Koala Orphan Is Thriving | Fun At Home: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — These stories made us smile this week —

Helen Woodward Animal Center Launches Critter Cam: Watch

• Critters at the Helen Woodward Animal Center will be spreading cheer during the shutdowns caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.

Aww! Orphaned Koala Joey Bounced Back & Doing Fine At SD Zoo

• Teeny "Omeo" lost his mama to cancer, but now is thriving thanks to round-the-clock, tender, loving care at the San Diego Zoo.

40 Comics To Livestream Show For Coronavirus Relief Fundraiser

• The Comedy Quarantine show on Instagram Live will help raise money to help communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.

9 Activities To Keep Your Housebound Kids Entertained

• Mix live cams from California zoos & aquariums with art contests, "old-timey" card games & puzzles, and, parents, you'll get through this.

San Diego Company Gets Funding To Develop Rapid Coronavirus Test

• In the past week, three companies with local laboratories received emergency approval from the FDA to supply COVID-19 detection tests.

5 CA Cities Among Top 10 Happiest In U.S.

• WalletHub recently released its 2020 rankings of the happiest cities in America.

Padres Create Fund For Game Day Employees At Petco Park

• Major League Baseball has canceled the rest of spring training and pushed back the start of the regular season at least eight weeks.

Beverly Hills Launches Coronavirus Kindness Task Force

• Beverly Hills is looking for volunteers to help other residents, including seniors and the most vulnerable, amid the coronavirus crisis.

San Diego Announces $4M Relief Package For Local Businesses

• Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced an economic relief package for struggling local businesses affected financially by the coronavirus pandemic.

Disaster Assistance Loans Available To San Diego Small Businesses

• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses in San Diego.

UC San Diego Researchers Working On Fast Test For Coronavirus

• UCSD researchers are evaluating a new diagnostic testing system that holds promise for identifying COVID-19 in as little as 45 minutes.

South Bay Stream-A-Thon Fundraises For Musicians Amid Coronavirus

• The South Bay Stream-A-Thon is a livestreaming concert to raise money for musicians suffering financially from the coronavirus pandemic.

Food and Restaurants

Vallarta Supermarkets Has Special Hours For Seniors, Others

• Vallarta Supermarkets has two San Diego County locations in Escondido and National City.

Coronavirus: Barons Markets Opens Early For Seniors, Others

• Barons Market has seven locations throughout San Diego County and one location in Temecula.

Northgate Gonzalez Market Stores Open Early For Seniors, Disabled

• The company has 19 stores in Los Angeles County, 13 in Orange County, eight in San Diego County and one in Riverside County.

2 Restaurants Go 'Old School' With Pop-Up Markets In O.C.

• Due to coronavirus shutdowns, the eateries now sell milk, eggs, fruit, veggies, bread and pasta, along with their seafood & baked goods.

Pechanga Donates Thousands Of Pounds Of Food To Local Charities

• Amid coronavirus concerns, Pechanga Resort Casino shut its doors Monday, prompting the massive food distribution.

Fish Bar Goes 'Old School' With Pop-Up Market In Manhattan Beach

• Faced with coronavirus, in-dining shutdowns, the restaurant now is a spot to buy milk, eggs, fruit, veggies, bread, pasta ... and seafood.

When Pasta To-Go Comes With Toilet Paper, You Know It's Serious

• One San Fernando Valley restaurant is offering "comfort" meals for pick-up or delivery, with a free roll of T.P. tossed in for "levity."