$890K Winning Lotto Ticket; Migrating Whales: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Here are some of the stories from around Southern California that made us smile this week —

Chef Nancy Silverton Brings New Restaurant To Culver City

• Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton opened fast-casual, Italian restaurant Pizzette in Culver City this month.

1st Gray Whale Sighted Off Dana Point On 'Gray Friday' 2020

• While others were Black Friday shopping, whale watchers were gifted with the rarest of opportunities - the 1st Gray Whale sighting of 2020.

CA Bobcat Burned In El Dorado Fire Returns To The Wild

• A juvenile bobcat that was burned in the El Dorado Fire has made a full recovery and will soon return to her natural home in the wild.

'Jeopardy!' Production Begins In Culver City

• Production started Monday on the set of "Jeopardy!" in Culver City.

In-Person Modernism Week Announced For April: Palm Springs

• Event organizers are "optimistic" that they will be able to provide in-person tours and programs in April 2021.

Lakers' LeBron James Signs Two Year, $85 Million Extension

• The contract will keep James in L.A. until 2023, when his son Bronny James could be eligible for the NBA Draft.

Farmers Insurance Open Slated Without Fans At Torrey Pines

• The Farmers Insurance Open will be held Jan. 25-31 at Torrey Pines Golf Course, but spectators will not be permitted due to the pandemic.

Laguna Police Play Santa's Helpers With Lost Amazon Packages

• Amazon packages from a jettisoned container discovered on Nyes Place were returned to their rightful owners thanks to the Laguna Beach cops.

$890K Winning Lotto Ticket

• The ticket missed winning $229 million by one number.

Olympian Aly Raisman Partners With Rancho Mirage-Based Nonprofit

• The now-retired American gymnast is working with the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center to combat child abuse.

Santa Monica's Grant Elementary Named Top LA County School

• Santa Monica's Grant Elementary was recognized as a top LA County school in a report published by USC Rossier Center on Education Policy.

Cox Charities Donates $100K In Grants To 10 Local Nonprofits

• The grants will help address immediate needs in the community focusing on COVID-19 relief, the digital divide and social justice efforts.

'Lift To Rise Of Palm Desert' Receives $25K Grant From US Bank

• The grant will be used to provide low-income individuals and families with affordable housing amid the pandemic.

Jersey Mike's Subs To Open Third Torrance Location And Give Back

• Jersey Mike's Subs will open its third location in Torrance this week with a special event to help give back to front line workers.

County Reopens COVID-19 Rental Assistance Application Period

• An additional 10,000 households economically impacted by COVID-19 are able to apply for rent relief from San Diego County.

Virtual Culver City Film Festival Begins This Week

• Culver City Film Festival might look different this year—but the show does go on—and this time it's virtual.

Certified Farmers Market Palm Desert Relocates To San Pablo Ave.

• A celebratory and socially distanced ribbon cutting will take place at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Local NAACP Branch 1034 Partners With Perris High School

• The local NAACP chapter is ensuring that Perris HS students have internet access during distance-learning.

Rancho Palos Verdes Joins LA Vs. Hate Week

• Rancho Palos Verdes is participating in an important new campaign: LA vs. Hate Week.

Southland Restaurant Owner Says No Relief, No Rent

• Los Angeles restaurant owner Andrea Borgen Abdallah tells Patch why it's time to save the restaurant industry — before it's too late.

Encinitas, SANDAG To Begin Construction on Undercrossing Project

• Construction for the $12.1 million El Portal Undercrossing project in Encinitas will begin next week, city officials announced.

Medical and Science

UCSD Selected To Lead $28M Grant For HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials

• The Collaborative Clinical Trials Unit at UCSD has been selected to lead and administer a seven-year grant for HIV/AIDS clinical trials.

UC San Diego Announces Major Expansion Of COVID-19 Testing

• UC San Diego is boosting its coronavirus testing efforts and increasing the number of samples taken for wastewater early detection.

Paying People To Stay Home Increases Social Distancing: Report

• "As counties received more stimulus funds, their residents stayed home more," according to a UC San Diego and University of Chicago study.

Holiday Events

Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: Orange County

Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: Inland Empire

Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: San Diego Co.

Ice Skating Rink; Jungle Bells; Tree Lightings: SoCal Weekend

Roundhouse Aquarium In Manhattan Beach Hosts Holiday Lights Event

Schedule A Zoom Visit With Santa And Frosty