BCSC APRIL 2016 NEWLETTER 50 years of serving bowling centers in Southern California
Look and see all that BCSC has to offer!
BCSC APRIL DIGITAL NEWSLETTER VOLUME 20, ISSUE 4
BCSC Calendar of Events International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame 2016 XTRAVAGANZA Dates: J une 2 - 5, 2016 Location: Red Rock Casino & Lanes Las Vegas, Nevada
A Brand New Season! Since the beginning of the year, the BCSC’s focus has been on Bowling University. With that said, I’d like to congratulate everyone who participated. Lots of great feedback is coming in, and I’ve included several comments in our Executive Director’s Report. What’s next? Football has the Super Bowl; Basketball has March Madness; Bowling has the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame 2016 Xtravaganza. Four days of games, cash and prizes all happening in America’s playground, Las Vegas. As 2016 continues to march on (no pun intended), BCSC will endeavor to provide updates and news that is pertinent to our industry through our newsletter which continues to evolve. All in an effort to keep it simple, informative and entertaining. BCSC is your association, working to serve proprietors, general managers and coordinators. If you have any questions or need help with anything, call Scott or Anna at the office (818) 789-0900. And, let me know what you’d like to see in your association newsletter. My email is anna@socalbowling.com. Thanks, Anna
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Newsletter Highlights BCSC Calendar of Events 2016 Xtravaganza! Pepsi Rebate Announcement Clip Room featuring Joy of Pepsi! President’s Perspective Executive Director’s Report Member Profile New Center Consulting, Inc. Partner Profile BCSC Partners Board of Directors WPBI QubicaAMF LDI Golfstream
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BCSC Classified! Does your center have a lane oiling machine to sell? Victor Bowl is looking to buy! Contact Brian Westerman at (760) 241-7396.
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ATTENTION! ALL BCSC MEMBERS! Your center will receive part of the $1.7 million dollars in rebates. All checks have been mailed so be on the look out for yours!
Clip Room “Joy of Pepsi ”
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President’s Perspective It’s so hard to find bowling on TV nowadays. I know the PBA has been on a break and will return to ESPN on Sunday, April 19, at 10 AM for the PBA League Quarterfinals. How do I know that? I searched for it on pba.com. I tried searching ESPN for bowling and the only things that came up were two videos about cricket! I can’t believe how bowling gets no respect on TV. I sure miss those Saturday afternoons with Chris Schenkel. In the fall and winter on Sunday mornings, ESPN pits the stepladder finals of PBA events against the NFL. Poor bowling, it has no chance against the mighty NFL. Even bowlers choose football over bowling when it comes to watching it on TV. Just walk into any bowling center at 10 AM on a Sunday morning and see what’s on their TV’s. It’s not bowling. Bowling, the number 1 participation sport is practically last in viewership. I don't know why people don't like watching bowling on TV. Well, at least people are still participating in profitable numbers for our members. However, it doesn’t hurt to get as many people as possible watching bowling on TV. At the very least our members should have bowling on their TV’s in their center whenever it’s on the air. Yes, even when it’s up against the NFL you can have at least one monitor tuned to bowling. The good news is that bowling is about to get a shot in the arm. The bowling world and perhaps everyone else in the world will want to tune in when bowling’s latest phenome, Sidd Finch turns pro. In case you haven't heard, Finch is the 17-year-old, reclusive protégé of England's Stuart Williams. Finch, who tips the scales at 285 pounds, uses a 13-pound bowling ball, is capable of bowling lefthanded, right-handed or two-handed depending on what the conditions dictate, sometimes even throwing it between his legs. But whichever style he chooses, he always cuts the shot off at the bottom of the swing and has absolutely no follow-through. Although he avoids the limelight and has preferred to remain a non-professional, until now, his bowling accomplishments have quietly become legendary in International bowling competition. During last month's Atlantic Proprietor's Regional International League Federation Of Occidental Lane Systems tournament, Finch opened with a qualifying round of 290-300-300-300-300-299, throwing an astounding 70 consecutive strikes. What was more amazing was that he bowled each game using a different style (one-handed, two-handed, right-handed, left-handed) and used a different bowling ball each game. After going undefeated in match play and amassing an insurmountable lead, he went on to win the event without even bowling his final two games, choosing instead to visit the local Burger King where he imbibed himself on a banquet of left -handed Whoppers. Finch, who celebrates his birthday April 1, was born in Liverpool, England, was raised in an English orphanage, studied yoga in Tibet, attended Harvard at age 14 and is now choosing between professional bowling or a career playing the French horn with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In the meantime, the World Tenpin Bowling Council is busy writing new rules to try to equalize Sidd's amazing abilities. I'm sure we'll be seeing much more of the curious case of Sidd Finch in the near future. Tony
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Executive Director’s Report 40 guests, 26 centers and a room chalk full of knowledge! Our five presenters flew from points across the country to do much more than present. This impressive dream team of professionals, engaged us, motivated us and inspired us to go back to our respective centers to be the best we can be.
