Last year was Ten Pin Alley’s 50th year. Through all the name changes and renovations the building has pretty much remained the same. We still feature the all wood lanes while so many other centers are now synthetic. We haven’t added any extensions to the building so many of the hallways, walls and other spaces are original – even though they’ve been patched and repainted numerous times.

As we continue to clean and make slight changes to small areas of the facility, we sometimes find stuff from days gone by (other than mice skeletons). Today was no different. While removing a section of wood-tiled wall to repaint and clean our contractor found some pretty cool stuff we thought we’d share. We also looked into the history on some of these items since none of us had ever heard of or seen some of them before – or if they had wouldn’t admit it.

First is a small stack of ticket receipts for “Gooding’s Zoo & Amusement Park”. Huh? What? Never heard of it. Well a quick check informed us that the current Zoombezi Bay, which was formally Wyandot Lake, was formerly Gooding’s Zoo Park – owned by Floyd Gooding; he also owned the Columbus Zoo, before turning it over to the city in 1951.

Zoombezi Bay: 2008 to Current
Wyandot Lake: 1984 to 2006
Gooding Zoo Park: 1946 to 1984

To briefly recap a long and interesting history on amusement attractions in central Ohio, Floyd Gooding purchased many rides from the old Olentangy Park in 1938 and relocated them to his amusement park (now Zoombezi Bay). The only remaining ride from this era still in operation is the 1914 Mangles-Illians carousel, which in 1999 was removed from the then Wyandot Lake and underwent a million dollar restoration. In 2000 it reopened at its new home at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.

Floyd Gooding, who was known as the “Monarch of the Midway” and president of the largest outdoor amusement company in the world, passed away in 1972. It made front page new in the Columbus Dispatch.

Our next discovery was an assortment of old cans, specifically “Pepsi”, “Grape Citrus”, “Strohs”, “7-UP”, “Patio Root Beer”, “Patio Orange” and “Choc-ola”. We all know who Pepsi and 7-UP are, but it’s the age and style of the cans that was really fascinating. Each of the cans we found featured pull tabs, which puts their age to some time in the 70s to early 80s before being phased out.

One of the more unique items was a can of “Choc-ola”. Choc-ola was a chocolate beverage invented in 1944 by Harry Normington, who was born in England and came to America in 1907. In 1977 at the height of the drink’s popularity, the company was sold, where the brand was eventually sold again in 1985 to The Chocolate Group (parent company of Yoo-Hoo). When The Chocolate Group (by now known as Yoo-Hoo Industries) was acquired in 2000 “Choc-ola” was completely phased out and by 2003 was history.

While Yoo-Hoo may be the chocolate drink of choice today, Choc-ola is making a comeback. In 2009 an owner of a 50s-style café was looking for something “throwback” to sell, and noticed that the Choc-ola brand was available. He bought it and began manufacturing the retro drink and in 2011 began selling the drink with Martin’s Super Market in South Bend, IN. So keep an eye out as you never know if the drink will make its way here any time soon.

We finally checked out these “Patio” drinks. “Patio Root Beer” and “Patio Orange” were produced by Pepsi in the 60s and eventually phased out in the 70s. As an introduction to the diet cola market, “Patio Diet Soda” was first, followed by other various flavors. Our particular cans (marked with the “picket fence” graphic) were produced in 1970. Interestingly enough, in the 3rd season of AMC’s hit show “Mad Men”, the guys produce a commercial for Pepsi’s diet Patio cola. Unfortunately, their commercial isn’t approved by Pepsi.

If all of this was found in a small section of wall, I shudder to think what could be under the lanes which haven’t moved since they were originally installed. Hundreds of dollars of loose change? Wedding bands? Jimmy Hoffa? When the wood is finally sanded down to the point where they need replaced, we’ll know for sure. Who knows, maybe Geraldo Rivera can come out and do a special entitled “Beneath the Lanes”.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Zoo

http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/a-look-back/2010/09/farewell_to_the_carnival_king.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olentangy_Park

http://www.usasoda.com/Pepsipatio.htm

http://choc-ola.com/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choc-Ola

Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s that time of year friends and being who and what we are thought that a nice holiday gift guide filled with ideas for the bowler in your family would be a fun thing to do. We’ve searched and web and found everything from clothing to ornaments – all bowling related. So here you go…our first “Holiday Gift Guide”!

