Karaoke at Rab’s!
Join us in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge every Wednesday Evening for Karaoke with Staten Island’s Original Karaoke DJ… Georgie Zipp. 21+
Join us in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge every Wednesday Evening for Karaoke with Staten Island’s Original Karaoke DJ… Georgie Zipp. 21+
Join us in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge every Wednesday Evening for Karaoke with Staten Island’s Original Karaoke DJ… Georgie Zipp. 21+
Join us in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge every Wednesday Evening for Karaoke with Staten Island’s Original Karaoke DJ… Georgie Zipp. 21+
Rab’s Country Lanes was recently selected as a Top 5 Finalist amongst 888 small businesses in the New York City Area to compete in 1010 WINS Small Business $10K Challenge. Competing for the top prize were: Michelle Cadore, Da Spot NYC, Brooklyn; Kimberly Parris, The CaribDiva Company, Queens; Monica Pidhorechi, The Ice Cream Lady, Paramus, NJ; Lily Urzua, Urzua Queens Center of Performing Arts, Queens and our very own Frank Wilkinson, Rab’s Country Lanes, Staten Island!
Tune in on June 10th to http://1010wins.com/challenge to watch!
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
Brandon Sach and Sean McAuliffe each knocked over 802 pins to share the lead Sunday after the second weekend of qualifying in the 43rd Staten Island Singles Classic at Rab’s Country Lanes.
The two, both bowling scratch, took the lead from first-weekend leader Anthony Arias, who now sits in fourth with a 798 set.
Kelcey Fisher, bowling with a 30-pin handicap, is third with an 800 series.
Two-time defending champion Jeff Scire found his way on the leaderboard by rolling a 795 scratch series, which currently places him fifth. Scire won in 2018 and 2019. The pandemic canceled last year’s event.
Co-tournament director Eric Capizzi reported that the turnout for the second weekend in the Donnie Walters’ run event was “surprisingly good” and the winner of the event will be guaranteed $1,000.
Qualifying concludes Saturday (April 17) at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day. The top 24 finals will be held April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Entry fee is $60.
Open Lanes are available to the public. Reservations suggested. Click Here to make a reservation!
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
Anthony Arias bolted into the lead after the first day of qualifying in the 43rd Staten Island Singles Classic Saturday at Rab’s Country Lanes.
Arias, bowling scratch, uncorked a 798 series.
Marco Recchia is in second position with a 787 set (784 scratch), Michael Vlassenko is third (770 gross) and is followed by Jason Wichnovitz (756) and Nicholas DiTomasso (756).
Donnie Walters, the founder of the Staten Island Singles Classic, couldn’t attend opening day, but promises to be there next week.
“I heard it went well,” said the 73-year-old Walters. “There were a lot of people there that I worked with at Maple Lanes. For me, it’s more of a social event and not so much a bowling tournament.”
The tourney took a hiatus last year because of the pandemic.
Qualifying continues April 10-11 and April 17 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day. The top 24 finals will be held April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Entry fee is $60.
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
It pained Donnie Walters to have to cancel what would have been the 43rd annual Staten Island Singles Classic last year because of the pandemic.
For 42 years prior to that, the event was a staple in the local bowling community and one that always went off without a hitch.
But, this year, with the news surrounding the pandemic getting better, the 73-year-old Walters decided to proceed with the event.
“I couldn’t miss it two years in a row and I think the bowlers want to see it back,” said Walters.
Qualifying in the Classic will take place at Rab’s Country Lanes on April 3, April 10-11 and April 17 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day for a total of 12 qualifiers. The top 24 finals will be held April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Entry fee is $60. Those keglers who compete in the first squad will receive a second entry for the cost of lineage ($15) only.
With lanes at a premium because of the pandemic, spots in the first qualifier are sure to go fast.
“I made some changes. I’m not guaranteeing the prize fund,” explained Walters. “It will be based on entries.”
With his tournament sidekick, John Eadicicco, now living in Florida, Walters will rely on help from Eric Capizzi, Garett Gersh and Mike Giovinazzo.
“Eric is associated with Country Lanes and Garett is associated with Showplace so I have representatives from both Island houses helping me out,” said Walters.
Country proprietor Frank Wilkinson has also “been a big asset” to Walters in helping get this year’s event off the ground.
Walters said competitors in the tournament will have to follow the pandemic protocols of Country Lanes at the time of the tourney.
“It’s house rules,” said Walters. “The state and city laws are changing all the time when it comes to the pandemic. Right now, I believe the bowlers would have to wear masks on the lanes.”
Red-hot Jeff Scire is the two-time defending champ, winning in 2018 and 2019.
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click Here for the full story
At age 47, Staten Island kegler Jeff Scire is certainly not an old man, but what he’s accomplished on the lanes the last month or so one would think he was 25 years old again.
