Sunday Gazette: January 12, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday!

One of the best parts of my job as Content Manager at The Raincross Gazette is reading the incredible stories that come through our Neighbor of the Week submissions. Each one reminds me of the heart and soul of Riverside—the hidden heroes quietly making a difference in our neighborhoods.

Every time a submission crosses my desk, it invigorates my love for this city and strengthens my belief in the power of community. It’s our mission to make this series as vibrant and diverse as Riverside itself, sharing stories of neighbors from all walks of life who are doing extraordinary work to uplift others.

I hope today’s introduction of our inaugural Neighbor of the Year award inspires you as much as it inspires me. If you know someone whose story deserves to be told, we want to hear about them! We’re also looking for young Riversiders, kids and teens, who are doing special neighborly things to make a difference. Think about your day-to-day: is there someone who always goes above and beyond; a barista, a crossing guard, or anyone else who brightens your world? We’d love to feature them too!

See you Monday!

Amy López

NEIGHBOR OF THE YEAR

2024 Neighbor of the Year: Ofelia Valdez-Yeager

Introducing the Inaugural 2024 Neighbor of the Year to celebrate the hidden heroes of Riverside doing incredible works of service throughout our different neighborhoods.

In May of 2024, The Raincross Gazette introduced our Neighbor of the Week feature. Publishing news and events that inspire neighborliness in Riverside is our core mission, and we felt it was important to feature, as a matter of habit, Riversiders who embody that spirit. It has become one of our most popular features, and we have highlighted some really incredible people making big differences on a grassroots level.

Today, we are excited to introduce our inaugural Neighbor of the Year Award given to a Neighbor of the Week from the previous year whose neighborliness exemplifies what we love about our community and whose acts are durable enough to extend a year of honor each January.

While she was not one of last year’s Neighbors of the Week, we are honored to announce Ofelia Valdez-Yeager as the Inaugural Neighbor of the Year. This past Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of her passing, making this a serendipitous time to celebrate Ofelia’s neighborliness, which set the standard for future Neighbors of the Year.

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HEALTH

Staying Dry in January? Dave Stolte’s Shirley Temple Should Help

Local legend of libation offers a sophisticated twist on the popular mocktail.

We have a special treat for those of you who are still sticking to your Dry January commitment. We asked our good friend and bonafide beverage expert, Dave Stolte, to offer an alcohol-free refreshment to help keep you satisfied and sober for the rest of the month.

The Shirley Temple is an American classic and possibly the most famous mocktail. Dave’s version eschews the sticky sweetness of lemon-lime soda and the radioactive red syrup mix that we all know and love for a spicy, floral, sophisticated soft drink that maintains the ceremony and sophistication of your chosen nightcap without the alcohol.

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CREATIVE PROMPTS

Nice Dice

A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.

This week, we're giving ourselves over to a world of chance and probability, led by the unpredictable roll of the dice.Whether you're a seasoned Dungeons & Dragons adventurer, a casual board game enthusiast, or simply starting 2025 as a professional gambler, dice offer a unique opportunity to explore creativity through chance encounters and unexpected outcomes.

So, grab your dice – whether they're the classic six-sided cubes, the intricate polyhedral dice used in role-playing games, or even those fuzzy dice hanging from your rearview mirror. Let their rolls guide your creativity, and their randomness spark unexpected ideas via one or more of these dicey propositions.

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COMICS

Citrus Belle #9: Jewel Clock January

Part 9 of Mangaka Sebraé Harris' Citrus Bellé comic series.

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This Week in Riverside

Sunday, January 12

• KevOnStage Back Pew Tour at Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church
• Tours en español de Digital Capture [Captura digital] at UCR ARTS

Monday, January 13

• Board of Library Trustees at Riverside City Hall
• Board of Public Utilities at Riverside City Hall
• Women's Only Jiu Jitsu Class at EDJ School of Jiu-Jitsu Riverside

Tuesday, January 14

• City Council at Riverside City Hall
• Tuesday Karaoke at The Hideaway

Wednesday, January 15

• Certified Farmers Market at 10th & Lemon Streets
• Cultural Heritage Board at Riverside City Hall
• Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee at Riverside City Hall
• Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center

Thursday, January 16

• Commission on Disabilities at Riverside City Hall
• How Artists Created “California” at Main Library
• Tarleton State Texans at CBU Lancers Womens Basketball at Fowler Events Center
• UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at UCR Highlanders Womens Basketball at SRC Arena

Friday, January 17

• Riverside Sunrise Rotary at Zacatecas Mexican Cafe
• FJ - A tribute to Foreigner and Journey Featuring Constantine Mouralis at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($30)
• The Murder Mystery Co’s Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($59)
• DJ QBERT w/Funk Freaks at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
• Open Mic Night/Karaoke at Euryale Brewing Company

Saturday, January 18

• Downtown Certified Farmers Market at Main Street at 5th
• Victoria Avenue Forever Workday at Meet at Lewis Garden
• Yoga at Euryale Brewing Company
• Love Your Neighborhood: New Year, Clean Start Clean-Up! at Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
• UC San Diego Tritons at UC Riverside Highlanders Mens Basketball at SRC Arena

Sunday, January 19

• Liberacion at Riverside Municipal Auditorium

Save The Date

• February 1: Riverside Arts Academy: Rising Stars Gala at Coil School for the Arts ($125 - $175)
• February 19: Galentine's Day - Women's Health Event at Janet Goeske Center

🗓️ See More Events     📝 Submit Your Event

📸 Submit a photo to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts.

🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.