Thanks Linda! Anyone have anything to add to this month's column? Here's a draft:



We're continuing to hold two Unit games monthly on Sundays at the Arcadia Bridge Center. This month our games will be on October 10 and 24 at 12:30 p.m.

Our unit games require reservations and proof of vaccination. For a reservation, call Miriam Harrington at (626) 232-0558. You can send a photo of your vaccination card to Roy by email at unit559webmaster@gmail.com.

September's games were well attended -- eleven tables on Sept. 12 and 10 on Sept. 26. Winners on Sept. 12 were Arthur and Dominique Moore, with Madhu Sudan and Stanley Majcher running a close second playing the other direction. On Sept. 26, winners were Patrick Cardullo and Carolyn Cohen just barely shy of a 70% game! Second went to Fredy and Lulu Minter, both pairs playing N/S.

Our online players are enjoying sharing games with the players from Glendale and Santa Clarita in the Unit 556 + PPD virtual club. You may recall that over the summer Paula Olivares took over managing the online clubs so I could enjoy a break. I'm returning the favor for the Fall Quarter of 2021. Starting October 1, you'll be hearing from me rather than Paula about upcoming games. Reservations are still required, and generally only players from our combined "north LA County" units are admitted.

For any questions regarding the virtual club, you can reach the club manager at any time at virtualclub@bridgemojo.com.

My own teaching schedule is heating up. I have three online bridge classes that are in progress.

If you noticed the ACBL's "Intro to Bridge" program, they've been doing a great job of bringing in non-bridge players who want to learn the game. The goal is to provide a good foundation of basic bridge and get them ready to enjoy the game, then pass them on to teachers and clubs who are more local for them to continue on. ACBL contracted with Hall of Fame teacher Patty Tucker from Atlanta to develop a 10-week program to introduce bridge to new players.

If you noticed the offered class times, none of them were suitable for working West Coast students. All of the teachers were on the East Coast, and unwilling to spend the late night hours required to cover the West Coast. As a result, I've been drafted to join the teacher group. We already have a good collection of students enrolled for an Intro to Bridge class starting Wednesday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. Pacific time.

Also on my calendar is BridgeWhiz, the program from the ACBL Educational Foundation to bring middle- and high-school students into the game. I've been working with the "coaches" on their program tailored for kids, based on the successful program by Al Bender of Bridge for Youth in Seattle. I'm not sure when my session will be, but there's hardly anything more daunting than a Zoom meeting filled with 40 12-18 year-old kids!

Wish me luck! Hope to see you at a bridge table without a mask soon. :)

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Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA
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