Tuesday, July 26, 2016 Washington DC • July 21-31, 2016 Volume 88, Number 5 Daily Bulletin 88th North American Bridge Championships [email protected] | Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Brent Manley Goodwill Committee adds Report of the ACBL Ethical Oversight Committee a special new member In the matter of disciplinary charges against The Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Fulvio Fantoni, Player No. 9682414, and Claudio Committee is made up of bridge ambassadors Nunes, Player No. 9682473, the Ethical Oversight from all over North America. Most of them Committee unanimously finds: are players who work hard to make bridge a 1. Overwhelming evidence establishes that charged pleasant experience for everyone and to spread parties Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio Nunes the message about the importance of goodwill. engaged in collusive cheating. On Monday, Robert Hartman, ACBL’s 2. Pursuant to the ACBL Code of Disciplinary chief executive, announced an addition to the Regulations 4.1.8a, Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio Goodwill Committee that brought rousing Nunes are EXPELLED, with loss of all applause from the gathering at the Marriott membership rights and privileges in the ACBL. even though the new member is not a player. Also, Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio Nunes hereby Hartman explained that, earlier in the FORFEIT 100% of their total ACBL masterpoint year, he heard from a Mrs. Anderson, an holdings, with loss of all titles, status ranks and ACBL member for 50 years and a resident of privileges. South Carolina. Hartman said Mrs. Anderson 3. Also, pursuant to the ACBL Code of Disciplinary explained that she had set a goal of becoming NABC Chair Margot Hennings with Lucy McCoy, Regulations 4.1.8c, the partners and teammates a Gold Life Master (2500+ masterpoints). recipient of a certificate for extraordinary volunteer of Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio Nunes are subject “The only problem was that she had cancer,” work, and Goodwill Chair Sandy DeMartino to mandatory forfeiture of all masterpoints, titles Hartman said. touch and provided moral support as Mrs. Anderson, and status ranks earned during the preceding four The woman needed 100 masterpoints to achieve boosted by a determination to achieve her goal, years calculated from the 2015 Spingold final. her goal and wanted to know if ACBL could help. plugged on and added the 100 points she needed. A Message from When this came to light at ACBL Headquarters, one The ACBL employee, Hartman said, “showed ACBL President Ken Monzingo employee decided to do as much as possible, despite compassion, kindness and benevolence.” In an unprecedented show of courage and the distance, to encourage Mrs. Anderson. He added, “Carol Robertson is the newest dedication, a group of eight members of the ACBL- The worker, Hartman said, kept in constant continued on page 5 appointed Ethical Oversight Committee, led by EOC chairman Bart Bramley and committee chair Peter Boyd, worked tirelessly in a three-day hearing Getting from here to there to reach the result listed above regarding the accusations of collusive cheating by Fulvio Fantoni or where is the elevator? and Claudio Nunes. These hard-working committee By Betty Schuler, Alexandria VA members undertook this time-consuming project Going to an NABC can be a thrilling or a recover from back and leg issues. When just a few to act on behalf of all ACBL members, standing harrowing experience, depending on certain factors. steps are painful, it was the best alternative for me up for us all in making the much-needed statement Under the best of circumstances, the huge convention and a huge wake-up call. As a first time user, it was that we will not tolerate unethical behavior. Their centers or hotels that awkward but, with practice, I managed to get around continued on page 2 house an NABC can OK before the crowd arrived. While escalators were find us hunting down conveniently located near the playing sites, elevators the “Ask Me” person were not necessarily so. People can easily get lost No. 90 seed tops Hamman or begging a passerby without having to manage the challenges of getting to help us find Salon A up or down a flight. But when the only way you have in Spingold upset for a game that starts to get somewhere is finding an elevator (especially The team captained by Bob Hamman, the No. in five minutes. a freight elevator for larger scooters), it’s a whole 5 seed in the Spingold Knockout Teams, went out on the first day of the event, losing by 1 IMP to the Personally, I different thing. th had never given it There are some rules of etiquette for interacting team seeded 90 out of 91. The winners are Witold a second thought with folks on