Reno Bridge Unit 473 and its duplicate bridge clubs

Happy New Year.  By the time you get this 2012 will be almost a month old.  I hope that your holidays were merry and bright and that 2012 brings health and happiness.

The Unit’s top 10 masterpoint winners at the Midwinter Regional were: Charlotte Falk, Steve Print, Lin Goldstein, Conrad Evans, Dan Green, Nels Erickson, Rick Weiss, Mark Lundblad, David Weinberg, and Richard Michelsen.

Out and About:  Linda Averett is back from Moorea. Kathy Lane is back from Southern California.

Disabled list:  No new injuries or illnesses.

New member: This month the Unit has three new members: Marilyn Hedges-Hiller, Marilyn Hill and Joel Vinton.  Welcome to the Unit.

BIG GAME:  On Saturday, December 10, Mel Edelblute and Virginia Jensen had a 72.22% game.  Congratulations.

Do you know where your black coat is?  Louise Holden’s black coat was inadvertently taken from the rack at the Christmas party.  Please check your closets and if you have it, return it to the club and exchange it for your black coat.

Congratulations to Mark Lundblad and his new bride, Anitra on their recent nuptials.

Reno Youth Bridge held their first tournament of the year at the Grand Sierra on Friday, December 30^th during the Midwinter Regional.  Eighty students from the Washoe County District middle schools participated. Jessica Fuchs and Sarah Macharg of the Davidson Academy emerged victorious in the Reno Youth Pairs.  Andrea Russell and Kaleigha Valdez from Yvonne Shaw Middle School were the winners of the Reno Youth Mini Pairs.

I was invited to play at the Sierra Canyon Monday bridge game this last week.  The playing area is great (lots of windows with a spectacular view) and the people are warm and welcoming.  If any of you are fortunate enough to get an invitation to play in this game, I encourage you to accept.

Sectional Tournaments at Clubs (STaC) games were held December 5-11^th.  The December 5^th game was won by Linda Turner and Satish Gupta.  The December 6^th game was won by Ed Plotsky and June Lucas.  The December 7^th game was won by Donna Mcleod and Virginia Kellermeyer.  The December 8th game was won by Satish Gupta and Kaz Nojima.  The December 9^th game was won by Mel Edelblute and Satish Gupta.  The December 10^th game was won by Mel Edelblute and Virginia Jensen.  The December 11^th game was won by Charlotte Falk and Richard Schiveley.  Satish Gupta really scooped up the points during the STaC week.

The Club membership game on December 4^th was won by Conrad Evans and Nels Erickson. The Charity game on December 13^th was won by Bill Schoenemann and John Swanson.  The special unit game on December 14^th was won by Charlotte Falk and Richard Schiveley.

The December Unit game was held on December 18^th.  First overall in A were Conrad Evans and Nels Erickson.   In 2^nd were David Weinberg and Richard Michelsen. In 3^rd were Cathy Johnson and Evie Almeleh. In 4^th were Charlotte Falk and Richard Schiveley.  In 5^th were Sheila Wimer and Paul Nagel.  In Flight B, Sid Siddel and Karol McClellan were in 3^rd place.  Linda Averett and Kathy Evans were 4^th.  

This month the Unit has many rank changes.  Suzanne Jones, Pat Logerwell, Gene Richards, Jan Schiff, Linda Swanson and Andy Wallace all became Junior Masters.  Beverly Casler and Karol McCellan became Club Masters. Don Parson became a Sectional Master.  Jan Parker became the Unit’s newest Life Master.  Myrlen Ann Knafelc became the Unit’s newest Silver Master. Congratulations to all.

Mark your calendars: The regular Unit game in February is on February 26 at 1:15 p.m.

The member directory has been updated.

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanza! Feliz Dia de Reyes!  By the time you get this the annual Holiday Party will have come and gone.  I hope that your holidays are merry and bright. I will report on the Midwinter Regional results next month.

Out and About:  Nels Erickson is back from watching Ultra Blend run in the Breeder’s Cup at Churchill Downs.  There was a huge contingent of unit members that showed up for the Puerto Vallarta Regional: Addie Wells, Evie Almeleh, Cathy Johnson, Rene Reid, Cynthia Swezey, Mark Lundblad, Bobbi Kornbluth and Rick Weiss.  Of course Myrlen Ann Knaeflc was also there as she winters in Puerto Vallarta.  Cathy Johnson is back from a road trip to Houston.  Mona Fleischmann is back from enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday in Southern California. Kathy Lane is back from China.

Disabled list:  Great month, I haven’t heard of any new developments.

New member: The In-N-Out Report was not available at press time.  We’ll catch up next month.

BIG GAME:  On Tuesday November 29^th in a 12 table game, Bob Luebkeman and Rene Reid had a 75.69% game.  Wow!!!

The November Unit game was held on November 27^th.  There were 9 tables and lots of good food. First overall in A were Nels Erickson and Conrad Evans.  In 2^nd were Satish Gupta and Irene Harlow. In 3^rd were David Weinberg and Dan Green.  In 4^th were Addie Wells and Sheila Wimer. In 5^th were Rich Scoggin and Mike Mendell. In Flight B, Edwin and Regina Straver were 1^st.  Paul Ringer and Roni Maktenieks were 2^nd.  Kaz Nojima and Diane Bishoff were 3^rd.  

The charity game on November 20^th was a team game won by the team of Steve Print, Steve Kirschenbaum, Nels Erickson, and Conrad Evans with the slimmest of margins – a single victory point.  First in B went to the team of Ann Little, Mike Slattery, Andy Wallace and Jill Wallace.