To download the PDF version, click here.

Mark your calendars: Yuengling beer is coming to Ten Pin Alley!

Starting October 3rd the tastings of Yuengling Traditional Lager, Yuengling Light and Yuengling Black & Tan will be housing themselves permanently in the bar at Ten Pin Alley. In honor of their statewide roll-out we’ve done a little research for you on the oldest brewery in America. It’s a 182 year history, so some paraphrasing was in order, but what you learn is an amazing story of a family owned and operated company that has withstood the taxing test of time.

It starts in 1829 when the first brewery is opened in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. In 1831, as does sometimes happen before the times of fire prevention, the entire brewery burns to the ground. The Yuenglings build a new brewery on Mahantongo Street where it still stands today.

With the ratifying of the 18th amendment, Prohibition hits and the Yuenglings are forced to diversify in order to stay in business. Imagine the government today telling us we can’t enjoy an alcoholic beverage. Crazy, right? To battle the thirteen year ban on booze, the Yuenglings decide to produce “near beer” and build a dairy across from the brewery. When prohibition finally ends the brewery produces “Winner Beer” and ships some to Franklin D. Roosevelt. A gift anyone would be more than happy to receive, I’m sure.

In 1954 the brewery celebrates 125 years of existence and in 1976 it is officially declared ‘America’s Oldest Brewery’. The company becomes even more profitable when Dick Yuengling, now the 5th generation of Yuenglings to run the company, decides to bring back the Traditional Amber Lager which becomes the company flagship beer. In 1998 a second brewery is built to keep up with demand, which at this point was still within local areas – not to mention all the folks who bring it back when they travel out of state!

In 2009 the brewery surpasses the 2 million barrel mark thanks to its three breweries and diehard fans. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and the company has now signed a letter of intent to buy the Hardy Bottling Company in Memphis, Tennessee which will help expand its reach even further. But the most important thing? It’s finally coming to Ohio.

Here at Ten Pin we will offer the Traditional Lager on tap, and the Yuengling Light and Black & Tan in bottles. The Traditional Lager is amber in color, and according to the website, has a “medium-bodied flavor with roasted caramel malt for a subtle sweetness and a combination of cluster and cascade hops.” If you like Killians or Smithwick’s this is right up your alley (no pun intended).

The Yuengling Light is as well balanced as the Traditional brew but with only 98 calories; perfect for those of us who still want to have fun on a diet.

Yuengling Black & Tan is a combo of their Dark Brewed Porter and their Premium Beer. With hints “of caramel and coffee from the dark roasted malt,” it finishes “smooth and satisfying.” Definitely a great choice if you’re into stouts, but isn’t as thick as Guinness.

Whatever your taste in beer, Yuengling has something to offer. Come in and try a pint with our new buffalo chicken menu items!

Our own Rachel H. is contributing some fun blogs about various things and for this one has done some extensive research into the more popular looks for this fall. Below is her rundown and thoughts on the more popular designs for the coming Fall season. Click on the image for the full look…if you dare!

Whether or not we’re ready for it, Fall is quickly approaching. When the sultry nights turn into chilly mornings (complete with defrosting action) our short sleeves are begrudgingly put in the closet, replaced by sweaters and itchy, wool hats. Here at Ten Pin Alley we know how depressing this transition can be, and since our scope goes beyond the alley, I’ve scoured the “best” of Fall fashion so you can be ready with the latest trends.

Animal Print!

This look from Betsey Johnson will have you turning heads when running to the store for milk. The all-over print not only gives you an intimidation factor, but it’s great for hiding trouble areas all over your body.

Bright Colors!

