Rotary will strike up the band

The Huntington Beach Rotary Club has completed it’s fundraising to

purchase an inflatable band shell at Central Park and plans to make

its dedication this weekend

The band shell project has a long history of community

involvement. In 2000, a local group called Friends and Neighbors of

Sea Cliff put together a proposal to build a community bandstand for

Huntington Beach Central Park. Summer band concerts and other

community events are held each year in the area near the Library and

Cultural Center, with the audience seated on the hillside.

Organizers felt there was something missing, however, and believed

that an acoustic band shell would better direct sound toward the

hillside.

The Rotary Club of Huntington Beach and the Huntington Beach

Sunrise Rotary Club undertook the project to raise funds to purchase

an inflatable band shell that can be set up in about 30 minutes, and

then deflated and stored between events. This approach avoids the

possibility of vandalism and does not block park views at other times

during the year.

“Rotary International is celebrating its 100th anniversary this

year, and clubs throughout the world are encouraged to undertake a

significant project that will have lasting benefit to their

community,” Rotarian Dale Dunn said. “Our clubs have chosen this

project.”

More than $15,000 was raised to purchase the shell, operating

equipment and to cover shipping charges. Each club pledged $2,500 to

begin the campaign along with the help of corporate donors and 31

private citizen contributions.

On Sunday, a formal dedication will be held to honor all donors,

and to officially present the band shell to the city of Huntington

Beach. That concert will feature the Huntington Beach Concert Band,

under the direction of Tom Ridley. The final concert of the summer

series will be Aug. 7, with an all-trombone group named Bones West.

More than 1,000 people have been attending the Concerts in the

Park under the sponsorship of the Huntington Beach Concert Band.

Audience members are encouraged to bring folding chairs or a blanket.

Many bring a picnic supper. The Rotarians are hoping the new band

shell will enhance the enjoyment of concertgoers and improve other

community events.

Quiksilver finalizes Rossignol sale

Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver has successfully completed its

previously announced acquisition of French ski manufacturer

Rossignol, creating an action-sports powerhouse worth more than $2

billion.

The acquisition of the world’s largest alpine ski manufacturer by

the world’s largest surfing company further diversifies Quiksilver’s

holdings in the action-sports market. Rossignol also owns ski company

Dynastar, ski manufacturer Lange and Look, as well as Cleveland Golf.

“This is an incredibly exciting day for both Quiksilver and

Rossignol,” Robert B. McKnight Jr., chairman and CEO of Quiksilver

said in a press release. “We have joined together a stable of strong,

authentic, lifestyle brands that extend across multiple product

categories in the outdoor market and reach millions of consumers

around the world. We look forward to leveraging each other’s

strengths and to fully capitalizing on the many new and exciting

growth opportunities in our future.”

Quiksilver President Bernard Mariette also said in a prepared

statement that the “opportunities created with this acquisition are

tremendous and numerous. We believe there is an excellent strategic

fit between Quiksilver and Rossignol, and we are committed to using

our global infrastructure to maximize our new position as the world’s

leading outdoor company.”

The Company also stated that it has named Jean-Francois Gautier as

president of Rossignol. Gautier has managed an investment fund for

the last five years and was the president of winter sports-equipment

maker Salomon from 1990 to 1998.

Mobile Home groups needs members

The Mobile Home Advisory Board is seeking applications to fill

several vacancies on the board.

These vacancies are the result of member resignations and term

expirations.

The advisory board reports to the City Council on issues affecting

mobile homes in Huntington Beach and makes recommendations on

upcoming housing policies. Ideally, the board strives to be comprised

equally of mobile home residents, park owners and community-at-large

representatives.

Board members meet on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

to review mobile home park issues and provide a forum for

communication on matters affecting the city’s 18 mobile home parks.

Applicants for the current vacancies must be Huntington Beach

residents, mobile home park residents or mobile home park owners.

Anyone interested in obtaining an application should contact the

Economic Development Department at 960-8831. Applications are also

available online at www.surfcity-hb.org.