Rare Badger Spotted | Ropes Course Helps Kids: Saturday Smiles

The holidays are officially here. If you need a little break from your holiday baking, decorating or online shopping, we are here to help. Patch has 12 lovely Northern California stories we hope you will enjoy.

Tri-Valley Nonprofit Reunites Homeless Man With Family

• In March, he was living in a bus shelter. Now, he's housed and reconnecting with family.

Rare Badger Spotted, Caught On Camera East Of Mt. Diablo

• A juvenile American badger, which "vanished" from the area in the 1970s, made an appearance for an East Bay environmentalist group.

Calistoga Police Officers, Cal Mart Host Angel Tree For Seniors

• The Police Officers Association of Calistoga invites seniors who would appreciate a holiday gift to complete an application by Nov. 30.

Safari West Goes Virtual For Underserved, Hospitalized Children

• The Safari West Live! virtual tour gets an official kick-off at the foundation's annual Romp With the Beasts fundraiser.

Police Collecting Toys For Needy Families

• You may drop off toys at any San Francisco Walgreens.

Challenging Ropes Course Opens At San Francisco Park

• The course is a partnership between the City and Outward Bound.

Berkeley Philanthropist Honored For Work

• Donald Frazier received the Social Impact Award at the virtual East Bay Philanthropy Awards.

Fremont’s Garima Desai Named Rhodes Scholar

• Garima Desai will pursue a double master’s program at Oxford in England. Her goal is to use economics as a tool to solve climate issues. She's one of 4 Californians to be named Rhodes Scholars.

Dublin Gets New Animal Hospital

• The Dublin Place Shopping Center is now home to the Banfield Pet Hospital.

New Pleasanton Restaurant Seeks To Give 'True Italian Experience'

• The newly opened Locanda Amalfi offers Neapolitan dining and patio seating in downtown Pleasanton.

Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: SF Bay Area

• Jolly holidays still are on the calendar as Christmas tree & menorah lightings, Santa visits, Nutcrackers & more go on. Just differently.

Enter Patch's Holiday Gingerbread House Contest

• We're looking for the best gingerbread house on the block! Submit a photo of your homemade creation for a chance to win.

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.