November 18-November 28, 1999 Boston, Massachusetts 73rd Fall North American Bridge Championships Vol. 73, No. 1 Friday, November 19, 1999 Editors: Henry Francis and Paul Linxwiler BostonAlert! Alert! Bostonstandard standard time: time Beginning Friday, evening sessions will begin at 7:30 p.m. This is a change from previously-published schedules. The switch was made to accom- modate train and subway schedules, allowing local players to have enough time to play bridge, check their scores and get to the train or subway. In addition, Zip Don Moeller and Jim Zimmerman, right, present a Swiss and KO games that $5000 check to Joseph Silva of the Nevins Farm Equine were scheduled for mid- Center on behalf of the ACBL Charity Foundation. night will now start at 11:30 p.m. Internet champions from left to right: Eric Rodwell, Doug The only exception is the second Sunday (the last Simson, Michael Crawford, Marty Seligman, John Schuler, Paul Soloway Charity Foundation day of the NABC). honors local Americans defeat Josephhumane Silva, program director society for the Nevins Farm Russia for Internet Equine Center of Methuen MA, accepted a $5000 check from the ACBL Charity Foundation on behalf of his organization, which operates an animal shelter WorldWithout ever Championshiptouching a card and without ever see- for neglected, mistreated and abused farm animals. ing their opponents, a United States team defeated “Nevins Farm is part of the Massachusetts Soci- Russia to earn the first Internet World Bridge Cham- ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,” said pionship. The 48-board match took place here at the Silva, who notes that the MSPCA is the largest hands- Hotel Marriott yesterday. Russia led, 56-45, at the half- on humane society in the country. way mark, but the Americans took complete charge “Through shelters, hospitals, law enforcement and over the final 24 boards to win 123-69. a host of other programs, we come into contact with Larry Cohen and Patron Member Ed Ulman Out of an original field of 172 teams from 33 coun- more than a quarter of a million animals a year. tries, Russia and the United States were the only sur- “Our program is a private, non-profit organization vivors. Each finalist team was given $5000. that receives no state or federal dollars. Our operating Russia took the lead in the first half, capitalizing funds come through donations and from countless in- Patron Member, on a couple of vulnerable slam swings. But the Ameri- dividuals who contribute thousands of man-hours each cans came back strong in the second half to pull away year.” for the victory. Although the Nevins Farm Equine Center is lo- Cohen team up in Never has there been a tournament like this. Ev- cally based, it performs equine care and rescue all over ery one of the 700-plus competitors sat alone in front the U.S. and Canada. of his computer screen in his own home as he played. “Our program has a national outreach,” said Silva. ACBL CharityPatron Member Ed Pairs Ulman of Portland OR Not only did they never see an opponent – they never “We have a total open-door policy in which we take won the recent drawing to play with expert player and even saw their partner during any match. And through all animals. We also run an adoption agency to help author Larry Cohen in the Charity Pairs last night. the magic of computer technology, they never touched place these animals in appropriate environments.” “Larry was absolutely great to play with. It was an a card! (From the quarterfinals on, a monitor was Silva believes the program’s chief beneficiaries, extremely enjoyable evening,” said Ulman, a Gold Life present with each player to verify that everything was however, are people. Master, who added, “I only wish the day hadn’t been according to Hoyle.) “Our organization promotes kindness, compassion so long. I got up at 4 a.m. --- Pacific time.” The final was staged in similar fashion. The only and respect for all living things. Our farm also plays a Ulman is retired from the Chrysler Corporation, difference was that all the players were here in Bos- valuable role in assisting people who have experienced where he worked for 30 years. ton. Each player made his own bids and plays — the tough situations in life --- special-needs kids, battered Cohen, who regularly plays with the winner of the Pa- computer did everything else. The computer produced wives and other groups who seem to benefit from be- tron Member drawing at each NABC, said, “Ed’s a good and displayed the hands, showed all the bids and plays, ing able to interact with and actually touch the ani- player. We had a nice session except for the two zeros we kept score, etc. mals. This program is about people.” started with, one of which ocurred whenI got us overboard.” Bridge players all over the world followed the Silva thanked the ACBL Charity Foundation, “for The pair finished