March 2002 Column

San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif. Unit

Dates to save—Saturday and Sunday, March 9th and 10th; Sunday, April 14th.
Save Saturday and Sunday, March 9th and 10th for the San Mateo Winter Sectional Bridge Tournament at the San Mateo Fair Grounds Expo Center. For details, see our ad in this issue of the "Forum" or call Fran Ball at (650) 591-2790. Save April 14th for 498's Unit game. Camaraderie and hors d’oeuvres at 5:15, Dinner at 5:30 and stratified pairs at 6:15 PM. Feedback tells me that I made at least two errors in last month’s report.

Corrections—1. February’s Unit Game is not a Swiss Team event. It is a stratified pairs game.
2. The overall winners of the New Year event were Hanan Deeby and Bernard Figueiredo.
I apologize for the misinformation and we are taking one giant step that should minimize future errors. Ellie Stauffer has added to her many duties as president of our unit. She will proof read my columns for glaring errors before submission. Thanks, Ellie.

Our unit members were very active at the Monterrey Regional in January. In viewing the ACBL web page, I discovered twenty-three award winners who are likely members of Unit 498. Accumulating the largest point award was Hamish Bennett with 57.62, including two firsts and two seconds. Next highest in our unit was Ted Richmond with 41.33, including one first and one third. Finishing in the money the most times were: Carol Gerlach - 6, Hamish Bennett - 4 and Stephen Jones - 4. Three time winners were Antoni Baranski, Hanan Deeby, Bernard Figueiredo and Joanne McConnell. Two timers were Judith Ballack, Don Doolittle, Tania Moalem, Ted Richmond and Betsey Schneider. Our other winners were Mary Armacost, Dan Ballack, Shirley Blum, Pat Litfin, Leila Gaines, Rajeev Gupta, Christine Hevener, Bob Robbins, Elise Stone, Donald Stone and Elsie Yamamoto. If I’ve omitted anyone, please advise and I’ll make amends in the next issue. Betty Szteinbaum advised that her husband, Victor, had a great Las Vegas Regional and reached the Silver Life Master plateau.

I close on a somber note. Martin Fletcher, who graced our club with great dignity passed away on January 15th. Our condolences to his survivors. If you are running late, need a partner or want to reserve a table call the club at (650) 344-4919. For other information about our club, Andrew Binstock will keep our web site current (www.meckwell.com/unit498). The material in this column depends on you, the membership. E-mail, Fax or drop off material in the club suggestion box. Please include your name and phone number in case I have any questions

—Paul Levine pblevine@juno.com, Fax: (650) 593-2572