🍊 Friday Gazette: November 15, 2024

Early Evening Downtown. (Ken Crawford)

Friday Gazette: November 15, 2024

I've been fighting a cough for a few weeks. I've been to the doctor and have determined it's annoying but not dangerous. I've been feeling a bit better the last couple of days and am looking forward to getting out of the house this weekend.

As I age, I've become more of a morning person, but I still love the feeling of being out at night. This weekend, I plan on heading over to the Hideaway on University to check out Vicky Tafoya and The Big Beat. Vicky and her Penrose/Daptone label mates have been making quite a splash in the music scene over the last few years, and teenagers have even been listening to the feel-good Soul and Rock n' Roll.

Come hang out and have a drink. You may get the blues but won't be sad you came.


TRANSPORTATION

Transportation Commission Explores Express Lane Expansion into Riverside County

The proposed plan would convert HOV lanes and add new lanes on the 91, 215, and 60 freeways in Riverside County to create a toll network.

Traffic heading through downtown Riverside on the 91 FWY.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is exploring a study to create toll lanes on major highways in the region. The project could involve converting existing high-occupancy vehicle lanes and adding new lanes on the 91, 215, and 60 freeways.

Driving the news: RCTC officials presented the potential study to the Riverside City Council's Mobility and Infrastructure Committee, seeking support before proceeding with feasibility work.

  • The study would examine converting HOV lanes on SR-91 through Riverside to express lanes and potentially adding a second express lane in each direction.

Why it matters: Express lanes could provide a reliable travel option and help fund other transportation improvements.

  • The existing 91 Express Lanes in Corona have generated revenue to support other projects.

The cost: The study would take about 18 months and cost several million dollars, according to RCTC officials.

Mixed reactions: City council members expressed concerns about potential costs to drivers and questioned how converting existing lanes would alleviate congestion.

What's next: RCTC officials will use the committee's feedback to determine the next steps for the potential study.

  • If approved, any actual construction of new express lanes would likely be years away, pending environmental review and funding.

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SPORTS

Sports Shorts: Lancers Draw Bruins for First Round of NCAA Tournament

CBU Women are headed to Westwood for a challenging match against #2 UCLA.

CBU Women’s Soccer earns NCAA tournament Spot against UCLA. (Courtesy CBU Athletics)

CBU Soccer

Mixed news for Lancers Soccer. The Men's WAC Tournament win streak ended with a 3-1 loss to Seattle University. Look for standout underclassmen Stavros Charalampous and goalkeeper Hugo De Rego to return next season to help lead the Lancers to another great soccer campaign.

The Women's Soccer program won the WAC Tournament and earned the conference's automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament. In the opening round of tournament play, they will face #2-ranked UCLA in Westwood. That match can be viewed tonight, November 15, on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. Let's go, Lancers!

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ART & ENTERTAINMENT

Vicky Tafoya and The Big Beat Headline the Hideaway

Local Soul and Rock N’ Roll show makes for a feel-good night on University Avenue.

Photo of mural by Mano Mirande. (Matt Beld, Courtesy of Penrose Record Room)

Vicky Tafoya is a soul singer in the purest sense. Her voice is the kind that punches through your chest, kicks your heart, and then shakes your spine until every hair on your body knows who owns the room at that moment. She’s got a few different things going on, but this Saturday night, at the Hideaway on University, Vicky brings The Big Beat, a 1950s doo-wop and rock-n-roll inspired band, for a hometown show that should not be missed.

Vicky is reason enough, but this show is stacked. Christina Jean and the Howlers bring the 1960s garage rock vibe as openers. A local band with lots of talent playing rowdy rock to make you feel like dancing. Also playing is Cold Cut, a Southern California Soul band that is extra smooth. It’s the silky, soft, “I love you, baby” type of music that makes everyone feel good.

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ART & ENTERTAINMENT

Digital Capture at UCR Arts is a Multimedia Exploration of Digital Art

The show highlights the techniques and philosophies of digital art and its connection to Southern California.

Portable God, Nam Jun Paik. (Ken Crawford)

In 2024, digital art is everywhere. We have the ability to record and manipulate still and moving images, draw and paint, and even generate elaborate art by having a conversation with a device that most of us have with us all the time. This wasn't the case just 50 years ago. Digital art existed but was limited by access to huge machines that were very expensive and required special skills to use.

Digital Capture: Southern California and the Pixel-Based Image World, the current exhibition at UCR Arts, explores the short history of digital art from complex formulas generating simple images to advanced interfaces that blur the line between who and what the creators are. The exhibition is appealing on so many levels. The ties to the origins of digital art and Southern California's place in the computer revolution that took place during the Cold War.

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Obi!

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.

Say “hi” to the handsome Obi. This charming two-year-old has it all – fetching good looks and a personality that can’t be beat. Obi is up for any adventure or outing that is on your agenda. Whether you’re hiking a nearby trail, walking around your neighborhood, or just cruising in the car, Obi will eagerly join you for it all. He’s also great at making friends with other dogs. Obi has been waiting for his new home since August. Visit petsadoption.org  for more information on Nala and other available pets.


Noteworthy

Watch the CBU Women’s Soccer team face off against the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA Tournament tonight at 6 PM on ESPN+. 

The Mission Inn Foundation will hold a Grand Opening for their new space this Sunday at 2 PM. The location is 3750 Market, situated between University and Mission Inn Ave.

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