The Raincross-o-lantern sculpture brings Halloween spirit to Riverside City Hall. Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: October 31, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! As October comes to an end, we're celebrating the excitement that's transformed our neighborhoods. In this edition, we've got your last-minute guide to making the most of Halloween evening and the Day of the Dead weekend celebrations throughout our city.
And for those who enjoy a spooky tale or two, we've gathered tragic stories from Historic Olivewood Cemetery—accounts of Riverside's founding families and their untimely endings that have become part of our local lore.
Last-Minute Guide: Halloween and Día de los Muertos Events This Weekend
From trick-or-treating to traditional ofrendas, here's a sampling of spooky and cultural celebrations happening around Riverside through the weekend.
A huge thank you to our volunteer community photographer Bob Sirotnik for capturing the Halloween spirit across Riverside! Bob's dedication to documenting our neighborhoods' creative displays helps share the joy these decorated homes bring to our community. We're grateful for his time and talent in preserving these festive moments. 🎃
Looking for last-minute plans for Halloween and Día de los Muertos? From trunk-or-treats to spooky bar crawls and community altars to crafts & storytime, here's a sampling of events and activities happening around town this weekend. This is just a taste of everything Riverside has to offer. For a complete listing of community events, check out our community calendar.
On Halloween Morning, Remembering Riverside's Real Ghosts
Five heartbreaking stories from 1893 to 1938 reveal the human tragedies that shaped our city's history.
A vintage view of Olivewood Memorial Park. (Courtesy of Olivewood Memorial Park)
This Halloween, we share five heartbreaking stories from Riverside's past that remind us real tragedy can be more haunting than any ghost story. From the 1893 hunting accident that claimed the son of our first bank's founder to the 1938 holiday season crash that killed an officer on the eve of his promotion, these historical accounts reveal how sudden loss has shaped our community. Through conversations with Olivewood Memorial Park and the Mission Inn Foundation, we explore how these stories are respectfully preserved and shared today.
Bar Ni Modo Hosts Community Día de los Muertos Ofrenda
Bar Ni Modo is inviting Riverside residents to honor their loved ones through a Día de los Muertos celebration running October 30 through November 30.
Día de los Muertos ofrenda at Bar Ni Modo in Farm House Collective, adorned with traditional marigold garlands and candles for the community celebration. (Justin Pardee)
Bar Ni Modo in The Farm House Collective is hosting a community ofrenda this month, inviting guests to bring photos of loved ones who have passed along with non-perishable items that represent them. The tradition honors the centuries-old Mexican custom of creating altars to welcome spirits back and keep their memory alive.
Driving the news: The bar features traditional marigolds, lights and festive decorations throughout the month, with guests able to request pan de muerto—a sweet bread traditionally shared during the holiday—and a special "La Llorona" cocktail made with tequila, melon, orgeat, green chartreuse, coconut, and topped with a marigold flower.
Why it matters: "Día de los Muertos is a day of remembrance, when families honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have passed away with altars, flowers, food, and joyful memories," says Jessica Neblina, bartender at Bar Ni Modo.
The big picture: Executive Chef Ulises Pelayo emphasizes the celebration is open to everyone, regardless of background.
"This celebration isn't about where you come from or what background you are. This is for everybody to come one, come all," Pelayo says. "We want to make sure that you're invited and you're really thinking about the people you love at this moment when you come in."
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
🐾 Alumni Update: Carlisle was adopted! 🎉
Fifi is the type of pup who wears her emotions on her tail. If you're in her sightline, you can bet her tail (and her body) will be wagging and wiggling every step of her way to you. Fifi is full of happiness and loves to meet new people. She's also up for anything: Walk around the neighborhood? Fifi can't wait. Teaching her new tricks (with treats involved)? Fifi is 100% on board. Snoozing on a Sunday afternoon? Fifi wants the fluffy pillow. We hope you'll consider adopting this sweet gal; she'll light up your home and bring joy to your family.
Come meet Fifi and all the adoptable pets at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
RCC's Viewpoints student journalists won General Excellence Awards in both online and newspaper categories at the JACC SoCal Regional Conference, with five editors receiving individual honors for editorials, design, and video reporting among 15 competing community colleges.
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