Genius Grants + New Jobs + Teachers Of The Year: 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

'Dancing With The Stars: Live' Returns To RivCo In 2025

If you're a "Dancing With The Stars" fan, there is nothing like seeing the performance live and in person. Dates just announced for 2025.

Nurse Blake Tour Makes A House call To Temecula Pechanga Resort Casino

Viral comedian "Nurse Blake" heads to Pechanga to share his viral comedy on his path from critical care nurse and beyond.

Business

27 SoCal Breweries Compete In Great American Beer Festival

The festival is the nation's largest for professional brewers and hands out some of the industry's most sought-after accolades.

Amazon Hiring Over 1,000 Workers In San Diego County

Pay for these seasonal jobs starts at $18 per hour, according to the company.

Home Cooks Can Soon Run 'Mini Restaurants' In LA County

The county is providing a path for permitting for food businesses that have long been run without regulation.

LB's Dog Haus Hosts Monthlong Oktoberfest Celebration, Deals

Long Beachers can score cheap pints, Oktoberwürst sausages and more deals through Oct. 31.

New Goodwill Donation Site Set To Open In OC: What To Know

The nonprofit's newest donation center will open at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Friday, Oct. 18.

Community

3 Californians Tapped For Highly Prestigious 'Genius Grants'

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation made the selections that were announced earlier this month.

Beaumont Gets $3.2M To Revamp Stewart Park, Police Enforcement

Two grants will enhance a local skatepark, relocate a basketball court, bolster public safety initiatives and more in Beaumont.

RivCo Nonprofit Feeding Unhoused Community Get $7.5K Grant

Street Life Project, which serves homeless people across Coachella Valley, has been distributing food weekly.

Temescal Canyon Mural Restoration Effort Launched In Pacific Palisades

Some of the original then-student artists who crafted the Temescal Canyon Mural in the 1980s are raising money to restore it.

Kids and Family

Kids Get Free Admission In October At San Diego Zoo And Safari Park

Both parks are offering seasonal events as well as free admission to children ages 11 and younger with a paid adult ticket.

Schools

Fully Funded Paramedic Program Available At Mt. San Jacinto College

This cutting-edge program is hosted on the San Jacinto Campus, with expansion plans to Menifee and Temecula Valley locations soon.

Riverside County Educator Named California Teacher Of The Year

Five outstanding California teachers who've had a tremendous impact in their schools and communities were named.

San Diego Area Educator Named 2025 California Teacher Of The Year

"This is the honor of my career."

UC Riverside Is Expanding: Construction Begins On New $156.3M Building

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Facility. It's the second new campus project in three years.

Sports

Mookie Betts Home Run Ball Handed Off To 11-Year-Old RivCo Fan

A Mookie Betts first-inning home run ball caught by a Padres fan Tuesday has a new home with someone who would genuinely appreciate it.