Don’t be afraid to dip into the color wheel this Fall. Here, Prada shows us that you can pull off a great burnt orange, even on a dress full of fish scales.

Capes!

Superheroes are all the rage in Hollywood. So whether you’re fighting crime or trying to keep the rain off your back, this cape by Christian Dior does it with flair.

Print Mixing!

Plaid and Aztec designs? Together? Why not! This outfit from Proenza Schouler shows us that you don’t need to stick to solids to rock it out.

Leather!

Nothing says sophisticated like a great leather jacket or shirt. This look from Versace gives it to you all in one outfit. It saves time and money.

Coats!

A staple in anyone’s Fall wardrobe, a coat can be an outward statement of who you are with the added benefit of keeping you warm. This coat from Viktor and Rolf will definitely make a statement, as well as ward off enemies from far distances. Red face paint optional.

Feel free to take all, some, or none of our fashion advice and incorporate it into your everyday wardrobe. Or just stick to turtleneck sweaters. Like wine, style is pretty much whatever you’re comfortable with and from a place who’s major fashion accessory is bowling shoes – we’re certainly not one to judge.

Rachel H.
Source: style.com

There’s something special that comes with seeing someone perform live. The intimacy. The talent on display. Something about the immediate awe and respect you should have for someone who puts their own blood, sweat and tears on the line to simply entertain you for a couple hours for a few bucks.

It’s been said that people are more frightened about public speaking than death? Well how about public singing? I’m as guilty as the next person for belting out my own out-of-tune accompaniments when driving around or in the shower, but to have that gift of performing for complete strangers who may or may not know you are…or to play the little hole-in-the-wall dives in the hopes that someone special is paying attention or likes what they hear and becomes a fan…well that takes dedication, time and a set amps many of us don’t have.

Next Thursday, August 8th we’ll be featuring The Phillip Fox Band on the patio. A group of local guys working hard and hitting the road. They’ve traveled the country playing festivals, bars and even living rooms, and we’re happy to have their unique self-described country-fied folk rock (with a little blue grass thrown in) for your listening enjoyment.

Through email I asked a Phillip a few questions about his band, writing and what you can expect if you come out to see them.

Tell me a little about your beginnings? What got you into music? When I was a kid I would round up my neighborhood friends and equip them with brooms, dustpans, pots – whatever we could find really – and we would play rock band on the back porch. This was back when you needed an imagination to play rock band… Music has always been in my blood and when I picked up my first guitar at age 12, I was hooked.

Who are your greatest influences? That’s a complex question. I was raised on groups like The Eagles and a whole mess of singer/songwriters ala Jim Croce and John Denver. So I have a really high bar in my mind as far as songwriting goes. Vocally I’ve been really struck by John Fogerty’s CCR days, Van Morrison’s early days, Ray Lamontagne, and Paolo Nutini.

How would you describe your style? We’re chasing down a sound that captures the energy and emotion of rock ‘n roll, the songwriting and storytelling of country, the down-home approachability of southern rock, and hints at the musicianship of bluegrass. It’s a tall order, but there’s something about that combination that really captures Americans. We call it Country-Fried Rock. Folks who like country music really like what we do and folks who hate country music still really like what we do. It’s like we’re trying to channel the shared DNA of America.

What can people expect from your live performance? Solid musicianship, captivating vocals, well-crafted original tunes blending seamlessly with hand-picked covers that’ll have you singing along.

What instruments do you play? I’m primarily a vocalist, secondarily a guitarist, and lately I’ve been incorporating harmonica into the set.

Tell me a little about the other members of your band? How long have you been playing together? I’ve been playing with my drummer, Nate King, the longest. We’re coming up on two years together. My pedal steel player, Chris “Lefty” Adams, has been with me over a year. Phillip Fox Band didn’t really take off, though, until the introduction of Jonathan Kampfe at the beginning of this year. Jonathan is a classically trained cellist who cut his bass playing teeth in Toledo, Ohio’s jazz clubs. He’s a fantastic musician and brings a lot of musical diversity to the group with his plucked and bowed upright bass technique. Our lead guitar position has sort of been on rotation, but is currently being filled by Nathan Slemmer.

