Friday Gazette: February 27, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Today is "The Big Breakfast Day" — and Riverside has no shortage of great spots to celebrate, from a classic farmers breakfast piled high to a delicious shakshuka. Where's your go-to? Tell us at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.

And what better way to cap a Friday than with the Riverside Art Museum's Fourth Fridays tonight (Feb. 27, 7–10 p.m.)? This month celebrates Black History Month with live DJ sets, a performance by The Bohemian Busker, pizza from Canvas Pizza, and a full bar. Tickets are $20, free for members.

See you Sunday!

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EVENTS

Chalk Artists Want RUSD Students to Feel 'Brave About Trying' at Downtown Chalk Day

Professional artists Gloria Ing and Graciela Rodriguez will join about 200 middle and high schoolers on Main Street on March 3 to turn the pedestrian mall into a living, collaborative dream.

About 200 RUSD middle and high school students transform the Main Street pedestrian mall into an open-air chalk art gallery Tuesday, March 3.

Why it matters: If you're Downtown between noon and 2 p.m., you'll catch the finished pieces at their best — and watch students create large-scale public art alongside professional artists.

Driving the news: RUSD's annual Chalk Day, presented with the City of Riverside and UCR ARTS, runs 9 a.m.–2 p.m. along Main Street between 10th Street and University Avenue.

• This year's theme is "Dreams" — interpreted through both whimsical imagery and personal aspiration.

What they're saying: Professional artist Graciela Rodriguez is drawing Riverside's iconic Raincross symbol.

• "It's just always felt dreamy to me," she said.

The big picture: Chalk Day is part of RUSD's expansive arts calendar — the district hosted 560 events across 92 arts programs during the 2024–25 school year.

• A month-long Elementary Chalk Festival follows April 1–30, with younger students creating work at school sites and sharing it through a districtwide virtual showcase.

What's next: Head to Main Street near City Hall Tuesday. Best viewing window for completed pieces and photos is noon–2 p.m.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Planning Commission Delays Downtown Experiment Bar Permit Hearing

Owner requests more time to prepare; city cites two shootings, years of code violations.

Riverside's Planning Commission postponed the Downtown Experiment bar permit revocation hearing, giving owner Marco McGuire more time to prepare his defense.

Why it matters: If you live or work downtown, the fate of a bar linked to two shootings and years of code violations will be decided March 12 — and you can weigh in.

Driving the news: The commission voted 5-1 Thursday to continue the hearing to March 12, rejecting McGuire's request for a longer delay to April 23.

• City staff cited ongoing public safety concerns — including two on-site shootings — as reason to move quickly.

Catch up quick: The city mailed revocation notice Feb. 6; McGuire's attorney says it wasn't received until Feb. 9, and the staff report wasn't available until Feb. 13.

• Police records McGuire requested won't arrive until March 13 — one day after the rescheduled hearing.

What they're saying: McGuire told commissioners he had "no clue" the revocation was coming and asked for a fair shot after 20 years downtown.

What's next: The revocation hearing is set for March 12 at the Planning Commission meeting. Contact the city's planning division for details on how to attend or submit public comment.

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SPONSORED STORY

Could You Recognize a Blood Clot? A Heart Rhythm Problem? Riverside Cardiologists Break It Down

American Heart Month is ending — but Riverside Medical Clinic's cardiology team wants these warning signs to stick with you.

February is American Heart Month, and for the cardiology team at Riverside Medical Clinic, it's a reminder of how many Inland Empire residents are living with heart conditions they don't fully understand, and how many warning signs go unrecognized until it's too late.

Riverside Medical Clinic's cardiology department offers a range of specialized care — from treating abnormal heart rhythms to managing blood clots to helping patients recover after a cardiac event.

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Adoptable Pet of the Week

Meet Thor!

Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.

This Weekend in Riverside

Friday, February 27

• Certified Farmers Market at Farm House Collective
• Black History Celebration at Janet Goeske Center (free- $10.00)
• Family Storytime at Ameal Moore Nature Center
• Orange Terrace Library | Chess Club at Orange Terrace Library
• In the Hour of Chaos: Hip Hop Art & Activism with Public Enemy’s Chuck D at Culver Center of the Arts
• Noche de Cumbia at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ($12.51)
• Red Store Bums at Riverside Municipal Auditorium

Saturday, February 28

• Cars and Coffee at Harvest Church at Harvest Church
• Free Heart Screenings at Poly High School - Gym
• Little Land Use Learners (Topic: Our Blue Planet) at Land Use Learning Center
• Author Iván Aguirre In-Conversation with Rocío Pichón-Riviere at Cellar Door Bookstore
• CSUN Matadors at UC Riverside Highlanders Mens Basketball at UCR Student Recreation Center
• Jazz meets Orchestra...An Intimate Evening with the Conductor at Loft 84
• Men's Basketball vs CSUN at SRC Arena
• Murder At The Club - Murder Mystery Dinner at Riverside Woman's Club ($40)
• Orange Terrace Library | Dungeons and Dragons at Orange Terrace Library
• Sam Grisman Project at Farm House Collective at Bar Ni Modo

Sunday, March 1

• Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
• English Country Dance at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
• Evergreen Cemetery Tour at Evergreen Cemetery ($21.20)
• Family Fun Day: Celebrating 30 Years of UCR Gluck Fellows at Culver Center of the Arts
• Joseph the Reptile Hunter - MoR at First Sundays at Downtown Riverside
• Learn Origami at UCR Botanic Gardens
• Origami with Michelle at Botanic Gardens
• Storytime in the Gardens at Botanic Gardens
• American Patchwork: A concert by the Raincross Master Chorale at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($10- $20)

Save the Date

• March 9: REEF's Best Event Ever! Take 9! at Fox Performing Arts Center ($10- $75)
• March 14: Riverside Sunrise Rotary 22nd Annual Black Tie Bingo at Riverside Convention Center ($130- $250)
• March 19: Empowered Leadership: Cultivating Influence and Impact at Work Well ($165)
• March 21: LiTEArature: A Fairy-Themed Afternoon Tea at Heritage House ($25)
• March 30: Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo

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