Sunday Gazette: December 14, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday!
This is my final message about our year-end campaign before we update you with final results tomorrow. 65 of you have become new paid supporters since Sunday; that's 26% toward our goal of 253. Thank you!
I launched our first year-end campaign two years ago to help us "hire the first new reporter exclusively dedicated to covering Riverside in nearly a decade." Readers contributed $11,375 toward that goal and I hired Ken Crawford.
"But wait, Justin, that math isn't math-ing!"
Right, $11,375 isn't enough to cover the salary of a full-time reporter...
Shortly after that first campaign fell short of its goal, I accepted a contract with a multi-billion dollar company that provided significant guaranteed revenue for three years to help hire our first reporter. The catch? We had to regularly use and test their AI tools. It seemed reasonable—until it wasn't. That contract pushed us toward publishing content that didn't serve Riverside.
So I terminated the contract. I walked away from tens of thousands in guaranteed revenue because it was compromising the work I am try to do for Riverside. Unfortunately, that has also meant transitioning Ken from a full-time to a freelance role while I rebuild a sustainable financial foundation (he's got an exciting personal update to share with you later this week) for this newsroom.
This experience taught me a critical lesson: community support isn't just ONE way to fund local journalism. It's the ONLY way that protects it. When readers support us directly, we answer to you—not to corporate contracts, not to tech companies, not to anyone who might compromise what we want to cover or how we cover it.
That's why Lindy and I invested the last of our savings this summer—to keep building with the right foundation.
That's the harder path. That's the right path. That's the path 65 of you joined us on this week. Thank you, truly, thank you.
If The Raincross Gazette has given you helpful news coverage of your city, if our calendar has introduced you to events you wouldn't have known about, if our reporting has helped you stay connected to Riverside—will you join us on this path?
- If you're reading for free: Can you become a paid member starting at $5/month?
- If you're already a paid member: Can you upgrade your membership or switch to annual? Either move makes a real difference.
Your support builds the newsroom Riverside deserves. A strong Raincross Gazette means a strong Riverside.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for supporting. Thank you for believing Riverside deserves this.
PS. If you're not ready for a monthly commitment, you can also make a one-time contribution.
COMMUNITY
Sweet Fridays: Meals on Wheels and Riverside Cookie Shoppe Hit 100,000-Cookie Milestone
Partnership between nonprofit and bakery brings weekly joy to homebound seniors, with volunteers reporting "tears of joy" on cookie delivery days.
Meals on Wheels and Riverside Cookie Shoppe delivered their 100,000th cookie to homebound seniors — turning "Sweet Friday" into the most anticipated day of the week.
Why it matters: The partnership that began in winter 2023 does more than feed people — it combats senior isolation. RMOW now has zero waiting list and the best client retention in years, with volunteers requesting Friday deliveries because "the joy is in the air."
How it works:
- Cookie Shoppe donates day-old cookies every Thursday (plus extra batches when needed)
- 150 volunteers deliver cookies with Friday meals
- Seniors like Mrs. Guthrie bite into cookies at the door; Mr. Carlos jokes they "need a friend"
By the numbers: RMOW delivered 37,000+ meals this year to disabled and homebound Riverside residents.
What they're saying: "Our cookies are a source of nostalgia, a part of our hearts and home," says owner Crystal Gomez, who continued the donation tradition from previous owner Nicky.
The bottom line: "When we give wholeheartedly, we're always going to get back more than we give," Crystal says — a philosophy feeding both bodies and spirits.
Read and share the complete story...
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SPORTS
Games of the Week: December 14-20
It's a hectic time of year but maybe a night at the basketball arena with some nachos is a perfect break from shopping. We are butting up against Christmas break for both college and high school athletics but there are plenty of incredible events this week.
Riverside Diving Invite
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 14-15 at Riverside Aquatics Complex (RCC campus)
The Riverside Aquatics Complex hosts a major diving invitational this weekend featuring UCLA and other top programs. The Olympic-sized venue at 4800 Magnolia Ave on the RCC campus includes four 1-meter springboards, four 3-meter springboards, and platforms at 3, 5, 7.5, and 10 meters—it's one of the premier diving facilities in the region.
