FRESNO BRIDGE CENTER CLOSING DOWN
We’re in the midst of closing the bridge center and putting all our supplies and equipment into storage. When we are allowed to have face to face bridge again, we’ll find a new location to play. It’s sad that we are abandoning our bridge center  which has been so good for us, but we cannot continue to pay rent when we have no income. We hope our members will return when we are able to open safely. There are lots of opportunities to play bridge online. We hope you are able to take advantage of them. For detailed information about the bridge center, please read our treasurer, Don Austin’s report.

PLACES AND FACES
Congratulations to new Gold Life Master Naguib Abdallah.
At the Virtual Vacation Regional online, Peter Weber and Cynthia Tingey were 33rd in the Sunday Goldrush pairs. Other Fresno unit members winning masterpoints were Ann Keag, Cheryl Johnson, Jonel Mueller, Rosalie Jorgensen, Deb Petersen, and Patrick Carroll.
Our condolences go to John Cadwallader, whose father recently passed away.
Our condolences to the family of Pat Alviso, who recently passed away.

PLAYING ONLINE
There are now four online bridge clubs which offer ACBL masterpoints. They also offer free events which do not give masterpoints.
Bridge Base Online (BBO)
OKBridge 
Fun Bridge  For Instructions.     
Swan  swangames.com
Fresno bridge players are aligned with Duncan Bridge Club and Desert Cities Bridge Club. They both have Virtual Bridge Clubs on BBO. To play with their club members, go to Virtual Clubs, ACBL – North America and click on the game you want to play in. The games will show up on BBO about an hour before game time if you are eligible to play. If your partner is not eligible, e-mail the club a few hours early and ask if they can be a guest. Go to the Duncan or DCBC websites to review their schedules.
The online bridge clubs have many other options to play all day long.  

TREASURER’S REPORT
The Fresno Bridge Center has not closed for good. It has gone into hibernation. We will come out of it when the health environment allows.
Think of this as a treasurer’s report. Prior to March of this year, our expenses were around $6000 per month. Some months, our income was around $5000 per months while others (when we had a tournament) our income was about $7000 per month. In 2017, we lost approximately $6000 over the year. In 2018, the annual loss was about $5000 and in 2019, the annual loss was only about $3000. You can see that we were on a good trend. We were digging into our reserves slower each year. 
Lessons were bringing in new members and games were stable.  There was a path to breaking even.
Then it happened. We had to shut down but our
rent and many regular expenses didn’t go away. I checked, but with our non-profit status, we did not qualify for any federal or state relief. Not knowing how long we would be shut down, the board basically decided to hunker down and see what would happen in the next few months. I pulled a little trick and paid only half of our rent each month ($2500) although we are liable for the full amount, running about $5000 per month. Arrears would be paid out of our reserves once we started back. But we still had our Comcast bill, pest control and alarm services bills. No income with lots of expenses. And no end in sight.
This is a serious pandemic from a crazy disease. I have known people who got Covid-19, suffered and survived, and I have known some who have died from Covid-19 complications. It is possible to get it and not even know you have it, but it can also require time in intensive care units. If you think it a hoax, try visiting a hospital to see how bad it is. It seems to attack weakened parts of our bodies. Because of our average age, we are a venerable population for this disease. Our bodies have a lot of mileage under our feet. Even if healthy, we all have vulnerable parts of our body just due to our time on the planet.
Now, we don’t see that we can reopen any time soon. All ACBL tournaments have been shut down until at least the end of the year. So we expect to be closed at least that long. There are hopes that we can reopen by President’s Day (February of 2021) when we have our winter tournament scheduled. We are looking into ways we could hold that tournament, but it is a long way off. 
We can’t keep losing $6000 a month, paying rent for an unused space when we don’t know how long we will be closed. We are trying to buy out the rest of our lease. If it works, we will maintain some reserves to fund our rebirth.
We have disassembled the tables and boxed up the bidding boxes, cards and boards. The plan is that shortly, our materials and equipment will go into storage for the duration. Considering it all, $300 a month in storage fees is much better that $6000 a month for unused space. Once we see that there will be a chance to reopen, we will find a new space. Our expectation is that fewer players will return, at least at first, so we can start with a space with less square footage. There should be lots of spaces available.  
With our computers, tables and cards in storage, we can wait until we can rise from the flames like a phoenix. Maybe we can recall our club the Fawkes Bridge Club. That is a reference to the phoenix in the Harry Potter novels. If you haven’t read them, now is a good time read them. They are not as juvenile as you might think.  
You can earn ACBL points playing on Bridge Base Online. Ask your favorite director for instructions on how to do that. We will be back. And we have an election for officers coming up near the end of the year. I vote we have an on-line Christmas party.
 
 

Volume LXXII No. 6   
http://www.acbldistrict22.com/522

FRESNO BRIDGE CENTER REMAINS CLOSED
 
The Fresno Bridge Center will remain closed until we believe it is safe to play bridge at tables again. We will have masks, hand sanitizers, gloves, and whatever other protections are needed to keep you safe. In the meantime, Bridge Base Online (BBO) has many options for online play. Watch your email from ACBL to learn of any special games.
 
WIN SILVER POINTS on BBO

Sunday May 30 is the last day of the online triple silver point games run by local clubs. Fresno players may play at the Desert Cities Bridge Club (DCBC) for $7.50. Just get on BBO, be sure you have a payment account, find the DCBC game under Virtual Clubs, ACBL – North America, click the game and invite your partner. On May 31 they have open game at 9:45 am and 6:30 pm, and a 750 game at 1:45 pm. They normally have games every day at 9:45 am and 1:45 pm for $6. The Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday 1:45 games are 750 games. The Saturday 1:45 game is a 299er game.
 
BBO offers games individual games against robots several times a day. It has IMP pair games starting on the hour throughout the day. It has regular match point pairs fifteen minutes after the hour most of the day. All these games pay ACBL master points and cost less than $2. To support clubs, it has three pair games each day for $5 and one robot individual for $6. You can start the robot individual any time during the day. All these games pay ACBL master points. Just look them up under ACBL World on BBO.  

We’ve heard comments that there is cheating on BBO. Certainly it’s easy to phone your partner during play. BBO has algorithms to detect cheating, and they notify ACBL. Several players have been disciplined for cheating.
 
OTHER NEWS
STAC games have been canceled for the rest of the year. Normally they are in August and December. With clubs playing online only now, it’s not possible to coordinate results from many different online clubs.
 
Congratulations to new regional master Jonel Mueller and new junior master Matthew Wilkins.
 Welcome to new member Lucas Newman.
 
We are saddened to report that Fran Guagliardo passed away. She was the wife of Matt Guagliardo, a former Fresno Unit president who almost single-handedly brought the NABC to Fresno in 1980. Matt still lives here. Fran was a talented artist who worked on the 1980 NABC and drew the cover of the restaurant guide and several other items for us.
 
If we re-open in June, we will have our annual Graduation Party and Pro-Am pairs on Sunday June 28.
 
LONGEST DAY
            This year the Longest Day is celebrated on June 20 or 21. This is a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. You can contribute on line or play at the DCBC on BBO. We’ll have more information on our website later.
     You can donate on line by looking up Alzheimer’s Association Longest Day. Click on “search” and enter 522 in the search by participant.     

Volume LXXII No. 5  
FRESNO BRIDGE CENTER TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL MAY 7 OR LATER
We are waiting to find out when we can reopen our bridge clubs. Currently non-essential businesses are closed until May 7, but that likely will be longer. We may not be going back to the old normal. The Fresno Bridge Center has ordered masks, sanitizers, and gloves to keep us safe when we are able to reopen. We’ll likely require that masks be worn at the bridge center. We may change the food and drink that we provide to help keep you safe. We’ll continue to monitor the city, county, and state regulations to determine when it is advisable to reopen, and we’ll keep you informed.

PLACES AND FACES
Congratulations to new Silver Life Master Judy Jessick, new regional master Kathryn Miller, and new junior master Georgia Murach.
Also congratulations to our neighbor from Visalia, Warren Cederborg, who became a Grand Life Master in April while playing online on BBO.
Because of the pandemic, the Visalia sectional scheduled for this month has been canceled. This is one of our favorite tournaments. We are sorry that we will miss it this year. 

​ONLINE BRIDGE
BBO offers many daily bridge games to keep you active when the bridge club is closed. In addition to their many daily games, there are three daily pair games at $5 each and an all day individual game at $6. Proceeds from those games go to local bridge clubs.
Some bridge clubs have partnered with BBO to offer online pair games for their members only. The clubs determine the price. Most charge between $6 and $8. We are looking to see whether that is something for the Fresno Unit clubs. To make the games work, six tables are required. Please reply to let us know whether you are interested in playing in a game for our members online.

