
Friday Gazette: October 25, 2024
When I was a kid, Halloween was a one-day event. Now, it seems to be the start of an extended holiday season that starts in late August. This isnât a âthings were betterâ rant; I enjoy the festivity of it all.
There are so many things happening around town. Last weekend, thousands of families showed up at the Riverside Municipal Airport for Planes & Treats. This event has achieved tremendous success in only three short years. Congratulations to Limamo and the crew on another successful event. Your hard work is appreciated.
This weekend is packed with events and you can always keep up with on our calendar. If youâre looking to get out of the house and donât feel like bar crawling, check out the Poly vs. Arlington football game at RCC.
Another great event is the Mismiths at the UCR Barn, the event is all ages, costumes are encouraged, and dancing is required!

GOVERNMENT
City Council Approves Nonprofit Loan Fund, Despite Some Opposition
Nonprofit groups say the âNonprofit Resilience Fundâ will help address critical needs of residents. Critics argue âtaxpayer moneyâ is better used for public work improvements.

Riverside's city council voted 4-3 to establish a $2.8 million revolving loan fund for local nonprofits using federal American Rescue Plan Act money. The Inland Empire Community Foundation will administer the fund, providing loans of $150,000 to $200,000 to qualified organizations.
Driving the meeting: Supporters argue the fund will help nonprofits cover program costs and staffing, while opponents prefer using the money for infrastructure projects.
- The Nonprofit Resilience Fund aims to support 501(c)3 organizations based in or serving Riverside.
Why it matters: Local nonprofits face barriers in securing private investment and financing for growth, with many offering free or low-cost services to residents.
- The fund could provide financial relief for organizations struggling with reimbursement-based funding models.
The opposition: Some council members raised concerns about losing control over taxpayer dollars and the lack of a competitive bidding process.
- Councilmember Sean Mill emphasized the importance of transparency and avoiding the appearance of favoritism.
What's next: The city is expected to meet the federal deadline to allocate ARPA funding by year-end, with a requirement to spend the funds by 2026.
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COMMUNITY
Mission Inn Foundation Docents Prepare to Offer New Tours of Downtown
The docents are not back in the Inn but are still here to tell the city's story.

For the first time in a very long time, the Mission Inn Foundation will not be giving tours of the Inn this holiday season. The Mission Inn Hotel has replaced the Foundation's docents with newly hired tour guides. The Inn is still beautiful, holds aesthetic and historical value, and stands proudly at the physical and cultural center of downtown Riverside, but the experience and knowledge of the Mission Inn Foundation docents will not be there and can not be easily replaced.
If there is a bright side to the battle that ended in the eviction of the Museum and Foundation, it is that the docents have coalesced around their collective love of the city. Their love for downtown is bigger than the Inn, and the beauty of Downtown Riverside is much bigger than the Mission Inn.
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COMMUNITY
The Best of the Best Halloween Displays: 2024
These displays really get us into the spirit of spooky season.

Decorating for Halloween has become as much a part of the holiday season as Christmas lights. A comprehensive list would be a monumental task (with your help, we will get there), but here are a few houses around town that go big for the âBOOs.â
Read more, if you dare, or tell a friend, if they aren't easily scared...
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SPORTS
Sports Shorts: Riverside Girls Well Represented in Flag Football Playoffs
Winners of this weekendâs contests move on to CIF-SS Quarterfinals.

This is a football-heavy edition. With flag football in playoffs and high school boys' Varsity seasons in their final weeks, we look forward to the imminent start of college and high school basketball, the end of college and the beginning of high school soccer, and the start of spring sports. If thereâs a story you think needs attention in local sports, email me at Ken@raincrossgazette.com.
Girls Flag Football
Congratulations to the North, Norte Vista, Hillcrest, and King High girls' flag football teams for their first-round victories in the CIF-SS Playoffs. The second-round matchups will take place this Saturday. We will update you with the scores next Friday. Good luck!
- North at Moreno Valley 10/26 5pm
- La Serna at Norte Vista 10/26 5pm
- Hillcrest at San Clemente 10/26 5pm
- Etiwanda at King 10/26 5pm
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GOVERNMENT
Riverside Welcomes New Fire Chief Steve McKinster: A Leader with 29 Years of Experience
Riversideâs new fire chief was sworn in at the Fox Performing Arts Center, emphasizing service, honor, and courage, while the City Manager praised his leadership and community commitment.

