Elaine and Jennifer and Otto and June Newman.
Our traditional Memorial Day weekend sectional was a grand occasion for all area bridge players. A total of 238 tables made for grand competition. On Sunday the Swiss Teams event hosted 16 teams in A/AX, 15 teams in B/C/D, and four in the 299ers.
The top five points getters were Roger Doughman, 25.55; Cathy Strauch, 23.94; Debbie and Alan Gailfus, 21.86; and Michael Crawford 12.86. The complete list is on our website lajollabridge.com.
Thanks to all the people who attended. Your enjoyment of the tournament was the outcome we hoped and worked for. Please keep on coming to our unit games as well. Our wonderful director, Mike Weber can always find the right spot for you. See you on second and fourth Sundays at Soledad.
June 2008
More welcome than Mayflowers are the new members of 526. They are Cherlyn Caldwell, Ron Evanko, Paul Jacobowitz, Victoria Nardone, and Phyllis Weiss. The rose petal welcome mat is also for Kathleen and Larrie Brainard, Peter Cole, and Les Perlmutter, all of whom are this month’s transfers into our unit. It is our sincere hope that you will enjoy many happy sessions with us on Sunday afternoons.
Additional happy news is that two of our members have achieved Life Master status. Cass Donovan and Marge Hughes will surely show their contented smiles if you mention their new title. Further congratulations are in order for Connie Unger as a new NABC Master, Susan Ealy-Pililaau and Virginia Luscomb as new Regional Masters, Toby Burke, Wallis Klein, and Evan Ziegler as new Club Masters and Mark Slonim as Junior Master. Congratulations to all of these up and coming players.
There were two unit games held in April. On April 6 Flight A winners were Dorinda and Rob Lindvall, who were followed by Alice Lane with Tom Tatham. Flight B 1st place went to Lyle Kalish with Wilfred Westlake. Norma Huhn with Eric Hofman were 2nd and 1st in C. Second in C were Hank Dore with Katherine Haskett.
On April 20 the spotlight shone on Grant and Cyndi Baze, win ners of Flight A. Well deserved 2nd place went to Ron and Mary Huffaker. Taking a bow as winners of Flight B were Kathee Farrington with George Bessinger, while Paul and Barbara Lasky took 2nd. Flight C 1st place was taken by Joyce Bailey with Barbara Blake. June and Otto Newman were 2nd place finishers. These were awesome sessions of competitive play. Congratulations to all.
When you read this the sectional will be long gone and you have the pros pect of the June Sun days awaiting. The annual general meeting and board election will be held on June 8. I hope that all our unit members will consider being there to participate in these important events. If you have questions do call any one of the board members.
May 2008
April showers are very welcome, especially when they take the form of masterpoints. Bridge players were to be seen all during March gathering in those coveted symbols. At the March 9 pairs games Jon Wright with Vicki Creamer were 1st over all in the A Flight. David Oakley with David Walters were 2nd. In Flight B Judy and Bruce Spinney were in the number 1 spot followed by Laura Chaffee with Mark Freundel in 2nd. The Spinneys were 1st for the C flight with Marcia and David Ingraham in 2nd place.
Our regularly scheduled fourth Sunday game was suspended because the Pacific SW Regional was still going on. Many of our players enjoyed success at this large annual event.
On the fifth Sunday we hosted a Swiss Teams event. The flight A winning team was made up of David Oakley, David Walters, and Mary and Ron Huffaker.
Flight B winners were Susan and Avram Ninyo, Bernard Simkin, Gary Shekhter.
Flight C 1st place team was Yel Chiang Wu, Larry Roberts, Marcia Schulman, and Patricia Wilkey.
Additional April congratulations go to Ms. Tony Basson and Rich Custard, who are new Junior Masters. Elaine Chan advanced to Club Master. We wish you many happy finesses to come.
