> ## 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. # 🍊 Sunday Gazette: February 23, 2025 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/sunday-gazette-february-16-2025-2/ - Published: 2025-02-23T13:00:40.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T02:23:13.000Z - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/02/sunset2_on_02_15_25SM.jpg) Golden hues paint the sky the day after Valentine's, casting a warm glow over Century Ave in Canyon Crest. (Bob Sirotnik) **Sunday Gazette: February 23, 2025** Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! Last week, we asked for your ideas of what a Riverside-based NBA team should be called, and our favorite came from Patricia Holub. I would happily sport a "Raincross Renegades" jersey when out and about town! We'll see you tomorrow! [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2023/12/author_banner-justin-pardee.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/about/) --- 🧡 Thank you to the Subscribers who became paid supporters this week: Danielle Jungmann Weems and Heidi Ortloff. Your ongoing [financial support](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/sunday-gazette-january-12-2025/#/portal/account/plans) is vital to our success in serving Riverside with the news it deserves! --- #### [ART & ENTERTAINMENT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/art-&-entertainment/) ## Reilly O’Neill Tells The Story of His Grandfather’s Iconic Watercolors on YouTube Don O’Neill is a watercolor pioneer and a civic legend. His unique vision of our city is an enduring treasure. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/02/250223-don-oneil.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/reilly-oneill-tells-the-story-of-his-grandfathers-iconic-watercolors-on-youtube) Detail of Riverside Historic Courthouse. (Screenshot from Reilly O’Neill’s YouTube video.) The Raincross Gazette is launching a new series that explores Riverside’s rich history through curated YouTube videos and nostalgic storytelling. This project brings the city’s past to life by connecting historical moments with engaging online content. **Driving the news:** A YouTube channel featuring watercolor paintings by the late Don O'Neill, a prominent figure in Riverside's downtown arts scene, has caught attention. • O'Neill's grandson, Reilly, created the channel to showcase his grandfather's unique vision of Riverside. **Why it matters:** Don O'Neill's work represents a bygone era of Riverside, capturing the city's essence in a distinctive watercolor style. • His paintings push the boundaries of traditional watercolor techniques, presenting a more angular and bustling portrayal of urban life. **The big picture:** Reilly O'Neill's efforts go beyond mere preservation, offering a personal perspective on his grandfather's artistic legacy. • He balances academic rigor with personal admiration, creating compelling content for viewers. **What's next:** As Riverside evolves, Don O'Neill's art may become an increasingly valuable historical record of the city's past. • Reilly predicts his grandfather's work will represent a world vastly different from that of 2065. [Read or share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/reilly-oneill-tells-the-story-of-his-grandfathers-iconic-watercolors-on-youtube) --- #### [NEIGHBOR OF THE WEEK](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/neighbor-of-the-week/) ## Neighbor of the Week: Kristin Varner Each week, we will introduce a new neighbor. This is not a who's who list. These are regular Riversiders doing exceptional things. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/02/250223-notw-varner-1.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/neighbor-of-the-week-kristin-varner) Kristin Varner of Community Yoga Center. (Brenda Flowers) Kristin, a Riverside local, has dedicated her life to wellness through yoga and advocacy. After practicing yoga and law in Riverside for two decades, she co-founded the Community Yoga Initiative (CYI) in 2018 to expand affordable and inclusive yoga outreach. CYI offers over 500 free yoga opportunities each year, focusing on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of yoga. In addition to her work with CYI, Kristin co-founded the Community Yoga Center (CYC), Riverside’s first non-profit yoga school, where she leads teacher training and meditation courses. Kristin also shares yoga with incarcerated men through the Prison Yoga Project and is an instructor for the U.S. Men’s Olympic Water Polo Team. She is part of the organizing committee for the Ananda Yoga Festival, Riverside’s first outdoor yoga festival. [Get to know Kristin...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/neighbor-of-the-week-kristin-varner) 🏆 [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week. --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [CREATIVE PROMPTS](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/creative-prompts/) ## Funny How A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2025/02/1-8.