Week in Review: School's In, Summer's on Way Out

A new school year begins on a positive note, while the city mulls enforcement of an existing tax on real estate agents. These and other stories were covered by Patch for the week of Aug. 29 to Sept. 4.

SUNDAY

Mira Costa High opens defense of its CIF Western Division championship against Los Angeles Loyola, bolstered by its offensive and defensive lines.

MONDAY

Master gardener Geri Miller inspires local business owners to see the sustainable potential in their landscapes.

Manhattan Beach native Adam Buckley captures the overall title in the unlimited division of the Catalina Classic.

Five employees of businesses in Manhattan Beach and El Segundo are given citiations for serving alcohol to minors.

TUESDAY

MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews applauds 2009-'10 student accomplishments as he looks forward to a technological upgrade for the district.

Open Government columnist Gary Osterhout asks: What are the clear mileposts in removing the barriers to a more aesthetic Sand Dune Park?

WEDNESDAY

Mayor Mitch Ward holds court at the downtown Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, fielding questions and concerns from residents during his weekly "Coffee With the Mayor."

The school district avoids layoffs that had been announced in March, as it adds certificated hires and more physical education time for fourth- and fifth-graders.

Food columnist Allison Arbuthnot finds that the Manhattan Beach " and offers a unique recipe for market-fresh broccoli.

After the state Senate rejects a bill seeking to ban plastic bags statewide, supporters of AB 1998 vow to continue the fight through efforts to pass city and county ordinances.

THURSDAY

Costa seniors Dennis Falcone and Dalton Crawford still compete to see who will be under center Friday as the defending CIF Western Division champion Mustangs open the season against Los Angeles Loyola.

The City Council will determine at an upcoming meeting whether real estate agents are independent contractors or employees in order to enforce an existing business license tax.

FRIDAY

More Southern Californians will travel this Labor Day weekend than did so in 2009, and 91 percent of them will venture by car, experts predict.

Volleyball players and players of Wii gather for competitions as local music series come to an end over Labor Day weekend.

Family history, proximity to campus and test scores factor into South Bay residents' choice of which high school to attend, and 2010 enrollment rates paint an interesting picture.

SATURDAY

A counterfeit driver's license is mailed to a Manhattan Beach resident, and windows are shot out at four businesses in this week's police blotter.

The Mustangs lose to Los Angeles Loyola 10-7 despite holding the Cubs to less than 100 yards of total offense. They have chances to win late, but drives sputter at the end.