CALENDAR
May 19                                               1 day Sectional
                                                                750 afternoon
                                                                300 evening
 June 7                             11 am      Unit Board Meeting
                                             1 pm        Unit Championship
June 28                           Noon       Graduation Party
                                             1 pm        Pro-Am Pairs   

We will not publish a monthly calendar until we can reopen the bridge clubs. The above special events are subject to possible cancellation.  

     

SAD NEWS
Our condolences to Lowell Gist, whose wife Sharon recently passed away.
Our condolences to Jim McKoane, whose wife Lee passed away last week. Lee was a Life Master, but she hasn’t played at the club in several years.
Our condolences to the family of Bettie Bianchi. She was nearly a Life Master, but hasn’t played with us in about twenty years.

​GOLD POINT REGIONAL
ON BRIDGE BASE ONLINE
THIS WEEKEND
You may have received an e-mail from ACBL that a regional tournament is online on BBO this weekend. There are open pairs, Gold Rush pairs, and side games which offer a chance to win gold points on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Two sessions at $15 each are required to be eligible for gold points.

​TREASURER REPORT
Here is a great example of how accrual accounting works. Not a single game has been played in April, yet the books report about $1500 of income in April. That is because we recognize the money taken in during March on the April books. March was not a good month for us and of course April will be worse. While we won’t be taking in any money in April, we haven’t spent much either. Our credit card bill is normally around $500. In April it was $48. There are some recurring charges like Comcast and pest control. Rent was, as always, our biggest expense.
We have requested rent reduction from the landlord. It makes sense for them to let us pay half our normal rent. We are not using any significant utilities or even contributing to congestion in the parking lot. They want us to stay when all this is over. We have reserves that can see us through several months. Twice several if they let us pay half rent.
In other words, financially, we can wait it out if the shelter in place orders don’t last through the winter. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy. When we can play again, we need everyone to come back. To phrase it as was done in the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic; be patriotic and wear a mask. 

R

Volume LXXII No. 4                                        April 2020 
​FRESNO BRIDGE CENTER TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 12
The State of California requires those over 65 to stay at home. The Fresno County Department of Health and the State of California recommend no gatherings with over ten people 65 or older. The City of Fresno has   ordered "Shelter-in-Place" to April 12th.   President Trump recommends that nonessential businesses and gatherings must be avoided until the end of April. Therefore, we anticipate being required to stay closed at least until April 12th, and likely longer.  The Bridge Center board will monitor the situation on a day to day basis and if anything changes, we will keep you informed.  The Bergon Senior Center in Madera is closed, so the Madera bridge game is also closed. The Oakhurst game is also closed, and will remain closed until it is safe to gather. Please stay safe and healthy.
PLACES AND FACES
Congratulations to Steven Holmes, a new Bronze Life  Master.  Also congratulations to new sectional masters Ed Hampton and Suzanne Sobenes and new junior masters Laurie Harrington and Louise Stermer.
 
We are sad to report that Tom Callahan passed away. He was a frequent player in our 99er games. He was hospitalized in January and passed away in March. Our condolences to his family.
 
POKER NIGHT
April 24
We’ve scheduled a poker tournament for Friday April 24 at 7 pm. Entry fee is $20 which gets you a stack of poker chips. Additional chips can be purchased if your stack gets low. The tournament goes until 10 pm when the winners are determined. We also plan to have raffles in conjunction with Poker Night. We may have to reschedule if the Bridge Center remains closed through April.
​
ANNIVERSARY PARTY
April 19
We plan to celebrate our eleventh anniversary at the Fresno Bridge Center on Sunday April 19 with a luncheon and a charity game. We’ll let you know if this event is postponed.

CLUB NEWS
Leaders for March in Madera were Richard Meffley, followed by Barbara Diebert, Carol Kaufman, and June Serio. Carol leads for the year, followed by Barbara, and Steve Johnson. Masterpoint leaders for Oakhurst are Kenneth Doig,     Nancy Hays,   Jim Luther,    Diane McDonough,   Joni Roberts,   Alfred Ellis,   Burke Zane,   Ira Estin, and   James Cosby.
 
At the Fresno Bridge Center, the top masterpoint winners for March were Richard Meffley, followed by Mun Takeda, Gerard Laquerriere, Rose Boot, Cynthia Tingey, and Steve Johnson.   Mary Lou Pease leads for 2020, followed by Victor Greener, Laura Da Costa, and Ray April. Ed Keller was the top 99er masterpoint winner for March, followed by Julia Kendall, Barbara Brock, Pat Heckathorn, and Sandy Petrie. Sandy OwYoung-Chu leads the 99ers for 2020, followed by Ann Keag, Margot Cegielski, and June Serio.
 
Although the Fresno Bridge Club is closed until April 12, it’s likely that closure will be extended again. We’ll keep you informed.
 

559 675 8578
BRIDGE BASE ONLINE HAS GAMES
TO BENEFIT CLUBS
Bridge Base Online (BBO) long has had games that give ACBL masterpoints. During these difficult times, BBO has added games to benefit clubs. The charge is $5 for pair games and $6 for robot individual games. If you register your ACBL number, four dollars goes to the bridge clubs that you normally play in.  Pair games are held at 7 am, 2 pm, and 4:30 pm. You and your partner must be online when the game starts. Individual games for clubs are held once each day. You can start anytime and take breaks as long as you finish 18 boards between midnight and midnight EST each day. Information about these games is available on BBO  and at ACBL .

DIRECTORY
A new directory is available for $1. Jim Luther is now the director of the Oakhurst games at 10 am on Mondays and Thursdays. Contact him at 559 675 8578.

Treasurer’s Report  
Isn’t it an old Chinese curse? May you live in interesting times. The bridge center can weather this storm. The financial statements are posted each month on the bulletin board at the club house, but of course you can’t see them since we are closed. Let me give you a rough outline.
Stripping away things like food, replacement cards and the like, our minimum expenses are about $5250 per month. Rent being the biggest expense, but we have other recurring costs, like insurance.
We have a little over $100,000 in reserves. So, we could stay dark for roughly 20 months before going broke. Heaven help us if that happens. Or said another way, if that happens, we will likely be seeing each other in heaven.
We need those reserves if we move in a few more years when our lease runs out. If we stay, we will want to use those reserves for a little remodeling (new carpet). Reserves are good.
But in these interesting times, we need the reserves to tide us over while we are not playing bridge. The best way to see this is: if we stay dark for a few months, we are OK.  
More importantly, we need to stay healthy so that we can play when play resumes. This virus spreads easily. Let’s face it, we are an older group of people and us older folk are suffering worse than other age groups with COVID-19. The steps being taken by the city and state to keep us out of harm’s way are for us. If you are following the news, they call it “flattening the curve”. As a statistics nerd, I get it: fewer people get sick, but the cases occur over a longer period of time. Key word is FEWER. 
​It is best for us to hunker down and wait this out. Maybe it will be over in two weeks, but don’t count on it. Don’t expect a magic cure coming from the feds. Luckily, our state and city are doing the right things to manage this. While the survival rate is not so bad, it seems to impact those over 65 worst. That is us. We have to make sacrifices. Stay home. I have to give up visiting my new granddaughter for a few months.  What greater sacrifice is that?
In the meantime, play on-line. You can earn ACBL points on bridgebase.com or funbridge.com .

OTHER CLUBS​
Most ACBL clubs have closed while we are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Two bridge players in Colorado have died of corona virus after playing several times at their bridge cub. Several players were infected during a recent regional in Tucson. Our clubs will reopen when we know it is safe. Bridge Winners has a lot of information on how clubs are coping, plus lots of other information. 

