Surdich on Bowling: Groundbreaking ceremony for entertainment center Tuesday in Los Banos

I was informed by Bertha Faria, executive director of the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce, that there will be a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday at 10 a.m. for the bowling center to be built at the San Luis Shopping Center.

I spoke to Frank Liao, a partner in the Aqua Entertainment Center, who said demolition of the 24,500 square-foot area is finished and construction should start soon. The center will have 10 lanes, a large arcade, party room and lounge.

The vision of Liao, the general manager, and Yong Ye, the owner, is exciting for Los Banos and the West Side. They agree there is a need for recreation for children and young adults in the area. Los Banos is growing with two high schools, two junior high schools and a third junior high being built.

I got a few comments on the center from local bowlers, including Don Guerra, who said, “We have heard for years about a bowling center coming to our city; now it is finally here.”

Said JoAnn Baker of Dos Palos, “It will save me some gas money.”

And Harry Chew: “It is walking distance from my home.”

The Chinese believe in feng shui, which, translated, is “wind-water.”

“Water is money,” Ye was quoted as saying by the Los Banos Enterprise. “Los Banos is an agricultural community, and water is at the forefront.”

I will be there, and I hope to see all the West Side bowlers there to support this new venture in the Valley.

League highlights – The Commercial Classic league on Sept. 2 had the Toyotech team members on fire. In the second game, Ronnie Gonzales and Neill Barcellos each hit 279 games, and Gonzales ended up with a 707 series. Not to be outdone was Cam Clemens, who started the third game with a spare and then went off the sheet for a super 290 game. Tim Grimes totaled a 687 series and Dawn Fernandez a 629.

The Tuesday Seniors had Tom McBride with a 268 game and 678 series and Betty Brown with a 179 game. The Guys and Dolls saw Ryan Szirak with a 258 game, Caren Thompson with a 212, and Richard Snell had a 717 series. The Central Valley Nisei had Mike Giordano with a 246, Jim Mullings a 243, Peggy Docherty a 242, Dave Souza a 239 and Bruce Wescott a 612 series. The Thursday Twilighters had Ron Brewer with a 190, Alice Koehn a 174 and Reuben Johnson a 167.

Black Oak seniors – It looks like Gustine’s Bob Heller likes Black Oak Lanes’ monthly senior no-tap. Last Friday, he placed in the second game with a 266 and finished sixth overall in the high series with an 816 to take home $36. Up next will be McHenry Bowl’s regular 9-pin no-tap Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. They have a potluck lunch at noon, and signups begin at 12:30 p.m. Entry fee is $15. See ya there.

Official Peach results – Jumping from 24th to 22nd place in the 66th annual Peach Classic at McHenry was Mary Ickes with an 1,184 handicap series for $200. Tying for 104th place was Michael Stewart of Merced with an 1,105 for $100. McHenry had a great tournament this year. Great bowling.

Silver Foxes 2015-16 season – The Silver Foxes Bowling Club from Fresno will be in our area twice on its 2015-16 schedule. On Oct. 12, the club will host a singles event at Yosemite Lanes in Modesto with a noon start. Then, on March 12, 2016, the club will host a singles event at Bellevue Bowl in Atwater, also at noon.

This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: Groundbreaking ceremony for entertainment center Tuesday in Los Banos."