Looking down into the iconic rotunda at the Mission Inn—an architectural spiral of arches, columns, and California history. (Joseph Kaplan) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Wednesday Gazette: July 9, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! I want to take a quick moment to thank you for your participation in our summer membership campaign last week and share that 37 Riversiders believe in what we're building here enough to jump on board as new ongoing supporters during the campaign.
Please indulge me with a final request to close out our summer membership campaign:
If you're not a paid supporter, I would love to hear how we can make The Gazette more valuable to you; simply reply to this email and share your feedback directly with me.
Would you please take one minute today to tell a neighbor, coworker, or friend about The Gazette and encourage them to subscribe to our newsletters? I've found that texting someone a link to raincrossgazette.com is the most effective way to encourage a new subscription.
UC Riverside secured the 33rd spot among public universities in Princeton Review's 2025 "Best Value Colleges" rankings, marking its sixth consecutive year of recognition across multiple categories.
Driving the news: The university received high marks for return on investment, financial aid, and making an impact, solidifying its position as a top-tier public institution.
UCR scored 90 out of 99 for return on investment and ranked 11th nationally among public schools for financial aid.
Why it matters: The rankings highlight UCR's commitment to accessible education, serving a predominantly first-generation and low-income student population.
More than half of UCR's undergraduates receive Pell Grants.
The big picture: Princeton Review evaluated over 650 colleges and universities, selecting 209 institutions for its best value list based on academics, affordability, and career outcomes.
Go deeper: UCR also placed fifth among public universities for "making an impact" and was included in the Top 50 Green Colleges list.
What's next: The consistent recognition reinforces Riverside's reputation as home to a nationally acclaimed public university prioritizing accessible education.
Why the Black Phoebe Is Riverside’s Perfect Signature Bird
Amid the summer lull of browns and grays, the tuxedoed Black Phoebe stands out—active, distinctive and ever-present—embodying Riverside’s resilience and charm year‑round.
The doldrums of birding in Riverside run from July through mid‑September. While the first fall migrants begin appearing along the coast, at the wetlands of the San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge, or on the shores of Lake Elsinore, things tend to be sleepy within city limits during those hot months. Local birds are molting, tucked away in the shade during the heat of the day. Inland terrestrial migrants don’t show up until the fall—and even then, they arrive slowly. It’s not until late September that we begin to see the first of our winter birds.
The species that persist and show themselves in the three-digit heat are largely brown and gray: Mourning Dove, Northern Mockingbird, House Sparrow, California Towhee, Eurasian Collared Dove. Even the more obvious birds—crows and ravens—come cloaked in somber black. They match the mood of the season. But one bird shatters the stillness and stands out.
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Back to School Collection debuts, Planning Commission advances Riverside Alive, former Miss Riverside fights fentanyl crisis and meet Archie, adoptable pet of the week.
Council subcommittee urges trust in Inspector General formation, international art exhibition opens at Immanuel Lutheran and Meliia’s Disneyland fundraiser grows.