WINNERS
​
UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
1A       Gerard Laquerriere - Mun Takeda
2A1B   Byron Steinert - Anthony Toto
3A       Robert Durbrow - Richard Meffley
2B        Don Austin - Marion Austin
3B        Ray April - Laura Da Costa
 
 
UPGRADED CHAMPIONSHIP
1AB     Laura Neville - Carol Miller
2A       Ray April - Victor Greener
3A2B   2Steve Holmes - Ann Derwin
3B1C   Mary Lou Pease - Sally Perring
2C        Laura Da Costa - Carol Rodder
 
 
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1A                   Ray April - Laura Da Costa
2A                   Victor Greener - Dave Haberstich
3A1BC            Patrick Carroll - John McGregor
2BC                 Don Austin - Marion Austin
3B                    Debbie Kemp - JoAnn Huebner
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
1AB     James Sweet - Laura Da Costa
2AB     Sally Perring - William Glass
3A       Renee Laquerriere - Cynthia Tingey
 
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
 1/2A               Victor Greener - Richard Meffley
 1/2A1B           Avis Morse - Cynthia Tingey
2B                    Rose Boot - William Glass
 
1AB                 Rose Boot - William Glass
2A                   Gerard Laquerriere - Mun Takeda
3A2B1C          Rhonda Hampton - Cynthia Tingey
 3B                   Victor Greener - Allyson Farrell
 2C                   Judy Nibler - Angelina Heisdorf
 
299ER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
 1/2      Nancy Jones - Georgia Murach
 1/2      Jonel Mueller - Ann Keag
 
99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
1          Ed Keller - Julia Kendall
2          John Cadwalader - Carol Fiorentino
 3/5      Sandra White - Lynda Moller
 3/5      Clint Hudson - June Serio
 3/5      Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
 

INDIVIDUAL
1          Don Austin
2          June Serio
3          George Dalition
4          Joycelyn Kauder
5          Andrew Graves
 
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP
1/3A                Richard Meffley
1/3A1/2B         Laura Da Costa
1/3A1/2B         Steve Johnson
3/6B                 Carol Kaufman
3/6B                 Debbie Kemp
3/6B                 William Glass
3/6B                 Victor Greener
 
OAKHURST WINNERS
Ken Doig and Nancy Hays
Diane McDonough and Jim Luther
Joni Roberts and Al Ellis
 
SPECIAL
Laura Da Costa - Richard Meffley
Carol Kaufman - Steve Johnson
Richard Meffley - Steve Johnson
Barbara Diebert - George Dalition
June Serio - Richard Meffley
Rosalie Jorgensen - Avis Morse [B]
Ruth Christensen - Laura Neville [B]
George Dalition - Barbara Diebert [B]
Steve Johnson - Ruby Buttereck [C]
Ray April - Howard Arquette [B]
Don Austin - Marion Austin[C]
 
750 SPECIAL
Renee Laquerriere - Patricia Creede
Kathleen Coit - William Coit [B]
Kathryn Miller - Barbara Wiedel
Pamela Pigg - Ann Keag [C]
Sandy OwYoung-Chu - Mary Claire Ewing
Dora Gostanian - Sydney Bluestone
Kathryn Miller - Ann Keag
Barbara Brock - Barbara Wiedel
 
99 SPECIAL
Alvin Fred Schellack - Margot Cegielski
Lynda Moller - Sandra White [B]
Pat Heckathorn - Sandy Petrie
Sandra White - Lynda Moller
Barbara Gaudin - Ed Keller
2Marlene Fiore - Nicki Gram
Alvin Fred Schellack - Julia Kendall
 
99
Pat Heckathorn - Sandy Petrie
Clint Hudson - June Serio
John Cadwalader - Carol Fiorentino
Clint Hudson - June Serio
Ed Keller - Julia Kendall
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn

FRESNO WINTER SECTIONAL
VICTOR GREENER WINS PRESIDENTS AWARD
JIMMY MOORE AND BOB CARROLL
 TOP 99ERS
Attendance was good at our recent sectional tournament. Our hospitality committee, Laura Da Costa, Mary Lou Pease, Deb Petersen, Jonel Mueller, Belva Quattrin, and Cindy Tingey, did a fine job of providing snacks and lunches. We even received a nice letter from out of town guests thanking us for a nice tournament.    We tried a new concept for Sunday Swiss teams –  bracketed teams. We had four brackets of four teams each – an improvement over previous Swiss team attendance.
Victor Greener won the President’s award with 22 masterpoints, winning the bracketed teams and finishing fourth in four pair events. Jimmy Moore and Bob Carroll of Mariposa were the top 99ers, winning flight B of the Monday morning 499er pairs and flight B of the Monday afternoon open pairs. Congratulations!

CLUB NEWS
The top players in Oakhurst for February were Kenneth Doig, Burke Zane, Ken Sommers, and Jimmy Moore. Barbara Diebert was the top master point winner in Madera for February, followed by Carol Kaufman and Steve Johnson. Carol Kaufman leads for 2020, followed by Steve Johnson and Barbara Diebert.
The top players in Fresno for February were Laura Da Costa, followed by Ray April, Victor Greener, and Mary Lou Pease. Laura leads for 2020, followed by Ray, Mary Lou, and Victor.
Ann Keag was the top 99er for Fresno, followed by Margot Cegielski, June Serio, and Sandy OwYoung-Chu. Sandy leads for 2020, followed by Mary Claire Ewing, Margot Cegielski, and Ann Keag.
            We’re still losing lots of bathroom keys. We’ve noticed several times people leave a key in the keyhole in the door. Are they trying to help the homeless use the bathroom? DO NOT LEAVE the key in the door. If you are smart enough to play bridge, you should be smart enough to use the key and bring it back to the bridge club. If you aren’t that clever, you could at least figure out how to bring the key back after you take it home.

​UPCOMING SECTIONALS
Please note our neighbors are having their sectionals soon. It’s nice to visit their tournaments and see how other tournaments work. You may make friends who will come to our sectional.
Modesto’s sectional is April 4 and 5. Bakersfield’s sectional is April 17-19. Visalia’s sectional is May 15 to 17. Consider playing a day or two at these tournaments.

PLACES AND FACES
At the Vancouver, Washington regional, Farid Assemi, James Slinger, and Edward Wojewoda won the KO teams and were sixth in the AXY Swiss teams. Rick Whitworth was second in the KO teams, third in another KO teams, and sixth in the AXY Swiss teams. Gerard Laquerriere was thirteenth and seventh in two open pairs events. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Farid Assemi and Jim Slinger, who finished third in the District 21 open Grand National Teams.
 
Welcome to new member Elaine Henshel.
 
Congratulations to new NABC master Larry Miller, club masters Bill Carroll and Jimmy Moore, and junior master Ruth Townsend.
 
Our condolences go to Ann Derwin, whose son recently passed away.
 
Our condolences also go to Jeremy Newell, whose husband and bridge partner Michael Newell recently passed away.

Treasurer’s report  
Since there was no board meeting in February, there won’t be a posting of financial reports on the bulletin board. Older statements are there. Let me summarize the financial situation
​Christmas in the middle of the week, what else could happen? Many cancelled games due to the holiday. We lost money in January. As we normally see, January is not a good month for the club. In other words, we lost money in December and January, as we normally do. But all is not lost.  
We had a great sectional in February which made up for the prior two months’ losses. We had 116.5 tables for the tourney. Next month, we will have data of our actual earnings. And outside of the tourney, our table count is rising. As an example, we typically have 9 tables on Saturday (open and ‘99er game).  That’s a great increase from when we had only 3 tables on Saturday. If this increase continues on through March, we are on the track to stay growing.
As your treasurer, I can ask you to do the following to keep us in the black. Play an extra game each month. You can earn an extra piece of a point and help the bottom line. Stay healthy. Enough of posting obits. And participate in fund raisers coming up.

​WINTER SECTIONAL
 
FRIDAY MORNING
1A           Barbara Thacker - Belva Quattrin
2A           Gerard Laquerriere - Farid Assemi
3A       Allyson Farrell - Mun Takeda
4A       Victor Greener - David Haberstich
5A       Mark Stern - Sally Anne Stern
1BC     George Efthemon - Jackie Finn
2B           Avis Morse - Lynn Gast
3B2C      Mary Lou Pease - Sally Perring
 
FRIDAY MORNING 499er
1A           Mary Schelling - John Schelling
2A           Deborah Kemp - Myles Johnson
3A1B      Tay Cherry - Robert Cherry
4A           Kathryn Miller - Diane Simpson
2B           Marilyn Kendall - Joann Huebner
 
FRIDAY AFTERNOON
1A           Mary Mayfield - Danny O'Broclyn
2A           Steve Holmes - Ann Derwin
3A           Anthony Toto - William Glass
4A           David Haberstich - Victor Greener
5A1B      Rosalie Jorgensen - Irene Whelchel
2B1C      Renee Laquerriere - Judy Nibler                         
3B2C      Jim Luther - Diane McDonough
 
FRIDAY AFTERNOON 499er
1A       Mary Schelling - John Schelling
2A1B      Deborah Kemp - Myles Johnson
3A2B      Cheryl Johnson - Ann Keag
 
SATURDAY MORNING
1AB     Cynthia Tingey - William Glass
2A       Mary Mayfield - Danny O'Broclyn
3A       Allyson Farrell - Mun Takeda
4A       Naguib Abdallah - Victor Greener
5A       Anthony Toto - Byron Steinert
6A2B   Andrea Sigmund - Susan Spears
7A3B1C          Renee Laquerriere - Rhonda Hampton
4B2C   Mary Schelling - John Schelling
5B           Barbara Thacker - Gary Nelson
6B        Robert Rouch Jr - Donnie Priest
3C        Angelina Heisdorf - Deborah Kemp
4C           Darnell Austin - Marion Austin
5C        Lorraine Bocks - Gary Smith
 
