The First Tee Sea Coast

In Suzanne Collins novel The Hunger Games, 24 competitors are forced by the government to fight each other to the death for the amusement of the people and as a means of inspiring fear against rebellion. The hero of the novel, Katniss Everdeen, survives the games with a quick wit, keen skills, and steely resolve.

When youre starting up a business, it might feel a little bit like being in the Hunger Games although without people trying to kill you. In the novel, several of the competitors were Career Tributes people whove been training for the games all their lives. Katniss, on the other hand, had few resources and was thrust into the games unexpectedly. In the same way, your startup is going to be facing bigger, stronger competitors whove been in the industry longer and have access to more resources.

However, by paying attention to some of the ways Katniss survived the Hunger Games, your startup can also survive and thrive, even against bigger, more experienced competitors.

Learn To Live Off The Land

At the opening of the Hunger Games, the competitors stand in an open field near a giant Cornucopia. Scattered around the field are different supplies, but all of the major supplies especially food and water are located in one place, near the mouth of the Cornucopia. Most of the deaths in the Hunger Games actually happen right at the beginning as the competitors go into a frenzy trying to get at that food. Which is ironic, because theyre going after the food so they can survive the days to come.

Katniss, on the other hand, was already a skilled hunter and gatherer before the games even started. So she didnt have any need to grab for supplies. This let her avoid the bloodbath at the beginning, and her survival throughout the weeks long ordeal was made possible by her ability to hunt and identify edible plants. She uses this to her advantage later, when in a daring offensive move she actually destroys supplies of food that some of the Career Tributes had been hoarding. She also quickly learned the lay of the land, using her previous skills as a hunter to identify the best places to camp and the best ways to avoid her opponents.

Similarly, when youre a startup company especially in a hot industry theres often a mad dash for fundraising, talent, and other resources. A lot of companies start off with lots of capital, but arent able to pay their bills because theyre saddled with overhead or they waste resources because they think they have plenty. Instead, youre much better off starting out lean with low overhead and with just the right amount of talent you need. Fire your accountant and learn to handle some of the basics of business survival on your own. Get to know the ins and outs of your industry so you can move across the corporate landscape without fear.  Gather the resources you need to grow and expand as you need them dont weigh yourself down by getting everything up front.

Dont Be Tempted By Your Weaknesses

As she was preparing for the games, Katniss knew that her primary skill was with the bow and arrow. She could decently throw a knife, but had no training or knowledge of swords, staffs, hand to hand combat, or any other weapons. Eventually, while playing in the Games, shes able to get her hands on a bow and arrow, and from that point on, she became a much stronger opponent to the other players. Along the way, though, she encountered other possible weapons left behind by other competitors swords, staffs, and other things. But not once was she tempted to use them.

In the same way, when you found a startup company, you need to focus on the things that youre doing well right now. Sure, there may be tempting opportunities that cross your path, but you have to leave those opportunities behind if it means putting your focus into a project that doesnt suit your companys main strength and abilities. Diversification is great when your business is mature. Let it grow to that point first. In the meantime, just focus on finding a bow and arrow and ignore the swords.

SURAT: Surtis will have to wait longer to get their first mega amusement park on the lines of Disneyland. The recreational facility planned in Magob is not expected to go on floor before Diwali as Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has decided to go for re-tendering of the project.

Two firms had put in their bids in December when the tenders were floated. But, SMC found the price they quoted far too low.

Adventureland Amusement Park Celebrates Milestone Year

Written by Christy Hinko: farmingdale@antonnews.com

Friday, 23 March 2012 00:00

Park delivers family-owned, operated service to generations

Childhood memories are the foundation of our lives, and an iconic Farmingdale venue has been providing those memories of warm summer nights, cotton candy, melting ice cream cones and thrill-a-minute rides for 50 years. 

On Saturday, March 24, over three generations of thrill seekers will have passed through the iron gates of one of the most recognizable mid-island attractions, Adventureland Amusement Park.

