WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL BLOG for La Pétanque Marinière in San Rafael, California. LPM has been an active Marinpétanqueclub since 1972 and affiliated with theFédération 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.
Photographer Henry Wessel at the installation of his exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2007.Photo: PAUL CHINN, SFC
Henry Wessel, among the nation’s most prominent artists in the medium of photography and a Bay Area resident for four decades, died at his Point Richmond home on Thursday, Sept. 20. He had been suffering from lung cancer.
His death was announced by his longtime gallery representative, Trish Bransten. He was 76.
Wessel was twice awarded the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, in 1971 and 1978. He was also the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships in photography, among many other awards.
His work was exhibited at major museums throughout the world, beginning with a solo show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1972. He was one of 10 artists included in “New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-Altered Landscape,”a seminal 1975 exhibitionat the George Eastman House in Rochester, N.Y. Exhibitions were also mounted at, among other institutions, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles in 1998 and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2007.
Corey Keller, curator of photography at SFMOMA, organized the artist’s career survey as one of her first assignments there. “I did not know him when we started to work together, but by the end we were very good friends,” she said. “He was an incredibly generous person … everyone he came into contact with learned something from him. He always brought something to a conversation I hadn’t thought about.”
“Hank used to say that photography is easy,” Keller said. “He would say, ‘You have two decisions to make: Where to stand, and when to press the shutter. Pressing the shutter is saying yes to the world.'”
The museum holds 107 photographs by the artist. “We think he is one of the great American photographers, and our collection reflects that,” Keller said.
Numerous books of Wessel’s work have been published, including the five-volume “Henry Wessel: California and the West / Odd Photos / Las Vegas / Real Estate Photographs / Night Walk” (2005), “Henry Wessel: Incidents” (2013), and “Henry Wessel: Traffic/Sunset Park/Continental Divide” (2017). His German publisher, Steidl, plans several additional books, which Wessel recently viewed in proof, according to Bransten.
Wessel was emeritus professor of art at San Francisco Art Institute, where he taught from 1973 to 2014. His work is represented in San Francisco by Rena Bransten Gallery, and in New York by Pace/MacGill Gallery.
He is survived by his longtime partner, Calvert Barron, and son, Nicholas Ryder Wessel. A memorial event at the Minnesota Street Project is being planned for the afternoon of October 21st.
It is with a deeply sad heart that I am sharing this news.
Henry Wessel, our dear friend, dedicated pétanque player, talented photographer, hardworking board member and all-around great guy to know - passed away last night, in his sleep.
Our hearts and prayers are with Calvert. We will miss our friend - and remember him and the wonderful moments we shared.
Condolences may be sent to: Calvert Barron, PO Box 70457, Point Richmond, CA 94807.
La Pétanque Marinière and the County of Marin, set to honor Pierre Joske.
On a recent evening in San Rafael, French folk music played as some 30 people gathered at the pétanque courts near the Marin County Civic Center, laughing, chatting — some speaking French — and playing a few friendly rounds of the game.
“It’s like stepping into France,” said Louis Toulon, speaking in a rich, flowery tone accented by the inflections of his native Aix-en-Provence. “It’s a very sociable game.”
The San Rafael resident was among a core group of French transplants who founded the court in 1972 with the help of the late Pierre Joske, the county’s first Open Space District manager.
The Petanque Club of Las Vegas is happy to let you know that its International Open Select Doubles Petanque Tournament is scheduled for October 27-28, 2018 and that registration is now open.
Please share the information and the attached flyer to your petanque fellow players. We will be adding details on our facebook and website pages.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!
La Petanque Mariniere is hosting the NorCal Regional Select Doubles on June 10, 2018. You can use this link to get to the FPUSA website page for a registration form http://www.usapetanque.org/fpusa-tournaments.html There is also a registration form attached to this email. Registration closes on June 1 and information for the event is on the registration form.
French sporting goods giant Decathlon is taking over the former location of Golfsmith’s Golf & Tennis—which closed last year—at 735 Market Street.
Although an exact date has not been announced, the Market St. location is set to open "within this year," the retailer wrote on Facebook. It will be Decathlon's first store in San Francisco and in California.
Decathlon—an international chain first founded in Lille, France—has 1,120 stores worldwide in 30 different countries. With a motto of "all sports under one roof," it offers sports equipment for varying levels of expertise and activities, ranging from running and team sports to fishing and scooters.
Editor’s Note: We thank Dave Scott for his willingness to allow us to post his touching tribute to local musician Dan Voll who died suddenly on January 22. Although we have seen many personal responses mourning the loss of Dan, we believe Dave produced a wonderful heartfelt tribute to a well respected musician and friend.
early monday morning the music died on amelia island.
