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In This Issue:
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Vol. IV, Issue 16 - April 25, 2005
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Notes from the publisher
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Bocce product of the week
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Bocce News & Readers' Feedback
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Non bocce product of the week
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The weekly Ezine for bocce aficionados everywhere
Volume 4, Issue #16 - April 25, 2005
Publisher: Mario Pagnoni Copyright 2005
76 Emsley Terrace, Methuen, MA 01844
http://www.joyofbocce.com
Please add joyofbocce@topica.email-publisher.com to your whitelist or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!
Also, click "Confirm" at the end of this ezine to further ensure consistent delivery.
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Hello again bocce aficionados,
We're still mired in the middle of "mud season" here in New England. But the good weather is not far off and spring sports, including bocce, will be in full, outdoor swing soon.
It troubles me a bit that there are so many tournaments listed in this ezine and so few send photos of their events. Please consider sending us a half dozen (or 8) pictures so that players in other areas can see what bocce life is like in your neck of the woods.
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2nd edition news...
The 2nd edition is in stock and selling well!
I am accepting orders and can ship the next day. The 300-page book retails in bookstores for $19.45 and at the publisher's web site for $18.75.
Click the link below to order an autographed copy from me. Shipping will be $4.00 (US Priority Mail).
Please let me know how you want the book autographed (type the details in the "Special Inscription/Autograph" box provided).
Also, you can order the book directly from the publisher ( http://www.authorhouse.com ). They even offer an electronic version at just $4.95 (you download it - no shipping charge).
Click on the image above to order from the publisher's web site or the link below to get an autographed copy directly from me. {If you order from the publisher's site enter Pagnoni in the box for Author = ...}
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I hope you will like this electronic newsletter. To be deleted from the list, you can Unsubscribe at the end of this issue. We will quickly and permanently remove your email address from our list (we'll be sorry to see you go). But, be aware that one of our enthusiastic readers suggested that “…bocce and unsubscribe are mutually exclusive terms.”
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P.S. Did a friend send you this? Sign up to get your own here - http://www.joyofbocce.com/feedback.ivnu - it's entertaining, useful, and complimentary.
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{Publisher’s comments in brackets}
Phil Ferrari of the World Bocce Association sends news of his Superball Invitational Western Classic.
The event will be held indoors at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino (in the Palm Springs area) on July 14, 15, and 16.
"We are pleased to announce the greatest indoor bocce tournament in the history of the sport, with up to $20,000 in cash and prizes. The grand prize is $6000 in the Open Division, with $16,000 guaranteed and sponsored by the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
There are two divisions: Open for experienced players and Challenge for novices. We have convinced the casino that there are many bocce players attending so please keep in mind that this is about networking for the promotion of bocce. Whatever organization you belong to - you are invited to this historic event. We have carefully organized this event to bring all bocce enthusiasts from around the country together to enjoy our sport. We are taking registrations now - don't wait! We are filling up fast. Mark your calendar. This is a must tournament to attend. Be part of history - drive or fly in July. Call us at 1-800-652-6223 or check our web site at http://www.worldbocce.org. Questions? Email us at mrbocce@worldbocce.org."
{Too bad this will run at the same time as the popular World Series of Bocce in Rome, NY. That event regularly attracts 100+ teams. Still, Ferrari says that most of those teams are from the East anyway, and tend not to travel to the West Coast.
I like the Rome, NY tourney, but I've decided to fly to Palm Springs for this event. Sounds like a lot of fun and a chance to network with many bocce aficionados. Ferarri has enlisted the help of Perry Michienzi who loves bocce about as much as anyone I've ever met. David Canclini, the event coordinator, has excellent organizational skills, as does Event Director Ciro Poppiti. Ferrari has me listed as the Head Referee and I guess I can forgive him for misspelling my name in the program.
If you can attend this event, please do so and come and say hello to me. I'll be lonesome so far away from home!}
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Joseph Devon sends word of a piece that he wrote which I think you will like...
"I was doing some research on Bocce for a brief essay I was writing for my website when I came across your page. I thought you might be curious to read the fruits of my labor. You can find the essay, entitled The Boys of Spring, at http://www.josephdevon.com. Looking forward to reading your e-zine."
{The link above should be click-able and will take you to the Boys of Spring}
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Any reader who wants to resell The Joy of Bocce 2nd Edition, please let me know ASAP. When the first edition went out of print, I kept it alive by buying up the inventory. Heck, for a while there, I was the only game in town - if anyone wanted a copy, they had to buy it from me.
