SeaWorld to be sold to Blackstone Group San Diego’s SeaWorld, along with its two sister SeaWorld parks, two Busch Gardens parks and five other entertainment attractions, will be sold to The Blackstone Group, an international private equity firm headquartered in New York. A joint announcement yesterday by Anheuser-Busch InBev and The Blackstone Group, stated that the entire Busch Entertainment Corporation will be acquired by Blackstone in a deal involving a $2.3 billion cash payment and the right to participate in a return on investment totaling up to $400 million. The transaction is pending regulatory clearance. “We have no staff reductions at all related to this transaction at any level,” said Busch Entertainment Corporation President Jim Atchison, adding that the corporation will continue to run and maintain the park as usual, as well as continue with present plans regarding the park’s attractions. Blackstone owns Hilton Hotels, Orbitz Travel, Merlin theme parks in the U.K., has a 50 percent ownership in Universal Orlando and “they own more hotel rooms than anyone in the world,” Atchison said. The sale will allow Anheuser-Busch InBev to focus on its core business of brewing beer, according to the joint statement. Hodad’s to aid OB school with annual fundraiser Hodad’s restaurant in Ocean Beach will soon be hosting a fundraiser designed to raise money for Ocean Beach Elementary School and is asking for contributions from the community. The restaurant, which is honoring the 100th anniversary of OB Elementary this year, is seeking the items for the fundraising event from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the restaurant, 5010 Newport Ave. Donated items being sought are gift certificates or cards, retail items, dinners, free or discounted treatments and tickets. Hodad’s gives 25 percent of every dollar brought in the day of the fundraiser to OB Elementary. For more information or to donate, call (619) 818-2596. Peninsula Singers gear up for winter season The Peninsula Singers are again rockin’ and rollin’ as the Point Loma-based choir gears up for its winter season. In March, the Peninsula Singers will be joining choirs from around the U.S. in a performance at Carnegie Hall. The Singers will be led by John Rutter, famed English composer and choral director. Fundraising activities will be taking place throughout the season and help the choir get to New York in the spring, said organizers. Performances and practices take place at the Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library and other productions take place at San Diego locations as the Singers carol their way across the city. Potential new members are always welcome to join on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. For more information, www.peninsulasingerssandiego.org.