Golden hour light bathes Lake Evans at Fairmount Park in warm tones, with tree-lined shores creating reflections on calm water. (Mary Figueroa) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: February 6, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! We're closing out this week with a huge thank you to all the subscribers who have participated in our annual Reader Survey—we're making great progress toward our goal!The survey (and giveaway!) closes Sunday at midnight, and your participation is massively helpful to our team.
Each subscriber who completes the survey will be entered to win prizes from My Learning Studio, Riverside Art Museum, Bar Ni Modo, Mission Inn Museum Foundation, and Old Riverside Foundation.
UCR's Famous Tango Mandarin Now Open to Home Growers—With Caveats
Those seedless Cuties you pack in your kid's lunchbox? UCR scientists helped create them. Now anyone can plant the trees—if they can find them.
A Tango mandarin tree and cross-section of the fruit. (Courtesy of Mikeal L. Roose/UCR)
UCR's famous Tango mandarin can finally be planted without royalties after its 20-year patent expired, but backyard gardeners face a months-long wait.
Why it matters: Riverside residents who want to grow the sweet, seedless mandarins that became Cuties and Halos won't see affordable trees for 6-12 months—and must leave the county's quarantine zone to buy them.
What's new: The U.S. plant patent expired recently, freeing domestic growers to propagate Tango without paying royalties to UCR.
The variety generated more than $70 million for UCR since its 2006 release.
The catch: Trees in nurseries now were propagated under the old royalty system, so prices won't drop immediately.
Riverside sits in a citrus greening quarantine zone where trees can't be moved out—gardeners must shop elsewhere.
The backstory: Professor emeritus Mikeal Roose and breeder Timothy Williams created Tango in the 1990s by exposing mandarin buds to gamma irradiation.
They planted 200 trees—only one became Tango, chosen because it had fewer seeds than competitors.
Yes, but: International plant variety protection continues, so UCR still earns royalties from growers in 20+ countrieswhere Tango is grown.
What they're saying: "Tango is an easy tree for a homeowner to grow," Roose said, noting it's vigorous and holds fruit well for extended harvests.
What's next: Wholesale nurseries can now propagate Tango—trees from new stock should reach retail nurseries by late 2026.
Riverside's Most Picture-Perfect Spots: A Starting Guide
Whether you're hunting for vintage vibes or natural beauty, these eight spots deliver Instagram gold.
Coffeecito House, located at 3882 12th St. in Downtown, offers Latin coffee, pastries and teas in a converted 1900s house that blends vintage charm with modern aesthetics. (Bob Sirotnik)
From vintage coffee houses to citrus groves, these local businesses and parks offer Instagram-worthy backdrops across the city.
Why it matters: Whether you're a photographer, social media creator, or just looking for a great backdrop, these spots showcase Riverside's diverse aesthetic — from 1900s architecture to lush gardens.
Top newcomers:
Coffeecito House (3882 12th St.) — Latin cafe in a 1900s house blends vintage exterior with modern interior
Penrose Record Room (3485 University Ave.) — Downtown vinyl shop hosts live performances in historic Life Arts Building
The Farm House Collective (1393 University Ave.) — Converted 1953 motel features retro architecture and on-site photo booth
The big picture: Riverside's growth as an Inland Empire destination has brought small businesses that double as scenic spots.
Renaissance Book Store's floor-to-ceiling books create nostalgic settings, while UCR's 40-acre Botanic Gardens capture Mediterranean sunlight.
Classic destinations: Mount Rubidoux offers city views from hiking trails, while the Mission Inn's Spanish architecture remains the go-to for weddings and quinceañeras.
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.
Zarina is a beautiful 3 yr old cat with a soft white chest and a loving, gentle nature. She arrived in November with her kittens, nurturing them until they were ready to find homes. Now it’s Zarina’s turn to be chosen. Affectionate and happiest as the only pet, she’s ready for a calm home where she can soak up all the love. Come meet Zarina and all the adoptable pets at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
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