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/funny-how) (Titus Pardee) This week, I challenged my writing collaborator, Gemini Advanced, to come up with a non-physical object for our creative focus. No surprise, it really thought outside the box (stardust, unicorn horns, mermaid scale…I believe my writing partner is ten years old and knows me well), but her suggestion of laughter really grabbed my attention. And no surprise, laughter is a big part of my life, especially in times of challenge or uncertainty. I use laughter to point me towards what is true and useful; it releases stress; it can knit together a roomful of strangers; it's contagious - spreading like a refreshing breeze through a crowd, leaving a trail of smiles and good cheer in its wake.Laughter is a language app that transcends cultures and borders, uniting us in a shared experience. It comes pre-installed in every model; no special downloads are required to participate in this week's creative nudge. [Read or share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/funny-how) --- 📣 ****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/). --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- ## This Week in Riverside ### Sunday, February 23 - [Riverside Edition Monopoly Challenge](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-edition-monopoly-challenge/15108768/2025-02-23T14) at California Citrus State Historic Park ($30 - $145) - [The Riverside Dickens Festival 2025](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-riverside-dickens-festival-2025/14700796/2025-02-23T13) at White Park ($0 - $45) ### Monday, February 24 - [Board of Public Utilities](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/board-of-public-utilities/14693457/2025-02-24T18) at Riverside City Hall - [Monday Carillon Recitals](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/monday-carillon-recitals/14971029/2025-02-24T12) at UCR Bell Tower - [RCTC Programs and Projects](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/rctc-programs-and-projects/14788971/2025-02-24T13) at County Admin Center 4080 Lemon St. 1st ### Tuesday, February 25 - [Volunteer Interest Hour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/volunteer-interest-hour/14995048/2025-02-25T09) at Riverside Meals on Wheels, Inc - [Curbing Hunger: Bridging Gaps](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/curbing-hunger-bridging-gaps/14939922/2025-02-25T11) at Feeding America Warehouse - [Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/inland-empire-chorus-rehearsal/14934551/2025-02-25T18) at Temple Beth El Synagogue - [Seeking Justice: An Panel Discussion - Workers Rights](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/seeking-justice-an-panel-discussion-workers-rights/15036674/2025-02-25T18) at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern - [Tuesday Karaoke](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/tuesday-karaoke/12771587/2025-02-25T19) at The Hideaway ### Wednesday, February 26 - [Certified Farmers Market](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/certified-farmers-market/12112242/2025-02-26T08) at 10th & Lemon Streets - [Riverside East Rotary Club](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-east-rotary-club/13565436/2025-02-26T07) at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern - [Stretch & Dance Class](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/stretch-dance-class/15032946/2025-02-26T09) at Janet Goeske Senior Center - [Community Police Review Commission](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/community-police-review-commission/14948769/2025-02-26T17) at Riverside City Hall - [Museum of Riverside Board](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/museum-of-riverside-board/15145569/2025-02-26T15) at Riverside City Hall - [Baseball vs. Loyola Marymount](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/baseball-vs-loyola-marymount/14962394/2025-02-26T18) at Riverside Sports Complex - [The Comedy Lobby is back!](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-comedy-lobby-is-back/15092999/2025-02-26T20) at The Lobby - [Unsung Heroes-Honoring Forgotten Voices](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/empower-you-edutainment-presents-unsung-heroes-honoring-forgotten-voices/15098493/2025-02-26T18) at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California - [Roman, an AI opera by Ian Dicke](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/roman-an-ai-opera-by-ian-dicke/15151957/2025-02-26T19) at UCR ARTS - [Walk with Her: Protest Art and Educational Justice](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/walk-with-her-protest-art-and-educational-justice/14962404/2025-02-26T17) at UCR Alumni & Visitors Center ### Thursday, February 27 - [Human Relations Commission](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/human-relations-commission/14948770/2025-02-27T18) at Riverside City Hall - [Planning