Cat Rescued From Fire; Influencer Wakes From Coma: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — To keep your weekend light, Patch presents some positive Southern California stories from the past week — many that hopefully will brighten your day.

Animals

'Best In Show' Pooch From Palm Springs To Become City's 'Canine Mayor'

Buddy Holly, a 6-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen hound, will "take office" at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the council chamber at City Hall.

Cat Rescued From Burning Home, Thanks To Newport Beach Firefighters

The fire broke out in an above-garage housing unit in the 400 block of Heliotrope Avenue.

San Diego Humane Society Waives Reclaim Fees For Strays After July 4 Holiday

The organization will also extend its "Empty the Shelters" adoption promotion with adoption fees half off for all adult cats and dogs.

Business

4 New RivCo Restaurants To Try This Summer

From Southwest Riverside County to the Coachella Valley, here are some eateries that diners can really sink their teeth into.

Givenchy Opens First Los Angeles-Area Store On Rodeo Drive

Givenchy's first store in the Los Angeles area includes sculptures created in collaboration with British artist Ewan MacFarlane.

Temecula's ScottsMiracle-Gro Celebrates Grand Reopening

Take a peek at the Gro Lighting Assembly Room at the Temecula facility.

Community

Beverly Hills Fundraiser Brings In Over $125K For Safe Place for Youth

Safe Place for Youth serves some 1,000 homeless youth across Los Angeles each year.

Disney Resets Oogie Boogie Bash Ticket Sales After Technical Meltdown

Fans now know when they will be able to purchase tickets to the well-loved Halloween event after ticket sales shut down last week.

For First Time Ever, A Woman Leads Local Border Patrol

Patricia McGurk-Daniel was named chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector, which includes stations in OC and RivCo.

Malibu Wins California Resource Recovery Association Award

The city's efforts around organics disposal earned it an award from the statewide recycling association.

OC Beauty Influencer Wakes From Coma, Reunites With Baby

The Orange County influencer suffered a brain aneurysm while she was nine months pregnant, family and friends say.

Powerball Jackpot Climbs To $590M: Where The Money Goes In CA

California has had its share of record-setting lottery winners (and record losers), and Saturday's jackpot is, again, causing lottery fever.

Sesame Place Makes A Splash With All-New Count's Splash Castle

The theme park in Chula Vista held a grand opening ceremony for The Count's Splash Castle, Sesame Place's newest attraction.

Volunteers Collect 2,832 Pounds Of Trash From San Diego Area Beaches

Hundreds of volunteers helped clean up the mess left by Fourth of July beachgoers at seven beaches in San Diego County.

Entertainment

La Mesa Resident Wins Trip And More On 'The Price Is Right'

Boyce Gire, who serves as executive officer of a field hospital for the U.S. Navy, appeared on the show's Fourth of July special.

San Diego Resident Wins Over $75K In Prizes On 'The Price Is Right'

Daelyn Chaney, 34, who serves in the U.S. Coast Guard, appeared on the Fourth of July episode of the longest-running game show.

Events

Moonlight Summer Sunday Concerts To Kick Off This Weekend In Encinitas

Four community concerts are scheduled this summer at Moonlight Beach.

Music In The Park Starts In Laguna Beach Sunday: What To Know

For a free concert among friends and neighbors, head down to Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach this Sunday.

Night Fishing Event Scheduled Thursday At Santee Lakes

"The Lakes are stocked every other week throughout the summer and the catfish tend to bite better as the sun goes down."

TGIF Concerts In The Parks To Kick Off Friday In Carlsbad

Band Overboard, a Point Loma group with a classic soft rock sound, will take the stage Friday at Stagecoach Community Park.

Schools

Inmate Students At CA Prisons Can Now Receive Federal Financial Aid

Inmates pursuing a four-year college degree can now apply for federal Pell Grants that offer up to $7,395 per award year.

Temecula Grad 'Dives Into Science' At CSU Monterey Bay

Cassidy Thompson is counting 'the density of sea stars' on a marine wall in science diving, a class that counts much more than just stars.

Weekend Events

Inland Empire Weekend Guide: U-Pick Blueberries; Pines Jazz; Salsa Dance Lessons

Looking for things to do this weekend, July 8-9, throughout the Inland Empire? Patch has you covered.

Los Angeles Weekend: Butterfly Pavilion; Wine Fest; Monk-Led Candle Meditation

Looking for events and things to do this weekend, July 8-9, throughout Los Angeles County? Patch has you covered.

Orange County Weekend: Pageant of Masters; Bruschetta Battle; Bat Night Hike

Looking for events and things to do this weekend, July 8-9, in Orange County? Patch has you covered.

San Diego Weekend Guide: 'Bayfest' Musical Fest; Mission Candlelight Concert

Looking for things to do this weekend, July 8-9, in San Diego County? Patch has you covered.