Out and About:  Kathy Lane and Carol Burton are back from Palm Springs. Pat and Jim Peterson are back from their train trip.  John and Linda Swanson are back from Florida.

Disabled list:  A couple of Unit members had short hospital stays this month.  Both Mary Wyatt and Quentin Wilmot spent a couple of days being checked out and enjoying hospital food.  Both Mary and Quentin are back at home.

New member: This month the Unit has four new members: Hayden Davis, Marcia Hammons, Ben Hull and Ivan Zlatev.  Welcome to the Unit.

BIG GAME:  On Thursday, January 12, Virginia Jensen and Mike Slattery had a 71.25% game. On Saturday, January 28, Conrad Evans and David Weinberg had a 73.44% game.  Congratulations to all.  A word of warning: this is the second month in a row that Virginia has had a big game.

The mystery of the black coat is over.  Louise Holden has her coat back.

The Club membership game on January 26^th was won by Sybil Lucks and Kathy Evans. The Club membership game on January 27^th was won by Mel Edelblute and Ann Little. The International Fund Game on January 28^th was won by Conrad Evans and David Weinberg.

There were 4 special unit games this month.  The game on January 11^th was won by Rich Scoggin and Bobbi Kornbluth. The game on January 17^th was won by Donna Deroos and Joanne Onstine-Dill.  The game on January 19^th was won by Mike Slattery and Mel Edelblute.  The game on January 30^th was won by Kathy Lane and Lorita Spalding.

The January Team game was won by the team of Lorita Spalding, Regina Houston, Linda Averett and Kathy Evans.  In 2^nd (by a single victory point) was the team of Lynn Yokel, Wayne Stuart, Gloria  Walker and Reba Jo Berland. This team was put together at the last minute and played like they were an established team.  Flight B was won by the team of David Weinberg, Richard Michelsen, Mark Lundblad and Tom Howell.

The January Unit game was held on January 22^nd.  First overall in A were Donna Mcleod and Virginia Kellermeyer.  In 2^nd were Kaz Nojima and Carol Barr. In 3^rd were Richard Schiveley and Charlotte Falk. In 4^th were Linda Averett and Kathy Evans. Tied for 5th/6th were Lorita Spalding and Regina Houston and Steve Print and Conrad Evans.  In Flight B, Mona Fleischmann and Lillian Johnson were in 3^rd place.  Dave Dickey and Don Parsons were 4^th.  

This month the Unit has three rank changes.  Diane Fox and Carol Andrew became Junior Masters.  Linda Torres and Susan Wilson became Club Masters. John Swanson became a Regional Master.  Congratulations to all.

Mark your calendars: The regular Unit game in March is on March 25^th at 1:15 p.m.

Present:  Kathy Evans, David Weinberg, Sheila Wimer, Mark Lundblad and Cherri Ross      Guests:  Grace Martin and Kathy Lane

Absent:    Cynthia Swezey, Jim Peterson and John Swanson

Minutes for December 17, 2011 Board Meeting were approved.  Treasurer’s Report was reviewed and approved.  There was no Hospitality, Sunshine, or President’s report.  Membership reported six new-member letters.

Old Business

1.  Unit Boundaries

As reported by Unit President, no information has been received from ACBL.

2.  April Tournament

By unanimous vote, a one-quarter page flier will appear in the February and March issue of Forum.

3.  NLM/500 Sectional Stratifications

A general discussion was had regarding the coming May 19 and 20, 2012, Non-life Master (NLM) Tournament.  A flier and necessary information to appear on that flier was discussed and agreed upon.

New Business

Hospitality will provide snacks for the NLM Tournament and that information will be noted on the flier.

Next Unit Game:  February 26, 2012, at 1:15 p.m.

Next Board Meeting:  February 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.

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.

Minutes for the November 19, 2011 Board Meeting were approved.  Kathy Evans thanked the departing Board Members for their service:  Gil Ramirez, Dan Green and Tom Howell.

New Officers/Committee Chairman for 2012 Board:

President – Kathy Evans

Vice President – Richard Michelsen

Treasurer – Mark Lundblad

Secretary – Cherri Ross

Hospitality – Cynthia Swezey

Sunshine – Sheila Wimer

Membership – John Swanson

Webmaster – David Weinberg

U473 Representatives to D21 Board Meetings (2012):

Gil Ramirez:Santa Clara(Feb) &Sacramento(May)

Sheila Wimer: Santa Clara (Feb) [Sacramento (May)]

Jim Peterson:Santa Clara(Aug)

Miscellaneous:  (1) A donation to the Nevada Humane Society will be made in memory of Tom Ewick.   (2) Kathy Evans reported that the count for the Holiday Party at the Nugget was up to 95.  (3) Changes for events at the April Sectional were finalized so that flyers could be distributed at the Christmas Regional at the Grand Sierra Resort – see flyer for details.

Next Board Meeting: Saturday, January 21, 2012 @ 11:00AM.

Next Unit Game: Sunday, January 22, 2012 @ 1:15PM.

Thomas Howell, Unit 473 Secretary

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.

Minutes for the October 15, 2011 Board Meeting were approved.  Treasurer’s Report (K Evans) for the October 16, 2011 through November 19, 2011 period was reviewed and approved – minimal activity during the last month.

Miscellaneous:  (1) The Wednesday evening session at next April’s Sectional will be a Fast Pairs Event in order to attract more players by finishing earlier in the evening – other changes to the Sectional events will be presented in the flyers.  (2) A proposal from Bud Brewer for a cash donation to RYB from Unit 473 was reviewed by the Board and Mr. Brewer has been notified that the Board recommended that this proposal is more properly directed to ACBL District 21 as part of their charitable foundation function.  (3) STaC games will be held at the Club the week of December 5-11, 2011 – a chance to get your Silver points without going out of town.  (4) Details of the May 19-20, 2012 NLM Sectional are being worked out – specifics to follow.  (5) A donation will be made in memory of Tom Ewick when a specific organization has been identified.

Annual Election of New Board Members:  Richard Michelsen, Cherri Ross and John Swanson are the three new members of the Board and will be serving from 2012 through 2014.

Unit Holiday Party:  Reminder: our annual Holiday Party will be held Sunday, December 11 at the Nugget after the STaC Game – details posted at the Club.    Please signup with any Board member no later than December 6.

Next Board Meeting: Sunday, December 11, 2011 @ 12:00PM: short meeting, primarily for new Board members and to elect new Officers for 2012.

Next Unit Game: Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ 1:15PM.

Thomas Howell

Unit 473 Secretary

Minutes for the September 24, 2011 Board Meeting were approved.  Treasurer’s Report (K Evans) for September 24, 2011 through October 15, 2011 period was reviewed and approved – minimal activity during the last month.  Membership report (K Evans) : we are holding steady at 272 “on-paper” members.

Miscellaneous:  Geographical definition of Unit 473 boundaries is still being reviewed by the ACBL – it appears that we will retain Lassen County CA, since D20 appears to have disavowed itself of that area.  We are considering several different options for Sectional events in order to bolster attendance at the Saturday Sectional games – stay tuned. 

Annual Election of New Board Members (Nov 20, 2011):  As of this date, we have 3 candidates who have declared:  Richard Michelsen, Cherri Ross and John Swanson

Unit Holiday Party:  Our annual Holiday Party will be held Sunday, December 11 after the Unit Game at the Nugget.  Details will posted at the Club.

Next Board Meeting: Saturday, November 19, 2011 @ 11:00AM.

Next Unit Game: Sunday, November 27, 2011 @ 1:15PM.

Thomas Howell

Unit 473 Secretary

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).