Cedar Fair Retains Spencer Stuart

The Board of Directors of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), today announced that it has retained Spencer Stuart, one of the world’s leading executive search consulting firms, to assist the Company in reviewing the composition of its Board of Directors in advance of the Company’s 2012 Annual Meeting of Unitholders.

As part of this process, Spencer Stuart will work with the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to identify and evaluate qualified individuals to be considered as potential nominees to its Board of Directors.

"We look forward to working with Spencer Stuart as we perform our annual review of our Board composition and its alignment with the Company’s long-term growth strategy," said Eric Affeldt, chair of Cedar Fair’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. "It is important that our Board has the appropriate expertise and diversity to continue to deliver long-term growth and value creation for all unitholders."

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Mack Rides reorganizes board following the retirement of managing d...

After 35 successful years at Mack Rides, Kurt Mack-Even has retired from being Managing Director and the head of the sales department. Since the 1970s Kurt Mack-Even was Mack Rides‘ primary contact for industry customers. Kurt will continue consulting for the sales department and will be still available for his clients.

Thorsten Koebele, was announced as the chief officer of sales and marketing at Mack Rides. Koebele has 13 years of experience in the engineering offices as a design engineer and project manager. He also led the development department, already supporting the sales department over the years. Due to his extraordinary engineering knowledge he is the perfect contact person for sales.

At the beginning of January, Mack Rides installed a new Executive Board: Christian von Elverfeldt (Managing Director and CEO), Thorsten Koebele (Chief Officer Sales and Marketing) and Günter Burger (Chief Technical Officer).

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Talking Minnie Mouse makes debut at Disney park

A talking and singing Minnie Mouse character will appear for the first time in a new Disney California Adventure show set to debut Friday (today).

Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline show will be performed in Condor Flats near the Soarin’ Over California ride. The show will feature Minnie four-member singing crew dressed like old-fashioned flight attendants, who will perform songs from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Read more about the show on the Disney Parks blog.

It will be the first time that a talking Minnie Mouse with a moving mouth, face and sound will be in the Disneyland Resort, said Michele Himmelberg, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman. A talking Minnie previously was part of a show at Walt Disney World in Florida.

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Frontier City adding water activity play area

Frontier City has announced the largest water activity structure in Oklahoma. The all new Wild West Water Works interactive play structure will be the coolest place to hang out at Oklahoma’s only theme park.

This exciting new water feature is five stories tall (52 feet), with 198 ways to get wet, eight colorful slides, a 1,000 gallon tipping bucket, spacious lounging deck, changing facilities, showers and more, creating the ultimate water oasis for guests of all ages.

Families will enjoy playing and splashing in the newest section of the park, Wild West Water Works. When guests need a little break from the action or want to catch some rays, they will be able to relax on the ample new lounge deck surrounding the attraction.

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Participate in a Guinness World Record at The LEGO Store at Walt Di...

On Friday, February 17, the LEGO Store at Downtown Disney here at Walt Disney World Resort will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people participating in LEGO Ninjago spinner battles in one day.

Ninjago is a battle-themed LEGO game in which players build a character mounted on a spinner. An opponent also builds a character and the figures are “spun” at one another. The first spinning character knocked to the ground surrenders his weapon to the other player. Cards drawn throughout the game may add different advantages for players.

Guests can stop by the shop any time Friday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. to participate. You don’t need to play a full game, but merely spin a spinner to have it count toward the record.

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Blue Man Group: Revamped show debuts at Universal CityWalk on Feb. 24

The Blue Man Group officially introduces its refurbished Universal CityWalk show on Feb. 24 with about 50 percent new content and 50 percent “classic” routines, says Blue Man co-founder Phil Stanton. Many fan favorites survive the retooling but missing from the new production is the paper-frenzy finale.

Some of the new material was previewed Thursday to select Blue Man Group fans, Universal Orlando employees and members of the media at the theater wedged between Universal Studios theme park and the CityWalk’s Hard Rock Cafe.

