> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Ward 2 and 4 Candidates Share Favorite Riverside Spots, Personal Stories and Hometown Pride - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/ward-2-and-4-candidates-share-favorite-riverside-spots-personal-stories-and-hometown-pride/ - Published: 2026-11-02T12:57:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-02T12:56:59.000Z - Description: In the final installment of our City Council questionnaire series, candidates talk food, free Saturdays, influential mentors and the songs that capture their love for Riverside. - Author: Micaela Ricaforte - Tags: Politics, #herald-3e9ef165-d2ee-80f6-91a4-d422079a9311 For the [final installment of our City Council candidate questionnaire series](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/p/a45ecc19-4d20-455e-a7ca-2d029414634b/), we wanted readers to get to know the candidates — and hear what Riverside means to them. We asked six questions about their favorite local spots, how they spend a free Saturday, the people who shaped them and a few things voters might not know about their lives. Their answers offer glimpses of family traditions, personal passions and the everyday experiences that make Riverside feel like home. Questions went out to all candidates on Oct. 26, with a deadline of Oct. 30\. Aram Ayra in Ward 2 and Rich Vandenberg in Ward 4 responded; Ward 2 candidate Gracie Torres and Ward 4 incumbent Chuck Conder did not respond by press time. The questions and candidates’ full responses appear below. Answers are published verbatim, without edits to wording, spelling or capitalization. ### 1\. A visiting friend has one meal in Riverside and you're picking the spot. Where do you take them, and what do they order? **Aram Ayra, Ward 2:** “Anyone who knows me knows I never let my friends leave Riverside hungry. I love showing off our local spots, so I’d probably try to convince them to stay long enough for a few more stops. We’d start with a breakfast burrito at Tacos Che on University. Swap the potatoes for French fries, get some house-made salsa verde on the side. After that, probably heading to Juju Bar for acai bowls. I personally recommend the Amazon Bowl. “For lunch, it’s Upper Crust Sandwich Shoppe. My go-to is the chicken salad on squaw bread with a side of chili. “Dinner depends on the mood. If we’re feeling fancy and managed to get reservations, we’re heading to Le Chat Noir. Honestly, pretty much everything on that menu is great. For a more laid-back evening, it’s Devereaux House, and we’re probably ordering the Hotgurlll and Vodka Pesto pizzas + some focaccia bread to share. “I’m sending them home full and with a few new favorite spots.” **Rich Vandenberg, Ward 4:** “I’m taking them to Las Campanas at the Mission Inn, and I’m recommending the carne asada burrito, a Perfect Mission Inn Margarita, and, of course, the tableside guacamole! The food and drinks are fantastic, but what really makes the experience special is the atmosphere. There’s something wonderful about dining outdoors alongside the historic Mission Inn. If you’re visiting Riverside, experiencing the Mission Inn is an absolute must!” ### 2\. Finish this sentence: "You'd only know this about my ward if you lived here, and it's..." **Aram Ayra, Ward 2:** “Wild donkeys being our slightly messy and mischievous but adorable ‘neighbors’. Waking up to a herd of wild donkeys standing peacefully in your front yard just never gets old and it’s hard not to pull over and take pictures when you see them out and about in the community. They’ve become like an unofficial mascot for this community and for UC Riverside and you can always see them around in northeast part of Ward 2.” **Rich Vandenberg, Ward 4:** “You might only know this about Ward 4 if you lived here, and it’s the incredible fragrance of orange blossoms in the spring. There’s nothing quite like driving along Victoria Avenue with your windows down and the sweet smell of citrus blossoms filling the air. The Greenbelt and its orange groves are a living reminder of Riverside’s rich citrus heritage and the industry that helped build our city. It’s one of those simple pleasures that makes living here so special, and a beautiful part of our history that deserves to be cherished and preserved for generations to come.” ### 3\. It's a free Saturday with no meetings and no campaign events. Where in Riverside do we find you? **Aram Ayra, Ward 2:** “Honestly out in our local parks or nature settings. I love decompressing from the week with some fresh air and long walks. Saturday mornings are perfect for walking up Mt. Rubidoux, or taking in the sunrise at Sycamore Highlands Park. Afternoons are great for places like Fairmount Park, the UCR Botanic Gardens (if they’re open) or the Citrus State Historic Park. “Riverside has so many natural gems and open green spaces that I hope we can continue to steward and preserve for everyone to enjoy.” **Rich Vandenberg, Ward 4:** “My perfect Saturday starts with a stop at Winchell’s Donuts on Chicago Avenue, followed by a morning walk along Orange Street, from the Convention Center to Fremont Elementary School. Many weekends, my dad and sisters join me, and it’s especially wonderful when my wife and granddaughter come along. From there, it’s off to the farmers market for fresh produce, eggs, and homemade soap. Before heading home, I’ll stop at Los Novillos on Main Street for some carne asada and tortillas for the barbecue. I used to walk to that same market as a kid when I lived on Orange Street. Back then, it was called L&L Market. The afternoon