January 2002 Column

San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif. Unit

It's a challenge replacing Andrew Binstock as correspondent. He has decreased his bridge activities to focus on improving global human relations after the September 11 tragedy. However, he has agreed to remain as our webmaster at www.meckwell.com/unit498. Andrew, we thank you and wish you all the best. We hope you will find some time to visit and play occasionally at our beautiful new Bayshore Bridge Club that you described so well. I know that I and many others at Unit 498 looked forward to the Forum's monthly arrival and to Andrew's newsy, well-written column. As a new player, I found his tips on play of the hand and card combinations very helpful. I can't do all he did, but I will do my best. With help from experienced members, we should field a reasonable column.

Cameron Cotton has passed along our current schedule: Bayshore Bridge Club, 1300 Bayshore #168, Burlingame, CA 94010; (650) 344-5919: Afternoon games Monday through Saturday are at 12:30 p.m.; Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Evening games are at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday; 7:15 p.m. on Monday, Friday, and Saturday. Afternoon directors are Stephen Kanzee, Wednesday; Carl van Zuiden, Thursday; Takemi Totes, Saturday. Patty Frederick directs Thrudsay and Saturday evenings, Gary Schweitzer directs the other games: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday afternoons as well as Monday and Friday evenings.

Complimentary hearty lunces are served at Gary's Friday and Sunday games; a light lunch at his Monday game. Carla's game features gourmet foods and Eric Dundatshcek's carrot cake. Complimentary coffee and tea plus snacks are available at all games. Friday afternoons, two games are offered: one for 299ers, the other a very popular game for advanced players. Gary gives lessons at 6:30 p.m. before his 7:15 p.m. Monday game. A Friday evening Barometer game and other innovations are coming soon to the finest bridge club in the Bay Area.

Our 33-table November 11 unit game featured a wonderful turkey dinner plus some very good bridge. The overall winners were: Bernard Figueiredo and Hannan Deeby; Clifford Colvin and Tani Moalem; Vera Bass and Louly Geer; Harry Bonn and Fred Shiro; Robert Rose and Gigi Mark; Jane Lane and Kate Talbot. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the committee members whose work made the party a success. For results, check our web page.

Unit 498 was well represented at the Las Vegas championships. Reports are incomplete but Nancy Chapman found a sufficient mother lode of gold points to achieve Life Master ranking. John Green and Joan Shaffer earned many 2nds and 3rds and 4ths in the 299'er room. Bill and Karin Rabin won a two-day KO event and Joanne McConnell did very well in the unlimited games. Hansi Torczyner was cited for brilliant play in the ACBL Daily Bulletin in an article captioned "The Pick-Up Squeeze." Her pick-up partner, Norm Gordon of Montreal reported her magnificent double squeeze to bring home a 6NT contract. I didn't completely understand the squeeze but enjoyed giving her my kind of squeeze, a congratulatory bear hug.

The material in this column depends on you, the membership. E-mail, fax, or drop material in the club suggestion box. Please include your naem and phone number in case I have any questions.

Paul Levine. E-mail: pblevine@juno.com Fax: (650) 593-2572 or deposit info in the Bayshore suggestion box.