Girls volleyball The Bucs are 5-3 in early-season play for head coach Steve Upp. “We have two more weeks of non-league matches and our tough Eastern League schedule starts at Coronado on Sept. 24,” Upp noted.  According to Upp, senior Chloe Gallegos is leading the team early on in service aces and senior middle blocker Cassidy West is leading the team with blocks.  Girls tennis Under head coach, Trong Tong, the Bucs come into play this week with an overall record of 4-1 and 4-0 in league play. According to Tong, Mission Bay has been led to date by Ryan Stone (singles), Rosina Valia (singles), Gwen Lundstrom (singles), Amanda Edmunds (doubles) and Sonja Cayetano (doubles). “We're off to a great start by being undefeated in league play thus far,” Tong commented. “Although our singles have been stellar, our doubles are getting more consistent results as the lineup is solidifying after having experimented with various pairings. “Under the guidance of our seven starting seniors, four of our freshmen players are showing promising potentials. Hopefully, we can keep pace so we could set our sights closer to our very first league championship title.” Boys sand volleyball The Buccaneers, under head coach Nikki Caufield, opened the season with a pair of narrow losses to Scripps Ranch and Cathedral Catholic, respectively.  Caufield said of the first two matches: "Against Scripps Ranch we won two matches in two games, lost a close match in two games and then lost two matches in the third match tiebreaker. Against Cathedral Catholic all five varsity matches went to the third game tiebreaker with the Bucs picking up only one win.  “If we can just figure out how to win the third game tiebreaker to 15 we'll be great. So far, sophomores Will Francis and Aric Johnson are undefeated as our fourth seed. Seniors Ian Briski and Dusty Schraeder have been playing really well." The junior varsity posted winning records against both Scripps Ranch and Cathedral Catholic, respectively.  On another note, the on-campus sand volleyball courts are nearly complete and the team is still looking for additional fundraising to complete the courts.  Anyone wishing to donate should email Caufield at niknjeff@aol.com.   Field hockey Mission Bay comes into action this week with a mark of 1-2. “Sam Ford is a senior who is our injector for short corners,” head coach Kris Auer commented. “She has brought much needed consistency to her position. Goalie Mckenzie Nuemann has been very solid in her first three games. “Our team is in every game, but we have only one win. We need to ratchet up our intensity to a varsity level. Once we do that, look out.” Boys water polo Mission Bay won its first match of the season (versus Clairemont) for head coach Lyndsay Sutterley. The Buccaneers have been led early on by Kyle Baker and Alex Branch, according to Sutterley. “We have some upperclassmen that are really stepping into leadership roles early in the season,” Sutterley said. “We are excited to use this energy as we transition into the beginning of our season.”

LOCAL MAN STARTS CLEAN-UP MOVEMENT AT PACIFIC AND MISSION BEACHES Adam Huntington (right) is convinced it has become necessary for beach communities to take matters into their own hands in cleaning up and maintaining landscaped medians. A loan consultant, Huntington has become something of a beach clean-up crusader. He has begun rattling the cages of City Hall, and anyone else he can buttonhole, to see if there’s anything that can be done to streamline and improve maintaining landscaping in medians and other public spaces in Mission and Pacific beaches. Huntington is using all forms of social media to try and get his message across, posting videos on Facebook, titled “Fix The Beach: Part 2, and Instagram (@loans_and_drones). Huntington’s Facebook video shows him standing in a weed-infested median in the heart of Mission Beach in between Saska’s steakhouse and Gone Bananas boutique. “These took several years to grow,” notes Huntington in the video pointing out large, untended scraggly weeds. “Either somebody’s not reporting these weeds that need to be manicured, or somebody doesn’t care. It also tells me that somebody hasn’t cared — or done anything — in several years. This is ridiculous. “There’s no reason for this,” continues Huntington in the video referencing discarded cigarette butts littering the median he’s standing in. “We (San Diego) have $2.7 million for weed abatement.” An additional video on Instagram depicts time-lapse images of local residents sweeping sand off the boardwalk and Mission Bay path. Huntington has also extended this open-ended offer to the City: “Let me borrow a few weed-whackers from Rose Canyon and our neighborhood will do it (median cleaning) for you like we swept the boardwalk,” Huntington said, adding, “I’m happy to organize and help y’all, but we pay property taxes for this type of thing and we are not here to do your job ‘every’ weekend like this.” Concludes Huntington, “We want plans, schedules, and work completed properly in a timely manner. Anything less than this is not acceptable.” VANDALISM AT BEACH FORCING CHANGES The lifeguard tower in Pacific Beach may be having its flagpole removed due to continued vandalism allegedly committed by the homeless.  