DISTRICT 24 NEWSLETTER
Alvin Levy
Volume
99.3
published after each NABC
In This Issue
NYC approved for
2004 Summer NABC
BOSTON NABC
Successful
District
Players finish high in NABC+ events
Board of
Director's Actions
Trials for new Senior
Olympiad Championships
Comments on ACBL 2000
Budget
District News
Goodwill
Committee Appointments
Easybridge!
Upcoming
Tournaments
NYC approved
for 2004 Summer NABC
ACBL management has recommended NYC as the site of the 2004 summer North
American Bridge Championships. The Board of Directors approved the
recommendation at their Boston meeting. A contract will be signed with the NY
Hilton by year's end, and then we will be off and running to plan a great NABC.
NYers will have waited 30 years for another Nationals. The last one was held
during the summer of 1974. District 3 will co-host the event with District 24. A
committee will be formed to start the local planning. Volunteers will be
needed…so even though it's early, let me know if you can help. See District News
on p. 3 for more details.
TO TOP
Boston's NABC site offered players very comfortable and ample playing space. Tournament hospitality was excellent, with plenty of free food given away every night. Many players did a lot of shopping, as they walked, indoors, between the two main hotels, the Marriott and the Westin. There was a good turnout, with a table count of 12,749, about 1,000 over expectations.
Every NABC starts with a Thursday evening charity event. Larry Cohen donates his time and plays with a lucky Patron Member whose name is drawn at random…a good reason to become a Patron Member. There were many other notable happenings at the Boston NABC, including the first running of the renamed Edgar Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs. Many of the events were sponsored, including the Microsoft NABC Senior KOs.
The Daily Bulletins included all section winners. This was a change from the recent past, where only overall winners were listed. Those not at the NABC could follow the activities by viewing the Daily Bulletins on the ACBL Internet Home Page.
Chip Martel was selected as the ACBL's Honorary Member for the
year 2000. Chip, a world champion, authority on the Laws, and contributor to
many national special bridge committees, was a great choice. It's been an honor
to work with Chip on the ACBL's Internet/Computer Advisory committee. He truly
gives back to the game. TO TOP
District Players finish high in NABC+ events
The Non Life Master Pairs was won by new NYers Igor Savchenko, originally from Moldova (formerly part of Russia) and Aviv Shahaf, originally from Israel. As a new partnership they play once a week at the Culbertson Bridge Club, where Savchenko is a part time director.
High District finishers in the Life Master Open Pairs included David Berkowitz-Larry Cohen, 5th, and Michael Moss-Bjorn Fallenius, 6th.
District players that finished high in the Life Master Women's Pairs were Diana Schuld, 5th and Ava Grubman-Linda Rothstein, 10th.
High finishers in the Open Board-a-Match Teams were Nick Nickell, 2nd; Zia Mahmood-Ravindra Murthy, 3rd; Berkowitz-Cohen, 6th; and Sam Lev-Michael Polowan, 8th.
Schuld continued her fine showing in Women's NABC events with a 4th place finish in the Women's Board-a-match Teams. Other high finishers were Susan Wexler, 6th, and Lisa Berkowitz, 8th.
In the ACBL premiere pairs event, the Edgar Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs, high finishers included Lev, 3rd, Zia, 4th, and Aaron Silverstein, 7th.
Another big win for Berkowitz-Cohen. This time is was the North American Open Swiss Teams. Other high finishers in the event included Gary Gottlieb, Winthrop Allegart, 4th, and Mark Feldman, 8th.
The defending champions, Rita Shugart, Andrew Robson, Tony Forrester, and Geir Helgemo won the premiere Team event, the Reisingers. The same foursome won the Open Board-a-Match Teams earlier in the week. A remarkable showing in B-A-M events. District players on the final ten teams were Nickell, 4th, Jimmy Cayne, 5th, Lev-Polowan, 6th, Richard Schwartz, 8th, and Augie Boehm, 10th.
Larry Cohen-David Berkowitz and Sam Lev had three top 10
finishes; and Zia Mahmood, Nick Nickell, Michael Polowan, and Diana Schuld had
two top 10 finishes. An excellent showing!