Standing from left to right, are BPAA’s presenters Kelly Bednar, Gerald Morrow, Tom Burke, Bart Berger. Beth Standlee is not shown.
On March 16th, 17th and 18th, BCSC hosted BPAA’s Bowling University at Irvine Lanes. This 3-day session was the brainchild of the BCSC Board of Directors with special support from our president, Tony Sands, and a generous financial gift from Glenn Hartshorn of New Center Consulting, Inc., a BCSC gold level partner. Born in November of 2015, the program took a while to grow. The BCSC began by surveying you, our members, to learn what topics were the most important and valuable to your business. It took many days and emails going back and forth to ask the right questions and solicit the responses. Our president and the educational committee carefully crafted the words in order to create an experience that would be meaningful to the majority of our member centers. Once the agenda was set, Anna and I went to work promoting the event. We called, we emailed, we faxed and then called you some more. I’m sure we were guilty of OVER-communicating at some point. But, I must say, that all of that planning, all of that follow-up and all of the care put into this event paid off in the end. Experiencing learning, while in a group made up of some of the best and brightest operators, management and staff, created a true university-type education from the top trainers and presenters in the industry. Imagine a group of professionals combining at least 400 years of total bowling experience, getting together to learn and share and grow. For three days, everyone checked their egos at the door and worked together to better themselves and each other. And, to inspire their teams to be the best they can be as well. I wish to thank the BCSC Board for the leadership in bringing this event to Southern CA. I wish to thank the stakeholders for taking time to participate in this session and/or for sending their teams to this event.
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I understand the costs involved in attending are far more than the registration itself. I understand that being away from their centers can be a real hardship. And, it’s no easy task sitting and participating seven straight hours learning, no matter how lovely the banquet facility may be. (By the way, Irvine Lanes’ Back Bay Conference center is one first-class facility, and we thank them for their generous hospitality.) Everyone, who made the time to attend, walked away with a new, invigorated sense of spirit and accomplishment. It was a true pleasure meeting and working with this amazing group of individuals. While I'm hoping we can begin planning our next educational event soon, we are turning the tables and getting ready to promote the return of the Extravaganza tournament. Watch out for more great promotions to hit your office, your fax machines and your emails soon. I can guarantee success with these as well. Scott
Here’s what some of our members had to say . . “This class should be mandatory for anyone in the industry.” Carol Lesser Peterson Proprietor Live Oak Lanes “Being in the industry for over 20 years, the school was a great refresher. I will take the skills and tools learned (and re-learned) back to my staff to better our brand.” Jon Diso, GM Forest Lanes “ I always learn something new from your sessions and I have been in bowling for 19 years, (the) restaurant business for 20 years. Keeps me excited to be a manager. Tony Mendola, GM Harley’s Simi Bowl “I am new to bowling . . . Taking this class will lead to my direct success. Without this class I may have failed even though failure isn’t an option. . . . I genuinely appreciate the instructors and their passion to teach us and aid in our success! Thank you! Tiffany Ebie, GM Empire Bowl “This course is a must for new managers to hit the ground running and manage your business.” Wayne Phelps, GM Temecula Lanes
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“Overall, great course. . . This class opened my eyes and put the drive in me to continue growing and improving my business.” Jamie Spector Coordinator Aztec Lanes “Well worth the 3 days. My whole center should have joined me.” Anonymous “Everything was great, instructors from BPAA were great. Really enjoyed Tom Burke’s insight on leagues.” John Woods Operations Manager Sea n’ Air Lanes “You guys rock!” Dan Sweet Manager Pinz Bowling Center “I brought all 7 of my GM’s and every day they felt it was time well spent. It was definitely worth the time and money spent for the 3 days of education.” Charlie Kinstler Proprietor SoCal Recreation Inc. “Great course for overview of all different aspects of bowling center management!” Brad Roseling, GM Harleys Valley Bowl
