Friday Gazette: October 2, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! The temperatures may not be saying fall just yet, but the calendar has officially turned, and Halloween isn't far behind. We're putting together a guide to the must-see fall and Halloween decor and experiences across the city, from neighborhood displays to the spots worth planning a weekend around.
Send your tips to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com, along with locations and any details you know, so we can get out to take photos and share the full guide by mid-October.
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
CITY HALL
Charter School, 48-bed Assisted-Living Facility Win Planning Commission Approval
The Planning Commission unanimously cleared an Alta Vista Innovation High School location in Magnolia Center and a senior care facility in Orangecrest.
A Magnolia Center charter school can enroll up to 225 students — but no more than 25 can be on-site at once.
Why it matters: The unanimous Sept. 24 votes add an independent-study high school on Magnolia Avenue and up to 48 beds of senior care, including memory care, in Orangecrest.
How it works: Alta Vista Innovation High School students, ages 14 to 23, will mostly work off-site and meet teachers weekly.
- The school at 6422 Magnolia Ave. will run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays in a building it shares with a private gym.
By the numbers: Applicant Travis Chopp expects about 50 students at launch, with five to eight on-site at a time.
Yes, but: Commissioner Johnny Wilder questioned parking. The school gets 10 of the lot's 19 spaces, and six of those go to staff.
- Chopp said most students will arrive by drop-off or public transit.
Also approved: Riverside Heights Assisted Living LLC can open a 48-bed facility for adults 60 and older at 18171 Van Buren Blvd.
- The upstairs floor will be a secured memory-care unit, applicant Ebraheem Hamed said.
- Vice Chair Brian Baird called it "a much needed service in our community."
Read and share the complete story...
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
CITY HALL
City Seeks Residents to Fill 16 Boards and Commissions
Riverside residents who are registered voters can apply through Nov. 13 for volunteer seats advising the City Council on issues from planning to police oversight.
Residents can apply through Nov. 13 for openings on 16 city boards and commissions that advise the City Council.
Why it matters: Members' recommendations help inform council decisions on planning, parks, ethics, public safety, accessibility and the budget. Every ward has openings.
By the numbers: Wards 2 and 6 each have openings on 12 of the 16 panels.
- Ward 4 has 7, Ward 7 has 5, and Wards 1, 3 and 5 have 4 each.
Where the openings are: The Charter Review Committee has the most, with a citywide seat and seats for all seven wards.
- Seven other panels, including the Airport Commission and Community Police Review Commission, also have citywide openings.
Who can apply: Applicants must live within city limits and be registered voters.
- Terms run four years, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
What's next: Applications close Friday, Nov. 13, though the city accepts them year-round for all boards.
- Questions: riversideca.gov/cityclerk/boards-commissions City Clerk's Office, 951-826-5557.
Read and share the complete story...
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
RAINCROSS RUNDOWN
Climb, Create, and Get a Little Spooky This October
Charity walks, local history, live music, and a little Halloween mischief fill Riverside's October calendar.
The calendar says fall, but October looks like it's hanging on to summer a little longer. So grab a cold drink, keep the sunscreen handy, and plan for early mornings and cool evenings, because this month is packed with reasons to get out. You can run through downtown for a nearly 50-year-old tradition, climb Mt. Rubidoux in support of local cancer survivors, and step inside historic buildings that are usually closed to the public. Along the way there's live music, a blindfolded ceramics workshop, a book fair for history lovers, and plenty of Halloween spirit to close things out. Here's what's worth your time.
Read and share the complete October Rundown...
Noteworthy
California Baptist University debuted on the 2027 National University list of the U.S. News & World Report annual Best Colleges rankings, moving from the Best Regional University in the West. This is the 21st year CBU has appeared on a U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list.
What's Happening in Riverside
Friday, October 2
- Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Women's Volleyball vs. UC Irvine at SRC Arena
- THE EMO NIGHT TOUR (18+) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- MOCEDADES US TOUR 2026 at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Seussical Jr and Seussical Kids at The Box Theater ($15- $22)
Saturday, October 3
- Magnolia Center Cleanup at Alin Party Supply Parking Lot
- Donuts & Dragsters at Target Store Riverside-Arlington
- Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center's Spay-Neuter Clinic ($10- $28)
- Blessing of the Animals at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
- 250 (Million) Years of Riverside's Ecology at Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District LandUse Learning Center
- Aquamotion Aquathon at Shamel Pool
- BofA Museums On Us offers FREE admission at Riverside Art Museum
- Broadway at RCC at Landis Performing Arts Center
- FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- French Police at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- MarioAguilar - "Diezmadre" at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Women's Soccer vs. UC Irvine at UCR Soccer Stadium
Sunday, October 4
- Blessing of the Animals at All Saints' Episcopal Church
- Riverside Historical Society Local History Book Fair at Villegas Community Center
- Storytime in the Gardens at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Gardening for Butterflies at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Learn Origami at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Pop-up Shop, plants & branded merchandise at UCR Botanic Gardens
- Prayers and Public Information Meeting at Riverside Baha'i Center
- BofA Museums On Us offers FREE admission Oct 3 & 4, Riverside Art Museum at Riverside Art Museum
- Panel Discussion with Dr. Tracy Fisher & Curators Dr. Shannon Vittoria & Dr. Shipu Wang at Riverside Art Museum
- IE Zine Fest '26 at The Cheech Center for Chicano Art & Culture
- First Sundays: Riverside's First Labor Force at Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue
- FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Insane Clown Posse at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Las Alucines - Tu Nuevo Estilo de Vida US Tour at Fox Performing Arts Center
- Seussical Jr and Seussical Kids at The Box Theater ($15- $22)
Save the Date
- Oct 5: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 5: FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
- Oct 7: FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- Oct 9: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Oct 10: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 10: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Oct 10: The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Ride at Riverside Plaza ($15- $80)
- Oct 17: Spooky Music Organ Concert at First Congregational Church of Riverside ($30)
- Oct 22: Experience RUSD, Riverside Unified State of the District at Riverside Municipal Airport
- Oct 24: Vintage Car and Warbird Show at Riverside Airport - Commemorative Air Force Hanger and Museum
- Nov 5: Les Miserables at Woodcrest Christian School ($15- $20)
- Nov 14: Riverside Veterans Parade - Downtown Riverside/Market St.
🗓️ 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.