District 17 BRIDGE BUZZ
JULY 2019
|
|
|
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.
Contact
Cindy Shoemaker
, editor, cndyshoemaker@yahoo.com
with feedback and content suggestions.
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL D17 CLUBS WHO RAISED FUNDS TO FIGHT ALZHEIMER'S
|
|
As The Longest Day’s inaugural partner, the ACBL has raised more than $4.7 million for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. Held this year during the week of the Summer Solstice -- June 16 - 23 -- the event symbolizes the difficult journey of those who struggle with Alzheimer’s and the challenges of the countless caregivers who face this disease.
“In 2017 and 2018, we raised $1 million for the cause, which has become our goal for the campaign each year. Donations are still coming in for the 7th annual The Longest Day campaign and we are on track to hit that goal for a third year,” said Lori Pope, public relations coordinator, ACBL.
In District 17, 12 clubs from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada participated in the event and delivered big to fight Alzheimer’s nationwide.
|
|
|
|
The Durango Duplicate Bridge Club, Durango, CO raised over $14,715. The club conducted games in the morning, afternoon and evening of June 24 with almost 100 players in attendance for one or more sessions.
In 2018, the club raised the most of any club in CO and ranked 19th in the nation.
Pictured left: Pat Borgers, Susan Westerwick, The Longest Day organizer, Sue Caplan and Naomi Beans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Small Slams Bridge Club, Tucson, AZ raised over $11,000 during its third annual The Longest Day Event, an increase of $2,000 over the previous year.
Over 96 bridge players attended the event held the afternoon of June 21.
Pictured left: Jo Ann Ellison, Harriet Rosenberg, Barbara Starrett and Tom Quinn.
|
|
|
|
PHOENIX UNIT 354 CELEBRATES FIRST
YOUTH BRIDGE SUMMER CAMP
By Kandi Osborne
|
|
 |
Coach Richard Jacobson keeps a watchful eye as students bid and play their hands.
|
|
|
|
Pictured left: Susan Kay Schultz, Carter Willems, Liz Erling, Harrison Whitfill, Rosalyn Katz, Kandi Osborne, Santhe Niedner, Emma Cantoni, Debbie Reichow, Lily Thomas and Katherine "Kat" Willems.
|
|
|
|
Phoenix Unit 354 just completed its first Youth Bridge Summer Camp. At first glance it may not look very impressive. Only six youth signed up and two of them only could make it for the first week. Looks can be deceiving.
The kids were completely engaged and became quick friends. They learned more quickly and differently than we expected. They had us on the run the entire two weeks. We adjusted and adapted, and all learned together.
The youth learned how to plan the play of the hand using various play techniques, Two over One bidding, and defensive signals.
Camp concluded with parents and grandparents participating in a day of camp. The guests and the campers played games and then played a 12-board game of bridge. The day ended with a pizza party.
It warmed my heart when a grandparent told me (with tears in her eyes), “Until now we never had a connection. Now she calls me to talk about camp.”
Many thanks to our volunteers who spent their mornings hanging out with us and coming up with grand games ideas!
|
|
UPCOMING
DISTRICT 17 REGIONAL
S
|
|
COLORADO NON-LIFE MASTER REGIONAL
JULY 12-14
JEFFERSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
GOLDEN, CO
|
|
|
By Wayne Eckerling
Tournament Chair
Don’t miss STRIKE GOLD, the Colorado Non-Life Master Regional on July 12-14. This event was held last year by Unit 363 (Northern Colorado.) This year it is being hosted by Denver, Unit 361. The tournament offers a great opportunity to earn gold and red masterpoints – 33 percent gold and 67 percent red - for overall winners and section tops in two-session events. To participate in the tournament, a player must have fewer than 750 masterpoints and cannot be a Life Master.
There will be a two-session pairs event on both Friday and Saturday at 10 am and 2:30 pm. Pairs wishing to play in a single-session will be accommodated within the two-session event.
|
|
|
|
On Sunday, a bracketed Gold Rush Swiss Teams game will start at 10 am. Teams are expected to play in both the morning and the afternoon sessions. Lunch is included with the entry fee.
The Strike Gold NLM Regional is run concurrently with the Denver Summer Sectional.
To improve your bridge, listen to our great speakers between sessions (2 pm) on Friday and Saturday and before the Swiss Teams begins on Sunday (9:30 am.)
Hospitality includes a full continental breakfast each morning, coffee, tea, and soda throughout the day, and afternoon snacks. The first 30 registrants on Friday will receive a free-play good for use later in this event or in another event sponsored by Unit 361. Prizes include beautiful art glass trophies for the top winners each day and gift cards for the individual or pair that travelled the farthest to get to the tournament.
If you are looking to combine bridge with other activities, July is a great time to visit Denver.
Jefferson County Fairgrounds are located just west of Denver, close to the mountains. There are many hotels and restaurants a short drive from the tournament site.
|
|
|
|
PHOENIX DESERT EMPIRE REGIONAL
AUGUST 12-18
TALKING STICK RESORT
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
|
|
The Phoenix Desert Empire Regional held August 12 - 18 is back at the beautiful Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale, AZ!