SATURDAY MORNING 199er
1ABC  Edward Hampton - Suzanne Sobenes
2AB     Joan Dinwiddie - Kathleen Spaunhurst
3A       Marge Field - Joan Fritz
4A3B2C          Judy Pierre - Laurie Harrington
4B3C               Joyce Aiken - Elaine Henshel
 
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
1AB     Sally Perring - Kim Morris
2AB        Robert Rouch Jr - Donnie Priest
3A       Richard Meffley - Gerard Laquerriere
4A       Mary Mayfield - Danny O'Broclyn
5A           Warren Cederborg - Suzanne Cederborg
6A3B1C          John Oakshott - Peggy Oakshott
4B        Andrea Sigmund - Susan Spears
2C           Myles Johnson - Sandy Owyoung-Chu
3C        Patrick Carroll - Robert Cherry
 
SATURDAY AFTERNOON 499er
1A       John Schelling - Mary Schelling
2A1B   Gloria Fitzgerald - Jeffrey Nevins
3A2B   Denny Tweed - Cathleen Burden
4A3B1C  Marilyn Kendall - Madeline Lynes
4B2C   Susan Chichester - Georgina Lorenzi
 
SUNDAY SWISS TEAMS
 
BRACKET 1
Mark Stern - David Haberstich - Naguib Abdallah - Victor Greener
BRACKET 2
Gary Smith - Lorraine Bocks - Patricia Gallo - Dee Heller
BRACKET 3
Mary Lou Pease - Patrick Carroll - Judy Nibler - Angelina Heisdorf
BRACKET 4
Dee Quatraro - Karen Baker - John Maguire - Elizabeth Holmes
 
FAST PAIRS
1A       Lowell Gist - Gerard Laquerriere
2A       Richard Meffley - William Glass
3A       David Haberstich - Mark Stern
4A       Barbara Thacker - Belva Quattrin
5A1B   Mike Florio - Mary Ann Florio
2B1C   Gary Smith - Lorraine Bocks
3B2C   Cynthia Tingey - Patrick Carroll
4B3C   Laura Da Costa - Gloria Fitzgerald
 
MONDAY MORNING PAIRS
1A                   Anthony Toto - Byron Steinert
2A                   Belva Quattrin - Robert Durbrow
3A                   Warren Cederborg - Suzanne Cederborg
4A                   Mark Stern - Victor Greener
5/6A1/2B         Andrea Sigmund - Patricia Delamontanya
5/6A1/2B1C    Jason McAlexander - Patrick Carroll
3B2C               MaryClaire Ewing - Sandy Owyoung-Chu
4B3C               Olivia Stockton - Annie Chiljian
5B4C               Judy Jessick - Sally Perring
 
MONDAY MORNING 499er
1A       Deborah Kemp - Myles Johnson
2A       Tay Cherry - Robert Cherry
3A       Kathryn Miller - Barbara Wiedel
4A1B   Jimmy Moore - Bill Carroll
2B        Edward Hampton - Clint Hudson
 
MONDAY AFTERNON
1A       Victor Greener - Mark Stern
2A       Gerard Laquerriere - Lowell Gist
3A       Mun Takeda - Allyson Farrell
4A1BC            Jimmy Moore - Bill Carroll
5A       Howard Arquette - Ray April
6A2BC            Patrick Carroll - Jason McAlexander
3BC     Rhonda Hampton - Judy Dodd
4/5BC  Gary Smith - Lorraine Bocks
4/5BC  Edward Hampton - June Serio            

WINNERS
UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
1A           Richard Meffley - Anthony Toto
2A1B      Barbara Thacker - M. Steve Johnson
 3/4A2/3B               Ray April - Laura Da Costa
 3/4A2/3B               Don Austin - Marion Austin
 
UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
1AB        Laura Da Costa - Mary Lou Pease
2AB1C    Don Austin - Marion Austin
3AB2C    Debbie Kemp - M. Steve Johnson
 
FAST PAIRS UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
1AB                    Ray April - Laura Da Costa
2/3A2B1C       Renee Laquerriere - Mary Lou Pease
2/3A                   Richard Meffley - Victor Greener
2C                        Don Austin - Marion Austin
 
SUNDAY PRO-AM TEAMS
1A           Richard Meffley - Marge Field - Sandra                              White - M. Steve Johnson
2A1B      William Glass - Mary Lou Pease - Carol                             Kaufman - Edward Hampton
 
99er UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
1              Brenda Ward - Barry Katz
2              Margot Cegielski - Alvin Fred Schellack
3              Joan Clark - Ed Keller
 
UPGRADED CHAMPIONSHIP
1ABC      Mary Claire Ewing - Sandy OwYoung-Chu
2A           Lowell Gist - Ray April
3A           Byron Steinert - Anthony Toto
2B           Peter Weber - Susan Vildosola
3/4B        Villa Vejvoda - Lisa D'Arcy
3/4B        Judy Jessick - Howard Arquette
2C           Cynthia Tingey - Rosalie Jorgensen
3/4C        Donny Graham - Nancy Holley
3/4C        Bettylee Wapner - JoannE. Evans
 
UPGRADED CHAMPIONSHIP
1A           Richard Meffley - Mary Lou Pease
2A           Lowell Gist - Victor Greener
3A1B      Laura Da Costa - M. Steve Johnson
2B           Steve Holmes - Ann Derwin
3B           Barbara Thacker - Patrick Carroll
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
1ABC      Laura Da Costa - Mary Lou Pease
2AB        Laura Neville - Ruth Christensen
3AB        Al Crane - M. Steve Johnson
2C           Don Austin - Marion Austin
 
1A           Barbara Diebert - Richard Meffley
2A1B      Carol Kaufman - Steve Johnson
2B           June Serio - Gary Nelson
 
 99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
1/2A         Margot Cegielski - Alvin Fred Schellack
1/2A1B   Clint Hudson - June Serio
3A2B1C  Barry Katz - Brenda Ward
3B               Sandra White - Lynda Moller
2C                Tom Callahan - Julia Kendall
 
OAKHURST WINNERS
Bill Fullar and Ruthie Fruehauf
Diane Mc Donough and Marth Robrahn
Ken Doig and T. Srinivasan
Jimmy Moore and Bill Carroll
Karen McCartin and Paul Mertens
Diane McDonough and Nancy Hays
Jimmy Moore and Jim Luther
Lorraine Bocks and Gary Smith
Ken Doig and Nancy Hays
 
 
 
INDIVIDUAL
1                                     William Glass
2/3A1/2B                Joycelyn Kauder
2/3A1/2B1C            Edward Hampton
3/4B2/3C                   June Serio
3/4B2/3                      Debbie Kemp
 
SPECIAL
William Glass - Victor Greener [2]
Patrick Carroll - John McGregor
Steve Johnson - Carol Kaufman
Jan Armbruster - Jackie Reichard
Robert Durbrow - Sally Anne Stern
Peter Weber - Susan Vildosola
Ray April - Victor Greener
Mark Stern - Lowell Gist
Richard Meffley - Gerard Laquerriere
Victor Greener - Mark Stern
Patrick Carroll - John McGregor [B]
Ann Derwin - Steve Holmes [B]
Rose Boot - Renee Laquerriere [B]
Sally Perring - Judy Jessick [B]
Mary Lou Pease - Joseph Tang [B]
Laura Neville - Judy Jessick [B]
Steve Johnson - Mary Lou Pease [C]
Peter Weber - Susan Vildosola [C]
Judy Dodd - Rosalie Jorgensen [C]
Diane McDonough - Kenneth Sommers [C]
Lisa D'Arcy - Avis Morse [C]
Carolyn Lofton - Robert Endara [C]
 
750 SPECIAL
Patricia Creede - Sandy OwYoung-Chu
Kathryn Miller - Mary Claire Ewing
Angelina Heisdorf - Patricia Creede
Barbara Wiedel - Kathryn Miller
Robert Cherry - Tay Cherry
Angelina Heisdorf - Kathryn Miller
Barbara Brock - Estee Strombotne [B]
Andrew Graves - Larry Miller [B]
Barbara Brock - Barbara Wiedel [C]
Judy Pardun - Jeremy Newel [C]
Karen Matthews - Cheryl Johnson [C]
Doris Myers - Pamela Pigg [C]
 
SPECIAL 299ER
Ed Keller - Margot Cegielski
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
Nancy Jones - Georgia Murach
Margot Cegielski - Ed Keller [B]
 
SPECIAL 99
Clint Hudson - June Serio
John Cadwalader - Carol Fiorentino [C]
 
99
Alvin Fred Schellack - Margot Cegielski
Edward Hampton - June Serio
Clint Hudson - Edward Hampton
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn [B]
Matthew Wilkins - Maura Pennington [C]
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn [C]
 
 

FRESNO WINTER SECTIONAL
February 14-17, 2020
Once again we’re having a silver point sectional tournament over the President’s holiday weekend.  The schedule is similar to last year, except that the Fast Pairs will move from Friday evening (Valentine’s Day) to Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning will be a new event, bracketed Swiss teams.  Each bracket should have four or five teams of about the same master point holding. It should be a fun event. The last bracket likely could be all players with less than 100 or 200 master points. As in the past, there will be 499er pair games and open pair games every session.  Saturday morning we’ll have a 199er game instead of a 499er game. Members with fewer than 10 master points may play free on Saturday morning.

