Halloween display on Country Club Drive in Canyon Crest.
Friday Gazette: October 25, 2024
When I was a kid, Halloween was a one-day event. Now, it seems to be the start of an extended holiday season that starts in late August. This isnāt a āthings were betterā rant; I enjoy the festivity of it all.
There are so many things happening around town. Last weekend, thousands of families showed up at the Riverside Municipal Airport for Planes & Treats. This event has achieved tremendous success in only three short years. Congratulations to Limamo and the crew on another successful event. Your hard work is appreciated.
This weekend is packed with events and you can always keep up with on our calendar. If youāre looking to get out of the house and donāt feel like bar crawling, check out the Poly vs. Arlington football game at RCC.
Another great event is the Mismiths at the UCR Barn, the event is all ages, costumes are encouraged, and dancing is required!
City Council Approves Nonprofit Loan Fund, Despite Some Opposition
Nonprofit groups say the āNonprofit Resilience Fundā will help address critical needs of residents. Critics argue ātaxpayer moneyā is better used for public work improvements.
Michelle Decker, CEO of the Inland Empire Community Foundation, spoke at the October 23 City Council meeting as the council considered the formation of a Nonprofit Resilience Fund. (Courtesy Krystle Lisenby Joseph)
Riverside's city council voted 4-3 to establish a $2.8 million revolving loan fund for local nonprofits using federal American Rescue Plan Act money. The Inland Empire Community Foundation will administer the fund, providing loans of $150,000 to $200,000 to qualified organizations.
Driving the meeting: Supporters argue the fund will help nonprofits cover program costs and staffing, while opponents prefer using the money for infrastructure projects.
The Nonprofit Resilience Fund aims to support 501(c)3 organizations based in or serving Riverside.
Why it matters: Local nonprofits face barriers in securing private investment and financing for growth, with many offering free or low-cost services to residents.
The fund could provide financial relief for organizations struggling with reimbursement-based funding models.
The opposition: Some council members raised concerns about losing control over taxpayer dollars and the lack of a competitive bidding process.
Councilmember Sean Mill emphasized the importance of transparency and avoiding the appearance of favoritism.
What's next: The city is expected to meet the federal deadline to allocate ARPA funding by year-end, with a requirement to spend the funds by 2026.
Mission Inn Foundation Docents Prepare to Offer New Tours of Downtown
The docents are not back in the Inn but are still here to tell the city's story.
Director of Docent Training, Steve Lech, in front of the Mission Galleria, part of the new tour series offered by the Mission Inn Foundation.
For the first time in a very long time, the Mission Inn Foundation will not be giving tours of the Inn this holiday season. The Mission Inn Hotel has replaced the Foundation's docents with newly hired tour guides. The Inn is still beautiful, holds aesthetic and historical value, and stands proudly at the physical and cultural center of downtown Riverside, but the experience and knowledge of the Mission Inn Foundation docents will not be there and can not be easily replaced.
If there is a bright side to the battle that ended in the eviction of the Museum and Foundation, it is that the docents have coalesced around their collective love of the city. Their love for downtown is bigger than the Inn, and the beauty of Downtown Riverside is much bigger than the Mission Inn.
These displays really get us into the spirit of spooky season.
This hearse waits in front of The Reichland Asylum Halloween Display on Bandini.
Decorating for Halloween has become as much a part of the holiday season as Christmas lights. A comprehensive list would be a monumental task (with your help, we will get there), but here are a few houses around town that go big for the āBOOs.ā
Sports Shorts: Riverside Girls Well Represented in Flag Football Playoffs
Winners of this weekendās contests move on to CIF-SS Quarterfinals.
The diamonds are always open at Orange Terrace Park. (Ken Crawford)
This is a football-heavy edition. With flag football in playoffs and high school boys' Varsity seasons in their final weeks, we look forward to the imminent start of college and high school basketball, the end of college and the beginning of high school soccer, and the start of spring sports. If thereās a story you think needs attention in local sports, email me at Ken@raincrossgazette.com.
Girls Flag Football
Congratulations to the North, Norte Vista, Hillcrest, and King High girls' flag football teams for their first-round victories in the CIF-SS Playoffs. The second-round matchups will take place this Saturday. We will update you with the scores next Friday. Good luck!
Riverside Welcomes New Fire Chief Steve McKinster: A Leader with 29 Years of Experience
Riversideās new fire chief was sworn in at the Fox Performing Arts Center, emphasizing service, honor, and courage, while the City Manager praised his leadership and community commitment.
City Clerk Donesia Gause administers the Oath of Office to Chief Steve McKinster during his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, October 23, marking the beginning of his role as Riversideās new fire chief.
Steve McKinster takes the helm as Riverside's new fire chief after 25 years with the department. He was sworn in Wednesday at the Fox Performing Arts Center, bringing 29 years of fire service experience to the role.
Driving the news: McKinster emerged as the top choice from a pool of 37 candidates in a national search, impressing city officials with his dedication to Riverside and understanding of community needs.
City Manager Mike Futrell praised McKinster's selection, citing his leadership, management expertise, and professionalism.
Why it matters: The new chief's appointment signals continuity and growth for the Riverside Fire Department, with McKinster emphasizing the department's core values of service, honor, and courage.
McKinster plans to focus on daily service while exploring future growth opportunities.
The big picture: McKinster's journey with the department spans over two decades, starting as a 20-year-old paramedic in 1995.
His deep roots in the community and extensive experience position him well to lead the department forward.
What's next: The new chief aims to make a positive impact, ensuring the safety of both department members and the community while fostering a strong team environment.
"We may not always agree, but we'll respect each other's opinions. That's what builds a strong team," McKinster said.
Meet this weekās featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Petunia is a two-year-old boxer who embraces life to the fullest, except when itās nap time, of course. Sheās always up for some fun, whether that means running in the yard, splashing in water, or playing fetch. Petunia has been the longest resident at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, waiting for her forever home for 22 months. You could change her life today by considering adoption. The Pet Adoption Center is open Wednesday through Monday, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Share Petuniaās story with your friends and family to help her find her second chance. Visit petsadoption.org for more information on Petunia and other available pets.
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