Central Library

As the old adage goes: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The same is true for the Huntington Beach Playhouse. For the last five years, the theater group has been operating out of the Central Library, putting on such successful shows as 'Harvey," "Evita" and "The Last Night of Ballyhoo."

Tariq Malik HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The Central Library's financial situation may mean more than balanced books for the Huntington Beach Playhouse -- it could mean the show will go on. The two groups were locked in lease negotiations over the use of the library's theater when the City Council forgave a $290,000 loan, meant to aid the library's expansion effort. "This is really good timing for the playhouse and us," said Ron Hayden, the city's director of library services.

Eron Ben-Yehuda HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Summer concerts in Central Park will never be the same. The city will soon break ground on a permanent bandstand. By late March, construction is expected to begin on the 2,400-square-foot concrete stage, located north of the Central Library by Talbert Lake, said Michael Mudd, the city's cultural services manager. The stage will allow music lovers to better see and hear the 60-piece Huntington Beach Concert Band, which until now has had to set up its equipment on the grass, he said.