Steve McKinster takes the helm as Riverside's new fire chief after 25 years with the department. He was sworn in Wednesday at the Fox Performing Arts Center, bringing 29 years of fire service experience to the role.
Driving the news: McKinster emerged as the top choice from a pool of 37 candidates in a national search, impressing city officials with his dedication to Riverside and understanding of community needs.
- City Manager Mike Futrell praised McKinster's selection, citing his leadership, management expertise, and professionalism.
Why it matters: The new chief's appointment signals continuity and growth for the Riverside Fire Department, with McKinster emphasizing the department's core values of service, honor, and courage.
- McKinster plans to focus on daily service while exploring future growth opportunities.
The big picture: McKinster's journey with the department spans over two decades, starting as a 20-year-old paramedic in 1995.
- His deep roots in the community and extensive experience position him well to lead the department forward.
What's next: The new chief aims to make a positive impact, ensuring the safety of both department members and the community while fostering a strong team environment.
- "We may not always agree, but we'll respect each other's opinions. That's what builds a strong team," McKinster said.
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Adoptable Pet of the Week
Meet Petunia!
Meet this weekâs 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.

Petunia is a two-year-old boxer who embraces life to the fullest, except when itâs nap time, of course. Sheâs always up for some fun, whether that means running in the yard, splashing in water, or playing fetch. Petunia has been the longest resident at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, waiting for her forever home for 22 months. You could change her life today by considering adoption. The Pet Adoption Center is open Wednesday through Monday, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Share Petuniaâs story with your friends and family to help her find her second chance. Visit petsadoption.org for more information on Petunia and other available pets.
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What's Happening in Riverside
Friday, October 25
- Bilingual Creative Writing Workshop at UCR
- Bridge Card Game at Calvary Presbyterian Church
- Candy Rush at Sandals Church Palm Ave
- Careers in Student Affairs Month Panel discussion at UCR
- Family Coloring at Casa Blanca Library
- GhostWalk: Nevermore at White Park
- Horror of Color Reading Group at UCR
- The Importance of Hispanic Heritage Month for the SOE at the University of California, Riverside
- Marcyâs Magic Storytime at 6927 Magnolia Ave
- The Murder Mystery Coâs Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory
- Musty Fishbowl Presents: Nuovo Testamento at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Obake Night: Japanese ghost stories with Barbara Wong at Heritage House
- Recovery Meetings at UCR
- Riverside Fright Night Halloween Bar Crawl at Killer Queens Social House
- RIVERSIDE HALLOWEEN BAR CRAWL at Downtown Riverside
- Riverside Sunrise Rotary at Zacatecas Mexican Cafe
- Tech Help: Digital Drop-In at Arlington Library
- UCR Recovery Meetings Fall 2024 at UCR
- Wait Until Dark at Riverside Community Players
- Youth Archery (7-16-year-olds) at UCR
Saturday, October 26
- The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Pink Floydâs Dark Side Of The Moon at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Writing Boxes at Arlington Library
- CBU Womenâs Soccer vs GCU Senior Night at California Baptist University Soccer Stadium
- Digital Capture Opening Reception at UCR
- Downtown Certified Farmers Market at Main Street at 5th
- Family Chess Club at Arlington Library
- FREE Fix-It Fair at Raincross District
- HALLOWEEN PARTY w/ Past Action Heroes - Hits from the 80âs & 90s! at The Concert Lounge
- LA SANTA GRIFA with DHARIUS Plus Guests at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Main Library: Family Storytime with Craft at Main Library
- The Official Halloween Bar Crawl at Lake Alice Trading Co.
- Official Riverside Halloween Bar Crawl at Killer Queens Social House
- Paws & Pumpkins at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
- Pink on Parade Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at RYAN BONAMINIO PARK
- RIVERSIDE ZOMBIE CRAWL - Halloween Bar Crawl at Downtown Riverside
- Tea with the Undertaker at Heritage House
- Tiny Tots - Saturdays at UCR
- Womenâs Volleyball vs. UC Irvine at UCR
Halloween Events
- October 25: GhostWalk: Nevermore at White Park
- October 25: Obake Night: Japanese ghost stories with Barbara Wong at Heritage House
- October 25: Riverside Fright Night Halloween Bar Crawl at Killer Queens Social House
- October 25: RIVERSIDE HALLOWEEN BAR CRAWL at Downtown Riverside
- October 26: HALLOWEEN PARTY w/ Past Action Heroes - Hits from the â80s & 90s! at The Concert Lounge
- October 26: The Official Halloween Bar Crawl at Lake Alice Trading Co.
- October 26: Official Riverside Halloween Bar Crawl at Killer Queens Social House
- October 26: Paws & Pumpkins at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
- October 26: RIVERSIDE ZOMBIE CRAWL - Halloween Bar Crawl at Downtown Riverside
- October 26: Tea with the Undertaker at Heritage House
- October 31: Kittyâs Halloween Rave at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- October 31: Mismiths & Halloween Costume Party at The Barn
- November 2: Emo Prom at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
- November 2&3: Riverside Day of the Dead at Market Street between 14th and Mission Inn
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