Week in Review: The School Year Begins

It was back to school for Redondo Unified students this week. In the days leading up to the start of the academic year, Patch continued its look back on notable RUHS alums and examined the amount of construction on local campuses. (There was a lot!) On the first day of classes, Patch was there; ditto the first football game Friday night.  

Sunday

A few days before the city's response to the water board about Seaside Lagoon was due, Ed Pilolla visited the attraction and found plenty of families frolicking. Parents said they hoped that Seaside Lagoon would stay open for a long time. The city is battling with regulators about the level of total suspended solids in the water that it releases back into the harbor. 

Monday

Columnist Joe Galliani argued that the best high school for some eco-minded Redondo students is actually in Lawndale. Specifically the Environmental Charter High School. Jayson Repko talked with Adam Buckley, the winner of the 32-mile Catalina Classic paddle board championship. 

Tuesday

Liz Spear gave a rundown on all the school construction over the summer. According to the district, 75 percent of schools were under construction, thanks to Measure C funds. Construction is ongoing at several schools. Ed Pilolla visited several schools on the first day of classes, capturing the mood in prose and pictures. 

Patch cast a spotlight on Dave Shenbaun, a county lifeguard who touted Redondo's diversity. 

Wednesday 

Patch previewed the Wii Games, which began setting up Tuesday in the Marina North Lot. Jim Light urged residents to fight to tear down the AES power plant, arguing that now is the time to do away with a facility he considers a blight on the city's landscape. 

Patch concluded its salute to notable RUHS students, with yearbook pics of Demi Moore, Traci Lords and the Smothers Brothers.

Thursday

Redondo Mom Michelle Veale Borden highly recommended a visit to Legoland in Carlsbad. And yours truly wondered why people rush to get out of Redondo during summer holiday weekends. After all, we live near the beach. 

Friday

Wave Rider Tori MacLennan addressed all the sightings of great white sharks in the area. Will she still surf? Yes, but with an eye out for dorsal fins. 

Ed Pilolla provided a sneak peak of the Sea Hawks football team getting ready for its first game. All that practice paid off in a victory Friday night; Art Thompson reported on the action for Patch. 

Beach Cities Weekend surveyed activities around town, including the Wii Games. Speaking of which, Ed Pilolla visited opening day and found enthusiasts of all ages. 

Liz Spear examined the rivalry between Mira Costa and Redondo Union, which is complicated by Beach Cities geography: Certain Redondo residents can attend the Manhattan Beach high school, and Hermosa students can opt for either RUHS or Costa. This year 186 Redondo students are going to MCHS. 

Saturday

Mike Garcia, founder of Redondo Beach-based landscaping firm Enviroscape, is helping to launch the South Bay's Sustainability Summit next month. 

Certain pier businesses are paying the price for beauty. The city is fixing up part of the pier for the new George Freeth memorial statue in what it considers a pilot project, but some regulars are wondering why renovate the pier during summer?