New Year New York Update.....

Well, well, well....things are afoot in New York. I was going to write a bit about the goings on that are occurring in the New York Pétanque scene, but now I realize that it has been well documented and even adultered in tabloid slander. Who knew that that there was so much drama?..... But rest assured, Brooklyn Boule has no comment as to the internal goings on of a fine and successful club such as is the LBNY. So I shall keep to the point and try to provide useful information and not idol chitchat... For change is good and changes there are...

Pétanque America's blog has posted a very informative article on the new Brooklyn club 'NYPC' (New York Pétanque Club). So you can read all the information and hoohar there. PA-BLOG. (Thanks Philippe). The more Pétanque playing in Brooklyn the better, (if only we could get some up north, but that's another story.)

Washington Square. If you have seen or been a member of LBNY you know that the have been two fine Pistes in Washington Square for over 40 years I believe. These were the original proving grounds for pétanque in New York. So the park is in the middle of a make over, post Giuliani's "Pot Vending" clean up. The new park will hold one large organic shaped piste that will supposedly support three or four games at a time. Although at the weekends this will be a 'LBNY members only' piste, it will be available throughout the week to non-members. Since it takes time to do anything in New York the there will be no pétanque in Washington Square until sometime after June 2009. More reason to come to Brooklyn. You can see the plans here: Washington Square Plans

Bryant Park, lovely Bryant Park. Last year I spent many an hour there, playing and coaching. Meeting all the regulars and making new friends. This is the place to play Pétanque in the city, a sublime oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. After joining LBNY last year to participate in the club, I found solice in the fact that there were so many people playing pétanque in Manhattan, and with such diversity. I hope to be teaching there this summer as apart of the parks department pétanque development program and LBNY. So if your in Manhattan stop by for a cold Latte and a game. Bryant Park site.
(I don't think I posted this but it was an article that the New York Times put out last year, that I was interviewed for, to give you and idea, if you haven't been there already. NYTIMES)

Bastille Day. Many of you have asked about the Bastille day tournament on Smith Street in Brooklyn. From the little information I have gleaned from hear-say, it seems that it's in question whether or not it will actually take place this year. I don't want to speculate as I don't know the complexities of it, so I'll leave it to unravel and will update as soon as I know exactly what's going on. I do know that the sheer genius and madness that is the Smith Street Tournament, will be missed by many, if indeed it does not take place in Brooklyn. There are possibilities that Manhattan may host one, as in past years, and there are always the LBNY 'Open' tournaments that are held every year. If you do want to play in the Bastille Day events, where ever they maybe, please join La Boule New Yorkaise as this is the only sure way to secure a slot, not to mention all the other benefits of belonging to the finest pétanque club in America.

And Brooklyn Boule's still here, after the parting of my fellow compadre, Mark, things seemed bleak in North Brooklyn. But 'this' year, as with the birth of a new Brooklyn section of LBNY, and the shrinking space of places to play in Manhattan, maybe this will draw more players to McCarren Park, so they can see for them selves that it's not too far from Manhattan and it is rather pleasant under the oaks in the summer time, day or night. The turkey's nest but a few paces away, the French bistro FADA a few blocks away, the park is surrounded by places to eat and drink. The variety of creative craziness that happens in that not-so-little park in North Brooklyn is a sight to be seen in it's self. Pétanque is there, modest and true....

Happy New Year all....