From the Newsroom -- Tony Dodero

Some of the more fun activities that I remember from my youth are

getting their fair share of ink in these news pages of late.

I actually hate to admit to them because they are all things that have

been tarnished with bad images and besmirched by those who don’t know

better. Still, these activities are parts of my past and I can’t help but

wax nostalgic when I read the news stories of their troubles.

The age-old debate over skateboarders and whether they have a place in

civilized society is one case in point. As a former skateboarder who was

chased out of drainage ditches and dried-out swimming pools more than

once, I can relate to the current crop of board riders who are feeling

like social pariahs.

I hope we find a place for them to ride those paved waves.

Then we have the arguments over the OCC swap meet.

Let me tell you, when you’re young and have no money, swap meets can

be your best friend, especially at Christmas or when buying presents for

a large Italian Catholic family that seems to have a birthday for every

month of the year.

I’d hate to ever see those bargains go away.

Now, though, we hear the worst news of all, that the Kona Lanes

bowling alley in Mesa Verde could soon split (excuse the bowling pun

there) and be displaced along with the old Ice Chalet by a new retail

shopping outlet.

It’s not that I have a personal attachment to Kona Lanes, mind you. I

don’t, well, except for the time that a bunch of us from the newsroom

went there for a karaoke night bash. If memory serves me, I learned that

night that features editor Jennifer Mahal and features writer Young Chang

can belt out songs like Linda Ronstadt.

But enough of that, let’s get back to the bowling.

Bowling has always been a big deal in my family. My mom and dad were

avid kettlers in their day and their “bowling nights” were a fondly

anticipated social outing.

I remember watching all the bowling legends on television. Dick Weber,

Earl Anthony and Johnny Petraglia.

And later, as I grew old enough to roll a ball myself, I got hooked on

the sport, or maybe it’s a hobby.

Anyway, while it always took a backseat to things like surfing or

playing baseball or football, I always enjoyed the game of bowling. In

fact, the second job I ever had was working at a bowling alley, sweeping

up floors and setting up the pins.

I know, I know, bowling doesn’t necessarily carry with it the panache

and pedigree of let’s say, polo, but I tell you it is one fun sport, and

a good family activity to boot.

So yeah, I’m wondering just what will fill the bowling pin void once

Kona Lanes goes away. Instead, I hope they just find a place to move it

since there is not another bowling facility for miles, probably Fountain

Valley is the closest venue I can think of.

But you see, the image of bowling alleys has changed a bit since the

days my parents came donning oversized shirts with their names on the

pockets and those cool, multicolored shoes.

Many of the newer ones are nonsmoking facilities and offer fun bowling

activities for kids, like cosmic bowling, in which the alley is darkened

and the lanes are lined with neon lights.

And those old bowling styles are passe. Bowling can be upscale --

really.

Now we just need a good place to move Kona Lanes.

How about Triangle Square, a suggestion Costa Mesa reporter Lolita

Harper made to me last week?

The site where the Whole Foods market is right now might still be

available. A bowling alley would be a perfect fit for that spot and if

done right, it could draw young families and other customers that the

troubled shopping site sorely needs.

Then again, maybe there is a good spot on the Westside. Again, an

upscale facility could provide jobs for the community and give families

and young children a place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Heck, maybe we can move it to Newport. Isn’t the Dunes up for sale?

Just kidding.

Seriously though, not everything that is old is in need of discarding.

And just like swap meets and skateboards, I hope that residents here will

still have a place to knock down some strikes.

* TONY DODERO is the editor. His column appears on Mondays. If you

have story ideas or concerns about news coverage, please send messages

either via e-mail to o7 [email protected] or by phone at (949)

574-4258.