Upcoming on Sunday February 10 is our next unit game. The theme is senior appreciation. If I understand correctly, unit members 80 and over can play for free. Watch for details to be posted at the San Jose Bridge Club.

Occasionally it would be nice to get the word out more frequently than once a month and 25 days after I write it. Faye Parsons is offering free 20-minute lessons to unit members to improve the quality of play at our club. On Thursdays beginning January 10 at 6:40 p.m. before her game she will be teaching two over one (2/1) bidding. On Sundays beginning January 13 at 5 p.m. before her game she will be teaching standard American bidding. Even if you miss the beginning, I’m sure you’ll get something out of attending. After a teaching career, Faye is applying her talents to bridge.

If you looked at our unit’s website listed at the bottom of this column you’d know that already. Webmaster Will Watson is trying to keep the site current.

Sometimes I could use help keeping current. No one has yet provided me with results of the Reno regional. The Monterey regional is ongoing as I write, so I’ll save that news till next column.

In December STAC week mostly replaced local tournaments. Several San Jose players achieved district placements (no, not placemats), including: Jo Cooley & Paul Nelson, Lynn Yokel & Ray Yuenger, Atwar & Birendar Singh, Kathy Maxfield, Mindy Foos & Gigi Spinazze, Lorraine Rodich & Laura Walters, Gabi Pani & Judith Clark, John Hoffman, Stephen Tu, June McCullough & Mike Abrams, Bonnie Beardsley & Judy Fisher, Neal Webb, Annette Powers, George Pledger. Some of us had to play in different clubs to find a STAC game, as we did to contribute to the Red, White, and Blue Bash, a nationwide game that raised money for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Some of our local success was at our holiday party. The unit provided turkey and ham (there’s a winning partnership) and members provided a variety of tasty dishes. Phyllis Vierra and Lynn Yokel did their usual good jobs of organizing the tables, the decorations, and a group of helpers. Don Nemiro told everyone where to go, that is, what table they started at. Will Watson directed ably. This year we had 30 tables including 5 in an under-50 section. If you don’t attend, you’re missing good food and fun and a chance to see some members decked out in holiday finery. I did snap a few digital photos, which I may figure out how to upload to our website someday.

First place were Bonnie Beardsley & Judy Fisher. First in Bs were Mindy Foos & George Pledger. First in Cs were Rod Moak & Lola Jean Kincannon. First in the limited game were Beverly Nelson & Lucy Burke.

Corrections, comments, and news are welcome at (408)379-7717 and rayyuenger@starband.net. Old columns appear under “old stuff” at www.sjbridge.org.