Friday Gazette: October 16, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! If you're still making weekend plans, Art After Dark celebrates its fifth year Saturday night at the Culver Center Downtown. You'll find work by 97 artists, live jazz and a chance to meet the artists, with every piece available for purchase. It's free and runs 6 to 9 p.m., so it makes for a wonderful evening out.
Here's what else is happening around town:
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CITY HALL
Riverside Committee Sends Data Center Pause, Backup Resolution to City Council
The City Council is expected to consider a 45-day data center moratorium Nov. 10 — or, failing that, a resolution blocking permits under existing zoning.
Data center pause heads to council
Riverside could pause new data centers for 45 days — or affirm staff’s view that current zoning already bars them.
Why it matters: Councilmembers worry large data centers could strain the city’s electricity and water and push up utility bills. “I don’t think we can afford” large-scale data centers, Councilmember Sean Mill said, pointing to the city’s single connection to the statewide grid.
Driving the news: The Land Use Committee voted Tuesday, Oct. 13, to send both options to the full council.
- A moratorium needs six of seven councilmember votes — which prompted the backup resolution.
- Under the resolution, staff wouldn’t issue data center permits and would alert the council if a proposal came in.
Yes, but: No one has applied to build a data center in Riverside, City Planner Laurel Reimer said.
- Staff can’t judge whether the city has enough power and water without a specific proposal, she said.
The big picture: Committee Chair Clarissa Cervantes said developers boxed out of cities that restrict data centers may turn to Riverside.
- Councilmember Philip Falcone wants applications blocked while the city’s artificial intelligence working group does its work, which could take up to 13 months.
What’s next: The council holds a discussion and public hearing at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.
- A moratorium would start at 45 days. Extensions would each need council action and could stretch it to two years.
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SPONSORED STORY
The Big West Era Begins and CBU Basketball Is Back
Both Lancer teams return from March Madness as the program begins its first season in the Big West Conference — and formalizes a crosstown rivalry with UC Riverside.
CBU basketball kicks off its 2026-27 season next month.
The season tips off Nov. 3 with a slate of nonconference games ahead of the Big West Conference. Men's basketball has its first matchup in the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center at 7 p.m.
The men finished 25-9 overall and 13-5 in conference play. For the first time in Lancer history, men's basketball became Western Athletic Conference champions, advancing the team to March Madness.
Coming off their debut in the NCAA Tournament, the Lancers are eager to build on their success.
The men's schedule features 22 conference matchups, split evenly between home and away. Their time in the Big West begins with a match against UC San Diego Tritons on Dec. 3.
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CULTURE
Native Plant Sale and Free Garden Workshops Return to Riverside Nov. 7
The California Native Plant Society chapter will offer 140 species suited to Inland Empire yards, plus advice on lawn alternatives and container gardens.
Native plant sale returns Nov. 7
Fall is a good time to plant natives, organizers say — and a Nov. 7 sale offers 140 species and free advice.
Why it matters: Plants set in now can use winter rains to grow roots before summer, and organizers expect a wetter-than-usual winter. Native habitat plants also draw butterflies, native bees and birds to local yards.
Know before you go: The California Native Plant Society’s Riverside-San Bernardino chapter hosts the sale, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m., at 4500 Glenwood Drive.
- The site is the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District. Parking is free; bring cash or a credit or debit card.
- Society members get a discount. Join or renew at cnps.org.
What’s for sale: Plants suited to the Inland Empire’s climate — including some inland natives that are hard to find elsewhere.
- The selection includes white sage, hoaryleaf ceanothus and California buckwheat, shrubs that need little or no summer water once established.
- Shoppers can also buy locally sourced seeds and bulbs, books and wildflower posters.
Free help: Volunteer experts will help shoppers pick plants and plan lawn alternatives, and UC Master Gardeners staff a booth 9 a.m.–noon.
- 11 a.m.: Master Gardener Lynn Coffman leads “Using California Natives in Your Garden.”
- Noon: Michele Felix-Derbarmdiker of the conservation district leads “Native Plant Container Gardens,” for people without a yard.
What’s next: The chapter’s Desert Native Plant Sale runs 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage.
- The chapter needs volunteers for both sales and day-before setup. Email rsbcnps@cnps.org.
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Noteworthy
Reader Carolyn Bolz sent us a little celebration of our 20,000-subscriber milestone:
CONGRATULATIONS
Strike up the band
And clap your hands.
Get the confetti ready!
Will the Gazette staff
Please take a bow?
You have twenty-thousand
Subscribers. Wow!
— Carolyn Bolz
Thank you, Carolyn, and thanks to every reader who helped us get here!
What's Happening in Riverside
Friday, October 16
- Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels
- 2nd Annual Cutest Pets Contest | Oct 1-25 | Marcy Library at Marcy Library
- Savvy Chic Kids Fall Pop-Up Sale at Arlington Plaza
- Clue at California Baptist University's Wallace Theatre ($12- $15)
- Youth Archery (7-16 year olds) at Student Recreation Center (SRC), Glen Mor Fields
- Sight Unseen Reframed Exhibition at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- International Sloth Day | Grab n' Go at Marcy Library
- FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Movies on the Lawn: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1941) at Heritage House
- Noche De Exitos #2 at Fox Performing Arts Center
Saturday, October 17
- Donuts & Dragsters at Target Store Riverside-Arlington
- Men's Soccer vs Gonzaga at UCR Soccer Stadium
- Goeske Bingo at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
- FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- String Puppet Craft & Performance Workshop! w/Puppets a la Carte at Nacho Ann's Fabrics ($30)
- Dark Carnival at Heritage House
- Knights of Columbus Annual Italian Dinner! at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church ($20- $35)
- Murder Mystery Dinner at Riverside Woman's Club - Corner of Brockton and Tenth ($50)
- 14th Annual Good Neighbor Awards Dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($35)
- Benise - 25 Years of Passion! at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Spooky Music Organ Concert at First Congregational Church of Riverside ($30)
- Chan Halloween Rave at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Art After Dark at Barbara and Art Culver Center for the Arts
Sunday, October 18
- Mission Inn Foundation Run at Downtown Riverside ($70- $120)
- Volunteer Orientation at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Gardening for Butterflies at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Dancing for Fun at Janet Goeske Center
- Sensing Form: A World Beyond Sight at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
Save the Date
- Oct 19: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 19: FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 21: FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- Oct 22: Experience RUSD, Riverside Unified State of the District at Riverside Municipal Airport
- Oct 23: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Oct 24: When the Science of Reading Meets the Science of Motivation at Ruth Lewis Center at Reid Park
- Oct 24: Fall Festival at the R'Garden! at R'Garden
- Oct 24: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 24: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 24: Magic Underground at Back to the Grind ($30- $45)
- Oct 24: Skeleton Keys at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
- Oct 24: Vintage Car and Warbird Show at Riverside Airport - Commemorative Air Force Hanger and Museum
- Oct 25: A Glorious Celebration of America at 250 at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($15- $25)
- Nov 4: Medicare EXPO at Janet Goeske Center
- Nov 5: Les Miserables at Woodcrest Christian School ($15- $20)
- Nov 7: Art in the Gardens at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Nov 14: Riverside Veterans Parade - Downtown Riverside/Market St.
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