LA Film Production Rebounds | Kids Ride Free: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Here are some stories from Southern California this week that aim to brighten you day —

Nonprofit Says LA Film Production Significantly Rose In August

• A number of film productions are returning to Los Angeles in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mission Bells Ringing For New San Juan Capistrano Hotel

• The newest jewel in Marriott hotel's crown, the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano Autograph Collection hotel is one for the books.

VIP Residents Get Deputy Escort In Coachella Valley

• Deputies safely moved a family of bighorn sheep back to their mountain home after the critters decided to take a stroll down local roads.

'Great Year' For San Dieguito River Valley

• Despite COVID-19, local birds, plants and animals thrived with aid from SDRVC & volunteers.

Safer At Parks: Childcare, Education Centers In Sherman Oaks

• The City of Los Angeles will host alternative school options for parents who can't afford to leave their kids at home.

Santa Monica Pier's Ferris Wheel Celebrates Workers For Labor Day

• A 130-foot tall illuminated waving American flag on the Ferris wheel.

Cypress Woman Named Western Region Caregiver Of The Year

• "She performs care like a loving daughter," one reviewer said of Right At Home Standout Caregiver of 2020, Aleta Pesce.

Metrolink Announces Kids Ride Free Weekends

• The promotion allows families to take an affordable, safe rail trip to explore the region – without sitting in traffic.

Farmdale Apartments To Become 26 Affordable Housing Units

• Four units will be specially marked for extremely low income residents who earn less than 30% of the area's median income.

LA County Indoor Hair Salons, Barbershops Set To Reopen

• Indoor hair salons and barbershops will be allowed to reopen for limited indoor service in Los Angeles County, health officials said.

UCLA Creates Climate Change Center To Find Solutions For Disaster

• UCLA created the UCLA Center for Healthy Climate Change Solutions to help fight the climate change disaster.

Carole Baskin Joins Celebrities On 'Dancing With The Stars'

• The hit show "Dancing With The Stars" released its fall 2020 celebrity dancer lineup, including this cool kitten and Big Cat Refuge owner.

Rancho Santa Margarita Teen Named Boys & Girls Club Youth Of Year

• An Orange County teen, and six-year club member was named Boys & Girls Clubs 202o Pacific Youth of the Year.

Pechanga, Temecula Creek Inn Chefs Serve Community Food Pantry

• The chefs volunteered their time at Community Mission of Hope food pantry in Temecula.

Southwest Airlines Announces Year-Round Service To Palm Springs

• The addition of Southwest Airlines to Palm Springs International Airport is expected to positively impact the region, a city official said.

Cedars-Sinai Joins LAUSD Effort To Test Students, Staff

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center joins LAUSD's plan to test students, staff and their families for the coronavirus.

SoulCycle Expands To Santa Monica Rooftop During Pandemic

• SoulCycle is heading outdoors with SoulOutside in Santa Monica and creating a new outdoor studio.

Cristophe's Beverly Hills Salon Set To Open With Safety Protocols

• Los Angeles County hair salons are preparing to reopen, with limited clients. How safe will you feel when you return?

Homekey Program Seeks $28 Million In Funds For Stanton Motels

• Orange County and Jamboree Housing Corporation applied for $28 million in funds to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Riverside Municipal Airport Awarded $240,101 In Grant Funding

• The grant was among 28 the DOT and FAA awarded to airports throughout California, totaling just over $105 million.

New Police Dog Sniffing Out Crimes Against Children In RivCo

• Chewie, an English Labrador, is specially trained to locate electronic devices that may contain videos or images of child pornography.

SoulCycle Expands To Downtown LA Rooftop During Pandemic

• SoulCycle is heading outdoors with SoulOutside in downtown Los Angeles and creating a new outdoor studio.

San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA's Outdoor Recreation Program

• Registration is open for a 100% outdoor afterschool program from San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA and the city of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Rancho Palos Verdes REACH Program Seeks Recreation Leader

• REACH works with youth and young adults with developmental disabilities in Palos Verdes and the South Bay.

Restaurants and Food

Final Taste Of Knott's Through Labor Day Weekend

• Have you experienced a Taste of Knott's? Enjoy 35+ food & drink offerings, merchandise, & surprise entertainment throughout the park!

Santa Monica Outdoor Dining: Options Explode On The Westside

• Restaurants in Santa Monica and across the Westside are increasing outdoor dining options.

Restaurant Steals & Deals: Labor Day Weekend 2020 In California

• New menu specials, boozy bargains, discounts, DIY grill kits, family-meal packs & freebie deliveries are on tap at eateries statewide.

Boozy Meets BBQ: 2 Labor Day Weekend Grilling Recipes

• Spice up your homemade, barbecue & steak sauces with a wee bit of whiskey.

Mexican Pizza 2020'd From Taco Bell Menu, Fans Re-Bell

• In 2020, Taco Bell promised to leave a lighter footprint, celebrate vegetarians, and champion our people. Then they took our Mexican Pizza.

Kids Eat Free On Wednesdays & Guac Giveaway Coming Up At Rubio's

• Purchase an adult entree, and score a freebie meal for your little ones Wednesdays in September. Plus, save the date for free guacamole!

'Oktober-Feast' Month In Carlsbad: Canceled Oktoberfest Revamp

• The annual event's traditional format proved unfeasible given COVID-19, so rotary organizers are rolling out a month of dining deals. Prost!

Patch Heroes

• Business Owner ‘Brought People Together’: Redondo Beach Hero
• ‘Delivers The Mail With A Smile’: Redondo Beach Hero
• Volunteer Is ‘Very Generous And Kind’: Palos Verdes Hero
• Works ‘Exclusively With COVID Patients’: Redondo Beach Hero
• ‘Extremely Dedicated Teacher’: Santa Monica Hero
• 'Impeccable Patient Care During Pandemic’: Culver City Hero
• ‘Behind-The-Scenes COVID Health Care Hero’: Culver City Hero
• Nurse ‘On The Front Line Of The Pandemic’: Culver City Hero