The most-recent act involved tying trash cans to the halyard rope, which was raised up the flagpole. In the past few months, the halyard has been cut twice, and other trash tied to the rope. Worst of all, the American flag itself was pulled down from the flagpole on one occasion.  “When we resort to taking down a flagpole and not flying the American flag at a government facility, we’re basically signaling that we’ve surrendered to the homeless and are allowing them to have free rein over an area that is for all to enjoy,” said a whistleblower requesting anonymity. MAYORAL CANDIDATES TO DEBATE AT MBHS Pacific Beach Town Council is hosting a mayoral candidate forum on coastal issues for the beach and bay communities on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mission Bay High School Auditorium, 2475 Grand Ave. Participating organizations include Ocean Beach Town Council, Mission Beach Town Council, Point Loma Association, Clairemont Town Council, Pacific Beach Planning Group, Save San Diego Neighborhoods, Ocean Beach Planning Board, San Diego Lifeguards, Surfrider San Diego, San Diego Coastkeeper and SavePB. The campaign for the mayor's office kicked off in early January 2019, when San Diego City Council president pro tem Barbara Bry and California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria officially announced their candidacies. They were joined in the race later that month by community activist Tasha Williamson, who works with families who’ve lost members from police violence. Activist attorney Cory Briggs, displeased by Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s loosening of development restrictions, also announced his bid for mayor in January, but reconsidered dropping out by May. One of the early issues distinguishing the candidates was housing policy, with Bry favoring strong local control over land use, while Gloria prefers statewide efforts to increase housing supply. The non-partisan 2020 San Diego Mayoral primary election is March 3, with the general election on Nov. 3 to replace termed-out incumbent Mayor Kevin Faulconer. THE HEART OF PB RESTAURANT WALK The Heart of PB Restaurant Walk is Sept. 11 from 4 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by Discover PB, the community’s business improvement district, the walk showcases the beach community’s finest culinary delights.  This year, attendees will enjoy a leisurely stroll on this self-guided food tour of 20 restaurants in the heart of PB between Dawes and Lamont streets. Sample a variety of menus from local restaurants. Bring your appetite. All food is included at this popular annual event.   Spend the last days of summer with friends and family by enjoying the best of Pacific Beach’s eclectic and international cuisine. This event will be vegetarian friendly, and restaurants that offer a vegetarian option will be noted on the map.   New this year to the restaurant walk are Powerhaus Pizza, 55 Thai, Hoboken Pizza and Mr Shawarma Food Truck. Other participating eateries include: Barrel Republic, Broken Yolk Café, Café Athena, Costa Brava, Freshii, Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream, Moonshine Beach, Mr Frosties, PB Cantina, PB Fish Shop, SD Taproom, Tavern at the Beach, Vallarta Express, Woodstock’s Pizza and Yogurt on the Rocks. In honor of September 11th Remembrance Day, an additional donation option has been added for those choosing to add to their ticket price. One hundred percent of those donations will go to the Pacific Beach Fire Station 21. Cost is $25 pre-sale, $30 the day of the event. For more information, visit pacificbeach.org.  Discover PB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and promoting the Pacific Beach community physically and economically. LOCAL SURFERS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL 100 WAVE CHALLENGE Scheduling conflicts won't keep local surfers Rodger Dougherty and Chris Probasco from participating in the 10th Annual 100 Wave Challenge Saturday, Sept. 8, beginning at 6 a.m. at Tourmaline Surf Park. When Boys to Men Mentoring Network's annual surf-a-thon hits the waves of Mission Beach on Saturday, Sept. 21, the two wave warriors already will have completed the Herculean feat, while raising several thousand dollars for an organization dedicated to guiding disconnected, often fatherless, boys on their journey to adulthood. Although approaching their day in the water from different perspectives (Dougherty is a 10-year veteran; Probasco will participate in the 100 Wave Challenge for the first time) these determined watermen will be united in a common purpose: Surfing their hearts out for the boys of Boys to Men Mentoring Network. BEACH ADVISORIES ISSUED FOR MISSION BAY, SHELTER ISLAND, AND LA JOLLA San Diego County officials recently announced beach advisories and one beach closure on Sept. 6. Unhealthy bacteria levels in the water triggered advisories issued along Shoreline Park at Shelter Island, Fiesta Island (Northwest Shoreline), La Jolla Cove beachline, La Jolla’s Children's Pool, and Mission Bay’s Leisure Lagoon (Comfort Station swim area) and North Cove (Vacation Isle). A beach closure was issued for the shoreline between the U.S.-Mexico border and the north end of the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge due to sewage-contaminated water. Find updated information at sdbeachinfo.com.

