🍊 Friday Gazette: February 28, 2025

Friday Gazette: February 28, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Tonight is the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims. Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims who fast in honor of the First Revelation to Muhammad and the beginning of Islam. A traditional greeting for your Muslim friends at work or school is “Ramadan Mubarak,” which is Arabic for “Blessed Ramadan.” Of course, a “Happy Ramadan” will do just fine.

COMMUNITY

Riverside Public Library Launches New Book Locker Service

Innovative program provides 24-hour access at seven community locations, extending library reach beyond traditional hours.

The City of Riverside Public Library launches a new book locker program at seven locations across the city, extending library services beyond traditional hours and branches.

Driving the news: The library held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Main Library to celebrate the introduction of the Library Locker program, designed to enhance accessibility for patrons.

• The service allows users to reserve books online and pick them up from convenient locker locations using their library card number.

Why it matters: This initiative reflects the library's commitment to adapting to community needs and changing expectations of access.

• It provides a flexible solution for residents with busy schedules who may not be able to visit during regular library hours.

The details: Book lockers are now available at seven locations throughout Riverside, including:

• Main Library
• Stratton Community Center
• Orange Terrace Community Park
• Marcy Library
• La Sierra Senior Center
• Arlanza Community Center
• Renck Community Center

What they're saying: "We're bringing the library closer to where people live and spend their time," said Library Director Erin Christmas, emphasizing the convenience of the new system.

What's next: The library encourages residents to take advantage of this new service, which is now operational at all seven locations.

Read or share the complete story...

Advertisement (Become an advertiser)

SPORTS

Sports Shorts: Rams March to CIF Finals While Former Lancer Makes NBA History

Our sports roundup features championship basketball, wrestling excellence, and can't-miss weekend matchups.

Local athletes continue to make headlines with championship runs, historic milestones, and crucial matchups ahead.

Boy’s CIF Basketball

Ramona

Ramona Basketball got the semifinal win away at Elsinore. It will compete for the CIF-Southern Section Division 4AA Championship against Santiago (Garden Grove) This Saturday, March 1, at Toyota Arena in Ontario. Senior Forward duo Troy Terell and Andrew Green lead the Rams with a combined total of over 800 points scored this season. Tickets can be found here.

Poly

After their dramatic win against Rancho Verde in the quarterfinal, Poly was unable to get it done against Fairmont Prep in the Semis. They have been eliminated from the Southern Section playoff but have qualified for the state tournament in Sacramento. We will keep you updated on their upcoming games when the bracket is drawn on March 2.

Going Back to Cali

Taran Armstrong is returning to California after signing a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors. There have been many exciting players to come through the Lancers basketball program in the NCAA era. Among the most exciting is Taran Armstrong. He was known for his maximum effort and flashy passes. Even though he was injured for much of his two-year tenure at CBU, he was able to win WAC Freshman of the Year and second-team WAC Conference awards. He left CBU to sign a professional contract in his home country of Australia. His contract with the Warriors is the first NBA contract signed by a former Lancer. Congratulations, Taran!

Games of the Week

• RCC Invitational Track Meet
  Friday, February 28. 9:30 a.m.- All day
  Wheelock Stadium at RCC
  Free with paid parking
• Ramona Rams vs. Santiago(GG)
  Saturday, March 1, 9:30 a.m.
  Toyota Arena, Ontario
  Tickets

NCAA Basketball Senior Nights

UC Riverside

• Women vs CSU Fullerton March 8, 4 p.m.
• Men vs. CSU Northridge March 6, 7 p.m.
• Tickets

California Baptist University

• Women vs Utah Tech March 1, 1 p.m.
• Men vs. UT Arlington March 8, 5 p.m.
• Tickets

Read or share the complete story...

Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Spellman!

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.

If you’re ready to take on a dog that takes on the world with enthusiasm, curiosity, and excitement, then Spellman is your guy. He loves a good walk (his tail wag will confirm) but also enjoys a good talk (you’ll be surprised by the conversations you may find yourself having with him). Spellman can’t wait to take on the world with his new family; is that you? He is 2 years old, 66 lbs, and has been available to adopt since December. Spellman is currently in a foster home; email foster care@petsadoption.org to set up a time to meet him.

Advertisement (Become an advertiser)

Noteworthy

Mayor Lock Dawson, as chair of California's Big City Mayors coalition, pledged accountability for Governor Newsom's $920 million in state homelessness funding.

UC Riverside's new Middle School Initiative aims to boost college attendance rates in the Inland Empire by teaching seventh-graders about university admissions, addressing the region's college graduation rate of just 17.5%, which falls significantly below the state average.

The recently restored Rubidoux Heights Monument at 11th and Redwood is now complete following the renovation project covered in our earlier story.

California's new "daylighting" law (AB 413) prohibits parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk as of January 1, 2025, aiming to increase pedestrian safety by improving visibility at intersections throughout Riverside and other California cities.

What's Happening in Riverside

Friday, February 28

• Riverside Sunrise Rotary at Zacatecas Mexican Cafe
• Booker T. Washington - Frank A. Miller Tablet Dedication on Mt. Rubidoux at Mt. Rubidoux Summit
• Baseball at California Baptist
• The Book of Will at The Wallace Theatre at California Baptist University ($9 - $14)
• DOT by Colman Domingo at The Box Riverside ($22 - $25)
• The Emo Night Tour at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($15 - $19)
• The Murder Mystery Co’s Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($59)
• Charity Goth Dance Night at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge

Saturday, March 1

• Downtown Certified Farmers Market at Main Street at 5th
• Tomato Time at Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District LandUse Learning Center
• Cars and Coffee at Harvest Church
• FA Awareness Week: Cash for College at Riverside City College
• Baseball vs. Utah at Riverside Sports Complex
• Utah Tech Trailblazers at California Baptist Lancers Womens Basketball at Fowler Events Center
• William H. Reynolds Memorial Carillon Recital at UCR Bell Tower
• Tiki Goth night at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
• Bravo the Bagchaser at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($35)
• An Evening at the Fox at Fox Performing Arts Center

Sunday, March 2

• First Sundays at Downtown Riverside
• Museum of Riverside | First Sundays - Science of Scent at corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue
• Plática at The Cheech – Amalia Mesa-Bains with Judy Baca at The Cheech Center for Chicano Art and Culture
• DOT by Colman Domingo at The Box Riverside ($22 - $25)
• Composing Women at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($10 - $15)
• The Murder Mystery Co’s Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($69)
• Baseball vs. California Baptist at Riverside Sports Complex
• Women's Soccer vs. Cal State San Marcos at UCR Soccer Stadium

Save the Date

• March 6: Palabra at The Cheech Center for Chicano Art and Culture
• March 7: Pardi Gras Pub Crawl 2025 at Loft 84 Wedding & Event Center ($35)
• April 4: World Premier Melodrama by Westmont Village Masquers Theatre Club at Westmont Village

📸 Submit a photo to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts.

🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.