Saturday, July 25, 2026
Michael and Cheech endorse the Eyes of Riverside calendar. (Courtesy Michael J Elderman)

Sunday Gazette: October 5, 2025

Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! The beloved Riverside photographer Michael J Elderman has released his 2026 Riverside calendar, continuing an annual tradition that has become a holiday gift-giving staple for locals. For nearly five decades, Elderman has served as the city's visual chronicler, earning the title "the Eyes of Riverside". The $15 calendar features twelve photographs showcasing everything from iconic landmarks like the Mission Inn and Victoria Avenue to hidden gems throughout the city.

See you tomorrow!

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It’s rare for a week to pass without new paid supporters, but this past week was one of them. Our paid members are the reason our hyperlocal newsroom continues to grow, and we’re grateful for every one of you who makes this work possible. Your ongoing financial support is vital to our success in serving Riverside with the news it deserves!

HISTORY

The Voice That Enchanted Riverside: Elsie Younggren-Carlstrom's Musical Legacy

From Iowa farm girl to Mission Inn's beloved soloist, one woman's extraordinary voice graced Mount Rubidoux's Easter services and captivated Swedish royalty.

Photo of Elsie singing at the 1926 Easter Sunrise Service on Mount Rubidoux. (Courtesy of the Museum of Riverside)

In late 1915, fifteen-year-old Elsie Younggren arrived in Riverside from Iowa with her adoptive parents, John and Selma. What followed was a remarkable musical journey that would make her voice synonymous with some of Riverside's most cherished traditions. From her first performance at the 1916 Easter Service on Mount Rubidoux to becoming the beloved soloist at the Mission Inn, Elsie's "rare quality" voice captivated audiences for decades. Her talent even caught the attention of Swedish royalty during their 1926 visit, when she sang in Swedish a composition written by the King himself. Through marriage to Pastor Clarence Carlstrom in 1928 and the challenges of the Depression years, Elsie continued her musical legacy, culminating in her final Mount Rubidoux Easter performance in 1939 that was broadcast to 107 radio stations nationwide.

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NEIGHBOR OF THE WEEK

Neighbor of the Week: Lori Yates

Each week, we will introduce a new neighbor. This is not a who's who list. These are regular Riversiders doing exceptional things.
SPONSORED BY ALTURA CREDIT UNION

Lori Yates embraces the beauty of a simple backyard moment. (Ellie Burgueno Chico)

Lori Yates is most proud of her longtime involvement with Master Gardeners and Victoria Avenue Forever, where she served as chairwoman of both organizations for many years. A central focus of her leadership was involving young people in community service, working with the city and local schools to encourage youth participation in service projects for more than two decades.

Elected to the Victoria Avenue Forever (VAF) Board in 1997, Lori went on to hold numerous leadership roles, including Recording Secretary, Vice President, and two terms as President. She was instrumental in securing Victoria Avenue’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and played a key role in projects such as the installation of the Avenue’s irrigation drip system and the design of the Hal Snyder Garden.

Over the years, Lori contributed extensively to the Victoria Avenews newsletter, coordinated volunteers, trained youth, and acted as a liaison with nearly 20 local organizations ranging from the Boy Scouts and National Charity League to Riverside County planning groups and the Chamber of Commerce. She also served as Master of Ceremonies at major VAF events, including the kiosk dedication honoring Dr. Peter Lewis in 2003.

Whether organizing tree plantings, developing educational programs, or advocating for Riverside’s historic treasures, Lori’s leadership and dedication have left a lasting mark on the city. Her decades of service reflect her deep commitment to protecting Riverside’s natural beauty and inspiring the next generation of community volunteers.

Get to know Lori...

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CREATIVE PROMPTS

Paperclip Clap

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

paper clips in ceramic bowl
(Christin Hume/Unsplash)

This week, we're eschewing the natural world and heading back into the realm of the white collar and shiny shoes. Indoors or out, we never let limits limit our creative impulse. Our creative nudge this week is often employed as the final step of the creative writing process: the paperclip. But there is no reason why it can’t join us at the starting line for a change.

It’s a puzzling object with a nifty design. I’ve never finished a box of them, and yet, they are everywhere—dusty corners, junk drawers, and scattered across the detritus on my desk. I certainly didn’t put them there, but there they are. 

And while our nudge is strictly low tech, it was the new wave in its day. Let's have a moment of silence for all the ancient tech that the paperclip replaced, from straight pins to wax seals. Do you wonder, like I do, if paperclips resent binder clips for taking some of its market share? If office supplies had a social hierarchy, where would the paperclip attach itself?

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