Man With Prosthetic Leg Adopts Amputee Dog: 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.

San Diego Police Detective Who Lost Leg Adopts Double Amputee Dog

• Detective James "Chappie" Hunter, who lost his leg in a crash, has adopted a dog that underwent a partial amputation of both her back feet.

2021 Counting Crows Tour Includes Redondo Beach's BeachLife Fest

• Counting Crows announced their full tour for 2021, which includes Redondo Beach's BeachLife Festival.

DJ Khaled, Macaulay Culkin, More To Receive Walk Of Fame Star

• A total of 38 celebrities and public figures were selected in the 2022 Walk of Fame class.

Murrieta's New Open-Air Amphitheater Readies For First Concert

• The June 19 free concert features Beach Boys tribute band Surf City Legends.

Firefighters Across San Diego County 'Fill The Boot' For The Burn Institute

• Firefighters from 30 departments hit the streets with their boots Thursday to collect donations at intersections throughout the region.

'DiscOasis' Roller Disco Heading To South Coast Botanic Garden

• Got your skates ready? DJ Niles Rodgers is bringing a roller disco experience to the South Coast Botanic Garden.

RivCo Kid Takes On Big Words, Big Stage In National Spelling Bee

• Lara Randhawa, 12, of Corona is still in the running, and is eyeing finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida.

Diamond Bar Is Looking For A Few Good Neighbors

• Nominations are open now until Aug. 31 for Diamond Bar's Good Neighbor Award.

Petco Park At Full Capacity For First Time Since 2019

• The San Diego Padres will play a game at Petco Park at full capacity for the first time in 630 days.

Greater Coachella Valley Chamber Of Commerce Names New Leader

• Former Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Emily Falappino will take over as president and CEO of the GCVCC.

Breeders' Cup Announces 100% Seated Capacity For Championships

• Del Mar is set to host the World Championships, one of horse racing's largest events, for just the second time.

Seaside Lagoon Reopening In Redondo Beach

• Swimmers are invited to return to Seaside Lagoon this week in Redondo Beach.

Temecula's Santa Gertrudis Creek Trail Project In Full Swing

• Cyclists, runners and pedestrians alike will see more access and a longer trail once the project is completed this fall.

San Diego Humane Society Lowers Fees On 180+ Kittens Who Need Homes

• The San Diego Humane Society reduced adoption fees for nearly 200 kittens and offered incentives to adopt more than one.

Scripps Health Opens Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Center

• Scripps Health has opened a comprehensive rehabilitation services center, offering a range of therapies, in Encinitas Ranch Town Center.

Richard Neutra's Sten Frenke House: An Architectural, Beach Oasis

• This historic, architectural gem from Richard Neutra features an incredible home, beautiful pool and gorgeous beach views.

MTS To Allow Free Rides With New PRONTO System In September

• MTS is planning an aggressive campaign to make it easy for riders to transition from Compass Cards to the new PRONTO system.

Dua Lipa And Anwar Hadid Step Out For Date Night In Santa Monica

• Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid stepped out for dinner at a Westside favorite this weekend.

Kerwin Frost To Host Film Festival At TCL Chinese Theatre

• Missed watching movies on the big screen? Comedian Kerwin Frost will host a large-scale event to welcome moviegoers back with a bang.

Canadian Airline Swoop To Offer Edmonton Flights From San Diego

• The service will be the first-ever nonstop flights between Edmonton and San Diego.

Alaska Airlines Begins Service To Santa Barbara From San Diego

• Alaska Airlines began daily nonstop service to Santa Barbara via Santa Barbara Airport from San Diego International Airport.

Marilyn Monroe Statue Sparking Protests In Palm Springs

• Some are calling the "Forever Marilyn" statue "sexual objectification of a beloved icon in the era of #metoo."

First-Dose COVID-19 Vaccines Reach 75% Goal In San Diego County

• The county set the 75 percent goal to attempt to reach community herd immunity.

Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Names Interim CEO

• Brooke Nunn is taking over after TVCC CEO Emily Falappino announced she is moving on to the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Disneyland Resort Says Goodbye To Masks, Social Distancing

• Disneyland Resort's top health officer says social distance & masks for the fully vaccinated. Are fans and employees happy with the move?

Palm Springs Splash House Tickets Go On Sale

• Ticket sales open at noon Thursday.

San Diego County Lifts Nearly All COVID-19 Restrictions

• "This was the greatest public health crisis in more than 100 years, but we made it through."

5 Thoughtful Gifts To Give Dad This Father's Day

• Father's Day is coming up Sunday. Do you need a last-minute gift for dad? Check out these ideas and ways to celebrate.

Cleanup Planned Across Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Canyon Lake

• Volunteers are sought for the community-wide cleanup scheduled June 26.

Report Finds Benefits From Employee-Owned Businesses

• San Diego businesses and their employees could enjoy opportunities for growth by switching to an employee-ownership model, a report found.

General Atomics To Ship Out Key Piece For Nuclear Fusion Project

• San Diego-based General Atomics is set to ship out a key component for a nuclear fusion project currently under construction in France.

Median Home Price In Riverside County: Latest Figures

• A lack of housing inventory across the state continues to push up prices.

Venice-Abbot Kinney, West LA Libraries Reopening

• After months of closures due to the pandemic, the Venice-Abbot Kinney and West LA libraries will reopen.

Pasadena Public Library Reopens Branches For In-Person Services

• Two additional branches of the Pasadena Public Library have reopened for in-person service after the pandemic forced them to close.

San Diego LGBTQ+ Groups Release Guide For Youth Standards Of Care

• The "LGBTQ+ Youth Standards of Care" guide is for elementary, middle and secondary school administrators.

'Hollywood Music & Mystery' Event Adds Suspense To Walk Of Fame

• Can you figure out who stole a star from the Walk of Fame? Lucky winners will receive Hollywood-themed prizes.

'Mini VillageFest' Celebrates Palm Springs Reopening

• Tuesday's affair celebrates the lifting of most COVID-19 health restrictions.

New Evacuation Alert System for Deaf, Hard of Hearing At LA Beach

• A new evacuation alert system is available at Torrance Beach for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Supervisors Approve Cannabis Shop In Thousand Palms

• The shop will be located near the Coachella Valley Animal Shelter.

Monrovia Proclaims June 19 as 'Juneteenth National Freedom Day'

• Juneteenth recognizes the day enslaved Black Texans were told of the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in the United States

Deadline Extended For Coachella Valley Student Art Contest

• Students participating in the SunLine Transit Agency's sixth annual contest have until just before midnight on June 28 to submit their work.

City, County Of SD Collaborate On New Homelessness Strategy

• "Homelessness is the most pressing challenge facing our region," San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said.

As RivCo Gets Back To Work, Unemployed Told To 'Start Searching'

• Riverside County and statewide unemployment numbers continue to improve, so the EDD has a message for people collecting benefits: Get a job.

Food and Restaurants

3 New Restaurants Opening In Marina Del Rey

• Three restaurants plan to open Marina del Rey locations this summer.

Padres To Hold First BeerFest Of 2021 Season Friday Evening

• The San Diego Padres will hold their first BeerFest of the 2021 season before Friday evening's game at Petco Park.

everbowl Brings Superfoods, Craft Style Menu To Venice

• everbowl is open on Ocean Front Walk in Venice.

Ike's Love & Sandwiches Opening In Marina Del Rey

• Ike's Love & Sandwiches plans to open a new location in Marina del Rey.

Free Summer Lunch For Kids Launches At Virginia Avenue Park

• The free summer lunch program is for school-aged kids and runs through August 11 in Santa Monica.

Glendora Unified Offering Free Summer Meals

• The free meals are meant for students enrolled in summer school or residents of Glendora under the age of 18.

Where To Get Free Groceries In North Hollywood This Weekend

• Need to restock the pantry? NoHo Home Alliance will host another produce giveaway this weekend.

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.