Coming up is a unit game with a new theme. On Sunday, February 25, at noon starts dog-day afternoon. If your pooch is patient and as friendly as the average bridge player, feel free to bring him, her, or it along as company for a stratified pairs game. The unit will provide human snacks. (I’m sorry I wasn’t able to advertise the January unit game in this column, but sometimes the Forum deadline leapfrogs our monthly board meeting.)

Our holiday party in December went off with a major hitch, namely a downpour the day of the game. Nevertheless, 29 tables of players braved the rain and enjoyed the potluck dinner. Dan Turkus obtained a couple of tasty turkeys that made even a novice like me look like a cook. Thanks to all who contributed food and drink and helped set up and take down the tables.

Nongyu Li & Jennifer Gu took first overall, with Dianne Shannon & Fran Dickman first in the other direction. Topping their stratifications were Dan Turkus & Doug Hong and Sherry Waki & Eileen Ewards. In the limited game it was Art & Colette Quaife in first, with Donna Webb & Gail Meikle first in the other direction and a strat top to Marilyn Cox & Linda Rallis.

The following players had games over 65% during STAC week: Bruce Scott & Jesse Merlin, Dianne Shannon, Don Nemiro, Kathy Keener & Art Fonda, Boyer Chu & Chee Tung, Erin Gove, Al Becker& Dan Turkus, John Prior & Fung Bao, Jack Verson & Dana Brown, Ron Baron.

At the Palm Springs regional, Rose Meltzer was the leading masterpoint winner. Her team won two knockouts.

There were some familiar faces at the Reno regional. Faye Parsons won in the senior Open pairs. Chin & Melody Chao were first in their strat. On winning knockout teams were Frank Lowenthal, Rose Meltzer, Joel Singer, Peggy Sprague, Kat Wesolowska and Joel Koransky.

Congratulations to our newest masters: Marilyn Bray (Junior); Rodica Cailean, Anne Chen, Ed Chen, Jim Iverson, Tim Iverson (Club); Barbara Coyle, Larry Lee (Sectional); Gail Meikle, Harry Shannon (Regional); Walid Baroudi (NABC); Linda Caren, Robert Caren (Life)

Please send suggestions and corrections to rayyuenger@comcast.net or (408)379-7717.