With convenient start times of 10 am, 3 pm and 7:30 pm, The Phoenix Desert Empire Regional boasts a varied playing schedule that includes bracketed teams Monday, Wednesday and Friday, KOs, Swiss, Board-a-Match, open pairs, five days of gold rush and 299'er single -session pair games. Monday evening games begin at 7 pm.
|
Be sure to register at the tournament to receive a free convention card holder, our kokopelli patch and a five dollar voucher to use at the concession stand. The registration desk is the hub for many activities. Random draw gifts will be given away daily.
Don't miss free lectures Tuesday through Saturday by top experts Chris Compton, Marc Jacobus, Curtis Cheek, John Mohan and Mitch Dunitz.
|
|
Talking Stick is a four diamond resort and is a cultural and entertainment destination.
Book your rooms before July 29 to receive room rates of only $109. Use booking code 12693 or “Desert Empire Regional.”
Phone 480-270-5555 or toll free 866-877-9897. No daily resort fees. Free WiFi and complimentary self and valet parking daily.
|
|
TAOS REGIONAL
SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2019
TAOS, NEW MEXICO
|
|
By Winifred Stebbins
Tournament Chair
Come join us in Taos, New Mexico where we are ready to welcome you to our fourth and best ever Taos Regional! Though the tournament does not begin until September 23, our host hotel, the Sagebrush Inn and Suites is sold out. However, we have options. Rooms are available at the newly remodeled Hilton property, Don Fernando de Taos just minutes from the host hotel. Special bridge rates of $114 for single/double occupancy and $136/suite apply.
|
For additional hotels, inns and B&Bs in the area and special rate options, please contact Emily Ray, (h) 575-613-7902 or (c) 214-534-5297.
Late September is a wonderful time to be in Taos. Expect crisp, sunny weather and an awesome display of color washing over our stunning mountain scenery. Taos is also rich with history and has many wonderful restaurants, world famous galleries and fabulous shops.
Of course, expect lots of good bridge and many opportunities to earn gold in five gold rush events held in the morning and the afternoon, five bracketed teams events and Sunday gold teams. This is in addition to KOs, single-session Swiss, single-session 299’er games, open pair and side games.
|
|
Partners are guaranteed, and if you give our partnership desk lead time they will be sure to find you a good match. Contact Dennis Scott,
bridge4fun@mac.com
or call 575-224-1055. He is ready to assist you.
Our signature hospitality includes complimentary snacks and refreshments in the ballroom. A varied daily lunch can be purchased onsite Tuesday through Sunday for only $10.
Prizes are awarded in all events. All participants will receive a souvenir of Taos, and every player with fewer than 300 masterpoints will receive two.
If you would like personalized entry labels waiting for you when you arrive, please pre-register by emailing your name and ACBL number to
taosregional@yahoo.com
There is plenty of free parking, so we hope to see you at our regional!
|
|
UPCOMING DISTRICT 17 SECTIONALS
|
|
JULY
AUGUST
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
|
|
SEPTEMBER
CLICK ON THE
***
NEXT TO
THE HOST CITY TO VIEW
TOURNAMENT FLYERS
|
|
BRIGHT
LIGHTS,
BIG
BRIDGE
DON'T MISS THE LAS VEGAS NABC
COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS
JULY 18-28, 2019
|
|
|
|
Join thousands of bridge lovers from around the world in an event like no other. The NABC is full of games, workshops and excitement, whether you are just beginning to play bridge or looking for prime competition.
See the legendary lights on the Las Vegas strip and experience Fremont Street.
There is something for everyone at the NABC Las Vegas!
|
|
NAP QUALIFIERS NOW AT
PARTICIPATING D17 CLUBS
|
|
Extra masterpoints and an opportunity to play in an NABC event awaits players who participate in the North American Pairs qualifying games. Qualifier games will be held through August. There are three flights: A: open to anyone; B: players with less than 2,500 masterpoints and C: non-life masters with less than 500 points.
There are no unit finals in District 17. The District 17 NAP Flight B and C championships will be held September 27 and 28 at the Taos Regional. The District Flight A championships will now be held at the Albuquerque Regional Saturday, January 25, 2020.
The top three pairs in Flight A and the top four pairs in Flight B and C will be eligible to play in the National Finals at the 2020 Spring NABC in Columbus, OH in March.
|
|
|
|
EARN SILVER IN CLUBS
AUGUST 19-25, 2019
|
THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SUMMER FUN STAC XII
Schedule your games today
|
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS TO D17
GRAND NATIONAL TEAMS WINNERS!
|
|
|
|
The GNT finals were held at the Denver Rocky Mountain Regional in May. Now on to the nationals at the NABC Las Vegas in July!
|
|
|
For more information on District 17 activities go to
d17acbl.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
