Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 24, 1995                   TAG: 9501240084
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

29-CENTERS WON'T STICK AROUND LONG

B.B., Roanoke

A: Most of the leftover 29-cent stamps will be shredded.

Except for the latest release, the Legends of the West series, demand is expected to virtually disappear after Feb. 1.

That's when the Postal Service will issue a 32-cent ``love stamp'' showing a cherub.

Collectors probably will be the only buyers interested in the 29-cent stamps after a few months.

The ``love stamp,'' released in the Valentine month and in the correct denomination with the trendy cherub image, is expected to be a big seller.|

Duckpins still roll

Duckpins aren't dead yet. They're alive in memories, and still setting up in a few places around the state.

Last Thursday I mentioned Roanoke's last duckpin bowling alley, Luck Lanes on Luck Avenue, and noted that one still operates in Richmond.

Readers were eager to report there are actual duckpin leagues in Norfolk as well as Richmond, and that a 10-alley establishment in Charlottesville attracts college students.

So, a few members of Generation X are finding the recreation of their grandparents wasn't square.

Closer to home, a couple of people remembered that about 50 years ago Luck Lanes was called Luckland. A pool hall on Jefferson Street and Luckland were the teen hangouts.

Anyone wishing to revisit those memories might want to drive up to the recreation center in Fries. They have four duckpin lanes there, and they don't have automatic pin setters. They still pay someone to set them up.

Big business

Q: The recent news article about Pat Robertson's house in Bath County mentioned that he owns five companies. What do they do to make money?

G.G., Abingdon

A: Businesses usually associated with Robertson are:

International Family Entertainment, which turned the Family Channel into a for-profit company when its financial success threatened to eclipse his original organization, the tax-exempt Christian Broadcasting Network.

Northstar Entertainment, a producer of TV shows and movies.

Broadcast Equities, which buys and operates TV stations.

United States Media Corp., a holding company for a variety of businesses.

International Jet Charters, which operates two small planes out of Norfolk.

And Standard News, a radio news and wire service.

Robertson recently sold a company, Kalo-Vita Inc., which had attracted publicity as a multilevel marketing venture.

Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.