This column will arrive about the time that 2006 does. That licenses me to say something profound about a new year and the passage of time. Unfortunately, my pro-found is lost. It seems I’m turning the calendar pages quicker. Perhaps the only antidote is to generate more memories, so that’s my new year’s wish for you.

The weather was kind while I attended the Denver nationals. What a charming city, with free shuttle buses up and down the street outside the host hotel. Indoors, on winning knockout teams were Rose Meltzer and Marcia & Robert Dean. Rose’s team also won a Swiss event. Lynn Yokel and Li-Chung Chen were on winning compact knockout teams. One lesson from the nationals is that there are a lot of good bridge players out there, so keep practicing.

At the Sacramento sectional, Will Watson & Sathya Bettadapura and Michael Fleisher & Mindy Foos had strat tops in a two-session pairs game. Michael also had a strat top in the Diablo Valley sectional, as did Josephine Murray & Erma McCrory. Tania Moalem won the two-session pairs game. Tania’s Swiss team, including Jack Verson, Dana Brown & Bruce Luttrell, also won their bracket, as did Amar & Susama Chunder.

Congratulations to Tania for reaching her goal of Gold Life Master and to these other new masters: Mindy Foos (Silver), Neil Robinson (Bronze), Judith Israel (NABC), Amar Chunder (Sectional), Mary Henderson and David Sisson (Club).

Please let me know about corrections, additions, and news at rayyuenger@comcast.net or (408)379-7717. Old columns are located under old stuff at sjbridge.org.