Community Corner

Family Helps Fire Victims; Cat Gets New Lease On Life: Saturday Smiles

Best Colleges list, Best High Schools rankings, haunted house guides, woman wins $1.3 million jackpot, and more nice SoCal news.

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

Rare Sight: Great Horned Owl Spotted In South OC Backyard

A San Juan Capistrano resident captured these stunning photographs of a great horned owl visiting her backyard.

Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Tuxedo Cat 'Pip' Gets New Shot At Life After Leg Amputation

The cat was brought in to the Dedicated Animal Welfare Group — commonly known as DAWG — in poor condition and with deep wounds.

Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Business

Cake House Cannabis Retailer Plans Riverside County Expansion

Cake Enterprises currently touts two Southern California Cake House locations — Wildomar and the San Diego County city of Vista.

Major Grocer To Host Grand Opening Celebration In South OC

Grocery Outlet is coming to Laguna Niguel, and residents can start making the most of the discount grocery store starting Aug. 31.

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Announces Job Fair To Fill 50 Positions

The hiring event takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 19.

San Diego Business Steps Up To Help Maui Wildfire Victims Rebuild

Pixly specializes in photo and video documentation for construction, insurance and real estate. Fire victims can use the platform for free.

Tourism Jobs Provide Economic Mobility, Tourism Authority Report Finds

The report found the range of jobs provide significant social and economic mobility.

Community

3 Pickleball Courts To Be Added To Alta Laguna Park: City Council

The city council voted to approve the courts in an effort to accommodate the growing demand for pickleball court capacity in Laguna Beach.

Cabrillo National Monument Brought $71M To Local Economy In 2022: NPS

A new report from the National Park Service charts the wide-reaching economic benefits for communities that neighbor national parks.

Calabasas Boasts America's Most Enviable Lifestyle, Survey Finds

There is a reason, the famous suburb is home to the rich and famous.

Construction Projects Announced At Palm Springs International Airport

The projects include a renovation of the gate hold rooms in the airport's Sonny Bono Concourse, and buildout for food and retail offerings.

County Supervisors OK Developing Shared Senior Housing Program

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to develop a shared housing program for people aged 55 and older.

Ideas Sought For Robertson Ranch Park In Carlsbad

Carlsbad residents are encouraged to take an online survey and visit an ideas wall to give input on the new park's design and features.

'Lahaina Is In Our Soul' Murrieta Family Helps Lahaina Fire Victims

A Murrieta mother is spreading the word about the needs of a Lahaina school where her children first learned to carry the "aloha spirit."

OC Woman Wins $1.3M Jackpot At Inland Empire Casino

The large haul occurred Aug. 24 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel.

San Diego Receives $45M State Grant For Affordable Housing Projects

The state has awarded $45 million to San Diego for construction of more than 1,180 affordable homes.

Temecula Woman Among First Peace Corps Volunteers To Return Overseas

After the COVID-19 pandemic, this Temecula resident heads to Fiji to volunteer in the community economic development sector.

Events

Encinitas Oktoberfest And Artisan Faire Returns Sept. 24

The 27th annual event will feature German food, beer gardens, a family fun zone, street performers, games, an artisan craft fair, and more.

'Evening Under The Stars' Returns To Palm Springs

The event is returning after a three-year hiatus due to issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Free Children's Park Event To Take Place In Mission Viejo

The city's second annual Park(ing) Day Children's Fair will take place Friday, Sept. 15. Here's what to know.

Haunted Houses 2023: IE Guide To Halloween's Bone-Chilling Best

Attention, Inland Empire fear-seekers. This list is for you.

Haunted Houses 2023: LA Guide To Halloween's Bone-Chilling Best

Attention, Los Angeles County fear-seekers. This list is for you.

Haunted Houses 2023: OC Guide To Halloween's Bone-Chilling Best

Attention, Orange County fear-seekers. This list is for you.

Haunted Houses 2023: San Diego Guide To Halloween's Bone-Chilling Best

Attention, San Diego County fear-seekers. This list is for you.

Stagecoach Days Returns To Banning For 66th Year, After Vandalism

Banning's Stagecoach Days, nearly canceled due to vandalism at headquarters, is back on. If you care to help, see what is still needed.

Temecula History Day Planned At Sam Hicks Monument Park

Want to travel back in time to the early days of Temecula? Join the city's community services team for a rare look at the city's roots.

Health

New South OC Health Center Celebrated During Community Event

The new Hoag Health Center just opened its doors Wednesday after hosting a grand opening celebration for the community over the weekend.

San Diego Begins Free4Me Pilot Program For Menstrual Products

Feminine hygiene products will be placed in city-owned facilities, targeting libraries, recreation centers and public restrooms at beaches.

UCSD Begins Gene Therapy Initiative For Research On Rare Diseases

UC San Diego began the Gene Therapy Initiative to research rare diseases and find gene-based therapies to help those with genetic disorders.

Restaurants

Expanded Dining Options Coming To Palm Springs International Airport

Travelers heading through Palm Springs International Airport will soon have many more options when it comes to food, drinks and shopping.

Schools

11 CA High Schools Crack Nation's Top 100: U.S News

Oxford Academy topped the list of public schools and ranked No. 9 overall and No. 1 in California, followed by Whitney High School.

Best Colleges In San Diego: Niche Releases New Rankings

Six colleges in San Diego County rank among the best in the country, according to Niche, a college ranking and review platform.

Here Are The Best CA Colleges, According To New Rankings

More than 60 colleges in California rank among the best in the country, according to Niche, a college ranking and review platform.

U.S. Clears $72M In Debt For Ashford University Students

The action follows a California Department of Justice lawsuit against Ashford and its parent company Zovio Inc.

Sports

Temecula FC Quails 'Dirty Bird' Fans To Fill Stadium At US Open Cup

The second round of the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout competition in men's soccer, is scheduled to take place Sept. 30 at Chaparral High School.

Weekend Events

IE Weekend Guide: Cirque du Soleil; U-Pick Apples; Blues & Brews Fest

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Sept. 2-3, throughout the Inland Empire? Patch has you covered.

LA Weekend: Malibu Chili Fest & Carnival; Burger Challenge; 626 Market

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Sept. 2-3, throughout Los Angeles County? Patch has you covered.

OC Weekend Guide: Inflatable Water Park; Hatch Chile Roast; Bat Walk

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Sept. 2-3, in Orange County? Patch has you covered.

SD Weekend: Powwow; Grape Stomp; SeaWorld Beer Fest; Buffet For Maui

Looking for some cool things to do this weekend, Sept. 2-3, in San Diego County? Patch has you covered.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.