Ruth Jacobowitz is a new member of our unit. We give you a hearty welcome. Come to our games soon and often. To the follow ing people who have transferred into 526, welcome: Dr. Jean Balmat, Dan Dayani, Margaret McNamara, and Ivar Stakgold.
On April 13 the annual Ace of Clubs certificates and Mini-McKenney medals will be awarded. They are given to players in divisions by points. The top point winner of our unit is Dayou Zhou with 493.73 points earned in tournaments anywhere. The Ace of Clubs winner gets an award with points earned only in club games. Francy Starr is the number one achiever in this group with 224.06 for 2007.
To these and all the other achievers awarded, we offer a grand drumroll and trumpet salute. Good job.
The La Jolla Sectional starts on May 23. It’s not too soon to sharpen your conventions, gather your partners, and get ready for some good games. It will be a weekend of opportunity in the lovely Soledad Club. Pick up a flyer for details.
April 2008
Springtime brings notions of green grass, yellow tulips, and bunnies. For bridge players there are gold and red points, or maybe silver points or at least bundles of black ones.
The more, the merrier.
Unit members who have been harvesting these non-edible prizes include Elaine Chan, Carl Cull, Marti Eicholz, and Marilyn Lindstrom. All of these people are new Junior Masters. Ramin Radson has risen to Sectional Master.
The unit game on February 10 resulted in 1st place for Greg Chaffee with Mac Busby and 2nd place for David Oakley with David Walters in Flight A. In Flight B that day 1st place went to Marianne Klayman with Ron Kay, followed by Buster and Tinker Mico in 2nd. In Flight C Buster and Tinker were 1st and Avram and Susan Ninyo were 2nd. Our second monthly game was won by Ed Layton with Bill Grant in Flight A, followed by Ron Fertig with Dayou Zhou. The recaps then showed that Ron and Dayou were 1st for both the B and C flights. Recaps further revealed that Fumie Graves with Jim Chandler were 2nd in both B and C.
We have some newcomers to welcome. Tone Basson, Do ris Philamalee, and Dennis Starcher have joined our unit. Joan Capen and Patricia Wilkey have been transferred in. We hope to see you all at our games on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Sadly I must report the passing of one of the founding fathers of Unit 526: Frank Sweeney, who died in February, served as a board mem ber of our unit for many years, was the treasurer for the District 22 Board, and held of fice on the National Board of Directors. He also directed a Thursday night game for a number of years.
Although illness prevented his playing for the past several years, he had maintained his member status. Known as “Mr. Bridge” in local areas, he was a true friend of our game.
Unit championships are on the calendar for April. If you are at Soledad on the 13th and 27th, get ready to collect your masterpoints.
March 2008
February is the month of flags, flowers, and finesses: Presidents Day, Valentines Day and finesses every day for bridge players.
Our January 14 game ended with top scores earned by Anne Terry with Bette Cornelius in Flight A. Miriam Rodin with George Soules were second in A, but took the 1st spot in B. Elaine Chen with Jennifer Prairie were 2nd in B and 1st in C. Jean Louis and Pat Astier were 2nd for Flight C.
Nancy Buechner and Maritha Pottenger were the winners of Flight A January 27. They were followed by Alice Lane with Sandra Schumsky. Flight B on that day had Jean Louis and Pat Astier as winners in Flight B with 2nd place taken by Sally Ishihara with Manoochehr Bahmanian.
The Astiers were first in Flight C and Mies Kent with Nancy Roman were 2nd.
We are happy to note that Deborah Slonim rose to Junior Master and Elayne Henke is now an NABC Master. Congratulations to these two players and to our January games winners.
Smiles and welcomes are shining for Carol Abramowitz and Marilyn Lindstrom, our two new members this month. We are happy to have you with us. We are also pleased to welcome the following people who have transferred into our unit: Vincent Anselmo, James Berglund, Marion East, Melissa Johnson, and Pauline Oakley.
We hope you will enjoy coming to our games soon and often.
