Friday, July 21, 2017 Toronto, ON • July 20-30, 2017 Volume 89, Number 1 Daily Bulletin 89th North American Bridge Championships [email protected] | Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Brent Manley Defenders out in GNT Welcome to Toronto! Championship Flight We are thrilled to be hosting the 2017 Summer Toronto is a safe city for walking tours. The team captained by Richard Budd was NABC in Toronto, especially since 2017 is Canada’s Explore areas of the city like the Distillery District, hopeful of a Grand National Teams Championship 150th birthday. Celebrations and special events will Chinatown, Theatre District, Toronto Islands, flight victory for District 25 for the second year in a be going on throughout the month of July in different Ripley’s Aquarium or the CN Tower for a change of row. That dream went up in smoke at the hands of a venues. scenery. District 7 team captained by Sam Marks. If you Restaurants of every kind are within walking Last year’s winners were playing four-handed want to take distance – from cheap and cheerful to gourmet with Doug Doub, Frank Merblum, Zachary Grossack a day or two options for foodies – more than a hundred listed and Adam Grossack. The latter two stayed with the away from here are within a mile. Toronto is very much a team but this year’s squad has six members. The bridge, there multicultural city, so you will be able to find a additions are Budd and Mark Aquino plus Larry are myriad restaurant serving whatever type of food you’re Bausher and Steve Becker. things to craving. They were beaten 218-106 by Marks, Olin do. Special Bridge will be played at the Metro Toronto Hubert, Jerry Helms, Kevin Wilson, Alex Hudson exhibits are Convention Centre, which is easy to access by public and Peter J Boyd-Bowman. featured at transportation. Using The Path, an underground and In today’s quarterfinal round, the Marks team the Ontario above-ground walkway, will allow you to get around will face the District 6 squad captained by Noble Science without going outside if you like. Shore, playing with Michael Gill, Sylvia Shi, Beth Centre and Our committee has worked hard to make Palmer, William Pettis and Ai-Tai Lo. Royal Ontario sure your experience at the Toronto NABC is a Museum, and memorable one. Please come by the Registration Play in the NABC the Art Gallery of Ontario is showcasing Georgia Desk and pick up your registration gift, and we hope O’Keefe. Toronto also is home to unique museums to see you at the Prize Desk. Online Individual such as the Bata Shoe Museum, the Gardiner We hope you enjoy your stay in Toronto during The excitement over the NABC Online Museum of Ceramics and TIFF Bell Lightbox. The Canada’s Sesquicentennial! Individual event continues to build, as some 2400 Toronto Blue Jays and soccer’s Toronto FC both play Ina Demme players have already signed up to play in the four- nearby. Tournament Chair session contest which begins Sunday. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this historic and fun contest, even if you’re playing in face-to-face games Hall of Fame inducts strong 2017 class here in Toronto. Play Sunday, July 23, through At last evening’s Hall of Fame induction time that Meckstroth had been asked to play as part Wednesday, July 26, any time of day from any ceremony, Jeff Meckstroth, Zeke Jabbour and Peter of the great Precision team that included Kathie location. All you need is an internet connection and a Naagy became the latest additions to the prestigious Wei and the late Ron Andersen. Before a particular laptop or mobile device. institution, while Eddie Kantar became the recipient regional tournament, Andersen announced that the Pre-registration is required for this event. of the Lazard Sportsmanship Award. squad was adding the legendary Barry Crane, and that Registration is limited to ACBL members in good Meckstroth’s sterling credentials earned him Meckstroth would have to play with him. The new standing. Non-members and ACBL members whose a spot in the ACBL Hall of Fame for the Open partnership had a rocky first set, and the famously membership has lapsed that would like to play in category: More than half of the body’s electors cast prickly Crane took out his frustrations on his young the event must complete the join/renew process by an affirmative vote for the multiple NABC and world partner. Berkowitz reported that Meckstroth was Friday, July 21, at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. champion. practically in tears after the set, declaring, “I’m never To register, go to www.bridgebase.com, login Twin presenters David Berkowitz and Eric playing again!” to which the acidic Crane responded, and click on ACBL