Fireworks Guide; Bald Eagle Released Into Wild: 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.

Local Cowgirl Does Pass Area Proud

• Tenth-grader Gracie-Beth Sutton is heading to the 73rd annual National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Rehabilitated Bald Eagle Released Back Into Wild In SD County

• The San Diego Humane Society released a rehabilitated bald eagle back into the wild — just ahead of the Fourth of July.

Live Music, Theater Return To The Merc In Old Town Temecula

• On Saturday, July 3, patrons will once again be welcomed after more than a year.

Punk Paradise: BeachLife Announces Fourth Stage At Festival

• The “SpeakEasy” stage is presented by Jack Daniels and features artists specially curated by Pennywise frontman Jim Lindberg.

San Diego County 'Stuff The Bus' School Supply Campaign Begins

• More than 20,000 school-age children in San Diego County have been identified as homeless, according to county data.

Banning Opens Its Own Animal Shelter

• The shelter at 2444 Charles Street officially opened July 1.

Marina Del Rey Film Festival Returns For Its 10-Year Anniversary

• The Marina del Rey Film Festival features independent films from around the world.

Art Exhibit 'Flowers & Fields' To Premiere In San Diego

• Artist Andrew Alcasid's show features a series of flower-related works in watercolor, ceramics and more.

Murrieta Celebrating 30 Years With Fireworks Show

• Thursday's fireworks at Los Alamos Sports Park will honor the city’s 30-year birthday.

Santa Monica Ranked #10 Beach Town In U.S.

• Santa Monica was ranked among the top 10 beach towns in the U.S. in a recent report from Wallethub.

3 San Diego County Beaches Ranked Among Cleanest In State

• A total of 35 California beaches earned spots on the Heal the Bay's Honor Roll, down from 42 last year.

BNP Paribas Open 2021 Dates Announced For Indian Wells

• Organizers confirmed the tennis tournament dates and ticket sales for 2021.

SD Foundation Awards $252K To 11 Nonprofits Helping Children

• "We're thankful to these regional partners who will equitably serve San Diego families with sensitivity and care."

VillageFest Returns To Palm Springs July 1

• VillageFest shut down in March 2020 at the early onset of the pandemic.

Want Safe Bike, Walk Lanes Near The Ortega Highway? Tell Caltrans

• Caltrans District 8 is asking for public feedback on bicycle and pedestrian improvements on and near all of the IE's highway systems.

Allegiant Airlines Adds New Nonstop Palm Springs Route

• The Las Vegas-based company is one of a handful of carriers to announce new or expanded service to Palm Springs International Airport.

SD International Airport Granted Federal Funds For Rehab Project

• The Federal Aviation Administration is awarding more than $845 million in airport infrastructure grants nationwide.

Holiday Ice Skating Rink Returning To Temecula

• City Council recently approved a five-year contract that will see an ice skating rink return to the city in late fall.

San Diego Region Would Get Millions Under Infrastructure Bill

• California would be a big winner under the federal infrastructure bill passed by the House Thursday, with nearly $1 billion in projects.

Riverside County High School Seniors Receive CCCF Scholarships

• Grant money remains available to teachers through the Cal Coast Cares Foundation.

San Diego-Based Qualcomm Names Cristiano Amon As CEO

• Cristiano Amon has been appointed the CEO of Qualcomm.

Beaumont Teachers Donate $2,500 to Friends of Beaumont Library

• Funds will support resources for children and the community as a whole.

San Diego County Supervisors To Weigh Proposed Land Purchases

• The board voted to set public hearings for more open space in the communities of Hidden Meadows and Valley Center.

Agua Caliente Casinos To Host Video Gaming Expo

• Gameacon is a two-day video gaming expo presented by Black Dog Gaming at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage.

County Honored For Creating 'Marriage Hut' During Pandemic

• The County Clerk's Office transformed a vacant snack shop into a "marriage hut" in order to issue marriage licenses and perform ceremonies.

Palm Springs Chamber Of Commerce Hosts July 1 Reopenings

• VillageFest and the Welwood Memorial Public Library officially reopened with ribbon cuttings on July 1.

County Supervisors OK $7.2B Budget For 21-22 Fiscal Year

• "This is a budget that reflects the needs of all of our residents, while maintaining a prudent fiscal position."

4th of July

4th Of July Fireworks 2021 In Orange County

• Patch has your complete guide to Fourth of July fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations in and around the O.C. region.

4th Of July Fireworks 2021 In Riverside County

• Patch has your complete guide to Fourth of July fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations in and around the Inland Empire.

4th Of July Fireworks 2021 In San Diego County

• Patch has your complete guide to Fourth of July fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations in and around the S.D. region.

4th Of July Fireworks 2021 In Los Angeles County

• Patch has your complete guide to Fourth of July fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations in and around Greater LA.

4th Of July Fireworks Planned At California Theme Parks: Details

• Star-spangled fireworks shows are slated at eight California theme parks this Fourth of July weekend.

Volunteers Sought For Post-4th Of July Beach Cleanup

• The Surfrider Foundation put a call out Friday for volunteers to assist with post-holiday beach cleanup efforts across San Diego County.

Food and Restaurants

Shake Shack Opening At Westfield Culver City

• Shake Shack is planning to open a location at Westfield Culver City.

July 4th Restaurant Dining Deals & To-Go Specials 2021: LA

July 4th Restaurant Dining Deals & To-Go Specials 2021: O.C.

July 4th Restaurant Dining Deals & To-Go Specials 2021: San Diego

July 4th Restaurant Dining Deals & To-Go Specials 2021: Inland Empire

Health and Science

UCSD Health Offers Digital COVID Vaccine Card For Patients

• The secure online record, otherwise known as a SMART health card, can be accessed directly from the MyUCSDChart patient portal.

Palm Springs Community Health Center Opens New Facility

• The new clinic at 191 Sunrise Way in Palm Springs will provide health, dental and behavioral health services all in one location.

Blood Donors Raise Over $7,500 By Turning Down Promotional Items

• Blood donors turned down a promotional item from the San Diego Blood Bank, which in turn used the savings to support two nonprofits.

Trials To Monitor Immune Response To Vaccinated Organ Transplants

• Researchers at UC San Diego Health began a pair of clinical trials to study COVID-19 vaccinated transplant recipients.

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.