Clouds drift over the open lawn at Bonaminio Park on a spring afternoon. (Renee Hill) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: May 15, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Your weekend is looking sweeter already: the Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social is back at Heritage House this Sunday, May 17, from noon to 4 p.m. It's free, family friendly, and this year's edition has a little extra flair, marking the 250th anniversary of the nation. Expect games, crafts, music, house tours, and yes, a free scoop or two courtesy of a Riverside classic: Thrifty Ice Cream. Heritage House is at 8193 Magnolia Avenue, with street parking available.
Walking the Border: What You Miss Through the Windshield on Old 215
A monthly stroll through Riverside's everyday neighborhoods, one step at a time.
The New Star Motel, established in 1953, sits along Old 215 Frontage Road beneath a Historic California US 395 Route marker — a remnant of the era when travelers needed rooms close to the main road. (Larry Burns)
Old 215 Frontage Road is not trying to charm anybody. It has no trailhead sign, no interpretive panel, no invitation to explore. I am walking the old frontage road between Eucalyptus and Alessandro, out on the east side and back on the west; about a mile each way.
It's midmorning and already close to 80 degrees. I should have brought two iced coffees. At least I remembered the hat and sunscreen.
This road runs along the border of Riverside and Moreno Valley. Or near it. Or through it, depending on which parcel you stand on. The division between cities is not as clean here as people prefer borders to behave. It hops around.
That uncertainty is part of the walk.
At Eucalyptus, the Moreno Valley side, I begin on dirt and gravel. The shoulder is wide enough to keep me several yards from the cars and trucks. I walk facing traffic because this is what you do where there is no sidewalk and the speed limit is 50. Cars come around the curves quickly. A sheriff's patrol is out watching for speeders, and I feel grateful the motorists are nudged towards safer driving habits when I'm walking steps away without a helmet.
La Sierra University to Honor LGBTQ+ Graduates at Lavender Graduation Ceremony
Organized by SDA Kinship International, the June 5 ceremony honors LGBTQ+ graduates from La Sierra and other area institutions.
La Sierra University Church of Seventh-day Adventists, at 4920 Sierra Vista Ave. in Riverside, will host the annual Lavender Graduation ceremony on June 5. (Ken Crawford)
La Sierra University will honor LGBTQ+ graduates from area colleges at its annual Lavender Graduation ceremony next month.
Why it matters: If you're an LGBTQ+ graduate of La Sierra or another area college or university, this ceremony — held the week before La Sierra's commencement — is designed for you.
What's happening: Kinship Sabbath School, a local LGBTQ+fellowship group affiliated with SDA Kinship International, organizes the event, which blesses and celebrates LGBT+ graduates before they leave campus.
The ceremony is June 5 at 6 p.m. at Sierra Vista Chapel, 4920 Sierra Vista Ave.
What they're saying: University President Dr. Christon Arthur said he participates because it's "an opportunity for me to remind our LGBTQ+ students how much I love them, and that La Sierra University will always be their home."
Riverside Cyclist, 73, Gears Up for 23rd California Coast Classic, Seeks Local Riders
A Riverside man who took up cycling on doctor's orders after an arthritis diagnosis will ride 525 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in September, and he wants company.
Pete Staylor hoists his bicycle near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco during a California Coast Classic ride. (Courtesy of Pete Staylor)
A 73-year-old Riverside man is recruiting local riders to join him on his 23rd California Coast Classic — a San Francisco-to-L.A. bike ride benefiting the Arthritis Foundation — and says the eight-day event is more doable than it sounds.
Why it matters: Pete Staylor was told to swim or cycle after a severe arthritis diagnosis in 2001. He chose the bike and never stopped — and says the Arthritis Foundation now provides training plans, fundraising templates, and route support that make the ride accessible to newcomers.
Driving the news: Staylor is actively recruiting Riverside-area riders ahead of the Sept. 26 start in San Francisco, offering to personally walk interested cyclists through the signup and training process.
By the numbers: The California Coast Classic covers 525 miles over eight days and raises more than $1 million annually for the Arthritis Foundation. Staylor has completed it 22 times.
What they're saying: "How many people can tell their kids, grandkids and friends that they rode a bicycle 525 miles from San Francisco all the way to Los Angeles? It almost sounds impossible, but it is NOT," Staylor said.
What's next: The ride begins Sept. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. Registration and fundraising resources are at arthritis.org. Interested Riverside-area riders can reach out to Staylor directly for guidance.
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.
Ziggy has a playful spirit and a whole lot of personality. He’s 3 years old, and an active, sweet-natured guy who loves toys, treats, and any chance to stretch his legs for a good walk or play session. Ziggy has done well playing with other dogs who can match his energy, and volunteers describe him as happy, affectionate, and eager to have fun. He’s treat motivated, knows “sit” and “down,” and has been patiently waiting for the right home since March, after previously spending months waiting at another organization before arriving at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Ziggy is more than ready for his fresh start. Come meet Ziggy 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 update: Hugo 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.
Correction Thurs. May 14, 1:45 p.m. An earlier version of "Riverside Billed Water Ratepayers Illegally for Years, Judge Rules," published Wed. May 13, incorrectly stated that Judge Hopp's ruling striking down the Measure C election stood. In fact, the city appealed and an appellate court overruled Hopp, finding the election was regularly scheduled. The story has been updated.
