PBDG visits Pin-a-Go-Go

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Anna Newman

Associate Producer Lily Achatz and I attended our first Pin-a-Go-Go in Dixon, CA. We got to meet up with lots of Pinball Donut Girl supporters, play great games (there were around 200 pins, I heard), and enjoy some perfect central valley weather. I will definitely go back next year; I had a really good time.

It’s always the first Sunday after Mother’s Day — mark your calendar now 😉

Lily plays Bowling Queen in the back room.

Bowling Queen backglass detail.

I was totally taken with Star-Jet’s art.

Star-Jet playfield detail.

Star-Jet backglass detail.

More Star-Jet playfield.

I also got to see a Palooka Dan Kramer had restored. Very cool.

Palooka backglass.

Palooka playfield detail.

I love the speed bag with a face!

The turnout was strong with people enjoying both EM and SS games.

Lily and Eight Ball Deluxe.

Bounty Hunter backglass art.

This young lady was part of the fun tournament.

And this little guy was making the rounds with his dad and a step stool.

I was happy to see Wade Krause and meet Dirty Donny Gillies, the artist behind Hellacopters and other custom art games Wade has worked on. Donny, Wade, and Tanio Klyce were so generous to let us use Hellacopters in the Pinball Donut Girl tournament scene.

Wade and Donny at Pin-a-Go-Go 2012.

Lily and I also got to visit with the folks of Planetary Pinball.

I can’t get enough of taking pinball photos…

Foto Finish playfield detail.

Star Pool backglass detail.

Star Pool backglass — seems like this should be a poster!

Going to Pin-a-Go-Go?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Anna Newman

I’ll be heading over to Dixon, CA this Saturday (5/19/12) to Pin-a-Go-Go. I hope you’re going too!

This will be my first time, and I’m excited! I’ve heard lots of great things about the show from Wade Krause, Dan Kramer and Matt Christiano. Actually lots of folks from the fixathon will be there, and I look forward to seeing everybody again.

A couple photos from Matt’s Fixathon, where I had the pleasure of watching part of a Gottlieb Hi-Score restoration.

Bust out the work light…

…and the Novus cleaner.

Take off the old flipper rings….

…and carefully remove the plastics.

The roulette wheel without its cover.

Much better after a cleaning!

Sam Harvey says, Ten Spot is ready to go.

See you all at the show!

PBDG Meets a Young Pinball Ambassador

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Anna Newman

Meet Brian and Chris. Long time supporter of the Pacific Pinball Museum, Brian brings his son Chris on regular visits.

Nine year old Chris is an excellent docent and pinball ambassador. Cinematographer Charlie Kuttner and I were at the PPM to film some more clear game footage, and Chris introduced us to Adventures in the Development of Pinball, the new exhibit. The show includes one of the Bally Freedom clear games built with Wade Krause.

Chris is pretty good at the clear game — he had moves!

On display are a set of images and interactive exhibits that explain the development and workings of pinball machines. Chris walked me through several of them with great expertise.

Be sure to stop by the PPM when you are in the Bay Area to visit the exhibit, check out and play the new visible pin, and of course play the other hundred plus games at the museum. Michael Schiess and his crew have everything set it up to be very hands on, and as you can see, kids will definitely enjoy it.