District 16 News & Coming Attractions

 

Scorecard


The March - April 2024 Scorecard is Here!


Click Here


For any Scorecard Viewing issues, contact Evvie Gilbert at
D16-ScorecardEditor@d16acbl.org

 


Evvie Gilbert Receives The 2023

Presidential Extra Mile Award


By Betty Starzec

Evvie Gilbert, Houston Unit 174, stepped into the role of Scorecard Editor in 2022 with the determination to evaluate and learn new publishing programs, make an accurate assessment of each program, and determine which product would be most effective to create an amazing publication for our district. The warpspeed with which she was able to accomplish this enormous task was undeniable to all District 16 Executive Committee members, especially to Ken Monzingo who served as Evvie’s mentor during this process. The district receives many compliments on the new and improved Scorecard and these are due solely to Evvie’s unwavering ability to provide a top quality product. As well, Evvie amazingly produces the monthly Unit 174 Newsletter. Needless to say her time management skills are beyond reproach.

Evvie has also undertaken the responsibility of being our Robly Email Marketing coordinator. She has taken on this task working relentlessly with Robly personnel to not only clean up our district’s database, but also provided Robly personnel with information and shortcomings within their own system.

With all the incredible achievements Evvie has made to bridge for our district it was my honor to recognize her with the Presidential Extra Mile Award at the January Lone Star Regional. This award was created by the district to recognize someone who has gone “over and beyond” in their performance on behalf of the district, and Evvie fits the bill 1000% over the top. Congratulations, Evvie.

 

Grant Opportunity for Your Favorite Charity!

Beginning in 2005, the ACBL Charity Foundation began issuing grants – these grants are now referred to as “Charities of the Year”.

District 16 is one of thirteen districts that has been chosen to receive the “Charity of the Year” grants for 2024.

If you have a charity that you would like to be considered for a grant, please submit your request with the following requirements/information:

  • Name of the charity (must be a designated 501(c)3 or an NPO, AC or IAP in Mexico and non-bridge related)
  • Reasons why this organization should receive the grants
  • Address of the charity
  • Contact Person and telephone number
  • Email address of charity
  • Copy of the 501(c)3, NPO, AC or IAP document

  • Please note that grants will not be awarded to any organization related to bridge. There are two other foundations that award grants specifically to the bridge community: Educational Foundation and Foundation for the Preservation and Advancement of Bridge.

    Please submit your request by August 1, 2024 to: Nancy Strohmer, District 16 Charity Committee Chair, nastrohmer@yahoo.com.

    If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Strohmer (Houston) nastrohmer@yahoo.com or committee members

    Rebecca Brown (Austin) brownrebeccag@gmail.com, or

    Mary Ann White (Ajijic, Mexico) verymaryann2@gmail.com.

     

    2024 Teacher of the Year Jeff Kroll from Conroe

    2024 Teacher of the Year Jeff Kroll with TOY Chair Ed Rawlinson.

    Jeff Kroll of Conroe was named the 2024 Teacher of the Year for District 16. He was recognized at the recent Houston Lone Star Regional by District 16 President Betty Starzec. Teacher of the Year Coordinator Ed Rawlinson said Jeff was selected from an exceptionally strong group of finalists including Laurie Levin of San Antonio, Scott Humphrey of Austin, and Gerrie Owen of Dallas.

    Jeff teaches bridge at Lone Star College and monthly at the Conroe Lone Star Bridge Club. The club class is free and open to all comers and frequently has a standing room only turnout. The class is videorecorded and all the recordings are stored on the club’s website and on Youtube. These recordings are not only used by area players but also by players from several foreign countries.

    Jeff often uses the internet as a teaching tool. Any player may “join the club” and over 75 have. Members may submit questions about bidding, play, building partnerships, or other aspects of bridge. He frequently uses the BBO format to illustrate answers to bidding and play questions. These answers go to the entire “club”, not just to the individual with the question.

    Jeff also studies the columns in the ACBL Bulletin and identifies those which he feels are most responsive to questions which he receives. He shares this information with a second group of players (over 300) and maintains it in a digital library. So, while Jeff teaches some classes in a traditional setting, he utilizes technology to reach a broad audience, provide ongoing instruction, and do so in a manner that students report as highly personalized.

     

    District 16 Houston Regional

    Click Here for District 16 Houston Regional Results

     

    District 16 NAP Results 2024-01-13 and 2024-01-14

    Click Here for District 16 NAP Results

     

    Grand National Teams

     

    By Scott Nason

    D16 GNT Coordinator

    The Grand National Teams (GNT) 2024 are coming soon. Once again, we are going to dispense with the unit qualifying and proceed straight to district finals. So get your team together and meet us in Houston or Dallas in the spring.

    There are four levels that will compete in the GNT District Finals. The four winners of that event (and possibly more – see below) may go on to compete at the GNT National Finals in Toronto at the Summer NABC in July 2024.

    Championship Flight The top flight – the Championship Flight – is open to anyone who is an ACBL member in good standing, and who has resided in District 16 as of September 1, 2023.

    Flight A In order to play in Flight A each member of the team must also have had fewer than 6000 masterpoints as of the August 6, 2023 ACBL posting.

    Flight B For Flight B the cutoff is 2500 points.

    Flight C And Flight C is limited to Non-Life Masters with fewer than 500 points.

    Each team may consist of four, five or six players, but each player must be eligible for the flight in which the team is competing. Clubs may hold qualifiers, but you do not need to qualify in a club or unit qualifier in order to compete in the District 16 Finals. The District Finals will be split into two venues:

    ● The Championship and B Flights will be held in Houston on April 6-7.

