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Last chance to play at the Twin Cities Bridge Center before the leaves start to turn color and temps turn cooler. The long weekend gives us four days to play bridge and do our best to beat the other guys!
The schedule for the Labor Day Silver Point Sectional is below. Grab your favorite partner (or two or three) - then have fun and do well!
Tournament schedule and flyer below!
Continue reading "Labor Day Silver Point Tournament - August 30-Sept 2" »
As mentioned the other day, Minnesota's own, Ben Kristensen, has been battling away in Opatija, Croatia in the Sixty World Youth Open Bridge Championship, with partner Kevin Rosenberg and teammates Cornelias Duffie and Sarah Youngquist.
The team had been doing superbly, often winning by such a large margin that opposing teams waved the white flag before the final set. Ultimately, the team faced the Netherlands team in their matches for first place overall.
Your webmaster was watching this morning; Ben & Company was continuing to do well when suddenly they hit a rough patch. In error, I thought that the set I was watching was the last - and thus was relieved to see them move into the plus column on their last hand.
As it turned out, however, they had one more set to go. That set turned into a "crush them" set. Team Sivy + B racked up double digits wins throughout - until near the end of the final match. The Netherlands scored some comebacks. Yet, as the USA team had mounted such a fierce fight earlier, even on the last board they could not lose. In fact, Ben declared a tough hand, and as he almost always does, Ben brought in his contract, gaining a small pick up.
We here in Minnesota and throughout the world are proud of Ben, of his world class partnership with Kevin and of their fine teammates, Cornelias and Sarah. Big congratulations to the team for your fine skills and non-stop pressure on the opponents.
You are worthy victors - and we look forward to many more titles in the coming years!
The Sixth World Youth Open Bridge Championship is currently in being held in Opatija, Croatia. And our own uber-expert, Ben Kristensen, from Duluth, is succeeding mightily with partner Kevin Rosenberg and teammates Cornelias Duffie and Sarah Youngquist.
The SIVY B team (Minnesotan Ben with Silicon Valley players) had a magnificent match today. They pounded their opponents from Poland with an impressive 133 to 44 score.
The event continues on tomorrow, Monday, starting at 3:30AM for the semi-final matches. (Later times are available for viewing if 3:30AM is not your cup of tea! Vugraph schedule is here.)
Your webmaster did watch Ben and Kevin compete today; "impressive" is an understatement!
Ben is highlighted in Monday's Bulletin. Look for the third page for a fine write up about how Ben made multiple winning decisions so that he and Kevin could extract maximum punishment from the opponents.
Ben & Sivy players, we are cheering you on in tomorrow's match! Hope that many of us can watch our young superstar in action tomorrow on Vu-graph!
With autumn swiftly approaching, this year's competition for North American Pairs also draws nearer.
For District 14's GNT in 2019, the event will be held in Urbandale, Iowa at the Des Moines Bridge Center.
The event is scheduled for October 5th and 6th; competitors have 4 sessions for the event.
Opportunities to receive funds from ACBL and to compete in the Spring NABC in Columbus, Ohio are available for players in Flights A, B and C.
This is a superb opportunity to have a fine weekend of bridge, competing against pairs in your flight throughout District 14. And then chances to face your peers from all over ACBL land next spring!
This year's flyer is posted below. Do contact our NAP coordinator, Rich Newell, with questions! runewell71@msn.com
Continue reading "District 14 North American Pairs 2019 - October 5-6" »
How do the days zip by so rapidly?! We are nearing the end of summer, celebrating first with Labor Day and the Labor Day Sectional at the Twin City Bridge Center. The flyer and schedule for this tournament, starting on August 30th and ending on September 2nd, can be found here.
Soon thereafter, as fall begins, head Up North to compete in the Paul Bunyan Bridge Tournament. This Carleton Sectional starts September 5th and concludes on the 7th. The schedule and details are here.
Two great opportunities to enjoy our game and score some masterpoints! A fine way to celebrate Labor Day and herald in autumn!
The Bridge Center has been a fixture in Minneapolis since 1960. There have been very few updates or improvements since it opened.
The bridge center is in desperate need of an update & some cheerful renovation. The outside of the building is an eyesore and with some minor repairs and a fresh coat of paint it would be much more welcoming not only for bridge players but also for the community as a whole.
The structure is damp, windows are broken, the parking lot needs resurfacing, walls need paint, carpet is old & stained, ceilings leak, bathrooms need updating, chairs are torn, broken & don’t match, windows & doors are rotting, the office is in disarray, appliances are ancient & storage areas are messy & cramped.
With rising taxes, the cost of utilities, basic upkeep and efforts to keep the cost of playing bridge and using the center low for seniors, new retirees and students there is not enough money for upgrades.
Teri Blu and her husband own and run the Bridge Center and are there every day. Their daughter also fills in when she can. It is a place not only for those who play bridge but also for anyone who wants a place to meet, talk or get away. The bridge center offers a unique and valued service for bridge players and the city as a whole.
A Bridge Center, may not seem like a worthy cause, however, it an important place & worthy of a makeover.
Volunteers spend countless hours working with people who come to the center & also taking care of the building. The Center & those who use it are an important part of the community.
The Bridge Center is the only place of its kind in Minneapolis. It would be a shame if the 300 plus people who use it weekly would not have a place to go.
The refrigerator is always stocked & coffee is on. If you need a place to go, all are welcome. There is always someone there with a smile and a kind work.
Teri works tirelessly. She goes to garage sales in search of items for the Center, coffee cups, pencils, furniture, etc. Teri takes time to make sure everyone has a bridge partner. She is a fabulous bridge player but plays with beginners if they need a partner.
All the faithful volunteers run tournaments, potlucks, daily games, birthday parties, gives lessons etc. They call or send cards if you are sick. Various groups of worshippers use the Center on Sunday mornings for their services and Teri has even played the piano for them. She never says no to anyone.
The bridge community would love to recruit younger people and recent retirees to play bridge. The bridge center would attract more players if it were more up to date.
For the senior and about to retire community the Bridge Center is a wonderful place to spend time. It provides socialization, interaction, and caring.
It is open 7 days a week. Many lifelong friendships have been made. There are games and events throughout the year to raise money for Alzheimer’s and many other charitable organizations.
Thanks in advance for contributing!
Here is the link to the TCBC Go Fund Me Fundraiser
Continue reading "Twin City Bridge Center - Go Fund Me Fundraiser" »
A delight to see our fine collegiate competitors doing so well in Las Vegas - and - having a great time, too!
ACBL has posted many photos of winners and an event for collegiate players while there. A super time had by all - and - we hope for today's juniors, that many will be the super stars and experts in years to come!