SHORTS
BWAA is Now Media
WATCH
SHAKE N BOWL During International Bowl Expo in Reno in June, members of the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) unanimously voted to expand the scope of the organization, founded in 1934, to reflect the global marketplace where media and communications have become virtually instant— thus, as of August 1, the new title, International Bowling Media Association (IBMA). “The original mission of the BWAA changed so dramatically over the past few years that in order for the organization to address the realities and remain relevant, the International Bowling Media Association was created,” said new IBMA President Joan Romeo. With the name change to IBMA comes a new slogan— Honoring the past by embracing the future; a new Vision Statement—Communicate Bowling to the world; and a new Mission Statement—To be Bowling’s source of excellence in the gathering and distribution of news and information through multiple media platforms. “We are very excited about the potential of the new IBMA,” said retiring BWAA President Jim Goodwin. “We have worked very hard with others in the industry to make this happen, and we are looking forward to working with everyone to create this new global media organization for our great industry.”
Okay, maybe a little over the top but good for a fun gift. NeatoShop offers the Bowling Salt & Pepper Shakers. You can season your food with the bowling ball (pepper) and the pin (salt). Speechless? Me too! However, Christmas is right around the corner.
SPACE-AGE RETRO Star Wars is alive and well. Want to carry your bowling ball, or anything else for that matter, in a super cool Darth Vader Retro Bowler Handbag? Red? Black? Life is full of choices, and the NeatoShop is here to help again!
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS After 50 years, Hobart Lanes in Hobart, Indiana, finally gave up its wooden lanes and replaced them with Brunswick Pro Lanes installed by Lane Low of Illinois. In addition to the lanes, new, larger, flat-screen scoring monitors, as well as new flat-screen TVs, were added to the concourse and bar. Rob Tucker, owner for 20 years, said, “We’re hoping this is a new start for us. The bowling industry has been through some tough times in recent years like a lot of other businesses. So hopefully we can now better compete and thrive with the new lanes.” So far so good –four new leagues have been set up for the year.
As announced by partners Nathan Crane II and Ryan Owens, owners of an aviation maintenance company, Gilbert, Arizona will be the new home of a “hybrid-entertainment center,” complete with 28 lanes of bowling plus a six-lane private VIP room, four min-bowling lanes, laser tag and maze, 10
IBI
November 2012
and a three-level climbing structure full of shooting foam balls. “Basically 50,000 square feet of awesomeness,” said Owens. There will also be a restaurant and coffee shop. It is anticipated that the business could provide between 70 to 120 jobs. Construction began in July; the exact opening date is not yet locked down.
Magic Bowl in Twin Falls, Idaho, will definitely offer magic with its new renovations. “We’re going to give southern Idaho a bowling experience they have never seen before,” said Mike Weems, co-owner of the center with his wife, Ruthie. Mack Lane Service from Green Bay, Wisconsin, installed the new lanes. 42-inch scoring screens, lighted pins, music and glowing lanes for midnight Monte Carlo play added pazazz as well as a series of blue lights down the center of the lanes with red lights on each edge. For the kids-- automatic bumpers and hightech pin spotters.