Sunny Afternoons, Back-to-School and Blog for Patch

Today is Aug. 30. It is the 242nd day of the year. We are under a waxing crescent moon. Sunset will occur about 7:25 p.m. Here are five things to know:

1. The National Weather Service forecast for this afternoon calls for sunny skies with a high near 71 degrees with patchy fog after 11 p.m. and an overnight low around 61 degrees. Forecasters expect the same weather pattern for the rest of the week with patchy fog in the morning and sunny afternoons with highs in the low 70s.

The weather service also has issued a coastal hazard message advising beachgoers of the possibility of high surf between Wednesday and Friday with 6- to 8-foot breakers Thursday with local sets up to 10 feet at some south-facing beaches.

2. It's the last week of summer for area students with school starting up again next week. Marina del Rey Patch is starting a new tradition of back-to-school photos, so get your cameras ready and plan on joining our photo gallery. Details right here.

3. The Auto Club of Southern California says fewer people are planning on traveling this Labor Day weekend and the top Southern California destination, according to AAA travel agents, is San Diego. More details here.

4. Marina del Rey Patch is looking for bloggers. I know some of you have really enjoyed our offerings to date and we're inviting you to join those Local Voices with a blog of your own. Send me an email at paul.chavez@patch.com and I'll get you going on Patch with a blog of your choice that you can post to whenever you'd like.

5. Did you know that you can "Like" Marina del Rey Patch on Facebook and also follow us on Twitter?