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A New Year of Bridge
 Happy New Year!
It's a new year and a new beginning for Unit 141 Sectionals. The January Sectional kicked off with a record turnout at its new Bala location. Read about it and see pictures from the debut below.
The next Unit 141 Sectional will take place in four weeks with the February Sectional, also at Bala, on February 8-10. Read below for details.
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January Sectional Debuts at Bala with Record Attendance!
This past weekend, Unit 141 kicked off the new year with its January Sectional--the first at Bala Golf Club. With 270 tables in play, this sectional was best attended Unit 141 sectional since 2006. Thanks to all of you who supported the tournament and made the weekend a great success.
The new location elicited approval from players and organizers. As Tournament Chairman Meyer Kotkin says, "I cannot find enough words to praise the place. This is the kind of quality location we always hoped we would find."
There was plenty of free parking (including valet parking) and a helpful, courteous staff that went above and beyond to help make the tournament a success. Although bridge is an absorbing activity, players had a bucolic view when there was a free moment to peer up from the cards. The hospitality committee provided free breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks each day.
The slate of varied events included a well-attended Knockout Teams on Saturday and a Dupli-Swiss on Sunday. As always, all events (except knockouts) had pre-duplicated boards and hand records.
The tournament committee and volunteers look forward to putting on an even better event next month at the February Sectional (February 8-10) at the same location. If you joined us this weekend, plan to come again. If you're hearing the buzz, come see for yourself what the talk is all about!
 | Open Pairs kicks off the Sectional on Friday.
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 | | Admiring the view... |
 | | Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks are available each day. |
 | | The room is ready for play. |
 | | a view of the main playing area at night |
 | | 270 tables--a great turnout! |
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February Sectional at Bala Is Right Around the Corner
 If you played in this weekend's Unit 141 January sectional, add up your masterpoints but don't rest on your laurels. The winter sectional at Bala has a repeat performance in a month. If you didn't play, but are hearing good things about the new location, come give us try. You will enjoy the setting, lovely playing areas, and warm hospitality. We encourage everyone to grab a partner and field a team for the February sectional at Bala on February 8-10.
Click here for details or read to learn more about the Bala location. Feel free to contact Mike Giesler (mgiesler@comcast.net) or Tournament Chair Meyer Kotkin (guymath@comcast.net) with any questions.
We look forward to seeing you for the next Unit 141 sectional in a few weeks!
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Bala Golf Club: Tips and Tricks
The Unit 141 February Sectional (February 8-10), and all 2013 Unit 141 sectionals except Mays Landing, will be held at Bala Golf Club.
Click here for the flyer to read about playing times and events, but here is information about Bala Golf Club to help make the transition to the new playing site easier for everyone.
Directions: Bala Golf Club is located at 2200 Belmont Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131. It is located just off City Ave. (Rt. 1), about a mile west of I-76. Off Rt. 1, turn south on to Belmont Ave. Go 0.6 miles to the Bala entrance on the right.
Parking: Self parking and free valet parking are both available. After turning off Belmont Ave. into the club entrance, follow the drive about 0.3 miles to a fork in the road. Stay left into the parking lot. You can self park in the upper lot or continue through it to the club entrance and the valets. There is a small lot in front of the club, but guests who can walk a short distance are encouraged to park in the first, larger lot.
Hospitality: A breakfast buffet, full lunch, drinks, and snacks will be served on each day of the sectionals. Players may bring in their own food (and are encouraged to if they are strict vegetarians or have dietary issues like lactose or gluten intolerances), but plenty will be provided.
Facilities: The main playing area is on one floor. There are large men's and women's bathrooms, as well as handicapped-accessible ones.
Fees: Card fees will be $12/session, the same rate as 2012.
If you have additional questions about the sectional or the new location, contact Mike Giesler at mgiesler@comcast.net or 215-806-9600.
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Villanova Connection
 Are you a Villanova graduate or current or past staff member? If so, Unit 141 is interested in talking to you about an exciting new project. We just have a few simple questions. Please contact Mike Giesler (mgiesler@comcast.net or 215-806-9600).
Thanks!
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Table Tips: Be Nice!
 If you've been playing bridge for decades, you might remember a time before Zero Tolerance when bridge could be a really nasty experience. It's certainly better now, but from what we've been reading lately, it sounds like a loss of decorum at some bridge tables has made the playing experience less pleasant for some and might be keeping newer players from staying in the game. In this month's Bridge Bulletin, Brent Manley says that lately he has been receiving "more than the usual number of emails and letters complaining about unfriendly, rude, and/or condescending behavior toward beginners."
Being nice doesn't mean you have to be overly solicitous to every person that crosses your path at the bridge table. But there is never any call for being intimidating, insulting, or rude to anyone at all. A little courtesy and patience to newer players in particular could help keep them in the game.
For additional thoughts on this issue, see Manley's Viewpoint on page 6 the January 2013 Bridge Bulletin. ACBL members can log on to the ACBL website and also read the article online.
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Club News
The Philadelphian Bridge Club runs a growing game open to all on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM. Card fees are only $8. Free parking and hand records are available at every game. The easy-to-navigate website (www.bridge2401.com) has plenty of additional information or you can contact Linda Di Luco (bridge2401@gmail.com) with questions.
The Yorktown Bridge Club has initiated a second "shuffle-'n-deal" game on Fridays at 9:30 AM. Please check the website (www.yorktownbridgeclub.com) for additional details or the overall schedule.
[Local clubs are encouraged to send announcements, schedules, updates, and special games for placement in upcoming newsletters.]
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