DAN VOLL
A long long time ago I can still remember how That music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But January made me shiver With every paper I’d deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride Something touched me deep inside The day the music died So Reprinted with permission from Dave Scott
Bye, bye Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die This’ll be the day that I die
— Don McLean
Popular local musician, my friend, and friend to so many more, Dan Voll (60), passed away following a stroke suffered almost three weeks ago.
A native of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Dan moved to Amelia Island in 2010 and immediately picked, sang, grinned and charmed his way into the hearts of locals and visitors. He was quickly offered a regular Friday evening slot at downtown Fernandina Beach’s Green Turtle where he, bassist/vocalist Michelle Anders, and drummer/vocalist Nico Findeisen, became regular performers with an always enthusiastic standing room only audience.
As word of this incredibly talented guitarist’s talent spread, he was in demand by every musical venue on the island including a regular Tuesday evening slot at PJD’s Beer & Wine Garden, Sunday evenings with Michelle on the Salty Pelican’s balcony, Wednesday’s at the now shuttered Alley Cat, regular performances at Sliders, The Surf, Ritz Carlton, Amelia River Cruises sunset sailings, David’s, Sandy Bottoms/Sandbar, the Omni Plantation Resort, Falcon’s Nest, The Patio and many more. He also performed with the popular local Beech Street Blues Band, and appeared many times at the local farmer’s market, the annual Sounds on Centre sessions in downtown Fernandina Beach as well as many other local events and concerts. He was in huge demand outside of his island home as well with numerous requests to perform at venues as far ranging as New York and California.
Dan & Michelle at the Green Turtle
He may have been the best guitarist in northeast Florida as his exceptional talent drew praise from professional musicians as well as appreciative audiences. He combined that extraordinary skill with an “Aw shucks” stage presence that made every person in the audience feel he was singing directly to them. Without missing a beat he would call out audience members names, sing one of his many versions of happy birthday to them, or point to someone in the audience and say “this one’s for you (name)” and then break into a song they had requested days ago or through an email to him. Dan’s versatility was obvious as he effortlessly blended genres ranging from rock, pop and blues to jazz, country and Latin music.
He sported a dry wit and an unassuming, easy-going nature that brought out the best in his audiences and those that were fortunate enough to be called his friend. He was free with praise for those close to him and if he disliked anyone he kept that to himself, as none of those that knew him well can recall him uttering a harsh word about anyone, a rare quality indeed. He was rarely seen — indoors or out — without his trademark straw fedora and could be spotted often biking around the island.
Dan began playing guitar when he was nine, studied in Los Angeles with recording artist Ted Greene and is the recipient of a number of music awards. He happily transferred his guitar playing skills by teaching local primary school-age pupils and performed many times for grateful crowds at the island’s two senior facilities.
His last performance was with the drummer/vocalist Les DeMerle, singer Bonnie Eisele and keyboard player Doug Matthews on New Year’s Eve at the Amelia Island Club.
In an article in Jacksonville’s “First Coast Magazine” last year Dan summed up his career saying that his self-image and objectives have evolved with age and experience. “Originally, I wanted to be an ‘important’ guitar player. Now I just want to make someone smile,” he said. He said he wanted his music to “make everybody feel like somebody, at least for a little while.” He accomplished that and more. On Tuesday Fernandina Beach Mayor Johnny “Sunbeam” Miller and Dan’s close friend, Pajamadave Voorhees, lowered the flag flying in front of the town’s marina to half mast to honor one of the island’s most beloved residents.
Following the airplane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson (the “Big Bopper”) in 1959 many of us listened to the words to Don McLean’s song “American Pie” and thought we understood what he meant. However, when the words are put together with pictures and film clips the song takes on a new meaning for those of us that knew Dan, and with his passing the song may be even more fitting. Watch the video here and judge for yourself: http://youtu.be/VhX3b1h7GQw
Dan is survived by his immediate family in Wisconsin including his Mother Shirley Churchill Voss, brother Jeff Voll, sister-in-law Cheryl, sister Lisa Johnson and niece Ashley Voll, as well as girl friend Donna Carine, close friends PajamaDave Voorhees, Zan Maddox, Susan and Flip Gallion, Jeff Malone, “Shel” Anders and many, many more.
A celebration of his life will be planned to honor this extraordinary man and details will be announced as they become available.
Photographer Henry Wessel at the installation of his exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2007. Photo: PAUL CHINN, SFC
