Sunday Gazette: October 26, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! October wouldn't be complete without pumpkins, those cheerful orange ambassadors of fall that transform our porches, tables, and neighborhoods into autumn wonderlands. Today marks National Pumpkin Day, the perfect time to celebrate everything we love about these versatile gourds.
Speaking of celebrating, Taco Station is hosting a pumpkin decorating contest that's bringing out the creativity in our community. We love seeing local businesses and neighbors come together to make the season special.
Happy National Pumpkin Day, Riverside!
COMMUNITY
For Your Commuting Hunger Consideration
A series by Anthony Solorzano exploring Riverside through the eyes of a transplant, as the memory of a hometown slowly fades.
Hunger is a common feeling after my commute from work. But my tiredness is an unmatched obstacle standing in my way. Sometimes you just need to grab a hamburger on your way home and call it a day.
Unfortunately, I don't know where all the good burger joints are in Riverside. In my previous life, Tom's was my main choice. I wouldn't say it's a diner that falls under the category of "must try." For locals, it is probably an establishment that has provided food for them since they were kids. It's not a staple of Pomona, but it is a burger you can count on. What can possibly replace that for me in the city of the Raincross?
Here's the thing: There is an art to looking for the right burger to quench my hunger when I don't want to cook for myself.
Read and share the complete story...
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
NEIGHBOR OF THE WEEK
Neighbor of the Week: Laura Pulido Vasquez
Each week, we will introduce a new neighbor. This is not a who's who list. These are regular Riversiders doing exceptional things.
In honor of upcoming Day of the Dead, we're featuring Laura Pulido Vasquez again this year. Last year's Neighbor of the Week inspired our community by creating a large ofrenda outside her Riverside home that welcomed all neighbors to participate. Her generous spirit and dedication to sharing Día de los Muertos traditions made this sacred holiday more accessible and meaningful for Riversiders, showing how one person's cultural celebration can bring an entire neighborhood together.
Know a neighbor making Day of the Dead special for Riversiders? We'd love to meet them! Share their story and nominate them today.
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
BUSINESS
DoorDash Brings Autonomous Delivery Robot to Riverside Streets
Electric robot 'Dot' makes Main Street debut as DoorDash explores Riverside operations hub.
DoorDash introduced its self-driving delivery robot "Dot" in Riverside, California, marking a significant step in automated last-mile delivery and strengthening ties with local businesses.
Driving the news: The electric robot made its debut at Gram's BBQ on Main Street, delivering peach cobbler to city officials at City Hall.
- Dot can travel up to 20 mph and cover a 3-to-5-mile radius, navigating bike lanes, sidewalks, and road shoulders.
Why it matters: The autonomous delivery program aims to reduce vehicle traffic and emissions while supporting local businesses.
- DoorDash currently partners with nearly 700 Riverside businesses.
The big picture: DoorDash is exploring real estate options in Riverside for an operational headquarters, planning to use the city as its Inland Empire anchor.
- The company intends to hire locally and has joined the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.
What's next: DoorDash plans a "robust community engagement plan" to educate residents about the technology at local events.
- The deployment requires extensive preparation, including training for first responders and police on interacting with the robots.
Read and share the complete story...
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
CREATIVE PROMPTS
Stick ‘Em Up
A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
This week, we’re moving from the heavy metal staying power of staples and taking a moment with our softer side. This week’s creative nudge, the adhesive bandage, like any cool character, goes by many names like “plasters” if you need one traveling England. I looked up what Aussies call them because generally, they’re a go-to for silly names of things. But like most Americans, they use the brand name Band-Aid instead of the generic and way less poetic “adhesive bandage.”
It's a strange thing: I open the medicine cabinet and a dizzying waterfall of sizes, shapes, and styles of bandages spill out. Is all this “choice” really helping me solve my problem? Or just leaving me feeling ill-equipped and doubtful about what to do?
Read and share this week's complete prompt...
This Week in Riverside
Sunday, October 26
- Art Devotional at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Free Christian Art Exhibit: Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
- Halloween Clay Figures at the Marcy Library at Marcy Library
- Monopoly Competition - Riverside Edition! at 7944 Magnolia Ave ($25- $28.52)
- Raincross Master Chorale presents: "Sing Joyfully" at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($10- $20)
- You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at The Box Theater ($22- $25)
- Kitchen Stories: Culture Through Food and Memory at Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California
- Downtown Riverside Haunted Tours Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Tour Starts In front of Eliza Tibbets Statue ($39.19)
- Mike V & the Rats! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
Monday, October 27
- Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels, Inc
- RCTC Programs and Projects at County Admin Center 4080 Lemon St.
- Monday Carillon Recitals at UCR Bell Tower
- Jazz Ensembles Concert at Riverside City College
Tuesday, October 28
- Riverside County Board of Supervisors Meeting at County Administrative Center
- Veterans Transfer Application Workshop at Riverside City College
- Tuesday Karaoke at The Hideaway
Wednesday, October 29
- 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
- Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
- Jason Mraz at Fox Performing Arts Center
Thursday, October 30
- History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at The Mission Inn Foundation ($49.87)
- Women's Soccer vs. UC Davis at UCR Soccer Stadium
- In The Heights at Riverside City College
- Paint n' Sip Event!! Halloween!! at Riverside Food Lab
- Halloween Paint and Sip Night at Tacos Al Fuego
- Kitty's Halloween Rave (18+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium- Garden Room
- Halloween Costume Speed Dating! at Killer Queens Social House
- Nightmare On Main St: Pre-Halloween Party at Mezcal Ultra Lounge
Friday, October 31
- Harvest Carnival at Riverside Faith Temple
- Bingo Loco (21+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Foos Gone Wild at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Halloween Party at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
- The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (Fri & Sat) at Lake Alice Trading Co.
- Riverside Official Halloween Bar Crawl at Killer Queens Social House
Saturday, November 1
- Vintage Car Show 1900 – 1959 at Riverside Elks Lodge
- IE Alumni Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful at University Avenue between Iowa Ave. and Canyon Crest Drive
- Grand Avenue Adopt-A-Street Service Activity at Meet at the Church Parking Lot
- Mt. Rubidoux Walking Tour at Mt. Rubidoux Trailhead, a short walk from Ryan Bonaminio Park. ($21.20)
- Riverside Day of the Dead at Market St.
- UCRBG Art in the Gardens at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Native Plant Celebration and Sale at Corona Resource Conservation District
- Women's Volleyball vs. Hawai'i at SRC Arena
- The Cure Tribute by the Curse! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
- Bored Teachers: The Struggle Is Real! Comedy Tour at Fox Performing Arts Center
Save the Date
- November 2: Free Christian Art Exhibit: Icons in Transformation at Immanuel Lutheran Church
- November 5: Medicare EXPO at Janet Goeske Foundation
- November 15: NORA's 44th Annual Dinner & Auction Galaat Victoria Club ($175)
- November 15: Olivewood Memorial Park Historical Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Memorial Park ($20)
- November 16: "On Peace & Friendship" - Opening Exhibit Reception at Mission Inn Foundation/Museum
- 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)
🗓️ See More Events 📝 Submit Your Event
📸 Submit a photo to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts.
🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.
