The November/December 2011 issue of the Northern California Dispatch is now available. Click on the image to view or save the issue as a PDF. Thanks go to Assistant Regional Representative Nicholas Laschkewitsch for putting this issue together!

Check out our new regional newsletter. Click on the image to view or save the September/October 2011 issue as a PDF.  Thanks go to Assistant Regional Representative Nicholas Laschkewitsch for putting this issue together!

In this issue:
Straw carnival fare
Roller coaster photo op in Santa Rosa
Almost ready: Sky Screamer
California’s Great America, April 2011 update
Gilroy Gardens, April 2011 update
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, April 2011 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, April 2011 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, April 2011 update

– Steven Wilson

The food here is really good — not what you would expect for carnival fare. We had apple beignets (called State Fair), the Rocky Mountain Madame (open faced sourdough bread with a hole cut out for an egg), and then proscuitto with sauce on top with a side of potatoes and a side of pumpkin pancakes. Matthew had Wilber’s Revival, which was pork hash and grits. They even came out with a special platter for us which was a roller coaster design made with ketchup!

We are going to have to return for dinner to have the Ringmaster, which is a burger inside of a glazed doughnut! And we got Mary Jane candy with our check which, came in a jewelry box with a picture of famous conjoined Siamese twins. Our waitress was super nice and was interested in checking out the ACE website. For more about Straw go to http://www.strawsf.com/.

Click on any thumbnail image below to see a larger version. You can use your browser’s “back” button to return to this post.

– Emi Pearce
– photos: Emi and Matthew Pearce

While visiting the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, we found this Lucy statue outside of the Administration office, inside the front gate. She is in a roller coaster car on a steel track and her face is flushed. For directions to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, click on the photo above.

– Emi Pearce
– photo: Emi and Matthew Pearce

Opening late spring 2011, the Sky Screamer is a swing ride that is fifteen stories tall. It is 100 feet in diameter when it is in full swing. The ride is as tall as Medusa, but unlike Medusa the riders will get an approximately two-minute long bird’s eye view of the park. Sky Screamer will travel at forty-three miles per hour. Unlike a traditional swing ride, the ring that holds the seats moves up and down as it spins and reaches greater heights. The ride can also spin backwards. Sky Screamer is manufactured by Funtime. You can ride one in Vienna, Austria that is over 340 feet tall, called Star Flyer. For a video of Star Flyer go to http://www.funtime.com.au/data/vienna.html. According to the manufacturer, the ride can accommodate up to approximately 600 passengers per hour. So don’t sweat a long line. You must be forty-eight inches or taller to ride. Six Flags St. Louis is also getting a Sky Screamer ride. Watch for news on the opening of Sky Screamer from ACE Northern California.

– Emi Pearce

California’s Great America is open Wednesday through Sunday for the remainder of April. For the operating calendar, see: http://www.cagreatamerica.com/visit/visit_calendar.cfm

Want to work in the rides department at California’s Great America? The park is having a job fair on Sunday, April 24th. See: http://cagreatamerica.com/events/events.cfm.

California’s Great America
web site: http://www.cagreatamerica.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cagreatamerica

– photo: Steven Wilson

Gilroy Gardens is open Thursday through Sunday for the remainder of April. For operating days and hours see: http://www.gilroygardens.org/calendar.html

Get the whole 2011 season for the price of one kid’s ticket during the Everyone’s A Kid! promotion. This offer is valid through May 31st. For details see:
http://www.gilroygardens.org/tickets2.html.

Gilroy Gardens
web site: http://www.gilroygardens.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilroy-Gardens/122943674395623

– photo: Steven Wilson

Richard Tuck, Master of Fun

It is with great sorrow and joy that I let you know that Richard Tuck, driving force and creator of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach passed away Tuesday evening, April 12, at home with his partners Tim and Frank by his side. For those of you who knew Richard you know how many lives he touched and how incredibly positive and generous he was. It is for that reason I can’t help but also look for what joy we can find at this time. I am happy he passed away at home, as he wished, and that Tim and I were able to help him at such a special time.

I am thankful for the good wishes from all of our business associates, clients, candidates, and friends. I thank especially those of you from our D56 days, ACE and other Amusement park friends, square dancers, people who visited our home “It Must Be Magic” (the precursor to Playland), our CFA and circus friends (especially our dear friends at Circus Chimera) and last but not least our Playland-Not-at-the-Beach family, which truly is a family.

We were fortunate enough to know this was coming too soon down the road, though we also were surprised at how quickly he passed once he realized he could let go, that he needed to think of himself rather than the rest of us. It was his wish that there be no immediate memorial service. The last thing he wanted was to have people gathered in his name, downcast and speaking words like “sympathy,” “sorry” and the like while referring to him.

It was his wish that everyone be able to process the news at their own pace, and then when the time was right to have a joyous occasion to celebrate his life—so that is what will take place. There will be a gathering at Playland to celebrate his life, with people sharing stories of the best of times with Richard, music, food, fun, and performances by some of his friends and the people who frequently perform at Playland. The date of this event is likely to be in July and we will announce the date as soon as we have confirmed it. We will be sending out & posting information as it develops.

– Frank and Tim

On a slightly more personal note

We have had many visitors become volunteers and volunteers become friends. Many people we see only once or twice; others we see very frequently. We have seen some people move from the area or leave us unexpectedly. We have had guests and volunteers who we have seen grow and mature before our eyes.

When we were creating Playland we anticipated many people would be touched by the memory of Playland and the artifacts we collected. We never anticipated that Playland-Not-at-the-Beach would evolve into such a unique entity or that we would be so touched by the lives of our many Playland relations. We have had the privilege of getting to know well many of our volunteers and guests, and we look forward to seeing you all again.

The most frequent question we have been getting is about a memorial service of some sort. I addressed that issue in the statement above. The other questions have been about the future of Playland and about donations to honor Richard.

As for the future of Playland it is our intention to keep Playland open and operating. Our Advisory Board is meeting next month to talk about Richard’s vision of what Playland is and what it should become. As you can imagine we have had an incredible outpouring of love and support. I can tell you I have a renewed passion for not only keeping Playland open, but having it continue to be a tribute to the passion for celebrating all things fun.

Many people have asked about donations. Donations made to Playland between now and our Anniversary Weekend, May 28 & 29 will be put toward a new awning for the museum. We estimate that will cost at least $15,000, but it is something that we have needed for far too long already. I know once it is installed I will think of Richard every time I approach or drive by the building. If you would like to make a donation and designate it for a different purpose, please let us know and we will honor your request.

We do have an anonymous donor who is willing to match the first $2,000 dollars raised. If anyone else would also like to make a match offer please contact me.
Playland Not at the Beach is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit

For more details on what’s happening at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach in April, see: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/calendar_01.html

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach nonprofit Museum of Fun, open to the public every Saturday, Sunday, and school holiday. Open evenings for private events 365 days a year. 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 592-3002. http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org . Admission $10 for kids (to 13), $10 for seniors (55 and up), and $15 for general admission. Admission includes 34 free pinball machines, penny arcades, carnival games, treasure hunts, miniature dioramas, and surprises around every corner. ACE members receive a $5.00 discount on admission upon presentation of their ACE membership cards.

– Thanks to Frank Biafore for contributing this article.

ACE Northern California Tribute

ACE Northern California will have a fitting tribute to Richard Tuck at a later date.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
web site: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Playland-Not-At-The-Beach/99162687027