Wednesday Gazette: April 9, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday!
One of my favorite regular features of The Raincross Gazette is our Neighbor of the Week series sponsored by Altura Credit Union.
What makes Riverside special isn’t the Mission Inn, Victoria Avenue, or the way the orange groves smell right now—it’s the people who make Riverside shine, often in quiet, consistent, and meaningful ways. From teachers and coaches to baristas, bartenders, cashiers, and crossing guards, we're on a mission to highlight the Riversiders who go the extra mile to bring warmth and connection to our everyday lives. Know someone who deserves to be celebrated? Nominate a Neighbor of the Week!
GOVERNMENT
Council Greenlights $28.5M Museum Renovation
Historic 1912 post office building to be transformed with two-story expansion after years of delays.
The Riverside City Council has unanimously approved a $28.5 million bid from BNBuilders to transform the historic 1912 post office into an expanded Museum of Riverside. The project, in development since 2017, will maintain the existing downtown footprint and include a two-story addition.
Driving the news: The $45 million renovation project aims to reopen the museum to the public by mid-2027, with construction expected to take two years.
- Funding primarily comes from municipal bonds approved by the City Council last September.
Why it matters: The museum has been closed since September 2017, leaving residents eager for its return.
- Cynthia Zdilor, chair of the Museum of Riverside board, urged the council to approve the contract, citing public interest in the reopening.
What's next: The renovated museum will feature exhibitions with a "hyper-local focus," including displays on immigration, fast food culture, and an expanded Nature Lab.
- Until completion, the museum continues to serve the community through exhibitions in Heritage House and other locations.
The bottom line: Councilmember Philip Falcone emphasized the project's importance, stating, "Certain things are just a 'must.' And we are long since passed a 'must' when it comes to the must to break ground."
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COMMUNITY
Riverside's Phenix Technology Wins National Workforce Award
Local firefighter helmet manufacturer's program employing people with disabilities recognized as national model.
Phenix Technology, a Riverside-based firefighter helmet maker, received the 2025 W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award for its "Opportunity for All" program, which has transformed lives and created a more inclusive workplace.
Driving the news: The family-owned company's workforce is now 30% neurodiverse or from traditionally underserved backgrounds, setting a high standard for inclusive hiring in Riverside County.
- The program has achieved a 100% graduation rate with 80% of participants finding employment at other companies.
Why it matters: Phenix's approach demonstrates that individuals historically excluded from the workforce can elevate organizations and achieve personal growth.
- One early hire transformed from avoiding interaction to living independently and starting a side business.
The impact: The initiative extends beyond employment numbers, focusing on social mobility and independence for participants.
- Economic benefits include increased tax revenues and reduced reliance on public assistance.
What's next: Phenix's recognition could inspire other local companies to develop more inclusive workplaces, according to the Riverside County Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
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COMMUNITY
Mission Inn Foundation Offers Two Unique Ways to Experience Mt. Rubidoux
An innovative virtual run and a new, docent-lead tour give both fitness and history enthusiasts new reasons to trek to the top.
The Mission Inn Foundation introduces two innovative ways to explore Riverside's iconic Mt. Rubidoux: a virtual run and a docent-led walking tour. Both initiatives honor Frank Miller's legacy and support the foundation's preservation efforts.
Driving the news: The virtual run, priced at $43.40, allows participants to complete the challenge at their own pace before April 15, 2025, while the guided tour offers historical insights on a 1.5-mile journey.
- The programs align with Riverside's Blue Zone city efforts, promoting healthier lifestyles and local heritage appreciation.
Why it matters: These experiences provide flexible options for engaging with a cherished landmark while supporting cultural preservation.
- All proceeds from the virtual run benefit the Mission Inn Foundation's educational programs and preservation projects.
The bottom line: Whether opting for the self-guided virtual run or the educational walking tour, participants can meaningfully connect with Riverside's history.
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NATURALLY RIVERSIDE
The Little Things That Mean a Lot
Researchers reveal how trillions of microscopic companions shape our health and connect us to the world.
A recurring theme of "Naturally Riverside" is the interconnectedness of humans to the natural world. But poinsettias, coyotes, peregrine falcons, donkeys and acorn woodpeckers all seem to be a bit arm's length. Are there creatures with which we are even more intimate? What if we could go no further than our own bodies to find a veritable zoo of organisms?
Welcome to the human microbiome! Everyone carries about 2,000 species of microbes, and every individual has a unique combination of such microorganisms. On our skin and hair, throughout our alimentary system, in our lungs, coursing through our circulatory systems and adjacent to every orifice are an array of bacteria, viruses, archaeans, fungi and other single-celled organisms.
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BUSINESS
Goodwill SoCal Launches 'Bins' Location in Riverside
Pay-by-pound thrift store marks organization's fourth location in the city.
Goodwill Southern California (GSC) has launched its first Warehouse Clearance Center in Riverside, offering a unique thrifting experience where shoppers can buy goods by the pound.
Driving the news: The grand opening on April 4, 2025, marked GSC's fourth location in Riverside, introducing a new shopping format to the community.
- The center features unsorted merchandise in large bins, creating an intense treasure-hunting atmosphere.
Why it matters: These outlets are a key source for vintage boutiques, allowing them to maintain their business model while offering thrifted goods.
- The new format supports GSC's mission to "Transform Lives Through the Power of Work" by funding employment programs.
The big picture: The Warehouse Clearance Center joins GSC's existing Riverside locations, including a retail store, boutique, donation center, and employment center.
What's next: The center, located at 1049 Spruce St, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering shoppers a chance to find unique items at bargain prices.
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Noteworthy
Prominent Riversider Shirley Coates recently discussed her empowerment work through the California Society of Extraordinary Women on the latest SoCal Voices podcast episode, highlighting how her STEM Academy helps girls envision themselves as extraordinary leaders.
The Los Angeles Times featured Riverside's new Farm House Collective, highlighting how the $4 million renovation transformed the 1953 motel into a thriving mini-mall and entertainment venue while preserving its distinctive midcentury character.
Norte Vista High School teachers organized a free clothing event on campus, creating excitement that students like Rosalio Gomez appreciated the opportunity to acquire necessities that some families struggle to afford.
What's Happening in Riverside
Today
- Certified Farmers Market at 10th & Lemon Streets
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Easter Kid's Cookie Decorating Class at Cubby Buddies
- Noche de Poemas, Voces Hispanicas | Night of Poems, Hispanic Voices at Riverside Public Library | Marcy Branch
- Riverside International Film Festival 2025 at The Box Theater
- Riverside Open Mic Music Series at Back to the Grind
Tomorrow
- Airport Commission at Riverside City Hall
- Aspiring Pilot Seminar at March Field Air Museum
- Budget Engagement Commission at Riverside City Hall
- Ending Veteran Homelessness One Step at a Time at Westmont Village Community Event Center
- Los Doyers Sip & Paint at Phearless Art Studio
- Southern California Air Show Golf Tournament at General Old Golf Course ($500)
- Spring Musical: Fiddler on the Roof at Woodcrest Christian School ($12 - $15)
- Sprout and Grow Seed Planting Station at the Marcy Library at Riverside Public Library | Marcy Branch
- Thrift to Chic: A Make & Take Experience at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Thrift Store ($20)
Save the Date
- April 12: Braver Angels Red/Blue Workshop at Joyce Johnson Community Center at Nichols Park
- May 17: Blue Zones Project - Riverside Kickoff Festival at Riverside Airport
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🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.