World. Click the register button Rodwell regaled the attendees with stories from “Good!” next to ACBL NABC Online Individual July 23-26. Meckstroth’s early career. Berkowitz recounted the Fortunately for the bridge world, Meckstroth For additional information and support, check BBO’s soon developed a partnership with an equally talented FAQ. young player named Eric Rodwell. Their 43-year ACBL staff and BBO staff and immediate family partnership is one of the greatest in the history of the members may not participate. game. The entry fee is $50. Participants may pay using Rodwell saluted his partner straight away in a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American his presentation: “I’ll cut to the chase: You’re the Express) or PayPal at the time of entry. best, Jeff, and it’s been an honor to play with you.” Rodwell rattled off the eye-popping accomplishments Meet the CEO of his partner, including 61 NABC tiles and nine Bahar Gidwani, the ACBL’s new CEO, will hold world championships, as well as being the all-time sessions to meet with members in Toronto. Players masterpoint earner in ACBL history. Rodwell believes can find him at Azure Restaurant on the lobby level the most exciting moment of their careers was their of the InterContinental at the following times: first Bermuda Bowl win in 1981 in Port Chester NY. • Friday, July 21, 7:30-8:30 a.m. In Meckstroth’s career-spanning acceptance • Saturday, July 22, 4:30-5:30 p.m. speech, he spent a great deal of time thanking • Monday, July 24, 10:30-11:30 p.m. those who gave him early opportunities to play Jeff Meckstroth, newest member of the ACBL Life Master Pairs Notice Hall of Fame continued on page 7 Players who reside outside North America should note that participation in the von Zedtwitz or Bruce Opening Reception Pre-registration required Life Master Pairs is limited to ACBL members who On Friday, July 21, join us in Exhibit Hall C on have achieved the rank of Life Master. Players who the third floor of the Convention Centre after the for Spingold and reside outside North America and who do not meet evening session for a night of fun, food, drinks and Mini-Spingold KOs this criteria, but feel they are otherwise eligible dancing as we welcome you to the 2017 Summer Pre-registration for the Spingold and the Mini- to participate, must receive a waiver prior to the NABC. Spingold KO Teams (6000 and 1500) is required commencement of the contest. The sounds of the band If before 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. Entries may be For waiver information, please see the Director- It’s Music will provide ’50s, purchased in Constitution Hall on the first floor. in-Charge at the selling site at least one hour prior ’60s and ’70s music, so bring to the commencement of the event. Please note that your dancing shoes or feel free players who have been waived into previous Life to enjoy the sounds from your Master pairs do not have to re-apply. chair. Page 2 Friday, July 21, 2017 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Friday, July 21 and focused. She will share these teaching techniques in this 8 am-Noon ABTA Convention (Imperial Room, Fairmont) breakfast seminar. Fee: $20 covers breakfast and materials. 8:30 am-Noon Teacher Accreditation Program (TAP). Session two of three. (Room 201AD, Convention Centre) ACBL’s 10-hour seminar for people interested in learning how 9 am-Noon Zero Tolerance workshop. The goal of this lively two- to teach bridge. (Room 201EF, Convention Centre) hour workshop is to make the club experience more inviting 10 am-Noon ABTA Board meeting (Fairmont) for new members and more pleasurable for everyone by 4:30-6 pm Club and Teacher Reception. This is the ACBL’s “thank encouraging and empowering directors and managers to deal you” reception for the teachers and club officials who work with unacceptable behavior. (Room 202C, Convention Centre) so hard to recruit and retain our members. (Ballroom B, 10-11:30 am Board of Governors meeting and ACBL General Intercontinental) Membership meeting. All members of the ACBL Board of 10:30 pm-1 am NABC Opening Reception. (Lobby, Convention Centre) Governors are invited to attend the Summer NABC meeting. This meeting is also open to the general membership of the ACBL. (Constitution Hall, Convention Centre) Saturday, July 22 10 am-Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Audrey Grant followed by a JUNIOR DAY special game for newer players. (Room 201AD, Convention 8:30 am-Noon Teacher Accreditation Program (TAP). Session three Centre) of three. ACBL’s 10-hour seminar for people interested in Noon-2 pm BridgePlus+ Game. A special game for newer (0-20 MP) learning how to teach bridge.