UNIT NEWS
Our officers were reelected:
Richard Meffley                  President
Laura Da Costa                   Vice President
Kay Chrisman                      Secretary
Don Austin                            Treasurer
 
Unit Appointments

1. Membership                           Deb Peterson
2. Sunshine                                  Steve Johnson
3. Business Manager                 Kay Chrisman
4. NAP/GNT                                Richard Meffley
5. Computer Graphics               Deb Peterson
6. Clubhouse Supplies               Kay Chrisman
7. Newsletter                               Richard Meffley
8. Newsletter Backup             Anthony Toto
9. Mentoring                               Don Austin
10. Facebook                       A Toto, Dep Petersen
11. Hospitality Committee         Laura Da  Costa Coordinators:                             Mary Lou Pease
    Members:           Deb Petersen, Jonel                   Mueller, Belva Quattrin, and Cindy Tingey
12. Parliamentarian                     Anthony Toto
13. Charities                                  Jonel Mueller       
14. Electronic Contact      Kay Chrisman
15. Marketing,                              ML Pease
    Recruitment & Publicity
16. Historian                                 Laura DaCosta
17. Novice & Education             Laura DaCosta
18. District 21 Rep.                     R Meffley, A Toto
19.  Bookkeeper                           Marion Austin
20.   Diamond in the Ruff      Laura DaCosta
    
    ​HINTS FOR BEGINNING PLAYERS
    BIDDING
    When your partner opens one of a suit, and the next player passes, you MUST bid something if you have six points or more. If you don’t have a suit of four cards or longer that you can bid at the one level, you can bid No Trump. If you have 10 or more points, you can bid your best suit even if it’s at the two level.
    DEFENSE
    When your partner leads and you have a sequence, if you want to play one of the sequence, play the lowest of the sequence. Playing an honor when you follow suit says you do not have the next higher honor. If your partner leads, and you have a choice of the King or Queen, play the Queen. This also applies if you play last.
    DECLARER PLAY
    When trying to set up a long suit, if you are short of entries, give up any sure losers first and save your winners for entries. For example: Dummy has A9765 and you have K32. Lose the first trick, then win the second with the King and the third with the Ace. Usually dummy’s two cards left will be winners.
    GRAND NATIONAL TEAMS
    District 21 Grand National Teams are under way, with four flights. The deadline for entering the Open teams has passed. The deadline to enter 0-2500 ends February 7, 2020. The 0 -6,000 deadline is April 3, 2020, and the under 500 deadline is May 1, 2020. Check the District 21 website for more information.
    

PLACES AND FACES
We had lots of winners at the recent Monterey Regional.  Mark and Sally Stern, with Carol and Larry Miller were third in Bracket of the KO teams and won flight B of the evening Swiss teams. Pete Weber and Avis Morse were third in the side game and also won flight B of another side game. Cynthia Tingey and Rosalie Jorgensen won flight C of the side game. Angie Heisdorf and Rhonda Hampton took fifth in one Gold Rush pairs and 14th in another. Ed Hampton and Steve Johnson were third in flight C of the Gold Rush pairs. Farid Assemi, Richard Meffley, Jim Slinger, and Gerard Laquerriere were second in the evening Swiss teams. Farid Assemi, James Slinger, and Ed Wojewoda were sixth in the A/X/Y Swiss teams and third in the evening Swiss teams. Gerard Laquerriere and Richard Meffley were seventh in the Open pairs and won the Fast pairs. Gerard Laquerriere won the AM Swiss teams. Bill Glass took first, second, and third in side games. Olivia Stockton and Annie Chiljian won gold points in the Open pairs.
At the San Francisco sectional, Gerard Laquerriere was fifth in the Open pairs.
Congratulations to all our winners.
 
Congratulations to new club masters Pat Heckathorn and Sandy Petrie and to new junior masters Kandiah Jeyapalan and Nalini Jeyapalan.
 
Welcome to new members Lory Johnson of Coalinga and Maura Pennington and Matthew Wilkins of Clovis.

Our best wishes go to new members Matthew Wilkins and Maura Pennington who recently announced their engagement. They plan a wedding in September.
 
There will be an open house celebration of the life of Sharon Small on Saturday, February 15 from 4 to 6 pm at the home of her daughter-in-law, 1910 Cougar Lane in Clovis.
 
We are saddened to report that Virginia Johnson passed away recently. Virginia was a long time member and co-hosted the Friday afternoon game.

CLUB NEWS
The top winners in Madera for January were Steve Johnson, followed by Carol Kaufman, Barbara Diebert, and Richard Meffley. Bill Glass was the top masterpoint winner in Fresno for December, followed by Richard Meffley, Bob Durbrow, and Victor Greener. Victor Greener was the top masterpoint winner for 2019, followed by Ray April, Laura Da Costa, and Bill Glass. Sandy Petrie was the top 99er for December, followed by Pat Heckathorn, Ed Keller, and Barbara Gaudin. Margot Cegielski was the top 99er for 2019, followed by Fred Schellack, Mary Claire Ewing, and Ann Keag. Lowell Gist starts out the new year leading, followed by Mary Lou Pease, Victor Greener, and Laura Da Costa. Mary Claire Ewing leads the 99ers, followed by Sandy OwYoung-Chu and Margot Cegielski.
We started the new year with improvements in the kitchen – one refrigerator and the dishwasher were replaced with brand new appliances.

Treasurer’s Report 
If you look at the year-end financial report just approved by the board, it looks like we lost around $3400.00. And we did, but… not really. We spent about that amount of money on capital expenses; a new dealing machine, the AED and mountains of new cards. We would be in the black if we hadn’t made these capital purchases but we needed to make those expenditures. The cost of the new refrigerator and dishwasher will show up on next year’s expenses. If next year is like last, we may break even. And better yet, we are set with new equipment to be a first-rate club into the next ten years or so. Well done, club members. Special thanks to Mun, all those who worked on fundraisers and those doing recruitment, like Mary Lou Pease.
Stay healthy, keep playing and bring friends.
​


​

​WINNERS
UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
 1/2A1B                  Laura Da Costa - Ray April
 ½                            Mark Stern - Dave Haberstich
2B                           William Glass - James Sweet
 
 UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
1A           Lowell Gist - Victor Greener
2A1B      William Glass - Jason Mcalexander
3A2B      Robert Durbrow - Cynthia Tingey
3B           Don Austin - Marion Austin
 
UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
1AB        Jonel Mueller - JoAnn Huebner
 2/3A       Ray April - Howard Arquette
 2/3A       Mary Lou Pease - Laura Neville
2B           Laura Da Costa - Debbie Kemp
 
 UNIT 99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
1              Clint Hudson - Ed Keller
2              Julia Kendall - Tom Callahan
3              Sandy Petrie - Sandra White

​CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1A           Robert Durbrow - M. Steve Johnson
2A1B     William Glass - Debbie Kemp
2B           Mary Lou Pease - James Sweet
 
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1A           Anthony Toto - William Glass
2A1BC  James Sweet - Debbie Kemp
3A2B     Al Crane - Rosalie Jorgensen
3B           Laura Neville - Ruth Christensen
2C           Gloria Fitzgerald - Jeff Nevins
 
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1A                           Gerard Laquerriere - Lowell Gist
 2/3A1/2B             William Glass - Olivia Stockton
 2/3A1/2B             Gerry Jones - Sheila Smith
3/4B 1C                 Sally Perring - Judy Jessick
3/4B                       Robert Endara - Carolyn Lofton
2C                           Jonel Mueller - Deb Petersen
 
750 CHAMPIONSHIP
1AB                Barbara Wiedel - Barbara Brock
2A                  Sandy OwYoung-Chu - Patricia Creede
3A2B1C      Steve Johnson - Kathryn Miller
3B2C             Estee Strombotne - Marge Field
 
