DISTRICT 17 BRIDGE BUZZ
JANUARY 2021
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The District 17 Bridge Buzz focuses on district and national news and provides you with links to access the details. Catch the next Buzz: March 2021.
with feedback and content suggestions.
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MEET YOUR NEW D17 BOARD PRESIDENT |
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Elizabeth (Liz) Hamilton, LV Unit 373, takes the reins as D17 Board President.
“The District 17 Board is comprised of very talented volunteers committed to keeping bridge healthy while dealing with the restrictions of the pandemic,” said Hamilton.
“In the coming year, the plan is to return to safe and fun regional tournaments and to create opportunities for all players to stay engaged in the game.”
In 2012, Liz and her husband Rolf moved from the Netherlands to Las Vegas. Rolf had been playing bridge for 40 years and introduced Liz to the game while they were living in the Netherlands.
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They both became ACBL certified teachers and directors and ran a small bridge club in Las Vegas. Both also teach and direct games on cruise ships.
Building I/N programs at tournaments became a passion. Liz was a Las Vegas Regional Tournament Chair and Chair of the 2019 LV NABC. She also served as President of the LV Unit 373. In 2019, Liz was appointed a D17 and National Goodwill Ambassador.
“ Liz is a graduate of Dunfermline College Edinburgh and holds Masters Certificates from Herriot Watt University in Edinburgh in Organizational Behavior, Marketing and Statistics. She has taught in Europe, Africa, India and the U.S.
She was a founding manager in two successful high-tech start-ups, and in Silicon Valley she led training divisions for Apple, Claris and NeXT.
“Supporting the ACBL programs that benefit clubs will be key,” adds Hamilton. “Online bridge is here to stay, but it is important to keep bridge clubs strong so that local face-to-face games can return in 2021! “
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FOND FAREWELLS:
THANK YOU FOR SERVING ON THE D17 BOARD!
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Felicity (Felix) represented No. New Mexico Units 374, 381 and 383. She joined the D17 Board in 2017 and served as D17 Secretary from 2018 - 2020, seamlessly taking on the role from decade-long D17 Secretary and former National Board Representative, Bonnie Bagley. |
“Her organizational skills, her ability to keep a meeting on track and her decisiveness were much appreciated,” said Cindy Shoemaker, D17 communications chair and national board representative.
Her vast knowledge of the rules and the mechanics of the game coupled with her experience as a tournament chair, instructor and both face-to-face and virtual club director were invaluable.
Art McHaffie, former D17 board vice president, Unit 383, states, “Felix is highly ethical, conscientious, hardworking, very smart and a tremendous competitor.”
Felix is a Diamond Life Master with over 5500 MPs. At the 2014 Albuquerque Regional, Felix played 13 sessions with her friend Muriel Fowles from Scotland and won 33.5 MPs.
“After attending my first D17 board meeting, it was clear that Felix cares deeply for players, the survival and prosperity of clubs and for her fellow board members,” said Shoemaker. “We all look forward to seeing her at future bridge events!”
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Representing CO at Large and Wyoming (Units 159, 364, 421 and 222), Rod Southworth served on the D17 Board from 2013-2020.
Rod was a versatile board member. He served as the Regional Tournament Plan Committee Chair and ran the Grand National Teams program for the District. He was also the webmaster.
Pre-COVID, Rod stayed connected by traveling across the District, frequently playing in club games and in regionals.
Rod is a true small club champion and has a passion for growing the game. In fact, he was instrumental in significantly increasing membership within Unit 421 through Easybridge!, a marketing program designed to start a new club game by bringing new and social bridge players to duplicate bridge.
“He is known for his congenial nature and positive outlook,” said John Grossmann, long-time friend and D17 board member.
“Rod is a pleasure to work with,” said Cindy Shoemaker. “His positivity and can-do attitude will always be appreciated.”
Rod is a Ruby Life Master with over 2,110 MPs.
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2021 ACBL GOODWILL AND CHARITY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS |
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By Cindy Shoemaker
D17 National Board Representative
Before I announce my appointments to the Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Committee and the ACBL Charity Foundation Committee, I want to express my appreciation to the countless volunteers who work hard to sustain our great game of bridge. I have been humbled by all who continue to stay motivated and inspired even though we cannot see our partners and players face to face. Thank you!
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Gene Covington, Unit 383
Santa Fe, NM
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Elly Larson, Unit 361
Denver, CO
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Ashley Erwin, Unit 159
El Paso, TX
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The ACBL was built on a foundation of charitable giving. In addition to the intellectual and social stimulation, belonging to a charitable community is what most attracted me to the game. In 2021, I will begin a four-year term as a trustee to the ACBL Charity Foundation where it will be my privilege to serve.
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John Wolf, Unit 363
Northern CO
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Both John and Joyce organized games to raise funds to fight Alzheimer's during The Longest Day. The ACBL partners with the Alzheimer's Association to bring us closer to finding a cure.
