Community Corner
$5M+ Lottery Win + 15,000th Disneyland Ride + Giraffe Calf Born + 'School To Watch': Saturday Smiles
Christmas lights honor late parents; dogs celebrate Christmas early; eatery named best poke restaurant; and more nice SoCal news.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — To keep your weekend light, Patch presents some positive Southern California stories from the past week — many that hopefully will brighten your day.
Animals
Masai Giraffe Calf Born At San Diego Zoo
First-time mother Mawe is bonding with her calf in the maternity area of the giraffe habitat in the San Diego Zoo's Urban Jungle exhibit.
Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Over 600 Dogs Celebrate Christmas Early At San Diego Humane Society
San Diego Humane Society, in collaboration with the Karen Cooper Foundation, gave holiday toys and treats to hundreds of shelter dogs.
Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
San Diego Zoo Welcomes New Giant Anteater
Laura Garcia, a 12-year-old female giant anteater, is exploring her new habitat.
Arts and Entertainment
89 Years Later, Greta Garbo's 'Camille' Returns To Big Screen In Palm Springs
The one-night only event will feature a pre-show conversation with Turner Classic Movies hosts Ben Mankiewicz and Dave Karger.
Kate Hudson Receives Icon Award Nod For 'Song Sung Blue' At Palm Springs International Film Festival
Kate Hudson has also received a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a motion picture, musical, or comedy, for "Song Sung Blue."
OC Man Celebrates 15,000th Disneyland Ride
A Brea man marked his 15,000th trip on the auto-racing attraction at Disney California Adventure Monday, reports said.
Business
'It's The Little Things:' BRIM Coffee Now Open In Murrieta
Murrieta's newest coffee shop is locally owned and founded by two Murrieta sisters who are pouring their hearts into coffee cups.
New Cafe Opens In Laguna Beach; Baristas Sought
A new coffee shop just opened in Laguna Beach, after authorities announced the opening of Play Coffee this week.
New Cowboy Business Slated For Old Town Temecula: What To Know, And When It Will Open
The signs are in the window and the plans are in the works. Meet Tecovas, with 50 stores nationwide and growing in Old Town Temecula.
New Grocery Store Chain To Celebrate Opening In Orange County
A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place just before doors open at 9 a.m.
Smart & Final Opening New Store In San Diego
"Our goal is simple — to give customers more ways to save without sacrificing quality," District Manager Anthony Hofer said.
The Nation's Best Poke Is In The Inland Empire: Here's Where
See why diners love this little Big Bear shack for its delicious poke and Ticket to Bearadise attitude.
Community
$5M+ Lottery Ticket Sold In OC Beach Town
A Mega Millions ticket sold at a CVS in Corona del Mar is worth more than $5.1 million, California Lottery Officials announced this weekend.
The odds of matching all five numbers and the Mega number is 1 in 41,416,353, according to the California Lottery.
Curebound Grants $8.5M To 23 Projects Researching Cancer
Curebound's Scientific Advisory Board, along with more than 100 scientific peer reviewers, looked at hundreds of applications for grants.
'Poolside Gossip' Palm Desert's First Lady Of Modernism To Be Celebrated During Modernism Week, 2026
Nelda Linsk, a longtime icon for the community and the ‘First Lady of Modernism, will be celebrated in Modernism Week in February 2026.
San Diego Is Among The Most Fun Cities In 2025: Report
WalletHub considered entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and costs.
Skate Park In Temecula Getting Multi-Million-Dollar Rehab
The city is investing in a complete refurbishment of the skate facility at Ronald Reagan Sports Park.
Cities and towns with 500 to 1,500 households were considered in the recent analysis.
Health
These San Diego Hospitals Are Ranked Among Best For Maternity Care
San Diego is among the metro areas with the greatest number of hospitals on the list.
Schools
4 Encinitas High School Students Honored During 'Rising Star' Event
The Rising Star program is a monthly breakfast that honors seniors from high schools in the San Dieguito Union High School District.
Banning USD Middle School Named Distinguished 'School To Watch' In 2026
Committee members say this Banning USD middle school is one to model other schools after. See why in the story.
MacKenzie Scott Tops Her Own Record With CSUN’s Largest-Ever Gift
MacKenzie Scott, whose earlier gift to Cal State Northridge was already the school's largest ever, has donated even more money.
Seasonal
The annual celebration features a host of vibrantly festive entries in Laguna Niguel. What to know.
Beloved Candy Cane Tree Hosts Cookies With Santa Fundraiser For Gifts Of Joy Foundation In Temecula
This local family makes Christmas sweeter one candy cane at a time. This weekend, come for cookies with Santa and bring a gift for charity.
Car Show In Mission Viejo Set To Benefit Marine Families: What To Know
The Mission Viejo Marine Adoption Committee and 914 SoCal Porsche Club are teaming up to host a very special holiday event.
Chanukah Celebration In Mission Viejo Returns Dec. 14: What To Know
The Chabad of Mission Viejo will celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights starting at 3 p.m. this Sunday.
Murrieta Christmas Lights Honor Late Parents With Disney Magic, Military Tribute
Purple and blue lights, Disney characters, and a military tribute come together in one Murrieta yard.
South Bay Hospital Lights Up Season With Dozens Of Decorated Holiday Trees
The year’s trees featured a variety of themes, including "Wicked," "Beauty and the Beast" and cowboys.
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