Need proof? He’s currently riding a streak of three 800 series in the Monday Night Draft League at Rab’s Country Lanes, a loop which consists of the area’s top keglers.
Scire’s thundering bowling has produced area-code series of 815, 807 and 809, respectively, since March 1.
“I do not recall a time where a bowler has achieved such a feat,” said Country proprietor Frank Wilkinson, who also competes in the loop. “Maybe (Vin) D’Ambrosio in a season where he averaged 250 for 77 games.
“In the 09-10 season, Derek Gilbert was on quite a streak, finishing the season with a 241 average in the Scratch League. That season he had four 800-plus series and five 300 games across the several leagues he bowled in.
“Ryan Friend had a two-week streak in the 12-13 season with an 803 and 837.”
But Scire’s current bowling could be better.
In all, Scire, the author of 117 career perfect games, has rolled five 800 series in this third of the prestigious Draft League season, which is broken down into three, 12-week seasons. That’s five 800s in seven weeks, including three straight. He has rolled a total of seven 800s the entire Draft League season.
And Scire has no idea why he is bowling so well.
“I really don’t know. I just think it’s a hot streak,” said the Woodrow resident. “Ever since I stopped playing baseball three years ago I’ve averaged in the 240s. I averaged in the low 230s for 30 years before that. I think by not playing baseball — where I was a catcher — has helped my knees and my back. They don’t hurt anymore.”
After Monday night’s performance, the righty is averaging 245 over 57 games this season, according to Wilkinson. In the 57 games, he has rolled one 300 and flirted with perfectos three other times, twice rolling a 299 and a 296.
“To put this into perspective, the United States Bowling Congress’ men’s national high average for the 2019-2020 season was Charles Easton of Sylvania, Ohio, who posted a 256.5 average for 84 games,” noted Wilkinson, the former president of the USBC. “Jeff’s highest season average is 248 for 99 games in the 17-18 season.”
Two of his latest three 800s came against his good friend and rival, Sean McAuliffe, who was practically raised on Victory Lanes, the now-defunct Island center his family owned.
“It’s very impressive to watch him not only compete and dominate over the years but continue to get better,” said McAuliffe. “He’s the king of Country Lanes for sure. But three 800s in a row in (this) league is crazy and he can definitely go for four or more.
“I remember Jimmy Terlizzi shooting three 800s in a row years ago and that was unheard of. Jeff is currently averaging 245 and I’m having a great year as well averaging 243, just trying to keep up with him.
“We’re both very competitive so it’s gonna be fun to see how we finish out the year. The Draft League is the best league around right now with bowlers like Dan Dunleavy, my brother Timmy, but a lot of the big names on the Island haven’t made the jump yet to join the league. I guess they don’t think they can keep up with us.”
Wilkinson called Scire a fierce competitor with loads of determination.
“There seems to be no slowing down for him,” said Wilkinson, the son of the late Rab Wilkinson, one of the Island’s all-time great keglers. “He’s been bowling as if he’s on a mission, and that mission with no doubt is striking, a lot.”
Scire knows he’s doing something good when he gets complimented by his older brother, Dennis, a former Islander, who bowls in the Draft League as well.
“He never has anything good to say about what I do,” said Jeff with a laugh. “But he can’t believe how I am bowling right now.”
As for this coming Monday night, Scire is hoping to knock over 800 or more pins for a fourth straight time.
“It’s all about the first game,” said Scire. “If you can get off to a strong start and then all of a sudden you have a chance. And then if you bowl a good second game, you start doing the math.”
Staten Island, N.Y. – The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) and David Carr, Chief of Staff for New York City Council Member Steven Matteo, unveiled the SIEDC’s latest public art installation at Rab’s Country Lanes, a bowling alley and entertainment center located on Staten Island.
Located at Rab’s 1600 Hylan Blvd. address, the installation is a colorful 10’.5”x10’ mural that features a pair of wings encompassing the names of Staten Island neighborhoods. Borough residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the installation, take photos and upload them to social media tagging @SIEDC.
“We are thrilled to provide the community with a creative way to celebrate Staten Island,” said Cesar J. Claro, President and CEO of the SIEDC. “Rab’s Country Lanes is the perfect location for our latest art display. Passersby – including bowlers – can stop for a quick photo opp to show some love and support for their hometown.”
Public art is just one way the SIEDC works to improve neighborhood charm and build community throughout the borough. Through Business Improvement Districts and Merchant Associations, the SIEDC advocates for much-needed services including private maintenance and security, signage and way-finding information, and beautification initiatives such as holiday lights, new trash receptacles and more.
About the SIEDC
The SIEDC’s mission is to enhance a thriving Staten Island economy by promoting public and private investment, and encouraging the development of commercial and industrial property and projects in an environmentally friendly manner, all of which improve the quality of life and provide broad and diverse employment opportunities.