NorCal Business On 'Oprah’s Favorite Things' + Marvel Movie Star Visits Costco: Saturday Smiles

If you need some lighter news this week, you have come to the right place. Find out which movie star visited an East Bay Costco and learn about the North Bay business that made Oprah's annual gift-giving guide for the second year in a row.

Marvel Movie Star To Give Out Samples At East Bay Costco

• Hurry for a chance to get served dumplings by Simu Liu, of Marvel and Kim's Convenience fame.

'Oprah’s Favorite Things' For 2025 Revealed And A Petaluma Business Is On It - Again

• Oprah's 'Favorite Things' 2025: Petaluma's McEvoy Ranch skincare is on Oprah's annual gift-giving guide for the second year in a row.

Hunter Survives Weeks Lost In Sierra National Forest

• He was finally found alive Saturday by hunters on the Swamp Lake Trail, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Popular Livermore Restaurant Reopens Friday After Months-Long Hiatus

• Zephyr Grill & Bar is hosting a grand reopening Friday after a small kitchen fire required months of cleaning and renovations.

Japanese Market, Restaurant Plaza Opening In East Bay

• Osaka Marketplace plans to open a 42,000-square-foot "grocerant" combining a full Japanese grocery store and several small restaurants.

Philz Coffee Opens New Pleasanton Location, First Drive-Thru In Northern California

• The beloved Bay Area chain is hosting the grand opening of its new Santa Rita Road location Wednesday.

Kristi Yamaguchi To Reopen Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink At City Center

• The gold medal-winning figure skater will inaugurate the new skating season, which includes a Taylor Swift and K-Pop nights.

Holiday Light Spectacular Is Coming To Marin County

• A new free holiday event will be hosted at the fairgrounds and civic center.

Old Oak Tree Lighting Returning To Danville

• The town's beloved tradition will return for its 49th season later this month.

Let us know if you have an idea for a nice news story in your town. Email your story tips to autumn.johnson@patch.com.