🍊 Friday Gazette: June 27, 2025

Correction.

In Wednesday’s article about the residential project at Victoria and La Sierra avenues, the names of two individuals were misspelled. Nancy Parrish was incorrectly spelled as “Parish,” and Anthony Beaumon was incorrectly identified as “Anthony Bowman.” We apologize for the errors.

This is the 11th correction in Raincross Gazette’s 233-week history and our first correction since June 17, 2025. We began tracking corrections in January 2025 and placed them at the top of our newsletter to maximize transparency with readers.

Friday Gazette: June 27, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! We’re just three days out from our Toast to 10,000 Subscribers on Monday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. at Bar Ni Modo! Our free drink tickets have officially sold out—if you were unable to grab one we would still love for you to stop by, say hello, and celebrate with us.

July is right around the corner, and so is our next Raincross Rundown, packed with events and ideas for this sun-soaked season. In the meantime, we’d love to know: What’s your favorite way to keep cool in Riverside? Hit reply and tell us—we might include your idea in next week’s Rundown!

COMMUNITY

'Riverside's Most Productive Senator' Receives City's Highest Honor

Richard Roth awarded 2024 City Spirit Award for cross-party collaboration and local advocacy.

Richard Roth received Riverside's 2024 City Spirit Award, recognizing his nearly five decades of extraordinary contributions to the community. The retired Air Force general and former state senator was praised for his bipartisan approach and productive legislative record during Tuesday's city council meeting.

Driving the news: Councilmember Philip Falcone nominated Roth, highlighting his status as the Inland Empire's most productive state senator in the 2023-2024 legislative session.

• Roth introduced 36 bills and signed 19 into law during that period.

Why it matters: Roth's legislative achievements include securing funding for the UC Riverside School of Medicine and bringing the California Air Resources Board headquarters to Riverside.

• His legislation also restored millions in revenue to four Riverside County cities.

The big picture: Roth served 32 years in the Air Force before representing the 31st Senate District for 12 years, arriving at March Air Reserve Base in 1978 and remaining in the community since.

What they're saying: Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson praised Roth as a model for public service, emphasizing his focus on problem-solving over personal recognition.

What's next: Roth pledged continued service to the community, recently attending the groundbreaking for UC Riverside's Oasis green tech park, representing the ongoing impact of his Senate investments.

Read and share the complete story...

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COMMUNITY

Board Delays Decision on Historic House Demolition

90-day reprieve granted as businessman offers to buy, restore fire-damaged building.

The Riverside Cultural Heritage Board postponed a decision on demolishing a fire-damaged 1908 house, granting a 90-day negotiation period. This delay could lead to a compromise between preservation efforts and development needs for the Henry Jacob Gerhardt House.

Driving the news: Local businessman Aurelio Melendrez has offered to purchase the property at fair market value or collaborate with the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) to restore and reuse the historic structure.

• The proposal aims to help RCOE recover costs while preserving the Structure of Merit building for the community.

Why it matters: The Victorian cottage, part of the Prospect Place Historic District, faces demolition after arson damage in December 2023.

• RCOE acquired the property in July 2023 for its downtown expansion to serve early childhood education services.

The stakes: RCOE's insurance assessment found over 60% of load-bearing elements compromised, deeming restoration unfeasible.

• The Old Riverside Foundation disputes this assessment, believing restoration remains possible.

What's next: The Cultural Heritage Board will reconvene after the 90-day period to make a final decision on the property's fate.

• This delay allows time for negotiations between preservationists, RCOE, and potential buyers like Melendrez.

Read and share the complete story...

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Callie!

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.

Callie is the loyal companion your life’s been missing. This sweet, affectionate girl makes fast friends with everyone she meets and loves being around people. She also gets along well with other dogs and has excellent house manners — the total package!

Callie recently spent time in a foster home, where she was a gentle and loving presence, even curling up for story-time with a young child in the home. She’s been waiting patiently for her forever family since March. If you’re looking for a snuggle bug with a heart of gold, please consider giving Callie the loving home she deserves. Visit petsadoption.org for more information on Callie and all adoptable pets.

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Noteworthy

Riverside Public Library transitions its entire digital collection from CloudLibrary to Libby, with CloudLibrary shutting down July 1st and all active holds and checkouts disappearing, prompting patrons to switch to the new platform immediately.

Riverside's self-proclaimed "five-star dive bar" Arts Bar & Grill announces its annual vacation closure from June 30 through July 7, reopening for regular service on July 8.

The Riverside Arts and Music Festival teases its September 27 headliner, with many fans speculating that hometown ska-punk legends Voodoo Glow Skulls will take the main stage, though attendees must stay tuned for the official announcement.

What's Happening in Riverside

Friday, June 27

• Museum of Riverside Groundbreaking at Museum of Riverside
• Riverside Sunrise Rotary at Zacatecas Mexican Cafe
• Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
• Fridays are Fun! at My Learning Studio ($247- $277)
• Open Mic & Karaoke at Euryale Brewing Company
• Tiny Tots and Pre Ballet at Riverside Ballet Arts ($25- $52)
• Cumbiatron - The Cumbia Rave (21+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($20)

Saturday, June 28

• Wet Noses & Puppy Poses – Puppy Yoga at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center ($35)
• Glow and Gather Candle Making & Socializing Event at Creating Space Books and Publishing
• IE Summer Gathering at the Dog Park at Orangecrest Dog Park
• Youth Writer's Camp at Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center
• Evening Concert at Heritage House at Heritage House
• Dance Gavin Dance "Return Of The Robot" Tour at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($45.25 - $55.25)
• Buck-O-Nine w/ The Guilty Parties at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
• Riverside Electric Light Parade Monthly Ride Experience at 4050 Main Street

Sunday, June 29

• Blue Zones Project Riverside Hiking Moai at Mt. Rubidoux
• Sierra Club: Box Springs Group Community Meeting at Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District
• New Romantics Book Club at Marcy Library
• BLK Future Fest + Basketball Combine 2025 at Zapara School of Business - La Sierra University
• Summer Sundays with Sebraé! at Riverside Art Museum

Save the Date

• June 30: Bingo at the Janet Goeske Center at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
• June 30: Raise a Glass with The Raincross Gazette: Celebrating 10,000 Subscribers at Bar Ni Modo at The Farmhouse Collective
• July 1: Aaron Norris Creative Fund Annual Grants & Scholarships Awards at Riverside County Office of Education
• October 18: The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Rideat Riverside Plaza ($15- $80)

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