Looking East down the Gage Canal from Horace Ave. (Ken Crawford)
Wednesday Gazette: May 14, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! We made it to Wednesday—but there's no hump in sight and no downhill cruise to the weekend. It’s a packed week, and the weekend’s even busier. This Saturday, May 17, the Blue Zones Kickoff at Riverside Airport and the Old Riverside Foundation Vintage Home Tour are happening at the same time. We're determined to make it to both. You up for the challenge?
Rich Vandenberg Announces Bid for Ward 4 City Council Seat
Riverside native promises "stronger, safer, smarter growth" for Alessandro Heights, Orangecrest, and the Greenbelt.
(Courtesy Vandenberg for Riverside City Council 2026)
Rich Vandenberg has announced his candidacy for Riverside City Council's Ward 4 seat in the 2026 election. The Riverside native and businessman will challenge incumbent Chuck Conder, who has held the position since 2017.
Driving the news: Vandenberg's campaign, launched via social media on May 7, focuses on a platform of "Stronger, Safer, Smarter Growth" for Ward 4.
He emphasizes transparent governance and deep community roots in his campaign announcement.
Why it matters: The election could bring fresh leadership to Ward 4, which includes the Alessandro Heights, Mission Grove, Orangecrest, and the Greenbelt.
Vandenberg promises to prioritize residents' needs and work towards responsible development.
Key initiatives: If elected, Vandenberg plans to focus on:
Promoting responsible development
Improving city responsiveness
Supporting economic development
He aims to balance resident interests with business investment opportunities.
The big picture: Vandenberg currently serves as Vice Chair of the Budget Engagement Commission and Chair of the Downtown Area Neighborhood Alliance.
His campaign emphasizes strengthening neighborhood input in city decisions.
What's next: Ward 4 prepares for its first election since Conder secured a five-year term in 2021, defeating challenger Monrow Mabon with 56% of the vote.
The March Joint Powers Commission unanimously rejected the proposed "March Innovation Hub" project after a contentious meeting that lasted over three hours. The decision came despite a last-minute offer from the developer to prohibit warehouses and logistics operations within the industrial zone.
Driving the news: Commissioners voted 8-0 against the project, which would have developed 347 acres with industrial, business park, and mixed-use zones while designating 468 acres as conservation easement.
More than 100 speakers testified, with opinions split between environmental concerns and potential economic benefits.
Why it matters: The rejection leaves unresolved the Joint Powers Authority's court-mandated obligation to build a 48-to-60-acre park in the area, stemming from a 2003 settlement agreement.
Without the developer's contribution, the cost for the JPA to build the park independently would exceed $50 million.
What's next: The March Joint Powers Authority's land use authority sunsets on July 1, transferring jurisdiction to Riverside County.
Future development proposals for the site will need to start the entitlement process from the beginning, potentially taking several years.
The bottom line: Commissioners expressed concerns about industrial zoning and potential warehouse construction, despite the developer's focus on attracting technology, clean energy, and healthcare businesses.
Penrose Records showcases Los Yesterdays and powerhouse Vicky Tafoya at Farm House Collective's sold-out show.
Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat at The Farm House Collective. (Ken Crawford)
The Farm House Collective, a revamped 1953 motel in Riverside, launched its first sold-out concert featuring Los Yesterdays and Vicky Tafoya and The Big Beat. The all-ages venue created a unique, multi-generational atmosphere for live music.
Driving the news: The successful event showcased the venue's potential as a new home for live music in Riverside, accommodating both intimate performances and larger crowds.
The 500-capacity stage, surrounded by food spots and shops in converted motel rooms, provided a laid-back setting for the Penrose Records lineup.
Why it matters: The Farm House Collective's debut highlights Riverside's growing music scene and its connection to the Southern California soul revival.
The venue's lineup, curated with Desert Daze co-founder Phil Pirrone and Penrose Records' Adrian Roth, promises a mix of established and emerging talent.
What's next: Upcoming shows include É Arenas on May 23, 2025, and Lee Fields on May 24, further solidifying the venue's place in Riverside's music landscape.
For vinyl enthusiasts, Penrose Records' shop in the Life Arts Building offers a full collection of Southern California soul recordings.
Not every big white bird in Riverside is what you think. Those elegant creatures wading through Fairmount Park’s lakes or gliding over the Santa Ana River might look like storks or cranes—but they’re neither. In Riverside, you’re far more likely to be seeing one of two native egrets, and while they may seem identical at first glance, a closer look reveals striking differences. From their historical brush with extinction to the secrets hidden in their feet, Norm Ellstrand walks us through everything you need to know to tell them apart—and why it matters.
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