> ## 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- September 23, 2026 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-september-16-2026-2/ - Published: 2026-09-23T12:00:28.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-23T12:00:29.000Z - Description: Nichols Park Center could triple in size, Zonta packs care bags for seniors... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/09/5.jpeg) Palm trees silhouetted against a colorful Labor Day sunset at Beechwood Place. (Suzy Clem) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? [Share it with us](https://goldstandardca.notion.site/13eef165d2ee80fa91c3de069cc9ec29?ref=raincrossgazette.com) and help celebrate the beauty of our community! **Wednesday Gazette: September 23, 2026** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday!** Today is [Za'atar Day](https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/zaatar-day/?ref=raincrossgazette.com), a nod to the tangy, herby spice blend that's a pantry staple across the Middle East. Traditionally made from dried thyme, sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and salt, za'atar gets sprinkled over flatbread, stirred into olive oil for dipping, or spooned over hummus and labneh. Want to make your own? Toast two tablespoons of sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden, then stir in a quarter cup of dried thyme, two tablespoons of ground sumac, and a teaspoon of salt. Store it in a sealed jar, and mix with olive oil whenever you're ready to use it. Here's what is happening around town: --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20260923)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20260923&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [CITY HALL](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/city-hall/) ## Nichols Park Center Could Triple in Size, Add Emergency Shelter and Deaf Cultural Space The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the expanded concept Monday, but how much gets built depends on grants the city has yet to win. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/09/RG-Feat-Image-Template-21.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/nichols-park-center-could-triple-in-size-add-emergency-shelter-and-deaf-cultural-space/) The Joyce Jackson Community Center at Nichols Park, built in 1977, could be replaced under a city proposal that would nearly triple its size. | The City of Riverside/[Instagram](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-september-22-2026/) Riverside advanced plans for a bigger Nichols Park Community Center, but funding for the $30 million project remains uncertain. **Why it matters:** If you use the Nichols Park center for classes or basketball, an expanded version could add a gym, adaptive sports space and emergency shelter — but the city still needs $18.5 million in grants to build it. **Driving the news:** The Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously Monday to receive and file an update on the proposal — a procedural step, not construction approval. - Staff are seeking $18.5 million in grants toward a project now estimated to cost up to $30 million. **What's new:** The concept calls for a building up to 30,000 square feet — triple the size of the 1977 center — with a gym, adaptive sports space and a Deaf Cultural Center featuring a 99-seat theater. - The building would also serve as emergency shelter during extreme heat, wildfire smoke and power outages. **By the numbers:** The city plans to seek $10 million through a state Community Resilience Center grant this month and $8.5 million through a Statewide Parks Program grant in December. - Neither grant requires matching funds, according to the staff report. **What they're saying:** Commissioner Thomas Forbes said crowded rooms and rising temperatures have driven her from classes at the current center. - "The need is paramount," Forbes said, urging fellow commissioners to visit the park. **Yes, but:** Commissioner Kevin Dawson questioned the cost and the process, saying the larger plan should have gone to the commission before the City Council's Sept. 15 grant action. - "Show me the numbers," Dawson said, pressing staff on rising operating and maintenance costs. **What's next:** Staff will bring updated plans and funding details back to the commission, with the City Council making the final call on what gets built. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/nichols-park-center-could-triple-in-size-add-emergency-shelter-and-deaf-cultural-space/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=20260923)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20260923&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [COMMUNITY](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/community/) ## Zonta Club Volunteers Pack Care Bags for Meals on Wheels Seniors The Riverside service organization filled the bags with personal care items and notes of encouragement for homebound residents. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/09/RG-Feat-Image-Template-19.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/zonta-club-volunteers-pack-care-bags-for-meals-on-wheels-seniors/) Volunteers with the Zonta Club of Riverside pack personal care items into Zonta Care Bags for Meals on Wheels recipients. | Carrie Madrid Zonta Club of Riverside paired Meals on Wheels deliveries with personal care items and notes for isolated seniors. **Why it matters:** Homebound Meals on Wheels recipients now get more than food — care bags add a personal touch meant to ease isolation. **What's new:** Members gathered at La Sierra Community Room on Sept. 19 to assemble the bags for local Meals on Wheels recipients. **What they're saying:** Debbie Waltzer, Zonta Club of Riverside president, said the effort lets recipients know "they are valued and remembered." **What's next:** The club's next meeting is Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at the SSgt. Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library, where members will assemble Zonta Birthing Kits for underserved women abroad. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/zonta-club-volunteers-pack-care-bags-for-meals-on-wheels-seniors/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20260923) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20260923&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- [](https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2026/08/31/washington-monthly-ranks-ucr-top-3-us-universities?ref=raincrossgazette.com) 📣 ****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 ### Today - [Riverside East Rotary Club](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-east-rotary-club/13565436/2026-09-23T07) at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern - [Stretch & Dance Class](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/stretch-dance-class/17541755/2026-09-23T09) at Janet Goeske Senior Center - [Riverside Mission Belles](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-mission-belles/18883483/2026-09-23T09) at Victoria Presbyterian Church ($25) - [FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-seated-yoga-with-kristin-varner/19504145/2026-09-23T17) at All Saints Episcopal Church - [History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/history-on-the-rocks-round-two-presented-by-the-mission-inn-foundation/19516291/2026-09-23T17) at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21) - [Rayland Baxter :: Farm House Collective](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/rayland-baxter-farm-house-collective/19109872/2026-09-23T12) at Farm House Collective - [FREE Beginning Square Dance Lessons with Line Dancing](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-beginning-square-dance-lessons-with-line-dancing/19511049/2026-09-23T18) at Cowtown Square Dance Center - [Riverside Jams](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-jams/19764406/2026-09-23T19) at Carbon Nation Brewery - [Riverside City Council Candidate Forum: Values and Vision for tour Future](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-city-council-candidate-forum-values-and-vision-for-tour-future/19788538/2026-09-23T18) at Temple Beth El ### Tomorrow - [Where are Riverside County's Ballots and How Secure Are Its Elections?](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/where-are-riverside-countys-ballots-and-how-secure-are-its-elections/19898438/2026-09-24T17) at The Cheech Marin Center - [Bluey's Big Play](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/blueys-big-play/18517627/2026-09-24T09) at Fox Performing Arts Center - [DIY Bird Seed Feeders](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/diy-bird-seed-feeders/19764219/2026-09-24T16) at Marcy Library - [Financial Aid Fall Refunds Disbursed](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/financial-aid-fall-refunds-disbursed/19706223/2026-09-24T00) at University of California, Riverside - [The Front Bottoms - 11 Years of Back On Top](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-front-bottoms-11-years-of-back-on-top/19346802/2026-09-24T19) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium - [History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/history-on-the-rocks-presented-by-the-mission-inn-foundation/19516284/2026-09-24T17) at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21) - [Remnants of a Century-Old Japantown: Historic Wintersburg, Huntington Beach](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/remnants-of-a-centuryold-japantown-historic-wintersburg-huntington-beach/19729660/2026-09-24T18) at Riverside Main Library ## Save the Date - Sep 25: [FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-the-evolution-of-ashtanga-with-kristin-varner/19060739/2026-09-25T08) at Community Yoga Center - Sep 25: [Moon Festival](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/moon-festival/19501541/2026-09-25T18) at Heritage House - Sep 25: [Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-sunrise-rotary-club-meeting/18634391/2026-09-25T07) at Zacatecas Café - Sep 26: [FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-the-art-of-vinyasa-with-catherine-murray/19503669/2026-09-26T07) at Community Yoga Center - Sep 26: [FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-yin-yoga-with-kristin-varner/19503829/2026-09-26T09) at Community Yoga Center - Sep 28: [FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-moody-mondays-with-cherie-amour/19504166/2026-09-28T19) at Community Yoga Center - Sep 30: [FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/free-yoga-seated-yoga-with-kristin-varner/19504145/2026-09-30T17) at All Saints Episcopal Church - Oct 3: [Aquamotion Aquathon](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/aquamotion-aquathon/19617601/2026-10-03T09) at Shamel Pool - Oct 4: [Riverside Historical Society Local History Book Fair](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-historical-society-local-history-book-fair/19902224/2026-10-04T11) at Villegas Community Center - Oct 7: [Fifty & Better Health Fair](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/fifty-better-health-fair/19338673/2026-10-07T10) at Janet Goeske Center - Oct 17: [Spooky Music Organ Concert](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/spooky-music-organ-concert/19944423/2026-10-17T17) at First Congregational Church of Riverside ($30.00) - Oct 22: [Experience RUSD, Riverside Unified State of the District](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/experience-rusd-riverside-unified-state-of-the-district/19934891/2026-10-22T16) at Riverside Municipal Airport - Oct 24: [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 - Nov 14: [Riverside Veterans Parade](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-veterans-parade/19624354/2026-11-14T10) \- Downtown Riverside/Market St. 🗓️ [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.