WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL BLOG for La Pétanque Marinière in San Rafael, California. LPM has been an active Marin pétanque club since 1972 and affiliated with the Fédération of Pétanque USA, since 1975. We welcome people of all abilities, ages and nationalities to come and enjoy pétanque with us.

The Pierre Joske Courts are located on Civic Center drive in San Rafael. (click for directions). Casual games are played every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from about 1 pm. Tournament play is usually held on the second Sunday of every month.

Please consult the links on the sidebar to the right for more information on clubs in the bay area, nationally and world wide.

If you would like to play but haven't any boules, please contact our President, Christine Cragg. They can bring some for you to use, as well as introduce you to the basic skills and techniques of pétanque. In addition, if you are looking to purchase boules but are unsure as to which size and weight are right for you, we have a range of different examples from which to choose.

Monday, January 25, 2010

The New Dam Party

Dear N Cal Boulistenautes,


Sunday, Jan 31 High: 60 °F RealFeel®: 62 °F Partly sunny

At this time of year that rates as a pretty good forecast, and unless there's a major turn for the worse, this is definitely good-enough weather for our ever-morphing winter boules encounter. Eldon is working on turning out the Mendocino and Coastal representatives and all that remains is to recap some of the basic outlines so you can fill in the details.

There's a new locale. Peggy and David have scouted out the replacement for the now paved parking lot. Click here for directions.

Let's all try to be there so we can start to play at 10:00. If for you this means being there at 9:15, so be it. Some others may interpret it to mean getting there between 9:42 and 9:45.

As always this is a pot-luck, that means bring foodstuffs appropriate for sharing with everyone. We will not have the same cushy setup with the pavillion/tables/firegrate/
restrooms that we have grown used to. There is however a port-o-san and a short hop in a car will get you to more civilized accomodations.

So please bring things like portable tables and chairs or you'll be eating off the roof of your car and sitting on the fenders. Also, since we'll be without running water you might want to fill a couple of big jugs with eau de maison for cleanup, handwashing, coffee making etc. It would be great if anyone who has one of those pop-up awnings brings it, if only to act as an anti-rainfall fetish.

I'm sure I've forgotten something, but don't let that influence your planning. Be prepared for bad weather and then we'll all be pleasantly surprised when it's only mediocre. Anyway, I'm sure someone will chime in to remind me what I left out.

Oh, and don't forget your boules --- remember those rusty things that have been tripping you up on the garage floor since October?

Look forward to seeing you on the 31st,

frank pipal

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Club de Pétanque "Bolos de Santa Anita", Guadalajara, México



PÉTANCA A LA MÉXICANA

As most people who are familiar with the game of pétanque may be aware, it is a sport growing in world-wide popularity. What many people may not know however is that one of the countries where we have been seeing growth, is México.
In 1998, in the town of Santa Anita, Jalisco located in the shadow of the city of Guadalajara, capitol of the state of Jalisco, the late Mr. Miguel Angel Iñiguez Sanchez formed the "Bolos de Santa Anita" pétanque club. At first Don Iñiguez started by teaching his sons, Miguel Angel, Luis Fernando, Hector and Alfonso. Later, cousins and then friends were invited to play and be a part of the club. They have two courts, one of which is covered for use during inclement weather. Presently under the leadership of their President, Mr. Ramon Carrillo Aldrete, the club is 16 members strong. If you think that you may find yourself in Guadalajara and would like to play "pétanca a la méxicana", please contact Alfonso Iñiguez Lazcano

As many of you may also know, two of our now ex-pat members, Douglas and Donna have recently settled, 40 minutes away, in the small town of Ajijic (ah-hee-HEEK) located on the shore of beautiful Lake Chapala.

Friday, January 1, 2010

LPM 2010 Calendar

All tournaments will start at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays (except as noted).

For further information, call Christine at: 415-302-5069 or by email at: petanque.marin@gmail.com

Or if you are on your way but going to be late, call Christine at: 415-302-5069

Caution: all data susceptible to change



Saturday March 14 - Northern CA Commemorative Cup.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS STARTS
Registration ends at 10:00 a.m. All games start at 10:30 a.m. Bring your own lunch.
Select Mixed Doublettes (1 man & 1 woman). Plaques, but no cash prizes.
Apéritifs will be served after awards ceremony.


Sunday April 11 - Lentils & Sausages OPEN tournament

Registration ends at 11:00 a.m. All games start after lunch. (1pm or before)
No Cash Prizes. Prizes awarded by raffle.
Panaché for members & newcomers. Lunch $10.00.
Reservations mandatory by Thursday April 8!!!
Please call Alain Efron, 415.479.5820 or aefron3@comcast.net


Sunday May 9 - Potluck Picnic

Registration ends at 10:00 a.m. All games start at 10:30 a.m.
Tête a Tête (Gender Specific). There will be separate male and female tournaments.



Sunday June 13 - Steak Picnic and OPEN tournament

Mini pétanque clinic to be held between 10 and 11
Registration ends at 11:00 a.m. All games start after lunch. (1pm or before)
No Cash Prizes. Prizes to be awarded by raffle.
Panaché. Bring friends or guests. $13.00 per person.
Reservations mandatory by Thursday June 11!!!
Please Call Alain Efron, 415.479.5820 or lutecemeister@gmail.com


Sunday July 17 & 18 - FPUSA WOMEN'S and JUNIOR WORLD QUALIFIER

BOTH QUALIFIERS ARE TWO DAY EVENTS
PRE -REGISTRATION REQUIRED - DETAILS FORTHCOMING


Sunday July 25
- Fourth Annual "Bay Area and Beyond" Interclub Tournament

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
DETAILS FORTHCOMING



Lentils and Sausage Picnic and Open Tournament
Registration ends at 11:00 a.m. All games start after lunch. (1pm or before)
Cash Prizes.
Panaché for members & newcomers. Lunch $10.00.
Reservations mandatory by Thursday August 5th!!!
Please call Alain Efron, 415.479.5820 or lutecemeister@gmail.com


Sunday September 12
- Lamb Picnic, and OPEN tournament


Panaché Tournament Open to ALL
Registration ends at 11:00 a.m. !!
Casual games before lunch. Games will start after lunch at 1:00 p.m.
Lunch Menu: BBQ Lamb, white beans, salad, cheese & bread.
Free for Members in Good Standing, $13.00 for non-members.
Friends, family and guests are welcome.
No Cash Prizes – Wine awarded by raffle drawing
Additional raffle drawing for a $150.- gift certifcate to PÉTANQUE AMERICA
Reservations are required by the evening of Thursday, Sept. 9
Contact Alain Efron (415) 479-5820 or lutecemeister@gmail.com



Sunday October 10 -

Casual Play for members not wishing to compete in the
FPUSA Mixed Triples being hosted by Lamorinda


Saturday October 24
Business meeting/buffet.
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Reservations by Thursday November ?? mandatory!!!
Please call Alain Efron, 415 479.5820 or Claudie Chourré, 415.456.1778


Sunday November 14


Tournament a la melée. Bring your own lunch
Registration ends at 10:00 a.m. All games start at 10:30 a.m.


December
Happy Holidays!