BoardTalk Boulder Unit 359

November 2008

Letter from the President

First – to everyone who brought food (or donated cash for food) to our October Kay McKenna Fall Sectional, a huge THANK YOU ! Personally, I thought the goodies were the best ever this time. Our food czar Kurt Simmons outdid him-self. Also, Sally Ann Rhea deserves our gratitude for arranging for us to borrow chair cushions from CU’s Shakespeare Festival. S.A., we appreciate it ! We are considering some substantial schedule changes for the May 2009 Boulder Bonanza. Foremost among them is proba-bly that the Saturday Pairs games will be at 10:00am and 3:00pm, not the customary 1 and 7pm times. Also, few play-ers seem 100% satisfied with the 8:45am start time for the kickoff Knockout Team event on Friday morning. We will consider some adjustment here as well. A later start might draw a larger field, but we do need to allow sufficient time for lunch between the morning KO and afternoon Pairs/KO ses-sions. We also want to leave a comfortable dinner gap be-tween the afternoon and evening games, while at the same time starting the evening game at a decent hour. The prox-imity of many restaurants to the Fairgrounds should help us in our planning. On the subject of change, we have implemented a new “Suggestions” feature on our Unit website, www.boulderbridge.org. You will see the ‘Suggestions’ but-ton in the upper right when you arrive at the site. Just click the button and follow the link from there. This “Suggestions” feature was in fact suggested by one of our Unit members. So, we suggest that you use the new Suggestions feature to suggest to the Board any suggestions you have toward im-proving our collective bridge experience. See you at the Holi-day Party on December 7! Bill Brackett, President

Shuffle Board

2008 has seen many changes for the Unit Board. We started the year with Sally Ann Rhea (aka BT Editor) taking over Jeanne Grays’s term which runs through 2009. Early in the year our former president John Bortins moved to Florida which created another vacancy for his term which was due to run through 2008. Bill Brackett took over the presidential role, but we were unable to fill John’s position until recently when Karen Renne agreed to serve. In addition to John’s (now Karen’s) expiring term, two others expire at the end of 2008, Reiko Raese’s and Bill’s. President Bill and Karen have de-cided not to run for another term. Confused yet? The bottom line is that we have three open positions and three enthusias-tic, qualified members of 359 willing to serve. Although most of you know them, we provide the following biographies

which may help you appreciate their talents even more. The current board recommends that you approve all three by bringing the ballot at the botto of page 5 to the annual mem-bership meeting, known more fondly as the Holiday Party. If you prefer, you may mail the ballot to our Secretary, Mary Roble at 3475 Longwood Ave., Boulder CO 80305.

Gena Brooks started playing bridge in college but says it wasn't even good party bridge. In 1970 she took her first dupli-cate lessons in old-style Goren with 4-card majors. She didn’t play much then and when she re-started in 2001 discov-ered that practically everything was dif-ferent. Her favorite thing about the game is that her husband Bill enjoys it as much as she does so it is something they can do together. She also appreciates the chal-

lenges, the people, and the opportunity to have a reason to travel to fun places with like minded people.

Both of their daughters live in the area so two years ago she and Bill sold their ranch in Texas and headed north to get here in time for the birth of their granddaughter. When asked what she does when not playing bridge she responded that it seems as if they spend most of their time moving or preparing to do so. She hopes that this November when they move to Anthem will be the last move for a long time. Having been in the res-taurant/catering/hospitality business for 30 years, she and Bill seem to gravitate to those areas if they think they can be of assistance.

Anne Fenerty started her bridge career playing with her parents in Hungary. However, when she came to Canada on a scholarship she did not play bridge at University at all. She started playing duplicate when working at her first job, 300 miles north of Montreal, Quebec, where she was working as a chemist in an electrometallurgical research lab for Alcan. During the long, cold winters

new arrivals at the lab were invited to join a friendly game of bridge. Things were complicated by the alternate use of French and English. She once doubled the wrong game when she thought it was “coeur”, instead of “carreau” as pro-nounced by a gentleman chewing on a cigar.

