Winning Lottery Ticket | $1K Tip | Cat Rescued: Saturday Smiles

If you need a little break from your holiday hustle and bustle, we are here to help. Patch has 11 sweet Northern California stories we hope you will enjoy.

Tri-Valley Waitress Gets $1K+ Tip As Outdoor Dining Closes

• The gift was made possible thanks to a local woman who participated in the "Venmo Challenge" to give back to workers in 2020.

Pleasanton 'Giving Tree' Brings Gifts To Tri-Valley Kids In Need

• Do you know a Tri-Valley child who deserves a little extra love this holiday season? Place them on Pleasanton's "Giving Tree."

South Bay Police Rescue Kitten From Storm Drain

• Police in Milpitas rescued a kitten stuck in a storm drain on the Montague Expressway.

Leukemia-Stricken Castro Valley Teen Receives Visit From Santa

• Austin is scheduled for a bone marrow transplant and will be in the hospital on Christmas, so Santa, first responders paid an early visit.

Homeless Dogs Moved From Oklahoma To Bay Area

• The East Bay SPCA received 20 dogs from an overcrowded Oklahoma shelter. These pups are ready for their new homes!

Volunteers Needed For Hayward Food Giveaway

• The food giveaway has been held weekly since April.

San Francisco Art Gallery A lifeline For Artists, Community

• Dolby Chadwick Gallery continued showing new exhibits throughout the pandemic, even when shut down by stay-at-home orders.

New Hawaiian Bakery Opens Friday In Berkeley

• If you have a sweet tooth, here’s a new place to try out — the East Bay’s first Hawaiian bakery.

Pleasanton Store Sells Winning Lottery Ticket

• See which store the lucky winner purchased from. (Hint: The ticket was sold just miles from where another was sold in October.)

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove Lights Up Windsor Town Green

• The beloved North Bay holiday event has returned for its 12th year.

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.

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.