District 17 BRIDGE BUZZ November 2018

The Buzz is delivered to you the months the ScoreCard is not published. This online newsletter focuses on upcoming District 17 tournaments, events and breaking news and provides you with links to access the details.   The ScoreCard now has apps for both Apple and Android systems that streamline access from smartphones and tablets. Visit the Apple version or Play (Google) and load your free app today!  SEE THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF THE SCORECARD

Congratulations to District 17 North American Pairs Winners!

The results are in for the District 17 North American Pairs finals held during the Pikes Peak Regional just last month. Congratulations to those who qualified to participate in the NAP nationals in Memphis 2019. Flight A finals will be held Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21. Flight B and C finals will be held Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31. The ACBL will provide the first place teams in Flights A, B and C a stipend of $700 each and the second place teams in Flights A, B and C a stipend of $300 each. District 17 will award the third place teams in the above flights a stipend of $200 each and the fourth place teams a stipend of $100 each. The ACBL will waive the entry fees for all flight participants. Stipends are dependent upon play. CLICK HERE  FOR FLIGHT WINNERS! CLICK HERE FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS

Appointments to the Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Committee and the ACBL Charity Committee by Bonnie Bagley District 17 Director

It is that time of year again: Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and my appointments to the Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Committee and to the ACBL Charity Committee. While it is a pleasure to recognize the outstanding members of our District, it is also difficult because there are so many who equally deserve to be honored.

Goodwill Committee Appointments

My Goodwill Committee appointments are from different states. Two are active in District 17 governance and support bridge in their units and two are hardworking volunteers units need to flourish. It goes without saying that these four outstanding D17 players exhibit the attributes of the Goodwill Creed, "Always disclose, never abuse, don't intimidate and practice active ethics."

Art McHaffie, Sante Fe Unit 383 Since 2013, Art has served on the D17 board as vice president and contract review chairman and on the regional tournament committee where his sage advise has been bracketed teams, bracketed teams, bracketed teams! Art is leaving the D17 board at the end of the year, but will continue to serve on the Board of Governors as Second Alternate to the D17 Director (that would be me).

Steve Nordberd, El Paso Unit 159 Steve has served on the D17 board since 2015 and has spearheaded the D17 grant program which provides assistance to units that have not held a regional in five years, allowing them to do something extra in member recruitment, retainment and teaching. Steve has an impish sense of humor and an infectious smile and it is a delight to work with him.

D'Anne Pientka, Phoenix Unit 354 D'Anne has been an active member of Unit 354 since 2004. Although she is no longer a board member due to work constraints (yes, there are ACBL members who still work), she continues to develop the Unit 354 newsletters, the tournament fliers and the Unit 354 Directory. D'Anne also mentors one Saturday per month at the In Tempo Bridge Center, Scottsdale. Sally Ann Rhea, Boulder Unit 359 Sally Ann has held many positions on the Boulder Unit 359 board. Most recently, she co-hosted two Learn Bridge in A Day? (LBIAD) seminars, has taught a 12-week series of beginner bridge lessons using the LBIAD model and has initiated two 0-20 newcomer games at existing clubs. Sally Ann has inspired more than 30 newcomers to join the ACBL. She is exactly what we need to keep bridge going strong!

Charity Committee Appointments

Jerry Himes and Pam Himes from Albuquerque Unit 374 teamed with Karen Souter to raise over $20,000 for Alzheimer's disease care and research during The Longest Day event held in June. It was the highest amount raised for The Longest Day in D17 and is the second year in a row the Albuquerque unit contributed over $20,000 thanks to their efforts. Pam is also the education chair for the Duke City Bridge Club and Jerry serves on the committee. Thank you to Jerry and Pam for their commitment to helping others.

Fashion Builds Unity

Denver Unit 361 players Kathy Porter, Rita Parden, Katie McCool and Wendy Leonard exude team spirit by going to regionals and dressing alike. They have been doing so for seven years and now have seven outfits. Way to go ladies!

