April 2003 Column

San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif. Unit

Our next Unit Game : Sunday, April 13th. features stratified pairs. We’ll socialize at 5:15, dine at 5:30 and play at 6:15 p.m. Other big events are scheduled for April 19th and May 4th.

On Saturday afternoon, April 19th, Takemi Totes hosts a potluck luncheon at the club to honor our Life Masters, class of 2002 and 2003 to date. So far, eight have qualified and many are on the brink. One board member has contributed a case of chilled Pro Secco to improve sociability without unduly lowering the bridge quality.

On Sunday evening, May 4th, plan to attend our combination annual meeting and Unit Game. Including a tasty barbecue, the cost for members will be a nominal $7.00; $10.00: Non-members. At the meeting, we will announce the winners of the Joe Schmitz and Diamond Awards as well as the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney Awards.

Welcome to our new members, Carolyn Butcher, Sandra Gaubert and Mitzi Moynihan. We wish you success and enjoyment.

Per ACBL, Penney Bellamy is a new Junior Master. New Club Masters: Lois Berg and Margaret Conner; Sectional Masters: Don Doolittle, Janet Grove and Jeannette McNeil; Regional Masters: Arlie Lamb, Bernice Russell and David Silber; Life Masters: Sara Rae Miller and Carole Ringoen; Bronze Life Master: Rajeev Gupta; Silver Life Master: Barbara Johnson. Congratulations to a bumper crop of super bridge players.

As of March 1st, our 444 members were comprised of 149 Rookies, Junior or Club Masters. 138 are Sectional, Regional or NABC Masters. 157 are Life Masters or higher. The quality of bridge play is excellent. Eleven unit members and frequent visitors were among the top MP winners in District 21 with at least 200 up to more than 600 MPs for 2002. They were Hamish Bennett, Ed Barlow, Ted Richmond, Tania Moalem, Doug Dang, William Watson, Paul Cornelius, Frank Jackson, Rajeev Gupta, Xiaodong Zhang and Daisy Straus.

At February’s Unit Game, A Overall winners were: Clifford Colvin & Tania Moalem, Janice Nakoa & Tom Quinlan, and Margaret Hale & Zakir Mohammed. B: Brian & Tom Reis, Claude Hughes & Paul Levine and Paul Cornelius & Vandana Vidwans. C: Carol Gonella & Anne Javer, and tied for 2nd were Gisela & Herb Block and Thomas Durden and Judith Paul.

Many members and club regulars competed successfully at the Santa Clara Regional and BER Sectional. The ten best totals: Rajeev Gupta, William Watson, Perry Seal, Mie Thiemmedh, Ed Barlow, Mike Levinson, David Chan, Pauline Chan, Ted Richmond and Art Quey. Carol Gerlach just missed the top ten but was the only member to garner two 1st places. Jane Lane earned her first gold ever and thinks she’s hooked on regionals. Eric Dundatscheck is hooked on cruises. On his recent QE2 cruise he earned the booby prize at bridge but some shapely prizes on the dance floor.

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 Andrew Binstock’s web site (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