Free Zoo Admission + Special Delivery On I-15 + Tesla In Space: Saturday Smiles

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.

Arts and Entertainment

Beloved '90s Actor's Former Mansion Sells For $18M In San Francisco

The home was initially priced at $25 million in October 2023, according to Zillow, and sold Jan. 23.

Old Dominion Brings Country To Fantasy Springs Resort In March

The band will play fan favorites, heartfelt ballads, and good-time anthems at the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort in March.

Simple Minds At Acrisure Arena: May, 2025 Tickets Go On Sale This Week

The Live Nation-produced run includes a performance at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Business

CarMax Plans Nearly 5-Acre Expansion Along Madison Avenue In Murrieta

A CarMax spokesperson said the expansion is expected to begin as soon as possible and could wrap up by year's end.

Sisters Launch Murrieta Gymnastics & Parkour Franchise

Founders Memberships are still available at Murrieta's GForce location, where recreational and team gymnastics programs, and Parkour.

Community

Long Beach Libraries More Than Double Digital Collection

The Long Beach Public Library now offers over 1.9 million digital materials, including over 275,000 non-English titles.

Newly Identified Asteroid Turns Out To Be Tesla In Space: Report

What appeared to be an asteroid in close proximity to Earth turned out to be a Tesla launched by SpaceX in 2018, reports said.

Seniors Get Free Admission To San Diego Zoo Safari Park In February

The Escondido-based park is offering people 65 and older free admission for Seniors Free Month.

Special Delivery On I-15: Firefighters Help Pregnant Mom Give Birth

Early Saturday, a 911 caller reported a mom on Highway 74 in labor. These firefighters and medics rushed to her and her new daughter's aid.

Temecula Museum Features Civil Rights Exhibit For Black History Month

"I AM A MAN: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1960–1970" opens on Feb. 4 for the exhibit that runs through March 16, 2025.

Health

2 Hospitals In San Diego County Among Top 1% Nationwide: Report

See which San Diego County hospitals Healthgrades says produce the best patient outcomes, according to clinical data.

Murrieta Hospital Offers Lifesaving Postpartum Care Initiative

Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta's implementation of the CDC's "Hear Her" campaign has already saved two new mothers' lives.

Restaurants

2 San Diego Area Chefs Among James Beard Semifinalists

This year is the 35th anniversary of the prestigious culinary awards — often referred to as the "Oscars of food."

3 San Diego Area Restaurants Rank Among 100 Most Romantic In U.S.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, OpenTable has released its annual list of the most romantic restaurants in America.

'Top Chef' Semifinalist To Open Caribbean Restaurant In LA: Report

The celebrity chef's latest venture will open in the spring, according to Eater LA.
Schools

Indio Woman Named RivCo Confidential Employee Of The Year 2025

Erika Barragan, Palm Springs USD executive assistant, was the 2025 selection for the lauded award.

Lake Elsinore Site Support Employee Of The Year Named For 2025

Providing social-emotional learning support, Jennifer Carmargo of Menifee was named this year's Site Support Employee of the Year.

Mt. San Jacinto Gets $2.2 Million Budget Boost For Temecula Campus

The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges has unanimously approved Center Status for Mt. San Jacinto College-Temecula.

Murrieta Unified School District Employee Named 2025 Counselor Of Year

Felipe Zanartu, an elementary school counselor from Murrieta, was named Riverside County Office of Education's Counselor of the Year.

Temecula Valley USD Employee Certificated Administrator Of The Year

The Assistant Superintendent for Educational Support Services has worn many hats, and now Kimberly Velez wins the lauded RivCo award.