NorCal Professor Selected As Olympic Torchbearer + Filmmaker Makes Oscar History: Saturday Smiles

Welcome to the weekend. We had quite a few uplifting news stories from across Northern California this week. While you’re here, we hope you will take a moment to learn more about the professor selected to carry the Olympic torch in Italy and find out which East Bay filmmaker made Oscar history this week. Also, if you are making plans to watch the big game next month, we have a guide to some of the best spots in the San Francisco Bay Area.

East Bay Filmmaker Makes Oscar History

• The Academy Award record set Thursday is a crowning achievement for the Oakland filmmaker.

UC Berkeley Professor Selected As Olympic Torchbearer

• He is one of thousands of people chosen to carry the torch on a month-long trek from Olympia to Milan for the 2026 Winter Games.

Popular Supermarket Chain To Open Largest U.S. Location In Fremont

• The flagship store will introduce the company's brand-new multi-level prototype, which includes a food hall and dine-in restaurant.

Tri-Valley Dance Team Competing On Netflix's Star Search, Could Win $500K

• The community is encouraged to tune in Wednesday night to vote for a group of dancers from Livermore ages 9-13.

Rebuilding A Local Business One Donation At A Time After Flood

• A Healdsburg printer asked for help after a flood tore through his workshop. The community stepped up and the needle is almost at 100%.

Bruce Hornsby, Grammy Award-Winning Rock Icon, Performing In San Ramon

• The singer of "The Way It Is" will perform songs from his career and upcoming album at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center.

Ninja Obstacle Course First East Bay Location In Dublin

• The newly-opened Dublin location of USA Ninja Challenge offers coach-led ninja obstacle courses and camps for kids 4-17.

Where To Watch The Big Game In San Francisco

• From casual bars to lively breweries, here are a few places to cheer, snack and settle in for the Feb. 8 showdown.

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.