Week in Review: Harbor Business Plan Approved

Politics dominated the week in Redondo Beach. Last Sunday night, the South Bay chapter of the tea party convened at the Performing Arts Center for its annual convention. However, that gathering was overshadowed by the City Council's decision to approve a much-debated business plan for the harbor despite lingering reservations by certain constituents. 

Sunday

Hundreds fewer tea party devotees flocked to this year's convention than the inaugural one a year ago. Gary Aven, chairman of the South Bay Tea Party, attributed the lower turnout to timing: The gathering took place the same weekend as the California Republican Party convention in San Diego. Tea party attendee Yvonne Haley of Redondo explained why she felt scared but hopeful. A video report on the event followed Monday. The coverage struck John Ehrenfeld as overkill; he wrote a column arguing that Patch should instead focus on messages of inclusion and tolerance, noting the upcoming anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech in our nation's capital.

Also on Sunday: A colorful report from the annual Chalk Art Festival at the Redondo pier.  

Monday

Columnist Joe Galliani argued that the city's most important vote had nothing to do with zoning, but instead concerned Proposition 23, an initiative on the November ballot that he says is designed to kill a state global warming law. 

Tuesday

Newly Paul profiled the Friendship Circle, an organization that pairs "typical" teens with special-needs youngsters. Both sides benefit from the arrangement. John Maiorello filed a video report on a scaled-back Manhattan Beach Open. He found that some backers prefer the old-school tournament. And in honor of the coming school year, Patch launched a weeklong series of quizzes about famous graduates of RUHS. 

Wednesday

After all the debate leading up to Tuesday night's vote on the Harbor Enterprise Business Plan, the actual vote itself was anticlimactic. The City Council unanimously approved it. The school district posted the results from a student survey on its website. Among the findings was that 32 percent of fifth-graders at Washington Elementary have seen another kid at school with a weapon. As for that wave of catalytic converter thefts? It's not over yet, according to police. The police also reported a high-speed chase through the Target parking lot and a quickly extinguished balcony fire.  

Thursday

Redondo Mom Michelle Veale Borden asks the age-old question: Who takes care of mommy when she comes down with a cold? A private street in front of the new school administration building has been renamed Sea Hawk Way in honor of the high school mascot. 

Friday

Wave Rider Tori MacLennan finally got to her favorite surf spot with her husband, but the waves weren't there. She still enjoyed her surf date with her mate and an aquatic friend they termed "shark bait." Youngsters, meanwhile, are squeezing in their last summer classes on the sand. When school's in session, beach volleyball instruction moves to the weekend, explains AVP teacher Brooke Langston. We suggested various diverting activities in our weekend guide, including Sunday's Catalina Classic Paddle Board Championship in Manhattan Beach. 

Saturday

Local Glamour columnist Constance Dunn suggested a visit to Papillon in Riviera Village for those in need of special-occasion ensembles. And Ed Pilolla checked out the Riviera Village Sidewalk Sale and found plenty of bargains.