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A Millennial’s Journey Profile: Jamie Spector Aztec Lanes Coordinator—San Diego State University “Making a career out of fun.” As a tween, Jamie joined the junior league with her dad. For six years, she and her father bowled every Saturday and Sunday morning, at Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City. By the time Jamie was 16 years old, bowling had become a way of life. She started working at Pinz on weekends as a birthday party hostess along with covering the front desk. Her weekend job took her all the way through high school. She loved the atmosphere and the celebrities that frequented the place. After graduating high school, Jamie was accepted to San Diego State University and off she went. As a student at San Diego, she enjoyed the fact that they had a bowling center on campus and she could work there as a student. All employees were students except for the coordinator and the mechanic. The way Jamie became coordinator was serendipitous. In 2011, during her undergraduate years, the student body voted for a new student union building which included the old bowling alley. That vote involved tearing down the old building and replacing it with a brand new facility. During the construction, Jamie was out of a job but got another job working for Tavern & Bowl, and on the side Jamie taught bowling classes for credit at Kearny Mesa Bowl. Meanwhile, the previous coordinator (of Aztec Lanes) was ready to retire but stayed through all the construction and planning for the new center. He worked with Jamie before the old building closed and always kept her in mind to take over at his retirement. San Diego University officially opened the new student union building and Aztec Lanes at the end of 2014. The first couple of months after the new center opened, Jamie functioned as instructor while learning all the procedures and operations of the new bowling center. She shadowed the previous coordinator to learn the ropes, and with Jamie’s background in the sport, she was a sure pick for the job. Her staff are all students who go to school full time and can only work 20 hours a week. They have way more front desk staff than usual bowling centers. It’s different people through out the day and, right now she has 20 students working the desk. One drawback is that Aztec Lanes does not offer food and beverage. Students can only bring food in from on campus fast food chains. And, there is definitely no alcohol. Serving and working with a student population is unique, in that the students are operating and are getting job experience while attending school. Free use of Aztec Lanes is part of the freshman package for students. In students’ first year, they are given a gym membership on campus which includes the gym, pool and bowling. They are welcome to use all of those facilities for free. The only thing a freshmen pays for is $1 for shoe rental. Other students pay a nominal price to bowl. The fun and convenience of Aztec Lanes provides a great alternative to having to work out. Aztec Lanes has only 12 lanes, making it affordable for groups to rent out the entire center. It often hosts events for various student organizations and offices on campus, providing a great team building experience. Basically, it’s students serving other students – good team building; a great way to meet other people in a friendly open environment. As coordinator, Jamie wears multiple hats. Just within the time she has been coordinator, she has tripled Aztec Lanes productivity by marketing and advertising with Groupon. She has been targeting and establishing a strong presence in the communities that surround the university by sending eblasts that
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regularly go out to nearly 2,000 people.
Her marketing efforts have contributed to Aztec Lanes’ exponential growth. This includes keeping their website up-to-date. Many families and companies are now aware of them in the community making Aztec Lanes their bowling center of choice. Altogether, Jamie handles marketing, advertising, staff management, and event coordination. If you include league director in the mix, you’ll find that she does the job that five people do in a regular bowling center. Jamie is continuing her studies at San Diego University and is working on her Masters in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Her goal is to manage larger operations (bowling centers) and eventually own one. Managing a center that includes a restaurant, bar and bowling combination would be cool too.
