Latest pic of me wondering how I’ll fit it all in this weekend. Also hiding in one of this week’s stories—can you spot me? (Ken Crawford)
Monday Gazette: April 28, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday!
Mondays aren’t my normal day to start off the newsletter. So, if we’re going to do things differently … the guy in the photo above is a new friend of mine. He hangs out at one of the coolest spots in Riverside. If you’d like to know where he’s hiding, look for him in a different photo from one of the stories in this newsletter. If you find him, you’ll know where to go.
Today is Read a Poem Day. Poetry is what sparked my love for language and words. As a kid, my parents read Shel Silverstein to me. As I began to read on my own, I read and re-read those poems hundreds of times, and the sense of humor and whimsy became very important to me. The idea that choosing a single word over another could make something funny is something I still think about often.
This is one of the poems I most remember from my childhood. It’s a tribute to the incoming summer and to my new friend in the photo above.
IT’S HOT
by Shel Silverstein
It’s hot! I can’t get cool, I’ve drunk a quart of lemonade. I think I’ll take my shoes off And sit around in the shade. It’s hot! My back is sticky. The sweat rolls down my chin. I think I’ll take my clothes off And sit around in my skin. It’s hot! I’ve tried with ’lectric fans, And pools and ice cream cones. I think I’ll take my skin off And sit around in my bones. It’s still hot!
City Council will weigh interim city attorney picks. The Housing Committee will review Safe Parking pilot details and a proposal to turn a University Ave hotel into affordable studios for people experiencing homelessness.
Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worthy of your attention in the next week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about.
City Council
City Council will meet in a special closed session on Tuesday, Apr. 29, at 3:30 p.m. (agenda)to consider candidates for appointment to the role of Interim City Attorney, currently filled by Jack Liu.
Housing and Homelessness Committee
The Housing and Homelessness Committee (Councilmembers Cervantesm, Mill, and Robillard) meets on Monday, Apr. 28, at 3:30 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Consider a Safe Parking Pilot Program that would provide 20 overnight parking spaces for vehicle-dwelling families with school-enrolled children; this proposal follows the Committee's January discussion of the concept and request for City staff to bring a detailed proposal.
Approving a joint application with Riverside Housing Development Corporation for $35 million in state Homekey+ Program funds to convert a 114-room motel (1590 University Ave.) into affordable studio apartments with support services that would provide stable housing for homeless individuals, including veterans and those with disabilities.
Board of Public Utilities
The Board of Public Utilities meets on Monday, Apr. 28, at 6:30 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Considering $2.5 million in agreements with Southern California Gas Company to provide free energy efficiency upgrades to income-qualified residents.
Considering a $16.4 million budget adjustment that increases spending on personnel and infrastructure without raising customer rates
Approving a $3.67 million contract with Tetra Tech, Inc. to design and oversee construction of PFAS removal technology at the Palmyrita Water Treatment Plant to ensure Riverside's drinking water meets new federal safety standards by the 2029 deadline.
Board of Ethics
The Board of Ethics Commission meets on Thursday, May 1, at 5:00 p.m. (agenda) for a presentation on term limits for board and commission members and to review the City's ethics complaint filing requirements.
“Lead with Joy”: Ari Shapiro Shares Stories and Wisdom with Riverside
The All Things Considered co-host brought humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom to the University Theatre stage, sharing stories from the field and lessons for a life well-lived.
Ari Shapiro, co-host of National Public Radio’s news program All Things Considered, thrilled a sold-out audience at the University of California, Riverside’s University Theatre last Monday evening with stories and advice for life.
This year’s Hays Press-Enterprise Lecturer, Shapiro started with a tribute to Riverside Press-Enterprise editor Howard H. “Tim” Hays, who started the 56-year-old tradition in collaboration with UCR. The award-winning journalist cited the vision of Hays, who funded the first lectures, as well as his son, Tom, who endowed the series in perpetuity in 1997.
Hidden Gem in Riverside Makes STEM Accessible to Youth
Innovation center offers affordable technology programs while turning screen-obsessed kids into creators.
The lobby at Bourns Youth Innovation Center. (Ken Crawford)
The Bourns Youth Innovation Center at Arlington Park is revolutionizing STEM education for local children, providing low-cost access to advanced technology and classes.
Driving the news: The center, run by Riverside Parks and Recreation, offers robotics camps for $150 per week, significantly less than similar programs elsewhere.
The facility features 3D printers, laser engravers, and recording equipment available to members after a free introductory session.
Why it matters: The center aims to make STEM accessible to at-risk populations, potentially opening career paths for young people.
Three students from nearby Liberty Elementary gained admission to the STEM Academy after joining the center's after-school program.
The big picture: Despite its impact, many residents remain unaware of the center's existence and offerings.
Summer camps are filled to capacity, and innovative programs like the city's first aquaponics garden for Parks and Recreation are available.
By the numbers: Annual memberships range from $17.25 for youth, seniors, and military members to $79 for families.
Go deeper: For more information about classes, memberships, or facility hours, call 951-826-8782 or visit rivreg.org.
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