“It’s very difficult in today’s economy, with so many businesses opening and closing, to keep a business open for 50 years,” says manager Steven Gentile, who represents the two families that own the park. It is their family pride in the business that keeps Adventureland as one of Long Island’s most enduring entertainment venues.

“Our park and the area around it has made significant transition in the past 50 years,” Gentile says. While he doesn’t remember the earliest years of the park, he has rediscovered it through old photos and anecdotes. The park, which is located on Route 110, at 2245 Broad Hollow Road, was built in 1962, when the area was mostly potato fields.

Originated in 1962 by Albert Cohen and Al Budin, the park quickly became a success. Gentile said of Cohen, “I think the guy was a visionary; he brought the area to life.” Cohen and Budin sold the park to an amusement-park ride importer, Willy Miller, in 1977. Ten years later, the Gentile and Amoruso familes officially took over.  The park has always been family-owned and operated, with many family members–aunts, cousins, in-laws, etc.–involved in the business.

And the family gets bigger each season. The company employs 250 local residents at the start of the season and by mid-season has almost 600 helping with the daily operations. 

The biggest goal that the business strives for each day, Gentile says, is providing a safe and clean environment and entertainment for their visitors. “We try to give our guests a No.1 product,” he says, “and we have done that for all of these years.”

Gentile said the measure of their success is best assessed when they see repeat guests, next generations, familiar faces, and guests who they begin to greet by name.

“When you see kids going on Adventure Falls, and the Hurricane Roller Coaster, the Lady Bug Coaster, it’s just great,” says Gentile, who admits he’s not a big fan of rides, but does enjoy one of the park’s most popular, classic and tame attractions, the Train. Other current guest favorites include Musik Express and Adventure Falls, “the first and only log flume ride on Long Island.”

Gentile explains that there’s no real longevity when it comes to rides: “We replace a ride when we feel it’s time to replace it, because we’re not comfortable because of safety reasons, or it’s time to just turn it over.” Gentile says, though, that overall, the rides hold their value extremely well and “for a ride to be 20 years old is not that old in this industry.”

The Hurricane Coaster is the oldest ride in the park today, built in about 1990. Some of the classics and fan favorites that have been replaced were the Galaxy Roller Coaster, the Skyride, a chairlift ride that crossed the park, and the Toboggan, which was one of Gentile’s favorites as a child.  

Adventureland has started building a “blast from the past” memory page on Facebook, where fans can post their favorite memories and photos from past trips to the park, and receive up-to-the-minute status updates about operating hours, special deals and upcoming events. Fans from across the country have started checking into the fan page, weighing in on their favorite rides and reminiscing about other fans’ photos that have been shared. Since launching the Facebook page, Adventureland has gathered more than 5,600 fans.

Cult fans can also relive memories of the park through Adventureland, a retro-comedy movie written and directed by Long Island native Greg Mottola, who worked at the park in the 1980s. The movie, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart and Ryan Reynolds, was filmed in Pennsylvania, but was based on Farmingdale’s Adventureland and premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

So, as you’re driving down 110 on a warm summer’s eve, and you hear the not-so-distant shrieking of young voices, chances are it might elicit some sweet memories of your own.

For more information, including directions and park information visit: http://www.adventureland.us or call 631-694-6868.

Lowell Harvey Stapf, 82, of Amarillo, died Sunday, March 18, 2012.

Services will be at 10 am Saturday in Polk Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Burt Palmer officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Lowell was born Aug. 4, 1929, in Amarillo. He was raised and lived in Amarillo until his death. He grew up working with his father and developing a love for machines and the carnivals. He worked in the amusement industry most of his life, taking various amusement rides to state fairs across the United States and Canada. He loved to tell stories about his amusement business adventures while on the road. He owned and operated clubs and amusement places in Amarillo, including the Paramount Club.

