> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🗞️ Riverside News- May 1, 2026 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-may-1-2026/ - Published: 2026-05-01T12:00:23.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T02:14:11.000Z - Description: Ward 4 Forum recap, May Rundown... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/04/IMG_0749.jpeg) Golden hour light washes over the Riverside Art Museum. (Kathy Allavie) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? [Share it with us](https://goldstandardca.notion.site/13eef165d2ee80fa91c3de069cc9ec29?ref=raincrossgazette.com) and help celebrate the beauty of our community! **Friday Gazette: May 1, 2026** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday!** Last night, we wrapped up our Ward Community Forum series with an evening focused on Ward 6 candidates, closing out three nights that also brought us Ward 4 and, where it all began, Ward 2\. These forums meant a lot to us to put together, and hearing from those of you who attended, well, it's meant even more. We've received kind words and genuine appreciation from folks who called these some of the best political events they've been to in Riverside. That's because of you: the neighbors who showed up, sent in thoughtful questions, and were present in the room. Thank you, sincerely, for making this series what it was. See you tomorrow! --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20260501)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20260501&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [2026 ELECTION](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/2026-election/) ## Ward 4 Candidates Clash Over Warehouses, Taxes and Public Safety at Gazette Forum Incumbent Chuck Conder, Jessica Qattawi and Richard Vandenberg faced off Wednesday on the issues defining the race. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/04/1-6.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/ward-4-candidates-clash-over-warehouses-taxes-and-public-safety-at-gazette-forum/) Ward 4 candidates Chuck Conder, Jessica Qattawi and Richard Vandenberg face questions from moderator Dan Bernstein at the Raincross Gazette's candidate forum Wednesday. Three Ward 4 candidates clashed sharply Wednesday at the Raincross Gazette's candidate forum, trading challenges over warehouse development, a proposed sales tax increase and years of unfulfilled promises on public safety infrastructure. Incumbent Chuck Conder, local business owner Jessica Qattawi and local business owner Richard Vandenberg are vying for the Ward 4 council seat. Ward 4 covers neighborhoods including Alessandro Heights, Mission Grove, Orangecrest and the Greenbelt, which became a part of Ward 4 during redistricting in 2023 – meaning many residents in this area will be voting in a Ward 4 race for the first time this year. The forum was moderated by former Press Enterprise columnist and longtime Riversider Dan Bernstein, who introduced discussion questions on both citywide and Ward 4-specific questions. [Read and share the complete Ward 4 Forum Recap...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/ward-4-candidates-clash-over-warehouses-taxes-and-public-safety-at-gazette-forum/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=20260501)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20260501&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [RAINCROSS RUNDOWN](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/raincross-rundown/) ## The Best of Riverside in May 2026 A curated list of upcoming events and happenings The Gazette team is most excited about. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/04/RG-Feat-Image-Template-6-4.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/raincross-rundown-the-best-of-riverside-in-may-2026/) The Walking Moai — because the best steps are the ones you take together. Moais are small social circles rooted in Okinawan tradition and [central to the Blue Zones philosophy](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/blue-zones-project-riverside-marks-year-one-with-4-500-residents-engaged-28-new-moais-launching-saturday/). This is just one of the many ways Riverside is building community this May. (Erin Edwards) May arrives in Riverside with something for everyone — from the first notes of a banda set echoing across White Park to a yoga mat spread out under open sky and the smell of fresh tacos on a warm May evening. This month the city leans into its traditions while making room for new ones, and whether you're raising a glass on Cinco de Mayo, making something with your hands, or dancing through the last Saturday of the month under a Pride flag, there's something for everyone and plenty of reason to be out and about. [Read and share the complete May Rundown...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/raincross-rundown-the-best-of-riverside-in-may-2026/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20260501) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20260501&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [Adoptable Pet of the Week](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag//) ## Meet Jerry Blu! 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. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/04/RG-Feat-Image-Template-7-4.jpg)](https://petsadoption.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) Meet Jerry Blu, probably the most easygoing dog you’ll come across. Jerry Blu is 7yrs old and is happy taking life at a leisurely pace. He enjoys going out for walks, especially if it’s followed up by some quality time and a good round of pets. Jerry Blu’s personality and demeanor have a way of making everyone he meets immediately fall in love, especially when he leans in for attention and more scratches on his velvety soft head. He’d do best as the only dog in the home, where he can relax and enjoy having his people all to himself. If you’re looking for a steady, low-key companion, Jerry Blu might be your guy. Come meet Jerry Blu 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](https://petsadoption.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com). ****Alumni update**: Tilly was adopted! 