 750 CHAMPIONSHIP
1AB        Kathleen Coit - William Coit
2AB        Andrew Graves - Larry Miller
3AB1C  Denny Tweed - Cathleen Burden
2C           Karen Matthews - Cheryl Johnson
3C           Judy Pardun - Lois High

99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
1              Pat Heckathorn - Sandy Petrie
 2/3         Brenda Ward - Barry Katz
 2/3         Clint Hudson - June Serio
 

​
 
OAKHURST WINNERS
Martha Robrahn - Jimmy Moore
Claire Molnar - Kenneth Doig
Claire Molnar - Karen McCartin
Burke Zane - Ken Sommers [4]
Hal Mendoza - Ira Estin
Nancy Hays - Kenneth Doig
Alfred Ellis - Joni Roberts
Ira Estin - James Cosby
Nancy Hays - Kenneth Doig
Burke Zane - Joni Roberts
Martha Robrahn - Kirk Moulin
 
 INDIVIDUAL
1A                           Mary Lou Pease
2A                           Richard Meffley
3A                           William Glass
2B1C                     Carol Kaufman
3/4B 2/3C             Debbie Kemp
3/4B 2/3C             Marion Austin 
 
SPECIAL 
Steve Johnson - Laura Da Costa
Barbara Thacker - William Glass
Lowell Gist - Gerard Laquerriere
Robert Endara - Carolyn Lofton
Laura Da Costa - Ray April
Lowell Gist - Gerard Laquerriere
Avis Morse - Howard Arquette [B]
Annie Chiljian - Olivia Stockton [B]
Laura Da Costa - Renee Laquerriere [C]
Cynthia Tingey - Skip Miller [C]
Carol Rodder – Joann E. Evans [C]
 
750 SPECIAL
Deb Petersen - Paul Boyd
Marge Field - Joan Fritz
Kathleen Coit - William Coit
Diane McDonough - Ken Summers
Marsha Infausto - Judy Geary
Pamela Pigg - Lois High
Mary Claire Ewing - Kathryn Miller
Jerry F. Noga - John Hempel
Robert Cherry - Tay Cherry [B]
Judy Geary - Doris Myers [C]
 
 
299ER SPECIAL  
Ed Keller - Margot Cegielski
Barbara Gaudin - Nicki Gram [B]
 
99ER SPECIAL
 Pat Heckathorn - Sandy Petrie
 Joan Clark - Carol Fiorentino
 Fred Schellack - Margot Cegielski
 
99er
Margot Cegielski - Ed Keller
Walt Kelso - Fred Schellack
Tom Callahan - Julia Kendall [2]
Fred Schellack - Walt Kelso
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
Barbara Gaudin - Sandra White
Alvin Fred Schellack - Margot Cegielski [2]
Sandra White - Lynda Moller
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn [B]
Julia Kendall - Tom Callahan [B]
Pat Heckathorn - Sandy Petrie [B]
Matthew Wilkins - Maura Pennington [C]
John Cadwalader - Carol Fiorentino [C]

FRESNO WINTER SECTIONAL
February 14-17, 2020
Once again we’re having a silver point sectional tournament over the President’s holiday weekend.  The schedule is similar to last year, except that the Fast Pairs will move from Friday evening (Valentine’s Day) to Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning will be a new event, bracketed Swiss teams.  Each bracket should have four or five teams of about the same master point holding. It should be a fun event. As in the past, there will be 499er pair games and open pair games every session except Saturday morning and all day Sunday. On Saturday morning we’ll have a 199er game instead of a 499er game. Members with less than 10 master points may play free on Saturday morning.

UNIT NEWS
Congratulations to elected board members Don Austin, Kay Chrisman, Richard Meffley,
Jonel Mueller, and Anthony Toto.
Our thanks go to Jackie Finn, who has retired from the board. She did an incredible job with hospitality at our tournaments and special events. For several years we enjoyed many different meals that she organized and prepared. Thanks again. 

PLACES AND FACES
At the San Francisco NABC, Cindy Tingey won flight C of the side game and was fifth in the side game series.  Marion and Don Austin were 23rd in the Gold Rush pairs. Richard Meffley was fifth and twelfth in the Open pairs.  Gerard Laquerriere and Richard Meffley were second in the Open pairs. Gerard took second in another Open pairs. Farid Assemi and Jim Slinger were fourth in the Super Senior Pairs. Rick Whitworth and former Fresno members Bob Giragosian Steve McConnell, and Jim Tritt, were ninth in the Mitchell B-a-M Teams.  Rick Whitworth was 15th in the Mixed Swiss Teams.
Former Fresnan Sandy Zovod was third in open pairs at the Sacramento sectional.
At the Palm Springs regional, Jonel Mueller was second in flight C of the 299er pairs. Gerard Laquerriere was tenth in the Charity pairs, third in
​Flight X of the A/X pairs, fourth in Bracket 3 of the Round Robin teams, and first in Bracket 2 of the Knockout teams. Congratulations to our winners at these tournaments.
We are sorry to report that Sharon Small passed away last month. She is a long time Life Master; she’s been a Fresno Unit member since before we had player numbers. She has not played for a long time due to illness.

​DISTRICT 21 NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS
For those who qualified in November, the District 21 finals for Flight A are Saturday and Sunday, January 4 and 5 at Fattoria e Mare Restaurant in Burlingame. Flight C plays on Sunday at the same location. Both play two sessions per day, starting at 10:30 am.

WINNERS
UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
  1A                         Kim Morris - Victor Greener
 2/3A                      Sally Anne Stern - Mark Stern
 2/3A1BC              Marion Austin - JoAnn Huebner
 2B                          Rosalie Jorgensen - Al Crane
 2C                          Rhonda Hampton - M. Steve Johnson
 
   UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP  
  1A                         Victor Greener - Anthony Toto
  2A1BC                Debbie Kemp - Jason Mcalexander
  3A                         Steve Johnson - Robert Durbrow
  2B                         Mary Lou Pease - Joseph Tang
  3B                         Ray April - Laura Da Costa
  2C                         Jackie Finn - Deb Petersen
 
  UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
  1A                  Mark Stern - Sally Anne Stern
  2A1B             Anthony Toto - Lowell Gist
  3A2B1C      Laura Da Costa - M. Steve Johnson
  2C                   Don Austin - Marion Austin
 
  UNIT CHAMPIONSHIP
  1AB      Carol Kaufman - Rosalie Jorgensen
  2A         Richard Meffley - Victor Greener
  3A         Ray April - Howard Arquette
  2B         Pamela Pigg - Mary Lou Pease
 
UNIT CHRISTMAS PARTY
  1A                         Belva Quattrin - Robert Durbrow
  2A1BC               Anthony Toto - Jackie Finn
  3A2B                   Kim Morris - Vincent Cheng
  3B                         Carolyn Lofton - Robert Endara
  2B                         Carol Miller - Larry Miller
  3C                         John Oakshott - Peggy Oakshott
 
299ER CHRISTMAS PARTY
  1A         Don Austin - Marion Austin
  2A         Pamela Pigg - Lois High
  3A1B   Joan Fritz - Marge Field
  2B1C   Elaine Henshel - Joyce Aiken
  3B         James Bushman - Debbie Kemp
  2C         Barbara Gaudin - Eleanor Alpha
 
UNIT 99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
  1            Sandra White - Marlene Fiore
  2            Barbara Gaudin - Eleanor Alpha
 
UNIT 99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
  1A         Margot Cegielski - Alvin Fred Schellack
  2A1B   Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
  2B         Clint Hudson - Barbara Gaudin
 
UNIT 99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
  1AB      Barbara Gaudin - Ed Keller
  2A         Margot Cegielski - Alvin Fred Schellack
  3A2B   Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
  3C         June Serio - Clint Hudson

​UNIT 99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
  1AB      Barbara Gaudin - Ed Keller
  2A         Margot Cegielski - Alvin Fred Schellack
  3A2B   Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
  3C         June Serio - Clint Hudson
 
UNIT 99ER CHAMPIONSHIP
  1            Pat Heckathorn - Sandy Petrie
  2            Julia Kendall - Tom Callahan
  3            Lynda Moller - Sandra White
 
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
  1A                         Bob Cross - Robert Durbrow
  2A1B                    Laura Da Costa - Barbara Thacker
 3/4A                       Ray April - Victor Greener
 3/4A2B                  Mary Lou Pease - Judy Zimmerer
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
  1            Carol Rodder - Rosalie Jorgensen
  2            Peter Weber - Susan Vildosola
 
CHAMPIONSHIP
  1            Robert Cherry - Tay Cherry
  2            Mark Stern - Victor Greener
  3A2B    Lowell Gist - Avis Morse
  3C         Mary Lou Pease - James Sweet
 
750 CHAMPIONSHIP
  1ABC                    JoAnn Huebner - Cheryl Hiney
  2AB                      Judy Nibler - Beverly Little
  3AB2C                  Steve Johnson - Ann Keag
  3C                         Marsha Infausto - Judy Geary
 
299ER CHAMPIONSHIP
1              Barbara Gaudin - Eleanor Alpha
2              Margot Cegielski - Ed Keller

LESSONS
We’re starting free lessons again on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 9 am. We’ll have Easybridge I for those who want to learn bridge or haven’t played in years. Easybridge II is for those who have done Easybridge I and those with some bridge experience.  Let your friends know that we are starting bridge lessons again this month.  
Call Mary Lou Pease, 288-2340, or Laura Da Costa, 999-2825, for more information.