Describe your method for writing music? How long does it typically take to write a song? For as long as I can remember I’ve been getting little gifts from somewhere outside of myself. It’s a spark, and idea, a melody. And really all I do is document it. Sometimes the transmissions come in crystal clear and the song literally writes itself. Other times it’s like a distant radio station and all I get are pieces that I have to fit together. Either way I feel more like an antenna than an architect.

What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever played (outside of a bowling alley, of course)? Music is so universal that I can’t think of a place where it’s ever been “weird” to play. We’ve played in living rooms, storefronts, sidewalks, backyards, barns, you name it.

Worst gig? I had a lot of those early on. It’s really difficult to move from writing to performing. You can practice in your bedroom for hours and hours but it’s not until you’re in front of people that you’re actually practicing your performance. There were probably a couple dozen times that I left a venue heartbroken at my inability to connect with an audience – if one was even there to begin with…..

Best gig? Best is such a loaded word. We’ve had performances where we played our best, where we’ve had our best crowds, where we’ve gotten our best exposure, and where we’ve made our best money. Those almost never all align, so I’m going to go with the times we’ve enjoyed ourselves the best. And that’s a toss-up in my mind with a few house concerts we’ve done in the past. There’s something magical about having a house packed full of people hanging on your every word and note. You can share so much more in that kind of environment. It’s a rare and amazing feeling to leave a performance knowing you just made 25 new friendships.

The Phillip Fox Band will be performing LIVE on the patio on Thursday, August 4 at 8pm. No cover. So spread the word, then come on out, grab a beer (or whiskey), sick back and relax with some good old fashioned, down home tunes. Click below to watch them perform one of their originals songs.

We love our staff. We even have a book club. Throughout the next few weeks some of our posts will focus on our staff. We hope you get a good laugh out of these as we laugh at each other every day.

We’ll begin with the front of the house staff (bartenders, servers, hostesses…) The front line folks. Customer fodder if you will. Although while certainly not expendable in any way, these folks are responsible for ensuring you have a good time (let us know if they don’t!) and are more or less the face of our company. First up…

Name: Rachel H.

Position/Title: Hostess, Server, Bartender, Heartbreaker

Introduction: We found Rachel last year in the bargain bin at the unemployment office and quickly bartered with the state to “employ” her part time. However it soon became obvious that behind the nose was a fun, perky and friendly person with a knack for customer service. After seeing how popular she was with middle school boys we moved her into bartending, but she enjoys working the front desk the most where her shoe fetish comes in handy. She’s one of the guys; and can take the dirty jokes as well as tell them, and has been known to break into dance at any given moment. Rachel is a recent college graduate with dreams of marrying into money.

1. What’s your favorite movie(s)? Moulin Rouge. It’s practically a biopic.
2. What actor/actress would play you in a movie about your life? Sandra Bullock
3. Which super power would you like to have and why? I’d like to be able to speak all languages. It would make traveling so much easier.
4. For the impending zombie apocalypse what would be your weapon of choice and why? Anything that I could use from a distance and doesn’t need accuracy. So, grenade launcher?
5. How old are you in dog years? 168. I’d say I don’t look a day over 160, though.
6. What would you do if you had a time machine? When, where & why? I would go back in time and introduce my 9th grade self to hair product. So many embarrassing pictures could have been avoided.
7. What’s the furthest thing from sane you’ve ever done? I rode on the tube in London during the morning rush with two large bags by myself. I got some dirty looks by many a fellow passenger.
8. What are you most proud of? The quality of the people I surround myself with.
9. What’s your most embarrassing moment? I don’t embarrass easily, but many instances on New Years Eve make me cringe when I look back on them.
10. What’s your most frightening moment? When I arrived in England and realized I’d have to rely on myself for four months in a different country. I had a slight panic attack.
11. What are three things you can’t live without? My family, friends, and humor.
12. What are you obsessive compulsive about? Rarely need things to be perfect (the mess in my room is a testament) but I get particular about how the shoes are put back at work.
13. Star Trek or Star Wars? Neither. Harry Potter.
14. What’s your biggest pet peeve? I think it’s a tie between bad grammar and people reading out loud to me.
15. What are your favorite TV shows? I love Glee and the Big Bang Theory. I’m also a sucker for awards shows.
16. What’s your favorite holiday? Probably Halloween because I love candy and dressing up. But my birthday’s a very close second.
17. Do you believe intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe? I’m sure it does, and they’re probably wondering the same thing.
18. You find a genie in a bottle while walking on the beach. He gives you 3 wishes. What are they? That my family be debt free, the aforementioned super power, and to never have to shower again to be clean.
19. What’s your favorite piece of clothing, and why? My white v-neck. So crisp and so clean.
20. What do like most about working at Ten Pin Alley? Definitely the people. Everyone’s so easy to get along with and there isn’t drama which is so refreshing.

