Friday Gazette: September 19, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! This Saturday the Mucho Gusto festival brings music without borders to our city, a celebration of culture, community, and connection. The lineup is packed: Tropa Magica brings psychedelic cumbia-punk heat as this year’s headliner, Combo Chimbita channels the cosmic power of the Colombian diaspora, and Brainstory, rooted in Rialto soul and brotherhood, keeps the Inland Empire spirit alive. Riverside’s own El Santo Golpe rounds it out with Afro-Latin rhythms and hometown pride. And that’s just the start—there’s so much more to experience. Get your tickets, grab your friends and step into a weekend of music, movement and joy!

COMMUNITY

Annual DeaFestival Returns to City Hall Sept. 20

Free cultural celebration marks 26 years of building community awareness.

The Deaf Community of Riverside is hosting its 26th Annual DeaFestival, a free event coinciding with International Week of the Deaf. The festival aims to promote human rights through sign languages and increase awareness of Deaf culture and achievements.

Driving the news: The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall's breezeway, offering a platform for the Deaf community to showcase their culture and advocate for their rights.

• The festival features American Sign Language performances, Deaf-owned business vendors, food offerings, and family activities.

Why it matters: The DeaFestival provides an opportunity for attendees to explore Deaf culture and heritage, learn about sign language as a human right, and discover local resources.

• It also raises awareness about the need for improved access to education and technology for the Deaf community.

The bottom line: The event serves as a celebration of Deaf culture and a platform for education, bringing together both Deaf and hearing individuals to foster understanding and inclusivity.

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GOVERNMENT

City Council Targets False Emergency Calls with New Fee Structure

Ordinance allows charges for repeated false alarms while protecting legitimate callers.

City officials gain new authority to charge fees for repeated false emergency calls. The City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the false alarm ordinance, addressing concerns about neighbors weaponizing the 911 system.

Driving the news: Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes highlighted instances where police responded to nonexistent parties in Ward 2 neighborhoods due to false reports.

• The measure aims to target individuals making false calls, not innocent property owners.

Why it matters: The amendment addresses costly patterns of frivolous lawsuits and false emergency calls, potentially saving city resources.

• Officials estimate significant expenses related to unnecessary legal proceedings and emergency responses.

How it works: The fire department will develop implementation guidelines, focusing on education before enforcement.

• Each case will be reviewed individually to ensure fair application of fees.

What's next: City staff will track patterns of false alarms and emergency calls to identify legitimate enforcement opportunities while avoiding overreach.

• An appeals process will be established to protect residents who may be unfairly targeted.

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GOVERNMENT

City Council Cuts Budget Engagement Commission in Half to Fix Quorum Problems

Chronic meeting cancellations prompt reduction from 18 to 9 members.

City Council unanimously approved reducing the Budget Engagement Commission from 18 to 9 members, addressing persistent meeting cancellations that have hindered the advisory body's work.

Driving the news: Eight of nine commission meetings were canceled over a 24-month period due to lack of quorum, crippling the group's ability to advise on budget matters and gather community input.

• The reduction takes effect immediately, aiming to create a more manageable group that can meet regularly.

Why it matters: Many cities struggle with volunteer boards where members juggle civic duties with other commitments. Riverside hopes the smaller size will increase meeting probability and provide meaningful budget oversight.

What's next: The city has not announced how it will handle the transition or whether current members must reapply for the nine available positions.

• The change could serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges with volunteer commissions.

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Victor!

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.

Meet Victor, he’s the total package. Sweet, playful, curious, handsome and gentle, he’s all that and more. He loves going for walks (and is great on a leash) and gets along well with kids. Victor also enjoys toys, tennis balls and playing in water.

He’s been waiting for his new home for two months, and we can’t believe it. With an awesome personality, dog-next-door good looks and a winning smile, Victor is a prime catch.

Come meet Victor 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.

Noteworthy

UC Riverside surged 29 spots to No. 50 nationally in Washington Monthly's 2025 rankings, placing 15th among 1,421 universities for student access and 12th for Pell enrollment performance.

A LA Times De Los article highlights how The Cheech showcases emerging Inland Empire artists through its community gallery, with Cheech Marin purchasing local works as the museum fulfills his vision of sparking a regional Chicano art renaissance.

Taco Station celebrates its 20th anniversary on Mission Inn Avenue with 20% off all menu items throughout the day on Friday, September 20, 2025.

What's Happening in Riverside

Friday, September 19

• Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels, Inc
• Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful Business Closet at Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
• Clean Campus Competition Art Contest at Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
• Arlington Library| Propagation Station Debut: Plant Swap at Arlington Library
• Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
• Downtown Riverside Haunted Tours Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Tour Starts In front of Eliza Tibbets Statue ($39.19)
• Free Conservation Services for Farmers at Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District
• Labor of Love: Our Power is Our People at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• The Emo Night Tour - (18+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
• Noche de Cumbia in Riverside! at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge

Saturday, September 20

• Blue Zones Project Riverside: Mindful Movement Moai at Zhu Strength Downtown Studio
• IE Alumni Street Cleanup at University Ave.
• Ward 5 Beautification Project at Arlington Park
• Coastal Cleanup Day at Martha McLean-Anza Narrows Park
• DeaFestival 2025 at Riverside City Hall breezeway
• D'Elia's Grinders 70th Anniversary Celebration at D'Elia's Grinders
• Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
• Historic Churches of Downtown Riverside at The Chinese Pavilion ($21.20)
• Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead ($21.20)
• Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20)
• Bill Burr Live at Fox Performing Arts Center

Sunday, September 21

• Cars & Coffee at The Historic Riverside Auto Center
• Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
• Rise Against Hunger packing event at Magnolia Presbyterian church
• Plant Pop Up Shop at UCR Botanic Gardens
• National Hobbit Day | Film & Wreath Craft at Marcy Library
• English Country Dance at First United Methodist Church of Riverside

Save the Date 

• September 24: Beginning Square Dance Lessons with Line Dancing at Cowtown Square Dance Center ($5- $7)
• September 26: Concert Under the Stars at Private Residence ($200)
• 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)

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