Let the record reflect that on April 16, 2012 by majority vote, a motion passed to name the NLM tournament to be held May 19 and 20, 2012 at the Unit 473 bridge center The Sheila Wimer NLM Tournament.

Present:  Kathy Evans, Cherri Ross, Cynthia Swezey, Roni Maktenieks and John Swanson.  Absent:  Mark Lundblad, Jim Peterson, Richard Michelson, and David Weinberg.  Guests:  Kathy Lane

Minutes for March 24, 2012 were approved electronically.  Roni was recognized and thanked for filling the board position vacated by Sheila Wimer.  Treasurer’s Report was approved unanimously.  It was noted that the April Showers tournament attendance was down by 13 tables, but the Unit did make over $2700.   Hospitality reported that signup sheets will be posted so unit members can bring refreshments and snacks for The Sheila Wimer NLM Tournament while the Unit will provide utensils.   Sunshine reported that Don Logerwell is recovering from surgery.

Old Business:

1.            April Tournament

Free plays gifted to board members for their use at tournaments were discussed and a motion was made to sell 10 plays at half-price to board members.  The motion passed unanimously.

2.            NLM/500 Sectional

We were reminded that the tournament will have two sessions on May 19 and one on May 20.  Kathy Lane will provide hand records and send out emails to members reminding them of the event.

New Business:

1.            August Tournament Events

The various games/events to be played were discussed and possible times and frequency for those.  The President advised she would contact the Director in Charge Dianne Barton-Paine and an announcement will be forth coming.

2.            Nationals Volunteers

The President advised that an email has been received from the San Francisco Nationals Tournament organizers requiring Unit 473’s participation on November 24.

3.            Dealing Machine

The President advised that the purchase of a dealing machine has been suggested by Sheila Wimer.  A general discussion followed.  A committee will be formed to research this issue.

4.            STaC

The additional fees paid by the directors to ACBL for the STaC games in May were discussed.  By unanimous vote a motion was passed making Unit 473 responsible for those additional fees owed by the directors to the ACBL.

Next Board Meeting:     June 9, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.

OUT and ABOUT:  Nancy Blackwell is back from visiting her sister in Florida.  The snow birds are beginning to trickle back in.

HAPPY TRAILS:  On April 18^th, the unit had a farewell potluck for Sheila Wimer before the evening game.  Sheila is leaving us to move to Colorado to be closer to family.  Over the years, in addition to playing bridge, Sheila has served a number of roles – bridge club owner, bridge teacher, and board member.  Her leaving creates a void in the bridge community but we wish her great happiness in her new home.  As a tribute to Sheila for all she has done for the bridge community, the Board has voted to rename the Non-Life Master Tournament to the Sheila Wimer Non-Life Master Tournament.

BREAKING NEWS:  Roni Maktenieks has graciously volunteered to fill out the rest of Sheila’s term on the board.  Thanks so much.

DISABLED LIST:  I haven’t heard of any new injuries or illnesses.

NEW MEMBERS: This month the Unit has one new member:  Phyllis Alinkas. Welcome to the Unit.

BIG GAME:  This month there was no pair with over a 70% game.

The Club Championship game on April 1^st was won by Rich Scoggin and Shirley Mazolewski.   The Club Championship game on April 2^nd was won by Rich Scoggin and Kaz Nojima.  The Club Championship game on April 4^th was won by Rich Scoggin and Jackie Chandler. The Club Championship game on April 18^th was won by Eunice Parent and Tom Quint. The Club Championship game on April 21^th was won by a pair of visitors from Saint Augustine, Florida, Florence and Stephen Channey.   The Club Championship team game on April 24^th was won by the team of Mike Mendell, Kathy Entus, Maire Ghent and Linda Torres. The Club Championship game on April 27^th was won by Kathy Lane and Dan Green.

The April Unit game was held on April 22^nd.  There was an abundance of great food.  First overall in A were Charlotte Flak and Lin Goldstein. In 2^nd were Rich Scoggin and Irene Harlow.  In 3^rd were Linda Averett and Kathy Evans. In 4^th were Bobbi Kornbluth and Roni Maktenieks. In 5^th were Gil Ramirez and Neal Moore.  In 6^th were Lorita Spalding and Regina Houston.  In Flight B, Gloria Forester and George Peterson were in 3^rd place.  Paul Blumberg and Tom Howell were in 4^th place.  David Weinberg and Richard Michelsen were in 5^th place.  Tom Quint and Mark Lundblad were in 6^th place.  In Flight C, Dorene Beavers and Don Parsons were in 1^st place.  Jackie Chandler and Ed Plotsky were in 2^nd place.

After the Unit game on April 22^nd, there was a potluck and Celebration of Life was held for Matt Kofsky.  The celebration was very well attended by Matt’s immediate and extended family, work colleagues, and many friends both in and out of the bridge community.  Rest well, Matt.

For the first time in a long, long time, this month the Unit had no rank changes.

Mark your calendars: The regular Unit game in June is on June 24^th at 1:15 p.m.

OUT and ABOUT:  Paul Blumberg is back from Spain. Satish Gupta is back from his world tour.

FOND REMEMBERANCE:  In March, the Unit lost Matt Kofsky.  The Unit wishes to extend their condolences to Sharon and the girls and all his friends and family.

DISABLED LIST:  Don Logerwell is having major back surgery this month and will be out of commission for a while.

NEW MEMBERS: This month the Unit has no new members.

BIG GAME:  I guess because we had 5 games over 70% last month, it’s only fair that this month we had only one. On Monday, March 26^th, Gil Ramirez (notice the correct spelling) and Rich Scoggin had a 75.64% game.  Congratulations fellows.