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A Dollar Well Spent! BCSC Gold Partner Profile: Bob Andrews Classic Products Representative
Last month, BCSC sent out several eblasts introducing Top Dawg—a point rewards program. For every dollar a center spends, they receive a point. The promo offered 500 points for just signing up. And since everyone uses cleaning products, shoes, etc., it was a win-win. The program was being offered by BCSC’s gold partner, Classic Products Corporation. They are the only distributor in the nation that offers a rewards program. Bob Andrews is our region’s rep for Classic Products. He makes a good point in stating that, “Centers are going to buy lane cleaner, house balls, and shoes anyhow. They might as well be rewarded for it.” A dollar well spent! We thought that was good information and wanted to let you know who they are and what other advantages they offer our member centers. Classic Products provides complete bowling service—gutters and bumpers—along with a lot of after-market products and services, and house balls, rental shoes, and all cleaning solutions. They can ship any product, anywhere in the US within two days. If you signed up before the end of March, you will receive 500 points. After that, it’s a point per dollar spent. For further details and to sign up, contact Bob Andrews at (559) 314-5502. He’ll take good care of you!
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BCSC PARTNERS
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GOLD LEVEL PARTNERS Professional Bowlers Association Janay Haggerty 2152 Ellesmere Loop Roseville, CA 95747 206.654.6003 (w) 206.819.3347 (cell) Janay.Haggerty@PBA.com PJ Rosendahl General Manager ZOT Pinsetter Parts Cell: 303.919.8189 pjrosendahl@zotcolorsplash.com
QubicaAMF Joe Roussin 190 S. Summertree Road Anaheim Hills, CA 92807 714-974-9436 jroussin@qubicaamf.us www.qubicaamf.com
Golfstream Inc. Darren Dummit 1926 East 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90021 310- 936-3363 darren@playgolfstream.com
Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennett LLP Los Angeles ● San Francisco ● San Diego ● Sacramento Direct: 213.615.7039 Sonia Esteves | SME@gilbertkelly.com www.gilbertkelly.com Classic Products Corp. Bob Andrews Account Representative 800-444-0123 (Toll Free) 559-314-5502 (Cell) randrews@classicproducts.com
BCSC PARNERS, Cont’d useTray.com Peter Kellis 650-521-6253 peter.kellis@useTray.com
Guardian Eagle Security Inc. Freddy Galal 4311 Wilshire Blvd Ste. 419 Los Angeles, CA 90010 888-990-0002 info@ges.net
New Center Consulting, Inc. Glenn Hartshorn 3258 Aquinas Rochester Hills, MI 48309 248-375-2751 Glenn@newcenterconsulting.com Valet-It Parking Services Abby Rasouli 15053 Ventura Blvd Ste 208 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 855-825-3848 info@valet-it.com
American Consulting Group Eric Martin 27758 Santa Margarita, Ste. #312 MissionViejo, CA 92691 949-452-1840 Office 949-206-0972 Fax Supplyworks Larry Zill 5635 Union Pacific Ave Commerce, CA 90022 323-837-4141 Office 818-634-6268 Cell Lzill@supplyworks.com www.supplyworks.com
Dippin’ Dots John & Cheryl Hiller 26893 Bouquet Cyn Rd Ste C-119 Santa Clarita, CA 91350 661-510-8348 • 661-857-3274
Enviro-Master Services Steve Vivanco 7054 Gerald Ave Ste A Van Nuys CA, 91406 818-465-8085 laenviromaster@gmail.com
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BCSC PARTNERS Family Amusement Corporation Stephen or Robert Peck 876 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 323-660-8180 info@familyamusement.com www.familyamusement.com
Herzog Insurance Agency Bob Herzog 235 Main Street Pleasanton, CA 94566 800-300-1303 info@herzogins.com
Pepsi Robert Bustos 27717 Aliso Creek Road Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949-279-7925 - Cell Robert.bustos@pepsico.com
HPSI Hospitality Spencer Gonzalez 1 Ada, Suite 150 Irvine, CA 92618 949-250-4774 spencerg@hpsionline.com
LDI Color ToolBox Doug Vos 6704 Valjean Ave. Van Nuys, CA 91405 Phone (818) 781-8110 Fax (818) 787-5470 www.myldi.com
Mischel & Company Ken Mischel 432 Bonito Ave Imperial Beach CA 91932 619-423-2001 mischelco@msn.com
