December 2nd, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 9 Comments 
My heart swelled with overwhelming pride this evening when I had a chance belatedly to open today’s Daily Bulletin. On Page 2 where Special Events are announced, I read “PETER PENDER MEMORIAL VUGRAPH THEATER PRESENTATION” (with the room to be announced) which will view the Reisinger.
Many bridge players did not know that Peter had donated $75,000 to the ACBL with $25,000 earmarked for the Junior Program and the other $50,000 to be used to perpetuate his name. I knew nothing of this endowment until Bobby told me of conversations with Peter. Peter died in 1990 and over twenty years later the Pender name got lost in the shuffle. I got on the backs of the ACBL and many of the people involved at the time were no longer on the Board. No one seemed to know where the money went or who was in charge of it. I hounded them constantly and finally they conceded that they will recognize Peter. I remember briefly something called the Pendergraph (the vugraph room with commentators for important NABC events) and then it became simply the Vugraph Room using Fred Gitelman’s ingenious technology. I am appreciative that the ACBL followed it up and captioned the vugraph theatre as listed above.
Peter was very special! Norman, Bobby and I knew him quite well and I felt it incumbent upon myself to get the job done and settle our debt to Peter. Below is a detailed account of Peter’s many talents from his Hall of Fame presentation.
Peter Pender
1936 – 1990
There are those rare individuals who are talented at all that they do, whose every endeavor seems to meet with success. Peter Pender was such an individual, and his accomplishments as a bridge player are celebrated by his induction into the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame. Yet bridge was just one of the many facets of Pender’s career, whose brilliance was undiminished by his untimely end.
Pender of Forestville CA, attended Harvard and was an accomplished pianist. He was also a highly skilled figure skater who qualified to compete in national singles events four times and national pairs twice.
He was a gold medalist for both the United States and Canadian Figure Skating Associations.
Skating competitions took him frequently to Montreal, where he encountered the Canadian bridge elite of the late Fifties. It was there that Pender would meet future bridge partner Hugh Ross.
In 1960, Pender moved to San Francisco. He successfully owned and operated an exclusive resort, Fifes, located on the Russian River in the Bay area.
Pender’s talents also, of course, encompassed bridge. He became Life Master #1795 at the age of 22. He won the 1966 McKenney Trophy (now the Barry Crane Top 500) and in the same year helped England’s Jeremy Flint become an ACBL Life Master in 11 weeks, a record at the time.
Pender tallied 13 NABC wins: five in the Reisinger B-A-M Teams (1968, 1970, 1981, 1985 and 1986); two in the Life Master Men’s Pairs (1967 and 1984); four in the Grand National Teams (1982, 1983, 1985 and 1987) and two in the Vanderbilt Knockout Teams (1984 and 1987).
Pender was a member of the victorious U.S. squad in the 1985 NEC Bermuda Bowl in São Paulo, Brazil, and second in the 1989 Bermuda Bowl in Perth, Australia.
Pender was second in the 1982 Rosenblum Teams and won the Pan-American Invitational Pairs in 1974 and 1975.
Pender and Ross formed their now-famous partnership in 1981. The pair, playing with teammates Lew Stansby and Chip Martel, was arguably the most powerful squad in the world during the Eighties.
After winning the 1981 Reisinger, Pender offered this comment about the success of the foursome: "I think one of the reasons why our whole team did so well was because there is no rancor within the pairs or the team."
Pender continued to perform well in high-level competition through the late Eighties, despite battling the effects of HIV infection, the virus that causes AIDS.
Ross, in a posthumous tribute to his partner in 1990, said, "In the last four years, when he was constantly enduring pain, nausea and fatigue, he never gave up." Pender was so ill during part of 1987, that he was unable to attend the Bermuda Bowl in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Mike Lawrence filled in for the ailing Pender.
Pender recovered and succeeded in qualifying for the 1989 Bermuda Bowl held in Perth, Australia. His planned trip to Perth became controversial, however, when the Australian government initially refused to grant Pender a visa because of his HIV status. The decision was later rescinded following public outcry over the policy.
Pender finally succumbed to effects of the illness in November of 1990. In early 1991, it was announced that Pender had bequeathed $2.26 million to the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the largest donation ever received by the organization.
