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In This Issue:
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Vol I, Issue 31
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The Joy of Bocce Weekly
The FREE weekly Ezine for bocce aficionados everywhere
Volume #1, Issue #31 August 12, 2002
Publisher: Mario Pagnoni Copyright 2002 http://www.joyofbocce.com
Come visit us often at www.joyofbocce.com. We have bocce info, merchandise, links to other great bocce sites, and the best selling bocce instructional book in the USA. http://www14.mawebcenters.com/striker/orderform.ivnu - Order Now @ $12.95.
WELCOME TO THE 100 NEW SUBSCRIBERS SINCE LAST WEEK!
I hope you will like this electronic newsletter. To be deleted from my list, you can Unsubscribe at the end of this issue. One of our enthusiastic readers suggested that “…bocce and unsubscribe are mutually exclusive terms.” Conversely, if you know others who would enjoy and benefit from this Ezine, encourage them to sign up. You could forward this issue to them so they can decide for themselves if they want to "opt in". I promise that I will never be in the business of selling or trading your email address or other personal information.
A word about ads: Like any entrepreneurial type, I'd love to turn a profit from something I really enjoy. For now, I have decided not to accept paid advertisements. If I pitch a product here, it is something I have examined and tested and deem it beneficial to our readers.
Archived copies of this newsletter?
I’m still trying to figure a way to archive back issues of The Joy of Bocce Weekly. I’m sure I can do it, but am not geared up for it just yet. For now, if you let me know which issue(s) you are looking for and I’ll email it/them to you ASAP.
PLEASE – we are always looking for bocce photos and feedback from all over the USA. We want to connect bocce fans everywhere. You can email (author@joyofbocce.com) or snail mail (Mario Pagnoni, P.O. Box 608, Methuen, MA 01844).
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Readers’ Feedback {Publisher’s comments in brackets}
Reasonably priced scoreboards?
{I have been fielding requests for inexpensive bocce scoreboards. When I referred one caller to the few sites that I knew of carrying scoreboards he commented that “It would seem that serious bocce is for the wealthier...”
Does anyone know of professional looking scoreboards that are within reach of the financially challenged bocce aficionado? Please REPLY and help get the word out.
Another thought – does any entrepreneurial type out there want to develop a good looking and reasonably priced device? A market appears to be there for it and bocce is not only booming but poised to really explode upon the American scene in the next couple years.
Rico Daniele of The Wonderful World of Bocce has a heavy duty plastic 3’ by 4’ scoreboard with his logo centered between two clock dials ($299.00). He also has a larger (4’ by 8’) metal one for $499.00. He’ll send you a brochure. Call him at 1-800-BOCCE54 (54 was the year he came over from Italy…that was 1954, not 1854). P.S. You don’t want to play him one-on-one in bocce or table tennis. Any other sport you have a chance of beating him.
George Farruggio’s group in Punta Gorda, Florida has another clock face scorer that goes from 1 to 16 (featured in This Week’s Photos - issue #25, June 24, 2002). Email George @ wam@isni.net for pricing.
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Robert W. Dettmer of Fort Wayne, Indiana sent this…
“I’m building a Bocce Court with our new home and I’m looking for some lighting ideas. This week’s picture has a good idea...any other thoughts?”
{Robert refers to last week’s photos of overhanging lights over the courts of the Elks Lodge in Springfield, Massachusetts. The lights need to be high enough that they aren’t shining in the players’ eyes as they roll. Also, in considering their placement you need to analyze what shadows are they likely to cast. Len Hickey of Wilbraham, Massachusetts has great lighting at his court on his business property – large telephone poles with powerful lights shining down from very high above. Someone suggested attaching a bug zapper by the lights to attract and electrocute those pesky West Nile Virus-carrying mosquitoes. Len’s lights are on a timer, and local high school kids hang out there and play bocce some evenings until the lights go out. Good, safe fun!}
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Natalie Martorana writes...
“My husband and I are constructing a bocce ball court in our backyard but we can't decide on the surface material. We were thinking of using "screed" which is the material used under bricks or pavers (small gravel mixed with sand and dust). We also are considering a "Har-Tru" clay material, the kind used on tennis courts. Any information you could give us would be appreciated. Thanks.“
{I had never heard of “screed” and am interested in learning more. Coincidentally, I recently met with the people at Har-Tru (actually Lee Tennis - looks like a solid company with very straight-forward, reputable sales reps) and am considering a one-inch topping of their tennis court clay over my existing stone dust. Does anyone have experience with this material and/or “screed”? Please REPLY and share the info with our readers.}
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Joe Saccone of San Rafael, California says…
“You have to see these courts – they will make you want to stay with us in San Rafael.”
{You got that right Joe. These courts are fabulous looking – please send photos that I can share with readers. Joe sent me a flyer from the Marin Bocce Federation, 550 “B” Street, San Rafael, CA 94901. The brochure is professionally done and the place looks like a showpiece. Here is an excerpt from the flyer…}
“Marin Bocce, located in Albert Park, consists of 8 bocce courts in a beautiful setting that includes a built-in barbecue pit and picnic tables.
Traditionally, bocce courts were made from ground oyster shells, but our courts have been constructed from a state-of-the-art synthetic rubber that permits year-round play.
Marin bocce is open Tuesday and Friday through Sunday from 10:00 AM – 4 PM. Week nights are reserved for league play. Marin bocce courts can be rented by the day, or by the hour. Call 415-485-5583 for more information.”
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Christine Emerson Reed Park, Santa Monica, California
Steve Watkins from Santa Monica, California has submitted this week’s photos along with this gracious message…
“I'm a loyal reader of your newsletter. I've got the "left coast" photos you've been seeking! I'm enclosing a couple photos of our group playing bocce at the public courts in Santa Monica, Calif., where I live.
We play about once a week or so on these courts at Christine Emerson Reed Park at 7th and Wilshire in Santa Monica. The courts have simply a dirt surface that makes for some interesting bounces and rolls, especially when it's very dry, as it typically is through most of the year. They're surrounded by cement barriers that are good for bank shots.
I hope you can publish these in an upcoming newsletter. Thanks, and keep up the great work.”
{Steve, heartfelt thanks for these great pictures which are indeed “This Week’s Photos.” Also, I LOVE to hear about courts that are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN – that’s truly the way for the game to grow!}
{Please send bocce photos from different areas of the USA. The Joy of Bocce Weekly features too many photos from the East - need pics from the "left coast" and the South & Mid-America too. I'd love to post them here on "This Week's Photos."}
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