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Joyce Honorof, Unit 356
Tucson, AZ
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ACBL members receive masterpoints® for winning and placing in club games and tournaments as they strive to advance through the ranks. There are 16 ranks, from Junior Master (5 masterpoints) to Grand Life Master (10,000 masterpoints plus a victory in an eligible North American Bridge Championship). |
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NEWLY MINTED D17 LIFE MASTERS |
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NOT PICTURED: NEW LIFE MASTER, LYNN PONCHER, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
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INTRODUCING THE ALL-WESTERN
99ER NITECLUB
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District 17 and CA Districts 21, 22 and 23 have united to offer all 99ers in these Districts a dedicated, fun and safe place to play. Hosted by La Jolla, CA Unit 526, The All-Western 99er NiteClub is open to any member from these four districts with less than 100 masterpoints.
What you need to get started
- Fewer than 100 MPs
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Played in one virtual game on Bridge Base Online (BBO)
- Belong to a club that has opted-in to the 99er NiteClub program
Game days and times
Games are offered Monday through Thursday evenings beginning at 7:30PM MT followed by an optional post game zoom session. Pre-game support is available on game nights from 7:00PM-7:30PM MT. Masterpoints awarded!
Cost
Entry fees are $6 per person per game with a portion of the proceeds being returned to clubs.
JOIN TODAY!
If you are a club and want to opt-in or a 99er who wants to join the fun, please contact: [email protected] or your District 17 liaison, Sharon Smith, at [email protected]
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Here’s what players are saying about the 99er NiteClub!
“I’m so glad there are more times available, so we don’t have to play with the experts all of time,” Laurel Morgan
“We enjoyed it and felt ‘at home’ with that group,” Chris Riggers
“Love this night game! Would love to see another one too, maybe a 0-199er for when one of us exceeds the 99 mark. ... thank you much for starting this game as well as the post-game analysis. Jim and Kathy Day
“My wife and I only played once, but we enjoyed the experience. We have been playing in 0-20 and 0-99 bridge games online mostly which are the right level for us. We weren’t sure how it would work when 50 pairs registered for 12 spots, but evidently 48 pairs played. The competition level was appropriate for us. We will play one night a week. Thanks!” Ron and Kathy Baars
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PHOENIX
2022 FALL NABC
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Phoenix Unit 354 will host the Phoenix 2022 Fall NABC at the Phoenix Convention Center November 24 through December 4, 2022.
Committee Chair and Unit 354 President Ken Titow is in immediate need of a volunteer Publicity Chair and a volunteer Fundraising Chair.
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The Fall NABC team is also seeking volunteers to fill the following positions:
- Player Hospitality Chair
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Partnership Chair
- Program/Book/Restaurant Guide Chair
- Prizes Chair
- Charity Chair
- Transportation/Parking Chair
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THANK YOU to the following volunteers who will fill these key roles: Stephanie Haddy, intermediate/newcomer chair, Sharon Neff, registration chair and Jennifer O’Neill, finance chair. |
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
If you are interested in any of these positions, please email Ken Titow: [email protected] -- Please include qualifications and add 2022 NABC to the subject line.
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THEN AND NOW:
REUNITING COMMUNITY ONLINE
DURING THE PANDEMIC
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As the pandemic blankets our nation, contract and social bridge enthusiasts miss face-to-face play, their routines and their time with friends. So when Steve Marder of Tucson Country Club Men’s Duplicate Bridge approached Kathy Klammer about establishing a private game online, she responded. Kathy received an online sanction from the ACBL and a Friday (weekly) game was launched. The group could now play together once again.
Her objectives were to not only revitalize the game, but to introduce and illustrate the joys and the positives of contract bridge.
“This was not difficult to do,” said Kathy Klammer, founder and director of Tucson Private Bridge Clubs. “Just find a small club (duplicate preferred, but not necessary) and see if you can help them get online and play games together just like before. The voice feature will make players feel even more at home.”
If you know of any groups who may be interested in playing online, but need help getting off the ground, Kathy is willing to help. Please contact her at [email protected]. Kathy has been a BBO director for over five years and understands the mechanics of playing online.
CHECK OUT WHAT PLAYERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS GAME!
“I personally like BBO bridge better than in person bridge. I enjoy playing with my friends without having to drive 25 minutes to TCC,” said Jack Kelly. “Another nice thing is no sit outs and ... less waiting for slow players. I like being able to review the hands later and the immediate results we get after each hand. It’s nice to see how your partner plays the hand when you are dummy. Finally, I like being able to get up and move around once in a while!”
“There is an old saying, ‘You’ve come a long way, baby.’ It certainly applies to Tucson Country Club Men’s Duplicate which in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s had eight or nine tables,” said Steve Marder. “That was then and this is now -- two to four tables if we were lucky. Then COVID-19 arrived, and we had no games at all. There was big void -- a big disconnect. Today, we play a game of bridge online together while waiting to return to face-to-face bridge.”
“For me it has been the joy of reconnecting with old friends ...,” said Paul Plunkett. “Thank you for helping us get this organized!”
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NEW D17 WEBSITE COMING SOON! |
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District 17 will launch a new website in February! It will be a one-stop shop for all that is D17. The site will be easy to use, will perform well on any platform and include new and exciting content.
Stay tuned!
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For more information on District 17 activities go to d17acbl.org
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