🥳 --- 📣 ****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](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/contact/). --- ## What's Happening in Riverside ### Friday, May 1 - [Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-sunrise-rotary-club-meeting/18634391/2026-05-01T07) at Zacatecas Café - [Volunteer Interest Hour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/volunteer-interest-hour/18161070/2026-05-01T09) at Riverside Meals on Wheels - [Deck of Cards Silent Auction - Your Pet's Photo in a Special Deck of Cards](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/deck-of-cards-silent-auction-your-pets-photo-in-a-special-deck-of-cards/18702160/2026-05-01T00) at Online for Mary S. Roberts pet Adoption Center ($10.00) - [OLPH Fiesta](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/olph-fiesta/18629119/2026-05-01T17) at OLPH Parish & School - [The Fake Actors Guild: Bob's Burgers Table Read for PRIDE! B2tG](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-fake-actors-guild-bobs-burgers-table-read-for-pride-b2tg/18672411/2026-05-01T19) at Back To The Grind ($12.51) - [Into the Breeches! by George Brant at Riverside Community Players](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/into-the-breeches-by-george-brant-at-riverside-community-players/18450344/2026-05-01T19) at Riverside Community Players ($20.00 - $22.24) - [Riverside: An All-American City — A Celebration of America 250](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-an-allamerican-city-a-celebration-of-america-250/18699658/2026-05-01T18) at Mission Inn Foundation and Museum - [La Santa Cecilia](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/la-santa-cecilia/18501415/2026-05-01T19) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium - [Las Alucines -Tu Nuevo Estilo de Vida US Tour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/las-alucines-tu-nuevo-estilo-de-vida-us-tour/18501417/2026-05-01T19) at Fox Performing Arts Center - [Painting Fairies Night, a Comedy Paint and Sip](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/painting-fairies-night-a-comedy-paint-and-sip/18671851/2026-05-01T19) at Carbon Nation Brewing ($28.52) - [Riverside Children's Theater - Disney's Little Mermaid Junior](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-childrens-theater-disneys-little-mermaid-junior/18642373/2026-05-01T19) at JW North High School ($15.00) - [Riverside Off-Road & Jeep Nights](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-offroad-jeep-nights/18477720/2026-05-01T17) at D'Elia's Grinders - [World Music Festival](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/world-music-festival/17756870/2026-05-01T19) at University Theatre ### Saturday, May 2 - [Show and Go Car Show](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/show-and-go-car-show/18748418/2026-05-02T07) at Downtown Riverside - [Milkweed sale and Monarch Celebration](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/milkweed-sale-and-monarch-celebration/18519473/2026-05-02T09) at LandUse Learning Center - [Evergreen Cemetery Tour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/evergreen-cemetery-tour/18672412/2026-05-02T10) at Evergreen Memorial Park ($23.18) - [FREE Paper Shred Event Hosted by The Perrone Team](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-paper-shred-event-hosted-by-the-perrone-team/18684890/2026-05-02T09) at D'Elia's Grinders Orangecrest - [Goeske Bingo](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/goeske-bingo/17920930/2026-05-02T09) at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100) - [Olive Country Charcuterie Bar](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/olive-country-charcuterie-bar/18702821/2026-05-02T09) at Olive Country Charcuterie Bar - [Riverside Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-cinco-de-mayo-bar-crawl/16365263/2026-05-02T17) at Killer Queens Social House - [Sublime Tribute by Don't Push!](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/sublime-tribute-by-dont-push/18179810/2026-05-02T21) at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove ($20.23) ### Sunday, May 3 - [Prayers and Public Information Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/prayers-and-public-information-meeting/16726617/2026-05-03T11) at Riverside Baha'i Center - [Gardening for Butterflies](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/gardening-for-butterflies/18543239/2026-05-03T09) at Botanic Gardens - [Origami with Michelle](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/origami-with-michelle/18094962/2026-05-03T11) at Botanic Gardens - [Storytime in the Gardens](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/storytime-in-the-gardens/18094961/2026-05-03T10) at UCR Botanic Gardens - [Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Riverside](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/architectural-walking-tour-of-downtown-riverside/18518811/2026-05-03T11) at Mission Inn Foundation & Visitor Center ($21.20) - [CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S CHORUS CONCERT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/california-womens-chorus-concert/16862130/2026-05-03T14) at CAL BAPTIST-VAN DYNE GYM ($25- $30) - [Competitive Monopoly Fundraiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/competitive-monopoly-fundraiser/18729920/2026-05-03T14) at Thompson Brewing Company ($44.52) - [Noteworthy Connections 20s and 30s: We’re Not Really Strangers](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/noteworthy-connections-20s-and-30s-were-not-really-strangers/18671010/2026-05-03T09) at Back to the Grind - ["The Sound of Riverside" - The 2026 Riverside Arts Academy Gala](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-sound-of-riverside-the-2026-riverside-arts-academy-gala/18503772/2026-05-03T17) at UCR University Theatre ($150- $325) ## Save the Date - May 6: [Senior Conference](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/senior-conference/18498792/2026-05-06T10) at Janet Goeske Center - May 8: [Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-sunrise-rotary-club-meeting/18634391/2026-05-08T07) at Zacatecas Café - May 13: [Level Up Your Network: The Pick Group 2026 Membership Summit](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/level-up-your-network-the-pick-group-2026-membership-summit/18625198/2026-05-13T18) at Killer Queens Social House - May 16: [Vintage Home Tour “Age is a Work of Art”](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/vintage-home-tour-age-is-a-work-of-art/18708216/2026-05-16T10) at Peter J Weber House ($30) - May 17: [Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/oldfashioned-ice-cream-social/18378314/2026-05-17T12) at Riverside's Heritage House - June 1: [REEF's 27th Annual Golf Tournament](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/reefs-27th-annual-golf-tournament/18542190/2026-06-01T07) at Canyon Crest Country Club ($140- $175) 🗓️ [See More Events](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/)📝 [Submit Your Event](https://hub.cityspark.com/Event/Submission/Raincross?ref=raincrossgazette.com) 📸 [Submit a photo](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts. 🏆 [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week.