He was on the board of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association, a member of the Music Box Society, Antique Tractor Club, Old Car Club, Harley Owner’s Group, Amarillo Club and Amarillo Historical Society. Lowell was a lifetime member of Polk Street United Methodist Church and was active in the Life Twogether Sunday school class.

Lowell was always very active in various projects in Amarillo and never met a stranger. He was a giant of a man, employing anyone who needed a job, and he was well- known in Amarillo.

He was an animal lover and had dogs all his life. Lowell loved many musical instruments and enjoyed playing the piano and accordion. He also loved to restore player pianos, coin-operated instruments, antique cars, jukeboxes and band organs.

He will be missed by many people in Amarillo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell Stapf Sr. and Esther Anderson Stapf; his sister, Ann; his stepmother, Dorothy Stapf; and three brothers, Alan, Lee and Don Stapf.

Survivors include a sister, Sylvia and husband Keith Sims of Amarillo; two nieces, Carrie Sims of Beeville and Jeanne Sims of Tempe, Ariz.; and two cousins, Phillip and Ronald Gotlin, both of Colorado.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 pm today at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Polk St. United Methodist Church Youth Program, 1401 S. Polk Street, Amarillo, TX 79101 or ASPCA of Amarillo, 11901 S. Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79119.

Sign the online guest book at www.boxwellbrothers.com.

Amarillo Globe-News, March 23, 2012

A tax hike on fruit and slot machines is a definite blow to the gambling industry, analysts warned, amid fears the move will risk thousands of job losses at bookmakers and seaside amusement arcades.

The Government will introduce a new 20 per cent Machine Games Duty (MGD) to replace the existing Amusement Machine Licence Duty and VAT, which equated to 17 per cent, from February next year.

The increase will put 11,000 jobs at risk at around 2,600 betting shops across the UK, according to the Association of British Bookmakers, while other industry figureheads warned the end for many amusement arcades is nigh.

Resorts such as Weston-super-Mare, Minehead and Weymouth could suffer.

Simon Davies, analyst at brokers Collins Stewart, said the MGD would hit William Hill profits by around £11 million in the first year, while Ladbrokes can expect a £14 million impact.

Mr Davies said: The Budget has demonstrated the vulnerability of so-called sin industries at a time when governments are under pressure to grow tax revenues.

The Chancellor also announced plans for a UK online gaming tax.

McKinley museum Curator Kim Kenney wrote a book about the aviation pioneers in the Canton-based Aero Club of Ohio. But she knows the exhibits that attract people will be about the long-gone amusement park in the northwest corner of the city. Meyers Lake was the gem of Canton and people just adored going there for a hundred years.

An amusement park was on the shores of Meyers Lake since the 1880s. But what most people today recall is the park established there by George Sinclair in the 1920s.

It had a wooden roller coaster called the Comet, a ride spinning on the ground called the Bug and one spinning in the air called the Butterfly. Most prominent was a large tower that flung three large chrome rocket ships on cables round and round out over the lake. Each rocket was about 20 feet long with four rows of seats.

One of the permanent exhibits at the McKinley is the Laffing Lady, or Laffing Sal, or Beulah, an automaton that stood outside the scary Laff in the Dark ride. Kenney one thing we wish we had – there is not one photograph of the Laughing Lady in her original location. We know when she came to us she was not wearing her original dress but we have no clue what her original dress looked like.

Theexhibition also features a restored cart that would transport people through the Laff in the Dark ride. Like most of the older amusement parks of its day, Meyers Lake had a ballroom. And this one attracted notable talent in the 1940s like Tommy Dorsey and Gene Krupa. The park suffered when companies that once held annual picnics there began cutting back. It closed in 1974 and there are little if any remnants left but collectors hold dear any parts or items from the park. The Meyers Lake carousel is still operating – in Hartford, Connecticut. The Meyers Lake area is now a housing development.

The exhibition, Thats Entertainment, runs through May 27^th at the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum in Canton. Museum Curator Kim Kenney is hosting a tea with a discussion of the exhibition March 19 from 10 until noon.

