Author: JP

Great News! The Nationals are Coming to Seattle!

JP News, Tournaments 0 Comment

The last time the Nationals were here was Fall 2011—where many of us attended our first Nationals, and some of us won our first gold points! Two of us even won a national title (Pat and Polly Dunn, Senior Mixed Pairs).  Headed by Barbara Nist, this event was an out-and-out party for the Seattle bridge community.  We had wonderful weather, put on a great bridge burlesque (shout outs to Andy Kopser, Marcia Rayton, and Ruth Bunin), ran a successful cruise for the Intermediate/Novice players (due to hard work by John Weinberg and yours truly)—it was a great time for all.

Well, we get to try it again!  D19 recently approved to have the Fall NABCs for 2027 to be held here in Seattle.  We are in the process of putting together our committees and army of volunteers needed to make this event a success. We will need help with everything from soliciting donations to manning information desks, from selecting promotional gifts for our attendees to locating entertainment, from stuffing registration bags to handing out prizes.  If we raise enough money, volunteers may get free parking or free plays for their help.  If you are interested in helping out, let me know.  Jobs can be big or small, and ideas and energy are always welcome.  Contact Ann Romeo at [email protected].

There is nothing like going to a Nationals and be able to sleep in your own bed!

The Puget Sound Regional (aka Lynnwood) is Coming!  Announcing  New Events and Time

JP News, Tournaments 0 Comment

Per usual, District 19 will be running the Puget Sound Regional in August, from Monday Aug 19 through Sunday Aug 25, at the Lynnwood Event Center.  What’s new this year?  We will be running a daylight schedule, so that most events will start at 10:00 and 3:00, with evening games starting  at 7:15.  We are also offering new events for our players: a Pro-Am game on Monday at 3:00, a Non-Life Master Charity Pairs at 7:15 on Monday night, a 0-300 Pairs on Saturday at 10:00, and finally, a Semi-Fast Pair series at 7:15 pm Tue-Friday.

Other highlights will be a charity auction run by Bridge for Youth, and our Tips for Tops, to be offered by some of our area’s best instructors. Stay tuned for more information, and if you have any questions in the meantime, contact Ann Romeo at  [email protected].

Time to Send the Kid in Your Life to CAMP!

JP Education, Special Events 0 Comment

Bridge for Youth is pleased to announce our 14th year of day summer camp for the youth in the greater Seattle area.  B4Y will be running both an IN PERSON and ONLINE Bridge Summer Camps for students grades 5-12.  The ONLINE CAMP is structured for Intermediate/Advanced skill levels. The Online Camp will be held July 29 to August 2, 2024. The hours are 10:00 AM -1200 PM PDT and 1;00 PM to 3:00 PM PDT.

The IN-PERSON CAMP welcomes all Bridge skill levels including students that have never played bridge before. The In-person camp will be held August 5-9, 2024, at the Mercer Island Congregational Church, 4545 Island Crest Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040. Hours are 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT (Bring Lunch and Snacks).

The fee for each Camp week is $150 (financial aid is available).

B4Y is proud of its many camp alumni, including Arthur and Nathan Gong, Eddy and Eric He, Daniel Balof, Jabon-winner Jessie Cai, and many of the young players you see at our mentor/mentee events.

Camp is a great way to introduce a kid to the game.  If you have any questions, or would like to help volunteer at camp, please contact Ann Romeo at [email protected].  You can also check out our webpage at https://www.b4youth.org/bridge-camp.

Remembering David Schmidt

JP Governance, News

David Schmidt, July 14, 1950 – November 20, 2023

David George Schmidt was born in Abbotsford, British Columbia and grew up on a farm in the Fraser Valley.  He earned a BA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia.  David was a past president of the BC Farm Writers Association and a past director and president of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation and is editor emeritus of Country Life in BC.  He was named BC’s Agriculturist of the Year in 2000 and received the Canadian Farm Writers Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

His business provided personal and small business tax services in British Columbia.

David loved duplicate bridge.  He joined the ACBL in 1978 and was a Sapphire Life Master.  He gave back to the game he enjoyed ― for more than two decades as a board member and treasurer for District 19.

David is remembered by duplicate players throughout the northwest for his intense play, good humor, and willingness to help.

Calling for Caddies: Teens or Spry Seniors Welcome to Apply!

JP Tournaments
We are looking for caddies for the Puget Sound Regional in Lynnwood this summer.  The dates for the event are Monday August 21-Sunday August 27.

Check your calendars and let me know if you or the teen in your life is interested in working a couple days during the week of the Puget Sound Regional.
I’m not guaranteeing anything at this time, but I suspect you will get a good chunk of the shifts in which you might be interested.

Here are the details:

  • Each shift runs approximately 4 hours: from 1:00pm-5:00pm and 7:00pm-11:00 pm.
  • Payment is $60.00 per shift.  If you work 2 shifts, you will make $120.00 for the day.
  • A tip jar will be put out, and the tips will be split amongst all the caddies after the last Sunday shift.
  • The work involves moving sets of card boards between tables as the players finish up their play.  You will also help with cleaning up the room.  You will also pick up entry forms as directed by those in charge of the game.  You will also help hand out treats to the tables during the game.
  • Mon has one shift (evening), that starts at 7:00.
  • Tue-Fri have two shifts, (1 to 5 and 7 to 11)
  • Sat has 2 shifts (10-2 and 3 to 7)
  • Sunday has 4 shifts (2 for 10 to 2:30ish, and TBA to the end)
  • You must dress appropriately–no flip flops, you should look clean and neat.  We should have t shirts and waist aprons for you this year.
  • You can bring a book or a phone, but when you are working you will need to be alert.  There will be ‘down times’ but then times of a flurry of activity.
  • You are responsible to get to the venue (in Lynnwood) and to get your own meals between sessions (if you do both sessions in a day).

Are you interested in helping?  If so, let me know what days and shifts you want to help.

Contact Ann Romeo, Tournament Chair at [email protected]