December 1st, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 13 Comments
Things have changed radically since the last time we went to an NABC. First — about the hotel site (The Marriott Marquis). We just returned to our room (4:35 p.m.) as Bobby had played the first three matches and was sitting off the fourth one. To our shock, when we opened our door, it was obvious it had not yet been cleaned. So we called the desk downstairs and reported it, went to dinner and after 6:30 when we returned (two hours later) — there was a knock on our door that they were ready to clean it. Hallelujah!
It is obvious from our experiences here, the whole hotel is short staffed. The coffee shop (buffet) which is the only tolerable and reasonably priced cuisine has lots of empty tables with a shortage of help. Time-wise, it was not set up for the convenience of the bridge players (after the sessions are over) although they are swarming all over the place in full regalia. Between sessions, some snooze on the cozy sofas on the second floor, take off their shoes and snore away. By the way, the average breakfast buffet is $19 (reduced for the bridge players) but hardly anything to write home about — and surprisingly no “omelet man” The dinner buffet costs substantially more – and nothing special. The ala carte items vs. the buffet were out of sight!
Let’s move on to the personalities in attendance. It was wonderful to see old friends again with Bobby being greeted with hearty handshakes and I got tons of hugs and kisses from some players I’ve known for fifty years. Though it’s been almost a five year hiatus for us, it was nice not to be forgotten and genuinely welcomed with open arms. We saw so many employees of the ABCL we haven’t been in contact with for a long, long time. We got to meet someone who frequents both of our blog sites == Bill Cubley who kibitzed us for a few rounds. Many admirers of Bobby accosted him to tell him how much they love his column and blog site. I was shocked to learn lots of bridge players read and enjoy mine also, because so few people bother to comment! It was good to see some longtime loyal employees of the ACBL like Directors Charlie McClerkin and Mike Flader, Administrator Jim Miller, Bulletin Editor Brent Manley and the Oshlags who have been with the League for eons.
However, there was one incident on Thursday I had with a director with whom we have had ugly problems before. Because I have a bad back, I always request a stationary entry (NS). The Mixed Pairs yesterday was no exception. However, the tables yesterday were too far apart so that I couldn’t reach the person in back of me to pass the boards. Incidentally, the day before — the tables were so close people had problems getting through the aisles. Because it was now so spread out, I got reprimanded by this despicable director who complained I should not be tossing the boards on the floor. I explained I could not get up from my chair every round and requested that he get me a chair on which to place them, telling of my back problem. Before he got the chair for me (showing his annoyance and with sarcasm in his voice), he vehemently let me know … “I have a bad back too!” I wanted to add “and an obnoxious personality to boot.” However, the chair did solve the problem. Most of the other directors were accommodating, but this buzzard was unfortunately assigned to my section. Just my luck!
The hotel itself is fine. The rooms are more than adequate (though expensive — which goes with the territory these days). The elevator service is good. Most of the playing rooms are downstairs on B2 (but there are two sets of escalators going both ways). The events are pretty spread out and on different floors but the Daily Bulletin carefully directs you to the right place. The only problem is that it is chilly and raining outside so it is not enticing to leave the hotel and more convenient and comfortable to remain in the building – so most players are just grinning and bearing it. (And by the way – Room Service is unto itself). One lady told me her breakfast bill was $40.00 — because of taxes, service charge and tips which accounted for ten bucks –- one quarter of her bill! If you missed this National, don’t fret. However, for me, it was nice to play with Bobby in the Senior Mixed Pairs and was nostalgic for both of us recalling memories of days past!
November 28th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 4 Comments
It all began after we boarded our SW flight to San Francisco when a young lady asked me if the window seat next to me was taken. As I looked up, to my shock and pleasure, there was a Philadelphia bridge friend of mine, Elaine Landow, whose sister, Gloria, and family I had been friendly with for forty years back home (including both of her parents). She had spent the first week in SF, then flew to LV for a few days of fun and games and happened to catch her return flight on the same plane we were on.
It was a delightful hour and forty-minute trip as we reminisced about people and incidents of days gone by and then journeyed to the Marriott Marquis together. I am not much on travel but the time just flew by! Elaine, whose S. O. is Craig Robinson, popular District 4 Representative to the ACBL BOD. invited us up to the Hospitality Suite after the game last night but we were so exhausted, we were in la-la land by 9 p.m. I must add that for a hotel this size, the choice of eating facilities was under par – settling after scavenging the hotel for an eatery for the 4th St. Bar and Grille which was freezing as the door kept opening from the outside and it is much chillier here than I anticipated.
