When Leimamo Taylor learned financial struggles kept families from dining out, she created free weekday kids' meals. Now US Foods is pitching in, and her community is coming back together.
Morning clouds roll in over Riverside — tropical moisture adds drama to the sunrise sky. (Bob Sirotnik)
Wednesday Gazette: July 23, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! So far, this summer’s temps have been downright pleasant—today’s high is 90° with a cool overnight low of 59°. We know it’s only mid-July and the triple digits will show up eventually, but right now, we’re soaking up every bit of this mellow weather. Whether it’s hitting a local trail, grabbing a treat Downtown or catching a Concert at Fairmount Park, now’s the time to enjoy all that Riverside summer has to offer.
Construction Begins on Riverside Transmission Project Nearly Two Decades After 2007 Outage
Underground work underway on $730 million effort to provide city's second connection to state power grid.
Electrical towers near Cantu-Galleano road and Interstate 15. (Ken Crawford)
A decades-long effort to bolster Riverside's electrical grid is finally underway. The Riverside Transmission Reliability Project, a $730 million initiative, aims to address a vulnerability first identified in 1966.
Driving the news: Southern California Edison and Riverside Public Utilities have started construction on a 10-mile, 220-kilovolt transmission line, providing Riverside with a second connection to California's power grid.
The project includes four miles of underground lines and six miles of overhead construction using towers up to 180 feet tall.
Why it matters: Riverside currently relies on a single 69-kilovolt connection, making it unique among major Southern California cities and vulnerable to outages.
A 2007 power outage left the city without electricity for more than four hours, emphasizing the critical need for the upgrade.
The big picture: The Riverside City Council approved the project in May 2024 after years of community opposition centered on demands for more underground construction.
Community members cited wildfire risks, aesthetic concerns, and property value impacts in their opposition to overhead construction.
What's next: Construction is expected to be completed by late 2028, with Riverside's portion of the cost totaling approximately $208.8 million.
Ratepayers have been paying a reliability charge on their electric bills since 2008 to fund the project's planning and construction phases.
'Where have you been?' The Question That Launched Riverside Airport Cafe's Free Lunch Movement
When Leimamo Taylor learned financial struggles kept families from dining out, she created free weekday kids' meals. Now US Foods is pitching in, and her community is coming back together.
Leimamo Taylor, owner of Riverside Airport Cafe, transforms her business and community by offering free lunch boxes for children and discounted meals for adults. The initiative, born from a simple question to a struggling family, has become a catalyst for reconnecting families and inspiring corporate generosity.
Driving the news: Taylor's free kids' lunch program, available weekdays from 1 to 3 p.m., provides a meal including a hot dog, chips, juice box, and orange to any child, no questions asked.
The cafe also offers a happy hour menu with smaller portions at discounted prices for adults.
Why it matters: The program addresses financial stress in the community, allowing families to enjoy public spaces and social interactions they previously couldn't afford.
Children are playing together and making new friends while watching planes at the airport-adjacent cafe.
The impact: Taylor's initiative has inspired others, with US Foods, her supplier, offering to donate hot dogs and buns to support the program.
The cafe has become a symbol of community care, demonstrating how businesses can thrive while prioritizing social impact.
What's next: Taylor's approach challenges other business owners to look beyond profit margins and consider how addressing community needs can strengthen their enterprises.
The success of Riverside Airport Cafe's program suggests a model for businesses to combine compassion with commerce.
Australian Band Surprise Chef to Play Riverside's Farm House Collective Thursday
Instrumental group brings jazzy, psychedelic-tinged R&B to restored 1953 motel venue.
The crowd gets into the music at the Farm House Collective. (Ken Crawford)
Surprise Chef, an Australian instrumental quartet, is set to perform at Farm House Collective on Thursday, July 24. The band brings their unique blend of instrumental soul, R&B and subtle psychedelia to the recently opened University Avenue venue.
Driving the news: The performance highlights the growing Australian psych rock scene, with Surprise Chef representing a mellower sound compared to more prominent acts like King Gizzard and Tame Impala.
The band's groove-heavy, danceable style is described as "microdose psychedelia."
Why it matters: Farm House Collective, which opened in March, offers a new entertainment destination in a restored 1953 motor court, maintaining its mid-century aesthetic.
The venue's indoor and outdoor spaces, complete with string lights and a concert stage, provide an ideal setting for Surprise Chef's easy-listening style.
The big picture: Farm House Collective houses 15 local businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment spaces, contributing to the area's cultural growth.
Music programming is curated by Phil Pirrone of Desert Daze festival, ensuring high-quality bookings.
What's next: Tickets for the Surprise Chef performance are available through eventim.us.
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