🍊 Sunday Gazette: June 15, 2025

Sunday Gazette: June 15, 2025

Hello Riverside – Happy Sunday and Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! I lost my own dad nearly six years ago, so if today has a bit of a sting for you due to the loss or absence of a father figure, you’re not alone. At their best, fathers make the future brighter for those around them, and I encourage you to find a way to do that for someone today.

With so much civil and political tension present in Southern California since last Friday, this week has been a challenging one to be the publisher of a local newspaper. For those of you less familiar with The Gazette’s capacity, we are an incredibly tiny team.

• I monitor City Hall and provide most of our governmental reporting, but most of my time and energy is spent on building a sustainable financial future for this newsroom and working to grow our capacity through partnerships with local advertisers and inviting readers to become paid members.
• Ken Crawford is our full-time community editor and the only reporter in town exclusively dedicated to covering Riverside. His focus, from small businesses to arts and sports, is on covering the people and events that make this city so special.
• Amy López is our part-time content manager who edits and publishes our work while also making offerings like our calendar, Neighbor of the Week features, and community contributor articles the best they can be.

It’s a tiny team, and we have big ambitions – we’re just not yet at the spot where we can cover everything that’s happening and matters in Riverside. If you feel like our coverage has in some way let you down this week, please know – I agree, and I’m throwing everything I’ve got into building the newsroom you deserve. I’m always open to feedback; simply reply to any of our newsletters. And if you believe we’ve got what it takes to become the newsroom Riverside needs, please consider joining 485 Riversiders and become a paid member that helps fund our team.

See you tomorrow,
Justin

P.S. On Friday, we published an Open Letter from Raincross Group, "To Our Federal Representatives." As a publication named The Raincross Gazette, I should have been much more clear that Raincraoss Group, while similarly named, is a distinct advocacy organization that has been working in Riverside since 1987, and the open letter was not written by me or anyone in our newsroom.

In full transparency, I have been a member of Raincross Group since January 2025, and I also abstained from voting on that letter.

Once it was submitted to our newsroom, I chose to publish it because for years I have known Raincross Group to be a thoughtful multi-partisan group of individuals working to "help Riverside remain a vibrant city spearheaded by effective leaders."  I work hard to source and publish viewpoints from all sorts of political views from Riversiders sincerely advocating on behalf of our city.

Please forgive the confusion I created by being unclear about the authorship of the open letter. I will continue to make mistakes while building this newsroom and remain committed to taking responsibility and learning from them. Thank you for your understanding.

HISTORY

From Desert Jewel to Hidden Gem: The Story of Riverside’s White Park Cactus Garden

Once hailed as a world-class botanical marvel, the White Park cactus garden has faded from view—but new plans aim to restore this historic Riverside treasure to its former glory.

Established in 1883, it was the first park in Riverside. Within the original mile square, it was initially called City Park. In 1899, City Park was renamed White Park in honor of Albert White, an early park commissioner who was instrumental in developing the park.

However, another name that needs to be included in the development of White Park is horticulturist Franz Hosp. In August 1888, the city hired Hosp to develop plans for the ornamentation of City Park at a cost of $2,500. By 1893, a reporter noted that the park's most unique feature was Hosp’s miniature desert, which featured every variety of cactus known in California. The park contained more than 200 different varieties of cactus. He returned with cactus from excursions into the Colorado Desert and the desert near Twentynine Palms. One was a 12-foot-tall giant cactus (Cereus giganteus). As a landscape architect for the Santa Fe Railroad, Hosp traveled along the railroad's lines throughout the Southwest and brought specimens home.

Read and share the complete story...

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NEIGHBOR OF THE WEEK

Father's Day Edition: Justin Pardee & Ken Crawford

This week, we’re spotlighting two of the dads behind The Raincross Gazette—celebrating the father figures who lead with love, show up without fanfare, and shape lives in quiet, powerful ways. These aren’t celebrities—just regular Riversiders doing the most important job there is.

We’ve tweaked our usual Q&A and handed the mic to two of our favorite local dads—Justin, our founder and publisher, and Ken, our community reporter—to hear about fatherhood, family traditions, and what keeps them grounded. But first, here’s a little of what their families have to say about them.

Justin is the engine that keeps his family moving—equal parts planner, handyman, and the heart of the party. Whether he’s organizing hangouts or diving into a house project, he brings energy, laughter and love into everything he does.

Ken was made for fatherhood. His steady presence, sense of humor and quiet strength set a powerful example for his sons. Thoughtful and kind, he shows up for his family in all the ways that matter.

Get to know Justin and Ken...

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CREATIVE PROMPTS

Zest Day

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

This week, we're engaging with an easy-to-spot object that's deeply rooted in Riverside's identity: citrus skin. As the familiar, fragrant white blooms of spring begin to thin, reminding us that summer approaches, our city's citrus trees continue to offer a wealth of sensory experiences, even after their fruit has been eaten.

For me, citrus skin holds a particular allure. I'm fortunate to have several varieties of citrus in my yard, thanks in part to Riverside’s “Tree Power Program” started in 2001. Indirectly, perhaps that is why my urban foraging includes a wild citron tree thriving near the intersection of Alessandro Boulevard and Chicago Avenue (where it confusingly transforms into Arlington and Central, respectively). The skin of the citron makes it look like a large, rough lemon. Or rather, lemons could be said to be smooth, small citron…it depends on which direction you are driving!

