Friday Gazette: September 26, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out our Community Calendar for live theater, spooky haunted tours, book tastings and more. From the Full Circle Players’ Fall Repertory Productions to Downtown Haunted Tours and the Book Buffet at the Main Library, there’s plenty happening in our great City to make your weekend memorable!
See you Sunday!
EDUCATION
New Eastside Elementary School Breaks Ground on Promises Kept to Community
Ofelia Valdez-Yeager Eastside Elementary School represents decades of community advocacy, funded through Measure O bonds.
Officials and community members gathered Thursday to break ground on the Ofelia Valdez-Yeager Eastside Elementary School, marking a milestone 60 years after the Lowell School arson highlighted educational inequities in the neighborhood.
Driving the news: The new school represents Riverside Unified School District's commitment to educational equity across underserved areas, funded by Measure O bonds championed by Valdez-Yeager.
- The campus will be built at 14th Street and Park Avenue, serving families in the surrounding Eastside neighborhood.
Why it matters: The groundbreaking symbolizes progress from the 1965 Lowell School burning, which became a symbol of educational challenges facing the predominantly Latino community.
- It follows the recent opening of Casa Blanca Elementary as part of the district's equity initiative.
The big picture: RUSD is expanding access to modern facilities in historically underserved areas, addressing long-standing community needs for neighborhood-based elementary education.
- Construction is expected to continue through the coming months, with efforts to minimize disruption to local traffic patterns.
What they're saying: "This school represents promises kept to the Eastside neighborhood," said Brent Lee, president of the RUSD board of education.
What's next: The district will continue working on ensuring all students from all neighborhoods receive quality educational facilities.
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COMMUNITY
Riverside Students Invited to Submit Art for City Cleanup T-shirt Contest
Middle and high schoolers have until Dec. 19 to enter Clean Campus Competition.
Middle and high school students in Riverside have until Dec. 19 to submit artwork for the city's 2026 Greatest American Cleanup event T-shirt design contest. The winning design will be featured on shirts worn during the citywide cleanup effort coinciding with America's 250th birthday celebration.
Driving the news: Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful (KRCB) is accepting submissions for its Clean Campus Competition Art Contest, open to students in grades 7-12 attending school within Riverside.
- The contest aims to foster creativity, environmental pride, and community ownership among students.
Why it matters: The competition connects student artistry with civic engagement, promoting community values and environmental responsibility.
- The winning design will be prominently displayed during a major citywide event.
The details: Students must submit original artwork related to KRCB's mission along with an artist statement explaining their creative intent.
- Entries will be judged on theme interpretation, creativity, connection to KRCB's mission, artist statement quality, and design transferability for printing.
The prize: The winner receives a $100 gift certificate, social media recognition, and honors at the Greatest American Cleanup reception.
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Adoptable Pet of the Week
Meet Woody!
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.
Woody is a shy but sweet 9-month-old pup with plenty of puppy playfulness and a love for adventure! Since arriving in July, he's watched his siblings find their homes, and now it's his turn to shine. Woody loves swimming, romping in the play yard, and making new furry friends, though he can be a little jumpy with excitement. With his joyful spirit, love of treats, and easygoing nature on walks, he's ready to bring fun and love to the right family.
Come meet Woody and all the adoptable pets at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
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What's Happening in Riverside
Friday, September 26
- Concert Under the Stars at Private Residence ($200)
- Men's Soccer vs. CBU at UCR Soccer Stadium
- Infest at Riverside Municipal Auditorium- Garden Room
- The Messer Chups, Mad Marge and Thee Toe Tags at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
Saturday, September 27
- Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead ($21.20)
- Hispanic Heritage Month | Ojo de Dios at Marcy Library
- Tragic Endings, Ghostly Meal, & Tour at A Historic (haunted) Victorian mansion in Riverside ($75.00)
- Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
- Don Hertzfeldt's Animation Mixtape at Culver Center of the Arts
- Natalia ARAZI at Temple Beth El Riverside ($30- $35)
- Psychobilly legends The Quakes at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ($23.18)
- Show Closing at Riverside Community Arts Association Gallery
- Riverside Electric Light Parade Monthly Ride Experience at 4050 Main Street
- Riverside Oktoberfest 2025 at Killer Queens Social House
- UC San Diego Cross Country at UC Riverside Invitational at UCR
- UC San Diego Men's Water Polo vs Biola at UCR
- University of San Francisco Cross Country vs UC Riverside Invitational at UCR
Sunday, September 28
- Beauty & The Bag Brunch at Sassy Gal Beauty
- Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Downtown Riverside Haunted Tours Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Tour Starts In front of Eliza Tibbets Statue ($39.19)
- Cutest Pet Contest at the Marcy Library at Marcy Library
- Folds of Identity: Storytelling Through Origami at Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California
- Free Christian Art Exhibit: Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
- Full Circle Players Fall Repertory Productions at The Box Riverside ($22- $25)
- Don Hertzfeldt's Animation Mixtape at Culver Center of the Arts
Save the Date
- October 2: Full Circle Players Fall Repertory Productions at The Box Riverside ($22- $25)
- October 3: Watch Party: "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones at Heritage House
- October 4: Tombstone Cinema: Hocus Pocus 2 at Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery ($15.00)
- October 5: Free Christian Art Exhibit: Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
- October 5: Local History Book Fair and Silent Auction at Riverside City Hall
- October 6: Moon Festival at Heritage House
- October 15: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
- October 18: Pink on Parade Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at Ryan Bonaminio Park ($22.20 - $32.80)
- October 18: The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Rideat Riverside Plaza ($15- $80)
- October 25: Aquamotion Aquathon at Shamel Park Pool
- October 25: Friends of the Mission Inn Present: Nosferatu - a Silent Movie at The Mission Inn ($30- $35)
- November 15: NORA's 44th Annual Dinner & Auction Gala at Victoria Club ($175)
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