Since AuthorHouse has picked up the title, distribution has improved. It's plastered all over Amazon.com and it's in bookstores all across the country. Bocce business types like David Brewer (http://www.Boccebrew.com ), Simon Church (http://www.Buybocceballs.com ), Ben Musolf (http://www.campodibocce.com ), and Tony Battaglia (http://www.palazzodibocce.com ) are reselling the title too. I have to supply those copies to the resellers and need to place as large an order as possible to keep the unit cost down.
Let me know ASAP (placing an order this week) if you want to order anywhere from a couple dozen to a couple hundred copies for resale. Contact Mario@joyofbocce.com.
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Natale Scala of Webster, NY sends news of the First Annual High Stakes Bocce Challenge...
Date: May 21, 2005
Location: SMS Lodge, 95 Ovid St., Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Entry: $400 per team (4 players)
Format: Double Elimination
Contact: Natale Scala @ 585-704-7080
Prizes: 1st $3400, 2nd $1700, 3rd $1200, 4th $1000, 5th $800, 6th $800 (based on 24 teams)
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Peter Rabito has started a new bocce club...
"The American Bocce Club wants You!
2005 is the inaugural season of the American Bocce Club and we would like you to be a part of it.
Membership in the ABC affords everyone the opportunity to experience Bocce on a level most people never have - organized, competitive play.
We meet 7:30 pm every Wednesday night at Mill Dam Park in Huntington, New York. Depending on club membership, we may also incorporate a weekend morning schedule for those unable to attend during the week.
We compete on 2 fully lit HarTru surfaced courts and abide by the rules of the United States Bocce Federation. The league format will include individual and team competition throughout the season as well as organized tournament's throughout the New York tri-state area.
Sound interesting? Come join us! Know someone who may be interested in seeing what the American Bocce Club is all about? Contact us at: americanbocce@optonline.net
I'm sure once you've experienced Bocce - you'll be glad you did!"
{Pete is a good man. I've visited him and his "bocce brothers" on Long Island and played some bocce with and against him. Any organization that he is involved with will be top shelf.}
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Roland Morfe writes to ask about "How to determine the proper angle for bankshots?"
{An interesting question. First, it should be noted that in true international play, bank shots are not permitted. The sides of the courts are pitched to help prevent a ball from hitting the side. If your shot does rebound off the sideboard, your ball is dead and removed from play.
In Open Rules though, we do play shots off the sideboards. But there is no hard and fast rule about where to strike the side to get the correct carom. Each court is different and "trial and error" leads to the "court knowledge" that you will need to be successful.
In my backyard court, the sides are planks supported by spikes and rebar driven into the ground. Balls hitting the side tend to hug the rail. At our Salem, NH venue the sides are up against a heavy backing of earth and stone dust. Balls caroming off these tend to rebound quite a bit. So, try out the various shots in your pre-game warm-ups. On some courts, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection (one of the few things I remember from physics class). At other venues you get surprising results.
If you can weigh in on this topic, please REPLY.}
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MOTHER'S DAY SALE - $3 off women's tee, totebag and apron using coupon code MUM05 - offer good only until April 26.
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{chronological order}
Please - anyone running a tournament - do me a favor - put a notice near your tourney bracket board informing players that they can go to http://www.joyofbocce.com and "opt in" for my FREE Ezine on bocce. Click the logo to the right to opt in if you do not already receive this ezine every Monday.
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Lots of tournament action listed - please consider designating someone as "official event photographer" and directing that person to send snapshots for us to reproduce as photos of the week. Our readers love seeing bocce action from around the continent.
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April 30, 2005 - California - Vallejo - April in Vallejo Open – 4 person Teams - Vallejo Bocce Federation, 333 Amador St. Contact Dick Gomez @ 707-554-9916.
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April 30, 2005 - California - Los Gatos - Campo di Bocce - Raffa - Singles Ranking - Men - contact Ben Musolf @ (408) 395-7650.
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May 7, 2005 - California - San Mateo - Women’s Tournament - Open – 4 person teams - P.I.A.S.C. - Beresford Recreation Center, 28th Ave. & Alameda de la Pulgas. Contact Rose Viscuso @ 650-349-7732.
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May 7, 2005 - California - San Mateo - Raffa – 3 person team - P.I.A.S.C. 100 “B” Street. Contact Adriano Undorte @ 650-591-3318.
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May 14, 2005 - California - Martinez - Debbie Gerow Memorial Bocce Tournament - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Fundraiser - Open – 4 person teams - Martinez Bocce Federation, Waterfront Park - contact Traci Malley @ 916-456-7169
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May 14, 2005 - Florida - St. Augustine - Bocce at the Beach - Sponsored by the Sons of Italy, St. Augustine Lodge # 2780 to benefit Northeast Florida Community Hospice. Limited to 30 two-person teams. US Bocce Federation open rules. Contact Guy Tomasello @ 824-7043 or moandguy@bellsouth.net.
