Easter Weekend Happenings + $40K Scholarship: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — If you are looking for the positive side of news, we are here to help. Patch has sweet Southern California stories we hope you will enjoy.

Future Scientist At Beaumont HS Aims To Tackle Climate Change Head On

• To get her started, Beaumont High School senior Rodlyn Hume-Dawson has received a $40,000 scholarship from Edison International.

New Lake Elsinore USD Superintendent To Start Work July 1

• The Lake Elsinore Unified Board of Trustees has approved an employment contract with Dr. Ryan Lewis.

First River Trash Collector In U.S. Brought To Ballona Creek In LA

• New technology dubbed "The Interceptor" will collect trash from Ballona Creek before it hits the ocean.

Temecula Auto Dealership Providing Scholarships For Veteran Families

• The campaign will be available to all employees and customers to contribute to the organization and the families it helps.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Dept. To Continue Training COD Students

• Palm Desert-based College of the Desert maintains an accredited Emergency Medical Service Program.

Temecula Accepting Applications For July 4 Parade Entries, Vendor Apps

• The deadline to submit a parade entry form is May 29. Vendors who want to sell items during the festivities have until April 30.

Kids And Families Help Film Public Art Project In Laguna Beach

• Families gathered for two hours of play at Laguna's Boys & Girls Club while being filmed from the sky April 1, The Daily Pilot reported.

Coachella Music Festival Traffic, Crowds: How To Get Around It

• Dates, times, performances, road closures, and airport updates for the 2022 Coachella Music & Arts Festival.

Country Superstar Josh Turner Heads To Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

• Tickets go on sale April 15 for the June 17 concert.

Modernism Week Adds New Events To May Program

• Options include tours of "Neutra's Neighborhood" in Los Angeles and Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs.

This Mini CA Town Has Sold Yet Again

• A tiny Golden State town, with a population of less than 20 people, has sold to a new owner.

Free Swim Lessons Being Offered By Desert Recreation District

• Applications are being accepted through May 31.

Temecula Public Libraries Offering Free State Parks Passes

• The passes offer free access to more than 200 California state parks, lakes, beaches and monuments.

Palos Verdes City Council Votes To Expand Nature Preserve: Report

• The move will expand the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and protect an endangered butterfly.

Major Expansion Planned For Temecula Valley Hospital

• The proposal is currently going through the environment review process.

All City Of Murrieta Employees Offered $1,000 To $500 In Retention Pay

• The one-time payout is coming from the city's allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding.

Special Beaumont Police Dept. Patch Aims To Bring Autism Awareness

• The patches are available via the police department lobby from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Efforts To Protect RivCo's 6,700 Acres Of Cotton Against Pest Continue

• Cotton fields are clustered in the eastern portion of the county where officials continue to monitor for the invasive pink bollworm.

Festival Of Arts Welcomes 'Fresh Faces' In Time For 2022 Season

• Residents are invited to get a sneak peek of the work by first-time exhibitors prior to the opening of the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show.

Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar Appointed To Desert Sands USD Superintendent

• The appointment was made during Tuesday's regularly scheduled DSUSD Board of Education meeting.

Paul Galbraith, Dennis Jones Band Heading To Temecula

• See the latest announcement from the City of Temecula.

Easter and Passover

Whether dining out or celebrating at home, see what area chefs are prepping for your holiday festivities.

• Inland Empire Easter Dining Guide 2022: Restaurant & To-Go Specials
• San Diego Easter & Passover Dining 2022: Restaurant & To-Go Specials
• O.C. Easter & Passover Dining Guide 2022: Restaurant & To-Go Specials
• Greater LA Easter & Passover Dining 2022: Restaurant & To-Go Specials

Find fun activities for Easter and spring in cities and towns near you throughout the Los Angeles County region.

• Greater L.A. Easter Event Guide: Egg Hunts, Bunny Brunches & More
• O.C. Easter Event Guide: Egg Hunts, Bunny Brunches & More
• Inland Empire Easter Events: Egg Hunts, Bunny Brunches & More
• San Diego Area Easter Events: Egg Hunts, Bunny Brunches & More

Food and Restaurants

Acclaimed Chef To Open Upscale Seafood Restaurant In Dana Point

• "Top Chef" contestant & James Beard-nominated Chef John Tesar plans West Coast spin on artful dishes at Outer Reef, opening in late April.

Get A Free Rubio's Taco Every Time SD Padres Steal A Base

• The offer applies to games at Petco Park and runs through the 2022 MLB season. Go, Padres! We're hungry!

Coming To San Gabriel Valley: Iconic Russian Bakery Plans 1-Day Pop-Up

• Order sweet & savory, Eastern-European pastries from Piroshky Piroshky of Seattle's Pike Place Market, for June 2 pick-up in West Covina.

Coming To San Diego: Iconic Russian Bakery Plans One-Day Pop-Up

• Order sweet & savory, Eastern-European pastries from Piroshky Piroshky of Seattle's Pike Place Market, for May 30 pick-up at Elks Lodge.

Coming To Playa Del Rey: Iconic Russian Bakery Plans One-Day Pop-Up

• Order sweet & savory, Eastern-European pastries from Piroshky Piroshky of Seattle's Pike Place Market, for June 3 pick-up at Elks Lodge.

CA Krispy Kreme Ties Cost Of 12 Doughnuts To Average U.S. Gas Price

• "Doughnut deflation": Krispy Kreme stores across CA will lower the price for a dozen doughnuts for the next four Wednesdays.

If you have an idea for a nice news story in your town, let us know. Email your story tips to autumn.johnson@patch.com.