New Restaurants, Boutiques Opening + Teens Win $5K Each In Innovator Competition: Saturday Smiles

The weekend is here, and we're kicking it off with some good news from across Northern California. From new businesses opening their doors to innovative students earning recognition for their hard work, there's plenty to celebrate. Read on for some of the uplifting stories making news in our communities.

Hog Island Brings Oysters To First East Bay Location

• The 130-seat Hog Island restaurant will serve oysters, chowder, po' boys, lunch, dinner, and cocktails at its debut East Bay location.

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New Animal Hospital Opens Doors In Cotati

• A new animal clinic opened in Cotati now accepts appointments for dogs and cats.

New Store Embraces Vintage Yearning In Healdsburg

• Vendors will fill the hangar-like Healdsburg space on Front Street with antiques, artisan goods, food, and activities.

Opening Date Set For New Cocktail-Restaurant Addition To Theatre Square

• The Italian-inspired bar will serve cocktails, wine, and shared plates in the former Starbucks space.

Q&A With Montage Healdsburg: Mixing Sonoma Into Every Glass

• Cailee Shosky, Food and Beverage Manager, Montage Healdsburg explains the tastes of Healdsburg beyond wine.

Centuries Of Indian Art Come Together At New Peninsula Boutique

• The boutique will showcase traditional and contemporary works while offering family programs when it opens.

Dublin Student Explores Climate Solutions With Scientists Worldwide

• Annie Luo's Sustainability Beyond the Lab features expert interviews, her solar-cell research, and ways to get involved.

3 San Ramon Teens Win $5K Each In Event Innovator Competition

• Three San Ramon students won for proposals including drone racing, a robotics festival, and a cherry blossom festival.

Tri-Valley Giving Campaign Gets A Dolly Parton Twist

• The 925 GIVES campaign will award $925 to the nonprofit attracting the most individual donors from "9 to 5" on Sept. 25.

Napa 'Empty Bowls' Fills Hearts And Raises Record $40K For Housing Resources

• Sunday fundraiser supports food access, hunger relief, housing resources, and pathways to stability for families.

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