> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🗞️ Riverside News- October 23, 2026 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-october-23-2026/ - Published: 2026-10-23T12:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T12:00:00.000Z - Description: RUSD Area 1 candidates, Casa Blanca refresh, Downtown staycation... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/10/13.jpeg) An evening moon over Hawarden Hills. | Rosalyn Anderson **Friday Gazette: October 23, 2026** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday!** When you shop small, you're supporting the neighbors behind the counter: the shop owners, makers and families who make Riverside feel like home. We're still gathering picks for our Shop Small guide, out on Thanksgiving Day. Which local shop always has just the right gift? A bookstore, a boutique, a vendor at the farmers market? Reply and tell us what makes it special. Here's what else is happening around town: --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20261023)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20261023&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [2026 ELECTION](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/election-2026/) ## RUSD Trustee Area 1 Candidates Weigh In on Bond Oversight, Repairs and Public Voice Candidates address a state audit that found bond funds spent appropriately but with insufficient transparency for taxpayers. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/10/RG-Feat-Image-Template-16.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/rusd-trustee-area-1-candidates-debate-bond-oversight-repairs-and-public-voice/) Riverside Unified Trustee Area 1 candidates, from left, Duffy Atkinson, incumbent Noemi Hernandez Alexander and Jinane Annous. Atkinson and Annous weighed in on Measure O bond oversight, future facilities spending and public comment at board meetings. | Camille Grochowski/Gazette; headshots courtesy of the candidates How should Riverside Unified earn taxpayers’ trust before asking them to fund more school construction? And how should families and teachers help shape the district’s decisions? In the second installment of the Gazette’s Trustee Area 1 election questionnaire, candidates were asked about Measure O bond oversight, future facilities spending, public participation at board meetings and instructional coaching for teachers. Jinane Annous and Duffy Atkinson, who are challenging incumbent Noemi Hernandez Alexander, responded. Hernandez Alexander did not submit her answers by press deadline. Readers can find the candidates’ responses on district finances in [the first installment of this series](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/rusd-trustee-area-1-candidates-weigh-budget-cuts-revenue-and-possible-school-consolidations/). [Read and share the questions and each responding candidate’s full answers...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/rusd-trustee-area-1-candidates-debate-bond-oversight-repairs-and-public-voice/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=20261023)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20261023&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [COMMUNITY](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/community/) ## Volunteers Give Casa Blanca Center a Kaiser-Backed Refresh Nearly 60 volunteers spent a single day restoring benches, outdoor areas and the center's donation closets. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-17-111850-1.png)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/volunteers-give-casa-blanca-center-a-kaiser-backed-refresh/) Volunteers and organizations come together on Sept. 18 to revitalize Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Services, 7680 Casa Blanca St. | Courtesy of Kaiser Permanente Riverside County Sixty volunteers spent Sept. 18 refreshing Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service, a community center with roots in the 1950s. **Why it matters:** The center runs a public food pantry and clothing closet, plus programs and giveaways for families in need. Those spaces just got a top-to-bottom tune-up. **Driving the news:** Kaiser Permanente Riverside and Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful chose Casa Blanca for Kaiser’s annual facility service project. - Kaiser’s National Facility Design and Construction Services picks one organization each year, and it cited Casa Blanca’s decades of service. - Volunteers restored benches and outdoor areas, added plants, and organized the pantry and clothing closet. **What they’re saying:** Executive Director Jerry Pulido said the work meant more than fresh paint. - “It’s a reminder that our community sees our work,” he said. **The backstory:** Neighbors started the center in the 1950s to support their community. - Pulido grew up in the Casa Blanca neighborhood and rose from volunteer to executive director. **Stop by:** The center is at 7680 Casa Blanca St. and is open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - It posts upcoming events, including food distributions and backpack giveaways, on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/casablancahns%5F/?ref=raincrossgazette.com). [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/volunteers-give-casa-blanca-center-a-kaiser-backed-refresh/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20261023) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20261023&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [COMMUNITY](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/community/) ## Downtown Staycation A monthly stroll through Riverside's everyday neighborhoods, one step at a time. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/10/riverside-art-and-music-fest-2026-1.