Trees reflect in lily pad-dotted Lake Evans during a calm afternoon at Fairmount Park. (Bob Sirotnik)
Friday Gazette: August 22, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Looking for something to do this weekend? Our Community Calendar has plenty of options, from the celebration of National Thrift Shop Day at the Assistance League Riverside Thrift Shop, to the Talent Show at the Janet Goeske Center on Saturday, and a tribute to the 19th Amendment hosted by the Riverside Woman’s Club. There’s always something exciting and fresh happening around town.
See you Sunday!
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Meliia’s GoFundMe Update: So far, $1,600 has been raised to help 9-year-old Meliia and her family visit Disneyland. Every contribution brings her closer to making this dream come true! You can still help here: Support Meliia’s Dream.
The first weekend of CIF boys football competition kicks off with marquee matchups across Riverside County.
Poly Girls Flag Football celebrates comeback touchdown in final seconds against Valley View. (Ken Crawford)
Starting Friday, Aug. 22, RiversideTV begins its 16th season of local football coverage, streaming games live and free on YouTube and cable. Fans can watch the featured local game each week, along with “The Pep Rally” every Friday at 11 p.m. for highlights and analysis. Watch live at YouTube.com/CityofRiverside or on cable: AT&T 99, Spectrum 3 and Frontier 21.
Boys Football
Friday, Aug. 22, 5 p.m.
Hillcrest vs. Corona SoFi Stadium, Inglewood Hillcrest takes on Corona at SoFi Stadium in this neutral-site opener. Both teams begin their 2025 seasons in this early nonleague contest.
Friday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.
Vista Del Lago/Moreno Valley at Riverside Poly Riverside City College Riverside Poly opens at home against Vista Del Lago/Moreno Valley in a nonleague matchup at RCC.
Girls Flag Football
Tuesday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m.
Yucaipa at Arlington Arlington High School Arlington hosts Yucaipa in a non-league girls flag football matchup.
Child Nutrition Program Returns with Farm-to-Table Experience
Feeding America's September course for grades 2-5 adds produce harvest to curriculum.
(Courtesy of Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino)
Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is bringing back its TGIF nutrition program for elementary students this September, with an added hands-on farm experience. The four-week program aims to educate children about health and wellness while involving them in food choices and meal preparation.
Driving the news: FARSB is expanding last year's curriculum to include a harvest experience at a local farm, offering kids a chance to learn about the food cycle from plant to plate.
The program comes as FARSB warns of potential increased demand due to federal cuts to SNAP benefits.
Why it matters: The TGIF program is part of FARSB's expanded educational offerings at its Hunger Resource Center, which has helped submit over 2,100 CalFresh applications and serves an average of 200 households monthly.
FARSB serves as the primary food source for more than 250 nonprofit organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The details: Sessions run on Saturday mornings from Sept. 6-20 at the FARSB Learning Center, with a final farm session on Sept. 27 at Overflow Farms.
The program includes partnerships with California Baptist University presenters and a cooking demonstration by chef Kianna from the Riverside Free Health Clinic.
What's next: Parents can pre-register their children in grades 2-5 for all four sessions at FeedingAmericaIE.org/TGIF.
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.
🐾 Alumni Update: Blaze and Bear have been adopted! We don’t have photos to share, but we’re thrilled to spread the good news.
Ollie is a happy-go-lucky dog who’s always up for walks, road trips or neighborhood strolls. He’ll also consider himself very lucky to be adopted by you, since he’s been waiting since June. If you’re looking for a pal to bring smiles and unconditional love, Ollie might be the one. Come meet Ollie 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.
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Council approves $200M Northside soccer stadium talks, Riverside Light Parade group adopts park for cleanups and National Senior Citizens Day celebrates our elders.
