Week in Review: Pipeline Repair and Blue Whales

Whale watching, pipeline repair and high school sports dominated the news last week. And the Riviera Village Farmers Market got off to a strong start. 

Sunday

Redondo girls cross country team swept the top 5 spots at the Great Cow Run on Sept. 11, easily winning the meet. There are close to 200 kids in the Pop Warner Program, Tom Borgia wrote in an overview of the season. 

Monday

Bianca Avelino talked with Chez Melange co-owner Michael Franks about locally grown produce and the new Riviera Village Farmer's Market. Jim Light took issue with the ballot language for Measure G, dubbing it misleading. And Constance Dunn checked in at Beauty Loops, where she found a wide variety of goods in a small space. 

Tuesday

The water south of the pier keeps flunking bacteria tests and is considered a persistent trouble spot by Heal the Bay. The city is working on ways to improve the water, but in the meantime, keep your eye on water reports and steer clear if that section of the beach is cordoned off, as it was during Labor Day weekend. And while you're at the pier, watch your step. The main entryway was all torn up this week as the city prepared for the installation of George Freeth Plaza. 

In sports: Redondo Union opened its girls volleyball season with a resounding victory over Bishop Montgomery.  

Wednesday

Blue whales are coming closer to the Redondo coast than anyone can remember. The likely reason: Cooler weather. In a strange coincidence, Southern California Gas Co. began retrofitting a pipeline along 190th Street on Sept. 9, the same day as the explosion in San Bruno. The gas company says the federally mandated project will make the high-pressure line more efficient. 

Redondo police reported a Craigslist laptop sale gone awry and a stolen car in its latest report. And Redondo Mom shared the benefit of a visit to your neighborhood park: It tires the youngsters out. 

Thursday

Ed Pilolla previewed the Sea Hawks football battle against Long Beach Millikan, reporting that the key would be containing quarterback Christian Ybarra. We also posted gas safety tips, an update on the pipeline retrofit project and a spotlight on South Bay Children's Health Center. 

Friday

Ryan Spiwak shined in the Sea Hawks victory over Long Beach Millikan. Wave Rider Tori MacLennan met Tamara Lentz, a Redondo mom who surfs, teaches spin classes and plays volleyball but is most passionate about stand-up paddleboarding. Yours truly put together a guide to the first farmers market in Riviera Village and a guide to weekend activities in the Beach Cities. Later that evening, Bianca Avelino filed a report on the farmer's market. 

Saturday

Local Jews observe Yom Kippur. And Tux, an eager to please lab and border collie mix, would like a new home.