One segment featured the three Blue Man characters using three “Gi-Pads” — tablets about 8 or 9 feet tall — to skewer the state of interpersonal communication today. The first one displayed (in appropriately ginormous type) “Lit Twits.” The second one urged the user to blog and tweet about what was just read, immediately. And the third one shared data from studies showing how all these connections are really making us disconnected.

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Disney nearly finished making mountain out of a parking lot

It took Mother Nature hundreds of millions of years to build and shape the sandstone mesa in America’s southwest region.

It took Disney’s rock-work art director Zsolt Hormay about two years to build a smaller version as part of the $1-billion expansion at Disney’s California Adventure. The 125-foot-tall mountain range will be the most visible landmark in the 12-acre expansion, dubbed Cars Land, scheduled to open in June. Much of the expansion is being built on a former parking lot.

Disney officials announced Thursday that a team of artists is wrapping up construction of the peaks, hoodoos and canyons, painted in bands of red, white and pink.

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ASTM Standard on Amusement Rides and Devices now available in print

The compilation, ASTM Standard on Amusement Rides and Devices, is now available in a print version. In addition to the English version (online and print), online versions of the compilation are also available in Chinese, Japanese, French and Spanish.

ASTM Standards on Amusement Rides and Devices provides all 16 ASTM standards that play a vital role in all aspects of the amusement ride industry, ensuring safety and quality assurance. Standards cover design and manufacture, testing, operation and maintenance, inspection, quality assurance, and terminology.

ASTM Standards on Amusement Rides and Devices is available on the ASTM website. There are combination packages available for the online versions, such as Chinese and English, Japanese and English and more. Visit the ASTM website for full pricing and to order.

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Funding forces change in Ark park plans

The Ark Encounter themed attraction planned for Grant County will be built in phases over several years rather than as a single project.

Mark Looy, co-founder of Answers in Genesis, the biblical apologetics ministry that built the Creation Museum in Hebron, said the decision will reduce the initial construction period and funding requirements for the Noah’s Ark-themed park that was initially scheduled for completion in 2014.

“The Ark Encounter, LLC, and AiG continue to trust the Creator of the Universe to supply the needed funds for this project, just as He did with our successful Creation Museum (even with some bumps along the way in its construction),” Looy said in a statement. “Moreover, with an Ark coming to the region, it is anticipated the Creation Museum’s best days for attendance are ahead of it.”

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Time for change at Playland

Is it really true?

Could there be a viable plan to resuscitate Playland from being a county owned park known more for generating negative publicity to a place that everyone can appreciate year round and actually become a moneymaker?

Excuse our incredulity, but we were taken by surprise when we heard that there are three proposals for revitalizing this once gleaming historic jewel by the sea.

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See what’s new at Florida theme parks this year

Spring is fast approaching and in Florida that usually means time for some new theme park attractions to open and 2012 appears to be no different.

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Every Letter Has Character at Disney Parks

Year after year, our Product Development team goes back to the drawing board working closely with our talented team of artists from Disney Design Group to come up with creative ideas for exciting new merchandise. So what have they come up with for this year? Formally known to us as the Letters Program, you’ll find the names for Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom filled with character this year – quite literally.

This art or a variation of it will appear on T-shirts, hoodies, headwear, tote bags, frames, magnets, license plate holders and drink ware, among other fun souvenir items.

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Theme park in Myrtle Beach likely won’t reopen for this summer

The former Freestyle Music Park likely will stay closed for a third consecutive summer as time is running out for a new operator to come in and get it ready by the time tourists start rolling in, experts said.

There’s only three months before the traditional kick off to the summer season in May, not leaving much time for a new owner or operator to close a deal on the 50-acre park off U.S. 501 in Fantasy Harbour, rebrand it, possibly change it by adding new rides, line up required ride inspections and do whatever else needs to be done before the park – which has been closed for two and a half years – is ready to greet visitors.

“The possibility of that is remote at best,” said Tom Hiles, a consultant on the project.

