HAPPY BOULEDAYS FROM JOE & JEFF

With the brisk weather setting into Michigan, it is going to be more and more difficult to play boule on the local pistes. You have a number of options available:

1) Fly down to Miami and compete in a few of their winter-time tournaments;

2) Wait until April when the pistes will thaw out; or

3) Participate in one of our winter MINI-BOULE tournaments. . .

Mini-Boule is a somewhat satisfying derivative of petanque. It has all of the elements of regular-sized boule, except (obviously) on a much smaller scale.

What does this mean?

Well, you can still point, push, shoot, carreau (I've seen it done!), and trash-talk - but all in the comforts of a livingroom or dining-hall (like we did last year). So, why not post some comments about your interest in getting together for a Mini-Boule tournament and Joe and Jeff will keep you posted.

How do you spell relief?

One of the creepier denizens of the local park, we often see him relieving himself on all of the local shrubs and trees. Often-times, we hear his low moaning - which we attribute to - lord only knows...

Sunday in the Park with Joe

This past Sunday in Royal Oak was quite good for petanque play. The temperature was up for 55 degrees, and we had a fair turnout. Lindsey showed us her new Obut smooth 710 boules...

...and she promptly starting kicking butt with them with her superior pointing.

Another delightful surprise was the splendid shooting from Denise's brother, Jeff - who made many key shots (despite having only played for a few weeks).

And let's not forget Kitty, who Joe had practice shooting - with which she saved us plenty of times!

Hot Boules in Chicago

This season's weather in Chicago is always a challenge. However, the Chicago Petanque Club is ready and waiting for old man winter. CPC is ready to do battle against the wind and cold. This past Saturday, Bob A. showed up with his creative "Chicago-style" gas-fueled boule warmer. Nice hot boules on a cold winter day. Bob's "hot-boules-to-go"grill worked like a charm. Excellent day. Fun time.

November and Still Playing Petanque

The Petanque scene down at Campus Martius Park in Detroit was quite active, with lots of familiar faces tossing boules at the rinkside courts.

More specifically, Gene and Sharon are back, and they were playing just as well as ever.

We also had a visit from Denise's (Joe Z's Denise) brother, Jeff - who has really taken a liking for the sport.

Until there's ice on the ground, we'll be bundling up and pointing boules. See you there.

MPC at the World Championship Qualifing Tournament

Ken; Joe; and Lindsey (as well as team support from Denise) attended the FPUSA Qualfier Tournament down in Boca Raton.

They did well - winning in the Consolante tournament while also looking rather coordinated in their Michigan blue jerseys.

WWW.MichiganPetanque.COM

Friends:

The DOMAIN for Joe Zajac's website: "the Michigan Petanque Club" (MichiganPetanque.Com) is having some technical difficulties. BUT, his
website is still up and running, you'll just have to view it directly by typing in:

http://home.earthlink.net/~jcleese

until we get the Domain Pointer sorted out. sorry for the inconvenience.

Jeff.

Christmas Tree Lowered into Position at Campus Martius Park

RIVALS - New Zealand Magma Short Film Festival

RIVALS

Mark Hansen Directed and Produced (as well as acted and filmed) this 6 minute short in the fascinating landscape of Dunedin (which is in the Southern portion of South Island, New Zealand).

Along with fellow actor, Michiel Mos, two rivals meet annually in this wasteland to vie for supremacy.

Their choice of weaponry? boules.

Enjoy it at: www.youtube.com/v/yX4nLenpymo

Check out this and the other films at: www.marxite.com

Good Luck Mark - we're pulling for you!

Midwest Petanque Alliance BLOG

Did you see the great Chicago Sunday Tribune (Oct 15th) coverage of the Fall Midwest Petanque Tournament? ...complete with photos. Here's the link to the online version (without photos)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/q/chi-0610150408oct15,1,3063037,print.story

How to ALWAYS have the closest point

Ever since I attached the chain to the boule and cochonnet I've never lost a game. Heck, I always win with a fanny!

Most of the players don't want to challenge me any more. Perhaps I should take up golf...

1... 2... 3.. THROW!!!

All Smiles at Petanque On Sunday

Grand Day at Royal Oak

The weather was absolutely perfect, despite the weatherman saying "RAIN"

I (Jeff) stayed until 6:30pm taking in a final victory game with Marcel against Camille and Eric.

With October's slight chill approaching, members would be smart to take in as many games as possible before the snow falls.

