By the time you read this, the nationals in Anaheim will be just around the corner. It’s nice to have one of these major bridge events so nearby. Hope to see you there. Are you going to try a massage at the table? I think it’s a great idea.

June was a busy month with a local sectional every weekend. Earning strat tops at the Monterey sectional in pair events were Victor Rivkin & Kato Yeung, Lynn Yokel & Ray Yuenger, Laura Walters & Lorraine Rodich, and Bill Langlois.

At the San Francisco sectional Gary & Jan Soules had a strat top, as did Don Nemiro. For these accomplished unit members, first in their strata in a stratified event means an overall first place finish.

At the Hollister sectional, two pairs had strat tops: Will Watson & Leila Sink and Ed Barlow & Bill Langlois. Jamelle Dalton’s Swiss team was first in their strat.

Our unit was out in force at the Palo Alto Firecracker sectional. Strat top winners were Neal Webb & Ray Yuenger (74%), Louis Martin, Jr., H. Zoellner, Robert Moen & John Prevolos, Sam Morley, Tania Moalem & William Watson, Tad Yoshikawa, Shih-Ming Shih & Gigi Spinazze(71.25%), Jim Hayashi & Anne Boboricken, Bob Elliott, Irene Price & William Price.

Also at the Palo Alto sectional, Ed Barlow’s team won the top bracket of the knockout event. A Swiss team with Robert Ritz and Ed Lee won the open event. The Swiss team of Steve Chen, Shih-Ming Shih, Bill & Joyce Keckler was first in strat C and 2nd in B. I write this without knowing the results from the final day of that sectional.

I’ve heard that the Elks Lodge won’t be available for this popular tournament next year. Let’s all wish the Palo Alto unit luck in finding another venue.

With these other June bridge events, not to mention the Las Vegas regional, a scheduling conflict was unavoidable with our traditional June member appreciation unit game. Nevertheless, the unit board appreciated a full house. There were 18 ½ tables in two sections with a ½ table outdoors. People turned out for a nice free dinner at Mama Mias and free bridge. Overall winners were Marshall Yancey & Richard Reitman. Strat B winners were Lynn Yokel & Annette Powers. Other strat A winners were Gary & Jan Soules. Other strat B winners were Ed Lee & Steve Chen.

Some say computer bridge is hurting the club games, but Steve Chen has gotten ready for prime club time on-line. Get used to reading his name.

Our newly reconstituted unit board is much the same as the old. Retaining their officers are president Dan Turkus, vice-president Ray Yuenger, secretary Marshall Yancey, treasurer Neal Webb, conduct and ethics Bill Langlois, recorder Jeanne Becht, and new member coordinator Bob Elliott. Lynn Yokel is now education liaison. George Pledger will take over membership duties. Phyllis Vierra will be sectional coordinator.

Corrections, comments and news are welcome at (408)379-7717 and rayyuenger@earthlink.net.