From atop Mount Rubidoux this foggy weekend morning, Riverside disappeared beneath clouds that stretched like a vast ocean. (Luke López) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Wednesday Gazette: November 5, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Veterans Day is next week, and we're grateful for all who've served our nation. Our Riverside veterans continue making our community stronger through their volunteer work, coaching, and mentorship.
Know of any local businesses offering Veterans Day discounts? Share the details at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com so we can help spread the word.
City Council Approves $100,000 Emergency Food Program Amid Federal Shutdown
Council fast-tracks funding to Salvation Army within days of SNAP benefits lapsing, targeting 500-700 households with immediate food assistance.
The Salvation Army Riverside Corps Resource Center on First St., which will serve as the distribution site for the city's new $100,000 emergency food assistance program approved Tuesday for residents affected by the federal government shutdown. (Justin Pardee)
The City Council unanimously approved an emergency $100,000 food assistance program Tuesday to help residents affected by the federal government shutdown. The funding partners with the Salvation Army for immediate food distribution.
Driving the news: The program targets the city's 46,649 households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which lapsed Saturday, Nov. 1. The funding can assist approximately 500 to 700 households at an estimated cost of $143 to $200 per household.
"Many households, including our seniors and low-income individuals, are experiencing financial hardship due to the delay or loss of federal benefits," says Michelle Davis, director of the city's Housing and Human Services Department.
By the numbers: The city's SNAP recipients represent 13% of all SNAP recipients in Riverside County, including 16,100 children ages 0 to 17, 21,627 adults ages 18 to 59, and 8,922 seniors 60 and older.
How it works: The program requires eligibility verification including city residency confirmed through an identification card, lease or utility bill. SNAP participants must provide a current beneficiary letter, while federal employees need federal or military identification.
The funding source: The reallocation comes from the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program, but the six seniors who would have been assisted through that program can instead be helped through the city's Home Investment Partnerships Program Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.
What they're saying: "This is how, as it's been said, we can make a difference as a local government," says Councilmember Cervantes, who participated remotely. "As a mother who has personally used WIC and SNAP in the past, when I've needed that, it is life saving."
November ArtsWalk In the Dark After Daylight Savings Time Change
Several gallery openings and a preview of the Mission Inn lights make this ArtsWalk a must-see.
Sixty Miles East is a visual history of the underground music scene in the 1990’s, now running at the Riverside Art Museum. (Ken Crawford)
November's ArtsWalk takes on a different energy now that daylight saving time has ended - galleries glow against the night sky and street vendors' booths twinkle with holiday finds. This month features multiple gallery openings, including RAM's "60 Miles East" exhibition chronicling Riverside's underground music scene, plus receptions at RCAA Gallery, Urge Palette, and the Civil Rights Institute. Don't miss BRIN x Too Hard To Choose performing live at Ninth and Main, and stop by The Cheech to catch their ongoing exhibitions. It's the perfect evening to explore local art and get a jump on holiday shopping from Riverside's talented artists and artisans.
Foundation returns to Main Street after year away.
The vacant T. Elliot boutique will soon be home for the Mission Inn Museum. (Justin Pardee)
The Mission Inn Foundation is moving back to Main Street after a year on Market Street, taking over three storefronts at the corner of Sixth and Main streets in the space previously occupied by T Elliot clothing boutique.
Driving the news: The foundation secures a more prominent location at 3594 Main Street, directly across from the Mission Inn's Amistad Dome, marking a return to the pedestrian mall and the heart of downtown Riverside.
The new space sits adjacent to the building that once served as the hotel's annex and workers' dormitory.
Why it matters: The Market Street location suffered from little foot traffic and building problems, making operations challenging despite the dedication of docents who expanded tour offerings and developed new products.
What's new: The expanded space features a larger museum area to display more Mission Inn artifacts and increased retail space for locally inspired gifts, books and art that support educational and preservation programs.
The timeline: The foundation aims to open at the new location before the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights begins in late November.
"We can't wait to open our doors and continue celebrating Riverside's heritage, right where it belongs, on Main Street," says Jenn Gamble, Mission Inn Foundation president.
UCR research reveals that companies face long-term reputational damage when overpricing essential goods like medicine or hearing aids, with 3,000+ study participants judging such pricing through moral rather than economic lenses.
Five RCC Audio & Music Technology students earned prestigious NAMM Foundation Lamond GenNext Awards with $750 scholarships each to attend the 2026 NAMM Show, joining a national cohort for industry networking and leadership development.
Six-time Emmy Award-winning producer Christopher Contreras joined CBU as director of student publications – broadcast, bringing experience from covering the World Series, FIFA Women's World Cup and Fox College Football to mentor future broadcasters.
📣
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.
