It’s sure starting to feel like summer. I’m just back from the California Capital regional with a sunburn from reading bridge tips by the pool. Others were hot in Sacramento too. A Swiss team including Will Watson and Sathya Bettadapura won the premier two-day event. For a real string of twos, in two-session pair games, Ted Richmond & William Reister, Jr.(the 2nd) twice finished 2nd. Diane Shannon had a 1st place finish with Frank Warzek and a 2nd place finish with Jyme Schmieder. Pat Hannah & Ivan Rose were 2nd in another two-session pairs game. Gigi Spinazze’s team won their knockout bracket. Other local regional successes should be reported elsewhere in this paper.

When the dust settled from the district’s grand national B team competition, our unit helped field the 1st-place team, providing Frank Smoot and Rick Jasper, and the 2nd place team, with Stu Goodgold. Good luck at the nationals, guys!

At the Oakland sectional, James Long had a section top, Tony Staw had strat top. At the Vallejo sectional, Lynn Yokel had a section top.

I’m so pleased to report there were 64 winners at our unit’s pro-am unit game, too many to name. Thanks to Lynn Yokel’s ceaseless efforts and effective persuasion, the club was filled to capacity with 16 tables of people getting down to the basics, socializing, and enjoying bridge with a new partner. Morey Goldstein & Robert Jonesi were 1st overall. Laura Walters & Marshall Yancey were 1st in their direction. We had world champions (Rose Johnson-Meltzer) playing with Easybridge students (Donna Webb). Thanks to each “pro” who showed interest in passing along their bridge wisdom. We hope to repeat this success by having two pro-ams a year.

Those who attended June’s member appreciation dinner will have learned that Lynn (guess who?), Dan Turkus, and Bill Langlois were re-elected to the unit board. New board members are Phyllis Vierra, Art Fonda, and George Pledger. Phyllis is moving rapidly, as usual, from beginning with Easybridge last fall to joining the unit board. At this rate she may overtake her teacher, Lynn.

I hope by the time you read this director Al Becker will have fully recuperated from heart surgery. (No truth to the rumor he was given a new one.)

The bridge community lost a long-time member with the passing of Val Ciochon. Condolences to his wife Glenda.

If you are looking for an experienced partner, you could not find one with more experience than Noemi Anderson, who is still playing day games in our club at the age of 102. She is an inspiration to all of us.

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