Monthly Archives: March 2010

Welcome to the March 2010 edition of ACE NorCal News!

In this issue:
Photo report: SCBB Haunted Castle Construction
Highlights of the 2009 ACE Holiday Party
Give a day at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. Get a Disney Day.
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, March 2010 update
California’s Great America, March 2010 update
Gilroy Gardens, March 2010 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, March 2010 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, March 2010 update

Also, please see this reminder for the fast-approaching 2010 ACE Spring Preservation Conference from our previous issue:
2010 ACE Spring Preservation Conference

— Steven Wilson

Correspondent Nicholas Laschkewitsch sends in a photo report on the construction of the new Haunted Castle attraction at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk:

The previous Haunted Castle is seen here on its last day of operation: August 23rd, 2009.

The previous Haunted Castle is seen here during its demolition on September 11th, 2009.

The construction of the new Haunted Castle is seen here on March 2nd, 2010.

photos: Nicholas Laschkewitsch

Two of the youngest party goers at the 2009 ACE NorCal Holiday party were Margaret and Katherine Pearce. photo: Emi and Matthew Pearce

The 2009 ACE NorCal Holiday Party was the second one held at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach since it has become an operating museum that is open to the public. Many of the regulars were joined by several new faces to enjoy the annual event.

The official program started off with a fascinating slide presentation by author and area historian Jim Smith. He showed us rare views of the lost roller coasters of San Francisco. There were more of them that you might have expected.

Following the presentation, there were plenty of games, fun, and food that was enjoyed by all. Soon enough, it was time for our traditional gift exchange game. It played out with all the drama and excitement as usual.

The deserving winner of the ACE NorCal Spirit Award for 2009 was Richard Tuck. Richard was the first-ever recipient of the award when it was first established. At the 2009 party, he became the first-ever two-time recipient. In lieu of the customary complimentary ACE membership renewal, Richard opted instead for a contribution to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach for the equivalent amount.

With the abundance of terrific items on auction, a relatively small number of auction participants managed to raise $850.00 to benefit the ACE Preservation Fund. Winning bidders and their items were:

Asente, Paul J — SCBB Boardwalk wood w/Certificate of Authenticity, FLIGHT DECK (TOP GUN) wheel
Biafore, Frank — SCBB Legends Lunch
Fong, Elliott — V2: VERTICAL VELOCITY wheel
Laschkewitsch, Nicholas — INVERTIGO wheel
McAllister, Cody — MEDUSA brake pads
Nelson, Deborah — SCBB Boardwalk wood w/Certificate of Authenticity
Wilson, Steven — ROAR wood

Extra special thanks go to the parks for donating such great items — especially the highly-sought-after SCBB Legends Lunch and authentic wood from the Boardwalk!

Congratulations and thanks go to our award-winning host, Richard Tuck. Thanks go, too, to the Playland volunteers for making our annual holiday party possible. We would also like to thank Jim Smith for coming out to give us such a great presentation.

In February Matthew and I had a great time when we volunteered at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach (PNATB). We had intended to do this for years, especially when Richard was thinking about designing a roller coaster room, but we just never found the time. Matthew served the front desk greeter during the Wolf Man weekend so he had the opportunity to see many colorful visitors. So be sure to request to volunteer on a day that PNATB is hosting a themed party or event.

Best of all, PNATB is part of the Disney “Give a Volunteer Day, Get a Day at a Disney Park” program. So not only did we enjoy our day volunteering at PNATB, we get free admission to Disneyland. Just volunteering for eight hours qualifies you for a free day at the park. But you can also accumulate your eight hours by volunteering four days for two hours at a time.

To participate in the Disney program, you must pre-register at the Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. web site. To find qualifying PNATB volunteer opportunities, enter “El Cerrito, CA” in the activity search box.

Tickets available under this program are limited and have been going at a phenomenal rate. Don’t wait too long to sign up!

For more information on volunteering at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, go to http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/volunteers.htm Kendra is the Volunteer Coordinator for PNATB. She can help you select a volunteer opportunity that suits your personality.

— Emi Pearce

On Tuesday, March 16th the Balboa Theater in San Francisco is hosting the world premiere of the brand new feature-length documentary “Remembering Playland.” The film features ACEers Mike Chew and Richard Tuck amongst the contributors to an in-depth study of the largest amusement park west of Chicago, San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach (1920 – 1972). Amazing vintage photographs and home movies of the park will delight anyone interested in roller coaster history. Click on the image above for more information.

On Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21 Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is hosting its annual Houdini Magic Weekend from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s indoors, open rain-or-shine, and will feature 20 awesome magicians from all over the west coast performing live. The event is FREE with admission to Playland.

Under discussion is a new attraction at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach called Rollercoaster Rampage. “Unique, thrilling and devious” are some of the descriptions being bandied about. If approvals go through, opening would be in 2011.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach nonprofit Museum of Fun, open to the public every Sat, Sun 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.

— Richard Tuck

California’s Great America opens its 2010 season on 28 March. The new season brings Planet Snoopy in place of Nickelodeon Central.

The park also will have some new food choices this year, including Panda Express.

Now would be a great time to buy your 2010 season pass. For more information and to buy your passes, visit
the California’s Great America web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Gilroy Gardens celebrates its Tenth Anniversary season this year! Opening day is Sunday, the 28th of March. Now would be a great time to purchase your 2010 memberships. Visit their web site for more information and to buy your memberships.

For more information on planning your visit, go to
the Gilroy Gardens web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are open on weekends in March until the 27th of March, when daily operation begins. March operating hours for the rides are from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The weekend of March 27th and 28th, the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove will be hosting the Central Coast Home and Garden Expo 2010. For more information and a discount coupon, see: http://www.cocoanutgrovesantacruz.com/hgexpo/

Do you have your 2010 Endless Summer season pass? What are you waiting for? Go to http://beachboardwalk.com/01_tickets.html for all the details.

Be sure to also see elsewhere in this issue: Photo report: SCBB Haunted Castle Construction.

For more information on the park, visit
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom opens for the 2010 season this Saturday, the 6th of March! The park is open on weekends in March until Thursday, March 25th, when the park will be open daily through April 11th for Spring Break.

Birthdays are big news at the park this month. If your birthday is in March, you can get in at a special price of $29.99 and receive a birthday package for more discounts inside the park. For more information, see: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/events/BirthdayAdventures.aspx

It’s Medusa’s Tenth Anniversary! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is celebrating this milestone during Spring Break with plenty of fun and festivities, including daily ERT for season pass holders. For more details, see: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/events/SpringBreak2010.aspx

Do you have your 2010 season pass yet? Now’s a great time to get it. Learn more about the 2010 season pass pricing and benefits here: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/tickets/seasonpass.aspx

For more information about Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, check out their web site.

photo: Steven Wilson