The club participated in the ACBl Wide Charity Game on Monday, November 21^st.  The game was won by Nels Erickson and Conrad Evans.  Once again Conrad and Nels got the win by the slimmest of margins.  This time they were first by .11% over the second place team of Charlotte Falk and Lin Goldstein.

The club membership game on November 25^th was won by Sybil Lucks and Kathy Evans. The special Unit game on November 6^th was won by Bob Luebkeman and Charlotte Falk.

There were 8 club championship games during November.  The evening game on November 2^nd was won by Charlotte Falk and Virginia Kellermeyer.  The game on November 3^rd was won by Jim and Pat Peterson.  The game on November 8^th was won by Joyce Remsen and Jackie Chandler. The game on November 11^th was won by Lin Goldstein and Satish Gupta. The game on November 13^th was won by Gil Ramirez and Neal Moore.  The game on November 16^th was won by Nels Erickson and Conrad Evans.  The game on November 19^th was won by Jinny Anderson and Reba Jo Berland. The game on November 21^th was won by Gil Ramirez and Rich Scoggin.

The In-N-Out Report was not available at press time so we’ll catch up next month on the Unit rank changes.

Mark your calendars: The Unit game in January is on January 22 at 1:15 p.m.

Happy Thanksgiving!!  I hope you got a chance to play at the Carson City Sectional.  The top 10- masterpoint winners from Unit 473 were:  Paul Blumberg, Jim Paschal, Nels Erickson, Conrad Evans, Donna Deroos, Sharon Bahry, Matt Kofsky, Charlotte Falk, Rich Scoggin and Mark Lundblad.

Out and About:  Cora Robey played a session at the Carson City Sectional.  Kathy Lane, Cynthia Swezey, Rene Reid and Jeannene LaVitre are back from a trip to Sedona.  Conrad and I are back from a cruise to Hawaii. Jennifer Pereos and Brad Tretten were spotted playing at the club recently.

Disabled list:  Carol Burton has been ailing.  Carol does not want phone calls but cards can be sent to her at PO Box 105 Virginia City, NV 89440-0105.  Also during October, Gil Rameriz, Rich Scoggin and Joyce Remsen were all not at their tip-top shape. A get well wish goes out to all unit members who are under the weather.

New member: This month the Unit has one new member, Bill Jones.  Welcome Bill.

ELECTION RESULTS: As there were only 3 volunteers as candidates for the board, the board has appointed the 3 candidates to fill the spots left vacant by the outgoing board members. Congratulations to Cherri Ross, John Swanson, and Richard Michelsen.

BIG GAME:  No games over 70 percent to report this month although some pairs were close.

BREAKING NEWS: Effective November 7^th, Grace Martin will direct the Monday games.  Grace intends to work hard at promoting the game so let’s all get out there and support her.

The Annual Holiday Party is Sunday, December 11^th at the Nugget Resort and Casino.  The no host cash bar opens at 5:00 pm and the sit-down dinner starts at 5:30 pm.  There are 2 choices for the entrée either: Grilled Chicken Breast with Marengo Rice Pilaf or Roasted Pork Loin with Cranberry Mango Chutney and Garlic Mashed Potatoes.  The rest of the meal is Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons, Seasonal Fresh Vegetables, Bakery Fresh Rolls and Sweet Butter. Chocolate Cake and Coffee (Regular and Decaf) and Tea will also be served.  Tickets are $10.00 for Unit members, $15.00  for non-Unit members/the first guest and $25.00 for each additional guest.  You can buy tickets from any board member.  Buy your tickets early as we need a head count and entrée selection by  December 6^th.

The October Unit game was held on October 23^rd.  First overall in A were Satish Gupta and Joyce Remsen.  In 2^nd were Charlotte Falk and Richard Schiveley. In 3^rd were David Weinberg and  Richard Michelsen.  In 4^th were Carol Barr and Kaz Nojima.  In 5^th were Linda Averett and Mark Lundblad.  In Flight B, George Petersen and Joyce Brush were in 3^rd place.  Cathy Johnson and Maria Johnson were 4^th.
The charity game on October 25^th was won by Cynthia Swezey and Rene Reid.

The club membership game on October 12^th was won by Rich Scoggin and Jim Paschal.

There were 7 club appreciation games during October.  The game on October 2^nd was won by Sharon Bahry and Eunice Parent.  The game on October 11^th was won by Bobbi Kornbluth and Rick Weiss.
The game on October 13^th was won by Sybil Lucks and Eileen McCleary. The game on October 15^th was won by Conrad Evans and David Weinberg. The game on October 15^th was won by Sheila Wimer and Paul Nagel.  The game on October 22^nd was won by Carisse Gafni and June Lucas.  The game on October 28^th was won by Irene Harlow and Jack Barney.

The Unit had several rank changes during the last month.  Mikael Schwimmer became a Club Master. Wayne Sourwine became a NABC Master.  David Weinberg and Henry Harris became the Unit’s two newest Life Masters.  Congratulations to all.

Mark your calendars: The regular Unit game December is on December 11 at 1:15 p.m. (prior to the annual holiday party).

Upcoming events for November have been posted to the Special Events page.

The Annual Meeting and election is scheduled for November 20^th at the club.  This means that the search is on for unit members to run for the board.  A term of office is three years.  The board meets once a month so it really isn’t a huge time commitment. Cynthia Swezey is heading up the nominating committee.  If  you would like to serve on the board, please contact Cynthia or any other board member prior to October 28, 2011.  The absentee ballots will be available at the club no later than October 31^st.

The membership directory contains the address and phone numbers for all Unit 473 members.  If you wish to have your information deleted, send an e-mail. Thanks!