Subsequently Anne completed an MS in inorganic chemistry, taught at a community college in Michigan and, after her hus-band was transferred overseas, started a PhD at the Imperial College in London. On returning to the US, after two years in

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the UK, she worked at an industrial lab in Colorado and briefly taught at a community college in Denver. She moved to Colorado in 1971 when her husband was offered a job here. She has been involved with a number of social and political organizations, boards, and commissions. She and her husband hike, ski, and travel. They have two adult sons who live in Louisville and in San Jose, CA, respec-tively.

Reiko Raese has been an active and dedicated board member for the past two terms. She is currently the Part-nership Chair, facilitating partner-ships as needed at all of our section-als and unit games. Her hope for bridge in the area is that more young people and retired people start play-ing the game.

She moved to Boulder when her husband got a job at Ball Brothers. He earned his graduate degree at CU while Reiko earned an undergraduate degree in Math. They started playing at their home here in Boul-der when her husband’s great aunt told them that being able to play bridge was simply a matter of good social eti-quette. Jack played socially but really prefered riding his bicycle (and this year was able to participate in Ride the Rockies as part of the USGS team). Reiko however, echo-ing Anne’s concern, became addicted to the game. She enjoys the social aspect and being able to meet many inter-esting people and having some of them become good friends. On the rare occasions when not playing bridge, Reiko and Jack attend performing arts in Boulder and Den-ver and are subscribers to CU concerts, Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, Denver Center attractions and the Colorado Ballet.

Recent Results

It seems that not many 359 players traveled to the more distant Colorado sectionals this fall, or if they did, they didn’t fare well, as we had no winners at the Glenwood Springs 299er event. Only two placed in Pueblo—Suzanne Jones placing 1st in the Saturday KO and 2A in the Sunday Swiss and Joanna Chau 1B in the Swiss. At the Montrose Sectional, two pairs from Summit County placed in the stratified pairs—Hans & Sandra Kischnerus Friday eve-ning 1/2C-3/4B and Stephen & Tamara McCammon 3C on Friday and 2C on Saturday. Brigitte Shaw placed 2A in the Saturday event. Closer to home our I/N players did very well in the Denver 299er tournament. Hans & Sandra placed 1B/3A Saturday afternoon, followed by Phyllis Coelho & Jean Ingram 2B, and Joyce Bograd & Judy Walker 3C. That evening Jane Baryames & Kurt Simmons placed 1A, Thad & Mindy Smith 1/2B & 2/3A, and Joyce & Judy again captured 3C. In the Sunday Swiss Sunny Gilbert, Barbara Yoshimura, Karen Herz & Ellen Vineski were 1A/B and John Childs, Don Lilley, Phyllis Coelho & Nancy Hertfelder were 1C/2B/3A. Phyllis placed 3rd overall in the tournament with Unit 359 players in 7 of the 10 top spots!

In the recent Northern Colorado Nov 1st 299er event our group did well Saturday afternoon. Kurt Simmons & Scott Needham placed 3A, Phyllis & Nancy 3B, Carol & Tad Koch 1C, Bob Martin & Rosemarie Getsie 2C, and John & Pam Rifkin won the 0-20 section. At our own 300+ Unit Game that day, we were bested by some of our favorite Denver players as Spencer Jones & Peggy Ware won overall. However, our pride was restored as our own players, Vincent Bates & Andrea Kutscher, won the B strat. We also represented our unit well at the Colorado Springs Re-gional. On day one, in the KO’s Suzanne Jones placed 3/4 in bracket 1 and Brigitte Shaw won bracket 2. Mary Ellen Nickode-mus & Jane Baryames placed 3D in a 199er event and 2C in a Swiss that night. In the open pairs Robert Sherman & Gary Steiner were 3A. On Wednesday Marie Kruse placed 3C in a side game and Arlene Hunter & Patricia Soukup placed 2C/3A/B. In Thursday side games and open pairs Ole Nordhild placed 2C, Sally Ann Rhea & Karen Herz placed 3C, and Jim Hoerlein & Charlie Anderson placed 2A. Jim & Charlie, along with Jeanne Gray, also placed 3/4 in bracket 2 of a KO that day while Jean Grunwald won the Swiss. In Friday side games Mary Roble & Judy Bowers placed 1C-2/3B/A, Arlene & Patricia placed 1B/C-3A, and Ellen Vineski & Karen Herz placed 2C. In compacts concluding Saturday, Sally Ann Rhea, Kelly Wawrzynek, Mike Stabler & Ole Nordhild won the Monarch bracket 2 while in the Climax Vincent Bates, Anne Vincent, Paul Flanders & Andrea Kutscher placed 2nd in bracket 2, Nettie Ashbee placed 3rd/4th in bracket 3, and Mary Roble, Judy Bowers, & Gena Brooks placed 2nd in bracket 4. Tamara & Stephen McCammon won 1D in the Saturday afternoon 199er. And finally, in the Sunday Swiss games, Jim Hoerlein, Jeanne Gray, & Charlie Anderson placed 2X, Vincent, Anne, Paul & Andrea 1C/2B, and Carolyn Spicer, Joyce Bograd, Phyllis Coelho, & Nancy Hertfelder placed 3rd in the 199er. Wow—that’s a lot of wins in a lot of places!