Commission](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/planning-commission/15035839/2025-02-27T09) at Riverside City Hall - [Hawaii at UCR Highlanders Womens Basketball](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/hawaii-at-uc-riverside-highlanders-womens-basketball/14435204/2025-02-27T18) at SRC Arena - [UCR Public Service Job Fair](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/ucr-public-service-job-fair/14962395/2025-02-27T16) at Alumni & Visitors Center ### Friday, February 28 - [Riverside Sunrise Rotary](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-sunrise-rotary/13854741/2025-02-28T07) at Zacatecas Mexican Cafe - [Booker T. Washington - Frank A. Miller Tablet Dedication on Mt. Rubidoux](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/booker-t-washington-frank-a-miller-tablet-dedication-on-mt-rubidoux/14902432/2025-02-28T14) at Mt. Rubidoux Summit - [Baseball](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/baseball-at-california-baptist/14962396/2025-02-28T18) at California Baptist - [The Book of Will](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-book-of-will/14623072/2025-02-28T19) at The Wallace Theatre at California Baptist University ($9 - $14) - [DOT by Colman Domingo](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/dot-by-colman-domingo/15093519/2025-02-28T20) at The Box Riverside ($22 - $25) - [The Emo Night Tour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-emo-night-tour/14735553/2025-02-28T20) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($15 - $19) - [The Murder Mystery Co’s Dinner Theater Show](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-murder-mystery-cos-dinner-theater-show/14846222/2025-02-28T19) at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($59) - [Charity Goth Dance Night](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/nox-lux-feb-28th-charity-goth-dance-night/14904890/2025-02-28T21) at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ### Saturday, March 1 - [Downtown Certified Farmers Market](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/downtown-certified-farmers-market/12112312/2025-03-01T08) at Main Street at 5th - [Tomato Time](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/tomato-time/14994538/2025-03-01T10) at Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District LandUse Learning Center - [Cars and Coffee](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/cars-and-coffee-at-harvest-church/14943326/2025-03-01T08) at Harvest Church - [FA Awareness Week: Cash for College](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/fa-awareness-week-cash-for-college/14964654/2025-03-01T09) at Riverside City College - [Baseball vs. Utah](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/baseball-vs-utah/14962493/2025-03-01T12) at Riverside Sports Complex - [Utah Tech Trailblazers at California Baptist Lancers Womens Basketball](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/utah-tech-trailblazers-at-california-baptist-lancers-womens-basketball/14435216/2025-03-01T00) at Fowler Events Center - [William H. Reynolds Memorial Carillon Recital](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/william-h-reynolds-memorial-carillon-recital/14970242/2025-03-01T15) at UCR Bell Tower - [Tiki Goth night](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/tiki-goth-night-at-the-hideaway-riverside/15124806/2025-03-01T21) at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge - [Bravo the Bagchaser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/bravo-the-bagchaser/15010733/2025-03-01T19) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($35) - [An Evening at the Fox](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/an-evening-at-the-fox/14622643/2025-03-01T17) at Fox Performing Arts Center ## Save The Date - March 2: [Composing Women](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/composing-women/15140013/2025-03-02T16) at Calvary Presbyterian Church ($10 - $15) - March 2: [DOT by Colman Domingo](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/dot-by-colman-domingo/15093519/2025-03-02T14) at The Box Riverside ($22 - $25) - March 2: [Plática at The Cheech – Amalia Mesa-Bains with Judy Baca](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/pltica-at-the-cheech-amalia-mesabains-with-judy-baca/15148746/2025-03-02T12) at The Cheech Center for Chicano Art and Culture - March 6: [Palabra](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/palabra-the-cheech/15148601/2025-03-06T18) at The Cheech Center for Chicano Art and Culture - March 7: [Pardi Gras Pub Crawl 2025](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/pardi-gras-pub-crawl-2025/14812205/2025-03-07T17) at Loft 84 Wedding & Event Center ($35) - April 4: [World Premier Melodrama by Westmont Village Masquers Theatre Club](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/world-premier-melodrama-by-westmont-village-masquers-theatre-club/15120702/2025-04-04T19) at Westmont Village 🗓️ [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.