Morning light filters through pepper tree canopies along the Gage Canal Trail, where the historic waterway offers Riverside residents a beautiful pathway for walking and cycling. (Luke LĂłpez) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: January 9, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! As we settle into 2026, we're eager to shine a spotlight on the neighbors who make our community special. Whether someone organized a neighborhood cleanup, supported local schools, helped seniors with groceries, or simply brought joy to those around them, we want to hear about it.
Downtown Valet Parking Launches Next Week at Nine Locations
The six-month pilot begins Jan. 16 and operates Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for $20 per vehicle.
Downtown's University Avenue at Main Street, where a new valet parking program aims to support local businesses and improve the visitor experience.
Downtown Riverside gets valet service starting Jan. 16, with attendants parking your car in Garage 6 while you dine or catch a show.
Why it matters: You'll pay $20 ($30 during events) to skip the parking hunt on weekend nights — but the city expects to lose nearly $200,000 in six months unless businesses promote it heavily to customers.
What's happening: ACE Parking operates nine valet stands near major venues Friday-Sunday, 5-11 p.m.
Drop off near the Cheech, Fox Theater, Convention Center, or Auditorium — then request pickup at any stand.
Pay via text (no app needed) using the TEZ system.
The details:
Stands use loading zones on Orange, Market, Lemon and University that sit empty on weekend evenings
Cars park in Garage 6, which has low weekend use and 24/7 security
Businesses can buy 100-vehicle validation packages for $1,800
Between the lines: Council approved this knowing it would lose money — betting that convenience drives more weekend visitors downtown.
What's next: The city reviews usage data in June 2026 to decide whether to continue the program.
Soledad Rivera's debut novel "Candido" will be published by Inlandia Books in 2027.
Eliud MartĂnez, the late UC Riverside professor who championed multiethnic literature and for whom Inlandia Institute's annual prize for Latino/a/x authors is named. (Courtesy of Inlandia Institute)
Soledad Rivera, 83, won Inlandia Institute's 2025 Eliud MartĂnez Prize for her debut novel about a boy fleeing the Mexican Revolution.
Why it matters: The prize spotlights Inland Empire writers and ensures their stories reach readers — Rivera's novel will be published by Inlandia Books in 2027.
What's new: Rivera's "Candido" follows a 12-year-old's solo journey through the Sierra Madre Mountains to the American Southwest in 1910. • The boy runs from his grandfather's plan to send him to military boarding school, seeking freedom in El Norte.
Know this: Rivera has lived in the Inland Empire most of her life — the tenth of 12 children born to Mexican immigrants. • She's worked in public service, education, and activism.
The big picture: The prize honors late UCR professor Eliud MartĂnez, who championed multiethnic literature and introduced UCR's first course on the subject.
National Quitters Day is today, the point in January when most New Year's resolutions start to crumble. If your healthy habits are already wobbling, you're not alone—but you also don't have to give up.
The American Heart Association emphasizes that community support is one of the most powerful tools for sustaining healthy habits. And here in Riverside, you've got plenty of options to keep your momentum going.
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.
Left: Sonic promises you endless joy, super snuggle sessions, and countless laughs. Perhaps his Number 1 selling point though, is the unconditional love he has to offer (he’ll even throw unlimited slobbery kisses at no extra charge). Sonic is a good boy who can’t wait to share life and adventures with his own family. Unfortunately, he’s been waiting over 80 days for this. Will you help Sonic find his way home? Share his information with your community so Sonic won’t have to wait even one more day to meet his match. Sonic’s adoption fee is waived; come meet him today. Come meet Sonic 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. Alumni Updates: Sophie, Kitana, Pistachio (pictured right), Ciabatta, Sourdough and Omelette were all adopted! 🎉
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