This summer you’ll find Rachel at the front desk helping our customers, friends and guests enjoy their summer bowling packages. Be sure to say hello!

Ten Pin Alley is happy to host the “Spike Out Sepsis” Sand Volleyball Fundraiser Tournament for a third year in a row. Sixteen teams are participating this year in what will be a day full of volleyball, cornhole, raffles and contests to help raise money to fight this indiscriminate killer.

So what is sepsis? Don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it. Over 60% of Americans have never heard the word, and only a 1/3 has actually heard of it. Chances are however someone close to you may have suffered from and subsequently died from the disease as a result of numerous other diseases and conditions.

Sometimes referred to as “blood poisoning”, sepsis is the often deadly response to infection and injury – a result from something as massive as surgery, or as small as a cut on a playground. There are a variety of symptoms with sepsis, however those infected don’t often realize it until too late as these same symptoms may be mistaken for other, sometimes more common problems.

The Sepsis Alliance was formed to help combat this disease and help educate both medical professionals and the public. Their website provides information on the disease, the fundraiser and more. Their “Faces of Sepsis” is a collection of heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of individuals who have won, and lost, their battle with sepsis.

Click on the image of Averie below to read about her battle with sepsis, and how a mother’s determination that it “wasn’t the flu” saved her daughters life.

Even if you don’t play volleyball, stop out and participate in their day full of activities and donate. A special long-toss cornhole contest, raffles and other prizes will be available and announced day-of. Event begins at 10am.

For more information, please visit their website or Facebook page.

Source: Sepsis Alliance

It was a pretty great joke back in the mid 80’s, when European Vacation first hit theaters; lets have Clark get stuck in a roundabout! I can just picture the writers now, saying No one in America really knows what those things are and it’ll be crazy! Well, it was funny and is still one of the better gags from the flick, and I still quote that line to those riding in my car whenever we get lost trying to find something and end up seeing the same things over and over.

Looking back I can remember thinking how crazy it must be to drive in Europe, without fully understanding the need and engineering behind roundabouts. Well, we’re about to get not one…but TWO roundabouts within walking distance of us here at Ten Pin Alley. Many of you may drive them every day, but at the very least you’ve probably noticed they they’re popping up like Piadas (wow, that European influence!) all over town. So I started to think about how these came to be, their history, effectiveness and the proper way to drive through them.

Believe it or not, plans for the “Triangle” project (Main Street/Hilliard Rome Rd/Scioto Darby cluster) began close to 20 years ago in the early 1990’s when city engineers began looking at widening Hilliard Rome Road. After extensive traffic modeling studies were conducted and analyzed it soon became evident that bigger changes were necessary in this area, so in 2004 a look at the effectiveness of roundabouts was conducted, and in 2005 the City of Hilliard selected engineering firm Burgess & Niple to handle the planning and construction.