GROUND RULES FOR NEW PLAYERS
BIDDING
You want to play in a major suit fit with eight or more trumps between you and your partner. When your partner opens a minor suit, bid a four card or longer major suit before you raise the minor suit. You can raise on your next bid.
DECLARER PLAY
In a suit contract, when Dummy has a short suit, always think about trumping in dummy. If you have five good trumps and dummy has three good trumps, you still have five tricks if you trump in your hand. If you trump once in dummy, you have five plus one = six tricks.
DEFENSE When you have an Ace on opening lead against a suit contract, either lead the Ace or lead another suit. If you under lead your Ace, you may never get a trick with it.​ 
​
CLUB NEWS
Steve Johnson and Carol Kaufman were the top players in Madera for December, followed by Nick and Mary Gullo. Steve was the top player for 2019, followed by Carol, Gary Nelson, and Barbara Diebert.
Victor Greener was the top winner for November at the Fresno Bridge Center, followed by Bill Glass, Ray April, and Mark Stern. After November, Victor led for 2019, followed by Ray April, Laura Da Costa, and Bill Glass. Victor Greener was the top winner for 2019. You can see the final 2019 results on the by clicking Masterpoints, above. 
For November, June Serio was the top 99er for the Fresno Bridge Center, followed by Pam Pigg, Lynda Moller, and Sandra White. After November, Margot Cegielski leds the 99er for the year, followed by Fred Schellack, Mary Claire Ewing, and Ann Keag. Those four are also the final top 99ers for 2019.
The ACBL allowed upgraded Championships for clubs that used ACBLLive to report club games in October. The Monday and Friday games are using the upgraded Championships this month. The other clubs will use them later this year.
Congratulations to new club master Bettylee Wapner.
​

​STAC(Numbers indicate overall places)                                  
 Mark Stern - Lowell Gist [13]
 Barbara Thacker - Belva Quattrin
Richard Meffley - William Glass [2 Aux]
Barbara Thacker - Robert Durbrow
 Victor Greener - Ray April [1/2Aux]
 Robert Durbrow - Richard Meffley
 Avis Morse - Cynthia Tingey [B]
Sheila Smith - Gerry Jones [B]
 Lisa D'Arcy - Avis Morse [B]
Laura Da Costa - Carol Miller [B]
Jason Mcalexander - James Sweet [B]
Renee Laquerriere - Avis Morse [B]
Robert Cherry - Tay Cherry [B] [2B 1C Aux]
George Efthemon - Jackie Finn[C]
Vivian Betcher - Richard Betcher [14C]
Al Crane - Richard Meffley [AUX 7]
 
750 STAC
Patricia Creede - Angelina Heisdorf [3]
Ann Keag - Pamela Pigg [5B]
Mary Claire Ewing - Sandy OwYoung-Chu
​ [9A 6B 3C]
Barbara Wiedel - Linda Town [B]
Judy Geary - Marsha Infausto [B]
Karen Matthews - Cheryl Johnson [5C]
Nalini Jeyapalan - Jei Jeyapalan [3]
 
STAC 299 ER PAIRS
 ½            Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
 ½            Margot Cegielski - Ed Keller
 
99ER STAC
  Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn [1]
  Clint Hudson - June Serio [1]
  Fred Schellack - Margot Cegielski [2]
  Clint Hudson - Barbara Gaudin [2]
  Sandy Petrie - Nicki Gram [B]
 
OAKHURST WINNERS
Paul Mertens and Clem Bingham
Karen McCartin and T. Srinivasan
Claire Molnar and Karen McCartin
Nancy Lyday and Jon Galaznik
Burke Zane and Clem Bingham
Bill Fullar and Ruthie Fruehauf
Joni Roberts and Al Ellis
Diane McDonough and Ira Estin
Ken Doig and Nancy Hays (2)
T. Srinivasan and Martha Robrahn
Burke Zane and T. Srinivasan
Clem Bingham and Judy Bingham
Burke Zane and Ken Sommers
 
 EASYBRIDGE INDIVIDUAL 
1              Lynda Moller
 2             Joyce Aiken
 ¾            Elaine Henshel
 3/4          Jung Kim
 5/7          Nicki Gram
 5/7           N. Abraham
 5/7           Sandra White
  8            Ed Keller
  9            Joan Clark
10/13       Judy Pierre
10/13       Judy Statler
10/13       Mary LaFollette
10/13       Margaret Thompson
 
INDIVIDUAL                               
1/3A        William Glass
 1/3A       Debbie Kemp
 1/3A       Mary Lou Pease
 3/4B     Edward Hampton
 3/4B    James Sweet
 
 
SPECIAL
Victor Greener - Mark Stern
Robert Durbrow - Laura Da Costa
Lowell Gist - Gerard Laquerriere
Patrick Carroll - Al Crane [B]
Sheila Smith - Gerry Jones [B]
Ray April - Sally Anne Stern [B]
Judy Nibler - Angelina Heisdorf [C]
Jonel Mueller - Jason Mcalexander [C]
 
750 SPECIAL
Edward Hampton - Rhonda Hampton
Pamela Pigg - Rita Gladding [B]
 
 99 SPECIAL
  Barbara Gaudin - Eleanor Alpha
Pat Heckathorn - Sandy Petrie [C]
 
99
Clint Hudson - Barbara Gaudin
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn [B]

CHRISTMAS PARTY
ANNUAL MEETING
ELECTION
December 8, 2019
Our annual Christmas Party is set for Sunday, December 8 at noon. Come and enjoy a festive holiday luncheon. We’ll also have the annual meeting, some awards, and election of officers. After that, we’ll have an open Unit Championship and 299er Unit Championship. The ballot is enclosed with the newsletter. Candidates in alphabetical order are:
Don Austin, currently unit treasurer
Margot Cegielski, a recent member who plays in all the 99er games
Kay Christman, currently unit secretary
Richard Meffley, currently unit president
Jonel Mueller, who plays frequently in 299er, 750, and open games
Anthony Toto, who manages the unit Facebook page among other activities.
Try to meet them before the election.
Vote for up to five candidates. Ballots are mailed to unit members. Vote at the Fresno Bridge Center or by mail to 

ACBL Election
1320 E Shaw Ave Suite 100
​Fresno CA 93710

CLUB NEWS
Gary Nelson was the top masterpoint winner in Madera for November, followed by Steve Johnson and Nick and Mary Gullo.  Steve Johnson leads for the year, followed by Carol Kaufman and Gary Nelson and Barbara Diebert.
Victor Greener was the top player at the Fresno Bridge Center in October, followed by Laura Da Costa and Ray April. Victor leads for 2019, followed by Ray and Laura. Mary Claire Ewing leads the 99ers for October, followed by Margot Cegielski and Pat Heckathorn. Mary Claire leads for 2019, followed by Margot Cegielski and Fred Schellack.
There are several Christmas parties in December besides the Unit party. Mary Lou Pease will have a pot luck Christmas party on Wednesday December 18.  The Tuesday afternoon 750 group will have a party on December 10. Other clubs may also celebrate the holidays.
Don’t forget Western Conference STAC games from December 9 through December 15. All STAC games award silver points. The games are held at clubs all over the West. The top score in an open game could win up to 20 masterpoint.


​

LESSONS
Free lessons start again on Saturday, January 18, 2020. If you need to brush up on your basics, come to the lessons at 9 am. We have two groups – one for those who want to learn bridge and one for those who want some more instruction. Let your friends know they can learn bridge free next year.
Mun lessons next year will include practice sessions. Look for more information in future newsletters.

PLACES AND FACES
At the Ventura regional, Mark and Sally Stern topped the side game twice. Former Fresno Unit member Jay Roll won Bracket 1 of the Swiss teams and was second in the open pairs. Congratulations to Kim Morris, a new Gold Life Master with over 2,500 master points. Also congratulations to Nicki Gram, a new junior master.
It was good to see Linda Coppersmith, returning to Fresno from Florida to visit during the Thanksgiving holiday.
There’s not too much news this month, but sometimes that’s good. If you learn of any interesting activities, please tell the editor.