Before retiring for the night, I set up my computer at the hotel (god forbid I shouldn’t check my mail or blogs); then Bobby replied to some comments on his Aces on Bridge site. And, before I leave that subject, I want to share with you his quote to someone (certainly an honorable and respectable individual). It concerns asking partner for aces, learning you aren’t “off two of them” – then studying and signing off at the five level and partner overruling your hitch and bidding the slam.
“…… it becomes imperative for a Blackwood (BW) bidder to bid in tempo if he or she decides to sign off after hearing the answer to her ace ask. When she doesn’t and a break occurs (BIT), partner then is barred from using his or her judgment simply because of the possibility of UI. Such a thing is sometimes called sarcastically “Hesitation Blackwood” and is a reminder of this rule which is followed universally the world over.
BTW, a BW bidder should never sign off at the 5 level, after hearing that their partnership is missing one, or, of course, fewer aces. BW is never used to get to a slam but only used to keep from getting there off two key cards, therefore it should only be used to always bid a slam (with a possible grand also possible) unless the partnership may be off two immediately cashable aces (or in key card BW), an ace and the king of trumps.
The above lesson is one worth knowing and is basically inviolate when it occurs. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that in this case cited there was absolutely no intention of violating any rule, bridge playing or morality, but nevertheless what is stated here is strictly a bridge law ruled the same in all corners of the planet.”
I loved the above explicit explanation and wanted to share it with you. It is now almost 7 a.m. and we are going to scrounge around as to where we can have some goodies for breakfast (inside the hotel ….brrrrrrr….)!
November 23rd, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 4 Comments
Having been born and raised in Philadelphia, I enjoyed most of my childhood and teenage years on the East Coast. Our summers were spent in Atlantic City where the boardwalk, beach, salt air and the Piers (Steel, Hamid’s and Heinz’s) were the main attractions (long before gambling or casinos became the rage). For vacations in my high school years, my friends and I would venture to New York to catch some shows on weekends or longer trips to Cape Cod and Nantucket in the summers and Miami in the winters. I did not realize what a sheltered life I had led until 1963 when my newly betrothed Norman planned an exciting honeymoon starting at the Flamingo in Las Vegas (compliments of Stoney), then on to San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles. I was fascinated by the street cars in SF and the movie sets in LA where Stoney also had a lot of pull and we witnessed some movies being made, including “What a Way to Go” with Gene Kelly and Shirley MacLane (and also “The Mark” with Stuart Whitman). Oh, yes, I almost forgot — we were introduced to Phil Silvers (Sgt. Bilko) while having lunch in the cafeteria. What a hoot that experience was!
Believe it or not that was my first exposure to California but I returned to San Francisco shortly thereafter when Norman played in a Trials there. Of course, by that time I was bitten badly by the bridge bug and for over fifty years (I’ve lost count) have visited many marvelous cities via the NABCs. However, life in Vegas (where Bobby and I moved in 2005) is very engaging and in the last five years we have not traveled much. But .. SF being so close by air to LV, Bobby and I plan on going there for the last five days. I look forward to seeing so many friends of long standing and meeting others whom I have come into contact with on my blogsite. Unfortunately, it will be a short trip and we’ll be home before we know it! It’s four days away and can you fathom — I’m just about all packed!
November 16th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 4 Comments
For those of you who have written to me privately, at my request, Gary McGough has been kind enough to supply the answers to the questions asked (and I understand the sample ballot is going out in the mail today to members in good standing):
Candidates:
GEORGE CHURCHILL; EVELYN DAHL; TOM GRUE; JACK HIBBS; ED MATULIS; MIKE McCLAIN; NELSON ORTH; BRUCE RUBIN; STEVE SEIDEN; DAN WILLIAMS
It will be held at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 South 4th Street on Sunday, December 16th.
Holiday dinner (11:30-12:30) Game (12:30-4:00) Election Results (4:00)
Be sure to vote (either in person or by proxy)!
November 14th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 4 Comments
At a recent Board Meeting, our Unit decided to listen to the voice of reason which resounded at the open membership meeting following the Unit Game on Sunday, November 4th. Those in attendance were vehement that the by-laws were antiquated or misinterpreted – thus reversing the Board’s earlier decision not to allow Bruce Rubin (whose wife Jane is 1/3 owner of The Las Vegas Bridge World) and Tom Grue (whose wife was a one-day-a-week director and who had sent in her resignation because her directorship impeded Tom’s questionable qualification to run for the Board) to now be on the slate for the upcoming election to fill vacancies on the BOD.
