Week in Review: Tea Party, George Freeth and a Celebration

The AVP's last minute exit from the Manhattan Beach Open due to financial problems reverberated throughout the Beach Cities this week. And Redondo police reported yet more catalytic converter thefts in the city, advising residents to report suspicious activity late at night. 

Sunday

Jonathan Oyama profiled Jonas Neubauer, the Redondo loan coordinator who won the Classic World Tetris Championship this month. Neubauer has been playing the computer game for more than 20 years and still isn't tired of it. And Jenna Zwang visited the Power of Art show and discovered Karen Sperling's unusual approach to children's books: She encourages youngsters to draw all over them.  

Monday

Why all the shrill yelling at tea party rallies, Geoff Hirsch wondered in an op-ed leading up to the Aug. 22 gathering of that group in Redondo Beach. Later in the week, Ed Pilolla conducted a one-on-one with local tea party leader Christine Vinquist to get her take on the issues.

J. Parker Saikley, son of beach volleyball legend Charles Saikley, stepped in to run the Manhattan Beach Open with the California Beach Volleyball Assn. in the wake of sponsor AVP's exit. His old-school approach wasn't popular with everyone, however: Olympian Kerri Walsh was among those who protested the move. Later in the week, Jayson Repko explored the impact of AVP's shuttered tour on local athletes. 

A jackknifed truck made a surprise delivery at the South Bay Galleria; Hawthorne Boulevard was shut for much of the morning while workers cleared up the sawdust. And Patch checked in with John Marcone, a longtime resident of the South Bay. 

Tuesday

Redondo Beach Patch took a look back at its brief existence in honor of Patch launching its 100th site.  The police reported more catalytic converter thefts from Toyota 4Runner SUVs and Tacoma trucks. From July 26 to Aug. 15, 23 were stolen. The police also reported drug arrests and attempted scooter thefts. 

Wednesday

Redondo Mom Michelle Veale Borden wrote about her visit to the zoo with her toddler. Jayson Repko weighed in on life post-AVP. Wayne Whitten described how "Redondo rocks" and Christine Vinquist outlined her fiscal views.  

Thursday

Sean Berard visited with abstract artist Charles Perera, a Sri Lanka native who's been living in Redondo for the past six years and has a show at Ortega 120. Gary Watts pined for more open space. Remember the stolen statue of pioneering surfer George Freeth? A replacement may grace the pier late next month. 

Friday

Wave Rider Tori MacLennan wrote that it's trickier to balance life's demands than it is to steady a surfboard. Patch profiled Cynthia Day and checked in at the Manhattan Beach Open, which got off to a late start this year in the wake of sponsor AVP's pullout. The volleyball tourney was just one of many Beach Cities events this weekend. 

Saturday

Admitted shoe nut Constance Dunn discovered that footwear can be stylish and good for your feet during a visit to Euro-Comfort Footwear. Vanessa Poster reported on a secret Vixen Showcase at Brixton. Ed Pilolla chronicled the fifth annual Dolphin Dash library fundraiser in words and pictures.