This-N-That

Temecula CultureFest Embraces Community And Culture

In 2022, at the direction of the City of Temecula’s Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission, the Community Services Department helped create the first Temecula CultureFest in celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity. This community celebration gathers participants from many diverse ethnicities, nationalities, heritages, and backgrounds to preserve and strengthen cultures, provide learning experiences, and promote understanding.

The diversity on display at the festival showcases that it is more than just “typical” hula and folklorico dancers. City Culture Bearers serve as advisors by sharing life experiences, education, and training to carry their knowledge, wisdom, and collective histories forward.

Temecula’s free, open-house-style special event commemorates the impact of ancestry and encourages the exchange of generational conversations through music, song, dance, food, robust vendor areas, and fun zone for kids.

Information submitted by Bea Barnett, Superintendent, Community Services Department, City of Temecula 

Temecula CultureFest 2022 & 2023 photo streams, Temecula’s Mayor Zak Schwank, and social media tell our story best.

Temecula Mayor Talks Quality Of Life In 'Just The Facts, Zak' Series | Temecula, CA Patch

Ex-Cell Kaiser celebrates 90 Years

Franklin Park, Ill.—Ex-Cell Kaiser is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Since 1933, the company has been a family-owned manufacturing business, and they continue as a woman-owned business led by Janet Kaiser, a third-generation member of the Kaiser family’s legacy.

The company continues to produce and expand decorative waste and recycling receptacle product offerings as one of the most innovative manufacturers in the industry.

“Our 90 years of success can be attributed first and foremost to our outstanding team, who continue to develop and hone their skills to succeed in today’s manufacturing world,” a company press release said. 

For more information, visit www.ex-cell.com.

Gwinnett Soccer Academy, Gwinnett County Adopt Husqvarna Robotic Mowers For Turf Management

Charlotte, N.C.—Husqvarna Group, a worldwide leader in robotic mowing, announces Gwinnett Soccer Academy in partnership with Gwinnett County have become the first entities in Georgia to adopt autonomous mowing on their sports fields. With Husqvarna CEORA, more than 14 fields at two facilities will be autonomously mowed and maintained. 

CEORA, an autonomous mowing solution for commercial applications, is ideal for large areas of turf. With systematic cutting and virtual boundaries, it delivers precision results that are managed virtually via the smartphone app. With CEORA, wear and tear on turf from traditional heavy equipment is reduced, and turf quality is improved. Additionally, the adoption of autonomous mowing solutions enables crews to focus their time on more detailed work. 

American Red Cross Expands Campaign To Reduce Childhood Drowning

Washington D.C.—The American Red Cross plans to double the size of its Aquatics Centennial Campaign by the end of 2023. The campaign aims to reduce drowning rates in locations where drowning rates are above the national average. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s data, counties with Red Cross Centennial programs saw an overall 10-percent decrease in drowning rates versus a 6-percent decrease nationally. As part of this expansion, the Red Cross plans to help teach 22,500 more children annually to become water competent. Additionally, each year, the campaign is expected to support the training of 900 lifeguards and 600 Red Cross Water Safety Instructor professionals. For more information, visit redcross.org/CentennialSwim.

Field Notes

Darin Rowland

Munro, a manufacturer of pumps, pump controls, and pump stations for the turf irrigation market has named Darin Rowland as National Sales Director. Rowland brings over 20 years of sales leadership experience to the position.

Walker Manufacturing Company of Fort Collins, Colo., was recognized as the Industrial & Equipment Manufacturer of the Year at the 8th Annual Colorado Manufacturing Awards in Golden, Colo. The ceremony celebrates outstanding companies in four broad industry categories: Industrial & Equipment, Technology, Consumer, and Craft Food & Beverage manufacturing. Finalists and winners in 2023 were selected for operational excellence including manufacturing prowess, product and market success, workforce engagement, and community support.  

ASV, a manufacturer of all-purpose and all-season compact track loaders and skid steers, presented three dealers with Dealer of the Year Awards for 2022. Barda Equipment is the Large Market winner, Butler Equipment is the Medium Market winner, and Duffy’s Sales & Rental is the winner of the Small Market category.

Yanmar Compact Equipment recognized three 2022 Dealer of the Year Award winners: Vermeer Midwest received the Large Market award, Chattanooga Tractor & Equipment was the Medium Market winner, and Hawkins-Graves won the Small Market category.

