Tuesday Gazette: July 22, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the fried zucchini debate—we love a good hometown food rivalry! And it looks like we have a clear winner: Zorba’s took the crown. Next up is The Lucky Greek. Honorable mentions go to George’s and Nikko’s.
We have another chance for reader participation. Do you know of an organization collecting Back to School supplies? Back to school is coming up fast, and we’re putting together a donation guide to help connect Riversiders with ways to give. If you know of a drive, drop-off spot or local effort, hit reply and let us know. We’d love to include it in our roundup going out later this week.
COMMUNITY
Meals on Wheels Riverside Launches Corporate Partnership Program Combining Donations with Volunteer Service
"Together, Serving Smiles" initiative pairs financial support with hands-on meal delivery, as HomeStreet Bank contributes $5,000 and ongoing volunteer hours to serve homebound seniors.
Meals on Wheels Riverside launches "Together, Serving Smiles," a program combining financial donations with hands-on volunteer commitments from local businesses. The initiative aims to ensure financial stability and consistent volunteer staffing for meal delivery operations.
Driving the news: HomeStreet Bank's Riverside branch recently donated $5,000 to the program, exemplifying the dual approach of financial support and ongoing volunteer service.
- The donation will help provide hundreds of meals to vulnerable residents with limited mobility or resources.
Why it matters: The program addresses both financial needs and the importance of human connection for homebound seniors.
- Corporate volunteers deliver meals and companionship, enhancing the impact of their contributions.
The big picture: Meals on Wheels Riverside has been serving the community since the 1960s, relying on local support to maintain operations.
- Executive Director Alex Arana emphasizes the critical role of community partnerships in sustaining their mission.
What's next: "Together, Serving Smiles" continues to seek additional business partners interested in supporting Meals on Wheels Riverside's mission.
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GOVERNMENT
Pull Back the Curtain at City Hall Tonight
City Hall Insider invites Riverside residents to learn how local government works—and how to make their voices heard—during a free, interactive workshop.
Riverside residents can get an inside look at how their city government operates at the first-ever City Hall Insider workshop this evening.
Driving the news: The free event, held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at City Hall, aims to educate residents on municipal operations through interactive presentations and Q&A sessions with key department leaders.
- This initiative kicks off the 50th anniversary celebration of City Hall, dedicated to civic engagement and education.
Why it matters: Councilmember Phillip Falcone emphasizes that understanding local government operations empowers residents to make meaningful changes in their community.
- The workshop is designed to demystify decision-making processes affecting neighborhoods, development, and safety.
What they're saying: Councilmember Steven Robillard encourages all Riverside residents to attend, calling it a "valuable learning opportunity" to gain deeper insights into local governance.
Go deeper: City Clerk Donesia Clark provides a preview of the event in an Instagram video explanation.
- For more information, visit the City Hall Insider event page or contact Eva Arceo at earceo@riversideca.gov.
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Noteworthy
Riverside's emergency management teams will conduct full-scale multi-threat training exercises at California Baptist University's Health Science Campus on Monroe Street from Monday through Wednesday, involving multiple Inland Empire public safety agencies and funded by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant.
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What's Happening in Riverside
Today
- City Hall Insider: Engage, Speak, and Participate! at Riverside City Council Chambers
- Family Storytime at Riverside Public Library | Marcy Branch
- Find Your Voice in Picture Books at Inlandia Institute ($150- $350)
- Reading Assistance Program at My Learning Studio ($79- $85)
- Inland Empire Chorus Rehearsal at Temple Beth El Synagogue
- Tuesday Karaoke at The Hideaway
Tomorrow
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Stretch & Dance at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- 3-Line Painting at Main Library-Community Room
- Deep Creek Fly Fishers Club Meeting at Izaak Walton Bldg at Fairmount Park
- Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
Save The Date
- July 26: Bye Bye Summer Bash at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
- August 22: Goeske Talent Show at Janet Goeske Foundation ($10)
- October 18: The Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Ride at Riverside Plaza ($15- $80)
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🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.
