A young visitor explores the festive splendor of the Mission Inn Hotel during Riverside's annual Festival of Lights, where illuminated Christmas trees, vibrant poinsettias, and elegant chandeliers transform the historic landmark into a seasonal wonderland. (Katie Austin Donovan) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Sunday Gazette: November 30, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! Today marks the last day of November and Secondhand Sunday — a perfect reminder that thrift stores are treasure troves for unique Christmas gifts. Shopping secondhand means finding one-of-a-kind items while supporting local businesses and keeping goods out of landfills.
Thank you to the Subscribers who became paid supporters this week: Margaret Baillod, Sonya Russell Edwards, Sally Lauruhn, Kim C Louis, Myers, Rachel Rola, Vincent Salcido, Michelle Sullivan, Adele Tucker. Your ongoing financial support is vital to our success in serving Riverside with the news it deserves!
I Found a New Barber. My Old One Still Doesn't Know.
A series by Anthony Solorzano exploring Riverside through the eyes of a transplant, as the memory of a hometown slowly fades.
(Anthony Solorzano)
Life has a series of unofficial rules that society decided to follow. Never regift a present given to you, never take the last slice before asking if anyone wants it, or whoever finishes a roll needs to replace it. They can be ridiculous, some don't even make sense but if any of them are broken, people will definitely say you are rude behind your back.
Another rule that no one really knows where it came from but it exists is: never cheat on your barber. Like, seriously. I Googled the phrase and asked where it came from and Gemini, which became a primary source in 2025, did not know where it came from. Sidenote, if artificial intelligence doesn't know something, we have bigger problems to deal with figuring out where a dumb rule comes from.
But alas, it exists.
When I moved to Riverside I got my first two haircuts with my barber back in Pomona. Yes, I would drive one hour round trip, just to look fresh. People have done worse things to do the same like: put a shoe tongue in your shoes just to make them bulkier, paid a lot of money for a freaky-looking stuffed animal accessory just to "flex," and actually told people "Drake is better than Kendrick Lamar." Ok, I change my mind, those are not worse, they are just plain old absurd.
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