Walk-Up Marriage Hut Opens; New LA Steak House: 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.

14 More SD Library Branches To Reopen After Pandemic Closures

• Fourteen San Diego library branches are scheduled to reopen for in-person services Tuesday following COVID-19 pandemic-related closures.

Groundlings LA Launches Summer, Teen Comedy & Improv Classes

• Who's funnier than your kid? No one, right? Register him or her up for sessions with Groundlings Theatre & School in Los Angeles.

Volunteers Remove 1,457 Pounds Of Trash From San Diego Beaches

• Few holidays generate more trash on San Diego County beaches than Independence Day, according to the Surfrider Foundation.

Disco Days Are Here Again At Palos Verdes Estates' DiscOasis

• Roller skate throwback-style through music-filled, Botanic Garden paradise. No longer have your '80s "quad-wheels"? No prob: Rental is free!

San Diego County Property Valued At Record $627B Despite Pandemic

• The assessed value of all taxable property in San Diego County hit a record-setting high of $627.25 billion.

County Begins Walk-Up Wednesday Nuptials At Marriage Hut

• Other than Walk-Up Wednesdays, license and ceremony appointments are still required for Downtown, Chula Vista, San Marcos and Santee sites.

Explorers Program Seeks Applicants In Culver City

• The program, for teens 14 to 19, offers leadership skills, law enforcement training, police duties and ride-alongs.

San Diego Public Library To Host Pride-Themed Storytime Series

• "The San Diego Public Library is a welcoming and inclusive space," Library Director Misty Jones said.

San Diego County Releases Electric Vehicle Consumer Guide

• The county's Electric Vehicle Consumer Guide is the latest product of the EV Roadmap that the Board of Supervisors approved in 2019.

Food and Restaurants

Guy Fieri Surprises SD Food Truck & Hot Dog Joint With $25K Grant

• Rollin Roots in SD & Doggos Gus in IB among five restaurants in CA gifted funds from California Restaurant Foundation & "Restaurant Reboot."

The Capital Grille To Join LA's Steakhouse Scene

• Acclaimed for its steaks, seafood, wine & scratch-made desserts, the new restaurant will open mid-July near Staples Center in Los Angeles.

La La Land Kind Cafe Continues Do-Good Mission In Santa Monica

• The eatery on Montana Avenue is committed to an all-organic menu, kindness and supporting Los Angeles County foster youth.

Weekend At A Winery: Enjoy Wine, Chocolate & Meet A Camel

• With Chapin Winery at Sugarplum Zoo & Chocolates in Temecula, pairings include hellos with Zeus the camel & a slew of other critters.

Health and Science

UCSD Health Implants Neurostimulation Device To Help Back Pain

• The device is implanted in an outpatient setting, requiring no more than an hour.

Scripps Family Medicine Residency Program To Receive $2.85M Grant

• The Scripps training program is one of 31 medical residency programs in the U.S. selected in HRSA's grant funding opportunity.

UC San Diego Gets $3M To Reduce Latino Childhood Obesity

• The study will systematically examine community, organizational, family and individual predictors of childhood obesity.

Herrick Health Library Reopens With New Additions For Families

• After a 16-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Herrick Health Library on Wakarusa Street reopened Thursday.

SDSU To Distribute 6K COVID-19 Testing Kits At Middle School

• The tests will be distributed to families at an as-yet undesignated school in the Sweetwater Union High School District.

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.