scooters or any other mobility apparatus, Bielecki, Marcin Najbar, Igor Losiewicz and Lukasz because mobility and I’ve seen some of these rules broken, so we all Witkowski. They defeated Hamman, Peter Weichsel, was not an issue can benefit from some education in this regard: Howard Weinstein, Ross Grabel, Bart Bramley and for me until recently. It’s not an issue for the vast • People who use wheelchairs have different Lew Stansby. majority of people, but lately, and because of my disabilities and varying abilities. Some can use Hamman led after one quarter but fell behind by own circumstances, it has become apparent to me their arms and hands. Some can get out of their 25 at the half. The team got to within 7 IMPs with a that being helpful to those who are in wheelchairs wheelchairs and even walk for short distances. quarter to go but fell short, losing 119-118. or scooters, use walking canes or have some other • Wheelchair users are people, not equipment. type of handicap (temporary or otherwise) should be Don’t lean over someone in a wheelchair to shake Wagar in semifinal stage something we are consciously aware of. Sitting two another person’s hand or ask a wheelchair user to The Wagar Women’s Knockout Teams enters the feet below the counter of the Information Desk and hold coats. semifinal stage today. The matchups, by captain, are flailing my arms for attention is embarrassing. Not to • Don’t push or touch a person’s wheelchair. It’s Barbara Ferm, Dallas TX, versus Joanne Weingold, mention trying to navigate a corridor full of people part of their personal space. Boca Raton FL, and Gu Ling versus Wenfei Wang, who are so busy that they barely notice someone • Be aware of wheelchair users’ reach limits. Place People’s Republic of China. The event will conclude trying to get by without rolling over their toes. as many items as possible within their grasp. tomorrow. My adventure at the NABC in DC began with continued on page 5 reserving a scooter to ensure better mobility while I Prahin leads Senior Swiss The team captained by Michael Prahin will A Salute to the U.S. Military start play today in the Truscott /USPC Senior Swiss Tomorrow, the NABC host committee in DC Teams with a carryover lead of 3.15 victory points. ATTENDANCE will honor the service of those who have given time Prahin and Ethan Stein, Irvington NY, are playing from their lives for the United States military. The with Michael Polowan and Jared Lilienstein, New through Monday evening ceremony will begin with patriotic music and song York City; Victor Melman, Boca Raton FL, and Ron at noon in the main lobby of the Marriott. There will Sukoneck, Wilmington NC. Their carryover of 30 6063.5 tables be a formal posting of the colors at 12:30 p.m. by the VPs puts them just ahead of the Jim Krekorian team, continued on page 4 with 26.85 VPs. Page 2 Tuesday, July 26, 2016 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Meetings are at the Marriott Wardman Park. Tuesday, July 26 Wednesday, July 27 9 am-Noon Club Director Refresher Course. A continuing education 9 am-Noon Club Director Refresher Course, session 2. A continuing course for club directors to increase their skills. Participants education course for club directors to increase their skills. must attend both sessions. Fee: $15 covers both days. Sign up Participants must attend both sessions. Fee: $15 covers both at the door. (McKinley, mezzanine level) days. (McKinley, mezzanine level) CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures by some of the best-known players in the game! Wednesday, July 27 Talks will be held in Exhibit Hall A on the lower level. Speakers and topics are 9:15 a.m. Joshua Donn The Danger Hand subject to change. 6:45 p.m. G.S. Jade Barrett Losing and Winning Trick Count Tuesday, July 26 9:15 a.m. Harriette Buckman Rights and Responsibilities Thursday, July 28 6:45 p.m. Julian Laderman 250-Year-Old Bridge Lessons 9:15 a.m. Barbara Seagram Become a Feared Opponent 6:45 p.m. Leslie Shafer Bidding With No HCPs ENTERTAINMENT and HOSPITALITY Various days Tuesday, July 26 Vocal Point. Vocal Point, the musical duet of Bob Hurka and Salute to Our Military. Festivities will be marked by patriotic, receptions (by Gatlinburg Regional Tournament Chair Julia Misslin, invitation) for bridge players who are active-duty or will be on hand numerous times to provide you with retired, and late-night music by Vocal Point. memorable moments of great songs. Tonight’s Hospitality in Thurgard Marshall foyer Stuffed Pretzels President message Bridge Bucks and Today’s Special Cocktail Available in the Lobby bar or in Harry’s Pub continued from page 1 check cashing Tuesday, July 26 Bridge Bucks and check-cashing services will be definitive decision reflects a new era in pursuing and $10 Drink Special prosecuting cheaters.