NorCal Vintners Donate $4.5M + Bear Almost Hits Skier: Saturday Smiles

Another week draws to a close, and the weekend is the perfect time to enjoy some of the lighter news you may have missed.

Marin County Business Makes Oprah's Favorite Things List For 2023

• The holidays are especially merry and bright for one Marin County business and for the employees of their Petaluma processing facility.

Bear Almost Hits Skier On Lake Tahoe Slope, Video Shows

• A TikTok user captured his near-miss with a bear at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

$3M MacKenzie Scott Grant Goes To East Bay Charity

• The organization helps "young people impacted by poverty, violence, and trauma" in the Asian community.

Napa Valley Vintners Gives $4.5M To Community

• Twenty-two organizations received funding through the latest round of giving.

SF Bay Area Guide To Outdoor, Ice Skating Rinks: Holidays 2023-24

• Find the hottest spots to chill out this winter throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

'The Nutcracker': Where To See The Holiday Ballet In SF Bay Area 2023

• Catch the Christmas classic on stage throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

$17K Bay Area Lottery Ticket: Is it Yours?

• Just in time to brighten someone's holidays — a lottery windfall.

6 Alameda Co. Eateries Win 'Restaurants Care Resilience Fund' Grants

• The $5,000 grants are focused on aiding restaurants, fueled by donations from California energy corporations like PG&E and others.

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.