In the fall of 2014 the Spokane club and unit games were moved to the SYSA Bingo  2230 E. Sprague Ave.

 

It was previously a Safeway and the store front has been nicely redone and  you can see in the reflection that there is a large parking lot.  Inside the bridge games are separated from the Bingo area by a glass wall.

 

The spacious room is clean and well lit. Do get out and see the new room and play a game.

 

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Anne Henrichs passes unexpectedly   Anne Henrichs, age 70, died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at the family home.  Anne was a truly beloved member of the Spokane bridge community.  She served on the board of Unit 448 and was the Hospitality Chair at the time of her passing.  At the bridge table, she was unfailingly pleasant, calm, and courteous to her partner(s) and opponents. 

Anne was an early promoter of Eight Is Enough Swiss teams events.   (That's a type of team event that encourages newer players to participate.)   In her honor, on August 26 David Corn held an Eight Is Enough teams event.  Coincidentally there were eight teams competing that day.  The team that emerged in first place was composed of Martha Hodges, Vern Berkompas, Lynn Hays, and Jim Lindemann. 

Anne was also a promoter of the Unit's annual charity event.  In 2013 she held a bridge/dinner party at her home (seven tables) and donated 100% of the proceeds to our charity that year, Second Harvest.  This year she was also planning to hold a similar event, with all proceeds to go to our current charity, Union Gospel Mission. 

Anne will be missed.   

 

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Director Kay Fergie at her birthday party, April 1914

 

 

 

The ACBL Educational Foundation has named John Altman of Cincinnati OH the 2013 King of Bridge, an accolade awarded a graduating high school senior. His grandmother, BJ Kolkman, is a member of unit 448. Altman began playing bridge when he was 12 years old, but notes that he had been playing cards since before he could count. 

“I learned my numbers from playing cards with my grandma,” he says. “My grandma knew I had a knack for cards, so as a gift, she paid for my dad and me to take lessons at the bridge club in Cincinnati. After a few lessons, I was hooked. I remember asking my dad why he had to go to work instead of playing with me in the morning sessions.”

What sets Altman apart from prior high school bridge royalty, however, is his wise-beyond-his-years focus on recruitment and teaching.“Of all the things I have done in the bridge community, teaching has been one of my absolute favorites,” he says.

 Altman created and promoted the Walnut Hills Bridge Club — the after-school club at his high school. The club meets once a week, and anyone is welcome to come learn and play. One of Altman’s regular playing partners took over leadership of the group when Altman had to leave for college.

 A certified director at the age of 16, Altman directed youth games as well as a weekly open game and special-event games (holiday parties and awards celebrations) at the Cincinnati Bridge Club. He also directed the twice monthly mentor–mentee games.

For the rest of this entire article go to ACBL, Good going Grandma!!!!

 

 

 

 

Brenda starts the kids off playing a card game familiar to most kids, War.  When she gets to teaching bridge, she uses a coded deck that tells her exactly how to deal the cards so the same hands are at every table.  For the kids, she also uses an oversized deck of cards so everyone can see what she's doing.

 

Kids who attend the classes receive instruction, plus a trophy, a certificate, a deck of cards, and a hat.

 

Brenda is a retired physical education and science teacher who left North Pines Middle School in 2001.