Christmas Eve weather in Victoria Woods. (Judith Glenn) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Sunday Gazette: December 28, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! We hope your Christmas was merry and bright. Now comes that sweet in-between time—when the holiday rush settles into a gentle pause before the new year arrives.
Today is a perfect day to enjoy those leftovers, take down some decorations (or leave them up a little longer—no judgment here), and maybe venture out to see what's happening around town. Check out our community calendar for local events, or simply take a stroll through your neighborhood to enjoy the holiday lights while they're still shining.
Here's to a relaxing Sunday and the fresh start waiting just around the corner.
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Thank you to the Subscribers who became paid supporters this week: Stephen Day and Lucy. Your ongoing financial support is vital to our success in serving Riverside with the news it deserves!
A series by Anthony Solorzano exploring Riverside through the eyes of a transplant, as the memory of a hometown slowly fades.
(Anthony Solorzano)
My family and I bought the house in Riverside back in February. The move marked the beginning of a chapter that included a new career and a new city. It's been 10 months and with this column, I've kept you up to date with my assimilation into a new life.
So far, it is probably my favorite era of mine. Yes, even better than my college years. I no longer have to rely on delicious—and sometimes dangerous—Taco Bell because my wallet had more business cards than cash. I have enough money and time to make my own bean and cheese burritos, thank you very much.
But there has been a change that I did not see coming but I am fully embracing: A handyman. Did you know that when you buy a house, you're in charge of fixing anything you break AND you have to pay for it? What a concept.
Riverside Woman's Portrait to Ride Rose Parade Float for Organ Donation Gift
Jenny Fedele-Fennell's portrait will appear on OneLegacy's 2026 float after her cornea donation restored sight to four people.
Jenny Fedele-Fennell's family holds her floragraph portrait during a December ceremony at Riverside Community Hospital. The floral portrait will appear on OneLegacy's 2026 Rose Parade float honoring organ donors. (Courtesy of Riverside Community Hospital)”
Jenny Fedele-Fennell, a Riverside nursing student who restored sight to four people through cornea donation, will be memorialized on OneLegacy's Tournament of Roses float Wednesday.
Why it matters: Her portrait — made entirely of flowers and natural materials — will be seen by 700,000 parade spectators and millions of TV viewers, highlighting how one local donor's generosity created lasting impact.
What's happening: Fedele-Fennell's family gathered at Riverside Community Hospital in early December to view her floragraph portrait before it joins other donors on the "Treasure Every Moment Together" float.
By the numbers:
4 people regained sight through Jenny's cornea donation
20,000+ Californians currently wait for life-saving transplants
23 years OneLegacy has participated in the Rose Parade
What they're saying: "Jenny's heart was big, her compassion endless," her OneLegacy tribute reads. Friends remember her playful spirit, love of music and dancing, and devotion to her daughter.
Between the lines: Jenny was pursuing her dream of helping others as a nurse when she passed — her organ donation allowed that mission to continue beyond her lifetime.
Top sports stories of ‘25 and what to look for next year.
Poly's Maddox Magaña maneuvers past defenders during the 2025 season. This photo became one of the most-shared and liked sports images on social media at the start of 2025, capturing the energy of Riverside high school athletics. (Courtesy of Joey Magaña)
End-of-year sports recaps can be awkward. Sports run in seasons, not in calendar years. Riverside only has RCC for college football, so no holiday bowl games for us. Many sports begin in one year and end in another.
Even without big signature events like bowl games or major championships, Riverside has plenty of compelling sports storylines to follow. From high school athletes chasing records to college programs navigating conference transitions, there's always something happening on local fields, courts and tracks. Finding these events is easier than ever: CBU Athletics, UCR Athletics, RCC Athletics, and MaxPreps all provide schedules and information to help you catch the action.
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
