CITY ROUNDUP:

After months of keeping his views to himself, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher announced he would endorse GOP hopeful Mitt Romney for president, citing the former Massachusetts governor as the candidate he trusts to fix the nation’s “illegal immigration crisis.”

“Romney is going to be someone who tries to get control of the illegal immigration across our borders,” he said, adding, “We’re coming into a lot of economic troubles and Romney has some private sector experience, especially in building economies and corporate jobs.”

Rohrabacher cringed most, though, at the thought of Romney’s chief rival Sen. John McCain securing the nomination.

“He’s been the enemy of those of us who have stemmed the flow of illegals into our country, whereas Romney has made some very tough commitments.”

H.B. Visitor’s Bureau to keep Surf City USA

The long-simmering legal battle over the Surf City USA trademark is over, officials said this week. After a year and a half of conflict, the parties reached a settlement that lets the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau keep its trademark.

The owners of Santa Cruz stores Noland’s on the Wharf and Shoreline Surf Shop sued the bureau almost two years ago after the organization sent them a cease and desist order not to sell shirts reading “Santa Cruz Surf City USA.”

Visitors bureau attorney Richard Sybert said it was “a good and fair settlement,” but that details would not be released.

He read a short joint news release from both parties: “Neither side has admitted any liability to the other side. The parties’ respective claims and counterclaims will be dismissed. The parties have agreed on the design of shirts.”

In May 2006, the bureau received a trademark for the Surf City USA logo, giving it the right for exclusive use to it on ads and clothing.

Asked about the new approved shirt design, he said those curious should “call the plaintiff up and order a shirt.”

Give input on Ripcurl mixed-use development

Those interested in weighing in on the proposed Ripcurl mixed-use development across from Goldenwest College are invited to make comments before an environmental impact report is drafted. Residents can point to issues that should be looked at in a study of the development’s impact on the area.

Developer Red Oak Investments plans to put five stories of residential units above 15,000 square feet of street-level retail and commercial property.

Direct questions to Tess Nguyen at (714) 374-1744 or [email protected]. There will also be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 to take comments on the project’s impact. It will be in rooms C and D of Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave.

Begin citywide discussion on book

Looking to talk books? Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St., will kick off the city’s “Huntington Beach Reads One Book” program at 6 p.m. today with an opening reception. The program, in which adults, students and families are all encouraged to read the same book to foster citywide discussion and cultural awareness, inaugurates this year with “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

The reception will feature Afghan food from Kabul Catering, music, photos of the regions described in the book, and a film. For more information on the reception or purchasing the book, call (714) 374-1650.

Help seniors learn to use Google and eBay

Michael E. Rodgers Seniors Center is looking for volunteers to help out in the classroom. Assistants in the computer program would follow along with a teacher to help out individuals with extra direction, from teaching students to click a mouse, find items on a screen, or get back to the right window. Requires basic computer knowledge, but no teaching experience needed.

Classes offered via the Sands Community Services Guide include: “Beginning Course to the Computer,” “Keeping your Computer Up to Date,” “Google Galore,” and “eBay.” Classes are for ages 55 and up.

For more information or to volunteer, call Recreation Coordinator Chris Cole at (714) 374-1710, or e-mail [email protected].