UPCOMING DISTRICT 17 REGIONALS

Cactus Flower NLM Regional Tucson, Arizona November 8 - 11, 2018

Exclusively for non-life masters with less than 750 masterpoints, The Cactus Flower NLM Regional delivers the gold Thursday, November 8 through Sunday, November 11 at the Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ. Gold rush pairs finishing in the overalls (Stratification A) will now be awarded 33 percent gold and 67 percent red masterpoints! NLM gold rush Sunday Swiss also pays 33 percent gold to overalls. This upbeat regional offers trophies and giveaways and hospitable touches such as complimentary coffee daily, lox, bagels, cream cheese and pastries each morning and premium candy each afternoon. Sunday lunch is free. Take advantage of free lectures by top local experts 12:30 pm Thursday - Saturday. Lunch is available onsite for a nominal fee. The Cactus Flower NLM Regional and the Tucson Fall Sectional will be held at the same time and at the same location, however, they are two separate tournaments. The Cactus Flower NLM Regional offers gold and red points and the Tucson Fall Sectional offers silver points. Call the Hotel Tucson City Center today at 520-622-3000 to secure special room rates of $89 for a single/double and $109 for a studio/suite using booking code: ABC. Set in the Presidio Arts District, this straightforward hotel is conveniently located just off of I-10 and minutes from the Tucson International Airport. Plenty of free parking and free WiFi are provided. With an average temperature of 74 degrees and plenty of sunshine, November is a great time to sample the sites and the sounds that make Tucson a must-see destination.  For more information, visit www.visittucson.org View Tournament Flyer

Navajo Trail Regional Albuquerque, New Mexico January 21-27, 2019

Get ready to attend the Navajo Trail Regional, January 21-27, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico! From shopping in historic Old Town and savoring authentic New Mexico cuisine to visiting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center or riding the tram, Albuquerque is a fun and an affordable destination. The Navajo Trail Regional will again be held at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid located just off of I-25 and featuring plenty of free parking, excellent service and free WiFi in every room. Book Your Rooms Today

For your convenience, a lunch/snack bar will be available just outside of the playing area and complimentary desserts and discounted coffee will be provided daily.  The Navajo Trail Regional boasts a varied playing schedule that includes: six days of gold rush events, bracketed teams, Swiss teams, KOs, Board-A-Match, side games, open pairs, 199‘er pairs as well as A/X/Y strati-flighted Swiss and Bracketed 0-3000 Gold teams on Sunday.  As usual, must-have gifts and patches will be available at the hospitality desk and our famous partnership desk will find you a winning partner. View Tournament Flyer

Go for GOLD at the Tucson Winter Regional February 25 - March 3, 2019 Tucson, Arizona

Great weather, a dynamic playing schedule and signature hospitality make this now annual regional the place to play! Conveniently located just off of I-10 and five miles from the Tucson International Airport, the Tucson Winter Regional will be held at the Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road, Tucson, AZ. Free ample parking provided. Players will receive discounted rates at several nearby hotels many of which are within walking distance of the Tucson Expo Center. Book  Your Rooms Today Packed full of team games, this tournament schedule includes: Five days of gold rush, KOs, including a Compact KO on Saturday, bracketed team games, Swiss, open pair and side games. In keeping with tradition, free coffee will be provided daily along with free lox, bagels and cream cheese and pastries each morning and free premium candy each afternoon. A free lunch will be provided on Sunday. A varied and affordable lunch option will be offered onsite daily. Free lectures by top experts will be held Tuesday through Friday at 1 pm. View Tournament Flyer

UPCOMING DISTRICT 17 SECTIONALS

NOVEMBER 1-04 Scottsdale (Mesa) AZ 2-04 Albuquerque, NM 3-03 Loveland 299er (Fort Collins) CO 5-09 Las Vegas, NV 8-11 Tucson, AZ 9-11 Golden (Denver) CO DECEMBER No sectionals in December

JANUARY 03-06 Tucson, AZ 11-13 Golden (Denver) CO  24-27 Yuma, AZ CLICK ON THE HOST CITY TO VIEW TOURNAMENT FLYERS

Don't miss the Hawaii NABC in Honolulu November 22 - December 2, 2018 Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach Resort Make the Hawaii NABC an experience to remember. Click here for more details

ADD TO YOUR HOLIDAY CHEER AND EARN SILVER IN DECEMBER RIGHT IN YOUR OWN CLUB MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR HOLIDAY STaC DECEMBER 3-9, 2018 

Participate in the Grand National Teams

Qualifications for the D17 2019 finals began September 1. Check your clubs for upcoming qualification games. The District final for all flights will be held at the Denver Regional in May 2019. The nationals will be held at the NABC Las Vegas 2019.

For more information on District 17 activities go to d17acbl.org