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/downtown-staycation/) Visitors browse artist booths at dusk during the Riverside Art & Music Festival at White Park, the city’s oldest park, in Downtown Riverside. | Larry Burns/Raincross Gazette I usually begin these walks by deciding where to park. This time I’m looking for somewhere to sleep. My family had to leave our Canyon Crest home for three nights, driven away by a terrific (using the British emphasis) termite infestation. I’ve moved around Riverside since I arrived in the '90s, but I’ve never lived Downtown. Relocating to the Hyatt Place at Fifth and Market gave me a chance to see Downtown from another side. I’ve spent plenty of time Downtown, even written two books about things to do here. Now I have a different assignment: find out what it feels like to have all those things mere steps from my door. Impressions and experiences shared in this month’s walk came together in a series of short walks from the hotel, often accompanied by Boots, our red-nosed pit bull. Boots is friendly, occasionally skittish, and stronger than she realizes. I give her room to investigate smells and let people decide for themselves whether they want to meet her. Walking with a dog influences what you notice. I spend more time looking down, considering the sidewalk from her perspective. There is apparently quite a lot happening down there. Boots’s low slung approach lets me appreciate the yard art and thoughtfulness put into these postage stamp front yards, privately enjoyed but publicly visible. Fencing, trees, signs, and paths all help people who live here co-exist with neighbors, and visitors like me. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/downtown-staycation/) --- ## Noteworthy Poly High School’s Melanie Herrera is the [newest Laker Girl](https://ktla.com/video/lakers-tip-off-new-season-against-golden-state-warriors/12290339/?ref=raincrossgazette.com), introduced by KTLA’s Megan Telles during the station’s coverage of the Lakers’ season tip-off against the Golden State Warriors. UCR’s Homecoming concert is [free and open to the public](https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2026/10/22/legendary-hip-hop-dj-headline-ucrs-2026-homecoming?ref=raincrossgazette.com) this year, with hip-hop pioneer Funk Flex headlining Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bell Tower, alongside UCR alum DJ Alf Alpha. Police [arrested 12 people at Ryan Bonaminio Park](https://riversideca.gov/press/officers-address-ongoing-issues-ryan-bonaminio-park?ref=raincrossgazette.com) after months of operations targeting stolen city light poles, copper wire theft and drug complaints, recovering city property from 10 encampments in the park and nearby river bottom. 📣 ****See something? Say something.** Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please [share it with us](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/contact/). --- ## What's Happening in Riverside ### Friday, October 23 - [The Art of Reading & Writing](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-art-of-reading-writing/19970662/2026-10-23T09) at My Learning Studio ($90) - [Art Workshop](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/art-workshop/19971147/2026-10-23T15) at My Learning Studio ($96) - [How to Write a Letter](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/how-to-write-a-letter/19971191/2026-10-23T14) at My Learning Studio ($64) - [Painting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/painting/19971064/2026-10-23T10) at My Learning Studio ($96) - [Science of Magic](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/science-of-magic/19970480/2026-10-23T12) at My Learning Studio ($96) - [Women's Volleyball vs. California Baptist](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/womens-volleyball-vs-california-baptist/19645051/2026-10-23T18) at SRC Arena - [Murder Mystery Co. Dinner Theater Show](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/murder-mystery-co-dinner-theater-show/18734751/2026-10-23T19) at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($69) - [Darkwave Records Presents: Riverside After Dark](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/darkwave-records-presents-riverside-after-dark-garden-room-rma/19563341/2026-10-23T19) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium (Garden Room) - [Haunted Tour + Halloween Maze: Campus History, Community Memory, and Student Storytelling](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/haunted-tour-halloween-maze-campus-history-community-memory-and-student-storytelling/20191818/2026-10-23T10) at Landis Performing Arts Center - [Bingo Loco (21+)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/bingo-loco-21/19438813/2026-10-23T19) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ### Saturday, October 24 - [When the Science of Reading Meets the Science of Motivation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/when-the-science-of-reading-meets-the-science-of-motivation-/20134880/2026-10-24T08) at Ruth Lewis Center at Reid Park - [Pink on Parade Breast Cancer Awareness Walk](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/pink-on-parade-breast-cancer-awareness-walk/19720698/2026-10-24T07) at Ryan Bonaminio Park ($22.20 - $32.80) - [Vintage Car and Warbird Show](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/vintage-car-and-warbird-show/19929956/2026-10-24T09) at Riverside Airport - Commemorative Air Force Hanger and Museum - [Barktoberfest](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/barktoberfest/19548177/2026-10-24T12) at White Park ($25- $75) - [Fall Festival](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/fall-festival/20194613/2026-10-24T13) at Louis Robidoux Parkland and Pecan Grove - [Fall Festival at the R'Garden!](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/fall-festival-at-the-rgarden/20131947/2026-10-24T11) at R'Garden - [Backrooms](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/backrooms/20125863/2026-10-24T15) at Culver Center of the Arts - [Conversational