McKenna Results

Friday Bracketed Kos, Bkt 1 1 Tom Stack, Richard Laver, Gary Greene, Robert Sherman 2 Steven Cooper, Kitty Cooper, Tom Breed, Kenneth Stuckey Friday Bracketed Kos, Bkt 2 1 Margaret Jones, Maud Greer, Carter Dorrell, Joan Stern 2 Ralph Cox, Molly Kienker, Karen Williams Cox, Michael Zimmerman Friday Bracketed Kos, Bkt 3 1 Edward Halteman, Laurie Simons, Patricia Hoadley, Judith Bowers 2 Phyllis Coelho, David Briggs, Douglas Madison, Wilhelmena Haynes Fri Aft Open Pairs Strat A 1 Chuck Henke, Donald Vancil 2 Allen Kane, En Hay 3/4 Marilyn Eber,James LaForce 3/4 Barbara Meier, Martin Gutschenritter Fri Aft Open Pairs Strat B 1 Susan Wong, Marie Smerjac 2 Leona Schuler, Betty Jacobson 3 Douglas Watt, Norman Watt

Shuffle Board (cont.)

Fri Aft Open Pairs Strat C 1 Leona Schuler, Betty Jacobson 2 A Hunter, Patricia Soukup, 3/4 Ellen Tallman, Peter Tallman 3/4 Sally Ann Rhea, Kelly Wawrzynek Fri Aft 299er Pairs Strat D 1 Theo Meyer, Joanne Berger 2 Paul Nelson, Janet Nelson 3 Jeff Kitman, Sheryl Siegel Fri Aft 299er Pairs Strat E 1 Theo Meyer, Joanne Berger 2 William Jeffers, Gene Kuehn 3 Rosemary Getsie, Jean Hupka Fri Aft 299er Pairs Strat F 1 William Jeffers, Gene Kuehn 2 Karen Lamb, Shirley Brown Fri Eve A/X Str-Flt Pairs, A 1 Allen Kane, En Hay 2 Susan Grauer, Alice Kinningham 3 Dennis Goldston, Bonnie Bagley Fri Eve A/X Str-Flt Pairs, X 1 Susan Grauer, Alice Kinningham 2 William Brackett, Jim Johnson 3 Barbara Meier, Martin Gutschenritter Fri Eve B/C Str-Flt Pairs, B 1 A Hunter, Patricia Soukup 2 Nettie Ashbee, Julie Leman 3 George Varra, Elizabeth Varra Fri Eve B/C Str-Flt Pairs, C 1 A Hunter, Patricia Soukup 2 George Varra, Elizabeth Varra 3 Barbara Yoshimura, Sunny Gilbert Fri Eve 299er Pairs, Strat D 1 Joyce Bograd, Judith Walker 2 Thad Smith, Mindy Smith 3 Paul Nelson, Janet Nelson Fri Eve 299er Pairs, Strat E 1 Joyce Bograd, Judith Walker 2 Robert Martin, Debbie Shaffer 3 Kamilla Macar, Raymond Cole Sat Open Pairs, Strat A 1 Susan Grauer, Tom Breed 2 Earl Tackman, Larry Dolan 3 Marilyn Eber, Bonnie Smith Sat Open Pairs, Strat B 1 Vincent Bates, Andrea Kutscher 2 Robert Lupton, Robert Paris 3 Ginny Macey, Yvonne Quintal Sat Open Pairs, Strat C 1 Ole Nordhild, Gerdur Kristjansdottir 2 Karen Williams Cox, Cornelia Snyder 3 William Greeley, Gail Greeley Sat Aft Strat Side Pairs, A & B 1 Douglas Watt, Norman Watt 2 Kristi Endelicato, James Endelicato 3 Barbara Ellington, Bill Hendrick

