The Peace Tower atop Mt. Rubidoux stands as a timeless symbol of unity and hope, inviting all who visit to reflect on the enduring pursuit of harmony. (Amy LĂłpez)
Sunday Gazette: March 30, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday!
Eid Mubarak to all our neighbors celebrating Eid al-Fitr today. May this special day bring joy and blessings to you and your families throughout the coming year.
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Thank you to the Subscribers who became paid supporters this week: Mary Gabe, Karl Healton, Rosemary Neal, Diane Roth, Christine Runyan, and Cheryl Tavaglione. Your ongoing financial support is vital to our success in serving Riverside with the news it deserves!
Seth takes a tasting tour of UCR’s incredible collection of citrus varieties and shares some ways to sample them yourself on campus and at the upcoming Third Annual Citrus Festival at the California Citrus State Historic Park
A feast for the senses; a citrus tasting adventure at UCR's Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection unveiled a dazzling array of colors, flavors, and textures, from the bold bite of chinotto bitter oranges to the candy-like sweetness of Kishu mandarins. (Seth Zurer)
A few weeks ago, Seth was lucky enough to wangle an invitation to one of these rarefied Riverside experiences. He joined a group of citrus growers, citrus lovers, and citrus researchers for a tour of the UCR Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection. Managed by Dr. Tracy Kahn since 1995, the collection houses over 1,000 citrus varieties, from commercial staples to rare, unexpected flavors. Dr. Kahn has dedicated her work to preserving citrus diversity, managing access to the groves, and supporting both industry and scientific research. As Seth wandered through the vibrant trees, tasting everything from tangy-sweet mandarins to citrus with wild, resinous undertones, it was clear that this living archive is about more than just fruit—it’s about preserving history.
The Nanking Bell: A Mission Inn Treasure from China's Imperial Past
A 2,800-pound imperial relic's journey from Qing Dynasty ruins to Riverside's iconic hotel in 1913.
1916 Postcard showing the Nanking Bell in front of the Old Adobe. (Author's Collection)
DeWitt and Allis Hutchings set sail from New York in June 1911 for a prolonged tour of Europe. A month later, Frank and Marion Miller joined Frank's daughter and son-in-law on their venture to explore the Continent. Miller was looking for treasures to fill his expanding Glenwood Mission Inn. After the Millers returned to Riverside, the Hutchings continued their world tour, extending their travels to Greece, India, China, and Japan. The world-traveling couple returned to June in March 1912, having been away from Riverside for ten months. Following the lead of Frank Miller, they brought back a vast collection of treasures, including 120 bells for the growing bell collection.
A year later, on March 26, 1913, the most significant and largest find from the Hutchings' trip arrived in Riverside. While spending a week in China, they discovered a magnificent bell in the ruins of a temple in Nanking, China. DeWitt and Allis proceeded to negotiate for the bell and bring it to Riverside.
Each week, we will introduce a new neighbor. This is not a who's who list. These are regular Riversiders doing exceptional things.
Robin with a rescue pup, proud to be part of Riverside’s compassionate community at Foster Army Animal Rescue. (Brenda Flowers)
Robin is incredibly proud of her work with Foster Army Animal Rescue and Thrift Store in Riverside. Helping to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals has been deeply rewarding, and witnessing their transformations inspires her every day. The Thrift Store not only funds their mission but also brings the community together in support of rescue efforts.
For Robin, Riverside is a place where compassion and community meet. The generosity of its people makes this work possible, and she’s grateful to be part of a city that cares so deeply for animals and those in need.
A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
(Titus Pardee)
This week, we're diving into the auditory realm, specifically, that persistent melody that refuses to leave your brain: the earworm. You know the one – that song, jingle, or snippet of music that loops endlessly in your mind, driving you slightly mad.
Across cultures, this phenomenon has many names. In German, it's an "Ohrwurm," literally "earworm." In Tagalog, it's called an "LSS" (Last Song Syndrome). In Spanish, "canciĂłn pegadiza" or "sticky song". Regardless of the label, the experience is universal: a musical fragment lodged in our consciousness, playing on repeat.
