CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:

Bella Terra Mall on Edinger Avenue is celebrating its official opening with a slew of weekend events from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to 27 Orange County organizations.

World Classic Rockers, made up of former members from the Eagles, Steppenwolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana and others, will perform on Sept. 9 in the outdoor mall.

“A Taste of Bella Terra” will take place on Sept. 8 from 3 to 8 p.m., followed by a “Bella Beach Party” on Sept. 9 with performances by the Surfaris and World Classic Rockers. The weekend events will include surfboard shaping, surf museum, sand sculpting, caricatures, Tarot card reading and Henna tattoos.

“It’s a Bella Sunday,” from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 10, will feature the finale for the mall’s opening. The Huntington Beach Children’s Needs Task Force “2005 Youth Character Awards Wall of Fame,” will be part of the Sunday evening festivities. The O.C. Children’s Theater will perform the Broadway musical “Peter Pan,” and later the Dusty Rhoads band will continue the entertainment. For more information, visit www.bellaterra-hb.com. All Sunday events are free.

Ray announces resignation date

Planning Commissioner Steve Ray announced he will serve his last day on the commission at its Sept. 12 meeting.

“I have been planning a big change in my life,” he said, citing personal reasons for leaving the commission.

Ray was appointed to the commission by Councilwoman Jill Hardy in 2002.

In an open letter addressed to Hardy, Ray included criticism about the workings of former commissioners and current and former City Council members.

“I have really enjoyed working with my current fellow commissioners and most, not all, past commissioners with whom I’ve served; the staff, especially the last two years; and most, not all, of the current and past council members,” he wrote.

“Out of respect for you and my office, I will save any pejorative comments until after I leave the commission,” Ray added in the letter.

Early this year, he informed Hardy about his decision to leave, and she asked him to stay on until July.

“I really appreciate Steve serving over the years, and I appreciate his honesty,” Hardy said, adding that she’s looking to appoint Blair Farley, who has been attending commission meetings, to the position.

Recently, City Council members discussed improving the workings of the planning commission with regards to commissioners’ speaking time, among other issues.

Ray said he believes that the council members who made those points were politically motivated.

“These council members like to use the planning commission as a scapegoat,” he said.

Ray also wrote in the letter that after final adjustments are made to the commission’s way of conducting business, through the project review process committee that he chairs, he would leave.

“Part of my philosophy on the commission is I represent the city, which I translate to mean residents of the city,” he said.

Commission Chairman Bob Dingwall said he was sorry to see him go.

“Sometimes family and business comes before the volunteerism,” Dingwall said.

Relay for Life fundraiser

About 11,360 people in Orange County will be diagnosed with cancer this year, according to the Relay For Life of Huntington Beach, which is fundraising with the Laugh is Hope Comedy Club aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

“Battling cancer is difficult not only for the patient, but for the families, friends and caregivers,” said Nicole Hensley, chair of the Relay For Life, in a news release.

The event will take place Saturday, Aug. 26, and feature Long Beach comedian Steven E. Kimbrough, followed by a raffle and silent auction. The floor will be opened for dancing.

Tickets are $30. For more information, visit www.laughishope.com.

22nd Annual Sunset Runner race

Huntington Beach-based Finish Line International is organizing its 22nd annual “Sunset in the Park” 2.8-mile and 4.8-mile cross-country foot race in Central Park today.

The event includes an all-counties high school-age 2.8-mile team challenger race, with Sunset Runner, Master and Submaster awards for all races. The event begins at 6 p.m. in Central Park West in Huntington Beach, between Goldenwest and Edwards, Ellis and Slater streets.

For more information, especially high school-age team coaches, contact Oscar Rosales, director of the Finish Line at (714) 841-5417 or visit www.nealand.com/finishline.

The races are fully monitored and follow U.S.A. Track and Field standards.