Sat Aft Strat Side Pairs, C 1 Barbara Ellington, Bill Hendrick 2 Michael Lee Stabler, Robert Martin 3 Mary Ellen Nickodemus, Laurie Simons Sat Aft 299er Pairs, Strat D 1 Tony Allitto, Kathleen Allitto 2 John Hall, Brian Agnes 3 William Arkin, Donna Arkin Sat Aft 299er Pairs, Strat E 1 Tony Allitto, Kathleen Allitto 2 John Hall, Brian Agnes 3 Vicki Hamende, Jerry Potter Sat Aft 299er Pairs, Strat F 1 Tony Allitto, Kathleen Allitto 2 Pamela Rifkin, John Rifkin Sat Eve 299er Pairs, Strat D 1 Robert Dean, Sherry Levitt 2 Ellen Vineski, Kelly Wawrzynek 3 Brian Agnes, John Hall Sat Eve 299er Pairs, Strat E 1 Ellen Vineski, Kelly Wawrzynek 2 Brian Agnes, John Hall 3 Jane Henninger, Donald Henninger Sat Eve 299er Pairs, Strat F 1 Brian Agnes, John Hall 2 Tony Allitto, Kathleen Allitto Sunday A/X Str-Fltd Swiss, A 1/3 Brandon Sheumaker, Bill Allegar, Dom Di Felice, Donald Vancil 1/3 Jan Janitschke, Spencer Jones, Peggy Ware, Garth Yettick 1/3 Ernest Skolnik, Donald Boyarsky, Marilyn Eber, Dan Marthaler Jr Sunday A/X Str-Fltd Swiss, X 1 Brandon Sheumaker, Bill Allegar, Dom Di Felice, Donald Vancil 2 Jim Johnson, William Brackett, Jeffrey Brown, Audrius Mizeikis 3 Clinton Heiple, Paul Haynes Woody Dillinger, Katelin Yates Sunday B/C/D Strflt Swiss, B 1 Andrew Johnson, James Zuboy, Judith Hardie, Denise Desbarats 2 Emil Dimitrov, David Macey, Ginny Macey, Yvonne Quintal 3 Bob Reinman, Robert McKenzie, Michael Schneider, Joanna Chau Sunday B/C/D Strflt Swiss, C 1 Graeme Hennessey, June Bock, Thad Smith, Mindy Smith 2 Bill Hendrick, Barbara Ellington, Robert Butcher, Judith Butcher 3 Richard Webster, Margaret Webster, L Yudien, Bill Dorin Sunday B/C/D Strflt Swiss, D 1 Graeme Hennessey, June Bock, Thad Smith, Mindy Smith 2 Douglas Madison, Wilhelmena Haynes, Brian Moore, Rebecca Ruttenberg 3 Ross Passarelli, Carolyn Passarelli, Karen Lamb, Pat Carrick