usually involves some yardwork, firing up the barbecue, and maybe catching a movie that evening. Nothing fancy, just a relaxing day enjoying Riverside and spending time with the people I love.” ### 4\. What's something most voters don't know about you — a hidden talent, an odd habit or a past life before politics? **Aram Ayra, Ward 2:** “I love to cook, especially making pizza from scratch. I saved up for a portable pizza oven and have since gone down the rabbit hole of dough recipes, fermentation methods, and homemade sauce. I can probably talk about pizza longer than anyone cares to listen. “In another life, I’d love to run a little pop-up pizza spot and sling pizzas for the locals. There’s something deeply satisfying about making food for someone and watching them enjoy it. Feeding people is one of the simplest ways I know to make them feel welcome.” **Rich Vandenberg, Ward 4:** “I’ve been passionate about classic muscle cars since before I was in high school. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed collecting and restoring these cars, but one of my favorite projects was restoring a 1968 Mustang with my son for his first car. I also recently completed a seven-year restoration of a 1970 Dodge Challenger. There’s something incredibly rewarding about bringing these old cars back to life! Something else people might not know is that my wife and I owned a skateboard and clothing shop called Local Threads in the early 2000s. It was located at the corner of Magnolia Ave and Merrill Ave. That was a fun chapter of our lives, and probably not something most people would expect!” ### 5\. Who in Riverside — a teacher, a neighbor, a coach or a boss — helped shape who you are, and what did they teach you? **Aram Ayra, Ward 2:** “Yolanda Esquivel, whom I had the pleasure of working alongside to advocate for more equitable resources for Riverside schools and expanding access to the annual LULAC Community Health Fair, which provides free medical, dental, and vision care to Riverside residents. She taught me the value of relationship-building and what it truly means to have a lifelong commitment to public service, with or without a ‘title’. “Kevin Dawson welcomed me into the University Neighborhood group when I was a senior at UC Riverside. I wanted to get more involved in my community and help strengthen the relationship between the university and the city. I learned a great deal about neighborhood advocacy and the importance of consistently showing up, especially on the ‘boring’ City issues that tend to affect our day-to-day lives the most. “Professor Ron Loveridge mentored me at UC Riverside and has been a tremendous source of knowledge about local government, public service, and Riverside itself. He helped me understand how local decisions shape people’s everyday lives and the importance of really getting out and getting to know the community you hope to serve. “I’m grateful to all three for sharing their perspectives, experience, and love for Riverside with me.” **Rich Vandenberg, Ward 4:** “One of the most influential people in my life was Coach Johnson, my basketball coach for four years at Rubidoux High School in the early 1990s. We were a group of kids from different backgrounds, each facing our own challenges, and somehow he turned us into a family. He taught us the importance of showing up on time, working together, trusting one another, and being someone others could depend on. He emphasized fundamentals, not just in basketball, but in life. What makes those years even more special is that I’m still friends with many of my teammates today. In fact, our point guard is now my brother-in-law! Coach Johnson taught us that being part of a team meant being accountable to something bigger than ourselves. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for the time he invested in us and the impact he had on the people we became.” ### 6\. If Riverside had a theme song, what would it be, and why? **Aram Ayra, Ward 2:** “‘Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)’ by Irma Thomas. To me, it’s about a love that runs deeper than other people can see or understand. That’s how I feel about Riverside. “I see the things that need fixing, and I share many of the frustrations residents have. But I also see the people, the community, and the possibilities that make this city worth loving. It’s where I’ve built lifelong friendships, found my footing, and met so many people who care deeply about their neighbors. “You can see a place’s flaws clearly and still love it deeply. When I think about what Riverside could be doing better, it’s personal. This is home, and I want to help make it a place where more people can build a good life and feel that same connection.” **Rich Vandenberg, Ward 4:** “I’d choose ‘My Hometown’ by Bruce Springsteen. “Riverside is so much more than the city where I grew up. In many ways, this city helped raise me. It provided opportunities, shaped my values, gave me lifelong friendships, and helped make me the person I am today. Like any hometown, Riverside has changed over the years, and we’ve certainly faced our share of challenges. But my love for this city has never changed. When I think about Riverside, I think about the people, the neighborhoods, the memories, and the generations of families who have called this place home. I hope that every child growing up in Riverside today has the same opportunities and experiences that I was fortunate enough to have. And someday, when they look back on their childhood, I hope they feel the same gratitude and affection for this city that I do.”