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The UKs gambling industry got dealt a definite blow this week, after the British Government announced the introduction of a 20% Machine Games Duty (MGD) to replace the current 17% Amusement Machine Licence Duty and VAT.

The new tax hike on slot machines will take effect from February next year, amid fears from the industry that 11,000 jobs are likely to be lost, while other gaming officials were predicting that the end for many amusement arcades is nigh.

Commenting on the levy, Simon Davies from Collins Stewart said: The Budget has demonstrated the vulnerability of so-called sin industries at a time when governments are under pressure to grow tax revenues.

The UK government already receives around £1bn in tax revenue from bookmakers each year, but the increased duty will now impact the profits of companies like William Hill, which is expecting an £11 million drop in profits, and Ladbrokes which can expect a £14 million decrease.

The leisure industry is also likely to  face a significant tax hit of an extra £14 million a year, with the CE of the British Beer and Pub Association Brigid Simmonds, reacting to the news by forecasting serious damage to the pub sector. As she explains:

Fruit machines and quiz machines are an important part of the fabric of British pubs, but this punitive tax could see many of them disappear.

A further concern for the gaming industry is the Governments announcement that in 2013 or 2014, telephone and online betting will have its 15% levy charged according to where a gambler places a wager rather than where the bookmaker is located. This is viewed as a means of dealing with the tendency of online operations to move offshore, with the UK chancellor George Osborne stating:

90 percent of online gambling consumed by our citizens is now supplied from outside the UK. This is clearly not fair and not a sensible way to support jobs in Britain.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Work crews have redirected the San Lorenzo River away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and back toward Monterey Bay.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel ( http://bit.ly/GI9Ct9) reports that crews are building up a berm on the Main Beach to protect the historic amusement park.

Last weeks storms had swelled the river and pushed it dangerously close to the 105-year-old boardwalk, creating a deep pool of water next to the promenade.

Kris Reyes, a spokesman for the company that owns the amusement park, says crews managed to stop the flow of water against the boardwalk on Tuesday.

Boardwalk rides are expected to be open this weekend if weather permits.

Richard H. Minetti, Vero Beach

Letter: Clowns in Tallahassee only there for their own amusement

Well, they did it again. The Florida House did not adopt a good bill (No. 355) giving citizens the right to comment at most public meetings.

Recently legislators refused to come up to par with others not in the political arena and pay similarly for their health care insurance.

OK, you say, health care premium payment is a perk for them in their political positions, but my understanding of a perk is part payment for someone to continue doing a good job.

I, for one, am disgusted with not only our state Legislature but also with our countrys.

Apparently, no one in these positions does his or her job, representing ALL the people. And none of them appear to be accountable. It is pitiful when all they do is call names,

They fight with each other, spend most of their time trying to satisfy special-interest groups. They play childish games with each other, all at our expense, while nothing gets done beneficially for us.

These clowns are not, in my mind, doing anything productive for their constituents, on the state or the national level. We vote them into office and then let them run amok. What are we? Stupid or just plain lazy?

I notice that most of them are lawyers. Maybe thats the problem. They are taught to argue the facts, but a judge is needed to keep them in order, and a jury is needed to reach a reasonable conclusion. Our judge is, on a national level, apparently incapable of even bringing them into compliance with what they are supposed to be doing.

It seems that everything our government gets involved with these days either costs more or produces a worthless piece of legislation, so watered down it is ineffective.

Will we ever get out of this mess?

Jerome Albert, who with his father, Dewey, created and operated Astroland, the space age-themed amusement park that breathed new life into the Coney Island Boardwalk in the 1960s, a time when it was losing its lure, died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 74.

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Astroland

Jerome Albert, right, with his father, Dewey. They created and ran Astroland, and for a time also operated the Cyclone.

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The cause was complications of Parkinson’s disease, his wife, Carol, said.

