Want to get in on the leading edge of a hot new trend in Sacramento? Then join one of the new bocce ball clubs in town. Not only will you be in vogue but you will also be joining a long lineage of bocce players, such as Galileo, da Vinci, Emperor Augustus and the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. The Sacramento Sport & Social Club hosted its first Bocce Ball Tournament Sunday at Sutter’s Landing Park. Fourteen two-player teams competed on the sand-over-asphalt bocce courts. Creative team names, including “Invasion of the Bocce Snatchers,” “The Big LaBocce” and “Erin Go Bocce” added to the casual and fun vibe of the event. Club commissioner Brad Satterwhite says the club has officially been i

The family-owned Capitol Bowl bowling alley in West Sacramento is finishing the last details of an extensive renovation that began in April, and owner Ross Amin said the 55-year-old business feels fresh and new. A grand reopening was held Oct. 14, and final details, such as the installation of booths in the new restaurant space, will be completed in the next few weeks. During the renovation, the business was able to stay open. “Anybody who comes here now, the first thing they say is ‘wow,’ ” Amin said Wednesday. “It’s more efficient, we can use all our space, and we can really hold a lot of birthday parties and family events now.” The $600,000 project features a redesigned lobby that sa

The Fall season officially begins this week for Sacramento’s very own sport and social club. Appropriately named the Sacramento Sport and Social Club (SSSC), this unique adult sports experience has something in store for all types of social rec athletes in the Sacramento area. The idea first arose in 2008 when SSSC founder Brad Satterwhite (“the Commissioner”) and a co-worker of his wanted to get a group of their colleagues together for some good-natured out-of-office fun. They decided on bowling, but when the crew couldn’t find a local league that fit their needs, Satterwhite stepped into the role of league organizer. This league of work colleagues started with 12 teams in what later bec

West Sacramento’s Capitol Bowl is getting a makeover this summer, adding a patio, upgrading the restaurant and knocking down walls in the 55-year-old business. “We want to help our customers by improving our facility to give them better service,” said Capitol Bowl owner Ross Amin, adding that the business will be open during the remodel, which starts Monday. The $600,000 project – which is scheduled for completion in July – is being well-received by customers interviewed by The Sacramento Press Thursday afternoon, including one longtime bowler, West Sacramento resident Rita Dodson. “We’ve been coming here since 1968,” Dodson said, adding that her children played in leagues, and now she

Bowl for Kids Sake has been raising funds and awareness for all Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations throughout the country for over 25 years. It is one of their largest and most important fund raisers. With pledges from individual bowlers and teams as well as corporate sponsors, they are able to serve children and families in our communities through quality mentoring programs. Area businesses, church and civic groups, schools, community groups as well as individuals and families are invited to join Big Brothers Big Sisters for a this year’s event scheduled for February 26th at Country Club Lanes in Sacramento and March 19th at West Lane Bowl in Stockton. This event is not for the serio

For many of us, winter spells hibernation. A lot of staying under the covers, accompanied by wine and movies. Sure we get some stretching in while reaching for the snooze button, or maybe a little cardio jumping over that puddle. Most of us enjoy doing a little activity each day, but, unfortunately, will be faced with rain clouds, brisk winds and short days during the next couple of months. Strolling the park outdoors, walking to the store, or even walking to work, aren’t ideal options in the freezing temperatures and wet streets. One solution to the winter funk can be found right here in Sacramento, with XOSO Co-Ed Sport and Social League – a league that includes outdoor and indoor kic

The Dude abides. Twelve years after cult classic "The Big Lebowski" starring Jeff Bridges and John Goodman hit theaters, fans are still celebrating the film’s unpredictable and sometimes confusing plot, startling brute violence and hysterical, expletive-riddled dialogue, prime for quoting. Marilyn’s on K Street hosted The Big Lebowski Fiesta Friday night for these fans, and the White Russians and robes were suitably flowing. Marilyn’s deserves some party-throwing props. The costume contest brought all the favorite Big L characters to life: the White Russian won for best female costume, and The Jesus won the male competition. The cute female in the short furry white dress and high-heeled b

What do a marmot, nihilists and bowling all have in common? If you thought of the 1998 Coen Brothers cult classic “The Big Lebowski," you must have remembered how the protagonist encountered all those things. Capitol Bowl celebrated its third annual “Big Lebowski” party with a quiz about the movie, bowling, white Russians and a viewing of the movie on the lanes. “If it has something to do with ‘The Big Lebowski,’ and it’s in the area, I’m here, man,” Dude impersonator Jeremy Johnston, 35, said. A recurring locale in the movie is a Los Angeles bowling alley where the protagonist, the Dude, and his friends/bowling partners practice. The constant theme of bowling is present throughout the

On February 27th, over 200 people came out to 2010 Bowl For Kids Sake. It was a day filled with fun and excitement while raising over $43,000 for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Tina Macuha (KOVR13/CW 31) and Darla Givens (News 10) came out to MC the 9:30 and 11:45 sessions and both did a great job. Country Club Lanes and it's staff helped us put on a wonderful event. We would like to thank our sponsors Campbell's Soup, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, California Family Fitness, Champion Awards, Country Club Lanes, Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza-Sacramento, Kaizen Design, Markstein Beverage, Peppermill Reno, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo and Western Blue. We would also like to thank our raffle donor

The Big Brothers Big Sisters BOWL FOR KIDS' SAKE is just a few weeks away! Bowl for Kid's Sake, the annual fundraiser to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sacramento, will be taking place on February 27, 2010. On this day, groups and individuals join forces to party with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento to Bowl for Kid's Sake. Companies and local organizations from throughout all four counties will put together teams of employees, church members, friends, family members and club members who will bowl to raise money to help at-risk children receive services from Big Brothers Big Sisters. It’s is a day for raising fun and funds. It’s a day of laughter, cheers and bowling

New Year's Eve isn't all about adults. Besides the New Year's Eve dancing and live music options, there are some family-friendly events to choose from. Sacramento Press community contributor Julia Beckner created a guide to family activities, which is a great resource, but here are a few more opportunities to share quality time with your family. Noon Year's Eve at the Y What: Carnival games, swimming, family relays, food, music and dancing for kids ages 2-12 and their adult chaperones. Where: Sacramento Area YMCA, 2021 W St. When: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $5 for YMCA members, $7 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by visiting sacymca.org or calling 916-452-9622. Blue Mo

Every cult film worth its weight deserves a convention for fans to get together and celebrate their love for all things related. The Coen Brothers' classic noir spoof The Big Lebowski got its due with Lebowski Fest, which started in Louisville, Ken. in 2002 and has since gone national, sparking events in major cities across the United States. Last year, Capitol Bowl in West Sacramento decided to get in on the action and held its first party in honor of The Dude and Walter's misadventures, and the party returned Sunday, Aug. 30. "Two of my friends, Lori and Michael Blanchard, wanted to hold an event to raise money for a few charities they were part of," said Brandy Benten, bartender, ta

An article in the SacBee today discusses a Legislative Analysts’s suggestion that junior colleges either drop PE classes, or that the colleges be paid less to offer them than the level of state funding provided for classes that are deemed more academic in content. These are the one-unit classes that are offered in subjects such as golf, tennis, and bowling. The inference is that these classes are not worthwhile and don’t deserve to be subsidized at the same level as other classes. This seems like an odd standard to apply. As the article points out, students wanting to graduate or transfer are typically required to have one of these classes. What the article doesn’t point out is that that