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KI’s Soak City expansion brings 140 new jobs to Mason

Kings Island’s Soak City water park expansion will bring nearly 140 new seasonal jobs to the Mason amusement park.

The park typically hires about 200 lifeguards each season, but will be adding another 30 to 40 positions with this year’s water park expansion, said Don Helbig, park spokesperson.

The new attraction will generate another 100 positions in areas such as food service, security and retail, he said.

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Interview with Andreas Wild of Stengel Engineering

When we wanted to know more about roller coaster design, we decided to go straight to one of the most well known and respected businesses in the industry. Fortunately, we were able to speak with Andreas Wild, Managing Director of Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH (Stengel Engineering). Thanks to Andreas for taking the time out of his busy schedule to share some details about roller coaster design and engineering.

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Interactive ‘Molly Mouse’ Project Wins Walt Disney Imagineering Com...

Our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering recently wrapped up their annual ImagiNations Design Competition and they have a winner: a North Carolina State University team with a unique story to tell.

Every year, college students from around the country are challenged to conceive and propose a new Disney theme park, attraction, restaurant, resort hotel, product or other themed entertainment experience. For the first time ever, participants were given a specific scenario around which to build their project: “How would Disney entertain humans living on the moon in the year 3011?” Note: This program is a limited exception to Disney’s policy of not accepting unsolicited ideas, and the goal is to encourage participants to exhibit their creative, technical and collaborative skills rather than produce plans for actual development.

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Florida Experiences Record Visitation in 2011

According to preliminary estimates* released today by VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – an estimated 85.9 million visitors came to Florida in 2011, an increase of 4.4 percent over 2010. This represents a record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 84.5 million in 2007. Direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose to a near record high of 1,013,100, adding more than 38,000 jobs and representing a 3.9 percent increase over 2010.

“With such significant increases in jobs and visitors to the Sunshine State in 2011, tourism remains the state’s No. 1 industry and the leading driver of Florida’s rebounding economy,” said Governor Rick Scott. “VISIT FLORIDA and the entire Florida tourism industry are leading the way to ensuring that we become the No. 1 travel destination in the world.”

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D23: The Official Disney Fan Club Celebrates its Third Anniversary ...

Starting tomorrow, you can join D23: The Official Disney Fan Club as they celebrate their third anniversary with a special 23-day Twitter sweepstakes! Use your knowledge of Disney history and trivia to complete a different challenge each day – and get the chance to win a special D23 prize.

At approximately 10 a.m. Pacific time on each day of D23′s 23 Days of Celebration, followers of @DisneyD23 on Twitter will receive a new challenge. The first person to submit a valid photo that matches the challenge will win! Be ready – you could be asked to send a picture of yourself in front of a Disney Parks attraction or wearing a specific item of Disney apparel. Each day will bring a new challenge, and a new opportunity to win!

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Indy Park Has Zipline Plans

One of the most popular attractions of Super Bowl week could end up with a permanent Indianapolis-area home. Our partners at WISH-TV in Indianapolis report there are plans to install a zipline at Eagle Creek Park. The attraction, which would cover up to three acres, could be operating in a few months.

The zipline would be part of a tree top challenge course. Go Ape is the company behind the project and it already has more than two dozen courses in Europe and one in the U.S.

Indy Parks officials tell the TV station the zipline could be part of a two-hour, eco-education experience.

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Waterpark Agreement Approved

A deal between the City of Temecula and Wild Rivers Inc. is one step closer to being sealed.

The agreement calls for the corporation to put a deposit of $1 million to buy a 19-acre piece of land on Dendy Parkway and Diaz Road in northwest Temecula.

The City Council approved the deal during a meeting Tuesday at the Civic Center.

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Water World to hire 1,000+ for summer

Hyland Hills Water World on Thursday announced it will hire more than 1,000 people for the 2012 summer season. Jobs include cashier, food service, gift shop, grounds, lifeguard and park service teams. Applicants must be 14 or older by May 18 and must drop off their application in person during the times detailed in the application. Most applicants will be interviewed on the spot.