above average and scratched in match as it happened. Local players were entertained its generosity in promoting our cause. We’re grateful their section. at the Marriott where the match was covered live on to everyone involved in our selection as the donation Cohen said, “The deals were interesting and Ed vugraph with commentary by Howard Weinstein, Jim recipient. We also wish to thank the ACBL members did a lot of nice things.” He pointed out this deal as an Linhart and Peter Weichsel. for this wonderful gift.” example: Simultaneously OKbridge, the primary sponsor, Continued on page 3 Silva was presented the check by Charity Founda- Continued on page 4 tion members Don Moeller and Jim Zimmerman. Members interested in an information packet or in making a contribution to the MSPCA and/or Nevins Farm Special parkingAll-day parking rates is available Equine Center may contact Silva at 978-687-1150. on weekends, Thanksgiving Day Boston logo and the day after Thanksgiving for only $8 at the John Hancock Oil painting drawing parking garage. You must get your Today’s special door prize will be an original parking ticket validated at the Hospitality Desk at ei- oil painting done by Carolyn Weiser, chairperson ther hotel before the afternoon or the evening session. of the volunteers for this tournament. There is a $6 rate after 5 p.m. – validation is nec- The prize is being offered by the essary. Eastern Massachusetts Bridge Asso- The John Hancock garage is two blocks from the ciation, today’s tournament host. Marriott on the right-hand side of Clarendon Street, one block past the Hard Rock Café. Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS Avoid expensive parking rates -- use 9:00 a.m. - Noon TAP I, Suffolk Room,Friday, Marriott Nov. 19 9:00 a.m. - Noon Easybridge! accreditation course A with Easybridge! creator Edith McMullin and Forpublic local players transportation and those staying at hotels (with- Marti Ronemus. Wellesley Room, Marriott. out shuttle service) a fair distance away from the 10:00 a.m. - Noon Members of unit and district boards are invited to discuss ideas for marketing Marriott/Westin complex, substantial savings from in- programs. Nantucket Room, Marriott. ner city parking rates can be made by using Boston’s 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Harriette Buckman, Bridge: The Brain Mass. Bay Transit Authority, or the “T”, as it is usu- Game, Salon G, Marriott. Buckman, Lincolnwood IL, is District 13’s representative ally called. on the ACBL Board of Directors. She is a past president of the Chicago Contract The nearest station to the playing sites is Back Bay Bridge Association and the ACBL Educational Foundation. (Westin Hotel is on the right one-half block from the 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Easybridge! accreditation course B with Easybridge! creator Edith McMullin and Dartmouth St. entrance) on the Orange Line (Parking Marti Ronemus. Wellesley Room, Marriott. lots at Forest Hills, Wellington in Medford, Sullivan 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Richard Budd, Double ... and Then, Square, and Oak Grove in Melrose). Salon G, Marriott. Budd, Portland ME, a retired physicist, is a Diamond Life If you use the Red Line (Parking lots in Braintree, Master with about 70 regional victories. Quincy-Adams, and Alewife in Cambridge), change 11:30 p.m. Entertainment: strings trio -- violin, flute and cello. Third floor atrium, Marriott. to the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing, and go to- Food treat: New England clam chowder. Fourth floor atrium, Marriott; Staffordshire wards Forest Hills three stops to Back Bay. Room, Westin If you use the Blue Line (parking at Wonderland in Revere), change to the Orange Line at State, and go Saturday, Nov. 20 towards Forest Hills four stops to Back Bay. Junior Day & Dress-up Night If you use the Green Line (trolleys) (parking at Riverside near Wellesley-Newton line just off I-95/128, 9:00 a.m. - Noon Easybridge! accreditation course B with Easybridge! creator Edith McMullin and and at Woodland, Waban, Chestnut Hill, and a limited Marti Ronemus. Simmons Room, Marriott. number of parking spots at some other stops on the 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Coffee with Jane: Jane Johnson, manager of ACBL’s Club-Membership Department, Riverside [D] Line), your shortest route would be to will answer questions about clubs and club games. Nantucket Room, Marriott. get off at Copley Station, which is on all branches (B, 10:00 a.m. - Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Harold Feldheim, well-known bridge writer and teacher. C, D & E) of the Green Line, and walk one block, past Feldheim presents an entertaining free lesson designed to make players more the Boston Public Library (to the Westin), or two blocks comfortable in the Intermediate/Newcomer Program at the NABC.