Council will consider the potential conversion of a hotel into permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals, an $8.1 million contract for a Patterson Park renovation, and updates to industrial development standards that address community concerns about warehouse proliferation.
"Our beautiful Plateau lives to see many more days." -Mark Nemetz (R-NOW/Facebook)
Sunday Gazette: May 18, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! Every now and then, we get emails asking, “Where did you go?” If our newsletters ever seem to disappear, this is your friendly reminder to check your spam or junk folder—sometimes we get rerouted. Marking us as “not junk” usually gets things back on track. We’re still here, working hard every day to bring you hyperlocal, high-quality news that keeps you connected to your community.
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Thank you to the Subscribers who became paid supporters this week: Janice Lance, Teresa Lockridge and Craig Thomson.. Your ongoing financial support is vital to our success in serving Riverside with the news it deserves!
Before Mount Rubidoux became Frank A. Miller’s lasting legacy, he helped create Chemawa Park—a lively hub of polo matches, zoo animals, and community events that once stood where a middle school now serves Riverside’s youth.
Postcard showing entrance to Chemawa Park. (Author’s collection)
Most Riversiders are familiar with the Frank A. Miller Mount Rubidoux Memorial Park, with the scenic views from Huntington Drive (the road up and down the mountain), as thousands of walkers trek up Mt. Rubidoux almost daily. On December 14, 1905, the Huntington Park Association was formed to develop Mount Rubidoux into a beautiful park. Among the association members were Henry Huntington, Charles Loring, John Reed, Cornelius Rumsey, and Frank A. Miller.
However, many are unaware that Mt. Rubidoux was not Miller’s first park, which he developed. That honor belongs to Chemawa Park.
Each week, we will introduce a new neighbor. This is not a who's who list. These are regular Riversiders doing exceptional things.
Christal stands in front of the historic Cesar Chavez Community Center, where she teaches through the Riverside County Office of Education’s CBK Charter School.
With 30 years of teaching experience, Christal has devoted her career to helping students succeed in ways that meet them where they are. She currently teaches through the Riverside County Office of Education’s CBK Charter School, an independent study program with sites across Riverside County—from Corona to Blythe to Temecula. Her classroom is based at the Cesar Chavez Community Center, a building she deeply appreciates and looks forward to returning to once renovations are complete.
CBK stands for Come Back Kids, and Christal sees that spirit in every student who walks through her door. Students meet with her one-on-one each week, ranging in age from 14 to 99. Whether they’ve faced life circumstances that interrupted school or are simply looking for a second chance, Christal takes time to listen, help build skills and create a graduation plan tailored to each individual. She firmly believes it’s never too late to learn—one of her most memorable students was 76 years old.
Christal is a neighbor who genuinely cares about those around her. Whether it’s lending a hand, offering a word of encouragement, or simply showing up with kindness, she is always looking for ways to support others. Her steady presence, thoughtful spirit, and deep love for this city shine through in everything she does.
Christal also serves as a docent for the Mission Inn Foundation, where she shares her enthusiasm for Riverside’s history, preserved structures, and the stories that have shaped the city. Her love for Riverside and her steady, compassionate presence make her a neighbor who embodies the best of this community.
This week, we're shrinking our focus to something small enough to fit in your hand but crammed with multi-sensory potential: a bottle cap. Did that word alone evoke the satisfying pssst or pop of a cold bottle of Coca-Cola? Can you see the beads of moisture, maybe even feel the warm sun on your face as you tilt your head up to take a drink? Hear the metallic click as the pop top hits the countertop. Apologies, I think I just recalled a commercial like it was my lived experience!
My own authentic fascination with bottle caps culminated in a playful art project at the Garcia Center for the Arts last year titled “Recap.” Built in the parking lot, the installation featured a collection of found bottle caps and a whimsical display with various bottles placed under a sheet of plywood with cap-size holes cut into it.
