Thursday Gazette: December 18, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! Today is National Bake Cookies Day: the perfect excuse to preheat your oven and fill your kitchen with the smell of butter, sugar, and vanilla.
If baking isn't your thing, support a local bakery instead. And if you haven't tried the Riverside cookie at the Riverside Cookie Shoppe—Riverside history (oranges) meets dark chocolate—you are seriously missing out.
See you tomorrow!
HEALTH
How to Have a Blue Zones Holiday
Blue Zones Project Riverside's Erin Edwards on moving naturally, fighting loneliness, and finding purpose this season.
Blue Zones Project Riverside's executive director says the holiday season offers natural chances to build longevity habits—if you know where to look.
Why it matters: The Power 9 practices that help people live longer get harder to maintain during holiday chaos, but small tweaks to family traditions can preserve them.
Move naturally—even when routines break: Park farther from Festival of Lights crowds, walk to downtown events, or hike Sycamore Canyon with visiting family.
"Friends at Five" beats "Wine at Five": The longevity benefit comes from daily social connection, not alcohol. If you drink, do it moderately—and get home safely using rideshare or RTA's free New Year's fares.
For the lonely, start with one person: Find groups around shared interests at Back to the Grind's open mics, Janet Goeske Senior Center's knitting circles, or Inlandia's writing workshops. Some Riverside churches host "Blue Christmas" services acknowledging grief.
Between the lines: Executive Director Erin Edwards said a recent cooking demo became "less a demonstration and more an exchange" when attendees shared their own pozole tips—exactly the intergenerational connection Blue Zones promotes.
What's next: Instead of New Year's resolutions, Edwards suggests asking: What do you want to keep, cut, or add? And what's the smallest version you can do in your hardest week?
Read and share the complete story... (4 min. read)
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ART
Riverside Art Museum Seeks Artists for Residency Program
Applications due Jan. 1 for 8-month program supporting emerging and mid-career artists.
Riverside Art Museum is accepting applications for its 2026 artist-in-residence program — an eight-month opportunity for emerging and mid-career artists with Inland Empire ties to create new work and mount a solo exhibition.
Why it matters: This is one of the region's most substantial artist support programs, offering $18,000 plus materials, 1,480 square feet of studio space, and a public exhibition opening in May.
What's included:
- Studio and exhibition space in museum gallery
- Materials and exhibition budget
- Public exhibition (May-August 2026)
- Artists work onsite 4-8 weeks during exhibition
Who can apply: Individual artists and collaboratives in any medium with Inland Empire connections — including those who grew up, studied, or have meaningful ties to the region.
"We want to provide support to a wide variety of artists," said curator Lisa Henry. "Artists are free to define their ties to the Inland Empire in any way that is meaningful to them."
What's required: Artists must engage the public through open studios, workshops or talks at agreed-upon times. The museum may select one piece for its permanent collection.
What's next: Applications due Jan. 1 including 10 images, artist statement (500 words max), bio, resume and contact info. Winners notified in January 2026.
Read and share the complete story... (2 min. read)
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What's Happening in Riverside
Today
- 12 Days of Christmas at Arcade Coffee Roasters
- 27th Annual Nuestra Navidad Breakfast at Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center
- Holiday Donation Drive for Homeless Pets at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
- Planning Commission at Riverside City Hall
- Jazz Ensembles Concert at Riverside City College
- Plant Exchange at the Marcy Library at Marcy Library
Tomorrow
- CM Wolf & the Backbones, Javi & the High Shooters and Los Lonely Stars at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
Save the Date
- December 19: 12 Days of Christmas at Arcade Coffee Roasters
- December 20: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
- December 24: Christmas Eve Celebration at First Congregational Church of Riverside
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