TO TOP
Higher Tournament Costs
Starting March 1, 2000, the cost of running our local
tournaments will be going up. Sanction fees for Regionals/Sectionals/STaCs will
go from $3.70/2.60/2.00 to $4.30/3.00/2.30. This represents a 15% increase and a
total increase of 20% since 1994. Also a 6.5% increase in Tournament Director
session fees, $4 increase in per diem, and a slight increase in supply costs
will translate into a cost increase, at each of our Regionals, of approximately
$800 plus $0.60/table, and an increase at each of our Sectionals of $50 plus
$0.40/table, and an increase at our STaCs of $0.30/table. Passed 14-11. I was
a Nay.
Higher Unit Rebates
To
slightly offset these costs, starting in 2000 there will be $0.25/member
increase to the Unit reimbursement, for all Units complying with the coop
marketing program. This results in a reimbursement of $3.75 per member for
regular membership and $3.00 for each Life member service fee. Also, all the
penalties for coop program noncompliance have been removed. Some, including
me, wanted a $0.50 increase.
State Championships
A
new Bridge event is approved in principle that would allow for a State or
Province Championship. Proposed conditions of contest are being developed and
must be further approved. Passed without dissent.
NAOP Flight B new masterpoint range
The NAOP Flight B masterpoint range has been changed to 0-2000
from 0-1500. This makes it consistent with the Flight B Grand National Teams and
the Red Ribbon Pairs. Passed 13-12. My motion.
Changes in NABC events
Byes in the Vanderbilt and Spingold are removed. Passed 18-7.
I voted Nay. The Competition & Convention Advisory Committee was opposed
to eliminating byes.
A two-day NABC+ Speedball Championship will be held, on an experimental basis, opposite the NABC+ IMP pairs at the 2000 summer NABC. The event will be restricted to the General convention chart. Passed 13-12. I voted Nay.
Starting times for NABC events in Anaheim were changed from 8:00 PM from 7:30 PM. Passed 19-6. I voted Nay. By executive committee action, a similar change was made at the Boston NABC.
NABC sites approved
Besides approving NYC as the site of the summer 2004
NABC, the Board approved Honolulu for the fall 2006 NABC, and San Francisco for
the fall 2007 NABC.
World Bridge Federation Representation
A major reduction in the reimbursement to our World
Bridge Federation representatives that attend WBF events/meetings was reduced
from up to 17 days of hotel and per diem expenses to 9 days per diem and 7 hotel
nights. Passed 22-1-2. I voted Aye.
Special Worldwide Simultaneous Pairs Championship
In coordination with the WBF two worldwide pairs
charity games will be held at clubs during the third week of August, 2000. This
will replace the traditionally worldwide pairs games held during the first week
in June. Sanction fees will be $10/table. Passed 15-9-1. I voted Aye.
Internet/Computer Activities
The Internet/Computer Advisory Committee's report was
received. I chair this committee, and the report can be found on my Web Page at
http://members.aol.com/allevy
The 2000 ACBL World Computer Bridge Championships may be held as part of the Mind Sports Olympiad, August 2000. Passed without dissent. I am the originator and coordinator of this event. This year's championships will be held as part of the Orbis World Championships. For details, see the Bermuda Bowl Web site under Events, http://www.bermudabowl.com/
Sanctioned Shortened Club Games
Management will present to the Board at the spring 2000 meeting
a plan to allow clubs to hold open games with a minimum of 12 boards.
Masterpoints and sanction fees will be at 50%. Passed without dissent.
Bridge Ventures Dissolved
Bridge Ventures Corporation was set up to act as a
for-profit corporation, to run prize money events. Up to now the events run have
not been successful. The practice of running a cash prize event at the NABCs
will be stopped, and the corporation dissolved. Passed 17-8. I voted Aye.
