🍊 Friday Gazette: August 8, 2025

Friday Gazette: August 8, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! With a heat advisory in effect, it’s a good weekend for early outings or indoor fun. The Community Calendar is full of ways to stay cool while staying connected. Try bingo at the Janet Goeske Center or catch the Inland Empire Dance Festival on Saturday. Lace up early for the Blue Zones Hiking Moai, a morning wellness walk before the temps soar. Sunday also brings Summer Sundays with Sebraé at RAM and book-themed crafts at the library.

However you spend it, we hope your weekend is full of connection, creativity and maybe even a little adventure—right here in Riverside.

GOVERNMENT

Committee Delays Charter Review Appointments to Avoid Lame-Duck Selections

Concerns about outgoing Councilmembers making appointments for successors prompts discussion to wait until after 2026 elections.

Riverside's Governmental Processes Committee grapples with timing concerns over appointing members to the Charter Review Committee. The dilemma centers on current Councilmembers making appointments that would extend beyond their terms, with three of seven council seats facing election in 2026.

Driving the meeting: Vice Chair Jim Perry objects to current Councilmembers appointing members for terms extending past their own.

• Perry states, "There's two of us that are not coming back."

Why it matters: The Charter Review Committee must submit recommendations by May 2027 for potential ballot measures in the March 2028 mayoral election.

• Delaying appointments until after June 2026 elections would compress the committee's working timeline from 14 months to about nine months.

The big picture: The committee agrees to recommend a nine-member Charter Review Committee — one appointment per Councilmember and two by the mayor.

• City staff will return to the City Council with an adjusted timeline and appointment process accounting for the 2026 election cycle.

What they're saying: Chuck Conder expresses confidence in a condensed schedule, stating, "This is not rocket science. These people know how to do stuff. They can do it in nine months."

What's next: The Charter Review Committee faces challenges, including updating charter provisions to align with state election cycles and addressing complex issues like mayor and City Council salaries.

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EDUCATION

Casa Blanca Elementary Opens as District's First Purpose-Built STEM School

New campus restores neighborhood anchor lost during 1965 desegregation, featuring labs with 3D printers and robotics.

Riverside Unified School District celebrated the opening of Casa Blanca Elementary, its first purpose-built STEM campus. The school marks the return of the Casa Blanca name to the neighborhood after a 60-year absence, restoring a community anchor lost during desegregation efforts.

Driving the news: The new TK-6 school features three STEM labs equipped with advanced technology, learning terraces, and innovative classroom furniture designed for collaboration.

• The campus represents a significant investment in STEM education for a historically underserved neighborhood.

Why it matters: The school's opening symbolizes renewal and community investment in student success across all neighborhoods.

• The phoenix mascot represents regeneration after decades without a neighborhood school.

The big picture: Extensive community partnerships demonstrate citywide commitment to student achievement.

• Partners include Collins Aerospace, Cal Baptist University, Altura Credit Union, and local construction firms.

What they're saying: "We didn't retrofit old dreams to fit old buildings. We built something here from the ground up with our students, teachers at the center of every design," said Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas.

What's next: Principal Bernie Torres will lead the school, which aims to prepare a new generation for future success while honoring the community's educational heritage.

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SPORTS

Riverside Fall Football Season Guide

High School Boys Football, Girls Flag Football and Riverside City College all offer excellent entertainment at a great value.

The football season features more than 240 games from August through December, spanning high school boys football, girls flag football and Riverside City College. Ten local schools compete in boys football, eight in girls flag football, and RCC provides the region’s college-level action. From Thursday afternoon flag football to Saturday college games, it’s an exciting, affordable way to support our neighborhood schools and athletes. Girls flag football continues to grow, now officially sanctioned with college scholarship opportunities opening up. I know I have my eye on the Poly at Arlington game on Halloween! Let’s go, Cubs, as our Arlington Avenue dynasty, CSDR boys football, makes another run at a championship!

Read and share the complete Season Preview...

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Kitana!

Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.

Kitana has been waiting more than five months to find her new family. Time and time again, she has been overlooked as other dogs get adopted. But Kitana truly has it all: an amazing personality, a love of affection, an “up-for-anything” spirit and a kind heart. At 2 years old, she still enjoys being adventurous and trying new things. She gets along great with other dogs and does well with kids. Come meet Kitana and all the adoptable pets at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.

Noteworthy

The Ward 1 Beautification Project at Reid Park this Saturday has been cancelled due to forecasted high temperatures, with residents encouraged to check the community calendar for rescheduling updates.

What's Happening in Riverside

Friday, August 8

• Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels, Inc
• Back to School Craft at Arlington Library
• Challenging Bias and Bigotry in the Workplace at University of California, Riverside
• Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Riverside at Mission Inn Foundation & Visitor Center ($21.20)
• Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
• Tuxie's Drive In Cruise Night at Tuxie's Drive In

Saturday, August 9

• Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead, a short walk from Ryan Bonaminio Park. ($21.20)
• Bingo at the Janet Goeske Center at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
• Youth Writer's Camp at Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center
• Chalk the Walk at Marcy Library
• Crochet/Knitting Club at Arlington Library
• Guided Nature Walk - After Dark at Land Use Learning Center at the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District
• The Inland Empire Dance Festival at The Box Theatre
• Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Memorial Park ($20)
• Pressed Flower Lanterns at Arlington Library
• Red Hot Cholo Peppers Tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
• Wrestling Summer Slam Comedy Paint Party at Back to the Grind

Sunday, August 10

• Blue Zones Project Riverside Hiking Moai at Mt. Rubidoux
• Chalk the Walk at Marcy Library
• National Book Lover's Day | Origami Bookmarks at Marcy Library
• Summer Sundays with Sebraé! at Riverside Art Museum
• Your Place: The Unexpected Power of Writing About Place at Inlandia Institute ($150- $350)

Save the Date 

• August 22: Goeske Talent Show at Janet Goeske Foundation ($10)
• October 18: The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Rideat Riverside Plaza ($15- $80)

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