You may want to start planning for events coming our way in the weeks just ahead. We held our Valentines Day pot luck on Feb. 10, and a regular pairs game on the 24th. Results will be reported next month.
On March 9 again there is a pairs game. However, the Pacific Southwest Regional starts on the 17th and runs through the 23rd. Therefore there will be no unit game on the 4th Sunday of March.
Please note, however, that there is a fifth Sunday in March, and on that day we will have a special Swiss Teams game.
Grab your partners, get ready, set, and go! We’ll be waiting for you.
February 2008
For bridge players the new year means new determination for better bridge. Have you noticed how concentrated the sessions are?
Eve Lonack is a new Regional Master. Better watch out, she’s moving up fast.
I am happy to welcome Nira Levy to our unit. And further hearty welcomes go to Nancy Bierma and Chris Chang, who havet ransferred into 526.
Decem ber of ’07 closed out with great games by many players. On the 9th two sections had the following winners: Flight A 1st place over all went to Hanan Deeby with Bernard Figueiredo and 2nd went to Lynne O’Neill with Pat Chapman. Anita Reith with Ray Carson and Marian Zeldin with Phyllis Phelps were 1st and 2nd respectively in both Flights B and C. Extra congratulations to these two pairs!
A delicious buffet was a central focus of our annual Christmas party. During the lunch everyone had the opportunity to find out some fascinatingmand fun facts about our members, thanks to a quiz prepared by Diana Marquardt. From salad to desserts it was pure party. Thanks to Ed Layton who coordinated the details. Then it was time to get serious as our tournament got underway, with silver points awarded for this STAC event. Here are the top scorers: Section A, N-S Flight A 1st place was taken by Bev Forman with Roger Doughman; 2nd went to Maritha Pottenger with Lena Jelusich. E/W in A was won by Randall Dougherty with Larry Roberts; in 2nd were Alain Schreiber with Yoon Kim. Alain and Yoon took 1st in B, while Thomas Dorsey with Ron Fertig were 2nd. N/S Flight B 1st went to Phyllis Pankow with B.J. Petersen, and 2nd was won by Belle Borak with Selma Kaden. Belle and Selma were 1st in C as well. E/W Flight C 1st went to Marie and Robert Garin and 2nd was taken by Norma Kuhn with Eric Hofman.
Section B, N/S Flight A 1st place was won by Marty and Leila Bloomberg. In 2nd place were June and Otto Newman. For Flight B 1st were Marty and Leila followed by Nancy Ro wan with Mies Kent in the 2nd spot. And Marty and Leila were in the 1st spot for Flight C. E/W Flight A in this section was won by Jean Hughes with Rose mary Hayden. Second was taken by Abe and Fran Gleiberman.
Flight B shows Abe and Fran in 1st while Alan and Ray Rowen were 2nd.
Keep your eyes open for our an nual spring potluck. In the mean time our regular schedule of games, second and fourth Sundays, will continue.
We hope to see you there.
January 2008
Now that your Thanksgiving turkey (or whatever) is a sweet memory, I hope that you are in the midst of holiday happy spirits. By the time you read this our big party will have taken place, the winners will have pocketed their points, and our players are plotting their strategies for the new year. I want to remind you that there will be a unit game on Sunday, Decem ber 23. It will be a silver point affair winding up the week of Great Western Holiday STAC games. Go for it!
A big holiday welcome goes to our two new members, Emma Chamberlain and Carolyn Sher. Be assured that there will always be a place for you at our games.
Winning places at the November 25 game went to the following players. Bill Grant and Ed Layton were 1st over all in Flight A. Mary and Ron Huffaker were 2nd. The Flight B 1st place was taken by Manoocher Bahamanian with Sally Ishihara. Pat and Jean Louis Astier were 2nd. The Astiers were 1st in Flight C, followed by Eric Hofman and Norma Huhn.
The board joins me in wishing all of you gentle readers a joyful end to this year followed by a new 12 month period of Good Health, Good Friends, and Good Games.