Treasurers Report - 9/8/08 to 11/1/08 Jim Hoerlein, Treasurer Kitty Cooper’s

Top Ten Tips for Teams

Kitty Cooper who moved to Ft. Collins last year is one of Colorado’s three Grand Life Masters (ACBL members who have more than 10,000 points and have also won a national championship) and its only World Champion. Last summer when my GNTeam was preparing for the national contest we consulted Kitty. For a very reasonable fee she met with us for an afternoon, advised us via e-mail, and has been a steady cheerleader ever since. Much of her advice had to do with social, emotional and physical preparation for developing the esprit de corps and stamina needed for a long contest such as the GNT. However, I also distilled the following top ten tips for practical play that apply to any team event. Most will be familiar to experienced players, but a few may surprise you. 1. Overtricks and extra setting tricks don’t matter—take safety plays to insure your contract and cash setting tricks immedi-ately; however, the shorter the match the less true this is. 2. Bid marginal vulnerable games but agree about inviting and accepting aggressively, e.g. invite conservatively and accept aggressively, but don’t bid aggressively in both directions. 3. Do not risk doubling part-scores into games but do double games you think you can set. 4. Be conservative bidding slams, especially bidding grand slams. 5. Be an active but thoughtful preempter—in 1st seat tend to have a good suit when vulnerable, exercise discipline in 2nd seat as you are likely to be preempting partner, get frivolous in 3rd seat because now you know whom you are preempting. 6. Don’t aggressively compete for part scores, especially in minor suits; only balance if you have a reasonable expectation of making the contract. 7. Claim early and often to avoid time trouble on the challeng-ing hands. 8. Likewise, minimize socializing during play to avoid time trouble later. 9. Play fast in a hopeless situation—it might induce opponent error. 10. Don’t change your style based on results—when ahead don’t switch to conservative play and when behind don’t be-come reckless. Kitty doesn’t have time to advise bridge players on a regular basis, but loves to help people improve and is especially inter-ested in helping those who are teaching kids to play. She in-vites you to visit and download anything you like at her web-site Bridge.KittyCooper.com.

Last Checking Balance: 5,953.67

Income:

McKenna Sectional entries 295 x $32 9,440.00 McKenna Sectional non-member fee 1.00

McKenna Sectional Sunday food fee 1,296.00

Mckenna Sectional Donations 244.50

Membership reimburse 200.37

Total Income: 11,181.87 Expenses:

Spring Sectional Flyers 9.00 McKenna Sectional Flyers 18.00

McKenna Sectional Scorecard Ad 75.00

McKenna Sectional Fairgrounds Rental 1,187.60

McKenna Sectional Fairgrounds Deposit 296.80

McKenna Sectional Caddys 520.00

McKenna Sectional Kitchen Helper 450.00

McKenna Sectional Chef 750.00

McKenna Sectional Sunday Pizza 668.80

McKenna Sectional Food, Supplies 1,053.46

McKenna Sectional Directors 2,698.80

McKenna Sectional Sectional Surcharge 135.00

McKenna Sectional Sanction fee 843.70

McKenna Sectional Hand Records 150.66

McKenna Sectional Preduplicated Boards 136.00

McKenna Sectional Free Plays (0-5 MP) 200.00

McKenna Sectional Free Plays (Board) 56.00

McKenna Sectional Free Plays (Fillin) 48.00

Board Member Nametags 5.00

Newsletter Printing 89.12

Newsletter Mailing 136.00

Clipboards, Fairgrounds Signs 179.63

Senior Center Rent - Nov 1 unit game 150.00

Remembrance 50.00

Total Expense: 9,906.57

Final Checking Balance: 7,228.97

Final Savings Balance: 7,939.02

Total Assets: 15,167.99

Thanks from Kurt I would like to thank everyone in the unit for their contributions to the success of the food at the Kay McKenna Fall Sectional. Whether it was healthy food, a dessert, ingredients, time, attendance, or money all contributions were welcome and appreciated. The only complaint I heard all weekend was about that horrid Green Tea Ginger Ale and I take full responsibility for that. As the face of the kitchen I heard most of the compliments, but I know most of those compliments belong to unit members so I wanted to pass on the thanks I received in the kitchen. (I'm going to keep the marshmallow compliments because those are such fun, but everyone can share the rest.) — Kurt

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BALLOT for UNIT 359 Board Member Election

Please vote for 3 Board Members who will each serve 3-year terms 2009-2011 Yes No Gena Brooks Anne Fenerty Reiko Raese _________________ Please drop off ballot at the Holiday Party on December 7 or mail it to our Secretary, Mary Roble, at 3475 Longwood Ave., Boulder CO 80305 before that date.

