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  • Ken Monzingo
  • P.O. Box 33567
  • San Diego CA 92163-3567
  • Phone: 619/220-0209
  • email: kenm@kenmonzingo.com

District Direction

By Ken Monzingo
National Board Representative

"Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence."
–Joan Mills

Christmas is here. What can be more wonderful than a season of caring, shared with friends, prompted by the cool SoCal air filled with the eternal, soothing carols?
I love Christmas.
Since it's now the Holiday Season I choose to not list the ups and downs of the mostly minor motions and issues we discussed in the Seattle NABC meetings last month, but I've published the full board minutes, and how I voted, on my web site, at www.KenMonzingo.com
For the moment, I just want to enjoy Christmas. I miss my younger years of traditional heartland Christmases with snow, sleet, rain, and bone-piercing wind blasts coming out of the Texas panhandle, but the timeless season music returns me to the simplicity of the yuletide lull. And so I'll put my personal goals and battles aside for a month and just recognize what I believe is best in our district, our league and our game.

San Diegans score high at NABC

For openers, I'm thrilled to report that San Diego nice guys Andy Loh and Bill Grant finished second overall in Seattle's ACBL Mini-Blue Ribbon Pairs. What a great nugget to hang on their bridge trees! Also very proud to report two more San Diegans, Maritha Pottenger and Joel Hoersch, finished in a high overall in the inaugural National Senior Mixed Pairs.

Well done, all.

Changing of the Guard

The best news from the national scene involves our two incoming management newcomers: Robert Hartman takes over as CEO of the ACBL, as my friend Jay Baum retires from ten great years as the leader in Memphis.
From the board of directors we have elected our 2012 ACBL President, Sharon Anderson of Minnesota – an elegant woman with a world of success in consulting business firms to keep them on the right course. Sharon is the perfect liaison between our national board and Robert's new management team in Horn Lake while ACBL celebrates its 75th Anniversary.
With a wonderful new association headquarters, a more efficient, league website (almost finished), and an improved ACBL Score in the works – all combined with our booming regional attendance and phenomenal online play – the league, under this 2012 leadership, will be taking on many new faces.
Locally, I'll speak for our district as we thank Jon Wright for his six years of service (including two terms as president) on the D22 Board. He has decided to give it a rest. Jon was, and still is, the editor and webmaster of the (all new) district website.
Andrew Loh is Jon's successor from Area III. Andrew is currently president of San Diego Unit 539.
Warren Cederborg, Visalia, is our new District 22 president for year 2012.

Jim Kirkham remembered

In October we lost Jim Kirkham to his battle with cancer. I suggest you read the ACBL Bulletin's December issue which contains a eulogy to Jim, District 22's longtime leader. In Seattle he was also honored during the Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill Committee meeting where I was happy to be called upon to read some of the comments our Forum readers submitted in testimony to Jim's greatness as a person and as a leader.

Monster tournaments

I hope you all played in the wonderful Great Western Holiday STAC, the largest sectional in the country with over 8400 tables in play. And also attended the huge Palm Springs Regional that finished 2011 as the second largest regional tournament in the country with 3929 tables of bridge players! All our ACBL, Western Conference and District 22 leaders, plus some national board members, were in attendance at the reception to celebrate the annual Passing of the Gavel ceremony we hosted on Saturday. And also on Saturday we welcomed in the eight newest members of District 22's Goodwill Committee.

A New Year

Now it's on to 2012 with renewed hope and optimism. A fresher approach to bridge politics under new leadership and a more dedicated promise of transparency, accountability and understanding. I will continue to demand no less than this from our national leaders, just as I hope you'll demand of me.
My New Year's wish to you is nothing new – just for good health, happy home life, and enjoyable bridge.
Mele Kalikimaka and Haole Makahiki Hou! (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)

Peace my friends.

"There are no strangers on Christmas Eve."–Beyond Tomorrow