Water World is seeking applicants with great customer service skills, who are outgoing, friendly and willing to help others.

The announcement comes a day after the Broomfield Workforce Center hosted a youth job fair that drew about 350 teens and young adults hoping to get a jump on summer jobs in a tight job market.

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Willow Point water park makes it onto budget discussion list

In addition to service cuts, council also had to consider service level changes for 2012. Senior management thoroughly reviewed the list of all service level change requests and came up with two lists.

Making the cut on the recommended list were, among other things, city website re-design; Argonaut Road improvements; utility box vandalism program; and transit stop maintenance and improvements. On the not recommended list were: quarterly community reports; Local Government Awareness Week activities; McIvor Lake Road improvements; and Shoppers Row LED street light section.

Council rescued the Willow Point Splash Park and an increase in transit services from the ‘not recommended list’, moving both to the list for future budget discussions. City staff had penciled in $30,000 in annual maintenance for the Rotary Club’s splash park – slated for construction in April and a June opening – and $75,000 to provide water to the park as not recommended.

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Central City Spray & Water Park Coming this Summer

According to officials, the Central City Convention Center’s highly anticipated new attraction, the Spray and Water Park, is right on schedule to be open this year.

"We plan to be open and fully operational by Memorial Day," Director Tammy Piper told SurfKY reporters.

The park will consist of a new Zero Entry Pool, Spray Park, Kiddie Pool and an indoor and outdoor playground.

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Park Ridge suicide victim owned teen club in Antioch

The owner of Club Energy, who reportedly had invested $1 million in the teen club at 1350 Main St., committed suicide and was buried in Park Ridge on Feb. 13. John Tsichlis, 45, had been reported missing by his family since mid-December, shortly after attending an Antioch Village Board meeting requesting a liquor license for Club Energy.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office recently identified a badly decomposed body found Feb. 2 in a wooded area in Park Ridge as Tsichlis. An autopsy conducted Feb. 4 determined Tsichlis died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a suicide, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Club Energy, which opened last summer as a teen club and family entertainment center, was denied a liquor license by the village board Dec. 5.

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State gives grants to five small businesses

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Thursday said five small businesses across the state, including a growing Norwich-based printing company, will receive grants through the new Small Business Express Program so they can expand and create additional jobs.

The state’s small-business program, also known as EXP, was created during this past year’s October special legislative session on jobs and the economy. The program will provide a total of $100 million to jumpstart small-business hiring and fund various capital investments. The program is administered by the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development and offers loans and matching state grants to firms with fewer than 50 employees.

The other firms that will receive business-express program assistance are the Connecticut Casket Co. in Willimantic; Elka Precision in Plainville, a manufacturer; the Wooden-it-be-Nice consignment-furniture company in Marlborough, and My Three Sons in Norwalk, which is an indoor family entertainment center.

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Baby gorilla born at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

Don’t break out the pink or blue cigars yet.

The little gorilla baby born early Feb. 9 to Moka, the mom, and Mrithi, the dad, is definitely cute. But even though zookeepers at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium think the week-old primate is a boy, they aren’t completely sure yet.

That hasn’t stopped them from celebrating the arrival of the first gorilla born at the zoo since 2001.

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Norwalk’s Maritime Aquarium to unveil its ‘FINtastic RefurbFISHment’

There’s a story in every exhibit at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk if you’re willing to linger long enough to watch them unfold.

For example, the interactions between the Ocean Pouts and Oyster Toadfish in the Depths of the Sound exhibit, the antics of sea otters Lou and Belle and the social behaviors of the meerkats are especially entertaining.

Then there’s the element of suspense watching a 7-foot female lemon shark adapt to her new 110,000-gallon home alongside sand tiger sharks in the Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit.

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Creature Feature

Here come the sharpest teeth in the tri-states.

Piranhas headline "Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes & Other Riches," a touring exhibit opening Saturday, March 3, at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

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