Laughs from Larry

Several issues back I shared the brilliance of a partner who opined during the pre-game interchanges that after "Blackwood and Stayman, each system added, decreased bridge judgment proportionately!" AND then took but 2 bids to put me in 6S, down 1. Now, I have a new bit of profundity; "When you and partner have 16 low level responses to describe both length and hon-ors in trumps and do not use them you will go down 3." Case in point--holding, A109xx, AKxx, xx, xx, I responded 1S showing at least 5+S(s) and 8+ high card pts. to pard’s Precision opening of 1C. He or she inquired 1NT, which asks for controls (A=2, K=1), I proudly said 2S(s), showing 5 controls. NOW is (99.99% of the time) our arrogant use of our 16!!! low level asking bids. BUT NO! he or she bids 6 NT. DOWN 3! Softly, inquired I, “WHY??” "My bad," he or she said, “I thought you had 5 Kings".

—Larry Logic from Suzanne

Dear Unit Members: For the past two years I've lobbied the Board to change the schedules for the Boulder (Longmont) tournament. I'm told the Board actually discussed some changes and decided to "leave things as they were." I don't know their reasoning. Boulder tournaments draw the majority of participants from the Denver area, a few from Colorado Springs and Northern Colorado and a stray or two from beyond the divide. Starting

the KO events at 8:45am effectively prevents many from participating. Try driving from the south through Denver in Friday's rush hour traffic and see if it promotes the any desire to play in that event. Other units (other than Denver, which has all the partici-pants it apparently wants) have schedules that are far more attractive. For example: Ft. Collins starts the KO at Friday at 1:00pm, concurrent with a single session of pairs. If, alas, you are knocked out, you can still play in the single session pair event that evening. If you play your way to the finals, you'll have to get up Saturday morning to play at 9:00am, a hardship that most would brave to be in the fi-nals of the event. Another successful schedule (Pueblo, which draws MOST of its participants from Denver): Two single session pairs on Friday, the first starting at 1:00pm. It starts its KO on Saturday morning at 9:00am (not much traffic to fight); its double session pairs (with add-ins in the evening, refugees from latter stages of the KO) starting at l:00pm. I don't know of any other unit which currently starts its KO Friday mornings. And of course none at 8:45am. A couple of years ago, a pair from Colorado Springs, staggered in at 9:05am but alas, were not permitted to play. Haven't seen 'em since. Knockouts are a lot of fun for everyone. Larger turnouts for KO's mean more masterpoints for EVERYONE. I strongly urge you to convince the board of the desirability of changing the present schedule. Thanks,

Suzanne Jones

Questions? Comments? Ideas for articles or articles themselves? E-mail rhea@colorado.edu. The BT editor wishes to thank Karen Renne for the excellent photography in this issue.

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

BOULDER CO PERMIT NO. 769

Karen Renne 1325-D Bear Mountain Drive Boulder, CO 80305

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Bill Brackett President Mary Roble Vice President & Secretary Jim Hoerlein Treasurer Karen Renne Membership

The 2008 Board

Swiss Team Corley Friesen, Marie Kruse Donna & Edward Ozark

Reiko Raese Partnership Sally-Ann Rhea Publications Darwyn Herbst Tourn. Chair/Special Events Mike Morter Tournaments/Special Events Barbara Yoshimura Tournaments/Special Events

McKenna Sectional Winners

Upcoming Games Holiday Party—Sunday, December 7 Spice of Life Conference Center (Flatirons Golf Course), 12:30pm celebration, 1:00 pm game time Unit GNT Qualifier—TBA

Friday Aft Open Pairs Leona Schuler & Betty Jacobsen

Friday Evening 299er, D/E Judy Walker Joyce Bograd

Swiss B/C Mindy & Thad Smith June Bock, not pictured- Graeme Hennessey

Swiss A Judie Hardie & Denise Desbarats not pictured-Andy Johnson & James Zuboy

Saturday Aft 299er D/E/F Kathleen & Tony Allitto