Southern California Volume 52, #4 BrApril 2016 idge NewsPublished By ALACBU President’s Message Board Passes Balanced Budget by Kevin Lane, District Director Reno Tales by Mike Marcucci, District 23 President Bridge is a game and should be fun A week at an NABC is always interesting and Reno was no differ- I enjoyed the Reno NABC. I did ent. The fact that the Lavazza team return home a week ago with an won the Vanderbilt took me back upper respiratory infection that I'm to 2001 when I attended my first just now overcoming. Many players NABC in Las Vegas. Got those have reported similar health issues first gold points. Didn’t know what which they attribute to the Reno hotels allowing smok- gold points were. Could not under- ing. On the positive side, the main ballroom offered stand my partner from Canada jumping up and down great smoke-free playing conditions and hotels and res- when we won our Zip Swiss bracket. Lots of fun taking taurants were plentiful and reasonably-priced. advantage of the town – gambling a little and having At the Reno board meeting, the board balanced the breakfast at 4 a.m. Took golf clubs and played a very budget. In fact, the board finally approved an operat- cold and windy round at the old Desert Inn course be- ing budget with a surplus of $100K. The board voted to fore they closed it. Enjoyed the history of it. Played with cut a number of costs including $15K in the president's a guy from Miami and his girlfriend. Did not break 100 budget. The board worked very hard over the past six but who cares? months to adjust costs and revenues to absorb substan- This year, Lavazza did a wire-to-wire job on the tial increases in technology, cheating prevention and Vanderbilt. Lots of strong competition but the Multi- other costs. Continent team had their act together. Didn’t see the The board voted to reduce the Cooperative Adver- celebration but an NABC+ win just MUST be a thrill tising Program from a 75% reimbursement to a 50% no matter how many others are on the resume. Watched reimbursement. Clubs and units use this program to one round where Marty Fleisher won out over Meike subsidize advertising. Although this program is only Wortel. Very serious and very time consuming. Filled being reduced for now, the momentum on the board is in for dummy a few times. Think I deserve a sliver of with eliminating the program entirely so speak up if platinum for that. you feel the program is useful. One problem with this The hotels were downtown and connected to- DIRECTOR gether – mostly. Got the idea that the El Dorado, Silver continued on page 2 Legacy, and Circus Circus are all part of the same con- Inside This Issue glomerate so the cooperation was understandable. Only Balboa Sectional ............................................ page 7 had to go outside for one of the ballrooms where most Grand National Teams ..................................page 15 of the NABC+ events were held. Lots of players prob- Las Vegas Regional ......................................page 12 ably stayed inside for their whole stay and never knew Los Angeles Regional - June 2016 ................ page 4 whether it was night or day. They plan it that way, of Problem Solvers Panel .................................page 13 course. A fair number of D23 players were there. Hope Rank Changes ..............................................page 12 Torrance Sectional ........................................page 11 PRESIDENT continued on page 2 District 23 Grand National Teams Qualifying Events are this month. See schedule on page 16 April 2016 page 2 DIRECTOR continued from page 1 vor reviewing the new scheme for a PRESIDENT continued from page 1 couple years before entertaining a program is that it's very difficult to new vote on the matter. they all enjoyed their travel as much tell whether the benefits outweight What I care about is the health as I did. A few tales may be in this the costs. I favor giving the new of bridge overall. This meeting paper from other players for you to 50% reimbursement level a chance therefore marked the start of my ef- enjoy. I haven’t seen their articles to play out. forts to raise awareness of the im- but know what Fred Upton and John The most contentious motion portance of clubs, units and districts Ramos would like you to hear about. beforeFor athe Grand board Slam switched in Real respon Estate,- Call– and Your other Own people/organizations ACBL Members If you haven’tFor been a Grandto an NABC Slam inyet, Real Estate, Call Your Own ACBL Members sibility for hearing NABC+ appeals directly impacting the future of our grab your favorite partner and you’ll from player committees to the tour- game. My initial assessment is that have your own stories when you namentCarolyn directors. Taff I