Astroland — with its looping rockets, moon-flight simulations, rider-drenching water coaster and 272-foot observation tower — was opened by the Alberts in 1962 on a 3.1-acre site at West 10th Street and Surf Avenue. Over the next 46 years, Astroland sponsored air shows, precision parachute-team jumps, rock concerts, film festivals and fireworks displays.

In 1975, Mr. Albert and his father took over operation of the nearby Cyclone roller coaster, then one of the most terrifying rides along the Boardwalk, if not in the world. Its cars reached a speed of 60 miles per hour and plunged 85 feet in the first drop.

Built in 1927, the Cyclone had been bought by New York City in 1971. After leasing the ride, the Alberts restored its rickety wood-and-steel frame and reopened it to the public. The Cyclone was designated a city landmark in 1988.

Astroland, which had no entrance fee, charged as little as 50 cents a ride when it opened and never more than about $5 over its four decades, giving it competitive strength against other amusement parks at a difficult time for Coney Island. Several hundred thousand visitors came to the park each year, according to Charles Denson, the director of the Coney Island History Project.

“The Alberts’ investment turned out to be the salvation of Coney Island,” Mr. Denson wrote in his 2011 book, “Coney Island and Astroland.”

“The next decade,” the book continues, “brought the demolition of Steeplechase, a rising crime rate, urban renewal, beach pollution, fires, competition from suburban amusement parks and a civic neglect that led to a deteriorating infrastructure. Astroland became the anchor for Coney Island, the glue that held it together while many business gave up.”

But as Jerome Albert’s health deteriorated (his father died in 1992), he turned over management of the park to his wife. In 2006, Ms. Albert reluctantly agreed to sell the property to the developer Joe Sitt of Thor Equities for $30 million. At the time, Mr. Sitt had plans to redevelop the entire amusement district, and Ms. Albert hoped to reopen Astroland’s 35 rides at a nearby location. But by 2009, Mr. Sitt’s plans had faltered and Astroland was closed.

While Jerome Albert’s vision was to create what he called “A Journey Into the 21st Century,” the property where Astroland rose was steeped in Coney Island history. It was on that site that the restaurant owner Charles Feltman — at least according to Boardwalk lore — invented the hot dog in the 1870s by wrapping sausages in slices of bread.

In 1916, a former bread slicer at Feltman’s Restaurant, Nathan Handwerker, opened what became Nathan’s Famous hot dog emporium, two blocks west. When Mr. Handwerker wanted to relocate in 1954, he asked his friend Dewey Albert, a residential real estate developer, to be his partner in buying the Feltman property. Six years later, after deciding not to move, Mr. Handwerker sold his share to Mr. Albert.

The elder Mr. Albert brought his son, who had just graduated from New York University, into the business. It was Jerome’s idea to tap into the growing fascination with space travel. He went to amusement parks in Europe and conferred with ride manufacturers.

By 1964, construction of most of the rides at Astroland was complete. There was the John Glenn Sky Ride, whose blue space capsules circled overhead, swooping between Surf Avenue and the Boardwalk. Another ride, Astroland Rocket, simulated a trip to the moon, using film images of space flight. The Deep Sea Diving Bells were submerged in a water tank among swirling dolphins. In the Water Flume, riders were drenched while strapped into imitation logs that sped through a trough.

And there was the Astrotower, with its two-story circular observation car. The New York World Telegram & Sun dubbed it “The big bagel in the sky.” Except for the Cyclone, which is now operated by another company under a contract with the city, only the Astrotower still stands.

Jerome Lewis Albert was born in Brooklyn on May 18, 1937, one of two children of Dewey and Adeline Weissfeld Albert. Besides his wife, the former Carol Hill, he is survived by a son, Bradley, and a grandson.

Jerome grew up in Sea Gate, on the west end of Coney Island.

“He wanted to resuscitate Coney Island,” Mr. Denson said. “The saying is he had sand in his shoes, and once you get sand in your shoes, you can never get it out.”