A Riverside garden gate featuring Rico Alderette's raincross design brings a smile every time. Inspired by his City Hall anniversary sculpture, this custom metalwork celebrates our city's iconic symbol in a personal way. (Pamela Kaptain) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Thursday Gazette: November 6, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! November is Family Stories Month, the perfect reminder to share those treasured tales with the next generation. Whether it's how your grandparents met at the old Riverside Plaza, your family's journey to California, or simply the story behind Uncle Roy's secret salsa recipe, these narratives connect us to our roots.
This week, take a moment to pass along a family story. Call your kids, text your grandchildren, or gather around the dinner table and share a memory. These stories are gifts that cost nothing but mean everything, they help our children understand where they come from and who they are.
Emergency Food Network Mobilizes as SNAP Benefits End for 46,000 Riverside Households
City approves $100,000 in emergency funding while churches and nonprofits expand services.
Volunteers direct traffic during a drive-through food distribution at Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino. (Courtesy of FARSB)
Federal nutrition assistance abruptly ended Saturday for 46,649 Riverside households, affecting over 16,000 children, 21,000 adults, and nearly 9,000 seniors who lost their SNAP benefits. The Riverside City Council responded Tuesday with $100,000 in emergency food funding through The Salvation Army to help 500-700 families, but with 13% of the county's SNAP recipients impacted, local food banks and churches are expanding distributions to meet overwhelming demand. Emergency food assistance is available at multiple locations throughout the week, including St. Michael's Episcopal Ministry Center, Community Settlement Association, and various church programs, with organizations urgently seeking volunteers and donations of non-perishable foods and hygiene items. For immediate help, residents can call or text 211 for statewide assistance.
City Bets $190K on Downtown Valet as Restaurants Say Parking Hurts Business
Six-month pilot starting January charges $20-30 at nine locations; success hinges on businesses promoting service to service to break even.
Orange Street, just south of Mission Inn Avenue, is designated as 'Zone 1' of nine valet zones proposed in the city's six-month downtown valet parking pilot program. (Justin Pardee)
Riverside City Council unanimously approved a six-month downtown valet pilot program Tuesday that projects a $190,597 loss in its first six months. The city is counting on downtown businesses to market the service and close the financial gap.
Driving the news: The program will cost $334,595 over six months but is projected to generate only $144,000 in revenue. Mario's Place owner Leone Palagi reports customers are canceling reservations due to parking difficulties, according to Riverside Downtown Partnership Executive Director Janice Penner.
"If the businesses have vested interest in it, that's how this program is going to get off the ground," Public Parking Services Manager Eric Lu tells the council.
The details: The valet service launches Jan. 1, 2026, operating Friday through Sunday at nine locations throughout the downtown core. Regular rates are $20 per vehicle, with special event pricing at $30.
Zones include locations near the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, the Cheech Riverside Center for California Art, Fox Performing Arts Center, and the Riverside Convention Center.
The big picture: This is the latest attempt to address downtown parking challenges that have sparked debate since 2022, when the council approved substantial rate increases to address a $1.3 million parking fund deficit before rolling them back after intense backlash.
What's next: The city will track weekly vehicle counts, business participation rates, revenue performance and customer feedback. Lu says the city plans a three-month operational review and will return to City Council after six months with a status update.
Raincross Rundown: The Best of Riverside in November 2025
A curated list of upcoming events and happenings The Gazette team is most excited about.
Fall colors paint UCR Botanic Gardens in warm hues, from golden tree canopies and coral-crowned barrel cacti to sun-dappled pathways winding through the diverse collections. (Courtesy of UCR Botanic Gardens)
November brings an extraordinary lineup of events that showcase everything we love about Riverside, from honoring our veterans and celebrating Native voices to supporting survivors and kicking off the holiday season in style. This month's rundown captures just a snapshot of the vibrant arts, culture, music, and community gatherings happening across our city, proving once again why Riverside pulses with such dynamic energy. Whether you're seeking punk rock nostalgia, handmade holiday crafts, historical cemetery tours, or free fitness classes, there's something for everyone in our community this month. For even more events and the latest updates, be sure to check our full community calendar, because in a city this alive, there's always more happening than we can fit in one list.
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