Strong sales in team and action sports equipment contributed to Easton-Bell Sports Inc. reporting a 28 percent increase in net income for the second quarter when compared with the previous year. The Van Nuys-based manufacturer had net income of $15.5 million on revenues of $220.8 million for the quarter ending June 30. For the same period a year ago, the company had net income of $12.1 million on revenues of $206.4 million. Contributing to the net income was a reduction in interest expense following an adjustment of an interest rate swap agreement. Football and ice hockey equipment drove sales in the team sports division while cycling and snow helmets, cycling components, eyewear and fitness related products was behind the sales in action sports.

GLENDALE , Pelanconi residents today are once again set to air their long-held opposition to a planned residential complex on Grandview Avenue that some say has no place in their Northwest Glendale neighborhood. The city’s Redevelopment Agency is slated to discuss new plans for the complex, to be located at 1015 Grandview Ave., after residents complained that the initial design of 300 units in a six-story unit would not fit in a community with smaller, single-family homes and nearby Pelanconi Park. For the full story visit www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2008/08/12/news/gnp-grandview12.txt

The release of feature films contributed to Image Entertainment Inc. posting positive income results for the first quarter. The Chatsworth-based distributor and producer of home entertainment programming had a net income of $1.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, on revenues of $32.6 million. That is an improvement of the net loss of $2.6 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, on revenues of $20.9 million for the first quarter in fiscal 2008. Image has made a name as one of the largest distributors of DVDs but has augmented that core business by releasing feature films and making content available through digital rentals and sales. The first quarter was also strengthened by the company ending legal disputes over a failed merger. Image forecasts 2009 revenues in the range of $115 million to $125 million. Shares of Image closed up at $1.17.

BEIJING — When former Chinese gymnastics champion Li Ning ascended on a high wire to the top of the Olympic stadium Friday to ignite the caldron, it was a magical finale to a dazzling opening ceremony. It was also a coup for his athletic-wear firm — especially considering that Li Ning Co. isn’t even an official sponsor of the Games. The company chairman’s stunt helped drive up Li Ning Co.’s stock 4% on Monday and left rival firms out in the cold. Adidas, for instance, has shelled out millions of dollars to be a sponsor of the Beijing Games. For the full story visit www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-olyblitz12-2008aug12,0,776065.story

LOS ANGELES – County supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Gloria Molina – two leaders often at political loggerheads – will join forces today in asking their fellow supervisors to oppose a sales tax increase. Antonovich – the conservative 5th District supervisor who represents the Antelope Valley and other North County areas – and Molina – the liberal 1st District supervisor who represents East Los Angeles and much of the San Gabriel Valley – are strange political bedfellows, but both have voiced concern about the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s plan to ask voters for a half-cent sales tax increase. The increase would provide $30 billion to $40 billion in funding for transit projects, but Antonovich and Molina both have said the plan to spend that money gives some areas short shrift. For the full story visit www.avpress.com/n/12/0812_s3.hts

KCLU increased its broadcast signal in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties with the purchase of KIST-AM 1340 in the city of Santa Barbara. The acquisition by Thousand Oaks-based KCLU makes the station the only National Public Radio station on AM radio in Southern California. The $1.44 million cost will be reimbursed as part of a $7.5 million capital campaign to fund improvements to the station. The KCLU signal gets boosted to 650 watts from four watts in Santa Barbara, allowing the station to be heard from Rincon in Ventura County north to Goleta and Isla Vista. KCLU will broadcast over the AM signal in the next month pending notification from the Federal Communications Commission and will continue to be heard on 102.3 FM in Santa Barbara and part of Montecito.

BURBANK , With sustainability as one of the City Council’s top priorities for the year, the airport is doing its part to keep in line. At the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority meeting on Tuesday, staff discussed renovations that have made the airport a more efficient, eco-friendly force in the community. Hands-free faucets and recycled paper in restrooms as well as the replacement of incandescent taxiway lighting with an LED system are some of the green features implemented recently at the airport. For the full story visit www.burbankleader.com/articles/2008/08/09/news/blr-greenairport09.txt

The City of Palmdale has submitted an application to the California Energy Commission for certification for a 570-megawatt hybrid power plant. The city will build the power plant to generate electricity to meet increasing demand. “Our application submittal is the culmination of several years of intense efforts to identify the best plant design and a location that is compatible with the city’s future plans,” stated Palmdale City Manager Steve Williams. The power plant or hybrid plant, which it is called because of its large solar energy component, will be located along the south side of Avenue M, east of Sierra Highway. The city hired Inland Energy to manage the environmental and engineering activities related to the plan. “One of the best attributes of this hybrid plant is that it has the ability to produce electricity whenever it is needed but can rely on the renewable energy when the electricity demand is at its highest, during the daylight hours,” Company Vice President Tony Penna said.

Capstone Turbine Corp. narrowed its net loss in the first quarter when compared to a year ago. The Chatsworth-based manufacturer of micro-turbines posted a loss of $9.8 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, on revenues of $7.5 million for the quarter ending June 30. For the same period in 2007, Capstone reported a net loss of $10.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, on revenues of $5.6 million. Capstone received $20 million in new product orders for the first quarter, more than the entire product revenue in fiscal 2007, company President and CEO Darren Jamison said. Shares in Capstone closed down at $2.42.

When the Chino Hills earthquake hit July 29, Heidi Gallegos was having lunch with an associate in nearby Diamond Bar. “Once the jolt hit, we were, like, frozen and watching the doors, thinking ‘Do we stay or do we go?’ ” said Gallegos, chief executive of the Regional Chamber of Commerce — San Gabriel Valley. A mile south on Diamond Bar Boulevard, diners at the Whole Enchilada were “in shock,” General Manager Sandy Ball said. For the full story visit www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-smallbiz11-2008aug11,0,4333384.story