Let’s see how deep into Summer Break we get before those P.E. clothes get washed. (Ken Crawford)
Friday Gazette: May 23, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! With both an eighth grader and an eighth-grade teacher in my house, I'm hyper-aware that this is the last weekend before summer break begins. This next week is packed with preparations for promotions and, for my son, a Washington, D.C., trip that leaves the day after school ends.
I’m still going to make some time to check out a concert on Saturday. The Mismiths at the Hideaway and Lee Fields at the Farm House are both great choices. Also, the Buenos Dias Cafe at 2790 14th Street has extended its hours and expanded its menu. I’m excited to give their new lunch items—tortas and molletes—a shot.
DeAnda Twins Make Waves at State Meet, Look Ahead to Senior Season
Riverside Poly juniors continue swimming legacy with record-breaking performances.
Dash and Ava on deck. (Courtesy of Jason DeAnda)
Ava and Dash DeAnda, Riverside Poly's swimming super twins, continue to dominate in the pool as they wrap up their junior year with impressive performances at CIF Southern Section and CIF State championships.
Driving the news: Ava DeAnda, committed to UC Berkeley for 2026, maintained her unbeaten record in the 100-yard freestyle at the Southern Section Division 1 championships, while her brother Dash made school history by qualifying for the state meet in two events.
Ava placed second in the 100 freestyle at the CIF State championships with a time of 49.38 seconds.
By the numbers: Dash finished 29th in the 200 freestyle preliminaries at the state championships, clocking in at 1:40.98.
Looking ahead: The twins face a packed summer competition schedule, including National Championships, Speedo Grand Challenge, and Junior Nationals.
With Ava committed to Berkeley and Dash exploring collegiate options, the DeAndas are set to close their high school careers with more records before moving to collegiate competition.
The big picture: The DeAnda twins have established themselves as one of Southern California's most successful swimming families, with Ava dominating sprint events and Dash excelling in distance freestyle.
Local nonprofit celebrates a decade of saving animals others can't.
Volunteer foster Christina DeHaro says it will be hard when Gambit finds his forever home. (Ken Crawford)
Foster Army Animal Rescue (FAAR) marks a decade of rescuing ill, injured, elderly, and special needs animals that other shelters often can't accommodate. The nonprofit is preparing to open its third location and has saved over 1,130 animals since its founding in 2015.
Driving the news: FAAR is hosting a street fair on May 31 to celebrate its 10th anniversary, featuring live bands, vendors, and special adoption pricing.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their 6520 Magnolia Ave. location in Riverside.
Why it matters: FAAR fills a crucial niche in animal rescue, focusing on pets that require specialized care and are often overlooked by traditional shelters.
The organization's "critters" program extends rescue efforts to exotic pets like rabbits, iguanas, and tortoises.
The impact: FAAR's Operation: Spay & Neuter Riverside program offers free and reduced-cost sterilization for pets of Riverside residents in need of financial assistance.
The next clinic is scheduled for June 16, prioritizing seniors, veterans, active-duty military, and low-income residents.
What's next: Three sibling kittens - Beryl, Citrine, and Charisma - are preparing for adoption in mid-June after their spay/neuter procedures.
Foster Care Advocates Mark 10 Years of Service to County's Most Vulnerable
Voices for Children has provided court-appointed volunteers to thousands of local youth since 2015.
Voices for Children provide advocates for Foster Children in public hearings. (Courtesy of Voices For Children)
Voices for Children celebrates a decade of providing Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to thousands of youth in Riverside County's foster care system. The nonprofit, which began local operations in April 2015, has expanded its reach and impact, serving nearly 2,300 youth across San Diego and Riverside counties last year.
Driving the news: The organization launches its annual "Your Voice, Their Future" volunteer recruitment campaign, aiming to provide advocates for 175 additional youth by May 1, National Foster Care Awareness Month.
More than 6,000 children in Riverside County are expected to spend time in foster care this year.
Why it matters: CASA volunteers focus on one child or sibling group at a time, offering individualized advocacy that overloaded system professionals often cannot provide.
Social workers typically manage 25 to 35 families, attorneys represent 100 to 150 children, and judges oversee up to 700 cases.
The impact: In 2022, Voices for Children served 521 youth in Riverside County, its highest annual total to date.
The organization has expanded its physical presence to include offices in Palm Desert and Temecula.
What's next: Those interested in volunteering can find information sessions at speakupnow.org and select "Riverside County."
No special background is required to volunteer, as the organization provides comprehensive training.
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.
Have you met Houston? This sweet 2-year-old cat is a gentle soul looking for a calm, cat-savvy home where he can continue to build trust at his own pace. Houston enjoys cozy window perches and quiet napping spots. He might not be the first to seek out affection, but give him time and he’ll quietly steal your heart. If you’d like to give Houston his second chance, email fostercare@petsadoption.org to arrange a meeting.
ALUMNI UPDATE: George and Carrot have been adopted!
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