TO
TOP
Trials for the new Senior Olympiad Championships
The WBF has established a Senior Team Olympiad Championship as past of the 2000 Olympiad, to be held in Maastricht, The Netherlands, in August 2000. A Trials will be held to qualify a team to represent the USA. USA players born before June 21, 1945 are eligible. The trials will be held from June 21-25, 2000 at the Springfield, MO Regional. Teams must register by May 15, 2000.
Open and Women's Trials
The Open Trials
will be held in Memphis at the beginning of June, and the Women's Trials will be
held at the Raleigh Regional, May 23-29,2000.
Check your Bridge Bulletin, ACBL Web Page,
or call ACBL headquarters, for further information. TO TOP
While the ACBL's net worth of $6 million is at an all time high, we will have a 1999 operating deficit of approximately $300,000. This deficit is due, to a great extent, to the added expenses for our new Marketing Department.
The Board has asked management to try to trim their expenses, but that will appear on next year's budget.
In order to keep the 2000 budget at a $200,000 deficit; the Board of Directors has made adjustments in revenue and expenses. All the cuts in expenses are small, but add up. Cuts include a reduction in reimbursements for the Junior Program and a reduction of expenses for the ACBL representatives that attend the WBF meetings.
A motion that the ACBL Board meets only twice a year was rejected. That would have saved $60,000.
In order to reduce the deficit revenue from tournaments was raised. Increases include sanction fees (raising $160,000 in revenue), and Directors fees. The ACBL's cost for running a local Regional Tournament is greater than the fees collected. Raising sanction fees will close this gap.
At the same time the Board awarded Units an additional $0.25/member if they comply with the coop marketing program. This increase could have been higher, but each $0.25 is an added expense of $37,500.
Of course the big news is that we have been given the summer 2004 NABC. The dates are July 8-18, 2004. Much planning will go into this activity, but the good news is that ACBL management will help in every way possible. The league will supply the printing of all materials, including restaurant guides. Also supplied will be a number of rooms for volunteers. The ACBL will arrange for novice speakers, provide promotional material for clubs and players with fewer than 100 mps, provide registration bags and section top prizes, and host a dinner prior to the tournament for key volunteers.
We will also be given approximately $100,000 to spend on certain activities, including: running an Intermediate/Novice program; supplying player entertainment; providing registration gifts; and supplying hospitality for the volunteers.
A planning committee will establish the following committees:
finance; caddies; partnership; publicity: hospitality/information; registration;
player entertainment; intermediate/novice; program/editor; restaurant guide;
advertising sales/sponsorship; special events/tours; pre-tournament hospitality;
and transportation/parking. While it isn't mandatory, extra money should be
raised to support these activities. Some sponsorship will be available (this
will be a priority with me). The last time District 24 was a co-host of an NABC
was in the spring of 1991 (Atlantic City). For a three year period before that
NABC, Regional card fees were raised $1 to raise money. If, and how much, money
is to be raised to support the 2004 NABC will be decided on by the Unit and
District Boards. If the money raised isn't spent, it will be returned to the
Units and Districts. Volunteers will be needed, so even though it's early, let
me know if you can help. TO TOP
Goodwill Committee Appointments
Appointments to the National Goodwill Committee this year are Karen Allison, Carol Mathews, Irene Payne, and Sue Scholer. Congratulations, and well deserved. It’s always a great pleasure to recognize some of the players that give so much back to the game.
The Easybridge! program has been very successful around the country. It appears to be bringing in new players who eventually start playing at clubs. Edith McMullin is the force behind this activity, and she has been in our District teaching teachers how to run an Easybridge class. I expect to see a few classes starting on Long Island. If any teacher or bridge club is interested, contact me or call toll free 877-765-EASY.
Edgar Kaplan Winter Regional: December 26-30, 1999
at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan (212) 977-4000
call Bill Rosenbaum for information (212) 725-2135
January StaC: January 20-26, 2000
check your local club for information
Long Island Spring Regional: February 23-27, 2000
at the Smithtown Sheraton (631) 231-1100
call Art Brodsky for information (631) 27-6423
Any comments or suggestions? Let me know!
Alvin Levy
22 Hamlet Drive
Commack, NY 11725
631-858-9225
allevy@aol.com
