August 2002 Column

San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif. Unit

Our next Unit Games are August 11th and September 8th. Socialize at 5:15. Dine at 5:30. Stratified pairs at 6:15 PM. Our weekly schedule has two changes. Wednesday’s games begin at noon after a light lunch. Takemi Totes directs the new Friday night game starting at 7:15 PM. Welcome to new members: Phani Vermuri, Audrey Brown and Gerry Montgomery. We wish you enjoyment and success at the tables. Congratulations to members at new plateaus: Brenda Flatland, Stephen Jacobs and Matthew Kaufman to Junior Master. Daniel Raider to Club Master. Neil Robinson to Regional Master. Roy Nordman to NABC Master. Randy Sahae, Joanne McConnell and Kris Tejwani to Life Master. Leila Gaines to Bronze LM. Dimitri Sgolombis to Silver LM. Gary Schweitzer to Gold LM. 166 Unit members are classified as Rookie through Club Master. 146 as Sectional through NABC Master. 158 as Life Masters or higher.

We neglected to cover the two most important 2001 awards made at May’s Unit game. Fran Ball succeeded Ellie Stauffer as Diamond Award winner for her congeniality and unstinting service to our unit. She continues responsible for organizing our sectional tournaments including site negotiations and providing personnel and equipment for smooth, efficient games. She has documented her procedures so a new chairperson will not have to reinvent that wheel. Additionally, she has furnished flower arrangements from her garden that grace our club. Sal Ignoffo won the Joseph Schmitz Memorial Plaque, given yearly to the player who best exemplifies good will at the bridge table. Plus, he’s given and raised money for amenities at the club. He’s a worthy successor to previous winners, Sue Groff, John Lagodimos, Lee and Marilyn McGraw, Eric Dundatscheck and John Lawton. The list of winners proves that nice guys don’t have to finish last. Our list has done very well. At May’s Unit Game, all were winners. Sara Rae’s menu and hospitality offset any forgettable games. Overall winners both ways were: A: Victor & Betty Szteinbaum, Doris Peacock & Paul Levine, Tom Quinlan & Muriel Richens, James & Rosemary Dean, Stan Chow & Robert Ng. B : Linda Schwarz & Janet Grove, George & Sasha Orenburg, Brian & Tom Reis. C: Derlyn Gagnier & Lorraine McCloud, Carol Gonella & Roy Nordman.

Flash: Morality police raided the premises and pinched the beautiful legs contest entrepreneurs. They warned Beryl Geller about her pitch for stratifying contestants with varicose veins. She was released due to her innovative plantings at the club entrance and the floral arrangements she brings to brighten the club. Electioneering has been concluded. Steve, Jerry, Ted and Gary must return their campaign funding. The ground swell for Hamish Bennett and Frank Jackson has been aborted. I’m out of space. Look for June’s Unit game, Club championship and Sacramento Regional results in the September column.

If you’re running late, need a partner or want to reserve a table call the club at (650) 344-4919. For other club information, see the Unit website (www.meckwell.com/unit498). E-mail, fax or drop off material for this column 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