42nd World Petanque Championship - Results from Grenoble, France

MENS:
Quarter Finals
Italy 13 / Germany 10
Tunisia 13 / Algeria 8
France-2 9/France-1 13
Thailand 13/Switzerland 5

Half-Finals
Italy 5 / France-1 13
Tunisia 13 / Thailand 4

Finals
France-1 15 / Tunisia 3
Didier CHAGNEAU
Sylvain DUBREUIL
Michel LOY
Pascal MILEI

United States #44

WOMENS:
Quarter Finals
Sweden 13 / Thailand-1 12
Madagascar 9 / Thailand-2 13
France-2 0 / Tunisia 13
Great Britain 2 / France-1 13

Half Finals
Sweden 0 / Thailand-2 13
France-1 5 / Tunisia 13

Finals
Thailand-2 15 / Tunisia 7
Noknoi' YOUNGCHAM
Boonyoum KAMSAWANG
Phantipha WONGCHUVEJ
Thongsi THAMAKORD

United States #25

What a weekend.............!!!!

If you couldn't find something to entertain yourself this weekend, your loss, because it went without trying.
Even though it was a sports lovers weekend, what with the Ryder Cup, UM-vs-W, MSU-vs-ND, Redwings, Tour de Troit, Petanque@ R.O., the BIGGEST event was happening in Chicago.
While the turn-out at the Sunday Petanque Club in Royal Oak was a mere 5, and a fine time was had even though the weather was iffy, tales of this weekends tourney in Chicago are already proving that the Michigan Pentanque Club represented themselves well and fun on and off the pistes should be the main topic of discussion at next weekends meeting.
Congratulations to all who went to Chicago, see you when you get back.

Mark Southard's Photos of Saturday in Chicago

Thanks to Mark Southard of Petanque Louisville for getting the earliest photos of the Midwest Petanque Tournament in Chicago this past weekend. As you can see, despite some muddy conditions, the tournament went on, with about 15 teams participating. Saturday's wet conditions forced the event into a 2-day tournament, with Sunday being sunnier and turning the terrain into a harder (faster!) surface.

The top photo shows Midwest Counselor, Joe Zajac testing out the surface (did the cochonnet float?)

Midwest Petanque Tournament in Chicago turned into 2-day event

......... With local meteorologist reports from the Chicago Petanque Club announcing 40% chances for rain on Saturday, the registered teams toughened up and still went out to compete.

Four games were played, with some slight delays from rain. Tents were thoughtfully provided by the Chicago Petanque Club to wait out the short showers, then boule play continued.

A reporter and a photographer from the Chicago Herald Tribune also came to visit and interview the tournament organizers and participants (check the Lifestyle section soon for the full article).

With the weather turning the 9 pistes into mush, gameplay was decidedly pushed to a surprise second day. Reports coming in from Chicago are that the Michigan Petanque Club's team of Roland and Cyrille are well ahead of the rest - while Denise and Lindsey of the same club are doing rather well (winning 3 of their 4 games on Saturday).

Sunday, two additional games will be played before the final match.

UPDATE: Unconfirmed reports that 1st and 2nd places have gone to Chicago Petanque Club teams. Congrats! I've no doubt the specific scores will be posted soon by our friends over in Chicago. It is reported that the terrain, after a good long baking by the Sun turned into a rock-hard surface. Those who can't adapt ... suffer!

Thanks......

Thanks for the invite to join the MPA BLOG.
I will endeavor to contribute worthwhile information and observations. Failing, that, I will at least try to be amusing.
First of all, great success to the team heading for Chi-town. Show them what we're made of and remeber, surrender nothing.
On another note, congrats to Joe and Denise. Git-er-done.

Sunday Engagement Announcement in Royal Oak, Michigan

Plenty of good weather, wonderful friends, and delicious goodies from Le Petit Prince kept the boule playing going all day. We also had a reminder announcement from Joe about the Chicago Tournament (by the way, contact Joe or Lindsey if you're going to attend).

...oh yes, and Joe & Denise also announced their engagement to be married...

Detroit Petanque Club Interviewed for Local Student Project

Amy-J and her friends brought down their camera equipment to check out the local Detroit scene at Campus Martius Park. To the delight of the club, we were interviewed and portions of our boule play were captured on to video. Hopefully after viewing this production, Amy-J's fellow students will take a chance to come down to Campus Martius and try out the club.

Saturday in Detroit

Fantastic, rain-free weather at Campus Martius Park. Wayne; James; Desmond; Deric; Mike; and Dan played some serious boule.

During one round, Wayne pointed in a beautifully close boule (shiny Occitane boule) - and Jeff countered with an equally close point (bronze)

Welcome Back Romain, Camille and Sebastien

I've not seen Romain and Sebastien for many months. It was great seeing them in action at the terrain in Royal Oak this past Sunday.

Havanese Mascots Provide Amusement During Boule Weekend

Busy Weekend for Michigan/Detroit Petanque Clubs

Splendid Sunday in Royal Oak, Michigan

Tons of people showed up for the Sunday games in Royal Oak. The picnic table was straining under the load of delicious food that everyone brought. Especially enjoyed were the organic pears that Dan C. brought in abundance from his pear tree at his home.