​UNIT NEWS
We’re planning another Bid-a-Player auction around March next year. You can bid on a volunteer player for a game at the club. For any new player who thinks he’s not ready to play with our top Life Masters, there will be intermediate players to bid on as well.
We still have RAFFLE tickets available. You can win a $200 Costco gift card, a $100 Amazon gift card, or ten $10 gift cards for bridge club play. The drawing will be at the Christmas party on December 8, 2019.
 
Treasurer’s report  
 (October financials)
There is a little quirk in the financial statements if you look at them at the center. We bought a new dealing machine in September, so it looks like we lost lots of money that month. We sold the old dealing machine, but that check was not received until November, so does not show up on the current reports. It will show up on year-end reports. Thanks to Kay, we got the new machine for under $3,000. I have heard it is working great.  In October, we had a sectional and Mun gave a lesson, so we were in the black for October.  We will recognize the sale of the old machine in November, so I expect that month to look good. 
​If you have questions, come to the Membership meeting/Christmas Game on December 8th and you can ask me there. 




​

WINNERS
ONE DAY SECTIONAL
750 AFTERNOON
1A       Rosalie Jorgensen - Kathryn Miller
2A       Kathleen Coit - William Coit
3A       John Oakshott - Peggy Oakshott
1BC     Marilyn  Kendall - Madeline Lynes
2B        Mary Gullo - Pamela Pigg
3B        Jim Luther - Diane McDonough
2C        Marge Field - Joan Fritz
3C        Judy Pardun - Jeremy Newel
 
299 EVENING
1          Myles Johnson - June Serio
2          Margot Cegielski - Fred Schellack
3          Lynda Moller -Sandra Whi te
 
PRO AM TEAM CLUB APPRECIATION
1          Ann Derwin - Jonel Mueller - Nancy Jones - Steve Holmes
2          William Glass - Clint Hudson - Barbara Gaudin - Gloria Fitzgerald - Rosalie Jorgensen
 
NAP UNIT FINAL
1A       Laura Da Costa - Ray April
2A       Victor Greener - Mark Stern
 3/4A 1BC       Sandy OwYoung-Chu - M. Steve Johnson
 3/4A   Gerard Laquerriere - Richard Meffley
2BC     Cynthia Tingey - Deb Petersen
 
CLUB APPRECIATION
1          William Glass - Victor Greener
2          Laura Da Costa - Ray April
 
CLUB APPRECIATION
1          Victor Greener - Laura Da Costa
2          Carol Kaufman - June Serio
 
 CLUB APPRECIATION
1          Laura Neville - Andrew Graves
2          Ray April - Victor Greener
3          Al Crane - Rosalie Jorgensen
 
CLUB APPRECIATION
1A       Richard Meffley - Victor Greener
2A       Gerard Laquerriere - Lowell Gist
3A1B   Carol Rodder - Irene Whelchel
2B1C   Peter Weber - Susan Vildosola
3B2C   Nancy Holley - Donny Graham
3C        Joann E. Evans - Bettylee Wapner
 
CLUB APPRECIATION
1A           Ray April - Victor Greener
2A1B     Carol Rodder - Carol Miller
3A           Ann Derwin - Steve Holmes
2B           Mary Lou Pease - M. Steve Johnson
 
 CLUB APPRECIATION
1A           Mark Stern - Sally Anne Stern
2A1B     Bob Cross - William Glass
2B           Laura Da Costa - Mary Lou Pease
 
CLUB APPRECIATION
1              Belva Quattrin - Robert Durbrow
2              Mary Lou Pease - Laura Da Costa
3              John Oakshott - Peggy Oakshott

1. Gary Nelson - Steve Johnson
2. Carol Kaufman - June Serio

 
 
1AB        Ray April - Laura Da Costa
2A           Richard Meffley - Gerard Laquerriere
3A2B1C                Anthony Toto - Jason Mcalexander
3B           Steve Holmes - Ann Derwin
2C           Rosalie Jorgensen - Al Crane
 
 
1A           Richard Meffley - Bob Cross
2A1B     Laura Da Costa - Barbara Thacker
3A2CB1C             Peter Weber - Susan Vildosola
3B2C     Carol Miller - Olivia Stockton
 
  
1A           Farid Assemi - Naguib Abdallah
2A1B     James Bushman - Robert Durbrow
3A2B1CJason Mcalexander - James Sweet
3B           Mark Stern - Sally Anne Stern
2C           John McGregor - Patrick Carroll

99
Ruth Ann Townsend - Joan Clark
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
Fred Schellack - June Serio
Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn (2)
Margot Cegielski - Fred Schellack
 
​

750 CLUB APPRECIATION
1AB        John Oakshott - Peggy Oakshott
2AB1C  Cheryl Johnson - Barbara Brock
3A           Dora Gostanian - Sydney Bluestone
3A2B     Deb Petersen - Pat Snyder
3C           Doris Myers - Judy Geary
 
 750 CLUB APPRECIATION
1AB        Kathleen Coit - William Coit
2AB1C  Chris Rogers - Tay Cherry
3AB2C  M. Steve Johnson - Andrew Graves
3C           Judy Pardun - Lois High
 
750 CLUB APPRECIATION
1ABC     Mary Claire Ewing - Sandy OwYoung-Chu
2ABC     Marilyn J. Kendall - Madeline Lynes
3AB        Patricia Creede - Lois High
3C           Nalini Jeyapalan - Jei Jeyapalan
 
CLUB APPRECIAT 299ER  
1A           M. Steve Johnson - June Serio
2A1B     Diane McDonough - Bill Fullar
2B           Margot Cegielski - Ed Keller
  
299ER CLUB APPRECIATION
1A           M. Steve Johnson - Jonel Mueller
21B        Sandra White - Lynda Moller
2B           Margot Cegielski - Ed Keller
 
99ER CUB APPRECIATION
1              Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
2              Clint Hudson - Walt Kelso
  
 99ER CLUB APPRECIATION
1              Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
2              Tom Callahan - Julia Kendall
3              Clint Hudson - Barbara Gaudin
  
99ERS CLUB APPRECIATION
1              Margot Cegielski - Alvin Fred Schellack
 2/3         Sandy Petrie - Pat Heckathorn
 2/3         Barry Katz - Brenda Ward
 
MEMBERSHIP GAME
1A           William Glass - Victor Greener
2A1B     George Dalition - June Serio
2B           Don Austin - Marion Austin
  
VETERAN'S DAY MEMBERSHIP
1A           William Glass - Richard Meffley
2A           Victor Greener - Ray April
3A1BC  Sally Perring - Gerry Jones
2BC        Sally Anne Stern - Jonel Mueller
3B           Lisa D'Arcy - Avis Morse
3C           Cynthia Tingey - Rosalie Jorgensen
 
OAKHURST WINNERS
Ira Estin - Jim Luther
Diane McDonough - Nancy Hays
Ken Sommers - Bill Fullar
Paul Mertens - Clem Bingham
Ira Estin - Judy Bingham [2]
Alfred Ellis - Ken Sommers
Kenneth Doig - Nancy Hays
Kenneth Doig - Kirk Moulin
Burke Zane - Ken Sommers
Al Crane - Bill Fullar
Judy Van Winkle - Judy Bingham [B]
Sharon Kocsis - Barbara Peters[B]
Diane McDonough - Nancy Hays [B]
 
SPECIAL
Irene Whelchel - Laura Neville
Gary Nelson - Richard Meffley
Barbara Thacker - Belva Quattrin
Lowell Gist - Gerard Laquerriere
Nick & Mary Gullo (2)
Barbara Diebert – Gary Nelson
Peter Weber - Susan Vildosola
Judy Zimmerer - Irene Whelchel
Rose Boot - William Glass
Laura Neville - Irene Whelchel
Patrick Carroll - Laura Da Costa
Judy Dodd - Carol Rodder [B]
Laura Da Costa - Carol Rodder [B]
Irene Whelchel - Rosalie Jorgensen [B]
M. Steve Johnson - Jonel Mueller [C]
  
750 SPECIAL
Patricia Creede - Marilyn J. Kendall
Kathryn Miller - Barbara Wiedel
Deb Petersen - Angelina Heisdorf
Patricia Creede - Renee Laquerriere
Larry Miller - Pamela Pigg [B]
Jonel Mueller - Rita Gladding [C]
  
SPECIAL 299ER  
Barbara Gaudin - Eleanor Alpha
Margot Cegielski - Ed Keller