Spanish](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/conversational-spanish/19971312/2026-10-24T10) at My Learning Studio ($60) - [Doors Open Riverside](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/doors-open-riverside/20125850/2026-10-24T13) at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern - [Dying For Art](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/dying-for-art/20003018/2026-10-24T12) at Heritage House - [Art Workshop](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/art-workshop/19971322/2026-10-24T13) at My Learning Studio ($64) - [Storytime](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/storytime/19971263/2026-10-24T12) at My Learning Studio ($64) - [Facebook to Instagram](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/facebook-to-instagram/19971361/2026-10-24T09) at My Learning Studio ($20- $48) - [Friends of the Mission Inn 1920 silent movie "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/friends-of-the-mission-inn-1920-silent-movie-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/20130705/2026-10-24T12) at Mission Inn hotel in Grand Parisian Ballroom ($30- $35) - [Friends of the Mission Inn Fall Silent Movie](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/friends-of-the-mission-inn-fall-silent-movie/20059089/2026-10-24T12) at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa ($30- $35) - [Magic Underground](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/magic-underground/20072520/2026-10-24T18) at Back to the Grind ($30- $45) - [Men's Soccer vs San Diego State](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/mens-soccer-vs-san-diego-state/19563254/2026-10-24T19) at UCR Soccer Stadium - [Riverside Halloween Bar Crawl](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-halloween-bar-crawl/17384955/2026-10-24T16) at Palenque kitchen by Mezcal - [Skeleton Keys](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/skeleton-keys/20058916/2026-10-24T19) at First United Methodist Church of Riverside - [Tradición, Arte y Pasión: Mariachi Los Camperos](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/tradicin-arte-y-pasin-mariachi-los-camperos/19346843/2026-10-24T19) at Fox Performing Arts Center ### Sunday, October 25 - [A Glorious Celebration of America at 250](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/a-glorious-celebration-of-america-at-250/19935302/2026-10-25T16) at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($15- $25) - [Halloween Hop](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/halloween-hop/20167371/2026-10-25T17) at First United Methodist Church of Riverside - [Prayers and Public Information Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/prayers-and-public-information-meeting/16726617/2026-10-25T11) at Riverside Baha'i Center - [Spooky Spider Web Art Workshop](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/spooky-spider-web-art-workshop/20125864/2026-10-25T11) at Culver Center of the Arts - [Traditional Korean Music with Jeongmin Son](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/traditional-korean-music-with-jeongmin-son/20231473/2026-10-25T13) at UCR ARTS - [UCR Softball vs La Sierra](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/ucr-softball-vs-la-sierra/20231472/2026-10-25T12) at Amy S. Harrison Softball Field ## Save the Date - Oct 26: [FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-moody-mondays-with-cherie-amour/19504166/2026-10-26T19)at Community Yoga Center - Oct 26: [FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-the-evolution-of-ashtanga-with-kristin-varner/19060739/2026-10-26T08) at Community Yoga Center - Oct 28: [FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-seated-yoga-with-kristin-varner/19504145/2026-10-28T17) at All Saints Episcopal Church - Oct 30: [Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-sunrise-rotary-club-meeting/18634391/2026-10-30T07) at Zacatecas Café - Oct 31: [FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-the-art-of-vinyasa-with-catherine-murray/19503669/2026-10-31T07) at Community Yoga Center - Oct 31: [FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-yin-yoga-with-kristin-varner/19503829/2026-10-31T09) at Community Yoga Center - Nov 1: [BIG BROADWAY BINGO](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/big-broadway-bingo/20196858/2026-11-01T17) at Avila’s Historic 1929 ($125- $150) - Nov 4: [Medicare EXPO](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/medicare-expo/20172054/2026-11-04T10) at Janet Goeske Center - Nov 5: [KindnessWORKS Summit](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/kindnessworks-summit/20224163/2026-11-05T08) at Riverside Community College | BLCIS Multipurpose Room ($50) - Nov 5: [LEAC Comedy and Magic Show](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/leac-comedy-and-magic-show/20122774/2026-11-05T18) at The Box Theater ($60) - Nov 5: [Les Miserables](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/les-miserables/20042115/2026-11-05T19) at Woodcrest Christian School ($15- $20) - Nov 7: [Art in the Gardens](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/art-in-the-gardens/18864698/2026-11-07T10) at UCR Botanic Gardens - Nov 7: [The Art of Celebration!](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-art-of-celebration/20029157/2026-11-07T18) at Riverside Art Museum - Nov 14: [Riverside Veterans Parade](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-veterans-parade/19624354/2026-11-14T10) \- Downtown Riverside/Market St. - Nov 30: [The Wiz](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-wiz/19491320/2026-11-30T18) at Fox Performing Arts Center 🗓️ [See More Events](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/)📝 [Submit Your Event](https://hub.cityspark.com/Event/Submission/Raincross?ref=raincrossgazette.com) 📸 [Submit a photo](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts. 🏆 [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week.