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May 21, 2005 - California - South San Francisco - Open -2 men/2 women - So. SF IACC - Orange Ave. Mem. Park - Contact Rudy Bertolozzi @ 650-583-9936.
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May 21, 2005 - New York - Seneca Falls - 95 Ovid St. - 4 player double elimination event - $400 per team entry - contact Natalie Scala @ 585-704-7080.
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May 28, 2005 - California - Stockton - I.A.C. - Volo – Doubles (Men) contact Ron Jacobs @ (209) 957-1223. Raffa – Singles Ranking, (Women) contact JoAnn Jacobs @ (209) 957-1223.
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June 5, 2005 - California - Sutter Creek - Open – 4 Players. Contact Rick Wagstaff @ (209) 296-6151.
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Jun 11, 2005 - California - Martinez - Raffa – Singles Ranking, Men & Women. Contact Keith Tate @ 925-370-0633.
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June 18 - 25, 2005 - Michigan - Orion - U.S. National Bocce Championships – Palazzo di Bocce, 4291 S. Lapeer Rd, Orion, MI 48359. Contact Bryan Sanborn at 248-371-9987 x13 or bsanborn@palazzodibocce.com.
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June 25, 2005 - California - Fairfield - Women’s Tournament - Open – 4 person team - Fairfield Bocce Federation, 1200 Civic Center Dr. Contact Richard Meccette @ 707-434-0190.
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July 4, 2005 - California - Martinez - Fourth of July Tournament - Open – 2 person team. Martinez Bocce Federation - Waterfront Park. Contact Bill Kantana @ (925) 228-3635.
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July 9, 2005 - California - Martinez - Open - "Norcal" (Northern California), 4 Players. Contact Ken Dothee @ 925-229-2157.
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July 8-10, 2005 - Ohio - Dayton. The Bocce Classic XI tournament will field about 70 teams competing for over $7,000 in prize money and raising over $10,000 for local charities. For information check http://www.bocce-classic.com.
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July 14 – 16, 2005 – California - Indio - World’s Largest indoor guaranteed purse in the history of bocce ($16,000) - Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino - Phone: 800-827-2946. Contact Phil Ferrari @ 800-652-6223 - Open Division and (Fun) Challenge Division.
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July 15 - 17, 2005 - New York - Rome - World Series of Bocce. 4 person teams - open rules - contact Toccolana Club @ 315-339-3609.
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July 16, 2005 - California - Fairfield - John Magnetti Mem. Tourn. Open – 4 person team - Fairfield Bocce Federation, 1200 Civic Center Dr. Contact Richard Meccette @ 707-434-0190.
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July 16, 2005 - St. Frances Cabrini - Open – 4 Players, ICF #191. Contact Vince Cusella @ 408-640-3543.
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July 23, 2005 - California - Los Gatos - Campo di Bocce - Raffa –3 Players, Sector Championship. Contact John Ross @ 408-354-0625.
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July, 30, 2005 - Michigan - Sylvan Lake - Michigan State Bocce Championships. Open to Michigan residents only. Contact Mike Grasser @ 248-505-4744.
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July 30, 2005 - San Francisco - Aquatic Park - Volo – Doubles. Contact Benji Tosi @ 415-720-1147.
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August 6, 2005 - ABA Senior Championships - Open – 4 person teams - Must be age 55 or over - TBA - MUST HAVE ABA CARD. Contact Traci Peters @ 916-456-7169.
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August 13, 2005 - ABA Open Championships – 4 person Team - TBA - MUST HAVE ABA CARD. Contact Traci Peters @ 916-456-7169.
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August 20, 2005 - Michigan - Palazzo di Bocce Open Tournament. Contact Bryan Sanborn at 248-371-9987 x13 or email bsanborn@palazzodibocce.com.
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August 20, 2005 - California - South San Francisco - Orange Ave. Mem. Park. Women’s Tournament - Open – 4 person team - MUST HAVE ABA CARD. Contact Rose Viscuso @ 650-871-7732.
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September 16 - 18 - Canada - Ontario - Windsor - Ciociaro Club - 3 person teams - $6,000.00 guaranteed first place.
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September 18 - 25, 2005 - Michigan – Orion - World Bocce Championships – Palazzo di Bocce, 4291 S. Lapeer Rd, Orion, MI 48359. Contact Bryan Sanborn at 248-371-9987 x13 or bsanborn@palazzodibocce.com.
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Merchandise still available at joyofbocce.com
Check out the first-rate equipment we offer. The finest measuring devices for bocce (made in UK by Prohawk for lawn bowling, petanque, and bocce) - the finest bocce balls in the world (made in Italy by Perfetta) and the number one selling instructional book on bocce in America - Check them out.
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