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Orange County’s fading bowling alley scene: Just 15 centers remain

Orange County Register
Oct. 25, 2015
Updated Oct. 26, 2015 4:51 p.m.
By BROOKE EDWARDS STAGGS / STAFF WRITER

Members of the Nikkei Seniors toss their balls down the lanes early one morning at the Linbrook Bowling Center in Anaheim. Linbrook, the oldest bowling center in Orange County, was packed with league players on a recent morning. MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the Nikkei Seniors toss their balls down the lanes early one morning at the Linbrook Bowling Center in Anaheim. Linbrook, the oldest bowling center in Orange County, was packed with league players on a recent morning. MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kristin Pajares was working the snack bar at Tustin Lanes bowling alley in 1984 when 17-year-old Anthony Nitz walked in.

Nitz spied the beautiful girl handing french fries to a customer and became mesmerized. After a week of daily visits, he worked up the

Pauline Fujino, 79, of Santa Ana, a member of the Nikkei Seniors bowling group, does a little dance following her strike early one morning at the Linbrook Bowling Center in Anaheim. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE OC REGISTER
Pauline Fujino, 79, of Santa Ana, a member of the Nikkei Seniors bowling group, does a little dance following her strike early one morning at the Linbrook Bowling Center in Anaheim. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE OC REGISTER

nerve to slide a napkin with his phone number across the snack bar. Thinking it was trash, 18-year-old Pajares started to throw the napkin away until Nitz lunged to stop her.

“We spent the majority of the next year and a half at Tustin Lanes, whether it was working for me, bowling, eating or playing video games,” she recalls.

Sumi Yakura, 81, of Westminster and a member of the Nikkei Seniors bowling group, is congratulated for her strike early one morning at the Linbrook Bowling Center in Anaheim. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE OC REGISTER
Sumi Yakura, 81, of Westminster and a member of the Nikkei Seniors bowling group, is congratulated for her strike early one morning at the Linbrook Bowling Center in Anaheim. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE OC REGISTER

Continue reading Orange County’s fading bowling alley scene: Just 15 centers remain →

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Three Historic L.A. Bowling Alleys Go Dark

LA Times
June 16, 2015
Chris Nichols

Like drive-in theaters before them, the last of the larger-than-life classic 1950s bowling centers that once roamed Southern California are nearly extinct. The oversized thrills and colorful frills of Mission Hills Bowl in the San Fernando Valley, Friendly Hills Lanes in Whittier, and Wagon Wheel Bowl in Oxnard all went dark this month.

Crews quickly descended on the mid-century buildings to scavenge for valuables. At least the maple lanes from Mission Hills, originally designed by Vegas architect Martin Stern, Jr., will see more strikes at a bowling center in Vietnam. The Wagon Wheel was the last vestige of a once-thriving roadside amusement along the 101 that is now completely shuttered. Friendly Hills is a modern masterpiece from architects Powers, Daly, and DeRosa, who reinvented the bowling center after WWII. It featured a beauty parlor, coffee shop, and the Mayan Room lounge alongside the 32 lanes.

Continue reading Three Historic L.A. Bowling Alleys Go Dark →

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Talented Pro-Shop Operator Rusty Bryant Now at Winnetka Bowl

www.CaliforniaBowlingNews.com
By Fred Eisenhammer

rusty_karlRusty Bryant, one of the most well-respected pro-shop operators in the area, said he has accepted a similar position at Winnetka Bowl.

Bryant worked the past 21 years at Mission Hills Bowl, which closed Sunday after a run of nearly 41 years. Mission Hills Bowl was forced to close because of an insurance and affordability issue, according to Bill Mossontte, the bowling center’s managing partner.

Karl Kurtz will be joining Bryant at Winnetka Bowl’s proshop, Bryant said. Kurtz worked with Bryant at Mission Hills Bowl for 20½ years. They’ll be starting at Winnetka Bowl’s newly remodeled pro-shop in a couple of weeks.

Bryant is renowned in bowling circles in many areas. He has drilled bowling balls for many of the sport’s elite players, such as United States Bowling Congress Hall-of-Famers Robin Romeo and Tish Johnson.

Continue reading Talented Pro-Shop Operator Rusty Bryant Now at Winnetka Bowl →

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SFV JAPANESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER

Mission Statement:

  • To preserve the Japanese culture, and above all,
  • To promote the Japanese American experience with education, events, and activities for our community.

The SFV Japanese American Community Center

www.sfvjacc.com

On January 27, 2012, we named the Nikkei Pioneer Building hall the Dr. Sanbo Sakaguchi Hall to recognize a lifetime member that represents leadership and compassion through his service to the community as a healer by day and volunteering after hours helping SFV Judo Dojo and Bishop Alemany High School football. Dr. Sakaguchi’s world was balanced with music, sport fishing, and more. Continue reading SFV JAPANESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER →

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SFV NISEI LEAGUE MOVES TO SIMI VALLEY

SFV logo

Mission Hills Bowl is Closing May 31.
The SFV Nisei League will be moving to: 

HARLEY’S VALLEY BOWL

5255 Cochran St • Simi Valley • (805) 584-2695

Friday Nights at 9pm
Trios (Any Combination) • Three Games
Handicap: 100% of 220

$23.00 Per Person/Per Week
(Plus $10 one time Secretary’s Fee)

Starts May 8 – Ends August 28
17 Weeks • USBC Certified

Contact Eric at (818) 207-6283  or email: SFVNiseiBowling@aol.com  if you are interested in joining.

Download Flyer: SFV Nisei Lge Flyer

BLOG, OFFERS & EVENTS

BALL OFFER & WINNERS

The SCNBA has partnered with Storm Products, Inc. with the Two for $100 Ball Special. Nikkei leagues have the opportunity to purchase new model bowling balls of their choice and raffle them off at their sweepers. The deadline to participate is October 1.