Murrey International, Inc. Bill Snoberger 14150 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90061 310-532-6091 www.murreyintl.com sales@murreybowling.com
Floria Financial Services Vayle Floria 1420 E. Chapman Ave Orange, CA 92866 (714) 742-0820 (Cell) (714) 704-9085 ext.110# (Office) (714) 740-5021 (Fax) vayle@floriafinancial.com www.floriafinancial.com
Groupon Cameron Linder L.J. Linder & Associates Insurance Services Cell: 559-360-4695 Cameron.Linder@LJLinder.com
Kids Bowl Free Bruce Davis 239-389-9583 brucetalks@aol.com www.KidsBowlFree.com
Western Bowling Proprietors’ Insurance Larry Linder 1535 E. Shaw Street, Suite 100 Fresno, CA 93710 800-200-9998 Fax 559-227-4461 Larry.Linder@att.net
Western Pacific Bowling Supply Chuck Sager / Lee Haxton 1216 W. Grove Avenue Orange, CA 92865 714-974-1733 chuck@wpbowling.com
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BCSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS TONY SANDS President
Jewel City Bowl 135 S. Glendale Ave. Glendale, CA 91205 P: 818-243-1188 tony@jewelcitybowl.com
STEVE DAVIS Vice President Zodo's - Bowling & Beyond 5925 Calle Real Goleta, CA 93117 P: 805-967-0128 steved@zodos.com
GARY FORMAN Secretary / Treasurer
Fountain Bowl 17110 Brookhurst St. Fountain Valley, CA 92708 P: 714-963-7888 gcf@fountainbowl.com
DINA FINK
Buena Lanes 1788 S. Mesa Verde Ventura, CA 93003 P: 805-677-7770 ext. 304 buenabowler@aol.com
RON BRISENO
Vista Entertainment Center 435 W. Vista Way Vista, CA 92083 P: 760-941-1032 ron@vistaentertainment.com
SCOTT CHAUNCEY
Director of Operation Bowlmor-AMF / Brunswick P: 909-240-4789 schauncey@bowlbrunswick.com
CRAIG GOODMAN
Santa Clarita Lanes 21615 W. Soledad Canyon Rd. Santa Clarita, CA 91350 P: 661-254-0540 craig@santaclaritalanes.com
WILL MOSSONTTE Empire Bowl 940 W. Colton Ave. Redlands, CA 92374 P: 909-793-2525 empirebowl44@gmail.com
SCOTT PODDIG Bowlium
4666 Holt Blvd Montclair, CA 91763 P: 909-626-3528 scott@bowlium.com
Bowling Centers of Southern CA 12655 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604 Scott Frager, Executive Director Phone: 818-789-0900 Fax: 818-783-2874 E-mail: ScottF@socalbowling.com www.socalbowling.com
CHARLIE KINSTLER Del Rio Lanes 7502 Florence Ave Downey, CA 90240 P: 562-505-5435 cvkljk@aol.com
MICKEY COGAN Gable House Bowl 22501 Hawthorne Blvd. Torrance, CA 90505 P: 310-378-2265
Tony Mendola
Harley's Simi Bowl 480 E Los Angeles Ave Simi Valley, CA 93065 P: 805-526-4212 SimiBowl@earthlink.net
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PRESENTS:
An opportunity to experience the newest and most exciting entertainment platform for bowling centers. Enjoy a catered lunch and wine tasting. Where: Golfstream Headquarters 1926 East 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90021
When: April 26, 2016 PLEASE RSVP by April 20th!
State-of-the-art entertainment!
Golfstream Presents: An opportunity to experience the newest and most exciting entertainment platform for bowling centers. Enjoy a catered lunch and fine selection of beverages. Dear Southern California Bowling Center Operator, You are cordially invited to a special luncheon on April 26, at 11 AM. Please join your fellow bowling center proprietors and the Golfstream team for a catered lunch and assortment of fine wines and beverages selected by LA's only Master Sommelier. Plus, play the newest experiential entertainment platform for entertainment centers around the country. More information on BCSC's newest partner, Golfstream, can be found here. Words cannot describe the type of experience you will have when you step foot inside a state-of-the-art Golfstream entertainment and gaming suite. We invite you to join us to see how this product can help generate different revenue streams and increased foot traffic, specifically during off-peak hours, for our bowling and entertainment centers.
Sincerely, John Erickson Sales Director Golfstream, Inc. WHERE:
Golfstream Headquarters 1926 East 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021
Please RSVP by April 20th. For More information about Golfstream Click here
WHEN: April 26, 2016 TIME: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm