by Jennifer Cuevas
Staff Writer
It is Saturday night, the lights are out, the disk jockey is playing, black lights and glow in the dark signs are lit up and the sounds of laughter and talk from people fill an entire building.
Contrary to what these descriptions lead one to believe, it is not a night club. Rather, it is what one should probably expect to see at the nearest bowling alley, namely Chaparral Lanes in San Dimas, where “Nuke at Night” bowling is held weekly.
“Nuke at Night” bowling is the name used to describe glow in the dark Saturday night bowling at Chaparral Lanes.
Instead of bowling the traditional way, the lights are turned off, a disc jockey plays a variety of music, and glow in the dark signs and black lights illuminate the bowling alley.
“Nuke at Night” starts at 10 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m.,” said Rusty Hanna, general manager of Chaparral Lanes. The line-up for Nuke at Night Bowling begins at 9:30 p.m. and all ages are welcome.
According to Hanna, “The cost of bowling is just $12, or $13 for a pair of bowling shoes. This price also includes an unlimited number of games.”
“Nuke at Night” is just one name for this type of bowling; Others include “Cosmic Bowling” and “Extreme Bowling.”
“This name [“Cosmic Bowling”] is the most popular term used,” said Hanna. “Cosmic Bowling is both a term and a trademark started by American Foundry Machinery (AMF), which is the world’s largest chain of bowling centers.”
As explained by Hanna, Chaparral Lanes is an independent bowling center, with the exclusion of one other center in Fountain Valley, called Fountain Bowl, Chaparral Lanes uses the term “Nuke at Night.”
“We attract a family crowd, but Friday and Saturday mostly teens and adults come,” said Stephanie Michelsen, an employee of Chaparral Lanes.
The University of La Verne is no stranger to the bowling alley as well.
“We have had groups in the past from ULV,” said Hanna. ULV clubs and groups like the International Student Organization (ISO), Associated Student Federation (ASF) and several Greek organizations, have on numerous occasions, used Chaparral Lanes for events.
After experiencing “Nuke at Night” Bowling, Billy Baccus, senior psychology major and Brandt resident assistant, said “It’s all black light and good musical-most like a night club scene.”
Chaparral Lanes is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to midnight, except for Friday and Saturday when the bowling alley closes at 2 a.m. and Sunday when it closes at 11 p.m.
