Happy 2012!
 As 2011 rolls into 2012, you might be thinking that this year is going to be like any other. It's true that a lot of the familiar winter activities, such as the Conshohocken and Glenside sectionals, pop up on the January and February calendar, but there are also some key changes.
The big news is that the Summer Nationals return to Philly in 2012 (July 12-22). As result, our regular District 4 summer regional in Valley Forge moves to February/March (see the Upcoming Events section for details). More importantly, your help in planning this massive undertaking will be needed and very welcome.
It might seem like it's too early to start thinking about the Nationals, but the local planning committee has actually been hard at work for many months already. There are a number a ways you can help and we will write more in future newsletters about how to lend a hand. In the next section of this newsletter, however, you can read about how to volunteer for the very special Youth Program that only takes place during the summer NABC.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
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Youth Program Provides Great Opportunity to Volunteer
 | | The Summer NABC Youth Program supports bridge players ages 19 and under. Volunteering for this program is fun and rewarding! |
The ACBL takes advantage of the school break to provide youth bridge players with special Youth Program at the summer Nationals.
As the site of the 2012 Summer Nationals, Philly is delighted to host to this wonderful activity. Open to all players ages 19 and under, the Youth Program provides various levels of competition on the final Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the Nationals (July 19-21, 2012).
Aside from many opportunities to play, learn, and socialize with follow bridge players, the players can earn scholarship rewards and additional prizes, enjoy entertainment, and more. There is also plenty of adult support, and that's where you come in.
Dozens of adult volunteers are needed each day to help with partnerships and general organization, to act as "fifth chairs," and for other responsibilities to keep the action moving. Volunteers can work as little as a single session or for all three days. Although the kids' enthusiasm for bridge is its own reward, volunteers also receive a game play voucher and other perks for each session they help.
For more information or to participate, please contact Youth Bridge Coordinator Allison Brandt at 215-834-5944 or allison@dovetailpress.com.
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Unit 141 Offers a New Service for Finding Partners or Teammates
It can be challenging to find partners for a club game or tournament. If you are a regular at a club game, you want to show up with a partner. For tournaments, it is nice to have your partner set before the game and not have to go through the partnership desk. A new online service of Unit 141 can help you always be prepared.
Go to the Unit 141 website and click on "Partnership Desk - Need a Partner." You will be given form to fill out that will go to the partnership coordinator. He or she will compare your form with others received and send you possible candidates that you can contact.
The service also works if you and your partner are looking for teammates for a team game. There is one form if you are looking for a partner and another if you are looking for a team.
The King of Prussia and Wilmington Regionals are using this kind of same service - there are links from those tournament websites. The Unit 141 service is, of course, good for all of the Unit 141 Sectionals as well as club games.
Many thanks to Bill Schmidt, who created the forms and did all of the technical work behind the scenes.
Give it at try! The perfect partner or teammates may be waiting to hear from you. Here is a link directly to the partnership form.
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From the Archives
 | | From Modern Mechanix, May 1931 |
Eighty-year-old fads don't always look dated. Nail trends being what they are, we figure that this one from a May 1931 Modern Mechanix magazine article would still look funky today.
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Table Tips: Cell Phone Etiquette
 Has this happened to you?A cell phone goes off in the middle of game (bad enough) and the offending party takes the phone out, answers it, and says, "I can't talk right now. I'm in the middle of a bridge game." Really?
It seems so easy to manage our phones, but it must be tricky or we wouldn't be aware of phones at bridge games at all. Keep these tips in mind to help cut down on the interruptions.
1. Remember to turn OFF your phone. Don't just turn down the ringer, since other settings, like for email or texting, can also make noise.
2. Remind your partner and tablemates about their phones. Phone offenses often occur when someone doesn't realize that he or she had the phone with them or forget to deal with the volume. A extra reminder can't hurt.
3. Encourage your club and tournament directors to enforce cell phone penalties and accept your own penalties with grace. The problem won't get better for all until offenders receive penalties for their (even honest) mistakes.
4. If your phone does ring during a game, just turn it off. Don't ever answer a phone during a game.
Cell phones are a constant and no one expects them to go away, but they should disappear for a little while when we play bridge.
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Club News
 The Old York Road Bridge Club has announced a few changes to the January schedule. Please note that the game is cancelled on January 12 for a legal holiday. Do join the club for its regular Monday (7:15 PM) game on all other January dates, including the 38th anniversary party on January 23.
The Yorktown Bridge Club hosts a number of special games throughout is regular schedule. For a complete schedule, see the Yorktown Bridge Club website.
Local clubs are encouraged to send announcements, schedules, updates, and special games for placement in upcoming newsletters.
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