Harvard-Westlake at Arlington
Monday, Dec. 15, 5:30 PM, Varsity Boys Soccer
Kevin Watson's Arlington squad opens their season against Harvard-Westlake. Watson is dynasty-building at Arlington and remains a tireless advocate for soccer excellence in both CIF and club soccer spaces. The Lions are looking to dominate again and make another run at Open Division CIF play. Tickets
Ramona at Poly
Monday, Dec. 15, 5 p.m., Varsity Boys Soccer
Ramona travels to Poly for boys soccer action. Tickets
Poly at King
Monday, Dec. 15, 6:15 PM, Varsity Boys Basketball
Poly (5-5) travels to face King (10-4) in boys basketball. King has been strong out of the gate this season. Tickets
UC San Diego at CBU
Monday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m., Women's Basketball at CBU Events Center
The Lancers host UC San Diego in Big West action. CBU returned from a grueling road trip with mixed results but there was a lot more by which to be encouraged than there was to be worried. CBU basketball games can be streamed on ESPN+. Tickets
Stanton University at UCR
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m., Men's Basketball
The Highlanders return home to host Stanton as they continue their non-conference schedule. UCR basketball games can be streamed on ESPN+. Tickets
Sacramento State at CBU
Friday, Dec. 20, 5 p.m., Men's Basketball at CBU Events Center (Holiday Series)
The Lancers close out the pre-Christmas schedule with a Holiday Series matchup against Sacramento State. CBU basketball games can be streamed on ESPN+. Tickets
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CREATIVE PROMPTS
Time Stamped
A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
This week, we shift our attention from the record of past transactions to the relentless marker of the future: the watch. I’m talking about the timepiece we wear, the one that lives on our wrist or resides in a pocket, the kind that exists solely to keep track of time, separate from the distraction of a phone. A watch with hands, a simple digital readout, or a classic pocket watch—any will do.
Our relationship with time is complex and deeply personal. Pay too close attention to the clock, we feel its pressure; ignore it when it matters, we pay the price. Yet, releasing our constant observation of time when it doesn’t matter is a powerful creative choice.
Awareness of time’s passing depends on the task we are doing and our state of mind. Time flies when we are engrossed in a creative task and drags when we are waiting for inspiration to arrive. I notice my sense of time changing as I get older; it seems to accelerate, the minutes shrinking into moments. But that acceleration is okay if I can use the awareness of time passing to nudge me into a more creative, intentional space.
Read and share the complete prompt...
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This Week in Riverside
Sunday, December 14
- Victorian Christmas Open House at Heritage House
- 46th Annual Riverside Messiah Sing In at Riverside Stake Center, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
- BPM Vocal Holiday Showcase at The Box Theater
- English Country Dance at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
- Ugly Christmas Headbands at Marcy Library
Monday, December 15
- Assistance League Thrift Shop Accepting Donations at Assistance League Riverside Thrift Shop
- Speak with Impact: Public Speaking Mastery Workshop in Riverside, CA at Regus- Turner Riverwalk
- UC San Diego Women's Basketball at CBU
Tuesday, December 16
- Passing on a Wealth of Wisdom - Family Legacy Workshop at Virtual
- Riverside County Board of Supervisors Meeting at County Administrative Center
- ScotSurplus Public Sale at ScotSurplus, UCR Corporation Yard
Wednesday, December 17
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- Melting Snowman Tealight Ornament at Marcy Library
- Mix & Mist: Build Your Own Scent at Thompson Brewing Co.
- Jazz Ensembles Concert at Riverside City College
- Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church
- Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
Thursday, December 18
- 27th Annual Nuestra Navidad Breakfast at Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center
- Plant Exchange at the Marcy Library at Marcy Library
- Lego Day at Marcy Library at Marcy Library
Friday, December 19
- CM Wolf & the Backbones, Javi & the High Shooters and Los Lonely Stars at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
Saturday, December 20
- Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
- Animal Kids Camp - Special Sessions: Vet for a Day at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center ($50)
- Chiodos - All's Well That Ends Well 20 Year Anniversary at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Historic Churches of Downtown Riverside at Downtown Riverside
- Holiday Celebration at Riverside Plaza at Riverside Plaza
- Inland Pacific Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker at Fox Performing Arts Center ($40 - $125)
- Led Zeppelin Tribute by Zeppelin Revisited at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
- Natural Building Workshops at Land Use Learning Center
Save the Date
- December 24: Christmas Eve Celebration at First Congregational Church of Riverside
- January 3: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
🗓️ See More Events 📝 Submit Your Event
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🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.