To the Board’s credit, they reversed themselves, and placed Bruce and Tom’s name on the ballot with no reservation.
Your constituents thank you.
November 9th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 5 Comments
I was inspired by Ray Lee’s tribute on his blogsite to our good friend, Eddie Kantar, who is celebrating his 80th birthday — today — November 9th. It is appropriately called: “Happy Birthday, Eddie.” If you haven’t read it yet, please take a moment and check it out. Eddie, who was a good friend of both Norman’s and Bobby’s, is not only an exceptional bridge player but is involved in more activities than you can shake a stick at (besides tennis and table tennis). Besides, he has the love and support of his beautiful wife, Yvonne, whom I got to know when Norman and I traveled to California a couple times before Norman was stricken with cancer and passed on almost eleven years ago. I haven’t seen much of the Kantars over the years as we have both stopped frequenting the NABCs but we are both going to San Francisco at the end of the month, However, we do email occasionally. The Wolves hope to catch up with them if only for a quickie brunch..
Ray’s tale of Eddie, covering all phases of his multi-faceted activities and interests, brought to mind my Bobby’s beating him out by over three weeks as Bobby celebrated his 80th on October 14th. Bobby and I have been married almost nine years (wed on December 7th, 2003 — another day that will “live in infamy” which we always joke about)!
Coming from his wife, this might sound biased. But believe me, my recounting what I am about to speak of is gospel — with God as my witness. Bobby never stops to amaze me as he tells bridge tales as far back as the Fifties — naming names, incidents, partnerships, conversations, personal teammates, exact years (and sometimes months), identifying playing sites, cities, foreign countries, hotels in which the events were held — even memorable hands from specific events. Some less fortunate people, on occasion, can’t even remember what trump is!
Bobby has devoted his virtual being and entire life to the game and at the tender age of 80 is still fighting to preserve its good name and honor for generations to come. Not only does he play with me twice a week and in the local tournaments since we were married, but his mind is beyond incredible and I am privileged to hear and witness his delightful repertoire 24/7! He hasn’t missed a beat. I consider myself one lucky gal.
November 5th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 8 Comments
The above Unit Game was held at the Las Vegas Bridge World at 12:30 Sunday followed by a brawling membership meeting conducted by Tom Shulman, Tournament Chairman, Treasurer and Representative to District 17. Unit President, Barbara Dunkley, who claimed she was not well (but well enough to play in the game with Tom Shulman) passed the gavel to Tom who virtually runs the show and makes or influences the Board to favor his way of thinking. The consensus is that it is time we got fresh blood on the Board — more knowledgeable people with experience — but there are stumbling blocks in the way.
The big issue.was the brouhaha over two of the proposed candidates for the Board …. Bruce Rubin and Tom Grue whom Shulman and his cohorts regarded ineligible because Bruce’s wife Jane (who independently bought into LVBW with her own money) was a club owner and Tom’s wife Sue is a once a week Friday Director. Shulman said the Board (who are far from elder statesman) felt it was in violation of the bylaws. However, it was pointed out that a couple of years ago “The Board” did approve “club related people.” The question is WHY NOW do they think these gentlemen are ineligible. Shulman (who is a retired lawyer) interpreted their being on the ballot as a violation while Anne Ullman, a practicing lawyer, felt strongly that the bylaws did not intend the proposed candidates to be excluded.
There were dozens of people who spoke out against Shulman’s position and finally he agreed (at everyone’s urging) to do something or other involving putting it before the general membership but the audience was warned that it probably couldn’t be handled in time for the election in December.
The ranting and raving were reminiscent of a three ring circus — with the crowd far from controlled.
Bruce gave an eloquent speech, citing rules and laws which, in his opinion, Shulman and the Board violated. Sue Grue, Tom Grue’s wife, was so furious she said she would give the club two weeks notice so Tom could run for the Board. He would not allow that. I believe the present status is that Tom can be on the ballot — but not Bruce. It was such an unruly meeting because most of those in attendance (about forty or so who stayed after the game) were profoundly against Shulman and the Board’s position and made themselves heard loud and clear. If it accomplished nothing else, Tom Shulman came away from the meeting knowing the great majority disagreed with his interpretation of the bylaws. At least the dues paying members of the Unit had an opportunity to speak their minds in strong fashion and it was apparent they felt they were being pushed around!
