Jinty's class is canceled this week.

We have a big couple of weeks of Bridge ahead.  This week we are featuring STaC games with all Silver Point awards on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the big Longest Day Alzheimer's event on Thursday.  Then, next week, we have a full week of North American Pairs Games.  We'll get to those things in a moment, but first, here's a note from Sylvia about the Tournament last week.

"As Tournament Chair, I would like to acknowledge those who contributed to our tournament efforts.
 
Of course, Jan Anderson and her team captains, Connie Bridge and Carol Elson, along with many helpers provided delicious meals which were beautifully presented.  The dining room area was first class at all times.
 
Thank you to all who contributed food, June Vignati with her usual generous quantities, Richard Perez for his now famous eggplant Parmesan, and Linda Stone’s partner’s meatballs.  We now anticipate the delicious breakfast casseroles traditionally provided by Shari Hildebrandt, Pat Wilson, and Terry Wager.  Our members and guests have become spoiled and are never disappointed.
 
Again, thanks to all who donated food or money.  I should mention, though, that for the first time, we were short on dessert donations, and last-minute arrangements had to be made for Sunday’s lunch.   
 
We received numerous compliments on our food and organization.  I think Jonathon has us all well trained on setting up the playing area and we were happy he was able to assist during the Swiss team game.  We also had two excellent high school students caddying at that game.
 
We are grateful to all who helped with set up and clean up, especially David Wager (as always), Joel Atwood, Per Berg, Howard Wilson, and Phil Whitney.
 
Thanks also to Pete Chido, our partnership chair and his helper, Jinty Chappell.
 
We appreciate all members who played in the tournament (some for multiple sessions), and if more members participated we could be even more successful next time and in the years ahead.  Imagine if we added our Thursday table count to the visitor table count … it would be unbelievable!!!  We will hope for that in February.  We know it can be done!
 
Sylvia Diane Caviggia"

There's a full list of the overall winners at the bottom of this message.  Many of our club members did very well, and many more won some big masterpoints.

Now, more about this week's events.

STaC means Sectional Tournaments at Clubs.  Your score is submitted to the DIrector in Charge and is compared to all participating clubs in the Unit.  This means that you may get a big payoff in Silver masterpoints.  You could win up to 20 or more masterpoints for a single session.  Come play this Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  On Tuesday, we will have both open and 499er sections.

The Longest Day Alzheimer's Association Event is here, this Thursday, the 20th.  Everything begins a 9:00 AM with light breakfast items and the start of the silent auction.  PLEASE BRING CASH OR A CHECK IF YOU WISH TO BID ON ANY ITEMS.   We are auctioning off some very nice things with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Association.  Then, there's full day of bridge with 10:00 AM and 2:15 PM sessions, each having separate Open and 499er Sections.  We'll have a free lunch in between session, then the silent auction concludes at 2:15 PM just before the afternoon session.  Extra masterpoints are awarded and all proceeds (including the fees paid to the ACBL) are donated to the Alzheimer's.  Tom Fletcher is chairing the event this year.  Additionally, we are urgently requesting that members donate a tax-deductible contribution to the Alzheimer's Association in whatever amount you are comfortable giving by clicking on the link on our home page or the one below.  You may also donate directly at the club, but the easiest way is on the website.  Last year, our club contributed over $13,000 to the Alzheimer's Association.  Lets see if we can beat that this year!  So far, we are short of our goal, so we ask that members do whatever they can do to contribute this year.