It’s that time of year again, when the jerseys come out, the beer mugs are filled, and NFL fans from all over San Diego shout loud and proud for their football teams at bar and grill flat screens. It’s an honorable tradition and a ritual. And where better to celebrate NFL season than beachside? Pockets of loyal Patriots, 49ers, Steelers, Bills, Packers, Seahawks and more can be found all over Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. Here’s a list of some of the best bars (and their affiliated teams) to watch the NFL on the big screens, some of which are offering new drink specials and T-shirt sales. The Local PB (Bills, Seahawks, MSU Spartans) This year, The Local PB, at 809 Thomas Ave., offers a Buffalo Bills menu, including Beef of Weck, Double Crispy Buffalo Wings, and Pizza Logs with drink specials on Sunday for Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills fans. Coaster Saloon (Chargers, Cardinals) This LA Chargers and Arizona Cardinals bar, at 744 Ventura Place, is primarily outdoors, and offers some of the “best” mac and cheese in San Diego, 24-hour wings, and loaded nachos. Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays have $4 drink specials and $6 eats for game day and fan T-shirts are available. Tavern at the Beach (Patriots) This Boston bar, known for its bison burgers and shrimp tacos, has 42 TVs lining the walls, and 30 draft beers lining the bar, as Patriots fans can enjoy relaxing in the Tavern’s “coastal cool” vibe and check out the bar’s funky cocktails and filling appetizers. Moonshine Beach (49ers) Moonshine Beach, at 1165 Garnet Ave., has a special football food and drink menu with Miller Lite and Coors Light buckets along with an assortment of nachos, tacos and wings to feast on while watching the San Francisco 49ers. Bub’s at the Beach (Steelers and Virginia Tech) A hole-in-the-wall staple in Pacific Beach for 20 years, Bub’s is a signature Pittsburgh Steelers and Virginia Tech Hokies sports bar at 1030 Garnet Ave. Their famous tater tot menu is one of the most fitting entrees for any sports event. PB Shore Club (Navy, Giants and Badgers) While whooping and hollering for their favorite team, football fans can always catch a perfect view of the sunset, giving this home of Navy football, New York Giants and Wisconsin Badgers a beach-party feel at 4343 Ocean Blvd. PB Alehouse (Bills) PB Alehouse has coveted game-day rooftop dining with some extra decorative lights at 721 Grand Ave. Plus, with their award-winning brewer, seasonal craft beers are served beach-side to Buffalo Bills fans. El Prez PB (Packers) The 24 HD TVs are not a bad way to view the Green Bay Packers game. This Mexican-style restaurant, at 4190 Mission Blvd., was built on the concept of Dia de los Muertos, so with a wide selection of tequilas and 18 beers on tap, El Prez is ready to party with the Pack. 710 Beach Club (Bears) This Bears bar and grill, at 710 Garnet Ave., serves bacon cheese balls, bacon “totchose,” and fried pickles, to name only a few game-day gourmets. Not only that, but 710 also hosts live bands and nightly events that only add to game-day excitement. Guava Beach Bar & Grill (Broncos, Vikings, and Huskies) Characterized as the place “where summer never ends,” this family-friendly eatery at 3714 Mission Blvd. comes with not only great food and drinks, but also a VIP lounge, elevated pool table and two jumbo-booths to take in the 10-foot HD projection screens of Broncos, Vikings and Washington Huskies games. Thrusters Lounge (Seahawks) Since 1999, Thrusters has been credited a tried-and-true local dive bar at 4633 Mission Blvd., where friends have a holy heck ton of fun while watching the Seattle Seahawks. The Silver Fox Lounge (Rams) The "Fox," at 1833 Garnet Ave., features three pool tables, an electronic dartboard, video games, pinball, and eight TVs to watch the LA Rams. Latitude 32 (Chargers, Redskins) Latitude 32, at 5019 Cass St., has pool