An Oscar Contest, Top Ranked Volleyball Team, More

1. is offering an Oscar Picks Contest with more than $200 in prizes. The big prize is $100 in Fresh Brothers catering or $100 for a Fresh Brothers Pizza Party, at which kids get to make their own pizza. As of publication time, you have less than seven hours to enter the contest.

2. If a craft beer, albeit one from an establishment that's rated as one of the top 8 best craft beer bars in Los Angeles, captures your fancy, Simmzy's in downtown MB is the place to go. Throw in a burger from the joint Manhattan Beach Patch readers just named No. 2 in the city for a burger and you've got a great spot for catching up with friends and food. 

3. The Mira Costa High boys volleyball team is ranked No. 1 as the team begins its season of CIF Division I play in the Southern Section. Rival Loyola High is right behind them at No. 2 while Palos Verdes takes the No. 9 spot, according to OCVarsity.com. The team played yesterday at Edison High in preseason competition and will play at home on Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. against Santa Barbara, according to the MCHS website.

4. In Nov. 2011, MCHS volleyball players Brooks Varni and Chris Orenic signed letters of intent to play at USC and Jackson Carr signed to play at George Mason. 

5. Michael Bradley of Manhattan Beach joins Los Angeles Galaxy soccer players Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle on the U.S. Men's National Team roster for play against Italy on Feb. 29, according to the website theamericanoutlaws.com.