HEY, WE KNOW HIM:  Dallas Seavey, Eunice Parent’s nephew, became the youngest winner of the Iditarod (the nearly 1000 mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome). Dallas beat out his dad (Mitch) who was 7^th and his grandfather (Dan) who was 51^st. All of the group that went to Alaska with Eunice a couple of years back, met the family including the Iditarod’s newest winner and are overjoyed to hear of his success.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: The Sierra Canyon Bridge Club celebrated their first birthday in March.  The Unit has grown because many of these players have become ACBL members. In addition to playing at the Sierra Canyon Bridge Club, their players have been very supportive of the Unit’s sectionals.  Happy Birthday and many happy returns.

The Senior Charity game on March 5^th was won by Gil Ramirez (make that spelled right twice) and Neal Moore.  The special unit game on March 8^th was won by Sharon Bahry and Guy Archambault .  The winners of the ACBL wide Charity game on March 21^st were Gary Nitzberg and Donna Mcleod .

The winners of the Eight-Is-Enough Team game held on March 18^th were the team of Rick Weiss, Mark Lundblad, David Weinberg and Richard Michelsen.  The team of Irene Harlow, Paul Blumberg, Jan Parker and Jerry Lynn were 2^nd. First in Flight C was the team of Jean Milner, Gloria Walker, Maria Johnson and Mona Fleischmann.

The March Unit game was held on March 25^th.  First overall in A were David Weinberg and Richard Michelsen.  In 2^nd were Donna Mcleod and Virginia Kellermeyer.  In 3^rd were Charlotte Falk and Richard Schiveley. In 4^th were Sheila Wimer and Paul Nagel. In 5^th were Dan Green and Les Balascoe. In 6^th were David Dickey and Don Parsons.  In Flight B, Tom Howell and Paul Blumberg were in 4^th place and Elinor Erickson and Satish Gupta were in 5^th.  Rick Weiss and Mark Lundblad were 3^rd in Flight C.  

This month, Joyce Remsen became the Unit’s newest Silver Life Master.  Congratulations Joyce.

The Unit is holding our first ever Non-Life Master Tournament on May 19 and 20.  The club will be closed to all life masters on those two days.   There are pair games at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on May 19 and a four round Swiss Team on Sunday at 1:30p.m. Coffee and snacks will be provided.  If you need a partner, contact Kathy Lane.

Mark your calendars: The regular Unit game in June is on June 24^th at 1:15 p.m.

All are invited to attend.  There will be a potluck dinner.  Please feel free to bring a dish to share.

Monday, June 4, 11:45 North American Pairs Qualification

Tuesday, June 5, 11:45 North American Pairs Qualification

Wednesday, June 6, 11:45, Special Unit Game

Thursday, June 7, 11:45, North American Pairs Qualification

Friday, June 8, 11:45, North American Pairs Qualification

Saturday, June 9, 1:00, North American Pairs Qualification

Sunday,  June 10, 1:15, North American Pairs Qualification

Wednesday, June 13, 6:30, North American Pairs Qualification

Saturday, June 16, 1:00, Special Unit Game

Sunday, June 17, 1:15, Charity Team Game

Sunday, June 24, 1:15, Regular Unit Game

Tuesday, June 26, 11:45, 8 is Enough Team Game

Friday, June 7, 11:45 North American Pairs Qualification

Bob Garret and Steve Print

Marie Ernst and Tom Howell

David Weinberg
Not pictured: Richard Michelsen

Present:  Kathy Evans, David Weinberg, Sheila Wimer, Mark Lundblad, Cherri Ross, Cynthia Swezey, Jim Peterson, Richard Michelsen and John Swanson.  Guests:  Kathy Lane and Conrad Evans.

Minutes for February 25, 2012 were approved electronically.  Treasurer’s Report was approved unanimously.  Membership reported that all letters welcoming new members have been sent.  Hospitality reported that the summer picnic will be on July 28, 2012 at Barbara Chism’s home.  Sunshine reported that John Gent and Matt Kofsky passed away.  A memorial date for Matt Kofsky will be set in the near future.

Old Business:

1.            Unit Boundaries

As reported by Unit President, no information has been received from ACBL.  As the unit has no activity on this item, it will be removed from the agenda.

2.            April Tournament

We were reminded that the Ponderosa Room at the Nugget will be the location for the event, and the logistics of the setup and teardown were reviewed.  A discussion was held about the April 2013 tournament, and by motion and unanimous vote, it was decided to continue negotiations with the Nugget for that tournament.  Additionally, by motion and unanimous vote, it was decided to pursue further negotiations with the Nugget for future regional tournaments.  The President will contact ACBL to advertise for the coming tournament.

3.            NLM/500 Sectional Stratification

We were reminded of the May 19 (two sessions) and 20 (one session) dates and the maximum master points allow to participate is 500 for a NLM.

New Business:

1.            Board Position

It was again announced that Sunshine Board Member Sheila Wimer will be leaving and a discussion was had regarding a replacement for the position.

2.            Website

Board Member David Weinberg will update the site to reflect the addition of information regarding bridge lessons, pictures of winners, and correct email addresses.

3.            Free Play

By a majority vote, it was agreed to give board members 5 free play coupons as appreciation for their work on the Unit 473 Board.  By unanimous vote it was agreed to give Kathy Lane and Mel Edelblute a free play coupon for each session of play missed at the Center by reason of a tournament.

Next Board Meeting:     April 28, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.

Post-adjournment announcements by the President:  Roni Maktenieks has agreed to serve on the board for the balance of Sheila Wimer’s term.  An honorarium on behalf of Matt Kofsky will be announced.