Sunday Gazette: November 16, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! Tomorrow, we're bringing you an update on Meliia, the young Ukrainian refugee whose lemonade stand captured hearts across our community this summer.
What started as a way to practice English and make new friends became something extraordinary. Check back tomorrow for the heartwarming update on what she's been up to.
See you tomorrow!
HISTORY
When Peace Flags Flew: How Mount Rubidoux Honored U.S.-Canada Friendship in 1927
For 17 years, Frank Miller hosted Armistice Day services atop Mount Rubidoux, raising flags from nations around the world. In 1927, Canada took center stage in a ceremony featuring bagpipes, doves and a tribute to cross-border friendship that endures today.
This past week on Tuesday, we observed another Veterans Day with not as much fanfare as in the past. Originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the armistice or agreement to cease fighting between the Allied nations and Germany, and to honor the World War I veterans, in 1954 the day was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans. In Canada, it is called Remembrance Day.
For Frank A. Miller, the promoter of world peace and friendship, Armistice Day was special. Starting in 1919 and for 17 years, he sponsored an Armistice Day Sunset Service on top of his beloved Mount Rubidoux. The service was simple, similar to the early Easter Sunrise Services. Flags of various nations were raised at different points on the mountain. Each year, a particular country or group was chosen to be honored.
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EVENTS
Festival of Lights Returns This Saturday
Whether you're a Switch On night regular or prefer quieter evenings, here's everything happening Downtown from this Saturday through early January.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's 33rd annual Festival of Lights returns this Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, through Jan. 6, 2026, transforming Downtown into Southern California's premier holiday destination with over 10 million lights, family activities and festive entertainment.
For some, the Switch On Ceremony is an unmissable tradition. For others, opening night's crowds are a bit much. Whatever your preference, we've put together a complete guide to help you make the most of the season. Be sure to check your favorite Downtown restaurants and stores on social media: many offer special holiday treats and deals throughout the season.
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CREATIVE PROMPTS
A Scanner Darkly
A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
This week’s nudge sends us to a new place on the creative map; from the personalized and disorganized to its opposite: the universal, perfectly ordered barcode. I chose the barcode because it is ubiquitous on all our products, an easy nudge to find indoors or out. I bet a few are literally within reach of your hand, or your phone’s camera right now.
While barcodes aid smooth transactions and erase obstacles, I wonder if they’ve made life too smooth, removing not just friction, but meaningful human interaction and problem solving. When we are grabbing, scanning, and moving along, what small moments of connection or critical thought are we losing?
The simple black and white lines of a barcode represent a shortcut, a fast, efficient way to identify and process information with minimal human oversight. Scanning (poorly) my own groceries recently, my thoughts turned to how the barcode had brought me here. How did the efficiency of the barcode “empower” me to unpack, scan, and repack my own groceries?
Read and share this week's complete prompt...
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This Week in Riverside
Sunday, November 16
- Native History Hike at Mt. Rubidoux Park
- "On Peace & Friendship" - Opening Exhibit Reception at Mission Inn Foundation/Museum
- Holiday Pet Pictures with Santa or the Grinch at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center ($40)
- Main Library Local History Presentation: Preserving Family Recipes at Main Library
- English Country Dance at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
- Bar Takeover at Bar Ni Modo
- Final Day: Free Christian Art Exhibit: Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
- From Tradition to Power: The Story of Taekkwondo at Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California
Monday, November 17
- Board of Public Utilities at Riverside City Hall
- Clean Campus Competition at Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
- Kind Moments Begin with You Giving Drive at RMC Charitable Foundation
- Monday Carillon Recitals at UCR Bell Tower
Tuesday, November 18
- Rotary Club of Greater Riverside Chartering Celebration! at Zacatecas Cafe
- Pick Group: Professional Development Event with Sharon Morris at Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
- Riverside County Board of Supervisors Meeting at County Administrative Center
- ScotSurplus Public Sale at ScotSurplus, UCR Corporation Yard
- World Ballet Company: Cinderella at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Tuesday Karaoke at The Hideaway
Wednesday, November 19
- An Evening with Susan Straight and Friends at Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts
- Blue Zones Project Riverside: Greeting Cards for a Cause at Blue Zones Project Office
- HVAC Job Fair at Riverside City College
- Riverside City Teacher Association's Holiday Canned Food Drive at Riverside City Teachers Association
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church
- Symphony Orchestra Concert at Riverside City College
- Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
- Teenage Bottlerocket w/ Fea & Sam Russo at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
Thursday, November 20
- Purpose Workshop at Blue Zones Project Riverside Office
- Give Hope. Give Food. at Coldwell Banker Realty
- Women's Volleyball vs. Cal State Bakersfieldat SRC Arena
- History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at The Mission Inn Foundation ($49.87)
- Perfume De Gardenia at Fox Performing Arts Center
- BVRNT/TOUR Jakobs Castle and Strawberry Fuzz with Strange Case at The Barn
Friday, November 21
- Movies on the Lawn: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) at Heritage House
- Riverside City Chorale Concert at Riverside City College
- Yuri - Iconica US Tour at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Live Norteño @ The Hideaway Riverside! at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
- BOLO (18+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
Saturday, November 22
- Arlington Pickleball Complex Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Arlington Park
- Guided Nature Walk - Castleview Park at Castleview Park
- UC Riverside Highlanders Women's Volleyball vs. CSUN Matadors at UC Riverside Student Recreation Center
- Women's Volleyball vs. CSUN at SRC Arena
- Holiday Carillon Recital at UCR Bell Tower
- Paint on Wood w/LiaNardo Mobile Paint & Sip at Canyon Crest Winery! at Canyon Crest Winery
- The Wrecks at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($55.25)
- Alain Whyte w/ STRANGEWAYS a Tribute to The Smiths & Morrissey! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
- Alexis - Ojitos de Huevo "Estas Viendo Y No Ves!" at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Kaiser Permanente Riverside Provides Flu Vaccinations at Festival of Lights at Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa 33rd Annual Festival of Lights
- Volunteer for the Festival of Lights! at Corner of Mission Inn Ave. & Main St.
- The Mission Inn Festival of Lights presented by Kelly and Duane Roberts at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Save the Date
- November 29: Holiday Marketplace at Arcade Coffee Roasters - Tasting Room
- December 6: Home and Story: Growing Up with the Museum at Riverside City College | Salvatore G. Rotella Digital Library and Learning Resource Center ($35- $50)
- December 13: Olivewood Memorial Park Historical Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Memorial Park ($20)
- December 13: Wreaths Across America at Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery
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