October 25th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 63 Comments
There is a lot of buzz about the rejection of two popular and respected Class “A” players to have their names accepted and placed in candidacy for election to the Board of Directors of our local unit. The two individuals are Tom Grue and Bruce Rubin whom, in my and Bobby’s opinion, would be a tremendously uplifting addition and asset to the group because of their experience, knowledge, devotion to the game and gung ho attitude of improving the running of the Unit. The reason stated for their unacceptability is because of their spouses. Tom Grue’s wife, Sue, helps out by running the LVBC’s game once a week on Friday (for a pittance, I suspect) and Bruce Rubin’s wife, Jane is a one-third owner of the same club.
I was referred to the By-Laws which, in my opinion are stagnant and have been that way for eons – and I quote:
“4. No member having a financial interest in any Bridge Club shall be eligible for nomination and/or election to the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Unit; nor can such member be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Unit – except in an honorary and non-voting capacity. Provided, that nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the nomination of election and/or appointment to the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Unit of any director or as a substitute part-time director for a fixed compensation; said fixed compensation not being dependent on the number of tables in play.”
YOU WILL ALSO NOTE THERE IS NO SPECIFIC MENTION OF ‘SPOUSES” IN THE ABOVE DIRECTIVE. I have gone to great lengths to check with friends around the country and all have advised in no uncertain terms that in their area there is no restriction of having a tie with a club (as a director or owner). Many owners and club directors serve on various Boards around the U.S. – but UNIT 373 has their own ideas.
To me, if such members served on the Board, and an issue arose involving their club or any club, they would have the good sense to abstain from voting. However, there has been no issue raised about the icky situation of the same individual serving as both Tournament Chairman and Treasurer of the Unit. The gentleman is upstanding, respected and honorable and I have no reason to suspect any wrongdoing, but the precedent seems to be a potential conflict of interest for others who may appear down the road.
The two potential rejected candidates would have added much to the superiority of the Unit but it appears the one/s in charge have no interest in rectifying the situation by jeopardizing their own continuance on the board — waiving or changing such a self-serving condition so they may contain the controlling interest and prefer the status quo.
September 28th, 2012 ~ Judy Kay-Wolff ~ 9 Comments
I spent today reading the last 135 pages of the above chronicle. It continued the tributes (with photographs) of many of the most influential world renown bridge figures and their contributions to universal bridge – including perhaps the most active and energetic of all – Jose Damiani (President from 1994-2010!!!) – in multi-faceted roles. Also revered were Harold Franklin, probably best known as Chief Tournament Director for the English Bridge Union for over twenty years as well as Chief Tournament Director of the European Bridge League and The WBF; Australian Denis Howard who served as WBF President from 1986-91 and even acted as interim CEO for the ACBL in its time of need; Brazilian Ernesto d’Orsi, a charming likeable fellow, whose term was 1991-92; Gianarrigo Rona, born in Rome (presently WBF President); American Dick Goldberg who served on the WBF Executive Council and held other high positions with them until his retirement in 1990; and Bobby Wolff whose term was from 1992-1994 – a winner of eleven world championships and a crusader to clean up the game and get bridge into the schools! The details of their individual involvements are spelled out in detail on separate pages or special chapters — specifically dedicated to their achievements.
Also covered was the ugly South African Apartheid issue (as well as Israel’s problems of acceptance by some) but thankfully by this time has been ironed out. Mr. Patino also touches on the many managerial problems, financial issues and sponsors needed to help pay the bills of the WBF functions now being held all over the globe; the 1986 recognition of Bridge in the Guinness Book of Records; the development of “youth” bridge; the HUM (a Highly Unusual Method) which means any system that exhibits unusual partnership agreement — often used to confuse the opponents (what Edgar Kaplan amusingly referred to as PUS .. a Particularly Unusual System – tantamount to HUM); the development of a special WBF Convention Card which each partnership was required to have at the table; the introduction of Bridge as a mind sport because of the persistence of Mr. Damiani as a promoter and his expertise in the advertising business; and last but not least the many political upheavals amongst the administrators of the WBF who did not view several issues in the same light.
Why listen to me banter on and on?? Do yourself a favor. When the book is available, treat yourself to a copy. As Jimmy Patino described it, it is “An Anecdotal History Compiled by its Presidents” .. and I might add – well worth reading!
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