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SPONSORED

Plan Ahead for a Season of Spectacle: Tickets for A CBU Christmas and 2025–26 Theatre Now Available

California Baptist University opens ticket sales earlier than ever for its popular performing arts lineup, encouraging Riverside families to secure seats now for a season of musicals, plays, and a beloved holiday tradition.

Tickets are now on sale for A CBU Christmas and the 2025–26 theatre season. Due to popular demand—and two consecutive years of sold-out performances—California Baptist University has made ticket offerings available earlier than ever before.

“We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming season of the School of Performing Arts theatre performances and to welcome CBU friends, families, and our surrounding community to reserve their seats early,” said Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts. “This year’s theatre season offers something fresh and exciting for every audience, and our 2025 production of A CBU Christmas promises to be our most spectacular yet—ushering in the holiday season with joy, wonder, and unforgettable artistry.”

Read and share the complete story...

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This Week in Riverside

Sunday, June 15

• Blue Zones Project Riverside Hiking Moai at Mt. Rubidoux
• Cars & Coffee  at The Historic Riverside Auto Center
• Gardening for Butterflies at UCR Botanic Gardens
• Is Your Dog the Next Face of Barktoberfest? at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
• Summer Sundays with Sebraé! at Riverside Art Museum
• Tarot & Tea Gathering at Rouse Yoga
• Summer Tea Mocktails at Life Arts Center ($59)
• Father's Day Jailbreak Social Event at Retro On Main
• Engelbert Humperdinck at Fox Performing Arts Center

Monday, June 16

• Academic Boot Camps - Kinder to 5th Grade at My Learning Studio ($472- $547)
• Future Vets, Helping Pets! Summer Animal Kids Camp, Week 2 at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center ($200- $240)
• Commission on Aging at Riverside City Hall
• Senior Citizens' Advisory Board at Senior Community Center
• Park and Recreation Commission at Riverside City Hall
• Adult Ballet Classes (all levels) at Riverside Ballet Arts L.L.C. ($25- $144)
• Beginners Round Dance Class Two Step at Cowtown Square Dance Center (Free- $10)
• CBU Performing Arts Band & Jazz Camp at California Baptist University ($220)
• Neon in the Gutters: Cyberpunk Visions of the Future at UCR
• Ladies Who Dine at Cactus Cantina

Tuesday, June 17

• Riverside Magnolia Farmers Market at Riverside Magnolia Farmers Market
• Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels, Inc
• Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal at Temple Beth El Synagogue
• Puddles Pity Party Upgrade at Fox Performing Arts Center
• Reading Assistance Program at My Learning Studio ($79- $85)
• Study Skills & Test Taking at My Learning Studio (Free- $75)
• Tuesday Karaoke at The Hideaway

Wednesday, June 18

• Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• Stretch & Dance at Janet Goeske Senior Center
• Cultural Heritage Board at Riverside City Hall
• Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee at Riverside City Hall
• Super Mario Bros Felting at Marcy Library
• Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
• Teen Zone at La Sierra Library

Thursday, June 19

• Rhythm in Action - A Celebration of Juneteenth at The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California
• Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Riverside at Mission Inn Foundation Visitor Center Store ($20)
• Reading + Math = Fun! at My Learning Studio ($57- $67)
• California Dreamin'- Paint & Sip at The Old Spaghetti Factory

Friday, June 20

• Riverside Sunrise Rotary at Zacatecas Mexican Cafe
• Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
• Fridays are Fun! at My Learning Studio ($247- $277)
• Tiny Tots and Pre Ballet at Riverside Ballet Arts ($25- $52)
• Bunco at Riverside Woman's Club ($20)
• Movies on the Lawn - Father of the Bride (1950) at Riverside's Heritage House
• Noche de Cumbia at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
• Open Mic & Karaoke at Euryale Brewing Company
• Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove
• Rogelio Ramos & Pipirin "Somos Hombres o Payasos" at Fox Performing Arts Center

Saturday, June 21

• Riverside 5th Annual Juneteenth presented by The BLACK Collective at Hunt Park
• Historic Churches of Downtown Riverside at Chinese Pavilion ($20)
• Victoria Avenue Forever Workday at Meet at Lewis Garden
• IE Alumni Street Cleanup at University Avenue between Iowa Ave. and Canyon Crest Drive
• Goth Prom- 2025 at the Hideaway Cafe & Lounge
• 80's Ressurrection by Dead Man's Party at The Concert Lounge- Romano's Mission Grove
• Adopt with Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center & DCH Subaru of Riverside at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (Free- $275)
• Anthony Brown & group therAPy at Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church
• Bridgerton Inspired Ball at Riverside Woman's Club
• The Charities - Garden Room at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
• Daytime Moon at BRÜE CRÜE
• Free Summer Organ Concert at Eden Lutheran Church
• Riverside Pride Bar Crawl at Palenque kitchen by Mezcal
• Youth Writer's Camp at Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center

Save The Date

• June 27: Museum of Riverside Groundbreaking at Museum of Riverside
• June 30: Raise a Glass with The Raincross Gazette: Celebrating 10,000 Readers at Bar Ni Modo at The Farmhouse Collective

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