A Brief History of Roundabouts

Originally called “circular junctions” the modern version of the roundabout was developed in Europe by the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory. Circular junctions allow for traffic to enter alongside existing traffic whereas in roundabouts entering traffic must yield to all existing traffic in the roundabout. Circular junctions also allow for higher speeds and are generally much larger. The (what we would consider a nightmare) traffic situation around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (see video) is a traffic circle. In fact, Paris has the most roundabouts than other country in the world, which means that they pretty much have driving them down to a science and if you’re from the US…use the back roads. Its absolute insanity watching them drive in Paris – believe me, I’ve witnessed it first hand.

Effectiveness, Safety and Proper Maneuvering

Roundabouts ease traffic flow in major urban areas and are statistically safer for both drivers and pedestrians than traditional intersections as they force drivers to slow down upon entering. According to studies roundabouts have 40% fewer vehicle collisions, 80% fewer injuries and 90% fewer serious injuries. How? According to the traffic study conducted by Burgess & Niple, the traditional intersection (depending on the number of lanes) can have as many as 28 pedestrian/vehicle conflict points compared to 16 in a 2-lane roundabout. In addition to the safety improvements, roundabouts improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and pollution, fuel consumption and noise levels. Plus you can plant some pretty bushes and flowers in the middle.
When the project in Hilliard is all said and done it will look like the image below. Two roundabouts about a block apart, and while the jury is still out on what the affect of 2 will have on the area, you certainly can’t argue that a) they look better than two traffic lights and b) if everyone can learn to adequately navigate them they may actually work.

This brings us to the next and final part; properly maneuvering a roundabout.

While advertised as a continual motion for traffic, you’ll inevitably find yourself at a complete stop every once and a while when entering these roundabout (I’ve seen the line backed up pretty far –but the waits not too bad). Here are their tips:

• Always slow down. They’re designed for speeds of 20-25 mph which improves safety.
• Choose your lane before entering. These are 2-lane roundabouts, so there are 2 entry points on each side. Let’s say the entry points are at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 points of a clock. If you enter at 6 o’clock in the right lane you can take your immediate right (3 o’clock) or straight through (to 12 o’clock), but NOT continue around to 9 o’clock. If you enter at 6 o’clock in the left lane you can continue through to 12 o’clock or around to 9 o’clock. You cannot change lanes in a roundabout, so be sure to know where you’re going. You can’t enter in the left lane and then try to take your immediate right.
• Always yield to existing traffic in a roundabout. This isn’t Paris and this is what sometimes causes the back-up.
• Look at them as a continual “right on red” in a traditional intersection. But you don’t have to come to a complete stop all the time.

So like it or not, roundabouts are here to stay, and we’ll likely see more as time goes on. They’ve actually been around for some time in the US, with the earliest found in the New England area and New York City (some of which are the circular junctions). So slow down, embrace change and be sure to watch for pedestrians and cyclists. While accidents between cars are reduced in a roundabout, that isn’t always the case with cyclists.

Sources: Burgess & Niple, City of Hilliard and Wikipedia

ONLINE SALE IS OVER. THANK YOU!

Here it is, the 2011 VIB Summer Bowling Card. VIB? That’s Very Important Bowler. You don’t have to join a league to purchase or any other pre-existing qualifications. All you need is $50 and a desire to do some bowling this summer. Information on the card and how to purchase are below. Card will be available for sale now until Friday, May 20th at the end of our business day midnight.

——–
Purchase Options
• Follow link below to Google Check-Out page and pay via credit card. You may pick up your card beginning Monday.
• Stop in today or tomorrow and pay in person at Ten Pin Alley (and get your card)
• Call in with a credit card. Phones may be busy, so please be patient.
——–

That’s not to say there aren’t “disclaimers”, or any small print involved. There are; if only to ensure you get the most out of your pass and avoid any confusion about what you get with the pass and how to use it.

You can download the disclaimer for future reference here, but here are the details:

What you get:

• Up to 1 hour of bowling on one lane and up to 6 pairs of shoes once a day.
• Valid June 1st to August 31st.