    ● Flights A and C will be held in Dallas on May 25-26.

    The winners from each flight may advance to the National GNT Finals in Toronto in July and will be eligible for an expense stipend if they actually play in Toronto. Note also that if Flights B and/or C have eight or more teams, then the top two teams will qualify for National Finals.

    For more GNT information you may consult the event flyer here, and the Conditions of Contest which are posted on the D16 website.

     

    2023 Jacoby Award Recipient - Scott Nason - Dallas

     

    District 16 is pleased to announce that Scott Nason of Unit 176 was awarded the Oswald and James Jacoby Award on Saturday. As editor of our Labor Day Regional bulletin, Scott would normally be writing this article, but this one was prepared in advance so that he could be surprised, and indeed he was!

    The Jacoby Award is given each year to a player who has volunteered and served with distinction on both the Unit and District level. Scott is currently serving his sixth year on the Unit 176 Board of Directors, and he has served in almost every capacity. He is the GNT Coordinator, serves on the tournament committee, and writes this bulletin at the Dallas Labor Day Regional. He co-chairs the monthly Unit games that have returned since Covid and have been very successful. He writes the Unit 176 report for the Scorecard, keeping everyone up to date on happenings unit wide. On the district level, he also manages the GNT’s and serves as Unit 176’s representative to the District Board of Directors.

    One of Scott’s best qualities is his true love for bridge. He became a certified director to improve his knowledge of the game (and finds time to use it on his frequent cruises). He takes time to mentor developing players and is a frequent speaker on the D16 Zoom Lecture Series. He is happy to answer questions whenever asked and always wears his National Goodwill pin with pride.

    Congratulations, Scott, from the many, many friends you have made at the table. Both Unit 176 and District 16 are enormously proud of you.

     

    Covid Protocols for National, Regional and Sectional Tournaments

    EFFECTIVE May 22, 2023

     

    To our members,

    Since the inception of the Covid-19 pandemic, ACBL has been following the recommendations on vaccination for large group events provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. In August 2022, the CDC stopped issuing specific guidance for large group events, and this month the U.S. government has suspended most Covid-19 programs in recognition that Covid-19 is now endemic and that we will be contending with it for the foreseeable future.

    In January of this year, ACBL surveyed the membership, and 97% of respondents reported that they had taken the Covid-19 vaccine. Unfortunately, we all know vaccinated people who have contracted Covid-19, and the data shows that vaccination does not eliminate future infections. ACBL continues to encourage players to be vaccinated. ACBL also requests that players who are ill to refrain from playing until they have recovered.

    Proof of vaccination will be required at the Chicago NABC in July, but will not be required for the Atlanta NABC, which begins November 23.

    As was previously communicated, since the 15th of May, regional and sectional tournament sponsors may make their own decisions about vaccination requirements.

    Other Covid measures, such as having masks and hand sanitizer available at NABC tournaments, will remain in place. Concerned players, themselves wearing masks properly, will retain the right to require that masks be worn at their table. Failure to comply with an appropriate masking request will result in a penalty; please call the director.

    We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we navigate the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19. Together, we can prioritize the health and safety of our community while continuing to enjoy the game we love.

    Hope to see you in Chicago,

    Bronia Jenkins ACBL Executive Director

     

    Games for Newer Players - Come Join us!

     

    New to duplicate bridge? Try the 0-50 MPs game.

    Welcome to the bridge family! District 16 is offering to all 0-50 masterpoint players a 12 board game on BBO for $3 every Monday at 4:00. You can ask a partner to play or sign in at the partnership desk and pick up a new partner

    Practice, practice, practice -- your experiences at the table can be your best teacher. A director and assistants will be on hand to offer guidance during the game.

    For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions D16 0-50 Game Frequently Asked Questions or email Beginner20Bridge@gmail.com.

     OK, I think I’m getting it—Stretch up to the 0-99 and/or 0-199 masterpoint game!

    District 16 offers our 99ers a game just for them – the "99er Nite Club"! These games are offered 7 days a week at 6:00pm CT. If you are a 99er, ask your Club if they are participating. Your Club has to "opt in" for these games to participate. If your Club has any questions, ask them to contact Nancy Strohmer, nastrohmer@yahoo.com.

    We want every 99er to have the opportunity to play as much as possible and have the best experiences. There are extras perks for this game--Lynn Berg provides mini-lessons @ 5:30pm and these are bigger games offering more masterpoints!

    District 16 also offers our 199ers a game just for them – the "199er Nite Club"! These games are offered 7 days a week at 6:05pm CT. If you have any questions, contact Nancy Strohmer, nastrohmer@yahoo.com.

    For additional newcome information, click on: D16 Intermediate/Newcomer Info

    For all tournament information, click on: D16 Calendar

    For the comprehensive newcomer game schedule. CLICK HERE . Contact information is also provided, if you have questions.

     

    District 16 Now on FACEBOOK

     

    Don’t miss out on the fun! Here’s how to join and post on the D16 Facebook page. . .

    1. First, join Facebook: Go to facebook.com and click Create New Account. Enter your name, email or mobile phone number, password, date of birth and gender. Click Sign Up. To finish setting up your account, confirm your email or mobile phone number.

    2. Then, join the D16 group: Go to the ACBL District 16 Facebook page: Either search on "ACBL District 16" (look for the magnifying glass),

    or go to this URL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361538851957494

    Click + Join Group. It’s just below the cover photo.

    3. Tell the group what's on your mind: Type over the text, "What's on your mind, your name?” Or paste in that field. You can enter text, paste text, graphics, or video