Hide the children! I've got some breaking news ...

Just got off the phone with a reporter from the Dallas Morning News. Katie Menzer is doing a story on the re-opening of Jupiter Lanes and wanted to talk to "the guy who put together a blog or something about trying to buy Jupiter Lanes." Which is neither her nor there and I have no doubt I'll be mis-quoted if at all, BUT I did find out this historic piece of news I know you all would be interested in hearing about ASAP.

Cotton will be back at the Lanes.

So, regardless of what they have done with the lions out front or the Drakar-like cologne dispenser in the bathrooms or the White Russian happy hour, we can rest assured that, in their Jupiter Lanes refurbishment, they have done at least one thing right.

Ms. Menzer was neither able to confirm nor deny that Cotton's last name is Schwabb, so there is still that mystery afoot.

I'll try to find out when Cotton regularly works so an expedition can be planned. If you haven't yet met Cotton in person, let me tell you, it is worth it. It's better, even, then meeting the ghost of Tommy Dugan, and you know I don't say that lightly.

H

D Magazine's Front Burner reports ... "Jupiter Lanes gets rolling again" ...

Catherine let me know about this, as they say, 'news item' from the pages of D Magazine's Front Burner blog:

'Last summer, we named Jupiter Lanes "Best Bowling and Beer" and wrote the following:

"Forget about those impersonal bowling megaplexes with more than 100 lanes. Jupiter has 24, making it one of the smallest, homiest, and oldest — the place opened in ’57 — bowling alleys around. Bumper bowling was invented here, and, cooler still, if you go on a Thursday evening, you’ll pay a $5 cover, $1 for shoes, $1 per game, and $1 for a 10-ounce beer. And if you order a pitcher, it comes with a frozen core that keeps it cold till you drain it. 11336 Jupiter Rd. 214-328-3266."

'Then Jupiter promptly closed. Sadness ruled the land. Today, though, all FBvians can rejoice. For Jupiter is reopening this week. Hosanna!'

Now, we all know how much we can trust the Liberal Media and I don't have independent confirmation of this fact ... yet - though I did receive a voice mail message from a Dallas Morning News reporter looking to talk about the re-opening of Jupiter Lanes, so maybe it's true.

Which is to say, who's up for a round of White Russians this weekend at the Lanes?

Mark it 8.

Old News is New News to me

Here's something that Rick Wamre posted on the Lakewood Advocate blog back in February.

Jupiter Bowl lives again

"I just spoke with the guy who has the old Jupiter Bowl building under contract at Garland and Jupiter. The bowling alley closed in November, and everything inside apparently was liquidated by AMC Bowling, then the operator of the bowling alley. The buyer says he's in the process of purchasing the land and building; once that deal is completed, he plans to reopen the bowling alley, hopefully for fall leagues he says, with a brighter, more modern (he used the reference point of Dave & Buster's) interior with new bowling equipment, lanes, etc. The original Jupiter Bowl was a great place to bowl and host parties (we had several of our kids' birthdays there and for a number of years had our Advocate holiday party there, too), but it was definitely showing its age. Hopefully, this group can make something happen there."

Now, I'm not sure how I feel about the Dave and Busterization of Jupiter Lanes. But I'm trying to keep an open mind.

At any rate, it looks like it might not be until the fall before the Lanes re-opens. Durnit.

"Now Hiring!"

I don't have independent confirmation of this. But reliable sources reliably inform me that a new sign now graces the front of the refurbishment-in-progress Jupiter Lanes.



"Now Hiring"

How do you spell "Career Change?" I don't know about you, but I spell it "F***ing sweet!"

Of course, I think they left off one word on their sign. It should, of course, read


"Now Hiring COTTON"

Take THAT, Tommy Dugan!