World's Smallest Penguins + Dolphins Dance Off Coast: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — If you are looking for the positive side of news, we are here to help. Patch has sweet Southern California stories we hope you will enjoy.

Animals

Birch Aquarium Opens Exhibit For World's Smallest Penguins

The new exhibit at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is the only exhibit to feature little blue penguins in the western United States.

3 Lions Settle Into New Home At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The female lions — Malika, Zuri and Amira — are from Caldwell Zoo in Texas.

Watch Dolphins Dance Off The Coast Of Dana Point

Residents aboard a Dana Wharf Whale Watching boat witnessed several dolphin stampedes on Orange County waters.

Business

'Cake Boss' Celebrates 100 Sweet Years Of Klondike In Santa Monica

What would you do for a Klondike? You could secure yourself 100 years of free ice cream.

Coachella Valley's First Chick-Fil-A Store Set To Open In Palm Desert

The new store is at 73070 Dinah Shore Drive.

Hyatt Vacation Ownership Hiring 200 At The Welk San Diego

The positions are for a variety of departments.

Culver City's Newest Tropical Rooftop Eatery: Report

The Shay Hotel has something new up its sleeve for Culver City visitors and residents — an all-day tropical poolside restaurant and bar.

Tactical Apparel, Gear Retailer 5.11 Set For Temecula Grand Opening

The Irvine-based retailer 5.11 primarily offers outdoor clothing, footwear, uniforms and tactical equipment for men and women.

Events

OC Fair Rolls Into Town This Week: See What's On Tap

From Jim Gaffigan and The Steve Miller Band to giant turkey legs and fried Snickers, the OC Fair returns with something for everyone.

Stagecoach Country Music Festival 2023 Dates, Early Passes Go On Sale

Dust off those cowboy boots! Early passes for the 2023 music festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio are on sale.

Fruit, Garden Ergonomics: Upcoming Garden Demos At Greystone Mansion

Need help getting your garden started? Greyston Mansion will host a summer series of gardening tutorials.

Nab The Perfect Gift At Mission Viejo Makers Mart, Night Market

Residents searching for handmade goods such as clothing, jewelry, candles and charcuterie boxes can stop by the market.

Pop-Up Culinary Experience To Hit Laguna Beach This Summer

Orange County residents have the chance to experience Talay's authentic Thai street food in Laguna Beach starting August.

Community/Government

RivCo Historical Treasure Getting $10.4 Million From State

The funds will go toward the preservation of the Trujillo Adobe Historic Site in the city of Riverside.

San Diego County Names 1st Director Of Office Of Immigrant And Refugee Affairs

Lucero Chavez Basilio is the county's first director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.

Laguna Beach City OK's Marine Center Expansion, Conservation Project

The city of Laguna Beach approved an expansion of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which includes a new water-saving conservation system.

Universal Playground On Horizon In Irvine, $2.8M Funding Secured

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris recently locked down on $2,800,000 for Irvine to build the city's first universal playground.

Funds Available For Affordable Housing Development In Malibu

The city was awarded approximately $15 million in federal funds for affordable housing development in Malibu.

Rehab On Temecula's Community Recreation Center Getting Closer

The Community Recreation Center is part of the 128-acre Ronald Reagan Sports Park at 30875 Rancho Vista Road.

Tribute To Fallen RivCo Marine Gets Unanimous Support In U.S. House

Introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Corona), H.R. 5809 seeks to name the Norco Post Office in honor of Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui.

Veteran, 97, Should Get Military's Highest Honor, Temecula's Issa Says

"We won't stop until Royce Williams receives the recognition he doesn't seek, but richly deserves," Rep. Darrell Issa said.

Schools

San Diego Students Win College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships

Eight students in San Diego County received up to $2,000 in annual aid for four years from the college they will attend next year.

UCSD Raises More Than $3B In Decade-Long Fundraising Campaign

UC San Diego raised more than $3.05 billion over a decade-long philanthropic fundraising campaign — a full billion more than its goal.

Veterans Who Didn't Get High School Diploma Can Do So Now

The county Office of Education's "Operation Recognition" is open to veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Transit

4-Mile-Long Thousand Palms Canyon Road Repair Project Underway

The $4.8 million project is expected to be completed by Sept. 14.

Proposed Train Service Between Coachella Valley, L.A. Hits Milestone

The proposed twice-daily passenger round trips between Union Station and the Coachella Valley would have stops, including in the Pass Area.