'Ghost Walk' Goes Virtual | Hopscotch Sparks Joy: Saturday Smiles

Do you need a break from all of the bad news? If you are looking for some lighter news this weekend, check out these sweet Northern California stories.

Hopscotch Drawn On San Francisco Sidewalk Sparks Joy: Watch

• Small children and a senior with a cane, dog walkers and cool young adults — it seems everyone delights in a simple chalk hopscotch!

Tri-Valley Nonprofit Launches Campaign To Feed Cancer Patients

• Culinary Angels, which delivers meals to seriously sick residents, is now offering a four-tiered, monthly donation initiative.

750th Pet Adopted From Marin Humane Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

• A dog named Rosie was the 750th animal to be adopted from the Novato-based animal shelter amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Street 'Ghost Walk' Goes Virtual For 2020 In Pleasanton

• The annual, Halloween event still will take you on a spooky tour of legendary, local haunts -- just in a different format.

Local Chef-Led Cooking Classes Benefit Alameda Family Services

• The three, online sessions are seasonally themed for "Italian Harvest," "Oktoberfest" and "Thanksgiving Surprise." Tickets on sale.

Downtown Pleasanton Launches 'Passport On Main' Raffle

• Shoppers can win a $100 gift card with the new promotion that runs through Labor Day weekend.

Pleasanton Teens Recognized For Anti-Tobacco Advocacy

• Students from Pleasanton and Danville were named National Youth and Young Adult Ambassadors by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

'Outside The Lines' Exhibit Opens Inside Marin Gallery Windows

• "Outside the Lines" features art from the San Rafael organization's "Arts Unite Us" program, which serves students with disabilities.

The Salvation Army Feeds Lightning Complex Fire Crews, Evacuees

• The Salvation Army is responding to the LNU Lighting Complex, Jones Fire and Deer Zone Fire Complex wildfires.

California's Heroes:

• ‘A Truly Model Citizen And Humanitarian’: El Cerrito Hero
• ‘Despite A Brain Tumor He Shows Up Daily’: Castro Valley Hero
• ‘He Developed A Healing Arts Program’: Berkeley Hero
• ‘She Tirelessly Pulls Our Community Together’: Albany Hero
• ‘Dedicated Volunteer Is Generous Beyond Limits’: Alameda Hero
• ‘Her Goal Is To Send 600 Christmas Cards’: Fremont Hero
• ‘Our Strength And Inspiration’: Alameda Hero
• ‘Reliable And Flexible’ Caregiver: El Cerrito Hero
• 'Farm Fresh Food Boxes Go To Families': Alameda Heroes

If you have an idea for a nice news story in your town, let us know. Email your story tips to autumn.johnson@patch.com.