Disclaimer, restrictions and other important details:

• Non-transferable. Yes, grandma and grandpa may use it to bring in the grand kids in and/or the babysitter, but please do not pass it around the neighborhood. You will sign the card when initially picked up, and IDs may be checked when used. IDs will be checked when picking up your card initially.
• You must present your card at each visit (until we get to know you).
• Any additional time on the lane or shoes (above the six as part of the package) will be charged regular retail rate.
• Valid seven (7) days a week during regular business hours (yes, this includes “rock-n-bowl”
• Families may use two cards for 2 hours of bowling back-to-back on the same lane.
• Not valid on reservations. Walk-ins only. You are welcome to call in advance to see how busy we are, and we do get busy during the day.
• Please note we host numerous corporate parties, special events and other “fun” leagues throughout the summer. You may check our calendar (found on our Facebook page) or call in advance to check on lane availability.
• Card may not be applied to birthday party packages or other special events and reservations.
• Please note that we will get busy from this. Purchasing a pass does not guarantee time on the lanes. We hate turning away friends, but remember we feature 16 lanes which fill up quick. You can use it 7 days a week so pick your time wisely and stop in.

To Purchase and Pick-Up:

Click on the link to our Google Check-Out to purchase your card. Your credit card will be charged and we will be notified of the purchase. You will also receive a “shipping” notice however this is a formality and you will need to pick up card. You may pick up your card anytime beginning Monday, May 23th. We will check IDs to verify the purchaser with the card holder. Please note that Google Check-Out requires us to send a “shipment” notice. Your card will not ship to you. This is simply a formality.

If you do not wish to purchase online, you may stop in the alley and purchase directly from our hostesses. Your name, phone number and email address are required to purchase (so we can keep in touch with you!) and you can grab your card then.

You may also call in and purchase over the phone. Please be patient as we may receive a high number of calls.

Questions
If you have any questions, please email abeougher@tenpinalleyandspikes.com or call us at 614-876-2475.

Summer is here (officially anyways), and the first of many sand volleyball fundraisers we host during the summer months happens Saturday*, May 28. We like to mention the fundraisers we offer to educate folks on the issues and struggles our guests are facing and to encourage participation from our fans and friends.

The first of these benefits cystic fibrosis research with the 1st Annual “In the Nick of Time” Sand Volleyball and Cornhole Tournament. The family hosting the fundraiser knows the effects of the disease all too well due to their son Nick, who was diagnosed with the disease when he was three months old.

Nicholas Roden is now an active 11 year old who always wears a smile, but he does endure breathing treatments everyday and a regimen of about 30 daily pills and medicines. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “Time is Money”. For these kids however, as well as their families, a more appropriate phrase is “Money is Time” … time for more research, time to enjoy childhood, time to find a cure.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene causes the production of thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs, leading to infections, or obstruct the pancreas which hinders the body’s ability to break down food. More than 10 million Americans are symptom less carriers of the defective CF gene. Much progress has been made toward finding a cure for CF, but our work is far from over as we continue to lose young lives to this devastating disease. Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis includes techniques to clear airways, inhaled medications, and antibiotics. Because it is passed on genetically, there is currently no cure.

So whether volleyball or cornhole is your summer activity of choice join us in an effort to raise money for this worthwhile cause. Nearly 90 cents out of every dollar raised goes to support vital research. Within the last 10 years, 3 new drug therapies have been developed and are keeping people with CF in a “holding pattern” until a cure can be discovered. The only thing that stands in the way of finding a cure is the need for additional funds to keep the momentum in CF research going strong.

For information on this fundraiser, please click here.

*For those of you who may not know, Saturday is the only day we don’t host sand volleyball leagues, so we leave them open and available for pick-up games, private parties and of course, fundraisers. Sand volleyball fundraisers are a terrific way for groups to earn much needed dollars during the summer. Registration fees, dozens of teams, silent auctions, and special contests and skills competitions are all a part of these to raise money.