tables, darts, shuffleboard and a bunch of TVs to watch the Washington Redskins or LA Chargers games. Truckstop (Cowboys) Truckstop, at 4150 Mission Blvd., is known for farm-fresh, country-style breakfast so fans can stop in first thing in the morning to settle in for Dallas Cowboys football and stay for the bar’s BBQ with all the fixin’s. The Dog (Lions) The Dog, at 4479 Everts St., a Detroit Lions bar, is known for pool tables, darts, and a no-nonsense attitude in Pacific Beach. Bayside Landing (Chiefs) Bayside Landing, at 3780 Ingraham St., offers a full brunch menu and plenty of drink specials, including Bloody Mary’s and mimosas, to watch the Kansas City Chiefs. Backyard Kitchen and Tap (Broncos) Backyard Kitchen and Tap, at 832 Garnet Ave., offers a scratch menu, local brews, award-winning beer list, and craft cocktails with house-made infusions to meet the desires of any Denver Broncos fan. Miss B's Coconut Club (Patriots, Colts) Miss B’s Coconut Club’s décor evokes a celebration of Mission Beach’s alluring past. The brunch menu is also a local favorite, but rum cocktails and the Indianapolis Colts or New England Patriots are the real stars at 3704 Mission Blvd. Bare Back Grill (Dolphins) The New Zealand-inspired grill, at 4640 Mission Blvd., is known for its organic, grass-fed beef burgers and friendly service. The All Blacks is really its team, but the Miami Dolphins will suffice on Sundays. Iron Pig Alehouse (Packers) The Iron Pig Alehouse, at 1520 Garnet Ave., is an official team-sanctioned Green Bay Packers bar. The restaurant offers authentic slow cooked, smoked barbecue, cheese curds, and craft beer. Plus, MNF with their in-house football expert, Pam. Mavericks Beach Club (Eagles) Mavericks at 860 Garnet Ave. is a multi-level entertainment complex with five indoor/outdoor bars, 38 TVs and Baja-inspired food at its 15,000-square-foot property. It has a dog-friendly patio and outdoor games to play while watching the Philadelphia Eagles. Sandbar Sports Grill (Boise State and Raiders) Ocean views from the upper deck, happy hour specials on draft beers, any tacos and their Sanbargaritas with bacon cheeseburgers make for the perfect football celebration. Boise State and Oakland Raiders can enjoy skydeck views of the San Diego sunset for those who are looking for something more enjoyable to watch than commercials. PB Cantina  (Patriots) Tropical paradise is the name of the NFL game at this cantina at 1466 Garnet Ave. Live performances by local bands, sizzling fajitas and Mega Margaritas has the complete beach-side package for New England fans. TapRoom (Eagles) TapRoom is focused on local craft beer, great food and hospitality at 1269 Garnet Ave. The patio is dog friendly so you can watch the Philadelphia Eagles with your pup. Dirty Birds (Ravens) Dirty Birds, at 4565 Mission Blvd., is known for its variety of wings, burgers, and craft beer selection. But don’t be a fool, eat a lot of the award-winning wings while watching the Baltimore Ravens.  Avenue (Eagles) There are a lot of bars in Pacific Beach, but there is only one Avenue at 1060 Garnet Ave. It features an array of mixologist-created craft cocktails, fresh-squeezed juices and custom flavors. It's also the home of the Philadelphia Eagles and a prime hang out for college locals. Cass St. Bar and Grill (Raiders) Visit the locals bar at 4612 Cass St. and watch a Raiders games on one of their many flat-screen TVs or catch up with a friend over a game of pool, or shuffleboard while snacking on a Chicken Baguette sandwich. SandBox Pizza (Patriots) One-of-kind specialty pizzas, chicken wings with 17 different sauces to choose from and plenty of craft beers on tap at 1014 Grand Ave. to satisfy your hunger while watching New England. Society PB (Eagles) Society PB combines California relaxed comfort with booming entertainment at 1051 Garnet Ave. The complex features a full bar with nine pool tables 25 hi-def TVs to watch the Philadelphia Eagles.