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.
Take a look at our past Neighbor of the Week features to see the kind of everyday heroes we love to celebrate. Then submit your nomination here. Tell us who deserves recognition and why their contributions matter to you.
Let's start the year by celebrating the people who make Riverside feel like home.
BUSINESS
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 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.
Read and share the complete story...
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COMMUNITY
83-year-old Inland Empire Author Wins Inlandia Institute's 2025 Eliud MartĂnez Prize
Soledad Rivera's debut novel "Candido" will be published by Inlandia Books in 2027.
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.
Read and share the complete story... (2 min. read)
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HEALTH
You Don't Have to Quit on Quitters Day
January 9 is when most New Year's resolutions fall apart. Here's why yours doesn't have to.
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.
Discover free and low-cost ways Riverside can help you stay on track...
Adoptable Pet of the Week
Meet Sonic!
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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Noteworthy
UC Riverside enrolled nearly 8,300 first-year and transfer students in fall 2025—the largest entering class in university history—with 96% being California residents.
This Weekend in Riverside
Friday, January 9
- New Certified Farmers Market at Farm House Collective
- Lego Club at Orange Terrace Library
- Senior Tech Help at Lincoln Park
- Heroes Del Silencio vs Rock en Español tribute! at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
- Murder Mystery Co. Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory
- Cruise Night at Tuxie's Drive In
Saturday, January 10
- Whiskers & Wags Workshop: Make, Create, Enrich at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
- Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead, a short walk from Ryan Bonaminio Park. ($21.20)
- PAC Walk: Walk with Adoptable Pets from Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
- Little Leauge Registration Now Open! at Shamel Park
- Permaculture Design Training and Certificate at Land Use Learning Center
- Colorful Dash Fun Run at Rancho Jurupa Regional Sports Park
- Men's Basketball vs UC San Diego at SRC Arena
- Cal Baptist Lancers vs. Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center ($70.74)
- LiaNardo Mobile Paint & Sip at Canyon Crest Winery
- Painting at the Disco, A comedy paint and sip at Back to the Grind
- R&B ONLY LIVE - Riverside, CA at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Ripperside Cinema Galore Presents: The Bird with the Crystal Plumage at Back to the Grind
- The Strokes Tribute at Farmhouse Collective
- Sublime Tribute at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
Sunday, January 11
- On Peace and Friendship: A History of the Mt. Rubidoux Peace Tower at Main Library
- Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
- English Country Dance at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
- Sacred Radiance Mini Wellness Retreat at Life Arts Center
Save the Date
- January 17: Woodcrest Market Collective at Woodcrest Public Library
- February 1: On Peace & Friendship - History of the Peace Tower & Friendship Bridge at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room
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