Tuesday Gazette: August 4, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! It's Hooray for Kids Day, a nice excuse to notice the young ones in your life — the kid who narrates their entire day to you in the checkout line, the one who's convinced a cardboard box is actually a spaceship. And if someone comes to mind who pours their heart into fundraising or volunteering for a cause, nominate them for Neighbor of the Week.
See you tomorrow!
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COMMUNITY
Latino Network Weighs Path Forward for César Chávez Memorial
Months after Dolores Huerta's abuse allegations against the labor leader, the nonprofit is surveying the community on the downtown statue's future.
The Riverside Latino Network is surveying the community on whether to keep, modify or remove its César Chávez memorial.
Why it matters: The push follows Dolores Huerta's March statement alleging Chávez sexually abused her in the 1960s — reopening debate over how Riverside honors him, including a separate city review of a University Avenue community center.
The backstory: Huerta, 95, alleged in a March statement that Chávez abused her in the 1960s, resulting in two children raised by other families.
- Chávez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Huerta, died in 1993; the network says the allegations "rocked our community."
Driving the news: The network's July 29 statement described a wave of reactions — anger, sadness, confusion — as it works to decide the memorial's fate.
- Board member Art Alcaraz says the group is being "deliberate and intentional," noting the statue took three and a half years to fund.
By the numbers: The 2013 memorial cost between $350,000 and $400,000 to build, funded through years of community fundraising.
- A majority of respondents so far favor keeping the memorial but broadening it to honor farmworkers generally, rather than centering Chávez alone, Alcaraz said.
What's next: The network has asked the memorial's original sculptor to draft concepts honoring farmworkers, then plans another public survey before a final decision.
- Any changes require new fundraising — no timeline has been set.
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MUSIC
Mariachi Campana Becomes First California Ensemble to Win Nationals
The Riverside Arts Academy ensemble took the 2026 Mariachi Nationals title in Anaheim after a strong spring showing at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference.
Mariachi Campana de Riverside became the first California ensemble to win the Mariachi Nationals championship.
Why it matters: The Riverside Arts Academy youth ensemble's win puts the city's mariachi programs in the national spotlight, highlighting years of investment in youth music education here.
What's new: Mariachi Campana topped this week's Mariachi Nationals competition in Anaheim, the first title for a California ensemble in the contest's history.
- The group is directed by Alex Treviño II, with assistant directors Yamila de la Rosa and Angel Chavez.
Driving the news: The win follows a third-place finish this spring at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference — the best showing by a California ensemble there, according to the academy.
What they're saying: Academy leaders credited community investment in young people.
- Treviño called it "far more than a trophy," in a statement; executive and artistic director Adam Karelin-Anderson said it shows "what is possible" when a community backs its youth.
What's next: The ensemble performed a Command Performance at the OC Fair alongside Embajadores del Mariachi: Sol de MĂ©xico, according to the academy.
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This Week in Riverside
Today
- ScotSurplus Sale at Corporation Yard
- Karaoke Tuesday Competition at The Hideaway
Tomorrow
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- How Will California Educate Its Future Workforce? at Riverside Convention Center
- The Wonders of Waste with Riverside Public Works at Cactus Cantina
Save the Date
- August 7: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- August 8: Casino Night with CARE at Riverside Airport Cafe ($50)
- August 8: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- August 8: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- August 10: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- September 9: Beginning Square Dance Lessons with Line Dancing at Cowtown Square Dance Center
- October 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
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🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.