Brett Snow

Hospeco Brands Group, a manufacturer of cleaning and protection products to serve the janitorial, industrial supply, foodservice, healthcare, and hospitality markets, has promoted Brett Snow to the new position of senior director corporate accounts – janitorial/sanitary and foodservice. Snow, a 30-year sales veteran, will be responsible for growing high-profile food service accounts.

Woolpert hired Public Market Director Donna Becco Schroeder to lead strategy and client development for public sector architecture and engineering clients, nationally and globally. Schroeder has 30-plus years of client and account management experience and a global design portfolio that includes commercial, office, mixed-use, retail, industrial, hospitality, and education projects.

Minneapolis-based Sightline Commercial Solutions, a leading fabricator and global supplier of architectural railing, metal, glazing and portable platform solutions for the commercial, sports venue, live entertainment and performing arts industries, appointed Tiffany Duncan as its new Vice President of Sales. Bringing a creative and analytical skillset to the company, Duncan is responsible for leading the company’s nationwide sales team and implementing initiatives for near- and long-term growth.

ASV

Congratulations to ASV, a provider of all-purpose and all-season compact track loaders and skid steers, for celebrating its 40th anniversary. The company marked the occasion with an open house event at its Grand Rapids, Minn., facility earlier this year.

D & K Products joined United Turf Alliance as its newest owner. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, D & K Products serves customers in Iowa, Nebraska, and Central Illinois.

Chris Haefer

The Los Angeles Parks Foundation selected Anthony “Tony” Budrovich as its next Executive Director. He began his new role earlier this year.

IronCraft, LLC, formerly branded Titan Implement, has added Chris Haefer as Pacific Northwest Territory Manager.  In this role, he is responsible for growing and managing the company’s sales through their construction and agriculture dealer network in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Photo: pexels / Mason Tuttle

Pickleball’s Popularity Prompting Major Park Investment

Over the past six years, from 2017 to 2023, the number of pickleball courts in the 100 most populous U.S. cities has skyrocketed, increasing sixfold from 420 to 2,788, according to the 2023 ParkScore Report conducted by TPL. This means that there is now approximately one pickleball court for every 24,000 residents in these cities, compared to one court per 141,000 residents back in 2017. 

In 2017, fewer than half of the largest U.S. cities even offered formalized pickleball courts. Today, nearly every big city's park and recreation department has embraced this growing trend and made pickleball facilities available to their communities.

Here are the current frontrunners in terms of court numbers and courts per 100,000 population:

• Seattle, Wash.—156 courts, 20.5 courts per 100,000 population

• St. Petersburg, Fla.—51 courts, 19.6 courts per 100,000 population

• Lincoln, Neb.—51 courts, 17.2 courts per 100,000 population

• Honolulu, Hawaii—173 courts, 16.9 courts per 100,000 population

• Madison, Wis.—43 courts, 15.5 courts per 100,000 population

• St. Paul, Minn.—48 courts, 15.2 courts per 100,000 population

• Plano, Texas—44 courts, 15.1 courts per 100,000 population

• Omaha, Neb.—71 courts, 14.3 courts per 100,000 population

• Boise, Idaho—34 courts, 14.1 courts per 100,000 population

• St. Louis, Mo.—42 courts, 14.1 courts per 100,000 population

For more information, visit https://www.tpl.org/2023-city-park-facts.

Diversifying Recreational Opportunities

Parks and recreation areas often offer a range of amenities, from playgrounds and walking trails to sports fields and swimming pools. Introducing temporary game courts adds a new dimension to the existing repertoire. These versatile installations can be tailored to suit various sports such as basketball, pickleball, tennis, volleyball, and more—accommodating diverse interests and providing a fresh experience for visitors. This diversification helps attract a broader audience, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

The beauty of temporary sport court construction lies in its flexibility and convenience. These courts can be installed and dismantled relatively quickly, allowing departments to host a wide array of events throughout the year. Whether it's a weekend tournament, a corporate teambuilding exercise, or a neighborhood sports contest, the adaptability of temporary courts makes them an ideal choice. Furthermore, their easy configuration allows organizers to maximize space utilization within the park or recreation area.

For more information, visit www.sportprosusa.com.