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News from North Fair Oaks

Mojo
ABTA Master Teacher

649 N Fair Oaks Ave #201
Pasadena CA 91103
(626) 247-4457
pasadenabridgeclub.com

I heard this story from a bridge player the other day. He was talking to another bridge player from our area who had lost his home.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.

"Play bridge with me," was his response.

We have had calls and emails from near and far from people offering bridge club gear, or wanting contribute money for those in hardship. I'm happy that our club is in fine condition, and we're really not equipped to take and disburse donations. I recommend working with any of the better established relief agencies to help.

While they're locking down the Eaton fire, we still occasionally get a cloud of fire smoke that can be detected in the club, but usually it vanishes as quickly as it appears.

Bridge has been so valuable for relief and connection. Our games this past week were all very well attended.

In memoriam

Elliott Mazur passed away this past weekend after a very brief illness. Elliott was a fixture at the games in Pasadena and Glendale. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Jane and I knew Elliott away from the bridge club as well. He was a patron of the Pasadena Symphony, and we would always see and greet him at his nearby seats.

Elliott was passionate about recycling, and he always kept me on my toes to be sure cans, bottles and cardboard all made it into recycling bins. He cared enough that he would take home whatever cardboard boxes I had, and even contacted the property management to ask about their recycling.

There will be a service for Elliott Thursday at 1:30 PM. The location is Mount Sinai, 5950 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles.

The Thursday morning game will begin at 9:30 AM instead of 11:00 this week to allow everyone who wishes to attend the service. Office Hours for Thursday will not be held this week.

Bridge Classes This Week

Each week I'll post the topics for the Wednesday and Thursday classes. Anyone is welcome to join a single class for $25 without purchasing an entire course.

This week's classes:

  • Wednesday, January 22, 7:00 PM Bridge Basics 2 - Competitive Bidding "Simple Overcalls and Responses"
  • Thursday, January 23, 7:00 PM Bridge Basics 4 - Play of the Deal "Play of the Deal in Trump Contracts"

In addition, every Saturday morning at 9:30 we offer a mini-workshop featuring a fascinating bridge hand from Eddie Kantar's "Thinking Bridge" series. In each hand you'll discover how all of the clues you need to find the right contract, the best opening lead, successful play or defense, are all right there when you notice them!

The Saturday  morning workshops are free and open to all, whether or not you stay to play in the novice/intermediate bridge game at 10:00.

The next Bridge Basics 1 - Introduction class starts Thursday, April 3. It's open for registration at this link. If you get the PCC Extension catalog in your mailbox, you'll find our class listed!

Save the date for our next Robert Todd seminar: Sunday, March 30, all day.

Best regards,
Mojo, Jane, Zachary