voted& Marion against Napier a total cultural shift on the board is come back! Carolyn Taff & Marion Napier this motion, but bothREALTORS sides present - necessary. The good news is that Back to reality next week REALTORS and ed strong arguments. The prevailing some other board members share will continue our work to prepare Your Real Estate Partners for Life Your Real Estate Partners for Life “TDs should hear NABC+ appeals” my views and that many very savvy for our D23 priority tasks. Nothing side argues that TDs will have more players, employees, ex-employees signed yet for an October or Feb- Relocation, Seniors, Luxury Properties and First Carolyn 310-871-5051 Relocation, Seniors, Luxury Properties and First Carolyn 310-871-5051 objectivityTime Buyer and Specialists that obectivity Representing out- Buyersagree and that theMarion prosperity 310 -721of -clubs7782 ruary Regional.Time YourBuyer TournamentSpecialists Representing Buyers and Marion 310-721-7782 weighsSellers any in Probate perceived & Trust shortcoming Transactions; and Estate, teaching programs2444 Wilshireshould Blvd. be a Committee isSellers looking in Probateat all the & posTrust- Transactions; Estate, 2444 Wilshire Blvd. inCondo the quality and Investment of the decisions. Properties; Many Complex strategic Real priority.Santa Monica, CA 90403 sibilities. Meanwhile,Condo and I Investment hope all our Properties; Complex Real Santa Monica, CA 90403 onEstate the other Matters; side Referrals; consider and the Executive qual- TransfersI'll share DREmore # 01074069 details / 00413050on the Units and playersEstate Matters; are looking Referrals; for -and Executive Transfers DRE # 01074069 / 00413050 ity of the decisions of paramount Reno board meeting in next month's ward to our Long Beach Regional importance. column. just before July 4th. Please look for This motion has come up fre- Reach me at klaned23@gmail. the flyers, line up your partners, and quently before the board, and I fa- com practice – practice- practice! For a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own ACBL Members By the way,For athe Grand reason Slam it inre Real- Estate, Call Your Own ACBL Members minded me of 2001 was that I watched Bocchi and Duboin for a Carolyn Taff & Marion Napier round that year Carolynand here theyTaff were & Marion Napier REALTORS again! REALTORS Your Real Estate Partners for Life Your Real Estate Partners for Life Relocation, Seniors, Luxury Properties and First Carolyn 310-871-5051 Relocation, Seniors, Luxury Properties and First Carolyn 310-871-5051 Time Buyer Specialists Representing Buyers and Marion 310-721-7782 Time Buyer Specialists Representing Buyers and Marion 310-721-7782 Sellers in Probate & Trust Transactions; Estate, 2444 Wilshire Blvd. Sellers in Probate & Trust Transactions; Estate, 2444 Wilshire Blvd. Condo and Investment Properties; Complex Real Santa Monica, CA 90403 WhatCondo and Investment Properties; Complex Real Santa Monica, CA 90403 Estate Matters; Referrals; and Executive Transfers Estate Matters; Referrals; and Executive Transfers DRE # 01074069 / 00413050 do DRE # 01074069 / 00413050 Southern California Bridge News Published monthly by ALACBU, Inc. For a Grand410 Mill Slam Creek in Lane, Real San Estate, Gabriel, Call CA 91775Your Phone: Own 626-281-2179 ACBL Members youFor a Grand Slam in Real Estate, Call Your Own ACBL Members email [email protected] Editor/Designer… .....................................Jennifer Einberg Managing Editor .......................................Mike Marcucci ContributingCarolyn Editor Taff ........................................ & Marion Napier John Jones think?Carolyn Taff & Marion Napier REALTORS REALTORS Subscription Rates: $12.00 per year, private; $2.00 as portion of District 23 dues; $3.00 Units outside Send Letters to the Editor to: DistrictYour 23 if subscribed Real Estate by entire Partnersunit. Copy deadlines: for Life advertising and editorial material by 10th of Your Real Estate Partners for Life month; unit columns by 15th of month. Opinions expressed in the Southern California Bridge News [email protected] are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ALACBU, Inc., The Bridge News or Relocation,the Editor. The Seniors, Bridge News Luxury reserves Properties the right to rejectand materialFirst it considersCarolyn to be in 310 poor- 871taste- 5051or Relocation, Seniors, Luxury Properties and First Carolyn 310-871-5051 Timedeems Buyerotherwise Specialists unsuitable for Representing publication. Buyers and Marion 310-721-7782 Time Buyer Specialists Representing Buyers and Marion 310-721-7782 Sellers in Probate & Trust Transactions; Estate, 2444 Wilshire Blvd. Sellers in Probate & Trust Transactions; Estate, 2444 Wilshire Blvd. Condo and Investment Properties;