Tuesday Gazette: September 15, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! Today is National Voter Registration Day, and it also happens to fall on International Day of Democracy, so we're leaning into the civic spirit a bit today. If you've got questions or concerns about upcoming elections, or anything else touching local civic life, feel free to email Micaela directly with what's on your mind, she's always looking for what to cover next.
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CITY HALL
Riverside Committee Backs Temporary Data Center Moratorium
The proposed 90-day pause would give city officials time to define data centers and develop permanent restrictions.
A council committee wants to pause new data center proposals for 90 days while the city studies a permanent ban.
Why it matters: If a data center developer eyes Riverside, they'd hit a 90-day wall while officials write rules on electricity use, water consumption and whether the industry belongs here at all.
Driving the news: The Land Use Committee voted unanimously Monday to recommend a temporary moratorium instead of Councilmember Philip Falcone's original permanent ban.
- Falcone warned added demand from housing and industrial uses means "something's got to give" on the power grid.
- The push accelerated after a proposed data center partnership with veteran-training group iVETS was pulled from the Aug. 11 council agenda.
The backstory: Riverside already has three known data centers — run by Lumen, Acorn Technology and the county — and only one connection to the statewide power grid.
- Councilmember Sean Mill called data centers a "nonstarter" until the city adds a second grid connection.
- Committee Chair Clarissa Cervantes flagged a possible loophole in Falcone's proposed 50% usage threshold for defining a data center.
Yes, but: Not everyone backs a ban — real estate adviser Herb Grabell urged the committee to study the industry further before acting.
- Ward 3 resident Keith Nelson noted the meeting itself streamed using data center infrastructure.
What's next: The policy returns to committee after staff drafts a definition, then heads to the Planning Commission before a final City Council vote.
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EVENTS
Mucho Gusto Returns to North Park With a Lineup Built to Cross Lines
The Annual Festival Brings Together Bands From Many Genres and From Across the Continent.
Saturday's Mucho Gusto lineup blends genres and cultures under one banner — a celebration of the African diaspora without borders.
Why it matters: Expect a nine-hour bill mixing plena, R&B, indie rock and cumbia — including the first shared stage for Chicano Batman's former frontmen — with no need to speak Spanish to enjoy it.
What's new: Headliner Plenazo Tribe formed in Los Angeles in 2023; members joined Bad Bunny onstage during February's Super Bowl LX halftime show.
- The group released its debut album, "INMIGRANTES," in August.
Also on the bill: Bardo and E. Arenas, the creative core of the now-split Chicano Batman, play back-to-back solo sets for the first time since their breakup.
- Local R&B and hip-hop act Cam Gnarly rounds out the lineup with a message of empowerment.
The backstory: Co-founder Ulises Rodriguez said the festival's diaspora roots "have no borders," growing from a rooftop party into today's nine-hour event with help from Division 9 Gallery's Cosme Cordova.
- Cordova also founded the city's Day of the Dead festival and runs the Mariachi Festival and Artnival.
What's next: Mucho Gusto runs 3-11 p.m. Saturday at North Park, 3200 Mission Inn Ave.; tickets at muchogustofest.com.
- Colombian band Patacore previews the sound Thursday, Sept. 17, with a free show at Brüe Crüe, 11626 Sterling Ave. (21 and over).
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Noteworthy
Families can write letters to Santa now through USPS before adoption opens November 16, with gifts due by December 12 for delivery by Christmas.
New UC Riverside research led by astrophysicist Stephen Kane finds Venus likely swallowed its own moon, as the planet's slow 243-day rotation would cause a moon to spiral inward and crash into the surface rather than drift away like Earth's.
This Week in Riverside
Today
- County Board of Supervisors Meeting at 4080 Lemon Street, 1st Floor
- FREE YOGA - Mandala Yoga with Alejandro at Community Yoga Center
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Course at Riverside City EOC
- Karaoke Tuesday Competition at The Hideaway
- Music Workshop from Colombia Pacific Coast at Riverside Art Museum
- ScotSurplus Sale at ScotSurplus Store
Tomorrow
- About Writing at Janet Goeske Center
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- FREE Beginning Square Dance Lessons with Line Dancing at Cowtown Square Dance Center
- FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
- National Play-Doh Day at the Marcy Library at Marcy Library
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Riverside Jams at Carbon Nation Brewery
- Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church ($25)
Save the Date
- Sep 18: FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 18: Open Mic Night at Riverside Baha'i Center
- Sep 18: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Sep 19: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 19: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 19: Magic Underground at Back to the Grind ($30.00 - $45.00)
- Sep 21: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 23: FREE Beginning Square Dance Lessons with Line Dancing at Cowtown Square Dance Center
- Sep 23: FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- Sep 25: Moon Festival at Heritage House
- Oct 3: Aquamotion Aquathon at Shamel Pool
- Oct 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
- Nov 14: Riverside Veterans Parade - Downtown Riverside/Market St.
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